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Bella Summer Takes a Chance
When is enough not enough?
Bella's career and relationship are her life's foundationwear: not glamorous and perhaps a bit binding, but supportive enough... until she realizes that they are not enough. Her life is sagging badly. She's never been in love with her boyfriend, despite a decade together. And somehow she stopped being a musician-with-a-day-job and became a consultant-who-was-musical. So she takes a terrifying leap of faith, leaving her relationship and resolving to follow her musical dreams no matter what.
But the life you walk away from doesn't always let you walk away.
With a wonderfully warm and witty cast of friends, all navigating between their ideals and the realities they face, together they'll find out what love and compromise really mean in this empowering tale about grasping life with both hands.
Bella's career and relationship are her life's foundationwear: not glamorous and perhaps a bit binding, but supportive enough... until she realizes that they are not enough. Her life is sagging badly. She's never been in love with her boyfriend, despite a decade together. And somehow she stopped being a musician-with-a-day-job and became a consultant-who-was-musical. So she takes a terrifying leap of faith, leaving her relationship and resolving to follow her musical dreams no matter what.
But the life you walk away from doesn't always let you walk away.
With a wonderfully warm and witty cast of friends, all navigating between their ideals and the realities they face, together they'll find out what love and compromise really mean in this empowering tale about grasping life with both hands.
297 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 9, 2013
86 people are currently reading
631 people want to read
About the author
Michele Gorman
33 books368 followersMichele writes books packed with heart and humor, best friends and girl power. She also writes cozy comedies under the pen-name Lilly Bartlett. Lilly’s books are full of warmth, romance, quirky characters and guaranteed happily-ever-afters.
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She is both a USA Today and Sunday Times bestselling author, raised in the US and living in London with her husband.
Three-emails-a-year NEWSLETTER here: http://eepurl.com/dr5RGX #prizes #freecontent #giveaways
FACEBOOK here: https://www.facebook.com/MicheleGorma...
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/MicheleGormanUK
INSTAGRAM:
https://www.instagram.com/michelegorm...
She is both a USA Today and Sunday Times bestselling author, raised in the US and living in London with her husband.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
February 3, 2013
I have read Michele Gorman's books: Single in the City, Misfortune Cookie, and The Twelve Days to Christmas. I have enjoyed all three of those stories. I had the opportunity to read Bella Summer Takes a Chance.
Bella is trying to figure out her life. She is in her late thirties. She just realized she is not in love with the man she has been with for ten years. She is also trying to find her big break as a singer while working a day job.
She has several friends that vary in age and play a big role in her life. Her friends like to give their opinions on her personal life. As the story goes on, she starts to discover more about what she wants and her friends do as well.
I enjoyed reading Bella Summer Takes a Chance. There are humorous moments and chance taking that Bella and some of her friends do take. If you have enjoyed Michele Gorman's other books, then you will enjoy this as well!
(The book was provided by the publisher and author for review. )
Bella is trying to figure out her life. She is in her late thirties. She just realized she is not in love with the man she has been with for ten years. She is also trying to find her big break as a singer while working a day job.
She has several friends that vary in age and play a big role in her life. Her friends like to give their opinions on her personal life. As the story goes on, she starts to discover more about what she wants and her friends do as well.
I enjoyed reading Bella Summer Takes a Chance. There are humorous moments and chance taking that Bella and some of her friends do take. If you have enjoyed Michele Gorman's other books, then you will enjoy this as well!
(The book was provided by the publisher and author for review. )
January 31, 2013
I give it 4.5 stars. The copy I read was the English version (UK). I really enjoyed the story of B. I could related to a lot of what happened relationship wise as B in the story. I to was married to my best friend but wasn't in love with him and the romance was not there. I also like B decided not to get back together with my husband and still remain friends with him. The story was funny and heartfelt at the same time. The reason I only give it 4.5 stars is because of the use of words, example mum was used instead of mom. I do know this is UK edition but B is an America and she wouldn't be changing the way she talks because she is in England, she would still call her mom, mom and not mum or would call ass, ass not arse. Other then that I love the book and I loved the ending a GREAT chick lit book. Book provided by the publisher for review.
February 6, 2013
An inspiring and good read that most girls can relate to. The other characters alongside B are fab. I wanted to find out what happened along the way. There are some interesting twists and turns as the stories unfold.
March 18, 2013
When Michele Gorman’s debut novel Single in the City was released by Penguin in 2009/2010 I was dying to read it as I love books about expats. However, sadly, the book didn’t work for me at all and I didn’t bother to read the novel’s sequel Misfortune Cookie last year. However when Michele got in touch about her new book Bella Summer Takes A Chance, I thought it sounded like a really good read and I happily accepted a copy to review. I’m really pleased I did because I really enjoyed Bella Summer Takes A Chance, it seems a world away from her debut novel, and I was really surprised by how quickly I devoured it.
