A Year of Chasing Love

by Rosie Chambers

One moment can change a lifetime…

The last thing top divorce lawyer Olivia Hamilton ever expected was to be served her own divorce papers! To escape her marriage troubles, she agrees to go on a year-long trip to find the ultimate guide to love.

Travelling the world, surrounded by stories of love and happiness, it’s not long before her thoughts turn to Nathan, her soon-to-be ex-husband, and she starts to take note of her own lessons in love…

But with Nathan over a thousand miles away, will it be too late?

Perfect for fans of Cathy Bramley, Philippa Ashley and Caroline Roberts.

Genres: Chick Lit, Romance, Fiction

259 pages, Paperback

First published January 6, 2020

Reviews

[Steph's Romance Book Talk · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 Stars / 1 Steam Fans

Sadly, this story felt like I was reading an updated version of Eat, Pray, Love, but not presented nearly as well. Olivia called to the lobby of her law firm, where she's served divorce paperwork. This action sends Olivia on a year-long period of self-discovery. Olivia helps a friend out by traveling the world to interview couples within long-lasting marriages. This story sounded like a great journey of self-discovery; however, for me, it was just poorly, unimaginative tourist explorations of famous locations.

Video review available in Week 5 Jan 26 – Feb 1 weekly book reviews.

For other video book reviews, check out my YouTube Channel: Steph's Romance Book Talk.

[Moony (Captain Mischief) MeowPoff · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars
it just wasn`t what i thought it was going to be. I went into it with high expetations and they weren`t meet. The characters were boring and it did not exactly feel like a year of chasing love, it was just something missing.

I got this eARC from Netgalley

[Nicola Clough · Rating 5 out of 5]

The lovely cover of this book attracted me to the book and it is a new author and certainly won't be the last as so well written and has you hooked. The writing is brilliant and the main character is excellent and really shows you you can change your life and realise what love really is about. It's a warm read and full of travelling and finding yourself again.
Olivia works as a solicitor and throws herself into her work so much that she neglects her husband and when she's at work one day and she gets divorce papers served to her from Nathan her soon to be ex and she gets so upset. Her best friend who she works with suggests as he's gone to the other side of the world and leaving her that she should take time off work and go to different countries and found out about how different countries keep their love alive and don't divorce. She's not keen but agrees and starts meeting new people and hearing different stories. She's just got one country to go and when she arrives in Paris which is also where she had her honeymoon she starts realising what live really is and can understand why Nathan left her but can she move on and find love or get back with Nathan and has she also learnt that you have to not have life around work will she learn to change her life and be happy again or not.

[Agi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Olivia Hamilton, a top divorce lawyer, is being served with her own divorce papers! At work! yes, she's been aware that things are not so rosy in her marriage with Nathan - she's so focused on her own career that her private life suffers because of it, and well, Nathan might have hinted at the fact that he'd like to be a father sooner rather than later... But divorce? Yes, Olivia is a bit devastated.
But it was only the beginning. Then she's forced to take a 10 - month sabbatical from work, but what should she do with all this free time? Her best friend Rachel persuades her to go on a research trip for her, visiting countries where divorce rates are low and marriages blossom. Albeit reluctant, but Olivia goes - her journey starts with Malta and takes her to Hawaii, Copenhagen, Singapore and, eventually, Paris. Even if she hasn't planned it, the journey turns to be a self - reflection for her.

The book started brilliantly, introducing us to the author's lovely sense of humour and promising story. However, then, for me it only went downhill and the travels were a bit dull for my liking. I was expecting wit and fun and some sassy adventures, whereas what I got was serious in tone and a little wooden tale. And really, almost every single chapter ended with Olivia wondering about Nathan: what would Nathan do, what would he say, do they have a future, is there a second chance for them, Nathan, Nathan, Nathan... It was really eye - role inducing, especially as she did nothing to win him back, just shrugging it off, jumping to conclusions and ending the next chapter wondering what he's doing and with whom. And honestly, the research conducted by Olivia's friend Rachel sounded absolutely hooking and refreshing but it didn't deliver - sadly.

