ARC Review: It Started with a List by Tinia Montford

My review: 3 opposites attract⭐

Star pitcher, Lazarus is in danger of being benched for his last season and needs a tutor for his literature class ASAP. Lit major, Vassa realizes she hasn’t really done much but study, so she makes a bucket list to do all the normal college student things. Can these two opposites work together to each reach their common goal?
This is a coming of age, slow burn, opposites attract story.
I like how sometimes the chapter followed Lazarus and sometimes Vassa, which really showed us the following; how Lazarus feels misunderstood and wants to follow his own dreams instead of what his brother, Harvey (who is a douche) wants for him. And how Vassa feels insecure and finds it hard to trust again after her fall out with her BFF, Alexa.
I did enjoy how Lazarus really went all out to check everything off the bucket list and make it special for her.
Honestly, I wasn’t a big fan of Vassa and didn’t really connect with her, however I did appreciate her efforts to step out of her comfort zone to enjoy basic college life, and life in general, experiences.
At times I didn’t feel like the characters acted their age. Do college students really drink wine?
Overall, the story was just okay for me and a bit on the long side.

Trigger warnings: suicidal thoughts and depression

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Book blurb: Release date ~ January 25, 2022

A BUCKET LIST. THE POPULAR GUY. A LONER. WHAT COULD GO WRONG?

Time’s up for Vassa Blackwell.

With her college graduation looming, Vassa reflects on the past four years. After a devastating betrayal from her closest friend leaves her ostracized, she trusts no one. Now she is mega disappointed. No wacky misadventures, no drunken nights, and no regrettable mistakes that you can NEVER tell your parents. Work and class, class and work. That’s it. College is supposed to be the best years of your life… Right?

Vassa feels as though she’s cheated herself out of a full college experience. Notable with romance and boys and stuff. So, she makes a college bucket list. Then the worse thing ever happens. Her list falls into the hands of Lazarus Gilbert. King of the baseball team, sworn enemy (in her opinion), and her annoying upstairs neighbor. He thinks he’s found something fun to do. She thinks she’s in trouble. That’s until she discovers there’s more to Lazarus than he lets on…

With the pressures of post-college decisions and failing classes, can they complete the bucket list before the semester runs out? Are Vassa and Lazarus just too different to get along? Will they both come out winners in the end, or will she retreat to her safety-zone? Is it too late for her to learn to live and let live, and let love enter her heart?