Reviewed by Becca
TITLE: Chasing Chance
SERIES: Gilcrest University Guys #1
AUTHOR: M.E. Parker
PUBLISHER: self-published
LENGTH: 175 pages
RELEASE DATE: March 17, 2019
BLURB:
There are moments in your life that become part of you. They become so ingrained in your memory that you can’t let them go, no matter how hard you try. Some may seem small and insignificant when they happen. Others are so big and important that you know, even while you’re in the moment, that your life will be forever changed. For me, almost all those moments—both the small and insignificant as well as the big and important—were moments I shared with Chance Wyrick.
If I were in a support group for hopelessly pathetic gays, I’d have to introduce myself by saying, “Hi, I’m Andy Michaelson and I can’t stop myself from thinking about Chance Wyrick.”
From the time we met, when we were only six years old, and for the next twelve years, he was my best friend. I fell in love with him along the way. I couldn’t say exactly when it happened, only that it happened.
Words of advice:
Never fall in love with your best friend, especially if he’s one of the most popular kids at school, the best high school quarterback in the state, or if he happens to be your next-door neighbor.
But most of all…
Never, I repeat never, fall in love with your best friend if he’s straight. Nothing good can come of it. Trust me.
Our friendship was over before we finished our last year of high school. My best friend became my ex-best friend. I hoped to forget about him when I went off to college. But Chance followed me there. So did all the memories.
I tried to forget him. I did. But he was more beautiful than ever. He was the starting quarterback for Gilcrest University. He was larger than life. He was impossible to ignore. We hadn’t spoken in years, but the memories still hit me out of nowhere, and they still hurt.
By the time I started my third year at Gilcrest, I was beginning to think I’d never be over him.
As it turns out, I was right…
Chasing Chance is the first book in the Gilcrest University Guys series. It’s a full-length, “friends to lovers” romance novel. It has “coming out” and “first-time gay” themes, is stocked full of STEAM, heartache, and laughter, and it has a guaranteed happy ending. The series will follow the love stories of four college friends. Chasing Chance is the first of two books that will tell Andy and Chance’s love story. Look for book two, Catching Chance, to come out next month!
REVIEW:
I kind of hate how this ended. It’s not exactly a cliffhanger per se, but it might as well be. When you read this story you’ll understand what I mean. There is another story to follow this one, that tells the rest of their story. And I can tell you from this story, I have a bad feeling I know what’s coming and it’s going to be rough. It has been so far. It’s a good story, don’t get me wrong. But it’s what happens when you have bigoted people in your family and have to hide who you are.
Andy has been in love with Chance since they were kids. From their first kiss of ‘practicing’ on each other, to a camping trip where they rubbed one off, Andy can’t imagine being with anyone else. He’s dated and tried to be, but he can’t actually go through with sex, because he can’t give that part of himself up. Which, of course, makes dating hard. As in the new ex that cheated on him. But his roommate, Cam, thinks he’s mourning over the ex, when in reality he’s mourning over the lost of his one true love and old best friend. Since that camping trip, he’s never seen Chance again, even though they go to the same college. Until one crappy night, Andy decides to stop of at a part and reflect on life after Thanksgiving with his mom. He falls in the freezing water, thinking he’s going to die, hanging on for life, when his cries for help falls on the ears of someone he never expected. Chance. And after saving him and having another one off, they leave awkwardly the next day. But Chance can’t go another 3 years without Andy and it’s time to take a stand and tell Andy the truth. But can he actually do it and what will Andy say when he finally does?
This story broke my heart for Chance. Without giving too much away, I hate people who use Christianity as an excuse to spew hate. It annoys me so bad. I grew up in a Christian home, had a pastor for a father, so I get it. I was always the black sheep because I didn’t see people differently. I never did. I don’t care your color, you sexuality, or whatever. I just care what kind of person you are. And more people should be that way. Not saying I’m hot stuff or anything, because that’s far from the truth. But the truth is, we are all created differently for a reason. We all have different gifts and different personalities because we are supposed to. And it broke my heart for Chance that he felt he had to break his friendship with the one person who accepted and loved him, because he couldn’t be the person he’s meant to be. Because heaven forbid his father accept him for who he is. And yes, it’s come up before, so he knows. I grieved with Andy over their friendship. It’s hard to lose someone who feels like the other half of you. Even if you are just friends. But the good news of the story, in this one at least, is that Chance knew what he had lost in Andy and was doing his everything to make it right. Not just for their friendship, but for them for more. For life. For the future. I rejoiced in the fact that he finally felt he could actually talk to Andy and let him know what has haunted him for years.
It’s kind of a tough story. There are some tearful moments, funny moments, and great moments, because Andy’s roommate, Cam, makes this book so much better lol. He’s a pistol. But when it comes down to the end of the day, it’s hard when things at home are hard, but try to find a way to be you. Don’t let any one force you to do something before you’re ready, but don’t lie to yourself either. Do it in your own time, in your way, but be you.
RATING: 
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