Set mainly in India, this dual POV contemporary focuses on Olivia, a planner and Jacob, a non planner.
As fate intervenes, the pair meet and form a bond.
This was an engaging read about stepping outside your comfort zone, but also about grief after loss of a loved one. There were some really poignant moments, which I felt were well written.
I'm a little unsure on the ending, but I'll leave that up to you to decide on your thoughts.

Olivia's little sister has died and has left an airplane ticket to India for her. We discover very quickly tat this is not the kind of thing that Olivia would ever want or choose to do but, who can deny their little sister a dying wish?
Olivia is also one of the worlds great planners and this trip to India is no different. She has a spreadsheet of everything she wants to see and go and exactly how long to spend at each sightseeing spot. There is no room in Olivia's plan for things to go awry.

Within her first few days, Olivia literally bumps in to Jacob who has been travelling the world for a long time and doesn't believe in planning. He has a system for deciding where and when he ought to be somewhere and he sticks to it.
They strike up an unlikely friendship and spend a few days together before Olivia's spreadsheet has her hurtling off to another part of India.

The description of India from the author is fantastic. The culture, food and sights are so well documented. I honestly felt as though I was there although I didn't really feel that the connection between Olivia and Jacob was quite as believable - especially how quickly it happened.

There are some great characters peppered throughout who, I feel gave Olivia the opportunity to see that we all have baggage and are all battling our own demons.

I enjoyed this book and although grief is very much a part of this book, I didn't feel that it was lurking everywhere.

Loved this story, a lovely read about a relationship but also more like a travel book at times. Really enjoyable read. Would make a great holiday read!

I thought this book was amazing and it really had me hooked. The author's unique approach allowed the writing to be very captivating. I'd recommend this book to anyone looking for a new read and who loves a good old romance !!

At first I thought this was just your standard rom-com – uptight Olivia and gambler Jacob keep finding each other in India… must be fate! – but there are a few deeper secrets buried beneath the actions of both main characters to explain their dramatic differences.

The main problem was that I just didn’t feel the chemistry between them. They seemed to go from finding each other immensely irritating to ‘true love’ quite rapidly and (as is often the case in romcoms to be fair) their communication is absolutely appalling. They have so many secrets, lies, omissions and misunderstandings between them that I lost any faith that they could make it work in the long-term.

There was a nice little sleight of hand involved in the plotline, leading me to believe that a character’s secret lay in a particular direction then blindsiding me with the eventual reveal, and I really liked being kept on my toes like that – it adds an extra layer of interest to the story beyond the main characters’ relationship with each other.

So, yet again from this author, another very readable romcom that just slightly misses the mark for me, but not enough that I wouldn’t try more from her in future.

Olivia is organised and in control of her life. So when she is pressured into going to India on holiday, she plans everything. When her plans fall apart on the first day in the chaos of a Delhi market she meets Jacob, the man who plans nothing. These two attract each other like magnets and both have their stories that they are trying to work through. The other part of this romance is India itself. From the hectic crowds of Delhi to the beautiful Taj Mahal, temples, lakes, and the calmness of yoga on a Goan beach, you can see and feel how this country gets into your soul, and how our two lovers are changed forever from being there. Beautifully written, makes me want to buy a plane ticket!

Uptight Olivia ends up travelling India (due to a tragic death in her family) and meets seemingly carefree Jacob who is something of a nomad. Predictably they irritate each other at first, and then… well, you can probably see where it goes from there.
The ending is a little less predictable but I’m not sure how I really felt about it. Did I cry? Of course. But I was also a little irritated by what happened as it just felt a little contrived. It’s still a good read - perfect for by the pool, but not as good as “Before I see you”.

Thank you to Netgally and the publisher for this ARC.

Emily Houghton’s Take a Chance on Me is a delightful blend of escapism and romance that captures the transformative power of travel and love. The story follows Olivia Jackson, a meticulous planner whose world is thrown into disarray after the tragic loss of her sister. Tasked with embarking on a journey her sister envisioned, Olivia's tightly controlled life is set against the unpredictable backdrop of adventure.

Enter Jacob Green, a free-spirited traveler whose carefree attitude starkly contrasts with Olivia's need for order. Their initial encounter crackles with tension, as Olivia’s frustration with Jacob’s spontaneity is palpable. Houghton skillfully develops their dynamic, showcasing how opposites can both clash and complement each other. As Olivia grapples with her grief and Jacob navigates his own secrets, the emotional depth of their characters adds a layer of complexity to their budding romance.

The setting of various exotic locales enhances the narrative, transporting you alongside Olivia as she learns to embrace uncertainty. Houghton’s vivid descriptions breathe life into each destination, making the journey feel real and immersive.

The pacing is well-balanced, weaving together moments of humor, heartache, and reflection. Houghton’s writing is both beautiful and approachable, striking a chord with anyone who has ever felt torn between plans and possibilities.

