Reviews

Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert

Only show reviews with written explanations

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.

Content Warnings