Review: The Life List by Lori Nelson Spielman

The Life List 

by Lori Nelson Spielman

Publisher: Bantam

Pages: 368

Format: book

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  Brett Bohlinger has forgotten all about the list of life goals she’d written as a naïve teenager. In fact, at thirty-four, Brett seems to have it all—a plum job at her family’s multimillion-dollar company and a spacious loft with her irresistibly handsome boyfriend. But when her beloved mother, Elizabeth, passes away, Brett’s world is turned upside down. Rather than simply naming her daughter the new CEO of Bohlinger Cosmetics, Elizabeth’s will comes with one big stipulation: Brett must fulfill the list of childhood dreams she made so long ago. 

Grief-stricken, Brett can barely make sense of her mother’s decision. Some of her old hopes seem impossible. How can she possibly have a relationship with a father who died seven years ago? Other dreams (Be an awesome teacher!) would require her to reinvent her entire future. For each goal attempted, her mother has left behind a bittersweet letter, offering words of wisdom, warmth, and—just when Brett needs it—tough love. 

As Brett struggles to complete her abandoned life list, one thing becomes clear: Sometimes life’s sweetest gifts can be found in the most unexpected places.


Kritters Thoughts:  Have you ever lost someone and still wanted to be able to call them up for advice?  Brett Bohlinger has lost her mother to cancer and through fate and some expert planning, her mom is able to guide her through the first year that Brett must live without her mom there to guide her.  

Brett was a character that from the beginning I knew I would love her and want to root for her to the end.  She wasn’t perfect and that is just the way I like characters.  She had as many ups as she had downs and even at times was falling completely apart.  The way this author handled the love interest part of the story was fantastic.  I was ready for her to fall in love with one of them and kind of enjoyed having the carpet ripped out from under me!  I wish Brett had confronted her brothers a little more and put them in their place, but maybe because I was a little defense for her!

Flawless, this book was just perfect from beginning to end.  I would say this a perfect book for any season of your life, with my mom still here with me, it made me appreciate the moments where I can call her and get advice or just share what is going on.  This is a piece of "women's fiction" that I think each and every women should read.  I am excited to see my mom at Ope's Opinions read it and share how it impacted her and maybe in a different way.

Rating: absolutely loved it and want a sequel

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from the author.  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.