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Chance for Home
Beautiful pre-med student Kari Evans believes she’s found the man of her dreams—right up until the moment she discovers he’s a two-timing cheat. Desperately gathering the pieces of her broken heart, she realizes that what she needs most is space to reconsider her future. A summer in Washington, DC, with her professional baseball player brother, Ben, sounds like just the change of scene she’s after. But if complicated romantic entanglements are what she’s trying to escape, she’s out of luck. Ryan Strobel has had it with spotlight-seeking women. As third baseman for the Washington Nationals, he’s dealt with more than his fair share of opportunistic admirers—but his ex-fiancée, Brandi, may be the worst. When the woman refuses to take no for an answer, Ryan’s teammate Ben offers a crazy Ben’s sister will pose as Ryan’s new girlfriend. Though an unlikely pair, Ryan and Kari find themselves getting surprisingly comfortable with the charade. Soon, the line between fact and fiction is blurred, and the very real feelings that develop between the couple are undeniable. But when faced with the interference of conniving exes, family objections, and the reality of their very different lives, are Ryan and Kari destined to strike out in the game of love?
307 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 1, 2017
45 people are currently reading
439 people want to read
About the author
Traci Hunter Abramson
66 books1,950 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 167 reviews
November 16, 2017
While not marked as part of a series, it's clear that Kari's brother and best friend are a recent romance and I eventually connected the dots to the book Chances Are. It's obvious that Abramson looooves Ben and Maya and they feature prominently here. Yes, because Kari moves in with them for the summer, but I can't help feeling like Abramson was jumping at the chance of extending their epilogue, too.
I got to 60% or so before I finally ground to a halt. The initial friction with the book is simple craft—Abramson moves her characters about like stiff puppets on wobbly strings with every action over-directed. And the dialogue features lots of incidentals including pleasantries and conversational lubricant that we all speak but tend to get trimmed out of better-written stories as the pace-killers they are. Still, Kari is an interesting character and Ryan had potential to be more so I kept going.
Which is when the second hurdle hit. Their relationship progresses relatively quickly with few real bars in their way. So it became more than a little strange how stand-offish Kari remains. This is where my missing faith tag came in (with a vengeance, in this case). Kari eventually claims she's "an old fashioned girl" but as explanations go, that's severely lacking. They have the "exclusive" talk by their second date and in non-religious land, that generally means it's time for sex to happen. Or to be at least immanent or, you know, possible. So they both stopped feeling real because there's no reason for them not to be extending their intimacy and both Kari's assumption of how the relationship would (wouldn't) progress and Ryan's casual acceptance of it (as if, of course! that's how things would go) violates any sense of current reality. I mean, I get the not having sex part because that's important in my own religious tradition. But for that very reason I'd expect some care over matching up expectations in a discussion so that they'd be on the same page and not cross-communicating. I mean, Kari puts Ryan off a couple times (with things like leaving his apartment door open while they're alone so that "nothing will happen") and a normal guy (particularly a studly baseball player) would be thinking she can't possibly be into him. And not because she won't "put out" but simply because she's sending signals that faith-bound people would see as principled but that outsiders would read as beyond not interested and into keep-away territory.
So the missing faith dragged it down further. And then Ryan's mother happened. I'm not sure what Abramson was trying to do with Ryan's mother, but she's irrational to the point of idiocy and a raging jerk besides. I think we're supposed to be in awe of his caring so much for his mother because he gets all concerned about her post-operation recovery and has to jump through the dumbest hoops set up outside of a circus to do so. His mother insists that she should return to her third-story apartment (in a bad neighborhood, no less) after her knee-replacement surgery despite her doctor's concern and her son being a rich guy with lots of cash to get her something better. She's not just immobile and shouldn't be walking up stairs, but she needs to make it to physical therapy appointments three+ times a week. So insisting that she'll "be fine" and "can do for herself" is beyond simply stubborn and into a mental break with reality. It's so persistent that I began to wonder if Abramson was trying to convey a darker issue in that relationship. I mean, did she resent her son's success and thus didn't want to rely on his arranging her care? Or was this some kind of manipulative punishment for some wrong he'd done her before he made the big-leagues? And then mom meets Kari and she's rude and mean and Kari goes all doormat and Ryan gets all apologetic and I was just done. This isn't how real people behave. Or, at least, not ones I want to spend time with.
So yeah. Clunky writing with stilted dialogue and characters that make no sense for a variety of reasons (from missing faith to simply unreasoningly antagonistic) put me out of the book. Add that it's another Covenant Communications book and they want $11 for the ebook and I'm not sure who the audience might be. I see that the first book has a more reasonable ebook price. So maybe start there?
I got to 60% or so before I finally ground to a halt. The initial friction with the book is simple craft—Abramson moves her characters about like stiff puppets on wobbly strings with every action over-directed. And the dialogue features lots of incidentals including pleasantries and conversational lubricant that we all speak but tend to get trimmed out of better-written stories as the pace-killers they are. Still, Kari is an interesting character and Ryan had potential to be more so I kept going.
Which is when the second hurdle hit. Their relationship progresses relatively quickly with few real bars in their way. So it became more than a little strange how stand-offish Kari remains. This is where my missing faith tag came in (with a vengeance, in this case). Kari eventually claims she's "an old fashioned girl" but as explanations go, that's severely lacking. They have the "exclusive" talk by their second date and in non-religious land, that generally means it's time for sex to happen. Or to be at least immanent or, you know, possible. So they both stopped feeling real because there's no reason for them not to be extending their intimacy and both Kari's assumption of how the relationship would (wouldn't) progress and Ryan's casual acceptance of it (as if, of course! that's how things would go) violates any sense of current reality. I mean, I get the not having sex part because that's important in my own religious tradition. But for that very reason I'd expect some care over matching up expectations in a discussion so that they'd be on the same page and not cross-communicating. I mean, Kari puts Ryan off a couple times (with things like leaving his apartment door open while they're alone so that "nothing will happen") and a normal guy (particularly a studly baseball player) would be thinking she can't possibly be into him. And not because she won't "put out" but simply because she's sending signals that faith-bound people would see as principled but that outsiders would read as beyond not interested and into keep-away territory.
