Thursday, February 7, 2013

Review: The Chance by Karen Kingsbury

The Chance: A Novel
The Chance by Karen Kingsbury
The Chance is a heartwarming story about childhood friends, broken lives, and a long ago promise that just might offer the hope of love for today. In The Chance, Karen delves deeply into a theme that resonates with us all: It’s never too late for those willing to take a chance.
Years ago, the day before Ellie moved from Georgia to California, she and her best friend Nolan sat beneath the Spanish moss of an ancient oak tree where they wrote letters to each other, and sealed them in a rusty old metal box. The plan was to return eleven years later and read them. But now, as that date arrives, much has changed. Ellie, bereft of the faith she grew up with, is a single mom living in a tired apartment trying to make ends meet. Sometimes she watches television to catch a glimpse of her old friend —Nolan, now an NBA star, whose terrible personal tragedies fueled his faith and athletic drive in equal measure. But Nolan also suffers from a transcendent loneliness that nothing has ever eased.
In their separate lives, as Ellie and Nolan move toward the possibility of a reunion at the oak tree, Kingsbury weaves a tale of heart-wrenching loss, the power of faith, and the wounds that only love can heal.
”add

Publishes in US: March 5th 2013
Genre: adult contemporary christian
Source: netgalley

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Blkosiner's Book Blog review
    Like many of her books that I have read, The Chance starts out pulling at my heartstrings. It starts when Ellie is a young teenager and her parents' marriage is falling apart. It is so emotional seeing her blame herself and the conclusion that her mom must not love her because she chose another man over her and her dad. Ms. Kingsbury knows how to write emotions so that you feel them right along with her characters.
    I didn't expect to hear from the parents of Ellie at the beginning but it was neat to get their perspectives and see where things went wrong with them.
    The set-up between Ellie and Nolan is sweet, and I am right there wishing for them to be able to reunite. It was emotional seeing her tearful goodbye, and I wonder at how they never got in touch but still cared for each other so much.
    It is so hard watching everything fall apart, and everyone getting into these incredibly low points in their lives, but it is so awesome how Karen Kingsbury weaves everything together, bringing hope back into their lives just a little bit at a time, how religion ties in, showing God's work and providence in each character's life.
    The ending was beautiful and moving, and I love how Ellie really renewed her faith in God after watching how God carefully lined up each event, touched it with his power, and moved everything to fix what was broken.

Bottom Line: Sweet and emotional novel about the power of prayer and how God can orchestrate miracles, but on his time not ours.

My question to you, my lovely readers:
Is there a friendship from when you were younger you would like to rekindle?

34 comments:

  1. This sounds bittersweet, and I love how you connected with the MC. It is so sad when kids blame themselves for things or feel unloved...they really carry those scars with them for life.

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  2. This sounds like such a sweet and touching read. Thanks for bringing it to my attention. :)

    ~Sara @ Forever 17 Books

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  3. There I definitely some friendships from childhood which I'd love to rekindle. This sounds like a really sweet read! great review!

    Janhvi @ The Readdicts

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  4. It does sound so sweet. And yes, there is one long ago friendship I would love to rekindle.

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  5. Ay. This book sounds really, really sad to me for some reason. I like the idea of religion being tied in, though!

    In answer to your question, no. My friends that have moved away or such, we kind of just...when they've came back, we've been friends again. It's that easy. (:

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    1. Kingsbury is a religious author and adult, so a departure from what I usually read

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  6. Love poignant books like these. As for your question, well, with the social media nowadays, rekindling childhood friendships is so easy. I've found some of my classmates from way back when on Facebook. And I know it's a little impersonal but it's a start, right?

    Thanks for the insights!

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  7. I have not read any book by the author, but I love an emotional read. It sounds pretty good :) And I like that you've loved other books by the author.

    Janina @ Synchronized Reading

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  8. I haven't heard of this book before. It sounds very emotional. I don't think there is a friendship I want to rekindle. When I look back, I'm not sure if they were really my friends at all..

    Mel@thedailyprophecy.

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    1. I can def think of some that I wonder if they were really friends as well

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  9. Honestly, no. I prefer to look forward rather then look back. when i think back to old friendships I just remember all the reasons why we stopped being friends and I 'd rather not think about that.
    I just read a christian novel but it was a bit too much religion for me so I'm looking for a break before reading another one like that again!
    This does sound good though, and I like the sweet romance angle. Glad you enjoyed this :)

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  10. Yes, I just recently found out my best friend growing up and nighbor lost her mother. It broke my heart and I was so sad that I let that friendship go, thankfully these days with FB it is easier to reconnect. This sounds like a lovely read even if there is a lot of down.

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  11. The parents' POVs certainly bring something new and I must admit I'm intrigued. This isn't something I'd normally pick up but it's precisely because of their perspectives that I want to.
    Fantastic review!

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  12. Such a good question and I think everyone must have a friendship like this! I have been happy to rekindle some of my childhood friendships recently but there are still those that I think about all the time! I need to make the effort

    thanks for the great review!!

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  13. What a heartwarming story! I always like stories that bring hope. In relation to your question, I wouldn't particularly aim at wanting to rekindle a certain friendship but I'm always open to welcome friendship. Thanks for sharing, Brandi!

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  14. These sure are poplar at the library

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  15. Awwww, sweet, and heartbreaking. This book seems to be one that might make me cry.

    I have thought about that - there are people that I wish I could go back and re-create a friendship. Some as young as in elementary school! But now, we're too different :(

    Thank you for visiting my blog!

    Alyssa @ The Eater of Books!

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  16. I know Karen Kingsbury is a super popular Christian fic author. I don't really read Christian fiction (not usually) but I do believe she lives in the same town as me and that always gives me a bit more urge to pick her books up. Just cause for all I know I have seen her at the grocery store.

    I do have friendships from my past I wish we could rekindle. My best friend from high school and I are still 'friends' technically, but we fell so far apart after high school that we just don't have the same relationship anymore. I really miss that.

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    1. I don't do much christian fic anymore besides her, but since it is my faith, it isn't anything extreme to me. Felt like I should warn though since it isn't what I usually read and review here

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  17. That's such a hard lesson to learn. That God answers in his own time and not in ours. Sounds like quite a poignant read.

    I moved so much growing up that I learned to let go of friends and enjoy them while I had them. However, thanks to Facebook, I even have re-connected with my friends from as long ago as age 9 so I think that I'm at least in touch with most of the people that I hope to be. Jaclyn @ JC's Book Haven

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  18. I really like the sound of this one, and I just love books that can pull your heart strings. This is my first time hearing of this one, but I am deifnitely going to be putting this on my TBR. I'm glad you enjoyed this! Fantastic review!

    As far as friendships go, I am still best friends with the girls I knew since kindergarten. We haven't had a falling out, and I hop ewe never do, but if we did, I would completely without a second thought give it another chance. Who wouldn't, right??

    ~ Maida
    Literary Love Affair 

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  19. i've heard a lot about this author, but i haven't read anything by her. thanks for the great review!

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  20. Thanks for the review! I will have to put this on my TBR list! I like the religion aspect in the book.

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  21. A sweet story. I had friends who came and went but never have never been separated abruptly so this or something close to this won't happen to me. :D

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