3.5 stars

This contemporary romance, set in England, follows web designer Chloe Brown, a guarded woman dealing with her fibromyalgia diagnosis, and Redford Morgan, an artist-turned-property-manager, who's dealing with insecurity and the aftermath of a traumatizing relationship. Our story kicks off when Chloe undergoes a near-death experience and decides that she needs to, well, get a life--to stop being afraid to make bold life decisions and go out and experience the world. She initiates this by moving out of her family's house, but stalls trying to accomplish any of the next few tasks (ride a motorcycle, travel the world with minimal luggage, have meaningless sex, etc) until she meets Red, who she seems to think is the sort of "dangerous" guy who could help her with her list, but who in actuality is a complete sweetheart who happens to ride a motorcycle. While working through Chloe's list, with some necessary modifications, the two confront their mistaken first impressions of each other (Red assumes Chloe is a rich snob, Chloe assumes Red is carefree and full of himself) and end up falling for each other.

There's a lot to like about Chloe Brown, chief among them being the titular main character. Chloe is smart and fierce, but she's also grappling with a lot of insecurities and still working on figuring herself out, especially in the context of the aftermath of her fibromyalgia diagnosis. She's instantly likable, and scenes from her perspective are hilarious, full of surprising quips and witty observations; she's a character I would happily spend more time with. I would also be completely on board with more books involving Chloe's family, since her two awesome sisters and badass grandmother stole every scene they were in. I wasn't as much of a fan of her love interest, Red, who wasn't nearly as charismatic of a viewpoint character, and I felt that their romance, once it began, progressed much more quickly than felt natural. But there was another issue I had while reading this book, which I'm probably going to explain terribly, and which probably will be a reason many people love this one. 

At risk of sounding like a terribly cynical person, I was taken aback by how considerately everyone treated each other in this book. Let me explain: Chloe Brown is ostensibly a hate-to-love romance, but the main characters never actually hate each other, and even if they make certain assumptions, they always treat each other with an abundance of consideration and respect. There are misunderstandings and disagreements, sure, but they're all dealt with incredibly nicely. Which is fine! It's fiction, it's a romance novel, I totally understand that respect, consideration, and niceness are how we should all treat one another in life and in relationships. But for me, a lot of the time it did feel unrealistic, as people tend to be much more imperfect and messy when it comes to emotions, and although I can of course suspend disbelief when it comes to fiction and romance a lot of the time, I think I'd have preferred a messier story to a more perfect one. I think a lot of people might disagree with me on that, but I think it comes down to a matter of preferences in romance: I tend to like a little less ease and a little more angst, whereas Chloe Brown definitely falls into the "sweet" category, which was why, although I did overall enjoy the read, it didn't get a higher rating from me.

I received an eARC of Get a Life, Chloe Brown from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Get a Life, Chloe Brown was one of my favorite books this year! I loved this sweet, funny and endearing story of Chloe’s real honest attempt to actually get herself a life. After a harrowing experience, Chloe decides it is time to take care of herself and moves into her own apartment for the very first time. Following her own list of things to accomplish, Chloe is determined to turn things around for herself. It is in her apartment building that Chloe meets Redford, the super hunky superintendent. Redford is on his own quest to make changes in his life, reeling from a recent devastating break-up, this ex-artist needs to find his way back to painting. Author Talia Hibbert did a fantastic job incorporating Chloe’s illness into her story and provided a realistic story line of how debilitating and frustrating it can be to get through each day in pain. It was a joy to watch Chloe blossom with her confidence, independence and success as she marks things off her list. There were so many small details of this novel that were enjoyable and relatable. Chloe’s relationships with her sisters, her successful career and her fashion choices were just a few of the delights in Chloe’s story line. I will not hesitate to recommend Get a Life, Chloe Brown this year to all that seek a delightful, heart-filled story with witty and lovely characters. I am already eagerly anticipating the novels that follow in this series!