So the missing faith dragged it down further. And then Ryan's mother happened. I'm not sure what Abramson was trying to do with Ryan's mother, but she's irrational to the point of idiocy and a raging jerk besides. I think we're supposed to be in awe of his caring so much for his mother because he gets all concerned about her post-operation recovery and has to jump through the dumbest hoops set up outside of a circus to do so. His mother insists that she should return to her third-story apartment (in a bad neighborhood, no less) after her knee-replacement surgery despite her doctor's concern and her son being a rich guy with lots of cash to get her something better. She's not just immobile and shouldn't be walking up stairs, but she needs to make it to physical therapy appointments three+ times a week. So insisting that she'll "be fine" and "can do for herself" is beyond simply stubborn and into a mental break with reality. It's so persistent that I began to wonder if Abramson was trying to convey a darker issue in that relationship. I mean, did she resent her son's success and thus didn't want to rely on his arranging her care? Or was this some kind of manipulative punishment for some wrong he'd done her before he made the big-leagues? And then mom meets Kari and she's rude and mean and Kari goes all doormat and Ryan gets all apologetic and I was just done. This isn't how real people behave. Or, at least, not ones I want to spend time with.
So yeah. Clunky writing with stilted dialogue and characters that make no sense for a variety of reasons (from missing faith to simply unreasoningly antagonistic) put me out of the book. Add that it's another Covenant Communications book and they want $11 for the ebook and I'm not sure who the audience might be. I see that the first book has a more reasonable ebook price. So maybe start there?
April 27, 2017
This is a companion book to Chances Are and tells the story of Ben's sister, Kari. She is young, but very driven. When a cheating boyfriend leads to the loss of a summer internship, she moves in with her brother and his wife, who is also her best friend, to regroup and a romance is the last thing she expects to find.
Kari reminds me of my daughter, with her love of the medical field. The way she is able to balance her time, think of others, and support her loved ones is amazing. I've mentioned before that I read to escape and this is one book that swept me away! I felt like a third friend and fell in love with Ryan right along with Kari--who wouldn't? He's not your typical Pro athlete (an MLB player) and the way he treats his mother shows a lot about his character.
This isn't a completely fluffy romance. Both Ryan and Kari have past baggage to deal with, which leads to conflict. They're both at different points in their lives and their goals don't seem to be heading in the same direction, but they both have similar character and integrity and that's what matters, isn't it? This is one story that captured my attention and didn't let go. I really like this author's writing style and I wasn't ready for it to end.
Content: mild romance (kissing); one moment of mild violence.
*I received a copy through the publisher, which did not affect my thoughts or opinions in any way.*
Kari reminds me of my daughter, with her love of the medical field. The way she is able to balance her time, think of others, and support her loved ones is amazing. I've mentioned before that I read to escape and this is one book that swept me away! I felt like a third friend and fell in love with Ryan right along with Kari--who wouldn't? He's not your typical Pro athlete (an MLB player) and the way he treats his mother shows a lot about his character.
This isn't a completely fluffy romance. Both Ryan and Kari have past baggage to deal with, which leads to conflict. They're both at different points in their lives and their goals don't seem to be heading in the same direction, but they both have similar character and integrity and that's what matters, isn't it? This is one story that captured my attention and didn't let go. I really like this author's writing style and I wasn't ready for it to end.
Content: mild romance (kissing); one moment of mild violence.
*I received a copy through the publisher, which did not affect my thoughts or opinions in any way.*
April 21, 2017
This is a cute and fun read. It was easy to get into and hold your attention. I liked how easy going Kari and Ryan were. It was easy to cheer them on!
While Ryan is a professional baseball player, the story isn't centered on his playing. It is more on learning to balance that "job" with Kari's time. Kari wants to be in the medical profession and wants to finish her pre-med. But because of her ex, she is out of her internship for the summer. So she went to stay with her brother and his wife, Maya (who is also her best friend) for the summer and helps Maya. Maya is on her last round of chemo. Kari has learned a lot from helping her and wants to do something to help others.
Kari isn't one to want to be in the spotlight. She is comfortable helping out and just living life and helping others. Ryan is more of a private person and doesn't like that women want him more because of his celebrity status. His ex keeps getting in the way of Kari and him. She is aweful! Kari's ex is also a no good person!! I like how Kari deals with him when he shows up for the very last time! Oh how she made me proud!
There was a mention of a store called Furniture Affair in the book. I thought it sounded like a bargain but it was way too much for me! Insert sad face.
I loved the integrity of both of the characters. I admire them! Where as some would think that boring, it was kind of refreshing to see that!
The gift that Kari give to Ryan is the theme of the book. I loved it.
If you like baseball, Washington D.C., reading about meddling and ill willed ex's, girls who stick up for themselves, helping others, medical stuff, big homes, relaxing with your family and friends and someone important to you, than this might be it for you!
contents: kissing and one episode of violence (but when it is given you will cheer for it) hehe
While Ryan is a professional baseball player, the story isn't centered on his playing. It is more on learning to balance that "job" with Kari's time. Kari wants to be in the medical profession and wants to finish her pre-med. But because of her ex, she is out of her internship for the summer. So she went to stay with her brother and his wife, Maya (who is also her best friend) for the summer and helps Maya. Maya is on her last round of chemo. Kari has learned a lot from helping her and wants to do something to help others.
Kari isn't one to want to be in the spotlight. She is comfortable helping out and just living life and helping others. Ryan is more of a private person and doesn't like that women want him more because of his celebrity status. His ex keeps getting in the way of Kari and him. She is aweful! Kari's ex is also a no good person!! I like how Kari deals with him when he shows up for the very last time! Oh how she made me proud!
