The Chance by Karen Kingsbury

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...

Another amazing Karen Kingsbury novel! Heartwrenching and yet heartwarming The Chance is a love story that lasts through the years as two teens are separated through a long distance move but whose love for each other doesn't end. On their last night together they write a letter telling each other how they feel. Unread they place the letters in a tin box and bury it underneath a tree at their favorite place in the park promising to meet in eleven years to open the box and read the letters.

Elle and Nolan's lives turn out very different yet they never stopped loving each other. Elle's father manages to keep all correspondence hidden and she believes her beloved Nolan has forgotten about her as well as the mother she loves and needs. Nolan goes on to fame and Elle is embarrassed by how her life has turned out. This is the story of how their love for each other doesn't change but circumstances do. Elle must overcome an abusive relationship, anger and bitterness.

A beautiful love story that shows how God works even when we don't think He is. Kingsbury has such an amazing talent! Loved loved loved this book!!

I received a copy of this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.