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Get a Life, Chloe Brown
2022 Monthly Group Reads
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February Group Read Discussion: Get a Life, Chloe Brown
Good Morning. I can't wait to get this discussion started. I'm starting with the author's note & prologue. This will give people time to get the book & start reading. I will post questions Friday on chapters one - seven. 1. Get A Life, Chloe Brown starts with an author's note. Have you read other books before that starts with a trigger alert? Did the note give you pause about reading the book?
2. The first sentence in the prologue grabs your attention. Were you expecting a romance book to begin with a life changing event?
3. Once Chloe is home we get a glimpse into her family life. Is this a safe & healthy environment for Chloe?
i heard its a trilogy. which one is this?
1. Get A Life, Chloe Brown starts with an author's note. Have you read other books before that starts with a trigger alert? Did the note give you pause about reading the book?I haven't read a book before where there is a printed warning. I have seen trigger alerts in reviews but I haven't seen an author let you know there may be topics in the book that hit close to home. The note didn't give me pause but I felt the author's note set up the story.
2. The first sentence in the prologue grabs your attention. Were you expecting a romance book to begin with a life changing event? I wasn't expecting (view spoiler)
3. Once Chloe is home we get a glimpse into her family life. Is this a safe & healthy environment for Chloe? The environment seems safe but suffocating. Her mother seem to react instead of staying calm.
Maryam wrote: "i heard its a trilogy. which one is this?"This is the first book in the trilogy. It is a romance.
has everyone started the book?
Maryam wrote: "has everyone started the book?"It's a monthlong group read, so I imagine while some will start today, other people will pick it up later or really when they can.
Just started and about 20 pages in...I am liking it more than I thought I would. 1. I have read books before with trigger warnings and I appreciate that the author lets the reader know ahead of the book. It did not give me pause but it more prepared me for what I am diving into.
2. In my experience of reading romance - which is not much - they usually begin with some life-altering event so I was not surprised.
3. Her mom seems a little over-protective to me, but I am not surprised by it.
Good Morning All, I have general questions for Get A Life, Chloe Brown (The Brown Sisters, #1) by Talia Hibbert. This book will satisfy prompt #18 A Romance Novel by a BIPOC Author. We are honoring Black History Month in Canada and the U.S. 1. Do you regularly read books during heritage months related to that identity?
2. During heritage months do you read only books related to those histories & identities?
3. Are heritage months important to your reading life?
General questions related to Get A Life, Chloe Brown (The Brown Sisters, #1) by Talia Hibbert.1. Do you regularly read books during heritage months related to that identity? I do regularly read books during heritage months related to that identity. Thanks to different group challenges & heritage months my reading has diversified over the years.
2. During heritage months do you read only books related to those histories & identities? During February I normally read only books related to black history & identity. I plan my reading for the month & keep a list of books I want to read that I read from during the year.
3. Are heritage months important to your reading life? I use heritage months as a suggestion to expand & diversify my reading throughout the year.
Mod
1. Get A Life, Chloe Brown starts with an author's note. Have you read other books before that starts with a trigger alert? Did the note give you pause about reading the book?
I don't even remember a trigger alert!!! Someone tell me (in spoiler tags if needed) what it was?
2. The first sentence in the prologue grabs your attention. Were you expecting a romance book to begin with a life changing event?
I don't remember this either!!! What happens in the prologue????
(Again, feel free to spoiler tag if you think it needed.)
3. Once Chloe is home we get a glimpse into her family life. Is this a safe & healthy environment for Chloe?
I remember her having a quirky but close and loving family; she is particularly close to her grandmother. (Her very interesting grandmother who really needs to get her own romance novel, I think!! I want to know her backstory.) I almost ALWAYS find family and friends in romance novels to be overly intrusive, so if my family were like this I'd go bonkers, but the people in romance novels don't seem to hate it the way I do. I don't have siblings - maybe this is just the way life is with sisters?
1. Do you regularly read books during heritage months related to that identity?
Yes! (That's probably no surprise to all of you hahaha) I never used to do it, but a few years back Christy suggested it, and I gave it a try, and I loved it! I'd already been working to diversify my reading by genre, nationality, etc etc - but I found reading a bunch of different books (different genres / nationalities / identities) all connected by author's race (or other identity - depending on the month) really gave me a boost of empathy and a better way to view the world and the people in the world.
2. During heritage months do you read only books related to those histories & identities?
No. I make a special effort to include a bunch of books that month, but that's not the only thing I read. How could I! There are book clubs to follow and new releases coming out and library holds available at odd times ... I don't have the discipline to limit myself to any one category.
3. Are heritage months important to your reading life?
Yes! I look forward to them now and I even plan ahead a little bit (but part of the fun is NOT planning, so I try not to plan too much.)
1. I typically don't read specific books at specific times because I have to be in the mood for what I am reading. Fortunately the stars aligned this month because I needed a break from my heavy mystery/thriller genres. 2. I typically read 2-3 books per month so I like a little variety.
3. Heritage months are important and they helped expand my reading. I probably wouldn't have been pushed to read Get a Life, Chloe Brown this year without the monthly read group and the prompt.
