Chasing Change

by Annemarie LLoyd, Net Rae Art (Illustrator)

Hailed as an Aussie 'Eat Pray Love'

'What began as a harmless adventure resulted in being stranded in the middle of nowhere with ... nothing. After I heard my van driving away from the campsite, I raced to where it had been parked. All that remained were three chairs, a table and my day bag. Relieved for about 4.5 seconds until I found my wallet to be empty, I gave up hope, realising I would have to endure a night alone in the bush, 800 kilometres (600 miles) from the nearest city, with nothing but a half-full bottle of water and a half-empty bag of marshmallows. At least the thieves left me with a decent fire.'

Her marriage in tatters, career in peril and her life falling apart around her, Shelley is tired of being forced to accept the changes life keeps throwing at her. Enter good friends, champagne and a tree-hugging massage therapist to help heal heartbreak and loss. Determined to be in the driver's seat - literally - of her life (for a change) Shelley buys a campervan and begins an adventure, travelling around Australia's amazing coastline and experiencing a lifelong dream.

Beginning on the fringes of majestic Sydney Harbour, and moving north around the country to the topical Top End and Australia's west coast, Shelley takes the reader on the trip of a lifetime.

Chasing Change is a comedy of errors. It is a journey of heartbreak, self-discovery, romance, and intrigue – everything that comes with Chasing Change.

345 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 27, 2026

Reviews

[Annemarie Lloyd]

I have to give me 5 stars! I love this book. It took a lot of work, a lot of tears and a lot of laughs. Every author should praise their own blood, sweat and tears 🥰

[S Elliott]

Being an ARC reader for this novel, I highly recommend Chasing Change for romance enthusiasts when it is released in late September 2026.
Spoken from Shelley’s point of view, the author has filled the pages with lighthearted internal dialogue, positive realisations and an emotional rollercoaster of love, heartache and friendships. She travels the country, chasing change and taking control of her life rather than letting life control her.
If you love contemporary romance novels, this one is for you. Set in Australia, Annemarie Lloyd has shown the beauty of the country as Shelley travels and navigates unexpected obstacles, which only make her stronger and more confident.

[MKAC]

3.75⭐️

At its heart, Chasing Change, is reminding us that change is always going to happen. Sometimes we just roll with it and sometimes we decide to pick it up and bring it along on an epic adventure.

Shelley’s core family and friends are lovely people. Which means when change happens, there is love there, but Shelley still needs to find her own way. There are shenanigans, new friends, lovers and many other adventures as she embarks upon her journey of self-discovery.

What the heck is a ‘road train’? It took me a couple times, before I put down the book and looked it up. 😁 I love learning new things. There were a few things I had to look up in this book, me being from Canada and I enjoyed learning about each one. Australia is somewhere I’ve always wanted to visit and I feel like I did some real touring with Shelley. But want to see it for myself even more, now.

I think because Shelley was narrating this story, it felt like that, someone telling me a story. I didn’t get as lost in it as I would have liked, always felt like I was watching from afar. That may be the point and it works, even if it makes me feel a little removed from the story.

[Teresa]

This is a highly enjoyable romance novel, with the feisty, honest and funny Shelley Taylor its heart and soul. It’s great to read a book so unapologetically Australian in setting, character and language. Shelley experiences many tough personal challenges in the novel, and this honest telling of heartbreak and betrayal makes Shelly a very relatable person. Her family and friends, along with the string of wonderful characters she meets on her journey, create the right environment for her personal growth and liberation as a woman. Between Eric the guru, Jack the truckie, Garry the hunky cop, Shelley finds that the world is still a good place and people are generally kind-hearted and generous, much like Shelley herself. And of course, she also finds true love – because this is a romance! A sexy romp, with heart, humour and insight into the complex (and cheeky) thoughts of a modern young woman as she “chases change” across the Australian landscape. If you love modern romance, you will enjoy this novel by first-time author Annemarie Lloyd.

