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Once Upon A List

by Robin Gold (Goodreads Author)

3.57 of 5 stars 3.57 · rating details · 74 ratings · 22 reviews

Never in her wildest dreams did Clara Black imagine she'd fly to Vegas just to eat at America's biggest buffet, or that she'd be digging holes in her mother's backyard to unearth her brother's screechy plastic recorder. But if that's what it takes to get past the car accident that changed her life . . . she'll do what she must.

Eight months after losing her fiancé just befo...more

Paperback, 324 pages

Published May 1st 2012 by Avon Impulse Harper Collins

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May 26, 2012 Dianne Socci-Tetro rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: galleys-arcs

Once Upon a List by Robin Gold

*ARC supplied by Publisher for Review purposes*

I was surprised to find that I loved this book. Why? Because I don’t usually like such emotion filled novels. I’m a selfish reader and I loved being entertained, I don’t like living someone else’s horror and I thought that by reading a novel of a woman who lost the man she loved a few days before her wedding that I would be reading something really depressing. My mistake -- and thank goodness that I kept reading.
Yes thi...more Once Upon a List by Robin Gold

*ARC supplied by Publisher for Review purposes*

I was surprised to find that I loved this book. Why? Because I don’t usually like such emotion filled novels. I’m a selfish reader and I loved being entertained, I don’t like living someone else’s horror and I thought that by reading a novel of a woman who lost the man she loved a few days before her wedding that I would be reading something really depressing. My mistake -- and thank goodness that I kept reading.
Yes this is an emotion filled novel, but it is also filled with humor, love, caring, strong family values and some surprises along the way. I think I may have found a new author I willneed to track for future publications.

Clara’s fiancé is killed in a car accident 9 days before their wedding. Sebastian was a remarkable man and one that many women would love to find in their lives. Well, Clara is not dealing very well with this loss.
She is emaciated, has tried every kind of therapy known to human kind and some that are even so farfetched that you have to laugh. It has gotten so bad that she is going to lose her job and has even tried to commit suicide.
Somehow, all this changes when she is on a visit to her mother’s house and comes upon a box with the time capsule she buried when she was ten and decides during a very poorly thought out kiss, to do the things (or most of them) on this list.

As the synopsis says ---with the love of her wacky and caring family, a clear goal and a very good friend from the past, things just may get better.

Robin Gold has created an almost touchable group of characters; my heart went out to Clara at the same time I wanted to shake her bit to get her out of her fog. This novel has terrific dialogue, vivid descriptions, clever plotting and a story you will probably just get lost in as I did.

It is a short novel at just slightly more than 200 pages and if you are like me and appreciate good writing, this will be something you finish quickly, but wish had lasted much longer.(less)

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Oct 01, 2012 Marran rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance

sorry I'm not really liking this...The idea and concept of following that kind of list I really did like I can't say I like Clara though..

I absolutely can't relate to her at all..I didn't like Bella in new moon either...that whole I cant live without him thing going on, I can't stand it it makes me irritated and frustrated.. and yes I know people get depressions and I know people struggle when they lose someone close I watched it first hand...

And no I haven't lost the love of my life even though...more

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May 26, 2012 Kathleen (Kat) Smith rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: adult-humor, chick-literature, contemporary-fiction, romance-fiction

Clara Black felt like her life had come to the end of the road. I guess for most of us, we would look at Clara, her situation and give her some time to grieve but then expect her to move forward. And she tried, really she did. She sought out professional ways to help her find her way out of the blackest, deepest pit of despair and depression but nothing seemed to work. Nothing would ever be the same again and just managing to take a breath alone was more work than it should be.

Just eight days be...more Clara Black felt like her life had come to the end of the road. I guess for most of us, we would look at Clara, her situation and give her some time to grieve but then expect her to move forward. And she tried, really she did. She sought out professional ways to help her find her way out of the blackest, deepest pit of despair and depression but nothing seemed to work. Nothing would ever be the same again and just managing to take a breath alone was more work than it should be.

Just eight days before her life would change in ways she had dreamed of since she was a little girl, that dream turned into a nightmare. It began with a simple phone call telling her that her soon-to-be husband, Sebastian was dead, an accident had claimed his life and he wouldn't be coming home to her again, EVER!

She put up the walls and kept people at a distance, even so much that her boss told her to take some time off. He didn't want her jeopardizing any more clients with his firm as an Account Executive and to come back when she felt ready. Would she ever be ready for life again?

Answering a phone call from her brother Leo, he managed to persuade her to return home with him to their mom's home for Thanksgiving. Libby would be able to find a way to get her daughter out of her depression. She had written a jingle for almost every other product in the world and was hoping that between the two of them, they might find a way to reach Clara. However, Clara's help arrived in a surprising cardboard box awaiting her return home. In it would hold the answers that she would need to begin the rebuilding process. A project a 5th grade, Clara worked on and was being returned to her. A time capsule, that 2o years later, would be the turning point in her life. It contained a simple list of the things she had hoped to accomplish before she turned 35, and now just a few months remained before this list of unfulfilled wants and desires would be considered null and void.

