An amazing read. I was totally enthralled and blown away by this book. I don’t know what I expected before I started reading but it certainly wasn’t what I got. Such a moving and raw, real life story. Everyone’s life experiences are different and I appreciated the sensitive showing of Ellen’s, age isn’t always a main factor in emotional relationship maturity. It was quite interesting and refreshing to see the 17 year olds knowing their own feelings and thoughts on a relationship more than Ellen at 34.
I really felt bad for Unity and I felt for her as it really did seem everyone was kicking her when she was down, but the end result was exactly what she needed- tough love.
From start to finish I was totally invested and I loved every minute of it, the laughter and the tears.

I wasn't sure where I was going to stand with this; a single mum and a widow trying to get their lives together but let me tell you; I was rooting for them.

I wanted them both to succeed and I wanted their happiness so much. I wasn't sure where this was going as they kept hitting roadblocks they didn't see coming but man. My heart is so full right now.

I'm so happy with the ending of this story, the smile on my face proves it! That and the fact I read this full book in under 12 hours - I just couldn't put it down!

This is a perfect beach read - fun and romance with humour - just what is needed to while away a few hours on holiday.

I liked the premise of this story, but I just found it wasn’t the story for me, I couldn’t connect with it and I found myself not really interested in what happened or the characters , the writing itself was good and I am sure plenty of others will enjoy this, it just wasn’t my cup of tea.

Thank you to Netgalley, Susan Mallory and Mills and Boon for an advanced copy of this book in return for an honest review.⁣
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Unity and Ellen have been friends all of their lives. Each with a different story and different circumstances, but as lost and stuck in a rut as each other. They decide to set a list of challenges/goals to help them move forward with their lives.⁣
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Touching on grief, love, heartbreak, family and friendship, this book had be laughing and crying in equal measure. I don't think there was one character I didn't like and I rooted for a happy ending for all of them.⁣
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Overall, a lovely read that left my heart happy! ⁣
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Very random chapter 26 which didn't make sense, I think this snuck in from another book, but I was reading an advanced copy from Netgalley so will raise this with the publisher.⁣

This is the first book I have read by Susan Mallery and it won't be the last, I loved it and hooked in from the beginning.

The story is about Ellen and Unity, two best friends both with very different past events that have happened but they both want changes in their lives and to be able to move on. Therefore they come up with the idea of a friendship list or  list of things that they want to do over the summer that they have never done before like getting a tattoo or skydiving. There is also romance on the cards for both of them if they forget about the past and take a chance on something new.

I really liked all the characters and thought that you really got to know them. The story is told from various characters POV but it worked really well as you got to know the characters and understand the reason, why they have the issues they have and how they feel about events in the book. I was rooting for Ellen and Unity all the way through this and wanted to keep reading to make sure that they got the outcome they deserved.

This was the perfect story of friendships and relationships and the up and the downs. It was fairly quick paced and the story flowed really well. It was an enjoyable, sweet and fun read that I really enjoyed.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Mills and Boon for my review copy in exchange for this honest review.

Gorgeous, funny, heartwarming read about doing what makes you happy, second chances, and finding love in unlikely places.

5 - "We’re doing this..?" "…We are. We need to." Stars!

I absolutely devoured this book. Susan Mallery is in general a winner for me, but I am not a massive fan of what is termed Women’s Fiction. The book may have been lumped into that category due to the characters being mid-thirties and having a lot of life experience under their belts, but for all that to me, it still read more contemporary romance than WF.

"Not living your life is a dumb ass way to spend your day."

Mainly because it wasn’t all doom and gloom. The humor had me laughing, and I absolutely loved Ellen, Unity, Keith & Thaddeus. All unique, interesting & likeable characters with different backgrounds and diverse lives. It just felt like a complete read, everyone was integral, the story lines all played out with each other perfectly, and nothing was rushed or overdone. If this is what the authors WF titles are like I’ll be reading more of them in the future.

Maybe change was possible… Maybe she was going to be just fine.

Total winner, I have nothing derogatory to say, if you are looking for a romance where the adults have a bit of mileage under their belts, this is definitely one I urge you to try.

Two friends, Ellen and Unity have been friends since college. They both have relationship issues; Ellen a single mum and Unity a widow. Neither of them can move on so they come up with a list of things they are both going to try to accomplish over the next few months.

Two women, two men, a bit of romance (with issues), what is there not to like? Yes, it was predictable but if you like this genre then this is what you expect.

I felt this dealt with a lot of relationships really well, not just between the main characters but with their children and friends too.

Not sure what was going on with chapter 26? This didn't fit in with the story at all. Maybe this was an error due to me reading an advance copy?

I loved this story of the power of friendship. Making lists to prove that they are doing fine seems like a sensible idea, but the results are anything but sensible.
Both Ellen and Unity are emotionally crippled by their pasts, Ellen who found herself pregnant at a very early age, abandoned by the father and supported by incredibly strict parents, has never had another relationship since her son’s birth. Unity, orphaned in her teens, was brought up with Ellen and her strict parents. Unity married her army husband and then he was lost in action. Moving on is almost impossible.
The items on the list range from easy to impossible but the results are hilarious.
Susan Mallery does a perfect job of creating two dashing male leads and the supporting cast is a wonderful mix across all ages.
I certainly wont spoil anything for future readers but this book takes a good look at the effects of trying to live your life for others rather than getting out there and really living.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book; it was an easy read and presented the pre-requisite happy ending in a huge helping!

