If you want to stay up way past your designated sleep time, reading ava wildes books is just the trick!!!
This was impossible to put down!! Some how the writing is just so imaginative from the very first page!
I think this one has to be my favourite of hers by far! I love how the MFC goes about finding herself and how she does it is thought provoking.
For Ava Wildes first full length novel all I can say is wow

i'm not sure how to even begin classifying this, because i've never read anything like it before. it is so original, creative and was a treat for my soul.

it's definitely a romance. and it's hilarious so that makes it a romcom. and you will definitely cry reading this, maybe multiple times. but there's also an incredible amount of soul-searching.

is this like a coming-of-age story for women in their twenties? or "therapy through smut" like the author said in her own words?

the FMC is a blogger, and her entries and reflections in this book are some of the best writing i've seen. I loved the comments and reactions to the posts. they made me reflect on how i'm living my life, versus living for everyone else's expectations. something you don't really think about because you're on auto-pilot. and pairing that with extreme spice + multiple love interests made for an interesting combination.

the spice is something else and it's definitely not for everyone, but I slurped it up like hot delicious soup. my mind and body were thoroughly entertained 🔥

one of the best books i've read in a long time, and i'm off to read her monster romances now!

thank you to the author and netgalley for the ARC!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.75
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
ARC recieved for 2nd Edition.
Whoa! I went into this book thinking it was going to be a fun, smutty, find yourself story…. And it was. BUT… It was so much more! What I didn’t expect, was to be taken on an emotional roller coaster of discovering one’s self and looking deeper at the ugly truths that can come along with that.
The way the author told Jasmines story was so messy, chaotic and beautiful. There was no instalove, Just a broken woman working to find herself. Were there points in the story that I thought Jasmine was just being a jerk… absolutely, but when I thought about it I understood why. Ava wrote this in a way, that I truly didn’t know which love interest I wanted Jasmine to end up with (If any)!
This story sucked me in and spit me back out in the best way possible. It balanced emotion, spice, and plot so well!!

ARC REVIEW - Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of the updated second edition

The Bali Bucket List by Ava Wilde
Rating: 4 / 5 ⭐️
Spice: 5 / 5 🌶️
———————

I LOVED this book. It has the vibes of a 2000s romcom and features an FMC who is deeply flawed and accepting of her own brokenness.

This book takes on Jasmine’s journey of self acceptance and discovery in the wake of heartbreak. In her grief of her ten year relationship ending 3 months before the wedding, she goes on a trip to Bali to discover the person she could have been and always wanted to be. Along the way, we meet a found family in her hostel and a parade of MMCs that each have something loveable about them. We have -

AXEL: the Swedish god, basically a reincarnation of Thor and a walking sex magnet. Every girl wants him, every guy wants to be him and Jasmine isn’t ready to give him what he wants.
KAI - a man trying to change the world in Bali. He’s rich, hot, sure of himself and wants to build a life with Jasmine - but is she ready for it?
DANIEL - the fiance who broke her heart. The man who upended the life she built and had her running off to Bali to discover herself. The question becomes, can he win her back?

I’m not typically on board for a love rectangle (?) but the way this one is written works really well. Each relationship is explored and we’re given reasons why Jasmine would want to be with each of them. This is a true book of self discovery with a very messy FMC who fucks, fucks up, and takes accountablity.

Only a ⅘ because I didn’t like who she ended up with (petty, I know), but I will definitely be reading more Ava Wilde

I gobbled this up like the hungry, smut-loving gal that I am who also would not mind if I could escape on a long vacation...& find myself...& some hotties...& become a writer. I loved every bit of it. I loved Jasmine's bucket list & what she learned. I thought all the characters, no matter how big or small, brought some fun to the table. I like how each of the men vying for the MFC's attention all brought something different to the table. I even loved the blog comment sections because they were all realistic & hilarious - internet trolls & friends & people promoting their businesses at their finest. Everything wrapped up so neatly & sweetly too. The bonus chapter was chef's kiss - especially with "the entrance" - book life, hilarious - real life, would have croaked if I was Jas. The only super tiny comment I had was (too real world I know, which takes away from the extreme fantasy crazy of that dessert moment) that motorcycle man could not do what he did with only spit - iykyk. Thanks for the opportunity, NetGalley & the publisher.

