Take a Chance on Me

December 6, 2010
Cleo has lived in the same small English village her whole life. Johnny, following the death of his father, returns from his wealthy glamorous New York life to sell the estate and reacquaint himself with his hometown. Despite a turbulent history growing up, Cleo and Johnny fall for each other. In the meantime there are plenty of other romantic hijinks going on in the village, proving that while small town life may be close-knit, it's never boring. Mansell, who has perfected the ability to portray her characters convincingly, shows a breezy familiarity with British village life, and definitely exudes charm in her latest. The characters are comical, the situations are funny, and it's a generally entertaining experience. Readers will giggle throughout and forget the whole thing by the last page.

October 1, 2010
The latest confection from the author of Perfect Timing (2009) is about what happens when your past collides with your present. In tiny Channings Hill, chauffeur Cleo cant help but run into her childhood tormentor Johnny LaVenture at every turn. Now a successful artist, hes back in town to settle his uncles estate. Cleo takes solace in the fact that shes dating perfect Will until his perfect wife Fia shows up on her doorstep. Cleo dumps Will, but she cant avoid Fia, who has decided to stick around Channings Hill and becomes the object of Cleos friend Ashs affections. Cleo is nursing a crush, too, as she realizes that Johnny has outgrown his teasing ways. Then he receives a surprise of his own from his supermodel ex-girlfriend. Quirky characters, a charming setting, and misunderstandings aplenty make this madcap romantic comedy a fun, light read.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2010, American Library Association.)