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A Year of Taking Chances
‘A beautiful book, a perfect read for when you need a little bit of sunshine to help you through your day.’ – Book Worm Mummy on Rosie’s Little Café on the Riviera
Life is about to change forever…
When best friends, Tina and Jodie, make a drunken New Year’s Eve vow to change their lives before they hit the big 3 – 0, neither expected to end the year with much more than another hangover…
Twelve months later, Jodie is married and living in Provence – and Tina is exactly where she was a year ago (although now her rent is double). Tina can’t help but feel a little bit left behind, but as Jodie reminds her, she’s not thirty yet, there’s still time to quit her job, start her own literary agency and sign the man of her dreams!
Don’t miss the new gorgeously uplifting holiday romance from bestselling author Jennifer Bohnet.
Life is about to change forever…
When best friends, Tina and Jodie, make a drunken New Year’s Eve vow to change their lives before they hit the big 3 – 0, neither expected to end the year with much more than another hangover…
Twelve months later, Jodie is married and living in Provence – and Tina is exactly where she was a year ago (although now her rent is double). Tina can’t help but feel a little bit left behind, but as Jodie reminds her, she’s not thirty yet, there’s still time to quit her job, start her own literary agency and sign the man of her dreams!
Don’t miss the new gorgeously uplifting holiday romance from bestselling author Jennifer Bohnet.
257 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 6, 2018
710 people are currently reading
432 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer Bohnet
39 books290 followersSixteen years ago Richard and I, with our then dog, 14 year old Holly in a trailer attached to Richard's bike, cycled down through western France via the canal paths, arriving in Antibes in July. With the exception of two fleeting visits back to the UK we have lived in France ever since.
For the past five years we have lived in a small cottage in central Brittany with one large collie dog called Viking, one fat cat known as Little’un and a young tortoiseshell cat called Missy. Oh, and there are various ducks and chickens in the garden, and a large pond with about a hundred fish in!
I have contributed short stories and serials to many of the UK women's magazines including, The People's Friend, Candis, My Weekly, Best, Yours and my stories have been published in Australia, Sweden, South Africa and Ireland.
I also write magazine features and my work has been published in national magazines and newspapers like, The Sunday Times, The Sunday Telegraph, Daily Mail, Daily Telegraph, Home and Country, Devon Life. For over three years I had my own newspaper column in the South Hams Group of Newspapers, that took a wry look at family life.
I am a member of the Romantic Novelists' Association and the Society of Authors.
For the past five years we have lived in a small cottage in central Brittany with one large collie dog called Viking, one fat cat known as Little’un and a young tortoiseshell cat called Missy. Oh, and there are various ducks and chickens in the garden, and a large pond with about a hundred fish in!
I have contributed short stories and serials to many of the UK women's magazines including, The People's Friend, Candis, My Weekly, Best, Yours and my stories have been published in Australia, Sweden, South Africa and Ireland.
I also write magazine features and my work has been published in national magazines and newspapers like, The Sunday Times, The Sunday Telegraph, Daily Mail, Daily Telegraph, Home and Country, Devon Life. For over three years I had my own newspaper column in the South Hams Group of Newspapers, that took a wry look at family life.
I am a member of the Romantic Novelists' Association and the Society of Authors.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews
April 21, 2018
What a fabulous and a half book!! This book was gorgeous, delightful, and an absolute breezy read about 2 best friends Tina and Jodie, wanting the Cosmos (I meant the Universe, not the magazine) to change their lives before they reach the big 3-O.
And the cosmos responds via the author Jennifer Bohnet; the story follows the lives of these girls, with husbands and significant others joining in along with the people who become a part of their lives thus becoming their extended family.
I loved the way the author has shown that distance does not matter, and friendship can still go strong with technology, Skype, chat, text messages, mails. Both Tina and Jodie see to it that they are a part of each other's lives, and it made a joyous reading, just to see that.
The strives of a hectic week just washed away by the words of this riveting story about two best friends. My first book by Jennifer Bohnet, and it was everything that I needed to make my Saturday evening fabulous.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and publisher HQ Digital, and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
And the cosmos responds via the author Jennifer Bohnet; the story follows the lives of these girls, with husbands and significant others joining in along with the people who become a part of their lives thus becoming their extended family.
I loved the way the author has shown that distance does not matter, and friendship can still go strong with technology, Skype, chat, text messages, mails. Both Tina and Jodie see to it that they are a part of each other's lives, and it made a joyous reading, just to see that.
The strives of a hectic week just washed away by the words of this riveting story about two best friends. My first book by Jennifer Bohnet, and it was everything that I needed to make my Saturday evening fabulous.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and publisher HQ Digital, and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
April 14, 2018
Reading the first chapters, I immediately lost myself in the story. You're thrown in Jodie and Tina's lives instantly, consuming everything they're about, learning about the changes they made and are dreaming of. You want them to succeed, to live their dreams and be happy with the decisions they're making. Honestly, even though I don't really have anything in common with the characters - except for my ability to dream of course - I did find myself connecting to them.
Jodie went from a hectic, busy life in London to a quiet one with her husband in France where she tries to find herself and a way to cope with everything that's changed in her life. In the meanwhile, Tina is ready to shake things up and start her own literary agency. I don't think I need to tell you guys how intrigued I was reading about her career as a literary agent, right? I think it was by far my favorite thing about this novel, haha.
