Kurt Holland wants the best for his younger brother, which is why he moves Sam to Bridgeport, Ohio. It’s a bigger town with a well-known high school. Just the place to give his little brother more opportunities—maybe even a scholarship to college. Kurt hopes his gamble pays off, since Sam’s future isn’t the only thing riding on it. Kurt’s put most of his savings into a new landscaping business … there, too. But when Sam gets in trouble for fighting at school, Kurt isn’t so sure it was the right decision … until he meets Sam’s English teacher.
Emily Springer is passionate about helping all of her students succeed, but there’s something about Sam Holland that makes her want to go the extra mile. When he’s caught in a fight at school, she goes to bat in his defense, and during a conference with the principal she meets Sam’s rugged older brother—and guardian. Emily has a strict no-dating policy when it comes to her students’ parents, but Kurt isn’t technically Sam’s parent. It’s OK to bend the rules a little bit, right?
In an effort to make some friends and find a place in the Bridgeport community, Kurt starts up a weekly poker game in his garage. It’s not long before everyone wants in, and they all soon discover that these Friday night poker gatherings are about more than just the game.
Shelley Shepard Gray’s new Bridgeport Social Club series is about men who need a place to call home, a community in need of hope, and a group of women who are special enough to help both things happen. This first installment is genuine and heartfelt. It’s filled with hope, warmth, and the belief that love and acceptance can overcome any tough situation.
more
I loved this book so much that half way through I went ahead and bought the other two in the series. Its set in a small town and has such wonderful strong characters that you feel at home with them. If you like small towns, a great story and romance…..
I loved the concept of this series! I admire Kurt for wanting to provide his brother with a better future and stepping up to be his guardian, even though it meant they needed to move to a completely different place and basically start over.
If you’re a fan of the authors Amish series this might not be the series for you, as it contains swearing and alcohol. I had NO issues with it and didn’t feel like it took away from the storyline, but I know there are others that don’t particularly care for it, so fair warning.
My only gripe is there wasn’t a valid punishment or consequences for certain actions (you’ll know when you read it!) I was also hoping for an epilogue, but the book ends quite suddenly, leaving the reader wanting more, hence it getting 3.4 stars instead of 4. Neither of those will stop me from continuing with this series and I’m looking forward to seeing how it progresses.
Another great book by an amazing author.
Let me start with the saying I am a huge fan of Gray’s Amish romances. I was not a fan of Take a Chance.
This was marketed as a clean romance but I would not say it was completely clean. It does discuss wanting to have sex outside of marriage and there are a lot of curse words.
My biggest problem was it felt like it was written geared to a young adult or new adult reader. I have a feeling I would have really loved this book when I was in my late teens/early twenties (not so much in my forties).
I did enjoy the fact Gray incorporated so much of Cincinnati in the book. It was nice to see a town I spent four years in represented nicely.
If you are looking for a romance that will let you read the afternoon away, Take a Chance is for you.
I received a complimentary copy from Blackstone Publishing through NetGalley. Any and all opinions expressed in the above review are entirely my own.
I enjoyed this book and would recommend it for others who like realistic romance novels and true grit characters.
I feel a little bad for the reviews this book is getting. A lot of the negative comments are based on what the readers expected from the book, which is for it to be like the author’s previous religious love stories. They are understandably a bit upset that instead they got a “clean” contemporary romance that included cursing and more amorous moments than her previous books. I’m there with them that when a book is not what you thought it would be, it will usually lower the enjoyment of it. And I can even see why they would expect a certain thing if that is what the author always delivered before. (Who doesn’t get a little thrown when a favorite author changes things up significantly?)
Fortunately for me, I didn’t come in with any expectations and I really enjoyed it.
Gray’s writing is very smooth, which made for an easy read, and I found myself engrossed in the characters and everyone’s lives. There are actually 4 POVs for this story – Kurt, Emily, Sam, and his classmate Kay. They all come across as super realistic and have to deal with some pretty difficult situations.
