Numbered

by Amy Andrews, Ros Baxter

Live every day like it was your last.

Mathematician and many-time Loser in Love Poppy Devine believes in being prepared. So when she discovers she has breast cancer, all she has to do is dust off the carefully numbered bucket list she prepared years before with her best friend Julia.

There are only two problems: Quentin, a gorgeous younger man with rock-star ambitions, wasn’t on her list. And take-a-risk Julia, has suddenly come over all disapproving.

Together with Poppy’s hippy mother Scarlet, the three form an unlikely alliance to help Poppy realise her goals. Sky diving, swimming with sharks, cooking classes in Tuscany, visiting an orphanage in India are all part of the journey. Along the way, Poppy is forced to confront her best friend’s grief, her fraught relationship with her mother, and the fact that she really might be using her last available time on earth to make the most imperfect match of her life.

But Poppy comes to learn that when your days are numbered there’s no such thing as perfect and love really is all you need.

Genres: Humor, Death, Friendship, Romance, Contemporary

Paperback

First published January 25, 2016

About the author

Amy is an award-winning, USA Today best-selling Aussie author who has written eighty-five contemporary romances in both the traditional and digital markets.

Her books bring all the feels from sass, quirk and laughter to emotional grit and panty-melting heat.

She loves good books and great booze although she'll take mediocre booze if there's nothing else. For many, many years she was a registered nurse which means she knows things. Anatomical things. And she’s not afraid to use them!

She recently took a sea change and lives by the ocean with her husband of 33 years.

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Reviews

[Fiona Marsden · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could tell you about this book like this…(sort of spoilers so you could skip it and go straight to the review if you like)
1. Laugh
2. Snigger
3. Drool
4. Belly Laugh
5. Whimper
6. Disbelief
7. Laugh
8. Giggle
9. Sniffle
10. Smirk
11. Laugh
12. Cry
13. Denial
14. Laugh
15. Sigh
16. Cry
17. Snort Laugh
18. Cry
19. Smile
20. Cry
21. Bargain (this was where I killed the fairy)
22. Snot Cry
23. Guilty smile
24. Cry
25. Sob
26. Anger
27. Sob more
28. Struggle to smile
29. Depression
30. Snot cry
31. Sobbing snot crying
32. Acceptance
33. Making public spectacle crying
34. Hopeful smile
35. All Choked up.
36. Still all choked up. *sniff*


I should have known better. Amy Andrews wrote a Medical romance called “How to Mend a Broken Heart” a few years ago and I still cry when I try and talk about it. She wrote Sister Pact with Ros and it was funny and sweet and romantic. I never thought they would combine to create a book that was funny and sweet and romantic and MAKE ME SNOT CRY THROUGH HALF THE DAMN BOOK. And this isn’t some measly little category book. This is a full size book so that is a lot of crying.

The story is about Poppy Devine who starts the book being tested for a lump in her breast. The same day she meets Quentin who works as a chef in the hospital by day and plays in a rock band by night. When he flirts with her, she invites him to do a sky jump with her. The first impulsive thing she probably did in her life.

The sky jump is number one on a bucket list Poppy drew up with her best friend Julia years ago. Number Ten is sex with a stranger. See where we are going with this?

I didn’t notice until we were well through the book that the story is pretty much told from Quentin and Julia’s point of view, not from Poppy’s, the heroine.

Quentin is an unlikely hero for Poppy, who is constantly being told to take risks by Julia. He’s quite a bit younger than Poppy and, in his mind as well as Julia’s, not someone for the long haul.

Julia has been Poppy’s other half for eighteen years, since they met at boarding school at eleven. She is strong, aggressive and totally devoted to Poppy.

This is not really a romance, but is a love story. *wipes tears*

The relationships between the three main characters, with Poppy’s mother and Quentin’s band mate Spike thrown in, are complex and real and imperfect, just as they are.

There is a lot of laughter and humour in the story, but there is also the spectre at the feast, the cancer that drives the momentum of the relationships. It is a very real look at the impact of cancer on not only the person involved, but those around them.

It is a hard book to read. *sniff* But it is also a beautiful story and so very worth it. It is real and magical and bloody brilliant. Anyone who can drag me willingly through that kind of emotional angst had some serious writing cred.

Review copy begged from the publisher because I knew it was going to be great.

[Shelleyrae at Book'd Out · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Where are the damn tissues?' is what I wrote when I finished Numbered by writing team Ros Baxter and Amy Andrews.

When twenty nine year old Poppy Devine finds a lump in her breast she decides to get a jump on her bucket list, and surprises herself by crossing off three items in one day - Number one: Jump out of a plane, Number ten: Have sex with a stranger, Number twelve: Eat a Mexican meal.

