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Chances Are
Maya Gupta is a survivor. After escaping an impending arranged marriage in India as a teenager, she has thrived in America. But now she faces her greatest challenge yet—cancer has invaded her life, and unless she finds a way to participate in a clinical trial in Washington, DC, this may be one battle she loses. When Maya’s best friend Kari offers Maya the lifeline of a place to stay—her brother’s currently vacant DC apartment—the young woman eagerly accepts and goes to meet her fate . . . Ben Evans’s plans have changed, and he’s heading home for some much-needed rest and relaxation during his off-season in the major leagues. Upon arriving at his DC apartment, however, Ben is shocked to find Maya—his sister’s friend, who he hardly knows—in residence. He soon finds himself trapped between protecting his above-reproach reputation and searching for a way to help a woman he is coming to admire. When Maya’s fight to survive her disease becomes more complicated than ever, she and Ben scheme an extreme solution to her predicament that tests to what lengths they’re willing to go together to save Maya’s life.
288 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2014
46 people are currently reading
1127 people want to read
About the author
Traci Hunter Abramson
66 books1,966 followersTraci Hunter Abramson was born in Arizona, where she lived until moving to Venezuela for a study-abroad program. After graduating from Brigham Young University, she worked for the Central Intelligence Agency for several years, eventually resigning in order to raise her family. She credits the CIA with giving her a wealth of ideas as well as the skills needed to survive her children's teenage years. She is a eight-time Whitney Award winner and has written more than forty bestselling novels. For more information about Traci, click here: https://linktr.ee/traciabramson
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 256 reviews
October 31, 2014
When I was a teen, I loved to watch movies (like Beaches or My Life) and read books (like Lurlene McDaniel) that made me cry. I loved to see a story unfold about a doomed couple or person and just sob my heart out. Now that I'm older, that's not my most favorite thing to do--in fact, I hate to cry. I saw this book arrive on the shelves and thought, "It's one of those teen books that I used to love so much" and I didn't rush to pick it up. Wow, was I wrong in waiting! This one was amazing! Yes, there were some sad parts, but they weren't overwhelming. I wasn't grieved, I was full of hope and completely engrossed in the story.
Maya has had a lot to deal with in her young 20 years. She is now fighting for her life and does so with such grace and dignity. Her best friend, Kari, offers a way to help her out of a hopeless situation--she can stay in Kari's brother's apartment while he's living in LA during the baseball off-season. But Maya finds herself in quite a predicament when he decides to move back home and back into his apartment, completely unaware that Maya is living there. Determined to protect his squeaky clean image and to help Maya out, he comes up with an unusual plan--a crazy one, but one that just might work.
I completely fell into this story and loved every minute of it. I loved the sweet, sincere, and unselfish nature of Maya. I loved the confident, caring, and personable image that Ben was and portrayed. This book is completely different and opposite of any of this author's other books. My only wish was that the ending wouldn't have been so rushed. I felt that it was a little abrupt and I'm not sure if that's because there will be a companion book to this one to fill some cracks in or if this is it. I really, really hope there's more!
Content: no language or violence; clean kissing. Clean!
Maya has had a lot to deal with in her young 20 years. She is now fighting for her life and does so with such grace and dignity. Her best friend, Kari, offers a way to help her out of a hopeless situation--she can stay in Kari's brother's apartment while he's living in LA during the baseball off-season. But Maya finds herself in quite a predicament when he decides to move back home and back into his apartment, completely unaware that Maya is living there. Determined to protect his squeaky clean image and to help Maya out, he comes up with an unusual plan--a crazy one, but one that just might work.
I completely fell into this story and loved every minute of it. I loved the sweet, sincere, and unselfish nature of Maya. I loved the confident, caring, and personable image that Ben was and portrayed. This book is completely different and opposite of any of this author's other books. My only wish was that the ending wouldn't have been so rushed. I felt that it was a little abrupt and I'm not sure if that's because there will be a companion book to this one to fill some cracks in or if this is it. I really, really hope there's more!