Yet another banger(pun intended) from Ava Wilde and this one doesn't have any tentacles in it, maybe in the ocean but not in this story. The second I started reading it I couldn't put it down. You did it again Ava Wilde, another book where the spicy did not disappoint. I really loved this story because at some point of the story I felt like I was one of the readers of Jasmines blog and you had me gasping and trying to see who she would choose on her journey of self discovery and where she will end up. You had me gripping my phone trying to see where Jasmines story would go and who she would end up with AND I LOVE THAT. It's been a while where I felt like I was immersed in a book and The Bali Bucket list definitely did that.
I must say although the book was naughty and spicy, I felt like I was able to takeaway some type of life lesson from Jasmine and I do appreciate that. This book was the best of both worlds, entertaining and also educating.

I don’t even know how to properly put into words what The Bali Bucket List did to me, but I’m going to try.

This book is everything. It’s chaotic, emotional, healing, wildly spicy, and so deeply human all at the same time. Ava Wilde took a “good girl gone off the rails” premise and turned it into something that feels raw, empowering, and completely unforgettable. Her writing style is so vivid and realistic that you can’t help but get completely sucked into the story. She somehow manages to make it feels like you’re living it right alongside the characters.

Jasmine’s journey wrecked me in the best way. Watching her rebuild herself, take risks, and actually choose the life she wants instead of the one expected of her? Yeah… that hit. Hard. The found family, the friendships, the self-discovery was so monumental, and it all felt so real and so earned.

And let’s talk about THAT romance. Because when I tell you I did not see her final choice coming…I mean it. Completely shocked me, but in a way that made perfect sense once everything came together. It wasn’t predictable, it wasn’t safe, it was right.

Also, can we PLEASE normalize epilogues like this one?! The bonus chapters wrapped up every single character’s story so beautifully. No loose ends, no “what happened to so-and-so,” no crumbs left behind. Just pure, satisfying closure. Every author should be taking notes.

Come for the spice (and WOW is there spice 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️), but stay for the story, because this one will absolutely own you and heal you by the end.

❝If you picked up The Bali Bucket List expecting a cute little travel romance with shy forehead kisses - sweet summer child, you’re in the wrong fucking jungle.❞ 🌴🔥

ARC REVIEW 💌
📖 The Bali Bucket List - Ava Wilde

I am OBSESSED. This was such an addictive read I could not put it down. How is it possible for a book to be so wholesome but SO fucking spicy? 🌶️🥵

Good girl Jasmine has her heart broken when her fiancé calls off their wedding just three months before the big day. Instead of falling apart, she stops people pleasing, takes all of her vacation time and books a one-way, solo ticket to Bali.

This leads to a chaotic, liberating journey of self-discovery that includes jungles, beaches, nightclubs, hostels, motorcycles, a lot of questionable decisions and a secret sex blog 👀

I loved that Jasmine isn’t perfect, she makes mistakes while trying to find herself but she takes accountability and actually grows. It felt messy, real and so empowering.

Don't even get me started on the love RECTANGLE, I genuinely didn't know who to root for but somehow, not knowing what I wanted from the ending made it even better, I couldn’t be disappointed by anything 😂

This book made me want to book a one-way ticket, sip cocktails on a Bali beach and completely reinvent myself 🌊🍹

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#arcreview #thebalibucketlist #romancereads #bookreview

I am not sure if I have ever experienced a book quite like this. It feels so important, so universally provided for me - I saved so many quotes. I'm not sure if Ava somehow specifically wrote this for me, or somehow stalked my future to know what book I'd need to read, but that is what this feels like. And while I don't think I'll ever experience half as much adventure as Jazz did in Bali, I do plan on embracing my inner J now on 🥥

This was as spicy as advertised and I have high standards! The chemistry was outstanding… in every pairing, the spicy scenes were habanero level hot, creative and memorable. The emotional growth within Jazz was perfectly balanced and the HEA was just perfect, I loved her final choice, it was definitely who I voted for in her blog poll!
Highly, highly recommend this one for an ultra spicy mental vacation that would make the perfect summer beach read!

