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Editorial Reviews
From Booklist
In The Chance, Kingsbury (The Bridge, 2012) delivers another excellent novel filled with heart, adventure, and second chances. Best friends Ellie and Nolan are forced apart when Ellie suddenly has to move. Nolan makes a plan to bring them together as adults in case they lose touch, though they’re confident that will never happen. Years later, their planned reunion is drawing close. Their lives have gone down wildly different paths, and Ellie and Nolan both worry whether the other still cares. Nolan’s life is exactly what he hoped it would be, but he can’t fully enjoy it without Ellie. Each day Ellie struggles with her lot in life, convinced Nolan would never want her if he knew what she was like. Kingsbury is one of the most dependable names in inspirational fiction, and The Chance may be her best yet. She infuses such real emotion into her characters, readers will find themselves in tears multiple times throughout the novel. A beautiful balance of human fragility and the power of God’s grace makes this is a must-read. --Carolyn Richard
--This text refers to the
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"Another weeper from Christian-fiction diva Kingsbury, this time featuring a prayerful NBA star and his long-lost first love." (Kirkus Reviews)
"In The Chance, Kingsbury (The Bridge, 2012) delivers another excellent novel filled with heart, adventure, and second chances. . . . Kingsbury is one of the most dependable names in inspirational fiction, and The Chance may be her best yet. She infuses such real emotion into her characters, readers will find themselves in tears multiple times throughout the novel. A beautiful balance of human fragility and the power of God’s grace makes this is a must-read." (Booklist)
"At age 15, Ellie finds her world turned upside down when her parents separate and her father moves them from Georgia to California. A devastated Ellie and her best friend, Nolan, write letters to each other and bury them beneath an oak tree. The two agree that in 11 years, no matter what surprises life brings, they will return and dig up the letters together. VERDICT Reminiscent of Nicholas Spark's The Notebook and Richard Paul Evan's The Walk, Kingsbury's (Coming Home) latest novel offers her characters forgiveness and love without an expiration date. Her many fans, and readers who like to escape their daily cares with a gentle Christian romance with elements of women's fiction, will enjoy the reappearances of Molly and Ryan, familiar characters from The Bridge, as well as a likable cast of fresh protagonists." (Library Journal)
Kingsbury knows how to get down to business; readers start worrying from the opening sentence about 15-year-old Ellie Tucker and her family: "Her mom didn't come home for dinner, the third time that week." Family troubles prompt Ellie's abrupt move from Georgia to California, but before that happens she and her best friend Nolan write letters to one another that they bury and agree to unearth in 11 years. During that time, Ellie and Nolan naturally change, their paths diverging; he becomes an NBA star, she a single mother. Reckoning with loss and forgiveness for bad choices are required for healing. Kingsbury's themes are familiar, and her writing has benefited from a change of publisher. The action clips along, and readers root for the main characters. The fan-fic element of her writing remains— there's not only an NBA star but another celebrity affecting the action. But the author pours a fervent message about love and reconciliation into a novel that makes the lesson of hope go down much more easily than it would via sermon. (Publishers Weekly)
"In The Chance, Kingsbury (The Bridge, 2012) delivers another excellent novel filled with heart, adventure, and second chances. . . . Kingsbury is one of the most dependable names in inspirational fiction, and The Chance may be her best yet. She infuses such real emotion into her characters, readers will find themselves in tears multiple times throughout the novel. A beautiful balance of human fragility and the power of God’s grace makes this is a must-read." (Booklist)
"At age 15, Ellie finds her world turned upside down when her parents separate and her father moves them from Georgia to California. A devastated Ellie and her best friend, Nolan, write letters to each other and bury them beneath an oak tree. The two agree that in 11 years, no matter what surprises life brings, they will return and dig up the letters together. VERDICT Reminiscent of Nicholas Spark's The Notebook and Richard Paul Evan's The Walk, Kingsbury's (Coming Home) latest novel offers her characters forgiveness and love without an expiration date. Her many fans, and readers who like to escape their daily cares with a gentle Christian romance with elements of women's fiction, will enjoy the reappearances of Molly and Ryan, familiar characters from The Bridge, as well as a likable cast of fresh protagonists." (Library Journal)
Kingsbury knows how to get down to business; readers start worrying from the opening sentence about 15-year-old Ellie Tucker and her family: "Her mom didn't come home for dinner, the third time that week." Family troubles prompt Ellie's abrupt move from Georgia to California, but before that happens she and her best friend Nolan write letters to one another that they bury and agree to unearth in 11 years. During that time, Ellie and Nolan naturally change, their paths diverging; he becomes an NBA star, she a single mother. Reckoning with loss and forgiveness for bad choices are required for healing. Kingsbury's themes are familiar, and her writing has benefited from a change of publisher. The action clips along, and readers root for the main characters. The fan-fic element of her writing remains— there's not only an NBA star but another celebrity affecting the action. But the author pours a fervent message about love and reconciliation into a novel that makes the lesson of hope go down much more easily than it would via sermon. (Publishers Weekly)
More About the Author
No. 1 New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Karen Kingsbury is America's favorite inspirational novelist. There are nearly 20 million copies of her award-winning books in print, including several million copies sold in the past year. Karen has written more than 50 novels, ten of which have hit #1 on national lists.