Content: no language or violence; clean kissing. Clean!
September 10, 2014
***4.5 stars***
This book tore at my heartstrings. The characters are lovable and kind. The main characters, Ben and Maya, portray hope and acceptance in impossible circumstances.
The premise of the story is that Maya has cancer. She has a tumor at the base of her skull that must shrink before it can be removed. Her budding tennis career abruptly ends. She is very ill. She cannot work and he bills are piling up. She ran from her home country, India, to escape an arranged marriage with a man who is much older than her and very creepy.
She is given an opportunity to participate in a medical trial in Washington DC. The problem is that she has nowhere to stay and doesn't have the means to support herself. Fortunately, her best friend has a brother who has an apartment in DC he is not using, he's a professional baseball player and it's his off season.
The friend seizes the opportunity to have Maya live in the house, without her brother's knowledge. The problems begin when he comes home unexpectedly to find Maya living in his home.
The book is a story about hope. I love that Maya keeps a positive attitude even though her odds of living are 50/50. This book is about looking beyond ones self and finding ways to help another person. I loved the characters, I loved the story.
This book is squeaky clean. There is a small amount of mild kissing.
This book tore at my heartstrings. The characters are lovable and kind. The main characters, Ben and Maya, portray hope and acceptance in impossible circumstances.
The premise of the story is that Maya has cancer. She has a tumor at the base of her skull that must shrink before it can be removed. Her budding tennis career abruptly ends. She is very ill. She cannot work and he bills are piling up. She ran from her home country, India, to escape an arranged marriage with a man who is much older than her and very creepy.
She is given an opportunity to participate in a medical trial in Washington DC. The problem is that she has nowhere to stay and doesn't have the means to support herself. Fortunately, her best friend has a brother who has an apartment in DC he is not using, he's a professional baseball player and it's his off season.
The friend seizes the opportunity to have Maya live in the house, without her brother's knowledge. The problems begin when he comes home unexpectedly to find Maya living in his home.
The book is a story about hope. I love that Maya keeps a positive attitude even though her odds of living are 50/50. This book is about looking beyond ones self and finding ways to help another person. I loved the characters, I loved the story.
This book is squeaky clean. There is a small amount of mild kissing.
July 6, 2017
This book is different than all the other Traci Hunter Abramson books I've read, but it's a great read. Maya has an a tumor at the base of her skull that has to be reduced to half its size before the doctors can operate. This isn't the first big challenge she's had in her short 20 years. When she was 13 yrs old she fled her homeland of India to escape an arranged marriage; when she was 16 yrs old her grandmother, who had helped her escape the arranged marriage, died and she was put into a foster home with people who didn't care about her. Despite all this she gets a full ride tennis scholarship to Vanderbilt University.
Despite rounds of chemo and radiation the tumor isn't small enough to remove. Maya's only shot is to be accepted into a clinical trial in Washington D.C. She quits school, but she's too sick to work so she has no income, and no place to live while receiving the treatment. Her best friend Kari comes up with an idea but fails to tell her brother, Ben, a major league baseball player, about it. When Ben comes back to D.C. to train in the off-season he's more than a little shocked to find this girl he's only met once before in his apartment.
Both of the main characters are very likable people who are genuinely kind. Ben feels the solution he comes up with to solve all of Maya's problems is inspired, if unconventional. Maya is a person who deals with everything life gives her without complaining and wants to take care of her problems by herself without burdening others. This story completely illustrates how serving others helps you to love them. I wish there had been another chapter or a short epilogue that takes place a few months later to catch up with them after Maya's surgery.
This is a wonderful heart warming story. Totally clean read with a few chaste kisses near the end.
Despite rounds of chemo and radiation the tumor isn't small enough to remove. Maya's only shot is to be accepted into a clinical trial in Washington D.C. She quits school, but she's too sick to work so she has no income, and no place to live while receiving the treatment. Her best friend Kari comes up with an idea but fails to tell her brother, Ben, a major league baseball player, about it. When Ben comes back to D.C. to train in the off-season he's more than a little shocked to find this girl he's only met once before in his apartment.
