Cute story about rediscovering yourself after a divorce. The premise was fun but the whole tension that causes the issue between Lydia and Jake was farfetched - he got to know her, what does it matter what her name was? And it was silly that it took her that long to tell him. His deception was much larger and should have caused the rift, not hers. Other than that, I found the story to be interesting and I loved the relationship between Lydia and her mother as well as the relationship between her and her daughter.

Lydia's life is in a bit of a slump. She's still in love with her ex-husband and living with her parents again. Until one day she runs into her ex and his new girlfriend at the grocery store. Lydia knows that her life must change. In her shopping cart, she spots Lily Bennett's Bucket List written on a piece of paper. Lydia decides that she is going to conquer the things on that bucket list. Along the way she makes new friends and finds herself. This was a fun read!

‘Looking for an adventure? I need a partner in crime to help me tick some things off my bucket list. NOT SEXUAL OR WEIRD, before you even ask. Simply seeking a friend on my journey. Could that be you?’

My thanks to HarperCollins One More Chapter for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘Lily Bennett’s Bucket List’ by Katherine Dyson.

I so enjoyed this uplifting romantic comedy. Before starting I had expected its protagonist would be named Lily Bennett, yet no.

Its lead is Lydia Grey, who at 39 has returned to live with her parents following the breakdown of her twenty-year marriage to Adam. Lydia definitely feels washed up and is just going through the motions. In addition her daughter, Ollie, has just embarked on a six-month overseas trip and Lydia is missing her.

While out grocery shopping Lydia runs into Adam, who is accompanied by Aurora, his gorgeous new girlfriend. Lydia is devastated as she has been holding out hope that he would regret his decision and patch things up. When he brags how Aurora takes part in ultramarathons, Lydia takes this to mean that he had found Lydia boring. Then before Lydia leaves the store she notices a handwritten note at the bottom of her shopping basket. It reads: Lily Bennett’s Bucket List and then lists nine activities.

Lydia decides that in order to win Adam back she needs to demonstrate that she too can be adventurous and rather than write her own bucket list decides to adopt Lily’s. Ollie, who has been encouraging her to date, sneaks onto Lydia’s dating app account and posts a request for an adventure buddy.

Enter Jake Jones, a table tennis pro who has recently retired after breaking his wrist. At their initial meeting Jake assumes that given the name on the list that she is Lily Bennett. Lydia figures it will be ok “because Jake was only going to be her adventure friend. Did it really matter so much if he never knew her real name?”

Lydia clearly doesn’t recognise how when you are the lead in a romantic comedy, these sort of decisions always lead to misunderstandings and have a snowball effect. Of course, there are the items on the list like riding a horse, camping, going on a rollercoaster, surfing, and more. All of these prove challenging for Lydia.

Overall, I found ‘Lily Bennett’s Bucket List’ a great deal of fun with an engaging cast in Lydia, Jake, and her extended family. I felt that this was a promising debut and look forward to Katherine Dyson’s future projects.

Thank you to NetGally and Harper Collins for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

I thought the idea of the book sounded interesting and that is why I requested it. The problem with this story for me was, the breaks in between and just reading about her family, it took away from the storyline for me.
That she was still hung up on her ex made me mad and the lying. It went on for too long. I can’t really get over that, that she strung Jake along for months with her fake identity.

In the end it’s a happy ending.

Lydia Grey is 39 when she's dumped by her husband of twenty years for an Italian supermodel and ultramarathoner. He tells Lydia that she's boring and that their marriage has become stale. How can she compete?

Enter a bucket list written by an unknown Lily Bennett, found in a grocery cart by Lydia. A new man, Jake Jones, willing to adventure with her -- just as friends because she wants her husband back. Nine items, like climb a mountain and jump off a high dive, give Lydia pause. But with Jake's encouragement (did I mention that he is gorgeous?), she marks off one adventure at a time, growing into acceptance of her authentic self as she takes on the world.

This is such a lovely tale, with characters I adored, especially Lydia's quirky Polish family and their eccentric circle of friends. I read all night, so caught up in the growing relationship between Lydia and Jake, never wanting to leave their charming world. A must-read for lovers of second chances and readers who cheer when female characters come into their own.