Karen's newest novel, COMING HOME - The Baxter Family - releases June 26 and is the subject of much buzz on Karen's active Facebook page, where she had more than 250,000 friends. There is also great anticipation over THE BRIDGE, Karen's much-anticipated first hardback release with her new publisher - Simon & Schuster's Howard Books. THE BRIDGE is a love story set against the demise of the American bookstore.
In addition, Karen has ventured into the area of short pieces with her new non-fiction series - KAREN KINGSBURY, THE REST OF THE STORY. Her first piece, I CAN ONLY IMAGINE, has touched the hearts of tens of thousands of readers interested in knowing more about Karen's personal life and the motivation behind her Life-Changing Fiction (TM). I CAN ONLY IMAGINE shares the story of Karen's brother, his struggles, and his quest for redemption.
Karen's novel LIKE DANDELION DUST is the subject of a major motion picture currently in theaters. Like Dandelion Dust stars Academy Award winning Mira Sorvino and Barry Pepper, along with Cole Hauser and Maxwell Perry Cotton. The film has received more than 30 awards in the Film Festival Circuit including numerous Best Picture awards. Several of Karen's books are currently under theatrical development.
Karen's most recent series - the Bailey Flanigan Series, wrapped up in March. Coming Home - The Baxter Family - is a stand-alone novel about John Baxter's 70th Birthday and the tragedy that happens during June, 2010 with Take Four. The series is about two producers looking to change the world with the power of film. The Above the Line series also includes Karen's popular characters from the fictitious Baxter Family. The Baxters were first introduced to readers through the five-book Redemption series, and then the five-book Firstborn series, and finally the four-book Sunrise series.
Dubbed by Time Magazine as the Queen of Christian Fiction, Karen has also been a featured guest on the Today Show, Fox News, USA Today, and numerous other television programs and magazines. Her fiction has made her one of the country's favorite storytellers. Others of her emotionally gripping titles include the 9-11 Series, Even Now, Ever After, and Between Sundays.
Karen is also a public speaker, reaching more than 100,000 women annually through various national events. Karen and her husband, Don, live in Nashville, TN with their five sons, three of whom are adopted from Haiti. Their daughter Kelsey is an actress who has appeared in several Christian films. She is newly married to Christian recording artist Kyle Kupecky. The two also live in Nashville.
Karen's newest novel, COMING HOME - The Baxter Family - releases June 26 and is the subject of much buzz on Karen's active Facebook page, where she had more than 250,000 friends. There is also great anticipation over THE BRIDGE, Karen's much-anticipated first hardback release with her new publisher - Simon & Schuster's Howard Books. THE BRIDGE is a love story set against the demise of the American bookstore.
In addition, Karen has ventured into the area of short pieces with her new non-fiction series - KAREN KINGSBURY, THE REST OF THE STORY. Her first piece, I CAN ONLY IMAGINE, has touched the hearts of tens of thousands of readers interested in knowing more about Karen's personal life and the motivation behind her Life-Changing Fiction (TM). I CAN ONLY IMAGINE shares the story of Karen's brother, his struggles, and his quest for redemption.
Karen's novel LIKE DANDELION DUST is the subject of a major motion picture currently in theaters. Like Dandelion Dust stars Academy Award winning Mira Sorvino and Barry Pepper, along with Cole Hauser and Maxwell Perry Cotton. The film has received more than 30 awards in the Film Festival Circuit including numerous Best Picture awards. Several of Karen's books are currently under theatrical development.
Karen's most recent series - the Bailey Flanigan Series, wrapped up in March. Coming Home - The Baxter Family - is a stand-alone novel about John Baxter's 70th Birthday and the tragedy that happens during June, 2010 with Take Four. The series is about two producers looking to change the world with the power of film. The Above the Line series also includes Karen's popular characters from the fictitious Baxter Family. The Baxters were first introduced to readers through the five-book Redemption series, and then the five-book Firstborn series, and finally the four-book Sunrise series.
Dubbed by Time Magazine as the Queen of Christian Fiction, Karen has also been a featured guest on the Today Show, Fox News, USA Today, and numerous other television programs and magazines. Her fiction has made her one of the country's favorite storytellers. Others of her emotionally gripping titles include the 9-11 Series, Even Now, Ever After, and Between Sundays.
Karen is also a public speaker, reaching more than 100,000 women annually through various national events. Karen and her husband, Don, live in Nashville, TN with their five sons, three of whom are adopted from Haiti. Their daughter Kelsey is an actress who has appeared in several Christian films. She is newly married to Christian recording artist Kyle Kupecky. The two also live in Nashville.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
28 of 30 people found the following review helpful
By
Jennifer C
on March 15, 2013
Format: Kindle Edition
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After being disappointed (and having a hard time admitting to myself that disappoint) with Karen's last book, The Bridge, I was hesitant to pick up The Chance. I'm glad I did though! Karen was back in this book with the writing style that I'd fallen in love with!
I immediately loved Ellie and Nolan. While most of our mothers probably won't have an affair with a famous country singer and break up our families and most boys won't realize the dream to become a NBA star and make millions - I still found this story very believable and heart felt. Life happens, not all good, but God can use these circumstances to grow us in our faith. That's what I've always loved about Karen's books - real life happens....the good, the bad and the ugly. Most of Karen's books do end with the happily ever after, but the characters have to struggle to find their faith and love of God to get there. God is always there. We forget that sometimes. Molly and Ryan (from The Bridge) also make an appearance in this book and I felt more connected to them in The Chance then I did throughout the entire previous book.
I just don't know how else to express my feelings for this book! I loved it! I cried several times and to me that's the sign of a good book :)
I immediately loved Ellie and Nolan. While most of our mothers probably won't have an affair with a famous country singer and break up our families and most boys won't realize the dream to become a NBA star and make millions - I still found this story very believable and heart felt. Life happens, not all good, but God can use these circumstances to grow us in our faith. That's what I've always loved about Karen's books - real life happens....the good, the bad and the ugly. Most of Karen's books do end with the happily ever after, but the characters have to struggle to find their faith and love of God to get there. God is always there. We forget that sometimes. Molly and Ryan (from The Bridge) also make an appearance in this book and I felt more connected to them in The Chance then I did throughout the entire previous book.
I just don't know how else to express my feelings for this book! I loved it! I cried several times and to me that's the sign of a good book :)
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88 of 105 people found the following review helpful
By
Dr. D
on March 11, 2013
Format: Kindle Edition
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OK, first the good: This is Kingsbury's best book in awhile. I'd almost given up after having my money stolen for "The Bridge," the oddly boring-and-then-depressing "Coming Home," and the horrible Bailey Flanigan series. With "The Chance," Karen returns to the types of characters and stories that made her popular.
But the recycled plot line is getting ridiculous: Young couple is brutally separated by cruel parents who keep their letters and otherwise thwart their desperate attempts to get back in touch. Let's see: "Even Now," "A Moment of Weakness," and her even her most recent book, "The Bridge"! Oh, and there's always the adorable, perfect, beautiful child who came out of the wreckage. Same story over and over and over.
Now the famous rich people: We've had NFL stars and coaches (Ryan Taylor, Jim Flanigan, etc.) and now the NBA version of Tim Tebow. We have movie stars and Broadway performers, and I take it the next book is about an American Idol-type winner. Karen's early books were about teachers and lawyers and firemen and pilots. Real people, not rich people always in the limelight. What's up with that, anyway? (But I really like baseball. Can we have one about a baseball player?)
It's gotten old and tired and kind of silly. Karen is running on fumes. It's too bad.
But the recycled plot line is getting ridiculous: Young couple is brutally separated by cruel parents who keep their letters and otherwise thwart their desperate attempts to get back in touch. Let's see: "Even Now," "A Moment of Weakness," and her even her most recent book, "The Bridge"! Oh, and there's always the adorable, perfect, beautiful child who came out of the wreckage. Same story over and over and over.
