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The List: Finding Love Was the Last Thing on Her List
Ashley Barrett doesn't want to get married. At least, not anytime soon. She doesn't care how many of her friends and family members and fellow churchgoers had weddings before they finished college -- the last thing she needs in her fun-loving twenties is the dead-weight of some guy. And that's why she created The List. By the time she completes all twenty-five goals -- from learning a language to skydiving to perfecting the art of making sushi -- she'll be more ready to settle down. Maybe.
This summer in California is a prime time for Ashley to cross two items off the list: learn to surf (#13) and have a summer romance (#17). And Matt Gibson, the best surf instructor in Huntington Beach and the most wanted guy in the singles ward, is the perfect man for the job. Ashley hatches a plan to love him and leave him before heading off to grad school in the fall (#4, get a master's degree). But when Matt decides he doesn't like the "leaving" part, Ashley's carefully laid plans are turned sideways. Now Ashley faces an unexpected dilemma: should she stick to the safety of The List, or risk everything for a love that may tie her down —- or might set her free?
This summer in California is a prime time for Ashley to cross two items off the list: learn to surf (#13) and have a summer romance (#17). And Matt Gibson, the best surf instructor in Huntington Beach and the most wanted guy in the singles ward, is the perfect man for the job. Ashley hatches a plan to love him and leave him before heading off to grad school in the fall (#4, get a master's degree). But when Matt decides he doesn't like the "leaving" part, Ashley's carefully laid plans are turned sideways. Now Ashley faces an unexpected dilemma: should she stick to the safety of The List, or risk everything for a love that may tie her down —- or might set her free?
304 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2011
63 people are currently reading
2411 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 525 reviews
July 9, 2011
I'm not going to lie to you. Confession number one: I do not read LDS literature anymore. I did as a young adult. I did a little in my college days. But I haven't even entered a Deseret Bookstore in about ten years. LDS literature has not been anywhere on my radar. Confession number two: chick-lit has never been my genre. I've read a few books here. I've read a few books there. But it's never been my fave. Confession number three: I know the author. We worked together...at the Limited. And we were in the same major...back in the BYU days. She's a friend. She's smart and sassy. Most importantly, she's a great writer!
All confessions, and possible prejudices aside, The List was, in a word, adorable. And in another, delightful. And in just one more, entertaining! And isn't that just perfect for a lazy summer afternoon with not much to do? It is. It truly is.
So Ashley, a really beautiful and somewhat unconventional, Mormon girl moves to Huntington Beach with two goals in mind. Learn to surf and hook up with a hottie for some summer lovin! Once they are off her "list"? She can go on to graduate school in good old Provo without a care in the world. But when she starts to really fall for her summer fling, Ashley has to reassess what matters most.
I kind of hearted this book, and here is why:
1. The main character, Ashley, has a backbone and she's smart. But she's funny, too. She is someone who, in real life, would totally be my bff. I liked her that much. And that is because she seems like a real person. I'm a Mormon and a single girl. I totally related to Ashley.
2. I loved the dialogue. It felt like real conversation. I find that many authors struggle to make dialogue mimic real life. Not so here. And that only made the characters all the more developed and real.
3. It's light. And sometimes that is just what you want...a story that is fun and that doesn't take itself too seriously.
4. This is slightly embarrassing to admit, but I loved all the Mormon trappings. I suppose that in my more "worldly" or "intellectual" moods, I think that Mormon literature focuses too much on Mormonisms...i.e., references to institute or wards or linger longer. Maybe it's because I haven't read such novels in a long time that I found the references refreshing and fun.
5. The romance had my heart pitter-pattering! I'm not 24 anymore, but isn't crushing on someone one of the great pleasures of life? And then falling in love...well, that is the great pleasure of life! Am I right? I am right. And the romance here was perfect.
6. Finally, she gets the whole singles ward culture. I lived it (for too many years). And this was an honest and real representation of the culture that exists in an LDS singles ward.