Thanks to author Katherine Dyson, HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter, and NetGalley for the review copy. Opinions are mine.

#LilyBennett’sBucketList #KatherineDyson
#harpercollinsukonemorechapter #NetGalley #generalfictionadult #bucketlists
#bookstagramcommunity

I had a couple of ups and downs while reading this book. Things I really liked: the whole bucket list, adventure type thing. The relationship between mother/daughter (Lydia/Ollie and eventually Ava’s). The friendship between Tosh and Lydia, the writing style, the kind of fake relationship between Lydia and Jake. Now, let talk about the downs: does the MC needs to be so clumsy?? There’s always some sort of accident happening with her. The whole book is based on a lie and the later conflict could easily been avoided. Of course I understand the reason, otherwise we wouldn’t have a book, but I feel like things could have been different. The way Lydia’s mother talks about her sometimes, the judgement about her weight and hair, like is it really necessary?? I’m not even going to mention the asshole of her ex-husband. Anyway, the journey about self discovery and self love is one I admire, I only wish things were written a bit different. Overall, I enjoyed the book.

Overall, this is a feel-good read about Lily's bucket list that is discovered by Lydia, who is determined to fulfill it ... even if it's not her list. Lydia shows a lot of growth throughout the story. In general, characters are well-drawn and likeable, and the storyline enjoyable. Jake and Lydia work well together, and the bucket list is fun (and may leave the reader wanting to make their own list). This story is a fun, lighthearted read.

I liked this book. I thought it flowed well and was well written with great characters. I liked the main character Lydia and enjoyed reading about her complete the bucket list. I think everyone needs a friend like Jake to be your cheerleader and honestly this book made me feel like I could accomplish things if I just put my mind to it.. I would definitely recommend this book if you are looking for some easy escapism. Thank you #netgalley

Journey to England
Book: Lily Bennett's Bucket List
By: Katherine Dyson
Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter, One More Chapter
Pub Date: 9/9/2022
General Fiction Adult

Lydia Grey's chance discovery of Lily Bennett's bucket list while on a shopping trip led her on an unexpected path of adventure and self-discovery. When Lydia decided to complete the nine items on the unknown woman's list, she developed self-confidence but at the price of being deceitful. She met an energetic and optimistic man named Jake who helped her navigate the challenges, but he had secrets of his own.

This insightful story takes Lydia and Jake to the great outdoors of England on a venturesome quest to complete the list. I loved the excitement of the escapades amid some beautiful settings. Dyson deftly portrayed Lydia, who had faced losses, as a woman with flaws who made mistakes. With themes of new beginnings and personal growth, along with some surprises, Dyson's writing kept me entertained and interested.

Upon finishing the book, readers may want to develop or edit their own bucket lists. I know I did! We're reminded to do what makes us happy, while being honest and true to ourselves, even when we're hurt and healing.

Thank you Net Galley and Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter for the advance reader's copy and opportunity to provide my unbiased review.

This is the first book that ive read by this author and it wont be my last. This was a nice easy read, really enjoyed the story

. . . ⭑ ⭑ ⭑ ⭑ ⭒
I had requested this one some time ago, so when I realized the pub date was fast approaching, I just jumped in, forgetting the premise entirely.

Well, I have to say, I’m glad I went in semi-blind. It was different than I expected, but still true to the genre. I do tend enjoy romance novels that feature people a little bit further along in their lives - for me, it’s obviously more relatable, and I find the experiences they’ve had allow for a better understanding of the character’s sense of self.

I genuinely liked all of the characters in this book ( at least, the ones I was supposed to - aka not Adam ), which made for a really enjoyable read. I liked Lydia as a character, and felt that her character growth came across naturally. I absolutely loved her mother Aga - her attitudes, sayings, and cultural inflections made me really happy, and I felt they added a lot to the story. Jake was everything he was supposed to be, and I got some serious young Dermot Mulroney vibes, but maybe it was just the lip-scar feature. And I really, really, r e a l l y enjoyed the relationship between Lydia and Tosh - I honestly feel that the male-female plutonic relationship doesn’t get enough lime light, and there is often a subtext of previous or future wanting - so I really appreciated the reinforcement of these plutonic dynamics.

