This is a well-written book about a woman who finds out she carries the breast cancer gene. She needs to decide if she can live with that or have a double mastectomy. I really thought this was going to be a light summer read but it was a bit more and had lots of crude languages. I will definitely attempt to pick it up when it comes out in print, but right now it just wasn't what I was looking for and therefore didn't hold my interest.

Definitely not for my demographic, with words like pussy freely thrown around, gratuitous sex. I am not sharing my review on my sites because I don’t think this book is meant for me. I appreciate the opportunity but could not get through the silliness .

Lacey Whitman is only twenty-five when she discovers she inherited the BRCA1 gene mutation, a gene strongly predictive of breast cancer. Like anyone who discovers she has the gene, there are two choices: increased medical monitoring beginning asap, or having a preventive double mastectomy. Lacey is adamant she does not want to choose the latter, but the former is not much more appealing. She has led a sheltered life prior to moving to New York and feels she will lose her sexuality along with the mastectomy. Her friends come together to help her create a bucket list of things to experience prior to having a possible surgery. There are many laugh-out loud moments balanced along with the serious tone of the burdensome decisions Lacey faces.

Thus, Lacey begins a year of marking things off her very much sensual, sometimes racy bucket list. I will leave the rest to your imagination, or better yet, if you read the book, you can follow along on her adventure.

There is a twist to this. Lacey is learning to accept herself, including her body, and as she stares down the path of her future, she has to choose if she will be empowered, or if she will be a victim- both before and after the surgery.

The Bucket List is a smart, often times witty, escapade. At the heart of this book is female empowerment, especially when it comes to our bodies. We need more books like this. Sometimes we read about main characters who are insecure. While that is where Lacey starts, and it lets those of us who feel insecure also feel validated, we, too, need models of women working past that.

I appreciate that Georgia Clark wrote this story, her research into the possible mental and physical health changes associated with inheriting the BRCA1 gene, including interviewing women affected, and I applaud her choices in the coming of age of Lacey. The Bucket List has emotion and tenderness with some humor for levity in what can be an earth-shattering, fear-inducing place. While this is not every woman’s story who finds herself carrying the BRCA1 gene, and I don’t think it is meant to be, it is one woman’s journey towards self-acceptance, and a heartwarming one at that.

Thank you to Atria/Emily Bestler Books for the complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

What a nice surprise, such a beautiful story.This story is something else, it was a fun story even though it deals with a very serious topic.

The heroine was lovable and even though sometimes I didn't agree with her choices I could understand her.The Bucket List is a realistic, honest,fun and steamy read.

If you are looking for a refreshing story with a meaning and a heroine you could easily relate with her then this is definitely a book you should read!

I wanted so much to love this book. The premise was fascinating - a young woman learns she is a carrier for BRCA-1 and before deciding whether to have a full mastectomy, she creates a boob bucket list.

However, it became clear very quickly that this book has all the markings of what I define as chick lit: young, single girl, living in a city, working in an industry like fashion. She has single friends, meets THE guy early on (but doesn't realize it) and overcomes all to get her happy ending.

The book lost me with all the Millennial references. I'm just getting too old to enjoy fiction like this. I can't relate to it at all. Had I been in college or in my 20s, I would have eating this book up, but as a married mother in my mid-30s, it didn't do anything for me.

Absolutely loved The Bucket List. While this is a book about a young woman finding out she is BRCA1 positive, it’s also so much more than that. Lacey takes us on her journey as she makes the tough decision of whether or not to get a preventative mastectomy, as well as all the other challenges a 25 year old faces- job woes, maintaining friendship, and finding love
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I love the way this book brought awareness to an important topic, while also being so enjoyable to read. I think most of us know someone who has had breast cancer, and that makes this book a good read for anyone.

Sadly, I did not finish this book. It was not a good fit for me. I would recommend it to others. The writing was well done. I felt like I was in a different stage of life and that contributed to not connecting.

When I came across Georgia Clark’s The Bucket List, I assumed that it would be a typical “chick lit” story about a woman’s journey in finding herself (and who can resist a book cover with cupcakes on it!). What I got was something quite different. Lacey Whitman is every 25-year-old woman’s fantasy; small-town girl, living in a shoebox-sized apartment in New York City, working for a top fashion organization while also developing a fashion app with her close friend. When Lacey finds out she has tested positive for the BRCA1 gene, her sugar-coated existence comes to a screeching halt. Lacey, who lost her mother to breast cancer when she was five, is faced with her own mortality and the heavy decision of whether or not to undergo a mastectomy. With the help of her friends, Lacey decides to create a bucket list for her boobs. Of course she finds adventure and pleasure, but also the deeper meaning of friendship and a future more complicated that she expected. WARNING: There is a lot of talk about sex and several graphic sex scenes in this book that might cause even the most experienced ladies to blush. But Lacey’s story is about so much more than just a woman on a sexual journey; through Lacey, the reader is invited into the complex world of a BRCA1 diagnosis, which Clark backs up with science and research, resulting in a heart-warming book unlike any you’ve read before.

