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Ferry Creek #1
A Chance at Love
Welcome to Ferry Creek: A small town built on family, hope, and a chance to find true love.
Coming to Ferry Creek was supposed to be a short trip to settle a past, not begin a future.
The day billionaire businessman Sullivan Chasen receives a phone call that his father is dying is the day his world became turned upside down. The problem is that his father has been dead for ten years. The bigger problem is that the person who called keeps calling, insisting that Sullivan’s father is going to die soon.
A shocking DNA test suddenly has Sullivan questioning everything he has ever known and has him packing up and driving to the small town of Ferry Creek, North Carolina. There, he confronts a past he never knew existed, including a half-brother who is living in a small apartment above the family diner, a local staple in Ferry Creek.
What begins as a short trip to settle any necessary needs soon turns into a new life for Sullivan. The longer he stays in Ferry Creek, the more he falls in love with the small town… and a waitress named Jess who works at the diner.
Coming to Ferry Creek was supposed to be a short trip to settle a past, not begin a future.
The day billionaire businessman Sullivan Chasen receives a phone call that his father is dying is the day his world became turned upside down. The problem is that his father has been dead for ten years. The bigger problem is that the person who called keeps calling, insisting that Sullivan’s father is going to die soon.
A shocking DNA test suddenly has Sullivan questioning everything he has ever known and has him packing up and driving to the small town of Ferry Creek, North Carolina. There, he confronts a past he never knew existed, including a half-brother who is living in a small apartment above the family diner, a local staple in Ferry Creek.
What begins as a short trip to settle any necessary needs soon turns into a new life for Sullivan. The longer he stays in Ferry Creek, the more he falls in love with the small town… and a waitress named Jess who works at the diner.
246 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 10, 2014
9 people are currently reading
279 people want to read
About the author
Karolyn James
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
February 13, 2014
Lovely cast of characters, richly depicted, touching loose ends tied. Plus, billionaire meets love of his life in a small town under the most unlikely yet plausible circumstances. I also love how Karolyn James tracks each character's refreshing journey towards healing and redemption.
The main hero Sullivan won my heart in the first chapter, eighth paragraph down, when his business principles rested on keeping his workers employed even through the economic depression that hit his world of real estate: "During that time, Sullivan had one request... nobody lose their job. No matter what, nobody was allowed to lose their job."
The heroine Jess comes with her own secret struggles and lack of interest in serious committed relationships. Although she'd like to eventually have one, she just hasn't settled down even with some attractive propositions. Having found her salvation working at the small town diner she escaped to at a young age, she is hesitant to move out of the area. Instead, she continues to work there when the diner's boss is hospitalized for heart trouble.
Their story is interspersed with other romantic subplots. At the end, we find hope not only for the main characters but also all of the other characters that showed up in the book.
Great read. I would recommend it.
The main hero Sullivan won my heart in the first chapter, eighth paragraph down, when his business principles rested on keeping his workers employed even through the economic depression that hit his world of real estate: "During that time, Sullivan had one request... nobody lose their job. No matter what, nobody was allowed to lose their job."
The heroine Jess comes with her own secret struggles and lack of interest in serious committed relationships. Although she'd like to eventually have one, she just hasn't settled down even with some attractive propositions. Having found her salvation working at the small town diner she escaped to at a young age, she is hesitant to move out of the area. Instead, she continues to work there when the diner's boss is hospitalized for heart trouble.
Their story is interspersed with other romantic subplots. At the end, we find hope not only for the main characters but also all of the other characters that showed up in the book.
Great read. I would recommend it.
October 9, 2018
Draws you in
The characters were colorful. I didn't enjoy the writing style. Flip flopping character perspective drives me nuts. Also needs better editing.
The characters were colorful. I didn't enjoy the writing style. Flip flopping character perspective drives me nuts. Also needs better editing.
