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Left to Chance

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No one knows why Teddi Lerner left her hometown, but everyone knows why she’s back.

Twelve-year-old Shayna— talented, persistent, and adorable—persuaded "Aunt Tee" to return to Chance, Ohio, to photograph her father’s wedding. Even though it's been six years since Shay's mother, Celia, died, Teddi can hardly bear the thought of her best friend's husband marrying someone else. But Teddi’s bond with Shay is stronger than the hurt.

Teddi knows it’s time to face the consequences of her hasty retreat from family, friends, and, her old flame, but when she looks through her viewfinder, nothing in her small town looks the same. That’s when she truly sees the hurt she's caused and—maybe—how to fix it.

After the man she once loved accuses Teddi of forgetting Celia, Teddi finally admits why she ran away, and the guilt she’s carried with her. As Teddi relinquishes the distance that kept her safe, she’ll discover surprising truths about the people she left behind, and herself. And she'll finally see what she overlooked all along.

272 pages, Paperback

First published November 21, 2017

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About the author

Amy Sue Nathan

6 books538 followers
Writer of novels, lover of cats, morning coffee, dark chocolate, and bold lipstick. Former vegetarian, occasional crafter, adequate cook, loyal friend, proud mom to two awesome adults.

Website: AmySueNathan.com
Twitter: @AmySueNathan
Facebook: Amy Sue Nathan
Instagram: @AmySueNathan

(Are you sensing a theme, here?)

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5 stars
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 221 reviews
Profile Image for Susanne.
1,168 reviews38.2k followers
December 13, 2017
3.5 Stars.* (rounded up)

Teddi hightailed it out of Chance 6 years ago. She left in the middle of her best friend Celia’s funeral and gave no explanation. Since then she has never looked back. In her mind, she didn’t have a choice. Now, she is asked to return by twelve-year-old Shay who has always considered Teddi her “Aunt Tee.” Teddi is a famous wedding photographer and Shay wants her to photograph her dad, Mile’s wedding. Mile’s first wife, was Teddi’s best friend: the one and only Celia. The idea of returning fills Teddi with dread, seeing Miles, seeing Beck, Celia’s brother and Teddi’s former boyfriend, who she abandoned without a word. Not to mention, returning to the place filled with reminders of Celia, her soul sister. Chance and those she left behind is something she has never wanted to face, yet now, she has no choice, for Celia’s daughter has called her home and it’s not the reason she thinks.

As we all know, there are consequences for every action that we take and this is something that Teddi learns very quickly upon her return to Chance. Those she left behind give her lots to think about upon her return to her hometown, things she would have preferred to keep buried, yet what Teddi discovers is that sometimes she too, has to take a chance, on life, friendship and love as well.

I found “Left to Chance” to be an endearing, quick, easy read. It was a book about friendship, love, loss and letting go. I admit that it left me wanting however, as the ending wasn’t what I was hoping for - but perhaps that’s just me. It was ok and I think many readers would be happy with it, but I was hoping it would go another way. I would however recommend it and would definitely read Amy Sue Nathan’s other novels.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and Amy Sue Nathan for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Published on NetGalley, Goodreads, Amazon, Twitter and Instagram on 12.13.17.
Profile Image for Sonja Yoerg.
Author 8 books1,136 followers
June 28, 2017
I love stories about extraordinary characters as much as the next person; it's easy to get caught up in the lives of monied world-travelers, ingenious detectives, or even a good old-fashioned serial killer. But there is a special satisfaction in being pulled into a story about ordinary people, especially those from small towns. Maybe it's because I'm a small town girl myself. Maybe it's because most of us, when it comes down to it, are wonderfully ordinary.