I then couldn't completely warm to Olivia. I was expecting her to be a ball - breaking (in a positive way, of course), fierce and charming woman but it turned out she's constantly blaming herself for everything, her marriage collapse, for her colleagues not working in a way she'd like them to, insecure and with little humour. Even though the stories of the background characters didn't capture me so much, I still found them more colourful and lively than Olivia.

The places Olivia visited were brilliantly chosen, so different to what we usually get to read about in this genre, and visiting them and meeting all the people gave Olivia chance to mull over her own marriage, wondering what to do, try to save it or move on, to re - evaluate her priorities, wonder if real love really exist. The writing style was easy and approaching.

The story touched about the very present vicious circle that so many woman find themselves: society expects them to work as if they didn't have any children and to raise their children as if they didn't have to work, putting them for the choice of career or family, not giving them a chance for both. It is an easy and not too demanding charming little story about finding happiness, about second chances and love. I loved the premise, I loved the cover, and I think there was so much potential in this book, but it lacked in execution and delivery. However, I can see that other readers enjoy this book much more, so just try it for yourself, you may fell in love with the story.

Copy provided by the publisher in return for an honest review.

[Daisy-May Gonthier · Rating 1 out of 5]

Found myself skimming the pages just wasn’t very relatable found it very boring 🥱

[AmyLeighReads_x · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book just wasn't for me! Found it very boring and found myself skim reading most of it just so I could finish it. Luckily the book was short so didn't take me long to read.

I don't like giving low scores for for rating but I just had to be honest with this one.

[Sophie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review also posted here: http://www.book-drunk.co.uk/2021/05/r...

I couldn’t resist buying a copy of A Year of Chasing Love, Rosie Chambers’ debut novel. With the summery cover and the enticing blurb, this book looked like it would provide a perfect bit of escapism at a time when travelling outside the UK is not possible. As the author whisks us away to Malta and Hawaii, amongst other destinations, this story definitely did not disappoint. Fresh and feel-good, I did not want to put this book down.

Olivia Hamilton’s life comes crashing down when she receives her divorce papers. Aware that things had not been great between her and Nathan, but evidently not fully aware of just how distant they had become, Olivia is in shock and at a loss. Not only is her relationship over but now she can’t even keep herself busy with her career as a top divorce lawyer, as she is forced to take a long sabbatical from work too. At a loss of what to do with herself, Olivia reluctantly agrees to her best friend’s request for help – Olivia is to travel to a series of destinations across the world to find out what makes a relationship work – to discover the ultimate guide to love.

I was invested in Olivia’s story right from the start of this book and found myself rooting for her all the way through. Even though at times she could be a bit down on herself, to be honest it was refreshing to have a protagonist who could acknowledge her own flaws instead of being completely naïve to her own mistakes. Throughout her trips, Olivia can’t help but think about her own love life and the reasons why her marriage to Nathan didn’t work out and she has a whole world of self-discovery to come. I loved going on this journey with Olivia, even if I did want to shake her a bit…

My favourite part of the book was all the travel trips Olivia went on. Each destination offered something different, both to Olivia and to the reader. I loved how well researched each place came across from the food to the culture and the traditions in each. Even though each trip was fairly short, the author’s writing was atmospheric and evocative enough to bring each destination to life. Each country Olivia visited had their own statistics on love, marriage and divorce, and each destination brought Olivia closer to understanding just what makes a marriage work and where things had gone wrong for her and Nathan.

Nathan was the enigma in this book for me. I was eager to see if things could be worked out between him and Olivia, despite not really knowing anything about him apart from the memories Olivia shares. Strangely I was rooting for their happy ending even though we never really heard much from him, and had this book been longer, I would have liked to have seen more of Nathan so we could truly see what all the fuss was about!