That's when Clara decided to take a leap of faith and put her brother's challenge to the test and see just how many of these items she could complete before her 35th birthday. Will she be able to do it, or will her grief beat her to the finish line? To find out, you'll have to pick up Robin Gold's latest novel, Once Upon A List.

I received this delightful novel compliments of Harper Collins Publishers for my honest review and completely fell in love with Clara's character. I couldn't imagine the amount of grief she felt and could see myself responding in similar ways when people came around to help. Unless you've experienced it first hand, it's hard to know what to do or say to help. Robin Gold did an amazing job of putting you write in the heart of things and feeling all the emotions she had to endure during this book of putting her life back in order. I think it's genuine because it was no short order process and there were so many times that Clara fell back into her old ways and grew frustrated. She didn't want to be that way, but there were those old habits and feelings. I admire her courage to keep getting back up and trying again and think this list worked out perfectly for her along with her brother Leo to encourage her along the way.

This makes for the perfect summer read to experience life through Clara's eyes. It truly does put life back into perspective and shows us all how quickly it can change and there is nothing we can do to prevent that from happening. I rate this one a 4.5 out of 5 stars. It does contain some profanity and adult situations but given the subject matter of the book, I think Robin did an exceptional job at keeping this one real. (less)

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May 18, 2012 Guilty Pleasures rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: guiltypleasures-kclu, publishersent

KcLu's review posted on Guilty Pleasures

4.5 Stars

Once Upon a List was the first book I read by Robin Gold, and I have to say I loved it. This book is a very emotional journey!! Clara Black is all set to marry her soul mate, when tragedy strikes. This book is journey back to life and her path to moving on.

Clara comes home to Chicago for Thanksgiving, and waiting for her is the time capsule she prepared at ten years old as a class project. In there is a list of things she wanted to get done before...more

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May 21, 2012 Alex rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemporary, for-review, romance

At First Sight: Clara Black had a perfect life: a job she enjoyed, a fiance, Sebastian, that she loved and a wonderful family. But when Sebastian dies in a car accident just 10 days before their wedding, Clara falls into the depths of dispair, pushing everyone and everything away for months and months.

It all comes to a head when she's forced to visit her mother and brother, Leo, over Thanksgiving; and they are shocked to see the changes in her: her constant gloomy mood, her dramatic weight lost...more

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May 23, 2012 Lisarenee rated it 4 of 5 stars

Please Note: I read the ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) of this book, therefore, there may be some discrepancies between what I quote and the final version. Assume any and all errors are mine because they probably are.

"In the blink of an eye, her entire universe had shattered, instantly becoming an inconceivable memory. BAM! In one second. Just like that...gone."

Nine days before her wedding, Clara received a phone call that no one would ever wish to receive. Her fiance, the love of her life, the ma...more

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Apr 24, 2012 Janga rated it 4 of 5 stars

One day Clara Black is a happy woman, eagerly anticipating marriage to Sebastian, the love of her life. The next Sebastian is dead, and Clara is one of the walking wounded. Overwhelmed by grief, Clara soon sinks into a depression so deep that she is unable to carry on with the activities of life as she knew it. Her best friend’s efforts to help have alienated Clara, her boss insists she needs a break from work, and her mother and brother have exhausted their ideas for helping her to move beyond...more

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Jun 23, 2012 Kerrie Strong rated it 4 of 5 stars

I wasn't sure I was going to like this. I'm going through a phase where I don't want to cry-- I want to read the light and fluffy stuff that I can set aside when I put the book down. This seemed like it was going to be sad, and the first part of it was, but this was so much more of a 'feel good' book than I thought it would be. Not a life-changing book or anything like that, but... it made me feel good to read it.

I loved the idea of revisiting a childhood "bucket list" and I actually would like...more

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May 23, 2012 Shelleyrae at Book'd Out rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc-are, blog-reviews

Once Upon A List is a heartbreaking yet sweet story of a woman overcoming a tragic loss and finding the courage to face the future. Mired in grief and depression, Clara can't envision a life without Sebastian, her fiance who was tragically killed just days before their wedding. In the months since his death she has tried therapy, acupuncture, kick-boxing, knitting and more but nothing has helped to assuage her overwhelming grief. Forced to spend Thanksgiving with her mother and brother, Clara re...more
Once Upon A List is a heartbreaking yet sweet story of a woman overcoming a tragic loss and finding the courage to face the future. Mired in grief and depression, Clara can't envision a life without Sebastian, her fiance who was tragically killed just days before their wedding. In the months since his death she has tried therapy, acupuncture, kick-boxing, knitting and more but nothing has helped to assuage her overwhelming grief. Forced to spend Thanksgiving with her mother and brother, Clara resents their well meaning concern and advice, resigned to her depression. It is a surprise package that arrives at her childhood home which unexpectedly holds the key to Clara's recovery.

