Chloe

by Freya North

Chloë Cadwaller’s godmother’s dying wish was for her goddaughter to travel the four countries of the United Kingdom – one in each season of the year. Join Chloë on the adventure of a lifetime as she learns to celebrate the beauty of Britain and discover love, lust, life (and a man for each season).

Genres: Chick Lit, Romance, Fiction, Contemporary, Travel, Contemporary Romance, Roman

410 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

Freya North is the author of many bestselling novels which have been translated into numerous languages. She was born in London but lives in rural Hertfordshire, where she writes from a stable in her back garden. A passionate reader since childhood, Freya was originally inspired by Mary Wesley, Rose Tremain and Barbara Trapido: fiction with strong and original characters. To hear about events, competitions and what she’s writing, join her on Facebook, Twitter and her website.

Reviews

[Michelle · Rating 1 out of 5]

Only read fifty pages but ten was enough to know I wouldn't finish it.

Hated the writing style and too many animals with human names that I'd never remember.

Hate not to finish a book I've started but couldn't face picking this book up again.

[Rosie Review · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ah, another Freya North original. I'm working my way through the whole back catalogue. The early books have been re-released with updated artwork so I'm taking the opportunity to re-read. Freya's writing style is second to none, she has such a way of writing Chick Lit Romance without making it seem trashy or off putting. Her humorous, witty attention to detail is refreshing - which is funny really seeing this book is about fifteen years old! You always know what to expect with a Freya North novel. Not in a bad way, you expect to be hooked from the first page, you expect to warm to the leading lady and falling in love when she does. And most of all you expect to be transported to another life, which for me is why I read. I enjoy the escapism, the questions it makes me ask about my own life as well as inspiration it provides. Such an uplifting read, I always feel so empowered once I've finished :)

I'm rating this as a must read - more Freya North re-read reviews to come soon. That new Rowling book has caught my eye. I'm off to read it next.

Taken from my blog: www.rosiereview.wordpress.com
Follow me on Twitter: @rosiereview

[nimrodiel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This has to be my favorite book by Freya North read so far. I loved reading how Chloe's travels became such a journey of self discovery. Plus, it's not every day one finds a story with a potter as a main character. The clay artist in me squealed with happiness when William was introduced, and I loved the descriptions of his studio.

[Hanna Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a bit boring at first. Like nothing really was happening. But when you get to the part when William saw Chloe for the first time, and knew (as the reader) that he fell inlove with her at that moment, you kept going.And then he saw her at Wales while she was riding her bike and with her red curls. Wondering if the will even meet personally or are they going to see each other at the places that Jocelyn, Chloe's godmother, wanted her to go. And Mr and Mrs Andrews as her confidant, and William's goat as his' (I forgot the name of the goat :P) It's a good read if your into travel, a bit of lust, romance and fate.

[Jo · Rating 1 out of 5]

Let me start first by saying that my review of this book I accept is not completely fair in that I did not read the book in full... but my rating is so low simply because I found the writing style to be so descriptive that after giving the book a good 10 chapters or so I just couldn't be bothered to continue reading.

I know, as a book lover, that this is a terrible statement to make but unfortunately this book just did not hold my interest at all. This is the second Freya North book I've attempted to read and given up half way through- I guess they're just not for me! Can't win 'em all!

[Katherine Hayward Pérez · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book I casually chose from my mum's collection in my parents' bookcase at the house where I grew up as at the time, I had read all my novels that interested me, I had exhausted the teen collection at my local library, and wanted something light-hearted to read. This book will not disappoint. After reading this, I could not find many other novels by this author that I enjoyed, besides Cat.

[Jacqueline · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm really enjoying my read through Freya North's back catalogue. This was a really easy, enjoyable read. I enjoyed it so much I will probably keep it for a re-read. Lots happens, there's no fewer than three gorgeous chaps (not at once) with just the right amount of build up for each one. Good stuff.

[Tasneem · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the first Freya North I read and it really convinced me to read more of her work. I adored the characterisation, the romance, and the actual langauge of the book. She's a very good author with a keen eye for detail that doesn't over-power the narrative voice.

[Daisy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the idea of the story -travelling through each of the countries in Great Britain- but the execution of the story, and the writing (and maybe also the translation into Dutch?) just weren't very good.

[Kay Cardona · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very enjoyable light read. A welcome break from troubled times.

[Jaden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had to revise my reading challenge for this year because this is my first book of 2023 and it’s nearly May… chemistry really does dictate my existence.
Anyways, I actually really enjoyed this, got a signed copy from the author because you can’t really even buy this book in stores any more but Mom really wanted me to read it. I thought it was sweet, definitely a bit outdated but a cute rom-com style nonetheless.

[Karen Wickham · Rating 2 out of 5]

What a weird way of writing. And what a weird and contrived plot.

The author has Chloe go off on a year long trek round the countries which make up Great Britain, at the behest of her god mother who has just died and instructed her to do this in her will. As if one would.