A sincere thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Here's the thing... I'm learning this about myself as I get older, I'm becoming a major prude. That plays an enormous role in why I just couldn't love this book. I know I'm in the minority here, and there were parts that I did thoroughly enjoy, in fact most of the book was highly enjoyable, however, the sex scenes were just too much for me. The use of the "C" word (don't make me spell it out... four letters, usually used derogatorily about a woman's genitals) during those sex scenes really sealed the deal for me. Same with the "P" word. Nope, can't deal with it.

But, like I've said, there are parts I thought were great. I love that Chloe didn't fit into what is for the most part considered a traditional romance novel mold. She is a black woman living with a disability and she wants what we all want, go figure! She wants to live her life to the fullest, so she creates a list of things to do to help break out of the monotony of her current daily life. She has wants and needs, just like the rest of society! She doesn't start out as a lovable character, but by the end it's impossible not to cheer her on.

I wish I could get over the over the top steamy parts because this book was otherwise really fun. Four stars if the steamy parts were tamed down. If you're okay with those parts, this book is entertaining and overall enjoyable.

Get a Life, Chloe Brown was such a fun book to read. I picked it up because I was in the mood for a romantic comedy and am so glad that I did. Talia Hibbert may be an autobuy author for me now. Her characters are so relatable and their banter had me smiling. Definitely will buy and can’t wait for whatever Talia comes out with next.

Get a Life Chloe Brown has been on my radar for a while now. Talia Hibbert is an author I have read and enjoyed, so when I saw this one pop up on NetGalley, I happily requested an ARC and was delighted for the chance to give it a read in exchange for an honest review.

And, honestly, as the four star rating indicates, I really liked it. I loved that it provided an honest glimpse into someone living day to day with fibromyalgia. The honest discussions about medications, the way it impacts every facet of your life, and the way it can narrow your social interactions were well done and a delight to see represented in Romancelandia. Likewise, I enjoyed the way the hero, Red, deals with the trauma of an emotionally abusive past relationship, and that he actively seeks to get his life back on track in many ways, including therapy. Add in that they are a biracial couple who also deals with class differences, and this book breaks down a lot of barriers that NEED to be broken down.

That being said, it is a four star rating for me, not a five star, because of one big, blaring issue. The author's voice is fantastic. The book has banter for days - I especially enjoyed their emails - but, there was almost no distinction between Chloe and Red's voices. Many times, I had to reread passages to figure out whose pov we were in. This pulled me out of the story and took away from my enjoyment. Thus, the four star rating.

However, if you're looking to expand your horizons, break down all sorts of representational barriers in your reading, and looking for a book that will have you laughing out loud, I certainly hope you're try Get a Life, Chloe Brown. You're in for a treat.

Get a Life, Chloe Brown, is a fantastic contemporary romance. Chloe and Red begin with intense dislike for each other, that is based on mistaken beliefs about the other. A cat in a tree and a rescue attempt, makes for the best opportunity to begin to figure out that each was wrong about the other. Chloe is everything I love. She is perfectly imperfect. She's gun-shy because of lost friends and lost relationships in her past, but also smart enough to stop and think and wonder if she did the right thing or made a mistake or jumped to conclusions. I love the introspection. I also love her organization and notebooks and lists, especially THE LIST that is at the heart of this story. Who hasn't made a list, with the intention that "this is how I will (fill in the blank)." Chloe wants her life to be more, so she's putting it out there in the universe and is taking action. Chloe enlists Red to help her check off a couple of experiences. Along the way, Red learns that the list is not just checking boxes, it is living life. Some of Chloe rubs off on him, too, so that he takes action to make his own life the "more" that he wants.. And together they fall in love. I don't often cry at a book, but this one may have brought a tear or two. The road to HEA is not straight or smooth, but when the two MCs are willing to do the work, it's even more satisfying.

I applaud the great representation of a character with an autoimmune condition. Chloe's fibro impacts her world and her life in very real ways, and that is treated sensitively and accurately. We also see how those around Chloe handle her illness, both those who help and those who leave. Red is the best kind of partner, asking what is needed, how to help, recognizing signs without making a big deal of it. Representation matters!

The heat level is HIGH and on the page. Surrounding Red and Chloe are a cast of characters that add some balance, some common sense, some humor, some color to their lives and the world they live in. I'm looking forward to meeting more of Chloe's family.

This is the first book by Talia Hibbert that I've read and I'll be looking for more. Highly recommended to all romance fans.

CW: prior abusive relationship (author includes this CW), class issues, one scene addressing racism

3.5 stars

Hibbert takes several familiar romance tropes (enemies to lovers, bucket list to name a few) but puts a wonderful spin on it by giving us two marginalized characters that often aren't seen in romance novels (or allowed to have an HEA).

Chloe has Fibromyalgia and lives with chronic pain. She has a history of being abandoned by friends and lovers who see her as a burden. Her family is wonderful but Chloe has built a protective shell around her heart. After a brush with death she makes a list to push herself out of her comfort zone and become the brave person she once was. As with most of of Hibbert's heroines, Chloe is delightfully prickly.

Her apartment superintendent, Red, always has a bright smile for everyone except her - which makes her even more defensive and each of their encounters is worse than the last until Chloe gets stuck in tree, rescuing a cat and Red stumbles upon the scene.

Chloe and Red thaw to each other a touch and slowly embark on mutual deal - she helps with his website and he helps her check off her bucket list.

These two are so wary of each other, often misinterpreting things. Red is recovering from an abusive relationship and Chloe has been abandoned enough to not trust easily. But they keep seeing and bringing out each others softer sides and lend full support - something they both desperately need.

A few readers have mentioned that this is a low stakes romance and yes... there are no big reveals or moments but getting over your inner demons can be tougher than any big blowout. The strength it takes for them to peel away years of self protection and lay yourself open to another person isn't easy.

But I agree that this is a slower paced novel, and one that I was easily able to put down and walk away from. I enjoyed Chloe and Red immensely but wasn't as hooked as I had hoped to be even though I enjoyed it overall.

A bossy posh computer geek. A slightly burnt cinnamon roll who dresses like a bad boy. A 'Get a Life' list. A contraband cat. Add them all together, and life gets interesting.

After a near-death experience and seeing a rather boring life flash before her eyes, socially-awkward and chronically ill Chloe Brown decides to get a life. And how does she do that? Well, it starts by making a list. And moving out of her family home. And into a flat with a hot, tattooed, motorcycle-riding, artist superintendent... that she can never do or say the right things around without coming across like a shrew. So there's that.

Red Morgan's job as superintendent is supposed to be just temporary, just to give him time to get back on his feet after leaving an abusive relationship and reboot his art career. At least, that's what he told himself almost two years ago... Now he spends his days changing lightbulbs and unclogging old ladies toilets, hiding his art from anyone and everyone. He likes his job well enough, and his tenants, but he finds himself frustrated with posh Chloe Brown. He thinks he will never like her. Until the day he comes home to find her trying to get a cat out of a tree...

Following this misadventure, Chloe recruits Red on her mission of completing her list, which includes: riding a motorcycle; having a wild night out; and going camping. In return, she builds a website for Red. What begins as a professional contract becomes much more as neither can deny the attraction they feel for each other. But can they both get over their own personal baggage enough to seize the opportunity for a beautiful relationship?

"Get a Life, Chloe Brown" is a fabulous romance about being brave, healing past hurts, and finding the right people in your life that will always support you and love you no matter what. Chloe and Red are fantastic protagonists, and both deserve the world. They each have their rough edges and walls up, and work through issues together--even though they have their missteps in doing so on occasion. "Get a Life, Chloe Brown" is witty, steamy, and full of heart, bound to delight readers from all walks of life.

This is my first Talia Hibbert book and OMG I was seriously blown away her writing is superb and I just was left speechless after I finished it!

Chloe was so relatable for me as someone with an invisible illness, I loved seeing her work through her issues and learn to deal with everything. And can we take a second to talk about Red... HELLOOOOO he sounds amazing! At least in my head haha!

I love that he helps her with her list, Her friends and family were all written so well and none of them that I remember were jerks or anything like that which I really enjoyed.
This had such a good message in it, but it was still super swoony and sexy and just all the things! I can not wait to read more from this author!

Thank you Netgalley and Avon for an advanced copy.

This was my first Talia Hibbert novel and based on this book alone, I am a huge fan. This book has great representation - Chloe is black, plus sized woman who has a chronic illness - and is own voices as Hibbert is a black woman has dealt with chronic pain. It's a great for those who might not feel represented well in fiction to see themselves in a great main character like Chloe. It's a way for someone like me who is pretty different from Chloe to see what someone with her illness goes through on a daily basis, and written in such a great way.

Chloe's pain is something talked about in the book a lot and for good reason. It's something that affects every aspect of her life, and something we don't see often in main characters, especially in romance books. The fact that she's black and plus sized is just normal and not something that is brought up much and I actually love that. It's just normal, every day life and not a big deal. As someone who is plus sized, I long for that kind of representation!

Like I said, I haven't read anything else by Hibbert, but her writing is excellent. The dialogue and banter in this book is top-notch and made me laugh and swoon in so many places. Red is probably one of my favorite love interests I've read about this year. He's such a soft, emotional person and I love that about him. He's so supportive of Chloe and what she goes through with her illness, and he's also going through his own issues dealing with an abusive relationship. The journey Red goes on is such a great example of Hibbert's character development, and it's absolutely wonderful.

I found this to be so refreshing and unique. We all have read those classic rom-coms but this one stands out so much. Chloe is an amazing main character, and Red is just so wonderful. It's steamy, it's sweet, it's fun and has deeper emotions to bring this book to another level.

I highly recommend picking this one up when it comes out in November! I gave this 5/5 stars!

Books and Tea: "Get a Life, Chloe Brown" by Talia Hibbert & White Strawberry Basil from Adagio Teas

There’s nothing more that brings me joy than sipping tea while I read a good book. I recently read a book called Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert. The main character, Chloe Brown, has an invisible disability, and because of her health and past experiences, decides to not take any risks. This changes when she gets into an accident, and she then makes a “Get a Life” list of adventurous things to do. Red Morgan is the handyman in her building and helps Chloe accomplish her list.

I loved this book for many reasons:

1) I LOVE diverse characters in books.

2) Chloe is such a quirky and fun character. Bonus points that she loves tea and fancy stationery. We would be friends.

3) This book is well-written.

I decided to pair this book with White Strawberry Basil from Adagio teas, which has white tea, hibiscus, rose hips, basil, lemongrass, raspberry leaves, natural strawberry flavor, and strawberries.

This tea was love at first sniff. The basil provides a steady botanical smell while the strawberry brightens the brew up. The two scents meld so well together. Upon sipping this tea, I immediately noticed the rounded basil taste with a slight hint of fruitiness. It tastes so refreshing and unique. This would be an amazing tea cocktail!

This tea reminded me of the book because of the two distinctive but different flavors (people) coming together. The tea reminds me of the main character Chloe because she's complex and multifaceted. I also selected this tea for silly reasons. As in, it has strawberry in the blend and Redford has red hair. Corny...I know!

In any event, I recommend the book and the tea. Together or apart, whatever works for you!

You can learn more about the book here (released on 11/05/2019)

You can purchase white strawberry basil tea here

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing an advanced review copy of the book.

Book photo source: Avon

I LOVED this book. This is the first of Talia Hibbert's books that I've read, and I'm hooked. Her character development was out of this world. This book touched all the right places that a romance should. NOT TO MENTION, and probably most important, this book has a chronically ill (and an invisible illness at that), over-weight, black girl as it's main character. They do focus on the chronic illness a bunch, as it is critical to the story, but the other two are mentioned casually and that's that. Talk about class, and not to mention the importance of those things. Hibbert did these in such a way that any person reading about Chloe could relate to her struggle, and this is extremely important for the unrepresented population who will read this!

This book was just the right amounts of steamy, sweet, and funny. I think I might be in love with Red as well (don't tell my boyfriend)! It was cheesy in all the good ways, and the writing was fabulous.

I'm officially a Talia Hibbert fan, thanks to this incredible story. I can't wait to see what comes next!

I loved this book! The romance is refreshing and unique, something that is desperately needed in the genre. I thought the details of the abuse that Red went through and Chloe's chronic pain were really well explained to the reader. I did think there were pieces missing in developing their relationship. It takes place over a short amount of time, and they fall in love over basically 5 conversations. It was a little too much insta-love. The characters were so enjoyable though, the insta-love wasn't even the main focus. Overall, it was a really fun read. The dialogue was engaging, and often I laughed out loud. I think this a romance readers are going to flock to when it comes out.

This book struck the perfect balance between feel-good and meaningful. At the same time that there were important discussions about chronic pain and abusive relationships, it was also so damn cute and fun and lighthearted. I loved Chloe and Red's banter and the way that they supported one another, and this book was so addicting that I read it practically in two sittings--which is rare for me nowadays. It definitely held up to my expectations.

The one problem I encountered with this book is a personal preference and not even entirely a criticism, but sometimes the dialogue in this felt a bit too sickly sweet and Lifetime movie-esque. If that's your thing, then you will love this book. But sometimes I found myself glossing over long paragraphs of I-love-you-monologues because it felt a bit generic. Tangentially related to this is that sometimes the characters spoke like they're from a YA novel, which isn't a dunk on teens, but rather I wish that silliness and sarcasm could have been backed up by some maturity. I only noticed this in the dialogue, though, so I really enjoyed the writing style otherwise and tabbed quite a few parts.

If you're looking for a book that's cute and wholesome but also delves into grittier topics like chronic illnesses and recovering from abuse, I definitely still recommend this one. It has so many great themes and the characters are so supportive of one another, and I applaud the author for tackling certain subjects like the importance of therapy in a story that's also cuddly and easy to read.

If you appreciate this author as much as I do, you will read anything and everything you can get your hands on and this is no exception. I thought it was heartwarming and just everything that I always expect from a book that she writes. If you haven't read her before, and you start with this one you'll want to to read more. If you start with any other's, same deal...lol

I was given a copy of Get A Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.


This book will please a lot of readers it didn’t really connect with me. I really enjoyed the two main characters, Chloe and Red. The book is funny and our two main characters have great banter. The book also has great rep in it, which I enjoyed. I really enjoyed watching Chloe and Red’s friendship develop. I thought they were really good for each other. I really wanted more of that. I didn’t really enjoy them a romantic partners. I think that they’ve both been really burned by people in the past and that they should have taken more time to explore their friendship but hormones seems to have gotten the better of them. The book for me kinda took a turn once they had sex. It was a little too sappy for me. I also wanted to see them doing more things on the list. That was one of the things I was most interested in, going into the book. Saying this, I know that its an example of me and not the book. I feel like this one will be popular for many readers.

I loved this book so much! It was everything I was hoping for. I've read quite a few of Talia's books, so I had an idea of what to expect but there was just so much to love here, starting with the way Chloe was portrayed. Physically, romance heroines tend to be these perfect woman who never even get their periods, let alone deal with chronic health issues as Chloe does. Chloe is a heroine dealing with a physical body that sometimes betrays and lets her down, yet she just keeps on soldiering on. She has realistic coping strategies for the days that she can barely get out of bed, and she tries not to let it get her too down emotionally. When she realizes (due to a close encounter with a speeding car), that she has let her illness take control of her life, she promptly makes a list to try to break out of her rut, even though inside she's quaking at the thought of changing her routine.

As for Red, he is the epitome of a cinnamon roll hero, sweet, loving, and caring with an adorably gooey center. Chloe quickly becomes the center of his world, and he doesn't care that her illness sometimes means that his plans need to change - all he wants to know is what he can do to make it easier on her. He is dealing with his own issues and is trying to heal from past relationship trauma by hiding out and taking a bit of a break from life, yet he still reaches out to others and hasn't turned hard or bitter.

I highly recommend this book and looking forward to whatever Talia comes up with next.

As someone with a chronic illness, I've been looking forward to reading this book. This was one of the books I was highly anticipating and it didn't let me down at all. For me, she was the most relatable heroine I have read in a very long time. I also loved the relationship between Chloe and Red and how they each helped each other through their issues. Red is an amazing man and Chloe proved it to him. This book was so well written and spot on I truly cannot wait for Chloe and Red to be out in the wild for all to love.

After coming within three inches of being hit by a car, Chloe Brown, a thirty-one year old Englishwoman of African descent, decides it's time for her to "get a life." Despite having an (initially unnamed) chronic illness, Chloe moves out of her wealthy family's house into her own apartment, the first item on her "get a life list." Where she inadvertently achieves #7 on her list ("do something bad") by spying (then spying on) the extremely attractive building superintendent while he's painting (art, not the walls), shirtless, in his own apartment. Which is bad not only for the spying part, but because the super, Redford Morgan, has had nothing but frowns for her since she moved in. When he has nothing but smiles for everyone else in the building...

Red, a white Brit with auburn hair, comes from a very different class background than does Chloe. And as did his last girlfriend, who made him all too aware of the fact every chance she got, even suggesting that his successes as a painter were due to her talking him up rather than to any artistic skill of his own. Chloe's bossiness, sarcasm, and superiority are far too familiar; no way is Red going to let himself in for more classist bullshit, even from a girl whose lush curves he finds way attractive.

But Red is a helper ("He knew himself well enough to realize that he'd care for a great white shark if given half the chance"), and so when he discovers Chloe stuck up a tree, trying to rescue a cat, he can't help but help. And to go to her apartment to check on her later, when it's obvious (at least to him) that she must have injured herself during her tree-climbing adventure.

In the aftermath of their feline rescue, the two learn enough about each other to realize that neither is quite as awful as they had initially thought. And then Chloe comes up with the idea of a trade: she will design a web site for Red and his paintings, and he will help her check off several other items on her "get a life" list. Like "ride a motorbike" and "go camping." Definitely NOT the "have meaningless sex" one...

There's not a lot of relationship angst here; Hibbert draws both Chloe and Red with sympathy, humor, and understanding, making it easy for both characters to like each other, and for readers to like and admire the prickly Chloe and the honorable, emotional Red (the wonder of his growing feelings for Chloe, expressed in delicious metaphors, is simply adorable). It's rare for people with chronic physical illnesses to be portrayed as leads in romance, which made Hibbert's Avon debut (she's already self-published numerous fabulous books) more than a welcome addition to the romance shelves.

When Chloe Brown is almost hit by a car, she is hit by an epiphany instead - she hasn't been living her life. So she gets right on that. Step one: move out of the family home. But her new building superintendent is an artist with a kind word for everyone but her.

Talia Hibbert doesn't disappoint. I loved how funny Chloe is - her internal monologue is often hilarious, with distinct turns of phrase. I appreciated how Hibbert illustrated the reality of living with chronic pain, and how Red was able to see and care for Chloe. The characters had to move past obstacles of pride and prejudice, and did so using their words, understanding their feelings, and being grown-ups about the whole thing, which I appreciated. Not to say that the characters didn't get angry or upset, but they realized if they were being hurtful almost immediately and worked to get back in the good graces of the other.

Red helps Chloe get a life, and Chloe brings Red back into his life. It's lovely, really. Hibbert continues to be one of my top authors.

Oh, and it's not all feelings and talking - there's also some very steamy sexytimes. And a ridiculous cat up a tree. Let's not forget the cat.

I received an ARC from the publisher via Netgalley.