The Birthday List (Maysen Jar) Paperback – 3 April 2018

Devney Perry is an author who has been steadily growing on me. The Birthday List is the best book I have read by her. So much so that I have read it from start to finish in one sitting and it is a definite reread. Starting with the prologue of how Poppy came to be a widow we then move on 5 years. Poppy has decided in order to move on she needs to carry out the task that her husband had intended to do during his birthday list, very similar to a bucket list. Early on in the story she once again meets Cole who is the police officer who delivered the news to her of her husband's murder. As Poppy completes the birthday list assisted by Cole, she gradually moves on in life by falling in love with Cole who feels the same way. The story is delivered in a very tender way and allows the reader to see the pain that Poppy feels as she realises she has moved on. I loved it. I loved Poppy and Cole, Molly, Finn, Jimmy and Randall as well as the other characters. Well written and completely absorbing, Devney Perry has matured has a writer. The story flowed and there were no typo's, something which I find particularly aggravating when I read. I give this story 5 beautiful stars and I have no hesitation in recommending it to everyone.

Wow!!! I can't believe it took me this long to pick up this fantastic book. It's been on my kindle for ages and I finally had time. I plan on reading new authors once a month and I am so glad I chose Devney Perry. Now this book is a beautiful story. One of 2 love stories. One past and one present. This sounds like I have given something away but trust me. I haven't, not by a long shot.Now the main story is about Poppy trying to move on. To overcome the murder of the love of her life Jamie. In a cleverly constructed story she begins her quest to complete His birthday bucket list. And whilst she is on this quest she meet Cole again. The Cop, the barer of bad news, you have to forget that when he becomes more. Poppy and Cole start a new when a friendship changes somewhat and love and guilt became the forefront of this story.I can't really say much more as it would spoil everything. But know it's epic. I totally recommend this brilliant book. It's a beautiful story and I am totally glad I chose to read this book. (It helped me grieve a little too)

Poppy Maysen' s husband is murdered in a liquor store robbery, along with the sales assistant. After struggling for 5 years to move forward with her life Poppy decides to complete a Birthday list, (sort of like a living bucket list) her dead husband had compiled thinking that if she does this perhaps she can finally leg go of the love of her life.On one of her first tasks, "take a karate class" she comes face to face with the police officer who had informed her that her husband had been killed 5 years previous. They slowly form a friendship and Cole offers to help Poppy complete her husband's list by the end of the year, but can Poppy let go of the guilt she feels because she is so attracted to Cole.A lovely story, good characters, and a good epilogue. Looking forward to book 2 in the summer.

I liked this a great deal although it's cheesy beyond belief !! However, it's just the job in between all my usual books about killings and ghastly happenings. Nothing wrong with a "nice" story for a change. The coincidences come thick and fast as well and you're needing to suspend belief a little but I didn't mind. If you abhor bad language this isn't the book for you.....I swear like the proverbial trooper but even I was quite surprised !! And the sex scenes leave nothing to the imagination at ALL !! Sometimes less is decidedly more, I think.....I liked Poppy's sense of humour, she did make me giggle a few times at what she was thinking....I didn't understand what "he was always showing livestock with 4-H" meant....I knew he was a teacher but didn't understand the livestock reference. I thought there was a little too much breath hitching, too. She writes 'on accident' as opposed to 'by accident,' though I've noticed other American authors do this as well.Hardly any mistakes, either, which warms me to any author who's gone to the trouble to ensure their book is presented well. Short list is usually the one word and leach should've been leech and that was it !! Pretty impressive these days. I'll be reading the follow-up book for sure.