This was a surprisingly good book. I only say surprising because I'm not huge on chick lit (as I assumed this was) and I was unsure if the topic would be interesting to me. It was! The main character was very compelling and I kept having to remind myself that she was 25 which excused many of her dumb decisions but also lends a specific outlook and perspective. I loved the subtle feminist/intersectional/progressive/LGBTQ viewpoints; they added to the overall fresh and modern feel of the book.
Really unique, I learned a lot, and enjoyed the ride. Well done.

Have you ever read the summary of a book, expected one thing, and then gotten something very much different from what you thought it would be? That was basically my experience with reading The Bucket List by Georgia Clark.

But oh, what a wonderful thing that was!

I expected straight "chick lit." I expected a bit of drama, a few laughs, some romance, and although I knew the book was about the breast cancer gene, I still expected it to be fairly light reading.

The reality is that this book was absolutely nothing like anything I have ever read before. Yes, it was chick lit. Yes, there was a bit of drama, a few laughs, some romance, and it was still fairly light reading. But there was SO much more. There was also a lot of sex--HOT sex--and far more depth and emotion than I expected. This is not straight-up chick lit. This is one of those rare books that I'm not quite sure how to classify, actually, and I'm not quite sure how to capture, with words, the way The Bucket List made me feel.

The Bucket List begins with Lacey Whitman receiving the news that she has tested positive for BCRA1 gene mutation, otherwise known as the "breast cancer gene." She is presented with two options: she can choose a wait-and-see approach and get tested every few months or she can opt for a preventative mastectomy, which would reduce her chances of actually developing breast cancer to a very minimal percentage.

Lacey's decision is a struggle for her for many reasons. She's only 25, has a high-pressure job in the fashion industry, and doesn't have any family to lean on for support except for a sister who resents her for having to raise her after their mother died--from breast cancer--and didn't want her to get tested for the gene in the first place. While she weighs her options, Lacey decides to develop a "bucket list" of things she wants to do to celebrate her sexuality that she has never been brave enough to do. She wants to sunbathe topless. Have a threesome. Wear a revealing dress to a public function. Have sex in a public place.

The amazing thing about The Bucket List is that it handles a very serious and dramatic topic with truth and honesty, but it still has all the lighthearted and sexy moments that one would expect in its genre. And those sexy moments are definitely sexy--and graphic--but they don't make the book smutty. They don't take away from the heart of it. Instead, they serve as their own powerful moments in Lacey's journey of self-discovery.

Meanwhile, Lacey also has to deal with work pressures, romantic problems, family drama, and squabbles with friends. Georgia Clark has done a masterful job of showing that even though life sometimes deals devastating blows, it also keeps moving forward. She portrayed Lacey's struggle with her decision in open and honest terms and didn't gloss over the scary or tragic parts at all.

And somehow, in the midst of it all, Clark also managed to craft a book that qualifies as chick lit while still being an intersectional feminist wonder, despite featuring a straight, white female as the lead character. The Bucket List is a powerful statement on friendship, happiness, sexuality, life, and love...all at the same time. Well done, Georgia Clark.

Georgia Clark's The Bucket List explores a deep and complex theme with humor and insight. 25-year old Lacey Whitman's world is turned upside-down when she learns she has the BRCA1 gene mutation. Because of this, her risk for developing breast cancer is about 70%, and it's also the disease that killed her mother at age 31. This is heavy news for a young woman who is also trying to figure out her career and her love life.

What's so engaging about this book is that it explores these medical themes in a way that educates the reader while also being a great read. Readers feel the complexities of Lacey's decision, while also being an engaging read about the multi-faceted life about a smart and bold young woman.

The Bucket List is the first book I read from Georgia Clark and it definitely won’t be my last. The story follows Lucy, 25 years old, who discovers that she is BRCA1 positive and decides to create a bucket list for her breasts. This novel was not only entertaining, but surprisingly deep and well thought out. The author did through research on breast cancer and I learned quite a lot. The author tackled serious issues about the emotions and anxieties of being BRCA1 positive. On a side note, this novel contains a lot of sex. The author brings up double standards, body positivity, and the realistic views of romance. I also liked the diverse set of characters in this novel, i.e. the main character’s affair with an Iranian fashion designer and her best friend is British Indian lesbian. I would highly recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys contemporary novels that will give you a lasting impact. The book releases on Tuesday 8/7/18.

When I saw "The Bucket List" on NetGalley, the bright, eye catching cover caught my eye (kudos to the cover designer and what a clever image to chose!) and when I read the synopsis I knew this was one for me. Centering on Lacey Whitman, a twenty five year old who has just learned that she is BRCA positive and is in the throes of figuring out what to do with that information, this book is right in the center of my wheelhouse. As a breast imager, I often speak with women dealing with similar challenges and Clark takes this emotional situation one step further.

