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Book Review: Take a Chance on Me by Jill Mansell

October 15, 2010 by Darlene


Take a Chance on Me by Jill Mansell is the first book of hers that I’ve read but it certainly won’t be the last. What a great and fun read! This was a really good book to just sweep you away for a while and give you more than a giggle or two although it has its serious moments too.

Cleo lives in the small English town of Channings Hill where she grew up and works as a chauffeur. She’s happy with her lot in life and has finally met the man of her dreams in Will. He’s perfect – good looking, attentive, and seemingly in love with her! What more could a girl want? All I can say is never put all your eggs in one basket – the dream guy may not be quite everything you’re looking for.

Then Cleo’s old nemesis Johnny arrives back in town. He teased and bullied her like crazy when they were in school. The worst thing is, in Cleo’s view, is Johnny managed to make it big as a sculptor so now he’s good looking and rich. To top it off he seems to have everyone in town gravitating towards him because of all that dripping charm he oozes. Not Cleo though – she isn’t going to be sucked in. She knows what Johnny is really like – or does she? Will she too fall under the charms of Johnny Laventure?

Then we’ve got Cleo’s sister Abbie who has her own problems. She thought she was happily married to the love of her life but then she finds a letter that turns her life upside down. Did she ever really know her husband? Just what has he been up to? Abbie is steaming mad and upset – is she upset enough to do something she may regret later? Abbie is in for more drama than she knows what to do with.

Then there’s Ash, Cleo’s best friend, who is a great character. He’s a DJ and a really good one too with plenty of personality – everyone loves him. However, if you put him in front of a woman such as Fia who he has a huge crush on, he becomes this other person who can’t even form a coherent sentence. Yet he’s got the beautiful Georgia chasing after him and he can be himself with her and yet she just doesn’t pull at his heartstrings like Fia. Poor Ash!

Take a Chance on Me by Jill Mansell is full of fantastic characters and good story lines. I really enjoyed this novel and look forward to reading more by Jill Mansell. You can pick up your own copy of Take a Chance on Me here in the US and here in Canada. Be sure to pop in and visit Jill Mansell’s website and check out all her other books too!

Disclosure: My copy of Take a Chance on Me by Jill Mansell was provided by Sourcebooks to me for a fair and honest review.

© 2010, Darlene of Peeking Between the Pages. All Rights Reserved. If you’re reading this on a site other than Peeking Between the Pages or Darlene’s Feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

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Filed Under: 2010 ARC Challenge, 2010 Book Reviews, 2010 eBook Challenge, 2010-100+ Challenge

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Vivienne says

    October 15, 2010 at 11:14 am

    I remember reading a lot of Jill Mansell's books when I was pregnant with the girls. My attention span was quite short then,and I found them to be very comforting reads.

  2. Willa says

    October 15, 2010 at 12:59 pm

    Sounds like a good chic lit comfort read 🙂

  3. Jill Mansell says

    October 15, 2010 at 1:10 pm

    Hi Darlene
    Thank you so much for your gorgeous review – I'm so thrilled you enjoyed the book! And you have the cutest dog in the world…
    Love
    Jill x

  4. itsJUSTme says

    October 15, 2010 at 1:16 pm

    Sounds like a good fun read! I love the cover!
    Wow, don't you love it when the Author comments on your blog!!! That has happened to me a few times, I always feel so proud!

  5. bermudaonion says

    October 15, 2010 at 1:50 pm

    Mansell's books are loads of fun – just the thing to take your mind of your troubles. Give Buddy some love from me – he's on my mind.

  6. Alice Teh says

    October 15, 2010 at 2:45 pm

    All right! Actually, Jill Mansell is an author I've been wanting to read. Thanks for the review, Dar. I need some comfort read like this.

  7. Anna says

    October 15, 2010 at 2:51 pm

    I just finished this book yesterday and thought it was great fun! Mansell is great at creating quirky, lovable characters.

  8. Blodeuedd says

    October 15, 2010 at 3:18 pm

    Great review Dar!
    I become so very English after reading this one, lol

  9. Zibilee says

    October 15, 2010 at 3:38 pm

    This does indeed sound like a really fun read, and one that's lighter as well. Lately I have been reading some pretty dark and morose stuff and would love the chance to read something more upbeat. This book sounds like it fits the bill so I am going to have to check it out. Thanks for the excellent review, Dar!

  10. Serena says

    October 15, 2010 at 4:56 pm

    I'll be reading this one soon and I just love Jill's books. They are always great fun.

    I'm surprised you waited this long to read one! My mom loves them too!

  11. My Carolina Kitchen says

    October 15, 2010 at 8:23 pm

    This sounds like a fun read. I love books I can't put down and this sounds like one that I would really enjoy. I'll be sure to put it on my list. It's fun to find new authors. Thanks for the review.

    I agree with another of your readers. I become very English and have a slight accent for a while after I've read a novel like this.
    Sam

  12. Staci says

    October 15, 2010 at 8:44 pm

    I loved this one too and I will certainly be reading more of this author!!

  13. Marg says

    October 16, 2010 at 1:38 am

    I really enjoy Jill Mansell's books! It's been a while since I read one though. Must go and see what I have left to read.

  14. Becky says

    October 17, 2010 at 8:05 pm

    I read another of Mansell's other books earlier this year and was so happily surprised by it. I'm glad to hear that her other books measure up as well. I'll have to get this one too!

  15. S. Krishna says

    October 21, 2010 at 10:06 am

    I've read lots of great things about this book, it's definitely on the TBR!

  16. khadija says

    October 30, 2013 at 12:16 am

    i love your writing..specially this book..but all of your books are not available here at my place and i dont like reading ebooks so waiting for the paper copy:(

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