June 28, 2015
One phone call is all it takes for successful businessman Sullivan Chasen's life to flip upside down. When he learns the father he thought was dead for the last decade is, in fact, alive, everything changes. A rushed DNA test confirms that the man he thought was his father isn't, and if he wants to meet the man who actually is, he's got to get to a small town in North Carolina before his newly discovered dad passes away. Add in a half-brother he never knew existed, and he's got more questions than he knows what to do with.
Jess is a waitress at the diner, a job she's had forever in a place she never wants to leave. Her own secret baggage prevents her from having any real interest in a relationship, but when a billionnaire businessman with troubles of his own shows up, the romance she never expected finally gets a chance to blossom.
The story is about a lot more than two people working through their issues and falling in love, and while that's not necessarily a bad thing, it might be an unwelcome surprise for someone looking for a more traditional romance book. On the upside, it added a lot of character to the town, and it gave interesting insight into secondary characters who would normally be little more than two-dimensional. At the same time, though, it took the focus off the primary pairing, and sometimes I just wanted to skim pages so I could get back to them.The biggest issue I had was the editing, for which I'm not sure who to blame. Normally, I'd say it's not the fault of the author, as her only job is to tell a great story, while the editor should be responsible for making it read as flawlessly as possible. But I couldn't find mention of an editor in any of the story notes. Either way, someone should have added in missing words and corrected lots of misused punctuation.
A Chance at Love is quite different from a lot of books I've read, and though I spent half of it dying to know what would happen next for Jess and Sullivan, I did appreciate the more developed look at the rest of the community. It gave the overall story more depth and avoided a lot of the quick and predictable drama traps that most stories fall into. However, when it ended, I was still left with a lot of questions. Like why did Sullivan wait so long to visit his dying dad once he knew about him and was staying nearby? And what happened to the conversation he wanted to have with his mother? A Chance at Love is the first in a series, so perhaps those questions will be answered later on -- though the subsequent book looks like it will be focused on completely different characters. In any case, it was a nice change from the formulaic love stories I'm used to, and if you're looking for something less run-of-the-mill in the way of romance, get in on the beginning of the series now. With so much detail in the first book, the next ones are bound to be interesting.***FicCentral received this book from Reading Addiction Virtual Book Tours for free in exchange for an honest review. Even so, we're far too opinionated to let a freebie influence our thoughts or the contents of the reviews we post here.
March 21, 2014
Family ... secrets ... and unexpected life changes ...
Sullivan Chasen is a successful billionaire real estate developer from Alexandria, Virginia. A man claiming to be his half-brother requests that he come to Ferry Creek, NC and fulfill his dying biological father's wish to meet him. One unexpected phone call, a DNA test, and a childhood photo will send Sullivan on a journey to confront a past and a family that he never knew existed, changing his life forever.
Bobby Strate took over running his family's diner, The Pot Diner, in Ferry Creek, NC when his father Bob was diagnosed with a terminal heart disease. His world is turned upside down when his dying father confesses that he has an older brother, and his dying wish is to meet him.
Jess Winthorne is a waitress at The Pot Diner. She fled from her parent's home when she became pregnant at the age of eighteen, finding comfort in the small town of Ferry Creek. But Jess' troubled past and secret baggage leaves her struggling to commit to any serious relationship ... that is until Sullivan Chasen walks into the diner.
Can Ferry Creek, a small town built upon the values of family and community provide a healing and redemptive balm and a chance of a new life and love for Sullivan?
In A Chance At Love, the first book in the Ferry Creek series, author Karolyn James weaves an intriguing tale that is so much more than your usual romance story. While the main storyline revolves around Sullivan's unexpected discovery of a family he never knew existed, the author cleverly interweaves the complicated personal histories and relationships of the various townspeople into the story, all with ties to one man who touched so many of their lives.
The author transports the readers to the small southern town of Ferry Creek, NC, where they get a real sense of family and community from a captivating and rich description of the town and its inhabitants. With an interesting and large cast of characters who are realistic, the reader can't help but get drawn into the intricacies of their lives, and the intimate community relationships that they share.