Lacey decides that she wants to have a double mastectomy to significantly decrease her risk of developing breast cancer (I could have used a but more exploration about this decision. It seemed to me that she came to this decision without much back and forth but maybe that's just because of what I do on a daily basis). After she reaches this decision, she realizes that there are her breasts have not been used to their full potential and she decides to make a "boob bucket list" and starts checking things off the list as the seconds tick down to the day of surgery.

Be forewarned. Clark doesn't shy away from fully exploring the adventures Lacey's boobs go on. There is lots of sex of all types in this book...I won't give details so you can experience it for yourself. For me, there was a bit too much sex and not quite enough emotional exploration of the implications of the BRCA gene for her and for her future children. Also, the ultimate love story was a bit of an afterthought and not as fully developed as I would have liked. Sex takes center stage here.

Having said that, I fully enjoyed this book and I definitely was invested in Lacey's story. I look forward to seeing what Clark writes next.

I was so excited about this one! It didn't disappoint, but it also didn't blow my mind. It was good and I enjoyed myself though. As someone in her 20s, I connected with the main character quite easily. In fact, a lot of this book was extremely relatable, which made my experience all the better. This wasn't so much a spiritual journey, but more of an expressive one and I loved how the author didn't shy away from the explicit sexual scenes, they enhanced the experience of this novel. I mean, having to make such a big decision on your body, without having all the pleasures felt, it's a big deal, and I really liked how it was portrayed here. I wish I could have agreed with all the decisions the main character made, but hey it can't be perfect. This was a good book and I really enjoyed reading on the subject.

Lacey is 25, attractive, has a career (2, actually), has amazing friends and designer clothes, lives in New York City.... And has just been informed she has the BRCA1 gene mutation, the one that leads to breast cancer. Because of this, and the fact that her own mother died at 31 of great cancer, Lacey decides that she will more than likely undergo a preventive mastectomy... but not before making (and completing) a boob bucket list.
Although this list leads to some questionable choices and situations, I found myself continuously rooting for Lacey. The author, Georgia Clark, has written into existence a highly relatable, hilarious, intelligent protagonist- one I feel could be a friend of mine in real life. Lacey's attitude and experiences while trying to complete her bucket list ( think threesomes, attempted role playing, having sex in a white limo) takes rather dark subject matter and turns it into light and humor. The author is generous with adjectives, and is a master at effectively describing both scenes and scenery. I was highly impressed by the amount of research that must have been done in order to write this book. I appreciate it when an author is well versed on her subject matter, and Georgia Clark most certainly is. Full disclosure- I work at a bookstore, and I bought Clark's last book, The Regulars, when it was released because I thought the cover was cute and I was intrigued by the concept.... However, I was not a fan of the book, and I was worried going into this one that I may have a repeat of that situation. I was pleasantly surprised, because I really loved this book. I loved Lacey; I loved the main supporting characters, Cooper and Steph; I loved the pacing; I loved the writing, the descriptions; I love that Lacey, like every other 25 year old I know, gets involved with the wrong man, when the right one is right in front of her--and I love that she rectifies that situation and gets rid of the wrong man; I love the realistic scenarios....I just loved this book. I think it's an important book for young women to read, to remind them that life is short, and with or without gene mutations that it is important to discover who you are, what makes you happy, and to live every day like it is your (or your breast's) last day.
Warning: there is some profanity and descriptions of sexual activity. For me, this did not detract from the story; in fact, in some instances it enhanced it. If you have more delicate sensibilities, this may not be the book for you. For the rest of you, enjoy! I know I did.

When 25-year-old Lacey Whitman finds out she has the gene mutation that could lead to breast cancer, she has to choose between having a preventative mastectomy or a more conservative wait and see approach. At 25 who could make that decision and know that they are making the correct one? So, she self-imposes a 6-month waiting moratorium during which she embarks on fulfilling a “bucket boob list (BBL).” The majority of the items on the list are sexual in nature i.e have sex in public, have a 3-some.

Along the way, Lacey has to juggle two different career paths, the possible disapproval of her friends, boss, and business partner, and various men to fulfill her BBL. At the end of her six months, she needs to make a decision: shoulder on or remove her breasts.

I will admit when I requested this book I thought it would be one young woman’s spiritual/mindful journey towards dealing with a horrible medical diagnosis and her path to physical and mental enlightenment. What I didn’t expect was the amount of – and varied forms of – sex she embarks upon. After a while I found myself wanting to flip through the pages to the end so I could just skip one more sex act.

I didn’t, though. I finished the book, every page of it.

While Lacey’s path wasn’t was I would have expected ( or wanted), the author does bring her through a complete character arc and the story ends exactly the way it should. I don't like spoilers so you'll have to read the story to know how that is.

Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to review this book. Despite my problems with the main character's decisions, this story is worth the read, if for no other reason than it I feel it accurately portrays a young woman’s emotions when forced to make a life-altering decision when faced with limited emotional backup, guidance and resources.