Overview

The F*ck It List follows sixteen year old Alex after her father dies by suicide. Struggling with grief and anger, she discovers a list her father wrote as a teenager, detailing things he never did. Alex decides to complete the list, setting off a messy and revealing journey through loss and survival.

Writing & Voice

We found the voice sharp, funny, and direct. Halpern balances humour with pain, letting Alex speak honestly without smoothing over her confusion or rage. The language stays accessible while handling difficult emotional ground.

Content & Perspective

The story stays close to Alex as she navigates school, friendships, family tension, and her own mental health. Each item on the list pushes her into new experiences, some reckless, some tender, all shaped by grief.

Themes

The F*ck It List explores grief, inheritance, risk, and connection. It looks at how young people process loss and how action can sometimes feel easier than feeling. We appreciated its refusal to offer tidy recovery.

What Worked

• Honest portrayal of teenage grief.
• Balanced tone mixing humour with darkness.
• Clear emotional arc driven by character choice.

Minor Quibbles

• Some episodes feel episodic rather than cumulative.
• The pacing dips in the middle.

Final Thoughts

We found The F*ck It List raw and compassionate, using humour and risk-taking to explore teenage grief without forcing closure or softening its emotional mess..

Rating: ★★★★☆ / 5