A Bucket List Birthday

by Emmie J. Holland, Emma Steinbrecher

TWO STRANGERS, ONE BUCKET LIST, AND A BIRTHDAY TO REMEMBER.
When Ellis Smalley realizes everyone will be out of town for her birthday, she decides to take matters into her own hands. Hiring a stranger from the internet to plan her birthday sounds crazy, but when Ellis meets Griffin Peterson, and soon finds herself crashing a wedding, she can't help but think that he's planned the best birthday of her life. Griffin Peterson didn't expect to like the strange girl from the internet, but after a long night of wedding crashing and songwriting with her, he decides he doesn't want the adventure to end. Maybe they don't have to stay strangers after all.

A Bucket List Birthday is a dual-POV, fast-paced, and witty romantic comedy featuring one meet-cute, a cinnamon roll love interest with thigh tattoos, and a girl who can't stand orange jumpsuits from the thrift store.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Ebooks, Rom Com, Contemporary Romance

276 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 2, 2024

About the author

Emmie J Holland is a twenty-something-year-old mom and former third-grade teacher who writes Romantic Comedy books filled with witty writing, banter, romance, and all the feels.

When she is not writing, she enjoys hiking, spending time outdoors, and hanging out with her family.

Reviews

[Lorena ♡ (semi-ia) · Rating 4 out of 5]

↪ ★★★½ stars

i found this book randomly and was not that sure during its first 25%, i was even considering dnf-ing it, but i'm glad i continued because it ended up being super cute. i adore romances that involve some bucket list to complete, and this one delivered that in a sweet and low-angst story. just a nice way to finish my week ♡.

“Being with you is like that first fall day where the air is crisp again. It’s like you can move and breathe without all the heat around you–the weight of the world, I guess.”

[Paige Peak · Rating 5 out of 5]

I DEVOURED this book! This has been one of the best romance books I’ve read. It felt like I was giggling and kicking my feet throughout this entire book.

Griffin and Ellis are one of my new favorite book couples 😍. I can’t even pick a favorite part because it was all so good. Every one of the bucket list items they did together made me feel so giddy 🥹.

Would absolutely recommend and am grateful I got to ARC read this. ❤️

[Marian. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stop, Griffin and Ellis were lovely, the whole idea of hiring someone to help you celebrate your birthday was very original in my opinion, Griffin gives one of the best birthdays (from walking into a wedding uninvited to getting tattoos) and from That moment these two feel an attraction, I will say that it was a nice story, without drama but yes, it happens quickly but I feel that it was well written, the scenes, the actions between the two, it was so entertaining that I stopped doing my adult things that I had planned to do (and mandatory) just to finish it. A story that reads quickly but will stay with you.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

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Stop, Griffin y Ellis fueron adorables, toda la idea de contratar a alguien para ayudarte a celebrar tu cumpleaños fue muy original a mi parecer, Griffin le da uno de los mejores cumpleños (desde entrar en una boda sin ser invitados hasta tatuarse) y desde ese momento estos dos sienten una atracción, diré que fue una historia bonita, sin drama pero si, sucede rapido pero siento que estuvo bien escrito, las escenas, las acciones entre los dos, estuvo tan entretenido que deje de hacer mis cosas de adultos que tenia planeado hacer (y obligatorias) solo para terminarlo. Una historia que se lee rápido pero que se quedará contigo.

[Eden]

DNF @22%

This wasn’t “bad”, but if I had to read one more Ted Bundy or serial killer reference… I was going to do what I did.. which is DNF it. I think the author’s humor and mine didn’t mesh.

Also the characterization was so odd. Like I’m just supposed to like them without any character traits to make me do so?? And she knew his different smiles after barely one afternoon together??

I wasn’t having a good time. DNF.

[Michelle Holland · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story, and I loved the premise of the birthday list. It was a little too instalovey for me, but I liked it overall.

[Char ღ Denae · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Birthday Bucket List was a really cute novel. Two strangers who meet under unusual circumstances and have a great time together. One, Fin, is instantly drawn to the other, and the other one, Ellie, is focused on protecting her heart. Both have past drama to deal with and they help each other, all while checking off the bucket list for the best birthday.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably one of my favorites that I've read in a long time! A lot of stories have similar plots or themes but this one was so unique. The characters were so cute and normal people so they were a lot more relatable. I don't think I can find a single thing I disliked about the book! Would 1000% recommend!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Yudi Chijner · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5
Fue extremadamente cute, me encantó

[Amy Guttenberg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute book, I liked the concept of it, but wasn't a fan of instant love. I like the birthday bucket aspect of it and the story of old and new friends showing up when you need them!