It's not easy to write about small lives but Amy Sue Nathan knows exactly what she is doing and does it extremely well. Teddi, our protagonist, returns to Chance, Ohio, after a six year absence and is reminded, often painfully, of what it is like to live in other people's pockets. Teddi's sense of humor is sharp, her grief over her best friend's death is raw, and her list of regrets is long. Through Teddi's eyes and those of the other nuanced, memorable characters, Nathan weaves a touching, well-paced story. But the real benchmark of any small town story is always its honesty and I'm here to tell you that I believed every word.

Lovingly rendered and generous in spirit, this novel is an absolute pleasure.
Profile Image for Theresa Alan.
Author 10 books1,114 followers
August 27, 2017
What I liked about this novel was the premise: photographer Teddi Lerner fled her small town of Chance, Ohio, six years earlier and landed a job photographing weddings around the world, sometimes for the rich and famous. However, she always kept in touch with her best friend’s daughter, who is twelve when Teddi returns home to photograph Shay’s father’s second wedding.

Shay is the only person Teddi kept in touch with, however. Teddi’s own parents move around the country in a camper, so her dead best friend’s kid is the only one she texts and FaceTime’s with in Chance. It’s difficult for her to come back because she has to face the people she hurt by leaving so abruptly. She also has to face the death of her friend up close instead of from a distance.

What I didn’t love about this book was that I felt the author at times was reaching to evoke emotion that, for me, did not succeed. There was a little too much swallowing and gulping, thump-in-throat sort of stuff.

Nathan does do a good job of portraying what it’s like to be unwed nonmother trying to understand and navigate the world of twelve-old-girls.

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to review this novel.

For more of my reviews, please visit: http://www.theresaalan.net/blog
Profile Image for Kristy.
1,128 reviews171 followers
November 19, 2017
After six years, Teddi Learner returns to her small hometown of Chance, Ohio to photograph the wedding of her best friend's husband, Miles. Miles is getting remarried after the death of his first wife, Celia. Celia and Miles and had one daughter together, Shayna, who is now twelve. Teddi and Shay had a somewhat superficial relationship after Celia's death--a yearly visit in Chicago, Skype calls, etc. But Shay's now nearly a teenager and she's personally asked Teddi to come to town--a place she's never set foot in since her beloved best friend passed away. When she arrives, she finds Chance has grown, and so has Shay, who is struggling with her father's remarriage and fitting in within her teen friend circle. Further, Teddi's memories of Celia are as strong as ever, and so are her feelings for Celia's brother, Beck, whom she was seeing when she fled town after (okay, pretty much during) Celia's funeral. Teddi has a new life now, photographing weddings all over the country for Hester Hotels. She left Chance behind and never looked back. But now that she's here, she can't help but notice all (and who) she left.

I enjoy picking up novels like this sometime because they let me indulge in my Lifetime / Hallmark movie side (I'm a sucker for those, especially at Christmas time). This book was an excellent diversion and while I certainly could predict some areas, it surprised me in others.

Nathan gives us some great characters, particularly Teddi and Shay. Teddi is complicated and a little annoying, at times, but she comes across as realistically human and flawed. Her love for Celia is incredibly strong and you can feel her loss and heartache come across the pages. The novel is a real testament to female friendship. At times you want to push or prod her a bit, but she's also stronger than she thinks. As for Shay, my heart often broke for the poor girl, struggling at the age of being between a girl and a teenager, with the added difficulty of having lost her mom.

Nathan also does a good job of portraying the eclectic cast of characters in small town Chance, with some good foils popping up for Teddi. Some of my particular favorite appearances included Teddi's cousin, Maggie, and childhood friend, Josie. Because it's a small place, Miles' wedding is the talk of the town, and we see how it brings up some bitterness and long held issues among some, including the immediate family.

Overall, I enjoyed this one. The hardest part was some melodrama in the plot and theme, which got to be a little too much at times. Some things seemed to be blown a bit out of proportion and there can be a lot of different plot threads going on at times. However, there are some really lovely and powerful moments and some incredibly funny ones--much of which stem from the strength of the characters. There's a bit of a picture perfect ending, but not the one I expected. This was a sweet, touching tale in many ways and exactly the read I needed at this point in time. 3.5+ stars.