So go out and read it! And congratulations Melanie...well played!
All confessions, and possible prejudices aside, The List was, in a word, adorable. And in another, delightful. And in just one more, entertaining! And isn't that just perfect for a lazy summer afternoon with not much to do? It is. It truly is.
So Ashley, a really beautiful and somewhat unconventional, Mormon girl moves to Huntington Beach with two goals in mind. Learn to surf and hook up with a hottie for some summer lovin! Once they are off her "list"? She can go on to graduate school in good old Provo without a care in the world. But when she starts to really fall for her summer fling, Ashley has to reassess what matters most.
I kind of hearted this book, and here is why:
1. The main character, Ashley, has a backbone and she's smart. But she's funny, too. She is someone who, in real life, would totally be my bff. I liked her that much. And that is because she seems like a real person. I'm a Mormon and a single girl. I totally related to Ashley.
2. I loved the dialogue. It felt like real conversation. I find that many authors struggle to make dialogue mimic real life. Not so here. And that only made the characters all the more developed and real.
3. It's light. And sometimes that is just what you want...a story that is fun and that doesn't take itself too seriously.
4. This is slightly embarrassing to admit, but I loved all the Mormon trappings. I suppose that in my more "worldly" or "intellectual" moods, I think that Mormon literature focuses too much on Mormonisms...i.e., references to institute or wards or linger longer. Maybe it's because I haven't read such novels in a long time that I found the references refreshing and fun.
5. The romance had my heart pitter-pattering! I'm not 24 anymore, but isn't crushing on someone one of the great pleasures of life? And then falling in love...well, that is the great pleasure of life! Am I right? I am right. And the romance here was perfect.
6. Finally, she gets the whole singles ward culture. I lived it (for too many years). And this was an honest and real representation of the culture that exists in an LDS singles ward.
So go out and read it! And congratulations Melanie...well played!
September 10, 2011
Oh my goodness I could not put this book down. I told my husband while in the middle of the book that I was probably going to have to buy this book.(which I only do with books I really want to read again, and again) This book was funny, interesting, and had a lot of things people like me relate to. However, in the last 3 chapters or at least the last small part of the book, I decided I did not like this book. Bummer, but seriously, she ended on cliche's and turned the heroine from a slightly insane but likable and witty girl, into a freak, and total idiot. I am sorry but no one is this painfully stupid. Then in trying to end on a happy note, it just kind of ended with a "thats it" kind of resolve. Well, I am a frustrated reader tonight. So much potential, I could have really loved this book, with a little more oomph at the end it would have been great.
November 30, 2019
This was a fun contemporary Christian romance. Not your normal Christian romance. This is just about two people who believe in God and go to church and the culture of the church is talked about. The romance and the characters are the center of this story. Why people do what they do. There is some good chemistry in here and some awesome banter. You really get why these two click and why they fall in love. I had fun reading this. I liked this Jacobson novel, it felt very real.
November 2, 2011
Oh, goodness. What to say about this book . . . I wanted to like it. I really did. I'm not a fan of LDS fiction, but some positive reviews made me think this book might possibly veer from the norm. Uh, no.
Painfully predictable and cliched. That is my verdict. There were a few moments of humorous dialogue, but I just couldn't get past how unlikeable the main character was. She was so selfish, egocentric, and horribly stupid (despite how often she reminds you of her higher than average intelligence . . . I mean, after all, she does know what "quid pro quo" means. Apparently, not many people do. Although, she'll be impressed if by some small chance you do.) I just couldn't figure out why the guy would like her. I can't think of any guy who would stick around for that kind of narcissistic crazy. I'm just saying.
So, sorry LDS-fic, but I won't be coming back for more anytime soon. This book just reminded me why I never pick you up in the first place.
Oh, and P.S., no woman with curly hair would EVER run a comb through it!
