Cover Image: Get a Life, Chloe Brown

Get a Life, Chloe Brown

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Member Reviews

I had high hopes for this book as it was hyped to the hills before publication, but unfortunately this one wasn't for me. My brain could not reconcile with the characters use of language and the actions were off to me as well. Now, with that being said, I am definitely in the minority with my feeling of this book and characters. Many readers identify and love the diversity in race and ability.

Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins Publishers for the opportunity to review this book.

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This is a fun book, although a little too cute at times. I appreciated Chloe's quirkiness, as well as the fact that Hibbert represented a character with chronic pain as a romantic protagonist.

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There was so much to love about this. This book was centered about Chloe Brown, whose life has changed with fibromyalgia. After nearly getting hit by a car, Chloe realizes that she hasn't been living, and puts pen to paper with a list of things she wants to do. One of the biggest items on her list was moving out of her parents house. She moves into her own place, where Red (Redford) is the building's handyman. Red is the complete opposite of Chloe, who is blue collar where Chloe is upper class British. While she gives the impression that she doesn't like him, Chloe finds him very attractive and eventually recruits him to help her with her list.

I loved that author did not define Chloe by her illness. She is smart, funny, witty, and have her quirks. I loved that this book shed light on an illness that is not visible, and is often misunderstood. Red was a great partner. He was not overbearing, and let Chloe decide when she had reached her limits

Quite a pleasant read.

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#ownvoices!

Chloe is an upper class British Black woman with fibromyalgia (think pain, lots of pain, unpredictable and chronic) whose life narrowed after the onset of her condition. A brush with death leads to to create a bucket list, including moving to her own place. Which is where she meets the building's super, Red, an artist who has done his own evasion of life because of a past bad relationship.

Chloe is prickly but good-hearted, and Red is cheerful and VERY handy, as it happens. It's a fun book, light-hearted, but with some cliched writing in places. (Where outside of a <i>Twilight</i> book/movie has anyone bit their lip so much?)

Romance novels where the two main characters are working first in parallel and then together to become the people they want to be are my jam. I'll probably check out the future sequels starring Chloe's sisters.

Received a copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

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I adored Talia Hibbert’s Get a Life, Chloe Brown and devoured it in one sitting on an airplane. Chloe Brown’s voice has this undeniable quality that makes the reader love her. She’s dealing with chronic illness and the book is about learning to live with it rather than letting it consume her. She moves out of her wealthy parents’ house and writes a bucket list (gotta love a girl who loves a list). Then she meets Red, who works in her building, and he ends up helping her cross items off her list. The relationship between Red and Chloe is really sweet, and Red sees her as the strong independent woman that she is. He helps her get out of her comfort zone but never forces her to do anything too soon. Through the bucket list, they’re able to grow together and work past Chloe’s insecurities as well as Red’s, which come from being burned by a previous relationship. I loved how this dual POV allowed us to hear how each character truly saw the other. One of my favorite things Hibbert does is having the characters communicate and talk through misunderstandings before they blow up. I can’t wait to read more of Talia Hibbert’s books.

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I loved this book! It covered so many great topics and covered them well. It’s not often you find a book that will handle tough topics with class. This book is heavy on the steam so it may not be for everyone. If you don’t mind steam then I highly recommend this one!

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As romance novels continue to soar to the top of bestseller lists, so too does the variety of authors and heroines we see from this fantastically diverse genre. British author Talia Hibbert is just one of these gems, and having written over a dozen books by the age of 23, it seems that she will continue to appear on numerous readers’ TBR and “Best Of” lists. Now, with GET A LIFE, CHLOE BROWN, Hibbert turns her keen, sensitive eye to the eponymous Chloe Brown, a chronically ill and unstoppably fierce young woman who is ready to kick her life into high gear after years of sticking to the safest paths. What she finds on the fast lane is superintendent Redford “Red” Morgan, a tattooed, motorcycle-riding artist who just might be the one to help her cross “Do something bad” off her bucket list.

Chloe is a feisty, sarcastic and flawlessly dressed young woman who is smart, funny and dedicated to her obsessive list-making. Although she dreams of having it all, her fibromyalgia often leaves her choosing the safe path for fear of ending up in a pain-induced haze or, worse, clouded by the medications she must use to manage her symptoms. Although her family --- especially her sisters, Dani and Eve --- are endlessly supportive, Chloe is desperate to avoid becoming or feeling like a burden, so she often lies about her excessive pain, choosing instead to make excuses as to why she can’t attend karaoke parties or join her sisters at get-togethers at the drop of a hat. But she gets a new lease on life when she is killed in a car accident --- well, nearly...okay, she’s not really injured or even close to being injured at all. But the crash provides a rude awakening to Chloe, and she creates a list of things to do to “get a life.”