Both of the main characters are very likable people who are genuinely kind. Ben feels the solution he comes up with to solve all of Maya's problems is inspired, if unconventional. Maya is a person who deals with everything life gives her without complaining and wants to take care of her problems by herself without burdening others. This story completely illustrates how serving others helps you to love them. I wish there had been another chapter or a short epilogue that takes place a few months later to catch up with them after Maya's surgery.
This is a wonderful heart warming story. Totally clean read with a few chaste kisses near the end.
April 9, 2014
What a PHENOMENAL read!
SO. SO. SO. GOOD!
Maya has cancer and her only chance of surviving is a trial clinic in Washington, DC.
She has no money...she has no family...she has no way to do it...
Then her best friend, Kari, gives her hope in saying that she knows of an empty apartment just a few blocks from the hospital.
What she doesn't tell Maya is that the apartment belongs to her brother, Ben, and she hasn't asked for his permission.
So what happens when Ben comes home months earlier than expected?
Ben was suppose to stay in California during his off-season.
But he quickly became tired of the LA scene and his girlfriend who only wanted to be with him because he was a big baseball star.
Now he is home...only to find Maya living in his apartment.
Not wanting a scandal he turns Maya out on the street...not knowing her full story.
When the facts come into full light he pulls together a very unusual plan to help Maya.
A sweet, tender, life-altering, romance.
LOVED. LOVED. LOVED. IT.
SO. SO. SO. GOOD!
Maya has cancer and her only chance of surviving is a trial clinic in Washington, DC.
She has no money...she has no family...she has no way to do it...
Then her best friend, Kari, gives her hope in saying that she knows of an empty apartment just a few blocks from the hospital.
What she doesn't tell Maya is that the apartment belongs to her brother, Ben, and she hasn't asked for his permission.
So what happens when Ben comes home months earlier than expected?
Ben was suppose to stay in California during his off-season.
But he quickly became tired of the LA scene and his girlfriend who only wanted to be with him because he was a big baseball star.
Now he is home...only to find Maya living in his apartment.
Not wanting a scandal he turns Maya out on the street...not knowing her full story.
When the facts come into full light he pulls together a very unusual plan to help Maya.
A sweet, tender, life-altering, romance.
LOVED. LOVED. LOVED. IT.
May 11, 2014
4.5 stars.
What I liked the most about this story was the gradual way Ben developed feelings for Maya. Their relationship is not a conventional one, and it starts under the stress of Maya's illness. The more Ben serves her, and helps her in the little things she can't do for herself, the closer they grow together.
It's a very emotional read, especially from Maya's POV with everything she has to face.
The ending was a bit too fast, would have loved to read an epilogue.
What I liked the most about this story was the gradual way Ben developed feelings for Maya. Their relationship is not a conventional one, and it starts under the stress of Maya's illness. The more Ben serves her, and helps her in the little things she can't do for herself, the closer they grow together.
It's a very emotional read, especially from Maya's POV with everything she has to face.
The ending was a bit too fast, would have loved to read an epilogue.
September 19, 2019
Could not put down
This was an engaging story that hooked me and kept me reading! I would rate it PG, the romance sweet and clean. The characters lived Christian lives with high moral standards.
This was an engaging story that hooked me and kept me reading! I would rate it PG, the romance sweet and clean. The characters lived Christian lives with high moral standards.
May 27, 2015
Quick Reread Don't know why, but I needed a sweet romance after the holiday. Still loved this one about a woman fighting cancer.
December 23, 2021
After reading the Saint Squad books, I started making my way through the author’s other series and books. This one sounded different, and I almost skipped it, but I’m so glad I didn’t! I loved their story of strength, a giving heart, and hope. It’s an emotional one for sure, but so good!