Bella Summer Takes A Chance is fairly self-explanatory when you read the title. Bella Summer, known to all as B., has found her life has stagnated – her life with boyfriend Mattias isn’t what she expected it to be and her dreams of being a musician has fallen to the wayside so when B. finds herself asking Mattias if they’re really in love one night while watching a movie, it sees a massive change in Bella’s life as for the first time in a decade she sees herself trying to make more of her life. She’s sees herself taking a chance, with a group of fabulous friends – Kat, Clare, Faith and Fred – behind her every step of the way.
I found myself very involved in Bella Summer Takes a Chance, right from the first page. Yes, the setup for B’s big life change is perhaps not the best lead in – asking if the man beside you is in love with you just because a rom-com character has done it, but that’s easily ignored as B’s life is indeed in need of a shakeup and whilst its not as earth-shattering a shakeup as Hannah in Single in the City who moved all the way from the USA to England (as did B, actually), B’s own shakeup sees her striving to make herself a better life and become a serious musician and I loved B’s journey. I really enjoyed seeing her grab the bull by the horns and make music her number one priority, backed all the way by the best friends a girl could ever ask for. I thought the characters were excellent, B really made an impression on me – I admire anyone who takes their life and turns it upside down just to try and make it better.
The writing was also excellent, normally when you do read a self-published novel (and to be fair it ain’t just self-pubbed novels) you expect typos, grammatical errors etc but Bella Summer Takes A Chance has been very well edited. The only disappointment I had was the romance part of the novel, or lack thereof. There’s a great debate in the novel as to whether friendship-turned-to-love can ever compare to pure love-at-first-sight love but while B went on many dates the romance and happy ending side of things was severely lacking. I had my eye on who I wanted her with and I was massively disappointed she gave him the whole like-him-as-a-friend spiel. I personally thought they’d have been perfect together. But overall I really liked the novel, and I must give a massive shout out to Marjorie, a lady B visits in a home who has such stories to tell! I loved her to bits. I can’t wait for Gorman’s next offering, I definitely recommend Bella Summer Takes A Chance.
Bella Summer Takes A Chance is fairly self-explanatory when you read the title. Bella Summer, known to all as B., has found her life has stagnated – her life with boyfriend Mattias isn’t what she expected it to be and her dreams of being a musician has fallen to the wayside so when B. finds herself asking Mattias if they’re really in love one night while watching a movie, it sees a massive change in Bella’s life as for the first time in a decade she sees herself trying to make more of her life. She’s sees herself taking a chance, with a group of fabulous friends – Kat, Clare, Faith and Fred – behind her every step of the way.
I found myself very involved in Bella Summer Takes a Chance, right from the first page. Yes, the setup for B’s big life change is perhaps not the best lead in – asking if the man beside you is in love with you just because a rom-com character has done it, but that’s easily ignored as B’s life is indeed in need of a shakeup and whilst its not as earth-shattering a shakeup as Hannah in Single in the City who moved all the way from the USA to England (as did B, actually), B’s own shakeup sees her striving to make herself a better life and become a serious musician and I loved B’s journey. I really enjoyed seeing her grab the bull by the horns and make music her number one priority, backed all the way by the best friends a girl could ever ask for. I thought the characters were excellent, B really made an impression on me – I admire anyone who takes their life and turns it upside down just to try and make it better.
The writing was also excellent, normally when you do read a self-published novel (and to be fair it ain’t just self-pubbed novels) you expect typos, grammatical errors etc but Bella Summer Takes A Chance has been very well edited. The only disappointment I had was the romance part of the novel, or lack thereof. There’s a great debate in the novel as to whether friendship-turned-to-love can ever compare to pure love-at-first-sight love but while B went on many dates the romance and happy ending side of things was severely lacking. I had my eye on who I wanted her with and I was massively disappointed she gave him the whole like-him-as-a-friend spiel. I personally thought they’d have been perfect together. But overall I really liked the novel, and I must give a massive shout out to Marjorie, a lady B visits in a home who has such stories to tell! I loved her to bits. I can’t wait for Gorman’s next offering, I definitely recommend Bella Summer Takes A Chance.
February 12, 2013
Bella Summer Takes A Chance
by
Michele Gorman
My"in a nut shell" summary...and I lean more toward 31/2stars...
Bella decides that since she and her BF of ten years are not in love...it's time for a change.
My thoughts after reading this book...
Fun! Sometimes a bit silly! Even sometimes a bit confusing! Bella is sort of an odd, unique, cool and quirky character and is trying to do her best to become a musician and find the man of her dreams. Bella is also kind of a complex character, has quite a few unusual friendships and is yearning to really be in love!
And then there is Mattias...Mattias of her ten year relationship...on paper it's all good...but is it enough for Bella...and is her relationship with Mattias really over? Even when it's over there is still some texting, dining and dating. Oh me oh my...
Ok...this book had lots of characters and lots of situations and lots of people in and out of love...I didn't have mad love for any one in this book but Bella was entertaining.
The book is sort of a wild ride that Bella takes after she ends things with Mattias, works on her career and figures out the rest of her life.
What I loved about this book...
I found this book to be entertaining. I loved the whirlwind relationships.
What I did not love about this book...
Ok...if I am being honest...it was confusing at times...there were too many whirlwind relationships. I didn't really like anyone...I think I expected more of a Sophie Kinsella kind of book...so that would be my fault for having that kind of expectation.
Final thoughts...
This book is a look into the lives of a group of friends who are in and out of love. There was character growth and interesting situations but the effect on me was a bit flat.
by
Michele Gorman
My"in a nut shell" summary...and I lean more toward 31/2stars...
Bella decides that since she and her BF of ten years are not in love...it's time for a change.
My thoughts after reading this book...
Fun! Sometimes a bit silly! Even sometimes a bit confusing! Bella is sort of an odd, unique, cool and quirky character and is trying to do her best to become a musician and find the man of her dreams. Bella is also kind of a complex character, has quite a few unusual friendships and is yearning to really be in love!
And then there is Mattias...Mattias of her ten year relationship...on paper it's all good...but is it enough for Bella...and is her relationship with Mattias really over? Even when it's over there is still some texting, dining and dating. Oh me oh my...
Ok...this book had lots of characters and lots of situations and lots of people in and out of love...I didn't have mad love for any one in this book but Bella was entertaining.
The book is sort of a wild ride that Bella takes after she ends things with Mattias, works on her career and figures out the rest of her life.
What I loved about this book...
I found this book to be entertaining. I loved the whirlwind relationships.
What I did not love about this book...
Ok...if I am being honest...it was confusing at times...there were too many whirlwind relationships. I didn't really like anyone...I think I expected more of a Sophie Kinsella kind of book...so that would be my fault for having that kind of expectation.
Final thoughts...
This book is a look into the lives of a group of friends who are in and out of love. There was character growth and interesting situations but the effect on me was a bit flat.
February 12, 2013
Bella Summer takes a chance is a book about love. Falling in love, realizing loving someone but not being in love, and the love of friends. Many times I read part of the story and stopped and thought Yup, so true or Wow, never thought about love like that. Michele Gorman kept me turning page after page needing to know more.
I really liked Clare. Pregnant, from her late night “Shag,” she is single and unsure of what she wants. The Shag being a man Clare wanted a relationship with and he wasn’t willing and is now the man looking for a relationship and Clare is not all that willing. My favorite part was the labor and delivery. The fact that Clare included all her best friends and The Shag showed exactly how close they truly are. I also loved that Clare was the type of woman that everyone hopes they won’t be during labor. I totally laughed out loud.
Bella’s, or B, musical career was kind of a background story. Following her almost non-happening career to being a much more active career was so entertaining. The fact that B’s job was suppose to just hold her over until her career took off and that when she lost that job her career made turns in the right direction was something I saw coming, but still truly enjoyed reading about.
Having read Michele Gorman’s books before I know what I was hoping for and was not disappointed. The quirky characters, easy reading, and flowing storyline were all exactly what I was hoping for. I would recommend any of her books, this one included.
I really liked Clare. Pregnant, from her late night “Shag,” she is single and unsure of what she wants. The Shag being a man Clare wanted a relationship with and he wasn’t willing and is now the man looking for a relationship and Clare is not all that willing. My favorite part was the labor and delivery. The fact that Clare included all her best friends and The Shag showed exactly how close they truly are. I also loved that Clare was the type of woman that everyone hopes they won’t be during labor. I totally laughed out loud.
Bella’s, or B, musical career was kind of a background story. Following her almost non-happening career to being a much more active career was so entertaining. The fact that B’s job was suppose to just hold her over until her career took off and that when she lost that job her career made turns in the right direction was something I saw coming, but still truly enjoyed reading about.
Having read Michele Gorman’s books before I know what I was hoping for and was not disappointed. The quirky characters, easy reading, and flowing storyline were all exactly what I was hoping for. I would recommend any of her books, this one included.
February 15, 2013
Bella Summer Takes a Chance follows B as she tries to make sense of her life. She feels there should be more to a relationship than a cosy friendship, that there should be a spark and passion, something she has never had with boyfriend Mattias. She makes the brave decision to end the relationship and begins to date again but the dates don't always turn out quite as successfully as B would have liked.
As well as following B's progress in love, we discover her love of music and her aspirations to become a singer and we get to know her friends. Kat is a stay at home mum of two who is happily married to James. But her marriage isn't quite as perfect as it appears and Kat is forced to make some major decisions of her own.
Faith, an investigative journalist, is a serial dater, finding the tiniest fault in the men she dates and using them as a reason to stop seeing them. And then there is Clare, caught in a casual fling with a man she once wanted a lot more from but now she isn't so sure she wants him at all anymore.
One of my favourite characters in Bella Summer Takes a Chance was Marjorie, a lady B volunteers to visit in a nursing home. Marjorie has suffered more than her fair share of tragedy during her life but she doesn't let that alter her positive outlook on life.
Bella Summer Takes a Chance is a light, often humorous, tale of finding love and reaching for your dreams.
As well as following B's progress in love, we discover her love of music and her aspirations to become a singer and we get to know her friends. Kat is a stay at home mum of two who is happily married to James. But her marriage isn't quite as perfect as it appears and Kat is forced to make some major decisions of her own.