Nadine wrote "I don't even remember a trigger alert!!! Someone tell me (in spoiler tags if needed) what it was?" The Author's Note said, (view spoiler) "I don't remember this either!!! What happens in the prologue????
(view spoiler)
Mod
"I don't remember this either!!! What ha..."
Thank you. I kinda sorta remember it now.
I requested this from the library and look forward to reading it once it arrives! It's not my typical read - I don't read many romances - but I imagine I can read it quickly. It looks cute.
1. Get A Life, Chloe Brown starts with an author's note. Have you read other books before that starts with a trigger alert? Did the note give you pause about reading the book? I'm not sure I've ever come across one of these before, but it's appreciated just so that I have in mind what's coming. I don't think I would hesitate, but depending on the content that's being warned I may. For this book it didn't give me pause.
2. The first sentence in the prologue grabs your attention. Were you expecting a romance book to begin with a life changing event?
It's not atypical for the genre. I didn't necessarily expect a near death experience though, haha.
3. Once Chloe is home we get a glimpse into her family life. Is this a safe & healthy environment for Chloe?
Safe, seemingly so. Healthy, maybe physically but I can see some hints of some not emotionally healthy circumstances at home. I think she's making the right decision to move out. I'm interested to see how the family dynamics come into play with book and Chloe's illness for sure.
1. Do you regularly read books during heritage months related to that identity?
No, but I've definitely been trying to do better at reading more diverse books in general.
2. During heritage months do you read only books related to those histories & identities?
No, and don't think I ever will. I like variety and don't want to restrict myself to reading only one type of book during certain times of the year.
3. Are heritage months important to your reading life?
Not particularly, since I don't plan my reading around them but reading more diverse books in general is moving up my priority list when it comes to reading.
Good Morning, I divided the chapters so we can cover the whole book this month. The first group covers chapters 1-7, the second group covers chapters 8-14, and the third group covers the latter chapters 15-23. I will post questions about the epilogue & general questions about the book around February 25th. I wanted to explain why I was covering so much ground so fast. Get A Life, Chloe Brown (The Brown Sisters, #1) by Talia Hibbert questions chapters 1-7
1. When the reader catches up with Chloe Brown two months later she now lives in her own flat where Redford Morgan is the superintendent. Both have wrong impressions of each other. What lead them both to their wrong first impressions?
2. What is your initial opinion of Chloe's "Get A Life" list?
Move out, Enjoy a drunken night out, Ride a motor bike, Go camping, Have meaningless but thoroughly enjoyable sex, Travel the world with nothing but hand luggage, Do something bad.
3. Red is compelled to help others. Does Red have a super big & kind heart or does he have co-dependent tendencies?
4. Talia Hibbert's books reflect a change in the romance genre toward explicit consent during intimate scenes. What other changes does the reader, especially female readers, need to see to make the romance genre supportive of women?
5. Against his better judgement Red agrees to help Chloe with her "Get A Life List". Is this a healthy decision for Red?
Maryam wrote: "i heard its a trilogy. which one is this?"It's a trilogy (Brown Sisters series) but each book follows a different sister. Get a Life, Chloe Brown can be read as a standalone.
Get A Life, Chloe Brown (The Brown Sisters, #1) by Talia Hibbert questions chapters 1-71. When the reader catches up with Chloe Brown two months later she now lives in her own flat where Redford Morgan is the superintendent. Both have wrong impressions of each other. What lead them both to their wrong first impressions? Red saw Chloe as a rich snob based on his last girlfriend & her interactions with the other tenants. Chloe felt Red wasn't listening to her side of the story with the tenants. Chloe put barriers between herself & others because of her past experiences.
2. What is your initial opinion of Chloe's "Get A Life" list?
Move out, Enjoy a drunken night out, Ride a motor bike, Go camping, Have meaningless but thoroughly enjoyable sex, Travel the world with nothing but hand luggage, Do something bad. My first thought was, "what did you base this list on.?" It seemed vague & not realistic for an adult.
3. Red is compelled to help others. Does Red have a super big & kind heart or does he co-dependent tendencies? Red is a nice guy but he does have to save/fix others.
4. Talia Hibbert's books reflect a change in the romance genre toward explicit consent during intimate scenes. What other changes does the reader, especially female readers, need to see to make the romance genre supportive of women? The trend toward explicit consent was a long time coming. Definitely diversity of the protagonist. Inclusion of gender identities. Protagonist with disabilities. I definitely don't want to loose the romance or fantasy but I would like to see women with more say & less dependency. Less woman in distress & she needs a man to rescue her which I think this book has a lot of. I will now get off the soap box.
5. Against his better judgement Red agrees to help Chloe with her "Get A Life List". Is this a healthy decision for Red? Helping Chloe with her list is a way for Red spend time with Chloe. I think he said yes because he felt she needed watching.
Mod
1. When the reader catches up with Chloe Brown two months later she now lives in her own flat where Redford Morgan is the superintendent. Both have wrong impressions of each other. What lead them both to their wrong first impressions?
They just didn't know each other, and made assumptions based on stereotypes.
2. What is your initial opinion of Chloe's "Get A Life" list?
Move out, Enjoy a drunken night out, Ride a motor bike, Go camping, Have meaningless but thoroughly enjoyable sex, Travel the world with nothing but hand luggage, Do something bad.
This kind of contrivance is so common in romance, it sets up this crazy circumstance in which a wild romance can happen. So, I just sort of rolled my eyes and kept reading, knowing that this sort of thing is often part of the genre. There is no way I (or anyone I know) would ever write a list like this, and if someone did, I imagine it would lead to unhappiness.
IN PARTICULAR, the idea of travelling the world with only hand luggage makes me hyperventilate. That kind of thing only works if you're incredibly rich and can pay for anything you might need. (Or if you are a hardened backpacker who needs nothing. Which does NOT describe me. And it does not describe Chloe, either.)
3. Red is compelled to help others. Does Red have a super big & kind heart or does he have co-dependent tendencies?
Superbig heart AND a bit of a complex due to his past.
4. Talia Hibbert's books reflect a change in the romance genre toward explicit consent during intimate scenes. What other changes does the reader, especially female readers, need to see to make the romance genre supportive of women?
This question sounds like it was written by someone who does not like the romance genre.
I think romance is already supportive of women. If you look for it, it's there in today's novels, including disability rep, sexual identity rep, safe sex, consent, etc.
What I'd like to see more of is romance with clever, believable dialogue and characters who have real jobs. So many romance authors don't seem to know what an actual job is like, especially in contemporary romance, and they make something up and it's ... nuts. No one in real life is having sex in the break room if they have any sort of career aspirations ... but people in romance novels do that all the time. It's a pet peeve of mine. I've dated guys I worked with, and I was never handsy when we were at work. That's just ick.
5. Against his better judgement Red agrees to help Chloe with her "Get A Life List". Is this a healthy decision for Red?
LOL I don't know. It's not a BAD decision. But what is a "healthy decision"? It's not going to lead him to addiction, so I guess it's "healthy."
Mod
A couple of books I've read included a warning about content though I cannot now remember which books! LOL
2. The first sentence in the prologue grabs your attention. Were you expecting a romance book to begin with a life changing event?
I try to begin a book with few expectations. It was surprising, but at the beginning of any book I think it would surprise me. Not just because this is a "romance"...
3. Once Chloe is home we get a glimpse into her family life. Is this a safe & healthy environment for Chloe?
Her mother obviously makes her life miserable by over-protecting and over-reacting!
1. Do you regularly read books during heritage months related to that identity?
I have begun to fit in 2-3 books during that specific month, if I can. I find that I mainly add these more diverse books to my TBR listing and then when I acquire books they are much more diverse than in the past. So while I may not read 5-6 or more books during that month, the goal of adding more diverse books to my reading life is accomplished! And that makes me very happy!
2. During heritage months do you read only books related to those histories & identities?
No. Definitely not. Mainly because I probably already have several books planned for each month to fulfill Buddy Reads or Group Reads or Book Club reads.
3. Are heritage months important to your reading life?
I have found them to be important for diversifying my reading overall as noted above.
Hello everyone! This is my first time participating in the monthly group read with the actual book chosen. I hope this will be fun. I'm looking forward to reading this book and know it will be a quick read, especially since it was technically due yesterday (eek!). They wouldn't let me renew it (there must be other holds on it) so I'm gonna read it quick and return it this weekend. Sorry to anyone out there waiting for this book.I am on page 121, which is the beginning of Chapter 8.
Preliminary questions
1. Get A Life, Chloe Brown starts with an author's note. Have you read other books before that starts with a trigger alert? Did the note give you pause about reading the book?
No, I've never seen a trigger warning in a book before. It didn't change my mind about reading it but, it did give me pause, simply because I had never seen one before not because I was worried about reading it.
2. The first sentence in the prologue grabs your attention. Were you expecting a romance book to begin with a life changing event?
It's not surprising to see it. The whole point in writing is to grab the readers attention immediately so, many authors do this. However, I did feel like after reading another paragraph down, that it was a gross over exaggeration.
3. Once Chloe is home we get a glimpse into her family life. Is this a safe & healthy environment for Chloe?
Probably not, which is why she moves out. Her mom seems like a helicopter parent, although she probably has good reason...even if it can be annoying.
General questions
1. Do you regularly read books during heritage months related to that identity?
I haven't been. I do try to but a lot depends on what I'm already reading and what is available and or I am into at the moment. I do want to try to do more this year.
2. During heritage months do you read only books related to those histories & identities?
No, that is too limiting for me.
3. Are heritage months important to your reading life?
Not really but, it can open your eyes to new books and ideas, which I do love. I don't limit myself to reading it during the specific months.
My library always has recommendations both in the library and online during these months which helps to find new books. However, often times there are such long wait times that by the time you get the book it is no longer the Heritage month you found it for.
Chap 1-7
1. When the reader catches up with Chloe Brown two months later she now lives in her own flat where Redford Morgan is the superintendent. Both have wrong impressions of each other. What lead them both to their wrong first impressions?
Red keeps seeing her/catching her yelling at people but, not catching why she is doing so. This coupled with her RBF makes her come off as mean to him. She also is snarky towards him, which doesn't help. As for Chloe, I think she just sees his appearance and job and stereotypes him as this biker loser guy.