At a time when holidaying abroad isn’t an option, A Year of Chasing Love takes you on a mini tour of some tempting destinations. Rosie Chambers brings the sunshine, delivering a heartfelt and romantic read that left me with a smile on my face come the end.

[Melanie’s reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am at odds with this a little bit as I am guilty of assuming by the cover that this was a romcom/chick lit but I would probably put this more under contemporary fiction.

It is an easy and enjoyable read, with exotic locations and is pure escapism with good characters and a great premise.

However, something niggled me right from the start and didn’t let go. That indignation was a successful career woman constantly blaming herself for her marriage collapse. Now don’t get me wrong I know it happens , twice divorced myself. But it’s 2020 for goodness sake. Women can have a career, hell they can have whatever they want. I don’t want to see women blaming themselves for men who are too weak to handle a career woman.

I’m sure the majority will love this book and it may just be my feisty independent won’t suffer any man attitude that scuppered my enjoyment slightly.

[Kristina · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was okay - I had a really hard time getting into the story. I couldn't really relate or get immersed, but was mostly interested in the travel parts anyway, which were really fun. I'm sort of indifferent - wasn't great, wasn't bad.

[Michaela · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a lovely book. Very heart warming.

But also very predictable. I had guessed what would happen at chapter 2.

However this didn’t stop it from being a lovely read and well written. Could have done with a few more twists

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lovely read is really 3 1/2 stars but just a bit predictable.

[Fernie Bartram · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aww loved this one. Really easy to read and was a nice romance

[chlo · Rating 3 out of 5]

predictable towards the end but still a cute little slay

[Frankie · Rating 4 out of 5]

he year of Chasing Love is the debut novel by Rosie Chambers, and I definitely see great things in her future, and I am looking forward to seeing what comes next from this new author. This is a sweet, little contemporary story, one that will leave you smiling and feeling in a sunnier mood.
The story opens when top divorce lawyer; Olivia is presented with her own divorce papers. Not just shock and horror for her, but she also sees this as bad for her career.
After years of putting her career first, of building up her steely reputation she has unfortunately neglected to look after her home life, she has neglected her husband. Nathen has been patiently waiting and wanting them to move forward with their married life and now she is at the top of her game, Nathen decides enough is enough and files for divorce. Olivia is shocked, obviously, she isn’t naïve enough to think that everything was hunky-dory but she thought that she and Nathen were rubbing along happily enough and so for him to want to tear up their marriage is a real blow for her. She wants nothing more than to stick her head in the sand and delve further and further into her work but the fates are all against her as her boss forces her to take a long-overdue sabbatical hoping that it will make her take the breath she needs to actually take stock and put some perspective in her life before it’s too late.
Now she is left with a year with no work, no husband and she is fast sinking into despair that is until brilliant best friend Rachel turns up and offers her the chance to turn her life – or the year – around, by travelling around the world as she research’s the ultimate guide to love, she travels around Malta, Hawaii, Copenhagen and Singapore and finally landing in the city of love the most romantic place on earth; Paris, but will her travels be her saving grace? Swill Olivia finally be able to allow herself to be happy and will she find the love and the life she is secretly searching for?
I really enjoyed this, I did think at first it started off a little on the slow side for my liking, but it soon picks up the pace, A year of Chasing Love is such a relatable story, it’s one that is so relevant for today where there are so many women in top positions they do unfortunately have to pick between career and family, and when the career path is chosen family and those we love are unfortunately pushed aside. It’s a simple story which has a lot of heart, it’s a delightful and heartwarming story, the characters are wonderfully portrayed Olivia especially is very relatable even though at first I did find it difficult to warm to her but she soon won me over.
Overall, this is a charming little story about finding happiness and love and allowing yourself to let go a little if you love your easy-peasy, none taxing feel-good stories then this is the book for you.