Painfully predictable and cliched. That is my verdict. There were a few moments of humorous dialogue, but I just couldn't get past how unlikeable the main character was. She was so selfish, egocentric, and horribly stupid (despite how often she reminds you of her higher than average intelligence . . . I mean, after all, she does know what "quid pro quo" means. Apparently, not many people do. Although, she'll be impressed if by some small chance you do.) I just couldn't figure out why the guy would like her. I can't think of any guy who would stick around for that kind of narcissistic crazy. I'm just saying.
So, sorry LDS-fic, but I won't be coming back for more anytime soon. This book just reminded me why I never pick you up in the first place.
Oh, and P.S., no woman with curly hair would EVER run a comb through it!
May 16, 2011
Loved this book!!I I loved the cover, loved the setting, loved the characters, loved the story, etc.
Ashley has watched her mom and older sisters struggle through life because they married early. When she turned 18, she created The List to help her live life with no regrets--a list of things for her to do to really experience life before she gets married.
The summer before grad school is spent in California, living with her cousins and learning to surf and having a summer romance. Matt is the bat surf instructor around, but she doesn't plan on drifting far from the safety of The List....
I loved how witty the dialogue was between Ashley and Matt. Ashley let her fear rule her and Matt was so good to her. How many guys would agree to her crazy rules and try so hard when she does everything in her power to drive him away? I love how creative Matt was in trying to win her over and trying to make her realize that The List isn't everything. Will he succeed? :)
Ashley has watched her mom and older sisters struggle through life because they married early. When she turned 18, she created The List to help her live life with no regrets--a list of things for her to do to really experience life before she gets married.
The summer before grad school is spent in California, living with her cousins and learning to surf and having a summer romance. Matt is the bat surf instructor around, but she doesn't plan on drifting far from the safety of The List....
I loved how witty the dialogue was between Ashley and Matt. Ashley let her fear rule her and Matt was so good to her. How many guys would agree to her crazy rules and try so hard when she does everything in her power to drive him away? I love how creative Matt was in trying to win her over and trying to make her realize that The List isn't everything. Will he succeed? :)
August 24, 2013
4.5
Melanie Jacobson you have just gained a new fan. I have had this book on my "to read" shelf for ages. I was wandering through that shelf praying that a great book would pop out for me to read. I saw this cover and decided that this book has waited long enough. I really liked it!
I pretty much fell in love with Matt right away. I thought he was so down to earth and as the story unfolds he truly turns into something I did not expect. You could see that he was really "playing a part" at times with Ashley to make her feel more comfortable, but he was still being who he was. My favorite part of this book was all the banter back and forth between the two of them. I love reading a book that is mostly dialogue. I feel like I really get to know all the characters this way. I thought Ashley was a likeable character right from the beginning. I loved her whit and the fact that she was independent and wanted to sail her own course in life. As always those with stubbornness like Ashley, make it hard to see what was plain right in front of her. Even though all of the things that were suppose to be "surprising" weren't to me. I still enjoyed watching the whole story unfold. One thing that I found so amusing was the fact that the life she so didn't want (married young, kids right away, etc) is the life that I have been so blessed with. So at times I was cracking up because that is my life(my kids do jump on me while I am trying to do my sit ups. It's just the way it is).
The ending was adorable. I always wonder if a writer is going to be able to end the book to my liking. There are a lot of books that let me down. I thought this ending went with the story and the feel of the characters. My only big wish is for an epilogue. Oh, how I would of loved a peek into their life five years later.
There were a few things I didn't love but I think that just comes with reading books. I wish at times she would of been a little less "list" obsessed and I wish Matt would of been willing to put himself out there a little more to let her know how he felt. As I write this however, I realize that would of changed the dynamic about who they were and I wouldn't want to do that.