2. What is your initial opinion of Chloe's "Get A Life" list?
(Move out, Enjoy a drunken night out, Ride a motor bike, Go camping, Have meaningless but thoroughly enjoyable sex, Travel the world with nothing but hand luggage, Do something bad.)
Everyone has to have some motivation in life and she choses to go with something she is familiar with (lists), and comes up with a few important things (to her) that she really wants to do. She feels like she missed out on a lot and wants to make up for it. She's also hoping that this will make her feel like she has lived even if just a little. I think we all struggle with this at some point.
3. Red is compelled to help others. Does Red have a super big & kind heart or does he have co-dependent tendencies?
Probably both.
4. Talia Hibbert's books reflect a change in the romance genre toward explicit consent during intimate scenes. What other changes does the reader, especially female readers, need to see to make the romance genre supportive of women?
I do agree that consent needs to be more represented in novels but, as an avid romance reader it hasn't really bothered me over the years. There are a few times where scenes have gone to far as to actually sound more like forced rape than intimacy, and those have bothered me. Other things like always asking to kiss you before they do can get a bit annoying. I mean sometimes you don't want to know ahead of time you want to be surprised by it.
As for the second part of that question I have no idea...except that I do like it more when the woman isn't written as though she needs saving. I'm not sure if this started as women who felt like they needed saving so much as, a play off men's incessant need to help/fix things including women. But, I feel like most women don't feel like they need saving so much as help, love, and affection.
5. Against his better judgement Red agrees to help Chloe with her "Get A Life List". Is this a healthy decision for Red?
Maybe, maybe not. Hopefully we will find out later. But, they seem drawn to each other, even though they both don't know why or even want to be...so, it is not a shocker that he agrees to help. It goes back to his need to help and please others. I mean he went back and ate that horrible veggie casserole from the old lady...who does that! He didn't get stuck eating some before he left but actually left and CAME BACK! If I had gotten out of there I wouldn't have come back.
Nadine in NY wrote: "IN PARTICULAR, the idea of travelling the world with only hand luggage makes me hyperventilate. That kind of thing only works if you're incredibly rich and can pay for anything you might need. (Or if you are a hardened backpacker who needs nothing. Which does NOT describe me. And it does not describe Chloe, either.)..."HAHAHAHA...totally agree. Travel the world...SURE. With one bag! BWAHHH.... NO!
Mod
1. When the reader catches up with Chloe Brown two months later she now lives in her own flat where Redford Morgan is the superintendent. Both have wrong impressions of each other. What lead them both to their wrong first impressions?
Each of them has past experiences that seemingly unfairly cloud their perceptions of the other person. Chloe has learned to use "snarkiness" as a way to put a wall up around herself to protect herself from becoming emotionally involved with anyone. (I'm a tad familiar with that coping strategy and being misunderstood when I am actually joking.) Poor Red. This Pippa in his past was obviously a no emotional attachment user of people. At least of Red. Since she was quite well off financially, he is now (understandably) prejudiced against such economically advantaged females. I thought this was all fairly realistic. After my first marriage, I literally had a listing of all the qualities a man must have before I would consider even dating him as well as a listing of the qualities I would never tolerate again...
2. What is your initial opinion of Chloe's "Get A Life" list?
Move out, Enjoy a drunken night out, Ride a motor bike, Go camping, Have meaningless but thoroughly enjoyable sex, Travel the world with nothing but hand luggage, Do something bad.
I thought it was pretty courageous of her to want to break loose from her family as a constant support and to diversify her life experience, especially given the limitations of her chronic pain and other disease symptoms. I was proud of her for trying to take some control over her life and expand her horizons. That took strength.
3. Red is compelled to help others. Does Red have a super big & kind heart or does he have co-dependent tendencies?
I think Red is just kind...perhaps to a fault sometimes, and yet, if you don't take time to be kind to others, what else is there? What other purpose do we really have to be in this lifetime if not for that?
4. Talia Hibbert's books reflect a change in the romance genre toward explicit consent during intimate scenes. What other changes does the reader, especially female readers, need to see to make the romance genre supportive of women?
Glad you mentioned "intimate scenes" since I truly did NOT need an explicit step-by-step description of a guy jerking off. I am quite satisfied with a brief one to two sentence mention. That's all I require... I feel as if this romance is giving the reader a much better insight to the male character's feelings, etc. than in other romances I've read. Though admittedly, I've not read all that many. I was grateful and surprised about all the times a male asked permission in People We Meet on Vacation. It makes me feel much more comfortable reading about sexual encounters and I can only hope this is much more the reality than not...
5. Against his better judgement Red agrees to help Chloe with her "Get A Life List". Is this a healthy decision for Red?
I believe Red is intrigued by Chloe and she has certainly piqued his interest as he gets to know her better and can recognize her intentions when communicating, etc. Red likes to help. Period. Plus I think it is good for him to learn to accept another woman besides Pippa who is well off financially. Perhaps it will help him get over her and to learn to trust others even if they are economically more secure than he is.
Mod
Welcome, Jessica! I trust this will be enjoyable for you!
You have started out strong!
