Get a Life, Chloe Brown (The Brown Sisters, #1) in AMS Book Club at UBC

Jun 12, 2021 Laura♡︎ (SleepyPages) rated it it was ok · review of another edition

—2.5~/5

So this book took me forever to get through- literally the entire week, it’s only a little under 400 pages and its not a book per say I wouldn't DNF but I was struggling. We all know Talia Hibbert’s books are a cult favourite in the rom-com genre and I can see why but I also just couldn’t overlook some parts that made it hard for me to enjoy this one.

1. the guy is just not my type and that’s totally fine he gives me like game of throne vibes with his long hair and macho man energy and no —2.5~/5

So this book took me forever to get through- literally the entire week, it’s only a little under 400 pages and its not a book per say I wouldn't DNF but I was struggling. We all know Talia Hibbert’s books are a cult favourite in the rom-com genre and I can see why but I also just couldn’t overlook some parts that made it hard for me to enjoy this one.

1. the guy is just not my type and that’s totally fine he gives me like game of throne vibes with his long hair and macho man energy and nothing wrong with that but like his HAIR-✋🏻WHY IS IT ALWAYS DESCRIBED AS ‘FLAMES’ BURNING?! 💀💀🔥🤩✋🏻🙉🛑🛑🛑like how am i supposed to imagine someone irl with flames for hair i get that it’s red but like what in the fantasy is this shit i can’t i just cANNoT even begin to even (i can’t get the picture of hades in hercules out of my head because that’s literally how i envisioned him)

https://www.instagram.com/p/CQB4I7hrjAb/
second slide for visual reference

2. okay another thing is that i understand that the author is british and that regular use of diction varies in region but as a canadian ass person i just had to close the book for a hot minute when i read ‘KNICKERS’ & ‘NINNY’ ✋🏻😭🛑 i was like how am i supposed to even supposed to how am i even supposed to how even??!?!-✋🏻✋🏻✋🏻✋🏻

3. also don’t hate me but i didn’t feel the chemistry between red and chloe 🙈 their personalities i felt just contradicted at times because chloe is like this repressed girlboss no emotions no simp type vibe but then she’s so open to praising red about his paintings and how he’s an amazing person but then can’t tell him that she likes him like it doesn’t make sense how these two things can even collide honestly i’m confused idek 🤷🏻‍♀️

okay but don’t let this random ass rant that probably doesn’t make any sense deter you from reading this book because it has amazing representation and diversity and it’s great the author is amazing, inspirational and okay positive vibes folks okay 👌🏻 okay 🤩✊🏻 ...more

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Mar 27, 2022 Sophia rated it liked it

this was cute, I liked the banter!! there wasn’t much actual *plot* but I was okay with that if I’m honest:)

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Mar 21, 2022 Tshepiso rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: adult-romance

Get a Life, Chloe Brown wasn't for me. While its premise was intriguing I was never convinced by its romance. The book follows the titular Chloe Brown as she enlists her landlord, Red in helping her cross off items on her 'Get a Life List'. While there's an initial animosity between the two they eventually fall for each other.

My first hurdle with the novel was Chloe and Red's relationship. The two begin the story as rivals and this made it difficult to root for their romance. The miscommunicati Get a Life, Chloe Brown wasn't for me. While its premise was intriguing I was never convinced by its romance. The book follows the titular Chloe Brown as she enlists her landlord, Red in helping her cross off items on her 'Get a Life List'. While there's an initial animosity between the two they eventually fall for each other.

My first hurdle with the novel was Chloe and Red's relationship. The two begin the story as rivals and this made it difficult to root for their romance. The miscommunication and assumptions between the two made them feel incompatible. Talia Hibbert then failed to illustrate the couple's transition from animosity to romance. The jump was sudden and barely explained outside of the two finding each other physically attractive making it difficult to connect with the relationship. Hibbert attempted to endear the reader to the relationship through banter but I needed more than that to be convinced of their chemistry.

While Chloe and Red eventually settled into a vaguely believable dynamic the nail in the coffin of their relationship for me was their third act break up. That fight illustrated the massive cracks in their relationship. However, despite these fissures after an apology and explanation the two end up happily together. But, because I was barely convinced of their viability as a couple and the lack of growth or change by the characters post-break up, I couldn't believe that Chloe and Red would genuinely be happy together in the long term.

Something that niggled at me throughout this novel was Talia Hibbert's handling of class. The class difference between Red and Chloe is a central part of the conflict between the two, yet Hibbert never unpacked that to a satisfying degree. This is mainly because the class conversation is very one-sided and Chloe is never forced by the narrative to contemplate her wealth making the story feel underbaked.

Despite disliking their romance, I was initially engaged by Chloe and Red as characters. Chloe's 'Get a Life List' and desire to take risks after years of self-isolation due to her fibromyalgia could have been compelling. However, the list became a background element of the story. Because the list was shafted in favour of milquetoast romantic moments Chloe's growth ultimately felt lacking. Red was better served by the narrative; Hibbert dives into the effects being in an abusive relationship had on his life well. However, I felt exploring that trauma in a romance that requires a happily ever after undercut Red's clear need for healing and growth before dating again.

The major failure of 'Get a Life, Chloe Brown' was it never convinced me that Red and Chloe were good for each other. They bantered, had sex, and said they loved each other but I never believed in their romance. The story had potential, but it ultimately failed. ...more

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Mar 20, 2022 Anna (ani) 🕷 rated it liked it

Solid 3 stars-
Okay, I don’t know how I feel about romance on the whole, I think I like it but I haven’t read enough books, I’m not sure. So bear that in mind. But this was just alright.
I was not that invested. Honestly I didn’t really care about Chloe and Red. It’s not like they had NO chemistry or anything, and it’s not like they weren’t interesting enough characters on their own, but I just wasn’t that invested in their relationship which is pretty bad for a romance book I think. Nothing exci ...more

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Apr 25, 2023 Robin rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: audiobook

this was absolutely delightful. the banter was top tier

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Nov 21, 2023 Jerlyn rated it really liked it

the SPICE in this one???? yall

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May 01, 2023 Pg.451 rated it liked it

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. 3.5/5

I liked their romance scenes but overall I don’t think I clicked fully with the main character Chloe. On the other hand I really liked the love interest Red and always looked forward to his perspective in the chapters. The first half of the book I was having a blast, but at some point it just became alright and plateaued.

My main problem with the book came toward the end when miscommunication ended up splitting them apart. The way that the miscommunication itself was handled wasn’t too bad ...more

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Mar 26, 2022 Bella Dufresne rated it it was ok

Why was this so hard to get through? It really shouldn’t be. Idk there wasn’t enough plot for me at all and there was absolutely no tension imo. I know romances tend to have less of a plot but like seriously this was a struggle. I was debating rating it 3 stars about half way through and then by the end it was between 1-2 stars. The sex scenes were uncomfortable for me. Chloe and Red both started getting on my nerves, especially Red.

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