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. (Pub Date: Dec 26, 2017)
Is there really going to be a series? Do imagine I've inserted that animated gif of TAKE ALL MY MONEY NOW! *clears throat* Sorry, let's go back to the review.
Abby has confessed her love to her best friend Cooper. And pretended it was a joke. After all, his reaction wasn't good at all and she wouldn't want any changes in their tight long-running group of friends. But that's the thing, she notices a year later. Her resistance to allowing things to change now stands in the way of giving her new experiences and deepening her art. With the help of her family, she creates a list of challenges so she can make her heart grow and finally make it into the exhibition at the museum. One of items? To love and be loved back, which seems impossible as long as she continues attached to Cooper.
I overdid it a little with the summary, sorry. It's that I really liked this story, the whole book. Abby is funny, the dialogues made me laugh all the way to the end—as expected from Kasie West—, and I was pulling out my hair unsure with which of the guys she'd end up with. Even though she does like Cooper a lot, there's also Elliot, who is ultra nice, cute and has no girlfriend attached. And this love triangle was so well done I only had a favorite because I identified with the story. It was much more about wanting that ending for me because, in actuality, I'd be super duper satisfied if she ended with neither or even by herself. This is rare for me.
Talking about rare, I think this is the only novel by West that I can say was 100% good. I usually complain about the end losing rhythm, once the beginning was the boring part. This? This was enjoyable through and through.
And as in every one of her novels, the part about family is always my favorite. Here, Abby needs to deal with her father being away on a mission with the army and her mother refusing to go outside except for walks to the park. Wow, this was deep. The deepest she's ever gotten, I think. And real. Additionally, West treated the topic with seriousness but also in a way not to make the book turn into a big drama.
Also, of course fulfilling a list of tasks is a trope even I am starting to get tired of. And yet, here I am, unable to believe the book is over. I wanted more and more and more. She didn't give her own twist to the trope, but she made worthwhile every minute I spent reading as if it were my first book about it.
Wait, I need to list flaws too, right? I know this wasn't a 5-star read but I can't point out why; it just wasn't perfect, still a very good book. What do I list? I can think of only one: where are the other two companion books, because I need to read them now!
Honest review based on an ARC provided by Edelweiss. Many thanks to the publisher for this opportunity.
Rating: 4 out of 5.
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