I loved Maya, who had moved to the United States to avoid an arranged marriage as a child bride. Completely on her own once her grandmother dies, she faces a brain tumor cancer diagnosis. As she fights for her life and her freedom, she meets Ben and they get married for practical reasons. As their relationship develops and they both find ways to lift the other, they start to see their marriage differently.
I have a friend who moved back to India for a very happy arranged marriage, and another friend who came to the United States after she refused an arranged marriage and was cut off. All of the immigration law and emotions were so well written and I thought the author did a good job of being respectful to the culture as well as pointing out that the accepted norm was not Maya’s situation.
My only complaint is that the book ended too soon.
I loved Maya, who had moved to the United States to avoid an arranged marriage as a child bride. Completely on her own once her grandmother dies, she faces a brain tumor cancer diagnosis. As she fights for her life and her freedom, she meets Ben and they get married for practical reasons. As their relationship develops and they both find ways to lift the other, they start to see their marriage differently.
I have a friend who moved back to India for a very happy arranged marriage, and another friend who came to the United States after she refused an arranged marriage and was cut off. All of the immigration law and emotions were so well written and I thought the author did a good job of being respectful to the culture as well as pointing out that the accepted norm was not Maya’s situation.
My only complaint is that the book ended too soon.
February 10, 2026
the ambiguity of romance titles hurt the genre. A romance book is always called something non-descriptive like “promised rose”, “a second day”, or … “chances are”. The non descriptive titles are so vague that they could be applied to any romance, leaving me and hundreds of other readers saying to their book club something like ~the book was really good, I just can’t remember the title~. These easily-forgotten-titles alienate potential readers with cash in their wallets who then never fork their money to publishers because they can’t identify the romance books that person in their book club liked!
I digress. Chances Are is cute, I read it all in one night and it had me giggling when they got together. Let me suggest some alternate titles that would better describe the book and would be more memorable
- Cancer, Cuisine, and a Celebrity Baseball Player
- Maya Gupta Fakes A Marriage
- Ben Evans Hates (then Thanks) His Sister
And my personal favorite: That One Time I Got Cancer and Met The Love Of My Life: A Memoir
I digress. Chances Are is cute, I read it all in one night and it had me giggling when they got together. Let me suggest some alternate titles that would better describe the book and would be more memorable
- Cancer, Cuisine, and a Celebrity Baseball Player
- Maya Gupta Fakes A Marriage
- Ben Evans Hates (then Thanks) His Sister
And my personal favorite: That One Time I Got Cancer and Met The Love Of My Life: A Memoir
April 15, 2014
This is a very good book, although not your typical Tracy Hunter Abramson novel. The Saint Squad is missing in action (I hope they're back soon) and the characters are Christian but not LDS (maybe in a sequel?). I knew that going in, and so was not expecting the typical. As it was, I thought the book well-plotted--certainly the author has done her research on cancer and treatments. As always, Abramson takes an incredible situation and makes it credible. I enjoyed the characters, and would like to know them better, including Kari and Ben's parents. Maya's situation is tragic and in some aspects frightening, but the book strikes a balance between her troubles and good humor and lessons of friendship and watchful care. More like this would be great--although I hope to see the Saint Squad and similar books again, too. (I'm making a lot of work for the author, I guess, but at least she knows I'll buy all her books!)
February 26, 2018
Romance, clean, Christian Faith elements
More of a 3.5 for me as a reader, but loved the baseball setting. This was a cute read with the baseball setting, but very serious dealing with Maya's cancer. The misunderstandings, Maya's illness, and of course Kara's trying to get things set up to help her but not quite telling her brother what was really going on. Ben's prompting to marry Maya to solve some of her problems, it all came together for a fun read. The major league baseball setting was fun, and made for an interesting side story. Their fall, was lovely, and loved how their hearts gradually wrapped around each other as they got to know each other better. The prompting would probably be the one thing that might throw off some readers who don't enjoy faith based stories, but it still was a fun, romantic read. Loved how it all came together, Ben's family, the hospital characters were nice background characters for the story as well.