There was a mention of a store called Furniture Affair in the book. I thought it sounded like a bargain but it was way too much for me! Insert sad face.
I loved the integrity of both of the characters. I admire them! Where as some would think that boring, it was kind of refreshing to see that!
The gift that Kari give to Ryan is the theme of the book. I loved it.
The Best Things Happen at Home.
If you like baseball, Washington D.C., reading about meddling and ill willed ex's, girls who stick up for themselves, helping others, medical stuff, big homes, relaxing with your family and friends and someone important to you, than this might be it for you!
contents: kissing and one episode of violence (but when it is given you will cheer for it) hehe
April 25, 2017
***4.5 stars***
This was a great book to get my mind off of being sick. It would be a great book at anytime, but I appreciated the escape it brought to me.
Kari and Ben are very likable and a cute couple to read about. Both have faced bad relationship break ups in the recent past and their relationship begins as a friendship that turns into something more. I really hated it when the exes showed up and threw them a "curve ball". But I loved how they were able to begin to trust one another and come to a common understanding.
At the moment I feel like I am living at the baseball field. My son plays league ball and I spend hours waiting for them to warm up and then play double headers. For me, that added an extra layer of appreciation for the book. I enjoy baseball season and reading about the sport and the fun of the game was a bonus. I loved how Kari would tell Ryan to "have fun" while he was playing.
This is a second book with some of the characters. It can be read as a stand alone, but for me it was fun to catch up with characters that I enjoy.
This is a clean book with some kissing and stalking.
Source: I received a copy from the publisher to review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
This was a great book to get my mind off of being sick. It would be a great book at anytime, but I appreciated the escape it brought to me.
Kari and Ben are very likable and a cute couple to read about. Both have faced bad relationship break ups in the recent past and their relationship begins as a friendship that turns into something more. I really hated it when the exes showed up and threw them a "curve ball". But I loved how they were able to begin to trust one another and come to a common understanding.
At the moment I feel like I am living at the baseball field. My son plays league ball and I spend hours waiting for them to warm up and then play double headers. For me, that added an extra layer of appreciation for the book. I enjoy baseball season and reading about the sport and the fun of the game was a bonus. I loved how Kari would tell Ryan to "have fun" while he was playing.
This is a second book with some of the characters. It can be read as a stand alone, but for me it was fun to catch up with characters that I enjoy.
This is a clean book with some kissing and stalking.
Source: I received a copy from the publisher to review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
April 24, 2017
This book kept me company on the plane ride home from LA yesterday. I loved Kari and Ryan!
Kari has lost her internship when she breaks up with her cheating boyfriend -- whose father happens to be on the internship committee. So she goes to Washington DC to stay with her brother Ben and his wife (and her best friend) Maya.
Ryan is a professional baseball player - and Ben's teammate and best friend. He has no plans to reconcile with his ex-fiancee, Brandi. She liked the fame and lifestyle more than she liked him, and Ryan knows that he wants more than that in a relationship. So when Brandi shows up trying to reconcile, Kari does Ryan a favor by posing as his girlfriend. Being Ben's sister and best friend, and with Brandi lurking in the background waiting for a break-up, they end up spending a lot of time together.
They quickly discover that they are crazy about each other, but with his crazy schedule as a professional baseball player and her dream of going to medical school, they need to figure out if it's even possible for things to ever work out between them.
Even though this is a spin-off from Chances Are - which is Ben's and Maya's story - it is a standalone. I didn't read the first book, but now I want to so I can get their back story.
Content: Clean
Kari has lost her internship when she breaks up with her cheating boyfriend -- whose father happens to be on the internship committee. So she goes to Washington DC to stay with her brother Ben and his wife (and her best friend) Maya.
Ryan is a professional baseball player - and Ben's teammate and best friend. He has no plans to reconcile with his ex-fiancee, Brandi. She liked the fame and lifestyle more than she liked him, and Ryan knows that he wants more than that in a relationship. So when Brandi shows up trying to reconcile, Kari does Ryan a favor by posing as his girlfriend. Being Ben's sister and best friend, and with Brandi lurking in the background waiting for a break-up, they end up spending a lot of time together.
They quickly discover that they are crazy about each other, but with his crazy schedule as a professional baseball player and her dream of going to medical school, they need to figure out if it's even possible for things to ever work out between them.
Even though this is a spin-off from Chances Are - which is Ben's and Maya's story - it is a standalone. I didn't read the first book, but now I want to so I can get their back story.
Content: Clean
April 25, 2017
Traci Abramson is best known for her suspense novels, but not long ago she made the jump into clean romance and I'm so glad she did. This is the second book and while I guess it isn't a series, characters from the first book are in this book as prominent secondary characters. So you don't have to read these books in order, but you might want to just for the backstory.
Hello, BASEBALL! I love when books encompass things I love. Like music or books or chocolate or baseball! :) In this book Ryan is a professional baseball player and is good friends with his teammate Ben. Ben has a sister, Kari, who is conveniently available to help Ryan out of a bit of a sticky situation. From there, the two develop a friendship that leads to more. Kari spends a lot of time at the baseball field and I wanted to be there with her.
Kari is an easy girl to like. She has a go with the flow attitude for the most part which is important with Ryan's spotlight career and extra unwanted attention. Kari and Ryan encounter bumps in the road, but nothing too over the top of unbelievable. The whole story felt real and was easy to settle in with. I really enjoyed it! It hit the spot and satisfied my craving for a sweet romance.
Hello, BASEBALL! I love when books encompass things I love. Like music or books or chocolate or baseball! :) In this book Ryan is a professional baseball player and is good friends with his teammate Ben. Ben has a sister, Kari, who is conveniently available to help Ryan out of a bit of a sticky situation. From there, the two develop a friendship that leads to more. Kari spends a lot of time at the baseball field and I wanted to be there with her.
