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Chance's Return
When prodigal son Chance McCord returns home to the North Star ranch, he faces a tragic past and a family divided. When young widow Casey Girard decides to spend the summer working on the North Star near the Grand Tetons of Wyoming, she doesn't expect to meet such a man as Chance, nor to fall so completely in love with him. They both must learn to trust in each other. Can Casey's faith and love truly bring Chance home?
254 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
6 people want to read
About the author
Lucy Naylor Kubash
10 books21 followersI have been writing for many years and was first published in 1983 in Woman's World magazine. I'm a member of Michigan Romance Writers, Romance Writers Online, and Women Writing the West. Besides writing fiction, I'm also the author of a monthly column called The Pet Corner. I live with my husband of over 50 years, and we love to travel, especially out West. We have two grown children and share our home with Gracie the Beagle and a kitty called Sandwich.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
April 18, 2025
CHANCE’S RETURN, by Lucy Naylor Kubash
Reviewed by Rosetta Diane Hoessli, Author
*****
I’m going to tell you, right out of the chute (as we Texans like to say), that I’m not ordinarily a fan of romance novels and very seldom even pick one up. But I would’ve been missing out on a beautifully written, truly inspirational love story if I hadn’t surrendered to my urge to read CHANCE’S RETURN, by Lucy Naylor Kubash.
Set on the North Star Ranch near the Teton Mountains in Wyoming, CHANCE’S RETURN is a story about second chances for people who don’t even know they’re looking for them. The characters are vividly drawn, especially the young widow Casey Girard and her sad little boy, Jamie, both trying to learn how to live without their much-loved husband and father, and Chance McCord, the washed-up rodeo star and eldest son of the North Star Ranch who, like the Prodigal Son, has returned to his boyhood home only because he has nowhere else to go. The supporting characters – Jamie, Aunt Billie, Justin and Kyle McCord, even the various ranch hands and the trail horse Buckwheat – add important layers to Casey and Chance’s story.
That’s not to say the plotline is unique; it isn’t. But the tender and sensitive way Ms. Kubash handles it, with lots of soul-searching and maternal guilt on Casey’s part because of her intense physical attraction to a handsome, rugged man not her departed husband, and Chance’s stubborn refusal to allow her into his heart and life because he’s no longer the man he once was, is unique and intensely believable. There are secrets in the McCord family, of course, and Casey is the kind of eternal optimist who feels that if everyone would just come out and talk about those secrets, everything would be fine. But, as is always true, life is never that simple.
I love books that are set in the west, and Ms. Kubash’s vivid descriptions of the magnificent Teton Mountain storms, the surrounding mirror-like lakes and forests, the explosive sunrises and sunsets, and the fields of wildflowers filled with riotous color in spring are breathtaking. She integrates those descriptions into the story seamlessly, almost as if they’re characters themselves, and not once did I speed-read through a description but instead savored it, sometimes more than once.
This isn’t a long novel, and that’s one reason I think CHANCE’S RETURN makes a great first book for Ms. Kubash’s new series, THE NORTH STAR LEGACY. It was originally published in 2009, but she chose to update and re-release it on April 16, 2025 for your reading pleasure. I’m happy to suggest that you take advantage of it!
I’m very glad to give CHANCE’S RETURN five stars. (*****)
Reviewed by Rosetta Diane Hoessli, Author
*****
I’m going to tell you, right out of the chute (as we Texans like to say), that I’m not ordinarily a fan of romance novels and very seldom even pick one up. But I would’ve been missing out on a beautifully written, truly inspirational love story if I hadn’t surrendered to my urge to read CHANCE’S RETURN, by Lucy Naylor Kubash.
Set on the North Star Ranch near the Teton Mountains in Wyoming, CHANCE’S RETURN is a story about second chances for people who don’t even know they’re looking for them. The characters are vividly drawn, especially the young widow Casey Girard and her sad little boy, Jamie, both trying to learn how to live without their much-loved husband and father, and Chance McCord, the washed-up rodeo star and eldest son of the North Star Ranch who, like the Prodigal Son, has returned to his boyhood home only because he has nowhere else to go. The supporting characters – Jamie, Aunt Billie, Justin and Kyle McCord, even the various ranch hands and the trail horse Buckwheat – add important layers to Casey and Chance’s story.
That’s not to say the plotline is unique; it isn’t. But the tender and sensitive way Ms. Kubash handles it, with lots of soul-searching and maternal guilt on Casey’s part because of her intense physical attraction to a handsome, rugged man not her departed husband, and Chance’s stubborn refusal to allow her into his heart and life because he’s no longer the man he once was, is unique and intensely believable. There are secrets in the McCord family, of course, and Casey is the kind of eternal optimist who feels that if everyone would just come out and talk about those secrets, everything would be fine. But, as is always true, life is never that simple.
I love books that are set in the west, and Ms. Kubash’s vivid descriptions of the magnificent Teton Mountain storms, the surrounding mirror-like lakes and forests, the explosive sunrises and sunsets, and the fields of wildflowers filled with riotous color in spring are breathtaking. She integrates those descriptions into the story seamlessly, almost as if they’re characters themselves, and not once did I speed-read through a description but instead savored it, sometimes more than once.
This isn’t a long novel, and that’s one reason I think CHANCE’S RETURN makes a great first book for Ms. Kubash’s new series, THE NORTH STAR LEGACY. It was originally published in 2009, but she chose to update and re-release it on April 16, 2025 for your reading pleasure. I’m happy to suggest that you take advantage of it!
