Ghost of a Chance

by Laura Peyton Roberts

Melissa Soul is looking forward to a long California summer—one sunny enough to make her forget her parents’ impending divorce and the ugly “For Sale” sign in her yard. Her goals are pretty 1) avoid babysitting her annoying little brother, 2) hang out with her best friend, Chloe, and 3) manage to exchange a few intelligent words with Chloe’s gorgeous brother, Chaz.
But all that changes fast when Melissa meets the new “man” in Chloe’s life. Magnetic, mysterious, and eternally 18, James haunts Chloe’s 1920s mansion—and Melissa’s dreams. Melissa falls for him so hard that soon she forgets everything else, including the heartbreaking possibility that he might be in love with her best friend.
If two souls are meant for each other, can death—or even Chloe—keep them apart?

Genres: Young Adult, Paranormal, Paranormal Romance, Fantasy, Fiction

208 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

Laura Peyton Roberts is the author of numerous books for teens and tweens, including the Clearwater Crossing series, Ghost of a Chance, The Queen of Second Place, Queen B, Green, and Walk on Water. Visit her at www.LauraPeytonRoberts.com

Reviews

[Malin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good lovestory for teens.

[James Crawford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ghost of a Chance

Melissa Soul has a best friend named Chloe who says her house is haunted. Her father is American, her mother Japanese, making Chloe and her older brother Nisei, or second-generation Japanese American.

The name of the ghost is James. Mellisa visits Chloe, but James doesn't turn up. Mellisa's parents are getting a divorce. Eventually, though, Melissa does get to meet James, and she's really attracted to him.

Melissa's parents are separated and are getting a divorce.

James tells Melissa that he's in love with Chloe. James also tells Melissa about his own background. Melissa does some research in the library and later talks to James, and finds out how he died, and how bad the relationship was between James and his father. James asks Melissa to help him develop a relationship with Melissa.

Melissa and Chloe have a major fight over James. It then ends up a fairly standard series of misunderstandings, periods of crying, some anger, and in the end everything gets tidied up quite well. It's a light, fun read.

[Shawn Elisabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review is by my daughter Anna.

Ghost of a Chance by Laura Peyton Roberts was good. I thought it was just another paranormal book, but it wasn't. Melissa Soul did not believe that her friend, Chloe met a ghost. A ghost named James. When James finally shows himself to Melissa a love triangle develops.

This book was different, no vampires, just two best friends and a ghost.

People should read Ghost of a Chance because it gives you twists all throughout the book. I never expected the ending, I'm sure you won't either. It was also fresh and funny. Best friends try to understand love, ghosts, and life. You will enjoy seeing best friends try to undo a love triangle that has destroyed their friendship and then repair their friendship.

4.5 stars

[Qing Yu · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was really romantic. I really like plotlines where a real person falls in love with a ghost. It is like the Meditor series. Two best friends fell in love with the same ghost and the ghost couldn't choose because he loved both of the girls. In the end the ghost had to leave and it left the two girls devestated. It's really interesting because humans could love someone that is not real and couldn't be real. Why don't humans just give up then?

[Kristen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Two very popular girls, add a ghost who both girls like and you get: a cheesy novel. It was ok. Quick read. Nothing to write home about though...

Moral Note: They say "gosh" a few times, and the girls wear skimpy clothes/bikinis.

[colleen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh.

[Carmen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading it for the third time, and it still makes me emotional and jumpy. Love it a lot.

[Devin · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5