Take a Chance is as much about the Holland boys as it is a love story between Kurt and Emily … and is all the better for it. I found myself rooting so much for those two as they try to get their footing in a new situation & a new town, finding love and friendship as well as the hope for something better. Things aren’t easy for them but they deal the best they can, giving readers a wonderfully heartwarming tale. I’m really looking forward to what Gray has in store for us next.
**Review given honestly and freely after receipt of a reader copy. This opinion is completely my own and was not influenced in any way.**
3.5 Stars
Let me start with a bit of a warning for those who have read Shelley Shepard Gray’s Amish or Inspirational books. Take a Chance is not those books. Gray moves into the general market with a new publisher and a new genre—a genre that includes some suggestive scenes and several curse words.
OK, now that we’ve got that over with, let’s get down to the first book in The Bridgeport Social Club series. Kurt Holland and his brother same have left the coal mines in West Virginia and moved to Ohio. Kurt finds himself drawn to one of his brother’s teachers.
There are some adorably awkward exchanges between Kurt and Emily while Sam is protective of Kayla—a girl in his class he likes. Gray touches on the subject of bullying (someone posting pictures of someone else without their approval or knowledge is a form of bullying) but this story is 80% about the relationship between the two brothers.
With perspectives from Emily, Kurt, Sam, and Kayla, readers get a well-rounded picture of this little corner of Bridgeport, Ohio. I’ll be watching for the next installment to see who’s introduced next (and how much the poker club grows).
Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
Take a Chance ( Bridgeport Social Club #1 )
By: Shelley Shepard Gray
Take a Chance is book one in Bridgeport Social Club new series. The author is very talented and I have read some of her other books and loved them. I like to call the main character a hero. He is the guardian to his brother. The heroine was a school teacher and loves what she does. I would have to say it does have some curse words in it that I didn’t like and was surprised by them. This book is filled with love , warmth, and belief. I would say that I would read book two in this new series.
I received an ARC copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher, but was not told that I had to give a positive review. All opinions are my own.
I could see the title of this book resonating with so many of the characters presented, and it sure applied.
The author shows us that there are so many ways that you have to take a chance, and it isn’t always the right decision.
While I may not agree with all choices that are made we are shown a lot of different characters, both likeable and unfortunately bullies. I did like the manners that these southern boys showed.
This is a story that made me think that part could have come from the local headlines, especially with the coal mines.
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Blackstone, and was not required to give a positive review
Kurt and Sam are new to Bridgeport the idea is too keep there heads down and get Sam into the best college. Emily is leery of almost all men she’s had her taste of bad relationship. She sees the potential in Sam to do great things, but can she help Sam and keep her whits about her.
I will start off saying I thought this book was just like Shelley’s other books and that its was a christian book and I will say that is not the case. This book does have some curse words as well as some sexual induendos though out the book. Now that being said this book was a very sweet read I really enjoyed the fun characters and how they just seemed to be flawed and broken but will stop at nothing to better their own lives and well as those lives around them. I really enjoyed how Sam and Kay played a big part in this book along with Kurt and Sam. I think in the end I was left wanting more wondering what was next for all of the characters, I understand this is a series so I hope they will appear in the other book. Over all I would recommend this book for anyone over 13. It was a sweet story and well worth the read.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley. I was under no obligation to post a review and have given my honest opinion
This was a sweet, touching story about family , relationships and life.
Kurt Holland has left the home he’s known all his life, so his younger brother, Sam, can get a chance at a better school and hopefully, a scholarship to get into college. Kurt wants Sam to have all the opportunities he didn’t . When he is called to the principal’s office of Sam’s school, Kurt meets his English teacher Emily.
Throughout the story we get a chance to see how these characters deal with relationships, obstacles and life in general. As the author tells the reader, “life is a lot like playing poker” . It’s about taking chances because not taking them might hinder us from achiever greatness.
It would have been a 5 star if it had not ended so abruptly. I went back a few pages to see if I had missed something.
A lot of unanswered questions were left up in the air. An epilogue would that tied up all the lose ends should have been written.
I was entrusted this copy by Netgalley . The opinions expressed are solely my own.