Mod
1. When the reader catches up with Chloe Brown two months later she now lives in her own flat where Redford Morgan is the superintendent. Both have wrong impressions of each other. What lead them both to their wrong first impressions?
Red keeps seeing her/catching her yelling at people but, not catching why she is doing so. This coupled with her RBF makes her come off as mean to him. She also is snarky towards him, which doesn't help. As for Chloe, I think she just sees his appearance and job and stereotypes him as this biker loser guy."
I like the point you make about Chloe's initial impression of Red being discriminatory. I don't think I'd felt that was true, but it probably is. And I can relate about pain and discomfort making you seem grumpy and/or grouchy and/or bitchy to others. I have caught myself and I'm sure my husband could attest to the fact that has happened to me intermittently... It kinda feels like I am angry with the world and that I have a right to be! ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
I loved the first half of this book! I love all the witty, flirty banter between the two. I also love the email thread. I laughed out loud several times, startling my husband on multiple occasions. Both of them just want to be loved for who they are so badly!
Hi, I decided to join in, and I'm only on chapter 3, so I'm avoiding the 1-7 discussion for the moment. However, I wanted to put in a word for the audiobook! Adjoa Andoh (Lady Danbury from Bridgerton) is *killing it* and as a dumb American I appreciated having some guidance on the respective accents. :)
Mod
However, I wanted to put in a word for the audiobook! Adjoa Andoh (Lady Danbury from Bridge..."
Andoh is one of my all time favorite audiobook readers!!! she is SOOOO good!
Mod
Well then do not read Libertie! There is a whole gratuitous and completely unexpected part in the middle where we read wayyyyyy too much about that!!
Also, Hibbert is kind of almost notorious for being really explicit and "spicy" - it's why I'm hesitant to read any of her other books beyond the Brown sisters books
Good Morning Readers, I wanted to highlight a few reader observations that I laughed out loud at or really were spot on. First welcome Jessica to your first group read. This is my second group read.Nadine wrote in response to the first chapter question about Chloe & Red making the wrong impressions about each other "They just didn't know each other, and made assumptions based on stereotypes." Chloe states in the book she uses "super silence" on Red which feeds into his preconceived notions about "rich" people. Again this assumption is based on his experience with Phoebe. He was judging a book by its cover.
A few readers pointed out Chloe doesn't seem like a person that packs light enough she could travel world the with only hand luggage. That was my first thought too.
AF wrote "I loved the first half of this book! I love all the witty, flirty banter between the two. I also love the email thread. I laughed out loud several times, startling my husband on multiple occasions.
Both of them just want to be loved for who they are so badly!" I liked the banter & emails too. They did just wanted to be loved for who they are.
Lynn wrote: "... Glad you mentioned "intimate scenes" since I truly did NOT need an explicit step-by-step description of a guy jerking off. ..."🤣🤣🤣
I was kind of shocked - did not realize that this was *that* kind of romance novel. I don't read much romance and I think the last "open door" book I read was when my friends and I sat in the back of the school bus and looked through The Valley of Horses for all the smutty passages! That said, once I adjusted my expectations, I thought the sex scenes were well-written, contributed to the story, and yes, were mostly hot (I admit, the word "sac" is like a cold shower though).
Christine wrote, Lynn wrote: "... Glad you mentioned "intimate scenes" since I truly did NOT need an explicit step-by-step description of a guy jerking off. ..." I was kind of shocked too. I realized there were "intimate scenes" in the book but I was expecting Chloe & Red to be together when the scenes took place. Christine wrote, "I don't read much romance and I think the last "open door" book I read was when my friends and I sat in the back of the school bus and looked through The Valley of Horses for all the smutty passages! I'm going to date myself now & use old verbiage. In the 70's my library had a book on the shelves titled The Cheerleader (The Snowy Series, #1) by Ruth Doan MacDougall. It was my first "dirty" book. The book stayed checked out. By today's standards I'm sure it wouldn't be considered smutty at all. I can't remember a thing about it.
What is an "open door" book?
Good Morning All, here are the questions for chapters 8-14 1. Chloe had developed skills to handle chronic illness & pain. While these skills have helped her stay independent have her coping mechanisms hindered her social life?
2. Chloe's sisters & grandmother are good at respecting her independence without smothering her. How do her sisters & grandmother view Chloe without seeing a need to always mother her?
3. Chloe has an epiphany regarding her "Get A Life List" during her drunken night list with Red. What are your views on her insights?
4. Chapters 12-14 have many pivotal moments. Discuss moments that were pivotal to you.
Good Morning All, here are the questions for chapters 8-141. Chloe had developed skills to handle chronic illness & pain. While these skills have helped her stay independent have her coping mechanisms hindered her social life? Chloe has learned to not go out with friends because of past slights but also because when you don't feel good it's easier not to make the effort. Chloe realizes she has to take care of herself by getting enough rest & watching her diet. She is also good at saying no when she should, i.e. when Eve calls her to go out for karaoke.
2. Chloe's sisters & grandmother are good at respecting her independence without smothering her. How do her sisters & grandmother view Chloe without seeing a need to always mother her? Chloe's grandmother does her own life. She lets Chloe come to her. She listens to Chloe. Chloe and her sisters have developed a system where the sisters checked in if they haven't heard from Chloe in a couple of days. They let Chloe reach out first. Dani provides the basis of healthy meals.
3. Chloe has an epiphany regarding her "Get A Life List" during her drunken night list with Red. What are your views on her insights? (view spoiler).
4. Chapters 12-14 have many pivotal moments. Discuss moments that were pivotal to you. These were pivotal moments to me. (view spoiler)
author's note & prologue questions1. Get A Life, Chloe Brown starts with an author's note. Have you read other books before that starts with a trigger alert? Did the note give you pause about reading the book?
I have read other books with trigger alerts. Well maybe, for some reason I remember running with scissors having a trigger alert due to the author’s unreliable account. I do appreciate a little bit of context prior to reading.
2. The first sentence in the prologue grabs your attention. Were you expecting a romance book to begin with a life changing event?
Sure. Why not have a romance stem from life changing circumstances? It seems appropriate.
3. Once Chloe is home we get a glimpse into her family life. Is this a safe & healthy environment for Chloe?
I think her family cares deeply for Chloe and has good intentions.
General questions
1. Do you regularly read books during heritage months related to that identity?
Because of the popsugar book challenge and this group I definitely have over the last few years.
2. During heritage months do you read only books related to those histories & identities?
I do not only read books related to those histories or identities. Though seeing this question posed this way makes me ponder if I could. I have enjoyed how these lists have pushed me as a reader to expand my horizons and definitely read more from different life perspectives. I love this and hope it helps me to be a more compassionate person.
3. Are heritage months important to your reading life?
Maybe they are moving in that direction. I am not sure yet.
chapters 1-7
1. When the reader catches up with Chloe Brown two months later she now lives in her own flat where Redford Morgan is the superintendent. Both have wrong impressions of each other. What lead them both to their wrong first impressions?
I think stereotyping leads them to their first impressions. They have preconceived ideas of how each other will be based on past personal experiences and are basing their opinions on that.
2. What is your initial opinion of Chloe's "Get A Life" list?
Move out, Enjoy a drunken night out, Ride a motor bike, Go camping, Have meaningless but thoroughly enjoyable sex, Travel the world with nothing but hand luggage, Do something bad.
I found her list to be a list of someone who hasn’t experienced much in life.
3. Red is compelled to help others. Does Red have a super big & kind heart or does he have co-dependent tendencies?
In my opinion, I think he comes of as genuine in caring for others. Unfortunately, I don’t know if I by how realistic this is. Sometimes, he comes off as cheesy.
4. Talia Hibbert's books reflect a change in the romance genre toward explicit consent during intimate scenes. What other changes does the reader, especially female readers, need to see to make the romance genre supportive of women?
I personally do not enjoy romance, so I am not sure what changes need to be done. I do not read enough to have a formed opinion. I honestly wasn’t aware that female readers weren’t feeling supported by the romance genres. In fact, I have always thought the genre was mostly read by women and written by women. But maybe I am wrong in that assumption.
Though!!! Who ever made the comment about reading in depth about him jerking off, I could t agree with you more. Seriously. I don’t need sex to be this explicit, I was left feeling uncomfortable after reading that!
5. Against his better judgement Red agrees to help Chloe with her "Get A Life List". Is this a healthy decision for Red?
I read someone’s response to this question that said it’s not going to lead him Into addiction. Lol!! Hilarious. I like that perspective, what is healthy for one isn’t always healthy for another. So, yea it’s not like he is going to end up with life threatening injuries by being nice to someone he is intrigued with. And as far as healthy relationship…. He won’t know until he tries.
Chapters 1-71. When the reader catches up with Chloe Brown two months later she now lives in her own flat where Redford Morgan is the superintendent. Both have wrong impressions of each other. What lead them both to their wrong first impressions?
They definitely made assumptions about each other based on stereotypes and past experiences.
2. What is your initial opinion of Chloe's "Get A Life" list?
It’s all good if that’s what she really wants to do, but I do feel like the list comes across as superficial and things she feels like she has to do.
3. Red is compelled to help others. Does Red have a super big & kind heart or does he codependent tendencies?
A little bit of both. I do think he is truly a nice guy that wants to help, but I think there are some codependent tendencies that carry over from his relationship with his mom.
4. Talia Hibbert's books reflect a change in the romance genre toward explicit consent during intimate scenes. What other changes does the reader, especially female readers, need to see to make the romance genre supportive of women?
Another change I’m noticing some of in this book is just simply empowering women sexually and dicussing thier needs during encoutners. I like that where I am in the book right now, they have been focusing on Chloe during the encounters between the two. I definitely like that change. It feels empowering and like it’s empowering Chloe as well.
5. Against his better judgment Red agrees to help Chloe with her "Get A Life List". Is this a healthy decision for Red?
At the moment I don’t see how it could be unhealthy. It doesn’t seem like it’s something he can’t commit to or tolerate, so I don’t like it will be stressful or mentally taxing for him. I think his motivations are just to spend more time with Chloe, and while she frustrates him he knows there is something there he is interested in when it comes to her.
