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The Chance  By  cover art

The Chance

By: Karen Kingsbury
Narrated by: January LaVoy
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Publisher's summary

From number-one New York Times best-selling author Karen Kingsbury comes a heartwarming story about childhood friends, broken lives, and a long ago promise that just might offer the hope of love for today.

Dubbed the "Queen of Christian Fiction" by Time magazine, number-one New York Times and USA Today best-selling author Karen Kingsbury is arguably America's favorite inspirational novelist with a dozen best sellers to her credit. In The Chance, she 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 11 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.

©2013 Karen Kingsbury (P)2013 Simon & Schuster, Inc.

What listeners say about The Chance

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Deeply emotional, well worth listening to again!!!

What did you love best about The Chance?

This was a beautifully crafted book based on the miracle of restoration. In the weakest moments, God showed Himself strong on the characters behalf. Deeply emotional and well worth listening to again and again!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Nolan was my favorite character due to his strong moral conviction and his determination to follow through with the vision God planted in his heart as a child.

What does January LaVoy bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

January did a great job with her narration, however, I wish she could have given the male characters their own distinct voice. I sometimes felt as she narrated the males, that they all sounded the same. I will say that she has a rather pleasant voice. She gives life to the story as her voice isn't monotone. Overall she did a fantastic job!

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

A MOMENT? There were several moments, and some moments that ran into the next moment. As stated above, this is a highly emotional book that really engages the reader to feel beyond themselves. You get attached to the characters and you go through all the various emotions they experience throughout the story. Karen is gifted in making her stories true to life.

Any additional comments?

This is my favorite Karen Kingsbury novel thus far. I would recommend it to any book lover, no matter their preferred genre! If it were possible to rate it above 5 stars, this girl would be doing it! :)

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13 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

my 1st Kingsbury book

I've read every Francine Rivers book (some twice) & needed a new one. I want depth and this book had some. Will probably try another Kingsbury. Narrator did a very good job. will look for her again - can make a big difference

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10 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Fairly predictable but wonderful story!

What made the experience of listening to The Chance the most enjoyable?

This was a real "feel good story" and I was ready for that. I read a varied subject matter and I needed an uplifting story. The characters had thier issues too.....

What does January LaVoy bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

She has a calming voice, and handled the characterizations well. Even the small child. She cried, she laughed. Who gets that from a printed page? I love to close my eyes and listen. If I can "see it", I know the narrator is doing a great job, and she did.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Yes, when Al wrote in his letter to Caroline that he had not been forwarding her letters to Ellie for all those years. He was truly confessing. That was a big step for him and it's proof that God had finally been let into his heart....for real.

Any additional comments?

Sometimes we all need a book like this stuck in between all the thrillers and other kinds of books to know that there is still a lot of good in all of us.

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Great Godly story of destined Love and forgiveness

It also shows Gods Lov= for us and how he has a plan for us. There is a reason for the path we are on, even if we dont understand it while we are on it. God has the entire picture and the power to erase and forgive our past mistakes. His LOVE is great!

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Predictable, sweet, easy

Incredibly predictable, loved the biblical references, quick & easy listen. Would recommend for a summer audio book.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Good read, heavy handed at times......

Story was good but very heavy on christian messages and bible scripture. Enjoyable characters.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Fantastic

I have through enjoyed everyone of Karen Kingsbury's books and this one was no digger end. I love how she brings Christian values and morals into her stories with preaching. Karen would you write more stories about seniors following in love and their challenges.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Happy Ever After

Its always good to read a book that isn't full of doom and gloom. Helps solidify our faith and hope in the world.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

1st Time Karen Kingsbury Reader

The Chance was my first introduction to Karen Kingsbury's books. It was wonderful! I'll be reading more of her books. I've always enjoyed January LaVoy as a narrator. I did prefer though, at least for this book, adjusting the pacing down to .90 as I found the 1.0 to be slightly too hurried of a story telling. I think I just wanted to take in and process the plot, characters, and Spirit of the Fruit at a more leisurely pace. Will be recommending to friends as well.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great Book

Another great book by Karen Kingsbury. I am afraid I am going to run out of her books to listen to.

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1 person found this helpful