I think that A Chance At Love is an intriguing story that had more depth than what I originally expected from the book's description. I loved that the author introduces the reader to her new series with a glimpse into the small town and townspeople's lives, she whets your appetite and keeps you on your toes with enough emotional drama, secrets, and unexpected twists and turns that leaves you wanting more.
A Chance At Love is not your typical romance story, in fact it isn't the main focal point, and in a way I found that to be refreshing, as I was more intrigued by the secret past surrounding Sullivan's new found family and the complicated personal stories of the various townspeople. I look forward to catching up with the townspeople of Ferry Creek in the second book in the series, A Place To Heal.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Reading Addiction Virtual Book Tours.
http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot...
Sullivan Chasen is a successful billionaire real estate developer from Alexandria, Virginia. A man claiming to be his half-brother requests that he come to Ferry Creek, NC and fulfill his dying biological father's wish to meet him. One unexpected phone call, a DNA test, and a childhood photo will send Sullivan on a journey to confront a past and a family that he never knew existed, changing his life forever.
Bobby Strate took over running his family's diner, The Pot Diner, in Ferry Creek, NC when his father Bob was diagnosed with a terminal heart disease. His world is turned upside down when his dying father confesses that he has an older brother, and his dying wish is to meet him.
Jess Winthorne is a waitress at The Pot Diner. She fled from her parent's home when she became pregnant at the age of eighteen, finding comfort in the small town of Ferry Creek. But Jess' troubled past and secret baggage leaves her struggling to commit to any serious relationship ... that is until Sullivan Chasen walks into the diner.
Can Ferry Creek, a small town built upon the values of family and community provide a healing and redemptive balm and a chance of a new life and love for Sullivan?
In A Chance At Love, the first book in the Ferry Creek series, author Karolyn James weaves an intriguing tale that is so much more than your usual romance story. While the main storyline revolves around Sullivan's unexpected discovery of a family he never knew existed, the author cleverly interweaves the complicated personal histories and relationships of the various townspeople into the story, all with ties to one man who touched so many of their lives.
The author transports the readers to the small southern town of Ferry Creek, NC, where they get a real sense of family and community from a captivating and rich description of the town and its inhabitants. With an interesting and large cast of characters who are realistic, the reader can't help but get drawn into the intricacies of their lives, and the intimate community relationships that they share.
I think that A Chance At Love is an intriguing story that had more depth than what I originally expected from the book's description. I loved that the author introduces the reader to her new series with a glimpse into the small town and townspeople's lives, she whets your appetite and keeps you on your toes with enough emotional drama, secrets, and unexpected twists and turns that leaves you wanting more.
A Chance At Love is not your typical romance story, in fact it isn't the main focal point, and in a way I found that to be refreshing, as I was more intrigued by the secret past surrounding Sullivan's new found family and the complicated personal stories of the various townspeople. I look forward to catching up with the townspeople of Ferry Creek in the second book in the series, A Place To Heal.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Reading Addiction Virtual Book Tours.
http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot...
March 11, 2014
When I read the blurb for ‘A Chance At Love’, I thought I’d be reading your average romance story. It turns out that it’s more than average, but I wouldn’t class it as a romance novel.
I was quite happy to find that the main players in the novel were introduced separately and some history was given on the how and why they ended up in Ferry Creek.
To find that this book wasn’t just all about happy romance was kind of refreshing really. Broken relationships are featured too and although it;s not nice to see bad relationships, it’s nice to see how they define the characters.
Some books focus too much on the romance side and can end up losing the reader’s attention if they were expecting more of a story.
What did I like? I liked the characters. I liked the way their feelings shaped the storyline and helped make a great story.
I liked the idea of one man having such a great impact on so many people and the way he helps each individual cope with their hardships.
What did I not like? ‘A Chance At Love’ is, to me at least, not a romance novel. Yes, there is the romance between Sullivan and Jess, but it’s not the focus point of the whole story. In saying that, it didn’t stop me enjoying the book (I read it in a couple of hours) it just wasn’t what I would expect in a romance novel. It does however make a great beginning for a Ferry Creek series.
Who would I recommend this book to? Anyone that likes a heart warming story, because that’s what I feel it is.
What would I rate this book? I’m giving ‘A Chance At Love’ 4 Shamrocks because okay, it’s not Mills & Boon style romance, it is a very good read and after all, I read a story to enjoy it, and I enjoyed this book.
I was quite happy to find that the main players in the novel were introduced separately and some history was given on the how and why they ended up in Ferry Creek.
To find that this book wasn’t just all about happy romance was kind of refreshing really. Broken relationships are featured too and although it;s not nice to see bad relationships, it’s nice to see how they define the characters.
Some books focus too much on the romance side and can end up losing the reader’s attention if they were expecting more of a story.
What did I like? I liked the characters. I liked the way their feelings shaped the storyline and helped make a great story.
I liked the idea of one man having such a great impact on so many people and the way he helps each individual cope with their hardships.
What did I not like? ‘A Chance At Love’ is, to me at least, not a romance novel. Yes, there is the romance between Sullivan and Jess, but it’s not the focus point of the whole story. In saying that, it didn’t stop me enjoying the book (I read it in a couple of hours) it just wasn’t what I would expect in a romance novel. It does however make a great beginning for a Ferry Creek series.
Who would I recommend this book to? Anyone that likes a heart warming story, because that’s what I feel it is.
What would I rate this book? I’m giving ‘A Chance At Love’ 4 Shamrocks because okay, it’s not Mills & Boon style romance, it is a very good read and after all, I read a story to enjoy it, and I enjoyed this book.
March 16, 2014
A Chance at Love is one of a series of Ferry Creek Novels. This attempt tells the story of Sullivan Chasen and Jess. Sullivan is a self-made billionaire businessman that grew up with a single father after his mother left them. He receives news that his father is dying but the man who raised him has been dead for ten years. After much soul-searching Sullivan heads off to Ferry Creek to find out about his biological father. Jess is the waitress in his father’s restaurant and has her own sad story to tell.
I loved Ferry Creek. I can imagine visiting the town and staying for a while; maybe even putting down roots. There is a lot going on in this novel. Nearly every character introduced in the story, no matter how briefly, has a complicated history. Unfortunately, the result is that there is just too much going on for one novel. I realize James is setting up the next stories in the series, but I don’t think such an in-depth background was necessary. A little mystery can add depth to a story as well!
James is a great storyteller. Obviously, she has lots of stories to tell. Unfortunately, she has fallen into the too familiar trap of telling the readers every aspect of the story instead of showing them. A good editor would not be amiss. James clearly has talent and lots of potential. I look forward to her growth as a writer in the next book of the series.
I recommend this book for romance lovers looking for some small town flavor.
*I received a free copy of this book from the author in return for an honest review.*
I loved Ferry Creek. I can imagine visiting the town and staying for a while; maybe even putting down roots. There is a lot going on in this novel. Nearly every character introduced in the story, no matter how briefly, has a complicated history. Unfortunately, the result is that there is just too much going on for one novel. I realize James is setting up the next stories in the series, but I don’t think such an in-depth background was necessary. A little mystery can add depth to a story as well!
James is a great storyteller. Obviously, she has lots of stories to tell. Unfortunately, she has fallen into the too familiar trap of telling the readers every aspect of the story instead of showing them. A good editor would not be amiss. James clearly has talent and lots of potential. I look forward to her growth as a writer in the next book of the series.
I recommend this book for romance lovers looking for some small town flavor.
*I received a free copy of this book from the author in return for an honest review.*
July 26, 2016
This novel was very emotional, raw, & real. James takes reality and makes it pop. She makes you think out real life problems, and they are real life and realistic even if they are out of the ordinary. She also makes you feel for yourself and for the characters in the novel. Her eloquent descriptions build a brilliant community where her captivating and solid storyline take place. Not only was there a major storyline, but there were also a number of subplots setting the series up for the future. Everything melded together into a seamless whole. My biggest problem with the novel was the few hiccups in the editing. There were times when there were random missing words or autocorrect moments with the wrong word. It was just enough to bump me out of the storyline.
