Review: 'The Bucket List to Mend a Broken Heart' by Anna Bell (2016)

Abi's barely left her bed since Joseph, the love of her life, dumped her, saying they were incompatible. When Joseph leaves a box of her possessions on her doorstep, she finds a bucket list of ten things she never knew he wanted to do. What better way to win him back than by completing the list, and proving they're a perfect match? But there's just one problem - or rather, ten. Abi's not exactly the outdoorsy type, and she's absolutely terrified of heights - not ideal for a list that includes climbing a mountain, cycling around the Isle of Wight and, last but not least, abseiling down the tallest building in town ...Completing the list is going to need all Abi's courage - and a lot of help from her friends. But as she heals her broken heart one task at a time, the newly confident Abi might just have a surprise in store ...
Quite some time ago I read and reviewed author Anna Bell's chick lit book series consisting of 'Don't Tell the Groom', 'Don't Tell the Boss' and 'Don't Tell the Brides-to-Be' (click here to read my review). I absolutely loved all three books and couldn't wait for Anna Bell to treat us to another one of her lovely novels. Well, luckily, the time has finally come, since on March 10th her latest book 'The Bucket List to Mend a Broken Heart' will be released by Zaffre Publishing! I'm really excited about this one, especially since it has such a great cover and promising title. I already love the idea of a bucket list to mend your heart after a relationship has gone wrong, and had a good feeling this would hopefully turn out to be another thoroughly enjoyable romantic comedy read by this author!
Abi is completely heartbroken when her boyfriend Joseph unexpectedly breaks up with her, stating he feels the two of them don't fit together anymore and want different things in life. Abi knows Joseph is the one for her; she just has to find a way of convincing him of this as well. So when she finds a bucket list of things he wants to do in his life, she decides to go and do these things herself, to prove that they are indeed a great match. Before Abi knows it, she finds herself making plans to do things she never thought she would do, such as cycle around the Isle of Wight, climb Mount Snowdon, and learn how to windsurf. As she becomes more confident about finishing the list, Abi manages to slowly heal her broken heart and she has to decide whether getting Joseph back really is what she wants.
I've, once again, only got love for author Anna Bell and her writing. 'The Bucket List to Mend a Broken Heart' is another stunning romantic comedy read which I enjoyed from the first until the very last page and quite simply couldn't get enough of. The authors writing is incredibly easy and comfortable to fall into and I am hardly ever able to just keep on reading and reading in a book, without a break, but that was the case with this novel. I just loved the story and the characters and was continually curious to see what was going to happen next and whether main protagonist Abi would be able to get what she wanted, namely getting back together with her ex-boyfriend Joseph.
It wasn't difficult to warm to Abi; she's a great chick lit heroine, funny as well, and it didn't take long before I found myself rooting for her. There was a good group of secondary characters, and several different parts of the main storyline to keep the reader's attention at all times. I even thought the plotline was quite inspiring; who knows, perhaps I'll get started on my own bucket list as well one of these days (even though it definitely won't include abseiling from Spinnaker Tower!). I have to admit the book is a bit predictable, but that didn't annoy me in any way and I really loved the ending. Overall, Anna Bell's 'The Bucket List to Mend a Broken Heart' is a heart-warming, fun, lovely romantic comedy that will leave you with a smile on your face; absolutely loved it!

Rating:10/10

  For more information about this book: Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads

Thanks to the publisher for providing me with a review copy in exchange for an honest review.