Sunday, February 24, 2013

{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.
The Reece Malcolm ListThings 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



 

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23 comments:

  1. This one sounds so good! I've only heard good things about it! Loved your review, it was so good!

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  2. Yay I adored this book too Andrea, Devan's voice was just so raw and realistic that I found myself flying through the pages! I can't wait to read more books by Spalding! Lovely review! :)

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  3. I actually had not heard of this book until now, but it really does sound like a great read. I am really curious now about this mother/ daughter relationship. Lovely review!

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  4. This sounds like such a great book. If I didn't already have a super full schedule I would have accepted it for review. I will have to get it at some point. It sounds like one I would really enjoy!

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  5. SO happy to see that you loved this one so much! For some reason my eArc of it was all wonky and unreadable on my iPad so I had to stop reading it. But as I read more and more reviews for it I know that it is one I am going to have to buy and read on my own time. I read almost 100 pages so I am DEFINITELY curious as to where the story goes. I like the british boyfriend who cooked all the good food. I want one of those!

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  6. I have heard some great things about this book and I think that the cover is so gorgeous and I love it when a book has a great voice. Thanks for your thoughts!

    Kristin @ Young Adult Book Haven

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  7. I'm so glad you liked this one! It's on my TBR list and I had been putting it off until I heard more about it!

    Jennifer
    YA Sisterhood

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  8. It's been awhile since I have read a book with a mother/daughter relationship twist and this does sound wonderful. I am so glad you enjoyed it and agree the cover is beautiful!

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  9. Great review. I just finished this over the weekend, and no you don't sound to fancy or old ladyish saying it was delightful, because it really was just that.

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  10. Oooh, I didn't know of this book before your review. What a lovely cover, indeed! I think this would be a fabulous book of complicated relationships and I'm definitely putting this book on my radar. I'm so glad you liked it, gives me hope I'll enjoy it, too. Thanks for bringig it to my attention!!

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  11. Glad that you enjoyed it and the characters and writing is good. I was leaning towards not reading, but now will give it a shot.
    Brandi @ Blkosiner’s Book Blog

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  12. I just read this too. Very real for sure. Great review. Mine posts next week.

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  13. I really want to read this book. Glad you liked it. Good review.

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  14. Great review, Andrea! I've heard such brilliant things about this book and I'm glad to see you enjoyed it too. It's great when an author shows that she actually understands teens. It's funny how many YA authors get it wrong. I'll have to check this out sooner rather than later. :)

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  15. I haven't heard of this book, until your review. It sounds pretty great, and I may just have to add another book to my pile.

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  16. I've read nothing but fantastic reviews for this book. *adds to list* AHhhhh I will never be able to read EVERYTHING .ol

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  17. What a delightful ;) review! I was drawn in by the cover as well. And it sounds great! I will check this one out for sure! :)

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  18. I've been hearing great things about this one and Entangled does have great books. I love the idea of having to get to know your mom later in life. Will make for some interesting mother/daughter interactions.

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  19. I loved this book! I just posted my review as well. Okay, so we can totally both agree that Reece is great and Brad is... well... he's just perfect. I loved him! :)

    Great review! So happy to hear you enjoyed it! And I also agree... great cover! :)

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  20. I'm glad to see you enjoyed this! It looks so cute!

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  21. I just grabbed up a copy of this last week, and I can't wait to get to it. Literally EVERYONE has loved it. :)

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