{REVIEW} THE REECE MALCOLM LIST by AMY SPALDING

Series: Stand alone

Genre: Contemporary Young Adult

Publisher: Entangled Teen

Publication Date: 2/5/13

Format: eARC

Pages: 352

Source: Received from publisher for review.

Things I know about Reece Malcolm:

1. She graduated from New York University.
2. She lives in or near Los Angeles.
3. Since her first novel was released, she’s been on the New York Times bestseller list every week.
4. She likes strong coffee and bourbon.
5. She’s my mother.

Devan knows very little about Reece Malcolm, until the day her father dies and she’s shipped off to live with the mother she’s never met. All she has is a list of notebook entries that doesn’t add up to much.

L.A. offers a whole new world to Devan—a performing arts school allows her to pursue her passion for show choir and musicals, a new circle of friends helps to draw her out of her shell, and an intriguing boy opens up possibilities for her first love.

But then the Reece Malcolm list gets a surprising new entry. Now that Devan is so close to having it all, can she handle the possibility of losing everything?

What a great book. From the day I first discovered The Reece Malcolm list, I knew I had to read it. Come on, just look at the cover! Gorgeous. Then you have the intriguing synopsis. And, it's published by Entangled Teen, who happens to be one  the most consistently awesome publishers.

Would I sound too fancy or old ladyish if I say The Reece Malcolm List was delightful? Just so so yummy and a true joy to read. Amy Spalding created such a charming story with such a bittersweet twist involving one of the most complicated mother/daughter relationships I've come across. And I'm not going to delve into the relationship, since, ya know, that's what the story is about, but I want to say I absolutely love how Reece Malcolm was written. She is a mother who has never had contact with her daughter, and she could have easily come across as a monster, but she wasn't, at all.  In fact, as much as I adored the incredibly winsome Devan, something about Reece completely won me.

Besides this story that I adored, the writing was so good. Spalding has the teen voice nailed down. Devan, with her fears and love and hesitation, was authentic. The teens were all portrayed in such a realistic manner. Great things happen. Sad things happen. Choices are made. But I loved that no one character was portrayed as all good or all bad. Well, except for Brad. He was perfect and I loved him.

The Reece Malcolm List is such a great Young Adult story. I recommend it to all fans  the genre, but I will say that if you know a teen, give them this book.

 

Favorite Quote:

But I didn't know how to explain the tangled mess of emotions heavy in my heart, and even worse I couldn't find the words to define what was the hardest part for me, the idea of peeling back my outsides and letting people just know what I feel. ~ eARC, 13%

 
Purchase The Reece Malcolm List at:
Amazon  |  Barnes & Noble


About the author:
Amy Spalding grew up in St. Louis, but now lives in the better weather of Los Angeles. She received a B.A. in Advertising & Marketing Communications from Webster University, and currently works as the Digital Media Planner for an independent film advertising agency. Amy studied longform improv at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre, and can be seen performing around L.A. Her debut novel, THE REECE MALCOLM LIST, will be published by Entangled in 2013, and combines many of her favorite things in life, including Stephen Sondheim and boys with great hair.
Connect with Amy at:
Twitter  |  Website  |  GoodReads