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A review by maisierosereads
Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-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
5.0
I've wanted to read "Get a Life, Chloe Brown" ever since I first heard of it, and finally treated myself to the eBook from Hive last night* because 1) payday weekend treat 2) reading about a character with fibromyalgia when my own fibro was playing up sounded like a great act of self care and 3) my spot on the Hear Our Voices book tour for "Act Your Age, Eve Brown" is this coming Thursday! You can follow my blog and social media if you'd like to get a notification when that review + creative content are posted.
I was absolutely right about needing to read this book, and ended up reading it in two sessions. I'd already fallen in love with Talia Hibbert's writing style when I read Eve's book a few weeks ago - her beautiful descriptions, excellent humour, and loveable characters are basically irresistable.
Many aspects of Chloe's experience as a chronically ill woman resonated with me in a way that only own voices content can. My own early years with fibro also took place in Nottinghamshire, something which struck me when our protagonists took a moment to sit down on a certain monument a few streets away from the Galleries of Justice - my partner and I got very well acquainted with sitting on anything flat in those streets when my energy dropped or pain flared
while I was out and about - though before anyone asks, no, we didn't do anything quite so steamy in the streets as Chloe and Red!
I loved the ways Chloe's illness interacted with all of the other aspects of her character and personality in such a realistic way, and Red's ability to notice and accept all of that and make accomodations for her without needing to be asked or reminded constantly. Their relationship dynamic, with both of them working to overcome their own trauma and take care of each other without compromising their own needs, was lovely. The supportive side characters were great to see, too!
While I was able to predict the main conflict well in advance, it didn't spoil my reading experience, particularly given the conventions of the drama. I was concerned about how it would be resolved before I got to it, but should have known to trust in Talia because I didn't really have any issues with the resolution once I'd read it.
I will definitely be rereading this book in the future, and recommend it to anyone who enjoys diverse contemporary romances and/or wants to see a disabled Black woman and an abuse survivor getting the ending they deserve!
* This is an affiliate link, and I might make a small amount of commission from any purchases made through it. You can also purchase Get a Life, Chloe Brown from my Bookshop affiliate store here.
I was absolutely right about needing to read this book, and ended up reading it in two sessions. I'd already fallen in love with Talia Hibbert's writing style when I read Eve's book a few weeks ago - her beautiful descriptions, excellent humour, and loveable characters are basically irresistable.
Many aspects of Chloe's experience as a chronically ill woman resonated with me in a way that only own voices content can. My own early years with fibro also took place in Nottinghamshire, something which struck me when our protagonists took a moment to sit down on a certain monument a few streets away from the Galleries of Justice - my partner and I got very well acquainted with sitting on anything flat in those streets when my energy dropped or pain flared
while I was out and about - though before anyone asks, no, we didn't do anything quite so steamy in the streets as Chloe and Red!
I loved the ways Chloe's illness interacted with all of the other aspects of her character and personality in such a realistic way, and Red's ability to notice and accept all of that and make accomodations for her without needing to be asked or reminded constantly. Their relationship dynamic, with both of them working to overcome their own trauma and take care of each other without compromising their own needs, was lovely. The supportive side characters were great to see, too!
While I was able to predict the main conflict well in advance, it didn't spoil my reading experience, particularly given the conventions of the drama. I was concerned about how it would be resolved before I got to it, but should have known to trust in Talia because I didn't really have any issues with the resolution once I'd read it.
I will definitely be rereading this book in the future, and recommend it to anyone who enjoys diverse contemporary romances and/or wants to see a disabled Black woman and an abuse survivor getting the ending they deserve!
* This is an affiliate link, and I might make a small amount of commission from any purchases made through it. You can also purchase Get a Life, Chloe Brown from my Bookshop affiliate store here.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual content
Minor: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Medical trauma, and Toxic relationship
The toxic relationship, abuse, and medical trauma all occurred before this book but are described by the characters who experienced them.