
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Reviewed by: Michelle
ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review.

Regrets...let's face it, we all have one whether we like it or not. In life, we make mistakes and it is up to us to learn and grow from them and to never repeat them. And when it comes to the matters of the heart, the regrets and the what ifs are something that can never be fully forgotten. Love can be a defining moment in one's life. It can be refreshing, hopeful, beautiful, poignant and yet heartbreaking. And when our chance at love is lost, it can be so devastating and life-altering that it can put into perspective of the people who really matters in your life. If we really reflect on our choices, there comes a time where you can't blame someone for walking away if you didn't do anything to make them stay. And in Desperate Chances by A. Meredith Walters, we are reminded that life is about choices. The choice to fight for one's love, the choice to forgive, and the choice to walk away.
"Because every single minute of every single day that I wasn't with you was wasted time."
Gracie Cook wholeheartedly was in love with her best friend, Mitch Abrams. All it took was one night for her to ruin everything. Sex with Mitch changed the course of their friendship. Mitch has always been in love with Gracie. He thought the one night that they shared was magical and a turning point in their relationship. He saw it as the time they both finally gave each other their hearts but when Mitch woke up the next morning, his Gracie was gone.

When Gracie walked away from Mitch, she was at a stage in her life where she was trying to get her life in order. She was a recovering alcoholic who had just came back from rehab and also trying to conquer her eating disorder. At that time in her life, she was afraid of ruining everything with Mitch and it took her a year to really see that she loved him. For one year, Gracie distanced herself from her friends because she was trying so hard to avoid Mitch since she ruined her chance at love.
"I see all of you, G. Even the parts you try to hide."
Mitch was devastated when Gracie walked out on him a year ago. He tried so hard to put Gracie behind but he never really could because she was the only one who ignited passion, desire, lust, and love. She was everything to him. She was his home, his life, and best friend. So when she walked away from him, it angered him. He wanted to hate her but couldn't. When Gracie's friends tells her that she needs to talk to Mitch and tell him how she really feels about him, she faces one of the biggest challenge in her life...to put her heart on the line. Will Mitch find it in his heart to let Gracie back in? Can Gracie grab that one desperate chance to get her second chance at love?
Desperate Chances was one of those reads that gripped your heart from the opening pages. It was such a beautiful, poignant, touching, heartbreaking, and compassionate tale on love, healing, and second chances. In this emotionally charged book, A. Meredith Walters did an amazing job showcasing all facets of friendship, love, heartbreak, regret, healing, and second chances. I loved how Ms. Walters stripped Gracie and Mitch's characters to be so vulnerable and flawed allowing readers like myself to understand and relate to their emotional battle. Their struggle with their friendship was written so raw and poignant that it tore my heart to see two people who love each other so much hurting. But in true A. Meredith Walters form, the author was able to break our hearts and yet heal them as she reminds us all that love shouldn't be a secret. If you love someone, tell them. You will always regret it if you don't. So if you are looking for a book that is brimming with emotions and palpable chemistry, then I highly recommend you to read Desperate Chances.

A. Meredith Walters
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