Faith, an investigative journalist, is a serial dater, finding the tiniest fault in the men she dates and using them as a reason to stop seeing them. And then there is Clare, caught in a casual fling with a man she once wanted a lot more from but now she isn't so sure she wants him at all anymore.
One of my favourite characters in Bella Summer Takes a Chance was Marjorie, a lady B volunteers to visit in a nursing home. Marjorie has suffered more than her fair share of tragedy during her life but she doesn't let that alter her positive outlook on life.
Bella Summer Takes a Chance is a light, often humorous, tale of finding love and reaching for your dreams.
May 23, 2013
Bella, or B to her friends, is happy enough. She’s 38, has a job she…well doesn’t hate exactly, and singing ambitions that, ah, that have run aground. But at least she has comfort in her decade-long relationship with Matthias. Hang on, comfort? But they’ve never been in love!
B’s life is about to face massive changes. She leaves Matthias in the search for true love and instead finds the Dad, the Musician, the Actor and the Grandson, to name a few, in a long flow of unsuitable men. Maybe she was wrong to leave Matthias after all? Maybe friendship is enough and real love isn’t sustainable in a relationship. Maybe she should forget her singing career too; she is nearly forty after all.
But with the help of her three best friends Kat, Clare and Faith, B begins to discover that some things in life are worth fighting for.
Michele Gorman has produced a big, cosy hug of a book to encourage you to never give up on your dreams. The highlight of her writing is the hilarious relationship between the four women, all of whom are dysfunctional but loveable, as they struggle with issues of their own. Gorman explores the world of dating with real aplomb – this isn’t a world where all men are rotters and all women saints; every character has real, unexaggerated flaws. The moral is don’t settle for fine when you can have amazing.
Reviewed by Nikki Mason on behalf of BestChickLit.com.
B’s life is about to face massive changes. She leaves Matthias in the search for true love and instead finds the Dad, the Musician, the Actor and the Grandson, to name a few, in a long flow of unsuitable men. Maybe she was wrong to leave Matthias after all? Maybe friendship is enough and real love isn’t sustainable in a relationship. Maybe she should forget her singing career too; she is nearly forty after all.
But with the help of her three best friends Kat, Clare and Faith, B begins to discover that some things in life are worth fighting for.
Michele Gorman has produced a big, cosy hug of a book to encourage you to never give up on your dreams. The highlight of her writing is the hilarious relationship between the four women, all of whom are dysfunctional but loveable, as they struggle with issues of their own. Gorman explores the world of dating with real aplomb – this isn’t a world where all men are rotters and all women saints; every character has real, unexaggerated flaws. The moral is don’t settle for fine when you can have amazing.
Reviewed by Nikki Mason on behalf of BestChickLit.com.
February 19, 2013
Bella’s story had me intrigued right from the beginning. From the moment she breaks up with her boyfriend of a very long time, I wanted to see where life would take her, personally and professionally. I loved the strong bond that “B” has with her friends. While I sometimes felt that their lives took over, sometimes way too much, I understood it by the time the book was over and think that it helped complete her story — that there are many, many ways to “love” someone.
My only concerns were that instead of calling “B” her real name, “Bella,” that it might not make the reader as invested in the main character as much. Also, I wanted to see Bella become someone, because while she seems to be going somewhere, I didn’t feel complete with her character. I would’ve also like to have a huge event in her personal life happen, , not just in her professionally.
“Bella Summer Takes a Chance” was a fun read and I truly enjoyed it. I even laughed out loud quite a few times. Michele Gorman is a talented author and I definitely plan on reading more of her books.
I give “Bella Summer Takes a Chance” 4 out of 5 stars!
My only concerns were that instead of calling “B” her real name, “Bella,” that it might not make the reader as invested in the main character as much. Also, I wanted to see Bella become someone, because while she seems to be going somewhere, I didn’t feel complete with her character. I would’ve also like to have a huge event in her personal life happen, , not just in her professionally.
“Bella Summer Takes a Chance” was a fun read and I truly enjoyed it. I even laughed out loud quite a few times. Michele Gorman is a talented author and I definitely plan on reading more of her books.
I give “Bella Summer Takes a Chance” 4 out of 5 stars!
February 20, 2013
I received a copy of Bella Summer Takes a Chance by Michele Gorman in exchange for an honest review. Gorman is one of my favorite chick lit writers and I enjoy her books. This one was no different, and it was a quick read that I laughed throughout. Bella, or B., is the main character, who breaks up with her long-time boyfriend after realizing she loves him but isn’t in love with him, and starts taking more chances in her life. She tries to revive her singer career and find her Mr. Right, all while juggling her social life and hilarious cast of friends.
Bella Summer Takes a Chance is a well-written novel that is highly entertaining from page one and throughout. I loved Bella as a heroine because she finally realizes that she needs to take chances in life and won’t let anyone or anything bring her down. Her story is empowering and I absolutely love that in my reads. This book is also big on comedy. I had a hoot with Bella’s ex, her pregnant friend, and especially the adorable Marjorie. Filled with quirky characters and a lovely wrap up at the end, this is one for chick lit fans to read!
Bella Summer Takes a Chance is a well-written novel that is highly entertaining from page one and throughout. I loved Bella as a heroine because she finally realizes that she needs to take chances in life and won’t let anyone or anything bring her down. Her story is empowering and I absolutely love that in my reads. This book is also big on comedy. I had a hoot with Bella’s ex, her pregnant friend, and especially the adorable Marjorie. Filled with quirky characters and a lovely wrap up at the end, this is one for chick lit fans to read!
February 10, 2013
What a lovely story!
Basically this book is about a woman named B, short for Bella, and her adventures through a particular stage of her life.
At the start of the book she had a decent job, a good partner and she had a couple of gigs (she was a singer) but that wasn't enough. One day she realized that everything in her life, especially her relationship with her boyfriend of a decade, was kind of dull. She had just been walking through life not really following her dreams or her heart. So she decides to leave Mattias and go after true love. After a couple of adventures, couple of dates, new experiences and with the help of her friends she was able to reach her dreams and LIVE life.
This is truly an inspiring story! It talks about following your heart and being true to yourself. Life is not easy, it has lots of ups and downs but when you put yourself first and follow your dreams you will truly find happiness and true love.
Amazing book!
Basically this book is about a woman named B, short for Bella, and her adventures through a particular stage of her life.
At the start of the book she had a decent job, a good partner and she had a couple of gigs (she was a singer) but that wasn't enough. One day she realized that everything in her life, especially her relationship with her boyfriend of a decade, was kind of dull. She had just been walking through life not really following her dreams or her heart. So she decides to leave Mattias and go after true love. After a couple of adventures, couple of dates, new experiences and with the help of her friends she was able to reach her dreams and LIVE life.
This is truly an inspiring story! It talks about following your heart and being true to yourself. Life is not easy, it has lots of ups and downs but when you put yourself first and follow your dreams you will truly find happiness and true love.
Amazing book!
February 17, 2013
I enjoy a book that makes me think and laugh at the same time. Gorman did just that in Bella Summer Takes a Chance. Bella is a young woman who realizes that she is no longer in love and makes a tough decision of leaving the relationship Bella and her cast of characters negotiate what it means to be in love, to be a friend and to follow your dreams no matter the cost. With witty dialogue interesting characters and a fun story you will be swept away with Bella and taken on an adventure in love and destiny! 4 stars.
March 13, 2013
Great author! Funny & interesting. Modern & clever.
June 11, 2013
it was a little slow starting for me,but about a quarter of the way through it does capture you into the story
May 2, 2013
A wonderfully fun, engaging read! I loved Bella and was sorry when the book came to an end.
February 21, 2013
Such a good book!
May 22, 2013
Review to follow
November 3, 2018
Not your typical love story
I was hoping this wasn't going to be another typical rom com and luckily it wasn't. I like that the happy ever after had nothing to do with finding a man but rather with taking a chance to change your life and do something you love and make a living. Great cast of supporting characters too.
I was hoping this wasn't going to be another typical rom com and luckily it wasn't. I like that the happy ever after had nothing to do with finding a man but rather with taking a chance to change your life and do something you love and make a living. Great cast of supporting characters too.
February 9, 2018
A light-hearted, easy read with really likable characters. Will read more from this author!
October 30, 2018
I enjoyed this story but it wasn’t as funny as I expected. Characters were nice but I didn’t really understand why she split up from her boyfriend. Seemed a pointless reason.
February 3, 2020
Very good
This is a well written story. The author brought the cast of characters to life. They were quite the quirky bunch. I re really enjoyed reading this book.
This is a well written story. The author brought the cast of characters to life. They were quite the quirky bunch. I re really enjoyed reading this book.
September 7, 2013
This book was provided by the publisher in return for an honest review. With Bella Summer Takes A Chance, new-to-me author Michele Gorman introduces the reader to a character who grabs her life by both hands and gives it a thorough shake and toss despite no guarantee that she will end up successful. When we first meet Bella, she is coming to the realization that her life has become stagnant. She is not in love with her boyfriend of ten years and never has been. She wants the grand passion and romance and in spite of her best friend Kat’s assertion that there is no such thing, Bella is determined not to settle. Not with love or her career. Bella also decides to begin seriously pursuing her singing career.
She moves in with Frederick after she answers his advertisement for a roommate and begins pounding the pavement looking for singing gigs. I really enjoyed reading Bella’s story. I found it to be a fast read and very entertaining with several laugh out loud moments. Many of my favorite parts of this book were scenes that Frederick was in. Bella is convinced he is gay, despite his insistence that he’s “as straight as George Bush.” Several times while reading, I laughed until tears ran down my face. From the outrageous things Fred says to Bella’s first post-breakup hook-up to the birth of a baby, I had to keep my tissue box nearby at all times to wipe my eyes and my glasses. There’s even a reference in this book to Sliding Doors, which is one of my all-time favorite movies.