[Rachael Chalcraft · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is perfect for someone looking for a sweet story of how two people fell in love. The characters feel like real people, like they’re my friends. Their banter made me giggle. Out loud. In public. I would read a whole series of this couple’s adventures. Love love love!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Wednesday Andrews · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Go on another adventure with me Elle, I don’t want to be strangers again.”

Meet cutes and romance, Holland has done it again with this sweet budding romance.

Ellis hires Griffin to plan her a birthday and sparks fly almost immediately. Whether it’s thrift store shenanigans or country line dancing, these two have the chemistry to carry this story.

Filled with laugh out loud moments, and a swoon worthy love interest this book is sure to make you dream of ways you wish to be swept off your feet.

[Rachel Kestler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emmie J Holland is brilliant at creating relatable characters. Her characters demonstrate the way people definitely feel in their twenties trying to figure it all out. We all need a Lennon in our life. The book was heartfelt and full of chuckles. I was expecting slightly more smut based on the trigger warnings, though I appreciated them. It’s a quick, easy read that I really enjoyed, I’m hoping for stories from other characters!

[Brittney · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Bucket List Birthday unfolds a delightful romantic comedy that proves sometimes the best adventures happen when you take matters into your own hands. When Ellis Smalley finds herself facing a birthday with everyone out of town, she decides to hire a stranger from the internet to plan her special day. Little does she know that this decision will lead her to Griffin Peterson and a birthday she'll never forget.

Griffin, initially a stranger from the internet, becomes the unexpected orchestrator of a night filled with wedding crashing, songwriting, and unexpected connections. As Ellis and Griffin navigate the twists and turns of this whirlwind birthday adventure, they discover that maybe staying strangers isn't in the cards for them.

The novel promises a dual-POV, fast-paced, and witty romantic comedy, featuring a meet-cute, a cinnamon roll love interest with thigh tattoos, and a protagonist with a strong aversion to thrift store orange jumpsuits. With explicit and spicy elements, the story adds a layer of heat to the romantic and comedic escapades.

A Bucket List Birthday offers a quick and enjoyable read, perfect for those who love contemporary romance with a touch of spice. Get ready for a novel that combines humor, romance, and the unexpected joys of embracing the unknown. #ABucketListBirthday #EmmieJHolland #RomanticComedy #RomanceNovel #MeetCute #SpicyRead #QuickReads #BookReview #UnexpectedAdventures #RomComLove

[Minnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐|3🌶|2🥵
⁣
I got an ARC copy of this book to write an honest review.

Without many friends and family members, Ellis is alone on her birthday. So she thought she could hire someone to plan her birthday. I couldn't do that 🙈 I'm way too introverted for that. I would rather stay at home alone 😎 But I'm not Ellis 🤣
Griffin sees her job offer and remembers her...
When he asked her about her bucket list she had a few things:
get a tattoo
ride a bull
crash a wedding
sleep beneath the stars
see a Broadway play
write a song

While I read this book, I recognized I never made a bucket list myself. Should I? Maybe I really should. I think it can be fun. Maybe a few of Ellis' things could be on my list too... But definitely not the wedding crashing 🙈 As I said, I'm an introvert, I don't like crowds, and a wedding that big that a stranger can mingle under the guests is a crowd for me... Plus I don't think something like that happens in Germany, it's so very American 😉 But Ellis and Griffin have fun doing all the things on Ellis' list. And it was fun for me to read it 😊
⁣
Griffin and Ellis are so cute. I would say it's nearly love at first sight. Both lost a family member at a young age. Something that bonds them.
It's a cute story with a little bit of spice. About loss and chances in life. About friendship and family.
⁣

Follow me on IG for more
https://www.instagram.com/minnie.love...

[Aliiiaaa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can I just start off by asking, where can I find a Griffin? No, seriously, can anyone locate him for me? A Bucket List Birthday was the most unexpected concept I came across. I’ve never heard of someone hiring another person to spend their birthday with them. I’ve seen on social media that people have hired significant others in different countries to spend the day with them, but this was so unusual, it had me hooked and I wanted to see how it would play out. It played out so well. Ellis had the most random bucket list, it was pretty simple, but extremely fun and I was enjoying the tension the most. They had an undeniable attraction from the beginning and the ending wasn’t a surprise at all, but way to higher my expectations. What had me more surprised and allowed me to enjoy the book more was the relationship the two eventually developed and how the author handled life situations the couple was facing as individuals. It was healthy, actually and I’m impressed. Loved it from start to end, even though the first line had thrown me off a bit. It had its spicy bits and definitely giggled at the cowboy rule, teehee. Definitely worth the read. It’s fast paced, to the point and comes to a great resolution at the end.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am leaving a review based on my experience, all opinions are my own.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐ rounded up

Thank you to Emmie Holland and Booksprout for the ARC!
This book had me kicking my feet and giggling! I seriously don't think I've enjoyed a romance book like this in a long time. Definitely my favorite of Emmie Holland's books!
The pacing was great for the most part, there was a big jump almost at the end that fast-forwarded a couple months which took me out of it a bit. Some of the character names were...a choice....but that was a mild complaint.
The main two characters were great, I love that there was something OTHER than miscommunication. I would have enjoyed more of an exploration of how Ellis & Griffin managed their relationship with Griffin traveling for work. Would have liked more Cass & the deepening of that friendship as well. The secondary characters were a little flat for me, but could be because most of the book takes place over a few days rather than months and we didn't get to see Lennon, Cass, and Ryan as much.
I will say too I think it would have been more believeable and realistic if the last chapter/epilogue was 2 years later or so rather than less than a year.

[Librarian Jessie (BibliophileRoses) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 2 🌶️🌶️
Tissues: 2 🤧🤧

Tropes: Instalove, Found Family, Dual-POV

Ellis is used to her family and friends getting busy from time to time and having other priorities, but when everyone announces they’ll be unavailable on her birthday she decides to take matters into her own hands. Combing through online means, she asks a man online to help plan her a spectacular birthday to distract from her loneliness.
Griffin is surprised when the notification appears, someone actually wants to borrow his services. Not only that, but it’s a girl he’s previously met. As they talk, he formulates the Birthday Bucket List plan to cross off as many things off of Ellis’ bucket list as he can.
Will this be the best birthday ever, or will chaos ensue?

Thoughts: I really loved this novel. It felt real the entire way through, making me want to sit with it longer and enjoy the scenery that the author had painted. I felt so peaceful by the end, like everything had just perfectly clicked into place. If you’re looking for a sweet, emotional, & realistic read, this is the book for you!

[CozyDreamsStudio · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cute beginning, but rushed ending.

The beginning of this book was super cute. Ellie has a hum-drum life. A job she doesn’t like, anxiety, a sad past. And now for her birthday-no one is going to be around. So she decides to hire someone to plan a birthday-take her out and show her the town. The guy she hires? Finn. A musician who also has a sad past and refuses to go after what he really wants in life. Together they go on an adventure and everything changes. It’s exactly what every rom-com needs. A meet-cute, and adventure, instant attraction, and an all consuming dating experience.

After they decide to actually be boyfriend and girlfriend the story gets really rushed. It stopped being super cute, and started being very smutty. Then there’s emotional trauma that happens that they have to both grow from, which they do in like 30 pages.

Finally the ending felt super abrupt. There was an epilogue which was nice, but it still felt abrupt and rushed.

[Kenna Karlsson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emmie J. Holland was made to do RomCom. I adore the characters in this book so much. Griffin is someone you are sure to fall in love with. Holland excels in creating relatable characters, and the novel's charming cast adds depth and authenticity to the story.

"A Bucket List Birthday" is a delightful balance of humor, romance, and poignancy, delivering a compelling narrative that encourages readers to embrace life's extraordinary moments and to love hard.

In this must-read novel, Hollands' storytelling prowess shines, making it a timeless gem in the realm of feel-good romantic literature. With its engaging narrative, "A Bucket List Birthday" is a heartwarming journey that will leave readers inspired and uplifted and feeling all warm and fuzzy.

We all deserve to have a birthday like Ellis!

[Kera · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ohhhh I loved this. Emmie never misses.

This romance will have you blushing, smiling and laughing your butt off. Ellis finds herself alone on her birthday, so she hires a stranger to party plan for her. Instead of a party Griffin is dedicated to fulfilling Ellis's bucket list. Griffin is so caring and understanding he's the perfect book bf. Both of the characters find their independence throughout the book and learn that it is okay to pursue their passions and get out of their comfort zone. I'm inspired to complete my bucket list now. Haha. I do wish that we got more of their story at the end. Like we got to see where they're at in the future. But that's just me I love the epilogues set in the future. I just fell in love with these two that I wanted more!

I would definitely recommend, especially if you need an easy read to get you out of a reading slump.

[Ebbi]

My heart hurts soooooooo bad. 😭

I was ready to buy the hard copy and I had not even finished! I was about fifty percent in before having to DNF this book. This was easily a book that would have made the authors faves and repeat buys for me.

And then…

There was this weird comment about Jesus and swearing.

I understand people have different opinions about Christianity or faith based ideas, totally get it! But It would have been cool if there was a sensitivity towards people who deeply keep their faith as a huge part of their identity (Like me).

Not in the sense that we all have to agree but just in general showing respect for people in different walks of life. In this case, being mindful of what we say about spiritual figures that people hold dear, ie Jesus / God.

But I understand this is the way the book was written and clearly it just wasn’t for me.