First things first, Chloe moves out of her wealthy family’s house to her own place --- the apartment is more economical, but it is hers. The only problem with her newfound freedom is Red, her building’s super, who is painfully nice to everyone he meets --- except her. Through sheer luck and coincidence, Red always manages to run into Chloe when she is at her worst: making an elderly resident cry, yelling at a dog, getting stuck in a tree. Of course, there are reasons for all of Chloe’s actions, but all Red can see is the stuck-up, snobby young woman who seems so self-assured and confident that he cannot help but dislike her at least a little. Hibbert writes the couple’s various meet-cutes with such biting humor and raw irony that you cannot help but laugh.

On the other hand, Red is dealing with his own issues. His mother’s diabetes has caused her to go blind in one eye, but she is still watching (and commenting on) his every move. Reeling from a vicious breakup, Red is feeling a bit stuck --- he isn’t dating, he isn’t selling art and he’s mostly just unclogging toilets for the residents of his best friend’s building. Worst of all, his newest resident, Chloe Brown, is so darned cute and smart that he turns into a fool around her --- and it doesn’t help that she reminds him exactly of his ex, a rich, beautiful socialite who was accustomed to having the world handed to her on a golden platter. Red’s obsession with wealth speaks to some deep hurts, and Hibbert fleshes out his judgments of Chloe with a smart, educated mind. She does not merely drop weighty subjects onto the table; she unpacks them, weighs them against one another, and asks her readers to approach them with empathy and compassion --- the same way she treats her characters.

It is no secret that opposites attract, and Chloe and Red are a natural rom-com pairing, but what sets GET A LIFE, CHLOE BROWN apart is the depth that Hibbert gives her characters. For many authors, it would be enough to give us a chronically ill woman of color, check off the “diversity” box and call it a day --- but Hibbert really shows readers of all backgrounds what it is like to live in Chloe’s body. We feel her pain and celebrate her milestones, and through it all, we see how deeply human she is and how thoroughly her illness affects her life --- without defining it. Chloe’s emotional pain takes longer to show itself, but when it does, you will want to have the tissues ready and, ideally, a fluffy pet to snuggle.

Despite the heaviness of emotion that Hibbert infuses into this book, it is still a delightfully fun and sexy rom-com --- with all the elements one would expect, including some steamy bedroom scenes. Red and Chloe play off against each other perfectly, and their mistaken perceptions of the other lead to some laugh-out-loud moments and even more tear-jerking scenes of emotional upheaval. Through it all, Chloe’s devious sisters provide comedic foil, and their love for Chloe and desire for her happiness will warm even the coldest heart.

Hibbert has long strived to celebrate and uphold marginalized voices in her work, and I think GET A LIFE, CHLOE BROWN is truly the book that will propel her --- and her wonderful, beloved characters --- into the mainstream. Her compassion, curiosity and endless patience for her characters and readers speaks wonders, and I am so happy that this is just the first in a series. Chloe Brown has gotten a life --- now you just have to get ready to read about it.

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I loved this so, so much! It was fun, it was meaningful, it had great (and diverse!) characters...and a cat! Really hard to find a flaw with this one. I can't wait to read more from this author!

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I tried reading this book and I got a few chapters in and I just couldn't do it anymore. I wasn't a huge fan of the writing. I found myself rolling my eyes pretty frequently every time the banter was trying to be funny. I also got annoyed with almost every page saying bloody this and bloody that. This just wasn't my cup of tea. I'm sure the romance story was cute but I just couldn't force myself to read it. I know a lot of people love this book and that's great. It just wasn't for me. It could also be that I'm a mood reader and it's just not what I was in the mood to read at the time. It has a cute premise and cute cover and it's dearly loved by many readers. I wanted to like this one, I just didn't.

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Talia Hibbert has done it again with another knock-out romance, GET A LIFE, CHLOE BROWN. When Chloe Brown experiences a near death experience, she realizes the life that flashed before her eyes wasn't exactly exciting. She decides to make a list of things to spice up her life, such as moving out, getting drunk, and doing something bad. When she crosses item 1 off (moving out), she meets Redford or "Red," her new apartment's superintendent, and discovers he might be able to help her check more than one item off her list.

There is so much to love about a Hibbert romance, and this one features some of her best work: humor, crackling dialogue, fully developed characters, and a nuanced romance. I can't count the number of times I laughed out loud or smiled reading this. Chloe and Red felt so true to life. They had believable personal struggles, and what I appreciated most was how they worked towards resolving them. Rather than a single moment epiphany, both gradually realize what their needs are and how to meet them. They have hiccups and stumbles, and much like real life, their growth isn't linear.

Talia Hibbert is without a doubt my favorite romance writer, and GET A LIFE, CHLOE BROWN doesn't disappoint. I can't wait for the next book in the series following her sister.

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Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.

(I mean, I still ended up waiting until it was out and borrowing the audiobook from my library. But still, I’m grateful.)

Okay, folks. There is so much I loved about this book.

1. The fact that the characters. Actually. COMMUNICATE. Though there is misunderstanding, it’s not necessarily because of miscommunication, and it’s resolved by talking more. I flipping love when people talk to each other.

2. The mental health rep is *chef’s kiss*. I was surprised by how much Red’s brain made sense to me and I loved getting to read from his perspective. I cannot speak to the other forms of rep (Chloe is black, fat, and chronically ill) but I know the first and I believe the second and third are own-voices. If you’re interested in an own-voices chronic illness review, I would highly recommend Destiny’s.