Bella’s best friends, Kat, Clare and Faith brought a different but also wonderful angle to the story. Kat is Austrian and very direct. Clare and Bella work together. Faith works at a newspaper and by all outward appearances seems to be frivolous with shopping and going through boyfriends like water because they possessed irritating personality characteristics. I was actually prepared to not like Faith because I thought she was judgmental, but she turns out to be the most grounded of Bella’s friends and I found myself quickly liking her. Bella also befriends Marjorie, a ninety year old woman living in a care facility where Bella volunteers. Marjorie has lived a full and quite colorful and exciting life that she gleefully shares the details of with Bella.
Overall, I loved this story. I hated to see it end and I didn’t want to say goodbye to any of the characters. This book had a lot of surprises and left me with a good feeling for the direction the characters were all heading in. I highly recommend this story if you are looking for a hilarious chick-lit that pulls the reader in immediately for outrageous fun. Michele Gorman definitely knows how to tickle a reader’s funny bone and she has made me a devoted fan.
She moves in with Frederick after she answers his advertisement for a roommate and begins pounding the pavement looking for singing gigs. I really enjoyed reading Bella’s story. I found it to be a fast read and very entertaining with several laugh out loud moments. Many of my favorite parts of this book were scenes that Frederick was in. Bella is convinced he is gay, despite his insistence that he’s “as straight as George Bush.” Several times while reading, I laughed until tears ran down my face. From the outrageous things Fred says to Bella’s first post-breakup hook-up to the birth of a baby, I had to keep my tissue box nearby at all times to wipe my eyes and my glasses. There’s even a reference in this book to Sliding Doors, which is one of my all-time favorite movies.
Bella’s best friends, Kat, Clare and Faith brought a different but also wonderful angle to the story. Kat is Austrian and very direct. Clare and Bella work together. Faith works at a newspaper and by all outward appearances seems to be frivolous with shopping and going through boyfriends like water because they possessed irritating personality characteristics. I was actually prepared to not like Faith because I thought she was judgmental, but she turns out to be the most grounded of Bella’s friends and I found myself quickly liking her. Bella also befriends Marjorie, a ninety year old woman living in a care facility where Bella volunteers. Marjorie has lived a full and quite colorful and exciting life that she gleefully shares the details of with Bella.
Overall, I loved this story. I hated to see it end and I didn’t want to say goodbye to any of the characters. This book had a lot of surprises and left me with a good feeling for the direction the characters were all heading in. I highly recommend this story if you are looking for a hilarious chick-lit that pulls the reader in immediately for outrageous fun. Michele Gorman definitely knows how to tickle a reader’s funny bone and she has made me a devoted fan.
February 8, 2015
I was pleased to be asked to read this book as I liked the blurb and it sounded like a refreshing change but at the same time an easy read that was just what I was in the mood for. The chapters are short and snappy and the characters mostly fun and interesting.
What is the difference about loving someone and being in love with someone? It’s thankfully not a question that I have ever had to ask myself but that is the question B asks her boyfriend Mattias. They have shared a decade of their life together but after watching a film one evening the question “Are you in love with me?” change their outlook of their relationship. They part on friendly terms but B leaves their home to flat share with Frederick a man she believes is gay.
B copes with the big change in her life with some support and also criticism from her friends Kat, Clare and Faith. Not all of which agree with her decision to leave Mattias and to try to find the “true love”. The friends are the type that all women want; someone you can talk to honestly and don’t mind them giving advice even if it is not what you want to hear and at the same time they support you in your decisions. The girls are all supportive of her musical talents and are there to cheer her on her path seeking stardom. The conversations the girls have and their ability to banter with each other was fun and reminded me of my friends and me. I would like to think I am there for my friends in their time of need.
Frederick the flat mate plays quite a big part in the novel and again I found that I enjoyed the growing friendly relationship of B and him. I found myself thinking how lovely it is to have a man’s opinion of things and the honesty with how he would advise her. He seems like a fun person to be around and his support at the big step she has taken in invaluable.
The story in the book is captivating and the various relationships that B has with men was interesting and makes me glad I am not single and looking for a partner. Things have certainly changed!
I really wanted B to get what she is seeking for in life in love and with her career. I don’t want to give away any part of the story line. The book was really good and I will be looking out for more by this author.
What is the difference about loving someone and being in love with someone? It’s thankfully not a question that I have ever had to ask myself but that is the question B asks her boyfriend Mattias. They have shared a decade of their life together but after watching a film one evening the question “Are you in love with me?” change their outlook of their relationship. They part on friendly terms but B leaves their home to flat share with Frederick a man she believes is gay.
B copes with the big change in her life with some support and also criticism from her friends Kat, Clare and Faith. Not all of which agree with her decision to leave Mattias and to try to find the “true love”. The friends are the type that all women want; someone you can talk to honestly and don’t mind them giving advice even if it is not what you want to hear and at the same time they support you in your decisions. The girls are all supportive of her musical talents and are there to cheer her on her path seeking stardom. The conversations the girls have and their ability to banter with each other was fun and reminded me of my friends and me. I would like to think I am there for my friends in their time of need.
