This was a fantastically heartwarming story about a woman who decides to begin searching for her birth mother after years of struggling to fit in. The wonderful thing about Evie is that you don’t pity her or feel sorry for her in the sense that she’s a train wreck of a character. No, instead, she had a horrible start in life, being abandoned as a baby and going through numerous foster care homes, never feeling like she belonged anywhere and never learning how to read. She is taken in by her last foster mother, Irene, who not only teaches her how to read but instills in her a love of reading and helps her get a job in the same library she works at. Evie changes her last name to Irene’s and considers her more of a mother than she has ever known and their relationship is solid and magical to watch.

On her birthday, after years of always wondering why she was given up and with Irene’s support and encouragement, Evie decides to begin the search to track down her birth mother to hopefully get answers to the questions she has had her entire life. Along the way, she begins building other relationships that also thrive and blossom and opens herself to the possibility that she could also find and receive the love of her life.

I adored Evie. I felt an immediate connection to her and loved that she works in a library and despite the rocky start to her life she has come out very well grounded and balanced. She cares about others and is a good friend and daughter. She is someone I could easily work well with and be friends with. I loved the side story of not only her search for her birth mother, but also the side story of her crush on aspiring author, Noah, and the gift of her favorite author’s newest book by an anonymous benefactor.

All of the supporting characters added so much depth and dimension to the story and I felt connections to them as well. I really loved Irene and the care she gives to Evie is so genuinely displayed, I got misty eyed several times. Evie’s workmate and flatmate, Clara, was a hoot and I would love to see a story for her.

This story moves at a wonderful pace and though I figured out somethings pretty quick, there were still quite a few surprises that I wasn’t expecting and absolutely loved. I really enjoy this author’s work and voice and look forward to reading much more of her work.

My Final Verdict: Overall, this is a wonderful read that I highly recommend to readers who enjoy the chick-lit, contemporary romance and women’s fictions genres. Readers who also enjoy stories of friendship, forgiveness and taking steps forward with courage and bravery will also enjoy this one.

Thank you to the publisher, Bookouture, who provided an advance reader copy via NetGalley.

Thanks to Bookouture and Christie Barlow for the ARC provided via NetGalley; this is my honest review.

Book Review:
Evie's Year of Taking Chances by Christie Barlow
Bookouture, 10th March 2017
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Synopsis:
Evie’s job as a librarian has always been her safe haven. She loses herself in books - after all it’s far easier to read about other people’s problems than set about solving her own.

Then, one birthday, everything is turned upside down. A mysterious parcel containing a beautiful book with a poignant inscription arrives for Evie. It’s the beginning of a new chapter for Evie, and she’s inspired to try to find her real mother. 

Evie’s search leads her to meet handsome author Noah Jones. Charming and intelligent, Noah seems the perfect catch, but he is hiding something.

As Evie gets closer to Noah and discovering her mother, she must take a giant leap of faith. Can she embrace the new and make this her year of taking chances? And if she does, will she get her heart broken? 

Review:
Evie is a wonderful character who is living her best life as a librarian (dream job!). As she sets out on the journey to find her mother, this fantastically fluffy read is like being scooped up in a warm blanket.

Ideal as a summer read or to give you a warm hug on a dreary day, the author tells the tale with enough intrigue and pulling on the heartstrings to ensure the fluffiness doesn't swallow you up entirely. Perfect if you fancy some chick lit with a mysterious twist.

#BookReview #EviesYearOfTakingChances #ChristieBarlow #Bookstagram

"It’s Evie’s birthday and the start of a year she’ll never forget. An emotional story of love, friendship and grabbing life by the horns.

Evie’s job has always been her safe haven. As a librarian in the little town of Becton she loses herself in books - after all it’s far easier to read about other people’s problems than set about solving her own.

Then, one birthday, everything is turned upside down. A mysterious parcel containing a beautiful book with a poignant inscription arrives for Evie. It’s the beginning of a new chapter for Evie and she’s inspired to try and find her real mother. "

A really lovely summer read, that it light and fluffy in places, but deep and emotional in others, I enjoyed it.

I love a good romantic comedy and this was just that. Such a lovely story and great characters that I won’t forget.

A delightful book about Evie, a librarian who is looking for her bio- mom and finding new love. Good storytelling and a fun character made this a fun read.

Really enjoyable read. Good characters and a Good story. Well worth a read. Think others will enjoy.

This was the first Christie Barlow I ever read, since then I have read every other one and pre-order any new one as soon as I hear about it.
So, when you do not know this author yet, be prepared for a new addictive writer!

Once again Christie has written a delightful book, with amazing characters that are written into a local community. Christie describes Evie’s emotions and the process that she goes through in the search for her mother with empathy and compassion.

