First of all, stop singing the title in your head. We know you’re doing it!
But really, the book is not a love story; or maybe it is. There is an element of taking a chance and persisting, definitely persisting. So actually, feel free to channel your inner ABBA, it kind of works.
Emily Houghton’s book plays with romantic elements but… without giving too much away and it’s very tricky, there’s a lot more to it and the themes of loss and self-discovery are at the forefront. So much in fact that love struggles to enter. And isn’t that a non-fictitious problem we all know too well?
I won’t give away more than that about how the story, just trust me when I say it will never be the way you see it coming.
This is the heartfelt and engaging story of Olivia Jackson, a meticulous and organised woman who is thrown into turmoil after the tragic death of her sister. Left with a ticket to India and forced into a break from work, Olivia decides to step out of her comfort zone and plans a three-month trip -to the minute of course!
Travels never go as planned though and Olivia has a rather rough start in Delhi. That’s where she crosses paths with Jacob, a free-spirited adventurer who couldn’t be more different from her.
Jacob has spent five years traveling the world with no set plans. He goes even further than this and lets fate (or in his case dice) decide where he travels to.
His relaxed attitude and reliance on fate clash with Olivia’s meticulous itinerary, but it ends in a pretty good meal she never would have found herself.
As their paths repeatedly cross, the chemistry between Olivia and Jacob grows, leading to moments of introspection and personal growth for both, but also in more clashes: It’s not just about itineraries anymore, but about what matters in life, what is truly important, and our responsibilities.
The novel is not just about romance but also about the transformative power of travel and the courage it takes to embrace the unknown. Houghton vividly portrays the settings, making the travel aspect of the book feel immersive. There are some clichés of course (because yes, Olivia eventually tries yoga on a beach in India), but mostly this book shines through the unexpected turns its story takes.
Take a Chance on Me by Emily Houghton was published 1st August 2024 by Penguin. ISBN: 9781804992647
