Chance by Monica D.Pitts-Lack

Review by:  Nina Gomez

3 stars

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Haunted by a bloody past, Claire Devereux finds herself running for her life the summer after her high school graduation. Four years later, things are starting to look up for Claire. She has a new job, new friends, and an undeniable interest in a Navy Pilot. That is, until her past catches up with her. This time, there is no running. Embracing the life she has tried to forget, Claire is ready to fight for survival. Armed with a new found confidence, it is time to take back what is hers.

My Review:

It has been a few years since her high school graduation and Claire is just about content with the new life she has built around her. New town, new friends, new job, new love interest.  All of a sudden, the past comes crashing into her life once again. She is being chased by….well, not really sure whom at this point, but she is being chased, and tracked and followed.  As she decides that running away is no longer an option, Claire finds herself having to open up about her past life in order to protect those who mean so much to her in the present.

If this book was meant to be a quick paced, short read, that goal has certainly been accomplished. The story hits the ground running as soon as it begins, with Claire looking over her shoulder for whomever it is who is out to get her. I wished that the author would have taken more time to develop her main characters to provide perhaps more meaningful insight into the events of Claire’s past. 75% into the book and I was still searching for clarity. What was she running away from? What threat was she facing? Why was she living life on the run? There was also great potential to develop the budding affair between Claire and Pierce.  At some points in the story it seemed that they were farther along in their relationship and in others, their romance seemed to be in the early stages.  Pierce saved Claire’s life once and feels overprotective over her and her well being.  We know through alternate flashbacks that Pierce is aware of the danger that Claire faces.  Everything that the author shares with us is as fleeting as the events that unfold in the story.

It becomes quite difficult to empathize with a main character who remains a stranger to you throughout the book. The story was engaging and I was on the edge of my seat waiting for the promise of a great build up.  I really craved to learn more about Claire. As a heroine with a past, she is strong and determined and so very broken.  But as the final page was turned, the inevitable question remained in my mind:  what did I miss? Who is Claire Devereux and what just happened?

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