Biggest item I walked away with. I think I might need to add surfing to my bucket list. :)
Melanie Jacobson you have just gained a new fan. I have had this book on my "to read" shelf for ages. I was wandering through that shelf praying that a great book would pop out for me to read. I saw this cover and decided that this book has waited long enough. I really liked it!
I pretty much fell in love with Matt right away. I thought he was so down to earth and as the story unfolds he truly turns into something I did not expect. You could see that he was really "playing a part" at times with Ashley to make her feel more comfortable, but he was still being who he was. My favorite part of this book was all the banter back and forth between the two of them. I love reading a book that is mostly dialogue. I feel like I really get to know all the characters this way. I thought Ashley was a likeable character right from the beginning. I loved her whit and the fact that she was independent and wanted to sail her own course in life. As always those with stubbornness like Ashley, make it hard to see what was plain right in front of her. Even though all of the things that were suppose to be "surprising" weren't to me. I still enjoyed watching the whole story unfold. One thing that I found so amusing was the fact that the life she so didn't want (married young, kids right away, etc) is the life that I have been so blessed with. So at times I was cracking up because that is my life(my kids do jump on me while I am trying to do my sit ups. It's just the way it is).
The ending was adorable. I always wonder if a writer is going to be able to end the book to my liking. There are a lot of books that let me down. I thought this ending went with the story and the feel of the characters. My only big wish is for an epilogue. Oh, how I would of loved a peek into their life five years later.
There were a few things I didn't love but I think that just comes with reading books. I wish at times she would of been a little less "list" obsessed and I wish Matt would of been willing to put himself out there a little more to let her know how he felt. As I write this however, I realize that would of changed the dynamic about who they were and I wouldn't want to do that.
Biggest item I walked away with. I think I might need to add surfing to my bucket list. :)
November 13, 2014
This was a really fun read. It reminded me a little of the movies Lucky Seven and You’ve Got Mail. Ashley really grew on my as the story progressed. I liked her witty personality and thought she grew quite a bit. I admit at first there were times where at first I thought she was a little cold, she had built up quite a wall around her. She had kind of a naive and negative view on marriage in my opinion. Luckily Matt comes along and really brings out a softer side and he was just great. The book has A LOT of dialog in it, which at times really had me laughing. The story pretty much revolves around Ashley and Matt’s relationship, there is a bit of a love-triangle, and it’s just fun to see how Matt goes about “courting” Ashley. It’s a fun “romantic comedy” and one I would recommend to anyone who enjoys that genre.
November 28, 2012
Sorry if this steps on anyone's toes, but this book totally reminded me why I hardly ever read LDS fiction. Corny and cheesy dialogue/scenes/you name it throughout the whole book. I'll admit, I read a lot of Anita Stansfield and Jack Weyland in high school and if you had given this book to me then, I probably would have liked it. But not anymore. I couldn't handle it. (I did finish it, but boy. Someone stop me if they see me checking out an LDS fiction book anytime soon. Please.)
February 15, 2011
Look, I'm just saying, I think it's pretty fun. Like, pretty dang fun.
October 26, 2022
It is rather ironic - I read The List because for some reason it has been on my "want to read" list for a little over eight years now. But that's about the only reason I kept going with it.
The first half of the book is very slow moving, and the entire book is quite predictable. It's a typical boy meets girl and they think they have it all. Then they get into some kind of big fight which ends when they realize they can't live without each other. Or something like that.
However, it is a very clean romance and probably worth at least one read, but it isn't one that has me wishing it didn't have an end. Nor was it a page turner. As I said, just a simple, done-before (over and over and over) plot.
The first half of the book is very slow moving, and the entire book is quite predictable. It's a typical boy meets girl and they think they have it all. Then they get into some kind of big fight which ends when they realize they can't live without each other. Or something like that.
However, it is a very clean romance and probably worth at least one read, but it isn't one that has me wishing it didn't have an end. Nor was it a page turner. As I said, just a simple, done-before (over and over and over) plot.