You can read my review of Nathan's novel THE GOOD NEIGHBOR here.

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher and Netgalley (thank you!) in return for an unbiased review. It is available everywhere as of 11/21/2017.

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Profile Image for Brooke.
295 reviews150 followers
July 12, 2017
*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest & unbiased review. Thanks to GoodReads First Reads, St. Martin's Press & Amy Sue Nathan for the opportunity.*

Teddi Lerner has left her hometown, Chance, Ohio, for reasons unknown. Teddi now resides in California as a wedding photographer. She returns to Chance when her twelve-year-old "niece" Shay, contacts her with news of her father's remarriage & she is asked to take the photos. Shay is the daughter of Celia, Teddi's best friend, who passed away from cancer. Teddi isn't eager to have Miles & Violet as clients, but her love for Shay is stronger. Celia's death still holds a tight grasp on the family, as well as the rest of the residents of Chance. Celia's brother Beck is certainly feeling the hurt- as it's clear he still harbors a grudge over Teddi's departure. Teddi must come to terms with the resentment towards her, including owning up to the mess she made when she left her loved ones behind.

During Teddi's stay in Chance, she attempts to strengthen her bond with Shay, apologize to Beck, deal with her boyfriend Simon, & even reunite with her childhood friend, Cameron. But most of all, Teddi must learn to face her demons after all & explain the true reasons for abandoning Chance. Teddi will also have to make the decision of labeling priorities & defining what is truly important in life.

I really liked Nathan's choice of having Chance be a small town; the townspeople definitely knew what was up & the dialogue felt authentic to the situations. Though I do have to admit, most of the dialogue, especially in the middle, felt tedious & irrelevant. You know how there's some conversations that fuel the story, pushing the characters further to their destinations? And then there's some conversations that just take up text; not necessarily empty words, but certainly mediocre & don't add much to the story? LEFT TO CHANCE was a bit like the latter. A lot of time was spent setting the scene, a.k.a. spending too much time on describing food/clothing. Nathan tried to invoke heavy emotions & show how the characters were handling Celia's death, but I never really FELT IT. I wish there were more scenes with Shay, because I felt like she still had more to discuss with Teddi.

LEFT TO CHANCE reminds me of a desirable outline sketch- there's lots of potential here, but it falters as the novel progresses. The most important parts- Celia's death & Shay- get overshadowed by the other aspects of Teddi's life. Because these things aren't dealt with to the extent I would have liked, I lost some enjoyment for this. Although the book is only 272 pages, it took me several days to complete because my attention wouldn't hold. I didn't feel invested in any of the characters & by the midway point, I wasn't interested anymore. I'm a bit disappointed that the ending is rushed & is wrapped up with a tidy bow.

LEFT TO CHANCE is a decent domestic read, but barely skims the surface of promised emotional subjects & a novel that I went "auto-pilot" on. (Basically a book that didn't make me question anything or change my perspective.) I can see this becoming a hit later this fall, & is on the lighter side of the genre (though I suppose that varies for each individual), but this just wasn't for me.
Profile Image for Susan Peterson.
1,746 reviews337 followers
October 11, 2017
"It had been stupid to think that tying a knot in the past would stop it from fraying into the future." Teddi Lerner left her hometown of Chance, Ohio six years ago, without saying goodbye, on the day of her best friend's funeral. Her homecoming is less-than welcoming, her hometown has changed, and the people she left behind are hurt and confused by her disappearance. I loved Teddi Lerner, and watching her struggle and evolve throughout this story had me smiling at times, but also put tears in my eyes. This story is poignant, heart-warming and humorous, as it deals with friendship, loss, and returning home. Left to Chance is a book that readers will find hard to put down, a book that will leave dishes unwashed and floors unswept...written with honesty and love...with true-to-life characters and emotions...a story that will capture your heart.
Profile Image for Amy.
2,058 reviews1,921 followers
November 20, 2017
This was my first book by Nathan but I enjoyed it so much that I’ll be adding her earlier work to my TBR. There was something so natural and authentic about her writing, I was almost immediately invested in Teddi’s life and that of the residents of Chance, Ohio. This was full of poignant moments and plenty of life lessons that stick with you long after you turn the final page.