This was a feel-good book, and a fun little read! If you want something light, enjoy the fake dating trope, and know that romance isn’t just for those in their twenties, pick this one up!

~👩🏻‍🦰

I really enjoyed reading this book.

Lydia is a middle aged mum who’s husband has left her and her only daughter Ollie has gone backpacking. While at the supermarket she finds Lily Bennett’s Bucket List and realizes she needs to try and complete it. She meets Jake who has agreed to help as a friend to complete the list.

It’s a funny, adventurous easy read. Loved the characters and yes, the end is predictable, but still a lovely romance.. 4.5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy for an honest review.

Lydia Grey is a mother, divorced, almost 40, and living at her childhood home with her parents. Her life took her there when her husband of 20 years asked for a divorce. As she's trying to make sense of this new chapter of her life, Lydia finds a paper with a bucket list at the bottom of her shopping cart. So, why not do every task on Lily Bennett's Bucket List?
Her daughter arranges company for Lydia, so she won't have to do it alone. Jake Jones is a great guy, they get along marvelously, but he thinks she's Lily, and Lydia never corrected him.
Now, her life is full of adventure, which scares her, and she has a new friend who makes her happy and more confident in herself.
Will Lydia be able to check all the bucket list adventures?
Will she get what she wants for her future?
Will the list make her want new things?
And last, who is Lily Bennett?

I enjoyed reading this book. Lydia's life made sense to me and we have some similarities.
I didn't like some parts of the story but can't say which because it was more of a sensation I was left with. I can't explain it.
For me, the best part of the book is that crazy family. Not all blood relatives but still a family. Their family.
I liked the relationship between Lydia and Ollie, the bromance, and Lydia's personal growth. These characters felt like real people, well done.
It was a great time spent with Lydia's adventures and realizations!
4.5*

Lydia is stuck in love following her marriage ending. Thinking she was never adventurous enough, she sets out to prove that she is by carrying out a bucket list she finds. She doesn't know Lily Bennett but is really helped, especially as it leads her to meet Jake. Will it help her work out what she really wants in life?
A fun read

Such a lovely story. The bucket list of Lily Bennett was inspiring as was Lydia herself and the crazy family. I loved Ags never snooping on her daughter but just being her mum. The Polish family life, the emotional pain of Lydia especially over her feelings for both Adam and Jake. It is very well written and although the ending was predictable from very early on it was still a superb build up to the end..

Thrilling read! I was able to connect with all of the characters and throughly enjoyed the story the author painted.

This was a fab fun read and I basically loved it!

Lydia decides to reinvent herself after feeling terminally boring- and chooses to do this by living the bucket list she finds in a shopping trolley. She meets Jake on a dating app who promises to work through the list with her, as a friend.

Although this is a holiday romance book in style and therefore comes complete with a predictable ending, it did not disappoint, it was funny and thoroughly enjoyable!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

In a attempt to win back her husband Lydia tries to fulfil a stranger's bucket list with the help of Jake, a random man that she had met. Sounds very unlikely, but somehow it works for me helped by the cast of characters and the situations that Lydia finds herself in. For me it started as a solid 4* book, but as the story grows it really drew me in to the point where I finished reading it at 1:30 in the morning.
Some of the items on the bucket list were fairly simple, others I would struggle with as well, but the main point of all of them were to take her out of her comfort zone. There is also the mystery of who originally wrote the bucket list, the elusive Lily Bennett.
In summary a book that I really enjoyed and can definitely recommend.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley, however this did not influence my review of the book and I have already pre-ordered it as I enjoyed reading it so much.

This was a fun book to read and a lovely one for summer. It is amazing what someone can do when they decide to try new things. Enjoy this 5 star book.

Thanks to Netgalley and publisher for this ARC

Who would have thought that finding a piece of paper at the supermarket with someone else's bucket list on it could change your life? Lydia Grey's life was going nowhere, she was still in love with her estranged husband & wanted him back. The chance meeting of him with his new girlfriend & finding the bucket list in the same supermarket sparked a motivation she didn't know she had.
Loved the characters in this book. Lydia's family was amazing & made me laugh. The book flowed beautifully & the ending was perfect. A real feel-good read. Enjoy!