Frederick the flat mate plays quite a big part in the novel and again I found that I enjoyed the growing friendly relationship of B and him. I found myself thinking how lovely it is to have a man’s opinion of things and the honesty with how he would advise her. He seems like a fun person to be around and his support at the big step she has taken in invaluable.
The story in the book is captivating and the various relationships that B has with men was interesting and makes me glad I am not single and looking for a partner. Things have certainly changed!
I really wanted B to get what she is seeking for in life in love and with her career. I don’t want to give away any part of the story line. The book was really good and I will be looking out for more by this author.
August 30, 2013
Bella Summer Takes a Chance
By Michelle Gorman
Bella Summer, otherwise known as B., is a one of those characters you fall in love with from the start. She has just broken up with her longtime boyfriend, having decided that a relationship based on friendship rather than love was not enough. She then finds a new flat mate in Frederick whom she has convinced herself is gay, despite his protests. Her job suddenly ends as well as her part-time gig as a singer in a local establishment. She realizes that she can’t let her flat mate support her until she finds a job, so she moves back into the house she bought with her former boyfriend Mattias on the condition that their relationship remains platonic.
Bella ‘s best friends Kat, Clare, and Faith were there for her when she broke up with Mattias, when she lost her job and her gig, and they were there to help her through her decision to make her music her life’s ambition, if only she could get a manager and a steady singing gig.
The biggest issue facing B. is whether or not friendship is enough in a relationship. Was she wrong to leave Mattias? Kat and James’ marriage was based on friendship. Faith dated a lot, but couldn’t seem to find her perfect match. Clare finds she is pregnant by “The Shag” and doesn’t think she wants a future with him. In the end will everyone find love and happiness?
I loved the characters in this book. Gorman had names for the men Bella dated: The Dad, The Musician, and The Actor. She became friends with The Grandson. Kat, Clare, Faith, and Frederick are B.’s lifeline, each with their own problems to unravel. Then there was Marjorie, the lady that B. volunteers to visit in the nursing home, who is the most colorful of all the characters and the wisest in life and in love.
I started reading BELLA SUMMER TAKES A CHANCE and was hooked from the very first page. It has a little of everything – humor, romance, conflict, friendship. I highly recommend BELLA SUMMER TAKES A CHANCE by Michele Gorman.
This book was provided by the publisher in return for an honest review.
By Michelle Gorman
Bella Summer, otherwise known as B., is a one of those characters you fall in love with from the start. She has just broken up with her longtime boyfriend, having decided that a relationship based on friendship rather than love was not enough. She then finds a new flat mate in Frederick whom she has convinced herself is gay, despite his protests. Her job suddenly ends as well as her part-time gig as a singer in a local establishment. She realizes that she can’t let her flat mate support her until she finds a job, so she moves back into the house she bought with her former boyfriend Mattias on the condition that their relationship remains platonic.
Bella ‘s best friends Kat, Clare, and Faith were there for her when she broke up with Mattias, when she lost her job and her gig, and they were there to help her through her decision to make her music her life’s ambition, if only she could get a manager and a steady singing gig.
The biggest issue facing B. is whether or not friendship is enough in a relationship. Was she wrong to leave Mattias? Kat and James’ marriage was based on friendship. Faith dated a lot, but couldn’t seem to find her perfect match. Clare finds she is pregnant by “The Shag” and doesn’t think she wants a future with him. In the end will everyone find love and happiness?
I loved the characters in this book. Gorman had names for the men Bella dated: The Dad, The Musician, and The Actor. She became friends with The Grandson. Kat, Clare, Faith, and Frederick are B.’s lifeline, each with their own problems to unravel. Then there was Marjorie, the lady that B. volunteers to visit in the nursing home, who is the most colorful of all the characters and the wisest in life and in love.
I started reading BELLA SUMMER TAKES A CHANCE and was hooked from the very first page. It has a little of everything – humor, romance, conflict, friendship. I highly recommend BELLA SUMMER TAKES A CHANCE by Michele Gorman.
This book was provided by the publisher in return for an honest review.
May 30, 2014
Michele Gorman recently released Bella Summer Takes a Chance through Notting Hill Press. She explores the question. Can one have passion in a relationship? Would you agree that his particular ingredient is needed?
Synopsis:
Bella has just broken up recently with her boyfriend Mattias. Have they really broken up? Bella also known as B. continues to see him. Her plan is to see other guys while enjoying her trip to Zurich for work. Where will fate take her once the trip is canceled and the job is no more? Her friends encourage her to get back together with Mattias. That it is fate and just be happy. Is it really possible to have love that is full of passion? B. evens consults her friend Marjory the elderly mentor who has had a full life but also tries to help her in her search. Will she truly find what she is looking for?
My Thoughts:
This is the second Michele Gorman novel that I have had the opportunity to share with you. I thought that it was definitely different and showed particular growth by author in her writing style. Also her characters came across as very authentic and with real struggles that are relatable. I was not a fan of B.’s desperation at times with her relationships.