Kari is an easy girl to like. She has a go with the flow attitude for the most part which is important with Ryan's spotlight career and extra unwanted attention. Kari and Ryan encounter bumps in the road, but nothing too over the top of unbelievable. The whole story felt real and was easy to settle in with. I really enjoyed it! It hit the spot and satisfied my craving for a sweet romance.
May 16, 2017
When your boyfriend lies to you, what do you? Especially when you find out he's a cheat and his dad ruins your plans for the summer?
What happens when your ex-fiancee won't leave you alone? She keeps appearing and causing problems with your friends, their wives and the press. No matter how many times you say no, she's there causing problems.
To answer those questions...if you're Kari, you pack up and head to stay with your brother(who happens to be a professional baseball player) and his wife(your best friend). If you're Ryan, a professional baseball player, you take the offered help of your fellow teammate, and have his sister pretend to be your girlfriend. And Tah Dah!!! Problems solved, easy peasy!
Ok maybe not quite all easy peasy as it sounds but it makes some great fun and a juicy entertaining book that will suck you right into the pages. I always enjoy the fake boyfriend/fake girlfriend scenarios. I have seen Traci's name for years and years and always think how great her books looks and as I was reading this, I thought that I might have read one of her books over the years. But I went and checked out her list of books and nope, I haven't yet. So this was a first and let me tell you, I was really impressed. The storyline was so well written out, the characters were solid and well developed, the struggles and angst of the story were very believable and enjoyable. It was a fabulous read! Great job Ms. Abramson!!!
I really fell in love with Kari and Ryan. They had such a sweet relationship, and watching, ahem, reading, that blossom and grow was great. It wasn't an instant love and yet the way the author told their story, you could feel the emotions of meeting someone and connecting with them right away. The rush of liking someone leading into really getting to know them and falling in love. Lots of great feels in this novel.
So I have figured out that this book is a companion read to Chances Are. A Chance for Home can definitely be read as a standalone but I'm thinking I need to go back and read that story because I fell in love with the characters from it, Ben and Maya. Ben is Kari's brother and Maya is her best friend. Another great read to add to my list!
If you are a baseball fan, then I think you'll enjoy this book. I loved those scenes and could picture the game happening and the fans in the stands. So fun. I played softball from when I was younger into high school, not on school teams but community or church teams. Then in college when it was time for creating your own teams to play in the coed tournaments, I played then and loved it! (I'll just brag a little and say our team did really awesome and was one of the top 5-it was coed though and not collegiate level but hey, it was a blast)!
Content: Squeaky clean! Loved it! I would recommend for older YA, like 15/16 years old and up. Some sweet and swoony kisses.
I received a copy from the publisher, Covenant Communications, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.
Happy Reading!!!
What happens when your ex-fiancee won't leave you alone? She keeps appearing and causing problems with your friends, their wives and the press. No matter how many times you say no, she's there causing problems.
To answer those questions...if you're Kari, you pack up and head to stay with your brother(who happens to be a professional baseball player) and his wife(your best friend). If you're Ryan, a professional baseball player, you take the offered help of your fellow teammate, and have his sister pretend to be your girlfriend. And Tah Dah!!! Problems solved, easy peasy!
Ok maybe not quite all easy peasy as it sounds but it makes some great fun and a juicy entertaining book that will suck you right into the pages. I always enjoy the fake boyfriend/fake girlfriend scenarios. I have seen Traci's name for years and years and always think how great her books looks and as I was reading this, I thought that I might have read one of her books over the years. But I went and checked out her list of books and nope, I haven't yet. So this was a first and let me tell you, I was really impressed. The storyline was so well written out, the characters were solid and well developed, the struggles and angst of the story were very believable and enjoyable. It was a fabulous read! Great job Ms. Abramson!!!
I really fell in love with Kari and Ryan. They had such a sweet relationship, and watching, ahem, reading, that blossom and grow was great. It wasn't an instant love and yet the way the author told their story, you could feel the emotions of meeting someone and connecting with them right away. The rush of liking someone leading into really getting to know them and falling in love. Lots of great feels in this novel.
So I have figured out that this book is a companion read to Chances Are. A Chance for Home can definitely be read as a standalone but I'm thinking I need to go back and read that story because I fell in love with the characters from it, Ben and Maya. Ben is Kari's brother and Maya is her best friend. Another great read to add to my list!
If you are a baseball fan, then I think you'll enjoy this book. I loved those scenes and could picture the game happening and the fans in the stands. So fun. I played softball from when I was younger into high school, not on school teams but community or church teams. Then in college when it was time for creating your own teams to play in the coed tournaments, I played then and loved it! (I'll just brag a little and say our team did really awesome and was one of the top 5-it was coed though and not collegiate level but hey, it was a blast)!
Content: Squeaky clean! Loved it! I would recommend for older YA, like 15/16 years old and up. Some sweet and swoony kisses.
I received a copy from the publisher, Covenant Communications, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.
Happy Reading!!!
April 29, 2017
Chance for Home is a contemporary romance that is easy to get into and keeps you reading. With the two main characters being so likable, you can't help but want to see a happy ending which of course doesn't happen at first.
Both Kari and Ryan have ex's that didn't treat them well and they also won't leave them alone. Kari is nothing like any girl Ryan has ever dated before with him being a rich, successful, major league baseball player. He's used to girls wanting him for his fame and money. Kari is down to earth and doesn't chase Ryan and basically this throws Ryan for a loop. I loved the interaction between these two characters as they get to know each other and realize how opposite they are from their previous romances. Throughout the story Kari and Ryan learn many lessons in sacrifice, humility, seeing others point of view, and of course allowing love in their lives. There were many fun things that happened that bring Kari and Ryan together and I'm not telling you about it because it would spoil your reading experience.
