Book Review: A Heartwarming Journey in Elizabeth Eulberg's Latest Novel
Elizabeth Eulberg, the internationally bestselling author of Better Off Friends, triumphantly returns with a captivating love story that beautifully intertwines elements of Once and The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight.
In this enchanting tale, we meet Evie, who finds herself heartbroken and betrayed when a video of her confronting her cheating ex-boyfriend goes viral. Seeking solace, she flees to London for the summer, where she discovers a city filled with charm and adventure. From the iconic double-decker buses to delightful afternoon teas and rich history at every turn, London becomes a backdrop for Evie's healing journey. However, her reunion with her father adds a layer of complexity to her experience.
As Evie navigates the historic streets, fate intervenes, introducing her to Aiden, a charming and talented British busker. Their encounters are filled with chemistry and laughter, and Aiden’s kind nature offers Evie a glimpse of the love and support she’s been longing for. Despite her reservations about opening her heart again, Evie finds herself drawn to Aiden, who treats her with the respect and warmth she deserves.
Eulberg masterfully crafts a narrative that is both hilarious and touching, exploring themes of love, trust, and the struggle to move forward from the past. This unforgettable journey not only highlights the beauty of romance but also the importance of self-discovery and embracing new beginnings.
In A Heartwarming Journey, readers are treated to a delightful blend of humor, romance, and a touch of jetlag that makes for an engaging read. Elizabeth Eulberg's ability to capture the complexities of relationships and the joy of finding love again is truly remarkable. This novel is a must-read for anyone seeking a story that warms the heart and inspires hope for the future.
#netgalley

Inject Elizabeth Eulberg energy directly into my veins, and get me back to England.

After an astounding blow to her personal relationships back in the States, dual citizen Evie runs to spend more than the allotted summer break with her British native father. She vows not to not let anyone in and protect herself, until a handsome British busker comes into her life.

I like how Eulberg goes towards older teens now in her YA (Also see PAST PERFECT LIFE) though sometimes her forays into children's lit sometimes bleed through in how her older characters speak in moments of stress. This book doesn't shy away from heavier topics (dad with possible ED, daddy issues, both of which almost made me put the book down at some points), though Eulberg did her homework.

The storyline with her dad is never really totally resolves in my mind, but I'm also not sure what else she could have done. Overall, I liked it.

Thanks, NetGalley!

A sweet romance set in England with an adorable golden retriever love interest. It's a romance, but delves into deeper issues of grief, eating disorders, and family pressure.

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC!

This was a cute YA read about a girl who's going through a rough breakup and escapes to London to be with her dad for the summer. She meets Aiden, a lovable London boy and the two kick off an adorable connection.

This book was a little too immature for my taste but it wasn't bad. It's definitely something I would have enjoyed as a teen. It's sweet and cute; it gives you all of the cheesy romcom vibes I loved as a teen.

This book was a nice quick read. I love how cute the cover is! It was a cute romcom with empowering messages. I absolutely love Aiden and Evies connection. He’s such a sweet guy! I really liked Evie and I was happy with how the book ended. I think it’s a perfect YA romance book with some relatable issues.

Thank you NetGalley, Elizabeth and Scholastic for the ARC!!

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Publication Date: March 4 2025
#NetGalley #TakeaChanceOnMe

Review by a teen

Elizabeth Eulberg’s Take a Chance on Me explores the struggles to fit in, the desire for connection, and the thrill and pain of love. Through Evie’s journey, Eulberg teaches us to confront our challenges head-on: to face bullies, express love, forgive misunderstandings, and care for those we cherish. Evie learns to break unhealthy cycles by taking brave steps toward change, becoming the bigger person in her relationships; through this, she challenges readers to take a chance on change, just as she did. However, there were certain aspects that I disliked, such as the resolution of all the relationships and particularly Evie and Aiden’s relationship, and all seemed overly convenient. Yet I do like how the author weaves deep themes of depression and the importance of communication in her plot. All in all, I think that this book is very typical, and I am personally not a fan; however, the book will find an audience of young readers looking for something to read.

This book felt like a vacation and a hug all in one!! Evie, our main character, has just had the most dramatic break up ever and decides to spend the summer in London for a fresh start. I absolutely loved following Evie around exploring her new city and of course meeting her love interest was so exciting too! Their love story was so endearing and sweet to read. Thank you so much for the opportunity to read this book!

While this is a lovely "strangers to friends to lovers" rom-com, it's also more. It's an empowering read for those struggling with food issues, major grief and depression, unhealthy family relationships, and romantic betrayal. There's a sassy American heroine and a handsome, musical British sweetheart, trips around London and the UK that will make you want to book a plane ticket, and the lesson that not everyone is as they seem on the surface. Well worth the read with a happy, but realistic, ending.

while i requested this book because of the london setting, I did not expect to fall in love to easily with the characters! everyone deserves love, and when evie finds that in the most unsuspecting person, it was off to the races for any romance reader!

After a viral video of her cheating ex goes viral, teen Evie flies to London to escape it all. Staying with her estranged father, who switches out girls every few weeks, and trying to avoid romance when she keeps running into a cute busker isn’t her original plan, but in the end it turns out to be exactly what she needs.
This book is the epitome of cute YA romance novel. There really aren’t books with simple plot lines and deep emotions like this one written anymore. I loved reading it, and I know that it’s going to be popular among romance readers once it comes out. I love the found family that was written in, as well as fixing familial problems and mental health struggles and loss. It was all written seamlessly into the simple plot lines and honestly was amazing.
Thank you to NetGalley and Scholastic for an eARC of this book!

#TakeaChanceOnMe #NetGalley

First, a nod to the publisher for choosing cover art that is not only attractive but appears to accurately capture the appearance of the two main characters ( Evie and Aiden).

All too often I’ll pick up a book, get invested in the author’s physical description of her characters and do a double take when I glance back at the cover. It’s important- for the outside to match the inside.

The target audience is the teen reader and they need to know fictional characters come in all shapes and sizes. Added bonus is seeing Aiden wearing his beloved sister’s scarf.

Now, the story. So many unexpected layers to it -young love, betrayal, parental abandonment and food issues. Each of these topics the author dealt with kindness. I especially like that the author flipped the script with the last topic as all too often it’s seen as a female problem.

This ARC was provided by the publisher, Scholastic, via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Elizabeth Eulberg’s latest novel is a delightful blend of heartache, healing, and romance—a story that will sweep readers off their feet and onto the charming streets of London. Perfect for fans of Once and The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight, this heartwarming tale follows Evie as she navigates betrayal, complicated family dynamics, and the possibility of a fresh start.

After a viral video of her heartbreak goes public, Evie flees to London for the summer in search of distraction and a little anonymity. What she finds instead is a city full of wonder, double-decker buses, and history—but also the strained presence of her estranged father. Evie’s struggles with trust and vulnerability feel authentic and relatable as she attempts to mend both her heart and her fractured family ties.

Enter Aiden, a charming British busker with an easy smile and a kind soul. Aiden is exactly what Evie doesn’t think she needs—someone who sees her for who she really is and doesn’t treat her as “too much.” Their connection unfolds slowly and sweetly, with Aiden’s humor and warmth offering a refreshing balance to Evie’s emotional journey. The chemistry between them crackles with a mix of flirty banter and sincere moments of vulnerability that make their story deeply satisfying.

What makes this novel shine is Eulberg’s ability to balance humor, romance, and emotional depth. London itself comes alive through Evie’s eyes, acting as the perfect backdrop for a story about finding yourself when everything feels lost. While the romance is undeniably swoon-worthy, the book also dives into themes of forgiveness, self-worth, and learning to embrace life’s unexpected moments.

Elizabeth Eulberg delivers a story that is equal parts hilarious, hopeful, and heartfelt. Readers will root for Evie every step of the way as she learns to let go of her past and open herself up to love, family, and new beginnings. This is the perfect book to curl up with—a captivating escape that leaves you smiling, jetlag not included.

It seemed like a cute read! I wanted to like it, but I wasn't a massive fan of the FMC, and ultimately, I ended up DNFing the book at 20% through. However, just because it wasn't my cup of tea doesn't mean it was a bad book. I just wasn't the ideal audience, most likely.

After a humiliating breakup, Evie flees to London to stay with her dad. While wandering around the city, she meets Aiden, a busker, and they become fast friends. As their relationship begins to develop, Evie’s nervous to open herself up again, especially as she’s also struggling to navigate her relationship with her father.

Eulberg skillfully portrays the complex nature of family relationships and how the path to repairing those relationships isn’t always easy. Evie struggles to connect with her father, as he projects his own unhealthy relationship with food onto her throughout the book. I think it’s really important that she talks about how men can also experience disordered eating and negative body image.