James crafts intricate characters and relationships to carry this story forward. You can really tell that this is the first novel in a series, however. There are so many characters at the beginning that you’re left wondering how it all comes together and who will be the most important. You really get to know the whole community in a nice and intimate manner.
As a whole this was a great introduction to James’ writing. I’ll definitely be checking out more work by this author.
Please note that I received this novel free of charge from the author in exchange for an honest review.
James crafts intricate characters and relationships to carry this story forward. You can really tell that this is the first novel in a series, however. There are so many characters at the beginning that you’re left wondering how it all comes together and who will be the most important. You really get to know the whole community in a nice and intimate manner.
As a whole this was a great introduction to James’ writing. I’ll definitely be checking out more work by this author.
Please note that I received this novel free of charge from the author in exchange for an honest review.
April 16, 2014
Romance books are often "hit or miss" when it comes to my tastes, and this doubly true when it comes to contemporary romances. All too often, the story is mundane, and the characters are two-dimensional. And let's not even discuss the "happily ever after." This contemporary romance does live up to expectations, but the author has a few surprises along the way. Just about the time I was quite certain I had the story and ending figured, the author added a bit of a twist. I appreciate this literary device, and a few of the characters were quite likable. The story is quite readable, and if you are infatuated with light romances that include some grit, this is definitely the book for you.
Be that as it may, I do have a few warnings concerning this romance. There is a bedroom scene with some detail (but it is one hot scene, I have to admit). The profanity was also a bit much for me at times, but neither of these potential issues has caused the rating to be lowered. The book is full of resplendent romance, but I needed more substance.
I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not financially compensated, and all opinions are 100 percent mine.
Be that as it may, I do have a few warnings concerning this romance. There is a bedroom scene with some detail (but it is one hot scene, I have to admit). The profanity was also a bit much for me at times, but neither of these potential issues has caused the rating to be lowered. The book is full of resplendent romance, but I needed more substance.
I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not financially compensated, and all opinions are 100 percent mine.
January 16, 2016
I had very mixed feelings about this book. On the one hand (my left hand) I really liked the main plot of the story -man doesn't know he has a brother thinks his father is dead - finds out he has both and alive! He goes to this quaint small town and his life is changed forever ... oh! and he falls in love with the local diner chick.
On the other hand (my right hand), this book kept flip flopping through all kinds of different mini plots. I wasn't sure what was important and what was just fluff. I ended skimming through a lot of it and only seriously reading the main plot parts. Which I did enjoy. I think if it had stuck more to the main plot I would have enjoyed it more.
So my left hand and my right hand were arm wrestling over if they liked this book or not. My left hand beat the right, but only by a hair. This was an OK, enjoyable enough read for me.
On the other hand (my right hand), this book kept flip flopping through all kinds of different mini plots. I wasn't sure what was important and what was just fluff. I ended skimming through a lot of it and only seriously reading the main plot parts. Which I did enjoy. I think if it had stuck more to the main plot I would have enjoyed it more.
So my left hand and my right hand were arm wrestling over if they liked this book or not. My left hand beat the right, but only by a hair. This was an OK, enjoyable enough read for me.
May 15, 2014
WOW Loved the book. Great story line. Was easy to get to know the characters and how they all fit together, but at the same time leaving you wanting them to have their own story. Sullivan and Jess fit together so great.
June 16, 2014
Small town with problems. This the first book about the town, Ferry Creek. This can be a stand alone book, if you don't want to know more about the secondary characters. Sullivan comes to Ferry Creek to meet his biological father and his half-brother that he just found out about.
May 26, 2015
Family oriented and what it is to find out the truth
This book was hard to put down. It shows how you live your life to the fullest and then at a certain point you realize a lot had been lies and when you find it is almost too late.
This book was hard to put down. It shows how you live your life to the fullest and then at a certain point you realize a lot had been lies and when you find it is almost too late.
March 22, 2014
4 1/2 stars
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews