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Past Chances
In her compelling new novel, Bernardine Kennedy brilliantly conveys how the damage caused in the past can cause one's life to spiral out of control.
Eleanor Rivington has always felt like an outsider. Abandoned by her mother and brought up in fear of her father, she's desperate to leave home and live like other girls in London in the seventies. When a barman from work invites her to share a flat with him and two of his friends, it is her chance to break free. But when Eleanor confronts her father the terrible tragedy that follows haunts her forever. And, despite the support of her new friends, Eleanor's life seems destined for further disappointment...
Eleanor Rivington has always felt like an outsider. Abandoned by her mother and brought up in fear of her father, she's desperate to leave home and live like other girls in London in the seventies. When a barman from work invites her to share a flat with him and two of his friends, it is her chance to break free. But when Eleanor confronts her father the terrible tragedy that follows haunts her forever. And, despite the support of her new friends, Eleanor's life seems destined for further disappointment...
416 pages, Paperback
First published October 18, 2007
About the author
Bernardine Kennedy
15 books5 followersBernardine was born in London but spent most of her childhood with her travelling ex-pat parents in Singapore and Nigeria before settling in Essex, where she still lives.
Her diverse and very varied working life, which has given her such an insight into the situations of her characters, has included careers as an Air Hostess, a Swimming Instructor and a Social Worker as well a Teacher of English in a women's prison.
She has been a freelance writer for many years initially writing whatever was wanted by whoever before eventually specialising in travel features for popular magazines and newspapers. This gave her the opportunity to combine her two favourite activities; writing and travelling!
Her diverse and very varied working life, which has given her such an insight into the situations of her characters, has included careers as an Air Hostess, a Swimming Instructor and a Social Worker as well a Teacher of English in a women's prison.
She has been a freelance writer for many years initially writing whatever was wanted by whoever before eventually specialising in travel features for popular magazines and newspapers. This gave her the opportunity to combine her two favourite activities; writing and travelling!
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
February 24, 2026
psychological weight of past decisions. Bernardine Kennedy crafts a narrative that is less about external action and more about the internal reverberations of loss, hope, and resilience.
The heart of this novel lies in how trauma echoes across relationships — shaping choices, distorting memories, and forcing characters to confront the parts of themselves they’ve long tried to suppress. This story is not a typical suspense thriller; rather, it uses psychological tension to explore the delicate balance between dependence and independence, between the comfort of familiarity and the fear of change.
What makes Past Chances so compelling is the author’s ability to depict emotional vulnerability without sentimentality. The struggles feel lived‑in, the character arcs resonate with authenticity, and the tension is rooted in human frailty rather than sensationalism.
For readers who appreciate thought‑provoking drama that examines how the past lingers in the present — not as a haunting ghost, but as a formative force — this novel offers both depth and empathy. It’s a story that stays with you, urging reflection long after the final page has been turned.
The heart of this novel lies in how trauma echoes across relationships — shaping choices, distorting memories, and forcing characters to confront the parts of themselves they’ve long tried to suppress. This story is not a typical suspense thriller; rather, it uses psychological tension to explore the delicate balance between dependence and independence, between the comfort of familiarity and the fear of change.
What makes Past Chances so compelling is the author’s ability to depict emotional vulnerability without sentimentality. The struggles feel lived‑in, the character arcs resonate with authenticity, and the tension is rooted in human frailty rather than sensationalism.
For readers who appreciate thought‑provoking drama that examines how the past lingers in the present — not as a haunting ghost, but as a formative force — this novel offers both depth and empathy. It’s a story that stays with you, urging reflection long after the final page has been turned.
May 29, 2021
Parts of this book were good and held my attention but other parts were muddled and I found myself scanning through. Some of the characters had similar names and I found that confusing.
Eleanor has a lonely and abusive upbringing but this only becomes evident as the story develops. This affects her life for years to come.
Not really my sort of book but I did make it to the end.
Eleanor has a lonely and abusive upbringing but this only becomes evident as the story develops. This affects her life for years to come.
Not really my sort of book but I did make it to the end.
March 3, 2018
Something different
This is the first book i have read by this author. But it certainly will not be the last. It was so good i really could not put it down..almost every page had a different twist and turn. Absolutely brilliant.I definitely recommend this fabulous read
This is the first book i have read by this author. But it certainly will not be the last. It was so good i really could not put it down..almost every page had a different twist and turn. Absolutely brilliant.I definitely recommend this fabulous read
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews