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The Thirty List
Everyone has one.That list.The things you were supposed to do before you turn thirty.Jobless, broke and getting a divorce, Rachel isn’t exactly living up to her own expectations. And moving into grumpy single dad Patrick’s box room is just the soggy icing on top of her dreaded thirtieth birthday cake.Eternal list-maker Rachel has a plan – an all new set of challenges to help her get over her divorce and out into the world again – from tango dancing to sushi making to stand-up comedy.But as Patrick helps her cross off each task, Rachel faces something even learning to live – and love – without a checklist.Praise for The Thirty List‘A fresh new voice in romantic fiction’ – Marie Claire‘There’s a whole “list” of reasons I loved this book – and I know you will too!’ – Fabulous magazine‘Warm, witty and lots of fun - a fantastic new voice in women's fiction' – Melissa Hill
Kindle Edition
First published June 18, 2015
21 people are currently reading
618 people want to read
About the author
Eva Woods
19 books371 followersEva Woods lives in London, where she writes and teaches creative writing. She likes wine, pop music, and holidays, and thinks online dating is like the worst board game ever invented.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
August 7, 2015
I am counting down the weeks now until my thirtieth birthday and suddenly I am finding myself writing lists about what I had hoped to have achieved by this milestone and seen as it is something that is on my mind it seemed fitting to read The Thirty List by Eva Woods.
Rachel didn't expect at the age of thirty to be homeless, unemployed, with no money oh and not forgetting in the process of getting a divorce! Life really hasn't gone to plan and with few options available she finds an advert to live rent free for Patrick in return for helping with the running of his house and looking after his son Alex and dog Max. Desperate to get out of her current slump and with the encouragement of her best friends, Rachel makes a list of things to accomplish, I mean survey everyone needs to do a bit of stand up comedy to get over a heartbreak!
I related to Rachel so much which helped make this book such an enjoyable read. Like myself Rachel is a list making addict and this shows in the book with not only THE list but other lists appearing throughout the book which were often full of humour. She is at a stage in her life where she will either sink or swim and with the help of her list and friends and not forgetting the charming Patrick she is trying to keep afloat. I loved watching events unfold as she worked her way through her list and had some memorable experiences some for the good and some she would rather forget. Rachel was a very believable and down to earth character and she knows that she has her faults but she still tries to get on with life. I loved Patrick he was such a caring and generous man who obviously doted on his son Alex who was also a wonderful character in this book.
The storyline was light and witty with touches of romance and briefly touches on a more serious issue with Little Alex. I could see from early on what the outcome of this book would be but this didn't matter because it was a great journey to get to that point with lots of fun and bumps along the way. This was a very entertaining read that you will speed through this Summer.
Rachel didn't expect at the age of thirty to be homeless, unemployed, with no money oh and not forgetting in the process of getting a divorce! Life really hasn't gone to plan and with few options available she finds an advert to live rent free for Patrick in return for helping with the running of his house and looking after his son Alex and dog Max. Desperate to get out of her current slump and with the encouragement of her best friends, Rachel makes a list of things to accomplish, I mean survey everyone needs to do a bit of stand up comedy to get over a heartbreak!
I related to Rachel so much which helped make this book such an enjoyable read. Like myself Rachel is a list making addict and this shows in the book with not only THE list but other lists appearing throughout the book which were often full of humour. She is at a stage in her life where she will either sink or swim and with the help of her list and friends and not forgetting the charming Patrick she is trying to keep afloat. I loved watching events unfold as she worked her way through her list and had some memorable experiences some for the good and some she would rather forget. Rachel was a very believable and down to earth character and she knows that she has her faults but she still tries to get on with life. I loved Patrick he was such a caring and generous man who obviously doted on his son Alex who was also a wonderful character in this book.
The storyline was light and witty with touches of romance and briefly touches on a more serious issue with Little Alex. I could see from early on what the outcome of this book would be but this didn't matter because it was a great journey to get to that point with lots of fun and bumps along the way. This was a very entertaining read that you will speed through this Summer.
June 13, 2015
As a list maker – this book was always going to make my to be read list! I really enjoyed it. Rachel makes lists for everything.
She’s reached a crossroads in her life- out of work and getting divorced and moving into a box room in Patrick’s house. He’s a struggling single dad and had advertised for someone to help around the house in exchange for somewhere to live. Her life has planned out how she thought it would.
Her friends think that she needs to make a list to get her through her divorce, of experiences she should have . When she’s explaining this concept to Patrick , he decides to make his own list. Then we follow them making the most of these new experiences.
It is written with a very humuorous slant which makes for a great read.
