
Member Reviews

Really enjoyed this book. Interesting premise drew me in straightaway and I loved reading about the characters. Heartwarming.

A well written book about sibling relationships and rivalry. Rose, Dee and Fleur are three sisters coming to terms with their mother's death, made complicated by the fact that they haven't spoken to each other for three years after disagreeing over their mother's care in the last few years of her life. At the will reading they discover that in order to receive their inheritance they have been set a 'bucket list' of activities which their mother hopes will not only bring them closer again but also help them to find fulfilment in their lives.
This sounded like a good plot and I enjoyed many parts of the book, particularly the videos of Iris and her side kicks, which are sweet and funny. Most of the book is told in the first person by Dee, there is an odd chapter from the POV of Rose and Fleur but not enough imo. If I'm honest I found them far more interesting characters than Dee, who I thought was very judgemental and quite irritating. My main problem with the book, however, was Daniel. I couldn't see how his character added anything of interest to the story other than an attempt to spice it up a bit. I felt it detracted from an otherwise interesting interplay between the sisters and the resolution of the Daniel thread was a bit farcical.
My thanks to Netgalley for this copy.

What a fantastic read, full of poignancy and 'laugh out loud moments' .It examines family dynamics after the death of Iris through a series of tasks she set for her estranged daughters to find happiness. The kicking the bucket list was devised by Iris with her two pals, Martha and Jean and conveyed by video recordings to the girls.Cathy Hopkins has wriiten a memorable book which brings out the importance of a mother's love and the dynamics that play out in a family. It made me both laugh and cry at the antics of Dee (Daisy), Rose and Fleur plus the host of 'strange characters' enlisted by their mother to run the tasks, not least the charming Daniel who sends their mother's texts and shows the girls the video clips. Enjoy this read - perfect for everyone.

I so wanted to like this book and was hoping for laughter and originality but instead I didn't really take to any of the sisters & found the tasks not interesting enough to hold my attention.

So sorry, I must have clicked on a link in an email not realising it was a request. I haven't downloaded the book so can't read it now that it's archived.

A similar theme to "P.s. I love you". Fleur, Daisy and Rose's mother has organised for them to get messages and challenges every 2 months for the first year after her death in order to get their inheritance. The sisters don't get on and their mother hopes that she can change this. An enjoyable read.

A great read. Despite worried it would be a bit depressing, it was far from it. And it's great to have a happy ending.

Lovely read, the characters were great, easy to get to know, a great book about family

Thoroughly enjoyable, all the characters were believable. Made me think about my own life many times.

Dee, Rose and Fleur fell out three years ago and have not spoken since - so when their mother Iris dies they expect to sort out the will and leave with their inheritance and never see each other again. Iris had other ideas though and was determined that her daughters should re-unite and become a family again. So she devised a plan in her will - in order to inherit the sisters had to spend a weekend together every month for a year and carry out the bucket list tasks she had devised.
As the weekends go by we start to find out the reasons they are estranged and from each of their viewpoints - mostly things that can be sorted - but can they get over themselves and carry out their mothers wishes in the way the she wanted them to?
A lovely heart warming book - easy to see how petty jealousies and arguments can escalate but some great comedy moments as well - great beach read

I have been reading some heavy stuff just lately and was looking for something a bit lighter to read next. Having read about The Kicking the Bucket List it seemed to be just what I was looking for. The story is about three sisters whose mother has recently died having lived to a good age and whose home in a fashionable part of London has yielded a great inheritance. There's a stipulation in the will that the sisters, Rose, Fleur and Daisy who is known as Dee must undertake various experiences to bring them closer together. They were close to each other growing up but life and the matter of where their mother lived in her final years has driven them apart. Mum's last wish was for them to make up their differences and appreciate life. To this end they must get together every two months for various life experiences. They will not inherit a bean if even one of them doesn't take part. It's been organised down to the last detail with a man called Daniel getting the girls together each time and a video of mum and her two friends telling them what each experience entails.
At first I thought that this was going to be a light and frothy chick-lit read but things take several serious turns and it becomes very absorbing. I spent the final chapters with tears of joy and sadness pouring down my face and rooting for all the sisters.
This is a real page turner and a bit step up from the average light read that I thought I was getting. I only give 5* to books that really stay with me after I've finished and this was one of them.