[Sara Oxton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Year of Chasing Love by Rosie Chambers a fabulous five-star read. If you have an afternoon to while away some time the pick this up as you will have a perfect afternoon. This was such a great story, I adored Olivia she reminded me of so many people I know, and her situation was one that everyone could identify with at least in some tiny part. You will love this story and once you start the journey you won’t be able to put the novel down, so do yourself a favour and don’t try. I am so excited to see where this author will take us next.

[Cheryl M-M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Olivia is a highly successful divorce lawyer, so it comes as a bit of a slap in the face when she is served divorce papers by her own husband, rather viciously in fact, in front of her entire firm.

After being asked to take a long sabbatical Olivia goes on a long trip to research why people divorce and why they stay together. It's a journey that opens her eyes to everything that led to the demise of her marriage. It also helps her to understand that she has neglected herself, her family, her friends and her husband.

This is a contemporary romance with an Eat, Pray, Love vibe. A journey of self-discovery and exploration. The main character believes her research is a way of distracting herself from her pain and disappointment,, and doesn't realise she is about to dissect her own failed relationship by looking inwards from the outside.

I think the premise is rather interesting from a work-life balance and gender perspective. Women who work are often received and treated quite critically for putting their careers first, and yet a man can neglect family, friends and themselves without drawing the ire of the same critics.

I enjoyed the way Chambers made this story into a learning experience of sorts and not just a good read. Learning about the divorce statistics and the statistics on marriages with longevity, especially the differences depending on the country, was interesting.

It makes you take a long hard look at what is really important in life, and perhaps in a way also throws in a friendly suggestion about enjoying what life has to offer.
*I received a courtesy copy*

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Year Of Chasing Love by Rosie Chambers is a light hearted contemporary read that looks at love and the qualities needed to make relationships last. It is a novel that makes you smile and leaves you smiling.
The reader has a cosmopolitan ride through the novel as we ‘travel’ from the UK to Malta to Singapore to Hawaii to Denmark and to Paris, the city of love. The welcome we receive is as warm as the sun beating down as a light air wafts throughout.
We learn lessons in love, discovering what love is and what it is not. We see marriages that last and those that shipwreck on the rocks.
It is important to have a healthy work-life balance. We must not neglect our family and friends in favour of hours spent in the office. We need balanced lives. We want to not just survive but thrive.
The characters were all wonderfully drawn, likable and realistic. It was easy to empathise with the lead character.
A Year Of Chasing Love was a delightful read to warm a winter’s day.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.

[CenReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

With all the busyness of the day it totally slipped my mind that it was my turn on the ‘A Year Of Chasing Love’ Blog Tour!!!! 💕
So here is my review 💕
A Year Of Chasing Love by Rosie Chambers. Published by @hqstories 💕
Olivia Hamilton is a divorce lawyer and a very good one at that. She believes that her personal life is fine until she herself is presented with divorce papers from her soon to be ex husband.
💕
She is advised although she feels it’s forced upon her to take a years sabbatical to re-evaluate her life or in other words sort herself out. During this time it gives her the opportunity to think about her own marriage and where it went wrong. She decides to write about love, life and relationships. 💕
But the question remains will she decide to try and win Nathan back or just accept that her marriage is over??
💕
If you fancy a book with love,truth,relationships at its heart. Then this is the book for you.
💕
Pop the kettle on, get the biscuits out and curl up with this great book.
💕
Thank you to both @netgalley & @hqstories for gifting me a copy.

[Annarella · Rating 4 out of 5]

A perfect book for a lazy afternoon when you want to relax and read an enjoyable story.
It's engrossing and entertaining, the cast of characters is well thought and plot, even if a bit unbelievable at times, it escapism at high level.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

[Owais · Rating 2 out of 5]

An updated eat pray love that felt like it was missing something. It is a forced vacay, finding oneself and learning lessons on Love through various journeys and trips on an almost year long vacation - yet it failed to hit the mark for me as if the main character grows but still clutching on to , refusing to do so, making for an unmotivated and boring character