Thank you to Netgalley, Mills and Boon, and Susan Mallery for the ARC e book to review.
This is Ellen and Unity’s story. They have been friends since childhood, they see each other lots and are there for each other no matter what. However, they have an argument which pulls them apart. In order to bring the friendship back to where it was and to show each other and Ellen’s son (that Ellen can manage by herself), they come up with a list of things that they have each to do that will prove that they are ok and they will support each other doing what is on their respective lists.
As they work through their respective list, texting and talking to each other about what they have achieved, their worlds begin to expand and more of their friends become involved.
The characters are really well written and I loved the premise of this book. I can see myself and some friends making our own friendship lists and helping each other achieve things we maybe wouldn’t even think or dream of doing.
I would recommend this book. It is one that you could just spend a day reading as the pace and happenings are such that you just want to keep reading to see what happens.

Susan Mallery is a new author to me. I was a little concerned from the description that the story would be too emotional for me. However, although highly emotional topics are covered (including grief), somehow it is done in such a way that it is not too upsetting. Instead, I got caught up in the characters’ emotional journeys.

I loved the portrayal of friendship in this book. Particularly that between Ellen and Unity, but many other great friendships are shown in this story. They are not perfect, but they all work through issues in a sensible way, and are there for each other when the chips are down.

This book has a large cast of complex characters - they are very well written, all clearly distinct, three dimensional people, with their own stories and motivations. Somehow it is easy to keep track of all the characters (something I do struggle with). I think it’s because they all seem so real. Both the main characters are rather stuck with their lives, and it’s interesting and rewarding to see them work to unstick themselves, helped along by their close friendship.

If you’re looking for a story full of friendship, love and self development, with a heartwarming happy ending for all, then this is the book for you. I definitely recommend it, and will be looking out for more books by the author.

I was given a free copy of this book, my opinions are my own.

I really liked the idea of this story but sorry it wasn't for me and didn't finish it. Whilst I love the USA, I couldn't get to grips with all the college language, soccer, jocks and grades, etc. It was no reflection on the author or style of writing, which I could not fault. This is by no means a negative review, it just didn't do it for me.

I really did enjoy this book.. I'm a sucker for a good rom com. But in my opinion the story line "women make wish list to complete" sounded better than the actual story panned out..the whole wish list thing was forgotten by the end and felt like a separate angle was written completely to end the book. it wasn't even mentioned that the two main characters had a bet to fulfill and whether they discussed it after the summer roadtrip.
I enjoyed the prose, thought it to be a good storyline but lacking continuity. would 100% read more from this author. Escapism at it's best but wouldn't go on my favourites pile.

Ellen, a single mum, overhears her son, Coop, telling his friend that he can't go to the college of his choice as he can't leave her as she has no life. This prompts her and her friend Unity, who cannot move on from the loss of her husband, to prove Coop wrong by writing and completing a life-affirming bucket list. As this goes on they learn to turn their lives around and find romance alone the way.
I loved the idea of this -friends turning their lives around together by challenging their own boundaries and on the whole the promise lived up to my expectations. There were some elements that made me a little uncomfortable much as Keith's obsession with his daughter taking contraception. However, there were some great characters and I rather liked the idea that perhaps the younger generation are more sorted than their parents. Overall a great read.

I DNF'd this book.

In the year 2020 I have no time for books where the female main character worries about carbs and calories or her male friend talks about how she would be better looking if she made more of an effort with her clothes. There are so many other books out there that don't indulge in these trivial details.

This was my first time reading a book by Susan Mallery and I have to say I really enjoyed it.

It was well written and a nice lighthearted read. Characters were likeable and I loved the humour in the book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Susan for the chance to read this book.

Quirky and funny. Thank you Netgalley and Mills & Boon for allowing me the opportunity to read this new novel.

The story explores the lives of a group of friends and how their lack of love life and commitment have effected each of their lives, individually.

The first time for me reading anything by this author and they write beautifully. Easy to read story with some laugh out moments. The story is set in America so at times to overall feel became difficult for me to feel involved in as a British reader. I felt it almost transported me in to a sit-com rather than me feeling sympathy and empathy for the characters.

The story missed notes for me regarding characters ages. I myself, like the protagonists, am 34 however, I felt they were written much older and felt, mostly, no empathy for them. I'm aware that this is how their stories take them. Ellen, pregnant at 17, single parent who had to grow up before her time and Unity's loss of her husband makes her seek solitude amongst a retirement community, but I just didn't relate to either of them.

I enjoyed how Susan writes in a number of supporting characters , so it allows for a wider audience. It was refreshing to read as these smaller characters really helped support the main protagonists.

The characters goals that they set themselves show some funny and lovely outcomes and the plot did keep me reading wanting to know how their stories ended. There is definitely opportunity for another book with these characters.

A genuinely nice story; a quick read and one for you to pick up with a cup of tea and a biscuit. Overall, a light-hearted read which I enjoyed.

Unity and Ellen have been friends since school. Unity lost her parents as a teenager and moved in with Ellen. You can see throughout the book how they have both been moulded by Ellen's parents' rules. Unity's husband died 3 years ago and she is still wrapped up in him. Ellen had her son at 17 and has not had a partner since.
They set themselves a list of what they want to achieve that will challenge their sensibilities and push them out of their comfort zones!
I found this book to be a journey of enlightenment for both ladies and their characters were very well built and believable.
I enjoyed reading about them and their journey to romance!

Really good read. Would recommend to friends and family. I could sympathise with characters (important for any fiction novel!) and looked forward to picking it up and reading the next few chapters! Interesting plot line and a good ending. Will look out for more novels by the author. Thank you.