Scan barcode
danaslitlist's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
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
This has been on my TBR for quite some time, but always managed to get pushed further down the list for one reason or another. Until I found it available in audio format through my library and I quickly snatched it up. My only regret is that I wish I had read it sooner.
Chloe Brown is the eldest three sisters and the stereotype for most eldest daughters; a perfectionist, incredibly thorough and reliable, if not a bit closed off (well, a lot closed off....).
Red is a hardworking, kind hearted, fix it Felix type both in the personal lives of those around him but also professionally as an apartment super. A relationship blossoms in a subgenre of enemies to lovers as they begin to rely on one another. The characters are so loveable even in their not so shining moments, because you understand where they are coming from and the reasons behind their responses.
But my biggest reason for loving this book alongside the spice and utter hilarious dialogue is disability representation.
Disability representation in books is few and far between with proper representation even less common. More often than not I find myself rolling my eyes at the inspiration porn that follows the character or at the fully offensive portrayal of the disability. It's even less often that I see disability in romance media where the disabled character is one of the two love interests.
So when I started reading Get a Life, Chloe Brown not knowing that Chloe was disabled and I was presented with a gift. Talia Hibbert beautifully described what is like living in a disabled body I nearly cried. To see Chloe having made peace with her body while at the same time not glossing over the real difficulties she faces daily, to see that she has a family who understands and as the book progresses, to see Red easily accommodate Chloe's needs without question was representation that I've so desperately craved in books and was surprised to receive here.
I could gush over the representation for hours; about how we see Chloe's different coping mechanisms, where we are shown how isolating it can to be disabled because it's "too hard" for others to be around, to her frustration and fear that she may be left behind and even more. I will leave it here by saying thank you to Ms. Hibbert. Thank you for giving me a disabled woman who is a full person on her own and whose disability is apart of who she is unapologetically. Thank you for allowing me to see myself reflected in your romance novel. Thank you.
Chloe Brown is the eldest three sisters and the stereotype for most eldest daughters; a perfectionist, incredibly thorough and reliable, if not a bit closed off (well, a lot closed off....).
Red is a hardworking, kind hearted, fix it Felix type both in the personal lives of those around him but also professionally as an apartment super. A relationship blossoms in a subgenre of enemies to lovers as they begin to rely on one another. The characters are so loveable even in their not so shining moments, because you understand where they are coming from and the reasons behind their responses.
But my biggest reason for loving this book alongside the spice and utter hilarious dialogue is disability representation.
Disability representation in books is few and far between with proper representation even less common. More often than not I find myself rolling my eyes at the inspiration porn that follows the character or at the fully offensive portrayal of the disability. It's even less often that I see disability in romance media where the disabled character is one of the two love interests.
So when I started reading Get a Life, Chloe Brown not knowing that Chloe was disabled and I was presented with a gift. Talia Hibbert beautifully described what is like living in a disabled body I nearly cried. To see Chloe having made peace with her body while at the same time not glossing over the real difficulties she faces daily, to see that she has a family who understands and as the book progresses, to see Red easily accommodate Chloe's needs without question was representation that I've so desperately craved in books and was surprised to receive here.
I could gush over the representation for hours; about how we see Chloe's different coping mechanisms, where we are shown how isolating it can to be disabled because it's "too hard" for others to be around, to her frustration and fear that she may be left behind and even more. I will leave it here by saying thank you to Ms. Hibbert. Thank you for giving me a disabled woman who is a full person on her own and whose disability is apart of who she is unapologetically. Thank you for allowing me to see myself reflected in your romance novel. Thank you.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Vomit and Drug use
Minor: Domestic abuse
The abuse is not shown on page and is not perpetrated by the lead characters (it's discussed while talking about past relationships) which I think is important to note!emily_mh's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
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
4.5
This was a delight!! I LOVED Chloe and Red’s dynamic; I could really feel their chemistry and pining, and their narrative voices were really distinct. Chloe’s perspective meant a lot to me as a chronically ill person as she was intensely relatable. I’ve docked a half star because I didn’t like how the third act breakup was executed. I did, however, LOVE the reconciliation.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Chronic illness, and Cursing
Moderate: Abandonment, Domestic abuse, Ableism, and Alcohol
Minor: Medical content, Murder, Violence, Cancer, Pregnancy, Blood, Death, Drug use, Kidnapping, Car accident, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Classism, Racism, Vomit, Bullying, Gun violence, Body horror, Self harm, Sexual assault, Physical abuse, Drug abuse, Infidelity, Excrement, and Emotional abuse
Major warning for chronic pain. Minor warnings for fainting/dizziness, earthquake, capital punishment, volcano, self-injury, and disownment.
More...