[Gaele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Olivia has it all: a successful marriage, a solid career as a partner and top marital solicitor in a firm she loves, solid friendships and plenty of moments in the sun. But, it all came at a price: namely her over-attention to work and clients at the expense of her marriage, her friendships and her own family. And it all comes crashing down when she’s served with divorce papers from her husband in the lobby of her office. Things are made even worse for her when a senior partner and her mentor demands she takes a ten month leave of absence to ‘find a life apart from her commitment to the clients’. Devastated and broken, she’s determined to just sit at home and mope – after packing away the apartment and readying it for sale as her husband Nathan is on a six month posting to Singapore with his work. She’s got no options, and the same-old drinking with pals during happy hour isn’t helping. When a university friend cajoles her into working to find out why marriages work as a counterpoint to a study grant she’s received, and already started making travel arrangements and organizing interviews, Olivia reluctantly agrees.

From discovering the power of family and ties to ones roots, to similar education, friendship and taking time to grow before marriage, to visiting with friends in Singapore and believing that all is done with Nathan, Olivia is starting to see where she was the problem: cancelling plans last minute, arriving late, working all hours, rushing back (or refusing) vacations and weekends away because of work, even ignoring her own parents, her friends are quietly moving forward in their lives. It isn’t until she realizes that the most important thing to a successful marriage is love, and that no matter what, she will love Nathan forever, that the reality of her lonely existence sets in.

With glorious insight into the conflicts of a work-life balance, along with some lovely moments around the globe: Malta, Hawaii, Singapore and Paris: the story is laden with Olivia’s recognition of her own mistakes and her desire for a “do over” with Nathan, even as there is seemingly nothing there. From making her visit some of her ‘bucket list’ places to the city of lights where she had a blissful honeymoon, Olivia’s friends have pushed, pulled, suggested and allowed her the room to discover her best self, and how to find it all over again. A lovely story that brings real emotion and quandaries to readers, allowing us all to see that sometimes finding that balance that makes you a happier partner, friend and colleague is often the only way to go.

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

[Rachel Gilbey · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are missing international travel as much as I am at the moment, then this book will come a close second, as you are whisked around the world over the course of 10 months.

All while Olivia who is a prolific and well regarded divorce lawyer, is on a sabbatical after being shaken by receiving her own divorce papers, is sent on a research mission by her best friend Rachel, to discover what it is that causes couples to stay together.

And her other friends want her to compile her lessons in love so they can see where they are going wrong. Now don't get me wrong all of the research and findings were interesting, but they weren't my main interest in this book.

As anyone who knows me by now will know I'm a huge fan of travel, whether armchair or real life and this book definitely helped scratch an itch or two. It brought back memories of a few trips I've had to some of the destinations that are featured and I enjoyed seeing how the various places were described.

My favourite section was the trips to Hawaii and Singapore which I felt were the most well researched, most vividly described and despite never having been to either of them, I really felt as though I got a feel for both places, and I also enjoyed what Olivia was doing and who she was meeting in both of those locations.

This was a very enjoyable way to spend an afternoon and it is a solid debut novel. I already have Rosie Chambers next book sitting on my kindle, so I look forward to reading that and seeing how this author develops.

Thank you to HQ Digital and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

[Book Escapes Babs]

Olivia Hamilton loves her job and her life. She is dedicated to her job and enjoys the rare occasions that she can spend time with Nathan, her husband. Her world comes crashing down when she is served with divorce papers, out of the blue. Stunned, she is then told that she must take an enforced, 10-month, Sabbatical from work.
Olivia’s friend quickly encourages her to take her new freedom and carry out research for a paper that she’s writing. In short, Olivia is asked to report on what makes marriages break down in different countries and, on a personal level, to send her insights on love and relationships with her two best friends.
The story takes us on adventures to Malta, Denmark, Hawaii and Singapore. Singapore being where Liv’s soon to be ex-husband is now living, the final destination is Paris, a bittersweet city as Liv had planned to meet Nathan there for a holiday but, as usual, had to cancel.
As she carries out her research, Liv discovers what her priorities are and wonders if it’s too late to realise how important Nathan is to her.
A Year of Chasing Love puts work life balance into perspective. I think that we are all capable of losing sight of what is important to us, prioritising work successes over personal time. I love the way this story gently opened Liv up to realising what really matters to her and to discovering that love is worth chasing.