With many thanks to the publisher and netgalley for a copy of this book to read.
She’s reached a crossroads in her life- out of work and getting divorced and moving into a box room in Patrick’s house. He’s a struggling single dad and had advertised for someone to help around the house in exchange for somewhere to live. Her life has planned out how she thought it would.
Her friends think that she needs to make a list to get her through her divorce, of experiences she should have . When she’s explaining this concept to Patrick , he decides to make his own list. Then we follow them making the most of these new experiences.
It is written with a very humuorous slant which makes for a great read.
With many thanks to the publisher and netgalley for a copy of this book to read.
Want to read
March 7, 2018Nach 145 Seiten abgebrochen ....
July 24, 2018
Light, easy read with warm likeable characters, even with their flaws.
March 8, 2017
Das Buch hat seine Höhen und Tiefen. Vor allem einige der Nebenfiguren sind nicht ganz ausgereift!
August 4, 2015
4.5 stars.
This is easily one of my favourite books I've read this year. From beginning to end, I thoroughly enjoyed the story, the characters and particularly the writing. In places, Eva's writing is sharp and witty and had me giggling with some of her one liners.
I thought it appropriate to honour my review of this wonderful book with a list of the reasons why I loved it so much!
1. The characters are well written and I actually felt like I cared about them.
2. The story's not pedantic, it doesn't necessarily focus on the downtrodden girl looking for a better man (although it does feature slightly). Instead it looks at the lives of a group of friends who gang together to help Rachel overcome her split from her husband by creating a bucket list of things to do before turning 30!
3. The writing consists of a central narrative and lists, and I actually loved the concept of the lists as it was something different from what I've ever read before. I loved how other characters' lists featured too. It was also a witty way of remembering how much (or little) the characters were actually achieving. And nice to see some different interactions between characters instead of the archetypal soppy stuff you find in other chick flicks.
4. She references Bridget Jones; Eat, Pray, Love; The Titanic; and Robbie Williams (amongst other things). Some of my favourite things - although I've never actually cried at The Titanic!!
5. She keeps lists and I LOVE a good list.
6. I actually saw a lot of myself in Rachel so on a personal level this struck me on quite an emotional level.
I am a bit of stickler when it comes to romantic fiction/chick-lit because I really don't do soppy stories - once you've read one chick-lit or romantic book, you've read them all in my opinion.
This book is something unique and different and has totally rekindled my love for romantic fiction. I hope Eva publishes something else because I'm already really looking forward to it!
'We say all the time we're looking for love, or we're afraid we'll never find it. The truth is, we're already surrounded by it - from our families, our friends, even out pets'.
This is easily one of my favourite books I've read this year. From beginning to end, I thoroughly enjoyed the story, the characters and particularly the writing. In places, Eva's writing is sharp and witty and had me giggling with some of her one liners.
I thought it appropriate to honour my review of this wonderful book with a list of the reasons why I loved it so much!
1. The characters are well written and I actually felt like I cared about them.
2. The story's not pedantic, it doesn't necessarily focus on the downtrodden girl looking for a better man (although it does feature slightly). Instead it looks at the lives of a group of friends who gang together to help Rachel overcome her split from her husband by creating a bucket list of things to do before turning 30!
3. The writing consists of a central narrative and lists, and I actually loved the concept of the lists as it was something different from what I've ever read before. I loved how other characters' lists featured too. It was also a witty way of remembering how much (or little) the characters were actually achieving. And nice to see some different interactions between characters instead of the archetypal soppy stuff you find in other chick flicks.
4. She references Bridget Jones; Eat, Pray, Love; The Titanic; and Robbie Williams (amongst other things). Some of my favourite things - although I've never actually cried at The Titanic!!
5. She keeps lists and I LOVE a good list.
6. I actually saw a lot of myself in Rachel so on a personal level this struck me on quite an emotional level.
I am a bit of stickler when it comes to romantic fiction/chick-lit because I really don't do soppy stories - once you've read one chick-lit or romantic book, you've read them all in my opinion.
This book is something unique and different and has totally rekindled my love for romantic fiction. I hope Eva publishes something else because I'm already really looking forward to it!
'We say all the time we're looking for love, or we're afraid we'll never find it. The truth is, we're already surrounded by it - from our families, our friends, even out pets'.
May 19, 2015
This is a great book for anyone who likes to make lists for anything . . . bucket lists, things to shop for, reasons for doing things, reasons for liking someone, reasons for not liking them….. Take four relationships that are in turmoil, add in a list of challenges and you’ve got a great recipe for a brilliant novel. Considering the lists are so important in this book, the list of reasons I enjoyed this book include:
Thoroughly enjoyed the author’s style of writing.