Teddi doesn’t want to go back home but there’s no way she can say no to Shay. When I say she left six years ago I actually mean she fled, leaving everyone she knew and loved because she was in so much pain and had no idea how to face it. Running away was easier. Her homecoming is awkward to say the least, the only person who seems truly happy to see her is Shay. I loved that Teddi’s life was far from perfect, it was totally messy but she was finally willing to face her issues head on. She was brave, honest and she had a terrific sense of humor.

This book had it all, a fantastic small town setting, characters that felt like friends or people that you would want as friends, and wonderful, touching lessons about friendship, loss, love and life. It all had so much warmth, tenderness and heart behind it and I throughly enjoyed every second I spent getting to know these lovely characters.
Profile Image for DJ Sakata.
3,121 reviews1,764 followers
December 6, 2017
Favorite Quotes:

I sashayed down Lark wearing my light blue sundress, as if I were the star of an elaborate tampon commercial. All that was missing was the voiceover.

To me, Cousin Maggie had been like a fairy godmother in sensible shoes. She seemed to know what I needed, and when I needed it. It was Cousin Maggie who handed me Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret two months before I got my period when I was eleven. Cousin Maggie also gave me my first real camera for Hanukkah when I was fourteen. “You can make the world look however you want it to look with this,” she’d said.

At least at a wedding there were drinks and hors d’oeuvres. When alone at a wedding I talked to the bartender, sipped cocktails, nibbled my way through the mashed potato bar. Maybe funerals should have cocktail hours too. Mini latkes with applesauce. Kosher wine to drown your sorrows. Monogrammed tissues. I’d draw the line at funeral favors.

I flinched to stop myself from looking for my best friend. How I wished that bittersweet was still a term best left for chocolate.

My Review:

I fell right into this cleverly written and delightfully engaging tale packed with witty humor and the irreverent and snarky inner musings of a woman returning to her small-town and attempting to atone for her cowardly and less than stellar exit six years prior. Poor Teddi, despite her best intentions she was forever on the back-foot and coming up a bit short. The storyline was superbly crafted and the writing was cunningly amusing yet also poignant and keenly insightful. The narrative was vividly detailed with humorous and revealing observations that kept me smirking. I adored these flawed yet appealing characters, they plucked at my curiosity and kept me intensely interested and in need of knowing every little thing about them. Amy Sue Nathan has a new fangirl.
Profile Image for Amanda NEVER MANDY.
484 reviews100 followers
November 15, 2017
**I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.**

I was hoping this book would be a nice light and enjoyable read, something to quickly pass the time and pull my head out of reality for a moment. It was extremely light but not the level of enjoyable I was after. More Hallmark movie that you get up and leave the room on to start a load of laundry and then forget you were even watching a movie to begin with. Maybe you eventually wander back in to finish it or maybe you decide to take a nap and hope something more engaging is on after you wake up.

The writing was decent, the story was basic and it would be perfect for a reader that liked to be quietly entertained without any loss or gain.
Profile Image for Ellen Wiseman.
Author 9 books4,365 followers
June 17, 2017
I stayed up WAY too late reading this because I couldn't wait to find out what happened! A touching, beautifully written novel about grief, friendship and love in its many forms. I loved it!
Profile Image for Laura  Wonderchick.
1,367 reviews156 followers
October 29, 2017
Nothing like getting back to your roots & regrounding yourself. This is the theme of this book with a cadence that makes it seem an effortless read.
I won this early copy in a Goodreads giveaway
Profile Image for Judy Collins.
2,855 reviews406 followers
November 28, 2017
Amy Sue Nathan returns following The Good Neighbor and The Glass Wives with LEFT TO CHANCE – can you return home, unchanged?