March 22, 2012
I somehow didn't realize this was a LDS romantic fictional book. Not that there is anything wrong with them, they just aren't always very well written and, well, if you've read them, you know; however, since I rode my bike up to the library with the seat far too low, making it much harder to bike up hill, I thought I had better give it a shot. It wasn't so bad for an LDS book. Very predictable, and really cheesy in parts, which I am sometimes in the mood for, so that was ok. Entertaining and light, it was good enough for me to finish in one evening. I must say I really liked the romantic figure in the book, Matt Gibson. He was a bit dreamy, and not too cliche. I liked him fabulously; but I could not STAND the main girl, Ashley. She drove me nuts. Snarky, calculating, egotistical, hypocritical, ridiculously stubborn and short sighted...even in her "best" moments with Ryder, i didn't like her. She thought she was the bomb diggity, which bothered me most. Plus, her outfit choices that she thought were so awesome also annoyed me. So, I wavered between 2 and 3 stars, because I couldn't stand her but I really liked him. I ended up giving it three stars because I am just glad there are still decent enough men to put up with nut cases like her. Is that too strong a review for a fictional story?
March 23, 2011
When I got this book I was warned it wasn't "deep".
I thought it would be perfect to save for our upcoming cruise. I tried to read the first chapter to just get a taste. Well, I couldn't put it down, so I guess I need to find a new book for my cruise. :)
I really loved the main character and her determination. I wanted to cheer her on. "You go girl, you finish your list before getting tied down by marriage and the kids which are the real ones that tie you down!" But at the same time I was yelling at her to just be open to love, that it matters more than a stupid list.
I also enjoyed Melanie's writing. Upbeat, light and fun.
When she referred to Guacamole as "squishy, green goodness" I had to smile and then go eat some.
This is a perfect book for a cruise. Apparently being at home is a great place to read it too.
I thought it would be perfect to save for our upcoming cruise. I tried to read the first chapter to just get a taste. Well, I couldn't put it down, so I guess I need to find a new book for my cruise. :)
I really loved the main character and her determination. I wanted to cheer her on. "You go girl, you finish your list before getting tied down by marriage and the kids which are the real ones that tie you down!" But at the same time I was yelling at her to just be open to love, that it matters more than a stupid list.
I also enjoyed Melanie's writing. Upbeat, light and fun.
When she referred to Guacamole as "squishy, green goodness" I had to smile and then go eat some.
This is a perfect book for a cruise. Apparently being at home is a great place to read it too.
January 8, 2016
I always like Melanie Jacobson's books. I loved the premise of the story but I didn't like the ending as much... Ashley totally breaks Matt's heart, of course, when she is too prideful to be grateful for things he's done for her. Then her way of paying it back to him is by publicly humiliating herself in front of a group of people gathered for Matt's opening of his new snow board shop. Not the right time for love confessions...just saying! Overall a good and entertaining read! Ages 13+
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 31, 2018
The List is about a girl named Ashley who writes a list of everything that she wants to do before she ties the knot/ get married, but she has some complications along the way. I never thought that I would ever like a romance novel, but I loved reading this book. This book takes place in Hunting beach California, Ashley goes there to live with her cousins and to learn how to surf. I don't know how to surf but I have always wanted to learn how to, and in this book I felt as if I was the one learning how to surf. After I finished reading this book I was ready to go and try my surfing skills out in the ocean. This book was full of adventures, funny moments, and cheesy romance. If you like to read romance books, then I would highly recommend this book.
April 20, 2017
It was definitely predictable, but I enjoyed reading it!
August 17, 2021
Cute!
This was my first book by Melanie Jacobson and it was fun! It took a little for me to get into it but I was there after 30 percent or so. Super cute!
This was my first book by Melanie Jacobson and it was fun! It took a little for me to get into it but I was there after 30 percent or so. Super cute!
August 15, 2024
I have loved this book since high school. One of the best cheesy LDS romances!