Thank you to Ava Wilde and NetGalley for an ARC of this spicy good time of a book! 🔥

This book is Eat Pray Love but morphed to Eat Pray F*ck then looped back to Eat Pray Love. It’s an overall great read layered with lots of real life pointers on self improvement/acceptance. It also portrays how painful that process can be not only for yourself, but the people around you.

The spicy scenes were next level, I had to fan myself LOL. It was awesome seeing the FMC be bold and going after what she think she wants. I was very happy with the choice she made at the end. I was about to flip a table if she went back to her old ways…

Thank you for the arc of this second edition.

As someone who travels with their heart on their sleeve, this book was a total sanctuary. It’s rare to find a story that respects the sensitivity of heartbreak while celebrating the bravery of solo backpacking. It was serene, beautifully written, and reminded me why I fell in love with the hostel life in the first place. It didn't just tell a story; it brought me back to my most adventurous self.
It perfectly captures that specific, electric energy of meeting strangers in a hostel and the peace of wandering a new island alone. For the girls who feel everything deeply but still pack a bag and head out into the world anyway, this is for you. It made me so nostalgic for my own adventures and left me feeling incredibly peaceful. Hands down must-read for any solo female traveler looking to heal and rediscover her spark. I absolutely loved this!

Thank you to Ava Wilde and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op, and NetGalley for the ARC.

This book for me was a 5 Star read!! I wasn’t sure what go expect when I started reading but Oh my days I enjoyed every minute of it. I felt like I was living through Jasmine. Through all the fun, sex , drunk nights dancing it was brilliant.

I loved watching her channel her alter ego Jess and seeing who she could be and then putting them both together and realising she could be both.

This book was STEAMY 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️and at some points I had to take a breather!!!!

The found family in this book were Chefs kiss🤌🏻🤌🏻 all of them from different walks of life and somehow they all fit together like the perfect puzzle. never been more happy to see a group of people achieve their dreams.

The way jasmine thought she was fixing herself but she was turning herself into someone she didn’t recognise was heartbreaking. But then watching her build herself back to someone she loved was EMPOWERING.

I loved every minute of this book.

Thank you to Ava Wilde, Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

4.5 / 5 ⭐️

Wow, that was such a spicy, empowering read.

It read like a typical romcom, filled with heartbreak, healing, and steamy scenes tenfold.
I came into this book expecting it to go like most other contemporary bucket list fulfillment, but wow this took me for a ride!

There was SOOOO much spice. But it wasn't too overpowering! Ava Wilde's writing was so heartfelt and so easy to get into, and I am so thankful for this ARC, because it brought me back to my own journey of self discovery as well. Maybe not as wild as Jasmine's, but it was definitely nostalgic. I loved it.

Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/8544803626

this book was somehow so comforting, so inspiring so much fun and so much spice. it was all things in all the colour. its not holding back but not doing things just for tick boxing or to shock. everything felt like it was meant to be. in its own way it was showing us all not to be afraid. and the subjects and ride it took you on included things many wouldn't dare to read or admit never mind experience. and im not just talking about the spice there. im talking about some quite deep emotional moments we go on with Jasmine. and even before all that you just can fall in love with this as a really great read with a cast of delightful characters.
Jasmine didn't expect to be on her honeymoon alone. but hey, her fiance had other ideas at the last minute didn't he(grrrr). but he might have just done her the biggest favour. as it makes Jasmine be brave, go out there, and go for it when she writes her own bucket list. shes been hurt in the worst way a bride to be could. so why not go for it, dig deep, ask herself those questions and make herself explore a bit more of what she always been so afraid of? who's judging her, the world or herself? Bali seems like the perfect backdrop for this journey of hers. and she is about to go on a journey alright. its not all linear but her f** it list means she doesn't care, no shame here, just go for it and carry on. and what a delight it was to get to follow her.
trouble is though what Jasmine doesn't know is quite the impact shes having. she was writing her adventures via a blog. and it seems the world is now watching and very very interested. and judgemental and downright red flag anger inducing. some are plain yucky and some just need to get in the bin because heaven forbid a woman dare to do what Jasmine would. a woman i dare say, a woman!
i got very protective of Jasmine very quickly and this book had such a deeper emotional core than i ever thought it could or might. i kind of loved that. there were so many time i wanted to make sure Jasmine knew her worth.
its such a wonderful and beautiful read with some wonderful and beautiful moments. those little wise moments you want to somehow keep in a log for life, one of all the great snippets from the books we get to read. there would be so many id like to keep and smile to from this book.
i love how all in Ava went with this. i love how somehow it felt like she was giving her own middle finger to those who definitely wont like how brave and bold she wrote Jasmine was being in all walks of life in Bali. you can very much imagine them being like the incels commenting in the book on Jasmines blog posts! ha, brilliant.
there is so much more in this book than i thought there would or could be and im so glad for that. a surprise in the best way possible.

This was TRANSFORMATIVE. I am in awe of how this book made me feel and I will probably not read anything for a few days so I can keep this in my head longer. This will likely be added to my list of books that I reread every year.

Jazz has her Eat, Pray, Love journey in Bali that starts as a cliche and ends in a poignant social commentary on self love and actualization. Including the blog posts between chapters was cute, but including the comments is what did it for me. Keeping the real life experience of people being nasty on the internet and strangers hyping bad behavior really took me on a journey. The 50-60% mark had me second guessing if I was going to finish the book. Please know that it was absolutely intentional and all of it happens for a reason. I really didn't like where the story was going but I love where it ended. Growth is not linear and I loved that this book wasn't either.

If you are wanting an ending of Jazz's personal journey, I would recommend skipping the last chapter. The final blog post is a super satisfying ending on its own and you can pretend that she chooses herself. The last chapter is solely focused on the romance and revealing who she chooses. There is nothing relavent to the plot, mostly just more spice and finishing out the character arc for the MMC.

I honestly cannot hype this book enough. This should be required reading for every woman (over 18 because that spice was spicing) because it is never too late to choose your own happiness. Also, dont read this on vacation, it will absolutely make you make bad decisions🤣

Thank you to NetGalley and Chronicle Books for the free eARC.

I was shocked by the secret sex blog by the FMC in this book. The story was sweet, sassy and hella hot for the summer.

The connection between the FMC and the MMC was so perfectly made.

But also, the fact that the FMC has her own flaws and mistakes, but learned how to take accountability and grow as a person, that definitely got me good. Because we all make mistakes and we must be accountable to everything we do.

This was the first Ava Wilde book I read, and it's a perfect piece of art.

Thank you to Ava Wilde and NetGalley for access to this ARC.

First things first, this book was a WILD ride. It was a little slow to begin but when Jazz had gone to Bali, the book got soooo good and crazy (in a good way). Jazz goes through a whole transformation and learns from her mistakes in a real world way.

I really enjoyed going from her POV to her blog; the mixture of supportive and hateful comments at the end of each blog was so real and made me feel like I was really reading a blog out in the wild. Very inspiring and makes me want to drop everything and take a trip overseas to find myself. Super sexy and there were times where things happened in the sexy times that I glossed over due to not my cup of tea😆
Definitely recommend especially for those who have been living through the motions and those who feel like they have lost themselves along the way.

Review of advance copy received from Victory Editing, NetGalley and the author Ava Wilde.



Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️with a side dish of habanero

Firstly I want to say a huge thanks to everyone above for allowing me the opportunity to read The Bali Bucket List as an ARC because I enjoyed every single second of it. This was and was my first introduction to Ava Wilde’s writing and its safe to say I will be reading everything she every writes for the history of time!

For me this was one those compulsive and magnetic reads. Ava Wilde has beautifully executed a story of heartbreak, self-destruction, self-discovery and the journey to healing with the most perfect sense of harmony.

I felt that I went through and felt every emotion experienced by our MFC Jazz on her journey, I was completely lost in from start to finish – so much so I finished it in one sitting.

Its funny, heart wrenching, sad, spiritual and damn right super spicy throughout – will it make you blush…possibly to maybe consider reading in a room preferably on your own. Its honestly up there with spiciest scenes I’ve read in sooooo long.

I think Ava Wilde sums it up perfectly at the end when she says it feels like “therapy through smut” I could not agree more. I think this is going to be a HUGE summer read, so if you’re wanting to read a book that has swearing, spices, embraces female liberation this is for you!!

Favourite quotes:

“I could be anyone, so that’s exactly what I’m becoming”

“My new rule is simple, feel the fear, give it 3 seconds, then f**king do it anyway”

“When s**t happens, you either become bitter or you become better”

Read this if you love:

🌶️ Super Spicy Reads

☀️A chaotic found family

🩷 Strong female Friendships

💪🏻 A story of transformation

Run to get your copy on 9th May 2026 you wont be disappointed!!

Unexpected in the best way…

This was technically my first ever romance read! I liked the cover art and the synopsis sounded interesting so I went for it – and I’m sure glad I did because WOW this is one helluva book.

I truly had zero expectations going into it and it continued to surprise me. One thing I loved is that there is still character development through all the spice. Like yes it is every bit of the 5 pep and more, but it’s all used to develop the main character PLUS help move the plot forward in a meaningful way. It made the story so much more intricate and interesting compared to some fantasy/romantasy books out there that throw in spice just for the sake of having it in the book.

I was most impressed by the writing itself. The flow of dialogue and story build was smooth and seamless. Everything combined, this was a highly enjoyable read!

I would recommend this to absolutely anyone who loves romance and is okay with a high level of spice. I’ll be checking out some of Ava’s other stories!

“Eat Pray Love but make it spicy, chaotic, and emotionally unhinged.”
Title: The Bali Bucket List
Author: Ava Wilde
Genre/Subgenre: Contemporary Romance / Spicy Travel Romance
Tropes:
• Post-breakup glow up
• Vacation romance
• Self-discovery journey
• Chaos bisexual energy vibes
• “Finding yourself” but horny
• Tropical escapism
• Emotional healing through questionable decisions
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Content Warnings: Breakup themes, emotional turmoil, explicit sexual content, impulsive life decisions, alcohol/party scenes

Synopsis
After getting dumped by her fiancé, our FMC decides that instead of spiraling quietly at home, she’s going to Bali to reinvent herself in the most dramatic way possible. Armed with a bucket list, emotional baggage, and zero impulse control, she throws herself into adventure, self-discovery, and some very spicy encounters along the way. What starts as a heartbreak recovery trip quickly becomes a journey of reclaiming confidence, desire, and figuring out what she actually wants out of life.

My Initial Thoughts and Impressions
The cover alone told me this book was going to be chaotic in the best possible way, and honestly?
It delivered exactly that energy and then some more for good measure.

From the very first word, this felt like reading the diary of someone trying to heal emotionally while simultaneously making every questionable decision imaginable under tropical sunshine.

It inspired me.

This book has big “messy hot girl healing era” energy.

What Worked For Me:
1. The Escapism (Doesn’t everyone want this somedays?)
Bali absolutely felt like a character in this story. The setting was vibrant, humid, dreamy, and indulgent. Between beaches, cocktails, scooters, temples, and spicy vacation chaos, this book made me want to impulsively book a flight and ruin my life aesthetically. I looked at airline prices and destinations, I decided to book a holiday. Maybe Sweden (#iykyk)?