A man travels the world over in search of what he needs and returns home to find it." – George A. Moore

Teddi Lerner left Chance, Ohio years ago. It was not a place for wimps; however, she was on her way, regardless. The place that had haunted her for the past six years. The town she grew up in, and ran from, on the day of Celia’s funeral.

Teddi is a successful wedding photographer for Hester Hotels and is called home to photograph the wedding of her best friend’s (Celia) husband, Miles. They had a daughter, Shayna who is now twelve years old. This is the only reason she is back. This is what mattered most.

Everything has changed in the small town. There is also Celia’s brother, Beck. Beck, of course, looked better at thirty-five than at twenty-nine.

Beck held a grudge. She did not blame him. But Teddi had allowed herself to believe he would forgive her.

She had always photographed things that grew. Babies, kids, flowers, relationships. Those things also died. She also had forgotten what it was like to be with people who knew things about her besides what she had chosen to tell them.

Does she know what true friendships and deep relationships meant? Letting someone in, letting her down, and possibly letting her go.

From an unexpected friendship, secrets of the past, guilt, and emotional courage— a warmhearted charming story of love and loss and what it truly means to return home.

Redemption. Facing the past and overcoming obstacles. A Hallmark story for those who enjoy happy endings and discovering the truly important things in life.

For fans of Sonja Yoerg, Barbara Claypole White, Patti Callahan Henry, Joanne Demaio, and women's contemporary fiction.

A special thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for an advanced reading copy.

JDCMustReadBooks
Profile Image for Sue .
1,771 reviews114 followers
November 4, 2017
I have loved all of Amy Sue Nathan's books but this one is my favorite. Even though you can't really go home again and find life like you left it, you can learn to accept what's there and embrace it for what it was when you were there.

Teddi ran away from Chance, Ohio, right after Celia's, her best friend, funeral. She didn't tell anyone that she was leaving or where she was going. After she left she became a famous wedding photographer and tried to keep her memories out of her life - except for 12 year old Shayna, the daughter of her best friend. Teddi saw Shayna a few times a year but always in her locations, she never went back to Chance until Shayna asked her to come back and take the pictures at her dad's wedding. Teddi goes back very reluctantly but really isn't prepared for the animosity that Celia's family and many people in the town feel about her. As Teddi navigates her way through the changes in the town and the people in the town, will she be able to come to terms with the hurts that she's caused and to learn to embrace the town and her friends?

The characters in this town are so well done that you feel like they are your friends and this is a town that you'd like to live in. I would love to sit down and have a cup of coffee with Teddi and Josie. I laughed with Teddi and I must admit, I shed some tears over her pain at losing her best friend. This is a fantastic book about friendship and learning to accept the past. I highly recommend this book.

Thanks to the publisher for a copy of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Pam Jenoff.
Author 24 books5,655 followers
December 18, 2018
Have you read any of Amy Nathan's wonderful books? Start with Left to Chance, which is the story of Teddi, a woman who left her hometown years earlier under mysterious circumstances. Teddi returns at the behest of her twelve year old niece, Shay, to photograph the wedding of Shay's father (her mother, and Teddi's sister, died years earlier.) You will root for Teddi as she confronts family and friends, her old love, the truth about the past and herself in this tale of homecoming and second chances. Charming!
Profile Image for Aura.
813 reviews71 followers
November 25, 2017
I enjoyed this sweet heartwarming novel about coming back home. Teddi left Chance, OH when her best friend Celia died. She did not look back and maybe avoided grieving her best friend's death. After many years, Celia's daughter asks Teddi to come back and photograph her Dad's wedding. Teddi comes back to find she was missed. This novel is a nice comfortable read. I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Linda Zagon.
1,467 reviews164 followers
October 22, 2017
My Review of "Left to Chance" by  Amy Sue Nathan

"Left to Chance" by Amy Sue Nathan is an emotional and heartwarming  read. The genre for this novel is Women's Fiction. The story take place mostly in the present, and only refers to the past when it pertains to a character or event.

