Charlie’s marriage didn’t survive the tragic loss of their teenage daughter. But while Charlie’s ex-husband has moved on, she feels her life is in a rut, making cakes for a local café and volunteering at the hospital radio station. So her friend Mercedes urges her to write a bucket list – then throws in the twist that the pair will swap and do whatever is on each other’s lists. And Mercedes certainly knows something about rising to the challenge - having been left wheelchair-bound after an accident. Readers go along for the ride as Charlie’s challenges push her out of her comfort zone – from bellydancing to diving with sharks. Despite feeling that doing someone else’s bucket list sort of defeats the purpose, this is a light-hearted, inspirational story, with a bit of romance along the way.
Take a Chance on Me, by Carol Wyer, is about a woman tackling a bucket list. The summary says: "It's time for Charlie to ditch the life that's been dragging her down. Since splitting from her husband, Charlie's life has been stuck in a rut. Best friend Mercedes will do anything to put a smile back on Charlie's face and so draws up a bucket list of things to help Charlie recover her mojo.
Sure enough, as Charlie works her way through the list, belly dancing and bungee jumping, she makes new friends and even begins to attract some male attention.
Journalist Jake gives Charlie butterflies but he almost seems too perfect - there must be a reason why he's single. Perhaps Rob would be a better bet - yes he's short and he drinks too much - but a girl can't have everything, can she?
The final challenge on Charlie's list looms large. Can Charlie complete it and prove to herself that life is for living, whatever may have happened in the past? And can Jake get through to Charlie and stop her from settling for the single life or, the wrong man?" Take a Chance on Me is out in September 2016.