Get a Life, Chloe Brown
by Talia Hibbert

Synopsis

Chloe Brown is a chronically ill computer geek with a goal, a plan, and a list. After almost—but not quite—dying, she’s come up with seven directives to help her “Get a Life”, and she’s already completed the first: finally moving out of her glamorous family’s mansion. The next items?

• Enjoy a drunken night out.
• Ride a motorcycle.
• Go camping.
• Have meaningless but thoroughly enjoyable sex.
• Travel the world with nothing but hand luggage.
• And... do something bad. 

But it’s not easy being bad, even when you’ve written step-by-step guidelines on how to do it correctly. What Chloe needs is a teacher, and she knows just the man for the job. 

Redford ‘Red’ Morgan is a handyman with tattoos, a motorcycle, and more sex appeal than ten-thousand Hollywood heartthrobs. He’s also an artist who paints at night and hides his work in the light of day, which Chloe knows because she spies on him occasionally. Just the teeniest, tiniest bit. 

But when she enlists Red in her mission to rebel, she learns things about him that no spy session could teach her. Like why he clearly resents Chloe’s wealthy background. And why he never shows his art to anyone. And what really lies beneath his rough exterior…

You know - sometimes a book comes along that is almost everything you never thought you’d get in a book. That is what Talia Hibbert’s Get a Life, Chloe Brown ​has been for me. This book is full of all kinds of representation. Chloe is black, has a chronic illness, and deals with social difficulties. Red is a “tough” guy who has experienced quite a bit in his past (I can’t say because I consider it an important spoiler) and who has a tendency to be prejudice toward women who seem to have money and a bad/entitled attitude. 

I instantly fell for Chloe. She is so funny, caring, take no bullshit-say no bullshit kind of person.  This was made even more special because the author does not make chronic illness to be Chloe’s identity. It is a part of who she is, of course, but she is portrayed as a flesh-and-blood, determined, and truly just hilarious person who happens to have a chronic illness. There isn’t a magical cure and the road to happiness isn’t easy - just like I wouldn’t expect it to be. I took a little more time loving Red, but only because he got the wrong idea about Chloe from the get-go and I find that to be an annoying behavior. I might have also become so in love with Chloe Brown that I was feeling a bit protective of her haha! However! That was just a smidgen of a feeling against Red because he is quite lovable in his own way. Both characters have their walls built up and Talia Hibbert has written them in such a way that it’s impossible not to join them on their individual and joined journeys. Believe me, you will become invested in these characters and their stories. I mean, look at me! I talk about them like they’re real!

(Honestly, if Chloe were a real person, I would love to be friends with her. We can be funny and awkward together.)

I recommend this book to everyone. For some of us, we will hopefully feel “seen” and the perspective will help others get a hint of living on the other side of the coin. All in all, this book is hilarious, heartbreaking, and heartwarming. I might have cried while reading it. Maybe. 

Let me know what you think if you read it! I’m currently reading the second book in the series, Take a Hint, Dani Brown​ and loving it so far!

The Wingman
by Natasha Anders

Synopsis

She was supposed to be his one-night distraction. But their attraction is undeniable.

Introverted Daisy McGregor is used to being a wallflower, but what she lacks in style, she makes up for with an acerbic wit, a passion for life, and a deep devotion to her family. So she’ll suffer through her sister Dahlia’s bachelorette party and accept the cloud of pity for going stag to the wedding.

Out at the pub, sexy bad boy Mason Carlisle is a reluctant wingman tasked with entertaining Daisy while his brother flirts with her oldest sister, Daffodil. When the plan fails and Mason’s true intent is revealed, he feels intense guilt—and a sensual spark of desire for the unlikeliest of women.
​
Daisy decides to use this unfortunate encounter to her advantage: to make it up to her, Mason will be another kind of wingman, playing the role of her boyfriend and wedding date. Will their ruse unravel completely—or will Mason and Daisy’s undeniable attraction ignite a scorching love affair that knows no rules?

Every once in awhile I come across a romance novel that I am unable to put down...that I MUST consume as quickly as possible. The Wingman is definitely one of these reads for me. 

Mason is asked by his brother Spence to keep Daisy, the other McGregor sister, busy while Spence talks to her older sister Daffodil. Mason doesn't feel the best about this situation, but feels bad enough for Spence and his broken relationship to agree with the situation. Little does Mason realize that meeting Daisy is definitely going to be a memorable experience. 

I am constantly on the look out for romance novels where the heroine is plus-sized, nerdy, geeky. or just different. As a plus-sized woman, I like to read about a character I can relate to sometimes. Daisy certainly has her insecurities, but she is also unabashedly herself. And that, is wonderful. 

This novel has everything I love: plus-sized and smart heroine, alpha hero who isn't (entirely) afraid of showing that he cares, dogs(!), and a conflict that is a bit more complex without it coming off as a scene from a telenovela (soap opera). Both Mason and Daisy learn quite a bit about each other, and I felt included in their "relationship" without feeling that it was dragging on. Each scene portrayed had a purpose, and I love love love the dual points of view. I loved reading Daisy's thoughts as much as I loved reading Mason's. 

This novel made me cringe, laugh, sigh, and swoon. It made my heart break, and it gingerly pieced it back together. I definitely recommend this book to any romance reader in the mood for a steamy sweet romance. I will also make sure to check out Natasha Anders's other reads as well!