Then we have the love interests. First of, the fact that Jodie's married and already established a romantic relationship? Definitely worth of extra points! I love stories where it isn't all about falling in love, getting into a relationship so this was pretty darn awesome indeed.
Of course, Tina doesn't have any love interest at first and that was fine by me. I think it was pretty balanced the way it was. Either way they had their own goals to reach, paths to find and fights to fight all while maintaining their long distance friendship.
Unfortunately, I did find some of the conversations and one particular event come across as a bit forced. The conversations are so genuine and feel like they could actually be most of the time real, but then suddenly it.. feels off and orchestrated. It turned me off a bit sometimes. I'm just glad it didn't happen all that often!
As for that one particular event... Let's just say two of the characters had some more growing to do before getting to a certain point and it killed me that it felt wrong to me.
3 / 5!
Kathy
Jodie went from a hectic, busy life in London to a quiet one with her husband in France where she tries to find herself and a way to cope with everything that's changed in her life. In the meanwhile, Tina is ready to shake things up and start her own literary agency. I don't think I need to tell you guys how intrigued I was reading about her career as a literary agent, right? I think it was by far my favorite thing about this novel, haha.
Then we have the love interests. First of, the fact that Jodie's married and already established a romantic relationship? Definitely worth of extra points! I love stories where it isn't all about falling in love, getting into a relationship so this was pretty darn awesome indeed.
Of course, Tina doesn't have any love interest at first and that was fine by me. I think it was pretty balanced the way it was. Either way they had their own goals to reach, paths to find and fights to fight all while maintaining their long distance friendship.
Unfortunately, I did find some of the conversations and one particular event come across as a bit forced. The conversations are so genuine and feel like they could actually be most of the time real, but then suddenly it.. feels off and orchestrated. It turned me off a bit sometimes. I'm just glad it didn't happen all that often!
As for that one particular event... Let's just say two of the characters had some more growing to do before getting to a certain point and it killed me that it felt wrong to me.
3 / 5!
Kathy
August 18, 2018
4.5 out of 5
April 6, 2018
This book was amazing so well written and has you hooked from the first page it's simply Devine read and has you hooked from the first page. I couldn't put it down at all story line and characters were excellent and highly recommend this read.
Best friends Tina and Jodie have a drinker New Year's Eve and decide that in the next year they will change their lives for good before the hot the big 3-0 but did they really expect to do this of not. But 12 months later Jodie is married and living in France and Tina is just where she was 12 years ago and she feels left behind. She decides as she's not quite 30 yet she still has time and she quits her job and starts up her own agency and when she takes on a gorgous man do things start to change and can she be happy. She also takes on a new flat mate and can things work out with her living there or not.
A great feel good easy read with excellent story lines a must read.
Best friends Tina and Jodie have a drinker New Year's Eve and decide that in the next year they will change their lives for good before the hot the big 3-0 but did they really expect to do this of not. But 12 months later Jodie is married and living in France and Tina is just where she was 12 years ago and she feels left behind. She decides as she's not quite 30 yet she still has time and she quits her job and starts up her own agency and when she takes on a gorgous man do things start to change and can she be happy. She also takes on a new flat mate and can things work out with her living there or not.
A great feel good easy read with excellent story lines a must read.
April 7, 2018
3.5 stars.
Short, snappy chapters keep A Year Of Taking Chances moving along like the Eurostar whizzing its way into France, where some of this book is set.
This is Jennifer Bohnet’s 12th novel (yes, 12th!) but, surprisingly, it’s the first time I’ve read any of her work.
It’s a warm and uplifting story about two friends, Tina and Jodie, who discover that dreams can come true – although you still have to work at them.
I generally really like books where the main characters are in the panic stage of the count down to 30 - I vaguely remember it myself – but this one didn’t quite gel for me.
While I enjoyed the story and the way it was written I didn’t connect with Tina or Jodie on more than a surface level. Having said that, there were elements of it that I really liked, such as finding out more about life in France (and, as the author lives there, she clearly knows her stuff). There's also a third character, Maisie, who I would have liked to have seen more of.
I know it’s proving popular with other reviewers, so I’d say give it a go and make your own mind up.
In fact, I’d be pleased to hear what you think.
Thank you to HQ Digital (via NetGalley) for the ARC in return for an honest review.
Short, snappy chapters keep A Year Of Taking Chances moving along like the Eurostar whizzing its way into France, where some of this book is set.
This is Jennifer Bohnet’s 12th novel (yes, 12th!) but, surprisingly, it’s the first time I’ve read any of her work.
It’s a warm and uplifting story about two friends, Tina and Jodie, who discover that dreams can come true – although you still have to work at them.
I generally really like books where the main characters are in the panic stage of the count down to 30 - I vaguely remember it myself – but this one didn’t quite gel for me.
While I enjoyed the story and the way it was written I didn’t connect with Tina or Jodie on more than a surface level. Having said that, there were elements of it that I really liked, such as finding out more about life in France (and, as the author lives there, she clearly knows her stuff). There's also a third character, Maisie, who I would have liked to have seen more of.
I know it’s proving popular with other reviewers, so I’d say give it a go and make your own mind up.
In fact, I’d be pleased to hear what you think.
Thank you to HQ Digital (via NetGalley) for the ARC in return for an honest review.
