Official Review: The List by Yvette Geer
Posted: 29 Sep 2020, 12:33
[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The List" by Yvette Geer.]
A car accident changed Shane Rawlings' life forever. His best friend, Liam, was killed, and his sister, Sallie, needed a prosthetic foot. Shane was the one driving the car—the only one that walked away unscathed. Crippled by guilt, he begins isolating himself from the world. His new life consists of teaching his class, followed by home and sleep—his only escape from the guilt.
Famous actress, Emma Jacobs, is blindsided when her action-star boyfriend is caught in a cheating scandal. Emma is heartbroken by his actions, but even more annoyed by his constant begging for her to take him back. She decides to seek refuge; Emma chooses a remote getaway on Bainbridge Island, where she hopes she can have some time for personal reflection without the paparazzi's presence. There, she is swept off her feet by a handsome local who has no idea that she is a sought-after starlet.
Shane and Emma develop a connection and bond over music, nature, and a mysterious list of tasks that Shane must complete. Still, Emma's vacation has to end at some point, and she will need to come clean about her career, but will Shane accept her secret?
The List by Yvette Greer is an endearing romance about two vastly different individuals, who are brought together by chance. The coupling comes with its fair share of challenges—it's not a cookie-cutter love story by any means, so readers looking for a unique premise will surely embrace this book. It is written from the third-person perspective—alternating between Shane and Emma.
As I stated earlier, Emma and Shane's relationship differed from those found in conventional love stories. Despite their undeniable connection, the union didn't come without problems. Career differences, geography, public exposure, and race were barriers that the couple had to overcome. I thought the author did an excellent job of highlighting the stark contrast between Emma and Shane's lives. This couple could attest to the notion that opposites really do attract!
The book was multilayered—not only did it focus on their burgeoning romance, it examined their individual hardships. Shane had to come to terms with the grief of losing his best friend, and Emma was distraught over a cheating scandal. The strained relationship with her mother also weighed heavily on her heart.
Another thing that I thoroughly enjoyed was the author's attention to detail. From vivid descriptions of physical appearance to explicitly illustrating the mannerisms and unique attributes, the author created characters that I felt like I could reach out and touch. I pictured Emma's glowing complexion and Shane's deep green eyes staring back at me.
While the book is worthy of much praise, there was one thing that I found bothersome. Many of the scenes were predictable—the direction the story was going to take was often paved out. Maybe it is just a matter of preference, but I like to be thrown a curveball every once in a while. For that reason, I could not give it a perfect score. I have chosen to provide the book with a rating of three out of four stars.
Concerning the readability, The List was well-edited, and I only noticed a few spelling and grammar errors. Still, they were not exhaustive and could be easily rectified.
I think lovers of romantic tales will be impressed with Emma and Shane's story. I would recommend the book to readers who gravitate towards strong character development. If you are looking for an action-packed experience, look elsewhere. I would not recommend the book to young readers because there are graphic sex scenes and some use of profanity.
******
The List
View: on Bookshelves
A car accident changed Shane Rawlings' life forever. His best friend, Liam, was killed, and his sister, Sallie, needed a prosthetic foot. Shane was the one driving the car—the only one that walked away unscathed. Crippled by guilt, he begins isolating himself from the world. His new life consists of teaching his class, followed by home and sleep—his only escape from the guilt.
Famous actress, Emma Jacobs, is blindsided when her action-star boyfriend is caught in a cheating scandal. Emma is heartbroken by his actions, but even more annoyed by his constant begging for her to take him back. She decides to seek refuge; Emma chooses a remote getaway on Bainbridge Island, where she hopes she can have some time for personal reflection without the paparazzi's presence. There, she is swept off her feet by a handsome local who has no idea that she is a sought-after starlet.
Shane and Emma develop a connection and bond over music, nature, and a mysterious list of tasks that Shane must complete. Still, Emma's vacation has to end at some point, and she will need to come clean about her career, but will Shane accept her secret?
The List by Yvette Greer is an endearing romance about two vastly different individuals, who are brought together by chance. The coupling comes with its fair share of challenges—it's not a cookie-cutter love story by any means, so readers looking for a unique premise will surely embrace this book. It is written from the third-person perspective—alternating between Shane and Emma.
As I stated earlier, Emma and Shane's relationship differed from those found in conventional love stories. Despite their undeniable connection, the union didn't come without problems. Career differences, geography, public exposure, and race were barriers that the couple had to overcome. I thought the author did an excellent job of highlighting the stark contrast between Emma and Shane's lives. This couple could attest to the notion that opposites really do attract!
The book was multilayered—not only did it focus on their burgeoning romance, it examined their individual hardships. Shane had to come to terms with the grief of losing his best friend, and Emma was distraught over a cheating scandal. The strained relationship with her mother also weighed heavily on her heart.
Another thing that I thoroughly enjoyed was the author's attention to detail. From vivid descriptions of physical appearance to explicitly illustrating the mannerisms and unique attributes, the author created characters that I felt like I could reach out and touch. I pictured Emma's glowing complexion and Shane's deep green eyes staring back at me.
While the book is worthy of much praise, there was one thing that I found bothersome. Many of the scenes were predictable—the direction the story was going to take was often paved out. Maybe it is just a matter of preference, but I like to be thrown a curveball every once in a while. For that reason, I could not give it a perfect score. I have chosen to provide the book with a rating of three out of four stars.
Concerning the readability, The List was well-edited, and I only noticed a few spelling and grammar errors. Still, they were not exhaustive and could be easily rectified.
I think lovers of romantic tales will be impressed with Emma and Shane's story. I would recommend the book to readers who gravitate towards strong character development. If you are looking for an action-packed experience, look elsewhere. I would not recommend the book to young readers because there are graphic sex scenes and some use of profanity.
******
The List
View: on Bookshelves
