Reviews with content warning for Physical abuse - Get a Life, Chloe Brown

Reviews tagging 'Physical abuse'

Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert

218 reviews

applesaucecreachur's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Rarely do I read the blurb of a romance novel and think, "yeah, that seems relatable and right up my alley." So in my journey of exorcising my internalized misogyny and embracing both womanhood and sex-positivity, this story of a Type-A, list-loving disabled Black woman learning to fall into love and the delightful chaos of life, seemed an accessible place to start. And Talia Hibbert delivered. I would actively groan in second-hand embarrassment, sigh in distress, and swoon while listening to this book. As an interracial couple from different class backgrounds, "posh" Chloe and working-class Red are a perfect example of opposites attracting in a loving, non-toxic way. They are aware of each others' hurts (both physical and emotional), respectful of boundaries, and push each other just enough to encourage growth without imposing unnecessary hurt

(mostly)

. I loved these two as primary characters and narrators. But even if Chloe and Red had fallen flat, I would've had plenty to enjoy in the secondary characters populating their world: Smudge the cat, Gigi the grandmother who knows her granddaughters better than they know themselves, Eve and Dani the doting sisters who pull no punches,

and Alice the unlikely new friend

. The only thing about this book that didn't sit quite right with me was how

one of Chloe and Red's primary conflicts toward the end of the story was based in misunderstandings and miscommunications. That said, it did not follow quite the same as with similar tropes as the basis of the miscommunication was also their triggered old wounds discouraging them from talking things through. Even so, I wish there had been a little bit more substance than angst in this final conflict.

This story healed something in me... while also awaking a new and potentially insatiable love for the genre.

For other readers new or naïve to romance, particularly of the Spicy category, I'd recommend not breaking into the genre with audio editions – There's only so much smutty dialogue read aloud that the shy (and persistently prudish) parts of me can handle! That said, the narrator Adjoa Andoh was fabulous and had distinct voices for each of her characters.

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craftysnailtail's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.25

This book was rather delightful. It's absolute brain candy, but I really appreciated the uniqueness of a main female love interest being chronically ill and disabled.

I also liked Red quite a bit, which is surprising because I'm usually not a big fan of men in romance novels. But he reminded me of my partner, with his compassion and always paying close attention to Chloe and anticipating her needs. I saw some reviews complaining that he was a mind reader, but I disagree. He simply paid attention to her physical signs of pain and exhaustion and acted accordingly. Literally the least we can expect from a devoted partner, in my opinion.

The smut wasn't for me, but that's not unusual. It also was unnecessarily dramatic at times, but I feel like that's easily forgiven with books like this.

Overall, I found it to be a very relaxing and fun read with much appreciated diversity and accurate disability representation.

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teeclecticreads's review against another edition

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challenging emotional funny sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Talia has become an auto-buy author for me.

“Get a Life, Chloe Brown” gave me everything I love in a romcom and more. I got fun banter, I got diverse characters and I got important, sensitive topics being discussed with such care and realness. Crohn’s and Fibromyalgia are different but I related a lot to some of the symptoms that Chloe experienced. I fell for all the characters’ personalities and the pacing of the story felt so natural and real. I think this is the first time I didn’t even mind a third-act breakup because of how well it was written and how reasonable it felt to the storyline.

I’m so grateful for stories like these with disability representation that show that people who are disabled deserve to and can be loved like everyone else. It’s something I needed especially right now as I experience difficult days in the hospital because of my own disability. Even though I may feel like it sometimes, I’m not a burden, I’m not a setback and yes my chronic illness may cause challenges but I deserve a fun, fulfilling life.

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helena26's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

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meat_muffin's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

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bergha1998's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Very cute, unbelievably cute. I adored these characters. Shout out to a reverse grumpy/sunshine. I loved all the representation and character growth. Am I disappointed in that 3rd act, slightly but less than normal.

Romance, Reverse Grumpy/Sunshine, Hate to Love, 3 🔥

“That’s how people should behave; they should fill in each other’s gaps.”

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