Anyway, the narrative lurches from third person present to third person past. There are interruptions where the author ponders what should happen next, and then near the end, DOES tell us what's going to happen next. That actually quite annoyed me. You want to read a book which keeps you guessing right up to the moment the action actually happens. But no, the author slips in a little "well we've waited long enough for this to happen. Don't worry it's about to...". I felt cheated.

What I also couldn't get around, and which is why I've given this 2 stars, is that Chloe is meant to be 28, but she comes across as about 15. She tells her innermost thoughts to Mr and Mrs Andrews, who are the subjects of a reproduction of a Gainsborough painting she has. It's almost like a teenage girl writing about her first love in her diary. It's excruciating. We're given no real insight into who Chloe is as a person. There's no maturity there. She hums into pots and kisses marble statues. But there are no down to earth grown up thoughts in there at all. This is a person who's supposedly been in a long term sexual relationship before embarking on her excursion, yet when sex is discussed in the book, it's almost a shock as you still do not see Chloe as mature enough for it.

Quite a disappointment.

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a second reading and I enjoyed it all over again. I love the fact that other people converse with inanimate objects, in Chloe's case Mr. and Mrs. Andrews from the Gainsborough painting who travel everywhere with her in the form of a postcard.

It's a novel that limits itself to Britain, not feeling it necessary to look overseas for beautiful backdrops. It's also a work of it's place and time. No texting, no internet. Letters were written, telephone calls were missed if you were out. There's a predictable element to the whole tale but the pleasure is in the reaching that very satisfactory end.

[Maryzj · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun light read, and although it was obvious how it would end, it was entertaining to read how they got there, with plenty of clever touches such as all the near-misses, Barbara the goat, and talking to the Andrews.
Who doesn't dream of a big fat inheritance and a year-long holiday!

It's great to catch-up with Freya's earlier books, having missed them when they were first published.

[Lwilé]

I absolutely did not like this book. The writing was overly descriptive; just way too many words Freya North. And the accents ... I really couldn't get into it. I reached just about page 100 and that was it for me. As an avid book reader I really hate not finishing a book, but this one was asking for too much from me. Maybe I will pick it up later with this year's reading challenge; A book you started but never finished. Or maybe not ...

[Emma Houston · Rating 3 out of 5]

Took me a long while to get into this book, but persevered. It was obvious that chloe & william would meet and the fate aspect kept me going along with the travelling. the only question I ask at the end it seemed obvious to me that Williams dad and jocelyn had a thing and it was nice chloe & William didn't get to find out as I thought they would. could William have been jocelyns son or have I missed something?

[Hannie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Een aardig boek. Als haar tante overlijdt, krijgt Chloe de opdracht om elk seizoen een ander deel van GB te bezoeken. Het idee is wel grappig. Het boek leest redelijk makkelijk. Alleen het einde is wat langdradig. Hoewel ik het een leuk boek vond om te lezen, is het niet heel speciaal. Daarom maar drie sterren.

[Melda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not gonna be one of my favorite Freya Norths. I have read most of her books but this one somehow didn't do it for me. Maybe I read it at the wrong time, I don't know. It definitely motivated me to plan a trip to the UK though. I guess I will start with Cornwall area and maybe so a separete Scotland trip, who knows?

[Anxious Readerrr · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've bought this book randomly because it was on sale. I was impressed, I've finished in one day. It's that kind of a book that you find, you like the cover, start reading and it makes you say:Wow, I made a great choice! I highly recommend it! It tells the story of a girl who finds the power to start over and her journey is impressive

[Mariana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad. I like the premise of traveling around the UK. I found Carl's accent annoying to read though - surely we Kiwis don't sound like that!

Cat is still my favourite Freya North book so far. It gave me the Tour de France. :)

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet story about a girl who goes to find out who she is and where she belongs, but outstays its welcome by about three chapters at the end. The story is essentially finished, the reader is happy but the point is belaboured.

[Sarah Pearce · Rating 1 out of 5]

I pretty much never don't finish a book I've started, but despite having enjoyed other books by this author I just could not get into it and felt no desire to even attempt to persevere, like I normally would. Such a shame.

[Wordsrthoughtsok · Rating 4 out of 5]

really lovely painterly written book. more than just your average chick lit. if you're a more demanding reader i'd recommend this.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice romantic holiday read. Doesn't pretend to be anything other that what it is :)

[Chloe · Rating 5 out of 5]

just brilliant i love all the different twists she manages to put into this book it opens your mind about love and life

[Wietske · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun fluff, exactly what I expected and wanted from this book!

[Rosalie Prins · Rating 4 out of 5]

In dit genre (chicklit) absoluut een leuk boek! Origineel verhaal, lekker geschreven. Chloe is goed gezelschap op een strandstoel aan zee op een willekeurige vakantiebestemming.

[The Cats’ Mother · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a lovely book - easy reading and a cute story, better than your average chick-lit."

[Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pleasant enough, kept my interest even though some pages I had to scimm through.

[Andreea Oxi · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I started reading it, I thought it was boring, but it turned out to be just fine, still nothing extraordinary. I absolutely loved its ending.