The author describes the characters as complex, complicated and confused. Photographer Teddi  has returned to Chance Ohio, after leaving without saying goodbye six years ago. Teddi's best friend Celia had passed away, and Teddi has remained in touch with  Celia's daughter 12 year old  Shayna. Teddi is a famous wedding photographer and is going to take the pictures of Shayna's dad and his new wife.

Teddi  has mixed feelings about returning to Chance, and seeing the friends and loved ones she had left behind.  Teddi has the feelings that there are old and new secrets and different expectations from the people that she is seeing. Teddi also has mixed feelings about her past, present and future.

I appreciate that the author discusses issues such as death of a loved one, illness,, grieving, bullying, honesty and communicating.  The author also writes about the importance of family, friends, love, support, acceptance and growth. I would recommend this novel for readers of womens  fiction that like an emotional read. I received an ARC of this book for my honest review.
Profile Image for Carol Boyer.
445 reviews28 followers
December 5, 2017
I was pulled into this beautiful book immediately, feeling all the emotions that Teddi had dealing with the grief she carried losing her best friend Celia, and returning to the town of Chance that she ran away from 6 years ago without any goodbyes. This story is filled with poignant events, an unrelenting feeling of being unwelcome, the mystery of why she left and how it affected all the folk she left behind. Teddi deals with unmet expectations that confuse her, secrets that are being kept, and the deep love she feels for Tanya a young girl with wishes and a broken heart. Tedi finds she has many chances to sort out as her life as a wedding photographer, the choices for love with three men, as she learns to love, accept and forgive herself and others. This book, is very real, relatable, with dashes of witty humor, and rich with descriptions of all the characters. Amy Nathan has a special way of writing that leaves you wanting more, the images stay in your mind making you feel like you are still in Left to Chance. I absolutely loved this novel!!
Profile Image for Kimberly Brock.
Author 7 books467 followers
June 14, 2017
A tender story about love and loss and friendship. I cared about the characters and found so much connection with what they were going through that I felt I knew them when the novel was over and I think I will miss them now. Don't miss this author at her best! I'll be going back to read Amy Sue Nathan's first two books over again.
Profile Image for Tamara.
986 reviews244 followers
June 22, 2017
Review to come closer to pub date.

Quick thoughts;

I read this in a day. I loved it that much. It was light, but with some life messages tucked into it. I thought a character or 2 was being a bit unfair to Teddi, but I was happy with how Amy handled the situations...

Perfect book to share with your best friend..
Profile Image for Lacey.
290 reviews66 followers
December 13, 2017
Thank you to NetGalley, Amy Sue Nathan, and St. Martin's Griffin for allowing me to read this book before the publication date in exchange for an honest review.

Teddi Learner returns to Chance, Ohio after six years to photograph her best friend's husband's wedding. Miles is the groom and he's getting remarried after his first wife, Celia, passed. Teddi is returning as a promise to Miles and Celia's twelve-year old daughter, Shayna. Now that Teddi has returned, she sees everything that has changed and who she missed.

There were many things about this book that grabbed me right away and there were things that left me hanging. The synopsis intrigued me because I love the forbidden romance and the mystery of why a girl left her old town to find a new life. It was like a Lifetime series and I was very interested. 

The characters were awesome. I absolutely adored Teddi and Shay. Shay was probably one of my favorite characters I've read. As someone who is extremely close to her mother, Shay's character resonated with me in a sense of how I would be if I lost her. I could feel the connection and the heartbreak through Shay. Teddi had a lot of great moments too. Her dialogue was probably my favorite thing about this book. 

