I read my first Devney Perry novel this year and could not stop devouring her Jamison Valley series and am kicking myself for not having discovered her sooner. Her books are a calming salve to the soul, each story touches another piece of my heart and I am forever grateful for them. So, it stands to reason when the opportunity to read THE BIRTHDAY LIST that I could not resist and I am so very happy that I did.
As the story begins I’m treated to the love between college sweethearts Poppy and Jaime, but then tragedy strikes and Poppy’s world is shaken to it’s core. Flash forward five years and you see that Poppy has been living her life but she has not been “living” it and what brings her back to life is when she begins to work on Jaime’s birthday list. As she begins to work on his list she encounters the police officer, Cole who gave her the horrible news that fateful day years before. Since that day Cole has never been able to get her out of his mind and when a chance “birthday list” encounter brings them together. Poppy decides to include Cole in her quest to complete Jaime’s birthday list.
What then ensues is the most swoon worthy slow burn of a read. Done in Devney Perry’s trademark style of heartfelt emotion demonstrating healing love that came pouring out of every word. I could not get enough of this story and the beautiful relationship between Poppy and Cole and I only wanted more.
As I mentioned before, Devney Perry has a remarkable way of taking you into the pages of her story and giving you all the feels and more. I was barely finished reading the first chapter and tears were flowing at a rate that I knew I should have purchased stock in Kleenex. Yet, despite my initial heartbreak I was treated to a story that was romantic, hopeful and uplifting. All I can say is that I recommend this book to anyone that wants to find a read that demonstrates growth after an unbelievable loss, love and finding yourself.
THE BIRTHDAY LIST
EXCERPT
Turning to the door, I smiled, ready to greet my late-evening customer, but faltered as the door closed behind him.
Cole Goodman was walking my way.
My belly dipped as I took him in. His aviator sunglasses were perched on top of his chocolate-brown hair. A black polo stretched across his broad shoulders and pulled tight across his muscled arms. His pale-blue jeans molded to his Herculean thighs before draping down to his black, square-toed boots. The leather belt on Cole’s trim waist held both a shining badge and a holstered gun.
Cole smiled and locked his light-green eyes on mine as he crossed the room.
His straight, white teeth made my breath hitch—something that had happened last night more times than I wanted to admit.
Molly, who had turned around from her seat to greet our customer, spun around so her back was to Cole. Her cheeks flushed as she whispered, “Wow.”
Wow was right.
Cole Goodman was—simply put—gorgeous.
He could give a woman a speeding ticket and get a thank-you in return. He inspired women to attempt push-ups in a karate class just for the chance to watch him sweat through his gi. Cole made grown women blush like teenagers and giggle in corners, like those girls at the dojo last night.
Devney is the USA Today bestselling author of the Jamison Valley series. She lives in Montana with her husband and two children. After working in the technology industry for nearly a decade, she abandoned conference calls and project schedules to enjoy a slower pace at home with her kids. She loves reading and, after consuming hundreds of books, decided to share her own stories. Devney loves hearing from readers! Connect with her on social media.