Rose, Dee and Fleur are sisters but are very different and in their adult lives they have drifted apart. They hardly ever spent any time together and even when they did, they tended to argue. One thing all three had in common was the love they had for Iris, their mother.
When she died her will has some rather interesting conditions. Every two months the sisters have to spend a weekend together and take part in the 'Bucket List' activities planned by Iris and her friends. The tasks are many and varied and certainly not what they might have expected.
This was a lovely read. At times it had me laughing out loud and at others reaching for the tissues. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me the chance to read and review this.

A pleasant read, but no real surprises. A disfunctional bunch of sisters who get brought together when fulfilling the requirement of the bucket list stated in their mothers Will. There is nothing outrageous in the bucket list, this is all about the sisters reconnecting. There is a cad in there, and a Prince Charming waiting in the wings to round it all out. Nicely written, a good holiday read.

I wasn't sure what this would be about from the title and I was drawn in from the first chapter and captivated until the final one. A book about final wishes and tying up loose ends in an innovative storyline. I will definitely read more from this author

I enjoyed this story, whilst it was a little predictable in places.. it also made me quite emotional.
A tale of 3 sisters uniting to carry out their mother's last request, 'The Kicking The Bucket List'. Mainly told by Dee, I would of liked to have heard more from Fleur and Rose.
Overall it was a nice, easy read and would recommend it to friends.

A light-hearted, heart-warming tale accompanied with touching moments which brings into perspective the importance of bonding and love between the siblings irrespective of past indifference. An interesting concept of rebuilding the sisters' relationships; Rose, Fluer and Dee by introducing enjoyable fun and yet relaxing wellbeing activities for six weekends. The various forms of therapeutic ideas mentioned are worth cherishing in the pursuit of happiness and healthy living. Read to find out, if the sisters do connect at the end?

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cwtch ~ definition: a welsh cuddle or hug. a safe place. "cwtch up with a book"
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The Kicking the Bucket List – Cathy Hopkins
Posted on April 2, 2017 by Kate
Iris Parker is a badass Mum who leaves a lasting legacy for her three floral-named daughters Fleur, Rose and Daisy when she realises that she is dying and her girls need to be there for each other.
In order to claim their inheritance, the girls who have drifted apart over the years, have to spend a weekend together every other month in an attempt to re-establish their relationships. Organised by their late Mum, Iris has it planned down to the finest detail and each meet-up is accompanied by a video message from beyond the grave.
This is such a lovely premise to set this story of loss, love, grief and the importance of family. I absolutely adored this book! Each of the daughters has their own secrets and watching them deal with the loss of their Mum and slowly reveal these secrets and rebuild their relationships with each other was at times heartwarming and others heartbreaking. I cried more than once and laughed out loud even more. As someone with two sisters I could totally relate to the bickering, banter and closeness like no other. There is also some genuinely helpful life advice from the ultra-wise Ivy; Mum really does know best. Cathy has written this so well!
In the spirit of no spoilers I will simply add that I knew he was a douche right from the outset. If you’ve read it, you’ll know who I’m talking about. Psh. Shame on him.
This is a truly gorgeous book, a perfect spring read and gets a perfect five cwtches from me. Get it here. Thanks to the lovely publishers for my review copy, you’re lush.
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Tagged book, cathy hopkins, cwtch up, kicking the bucket list, Review

A lovely read, warm and fuzzy. A good debut. If you like the charm of Dawn French then you'll love this. A mixture of poignant, funny, sad and delight, all in one read. Ideal for a follow up.

a lovely book with an unusual, interesting theme. 3 estranged sisters follow the bucket list their mother planned before her death in order to rebuild their relationship. The book shows differing types of love- the love of a mother for her children, sisterly love and the good and bad love between men and women . I was really upset when i finished the book, the theme could go on and on.....

I loved this book. I literally couldn't put it down. The idea that you could still see and hear your. Mother after her death via. video and she loved you so much to want you to do a bucket list, steals my heart. It's such a perfect idea for a book, for real life actually, I can't believe we don't all do it.
Thank you for writing this book, it was in the moment for me and helped me over a slightly roughish patch. I think we all need reminding sometimes of how important love and happiness are and that they should be our top priorities however much other stuff gets in the way.
This book was a wake up call for me, a personal mantra to repeat. Thank you for shaking me awake,
Please read and devour this book it's too important not to.