Well rounded characters, full of angst, turmoil and realistic reactions and emotions.
Robust plot, with plenty of twists and turns to keep me entertained!
Unexpected events, including those involving subsidiary characters that added to the whole plot.
Hilarious, laugh out loud moments - especially during some of the challenges!
Great to explore multiple relationships intertwining and developing throughout the story.
Like how one long term relationship worked out whilst others moved on, showing it isn’t the same for everyone and every relationship isn’t doomed or necessarily destined for a HEA at that time.
Reinforces the message that everyone needs to listen to one another whilst still keeping moving forward, regardless of problems encountered in the past, towards the future as you’re never certain what it may hold for you
Thoroughly enjoyed the author’s style of writing.
Well rounded characters, full of angst, turmoil and realistic reactions and emotions.
Robust plot, with plenty of twists and turns to keep me entertained!
Unexpected events, including those involving subsidiary characters that added to the whole plot.
Hilarious, laugh out loud moments - especially during some of the challenges!
Great to explore multiple relationships intertwining and developing throughout the story.
Like how one long term relationship worked out whilst others moved on, showing it isn’t the same for everyone and every relationship isn’t doomed or necessarily destined for a HEA at that time.
Reinforces the message that everyone needs to listen to one another whilst still keeping moving forward, regardless of problems encountered in the past, towards the future as you’re never certain what it may hold for you
May 5, 2018
The Thirty List by Eva Woods is her first romantic comedy novel. Before Rachel gets married she wants to know these questions how do you know? how can be sure? About the person you marry. In a vintage-style dress, now Rachel will become someone’s wife. Dan and Rachel move to a new house in Surrey. Now Rachel Kenny at the age of thirty she is imminently to be divorced, moving out of the home they spent years creating. Enternal list-maker Rachel has a plan with plenty of new sets of challenges to help her get over her divorce and out into the world again. I loved the way Rachel liked to make lists. For Rachel making lists was ways of trying to put some order on the desperate mess of her life.
The Thirty List by Eva Woods is to be published in June 2015.
The Thirty List by Eva Woods is to be published in June 2015.
January 7, 2022
Do not take my 3-star review at face value, it's more of a comparative grading thing.
The cliché bits are on point, the main couple gels well together and there are definitely enough pop references to get you going. I was just bothered by bits of judgement that were completely unnecessary and not as funny as the author might think.
I chose this book because I'm turning 30 in a few days, but to be honest it's not really about being 30, or things you should do before or during your 30s, it's rather about shifting gears a little bit when you think life is an old film that ends with a happily ever after way too early. Which is a good message to pass. So many people get stuck in what they tell themselves is what they've always wanted, but the truth is we are constantly changing and it's hard to keep the same patterns from our mid-20s until we grow old.
A light read to start what I hope will be a light(er) year.
The cliché bits are on point, the main couple gels well together and there are definitely enough pop references to get you going. I was just bothered by bits of judgement that were completely unnecessary and not as funny as the author might think.
I chose this book because I'm turning 30 in a few days, but to be honest it's not really about being 30, or things you should do before or during your 30s, it's rather about shifting gears a little bit when you think life is an old film that ends with a happily ever after way too early. Which is a good message to pass. So many people get stuck in what they tell themselves is what they've always wanted, but the truth is we are constantly changing and it's hard to keep the same patterns from our mid-20s until we grow old.
A light read to start what I hope will be a light(er) year.
September 25, 2018
This is the second book that I have read by the author but unfortunately, this one was less successful than her 2017 published book called How To Be Happy. I much preferred it and gave it a five-star rating.
However, although this book made me somewhat scared to “grow up” and face “real life problems” , I love how raw and real it is. I love all the characters because they are so believable and likeable.
It was a little bit hard for me to finish this book at first since it was a little repetitive and dragging at times, the concept was interesting nonetheless.
In summary, although ' The Thirty List' was less impressive from 'How To Be Happy' by Eva, I have grown to love her writing and of course, would come back for more.
Kudos, Eva Woods. I can't wait to read more of your work.
However, although this book made me somewhat scared to “grow up” and face “real life problems” , I love how raw and real it is. I love all the characters because they are so believable and likeable.
It was a little bit hard for me to finish this book at first since it was a little repetitive and dragging at times, the concept was interesting nonetheless.
In summary, although ' The Thirty List' was less impressive from 'How To Be Happy' by Eva, I have grown to love her writing and of course, would come back for more.
Kudos, Eva Woods. I can't wait to read more of your work.
