Review: Christmas Chances
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 01 13, 2014
Helen Scott Taylor brings us a  sweet romance with a Christmas theme. This story is about a young woman struggling to raise her young son and a chance at a second beginning with an old friend.Rachel Carne is a young, single mother who has been struggling to raise her son, Toby, without any help from his father, Greg.  During a storm late one night a tree crashes into her house causing a lot of structural damage.  Luckily, with it primarily hitting Toby's bedroom, her son was uninjured.  Not knowing what else to do, she call her father for advice.  He tells her he will call Ian Harper, a young man who owns his own construction business, to come to her aid.Ian Harper has known the Carne family for ages and owes them for helping him become the man he is now.  Years ago after his mother passed away and he had tarnished his reputation, Jeff and Irene Carne to a chance on him when no one else would and gave him a job.  When hearing of Rachel's problem, he assured Jeff he would handle it.  He was skeptical about how serious the problem truly was, because when he knew her 8 years ago, she was a spoiled girl who was prone to exaggerations.Nothing prepared him for the actual devastation he encountered.  Rachel's house was literally falling down around her.  Ensuring Rachel and Toby's safety was the first priority.  Ian offered for them to stay at his house until Rachel could work things out with her insurance.  Rachel encounters problems filing her claim which leads to her stay at Ian's being extended.  After spending more time together, Ian sees a much more grown up Rachel and this woman is very appealing.  As the old saying goes, once burned twice shy, Rachel is not looking for a love interest.  At one time she had a huge crush on Ian, but that was 8 years ago and now her first priority was Toby.I loved this story line.  It takes you on a journey of what was, isn't always the same years later.  The characters are lovable and you find yourself cheering for these two very damaged hearts to find happiness.  I wish the author would have been more descriptive of the area in which the story took place.  I also think if she had of given Rachel's background sooner in the story it would have shown her true strength and growth.I would recommend this to anyone who wants a quick read and an enjoyable read.