What do you think?
Rate this book
The Pacific Bay #1
Chances Are
Chances are, you never know what story might be in the very next chapter...
When recently divorced Allie Barrett receives a letter notifying her that she’s inherited her deceased uncle’s home and fishing charter business in Oregon, she quickly decides the coastal town of Pacific Bay might be the perfect place to start over and raise her eleven-year-old son. But her high hopes are dashed when she discovers the quaint home on the bay is really a ramshackle dump in severe need of renovation and the fishing charter is a run-down business requiring an infusion of financial capital she does not have. Worse, the town mayor and her son are her competition and employ extreme measures to block her success.
With a surprise money source in hand, and the help of a no-nonsense widower who offers the love she’s always wanted, Allie finally finds things turning around in her favor. In fact, her story might just have a happy ending... that is, until her good-for-nothing ex, Deacon Ray, shows up and complicates matters.
This heartfelt story is filled with charm and quirky, fun characters and is sure to please fans of Susan Mallery and Susan Wiggs. The perfect beach read!
When recently divorced Allie Barrett receives a letter notifying her that she’s inherited her deceased uncle’s home and fishing charter business in Oregon, she quickly decides the coastal town of Pacific Bay might be the perfect place to start over and raise her eleven-year-old son. But her high hopes are dashed when she discovers the quaint home on the bay is really a ramshackle dump in severe need of renovation and the fishing charter is a run-down business requiring an infusion of financial capital she does not have. Worse, the town mayor and her son are her competition and employ extreme measures to block her success.
With a surprise money source in hand, and the help of a no-nonsense widower who offers the love she’s always wanted, Allie finally finds things turning around in her favor. In fact, her story might just have a happy ending... that is, until her good-for-nothing ex, Deacon Ray, shows up and complicates matters.
This heartfelt story is filled with charm and quirky, fun characters and is sure to please fans of Susan Mallery and Susan Wiggs. The perfect beach read!
234 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 30, 2020
1581 people are currently reading
549 people want to read
About the author
Kellie Coates Gilbert
50 books331 followers⭐️ USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR ⭐️
Kellie Coates Gilbert has won readers’ hearts with her compelling and highly emotional stories about women and the relationships that define their lives. A former legal investigator, she is especially known for keeping readers turning pages and for creating nuanced characters who seem real.
In addition to garnering hundreds of five-star reviews, Kellie has been described by RT Book Reviews as a “deft, crisp storyteller.” Her books were featured as Barnes & Noble Top Shelf Picks and were awarded a coveted spot on the Library Journal’s Best Book List.
Born and raised near Sun Valley, Idaho, Kellie now lives with her husband of over thirty-five years in Dallas, where she spends most days by her pool drinking sweet tea and writing the stories of her heart.
Kellie Coates Gilbert has won readers’ hearts with her compelling and highly emotional stories about women and the relationships that define their lives. A former legal investigator, she is especially known for keeping readers turning pages and for creating nuanced characters who seem real.
In addition to garnering hundreds of five-star reviews, Kellie has been described by RT Book Reviews as a “deft, crisp storyteller.” Her books were featured as Barnes & Noble Top Shelf Picks and were awarded a coveted spot on the Library Journal’s Best Book List.
Born and raised near Sun Valley, Idaho, Kellie now lives with her husband of over thirty-five years in Dallas, where she spends most days by her pool drinking sweet tea and writing the stories of her heart.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews
August 6, 2020
AKA Murphy's Romance
This book borrows heavily from the script of the 1985 movie Murphy's Romance starring Sally Field and James Garner. It even used some of the exact.lines in the movie , the only problem is that the age difference between the movie characters and the book are very different so the book characters seem silly. What 40 ish person says I'm in love for the last time in my life?
This book borrows heavily from the script of the 1985 movie Murphy's Romance starring Sally Field and James Garner. It even used some of the exact.lines in the movie , the only problem is that the age difference between the movie characters and the book are very different so the book characters seem silly. What 40 ish person says I'm in love for the last time in my life?
October 13, 2020
Seen Murphy’s Romance?
Am I the only one who sees this as a rip off of Murphy’s Romance- the movie from the 80s? Right down to he can sew, his wife dies from an aneurysm, her ex-husband stealing $ and riding a bike and the carnival instead of a scary movie?
What the heck?
Am I the only one who sees this as a rip off of Murphy’s Romance- the movie from the 80s? Right down to he can sew, his wife dies from an aneurysm, her ex-husband stealing $ and riding a bike and the carnival instead of a scary movie?
What the heck?
October 18, 2020
Murphy's Romance 2.0
This book follows the plot of the Sally Field, James Garner movie, Murphy's Romance. It even contains some of the dialog! There are a few changes, like changing horses to a boat and the location. Sad.
This book follows the plot of the Sally Field, James Garner movie, Murphy's Romance. It even contains some of the dialog! There are a few changes, like changing horses to a boat and the location. Sad.
October 21, 2020
Self-Publishing Thwarted This Author
While Kellie Coates Gilbert has a derp understanding of the human heart and of plotting, her writing is more like a draft than a well-written book. A few pages were a polemic on infidelity that sounded as though they belonged in a sociology textbook. But the biggest problem is that the author has not mastered the very basic skill of "showing, not telling." Telling what happened instead of showing it, prevents the reader from getting inside the characters' skins--creates an avoidable distance between reader and characters. This could have been an excellent book instead of the mediocre effort that it is.
