Gino Santangelo's rise to prominence in the glitzy world of gambling and organized crime includes his adventures in Las Vegas, where he builds a mu...
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Aug 21, 2010
Moppet
rated it: 
Chances was exactly the right book at the right time for me. I’d been working very hard and needed a break. Happily, the next weekend was sunny and I was able to spend a lot of it out in the garden with my pink yoga mat (same shade as the book cover, incidentally), a pillow, and this book.
Chances starts in 1977, as crime boss Gino Santangelo is on his way back to New York after a period of exile. Daughter Lucky, who has been running the show in his absence, isn’t thrilled and a power s More...
Chances starts in 1977, as crime boss Gino Santangelo is on his way back to New York after a period of exile. Daughter Lucky, who has been running the show in his absence, isn’t thrilled and a power s More...
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Jan 02, 2009
Christina
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In my teens I found a dog-eared copy of Jackie Collins "Chances" laying on a park bench. I picked it up and started reading the story of Gino Santangelo. What started out as a boring afternoon became my introduction into adult fiction and my love for Jackie Collins.
For three days straight everything in my life stopped. I read this book at breakfast, on the way to school, after school, while out with friends and I did my chores. I even hid it from my mom because I knew s More...
For three days straight everything in my life stopped. I read this book at breakfast, on the way to school, after school, while out with friends and I did my chores. I even hid it from my mom because I knew s More...
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Sep 29, 2007
Laura
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I LOVE these books about the Santangelo family, and this one kicks it all off! I read them in my high school days, but really want to go back and read all of them again! This is just one of those mindless beach reads, but with action, sex, mobsters, bad marriages, and trouble! I give it two thumbs up!
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Nov 03, 2011
Naveen
rated it:
This is the book that made me a big fan of Jackie Collins.
I like how she writes about celebrity scandals and power grabbing. I like how she breaks the spirit of the rich and famous. Her works make you wonder about how twisted hollywood really is.
Gino Santangelo is one fine guy in my book. Yet again, I found myself having a crush on a fictional character. His rise from rags to riches (and i mean extreme riches) ahd me rooting for him all the way even if he made the usu More...
I like how she writes about celebrity scandals and power grabbing. I like how she breaks the spirit of the rich and famous. Her works make you wonder about how twisted hollywood really is.
Gino Santangelo is one fine guy in my book. Yet again, I found myself having a crush on a fictional character. His rise from rags to riches (and i mean extreme riches) ahd me rooting for him all the way even if he made the usu More...
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Jan 18, 2012
Daisy
rated it:
What a great start to a series by Jackie Collins. It is no wonder why she is one of my ultimate favorite authors of all time! I felt like I was watching a movie the whole time I was reading! This story had everything, Crime, sex, drugs, whores, pimps, lust, deceit, revenge, love, backstabbing and friendship. I really enjoyed the time setting of the story, having it begin in the early 20’s I could picture Harlem and the people. This 1st book in the series is based mostly around Gino and his story
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Feb 01, 2009
Angel
rated it:
even though this book has gutter language,sex and scandal, it doesshow how two different individuals came out from their lives of poverty to the much wealth they actually deserve.The concept and the plotting of the story all comes together,I love Carrie and Gino's life struggle and how their children who lead completely different lives meet... i consider Jackie Collins book a masterpiece which reflects the current situation of the world before us ...i just love this book and the way she writes..
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Jun 24, 2009
Shawn
rated it:
So, it took my a freakishly long time to finish reading this, but I am so glad I did. I am a huge fan of Jackie Collins, and I think this book will probably be one of my favorites by her. I love how, in this books it spans several decades and not once gets boring, and I love how she mixed in the present day and past into one flowing story. Which is a style she also wrote in her book Deadly Embrace. I have really fallen in love with the Santangelo set of characters and look forward to more in thi
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Jul 25, 2011
Carolann
rated it: 
‘Expecting conceit they found courtesy. Expecting arrogance they found a man concerned with people’s thoughts and feelings.’
And me - expecting a sweet little story — found an in-your-face, wham bam, bordering-on-vulgar, yet nonetheless exciting mobster tale. Let me tell you, dear little Jackie Collins has got a mouth on her like a truck driver. She frequently drops the f’bomb, hesitates little in calling women C-U-Next–Tuesdays or — most blush-inducing for me because I hate the word More...
And me - expecting a sweet little story — found an in-your-face, wham bam, bordering-on-vulgar, yet nonetheless exciting mobster tale. Let me tell you, dear little Jackie Collins has got a mouth on her like a truck driver. She frequently drops the f’bomb, hesitates little in calling women C-U-Next–Tuesdays or — most blush-inducing for me because I hate the word More...