More of a 3.5 for me as a reader, but loved the baseball setting. This was a cute read with the baseball setting, but very serious dealing with Maya's cancer. The misunderstandings, Maya's illness, and of course Kara's trying to get things set up to help her but not quite telling her brother what was really going on. Ben's prompting to marry Maya to solve some of her problems, it all came together for a fun read. The major league baseball setting was fun, and made for an interesting side story. Their fall, was lovely, and loved how their hearts gradually wrapped around each other as they got to know each other better. The prompting would probably be the one thing that might throw off some readers who don't enjoy faith based stories, but it still was a fun, romantic read. Loved how it all came together, Ben's family, the hospital characters were nice background characters for the story as well.
December 2, 2022
This book isn't the typical Traci Hunter Abramson book. For one thing it had a very slow start, and I mean VERY slow! It was so slow in fact that I almost decided not to read it. However, I don't like to leave a book unfinished, so I kept reading.
After the beginning background part of the book, which took way longer than necessary, the story started picking up and I actually did enjoy the rest of the book. However, it isn't one that's on my "will read often" list.
It was a great love story and one that didn't contain the "if only they'd communicate" aspect that I find truly annoying in so many of the romance books. So who knows? Maybe in a few years I just might read it again. It does have a sequel that I might try sometime, but if it is as slow as this one I'm not sure I'm really all that interested.
After the beginning background part of the book, which took way longer than necessary, the story started picking up and I actually did enjoy the rest of the book. However, it isn't one that's on my "will read often" list.
It was a great love story and one that didn't contain the "if only they'd communicate" aspect that I find truly annoying in so many of the romance books. So who knows? Maybe in a few years I just might read it again. It does have a sequel that I might try sometime, but if it is as slow as this one I'm not sure I'm really all that interested.
March 29, 2014
So, I cried through the first 1/3 of this book. Not typical for me. It was heart wrenching. Very clean, no cussing, no steam, just a genuine love story. This did not feel the same as Abramsons other books. I've read all of her others, and this had a different spirit to it. The aloneness Abramson portraited in the beginning of this book was very intense. I've never read that emotion so strongly. A bit frightening. I would have sunk into dispair, and given up. Incredible story.
I love the characters, and the storyline was original. I really likes it, and will let me teen daughter read this. I have to say, I don't like the book cover. That was a turn off for me at the beginning.
I love the characters, and the storyline was original. I really likes it, and will let me teen daughter read this. I have to say, I don't like the book cover. That was a turn off for me at the beginning.
August 14, 2014
I read this awhile ago and forgot to post a note of review. Sometimes that happens with books I read just for myself and not for review on the blog and such. This was such a good book. It had depth and it sucked me in from the very beginning. I just had to know how it all turned out. This book was a bit out of genre from the usual from this author but I think she did a fantastic job.
July 14, 2014
This was a well developed, well told love story. The characters relationship takes time to develop, which I very much appreciate. A very sweet story. I would have preferred a few more romantic moments in their budding relationship, but it was lovely nonetheless.
March 28, 2014
I liked it! Being a cancer survivor myself, I wished she would have pointed out that Maya still has a long recovery even after surgery. Characters are great.
December 5, 2022
I really really liked this book and will be looking for other books by this author! This was a clean romance story! Loved it!
November 7, 2017
This is definitely a story that tugs at the heartstrings! Maya Gupta has a large tumour at the base of her skull, and her only hope of survival is treatment to reduce it to an operable size. Chemo and radiation have been unsuccessful, and the clinical trial in Washington DC is her last chance. But even that presents problems. She has no one who can stay with her during the treatment, the side effects of which are nausea, and extreme fatigue and muscle soreness. The one thing she does have going for her is the fact that her best friend’s brother doesn’t need his DC apartment, meaning she has somewhere to stay. Except... her best friend didn’t exactly get permission from her brother, and when he returns from LA much earlier than expected, suddenly Maya doesn’t even have accommodation anymore.
