Love, Life, and the List by Kasie West REVIEW

Love, Life, and the List by Kasie West

Rating: 4/5

Publication Date: December 26th, 2017

Seventeen-year-old Abby Turner’s summer isn’t going the way she’d planned. She has a not-so-secret but definitely unrequited crush on her best friend, Cooper. She hasn’t been able to manage her mother’s growing issues with anxiety. And now she’s been rejected from an art show because her work “has no heart.” So when she gets another opportunity to show her paintings Abby isn’t going to take any chances.

Which is where the list comes in.

Abby gives herself one month to do ten things, ranging from face a fear (#3) to learn a stranger’s story (#5) to fall in love (#8). She knows that if she can complete the list she’ll become the kind of artist she’s always dreamed of being. But as the deadline approaches, Abby realizes that getting through the list isn’t as straightforward as it seems… and that maybe—just maybe—she can’t change her art if she isn’t first willing to change herself.

This is the first in a set of three standalone books with crossover characters.

I usually read contemporary romance like this when I’m feeling a reading slump coming or when I’m feeling a little stressed out, so this was the perfect time to read it!

I thought this was such a cute story that had a lot of character development–which as you know, is my FAVORITE THING. Abby was adorable and funny and relatable! The story was told in her perspective (I haven’t read first person POV in what feels like forever!), so I was really glad that I enjoyed her character!

Though I’ve never had an unrequited love, I could honestly say that I felt her pain, especially when her mentor told her she had “no heart” in her art (ha, that rhymed… but YEESH, THAT WAS HARSH).

The idea of creating a list to build character was just really adorable and I loved seeing Abby’s character grow and learn so much! I loved the friendships she formed and the lessons she learned!

I especially loved her relationship with her grandfather! The banter between them was hilarious and I laughed out loud a lot whenever they would tease each other! I think it was definitely interesting to see her different relationships with her mother and father as well! The dynamics between all the characters were really well done and I appreciated that a lot!

Of course, the romance and friendship was super adorable and just what I needed to read! I would recommend this to anyone who likes cute friendships, character development, bucket lists and character building, art, beautiful sunrises, and I guess it’s a bonus to have that romance!