I have enjoyed all of Christie previous books but for me, this my favourite one yet. I thoroughly recommend it

Perfect read for lovers of all books! Especially as they feature a fair amount being that Evie is a librarian and her love of books is simply delightful. So much fun!

I absolutely loved everything about this story.
I regret not reading this sooner, that’s the trouble when you have a to be read pile as big as mine !

My favourite character was the main character Evie, she was so lovely, not how I expected her to be (given her past!)

I loved reading about the book club, it reminded me of the book club I am in, the ladies in the story are so like the ladies in my book club.

I can't believe it has taken me most of a year to get around to reading this superbly addictive book.


It didn't take me long until I was completely hooked on the story, and had to see how the various threads would unravel.

Evie works in a library and I loved the dynamics between her and Clara her best friend, Adrian the new librarian and there other friends.

There are some large issues dealt with in this book, and one of the biggest to do with Evie's birth mum, i unfortunately predicted very early on, but it turns out not for completely the correct reasonings.

I loved all the characters in this book, and felt really at home reading this story and the setting of Becton.

This is a great showcase for the recent direction Christie Barlow's writing has gone in, and is easily one of my favourite books by her - well written, a joy to read and made me have the "feels". Definitely felt emotions towards various aspects of this story.. I loved it.

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

I read a lot of dark crime fiction but every so often, my brain craves something that doesn't involve something to turn my stomach or wonder whodunnit. That is the time I turn to the books of Christie Barlow. They are light hearted reads, a bit of a palette cleanser when I spend most of my literary time knee deep in police investigations or having my head messed with.

Evie's Year of Taking Chances is quite an addictive read. I followed Evie on a journey of love, friendship, self discovery and heartbreak. Evie is a lovely character with an enviable job, working in a library!! Oh to be surrounded by books all day!

I do enjoy Ms Barlow's writing. It's got a light touch of intrigue and mystery interwoven with the insight into the main character's trials and tribulations. Yet again Christie Barlow tugged at my heart strings and made me shed a tear or two! I've loved all of her books so far and I'm looking forward to catching on her latest book I haven't read.

I loved this story and read it in one day. It's a great summer holiday read. Our main character is Evie she is single and is a librarian. Evie has a foster mum, Irene, who features in her life immensely, however she still feels the need to find her real mum. We join Evie on a journey full of great friendship's and romance, with a sprinkle of heartbreak!

I absolutely adored this book, so much so unread it in one day. It's a fabulous feel good read with a few tears shed also.

Every character in this book was wonderful and the friendship between them all was great. I thought Evie was wonderful and Clara was such a good friend.

This book would be a perfect holiday read .

Massive 5 stars from me

I couldn't stop reading! A lovely story about Evie who works in the library.
She also goes to book club at Mim's Cafe. It all sounds perfect for a bookworm.
A story with many aspects of relationships and family. It gave me a whole host of emotions.
I loved this book and definitely recommend it.

I have read all of Christie Barlows books and thoroughly enjoyed them all, this is about Evie discovering her mother and how Noah fits into it all...read and you will not be disappointed.

A great read. Lovely to read this instead of reading my normal crime/thrillers.

Thanks for the advanced copy

Brilliant book. Loved it from the start till the end.

5☆ Emotional Rollercoaster... Loved it

Perfect read for lovers of all books! Especially as they feature a fair amount being that Evie is a librarian and her love of books is simply delightful. So much fun!

Evie is the main character in the book and as the title suggests it's all about taking chances and grabbing life by the horns.

Evie works in the local library.

Life hasn't necessarily been great for her. Her childhood was spent in and out of foster care.
Until she meets her perfect match..... Irene.... They just click.
Their relationship is heartwarming. A mother and daughter bond. So touching.

All though Evie now has a stable life, her dream job and very good friends, she feels it's now the right time to search for her birth mother with so many unanswered questions she begins her journey to find her Mother.

What a journey she faces.
 Full of emotional ups and downs.
I was fully absorbed taking the highs and lows alongside Evie.
Willing Evie to find her answers she so desperately deserved!

A fully immersive read, this book has it all, humour, a rollercoaster of Emotions, touch of Romance, plenty of surprises, twists and guesses, heartwarming moments, an absorbing poignant read.

Beautifully written characters.
Christie has touched on Evie's life in care with sensitivity and much research.
Making Evie's character so likeable and believable.
I loved all the characters but Evie holds a special place in my heart!

Would I recommend this book.... 100% YES!!

A Poignant Rom Com with all the right mix!

When Evie's birthday hits she decides it is time to search for her birth mother. Will she find out who her mother is? Will her birth mother want to be a part of her life? The search starts to open up Evie's life to taking risk. She gets a roommate, she finally confines she has a crush on this handsome writer,
and confides in her friend that she is adopted.

I enjoyed reading this book. It was emotional at times and it was fun to read.