Love Unlisted

by Stephanie Haddad

Grace Shields keeps her hectic life manageable one way and one way only: she makes lists, lots of them. Lists of her favorite Jackie Chan movies. Lists of her boyfriend’s Pros and Cons. Lists about her favorite places to get a pizza. To Grace, each one is a very serious matter. And that’s why no one ever reads the lists. Well, no one except for a few people who got a hold of them by accident…

1.Her best friend Bernsie, who understands the lists might be the only thing keeping Grace out of an asylum;
2.A child psychologist she was forced to see after her father passed away and the listing become more than just a hobby;
3.A very-nearly-almost fiancé who left Grace because of the lists.

Now, as Grace struggles to deal with a career that’s getting away from her and the frustration of living with her brother George, the lists are all she can do to cope.

Enter Colin Kilbourne, a free-spirited musician with a knack for ruffling Grace’s pristine feathers. And spilling coffee on her favorite work clothes. Immediately drawn to his carefree, stress-free attitude, Grace knows they’d be mismatched in every possible way. But that mischievous charm is hard to resist. What’s a girl to do when the lists tell you to do one thing and your hearts tells you another?

Genres: Romance, Chick Lit, Fiction, Ebooks, Contemporary, Adult, Contemporary Romance

226 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 17, 2011

About the author

Stephanie Haddad’s earliest works featured unicorns and talking pumpkins who overcame adversity, evil, and the threat of being baked into pies. With age, her writing has evolved to more grown-up topics, like love and the complicated relationships between people. As a life-long lover of cheerful fiction, she strives to tackle real-world issues with wit, hope, and lots of humor. Her short stories have spanned many genres, but her full-length novels stay firmly planted in happy endings, via both romance and women’s fiction.

Stephanie joined the Romance Writers of America in 2009 to celebrate her addiction to perfect plot resolutions with other writers just like her. Combining a passion for the human condition with a penchant for the romantic, Stephanie strives to write every story as though it is a conversation shared between friends.

As she balances new motherhood, a freelance writing workload, and an independent publishing career, Stephanie continues her work on a planned three-book women’s fiction series, a collection of romantic urban fantasy short stories, and several single-title romances. She lives, loves, and writes near Boston, MA, the home of all of her novels.

Reviews

[Emmy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've never really been the "chick lit" type, but this book was glued to my hand. I feel like I was very emotionally busy throughout reading it; I teared up about 4 times (this is coming from someone who cries during every episode of Grey's, so it might just be me) and was literally "LOL-ing" throughout most of the book. There were a few points where I thought for sure I had figured out a side-plot, but Stephanie Haddad would never make it so easy. I found myself second-guessing myself up until the last couple pages.

If you like contemporary romance, I would absolutely recommend this witty read. In fact, even if you're usually not into that (like myself), I can still guarantee you'll find yourself sucked into this book as it's impossible to not relate to the main character, Grace, and her neuroses that you don't want to admit you also have.

[GW · Rating 2 out of 5]

So painfully predictable. I was really hoping for some sort of twist, but I didn't get it. I mean, Colin randomly showed up where Grace was working on a few occasions. Talk about creepy? I thought Grace was going to get that checked out? And then Colin was hiding a few secrets, so you expected something huge to happen. There was a lot of build up to that, but nothing really happened. She's like where do you teach? And Colin always avoids the question. Until one day, he just gives a straight out answer. It wasn't something to really hide? I don't know

And I expected Colin to be a bad guy and a major twist! Okay, maybe I've just been reading waaay too many books lately...

[Danielle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Love Unlisted had what seemed to be a cute premise. A hyper-organized event planner falls for a laid back musician who helps her stop worrying and learn to live without lists.

Instead, a young woman suffering from severe mental health issues stemming from her father's untimely death is bullied and berated by everyone in her life for her coping method. Instead of encouraging her to seek professional help, her cardboard love interest steals her property, tells her she's too co-dependent, almost gets her fired, and then decides he can love her even if she's crazy. How charitable.

Then there's a sub-plot about her best friend falling in love with her shiftless brother and vice versa. It's given about as much time as my paragraph.

[Rebecca Broderick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really hits home for those who just can't see their talent and can't decide what they want until they almost loose it all.

The compulsion of the "listing" for the heroine really mirrored many people's insecurities and their inability to let go of the past.

All in all, a great read and a great book to help you re-evaluate the priorities in your life!

[Janine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a beautifully written book. The author had me emotionally invested in it right from the beginning from lauging to crying. I didn't think it was going to grab my interest as much as it did. Loved it!

[Sandra Lopez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grace is a woman that loves her lists. In fact, she makes a pro/con list for all her dates. Her current boyfriend, Mark, was certainly annoying with all his cons (picking on her eating habits, dressing better than her, patronizing tone, and bad in bed.) Things take a turn when Grace rejects Mark’s impromptu commitment. Who puts a key in a ring box?