January 7, 2020
I liked Patrick a lot and the whole idea with the lists was fantastic, but sadly it wasn't enough to redeem the book for me. I found the humour a bit try-hard and the main character obnoxious (she dropped the word 'sexist' on every other page and even though it was sometimes justified, it got tiring pretty quickly. I'm supposed to be reading a relaxing chick lit novel, not a treatise on gender relations).
January 15, 2021
I bought this book early last year and was planning on reading it straight away after. but as you can see, I didn't. When I finally close this book, I realized that this book teaches me a lot of things, one of them is that sometimes, it's better when you don't rush into things. It's better to take bits and pieces throughout a couple of days than just eat it all in one go. I'm glad that I took my time to read this one up. This is a gooden!
June 11, 2018
Love this author!
This is the second one of her books that I’ve read and now I’m going straight to the Amazon store to see if she has written any more books. Would recommend this book to anyone who likes sarky humour, believable characters, and chick lit with some depth and realism.
This is the second one of her books that I’ve read and now I’m going straight to the Amazon store to see if she has written any more books. Would recommend this book to anyone who likes sarky humour, believable characters, and chick lit with some depth and realism.
July 1, 2018
Perfect romcom!
I loved this book, it was just the right blend of comedy and story to keep me gripped and wanting more at the end of every chapter. As a thirty-something female with a penchant for lists and a less than tidy life I felt like this could have been written about me. Great read!
I loved this book, it was just the right blend of comedy and story to keep me gripped and wanting more at the end of every chapter. As a thirty-something female with a penchant for lists and a less than tidy life I felt like this could have been written about me. Great read!
January 4, 2018
Check out my full review here:
http://confessionsofabookgeek.com/201...
The Thirty List has a great cast of characters, an honest and at times fun story line, and a nicely paced plot that saw me get through a 400+ page contemporary in what felt like no time at all. As is common in “chick-lit” or “women’s fiction”, certain aspects of the book were reasonably predictable, and a couple of elements were just slightly unbelievable, but it’s definitely not the most fairy-tale-esque adult fiction I’ve read.
Woods is a published thriller novelist under her official name, Claire McGowan, with The Thirty List marking her first foray into romantic/women’s fiction, which is very hard to believe – the execution of the story was great, our main character was easy to relate to, and Woods writes with a certain charm and humour that is addictive. Definitely want to pick up more of her books.
http://confessionsofabookgeek.com/201...
The Thirty List has a great cast of characters, an honest and at times fun story line, and a nicely paced plot that saw me get through a 400+ page contemporary in what felt like no time at all. As is common in “chick-lit” or “women’s fiction”, certain aspects of the book were reasonably predictable, and a couple of elements were just slightly unbelievable, but it’s definitely not the most fairy-tale-esque adult fiction I’ve read.
Woods is a published thriller novelist under her official name, Claire McGowan, with The Thirty List marking her first foray into romantic/women’s fiction, which is very hard to believe – the execution of the story was great, our main character was easy to relate to, and Woods writes with a certain charm and humour that is addictive. Definitely want to pick up more of her books.
January 11, 2020
The author has obviously never been to Walt Disney World in Florida and so that whole section really bugged me. Also, the end got so depressing and then tried to wrap up too quickly. It left too many questions.
April 29, 2020
A different look at love. From the soon to be divorced Rachel. For once she was normal and not innocent. I enjoyed this side of the book but it dipped at the end where is suddenly got so predictable. Shame coz 95% of it was lovely to read.
April 20, 2018
This book was ok as a chick lit read but I found it a little depressing and predictable. I've read a lot better.
July 6, 2018
I loved it from start to finish!
August 26, 2018
Had real fun with this one! And reading it so close to my own 30's birthday made it even better!
April 19, 2019
Really funny romcom, will look out for more from this author.
July 16, 2019
I like the stories Eva Woods write. The dialogue is fast and witty. The storyline is perhaps a little obvious but the events make the story to a page-turner. Nice and easy reading.
April 10, 2020
Fab
Great book. I was hooked on every page and wanting to know more. It was almost light hearted book with a deep centre.
Great book. I was hooked on every page and wanting to know more. It was almost light hearted book with a deep centre.
November 13, 2020
another fab read!
Another amazing novel by Eva...each page keeps me captivated in the story. Can't wait for the next releases to add to my collection
Another amazing novel by Eva...each page keeps me captivated in the story. Can't wait for the next releases to add to my collection
February 5, 2021
It reminds me of TATBILB
December 20, 2021
A cute little read even if we all knew how it was going to end on page one (very predictable!)
November 7, 2023
A comfy, easy read that was interesting and honest.
December 7, 2023
Predictable and boring.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews