Book Review: Get a Life, Chloe Brown

Sometimes it’s really difficult to choose a new book to read, and in those moments I go back to the books I love the most. Get a Life, Chloe Brown is the first book in my favourite romance series, and this re-read only confirmed its place at the top of the romance list. It brings together two troubled characters together who are trying to heal from past trauma and creates one of the most supportive romances I’ve ever read.

Star rating: 5 stars (as if it would be anything else)

Our protagonist and titular character Chloe Brown has made a list – a list that aims to help her ‘get a life’. She’s struggled with fibromyalgia for years, and watched all her old friends and fiancé abandon her because of it. When she moves out of the family home and into a flat, the last thing she expected was to start falling for the superintendent she really doesn’t like.

Redford Morgan, known as Red, is trying to get his life back on track. His friend did him a favour and gave him a job as superintendent at a block of flats so he could find his feet and start painting again. Between an abusive past relationship and a loss of confidence in his art, Red has a lot going on. He didn’t intend to fall for one of the residents at his place of work, especially Chloe Brown, who really doesn’t seem to like him.

This book is everything. Chloe has to confront the real reasons behind the creation of her ‘get a life’ list and does this with the help of Red, who shows her what it’s like to have real friends who look out for you. Red takes Chloe on various adventures from bars to camping, all the while thinking of her disability and anticipating her needs, which is something Chloe has never had outside of her family before. Talia Hibbert never pushes Chloe’s disability to the side and I appreciated the way her daily struggles were integrated into the story, and how it demonstrated her toughness. Meanwhile, Red himself has to deal with constantly second-guessing himself and Chloe’s intentions as he is still healing from his trauma. It was good to see a positive but realistic representation of therapy in this book, especially through a male character.

Other highlights were Chloe’s family, particularly seeing Dani and Eve again after reading their respective books. Gigi is also a standout character who I love. Overall, this is a fantastic book with an adorable romance at the centre. Everything from the characters to the plot to the writing is perfect and I wouldn’t change a thing. If you want a romance novel that manages to have that squeal-inducing cuteness alongside more serious topics then this one is for you.