Grace was a frequent dumper, even though she doesn’t mean to be. She doesn’t want to find somebody.

“I need personality and passion; someone who’ll take risks without being risky; someone who’s confident without being cocky; someone who won’t try to ‘fix me” (5)

Grace has been meaning to take a break from her lists, but she just can’t seem to let them go. Very neurotic. Making a list for everything is importantly, especially when choosing the ideal boyfriend/future husband/potential father of my three hypothetical children. Was it so hard to meet a man with at least 20 pros on his list?

I related to Grace and her unorthodox dating method. But she soon realizes that not everything goes according to plan, which is where Colin gets thrown into the mix. Colin was every con on her list, but, yet, she felt a certain attraction that she couldn’t explain. She loses control around Colin and she hated it.

Witty, frank, and light-hearted! Story is full of Grace’s disasters. I enjoyed it very much, even though it could’ve used a little more proofreading.

[Arline Lopez · Rating 1 out of 5]

So predictable

I never leave a book unfinished but I sure contemplated it several times. The plot was so incredibly predictable and the typos really got annoying after a while. Sorry, but not a fan.

[Kristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

i think i got this book a LONG time ago because it was free in the kindle store but then i never read it? follows a pretty typical rom com plot, but that was the mood i was going for a month into the pandemic.

[Elaina Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, I enjoyed the book and the characters. Some parts were a little slow and I felt like the story could've been a little more evolved but it was still an entertaining read.

[Ashley Inman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story. Bad editing

I enjoyed the story and the build up of the characters. I did not enjoy the many errors that were missed in the proofreading process.

[Virginia · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Jess]

Made it 5 chapters & had to DNF. The FMC annoyed me way too much to continue on.

[Addison · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – Recommended for fans of the genre!

[Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book made me laugh so hard. A list, a post it, and her Dad's memory. Being so neurotic Loved this quote"I loved my Daddy more than anyone on earth. I write the lists so I can keep him with me.  Because I have to."   Grace Shields keeps a list for everything. She must have stick in paper and pens LOL When it comes to guys she has a pro and con list. They are just so funny. I know lots of us think them, but Grace, well, she writes them. Two people know about her listing phenom skills, her best friend Bernadette "Bernsie" and her child psychologist who sort of made this into her hobby.

Circumstances lead Grace's brother George to have to move in with her. Once that happens it is only the listing that helps her to stay on the fence of a nervous breakdown.

Then here comes Colin a very sort of liberal musician who gets under her skin. Complete opposites that attract. Their story is adorable too!


I would say the author did a GREAT job on featuring a neurotic female. I wonder if she knows of this first hand?

[Sonia · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's been a long time since I've read a "chicklit" novel that made me want to slap the silly girl protagonist. I was beginning to think that finally authors were getting it. Girls are not all helpless, damsels in distress, who needs a man to to survive.

And at first, I was a big fan of Gracie, and her independent streak in this book. Except that she was a blubbering mess never able to stand up for herself. And I wanted to be a fan of the "mysterious musician" with the soul patch Colin. Except that he was kind of a jerk, who could dish it out, but couldn't take his own advice.

I found myself not actually wanting the two of them together, and disappointed when Gracie would give in so easily to him, even when he was definitely the one who was in the wrong.

So, despite the fact that the story was interesting, and the characters were mostly likable, I was really just annoyed by the end and wanted to slap Gracie and Colin both...

Not one of my favorite recent reads...

[Claire · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very much in the chick-lit genre, ideal for a summer holiday read. Some of the characters could possibly have been developed a bit more, and it felt like the ending was possibly wrapped up a bit too quickly, but I obviously enjoyed it as I couldn't put it down! Every so often I read something like this to lighten things up between the other books I read, and have to say this is probably one of the better ones. It is a quick read at only 219 pages. It is badly let down by poor editing; missing words, letters missed out and entire blank pages (no missing text though). These seemed to increase towards the end of the book. I am finding this sort of thing on quite a few of the Kindle books - possibly self published ones? - and it is one of my pet peeves.

[Nina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Actual rating: 2.5 stars

Cute story, very well-developed character development, liked the main protagonist. It wasn't exactly a cookie cutter story which is great. The ending was a little surreal. Colin and Grace's relationship wasn't swoonworthy, exciting for a chick-lit read. Colin just was a blah, not endearing character. Actually, I hated him pretty much from the getgo, specifically he was way too judgmental and couldn't accept Gracie the way she was. Without my love for the main squeeze, this book didn't do it for me. George and Bernsie were more exciting then the main couple. I'm currently reading Ava's story and I have to say, I'm loving it a lot right now, way more than this one. Jay is AWESOME.

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story of Grave Shields as she confronts with her neuroses and ultimately the loss of her father. I was hooked to the story from the beginning. I found myself irritated with her and wanting to smack her through the pages of the book. The only character I didn't dislike was her beat friend Bernsie. Bernsie was more down to earth and realistic than any of the other main characters.