I confess there were a few times I begged Maya to just speak up for herself rather than trying to cope with everything by herself, but I could also understand how she would feel like she didn’t have the right (or the energy) to do so. For that reason, Ben nearly missed learning just how precarious Maya’s situation was, but once he knew, I loved watching the gentle growth of their relationship as he cared for her. And I can’t forget to mention Henry, hospital orderly of the year! What a gorgeous heart he had!
The challenges Ben and Maya face aren’t limited to the effects of Maya’s treatment. A desperate attempt to contact Maya’s family in India has unintended consequences and could see her deported, her financial situation is dire, and Ben’s growing popularity as a rookie in the major leagues makes it difficult to keep his relationship with Maya out of the public eye. And even if they manage to deal with all that and make it through the treatment, there’s no guarantee that the tumour will be reduced enough to operate safely.
The characters occasionally seemed a little too ‘nice’, and there was a tendency toward telling in some of the writing, but it was impossible not to get caught up in Maya’s story as she struggled to overcome the odds stacked against her.
I confess there were a few times I begged Maya to just speak up for herself rather than trying to cope with everything by herself, but I could also understand how she would feel like she didn’t have the right (or the energy) to do so. For that reason, Ben nearly missed learning just how precarious Maya’s situation was, but once he knew, I loved watching the gentle growth of their relationship as he cared for her. And I can’t forget to mention Henry, hospital orderly of the year! What a gorgeous heart he had!
The challenges Ben and Maya face aren’t limited to the effects of Maya’s treatment. A desperate attempt to contact Maya’s family in India has unintended consequences and could see her deported, her financial situation is dire, and Ben’s growing popularity as a rookie in the major leagues makes it difficult to keep his relationship with Maya out of the public eye. And even if they manage to deal with all that and make it through the treatment, there’s no guarantee that the tumour will be reduced enough to operate safely.
The characters occasionally seemed a little too ‘nice’, and there was a tendency toward telling in some of the writing, but it was impossible not to get caught up in Maya’s story as she struggled to overcome the odds stacked against her.
September 14, 2024
4.2. Very predictable. It could be a Hallmark movie. But a fun listen while I wait for my library list to be come available.
Maya Gupta is a survivor. After escaping an impending arranged marriage in India as a teenager, she has thrived in America. But now she faces her greatest challenge yet. Cancer has invaded her life, and unless she finds a way to participate in a clinical trial in Washington, DC, this may be one battle she loses. When Maya's best friend Kari offers Maya the lifeline of a place to stay, her brother's currently vacant DC apartment, the young woman eagerly accepts and goes to meet her fate . . . Ben Evans's plans have changed, and he s heading home for some much-needed rest and relaxation during his off-season in the major leagues. Upon arriving at his DC apartment, however, Ben is shocked to find Maya--his sister's friend, who he hardly knows--in residence. He soon finds himself trapped between protecting his above-reproach reputation and searching for a way to help a woman he is coming to admire. When Maya's fight to survive her disease becomes more complicated than ever, she and Ben scheme an extreme solution to her predicament that tests to what lengths they're willing to go together to save Maya's life.
Maya Gupta is a survivor. After escaping an impending arranged marriage in India as a teenager, she has thrived in America. But now she faces her greatest challenge yet. Cancer has invaded her life, and unless she finds a way to participate in a clinical trial in Washington, DC, this may be one battle she loses. When Maya's best friend Kari offers Maya the lifeline of a place to stay, her brother's currently vacant DC apartment, the young woman eagerly accepts and goes to meet her fate . . . Ben Evans's plans have changed, and he s heading home for some much-needed rest and relaxation during his off-season in the major leagues. Upon arriving at his DC apartment, however, Ben is shocked to find Maya--his sister's friend, who he hardly knows--in residence. He soon finds himself trapped between protecting his above-reproach reputation and searching for a way to help a woman he is coming to admire. When Maya's fight to survive her disease becomes more complicated than ever, she and Ben scheme an extreme solution to her predicament that tests to what lengths they're willing to go together to save Maya's life.
