Book review ~ "Chances Are" by Traci Hunter Abramson

Chances Are by Traci Hunter Abramson
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars
Source: Received from the Publisher to review
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Book Description: Maya Gupta is a survivor. After escaping an impending arranged marriage in India as a teenager, she has thrived in America. But now she faces her greatest challenge yet—cancer has invaded her life, and unless she finds a way to participate in a clinical trial in Washington, DC, this may be one battle she loses. When Maya’s best friend Kari offers Maya the lifeline of a place to stay—her brother’s currently vacant DC apartment—the young woman eagerly accepts and goes to meet her fate . . .

Ben Evans’s plans have changed, and he’s heading home for some much-needed rest and relaxation during his off-season in the major leagues. Upon arriving at his DC apartment, however, Ben is shocked to find Maya—his sister’s friend, who he hardly knows—in residence. He soon finds himself trapped between protecting his above-reproach reputation and searching for a way to help a woman he is coming to admire. When Maya’s fight to survive her disease becomes more complicated than ever, she and Ben scheme an extreme solution to her predicament that tests to what lengths they’re willing to go together to save Maya’s life.

My thoughts: This book tore at my heartstrings. The characters are lovable and kind. The main characters, Ben and Maya, portray hope and acceptance in impossible circumstances.

The premise of the story is that Maya has cancer. She has a tumor at the base of her skull that must shrink before it can be removed. Her budding tennis career abruptly ends. She is very ill. She cannot work and he bills are piling up. She ran from her home country, India, to escape an arranged marriage with a man who is much older than her and very creepy.

She is given an opportunity to participate in a medical trial in Washington DC. The problem is that she has nowhere to stay and doesn't have the means to support herself. Fortunately, her best friend has a brother who has an apartment in DC he is not using, he's a professional baseball player and it's his off season.

The friend seizes the opportunity to have Maya live in the house, without her brother's knowledge. The problems begin when he comes home unexpectedly to find Maya living in his home.

The book is a story about hope. I love that Maya keeps a positive attitude even though her odds of living are 50/50. This book is about looking beyond ones self and finding ways to help another person. I loved the characters, I loved the story.

This book is squeaky clean. There is a small amount of mild kissing.

Amazon * Deseret Book

About the Author:  Originally from Arizona, TRACIHUNTER ABRAMSON spent much of her childhood exploring the little town of Pinewood. She is a graduate of Brigham Young University and a former employee of the Central Intelligence Agency. Since leaving the CIA, Traci has written multiple novels, including the Undercurrents trilogy, Royal Target, and the Saint Squad series.

When she’s not writing, Traci enjoys spending time with her husband and their four children. She also enjoys cooking, although she prefers an electric stove to the wood-burning variety.

This is the second book read in the Tackle Your TBR Read-a-thon Challenge!!