Member Reviews

LOVED LOVED.....LOVED

5/5 Stars!

A Year of Chasing Love by Rosie Chambers was fantastic! A feel good, romantic drama that will have you looking at your past loves and really get down to why some worked and some did not. Olivia Hamilton a divorce lawyer, total workaholic never expected to be served her own divorce papers. This unexpected moment in her life forced her on a round the world journey of self reflection and discovery. She sees what should have been clear as day why her soon to be ex husband Nathan took such drastic measures to move forward and on with his life.

Please do yourself a huge favor and pick up this wonderful and at times not easy story that forces Olivia and you look in the mirror and see what has been there all along.

Romantic Drama that will having you cheer Olivia on even when at times it feels like there is no hope
I will most certainly be picking up more books by Rosie Chambers..

Thank you #netgalley and #hgdigital for this wonderful book in exchange for my honest review.

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Congratulations to the author on a debut novel that is a wonderful read. Will admit took me a little while to 'get into' the story, but once I did I was hooked & couldn't put it down, what a journey of ups & downs Olivia had along the way to a perfect ending

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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.

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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.

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This book is a great book for all people, who are considering a relationship to those who are in a relationship. The main character of this book was very realistic and reminded me of women of today. The plot line was very simple and not very complex, which made it easy to pick up the story after putting down the book throughout the day. There was a lot of flashbacks, which is to be expected for this character's development throughout her journey. Throughout her travels, the main character describes many of the sights using great details that makes me want to take a trip to the different places she went to. The different people she met made different impacts on her self discovery. I enjoyed the supporting characters, but found their place in the book was just for the relationships they had in their lives. I wished some of the minor characters were more developed and would enjoy a book about her two best friends! The ending of the book was very enjoyable and complete. I would have enjoyed seeing the 12 points, written throughout the book, on a back page of the book altogether! I will enjoy reading any books this authors writes! (less)

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The 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.

This was an arc copy via the publisher and Netgalley, which I voluntarily and honestly reviewed as apart of this blog tour.

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A Year of Chasing Love is a fun read, that will make you beg for the summer months and the travelling season to begin.  We move from the Uk to idyllic Hawaii and romantic Paris. And these are only two stops!

This is escapism at is best as we follow Olivia, the kind of person who’s a little bit scary but so likeable as she takes a year out to find the ultimate guide to love.  Will she be able to find it abroad or is home truly where the heart is?

This is a great novel, perfect for anyone who wants something fun and, dare I say it, easy to read. This is a book that will sweep you of your feet and maybe create your own travel plans.

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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

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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.

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I really enjoyed this sweet nonconventional romance. Olivia has to go through the movements of losing her greatest love. Olivia is a workaholic solicitor who is served divorce papers in the worst publicly humiliating way. She is forced to take a sabbatical where her best friend puts together a trip to learn how marriages last. But each place she goes, she learns all the mistakes she made along the way in her own marriage and that she was fully deserving of her divorce.

I really enjoyed this book!

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If you have seen my blogs, I do love a romance contemporary book and this one was no different. It is a light hearted read with some sad moments as well but Rosie Chambers I felt had written this book just how I like them. Engaging but fun and quick to read.
The book follows Olivia Hamilton a workaholic Divorce Lawyer who thinks she has it all. The problem is to get where she is she has left behind everyone else including her husband Nathan. Being the top Divorce Lawyer that she is, it comes as a shock when she is issued her papers and at her place of work.
We follow Olivia on her discovery of herself and what it means to love, but is it too late for her to find the love of her life?
This book was definitely a book of self discovery. It didn’t hurt that there was some gorgeous men along Olivia’s self discovery as well. Olivia is made to take a step back and she isn’t too impressed but her friend sends Olivia off on a research trip around the world to really discover what love is and what she has been missing.
I really did enjoy this book, it has me smile throughout, it also made me think about what it means to take time for not only yourself but for those you love. It is easy to give in and keep going but sometimes you just need time to relax and be thankful for what you have got.
IT was great seeing different countries and their take on love, I especially loved the idea of visiting Hawaii and doing some surfing, and my goodness the sound of Malta was positively yummy!
Rosie Chambers style of writing had me engaged, it was well written and I could relate to Olivia. I was definitely routing for her throughout the whole book! I mean I can see from her point of view with wanting to help others and but also that we need to take time for ourselves!
A really enjoyable contemporary read that definitely helped with the Christmas Blues!

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I started this book in December and kept putting it down. Now I don't know why!! This is such a fun read I finished the other half of the book quite fast with fun lovable characters pages flew by.

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I enjoyed following burned out divorce lawyer, Olivia, after she is dealt an enormous blow as she receives papers for her own, very unexpected, divorce. Olivia’s world falls apart at this point and she is forced to take a sabbatical.
Helping academic friend, Rachel, with field research into long marriages is not something Olivia is keen to do while tending to the wounds of her own marriage breakdown, but she ends up heading to various corners of the world for the research.
I did find the story a bit eye-rolling at times - did Olivia really have to immediately fancy each man she met / judge them as potential partners? and also a little predictable. However, this didn’t detract from my enjoyment of the book & I would definitely recommend it.

