Review: The List by Melanie Jacobson

The List by Melanie Jacobson

Publisher: Deseret Book
Pages: 289
Format: Kindle

Ashley Barrett doesn’t want to get married. At least, not anytime soon. She doesn’t care how many of her friends and family members and fellow churchgoers had weddings before they finished college — the last thing she needs in her fun-loving twenties is the dead-weight of some guy. And that’s why she created The List. By the time she completes all twenty-five goals — from learning a language to skydiving to perfecting the art of making sushi — she’ll be more ready to settle down. Maybe.

This summer in California is a prime time for Ashley to cross two items off the list: learn to surf (#13) and have a summer romance (#17). And Matt Gibson, the best surf instructor in Huntington Beach and the most wanted guy in the singles ward, is the perfect man for the job. Ashley hatches a plan to love him and leave him before heading off to grad school in the fall (#4, get a master’s degree). But when Matt decides he doesn’t like the “leaving” part, Ashley’s carefully laid plans are turned sideways. Now Ashley faces an unexpected dilemma: should she stick to the safety of The List, or risk everything for a love that may tie her down — or might set her free?

Review:
This book was really enjoyable.  I got caught up in the California summer. I used to live in California and I totally miss it.  Now I really want to learn to surf!

I think Ashley is a smart girl.  She has made a list of things she wants to do before getting married.  Not such a bad idea in my mind.  I actually talked to my husband about this book when I was finished and we started making a joint bucket list.  I think it's a great idea!

Ashley has a fear of marriage though. This LIST is keeping her from forming relationships and looking toward the future.  It is more of an excuse.  Until she meets Matt that is.  He is so much more than she thought, and she is falling hard and fast (whether she wants to admit it or not).  Matt, though he doesn't know about the list is helping her fulfill the rest of the items on her LIST. What happens when she is done?

I'm kind of in love with Matt.  He is that summer fling hot surfer boy that I'd always dreamed about in high school.  He is the real deal though!  I absolutely love this book.  I actually want to read it again.  You have to let me know if you read it!

Quote:

I needed the sensei of surf, the Obi-wan Kenobi of boards, the . . .oh, whatever. I needed Matt Gibson.