Oh man, this book is just.. I don't know, I can't really elaborate further but it sure had its moments. The Reece Malcolm List is heartwarming and full of emotions and even though it had its flaws, wow did it sure hit me and made my heart hurt. (I admit, I may have shed a tear or two.)

The book isn't perfect and there were some shortcomings but the book really did leave me sated so that's why it gets a 4.5

A great and satisfying summer read for all you guys out there. :)

I originally posted this review on Consumed by Books.As you’ve all figured out by now, I am willing to give most YA contemporary novels a shot, especially if it’s possible that romance will be involved. The Reece Malcolm List caught my attention when April and Kelly both gave it incredibly positive reviews. It’s obvious why Spalding’s novel has gotten rave reviews—Devan’s voice is incredibly authentic. While I found this book a bit too long and lacking in plot, reading it was an enjoyable experience.Devan’s put in an awkward situation in the beginning of the book: she’s meeting the parent she’s never met after losing one and starting at a new school where there’s a lot of competition surrounding the performing arts. In addition to adjusting to a new family, she’s also meeting new peers and teachers, and there are love interests. Between the musical, the boys, and her mother, it wasn’t clear which was supposed to be the dominant plotline. A lot of little things happened throughout the book, and it lessened the impact of what was supposed to be the major conflict. However, Spalding did a nice job of completing each storyline without it feeling like she was tying things a neat bow.This book focuses a lot on what Devan is feeling. Does the boy she likes care for her as well? Is she totally getting in the way of her mother and her boyfriend? Do her new friends really like her? She’s confident about herself and her talents as a performer, but has a lot of uncertainty about her relationships. A lot of teen and adult readers will relate to this aspect of the book.The performance aspect of this book is fairly serious. Spalding drops the names of a lot of musicals, and readers who don’t care for theater might be a little bored by it. Devan is the type of musician who has potential to make it into a career. I connected with her throughout much of the story, but I think there are other authors who have done a better job of writing about the experience of being a performer.Despite its heavy premise, The Reece Malcolm List is a book that I found enjoyable and even fun, at times. I loved reading a character whose emotions felt deeply familiar and relatable. While I still have minor qualms about the quality of this one, it’d be the perfect read to pass on to a teen who loves musical theater.

Cute, light YA read.

The Reece Malcolm List was an enjoyable story about growing up. Devan has just lost her father and is moving in with her mother, who she's never met. She loves to perform in show choir though and is given the opportunity to attend a performing arts school.

Devan really developed over the course of the story and just really grows up. She has a lot thrown at her early in the story too. Devan's mother, Reece, was an interesting character. She is far from being perfect. The reader knows just as much as Devan knows about her too, so you get to learn more about Reece alongside Devan. It's definitely an awkward situation for Devan and Reece too because they just really don't know anything about each other.

The plot held my attention from beginning to end. There is a lot of drama but there were still a couple of fun moments too. It did get a bit predictable towards the end too, but it was still enjoyable to read. I loved that each chapter began with more of the list that Devan was making about things she learns about her mother. It showed just how much the story was developing. I also liked that this book wasn't just about Devan getting to know her mother, but more about Devan growing up and learning from her experiences. She's at a new school and making some new and interesting friends too.

I have to add that I loved the setting in Los Angeles. I'm a sucker for books set in LA and Spalding definitely made me feel like I was there at times. Overall I really enjoyed The Reece Malcolm List. It was a story about growing up.

Review posted on: thereadinggeek.blogspot.com

I have nothing but good things to say about Amy Spalding's debut The Reece Malcolm List. It was completely what I was in the mood to read right now being just the right mix of a light fluffy read but with some serious undertones - the perfect balance of both really. 

This is the story of 16 year-old Devan. Devan is sent to live with her mother following the death of her father in a car accident. Her step-mother barely tolerated her when her father was around but after he dies she is shipped off to live with her mother, Reece Malcolm, who is a famous but somewhat elusive writer. Devan has never even met her mother prior to this and she finds herself thrust into a new living arrangement with a woman who is a stranger to her. Her mother's boyfriend Brad has also recently moved in and Devan feels that she is intruding on their new life together. Luckily Bran is a decent and friendly guy, and Devan warms more quickly to him than to Reece who comes across as a little difficult and anti-social.

After discovering that Devan is interested in musical theatre, Reece enrolls her in a performing arts school and Devan soon blossoms in this environment. She soon meets some like-minded friends and there are even a couple of romantic possibilities (happy to report no dreaded love triangles present in this novel). Devan is a shy and withdrawn young girl but when she is performing you see another side to her, her confidence really shines when she is on stage. Devan is talented - immensely so - and this is one area of her life where she feels free to be herself (ironically since she is playing someone else). 

The strengths of this novel lies in the characters and their relationships with each other though. The dialogue is very realistic (Devan sounds like a 16 year-old girl but never in an annoying way - her voice is very authentic) and the situations and issues raised encounters are realistically depicted. The strongest element is the novel is the building of the mother-daughter relationship between Devan and Reece. 

Reece was very young when she had Devan and is still in some ways quite immature. She clearly finds it difficult having to deal with a teenage daughter and does not seems overly equipped to handle it. It was interesting seeing their interactions with each, initially very awkward and stilted, but soon developing a rapport with each other as they discovered their similarities and differences. Devan keeps a 'list' about her mother (hence the title). She jots down all the new things she learns about her, often snooping around trying to find clues about her instead of just asking Reece about herself. You can see why she goes about it in this manner though as Reece is certainly not the most approachable person. I was rooting for both characters to overcome their differences and the baggage they carry about with them and was not disappointed with the resolution.

Overall a very strong debut. I was thoroughly engrossed in the story and the characters. The supporting characters were all fun and interesting but it was Devan and Reece's story and I related to them both the most.