Now the famous rich people: We've had NFL stars and coaches (Ryan Taylor, Jim Flanigan, etc.) and now the NBA version of Tim Tebow. We have movie stars and Broadway performers, and I take it the next book is about an American Idol-type winner. Karen's early books were about teachers and lawyers and firemen and pilots. Real people, not rich people always in the limelight. What's up with that, anyway? (But I really like baseball. Can we have one about a baseball player?)
It's gotten old and tired and kind of silly. Karen is running on fumes. It's too bad.
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13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
By
Sasha
on July 6, 2013
Format: Hardcover
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Okay, so I just read and reviewed "The Bridge"--my introduction to Karen Kingsbury's work. I hated it. But at the end of the book, she included an excerpt from her next novel "The Chance" which actually sounded interesting. The excerpt only covered two chapters, but already I could tell the writing and character development was better than her previous work. So I thought, in honor of the title, I would give her another chance to win me as a literary fan.
This was a fairly well-written novel. One thing I disliked immensely about "The Bridge" was its brevity, implausibility, and lack of narrative depth. In "The Chance" the plot and characters are much better developed. Kingsbury does a fine job of weaving together the stories of so many different people and their complicated lives. I even liked most of the characters--they were flawed and interesting. With the exception of Nolan and Ellie's daughter Kenzie, the characters were mostly believable. Nolan is depicted as way too perfect. He's a Tebow clone who apparently possesses the spiritual faith of a priest, the adoring loyalty of a cocker spaniel, and the athletic skill of Michael Jordan. And he's handsome. And rich. Of course. (This seems to be a recurring theme in her work.)
Also, Kenzie plays the stereotyped role of the angelic, ethereal child who figures prominently in the pages of classic literature like "Silas Marner" and "Uncle Tom's Cabin" --a blonde, perfect cherub whose simple faith, mature wisdom, and uncanny perception extend far beyond her six years. I have never, ever met a real child like this yet we're supposed to believe this perfect kid exists? Many of the characters here are polarizing as either impossibly perfect or rotten to the core (Dad, Peyton).Read more ›
This was a fairly well-written novel. One thing I disliked immensely about "The Bridge" was its brevity, implausibility, and lack of narrative depth. In "The Chance" the plot and characters are much better developed. Kingsbury does a fine job of weaving together the stories of so many different people and their complicated lives. I even liked most of the characters--they were flawed and interesting. With the exception of Nolan and Ellie's daughter Kenzie, the characters were mostly believable. Nolan is depicted as way too perfect. He's a Tebow clone who apparently possesses the spiritual faith of a priest, the adoring loyalty of a cocker spaniel, and the athletic skill of Michael Jordan. And he's handsome. And rich. Of course. (This seems to be a recurring theme in her work.)
Also, Kenzie plays the stereotyped role of the angelic, ethereal child who figures prominently in the pages of classic literature like "Silas Marner" and "Uncle Tom's Cabin" --a blonde, perfect cherub whose simple faith, mature wisdom, and uncanny perception extend far beyond her six years. I have never, ever met a real child like this yet we're supposed to believe this perfect kid exists? Many of the characters here are polarizing as either impossibly perfect or rotten to the core (Dad, Peyton).Read more ›
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18 of 20 people found the following review helpful
By
The Firm foundation Daycare
on March 6, 2013
Format: Kindle Edition
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The first book I've read by this author. Couldn't put it down, read it in a day and enjoyed every line. The characters come alive on the pages and the story line could be anyone's life. I'm not one for suspense, but couldn't ruin this one by jumping ahead. Wonderful read!
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20 of 23 people found the following review helpful
By
Amazon Customer
on March 6, 2013
Format: Hardcover
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The thing I don't like is that the past few books of Karen's is that they are all about somebody rich. It just seems that she has let her fame and fortune go to her head. In real life most people aren't going to have somebody rich come into their lives. I just wish Karen would come back down to earth. I know I am not the only one that feels this way. Life isn't all about the rich and famous like she has been writing lately.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By
Deborah B. Harwell
on April 8, 2013
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I definitely recommend this book. It's a light easy reading fiction novel, but at the same time a very hard to put down book. It kept me engaged the entire time and while I think it had a great ending, I was sad when that came because I enjoyed the book so much. Can't wait until the next Karen Kingsbury book comes out and I'm enjoying these stand-alone books, it's a nice change from the series in the past.
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