“Love is certainly never safe, but it’s absolutely worth it.”
The Story
This book follows a young woman named Chloe Brown.
Chloe is a computer geek who is chronically ill. She loves bright coloured fashion, is incredibly hard working but keeps herself to her bubble of safety.
After an incident Chloe feels she has escaped death, but this comes with a realisation that perhaps she never really lived. So, she makes a plan. A list. Her “Get a Life” list.
On here she details things she thinks are important. Milestones that surely everyone should experience at least once in her life, and she enlists the help of a man named Redford Morgan to help her check every box.
Of course, Chloe may find that she wants more from life, and perhaps from Redford, than what’s written on a simple list.
My Thoughts
When I first picked up this book I was on the verge of a reading slump I tried to ignore. After 100 pages I put the book down for months.
I am so glad I recognised my reading slump was not due to this book and was just a case of burnout because I loved the story of Chloe Brown.
I am not an organised person and yet I love all things to do with being organised. Stationary, planners, lists. I love a good list. And admittedly the idea of making a list of things I would like to do or experience appeals to me. Unsurprisingly I have made countless bucket lists in my life.
Chloe Brown is a plus sized black British woman. She is witty, charming, stern and kind. She is considerate and insightful. Chloe makes mistakes but she recognises them and does what she can to make amends. She is incredibly self-reflective and her blossoming relationship with Redford, while turbulent at times, is so wonderful to see because they are so honest with one another, and so understanding of each others feelings and limitations.
“Don’t dismiss your emotions and your self-protection as just a fucked-up decision. Don’t reduce something so complex and real and important to nothing.”
There was a point toward the end of the book which I felt unnecessary. Needless drama. While I can understand why it was included, it just didn’t feel authentic to these characters who we’ve seen grow and develop over three hundred pages. Overall though it didn’t take away my enjoyment of the story.
I am so glad I went back and finished the story of Chloe Brown and I cannot wait to continue with the series.
“I need you. I’m desperate for you I’m something without you, and I’ll survive without you, but I don’t fucking want to, so Jesus, please don’t make me.”