Robin Gold portrays Clara's grief in a realistic manner, the numbness and emotional fatigue that is difficult to shake, the anger and frustration at being urged to return to 'normal'. Clara is snappy, resentful and sensitive and even as she begins to emerge from her grief she has good days and bad days. Recovery from grief is a slow process and Gold refuses to rush Clara which gives the story depth the romance genre is not usually known for.
The link between past, present and future is perfectly handled. Gold's choice to use a fifth grade time capsule as Clara's catalyst for recovery is a clever one. I love the heartfelt hopes of a ten year old who wants to "have a pet dog", "become president" and "eat at America's largest buffet". I enjoyed watching Clara making her way through the list, finding solace in completing the tasks almost despite herself.
It's the list that reunites her with Lincoln who proves to be first a support, then a friend and then something more. I liked the progression of their relationship though I admit I would have preferred that Link had not been involved with someone else for so much of the book.
Despite the serious themes there are some lighter elements in the novel and Gold injects humour where appropriate. Clara's frantic digging in the back yard for a long buried recorder, for example, is both sad and hilarious.

Ultimately, Once Upon a List is a sweet and uplifting novel that I enjoyed.
(less)

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May 30, 2012 Melanie rated it 3 of 5 stars

Recommended to Melanie by: Edelweiss

A nice, light summer read - it starts out sad , but ends happy. Clara's fiance dies right before thier wedding and she has a hard time recovering from her grief. When her 5th grade teacher sends everyone in the class a letter they wrote to themselves, she starts on a journey. Her 5th grade self wrote a bucket list and her grown up self decides to do the things on the list. Some things are serious and some are frivolous. But they all hlep her through her grief and along the way she meets someone...more

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Jun 05, 2012 Amy Conley added it

This book was so good! Now I can't wait for the movie. All I ask is you do not chose Cameron Diaz as the lead, please!

Some people might not enjoy this book as much as I did for one reason; I found myself reading it as if it were a script. I don't know why I read it that way, but to me, that's how it came across. As you can see by my rating it didn't bother me a bit, but I can understand where it might bother others. Please give it a chance though, you won't be sorry.

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May 21, 2012 Ann Lorz rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemporary

This is a first time author for me. I would have to say this falls more into general fiction instead of romance like I usually read. It was a enjoyable read that makes a person look more closely at their own lives. I liked how the author worked in the list that was made by a young girl and is done by a adult woman. It's both heart-wrenching and funny at the same time. It will make a nice summer read.

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Jun 19, 2012 Amy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Refreshing & very enjoyable! I truly LIKED all of the characters. Kudos to the writer for creating a family dynamic of brother and sister who genuinely care for one another. Laugh out loud funny too. Very well done & a quick read too!

1 like · like · see review

Aug 21, 2012 Pat Morris rated it 5 of 5 stars

Clara returns to her family home in Chicago after the death of her fiance. She deals with her grief through the support of her family and childhood friends. This was light reading with a happy ending. :)

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Jul 10, 2012 Sarah (The Brazen Bookworm) rated it 3 of 5 stars

Full review published here: http://www.brazenbookworm.com/2012/07...

A cute, somewhat bittersweet story. The heroine was a mess - understandably - but she does manage yo pull herself together. Quirky cast of characters, and the hero was pretty adorable. Oh, and I love the Chicago setting.

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May 08, 2013 Lili rated it 2 of 5 stars

The story wasn't really that bad... I liked it enough to want to finish it... but the writing itself left something to be desired. Nice, fluffy read.

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Mar 25, 2013 Rose rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013-books

Cute book quick read! Read it in a day.

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Jun 10, 2012 Jess rated it 5 of 5 stars

Awesome! I hope there's a sequel.

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May 02, 2012 Mary rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: edelweiss-arc

You can read my take here.

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Mar 28, 2013 Jane rated it 4 of 5 stars

Robin Gold is a new-to-me author. I did enjoy this book, though I thought it was a bit longer than it needed to be. That aside, I enjoyed both the story line and the characters. I'll look for and buy other books by Ms Gold.

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Sep 04, 2012 Casey (KcLu) added it

Shelves: reviewed-for-guilty-pleasures-book

Review @ www.guiltypleasuresbookreviews.com ...

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Apr 25, 2013 Lisa rated it 2 of 5 stars

Recommended to Lisa by: Donna

It was a cute story; not much depth.

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May 18, 2013 Nancyw marked it as to-read

May 18, 2013 Stephanie Jarmon is currently reading it

May 15, 2013 Gabrielle added it

May 12, 2013 Laura Burch rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-read-in-2013

May 12, 2013 Kim is currently reading it

May 10, 2013 Jenger rated it 2 of 5 stars

May 09, 2013 Amy marked it as to-read

May 07, 2013 Lauren Walters marked it as to-read

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