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I knew from the minute I saw that gorgeous cover that this book would be right up my street and indeed it was. The story is exciting and so easy to read, it features really strong fabulous characters especially Olivia. I liked her character the most as she really does go on a journey to find happiness again. This is a beautiful romance that you will not be able to put down. I am looming forward to reading more from this author as I really loved this book.

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This book focuses on a divorcing couple and how they come to reconciliation. An okay read.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

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Who says that all the romance books are the same? I’ve read a few stories and all of them are different! You only have to start with “A Year of Chasing Love” and you’ll see that the word “love” means something different for each person and it changes on the country you live too!
This is an exploration book, yes, about romance! Because no matter how long have you been in a relationship, there’s always something new to learn or improve, don’t you think?
Let’s talk about this gem. Olivia Hamilton, a divorce lawyer, has just been asked for the divorce herself, because let’s be honest she lived for her work instead of taking care of her relationship, and her husband Nathan couldn’t spend any more nights alone waiting for her! In her job they have given her a year obligatory holiday, to decide what is really important for her and of course because it’s been year since she had done any type of holidays! So, her good friend offers her a job she can’t refuse, travel around the world to discover what makes a relation to work in any part of the world. So while we travel through the world with Olivia we will discover some of the most hidden secrets of how a relation really works.
I can understand that Olivia is obsessed with her job and her need to become successful, but sometimes when you focus so much in one part of your life all the other seem to disappear. The problem? That maybe when you try to pay attention to them it’s too late…
This has been an interesting and refreshing read; original, addictive and informative! I would recommend you to take a chance in love this weekend with “A Year Of Chasing Love”, it will surprise you! 😉

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I was very disappointed with A Year Of Chasing Love in all honesty, it wasn't at all like I was expecting and was almost the complete opposite. The novel starts with Olivia, a very successful divorce lawyer, receiving her very own divorce papers from her soon to be ex-husband. The blurb then promises a round a year long holiday for Olivia which helps her figure out what she wants in life.

I quite liked Olivia at the beginning of this novel, she was a career woman who was an expert in her field. Unfortunately due to Olivia's commitment to her profession she cancelled dates and plans with her husband quite often, and I do agree that this will most definitely burn anyone out eventually. However, her boss sitting her down to discuss that she looks tired and in need of a break, sounded ridiculous to me and old fashioned, but a ten month secondment is basically forced upon her.

Olivia embarks on a round the world trip organised by her friend. I did enjoy this part of the novel as Olivia created a lessons in love list, mostly detailing the aspects of successful marriages that are less likely to end in divorce. It was sweet that she slowly discovered her love for her husband again during her self-discovery journey.

The ending ruined the book for me, in most novels there's progressive character development, in my opinion Olivia's character plummeted. In the beginning of the novel she was driven, she was successful and she was adamant she did not want children although her husband did as she adored her career. In the last few pages we learn she's given up her job and is pregnant, what happened to the brilliantly strong woman we met originally? Why did Olivia have to give up her job to be a mother while her husband just gave up his secondments? The ending of the novel left me incredibly frustrated and soured the whole experience, it was a shame.

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Diving into this book was like taking a trip around the world without leaving my sofa. The stunning geographical locations were dazzling and created a tropical and cultural backdrop to set this beautiful story upon.

The premises to this narrative shot straight from the heart. As the title suggests A Year of Chasing Love features romance as the top topic of the day. What makes a marriage successful? Is it culture? Country? Background? Principals? Or pure and simple love? This book dives into this theme with full speed ahead to create a captivating read that had me hooked from the opening sentence.

From the catchy characters to the stunning settings this book had it all and I can't recommend it enough. It's a perfect parcel of love wrapped up in a tropical package that will warm up any dreary January day for sure.

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The premise of this book was great! A divorce attorney who gets served with divorce papers. She is forced to take a long hard look at herself when her boss makes her take a 10 month sabbatical from her job. The story moved a little slowly at first, but then really picked up and I couldn't put it down. Overall, I really enjoyed the story and will read more romances by this author. Thank you to Netgalley and HQ Digital for the ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.

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Thank you to Jessica at Harper Collins for letting me join in on the blog tour!

As I’m writing this review, I’m only 40% into this book, so my review will not give away any spoilers as I may have not reached them yet!

It took me a while to get into this book as I was getting annoyed with Olivia’s friends. I also found it took me a long time to get to the main bit where Olivia would actually start travelling to find out how in different countries, the marriage rate is so high and how they stay together. She will be visiting Malta, Paris and Hawaii as well as other places.

When Olivia arrives in Malta, thats when I finally got interested in the book. The way Niko is near enough the male equivalent of Olivia minus the divorce makes me wonder if there will be a possible romance on the cards, or will Olivia be onto the next destination by then?

I’ve now got an 1 hour and 25 minutes left to read so that will keep me company on the flight!

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