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A review by t_higgsreviews
Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert
emotional
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
5.0
5 Stars
CAWPILE = 9.14
This was the story I never knew I needed. As most people who know me know I rarely read romance and, even less so do I read books that feature conditions I have because they never usually come close to my experiences. This however was different. Chronic illnesses are different for everyone but there are things everyone with chronic illnesses experience such as losing friends and/or failing relationships, medical gaslighting/trauma and frustration at the fact our bodies don't behave as they once did. These commonalities were highlighted really well in this and in a way that doesn't turn them into a pity party.
Another thing that was dealt with really well was past trauma and how that can have a lasting impact on us and our approach to future relationships. I normally hate the miscommunication trope but in this case it demonstrates how we can be triggered even when everything is going well due to our past experiences and how the traumatised part of our brain can shut down even while the rationale part is screaming at us not to.
I also appreciated that Chloe and Red had a sexual relationship in the book. Society too often presume that disabled people are not interested in or incapable of having sex but, for the majority of us this is false. Some of the things I've been told or experienced with people on this topic because I am disabled are so traumatic I couldn't even begin to write them down for the world to read. This book blew that misconception out of the water though.
I'm so grateful that I decided to take a chance on this book and I can't wait to continue on with the series.
CAWPILE = 9.14
This was the story I never knew I needed. As most people who know me know I rarely read romance and, even less so do I read books that feature conditions I have because they never usually come close to my experiences. This however was different. Chronic illnesses are different for everyone but there are things everyone with chronic illnesses experience such as losing friends and/or failing relationships, medical gaslighting/trauma and frustration at the fact our bodies don't behave as they once did. These commonalities were highlighted really well in this and in a way that doesn't turn them into a pity party.
Another thing that was dealt with really well was past trauma and how that can have a lasting impact on us and our approach to future relationships. I normally hate the miscommunication trope but in this case it demonstrates how we can be triggered even when everything is going well due to our past experiences and how the traumatised part of our brain can shut down even while the rationale part is screaming at us not to.
I also appreciated that Chloe and Red had a sexual relationship in the book. Society too often presume that disabled people are not interested in or incapable of having sex but, for the majority of us this is false. Some of the things I've been told or experienced with people on this topic because I am disabled are so traumatic I couldn't even begin to write them down for the world to read. This book blew that misconception out of the water though.
I'm so grateful that I decided to take a chance on this book and I can't wait to continue on with the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness and Car accident
Moderate: Medical content, Medical trauma, and Gaslighting
Minor: Emotional abuse, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, and Violence