A review by lucyp747d4
Take A Chance On Me by Beth Moran

4.0

I’d like to thank NetGalley and Boldwood Books for approving me for an ARC of this book.

I love a feel good romance with loveable characters, a brilliant family and plenty of drama. The Donovan’s were fantastic, they reminded me of a family from a tv show I used to watch, 7th Heaven. They were chaotic, close knit and infectious, at the centre of it all was the mum Gabriella. She was the glue that held them all together and I often found myself giggling at her brutal by honest way of addressing everything. The sisters all had their quirks but Sofia was my favourite, despite what she was going through she always managed to find time to help one of the others and make them see sense. She was definitely cut from the same cloth as her mum, with a more subtle way of being honest, and managed to look out for her siblings even when they didn’t realise. Bridget was my least favourite sister, she almost seemed a little spoilt to me. From the start her manner and way she treated Cooper seemed really off and I couldn’t warm to her.

During the story the author explores the long term illness ME (chronic fatigue syndrome). This is a fairly new illness that not many know an awful lot about but Beth Moran explores the side effects and plights that many with this illness face. I thought the inclusion of it was done really well without being too clinical and over the top and she has definitely shined a light on an illness that is often tagged as someone being lazy, which it certainly isn’t!

The whole concept of getting married at first sight is completely unusual but highly entertaining! I don’t know if I could be brave enough to do it but Emma’s reasons for joining seemed to make sense to me. I felt sorry for her because she legitimately went into it in the hopes of finding her happy ever after and Cooper joined to get over Bridget, which is of course what you should do when getting over someone! After they were married I enjoyed seeing how they both adjusted to this new way of life. As the story went on I really warmed to them as a couple and thought Cooper was turning into a lovely partner for Emma. Whilst they had some issues to work through they both seemed willing to give it a try.

This was more than a story about being married to a stranger. It was a story of hope, family, belonging and taking a chance. Whilst I wasn’t keen on the ending I did love the Donovan’s and all they had to offer. The strength of sisterhood was tested and there was plenty of moments to make laugh and well up. The perfect bit of light reading as the warmer weather hits.