Left to Chance by Amy Sue Nathan

In Left to Chance, Teddi leaves after a heart-shattering loss of her best friend, Celia. Though she keeps a loving, yet long-distance relationship with Celia’s twelve-year-old daughter, Shayna, she has fully avoided a trip back to the town of Chance—until Shayna begs her to come to photograph her father’s wedding.

Yep, her best friend’s husband is getting married again. Teddi is a nationally well-known wedding photographer—how can she refuse? She loves Shayna, so she does it for her.

She expects all the conflicting feelings anyone would have in this situation…meeting the new fiancé, reliving the memories, and facing the reasons she fled from town during Celia’s funeral. What she didn’t expect was the full-force repercussions from her unexplained departure.

Teddi’s emotions are heart-felt, and the things she ran away from—and ran to—finally comes to the surface. She must deal with this and mend the hearts she damaged when she left in such a hurry. But how?

The busy life she lives in San Francisco is a far cry from the one she lived in Chance--and the love interest she left in Chance is a far cry from the one waiting in San Francisco…another thing she must deal with…which she wasn’t aware was an issue until running into her old sweetheart.

The author did a fine job of portraying small town life. The characters and their many different personalities, be it quirky, fun or serious, were well developed. I loved how the serious moments were carefully depicted, and the fun times made me smile. Teddi’s perseverance endures, and is admirable—and painful at times.

The characters come to life, and I could picture the town of Chance, and those who reside there. The friendships are varied, from warm embraces to cold shoulders, but Teddi knows she is lucky for the first, and deserved the latter.

Never does Teddi take on the victim role. I like that fact. The personal growth throughout Left to Chance is admirable and realistic.

I recommend this read, and thank Net Galley for gracing me a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

4 Stars