Monday, January 7, 2013

Book Review: Chance of a Lifetime

Chance of a Lifetime
By Jodi Thomas
Berkley, December 31, 2012
English, 336 pages

Description:
Emily, the local librarian, has started a writing group, but as the group stumbles through both the fiction and reality of their lives, they’re learning much more than how to write. But Emily suddenly has other things on her mind when a friend from her past shows up in Harmony's library. Now she must deal with a secret she’s kept for fifteen years—a secret that changed her life and threatens to shatter her future.

Meanwhile, new lawyer Rick Matheson thinks he’s in charge of his world until accidents start happening all around him. Just when he realizes someone is trying to kill him, he meets a beautiful U.S. Marshal named Trace Adams. Now that the marshal has given him an even stronger reason to go on living, he must learn to take a chance on life to dream bigger—and love better—than he ever has before...

From the Author:
Welcome to my town, Harmony, Texas.  I thought readers might like to start the new year with a book set in a small town called CHANCE OF A LIFETIME.  Once in a while everything comes together in a story that makes it fun to write. I think you’ll love the visit where secrets whisper of old love affairs and kindness to others warms your heart.

I wanted to write a deep love story about two people who had been friends in childhood and lost each other one night because of an attack.  She was hurt and he felt guilty for not being there to help.  When Emily Tomlinson sees Tannon Parker ten years later, they don’t know how to mend the fences to find one another again.  I wanted to write a very tender love story about an attraction far deeper than physical, a love that went all the way to their hearts.

While they are getting to know one another, they’re also dealing with problems in the library that she runs.  The place is suddenly infested with want-to-be writers meeting upstairs.
If you are looking for a book that will let you step out of daily life into a world of mystery, laughs and falling in love, you’ll enjoy CHANCE OF A LIFETIME.
So, come along with me to Harmony.
 
My Review:
It's good to be back in Harmony! I have loved every story from this series, and this one is no different. I like that new and different characters are highlighted and actually missed some from the other books (Reagan, Tyler, etc). There was a lot focused on Beau too. He and Border are characters I've wanted to see more about and hope that there will be more about them in future books. 

Anyway, I digress...

The story is mainly about Emily and Rick (as described above) and what they go through. I love the Emily story. It is a very sweet and tender love story that just blossoms and leaves you feeling really happy for the characters. It's satisfying to read about her and Tannon and see how they grow and change in response to their friendship and history.

Rick's story is much more action packed. The "accidents" are terrifying to imagine and the story of him and Martha Q, Trace and his Matheson cousins will keep you turning the pages wanting to know what's going to happen! I really like the interactions with the bookstore owner downstairs! What a funny little character!

The book is hard to put down. I think I finished it in three days because I just didn't want to stop reading! I'm pretty sure I was cooking and reading a few times. The Harmony series just keeps getting better and better and I cannot wait to see what happens next!

Congrats to Jodi for CHANCE OF A LIFETIME reaching #20 on the NY Times Bestseller List!

I received an advance reading copy from the author in exchange for an honest review. No additional compensation has been received and I was not required to write a positive review. Thank you to Ms. Thomas for continuing to include me in her book tours for the Harmony series.

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