June 4, 2014
This is a poignant tale of a motivated young woman's battle against cancer. Her roommate and best friend, Kari, assisted her the best way she could. There is a touch of romance in the plot as well.
Kari's brother, Ben, is a pro baseball player. In Kari's effort to help Maya, it disgruntled Ben and caused problems for Maya. Maya's life depended on this special cancer treatment. Due to several complications, Maya faces a strong possibility she will die and all seems hopeless. She has nobody left to turn to for help.
This is a very touching story which may cause the reader to shed occasional tears. Through much drama and unexpected twists, Traci Abramson captures the reader's interest.
The title is passable but the book cover fails to adequately depict the main theme. Traci successfully developed believable personalities and portrayed the characters and background scenes well.
Although slightly dragged out, it was still a great and moving epic. Luone Ingram does a very good job in reading the Audio CDs.
My review of this book offers a Four Stars rating.
Kari's brother, Ben, is a pro baseball player. In Kari's effort to help Maya, it disgruntled Ben and caused problems for Maya. Maya's life depended on this special cancer treatment. Due to several complications, Maya faces a strong possibility she will die and all seems hopeless. She has nobody left to turn to for help.
This is a very touching story which may cause the reader to shed occasional tears. Through much drama and unexpected twists, Traci Abramson captures the reader's interest.
The title is passable but the book cover fails to adequately depict the main theme. Traci successfully developed believable personalities and portrayed the characters and background scenes well.
Although slightly dragged out, it was still a great and moving epic. Luone Ingram does a very good job in reading the Audio CDs.
My review of this book offers a Four Stars rating.
July 18, 2014
When Maya's only hope at beating cancer is to participate in an experimental treatment in Washington, D.C., her friend Kari's brother lets her stay in his apartment--or so she thinks. Ben, a pro baseball player, is in L.A. for the off season and won't need his apartment, so Kari doesn't bother to tell him that she loaned it out for months. When Ben decides to move back home, he's shocked to find Maya living in his apartment. And he's even more surprised to find himself wanting to help her in any way he possibly can.
There are a couple spots in the book where I had to suspend my disbelief a little more than I like to in realistic fiction, but overall, I enjoyed the sweet romance. Both Ben and Maya are great characters, the type of people you'd want to be friends with. This is a good choice for an afternoon of light reading.
There are a couple spots in the book where I had to suspend my disbelief a little more than I like to in realistic fiction, but overall, I enjoyed the sweet romance. Both Ben and Maya are great characters, the type of people you'd want to be friends with. This is a good choice for an afternoon of light reading.
September 18, 2015
I got so caught up in this book! Of course it's one of those romances where you know the guy and girl are going to end up together but this journey was CRAZY! Ben is a baseball player and Maya has cancer...we've heard this story right? Wrong! Maya also ran away from India when her father promised to marry her off to a man three times her age (when she is only 13 years old btw)! She left with her grandmother who died just before her senior year of high school so she is left alone. The solution is for Ben to marry Maya so she can stay with him in Washington DC for a new trial treatment. This will help her get rid of that crazy Indian suitor and avoid deportation back to India. I was definitely taken on a journey I never expected and enjoyed every minute of it! Ages 12+ just because it wouldn't interest young kids (it is for older readers after all)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 4, 2014
This was a 3.5 star book for me. The only reason it wasn't 4 stars is because the second the big obstacle is
figured out, the book ends. Perhaps she is leaving it open for sequels. I just felt rushed at the end and I was
disappointed for it to end so soon. This author does a fantastic job of building awesome characters, and I
found myself really enjoying this book. I think the pacing could have been a little faster in the beginning and
middle of the book and then slowed down a bit at the end.
It was fun to read this novel, definitely a little different than what Traci Hunter Abramson usually writes. I
enjoyed it. Read it in one day, between doctor appointments, and dropping kids off to baseball practice.
figured out, the book ends. Perhaps she is leaving it open for sequels. I just felt rushed at the end and I was
disappointed for it to end so soon. This author does a fantastic job of building awesome characters, and I
found myself really enjoying this book. I think the pacing could have been a little faster in the beginning and
middle of the book and then slowed down a bit at the end.
It was fun to read this novel, definitely a little different than what Traci Hunter Abramson usually writes. I
enjoyed it. Read it in one day, between doctor appointments, and dropping kids off to baseball practice.
April 28, 2014
Great story about growing in love. Maya has cancer and has moved to D.C. to enroll in an experimental treatment that is her last chanced to live. Her friend Kari sets her up in her famous baseball pitcher brother’s empty apartment since he’s in L.A. When he moves back unexpectedly and finds Maya living there, he sends her on her way, not knowing she has nowhere else to go and no one else to turn to. Fate brings them together again, and weaves their lives together in ways they never imagined. I loved how the author showed the budding romance even in the midst of the havoc cancer plays in their lives.
August 22, 2014
I have enjoyed nearly every book by this author and this book was no exception, but it is not a typical book for her. So far the books I've read have all been action and adventure. There is a mystery to solve and the main character is running for her life, while being assisted by a handsome young man. Very fun. This book was a more serious. The main character's challenge wasn't trying to solve a mystery before being killed, but was dealing with cancer. I really love Traci Hunter Abramson, she managed to pull me right into this book as well and to love the main characters. Perhaps it was too light hearted for such a heavy subject but I think she pulled it off.
October 28, 2017
I am sorry to say this was probably my least favorite book (so far) from one of my favorite authors. It just didn't grab me like most of Abramson's books do. I had a harder time loving the characters (especially Maya...who just doesn't seem to have much personality for most of the book) and there isn't a lot of "story" to back up the characters. The second half was much better than the first (hense 3 stars instead of 2) and I did find myself thinking I would likely read a sequel if there was one.
Unlike many of her other novels, this one is not overtly LDS (but is certainly Christian) and doesn't involve a lot of FBI agents, Navy SEALs, the CIA, etc. I think I kind of prefer those...
Unlike many of her other novels, this one is not overtly LDS (but is certainly Christian) and doesn't involve a lot of FBI agents, Navy SEALs, the CIA, etc. I think I kind of prefer those...
March 29, 2014
I am a fan of Abramson. I enjoy her adventure/romance novels. This one was okay. The characters were sweet. However, I did miss bad guys and FBI agents and Navy Seals and things blowing up. I'm sure she just wanted to try a different genre, but I hope she goes back to the other genre. That said, it's a sweet romance with nothing objectionable and with characters that are too good to be actual humans, but we all want to believe people like this exist!
January 15, 2020
This is a genre I never dabble in. I don't love how corny adolescent romance is. That being said I love that my book club provides opportunities to branch out. This book was fun, it read quickly, and the story was entertaining. I especially liked that there was a bit of a baseball aspect since I'm about that. Other than that the writing wasn't anything amazing and your life won't be changed by this book. I did enjoy just being able to read an easy story though.
February 18, 2024
It was interesting to read a book by Abramson that didn't feature a government agency or navy seals. Maya's situation in this book is heart wrenching. She has so little control over her life and is forced to make some difficult decisions at such a young age. Even though it's a weird situation, her friend is a hero for taking care of her and helping her find a way to survive. The plot is a bit out there and somewhat unrealistic, but it's a book of kindness and hope and I enjoyed reading it.
July 20, 2016
Terrific story. Engaging characters. Lots of tears, too. I hope there is a sequel coming soon.
Even the immigration angle didn't annoy me (I totally rooted for Sandra Bullock's character to get deported in the movie The Proposal), although I have to point out that the INS changed names to DHS-USCIS a while back.
Even the immigration angle didn't annoy me (I totally rooted for Sandra Bullock's character to get deported in the movie The Proposal), although I have to point out that the INS changed names to DHS-USCIS a while back.
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