3. Talia Hibbert’s signature humor and wit is on full display throughout the book.

The only thing I would say that isn’t praise is that it didn’t stick with me much after I read it; I enjoyed the experience, but it left my head soon after finishing. To be fair, I don’t think that’s on the book so much as on my brain being a squishy vat of applesauce lately.

All in all, five very happy stars.

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This book was so dang cute!! I was instantly drawn in by the language Talia uses. Just incredible. Amazing. Adorable. Relatable yet so intelligent and thoughtful. It was just so quirky and it instantly drew me into the whole story. If this is how Hibbert always writes, I will read everything she creates. Seriously.

But about that story! I loved it! The story was really dynamic and covered a lot that made this romance a lot more than skin deep. Chloe Brown struggles with fibromyalgia, or chronic pain. The effects of this condition have effectively pushed away near everyone of her friends, and left only her close family to care for her. Now, after a near death experience, she realizes how boring and unsatisfying her life has become, and sets out to complete a list of items she believe will make her more interesting: her “get a life” list. Artist Redford “Red” Morgan is superintendent of the new flat Chloe has moved herself into, and he despises her for reasons she can’t understand. After an abusive relationship with an upper class woman, he’s set against liking Chloe Brown. But he’s just the person to help her with this list!

The banter and the cuteness between these two is just too much to take. I want more! (On a related note, I can’t wait for the sequels…I was so excited to learn there are sequels!!!). I think the incredible dialogue and narration is tribute to Talia’s incredible voice.

The characters are what really sold me on this story, I think. Just like the story, the characters are incredibly dynamic and complex, especially when compared to other contemporary romance authors’. They make mention of the idea that two people who are right for each other should fill in all each others empty spots – whatever you can’t be, the other person is. And this trope is pretty common and you hear it a lot in this genre, but this is the first time I read it and I could realistically see how the author made it true. Most characters never even reach a depth that make them capable of being their partner’s opposite. You hear the phrase or the concept and you’re left doubtful because you don’t even quite understand these people. I had no such problem with Get a Life, Chloe Brown. It was smart and extremely well-written.

I highly, highly, highly recommend Get a Life. I will be looking for Hibbert’s next release this summer, that’s for sure.

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I love that Chloe, like many, deals with chronic illness and is not letting it stop her from having the life she wants. However it is always a battle. Red has his own issues that he is dealing with. Together they begin to heal but can they overcome it all for true love?

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This book was both one big fluffy cliche but also a book tackling a lot of different elements that I had never encountered before in a romance and I adored it.
Get a Life, Chloe Brown was one of my most anticipated books of the year, which meant that the moment was out I pushed all the other books out of the way to grab and read this one. And I'm glad I did.
This book had both a main character with chronic pain, which was heavily discussed, both at how this made Chloe feel, how other people around her reacted to it. How she lives with the constant pain. All of these mentions and moments felt very real and raw to read.
I recommend this and I can't wait to read about Dani and Eve in the future.

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This was my second book from Talia Hibbert, and I can't tell you how flippin' excited I am that it's part of a series! Bring on Dani Brown, I'm ready! :)

I really enjoyed Chloe and Red's story. Ms Tibbert did a great job of showing their transformation from two people who really didn't like each other to two people who didn't want to live without each other. (Spoiler alert: they initially made assumptions. Can you imagine? ;) ) I loved their banter, and how by the end they each were ready to take on anyone who dared to hurt the other, past or present. And every time Red knew what to do to help Chloe to deal with her condition without being reminded or getting a hint? I melted.

We see just enough of Chloe's sisters to make us want to see more, and OMG I seriously hope Grandma Gigi plays a nice big role in Dani and Eve's books, because she is a hoot!

Rating: 4 1/2 stars / A-

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

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Unfortunately, I chose not to finish this title. The premise sounded great but the execution fell flat.

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Diversity in romance for chronic illness? The things we deserve and Talia Hibbert is here to make my wildest dreams come true. I loved so many things about this. Chloe was strong and funny and just everything I've wanted in a leading lady for a long time. And Red??? Practically perfect.

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So, I’ve read three of Hibbert’s novels at this point, and I have to say that this one is definitely my favorite! I loved Chloe and Red’s relationship as well as the fibromyalgia rep.

My only gripe with Hibbert’s books is that all of her heroes/heroines seem very similar to one another (at least in the three books I’ve read). Other than that, I genuinely enjoy everything I read from her, and look forward to reading the sequel to this one very soon!

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So much emotion. This book was a damn journey and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I love how much depth Chloe has, it makes her so human. This is relatable and a romance that tugs at the heartstrings.

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This was a charming read with quite a few more saucy scenes than I'd anticipated. I adored the disability rep and the tender biker rep (something I didn't know I needed until Talia Hibbert told me so). I'm very excited to read the sequels about Chloe's sisters, especially since that almost definitely means more appearances from her delightful grandmother, who I absolutely aspire to be someday.

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