Ultimately, Take a Chance on Me is more than just a holiday romance; it’s a heartfelt exploration of healing, personal growth, and the courage to step outside one’s comfort zone. You will find yourself cheering for Olivia and Jacob as they navigate their contrasting worlds and discover the magic of letting go. This novel is a perfect escape, ideal for fans of romantic fiction who appreciate a story filled with warmth and hope.

I really enjoyed this read. Emily Houghton is a great writer, and knows how to do a great romance!

I loved Olivia and Jacob as the main characters and seeing their relationship develop. Highly recommend.

A great story about how someone's perspective can change. Really good descriptions of the different locations. Recommended.

Emily has nailed it yet again.

It's strange to read a life so far from your own but still find so much you can relate to- that's how human the main characters were.

I loved their individuality and who they were together. The raw emotion hit me to my core and made me reflect on my outlook to life.
P.S can I ditch my responsibilities and travel India? Because that yoga by the beach sounded heavenly.

Another great success and a book I would highly recommend.

Olivia likes to be in control and it's only when she's forced to by panic attacks that she takes time off work and uses the ticket to India her sister left her. Jacob's clearly had some difficult family stuff a few years ago and is travelling on a sort of Dice Man programme, letting his dice choose where he goes and travelling super-light. Of course they meet and fall for each other, but will they be able to bear each other's different ways, will Olivia get to grips with her grieving and will Jacob resolve the mysterious thing in his past? This had a twist that was a bit of a punch in the guts but was foreshadowed; it was full of life philosophy advice and I liked the concentration on the kindness of the people in India.

Reviewed 04 September on my blog: https://librofulltime.wordpress.com/2024/09/04/august-netgalley-update-houghton-nava-and-cho/

I totally resonated with Olivia. Her meticulous planning and overwhelm at being somewhere new. That somewhere new in this case being India. Luckily she bumps into Jacob, literally. He's very much her opposite.
I loved the way they interacted, his relaxed, spontaneous attitude slowly breaking down her barriers.
I also thought that her relationships with other characters was lovely.
It's not all holidays and sunshine though. This book deals with grief in its various forms.

This was the perfect holiday read, it had the balance of predictability, travel and romance just right. It was an easy read but an enjoyable one. Definitely recommend!

I did not see the twist in this book coming, it broke my heart. I knew there was something going on with Jacob but I wasn't expecting the outcome. It took me a little while to warm to Olivia but I ended up really liking her. The relationship she had with Jacob was lovely. A really lovely book about finding yourself after falling apart, living your life and letting love in. Would definitely recommend.

We are following Olivia who is reluctantly travelling to India, and her physical and mental journey around the country. The author did a fabulous job with making us feel part of the world with their descriptions of the country, food and culture. And their exploration into grief was handled really well with a great character arc for our protagonist.

The banter between Olivia and her love interest was fun to read and the connection between them was believable but I wasn't convinced about the depth of connection with the limited amount of time. And the ending felt rushed, causing the 3rd act 'drama' to feel contrived.

I loved the surrounding cast of characters, who were very entertaining and helped navigate our main characters journey around India and the problems they were facing in the personal lives.

I came away really enjoying my read but wishing for a little bit more length to the book so the main romance plot didn't feel so rushed.

3.5 stars

Emily Houghton tackles grief in the poignant 'Take a Chance on Me'.

Type A and meticulous with her plans and spreadsheets, Olivia Jackson is forced out of her comfort zone by her late sister who planned a plane ticket for her to travel to India. Compounding her anger at her sister for forcing the trip on her, is her grief after nursing her in her final months from cancer. Along the way, prickly Olivia runs into the freewheeling Jacob Green who has been backpacking for the past five years with zero plans to live the sort of straight-laced life Olivia craves. Except what is Jacob running from?

This book was so emotional and, at times, I found it hard to keep turning the page from the dread I could feel coming which forced me to skim as it was to stressful waiting for the reveal. I loved the slow-burn between Olivia and Jacob. Both are afraid of connecting with each other, yet they can't help themselves. The vivid descriptions of India were also fantastic it almost made me want to go (the crowds sounded a bit stressful!).

By the end of the book though I felt a huge lump in my throat as it was hopeful but very uncertain, especially when you consider everything they characters have been through. For that reason, while I enjoyed this book, it's very much a read once only instead of a re-read for comfort.

Thanks to Random House UK, Transworld Publishers and NetGalley for the ARC.

A holiday escape romance set in India between two opposites.
It took a little while for me to get into the flow of this book, I don't know if it's due to the writing or the characters. But it has a nice aspect of self-discovery after a tragic event.

An emotional read, an opposites attract romance for Olivia and Jacob who meet in India. She is a planned and he is a free spirit but date keeps bringing them back together. I would have liked more of an epilogue.

DNF at 14%.

I was having a hard time getting into this book. From the beginning I couldn't connect to either Olivia or Jacob's characters. I know there's a reason why Jacob is traveling and not going home but I'm just not invested enough in finding out what it is.

I might pick it up in future but for now I'm going to put it in the back burner. Thank you to Netgalley and Publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.