This romance is for when you want a quick read to escape your busy life and it will make you smile and sigh at all of the nice kisses. It's a clean romance with a great realistic love story and characters, and just enough angst to have you cheering them on to win in the game of love. Share this novel with all ages from older teen girls to your grandma because they'll all love this story.
Both Kari and Ryan have ex's that didn't treat them well and they also won't leave them alone. Kari is nothing like any girl Ryan has ever dated before with him being a rich, successful, major league baseball player. He's used to girls wanting him for his fame and money. Kari is down to earth and doesn't chase Ryan and basically this throws Ryan for a loop. I loved the interaction between these two characters as they get to know each other and realize how opposite they are from their previous romances. Throughout the story Kari and Ryan learn many lessons in sacrifice, humility, seeing others point of view, and of course allowing love in their lives. There were many fun things that happened that bring Kari and Ryan together and I'm not telling you about it because it would spoil your reading experience.
This romance is for when you want a quick read to escape your busy life and it will make you smile and sigh at all of the nice kisses. It's a clean romance with a great realistic love story and characters, and just enough angst to have you cheering them on to win in the game of love. Share this novel with all ages from older teen girls to your grandma because they'll all love this story.
April 13, 2017
Romance, clean.
Fun romance, Kari and Ryan were a fun couple and very entertaining 'fall'. The setting with the medical issues, the baseball games, fans, players and the media made for a fun romance and great read. I will say, I enjoy T. A. action novels more, but this was still a good read. Kari and Ryan had a growing relationship throughout the novel. The chaos of Ryan's schedule made for fun moments, but also caused some moments where they had to learn to trust one another and communicate. I always love reading about genuine, honest, characters, with real sincere hearts. They truly wanted an honest relationship, with hope for a 'home'. Kari's giving nature, her genuine desire to help others, and reach out to those who needed her help, and Ryan's respect, admiration, grew as he saw her interactions with his friends, family, and others. They both grew over the course of the novel, and both learned about each other in a meaningful way. Little things added up to bigger ones for them. They had chemistry for sure that convinced them to hope, but truly the comfort of 'home' was what made it work for them and for me. The small simple moments that added up to something big.
I did say no violence, there is one scene where a punch is thrown and connected, but I consider that mild in the context of what and how it happened.
Fun, lovely read!
Fun romance, Kari and Ryan were a fun couple and very entertaining 'fall'. The setting with the medical issues, the baseball games, fans, players and the media made for a fun romance and great read. I will say, I enjoy T. A. action novels more, but this was still a good read. Kari and Ryan had a growing relationship throughout the novel. The chaos of Ryan's schedule made for fun moments, but also caused some moments where they had to learn to trust one another and communicate. I always love reading about genuine, honest, characters, with real sincere hearts. They truly wanted an honest relationship, with hope for a 'home'. Kari's giving nature, her genuine desire to help others, and reach out to those who needed her help, and Ryan's respect, admiration, grew as he saw her interactions with his friends, family, and others. They both grew over the course of the novel, and both learned about each other in a meaningful way. Little things added up to bigger ones for them. They had chemistry for sure that convinced them to hope, but truly the comfort of 'home' was what made it work for them and for me. The small simple moments that added up to something big.
I did say no violence, there is one scene where a punch is thrown and connected, but I consider that mild in the context of what and how it happened.
Fun, lovely read!
May 4, 2017
3.5 stars
Cute cover, and an easy read makes this one a good pick for a day at the Park or the Beach. I would have liked a little more in-depth of a plot, or letting us in on a little more of the emotions of the characters. It felt like a really long novella, in simplicity of story line and how easy and quickly the two main characters find each other.
A different and interesting storyline, the reader will enjoy the book. The supporting characters make a necessary addition to what is a fairly linear plot. I loved Ryan's Mom and the challenge she brought to the relationship. The insight of both her and Kari's father was also much needed.
Heavy on the baseball lingo, as you would expect, as Ryan is a major league baseball star - as a non baseball fan that left me a little less interested also. If you love baseball, that will also appeal to you as the reader.
Overall I enjoyed the story, set mostly in Washington DC, a clean contemporary romance read.
Thank you to Netgalley & Covenant Communications for the eARC. This is my honest review.
Cute cover, and an easy read makes this one a good pick for a day at the Park or the Beach. I would have liked a little more in-depth of a plot, or letting us in on a little more of the emotions of the characters. It felt like a really long novella, in simplicity of story line and how easy and quickly the two main characters find each other.
A different and interesting storyline, the reader will enjoy the book. The supporting characters make a necessary addition to what is a fairly linear plot. I loved Ryan's Mom and the challenge she brought to the relationship. The insight of both her and Kari's father was also much needed.
Heavy on the baseball lingo, as you would expect, as Ryan is a major league baseball star - as a non baseball fan that left me a little less interested also. If you love baseball, that will also appeal to you as the reader.
Overall I enjoyed the story, set mostly in Washington DC, a clean contemporary romance read.
Thank you to Netgalley & Covenant Communications for the eARC. This is my honest review.
May 7, 2019
A cute little romance that I think was trying to be realistic and because of that becomes slightly boring. The characters meet, like each other, date, learn about each other, fall in love, meet the parents, work through some private issues and get engaged. All very realistic as far as I have observed in the relationships of my friends and relatives, but not a lot to read about. For a romance novel it probably would have worked better if the little issues had been blown up a bit more, for example, both Kari and Ryan had exs with a hard time letting go which could have been made into a more central plot line. Ryan's mother and her motivations could have been better explained and that aspect of the story more fully explored. And finally this was clearly written for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with characters who are similarly members of the Church but that seems to have been edited out which leads of some very odd moments without a logical explanation. Still a likable story with which to while away a few hours.
July 25, 2019
I loved this book! I'm not a big baseball fan, but reading this makes me want to go to a game! Fun romance!
Audio book
Audio book
May 27, 2017
What a sweet, clean, realistic story about finding love and balancing out dreams for the future! I loved that Kari has a good right hook for her cheating ex.
January 4, 2018
Loved it
I absolutely loved this story! It probably helped that I love baseball but you don't have to like baseball to enjoy this story., I really enjoyed all of the characters. This was a really sweet, clean romance.
I absolutely loved this story! It probably helped that I love baseball but you don't have to like baseball to enjoy this story., I really enjoyed all of the characters. This was a really sweet, clean romance.
October 12, 2023
Sweet contemporary story. I haven't read book 1 but this one can stand alone. Fell in love with the main characters...they were so sweet and genuine. Fun read.
October 21, 2017
Actually, three stars for a good vacation read. Other than that 2.5.
April 4, 2017
This was such a fun book to read. I really enjoy Traci Abramson's books.
July 28, 2018
Kari flees to Washington D.C to spend the summer with her brother and his wife – her best friend. She fled from the deceiving ex-fiancé to create a new life and a new career in the medical field. While her brother is preparing for the coming baseball season, Kari can help Maya narrow down house-hunting and take Maya to her medical appointments.
While attending a pre-season game, Ben’s best friend and teammate, Ryan’s, ex-girlfriend shows up… again! Ben persuades Kari to pretend to be Ryan’s new girlfriend so Brandi will hopefully take the hint…Once won’t do it!
Ball season is in full swing when Ryan’s single mom is injured in an accident. Between concerns for her and ball games, it takes a serious toll on Ryan, especially when complications occur.
This is an inspiring drama of commitment to family, serving others, and budding romance. There are enough twists to make this somewhat predictable book, interesting. Add the outstanding literary talent of the author, and enjoy a relaxing, well-written read. The characters are very endearing – a couple are frustrating – while the scenes on each page comes to life.
For those of us “spoiled” to Traci’s Saint Squad series, it is difficult to feel the same energy and excitement in the new Baseball players series. Each book can be read as a standalone, but is so much mire enjoyable when read as a series. However, I am sure sports fans will enjoy her new series.
The Title and Book cover are very “fitting”.
• Although this book was gifted me, I have not been compelled to give a positive review. This is my honest review.
While attending a pre-season game, Ben’s best friend and teammate, Ryan’s, ex-girlfriend shows up… again! Ben persuades Kari to pretend to be Ryan’s new girlfriend so Brandi will hopefully take the hint…Once won’t do it!
Ball season is in full swing when Ryan’s single mom is injured in an accident. Between concerns for her and ball games, it takes a serious toll on Ryan, especially when complications occur.
This is an inspiring drama of commitment to family, serving others, and budding romance. There are enough twists to make this somewhat predictable book, interesting. Add the outstanding literary talent of the author, and enjoy a relaxing, well-written read. The characters are very endearing – a couple are frustrating – while the scenes on each page comes to life.
For those of us “spoiled” to Traci’s Saint Squad series, it is difficult to feel the same energy and excitement in the new Baseball players series. Each book can be read as a standalone, but is so much mire enjoyable when read as a series. However, I am sure sports fans will enjoy her new series.
The Title and Book cover are very “fitting”.
• Although this book was gifted me, I have not been compelled to give a positive review. This is my honest review.
April 26, 2017
I LOVED this book! The cute romance in this one is the perfect contemporary, fun story that I didn't want to put down. I'll just go ahead and admit that I didn't put it down and didn't get a whole lot done until I had the whole thing read. I just have no self control when it comes to this kind of book!
I liked Kari, and it was really fun to see what had happened to Maya and Ben (Kari's best friend and her brother who happen to be married). I loved the whole story line of Kari helping Ryan keep his ex-girlfriend away and falling for him. I liked her honesty throughout the whole story. I like the way she's willing to spend her whole summer helping Maya as she finishes up her chemotherapy and the kind way she cares for Ryan's mom later in the story shows just how loving and compassionate she is.
I liked Ryan too. He's a big baseball star and wealthy but he doesn't let any of that go to his head. He just wants to have his privacy and keep his whole life off of social media. I liked the way that he and Kari were together. He tried to go out of his way to help Kari achieve her dream of becoming a doctor, even if that meant giving up a life together for a while.
This is such a cute story, you'll love every word!
I liked Kari, and it was really fun to see what had happened to Maya and Ben (Kari's best friend and her brother who happen to be married). I loved the whole story line of Kari helping Ryan keep his ex-girlfriend away and falling for him. I liked her honesty throughout the whole story. I like the way she's willing to spend her whole summer helping Maya as she finishes up her chemotherapy and the kind way she cares for Ryan's mom later in the story shows just how loving and compassionate she is.
I liked Ryan too. He's a big baseball star and wealthy but he doesn't let any of that go to his head. He just wants to have his privacy and keep his whole life off of social media. I liked the way that he and Kari were together. He tried to go out of his way to help Kari achieve her dream of becoming a doctor, even if that meant giving up a life together for a while.
This is such a cute story, you'll love every word!
May 31, 2017
It's always fun to read a clean romance that takes you by surprise with it's humor and simplicity! Chance for Home by Traci Hunter Abramson is a perfect romantic comedy that gives readers the type of fun one expect, but also an interesting message of love and trust! Cute, adorable, especially between our main characters, Kari and Ryan. I also felt the "villains" and antagonists in the story was exactly who they ought to be, without much gray area. Simply, but serves the purpose. The baseball aspect was not strong, but a nice touch, especially for this baseball fan. Like I said before, a pleasant surprise and that's the best kind of surprise.
This review first appeared on Just Commonly blog.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher. I was not required to write a positive review, and have not been compensated for this. This is my honest opinion.
This review first appeared on Just Commonly blog.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher. I was not required to write a positive review, and have not been compensated for this. This is my honest opinion.
