DNF @ 15%

There’s nothing at all wrong with this book, however, I find the pacing a tad bit slow for my tastes and just don’t think it’s a good fit for me.

Refraining from giving a star rating due to not finishing the book but selecting 3 as its not a bad story just not the right fit.

Lily Bennet's Bucket List was an enjoyable story about Lydia Grey, a woman who discovers Lily’s bucket list at the bottom of her shopping trolley. She is at a crossroads in her life, with a recent divorce, a job she's been doing for years, and a boring existence. When she reads the list, she decides to do it. When she runs into her ex and his new girlfriend, she is feeling terrible about herself, so when she meets Jake Jones, a man she met on a dating app, and he offers to help Lily complete the bucket list, she agrees, without telling him she isn't Lily. Jake has a lot of connections that allows Lydia to tackle some things that might have seemed impossible. As she ticks things off the list, she and Jake become closer, until they are both in love. What will happen when the truth comes out?

I liked Lydia, even though she wasn't being totally honest with Jake. She was so down on herself, that it was fun to see her try new things and find out that she enjoyed them. The items involved her leaving her comfort zone and there was a lot of humor as she did this. The camping trip is one that had me laughing out loud. Jake was a wonderful partner for her tasks. Jake is also hiding something and he’s reluctant to start a relationship. This is a slow-burn romance, with two reluctant participants, who become friends first and eventually lovers. Although I enjoyed this story, the miscommunication or lack of communication trope is one that I don't like very much, so I had some mixed feelings. It also seemed a bit forced to think they spent so much time together and Jake even met her family, yet she was able to keep her identity secret. As far as the secondary characters go, some were wonderful (her family) and some deserved what they got (Adam, her ex). Overall, I enjoyed this book with themes of trying new things, getting out of your comfort zone, new beginnings, family, secrets and honesty, and of course romance. If you enjoy a fun romance with some humor and characters that grow and find what they want out of life, then I recommend you pick up Lily Bennett's Bucket List.

Brilliant read....Lydia finds a bucket list...and having split with her partner decides to take on Lily Bennett's bucket list...
She meets Jake and omits to tell him that she's not Lily Bennett and that the bucket list isn't hers...thereby follows the adventures of Lydia and Jake and the bucket list! A very comfy read which I thoroughly enjoyed. Highly recommend.

This book was so fun and delightful! I will definitely be looking for this author again. It had a slow start, but once I got past that it was a nice read.

Lydia Grey is struggling to cope with the separation from her husband two years ago, made harder by his new, younger girlfriend.
Her daughter convinces her to try dating again to move on with her life but so far this has been unsuccessful as none of them match up to Adam.
Feeling sorry for herself, she finds a bucket list belonging to Lily Bennett and in a moment of madness, she posts an ad for a friend to help her complete the activities.
Jake answers the post who is looking for adventure but no complications of a relationship so seems the ideal partner. He assumes Lydia is Lily and she doesn't correct him so has to now juggle two identities between Jake and her family.

The conflicts between trying to win Adam back and her growing feelings for Jake causes even more anxieties for Lydia. Has she found a way to move on with her life - but who will it be with?

A great story of pushing yourself out of your comfort zone to improve your life

A wonderful feel-good story! Lydia’s life seems to have been turned upside down at the age of 40, and after finding Lily’s bucket list, decided to embark on a life-changing adventure to find herself.

The characters and friendships were so heartwarming, I just wished I could meet them in real life. Sad at moments but wrapped up in warmth, I just couldn’t put it down.

This is a great read! The story line was engaging and I really enjoyed it.

I will look out for Katherine Dyson books in the future.

Just a really nice, feel good read, I enjoyed it. Thank you netgalley and publisher for this arc in exchange of an honest review..

I adored this book. The first trad published offering from Katherine Dyson did not disappoint. It was just a fun romance with lots of lovely, cute moments. It certainly inspired me to write my own list. Just need a 'Jake' to complete it with!! Thank you for the ARC.

A brilliant read and one I really enjoyed. The characters are loveable and varied, the plot is one that is engaging and medium paced. I found myself completely drawn into the story and enjoyed the writing style.

I enjoyed Lily Bennett's Bucket List by Katherine Dyson. The characters are engaging and the family connections are heartwarming. Happy Reading!

**I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely**

Adorable, emotional and inspiring. Just a few words to describe this book!

After Lydia gets dumped by her husband, she cannot move on - no matter what she tries. When she discovers Lily Bennett's list, this might finally change as she works her way through the bucket list items. She *may* have a really nice and kind male friend to help her.

This was such a cute and uplifting read about starting over, finding yourself and love.

Lydia sees her ex-husband and his new partner in a supermarket, and at the same time finds someone else’s bucket list at the bottom of her trolley. Taking it as a sign she needs to turn her life around to win her ex back, she decides to tick items off a stranger’s bucket list. There’s only 9 items on the list, how hard can it be? The list isn’t too out there, most people would have completed at least one of these already, but Lydia has apparently led quite a sheltered life and these are not things that have occurred to her to do…

This was a great concept on first glance but the more and more I got into it I found it such an odd thing to do to try and win back someone who’s not right for you and has clearly moved on. That’s not a bad thing as it was still fun and enjoyable to read.