Numbered is an emotive story, the tragedy of Poppy's terminal diagnosis can't fail to tug at the heart strings, but it is ultimately a celebration of life as Poppy with the support of her best friend Julia and no-longer-a-stranger 'Ten' (aka Quentin Carmody) endeavour to fulfil her bucket list before her time runs out.

Most of the story is told from the alternating perspectives of Julia and Quentin. Julia is both furious and devastated when her best friend is diagnosed with aggressive breast cancer and is determined that Poppy will beat it. In the meantime she will do everything she can to ensure Poppy has whatever she wants, she just doesn't think that Poppy is making a wise choice in keeping Mr-Rock-God-Surfer-Boy-Football-Legend around. Twenty two year old musician/short order cook Quentin Carmody has never had a relationship that has lasted longer than a few weeks but he's found something special with Poppy, both in and out of bed, and he's determined not to let her go.

Numbered is as much a story about they way in which Julia and Quentin cope with Poppy's inevitable death, more perhaps, than it is about Poppy's courageous last days. I loved Julia's feisty spirit and take no prisoners attitude, and the way in which Quentin sees past Poppy's illness. Both strong personalities, Julia and Quentin want what is best for Poppy but they don't always agree on what that is or how to make it happen. The bickering between them is often hilarious, providing much needed light relief, but is clearly edged with the pain and grief they feel.

Beautifully written with heart and humour, Numbered is a poignant yet life affirming novel about friendship, love, hope, grief and redemption, a wonderful read that will likely leave you smiling through your tears.

[Indy Fawcett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Happy and Sad all around. Great Book, check out my non spoilery and spoilery review over on my channel:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4o4FR...

[Lynxie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m exceptionally slow at getting to this book I received from Harlequin as an ARC back in 2015, but I’m also very glad I waited to read it.

It is exactly what Rachael Johns’ quote on the cover says: compelling, heartbreaking and you’ll definitely need the tissues.

I’d recommend this book for anyone who needs a kick in the feels, anyone who wants a cry and to explore what it might be like to deal with losing someone to cancer.

I would avoid this book like the plague if you’ve recently been through a loss, particularly if it’s cancer related and if you struggle with death and loss themes in general.

Where this book shone the best was the vivid and rich characters. I really liked the complexity of Julie and the awkward, real way she dealt with Q/Ten and Poppy’s relationship.

Where I lost a little belief in the story was the ease in which the travel occurred, 95% of people can’t afford that sort of travel, and it smacked of fiction because of that, but it was such a minor niggle.

I’m very glad I read this story, that it allowed me a few sniffles and a few shed tears. It wasn’t an ugly cry book, but it certainly hit the feels.

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

'Numbered' by sisters Amy Andrews and Ros Baxter treats the sensitive subject of breast cancer in a totally different way to the usual bittersweet and heart-wrenching language of similar novels. Instead, the characters scream, cry and argue their way through the whole book, raging at the unfairness of the situation 29-year-old Poppy finds herself in. A man she meets is a bit too good to be true but even his feelings are portrayed realistically. This is a story that is both confronting and comforting at the same time, not a bad feat.

[Deborah (debbishdotcom) · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a novel about dying and death Numbered is actually a feel-good read. It’s almost everyone’s fantasy… achieving their bucket list before their time comes.

There are some great destinations featured in the novel and Andrews and Baxter do a wonderful job of placing readers in the various locations.

The book however is more about the characters and their experiences and growth. For the most part Julia and Quentin struggle to get along… something which understandably frustrates Poppy. But ultimately they realise they need to put Poppy’s happiness ahead of their own (perhaps selfish) feelings. Similarly Poppy and her mother Scarlet are forced to reconsider long-held assumptions about the other.

We’re in the heads of Quentin and Julia, so I guess it’s only natural we identify the most with them. In fact, I *may* have commented on Facebook that I just wanted Poppy to die so Ten and Jules (as they call each other) could get together. Their bickering relationship had all of the hallmarks of intellectual attraction and sexual tension, so I was kinda disappointed when Quentin seemed happy with the more staid Poppy.

The notion of time running out has the propensity to be maudlin or depressing but Numbered is in fact more about living than dying.

Read the full review on my blog: http://www.debbish.com/books-literatu...

3.5 stars

[AusRomToday · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don’t let the subject matter put you off. Yes, this is a novel about dying and essentially running out of time but the topic is handled gently and inspires the reader to think more about how they live, living in the moment, and creating a genuine legacy more so than the inevitability of death itself.

Emotions run exceptionally high consistently throughout the novel, a testimony to the strength of Andrews and Baxter’s storytelling abilities. The characters are all extremely well developed as you come to expect from this writing duo, but it’s the juxtaposition of strength and vulnerability of each character that is the most striking.

Tissues recommended right from the start… The dedication to their Dad is not only a lovely message, it really defines the essence of the entire story.

A spectacular and compelling read that will have you captivated from the very beginning and questioning how you’re living life long after you’ve finished.

[Sharon Metcalf · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remember reading Sister Pact and enjoying it and for the past couple of years I've had my eyes peeled for other titles by either author, so imagine my surprise when I received this book wrapped up as a birthday present from my sister. It's a new release so she probably figured I wouldn't already have read it (since I get so many of my books from the op shop!). She was right. She didn't know anything other than what she read on the blurb and thought it might be a book I'd enjoy. So that is a most definite YES. I was hooked from the moment I started reading and was not disappointed at any time. I recognised an Australian sound to the characters within the first pages, and I knew enough from the cover that it was likely to be a bit of a heartbreaker. It was. But it was so much more than that. I love a good romance and this one between Quentin and Poppy was memorable. I love contemporary fiction, where the characters speak the way my friends, family, colleagues or FB friends would. I got the Aussie humour and laughed out loud often. I love a book that can bring me to tears and this one had that aspect covered hands down. In fact, I had to carefully plan my reading so that I was finished before it was time to go to work. As I progressed through the book I knew without any shadow of a doubt that this one would involve panda eyes, snot and many, many tissues and that is simply not the look I go for when I'm decked out in my corporate gear on the bus. It was a good strategy because I was right on every count. Actually, even though I'd finished reading earlier that morning I still teared up thinking about the characters.

This was the story of Poppy who we meet on the day she has been for tests for suspected breast cancer. The book is largely told from the perspective of Quentin and Julia. Quentin is the guy she meets the same day the story begins, and Julia is Poppy's best friend. Julia is super protective of Poppy and simply doesn't think Quentin is suitable for her. Quentin is not going to be muscled out by a bossy BFF, he's feeling things for Poppy he's never felt before. The fact that they each love Poppy and want the best for her does bring them closer (eventually) but it's a rocky road. Not only are they supporting Poppy in her quest to complete her bucket list, but they are dealing with powerful emotions of their own. And they are trying to coming to terms with the fact that Poppy is really dying. Perhaps the topic was a little too close to home, hence the copious amount of tissues required. I lost my best friend to cancer a few years ago and some of the emotions were as raw when reading the book as they were at the time.

The fact the book was co-written by two female authors interests me. The voice of Quentin sounded male and if I'd been told his story was written by a guy I'd have easily believed it. I don't really know how they write together; whether they each take a character and responsiblity for that voice or if they combine their efforts towards the overall story. Whichever way they work, they should keep doing it because it works well for them and I would be lined up to buy new titles they pen together.

[Amanda - Mrs B's Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do you have a bucket list? Numbered by sister writing duo Amy Andrews and Ros Baxter made me consider creating my own bucket list after reading the emotional and compelling story of their main character Poppy Devine. When twenty nine year old Poppy is diagnosed with terminal breast cancer, she chooses to spend her last numbered days doing all the things she always wanted to do. With travelling companion’s best friend Julia and boyfriend Quentin, together they travel the world trying to tick off as many items on Poppy’s bucket list. From cooking classes, skydiving and travels to exotic locales, Poppy aims to experience all the big things in life before she says goodbye. Whilst much of the book is based on Poppy’s journey at the close of her life, it is also about the emotions attached to losing a best friend, lover and daughter. Numbered is a book that encompasses so many contrasting emotions from laughter, love, loss and anger. Ultimately though, it is a story of celebrating our own life journey with the people who matter the most.
Numbered is a book that packs pure emotion, which is varied and raw. It made me laugh with the characters, experience deep love between Poppy and Quentin, admire of Julia and Poppy’s strong friendship and feel inspired to live life to the fullest. The dialogue in numbered is emotive and easily relatable. Authors Amy Andrews and Ros Baxter, both with best selling romance backgrounds, draw on this skill of creating a believable romance in the scenes between Poppy and her boyfriend Quentin. What I enjoyed most about this book was experiencing Poppy’s bucket list with her, I loved the varied locations, settings and experiences. It has definitely made me stop and consider living for the moment as you never know when you days become numbered. The final scenes with Poppy were highly emotive but handled sensitively by the capable hands of Amy Andrews and Ros Baxter.
Numbered is a book that worked incredibly well for me, I do hope other readers, particularly fans of contemporary Australian women’s fiction, will feel as drawn to this novel as I did. I’m keen to read more by this fabulous sister writing team. Hopefully they will not keep their readers waiting for too long for their next book.

[Talking Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Each of the main characters in this book are strong minded, strong willed and sure focused at helping Poppy in getting through the horridness that is her illness. The barbs are out between Julia and Quentin and it was some awesome reading! Grab the tissues as tears flowed for this reader and Omg I was just wrecked in so many sequences of the story that I lost count! My heart bled for Quentin, Poppy and Julia and Spike was a surprise shock positive that evened this story out. The gut-wrenching emotions flowing from Julia floored me at every turn, right along side Quentin's battle of emotions. Poppy was struggling emotionally but more sporadically, like she was too afraid of showing them for fear reality would bite one too many times.

The shocks throughout the read very often snuck up on this reader and the raw emotions of each of the characters tipped the scale in tears for me. Each dimension/character struggle felt like being stuck in the spin cycle of a washing machine - completely wrung me out. I've read a lot of spectacular books this year that have floored me with feelings and reactions that, if the same book was read for a second time, probably wouldn't get that same response. However, Numbered by authors Amy Andrews and Ros Baxter is a book I could read again and again and still get the feeling, the same wrecked, emotional tornado I felt reading it this first time and to me that is a book that CANNOT and SHOULD NOT be missed. Hearts and flowers all the way, just simply breathtaking reading. Absolutely up there with the best books I have read this year without a doubt.
Review copy kindly received from the Publisher

[Leah Grice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

Loved it. Laughed, cried, got well and truly invested in the characters. Would recommend to anyone who wants to be lost in a book for a while.
Well done Amy

[Kerrie McDonald · Rating 5 out of 5]

About 1/4 of the way into this book I was alternatively laughing and blinking back tears. By half way I was crying and laughing. The last third I was ugly crying and still managing the occasional smile. The characters were memorable - plucky Poppy, oh-so-sweet in a bad-boy exterior Quentin, and loyal best friend Julia. I loved the interactions, and adored the movie quotes. While I wasn't bawling my eyes out, this was a fun read with great descriptions that made me want to visit the places for my own bucket list, especially the northern lights in Lapland!

DO NOT READ THIS BOOK IN PUBLIC!! I'd give this book more than 5 stars if I could and highly recommend it. If you're giving it as a gift, make sure you package it with a megasize box of tissues.

[Renée Dahlia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not a romance (a warning for those wanting a pure romance with a happily-ever-after).
Trigger Warning: Cancer

Numbered is a love story told by two characters. The one-night-stand turned lover, and the best friend, of Poppy. Poppy is diagnosed with breast cancer, and the three adventurers tick off her bucket list together.

This book made me laugh, and cry. It has hot sex, poignant moments, and deals with the emotions around death in a way that will have you reaching for tissues.

Beautiful.

[Sonia Bellhouse · Rating 3 out of 5]

An original concept and despite the premise a joyful book.
Poppy Devine has terminal cancer-but despite that she wants to live her life( however long it may be)bravely and passionately. Her long time best friend wants to help but her jealousy of Poppy's new ( and in her eyes unsuitable boyfriend) add dynamic tension. The there is Poppy's estranged and absent mother, what can she contribute now that Poppy has such limited time?

[Sharyn O'Neill · Rating 4 out of 5]

I laughed, I cried. All signs of a wonderful book. I loved the honest frank discussions between besties and not so besties. A beautiful love story - love between lovers, best friends and family.

[Jaylee Neal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Totally made me bawl my eyes out and tore my heart apart dsng it.. I love this book

[Sallie Page · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tissue allert

This was such a beautiful story. It took me ages to read because I had to keep wiping my eyes and re- reading the bits that got blurry.

[Kerrie Paterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

About 1/4 of the way into this book I was alternatively laughing and blinking back tears. By half way I was crying and laughing. The last third I was ugly crying and still managing the occasional smile. The characters were memorable - plucky Poppy, oh-so-sweet in a bad-boy exterior Quentin, and loyal best friend Julia. I loved the interactions, and adored the movie quotes. While I wasn't bawling my eyes out, this was a fun read with great descriptions that made me want to visit the places for my own bucket list, especially the northern lights in Lapland!

DO NOT READ THIS BOOK IN PUBLIC!! I'd give this book more than 5 stars if I could and highly recommend it. If you're giving it as a gift, make sure you package it with a megasize box of tissues.

[Bec · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful!

[Lisa Birch · Rating 1 out of 5]

glad I borrowed this book and didn't buy it. it was a quick read so didn't waste too many hours. the story was ok but way too much swearing and unnecessary sex.

[Tanya Boulter · Rating 3 out of 5]

not that good, but not that bad either. probably more suited to a younger audience. I did like the characters and their interactions with each other