[Sumi Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

When top divorce lawyer Olivia Hamilton is served her own divorce papers and is also asked to take sabbatical from work, she agrees to go on a year-long trip to various places to find the ultimate guide to love.

The basic storyline attracted me, and the book started off very well. But then everything went downhill. I was expecting fun and wit, but it was just dull. I made the mistake of going in expecting a romcom but the book was more contemporary fiction.

Also, I just couldn't like Olivia. She is going on a trip of love and self-discovery to some of the most beautiful places in the world, but instead of looking forward she keeps looking back. Almost every chapter ends with her thinking about her soon-to-be ex-husband, Nathan. Either she should move on or she should do something to win Nathan back!! The different places she visits are well written. But overall, the story just failed to deliver. I give it 3.5 stars. Thanks to Netgalley and HQ Digital for providing me with an ARC of this book.

[Hayley Marsland · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always love to find 'new to me' authors and I love it even more when I instantly enjoy their writing.

The main character Olivia is a prolific divorce lawyer, who is currently on an enforced sabbatical, after receiving her own divorce papers.

To escape her marriage woes she agrees, albeit reluctantly, to go on a research trip, around the world for her best friend Rachel, to find the ultimate guide to love.

In the process Olivia visits four different countries, hoping to find out how the people who live there find love and happiness and most importantly, longevity in their relationships or marriages.

What I really enjoyed in this book, were the descriptions of the various countries visited, I especially liked the section in Singapore, Not a place I've been fortune enough to visit ( one for the bucket list I think ) but it was so well described, that I did get a pretty good feel for the place.

A lovely easy read and I look forward to reading more by this author.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the concept behind the story. But the writing bothered me to no end. If one was able to sit in a room with a female voice clucking away with whatever came to her mind, they are a better person than I am, and I'm female. This should not bother me. All the way through the book, it was one rushing thought that felt needed to be said, and then onto the next rushing thought. You could tell someone was excited to perhaps tell this story and could not wait to put it on paper. The romance behind the story fell through with the image of a female flittering on her tippy toes who couldn't wait of attempting to tell a story real quick. Nice story, but too quick on attempting to get details in.

[Lucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started reading this on a dreary Monday morning, and had finished it with a smile by early afternoon. This is a lovely romantic story, based around Olivia, a self confessed workaholic whose marriage has sadly come to an end. The plot is fast paced, keeping the reader engaged and fully invested in Olivia's progress and personal journey. This is a feel good easy read, ideal for a pick-you-up, beach read, or reading during a long soak in the bath! Full of adventure, interesting characters and a great story of self reflection and growth. Highly recommended.

[Kacie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really fun and relatable read. I feel like a lot of romance books are making their stories more relatable. The whole premise of outdated, fall in love, happy forever is gone. People in love struggle. Sometimes they have to completely loss it on order to find it again. This is what Olivia goes through. She spends a year traveling and reveling in her own divorce. Searching for herself and tha answers and i loved going on that journey with her.

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heartwarming easy read that forced me to reflect inward. Following Olivia’s journey of self-realisation really resonated with me. It left me wondering how applicable her lessons in love truly are. Olivia’s story also reminded me how much I enjoy a story that moves my emotions and touches my heart.

[Aimee Charleson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Probably would’ve given it a 2.75 rating! It was quite a nice simple read, some of the language I didn’t feel necessary however it was an easy romcom to read which sometimes we all need. The ending was a bit predictable but sometimes predictability and familiarity are what make us enjoy the genre more! Would like to read more from Rosie Chambers