April 22, 2017
This contemporary romance is set in Washington D.C. between Kari and Ryan. Kari has just moved away from the South after learning that her boyfriend has a fiancée and has been lying to her all this time. Ryan is a professional baseball player who has sworn off dating women since they only seem interested in his career and what he can do for their lifestyle. When Kari’s brother asks her to play along as Ryan’s girlfriend to get his ex-fiancee off his back, she sees no problem having a little fun. But when her heart becomes involves, the game will change. This was a pretty fast read. The main characters were fun, and the side characters added charm to the story as well. As the two MC get to know each other, they must overcome fears and demons from the past and figure out how to make both their dreams come true together. The odds seem stacked against them. I really enjoyed this one.
April 26, 2017
WHAT A GREAT STORY!!!
You've got a girl and a guy who each just broke up with someone.
But the guy doesn't quite know how to take it when the new girl doesn't fall for him immediately-- loved it! And then you have the brother who asks for help with said friend and puts his sister as guys girlfriend the first time they meet. Then the girl gets involved with the guy's mother, but the mother is leery and quite rude. Top it all of with the girl trying to study while watching said brother's and new guy's games. Not to mention the emotions that come up when both past exes show up. And then there is the house, and the school, and the conflicting schedules----oh. so. good! Get caught up in this one! So worth it!
LOVED. LOVED. LOVED. IT!!!
You've got a girl and a guy who each just broke up with someone.
But the guy doesn't quite know how to take it when the new girl doesn't fall for him immediately-- loved it! And then you have the brother who asks for help with said friend and puts his sister as guys girlfriend the first time they meet. Then the girl gets involved with the guy's mother, but the mother is leery and quite rude. Top it all of with the girl trying to study while watching said brother's and new guy's games. Not to mention the emotions that come up when both past exes show up. And then there is the house, and the school, and the conflicting schedules----oh. so. good! Get caught up in this one! So worth it!
LOVED. LOVED. LOVED. IT!!!
September 18, 2017
Another super story! Love this author.
Touching. Heartfelt. Real. Fun. I loved this one. This author never disappoints. I loved the whole baseball season insight. She's great at Introducing awesome worlds within our world.
Touching. Heartfelt. Real. Fun. I loved this one. This author never disappoints. I loved the whole baseball season insight. She's great at Introducing awesome worlds within our world.
March 19, 2018
I didn’t like this one as much as the first in this series, Chances Are, but it was still a solid story. It was a bit predictable and Kari seemed too perfect. I did like that we could follow Maya and Ben as Kari and Ryan's story unfolded.
February 28, 2025
This book is just so enjoyable every time I read it. Ryan and Kari have fun personalities and I get a kick out of his mom's surliness. I'm hoping Traci writes a few more of these!
May 11, 2017
(Genre:Fiction/romance/contemporary) This is a companion story to Abramson's previous book "Chances Are", but can definitely be read first or solo. College student Kari Evans is coming to Washington DC to stay with her brother and his wife to regroup after a rough breakup with her boyfriend Austin. Since Austin's father oversees the premed program and it's internships at her university, her Spring and Summer schedule is unfortunately and unexpectedly wide open. This leaves her at loose ends for awhile and she decides to take the time to evaluate her future options while hanging out with her best friend and sister-in-law, Maya. While attending one of Ben's baseball games (her brother is a professional player), Kari gets roped into pretending to be a girlfriend to another player, in order to discourage a clingy ex-girlfriend. As Ryan is pretty good friends with Ben, Kari finds herself spending a fair amount of time in his company. Ryan is intrigued with Kari. She is unlike most of the girls he has known and dated, especially his ex-fiance Brandi. She is down to earth, undemanding, smart, and not into status of money. But he worries that her dreams of becoming a medical doctor may clash too much with the demands of his career and dreams--playing baseball.
I really like Abramson because I always know what I am going to get--a fun and sweet story with no inappropriate content. So it's pretty much guaranteed that when she writes a new book, I am going to read it. While I don't consider this her best (I like her spy and suspense stories a little better), it is still a sweet and mellow love story, and one that was enjoyable to lose myself in for a few hours. 3 stars.
I really like Abramson because I always know what I am going to get--a fun and sweet story with no inappropriate content. So it's pretty much guaranteed that when she writes a new book, I am going to read it. While I don't consider this her best (I like her spy and suspense stories a little better), it is still a sweet and mellow love story, and one that was enjoyable to lose myself in for a few hours. 3 stars.
December 29, 2021
This is a follow-up to Abramson’s Chances Are. You do not need to have read that one, but it helps. There are no crossover characters with her other work.
This was a quick read. While it had many of the predictable romance elements, it was enjoyable nonetheless. Abramson clearly enjoys baseball, and the behind-the-scenes look at baseball life is fun, as is the ongoing prank war between some of the players.
Kari is the typical independent young woman coming off a bad breakup. Her goal is medical school, but no one seems to think she’s capable of the many more years of high stress education that will take. Except, of course, for Ryan. Ryan is tired of women who want to date him because he’s A. Good looking; B. Semi-famous; C. Pretty well off; D. All of the above. So when Kari comes to stay with Ben and his wife, pretending to date her seems like the solution to his problems.
Add in the twist of Ryan’s mother being hit by a car and needing near-round the clock care just as he has to leave for a road trip, and you add an interesting dynamic to the relationship.
There are the usual complications and misunderstanding, but the book comes to the requisite happy ending.
Possible objectionable material:
Sneaky underhanded exes. Kissing. Medical issues. I would totally let my 14-year-old read this if she were interested.
Who might like this book:
Those who like clean romance. Being a baseball fan doesn’t hurt!
Thank you to NetGalley and Covenant Communications for the eARC, which was provided in exchange for my unbiased opinion.
This book also reviewed at https://biblioquacious.blogspot.com/2...