I’m very glad to give CHANCE’S RETURN five stars. (*****)
May 21, 2025
Chance’s Return, a clean and wholesome romance by Lucy Naylor Kubash, is Book 1 of the “North Star Legacy” series. The contemporary western is set in Wyoming’s ranch country.
Casey Girard, a widowed single mom, and her young son Jamie drive from Michigan to Wyoming for the summer. Casey, a librarian, desperately needs a change of pace. Hopefully, different scenery and occupation will help them recover from the tragic loss of her husband. Her plan is to help her aunt, a cook at the North Star, a working cattle and guest ranch.
Chance McCord, an ex-rodeo champion, is returning to his family’s ranch, the North Star. He’s still nursing his wounds–both physical and mental. His family has been torn with tragedy and anger. Will his return make things even worse?
When Casey and Chance meet, their mutual attraction is immediate. But both have pasts that need to heal. Will they be able to overcome these tragedies, let go of the past, and make a life together?
Clean romance, or "clean and wholesome romance," is a genre of romance novels that focus on family, relationships, and clean content. I found Chance’s Return fit that description perfectly. The love shown between Casey and Chance didn’t need graphic descriptions of sex scenes. The lovely prose said it all.
I enjoyed Chance’s Return. Besides the storyline, I savored the author’s vivid descriptions of Wyoming, of a ranch nestled in the shadow of the looming Grand Teton Mountains with its extreme weather changes, the miles of pastureland, the clicking of insects, and the trill of songbirds. Besides all that, the story is captivating and heart-warming.
Casey Girard, a widowed single mom, and her young son Jamie drive from Michigan to Wyoming for the summer. Casey, a librarian, desperately needs a change of pace. Hopefully, different scenery and occupation will help them recover from the tragic loss of her husband. Her plan is to help her aunt, a cook at the North Star, a working cattle and guest ranch.
Chance McCord, an ex-rodeo champion, is returning to his family’s ranch, the North Star. He’s still nursing his wounds–both physical and mental. His family has been torn with tragedy and anger. Will his return make things even worse?
When Casey and Chance meet, their mutual attraction is immediate. But both have pasts that need to heal. Will they be able to overcome these tragedies, let go of the past, and make a life together?
Clean romance, or "clean and wholesome romance," is a genre of romance novels that focus on family, relationships, and clean content. I found Chance’s Return fit that description perfectly. The love shown between Casey and Chance didn’t need graphic descriptions of sex scenes. The lovely prose said it all.
I enjoyed Chance’s Return. Besides the storyline, I savored the author’s vivid descriptions of Wyoming, of a ranch nestled in the shadow of the looming Grand Teton Mountains with its extreme weather changes, the miles of pastureland, the clicking of insects, and the trill of songbirds. Besides all that, the story is captivating and heart-warming.
July 7, 2025
THOUGHTS: I’m usually not a fan of western romance, but this book just made me change my mind. It’s sweet, inspirational, and has a HEA ending that satisfies. The story is set on a ranch near the Teton Mountains in Wyoming. Chance and Casey are both looking for something, even if they don’t know exactly what. Casey is a widow and the mother of a seven-year-old boy. Wanting to get away from her “smothering” family for the summer, she joins her aunt on the North Star Ranch to help with cooking and to assist the owner with writing his memoirs. Chance is the prodigal son returning after ten years away. He lost his wife and son in an accident that he blames his brother for. While away, he ran the rodeo circuit, finally having to quit after a serious accident. The last thing either Chance or Casey has on their minds is romance, but fate has other ideas.
For that reason, it’s not a unique romance story, but the author does an excellent job of allowing us to see the real emotions as Casey watches her young son take to the ranch life and become the happy boy he was before his father died. She also is learning about ranch life–like driving a stick-shift truck and riding a horse. Chance shows her that there’s a lot to love about the land, and him.
I love the characters but the real draw to the story are the descriptions of the land and the beauty of the mountains. Almost makes me want to take a trip out there!
Recommended.
For that reason, it’s not a unique romance story, but the author does an excellent job of allowing us to see the real emotions as Casey watches her young son take to the ranch life and become the happy boy he was before his father died. She also is learning about ranch life–like driving a stick-shift truck and riding a horse. Chance shows her that there’s a lot to love about the land, and him.
I love the characters but the real draw to the story are the descriptions of the land and the beauty of the mountains. Almost makes me want to take a trip out there!
Recommended.
March 16, 2025
In the heart of Wyoming near Jackson Hole, an unlikely connection sparks between Chance, a weathered cowboy carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders, and Casey, a gentle librarian seeking healing of her own far from her Midwestern roots. Their blossoming romance promises a fresh start, but their tragic pasts threaten to keep them separated. Bound by heartbreak, Chance and Casey must confront their pasts and decide if they're willing to risk everything for a chance at love. Will they find the strength to overcome the obstacles that stand in their way, and can either of them truly let go of the past to commit to a future together on the ranch? This sweet romance, set against the majestic backdrop of the American West, is a captivating tale of second chances and is a must-read for anyone who believes in the enduring power of love.
May 23, 2012
This book started out really good. I had high hopes for it but not too far into it I could sense it wasn't going to cut it. There always seemed to be something missing from the characters interaction. There was way too much telling and not enough showing. Too bad because it could have been a really great story.
January 12, 2018
Lucy is a really good writer. Check Amazon for all her books!
February 18, 2016
good book for a novella
April 11, 2017
This is a story about a cowboy who leaves the family ranch because he was wronged, but then returns because he has nowhere else to go. The theme of the story is healing and trust. Casey, a widow with a young son, is working in the ranch kitchen for the summer. She’s a strong heroine—my favorite kind.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews