Review: Love, Life, and the List - Kasie West

Love, Life, and the List
Kasie West
Series: n/a
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Publisher: HarperTEEN
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Goodreads

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.

Love, Life, and the List, was one of my Can't-Wait Wednesday picks back in October, and I am happy to report, that this book delivered beyond my expectations. Here is my "Heart List" sharing all the reasons why I loved this book so much:

1. Abby was my kind of girl, as she was fluent in my mother tongue, sarcasm. There were so many fabulous verbal exchanges in this book, and I found myself constantly laughing. I also admired Abby's drive and ambition. She wanted something, she set a goal, and she took steps to make it happen. These steps forced her outside of her comfort zone, but she knew she had to push herself if she really wanted to achieve her artistic dreams. 
2. When they said the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, they definitely had Abby's grandfather in mind. I could absolutely tell where Abby learned the fine art of sarcasm from after reading the exchanges between her and her grandfather. They were adorable. I have a special soft spot for grandparents and really adored the relationship Abby had with her grandpa. 
3. Grandpa wasn't the only fabulous family member in this book, mom and dad were pretty great too. Abby's dad was in the Army, so most of her communication with her dad was via email or Skype. Their exchanges were very fun and sweet. I won't lie, her parents made a few mistakes in this book, but the one thing I did not doubt, was how much they loved her. 
4. The friendship between Cooper and Abby was very genuine. They went way back and were very comfortable with each other, and I really enjoyed being around the two of them. 
5. I really enjoyed all the sites West took me to. I was especially fond of the Underground Gardens and hope to actually see them some day. 
6. THE LIST! The whole way the list was constructed was very endearing. Abby picked a trait that she admired about each person in her inner circle, and she developed a challenge to demonstrate that trait. So sweet, right? I also liked the results of the list. Abby was trying new things, spreading her wings, making new friends. It made me happy to see her broaden her horizons.  
7. Endings count for a lot with me, and you can call me a sap, but I got all squishy from the ending of this book.
   
   
   Exhibit A: My status update when I finished this book 

Overall: This was a book that lived up to the hype in my head. It made me smile, swoon, and laugh, but most of all, it made me happy.

You can read the first 3 chapters of this book here. 

**I would like to thank the publisher for the advanced copy of this book.

Do you like to make lists?

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