Happy Friday! Today, I’m pleased to bring you my thoughts on The Someday List by Stacy Hawkins Adams. I was recently introduced to Stacy and her books on this great discussion at Seekerville!
About the Book
*an Essence magazine bestseller*
Rachelle Covington has it all. A fabulous home, a handsome and prestigious husband, two beautiful children, and a place in the upper crust that’s quite comfortable. But her life is not all it’s cracked up to be. When her husband goes away on business trip and the kids are sent off to the grandparents for a month, Rachelle takes up the challenge of a dying friend to start a list of things to do before she dies. She heads back to Jubilant, Texas, to reconnect with her past, her purpose, and herself. But when her ex shows up in town looking very fine and very single, Rachelle must confront feelings she thought she’d long buried. Will she give up everything to recover the past? Or will she find a reason to plan for the future?
The Someday List is an honest look at what makes us who we are and what can throw us off track. Author Stacy Hawkins Adams writes with a voice that is fresh, sincere, and completely real. Her characters jump off the page and into her readers’ hearts.
SERIES: Jubilant Soul #1
PUBLISHER: Revell
RELEASE DATE: January 1, 2009
BUY THIS BOOK: goodreads | amazon | b&n | book depository
My Thoughts
This may have been my first book by Adams but it won’t be my last! In fact, I’m already wishing the next two books in the series were available to read on Kindle Unlimited like The Someday List is.
One thing I loved the most about this story was that Adams spared no one when it came to flaws, some hidden beneath the surface and others more obvious. From devoted believers to prodigals and every level in between, the characters in The Someday List present an authentic picture of the struggle to share this planet with each other. Every reader should be able to see themselves in at least one character in this book, if we’re being honest with ourselves. Perhaps we may not share the specific sins or stumbling points… perhaps we may… but the bottom line is that these characters are real and honest with weaknesses common to many.
Aunt Melba was my favorite character, hands down. She brought smiles and laughter when needed & also brought home some wisdom at the appropriate time. She was full of life – with a surprising history – and I’d love to read more of her story (she doesn’t seem to have her own book but I hope we spend more time with her in the next two books.)
The writing style was a little disjointed sometimes, at least as far as background information. Most of the time we’re left to connect the dots on our own, and that works just fine with a couple of exceptions. I struggled to connect with Rachelle in certain areas, particularly regarding her first marriage, and I would have liked to see a bit more to the ending. But, then again, life doesn’t always make sense nor tie up nicely with a red bow so in that sense Adams continues the pattern of authenticity that we see throughout the story.
The Someday List is a story of decisions that change the trajectory of our lives. Good decisions that lead us closer to each other & Jesus… and poor decisions that cause painful divisions and lifelong regret. Some surprising twists and turns are in store as you get to know & love these characters and, while I wish there was a bit more emotional dimensionality to the events that transpire, it really touched my heart.
I voluntarily reviewed this book after reading it via Kindle Unlimited.
About the Author
Stacy Hawkins Adams is an award-winning author and journalist who loves to inform, entertain and inspire readers through the written word. She has a gift for weaving tales in both the fiction and nonfiction genres, and in both faith-based and secular markets, that help readers thrive and grow confident in their own stories.
She has penned 10 books – nine women’s fiction novels and one nonfiction faith-based devotional book. Her fiction features themes related to personal growth, self-esteem, matters of faith, forgiveness, friendships and family, and some of the books have been featured reading selections in high school and college courses.
Beyond the literary world, Stacy is a marketing and communications professional for an independent school. She holds a graduate degree in women’s leadership studies, and often shares messages with corporate, civic and faith-based organizations related to empowerment and leadership, personal growth, and the power of storytelling. She devotes considerable volunteer time to advocating for women and children, leading to recognition in recent years as a YWCA of Richmond “Outstanding Woman of the Year” and a Style Weekly magazine Top 40 honoree. Stacy is also an alumna of Leadership Metro Richmond and is well-versed in diversity and inclusion issues as a result of that experience and her communications work. She lives with her family in suburban Richmond, Virginia.
CONNECT WITH STACY: website | blog | facebook | twitter
What about you? Have you read The Someday List?