{Review} "The Sum of Random Chance" by Lee Chambers

Title:  The Sum of Random Chance
Author: Lee Chambers
Publisher:
Publication Date:  July 22, 2012
Genre:  Mystery
Format:  Kindle 258 KB  |  Paperback 189 pages

Buy this book on Amazon:  Kindle Edition  |  Paperback
Author's Website:   http://www.leechambers.com/ 
Author's Goodreads Profile:  Lee Chambers

Synopsis: 

An eager rookie reporter for a small town paper who stumbles upon a mysterious girl foiling a grocery store robbery. Desperate for success, he sets out to make his name on her unique gift. Is this girl special or are all the magical moments pure coincidence? Do the random choices we make lead us down a path of no return or will he gain a sense of self-worth before he sells her out?

Diving in...

I started reading this one afternoon and before I knew it, I was done.  I pretty much read it straight through in about 2 hours.  I was drawn in immediately by Cole and once Sara was introduced I was hooked, I had to keep reading and I was a little sad when it was over.  It's more a novella, but for such a short story it packs a big meaningful punch. 

I don't want to give away any of the story, it's something that that each reader needs to uncover on their own.  It's a small glimpse into how seemingly random, sometimes inconsequential incidents can multiply to alter one persons life in a very meaningful way.  

The story begins with Cole on his way to work, mostly likely the same way as he began every day before.  He and his girlfriend have been fighting, it's made clear that this isn't something new.  He is tired of being just another low man on the paper, and he is waiting for that one story that will be his big break.  It starts with the tiniest thing, a blow off piece for the paper, but the day ends so much differently than he expects.

We also meet Sara, and she is just lovely from the start.  She is having a tough time in line at the grocery store, but she handles everything with a wonderful attitude.  As we follow her through that first day we get a glimpse of how extraordinary she really is.

As the story progresses, Sara and Cole unwittingly cross paths over and over before they finally meet.  All these random things that are happening are what has brought them together.  It's a story that shows that no matter how minor something seems at the time, each little thing that happens contributes to the bigger picture.  All the choices that you make throughout each day contributes to the kind of person that you are and eventually the kind of person that others see when they look at you.  

This story had me hooked from beginning to end.  There is just enough mystery to satisfy those who like that paranormal hook, but there is more to it than that.  There is no way that you can walk away from this story without being affected by it's true meaning.

*Disclaimer: I was provided with a copy of this book courtesy of the author in exchange for my honest review.*