While break-up novels are often a common flavor of heart-wrenching reading that are so often easy to connect with, Tara Ison, in The List, took the usual break-up story in a totally different way that was refreshing and authentic.

The novel focuses on a dysfunctional couple of two years: Isabel, a med-student finally graduating and destined to be a successful heart surgeon, and Al, currently a video store clerk who one directed a one-shot wonder film that is highly acclaimed. For the course of their relationship, the pair have never had the usual story. In fact, most of their romance developed in a “it just sort of happened” sort of way.

However, their relationship is rocky and detrimental for both of them, as are their frequent break ups that never stick. This time though, Isabel is determined they are breaking it off for good before she moves onto her residency, but even after her decision they seem to be leaning towards their habit of falling together again. Hoping to find closure, they craft together a list.

The list is ten items they always said they’d do and never did. It’s meant to be their final, perfect run before they part for good. Yet, even so, the list begins to evolve far from its purpose and it leaves until the final pages to reveal what the two decide.

At first, I was instantly intrigued by the concept of this book. In fact, I mostly bought the book to just find out what went on the list. However, within the first pages, it was clear this book was frank and honest where other ‘relationship’ books are typically more evasive and fluffy.

Then, it kept that tone. Between the alternating perspectives of the two characters, there’s a realness and depth that leaps off the page, though some moments the characters begun a bit stunted or the situations verging towards contrived, those are few and far between.

Some reviewers, myself included, found some plot lines confusing. There were moments that I had to pause a moment and try to work out just what had happened, but for the engagement in the prose itself a bit of confusing is excusable.

Speaking of the book’s prose, where concept is interesting and the characters are okay, the actual writing is the best element of this novel. Having never read Tara Ison’s work before, I’m looking forward to finding another one of hers on my shelf in the future because the actual prose of the text is what lifts it through the moments that would have otherwise detracted from the read.

Overall, The List moved fast for me, kept me entertained, and took a new look at relationships with a creative concept.