I loved that she was egged on by daughter Ollie, who was overseas. They kept in contact over text and video call and their relationship was so adorable. I didn’t really buy into the fact that Lydia didn’t have social media or didn’t know how to use it properly – she was only 39, if she had been older I would have believed that more. She definitely came across way more middle aged!
The insight into her Polish family life and culture was lovely too. All in all a fun quick read,

Lydia is a crossroads in her life. She is in the process of divorce, her daughter has just reached adulthood and Lydia has had to move back in with her parents. When she finds a bucket list while grocery shopping, she decides to complete the list.
Lydia is scared of doing the things on the list so her daughter suggests she find someone to do it with her. Using a dating app, Lydia finds Jake. He fully agrees to help her with the entire list. The only problem is that Jake saw the list before Lydia introduced herself and thinks she is Lily Bennett.
Opinion
This book is a wonderful adventure full of heart. From start to finish, it is evident that Lydia (Lily) is growing, learning and becoming more herself. Jake is such a stand up guy that this book melts my heart. (Don't get me started on Adam, the ex-husband!)
This book is perfect for anyone else who finds themselves at a crossroads or for anyone who just wants a sweet journey full of laughter and fun.
Many thanks to Net Galley, Harper Collins UK and One More Chapter for providing me with an ARC of this book.

A charming beach read! I really enjoyed it.
Many thanks to HarperCollins UK and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

"If everything went wrong when she was living out someone else's dreams, then maybe it wouldn't hurt quite so much when it all burned to the ground."

Happy sigh. Lily Bennett's Bucket List was just about the life-affirming, hug-in-book-format read I needed. Meet Lydia, a not quite 40-year old woman who is still trying to come to terms with her divorce... one an a half years ago. Hitting rock-bottom as she sees her ex with a new woman, Lydia finds a bucket list written by one Lily Bennett. The list gives Lydia hope, and more importantly, someone to aspire to be, this Lily. With a little 'help' from her daughter Ollie, Lydia even finds an adventuring buddy, Jake, to help her cross everything of the list. Can adventuring buddies really just be that though...?

I feel seen. I recognize a lot of myself in Lydia. Never sure she is quite enough, longing for adventures, but ultimately really longing to be herself. I loved reading about the crazy antics Lydia and Jake got themselves into... even if the bucket list items do not seem all that adventurous to begin with. I liked the easy banter between the two characters. Jake is probably a little bit too good to be true, but who cares. I also loved the warm bath that is Lydia's family. They felt like home. Finally, I think the message of finding one's true self, at whatever stage in life, is an important one. And let me be clear.. no one needs an Adam, everyone deserves a Jake.

I loved the premise and setting of this book, but felt it hard to connect to Lydia's lie. I did really love how she tried to take back her life and move through things she found challenging to develop herself!

Lily Bennett's Bucket List by Katherine Dyson

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and One More Chapter and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

This is the question Lydia Grey finds herself asking when she discovers Lily’s bucket list at the bottom of her shopping trolley. Having just run into her ex – and his supermodel gorgeous new girlfriend – while doing the walk of shame, Lydia’s discovery takes her down an unexpected path…and into the company of Jake Jones.

Jake mistakes Lydia for Lily when he offers to help her complete the list, but tempted to be someone – anyone – other than plain old Lydia Grey for once in her life, Lydia doesn’t correct him.

Now, as each new adventure brings Lydia and Jake closer, her lie threatens everything. To complete the list she’ll need to tackle #9: ‘do the scariest thing you can think of’, but how can she do that when the scariest thing she can think of is telling Jake the truth…which could mean losing him forever?

My Opinion

This is a lovely book with some lovely characters - even if Lydia is pretending to be someone else. It was nice to see the relationship grow between Jake and Lydia and I was eager to see if she ever told him the truth about who she was. A charming read that is so easy to get lost in.

Rating 4/5

I am not typically a romance reader but this was cute. I liked Jake and who Lydia was with him, and I loved Lydia's family.

Thanks to Netgalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

Lily Bennett's Bucket List was such an enchanting book! The theme of starting over in romances and women's fiction has always seemed really intriguing to me, so I was really excited to pick this one up. Thankfully, I wasn't disappointed! Getting to know Lydia through the Bucket List adventures was such a lovely ride. <3 The concept was really charming, in my opinion. Many thanks to the publisher for giving me the chance to review the book!

I absolutely loved how comforting this book was. The messages of hope and self-discovery that were spread out all throughout the story were so inspiring - especially because I just started a new phase of my life too. Jake was such a lovely addition to the book too. I adored the relationship he shared with Lydia!

Cannot wait to read more from the author! A solid 5 star read, no doubt.