Scan barcode
hannahsbiblioteca's review against another edition
5.0
this is the second time reading this book and my rating has not changed. i rarely read christian fiction because normally it's essentially cheesy and cringey sometimes, and this was cheesy, but it kind of felt like a good cheesy if that makes any sense. this book has some of my favorite tropes. sports romance? yes. single mom? absolutely yes! childhood-friends-to-lovers in which they haven't seen each other in 11 years??? YES!! it honestly hit all the checkmarks and i really enjoyed reading it after 2 years.
reneesuz's review against another edition
4.0
This is a typical Kingsbury book where faith and family come together to teach values to the reader. There are so many opportunities for Ellie to remain bitter and hard hearted but the love of her little girl shows her that forgiveness it the path that must be followed to be free and happy. This was a perfect read while recuperating from surgery - enough excitement to want to keep reading but not stressful since I know all will work out in a Kingsbury work.
jspieke's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
careen07's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
0.5
marmeelovesbook's review against another edition
4.0
Ah, the second chance. Why is it that novels that stress that theme just seem to resonate for so many of us? Maybe it’s because we all know that we need them, right- a second chance, or in my case, third and fourth chances as well. You know what I mean- a second chance on a relationship that you thought was long over, or a chance to have a do-over on a job you messed up pretty well the first time. We are human, we are fallible and we all need a second chance. So if you take the concept of the second chance, throw in a large measure of forgiveness, grace and faith in God, you have the story line for The Chance - Karen Kingsbury’s latest offering from Howard Books.
As the novel opens we meet the 2 main characters Nolan Cook and Ellie Tucker living in Savannah, Georgia-. Two 15 year old best friends, on the verge of being something more, are torn apart by the broken relationship of Ellies’ parents Alan and Caroline. Because of this broken relationship, Alan takes Ellie away to San Diego to a new job and what he is hoping for is a new life away from his wife. That doesn’t go so well as when we try to run away, our troubles usually follow us. On the night before Ellie is whisked away from Nolan and her mother, Nolan and Ellie meet in the park, their usual place to go and talk and decide to write each other a letter telling each other how they really feel about one another and bury it in an old tackle box. The plan was to return in 11 years, dig up the box and read what the other person wrote. Neither one thought that they would be separated from each other for that time period. Even with Ellie’s move, they could write each other, call each other, etc. Unfortunately through some unforeseen circumstances, they were separated for that long, but still in the back of their minds was returning to that tree as promised all those years ago.
Their lives each took very different directions- Nolan’s in the world of professional basketball living out the dream he had had for himself for many, many years. And Ellie, her journey was the complete opposite- she didn’t reach the dreams that she had for herself, which included writing the perfect novel and being a part of Nolan’s life. His faith had grown, hers had shrunk. How could this work out?
This story, as most of Karen Kingsbury’s stories do, resonated with me. I love the second chance- the beauty from ashes story lines. They just always make me want to stand up and cheer. This one did as well. The heart string pull was pretty strong for me and I appreciated the journey this novel takes you on. When God is allowed in the middle of relationships, there is forgiveness, grace and restoration. And this is portrayed beautifully in several of the story lines. So if you feel like reading a novel that makes you stand up and cheer both at the basketball portions as well as the relationship journeys, I recommend you pick up Karen Kingsbury’s novel The Chance.
4 stars
I was provided a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
As the novel opens we meet the 2 main characters Nolan Cook and Ellie Tucker living in Savannah, Georgia-. Two 15 year old best friends, on the verge of being something more, are torn apart by the broken relationship of Ellies’ parents Alan and Caroline. Because of this broken relationship, Alan takes Ellie away to San Diego to a new job and what he is hoping for is a new life away from his wife. That doesn’t go so well as when we try to run away, our troubles usually follow us. On the night before Ellie is whisked away from Nolan and her mother, Nolan and Ellie meet in the park, their usual place to go and talk and decide to write each other a letter telling each other how they really feel about one another and bury it in an old tackle box. The plan was to return in 11 years, dig up the box and read what the other person wrote. Neither one thought that they would be separated from each other for that time period. Even with Ellie’s move, they could write each other, call each other, etc. Unfortunately through some unforeseen circumstances, they were separated for that long, but still in the back of their minds was returning to that tree as promised all those years ago.
Their lives each took very different directions- Nolan’s in the world of professional basketball living out the dream he had had for himself for many, many years. And Ellie, her journey was the complete opposite- she didn’t reach the dreams that she had for herself, which included writing the perfect novel and being a part of Nolan’s life. His faith had grown, hers had shrunk. How could this work out?
This story, as most of Karen Kingsbury’s stories do, resonated with me. I love the second chance- the beauty from ashes story lines. They just always make me want to stand up and cheer. This one did as well. The heart string pull was pretty strong for me and I appreciated the journey this novel takes you on. When God is allowed in the middle of relationships, there is forgiveness, grace and restoration. And this is portrayed beautifully in several of the story lines. So if you feel like reading a novel that makes you stand up and cheer both at the basketball portions as well as the relationship journeys, I recommend you pick up Karen Kingsbury’s novel The Chance.
4 stars
I was provided a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
lindakay99's review against another edition
5.0
A wonderful story about two childhood friends who find each other again. Very inspirational as always... Karen Kingsbury is wonderful!
amyma's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book. It was pretty predictable, but I enjoyed every bit of it. Very fluffy, easy read.
emmierose_721's review against another edition
4.0
Oh my word!! This was a beautiful book. I just flew through it, that’s how good it was. I did tear up from reading this book, so I guess that is a plus. It sucked me in from the very first chapter and did not let me go until the last page. I haven’t actually read a Karen Kingsbury book all the way through, so, in my opinion, this was a good first book. There was one thing which made this book get a lower rating and that was the constant mention of an affair. In fact, that one moment is a pivotal point in the book, so it couldn’t have been left out. It just made me feel sick and upset for the family. I did, however, love the interwoven theme of forgiveness. Such a beautiful reminder that no matter how much you mess up, no matter how far you stray from the Shepherd’s care, no matter how much you feel like what happens in life is your fault; God wants to forgive you. He wants to restore that broken relationship that you once both had.
The relationship between Ellie and Nolan was so refreshing to see. The fact that Nolan loved Ellie despite what happened in the eleven years was such a great example of the Lord’s love for us. Honestly, it made me feel so good about life. And the letter idea? That was beautiful. And goals. And just.... yes!!
Also, can we just talk about that spiritual content though?! All throughout, something about God was mentioned, even within the very first chapter.
Overall, this was a marvelous book about the power of forgiveness and how it can change a family. Mrs. Kingsbury does a good job at pointing out that sin is sin and should not be taken lightly, which I like. I give this book 4 1/2 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
because the spiritual content did this heart good.
The relationship between Ellie and Nolan was so refreshing to see. The fact that Nolan loved Ellie despite what happened in the eleven years was such a great example of the Lord’s love for us. Honestly, it made me feel so good about life. And the letter idea? That was beautiful. And goals. And just.... yes!!
Also, can we just talk about that spiritual content though?! All throughout, something about God was mentioned, even within the very first chapter.
Overall, this was a marvelous book about the power of forgiveness and how it can change a family. Mrs. Kingsbury does a good job at pointing out that sin is sin and should not be taken lightly, which I like. I give this book 4 1/2 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
because the spiritual content did this heart good.
gryffennavi42's review against another edition
5.0
One of the most moving stories I have ever read!!