May 3, 2018
Best friends Tina and Jodie make a pact that if their lives haven't changed by their 30th birthday's that they would move to Wales and raise alpacas and cats. They should their agreement into the cosmos and New Years Eve to the background of fireworks.
Well if you are wanting alpaca farming you have come to the wrong book as their lives do start to change. The chapters alternate between Jodie now living in France, and Tina who is in London and taken in the most unlikely of lodgers.
I loved reading about both of these ladies lives and seeing how over the course of the book that they changed. There are huge secrets to be discovered in both their storylines, one of which made me feel really emotional.
What I loved the most was that Tina is a literary agent, and the descriptions of the preparations for London Book Fair felt so real to me having attended this year myself.
I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of this book and found myself whizzing through the pages. I am a huge fan of this author and this was one of her most enjoyable. I can't finish this review without mentioning the cover - just how gorgeous is it? Complete fits in with the story and so strikingly pretty!
Thank you to Netgalley and HQ Digital for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
Well if you are wanting alpaca farming you have come to the wrong book as their lives do start to change. The chapters alternate between Jodie now living in France, and Tina who is in London and taken in the most unlikely of lodgers.
I loved reading about both of these ladies lives and seeing how over the course of the book that they changed. There are huge secrets to be discovered in both their storylines, one of which made me feel really emotional.
What I loved the most was that Tina is a literary agent, and the descriptions of the preparations for London Book Fair felt so real to me having attended this year myself.
I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of this book and found myself whizzing through the pages. I am a huge fan of this author and this was one of her most enjoyable. I can't finish this review without mentioning the cover - just how gorgeous is it? Complete fits in with the story and so strikingly pretty!
Thank you to Netgalley and HQ Digital for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
March 15, 2018
Before they hit the big thirty, New Year sets two friends, Tina and Jodie on a mission to make the following two years the ones in which they achieve their dreams in love and work. However, life isn't all plain sailing and wish granting as literary agent Tina finds out after her PR worker best friend Jodie gets married to Ben an author whilst she's still playing the dating game with a lawyer who left her hanging and living with her unfulfilled working life still too.
However Jodie finds herself yes married but after a whirlwind romance, losing her parents and moving to France away from her normal life, she finds herself unable to adapt and dreams of being back with Tina having her best friend there to talk to face to face and so can't wait for an upcoming event which means they'll be reunited.
Yet plans can fall through and new faces can become trusted friends over time, we see taking chances are great sometimes and can really pay off in the long term despite any doubts originally.
This is a book showing that the best friend bond is super special and not everything typically happy leads to happiness and fulfillment in life as many aspects need to be in order for true happiness to be present. It was a sweet with added drama read and utterly enjoyable from beginning to end and another great book by Jennifer.
Many thanks to the publishers for allowing me to review this book for them!
However Jodie finds herself yes married but after a whirlwind romance, losing her parents and moving to France away from her normal life, she finds herself unable to adapt and dreams of being back with Tina having her best friend there to talk to face to face and so can't wait for an upcoming event which means they'll be reunited.
Yet plans can fall through and new faces can become trusted friends over time, we see taking chances are great sometimes and can really pay off in the long term despite any doubts originally.
This is a book showing that the best friend bond is super special and not everything typically happy leads to happiness and fulfillment in life as many aspects need to be in order for true happiness to be present. It was a sweet with added drama read and utterly enjoyable from beginning to end and another great book by Jennifer.
Many thanks to the publishers for allowing me to review this book for them!
January 2, 2022
The book was hard to stay engaged with - I typically love books like this, but the characters seemed wooden and not fully developed. There is also a major error in the kindle version I have that says that JODIE and LUC were on honeymoon! What?! This completely ruined any feeling of connection I had with this book.
The characters need serious fleshing out (I honestly did not care for either of the main characters, as we don't really have a reason to, and there were far too many side characters; so in all honestly, NO characters were fully developed), and there needs to be more editing.
The characters need serious fleshing out (I honestly did not care for either of the main characters, as we don't really have a reason to, and there were far too many side characters; so in all honestly, NO characters were fully developed), and there needs to be more editing.
April 3, 2018
I really enjoyed this book. It made me feel good and thinking about what following your dreams means.
It's well written, interesting characters and you feel involved in their story.
Strongly recommended.
Many thanks to HQ Digital and Netgalley
It's well written, interesting characters and you feel involved in their story.
Strongly recommended.
Many thanks to HQ Digital and Netgalley
April 23, 2018
Tina and Jodie are best friends with a “life checklist” and changes on the horizon. A New Year’s pledge had them asking the cosmos for big changes before they turned 30, and the universe answered. PR specialist Jodie is introduced to a high-flying author by literary agent Tina, and surprisingly for both of them – Jodie was romanced and soon in love with Ben: only to move to France and be married soon after. Left behind in London, Jodie is increasingly uncomfortable and feeling unsettled in the small literary agency, a series of ‘mishaps’ orchestrated by the new junior in the office start a niggling thought about her own agency, as well as a general sense of loneliness and ‘samey samey’ as Jodie’s move to France left her apartment far too quiet.