One of my favorite narratives are the "small town" stories. I think the author did a phenomenal job when giving the reader a feel of just how small the town was. There were characters introduced like the childhood best friend and other family members. I felt like I was in the small town of Chance and I was meeting these individuals through the eyes of Teddi. 

There were times that this book slowed down for me. I had to push through because I knew it would pick back up. I had to put it down sometimes, and do something else before picking it back up because it just got boring. However, when pushing through, it got much better and I had a good time reading this one. I am very interested in giving another book by Amy Sue Nathan a try. 
Profile Image for Diane Perry.
1,235 reviews34 followers
July 18, 2017
I received this from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This is an incredible story and so relatable. Teddi left Chance, Ohio after her best friend died. Six years later she has returned, but it is not the warm welcome she was hoping for. Every character was interesting and I felt like I was reading about neighbors and friends. They seem so realistic. What broke my heart. She is struggling with the loss of her mother and being a girl growing up. I was completely engrossed in this story the whole time. Very well done.
Profile Image for Vivian Payton.
126 reviews19 followers
August 14, 2017
Teddi Lerner loses Celia, her best friend since childhood. On the day of her funeral, she abruptly leaves Chance, Ohio without letting anyone know. Six years later, she’s a photographer and lives in San Francisco. Celia’s twelve-year old daughter, Shay, invites her “Aunt Tee” to photograph her father’s wedding. Shay and Teddi have a very close bond, and in her innocent mind, wants Aunt Tee to marry her father, Miles.

Teddi returns to Chance, and things have changed in the past six years – the physical landscape as well as her relationships with those she left behind. Still grieving, she needs to face the reality and emotions that are still pent-up inside her as well as the emotions of those she left. Finally, she moves forward and explains why she had to leave her small childhood hometown. She loved and missed Chance, Ohio and the people in it. She always had. Resolution and peace finally find Teddi.

I thoroughly enjoyed Amy Nathan’s Left to Chance. This is her third book, and I believe this is her best. Her characters’ emotions are pure and raw. The pain of losing a loved one, family ties, heartbreak, love and relationships are the main issues in this novel. I highly recommend reading this book. It will leave you with a peaceful feeling.
Profile Image for Lael Braday.
Author 11 books14 followers
July 14, 2017
*Teddi returns to her hometown of Chance, Ohio, as the wedding photographer for the husband of her late friend at the request of his daughter, who calls her "Aunt Tee." She keeps crashing into the emotions of those she left behind six years ago, because she cut off contact.

The first third of this book repeated the mantra of "You left us, so why do you think you can just step back into our lives." Once the conflicts of her friend's family popped up in the story, the action kicked in, and the reading flowed faster. Nathan is adept at invoking empathy from the reader for all characters, even in the end, Teddi, who seemed irredeemable for so long. There are some scenes that made me gasp out loud, such as when the late friend's brother leaned into her intimately in a quiet nook and whispered, "Just leave."

Readers who appreciate family dramas and complicated love stories may like this novel.

*I received this book in a giveaway from St. Martin's Press.
Profile Image for Stephanie.
68 reviews1 follower
May 29, 2017
Left to Chance arrived in the mail on a Friday evening and I finished the last line Sunday night. This perfect weekend read follows Teddi's traveling home for a bittersweet wedding. The reader is swept from Teddi's jet-setting photography career back to her small town childhood. Her friends and neighbors give a glimpse into her happy youth spent with her best friend Celia.

The memories, struggles and fears of young adulthood are revisited through the lens of those left behind and a decade of life experience for Teddi. Her reluctance for relationship and reasons for running come full circle as she must face each experience until the truth and all it's fallout becomes clear. Finally free of her burdens, Teddi is ready to embrace life and the possibility of love again.

Profile Image for Tasha Seegmiller.
521 reviews53 followers
November 21, 2017
Amy Sue Nathan flat out knows how to write, and her third book is just another evidence of this. While the idea of someone returning to their hometown after a period of time isn't new, the way Nathan crafts this story, the depth she gives the characters, how she spins tropes into something new are just a few examples of the freshness and incredible connection LEFT TO CHANCE has in store for readers. I'm thrilled that I got to read this book before it comes out because that means I have two months to get everyone else excited for it too. It truly is a character-driven must read.
Profile Image for Booksandchinooks (Laurie).
801 reviews88 followers
November 20, 2017
I received an ARC of this book from the author for an honest review. I really liked this book. Teddi, a renowned wedding photographer, returns to her hometown to photograph the wedding of her decreased best friend’s husband and his new wife. She fled the small town just after her best friends’s funeral six years ago. She hasn’t been back since and she left a lot of people angry and diasappointed in her abrupt departure and the fact she cut all communication with them. She has only maintained contact with the daughter and husband of her friend. Coming home stirs up a lot of feelings for her and everyone else as well as giving her new insights on her life. She starts to reconnect with some people and develop a stronger relationship with her deceased friend’s daughter, Shay. Teddi comes to have a better appreciation of her hometown and starts to make plans to return more often. She develops a love interest but not necessarily with who we think she might. Overall a great book. It kept my interest from beginning to end. There was a bit of suspense with some secrets coming to light. I enjoyed the characters and the writing was good. To me this was a book that left you feeling good after having read it. Looking forward to reading more of this author’s books.
Profile Image for Eileen Goudge.
Author 101 books574 followers
June 14, 2017
Loved it! A story about friendship, loss, and forgiveness, this warm-hearted novel has it all. I read it on the plane coming back from England, and it eased my journey, keeping me entertained for most of the duration of the flight. Highly recommended for anyone who loves a good read filled with characters you care about.
Profile Image for C.E. Hart.
Author 5 books44 followers
October 27, 2017
I really enjoyed the beginning and ending of Left to Chance—but the middle lagged a bit. I began to lose interest, and resisted the urge to skip paragraphs/pages. I’m glad I stuck with it, because the pacing picked up with the ‘meat’ of the emotions I yearned for, and the ending was satisfying.

Teddi Lerner is easy to sympathize with. She suffered a painful blow when her best friend died. Having a friend die in recent years, I could easily sink into this characters role. Shay, her “niece” on the other hand, was difficult for me to relate to. Although I lost my mother when I was young, I failed to FEEL her angst. I found her a bit annoying, and I didn’t really care for her being a central figure in this story.

I love small town stories. I love “going home” stories. Left to Chance is a nice mix of the two.


Cover: Love
Title: Love
Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin
Pages: 288
First Lines: Getting picked up once meant flirting and free drinks. Today it meant hurrying through the airport in comfortable shoes.

I received a complimentary copy from Goodreads and NetGalley.

Profile Image for Melissa.
1,280 reviews
December 6, 2017
This is the second book I've read by Amy Sue Nathan and I really like the way she develops her characters and their relationships with each other. The way she created memories for Teddi and Celia reminded me of the memoir We Hope You Like This Song: An Overly Honest Story about Friendship, Death, and Mix Tapes. This goes to show how real the friendship felt. And it made me even more thankful for my own best friend. I even became misty-eyed a few times.

Amy's attention to detail made it really easy to visualize characters and settings. I could even feel the summer heat. I liked all the Jewish references to rituals and food. Amy kept me guessing as to what was going to happen for Teddi and Shay, as there were a lot of secrets being kept. Teddi had a few romantic options and I wondered who she would be with by the end. My only minor complaint is that the ending felt a bit rushed, but I like where the story went.

Take a "chance" on this novel if you want a heartfelt story about friendship and possibility.

Teddi: Lake Bell
Shay: Kendall Yeaman
Beck: Chad Michael Murray
Miles: John Krasinski
Cameron: Neal Bledsoe
Josie: Danneel Ackles
Violet: Bethany Joy Lenz
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