Jul 19, 2011
Donna
rated it:
I just re-read this book. The first time I read this book was in the 80's. Second time around was just as good as I remember the first time being. This was the first book I ever read by Jackie Collins and I have been a fan ever since. She had me at the first page of this book and it has been a great ride through every single one of her books since then. There are a few that I have not had a chance to read yet some being her earlier novels and the Thrill and L.A. connections somewhere in the
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Jul 30, 2011
Caroline
rated it:
The Santangelo saga begins. It all starts from the beginning, when Gino is a little boy, and goes through all the experiences, he went through to build his empire. Gino had it hard, alot of tragic incidents, and no one to back him up, that made him the man with so much motivation the man he had become. It proves it does not matter where you come from you have passion anything is possible.
Lucky is one character you fall in love with, she is her dad inside and out, a women you will not mess with, More...
Lucky is one character you fall in love with, she is her dad inside and out, a women you will not mess with, More...
Mar 23, 2010
Davina
rated it:
I must admit I was absolutely shocked by how good this story was. I can't wait to read the second installment about Lucky. It was a very easy read but also had an addicting storyline. I could really see it as a mini series. I know that it was written during the Dallas, Falcon Crest era. It really is a soap opera. However, I highly suspect that there is some aspect of truth behind this novel. It also reminds me of the Godfather saga. Gino is a character that you can both love and love to h
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Dec 09, 2008
Caroline
rated it:
i really liked this book and i am ashmamed of this fact. it was quite possibly the trashiest novel i have ever read.. with that said, i couldn't put the book down.. it was long and you loved how much more you got to get to be involved with the characters. i loved gino and carrie..i give this book two very embarrased thumbs up.. so worth the read, you will feel dirty, but breathless at the end! :)
Jun 24, 2011
Steven
rated it:
I really loved this book. Collins creates great characters in Gino The Ram, his daughter named Lucky Santangelo, and a whole bunch of other characters you either love or love to hate. Collins covers several decades in this 800 page novel, and she has great pacing skills throughout this heavy book. But time flies as you read the novel. It's one of those you just can't tear your eyes away from.
Jan 19, 2011
Chrissy
rated it:
I read this when I was a teenager and had no business reading it. But I loved it. So, maybe my 5 stars are off if I read it again. But, it was made into tv movies and stuff, so the story was actually a good story. Jackie Collins stuff is full of garbage though...good story with a lot of garbage in there.
Sep 06, 2011
Samantha
rated it:
My review is one of a teenager, because that was when I read it. I loved it at the time because it
had sex, love, murder, drama, treachery, hate, basically you name it. I also loved Gino and Lucky.
I honestly feel though that if I read it now in my 30's, I may not see it in the same light.
had sex, love, murder, drama, treachery, hate, basically you name it. I also loved Gino and Lucky.
I honestly feel though that if I read it now in my 30's, I may not see it in the same light.
Aug 14, 2011
Tom
rated it:
I picked up this book on a whim. I had heard of Jackie Collins and when a good friend of mine said he read her I figured why not. It was great. It really got me hooked on books with a million different characters and story lines happening all across the world that finally intersect on the last page of the book. It's grand storytelling.
Apr 10, 2010
Andrea
rated it:
All the makings of a great book! Great organized crime plot, well-developed characters, action, and (of course) sex. Absolute page-turner and not a disappointment. Was happy to have the next book ready to pick up when this one was over!
Dec 03, 2008
This book kept me from doing anything for about a week. I've said this before, but I love these books. They are the complete opposite of my life and its like reading a soap opera.
Jul 16, 2011
Danielle
rated it:
Read this book when I was in my teens and I absolutely loved it! Literally couldn't put it down. Then went on to devour every other Jackie Collins novel I could lay my hands on!!!
Mar 03, 2011
Tonya
rated it:
I read this book when it came out; I was a senior in high school. It was that fun, forbidden element that made it a nice diversion from my usual reading. Gino was hot and Lucky added some zest to my own imagination. Jackie's books read quickly; something good and mindless I need every now and then. Since I don't watch the crap that's on tv now - still more fun for me to read; also considering how I prefer to read classics and literary fiction, I find that reading Lucky's adventures is just simpl
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May 20, 2010
Michelle
rated it:
Probably one of my favorite books! This book is a light read that is filled with exciting strong characters and it's a great way to escape for a weekend!
Oct 29, 2011
I read this forever ago! I do know that I have loved all of Jackie Collins books though. They are gritty and fast paced.
Jul 28, 2011
Carolee
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I STILL want to be a Mafia Princess! This book (and I read 'em in order in the early 90's) got me hooked on Lucky Santangelo.
Apr 27, 2011
gglaf
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Her books are always good! If you need a pick me up, read one of her books. Very entertaining and page turners.
Jul 23, 2009
Dana
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I have honestly read this book more times than I can count. It's THAT good!! As well as the rest in the series.
Dec 02, 2008
Penny
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This is by far her best book ever! I have read it 4 times, and could sit down and read it again today...
Nov 28, 2011
Virginia
rated it:
First ever Jackie Collins book I read. Love the characters and the woven, layered storytelling.
May 04, 2011
Linda
rated it:
Fun book, with a lot of intrigue, and things that seem impossible in a 'normal' world still happen.
Mar 23, 2011
Faybear
rated it:
this was the very first book series i ever read!!!! now i own it and the dvd... awesome series!!
