Rating: 3⭐️

I found author Devney Perry through her recent romantasy release, Shield of Sparrows. I really enjoyed that book so when this title popped up I thought I’d give it a shot. 

And, at least, in this case, I’ve found that Devney Perry’s contemporary work probably isn’t for me. 

I quickly finished the story of a young woman widowed early and dealing with her grief. It’s also the fact that she’s trying how best to move forward alone as well as losing the future she’d envisioned of them together growing old.

It’s sweet and moving in some parts. I liked the dog. But it took me a while to figure out what was bothering me about the storylines and characters. And I believe it’s because Perry’s woman characters and story are male centric. And that’s a pass for me.

Poppy Maysen, whose husband Jamie is killed in a robbery, decides to check off all the items Jamie had written on his annual birthday to do list. A list of items he wanted to do each birthday before he was 35, skydiving, jump in a pool of green jello, etc. And open a restaurant , called Maysen Jar, which she accomplishes.

Poppy, a gorgeous woman (almost so perfect it’s unbelievable), is a fabulous cook, who everyone loves who comes into contact with her (with some exceptions). She’s also focused on her husband’s memory, his family and her own interconnected relationships with her brother’s family. It’s a life lived through the lens of men. Mostly Jamie.  Or Finn, her brother. Then it’s Cole, the next one to step into her life. 

The MMC , Cole Goodman , is a handsome sheriff with a deep connection with her. And it’s a dual perspective story, from Poppy and Cole’s POV. Which normally helps, except for Cole’s constant thoughts of Poppy’s physical attributes and what he wants to do with her. Overlaid with trad wife goals (lots a babies , small town families) that he’s envisioning with her immediately. 

But while they are working through her deceased husband’s list (it’s his list, again, another problematic factor for a partnership), but there’s a bigger issue here for me. 

Poppy has an older brother, Finn, who was married to Poppy’s best friend Molly. Finn’s gardening business took priority over Molly and their young children. He was away on business, then came home and took his anger and stress out on Molly. This is straight out from the book. She asked him to go to counseling.He didn’t and moved out. She thought the marriage was over and during a party had a drunken one night stand. Which she told Poppy and Finn about. And was vilified for. Finn? Nowhere is he even mentioned for any responsibility for the broken relationship or marriage. No, Finn can’t EVER forgive Molly for her awful cheating behavior. Again, straight from the novel, over and over. 

This is how the author writes about them and their actions and marriage. Even Poppy who had declared herself “Switzerland” here has called Molly a cheater And , and while she regrets that she called her best friend that, Poppy still hasn’t placed any weight on Finn for his part in the matter.  Nope, it’s all on poor Molly. Huge flags here for me. 

Like I said, a narrative which is male centric or the female character are male focused, right down to the author having them forfeit responsibility doesn’t work for me. 

Now book 2 of the Maysen Jars series is Letters to Molly which we get the first chapter. Molly is now getting her independence and feeling good about herself. Guess who’s getting back into the picture. Finn. After that treatment. 

So I’m noping right out of the series. 

I prefer a strong female character, a realistic story and definitely not a traditional take which makes a contemporary story look more like a fantasy novel than one containing otherworldly creatures within it. 

Cover: Sarah Hansen, Okay Creations

Maysen Jar:

The Birthday List

Letters to Molly

The Dandelion Diary 

Buy link

        The Birthday List (Maysen Jar)

Blurb 

From #1 New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Devney Perry, comes a heartwarming and emotional small town Montana romance.

I carry a journal with me. A journal with a list.

Take a karate class. Go skydiving. Learn to play the ukulele. Say yes to everything for an entire day. The list goes on, line by line, of youthful dreams.

For too long that list has haunted me. But starting today, I’m going to cross one item off. Today, I’m opening my new restaurant in Bozeman, Montana. The Maysen Jar.

It should have marked the first day of a new life. A fresh start. But then Cole Goodman waltzed through the door and brought with him the past. A man who shattered my heart. A man I tried to forget.

Maybe it’s a good thing he insists on sticking around. Because the only way I’ll finish the list is with Cole’s help. And then I can finally say goodbye.

• Publisher: Devney Perry LLC
• Publication date: April 3, 2018
• Language: English
• Print length: 404 pages
• Part of series: Maysen Jar