Title: Take a Chance on MeAuthor: Jill Mansell
Published by: Sourcebooks Landmark
Pages: 432
Source: ARC won in a contest
Rating: 3.5/5Disclaimer: This is an adult fiction novel.
From Goodreads: Living in a small town like Channings Hill, there are some people you just can't avoid, no matter how much you really, really want to. When Cleo's job throws her into constant contact with her childhood nemesis, Johnny LaVenture, she can't leave the past behind. But for someone she'd rather have nothing to do with, Johnny is impossible to ignore... Then shocking discoveries of past scandals, unrequited loves, old grudges, and not-so-ex-wives throw Cleo's family and friends into chaos. Life in sleepy Channings Hill may be about to get very complicated, but it's definitely never been more exciting.
If you're looking for a fun, light romantic comedy this is your book. With witty, English humor, and an awkward but lovable heroine this novel reminds me a bit of Bridget Jones's Diary and I could definitely see it making a transition to the big screen.
Cleo is the perfect heroine. She is young, has a terrible love life, is awkward at times, but yet she's feisty and sharp tongued. Just when things start to look up for her, her childhood nemesis comes back into town and things start to drastically go downhill not only for her but also for her friends.
Between Cleo and Johnny, Cleo sister's martial problems, and Cleo's best friend Ash's crush on the new girl in town a lot is happening in this novel. Even though a lot was going on it wasn't confusing and it kept up the pace of the novel. Sometimes I would find myself rushing through one story line just to get back to the other, but get caught up by someone else's dilemma.
The only thing I would have liked to see was a little more romance. I feel like most of it was left for the end of the novel, while the first part gave us more background and conflict.
Overall it was a great vacation read and I'll be checking out more of Jill Mansell's writing.
I've heard of Mansell, but not read anything. Maybe I'll give her a try. Great review, thanks!
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