This was a quick read. While it had many of the predictable romance elements, it was enjoyable nonetheless. Abramson clearly enjoys baseball, and the behind-the-scenes look at baseball life is fun, as is the ongoing prank war between some of the players.
Kari is the typical independent young woman coming off a bad breakup. Her goal is medical school, but no one seems to think she’s capable of the many more years of high stress education that will take. Except, of course, for Ryan. Ryan is tired of women who want to date him because he’s A. Good looking; B. Semi-famous; C. Pretty well off; D. All of the above. So when Kari comes to stay with Ben and his wife, pretending to date her seems like the solution to his problems.
Add in the twist of Ryan’s mother being hit by a car and needing near-round the clock care just as he has to leave for a road trip, and you add an interesting dynamic to the relationship.
There are the usual complications and misunderstanding, but the book comes to the requisite happy ending.
Possible objectionable material:
Sneaky underhanded exes. Kissing. Medical issues. I would totally let my 14-year-old read this if she were interested.
Who might like this book:
Those who like clean romance. Being a baseball fan doesn’t hurt!
Thank you to NetGalley and Covenant Communications for the eARC, which was provided in exchange for my unbiased opinion.
This book also reviewed at https://biblioquacious.blogspot.com/2...
November 28, 2023
I stumbled across this as one of the few books I haven’t read from this author. It is a stand alone sequel to Chances Are (Jan 2014) which I read several years ago. I was surprised how easily I remembered the characters. In this book Kari Evans comes to spend the summer with her brother and his wife after she breaks up with her boyfriend and a summer internship falls through. Her brother Ben is a professional baseball player for the Washington DC Nationals. His wife is her best friend and Kari was instrumental in getting the two together in the first book. Ryan Strobel is on the National’s team as well and a friend of her brothers. When Ben asks Kari to play along as Ryan’s girlfriend for a few minutes to avoid a situation with his fame seeking ex who it becomes the start of a new relationship. This is a clean, contemporary romance and not tied to Abramson’s other spy and Navy Seals series.
The characters are likable but vanilla bland. Ryan has to make minor adjustments as he is use to women instigating contact with him because of his fame. His mother’s stubbornness about returning home to her third floor walk up in a sketchy area was unrealistic for someone who works in the medical field. I felt the storylines of the stalker ex was dropped as was the results of Kari’s complaint about the dropping of her internship. I’m just going to call it three stars for a clean but predictable romance with nice characters. There aren't any big obstacles other than figuring out if their goals and expectations align with each other.
The characters are likable but vanilla bland. Ryan has to make minor adjustments as he is use to women instigating contact with him because of his fame. His mother’s stubbornness about returning home to her third floor walk up in a sketchy area was unrealistic for someone who works in the medical field. I felt the storylines of the stalker ex was dropped as was the results of Kari’s complaint about the dropping of her internship. I’m just going to call it three stars for a clean but predictable romance with nice characters. There aren't any big obstacles other than figuring out if their goals and expectations align with each other.
May 11, 2017
This is a little different from Abramson's other books because it isn't so much a romantic suspense, as a medical romance....and the medical isn't for either of the main characters. Hmmm, how would you describe it then? Just a contemporary romance? Probably. Anyway, because of her other books I kept expecting something to happen that was .... suspenseful or mysterious. It almost does, and then it doesn't. I think if I hadn't been expecting it, I wouldn't have minded so much. It's a sweet story, and I like Abramson's take on the give and take of a relationship. She may have solved that a little quickly, but it was still sweet.
I like that Abramson is doing this new series. This is the second book, and it can be read as a stand lone, but the first book was good and should be read first to really appreciate this one.
This book almost makes me want to like baseball :) Abramson did a great job of not making it sound super boring, although very little of the games were mentioned...more the practices, and the fans, and the interviews, and the life in general. Ryan and Kari are just good likeable characters.
Honestly, I can see myself reading this and the first book in the series again when I just want a sweet read with no angst.
*I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
I like that Abramson is doing this new series. This is the second book, and it can be read as a stand lone, but the first book was good and should be read first to really appreciate this one.
This book almost makes me want to like baseball :) Abramson did a great job of not making it sound super boring, although very little of the games were mentioned...more the practices, and the fans, and the interviews, and the life in general. Ryan and Kari are just good likeable characters.
Honestly, I can see myself reading this and the first book in the series again when I just want a sweet read with no angst.
*I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
August 4, 2017
I got to chapter 4 and got really confused about Maya & Ben, come to find out there is a book before this called Chances Are. Having not read that one I don't know how well they stand alone, I'm assuming this one is more of a sequel/extension of that one. That being said I liked this one once I established there was a bigger back story I was missing.
Some good messages about wanting to be noticed/loved for who you are, not what you do (in this case professional baseball). Also about determining what people are willing to do to make love work.
Has some medical and baseball scattered throughout, I know a little about both so I could mostly follow it but I read it more for the relationships. I loved the siblings Ben and Kari, they seemed really close and my only brother is named Ben lol. I also liked reading about the closeness of Kari & Maya and assume I would know more if I had realized there was another book with them in it.
Rushed courtship but seemed believable and sweet. Easy to imagine meeting someone on school break and then wondering how to make it work when busier schedules come back. Not my normal type of read but I liked it.
Some good messages about wanting to be noticed/loved for who you are, not what you do (in this case professional baseball). Also about determining what people are willing to do to make love work.
Has some medical and baseball scattered throughout, I know a little about both so I could mostly follow it but I read it more for the relationships. I loved the siblings Ben and Kari, they seemed really close and my only brother is named Ben lol. I also liked reading about the closeness of Kari & Maya and assume I would know more if I had realized there was another book with them in it.
Rushed courtship but seemed believable and sweet. Easy to imagine meeting someone on school break and then wondering how to make it work when busier schedules come back. Not my normal type of read but I liked it.
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