[Aimee Beloved Nerdy Auntie]

Thanks to the author for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own. This is a story about a woman navigating A LOT of change. Some of it was completely outside her control. It’s also about her discovering that sometimes the biggest changes lead to the best kind of self-discovery. I really enjoyed the Australian setting and all the Australianisms, and now I desperately want to visit Australia… preferably without encountering any of the many creatures there that apparently want to kill me. 😂 My favorite parts were the quirky sense of humor and the slow burn romance. Watching her explore the world around her while also figuring out who she is made this feel like more than just a romance. If you enjoy character growth, humor, travel vibes, and a romance that takes its sweet time getting there, this one is worth adding to your TBR.

[Dianne Diamante]

What an honor to be an advanced reader of this extremely enjoyable novel. I was immediately hooked and couldn’t wait to see what happened next. Shelley was so likable and real, I think girls of all ages will enjoy being transported along with Shelley on her shenanigans and adventures. Would be the perfect holiday read on the beach or by the pool.

[Emily L Banks]

Wow Wow Wow! Is all I can say, what an amazing read!
The journey Shelly goes through is like an emotional rollercoaster but it's so enjoyable at the same time, it's so relatable. You literally cannot but it down.
It's one of those rare books that you just can't stop reading no matter how hard you try. I highly recommend it, it's a book like no other and written so beautifully.
Go on the journey with Shelly, you won't regret it...

[Alexandra Culley]

There’s LOTS to enjoy about “Chasing Change” which falls into my category of ‘Beverage Book’. Whether you’re on the deck of a ship, sitting with your feet up in front of the fire, or simply lazing at home; get your drink of choice and enjoy.
Shelley, the hero, is faced with some pretty shabby relationship behaviour as the book opens which triggers her odyssey of self-discovery across some spectacular parts of Australia. (If you’ve not been have Google Maps and images so you can alternate between sipping of beverage and taking a look at some incredible places Shelley explores). The author’s panoramic descriptions of sunsets over water, arid desserts, escarpments, and waterfalls all bring the spectacular colours of the Australian Coastline and Outback to life. Shelley took me to a place I haven’t been for 30 years. A few tears slipped out both for Shelley’s healing journey and the vicarious pleasure of adding my own memories.
The Author invites the reader INTO the book and to have an opinion at various points of Shelley’s self discovery. Extremely clever use of the Fourth Wall and yet another reason to grab a beverage.
“Chasing Change” has big chunks of drama. Shelley’s absolutely HILARIOUS one liner reflections had me laughing out loud from beginning to end. Told in the first person Shelley allows us to share her EVERY thought. You don’t want to miss a single one.
Along with the main cast, Shelley encounters some fairly classic outback characters. Again LOL. All characters - irrespective of page time - are well built. One character, who shall remain nameless, is very well built!
“Chasing Change” is a stylishly written, easy to read book about a woman finding her POWER, random acts of kindness, and the importance of having FUN along life’s journey.
Spoiler: Shelley definitely enjoys a few beverages along the way.

[Maya]

Chasing Change had me hooked from start to finish. It gave me major Eat, Pray, Love vibes, except Shelley's journey of heartbreak and self-discovery takes place entirely across Australia's stunning coastline instead of around the world.

Shelley is such a relatable, funny narrator, and I loved watching her grow from heartbroken and blindsided by Matt's betrayal into someone truly independent and sure of herself. Her friendship with Cate felt so real and grounding, and the cast of outback characters she meets along the way, like Hunter and Jack, made the road trip feel genuine and full of heart. And of course, Robert's slow-burn arc had me rooting for them the entire time.

As an American reader, I thoroughly enjoyed getting to visualize all the different Australian places Shelley travels to, from Cairns all the way to Monkey Mia. It felt like a true trip across the country.

A heartfelt, funny, and swoony read. Highly recommend!

Thank you to the author for providing this ARC and the opportunity to review your work!

[Patti Day]

Thank you to the author for this Advance Review Copy.

I didn't know what to expect from the ARC, but I was pleasantly surprised. Shelley is funny, even when she is heartbroken.

I read somewhere that the book had 'Eat Pray Love' vibes (with an Australian twist). I totally agree.

Shelley navigates heartbreak and change in her life by managing it on her terms. She grows through change and humour.

I love the beach vibes and the outback characters.

A lot of this book could be summarised as "Don't get mad/even - get better." And Shelley gets a whole lot better, on her own terms.

This is an excellent feel-good story - a mix of reality and escapism. This is one I'll read again.

[Lini P]

What an honour to be able to review this advance copy of Chasing Change.

Shelley and her quick wit had me rooting for her right from the start. Her indomitable spirit amid unexpected chaos is a wonderful example of how heartbreak can lead to life (quite literally) taking a new route - and sometimes these detours end up leading to exactly where we are meant to be.

Wonderfully written by an exceptionally talented author who knows how to bring to life the character and beauty of Australia. This was definitely a page-turner and I was completely engrossed in Shelley’s world from start to finish. Without giving too much away, I politely demand a sequel.

[Jessica Henderson]

It was such a joy to be an advanced reader for Chasing Change. Following Shelley on her (literal) journey of heartbreak, new romance and chaos was such a thrill and made me want to get on a plane straight to Monkey Mia. Shelley is a hilarious protagonist among a cast of quirky characters. She experiences the metamorphosis of rebuilding your life after collapse, and going after what she really wants - in this case, the roadtrip of her dreams.

I highly enjoyed this book and would recommend to anyone looking for a romance read, a vicarious getaway or just a great laugh. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Sharon Savige]

I loved Chasing Change. It's warm, funny, and full of heart, with wonderful characters and vividly described locations that make you feel as though you're riding along in the passenger seat for the entire journey. I particularly enjoyed the friendships, both old and new, the unpredictable adventures, and the way Shelley gradually discovers that sometimes the life you didn't plan for can lead you exactly where you're meant to be. This is a funny, uplifting story about friendship, embracing change, and finding the courage to see what might be waiting around the next corner.
I loved it.

[Beverley]

I was blessed to get the opportunity to read Chasing Change before it's publication . Sometimes you just want a book that's romantic , thought provoking and an easy read , and Chasing Change is all of those things . Set in Australia where Shelley sets off on her adventures I found myself wishing I could have joined her. This is the first book I have read by Annemarie Lloyd but it won't be my last .

[Reader]

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Chasing Change. What an adventure across our beautiful country evoking memories as the landscape was so well depicted and described through Shelley’s eyes, I felt that I was present on the journey. The heartache, the romance, the relationships, people, feelings and places were brought to life through the fabulous way in which they were written. The humour, self realisations, growth and change made a fabulous read which left me wanting to read more.

[Yvonne White]

I really enjoyed this book. Written in first person, it's narrated with humour, even when the going is rough.
The characters are relatable and loveable.
I love that Shelley grew through adversity (after swearing a bit to get there).
Major 'Eat, Pray, Love' feels - an Australian adventure.
There are funny outback characters, a swoony main male character and a delightful transition guy.
All this book needs is a glass of bubbles, and a good, comfy couch to complement it.

[Penny Hart]

It was a pleasure to be an advanced reader for this funny, warm adventure about a woman who thought it was all going okay until it wasn’t. Chasing Change has humour, all the emotions women ever feel, a built-in travel guide and beautiful descriptions that make you feel like you’re in the places you’ve never been. Highly recommended for anyone who is looking for something in life they didn’t know they needed.

[Michelle Hansen]

Wow what a great read an emotional roller coaster from start to finish.
Shelley takes you on the trip of a lifetime, Ive felt her heart ache and pain when her marriage ended. I’ve laughed and shed tears and was caught up in her romances and friendships she had along the way.
Highly recommend Chasing Change

[Tracy Ferris]

Really enjoyable read, page turner and made me laugh out loud.
Great mixture of adventure, romance and humour that kept me wandering what would happen next.
Ultimately a feel good story that gives hope when things look as if there is none, Alongside friendship, love and courage.
I look forward to more books the same author.