[Jaynelle Dessirae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much for the eARC.

Tropes: Instalove, found family, bucket list
CW: parent death, sibling death

This a super cute and fun read. I love the concept of hiring someone to help you knock out bucket list items for your birthday. When Ellis’s friends and family are out of town for her birthday she decides to put her fate into a strangers hands- little does she know that the wedding crashing and song writing will turn into so much more.

I loved that this was sweet but hit on some deeper topics. Lennon and Ellis’s friendship was something I can relate to. Finn aka Griffin was so caring- goals right there.

Overall a fun story that I would suggest!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Aidee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m obsessed! Get you a partner like Griffin! This man is a green flag all around! I love that the initial interaction at the coffee shop in addition to Ellie’s listing draws him in. Also, the way this man who is a stranger plans and executes dates that Ellie genuinely enjoys *swoon* My favorite date has to be the wedding, the amount of nonsense they get into had me dying. I very much enjoyed the relationship between Ellie and Griffin, they are so supportive of each other and their dreams.

This book has the right mix of wholesomeness and spice. Holland truly wrote an amazing storyline with really great characters you can’t help but fall in love and root for. Highly recommend this read!

[Katnip · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fantastic, sweet and romantic story with some giggles thrown in! The adventures they went on was a great idea! I think I smiled throughout the entire book! The characters are adorable and relatable. I fell in love with them instantly! I call dibs on Griffin as my book boyfriend!!

This was another great read by Emmie J. Holland! Her writing was easy and intriguing. The story flowed seamlessly. She made me want a Griffin of my own!! Although the story was light and fun, it does have a bit of a sad moment but the way the characters handled things with such heart and a healthy interaction made my heart happy.

[Brooklyn Lowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book comes out April 2nd. And it is the perfect, meet cute, bucket list romance.

Ellis ends up alone for her birthday, and hires someone from the internet to plan her bucket list. Which includes crashing a wedding, getting a tattoo and riding a bull. Only problem is, she has met this guy before…

I absolutely loved Ellis and Finn. Finn was perfection. He just wanted to make sure Ellis had the perfect birthday.

What did I love most? This was the cutest book, all the way through. There was some emotional parts, but it was exactly what I needed right now. I’ve literally been searching for a book that was happy all the way through, no third act break up, and this was it.

[M19arta · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful, funny, romantic, uplifting, and sometimes quite emotional book.
From the moment Ellis decided to spend her birthday in a very unusual way: by employing Griffin—I was hooked.
Both characters were great, and it was impossible to dislike them. Their stories, and their fear of making a misstep, taking a leap in life, and them wanting to always play it safe were things I very much identified with.
Their shenanigans and crazy adventures were hilarious, and their chemistry was amazing!
I recommend this book wholeheartedly!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Special Birthday . . .

Griffin Peterson and Ellis Smalley were actually perfect for each other. Ellis was disappointed when no one would be in town to celebrate her birthday. So she hired Griffin off the internet to plan out something for her enjoyment. His outlandish bucket list items, perfect for making memories of her special day, gave her something unique and fun (although getting tattoos is definitely not a “fun” idea to me). But that’s why we are all individuals with the differences that make each of us amazing! Griffin brings Ellis so much happiness… but will he be able to walk away when the celebration is over?

[J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holland is a new author to me; this is the first book I've read of hers. That said, I feel this book seems to have a more unique feel for me than most romance reads. I so appreciate the smooth flow of the dynamic between our main characters Ellis and Griffin. I think also, I read this just as my birthday was approaching and while I did have (more than usual) family here to celebrate with me, I kinda related to Ellis. Overall, I thought this was a wonderful read and I'm looking forward to more romance reads from Holland.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Hayley Bowe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Perfect for fans of fast-paced, instant love, strangers-to-lovers romance, A Bucket List Birthday is the perfect book to cleanse your palate with. Lots of witty banter, a good sprinkle of spice, and fun side characters. The idea of hiring a stranger to help you celebrate your birthday is cute & definitely unique. Spice is written well & placed at good points that make sense in the story.

While I enjoyed the story, I felt it was a bit rushed at times & character development was not rounded out super well (Ellis is shy and has anxiety but not when she meets random stranger?). Some of the dialogue about the loss of a family member felt odd & forced.

Overall, a fun story to read on a Sunday afternoon.

*Please note I was given an ARC by the author in exchange for an honest review*

[Taylor Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

The characters are wonderful and the story is great. I can see Ellis and Griffin as real people, they don’t feel like made up mundane characters in a book. The meet cute works for me. I think the idea that they met because she didn’t want to be alone on her birthday so she hired him is cute. They have wonderful interactions and are fun to read about. I recommend this book to anyone looking for a fun and cute romance.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.