Saturday, October 16, 2010

Review: Take a Chance on Me by Jill Mansell



Paperback: 432 pages

Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark (October 1, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1402237510
ISBN-13: 978-1402237515



From the publisher:
"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. And as always, you can count on Jill Mansell to have a lively cast of secondary characters that try to steal the show! Life in sleepy Channings Hill may be about to get very complicated, but it’s definitely never been more exciting."

My thoughts: In Take a Chance on Me, Jill Mansell introduces us to some really fun characters: Cleo, who drives a limo for a living has been searching for the perfect man for ages and thinks's she's found him. Or has she? Now that her old crush is back in town things can get very interesting and her new man, Will, may go the way of the dodo but not for the reasons you might think.

Cleo's next door neighbor and friend, Ash, is a very popular sparkling wit on the radio but in person, he can be shy and retiring. It was so much fun to read about all his antics especially when the new pub cook catches his eye. Unfortunately, someone else has caught her eye. Another ingredient in the romantic pot to add some spice to Channings Hill.

And what chick-lit plot would be complete without some family drama? That would be Cleo's older sister, Abby, who's been happily married to Tom for years when her life is thrown into an emotional maelstrom. It seems Tom has some secrets of his own. Of course Cleo has to get involved in all this and when feelings start to run rampant Cleo is flummoxed as to how to get her sister Abby to move on and more importantly to move out!

I just loved Jill Mansell's previous books and this one was no exception. Mansell's unique and witty style of writing brings her characters to life like no other. By the end of the story, I felt like the characters were dear friends. The descriptions of the setting are so well done and so appealing, that I find myself wishing I could visit or live there. Sheer escapism  for those times you want to indulge in some fun, light-hearted reading. 4****

Disclosure: A review copy of the book was provided by Sourcebooks, Inc.

9 comments:

  1. My thoughts exactly .) On what, well the whole review

    ReplyDelete
  2. my thoughts too! Mansell is one of the only chic lit writers that I love! She also makes me laugh and her characters are endearing. Lovely review K!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I read a Jill Mansell book earlier this year and was pleasantly surprised. And I'm always drawn to the covers as well.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I've read just one. This sounds fun as well.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Sounds like a really fun time, K...thanks for sharing the review!

    ReplyDelete
  6. You and me...we will go there and live and drink all day in the pub!!!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Sounds like a fun read with characters that are a hoot. Glad to hear you enjoyed this one, Kaye!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thanks! for sharing this.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hi there, and thanks so much for the amazing review - I'm so thrilled you enjoyed my book. And thanks to all the other comment-leavers too!
    Love
    Jill xx

    ReplyDelete

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.