The Chance

Description:  From #1 New York Times bestselling 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, #1 New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Karen Kingsbury is arguably America’s favorite inspirational novelist with a dozen bestsellers 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 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.

My thoughts:  Ellie and Nolan were best friends.  Ellie's world falls apart when her mother has a one night stand and her dad moves her from Georgia to California.  The night before Ellie is leaving for California after her Dad's quick decision to move across country, Nolan and Ellie meet under a Spanish moss tree (their favorite spot) and bury the letters in a rusted metal box.  11 years later, they are supposed to meet but Ellie is a single mom and Nolan is now an NBA star.  

Ellie and Nolan in their years apart have suffered some great losses and have been irrevocably been changed by all that has happened in their lives.  Has Nolan's fame changed him, and would Nolan be able to accept all that Ellie is now?

Kingsbury has many fans including me, for those who thinks no books can live up to the Baxter Series, you need to try to this new stand alone book that has a cameo appearance from the couple from The Bridge.  This will be in stores March 5th and will be a must read.
The images and descriptions shared are courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley; the opinions are all mine, and I hope they help you find something that will inspire or touch you or your family.