Even though (or maybe because) she irritated me so much, I was rooting for Grace to overcome herself.

The book was as well written as chic lit ever is. I was irritated at the number of typos and grammatical errors in the book; had to keep reminding myself that it was a free eBook and you get what you pay for.

I'd read a book by her again, but not sure I'd pay for it.

[Courtney · Rating 3 out of 5]

I kind of wore myself out on chick lit in high school, & in recent years I've been gravitating towards stories with a little more depth. Love Unlisted: A Novel was a refreshing dip back in the chick lit scene.

It was all in all just a fun thing to read! It was a little fantastical at times, but what chick lit isn't? The main character, Grace, made me laugh throughout the entire novel. I felt like I knew the characters, like I was siting right there with them & watching everything go down. Any author that can create that kind of intimacy with her characters gets my vote.

The next time I'm in the mood for some fun chick lit, Stephanie Haddad's name will be on my list.

[Kristin · Rating 2 out of 5]

A cute premise but the male characters felt pretty one-dimensional to me. The first half drags on for an unnecessarily long time and there's a weird conflict between the protagonist and her love interest that's not resolved in a satisfying way.

And I'm honestly not sure why the male character was in love with the protagonist in the first place. In the beginning, every time they met she was kind of a huge bitch to him. That's not really attractive in a person. I know that a lot of chick-lit loves the idea of the guy following the girl around in desperation even when she's terrible to him but it's not very interesting.

[Lyss · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It was funny, made smile and was really cute! It was realistic, had real life drama but also a fairy tale kind of love story that doesn't seem impossible, like it comes out of the movies.

I loved the characters, and could picture them perfectly in my head. Brilliant writing, overall! Also made you fall in love with the characters (character, lol) at a normal pace, not too fast that you think...Why do I like this person? and not too slow that you feel like putting the book down.

It was a quick read, read it in a day but absolutely loved it :)

[Elizabeth Cox · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a goofy little book. I read this and "A Previous Engagement" on a recommendation from a friend. They're clean-ish in the sense that the characters' intimate moments are not described to the readers, which is rare in romantic lit. The books were also really inexpensive (free? I can't remember) so we read them. Even though the stories are silly and the characters can be frustrating, I have to admit that Haddad's work is far ahead of other free (or really inexpensive?) ebooks. Her writing's not bad, and the subplots are something a lot of ebook writers could learn from.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay so I don't do this often, but I have to write a review about this book.. although some may call it 'chicklit' I call it amazing. This book was cute and awesome. I love how the main character learns to deal with her quirks. I also love that she makes pros and cons lists for all of the guys she dates. Its hilarious. This may not mean a lot to some.. but I would actually pay for this book (and that is saying something about my cheapness). Get this book...

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Average: 3.7 stars.

This is the perfect beach read. Had I known, I would have brought this book to the beach instead all the other books I actually read on the beach. I read this in between busy times, considering how terribly busy I have been, and mind you, it has relaxed me.

The storyline wasn't that breathtaking, but it was a lovely book to read. I would recommend this book for ladies who plan on reading a book on the beach - short and sweet.

[Liz Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'll admit that from the first chapter I was hooked on this book. Grace is a compulsive lister. She has lists about pretty much anything you can imagine. Really Grace seems compulsive about most things in her life. Control, cleanliness, not dating people with small nervous ticks, and her career.

Books by the Week: Love Unlisted

[Daina Matthews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I have never been a "Lister", this book and its cast of characters was very relatable to me and I loved the story. Holding onto the one thing that remibds you of a loved one is very endearing even if at times it would seem strange to some people. I loved how there was a splash of humor mixed with sentimentality and overall got caught up in the complex world of Grace. thanks for a great read

[Jess Vaughn · Rating 4 out of 5]

As I started this book, I didn't think I was going to like it, but it ended up being an engaging fast fun read. I too love to make lists, although not to the extent that Grace does, but I could relate to this part of the story. I loved Grace's quirkiness and all her phobias. The subplots and other characters were just as likable and endearing. I already have two other Stephanie Haddad books and I am looking forward to reading them.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book after reading Stephanie Haddad's first novel "Previously Engaged." The characters in "Love Unlisted" were likeable and this was a quick read. However, there were some questions never answered, some things were a bit far fetched, and the ending was a bit abrupt.

Overall I enjoyed the book, but not as much as her first book.

[Natalie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I should've learned my lesson after my first free download of Haddad's book, A Previous Engagement. This book, unfortunately, was more of the same. Boring, flat characters coupled with meandering plot lines. I wanted to care more about these characters than I actually did. Don't waste your time.

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I really enjoyed this book, it bothered me that her "friend" Ava told her that Grace wasn't good at her job...even though I really believe it wasn't Grace's fault at all that things kept going wrong! And I found Grace a bit whiny. And her friends didn't seem very sympathetic about her mental health problems either.