The question of what is more important in a relationship having passion or just settling? Most single people would refer to B.’s dilemma as just settling with Mattias. The great question is can there be absolute passion in a relationship? For me the answer is sure but what makes a relationship truly last? To me this would be great passion and friendship. I don’t know that I would see Mattias as settling. Like B. I would want the most out of life and the people I encounter.
Synopsis:
Bella has just broken up recently with her boyfriend Mattias. Have they really broken up? Bella also known as B. continues to see him. Her plan is to see other guys while enjoying her trip to Zurich for work. Where will fate take her once the trip is canceled and the job is no more? Her friends encourage her to get back together with Mattias. That it is fate and just be happy. Is it really possible to have love that is full of passion? B. evens consults her friend Marjory the elderly mentor who has had a full life but also tries to help her in her search. Will she truly find what she is looking for?
My Thoughts:
This is the second Michele Gorman novel that I have had the opportunity to share with you. I thought that it was definitely different and showed particular growth by author in her writing style. Also her characters came across as very authentic and with real struggles that are relatable. I was not a fan of B.’s desperation at times with her relationships.
The question of what is more important in a relationship having passion or just settling? Most single people would refer to B.’s dilemma as just settling with Mattias. The great question is can there be absolute passion in a relationship? For me the answer is sure but what makes a relationship truly last? To me this would be great passion and friendship. I don’t know that I would see Mattias as settling. Like B. I would want the most out of life and the people I encounter.
January 6, 2015
Bella's career and relationship are her life's foundationwear: not glamorous and perhaps a bit binding, but supportive enough... until she realizes that they are not enough. Her life is sagging badly. She's never been in love with her boyfriend, despite a decade together. And somehow she stopped being a musician-with-a-day-job and became a consultant-who-was-musical. So she takes a terrifying leap of faith, leaving her relationship and resolving to follow her musical dreams no matter what.
But the life you walk away from doesn't always let you walk away.
With a wonderfully warm and witty cast of friends, all navigating between their ideals and the realities they face, together they'll find out what love and compromise really mean in this empowering tale about grasping life with both hands.
-- My thoughts. As usual, another hit from Michele. She always knows what readers want. B is a lovable kind of gal, a gal that we can all see pieces of ourselves in, but you never want to really tell! I gobbled it all up in one little bit, sad when it was over way too quickly. The cast of characters lively of course.
Each being fun and lively in their own right, Clare who is pregnant, but she doesn't like the father, but we all can see with our own eyes he is a good guy!!! Come on Clare! Hehe. Michele has such a talent I knew from the beginning everyone should be reading her. I highly recommend her to everyone I meet. I mean everyone should know she exists right?
So do yourself a favor and run out and grab everything she has written, some snacks, tell your family you are unavailable for a few days and devour all these great books! You won't regret it. I promise!
But the life you walk away from doesn't always let you walk away.
With a wonderfully warm and witty cast of friends, all navigating between their ideals and the realities they face, together they'll find out what love and compromise really mean in this empowering tale about grasping life with both hands.
-- My thoughts. As usual, another hit from Michele. She always knows what readers want. B is a lovable kind of gal, a gal that we can all see pieces of ourselves in, but you never want to really tell! I gobbled it all up in one little bit, sad when it was over way too quickly. The cast of characters lively of course.
Each being fun and lively in their own right, Clare who is pregnant, but she doesn't like the father, but we all can see with our own eyes he is a good guy!!! Come on Clare! Hehe. Michele has such a talent I knew from the beginning everyone should be reading her. I highly recommend her to everyone I meet. I mean everyone should know she exists right?
So do yourself a favor and run out and grab everything she has written, some snacks, tell your family you are unavailable for a few days and devour all these great books! You won't regret it. I promise!
July 13, 2016
Since I randomly stumbled across MATCH ME IF YOU CAN (I think it was an ad on my Kindle? So score one for being too cheap to pay for the ad-free version), Gorman has quickly become one of my favorite authors. I'm making my way through her oevre slowly, but I love each book more than the last. In fact, when I get a new one, I shove everything else on my TBR list aside until I'm done.
Part of me was a little disappointed at the ending, but it also made perfect sense for this character. Any other ending wouldn't have been right for B. at all, and this book is about following your heart. So good. I'd highly recommend it.
Part of me was a little disappointed at the ending, but it also made perfect sense for this character. Any other ending wouldn't have been right for B. at all, and this book is about following your heart. So good. I'd highly recommend it.
November 23, 2013
I got this book as an advanced copy, and in turn I was asked to write a review. I did think that this was a very cute lighthearted read, but it just wasn't my kind of reading preference. I need a little more romance in my books. It was very well written, though, and I have recommended it to some of my friends who aren't all about the romance, like me. I loved all of Gorman's other books, so I was a little surprised when I didn't fall in love with this book.
Great book if you want to laugh and don't really care if it has romance in it or not.
~Shanel
Great book if you want to laugh and don't really care if it has romance in it or not.
~Shanel
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