2. The Spice (Read the content warnings, please & thank you…)
The chemistry between all the characters? Immediate. The tension? Fun. The spice scenes balanced humor, emotional vulnerability, and genuine heat exceedingly well. I found myself wondering if there was even going to be a traditional MMC x FMC HEA but the book wouldn’t have needed it. It leaned playful and adventurous rather than overly dark, which matched the tone of the story perfectly. I would say this could be a palate cleanser type read for those of us that read some darker unhinged books often.

3. The Emotional Messiness
What I appreciated most was that the FMC doesn’t magically become healed overnight, the reader gets to experience her chaos, her uncertainty, her confusion and development. She’s impulsive, emotional, insecure, and trying way too hard sometimes, which honestly made her feel relatable to me. The story embraces the ugly parts of post-breakup reinvention instead of pretending healing is graceful. It embraces the ugly parts of post-any major life change and really inspires the reader to embrace the mess that is reinvention and change.
4. The Tone
This book knows exactly what it is. It’s self-aware, unserious when it needs to be, spicy, emotional, and fun. The humor kept the heavier emotional moments from dragging the pacing down.

What Didn’t Work For Me
1. Some Character Development Felt Surface-Level
While the emotional journey was enjoyable, there were moments where I wanted a little more depth from certain side characters and relationships. Some interactions felt more vibe-based than fully developed, I would have like to explore the MMC relationship quadrangle a bit more than the somewhat quickly wrapped up story progression.

2. Fast Emotional Progression
Parts of the romance and personal growth moved a little quickly for me emotionally. I would have loved slightly more buildup in a few areas to make the emotional payoff hit harder.

3. Chaos Over Communication
There were moments where the FMC absolutely could have benefited from making one rational decision instead of twelve impulsive ones in a row. But to be honest… that may be part of the charm and really... maybe it did work for me in that aspect.

My Final Thoughts
The Bali Bucket List is spicy, escapist, emotionally chaotic fun wrapped in tropical vibes and post-breakup self-discovery.

If you love romances where the main character is rebuilding herself while simultaneously making questionable vacation decisions and falling into spicy situations, this is probably going to work for you. It certainly worked for me.

If you need a palate cleanser after a dark romance or a deep heartfelt romance, then you have to read this book, I promise you will not regret it in anyway.

If these are the vibes off your summer reading list, then I definitely recommend!
• Running away from your problems… aesthetically
• “I came to find myself and accidentally found orgasms instead” energy
• Vacation decisions that would absolutely concern your therapist
And honestly? Sometimes these are exactly the vibes you need.

My Neurospicy Rating: Rent Free for a While
Not an everyday thought but entertaining, memorable, and the kind of book that’s ridiculously easy to binge in one sitting and remember for years to come. The kind of book I will pick up knowing it was lighthearted, and fun when the world is dark and cold.

Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review with absolutely no sugarcoating, no holding back, questionable grammar and dialogue all mine. All thoughts entirely my own.
***I'll post a review to Amazon on the day of publication***

Ugh, this book is absolutely GOALS. My name is also Jasmine and I constantly found myself saying, "Yes, Twin!" Jasmine's emotions in the beginning of the book, having been abandoned before her wedding, were very realistic and seemed authentic. Her desire to find herself after going through something so life-changing was very interesting to read about. From the reader's perspective, you almost feel like you are embarking on this journey alongside her, and that felt very grounding. You're almost witnessing her mistakes and bad choices, which made her seem a lot more human than some other main characters that I've read about in other books. This was a great example of a "Eat, Pray, Love' vibe with A LOT of SPICE. Okay, the spice was GIVING! I've read some pretty smutty books, and this one had a lot more than I could have ever expected. It was even better that it felt very organic and tasteful, which was much appreciated. I would absolutely recommend this book!

Holy absolutely moly this was a ride. I felt absolutely stuck to this story from the very beginning because this was such a perfectly written story about what happens when someone realizes they have been living for everyone else and made themselves smaller to benefit others. I LOVE THIS SO MUCH! I am now going to have to devour the other stories in this world because i just can’t get enough!

This was just... So raw, so real and well... very smutty

Spice: 5/5 🌶️-> don't read in public 😂

I requested The Bali Bucket List from NetGalley expecting spice yes, but I was more expecting a fun travel romance, something new you know?

This novel ended up being so much more emotional, chaotic, and empowering than I anticipated. It truly took self-love and self-discovery to a whole new level.

Jasmine’s journey from heartbreak to self-discovery felt messy in the best possible way. She isn’t a “perfect” FMC that everyone believes her to be. She makes impulsive decisions, spirals, lusts, heals, and reinvents herself in real time after being left 3 months before her wedding.

Her journey through this story made her feel incredibly human and completely relatable. The Bali setting added such a dreamy, escapist atmosphere, while still allowing the story to explore deeper themes like identity, shame, freedom, and learning how to live for yourself instead of everyone else.

The chemistry throughout the book was intense, and the spice definitely delivered, but what I loved most was the emotional growth. The found-family dynamic that developed between 6 lost soul and the atmosphere of the Lotus hostel gave the story warmth and humor, balancing out Jasmine’s more vulnerable moments.

I also appreciated that the romance wasn’t just about finding a man just because the followers of her blog wanted her too. It was about Jasmine becoming comfortable with the woman she wanted to be, learning to love herself again before learning to love someone else.

If you enjoy travel romances with emotional healing, self-discovery, messy heroines, strong female friendships, and high spice, this book is absolutely worth reading.

Very grateful for the opportunity to read this one ❤️❤️

I have to give The Bali Bucket List the entire five stars. This book was incredible. I'll admit, I came here for the smut, so let me just say that each additional scene was better than the last, like 10/10, no notes. However, the story outside of that was also amazing. Everything felt so full of life and I just genuinely appreciated the relationship (and the smut) between Jasmine and Valencia. Tbh, I'd really been hoping for that final coupling in the end.

Jasmine really goes on a personal journey throughout this book and it's one that, interestingly enough, resonated with me, despite never having the opportunity to take a post-breakup out-of-the-country three-month-long bang trip myself.

If you're looking for something that's both smutty and life-changing, you need The Bali Bucket List.

Deepest thanks to NetGalley, Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op, and Ava Wilde for letting me enjoy this great read!

Thanks to Net Galley for the beautiful ARC!

Think Eat, Pray, Love but with more sex, lots more sex

I loved every second of this book. So many moments of deep reflection all intertwined with a woman exploring her sexuality. The ending of the book for me was a perfect 10!

Going in Blind
I knew: nothing going into this book and was pleasantly surprised!

The Emotional Spiral (No Spoilers)
This started as: OOO this is going to be a simple spicy read
And then quickly turned into: I also need to do inner work and go to Bali
By the end I was: this was a perfect read

Romance & Chemistry (aka why I’m unwell)
Tension level: Immediate chaos
Dynamic: an I choose him->I choose her->why choose rollercoaster
Emotional intimacy vs physical intensity: This book is very much physical intimacy but the emotional creeps in and you don't even know it!
What it did to my sanity: lets just say lots of squealing

Personal Damage Report
This made me feel: EVERYTHING
I kept thinking about: Her journey to figure out what she wants and how to not mold yourself into what you think someone wants.
It lingered like: the feels are still lingering, I had to tell my husband the entire story as soon as I finished just to decompress my feels.

Writing & Vibe
The writing felt: intimate and poetic
It made everything feel more: honestly a little more validating

Little Obsession Corner (Tidbits)
Favorite quote: “You want me to choose love, and I am. I'm choosing to love myself enough to write my story my way.”
Favorite nickname: Motorcycle man
Specific trope/moment I’m still thinking about:
Aftermath
When I finished, I was: staring into space, feeling happy it I finished it but also sad it was over

Who This Is For
Read this if you want to feel: introspection, adventure, love
Avoid if you don’t want: think deep about who you are
Final Verdict
⭐ Emotional impact: high
🔥 Chemistry: extremely high

SOMETIMES YOU JUST NEED A BOOK THAT SWEEPS YOU COMPLETELY OFF YOUR FEET AND TRANSPORTS YOU SOMEWHERE BEAUTIFUL, AND THIS WAS EXACTLY THAT. THE BALI BUCKET LIST BY AVA WILDE IS THE PERFECT BLEND OF BREATHTAKING TRAVEL SCENERY, INTENSE EMOTIONAL HEALING, AND.
ABSOLUTE SCORCHING CHEMISTRY. I DEVOURED THIS IN A SINGLE SITTING AND IMMEDIATELY WANTED TO BOOK A ONE-WAY TICKET TO INDONESIA.
FIRST OF ALL, THE SETTING IS A TOTAL CHARACTER IN ITSELF. THES DESCRIPTIONS OF BALI FROM THE LUSH JUNGLES OF UBUD AND THE MISTY WATER TEMPLES TO THE SUN-DRENCHED BEACHES ARE SO VIVID AND IMMERSIVE THAT YOU CAN PRACTICALLY FEEL THE TROPICAL HUMIDITY AND TASTE THE FRESH COCONUT WATER. AGAINST THIS GORGEOUS BACKDROP, WE GET A BEAUTIFULLY WRITTEN "STARTING OVER" STORY. THE EMOTIONAL JOURNEY OF HEALING FROM PAST HEARTBREAK FELT DEEPLY RELATABLE AND AUTHENTIC. AND THEN THERE'S THE ROMANCE. THE CHEMISTRY BETWEEN THE LEADS IS A TOTAL SLOW BURN THAT BUILDS INTO AN INCREDIBLY HIGH HEAT PASSIONATE CONNECTION. IT'S SWEET, IT'S DEEPLY SUPPORTIVE, AND WHEN THE STEAM HITS, IT REALLY HITS. ILOVED THAT THEIR BOND WAS BUILT ON HELPING EACH OTHER STEP OUT OF THEIR COMFORT ZONES. IF YOU LOVE A FIERCELY EMOTIONAL, HIGH STEAM ROMANCE WITH A GORGEOUS SENSE OF WANDERLUST, THIS IS A MUST READ. IT'S THE ULTIMATE BEACH READ fOR RAINY DAY ESCAPE) THAT LEAVES YOU FEELING COMPLETELY WARM, SATISFIED, AND INCREDIBLY INSPIRED TO WRITE YOUR OWN BUCKET LIST.
AN ABSOLUTE 5 STARS FOR ME!

This book was an empowering journey of self discovery and finding out that your most important love should be for yourself.

Jasmine was dumped by her fiancé of 10 years. Instead of throwing a pity party, she goes on a honeymoon alone. In Bali she starts blogging about her adventures on the island with newfound wild, anything goes attitude toward everything....including sex.

I loved how the blog was interspersed throughout the book, so it was like I was reading it in real time. The comment section was gold. It was genius to include it as part of the book because of course you're going to have cheerleaders, party poppers, and trolls trying to rain on your parade.

The love interests were unique, exotic, and had all of the 🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶. The scenes were definitely not G-rated. I'm a dark romance reader, and they made me blush. And if I'm allowed a vote, I was #teamViking. 😉

The only thing I have to nitpick about in this book was Jas seemed to use others. I know self discovery was a theme, but there was a few chapters where I cringed. It made me queasy reading about her teasing, edging, and displays of full on torture and rudeness. I was actually rooting for all of them to ditch her at one point.

I was relieved when she hit the moment where she realized she went too far. I was satisfied with the final stages of her healing and her new "don't take crap" attitude from work and life....when she started living for herself and for herself alone.

I was very satisfied with the choice at the end. It seemed the most logical and poetic choice for Jas' journey. 5 stars to an absolute brilliant escape from reality that has me wanting to write my own list.