May 6, 2022
LOVED this book. So darling! Just a fun easy beachy type read. It was cute. Especially fun since I was in Huntington Beach when I read the first part of it! So cute. Loved it.
March 19, 2013
I find the book The List by Melanie Jacobson to be excellent at having an unexpected ending, it teaches you to never give up on achieving your goals, and it’s very good at keeping your attention. However, there were areas in which the book was not quite as good, such as the attitude of one character and how she always butts in and ruins the perfect scene. I really liked the book and enjoyed reading it and thought it had a good message that many people could learn from.
One very positive quality the book has is its surprising ending. You are definitely not expecting what happens in the end. It’s totally out of the blue, unlike most romance novels are. I think this makes it a better book, because it’s not so predictable like other books can be. It’s also really detailed with everything that happens, so you can keep up with all the characters and know exactly what’s going on, or so it seems! It makes you think you know what’s going to happen which makes you expect the ending even less. I think it’s great when a book is unexpected and surprising, it makes you want to keep reading and it adds excitement to the book so it’s not very predictable.
Another good quality is that it teaches you what’s important in life, and tells you to set your goals high and never give up on achieving them. I think it’s good to read about someone with such good goals and is very determined to achieve them. The character Ashley Barrett has a list of everything she wants to accomplish before she gets married. And she is totally convinced that nothing can stop her. She doesn’t ever want to give up on her goals, which is a great too example to anyone who reads the book. It shows that you can achieve your goals no matter what, so you should never give up. Ashley is a great role model that many people could look up too and follow her example.
Good books can keep you entertained and engaged in the book; not letting you put it down. This book definitely possessed this quality. It’s very good at keeping your attention and leaving you in suspense. It’s great when authors are able to do this, it shows that they are creative and know how to keep the audiences’ attention. In the book, Ashley and Matt are both very unpredictable characters. So you have to keep reading to know what they are going to do next, or what will happen in the story next. Overall, it can keep your attention very well and it’s great at keeping you guessing.
In the book there was only one thing that bothered me. One character is named Megan and has the worst attitude, which gives this book a negative quality for sure. She is always rude to Ashley and tries to come between her and Matt and ruin their relationship. Just when you are getting excited about something that you think is going to happen, she has to pop in and ruin the whole scene. It overall just ruins the moment and leaves the reader a little disappointed and hoping that she didn’t have to be there at that moment. But, other than that it was a great read.
As you can see from the evidence above this book is a very good read, it has lots of positive qualities. Such as; and unexpected ending or change of events, teaches a good message to young readers, can keep your attention for a long time. I only came up with one negative quality and that was a character that wasn’t particularly my favorite. But I guess every book has to have an antagonist or it wouldn’t be a very good book! I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a good romantic story, and likes to learn a valuable lesson from a very suspenseful book!
One very positive quality the book has is its surprising ending. You are definitely not expecting what happens in the end. It’s totally out of the blue, unlike most romance novels are. I think this makes it a better book, because it’s not so predictable like other books can be. It’s also really detailed with everything that happens, so you can keep up with all the characters and know exactly what’s going on, or so it seems! It makes you think you know what’s going to happen which makes you expect the ending even less. I think it’s great when a book is unexpected and surprising, it makes you want to keep reading and it adds excitement to the book so it’s not very predictable.
Another good quality is that it teaches you what’s important in life, and tells you to set your goals high and never give up on achieving them. I think it’s good to read about someone with such good goals and is very determined to achieve them. The character Ashley Barrett has a list of everything she wants to accomplish before she gets married. And she is totally convinced that nothing can stop her. She doesn’t ever want to give up on her goals, which is a great too example to anyone who reads the book. It shows that you can achieve your goals no matter what, so you should never give up. Ashley is a great role model that many people could look up too and follow her example.