Chapters 8-14
1. Chloe had developed skills to handle chronic illness & pain. While these skills have helped her stay independent have her coping mechanisms hindered her social life?
In a way yes, in a way no. She does what she has to and unfortunately the way her friends treated her before made her feel like she has to be isolated because of this, but with the right people around her I don’t see why her illness and her coping mechanisms for it would have to hinder her social life.
2. Chloe's sisters & grandmother are good at respecting her independence without smothering her. How do her sisters & grandmother view Chloe without seeing a need to always mother her?
I think they remember that she is the Chloe that she used to be even with the struggles of her illness. They also seem to simply remember that she is still capable, she just needs help sometimes.
3. Chloe has an epiphany regarding her "Get A Life List" during her drunken night list with Red. What are your views on her insights?
Not surprising. This is the conclusion I was hoping she’d come to. Like I said I got the feeling that she only felt like she had to do these things. I’m glad she was able to recognize it and see what was more important to her about the items on her list.
4. Chapters 12-14 have many pivotal moments. Discuss moments that were pivotal to you.
Her realization about her list on her night out with Red for sure. Pivotal for her as a character and in her relationship with Red.
Chapters 8-141. Chloe had developed skills to handle chronic illness & pain. While these skills have helped her stay independent have her coping mechanisms hindered her social life?
I think she is coming to the realization that she let herself get isolated when she did not have to. That with proper care and understanding people around her she will be able to be as social as she wants to be.
2. Chloe's sisters & grandmother are good at respecting her independence without smothering her. How do her sisters & grandmother view Chloe without seeing a need to always mother her?
I think they all realize that while she may need help sometimes she is doing fine on her own. With her sisters, she has a system in which she stays in contact with them on a regular basis and if she doesn't they will come check-up on her. But, her grandma treats her like any other adult with their own life, and offers love and advice when Chloe seeks it out.
3. Chloe has an epiphany regarding her "Get A Life List" during her drunken night list with Red. What are your views on her insights?
She seemed to realize that it was not the act of partying and dancing but being with her friends doing those things that she missed, and I think just that she missed having friends. As someone else said it also seemed to come from natural maturing.
4. Chapters 12-14 have many pivotal moments. Discuss moments that were pivotal to you.
Ok, first since I finished the book a week ago lets see if I remember what happened in these chapters.
I think I'll riff off of Sherri's answer (see above) since she answered so well. I apologize in advance for all the spoilers.
Red taking Chloe to the art gallery seemed like a pivotal moment for him...(view spoiler)
I do agree that her admitting to spying was (view spoiler)
I do remember the conversation about marginalization but, I don't really remember what was said. While I do think it is important to have these conversations, I do remember feeling like it was kinda just thrown in there to make sure it was in there and that it did not flow into the story well.
As for the public sex all I gotta say is... (view spoiler)
While I don't remember what all was said in the marginalized conversation, I do remember that when they bumped into Aunt Mary Chloe said that Red was (view spoiler)
Happy Valentines Day Everyone, I'm struggling with Good Reads. I haven't received notifications from any group in 3 days. I don't know if it's just me or everyone is having troubles. I will post new questions for our group read tomorrow.
Mod
I struggle with Goodreads not working correctly so very often! I've just expected it not to work correctly and then I am very pleasantly surprised when it does! I often wonder if Goodreads would be better maintained if NOT a part of Amazon/Bezos' freakin' empire. *sigh* But we'll never know...
Lynn wrote: "Sherri wrote: "Happy Valentines Day Everyone, I'm struggling with Good Reads. I haven't received notifications from any group in 3 days. I don't know if it's just me or everyone is having troubles...."You can track your groups' activities by clicking on groups in Community dropdown list, then click on the small red 'new'.
Mod
Just a note: If not for the monthly group read I would DNF this book now. Too many sexually explicit details. Just don't need them. And this is why I always avoided romance... 😳
1. Chloe had developed skills to handle chronic illness & pain. While these skills have helped her stay independent have her coping mechanisms hindered her social life?
I believe so. It appears that it has. I get that. It is rather difficult because you feel as if you really can't make plans with others since you don't know how you will feel on that specific day...
2. Chloe's sisters & grandmother are good at respecting her independence without smothering her. How do her sisters & grandmother view Chloe without seeing a need to always mother her?
Her own mother should be as respectful! Not every mother would be as overprotective and overly-dramatic as is hers...
3. Chloe has an epiphany regarding her "Get A Life List" during her drunken night list with Red. What are your views on her insights?
I guess you're referring to the fact that she learned she needed to be flexible, so for instance, asking him what he would like to do...
4. Chapters 12-14 have many pivotal moments. Discuss moments that were pivotal to you.
My own "pivotal moment" was on the public monument. That combined with explicit description of Red jacking off absolutely made me want to DNF this. However, I'll finish it and be done with Hibbert's books.
This is just not my cuppa tea! 🙁
Mod
It is not just you!!! For days now, it's seemed oddly quiet. Today I woke up to TWENTY notifications. So GR held on to them for a few days and dumped them all at once.
Good Morning. Yesterday evening my notifications magically appeared. I woke to 60 notifications. I have new questions. My first question is a fun question.1. Did you have a clue what a Knicker Whisperer was?
