Early Review: Take a chance on me - Jill Mansell

Genre: Contemporary romance/fiction/chick-lit
Pages: 432
Publ date: October 1st 2010 Sourcebooks Landmark

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.

This was my 2nd Jill Mansell book, and now it did make me read more. There was drama, romance, and nothing was rushed. I liked that.

The story is about Cleo who works as a chauffeur. All is well, and she has a great boyfriend, until the day Johnny LaVenture comes back. And she hates him, and with reason since he gave her this nickname that ruined her schoolyears, among other things. But he is so hot and hard to resist. Then there is the story about Cleo's sister Abby who is older and in a happy marriage, but they never got any kids and this saddens her. And soon things start to happen in this  sleepy English village.

There is much drama, I can't go into details, but secrets are revealed, foundations are shaken, and perfect boyfriends are not so perfect after all. Abby and Cleo are the main characters, but we also get to follow Cleo's friend Ash, who is really shy around women he likes, but on the air, he is mr perfect. So there is a lot of things happening, and a lot of relationships that comes together or needs to be fixed.

Like I mentioned, I enjoyed that there was no rush. No one fell madly in love and married the next day. No things took their time, it felt very real. Some were stubborn, and some just hoped for things to come. A truthful tale about romance, and everyday life.

This book did makes me want to go to this English village and drink some tea. This is a great book to read this fall, perhaps while drinking some tea ;)

Blodeuedd's Cover Corner: I have mixed feelings, I don't like it, but at the same time it's cute and fits the book.

Reason for reading: From sourcebooks

Final thoughts: It was sweet, and I could not put it down. I just wanted to know.

3,75