However, I did have some issues with the pacing; their relationship felt a bit rushed. I also thought that the way the teenagers talked and acted seemed significantly younger than they actually were, so I found it challenging to connect with them. At times, Evie’s dramatic reactions felt like that of a pre-teen rather a senior in high school.

Overall, it was a really cute read that I think will be popular with younger reads!

Thank you to Netgalley and Scholastic Inc for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley, Scholastic, and the author for the eARC!

This book was the perfect light and sweet read. I picked it up for the charming London setting and the cute cover, but it delivered so much more!

The story follows Evie as she escapes to London for the summer after a messy breakup. Navigating her complicated relationship with her dad while exploring the city, she crosses paths with Aiden, a busker with a soulful voice. Their friendship grows into something more, but the heart of the story lies in Evie’s personal growth, her unlikely friendships, and her efforts to reconnect with her father.

I especially loved how the book handled deeper topics, like the complexities of family relationships and the impact of unhealthy expectations. The side characters, particularly Poppy, added so much charm and warmth to the story—she was my favorite!

The romance between Evie and Aiden was sweet and subtle, blending perfectly with the overall themes of healing and self-discovery. This book felt like a cozy, heartfelt hug and left me with a big smile. Highly recommend for fans of light, wholesome reads with meaningful layers! ✨

Thanks to netgalley for the ARC! This title is cute, but. I do wish the writing was a little stronger. Probably 2.5 stars. Evie is staying with her dad in London for the summer to escape some issues at home with friends and family, and she is not planning to get involved with anyone. A chance meeting with Aiden makes her rethink that. The two have a cute connection and build a friendship where she overshares and gradually gets him to open up. Mix in issues with her dad and body image and food all while experiencing London and all it has to offer, and I think there are teens who will get a kick out of this book. I myself did have trouble getting past the way Evie would talk and handle things (& even how some of the other teens in here acted and talked-it just seemed very immature), but the general storyline snd conflicts were decent. It’s a totally clean YA romance, so that will appeal to many YA readers looking for cute without the spice. Overall, it wasn’t a favorite, but it wasn’t bad. FYI talk of negative body image and issues with food and disordered eating along with teen drinking (but it takes place in London, so…)

A loquacious teen who retreats to London after a breakup with her boyfriend. She has a stilted relationship with her father in London. As she tries to mend the relationship she realizes that her father needs help for an eating disorder.
In her wanderings she meets a busker who she befriends. Because of her breakup and her relationship with her father, she has a hard time trusting this new friend. Great characterization.

cute and wholesome. the romance is definitely strong, but so too is the very interesting characters and the family focus. I LOVED Poppy, she was my fav char. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.

this is an honest & unbiased review but i enjoyed the read because it was an easy read & i don’t regret giving it a chance. however, the writing & the character mannerisms give a huge clue on what age group is being targeted (id say like 12-16) the story itself is great & the romance aspect is cute. if i were a kid at the age of 16 i’d most likely pick up this book bc the concept is fun & wholesome. this book is 1st person so u read basically every thought the character is thinking of.

overall, i enjoyed that book & i think those that decide to pick it up will too but i would recommend the book to someone younger than 18 or maybe even 17.

I absolutely loved this! I went into this for the London setting and the cute cover and was surprised how much more I got out of it.

This book follows Evie who has fled to her father’s flat in London for the summer after a humiliating break up. Her relationship with her father is not great so she spends most of her days wondering London alone, taking in the history. She runs into a busker named Aiden a few times and they quickly strike up a friendship. We then follow her growing feelings for Aiden, the struggles of living with a father that she feels abandoned by, and a few more unlikely friendships.

My favorite part of this book by far was her friendship (and quarrels) with a few side characters and seeing her try to mend her relationship with her father. Her father has an unhealthy relationship with food and exercise that he projects onto Evie and I appreciated the author showing how this can also affect men and their relationships with their families. We see a lot online about “almond moms” but this is a discorded way of thinking that can affect anyone.

The only thing I would have hoped for was to see more of Aiden. We learn a bit about his past and I felt for him but it kind of seemed like their love story was the sub plot so I didn’t feel for their relationship as much.

Overall I thought this was a great story that unexpectedly had a lot of deep conversations and something I think would be great for both teens and adults to read.