2. Do you feel this book is too predictable?
3. Did you expect more conflict after the camping trip?
4. Do you like Chloe & Red? Do you want Chloe & Red to have their happily ever after with each other?
1. Did you have a clue what a Knicker Whisperer was? Nope no clue at all. (view spoiler) I had cats on the brain at that point so I thought she was a cat whisperer. Which would be like herding cats. Ha Ha2. Do you feel this book is too predictable? It does follow the formula for romances.
3. Did you expect more conflict after the camping trip? I did. I thought there would be one more problem.
4. Do you like Chloe & Red? Do you want Chloe & Red to have their happily ever after with each other? I do like Chloe & Red. I figure the whole point of the book is for those two to be together.
1. Get A Life, Chloe Brown starts with an author's note. Have you read other books before that starts with a trigger alert? Did the note give you pause about reading the book?Yes I have read books that start with content warnings. I always think it's dumb when you finish a book and the content warning is at the end. No the warning didn't give effect my reasoning for reading this.
2. The first sentence in the prologue grabs your attention. Were you expecting a romance book to begin with a life changing event?
No, although Chloe's perspective doesn't explain enough of what is happening so it seemed so lame for it to be a 'life changing event'. Maybe the prologue needed to be third person for me because I nearly dnfed this during the prologue because it made no sense.
3. Once Chloe is home we get a glimpse into her family life. Is this a safe & healthy environment for Chloe?
No idea, there's no real explanation for what troubles Chloe yet. Chloe is too frenetic for me right now and it's making me lose patience.
1. Do you regularly read books during heritage months related to that identity?2. During heritage months do you read only books related to those histories & identities?
3. Are heritage months important to your reading life?
I go through and borrow things for the heritage months but I'm such a mood reader that actually reading them during the correct month doesn't happen so well. I like these heritage months because I do find new authors and pieces of history to read.
Author's Note/Prologue & General QuestionsAuthor's Note and Prologue
1. Get A Life, Chloe Brown starts with an author's note. Have you read other books before that starts with a trigger alert? Did the note give you pause about reading the book? I don't think I've read a book that starts with a trigger warning, but I think it was a good idea with the issues brought up in the book.
2. The first sentence in the prologue grabs your attention. Were you expecting a romance book to begin with a life changing event? This is one of the first true romance novels I've read, so really didn't know what to expect.
3. Once Chloe is home we get a glimpse into her family life. Is this a safe & healthy environment for Chloe? I think it's a physically safe environment, but her family seems to be quite over-bearing or over-protective. I'm not surprised by their treatment of Chloe based on her health conditions and history. I just don't think they know what she truly needs mentally or physically and are just taking it to the max.
General Questions
1. Do you regularly read books during heritage months related to that identity? Yes, I try to read at least one book related to the heritage month I'm in.
2. During heritage months do you read only books related to those histories & identities? Typically, yes. I do read mainly heritage books related to the corresponding month, but that's not a strict rule and have read others during those times also.
3. Are heritage months important to your reading life? Yes, very. I think heritage months are great prompts to take the time to learn more about different cultures, heritages, etc and a great way to diversify my reading.
Get A Life, Chloe Brown (The Brown Sisters, #1) by Talia Hibbert questions chapters 1-71. When the reader catches up with Chloe Brown two months later she now lives in her own flat where Redford Morgan is the superintendent. Both have wrong impressions of each other. What lead them both to their wrong first impressions? I think social bias's had a lot to do with their first impressions. Red saw Chloe as a rich snobby girl. Chloe seemed to base her impression on appearances as well, based on his job, looks, etc, she thought he was a "bad boy/biker" type of guy.
2. What is your initial opinion of Chloe's "Get A Life" list?
Move out, Enjoy a drunken night out, Ride a motor bike, Go camping, Have meaningless but thoroughly enjoyable sex, Travel the world with nothing but hand luggage, Do something bad. I really didn't have too much of an opinion about her list. Everyone needs to have goals, or motivation, to do things. This list was important to her to get back to herself (or so she thought) because of past relationships with her fiance and friends. I think this was just what she needed at that time in her life.
3. Red is compelled to help others. Does Red have a super big & kind heart or does he have co-dependent tendencies? I think he has both. I do think he is kind, giving person. But I think that he is probably co-dependent too. But I think his "baggage" affects the way he acted.
4. Talia Hibbert's books reflect a change in the romance genre toward explicit consent during intimate scenes. What other changes does the reader, especially female readers, need to see to make the romance genre supportive of women? There were definitely "intimate" scenes. I was not prepared for that (wasn't expecing a true romance book lol). I think the author representing consent in the book is very important. I also enjoyed that the Chloe wasn't portrayed as a woman who needs saving, or a servant type of role either. I think they both are equally sexualized, but I like that they love the other's whole body and not just the typical boobs, butt, etc.
5. Against his better judgement Red agrees to help Chloe with her "Get A Life List". Is this a healthy decision for Red? Maybe not at the time, but I think as they went on, he started counseling, etc it was okay. I think his needing to help personality kicked in and he was going to help her anyway.
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Sherri is the "gracious gifted guide" who will lead this discussion! Thank you, Sherri! 😁
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