Enter several options - from a chance meeting with a uni friend brings Tina to meeting Maisie, a just twenty year old girl who followed her long-term boyfriend to London, only to find he had a new girlfriend – leaving her with few funds and sleeping rough – Tina has her roommate (on trial for 30 days) at least temporarily, she takes the plunge and makes her move. Thus, the Tina Matthews literary agency is born, with a boot-sale desk, a laptop and plenty of PR help (and a loan) from Jodie. First client – the author of a wonderful time slip romance she first spotted in a slush pile when working with Kate – only after learning that no one had actually offered representation to Lucinda, the author.
Twists, turns, a female’s pen-name and a serious attraction between her first (and she believes most promising) debut author, a series of troubling encounters for Maisie with her ex-boyfriend, even as their friendship continues to grow, and Josie’s struggles with life in a small French village. Josie’s husband Ben is prone to hours spent writing and revising while she is left to her own devices: language classes and walking the dog just aren’t removing that sense of ‘unease’. Still missing her Mum, she’s not yet gone through the boxes stuffed at the bottom of the closet in the spare room, although Ben’s mother has been lovely, Ben is wholly unreasonable about his mother’s ‘friend’ Thierry. And when you add in her starting back with PR, an unexpected (and at first unwelcome) stranger with ‘family’ news, and the stress of finding and moving house – Jodie’s got plenty of changes coming, if only she could shake that nausea…….
See – here’s the thing about this book – you won’t want to put it down because each character draws you into their life and struggle of the moment: you must know how it all turns out. I started with the plan to read for a few chapters and looked up to realize that I had ignored all I had to do and was starting on chapter eighteen! Bohnet writes with such heart it makes it easy to enjoy the characters and understand their moments that may not be their best, but she lets the best of them shine through. Plenty of chances are taken here, many aren’t quite the smoothest sail, and there are secrets revealed – but nothing is unconquerable – and the New Year’s pact between Jodie and Tina seemed to give them the confidence boost they needed to push forward in decisions that could change their lives, for the better, even as they found happiness in the changes that had never been there before.
I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
Review first appeared at I am, Indeed
Enter several options - from a chance meeting with a uni friend brings Tina to meeting Maisie, a just twenty year old girl who followed her long-term boyfriend to London, only to find he had a new girlfriend – leaving her with few funds and sleeping rough – Tina has her roommate (on trial for 30 days) at least temporarily, she takes the plunge and makes her move. Thus, the Tina Matthews literary agency is born, with a boot-sale desk, a laptop and plenty of PR help (and a loan) from Jodie. First client – the author of a wonderful time slip romance she first spotted in a slush pile when working with Kate – only after learning that no one had actually offered representation to Lucinda, the author.
Twists, turns, a female’s pen-name and a serious attraction between her first (and she believes most promising) debut author, a series of troubling encounters for Maisie with her ex-boyfriend, even as their friendship continues to grow, and Josie’s struggles with life in a small French village. Josie’s husband Ben is prone to hours spent writing and revising while she is left to her own devices: language classes and walking the dog just aren’t removing that sense of ‘unease’. Still missing her Mum, she’s not yet gone through the boxes stuffed at the bottom of the closet in the spare room, although Ben’s mother has been lovely, Ben is wholly unreasonable about his mother’s ‘friend’ Thierry. And when you add in her starting back with PR, an unexpected (and at first unwelcome) stranger with ‘family’ news, and the stress of finding and moving house – Jodie’s got plenty of changes coming, if only she could shake that nausea…….
See – here’s the thing about this book – you won’t want to put it down because each character draws you into their life and struggle of the moment: you must know how it all turns out. I started with the plan to read for a few chapters and looked up to realize that I had ignored all I had to do and was starting on chapter eighteen! Bohnet writes with such heart it makes it easy to enjoy the characters and understand their moments that may not be their best, but she lets the best of them shine through. Plenty of chances are taken here, many aren’t quite the smoothest sail, and there are secrets revealed – but nothing is unconquerable – and the New Year’s pact between Jodie and Tina seemed to give them the confidence boost they needed to push forward in decisions that could change their lives, for the better, even as they found happiness in the changes that had never been there before.
I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
Review first appeared at I am, Indeed
April 5, 2018
Actual rating 4.5
Tina and Jodie are best friends and find themselves in a rut as they are closing in on their 30th birthdays. Something has to change and a wish to the cosmos might just be the answer. Told in third person this story follows Tina in London, Jodie in France and as a little bonus, Maisie who becomes Tina's new flatmate. Usually, I find multiple POVs a bit jarring but the transitions between characters is seamlessly done. As such, it makes it a joy to read as the writing continues to flow.
Jodie is now married and her partner, Ben, is a writer. As she settles into a new country with a new language to learn, Jodie as a character becomes a little lost and confused over what to do with her life. She wanted away from the rat-race in London but a quiet country life in France just isn't for her. A mystery related to her dead parents pops up and needs to be emotionally resolved. She provides the positive reinforcement Tina needs to get out of her situation - the twos dynamic may not be the focal point of the story but it feels like there is real thought and feelings put into their relationship.
Tina is stuck in a job that is being poached on by the new starter. Feeling like she no longer belongs in the company she decides to start her own literacy agency and hopes to sign Lucinda Penwood whose debut novel she believes will be an instant best seller. All she needs is a little love in her life. Life changes as she takes in Maisie who followed her now ex-boyfriend to London and was left homeless. There is a nice symmetry between Maisie and Tina who are at different points in their lives but are both finding their feet.
Friendship is shown to be a bond which can last a lifetime - no matter how far apart you become. New people are not necessarily a bad thing and changing up your life can lead to a fulfilment that's unexpected. I understand why this is being marketing as a feel-good holiday read. It's set in two countries, and has that wonderfully wholesome feeling throughout. I was left wanting a little with the ending though.
Tina and Jodie are best friends and find themselves in a rut as they are closing in on their 30th birthdays. Something has to change and a wish to the cosmos might just be the answer. Told in third person this story follows Tina in London, Jodie in France and as a little bonus, Maisie who becomes Tina's new flatmate. Usually, I find multiple POVs a bit jarring but the transitions between characters is seamlessly done. As such, it makes it a joy to read as the writing continues to flow.
Jodie is now married and her partner, Ben, is a writer. As she settles into a new country with a new language to learn, Jodie as a character becomes a little lost and confused over what to do with her life. She wanted away from the rat-race in London but a quiet country life in France just isn't for her. A mystery related to her dead parents pops up and needs to be emotionally resolved. She provides the positive reinforcement Tina needs to get out of her situation - the twos dynamic may not be the focal point of the story but it feels like there is real thought and feelings put into their relationship.
Tina is stuck in a job that is being poached on by the new starter. Feeling like she no longer belongs in the company she decides to start her own literacy agency and hopes to sign Lucinda Penwood whose debut novel she believes will be an instant best seller. All she needs is a little love in her life. Life changes as she takes in Maisie who followed her now ex-boyfriend to London and was left homeless. There is a nice symmetry between Maisie and Tina who are at different points in their lives but are both finding their feet.
Friendship is shown to be a bond which can last a lifetime - no matter how far apart you become. New people are not necessarily a bad thing and changing up your life can lead to a fulfilment that's unexpected. I understand why this is being marketing as a feel-good holiday read. It's set in two countries, and has that wonderfully wholesome feeling throughout. I was left wanting a little with the ending though.
April 9, 2018
As good friends Jodie and Tina near their thirtieth birthdays, they realise life hasn’t panned out as either of them expected but agree now is the time for change - they’re just not sure how. A Year of Taking Chances follows the determined twosome as they set out to fulfil their dreams – for Jodie this means settling into French village life; whilst Tina must decide whether to take the gamble of setting up her own literary agency.
The premise of this novel felt very real to me as I recently celebrated a significant birthday and appreciated the women’s need to take stock and look forward to what the next decade might hold.
When I began reading A Year of Taking Chances it was meant to be spring but was still hailing outside, so escaping to the beautiful French countryside with Jodie felt an absolute treat. Bohnet uses her intimate knowledge of French life to expertly weave interesting details throughout. Couple Jodie’s rural lifestyle with that of her ambitious literary agent friend Tina, and you have protagonists who tick all the right boxes for me. Friends supporting friends, building a better future together.
The premise of this novel felt very real to me as I recently celebrated a significant birthday and appreciated the women’s need to take stock and look forward to what the next decade might hold.
When I began reading A Year of Taking Chances it was meant to be spring but was still hailing outside, so escaping to the beautiful French countryside with Jodie felt an absolute treat. Bohnet uses her intimate knowledge of French life to expertly weave interesting details throughout. Couple Jodie’s rural lifestyle with that of her ambitious literary agent friend Tina, and you have protagonists who tick all the right boxes for me. Friends supporting friends, building a better future together.
April 6, 2018
Tina and Jodie are best friends who are both approaching 30 and feeling that life is passing them by and so
they make a drunken pact to change their lives. Jodie is soon married and living in France but Tina is still in the same job and living the same life but without her best friend until she finally decides to set up her own literary agency. Then she gets a new flatmate Maisie and life is starting to look up.
A lovely story following the lives of these friends, the characters all work well together, I especially liked Maisie who was great fun and I love the setting in France, a good light relaxing summer read
they make a drunken pact to change their lives. Jodie is soon married and living in France but Tina is still in the same job and living the same life but without her best friend until she finally decides to set up her own literary agency. Then she gets a new flatmate Maisie and life is starting to look up.
A lovely story following the lives of these friends, the characters all work well together, I especially liked Maisie who was great fun and I love the setting in France, a good light relaxing summer read
January 18, 2021
*Discovered on Amazon Prime*
3.5/5 stars
Easy to read chick-lit with predictable moments. Did enjoy reading but with predicting the storyline correctly it lost some of its magic. However you did spend the time reading hoping for both main characters to succeed. Would recommend as an easy read for chick-lit lovers.
3.5/5 stars
Easy to read chick-lit with predictable moments. Did enjoy reading but with predicting the storyline correctly it lost some of its magic. However you did spend the time reading hoping for both main characters to succeed. Would recommend as an easy read for chick-lit lovers.
April 6, 2018
Tina and Jodie are best friends. They room together and their jobs are intertwined. Jodie is a PR person and Tina works for a literary agency. During a drunken New Year's Eve celebration, they ask the Cosmos to help them change their lives within 2 years.
Jodie meets a Frenchman named Ben and within a short period of time, they are married and living in France. Ben is a successful author who fell in love with Jodie and the feeling was mutual.
Tina is still alone as the 2 year deadline approaches, but things at her job are becoming more and more difficult. So, she quits and to open her own literary agency.
Tina has also taken in Maisie. Maisie is a young woman who has been living on the streets for a few weeks. She came to London from Scotland to connect with her boyfriend, John. It turns out that John has found another girl and he quickly dumps Maisie. Tina helps her make a new start in life.
These 3 women are each going through a metamorphosis.
Jodie is learning how to fit in in a new country. After being a driven woman at work, she must adjust to an entirely new life. She takes classes to learn French, she meets people in the village and she is becoming a housewife.
Tina is overcoming a sense of uncertainty. The new business may be a failure, she may not be able to find authors. In reality she is good at recognizing talented authors and Jodie will be able to publicize the new agency to help create success.
Maisie, with Tina's encouragement and help, sees that she can create a new life for herself and she is better off without someone as rotten as John.
This is a nice story about life and the surprises that come along. Each of the women must learn to create a new path for themselves.
Jodie and Tina are women who have lived through losses and successes. Both of them are likable characters who carry the story forward. Surprises come their way, not all of them good ones. No matter what happens, their inner strengths allows them to find solutions for any problem.
This is a book about family relationships which can be painful as well as wonderful. It is about discovering who we are by the journeys which have been made. It is also about learning that opening up to all sorts of love can be very healing.
I enjoyed the book very much. This is the first book by Ms Bohnet I have read. I hope to read much more by her.
I received this book from the publisher through NetGalley. I am voluntarily writing this review and all opinions are my own.
Jodie meets a Frenchman named Ben and within a short period of time, they are married and living in France. Ben is a successful author who fell in love with Jodie and the feeling was mutual.
Tina is still alone as the 2 year deadline approaches, but things at her job are becoming more and more difficult. So, she quits and to open her own literary agency.
Tina has also taken in Maisie. Maisie is a young woman who has been living on the streets for a few weeks. She came to London from Scotland to connect with her boyfriend, John. It turns out that John has found another girl and he quickly dumps Maisie. Tina helps her make a new start in life.
These 3 women are each going through a metamorphosis.
Jodie is learning how to fit in in a new country. After being a driven woman at work, she must adjust to an entirely new life. She takes classes to learn French, she meets people in the village and she is becoming a housewife.
Tina is overcoming a sense of uncertainty. The new business may be a failure, she may not be able to find authors. In reality she is good at recognizing talented authors and Jodie will be able to publicize the new agency to help create success.
Maisie, with Tina's encouragement and help, sees that she can create a new life for herself and she is better off without someone as rotten as John.
This is a nice story about life and the surprises that come along. Each of the women must learn to create a new path for themselves.
Jodie and Tina are women who have lived through losses and successes. Both of them are likable characters who carry the story forward. Surprises come their way, not all of them good ones. No matter what happens, their inner strengths allows them to find solutions for any problem.
This is a book about family relationships which can be painful as well as wonderful. It is about discovering who we are by the journeys which have been made. It is also about learning that opening up to all sorts of love can be very healing.
I enjoyed the book very much. This is the first book by Ms Bohnet I have read. I hope to read much more by her.
I received this book from the publisher through NetGalley. I am voluntarily writing this review and all opinions are my own.
April 2, 2018
A super book.. Two best friends Tina and Jodie who are getting close to thirty and still single. Not that single is bad, but they aren’t in the place in their lives they expected. Drunk on New Year’s Eve, they make a New Years resolution. If at thirty they are still single they will move to Wales and raise cats, no alpacas. They look up at the stars to tell the cosmos it has less than two years or they will be going to Wales.
A great read you won’t want to put down.
A great read you won’t want to put down.
January 1, 2023
Cute but very basic and so predictable
March 29, 2018
Tina, Jodie, and Maisie all find themselves somewhere they didn't expect to be but they're all determined to get where they want to be. Does that make sense? If it does, well then you know how this entertaining chick lit novel is going to go. Jodie may have married too hastily and now she's adjusting to life in France while Tina has opened her own agency and is struggling to get business. Maisie, well Maisie moved to London from Scotland for a man, and that didn't turn out well at all. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC of this nicely written quick read which while not especially innovative, is encouraging and hopeful.
April 22, 2018
This tells the story of Tina and Jodie, two friends who want to make changes in their lives before they turn 30. It's a good theme (albeit nothing new), about taking chances, but there was little drama and I felt Tina and Jodie were a bit bland - Jodie in particular. Neither showed a great deal of emotion, and even during difficult periods in their lives I didn't feel the angst.
In Jodie's case, I felt the changes which occurred in her life were a tad unrealistic in terms of how fast they happened.
I really liked the scenes set in France, and the fact that Tina is a Literary Agent (loving the book theme). There is an additional storyline surrounding Maisie, whom Tina befriends, which added an interesting dynamic, but which was kind of left hanging at the end.
It's a nice enough story, just a bit bland in parts.
In Jodie's case, I felt the changes which occurred in her life were a tad unrealistic in terms of how fast they happened.
I really liked the scenes set in France, and the fact that Tina is a Literary Agent (loving the book theme). There is an additional storyline surrounding Maisie, whom Tina befriends, which added an interesting dynamic, but which was kind of left hanging at the end.
It's a nice enough story, just a bit bland in parts.
March 29, 2018
Don't we all get to a point where we want to make changes in our lives?
The characters, Tina and Jodie in A year of Taking Chances have decided to take some risks and make positive changes as they approach their big 3-0 birthdays.
A year of Taking Chances is a wonderfully written, warm read that explores the strength of friendship and it's unbreakable bond during a period of change, with a few surprises thrown in to boot!
To top it off, there's a truly beautiful ending, guaranteed to give you all the feels.
The characters, Tina and Jodie in A year of Taking Chances have decided to take some risks and make positive changes as they approach their big 3-0 birthdays.
A year of Taking Chances is a wonderfully written, warm read that explores the strength of friendship and it's unbreakable bond during a period of change, with a few surprises thrown in to boot!
To top it off, there's a truly beautiful ending, guaranteed to give you all the feels.
March 23, 2018
A lovely book about having the courage to follow your dreams... an enjoyable read once you get past Tina's melancholy having been left behind whilst Jodie is living the good life in France...
even better, it's a book about books as our heroine Tina works in a literary field...
3.5* an enjoyable read
even better, it's a book about books as our heroine Tina works in a literary field...
3.5* an enjoyable read
April 6, 2018
This book is a lovely read, following a year with two best friends Tina and Jodie. Both were determined to change their lives, however a year on from a New Year’s Eve promise to do so, only things for Jodie have changed. With Jodie now living in Provence with her new husband, Tina finds herself in London, without her best friend and flat mate at her side, single, unhappy with her new work colleague and still wondering if she is brave enough to take the first step to make the changes she knows she needs to make.
First up for Tina is to leave her job and set up her own literary agency. It won’t be easy, but it won’t be impossible either and she soon finds that one change seems to lead to another. A new flat mate, Maisie, enters her life and then through work, Luc arrives. Maisie turned out to be one of my favourite characters, fun, bubbly and determined, however Luc added a real sense of mystery to the book, and as the next big thing in the literary world, hopefully the answer to more than one of Tina’s dreams.
I enjoyed following Jodie as she settled into her new life in the south of France. To begin with it wasn’t easy, arriving in a French village with little spoken French and a husband often shut away in his study, however with a little bit of chance taking, along with a family mystery to solve and a house move to manage, very soon she begins to create her own future in France, with lots to look forward to.
This book has some great characters, all different, but all worked well together and whose stories of taking chances are nicely woven into the main plot. Sometimes all we need is a little help in getting started and the faith to put our trust in others, despite the uncertainties of the outcome.
First up for Tina is to leave her job and set up her own literary agency. It won’t be easy, but it won’t be impossible either and she soon finds that one change seems to lead to another. A new flat mate, Maisie, enters her life and then through work, Luc arrives. Maisie turned out to be one of my favourite characters, fun, bubbly and determined, however Luc added a real sense of mystery to the book, and as the next big thing in the literary world, hopefully the answer to more than one of Tina’s dreams.
I enjoyed following Jodie as she settled into her new life in the south of France. To begin with it wasn’t easy, arriving in a French village with little spoken French and a husband often shut away in his study, however with a little bit of chance taking, along with a family mystery to solve and a house move to manage, very soon she begins to create her own future in France, with lots to look forward to.
This book has some great characters, all different, but all worked well together and whose stories of taking chances are nicely woven into the main plot. Sometimes all we need is a little help in getting started and the faith to put our trust in others, despite the uncertainties of the outcome.
March 7, 2018
2.5 stars
***ARC received in exchange of an honest opinion***
I was expecting more from this book. It took me a lot of time to get into it, until the second half of the story I was debating not finishing it.
The story is told in 3rd person, which I usually like, but in this case it’s told in the POV (although in 3rd person) of the three main characters. I think that in this case the story is would have benefited from the 1st person, that way it would have been easier to connect to it and relate to the characters.
Speaking of which, the characters bored me most of the time. And when they finally peeked my interest I wanted more from their stories, specially their love stories, and I feel like the book only skimmed those.
I was left feeling there were some lose ends. Since it focused on three major characters (and then it only focused on two of them and the third was just left there), there wasn’t any particular focus on neither of them and I missed that connection.
Unfortunately this wasn’t the book for me.
***ARC received in exchange of an honest opinion***
I was expecting more from this book. It took me a lot of time to get into it, until the second half of the story I was debating not finishing it.
The story is told in 3rd person, which I usually like, but in this case it’s told in the POV (although in 3rd person) of the three main characters. I think that in this case the story is would have benefited from the 1st person, that way it would have been easier to connect to it and relate to the characters.
Speaking of which, the characters bored me most of the time. And when they finally peeked my interest I wanted more from their stories, specially their love stories, and I feel like the book only skimmed those.
I was left feeling there were some lose ends. Since it focused on three major characters (and then it only focused on two of them and the third was just left there), there wasn’t any particular focus on neither of them and I missed that connection.
Unfortunately this wasn’t the book for me.
March 6, 2018
From the moment I started reading I knew I was going to enjoy this story.
Tina and her best friend Jodie are now leading their own lives, after flat sharing together.
Jodie met and married Ben, a writer within months of meeting him and they settled in Ben’s home country of France. Something is not right though and she sets about it to make it good.
Tina was in a rut with her job and was missing Jodie. She decided it’s now or never on taking a chance to do something for herself, a big bold decision.
We meet Maisie, a girl who was living on the streets after following her boyfriend from Scotland only for him to jilt her. She was lucky enough to meet Tina and her wonderful life begins. All three women had support from someone. This is their story.
So many lovely characters and written very well, a must read.
Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Tina and her best friend Jodie are now leading their own lives, after flat sharing together.
Jodie met and married Ben, a writer within months of meeting him and they settled in Ben’s home country of France. Something is not right though and she sets about it to make it good.
Tina was in a rut with her job and was missing Jodie. She decided it’s now or never on taking a chance to do something for herself, a big bold decision.
We meet Maisie, a girl who was living on the streets after following her boyfriend from Scotland only for him to jilt her. She was lucky enough to meet Tina and her wonderful life begins. All three women had support from someone. This is their story.
So many lovely characters and written very well, a must read.
Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
March 9, 2018
This was a well-written, fun, engaging book. Tina and Jodie made an agreement to change their lives before they turned 30. A year later Jodie is married and living in France, but Tina's life hasn't changed. It's the start of a year of adventure for both Jodie and Tina. I enjoyed reading this book and look forward to reading other books by this author.
March 7, 2018
This book was everything that I wanted and needed to read at this moment in time. There are no words to just how beautiful this book is. I loved every minute of it.
February 20, 2023
I finished this book hoping it would get better but it wasn't worth it.
It supports quite old-fashioned men/women roles within couples, the "big surprise" was annoyingly obvious from the first time it was hinted at and the Kindle version could've used another round of edits for typos and grammar mistakes.
There are a lot of better feelgood books out there.
It supports quite old-fashioned men/women roles within couples, the "big surprise" was annoyingly obvious from the first time it was hinted at and the Kindle version could've used another round of edits for typos and grammar mistakes.
There are a lot of better feelgood books out there.
May 7, 2023
Couldn’t finish this one. The characters and storyline were lacking…everything. Just super flat and surface level conversations/plot points. Maybe I’ll try again later :/
April 13, 2018
Closer to thirty than twenty, two friends make New Years Eve resolutions that they will change their lives for the better by the time they are thirty. For Jodie, the chances come sooner than she imagines and she spends the next New Year on honeymoon. When Jodie moves to the South of France Tina is left behind in London. She wonders if life will change too.
A Year of Taking Chances follows both women's lives which diverge and connect as they take the opportunities offered them. Jodie has to adjust to life in a different country with a man she doesn't know well. Still hurting from tragic loss, she makes new relationships and discovers hurtful secrets as she forges a new life in France. Tina takes a courageous step to change her life, which reconnects her with Jodie and opens up the possibility of the life she wants and maybe someone to share it with but it's complicated.
The plot is fast-paced and absorbing; there are lighthearted and touching moments as the women follow their dreams.Sharing the women's hopes and dreams is a rollercoaster ride but they are both likeable characters, and you want them to succeed. A story of family and friendship and being brave enough to take a chance even when you don't know the outcome. An easy read, perfect when you want to escape for an hour or two.
I received a copy of this book from HQ Digital via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
A Year of Taking Chances follows both women's lives which diverge and connect as they take the opportunities offered them. Jodie has to adjust to life in a different country with a man she doesn't know well. Still hurting from tragic loss, she makes new relationships and discovers hurtful secrets as she forges a new life in France. Tina takes a courageous step to change her life, which reconnects her with Jodie and opens up the possibility of the life she wants and maybe someone to share it with but it's complicated.
The plot is fast-paced and absorbing; there are lighthearted and touching moments as the women follow their dreams.Sharing the women's hopes and dreams is a rollercoaster ride but they are both likeable characters, and you want them to succeed. A story of family and friendship and being brave enough to take a chance even when you don't know the outcome. An easy read, perfect when you want to escape for an hour or two.
I received a copy of this book from HQ Digital via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
February 4, 2019
I actually really liked this book and though, this type of genre isn't my cup of tea, I really thought this was a good read.
I liked both Tina and Jodie - I liked their close friendship and how they bounced off one another, giving each other purpose. I also liked how adaptable they both were and found this story to be quite inspiring, if you want something, you should find the means and go for it. I think this is a good start of the year book, it's positive, up-beat and lifting. I also think it's fun and shows promising growth and self development and purpose. The main characters are almost all female apart from Lucinda Penworth obviously. ;) I thought that it was a little more Jodie's story than Tina's but by the end of the story, they both faired out quite well and I particularly enjoyed the transformation of Maisie - how she went from this timid little woman to this strong and independent, winning woman! And how she found someone on her wave length that liked her and allowed her to be herself rather than following a man around like a sheep!
It was also refreshing as a Lucinda myself, to read about one that isn't a snobby, rich stuck up cow, kudos to the Author, very refreshing.
I liked both Tina and Jodie - I liked their close friendship and how they bounced off one another, giving each other purpose. I also liked how adaptable they both were and found this story to be quite inspiring, if you want something, you should find the means and go for it. I think this is a good start of the year book, it's positive, up-beat and lifting. I also think it's fun and shows promising growth and self development and purpose. The main characters are almost all female apart from Lucinda Penworth obviously. ;) I thought that it was a little more Jodie's story than Tina's but by the end of the story, they both faired out quite well and I particularly enjoyed the transformation of Maisie - how she went from this timid little woman to this strong and independent, winning woman! And how she found someone on her wave length that liked her and allowed her to be herself rather than following a man around like a sheep!
It was also refreshing as a Lucinda myself, to read about one that isn't a snobby, rich stuck up cow, kudos to the Author, very refreshing.
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