Good books can keep you entertained and engaged in the book; not letting you put it down. This book definitely possessed this quality. It’s very good at keeping your attention and leaving you in suspense. It’s great when authors are able to do this, it shows that they are creative and know how to keep the audiences’ attention. In the book, Ashley and Matt are both very unpredictable characters. So you have to keep reading to know what they are going to do next, or what will happen in the story next. Overall, it can keep your attention very well and it’s great at keeping you guessing.
In the book there was only one thing that bothered me. One character is named Megan and has the worst attitude, which gives this book a negative quality for sure. She is always rude to Ashley and tries to come between her and Matt and ruin their relationship. Just when you are getting excited about something that you think is going to happen, she has to pop in and ruin the whole scene. It overall just ruins the moment and leaves the reader a little disappointed and hoping that she didn’t have to be there at that moment. But, other than that it was a great read.
As you can see from the evidence above this book is a very good read, it has lots of positive qualities. Such as; and unexpected ending or change of events, teaches a good message to young readers, can keep your attention for a long time. I only came up with one negative quality and that was a character that wasn’t particularly my favorite. But I guess every book has to have an antagonist or it wouldn’t be a very good book! I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a good romantic story, and likes to learn a valuable lesson from a very suspenseful book!
April 27, 2012
AWFUL. The book was like a train wreck: I couldn't stop reading because it was that bad. I must be a hater b/c I'm one of the few reviewers who despised this book. It has NO substance. The main character, Ashley, is self-absorbed, materialistic, vain, and completely lacking in any sort of depth. She is anti-marriage because both her mother and two sisters married very young, had/have hard lives and never had any adventures. In order to avoid this "trap," Ashley gives herself a list of 25 things she must do before she gets married. While learning to surf on her summer before beginning grad school, she meets Matt Gibson, a hunky, wealthy surf instructor. You can write the book yourself from there. It's so predictable and cheesy. The dialogue is beyond ridiculous! The banter between Ashley and Matt is corny and far too lengthy--seriously, anybody could have written their dialogue.
Ashley is super-reluctant to get in a relationship with Matt because they are both Mormon, and in their world, if you fall in love, you must get married. Throughout the whole book I couldn't figure out what Matt saw in Ashley, except that she's beautiful and smart and adventurous, all of which she tells the reader REPEATEDLY! At the end--yes, dialogue and plot spoiler--Matt tells Ashley he loves her and wishes she'd give up "The List" because she's so wonderful because she's so loyal and loving to her family. UHHHH...what?? Did the author not read the very book she was writing? The entire book, all Ashley does is tear her family apart for choices they made which she disagreed with. She never has one positive thing to say about them, and her epiphany regarding men, relationship, love, and marriage comes 5 pages before the end of the book. Let me get this straight: I just slogged through 280 pages of Ashley's hang-ups on men, marriage, and the stupid list, and she does a complete 180 on her deeply held beliefs in 5 pages after spending 45 minutes at her sister's house--yes, one of the two sisters she's been slamming since page 1???? How much depth can a character have when her transformation is so utterly lifeless and empty of any real struggle or soul-searching? It was a cheap-shot, easy way to end the book. But really, I shouldn't be mad b/c it just put me out of my misery sooner.
Honestly? If you want a fun read that is relaxing and ok, even a little cheesy, find something else because this horrible book is beyond the pale!
Ashley is super-reluctant to get in a relationship with Matt because they are both Mormon, and in their world, if you fall in love, you must get married. Throughout the whole book I couldn't figure out what Matt saw in Ashley, except that she's beautiful and smart and adventurous, all of which she tells the reader REPEATEDLY! At the end--yes, dialogue and plot spoiler--Matt tells Ashley he loves her and wishes she'd give up "The List" because she's so wonderful because she's so loyal and loving to her family. UHHHH...what?? Did the author not read the very book she was writing? The entire book, all Ashley does is tear her family apart for choices they made which she disagreed with. She never has one positive thing to say about them, and her epiphany regarding men, relationship, love, and marriage comes 5 pages before the end of the book. Let me get this straight: I just slogged through 280 pages of Ashley's hang-ups on men, marriage, and the stupid list, and she does a complete 180 on her deeply held beliefs in 5 pages after spending 45 minutes at her sister's house--yes, one of the two sisters she's been slamming since page 1???? How much depth can a character have when her transformation is so utterly lifeless and empty of any real struggle or soul-searching? It was a cheap-shot, easy way to end the book. But really, I shouldn't be mad b/c it just put me out of my misery sooner.
