Do you have a book related bucket list?
Librarian Gabriella Brookes has moved back to her childhood home after a bad break up and she is missing her dog badly. Given that she is now living with her brother, it is a bit cosy but at least she has somewhere to go.
Enter Zach Osborne, her brother Dan's best friend Zach Osborne turns up out of the blue with the idea to throw a surprise birthday party for Dan! Zach has lived in London for years but he has some time on his hands and so he has come home for a couple of months before he moves overseas. Whilst Gabby is happy to see him, it is a bit awkward because Zach has been the subject of her biggest crush!
One day, Gabby finds a list that she wrote when she was very young. It is a list of bookish things that she would like to do ranging from "Find a magical land at the back of a wardrobe" to "visit a secret library" and "receive a love letter." Some of the things on the list are achievable but there are others that probably aren't.
The last thing she expects is for Zach to say that he wants to help her achieve the items on her list. And then he puts together his own non-bookish list and suggests that they can work together on their lists. Suddenly Zach and Gabby are spending a lot of time together and all those feelings come to the fore again, Given that Zach is only in town for a short time, this can only lead to more emotional heartbreak again.
I loved that Zach was very quickly invested in helping Gabby cross off the items on her list. And it was interesting to see his list, which also had the effect of taking Gabby out of her comfort zone! And I loved how she stepped up. Zach also had to open up about his challenging upbringing but he also needs to work out whether the things that have kept him away from his home town for so long are still enough to keep him away.
There was also a fun group of secondary characters who frequent the library, and especially Mr Cooper. I want to visit his house! Gabby's confidence had been dented, but the people around her were so supportive of her.
Of course, you can't read a book about a bookish bucket list without thinking about something similar. I am not sure that I have specifically written a bookish bucket list, but my reading has inspired me to have some really great experiences including visiting St Chappelle in Paris, visiting Mont St Michel, visiting Alberobello in Puglia amongst others.
I hadn't read Hannah Claire before. It's always nice to find a new author. It appears that this is the first book in a series, and I am here for the next book! In the mean time, I am going to search out Hannah Claire's previous book.
I am sharing this review with the New Release Challenge hosted at The Chocolate Lady's Book Reviews and it counts for the Bookish Books Challenge hosted at Bloggin' Bout Books.. Thanks to the publisher and Rachel's Random Resources for the review copy. Be sure to check out other stops on the tour below too!
Rating 4/5
The Book Lover’s Bucket List
A bucket list to change her life.
Gabriella Brookes has spent years quietly loving Zach Osborne, knowing he only sees her as his best friend’s bookish little sister. He’s charming, successful, and only back in their Derbyshire village for the summer before his next big move.
When Gabby stumbles across her long-forgotten teenage bucket list, Zach proposes a deal: together, they’ll tick off her book-inspired challenges, if she helps him complete a few fun tasks of his own.
What starts as a perfectly sensible plan quickly turns into something far more complicated, when real life refuses to stay neatly tucked between the pages.
But as Zach’s past resurfaces and his future pulls him away, Gabby is forced to face a harder truth: dreams don’t come true if you only ever read about them.
Ticking off the challenges was meant to be easy.
Admitting what your heart wants is the real risk.
A cosy, small-town romantic comedy about courage, love, and rewriting your own ending.
Purchase Links
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0GX33FZ34
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GX33FZ34
About the Author
Hannah has always been a
bookworm, loving nothing more than escaping into fictional worlds, and can't
walk past a bookshop without adding to her already-overflowing To Be Read
shelves. She writes contemporary romantic novels set against the beautiful landscape
of the Peak District in Derbyshire, close to where she lives.
A
firm believer in the power of love stories to offer comfort and escape, Hannah
writes books that celebrate connection, hope, and the magic of second chances —
stories designed to bring a little joy into busy lives.
She
lives with her husband, their three children, two cats, and one very bouncy dog
who still hasn't worked out that squirrels generally don't want to be her
friends.
Hannah
loves long sunny days spent outdoors and rainy afternoons spent indoors —
ideally under a cosy blanket with a good book. Her favourite things include
sparkly nail varnish, candles, bubble baths, and chocolate, and she remains
convinced that there is no such thing as too many notebooks.
Social Media Links –
@hannahclairewriter
Facebook and Instagram
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