Honestly? If you want a fun read that is relaxing and ok, even a little cheesy, find something else because this horrible book is beyond the pale!
May 1, 2012
This was a fun quick read. What made this book were the conversations! Some of them were laugh out loud funny. This is an LDS book set in California about a girl who has mad a list of things she wants to do before she gets married. She heads to california to check off some of the items on the list. I only read this book because my kindle broke and we were driving to Disneyland so someone let me borrow some books. I am glad I read it. This is a book I will probably read again in a few years. Adri read this book and loved it to. It sparked a great conversation about marriage and improving our selves.
March 27, 2011
I really liked this book! Thus, 4 stars. :) Very cute LDS fiction book. Setting: the beach. Flip flops and smoothies! The cover alone gives me happy shivers. (or maybe that's the snow outside. The shivers part, not the happy part.) I wish I were at the beach today. I read this one real quick like. It's light reading and fun. Quick wit. I wanted to throttle the main character about 10 times in the book because I think she was seriously deluded, but that's all part of the fun. :)
August 3, 2018
I loved this book. I am 18 years old and I work at Seagull book so I've read a LOT of LDS romance novels. I didn't think this book was the typical "Mormon cheesy" It was predictable (but let's be honest, if you pick up an LDS romance fiction novel, that's what should be expected.) I loved Jacobson's sarcasm and humor. The book had my mom and I both laughing when we read it. My only recommendation is that if you're busy, don't start the book. You won't be able to put it down!
October 5, 2011
Although I am not usually a fan of these LDS authors I read them whenever I am in need of a book I take what i can get. I really did enjoy this. It was a easy read and I liked the characters. My only problem is why do they write them to end so abruptly? I want to know more. What happens to the characters after they finally figure out they are meant for each other.
April 19, 2013
Super cute, LDS Young Adult book we read for Book Club in November, 2012. It's a fast, upbeat read with a feel-good ending. The best part was that we had the author attend our Book Club discussion and she talked about writing and getting published. I ADORE the author and loved hearing her speak. I would recommend this book to any young woman who'd enjoy a fun, quick, clean rom-com:)
March 18, 2018
I didn't expect much from this book, but it was just so annoying even with low expectations to finish. I found the main character to be self-righteous and smug and immature. She looks down her nose at everyone around her. I'll concede that she could have grown over the course of the book, but she just started out so immature and obnoxious that I really hoped she got nothing that she wanted.
August 15, 2022
This is one of my new favorites in the LDS fiction (chick-lit) genre. I loved the humor and dialogue and the fact that it was an LDS book without being preachy at all. A fun read that I couldn't put down!
September 2, 2012
I loved this book so much! I was laughing like crazy and sighing because it was just so perfect! The main character reminded me of myself a lot. The ending was alright compared to the rest of the book but I still loved it.
December 13, 2012
This book is just cute. Melanie Jacobson's books always make me laugh hysterically. They are dangerous for me. Laughing out loud in public is usually frowned upon.
Seriously if you want a cute, clean, funny romance, look no further than Melanie Jacobson.
Seriously if you want a cute, clean, funny romance, look no further than Melanie Jacobson.
March 2, 2023
This is the book that started my love of LDS fiction. I loved the characters, the situations, the comedy, the romance... Ah! Just loved this book. IF you are LDS and you've been through the singles ward, this is a must read.
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