While Kellie Coates Gilbert has a derp understanding of the human heart and of plotting, her writing is more like a draft than a well-written book. A few pages were a polemic on infidelity that sounded as though they belonged in a sociology textbook. But the biggest problem is that the author has not mastered the very basic skill of "showing, not telling." Telling what happened instead of showing it, prevents the reader from getting inside the characters' skins--creates an avoidable distance between reader and characters. This could have been an excellent book instead of the mediocre effort that it is.
October 20, 2020
Cute, but not very original.
Although the geography and specific events differ, this seems to be a retelling of the movie "Murphy's Romance." The story line was quite similar and some of the dialog came so close to lines in the movie, that I was somewhat annoyed. The fun was waiting for each theme to arrive and compare how it worked with a boat in the Pacific Northwest as opposed to a horse ranch in the southwest. It's a cute story, and I know that many romance novels are formulaic, but this was a bit much.
Although the geography and specific events differ, this seems to be a retelling of the movie "Murphy's Romance." The story line was quite similar and some of the dialog came so close to lines in the movie, that I was somewhat annoyed. The fun was waiting for each theme to arrive and compare how it worked with a boat in the Pacific Northwest as opposed to a horse ranch in the southwest. It's a cute story, and I know that many romance novels are formulaic, but this was a bit much.
November 3, 2020
Cute story
I really enjoyed this story. Good background on the characters so you feel like you know each of them week. Good, clean, Christian romance.
I really enjoyed this story. Good background on the characters so you feel like you know each of them week. Good, clean, Christian romance.
August 20, 2020
Great Second Chance Story
Loved Allie ,a single mom to her wonderful son Ryan, looking for a second chance to start over in Pacific Bay. Allie is a strong , independent mother who will do everything she can to secure a life for her and Ryan, meeting Cam also gives her a second chance at happily ever after.I love that the residents of the town come together after a tragic accident may put Allies Life work on hold ,showing the strength in numbers can make anyone's dream come true.
Loved Allie ,a single mom to her wonderful son Ryan, looking for a second chance to start over in Pacific Bay. Allie is a strong , independent mother who will do everything she can to secure a life for her and Ryan, meeting Cam also gives her a second chance at happily ever after.I love that the residents of the town come together after a tragic accident may put Allies Life work on hold ,showing the strength in numbers can make anyone's dream come true.
November 25, 2020
I was enjoying this book until coming to several scenes stolen straight from the movie Murphy's Romance with Sally Field and James Garner. Nothing original here except for the author changing the names of the characters and the setting location. Save yourself time and look the movie up to watch.
October 18, 2020
Predictable
Was looking for a quick read while waiting for laundry to finish and found it free on Book Bub. Simple story.
Was looking for a quick read while waiting for laundry to finish and found it free on Book Bub. Simple story.
July 16, 2021
Love this new series ! I get to learn about another place , wanting to go see where this takes places!
October 23, 2020
Chances Are
Well-written. Colorful and believable characters, showing the goodness of community. The ending may have been a little too neatly packaged.
Well-written. Colorful and believable characters, showing the goodness of community. The ending may have been a little too neatly packaged.
June 8, 2022
Chances Are
You know? I didn't really contemplate just what the title meant. I so adored getting to know the characters and reading about their antics! So many different ways that this story could have gone, and I am so thrilled with the ending...well all of it! I'm hoping for that 'Chances Are' feeling to come to me. Enjoy!
You know? I didn't really contemplate just what the title meant. I so adored getting to know the characters and reading about their antics! So many different ways that this story could have gone, and I am so thrilled with the ending...well all of it! I'm hoping for that 'Chances Are' feeling to come to me. Enjoy!
May 9, 2022
I enjoyed the story, plenty of switches of expectations and cute characters
May 9, 2022
Quick, cozy 'feel good' book. I like this author and her writing style.
August 25, 2021
Terrific book
A divorced woman and her son get a new start. She inherits an old commercial fishing boat and learns the trade of deep sea fishing with the help of a good man and a town that takes her in as one of them. I highly recommend the book
A divorced woman and her son get a new start. She inherits an old commercial fishing boat and learns the trade of deep sea fishing with the help of a good man and a town that takes her in as one of them. I highly recommend the book
August 31, 2021
Good story
I love nothing more than a good story that isn't contrived or banal. This is one that checks all the columns on the good side.
I love nothing more than a good story that isn't contrived or banal. This is one that checks all the columns on the good side.
September 27, 2021
Easy book to read
I enjoyed this book, couldn't put it down.
It's light hearted,clean and the imagery really comes to life. Would certainly recommend it.
I enjoyed this book, couldn't put it down.
It's light hearted,clean and the imagery really comes to life. Would certainly recommend it.
October 6, 2021
A woman who has to start her life over not once but twice. Life is never what you expect but just what you need.....Chances Are you need to read this.
October 6, 2021
Chances Are
Enjoyed this story, so different, heartwarming. The kindness showed by all the folks in the small community was amazing. Great writing!
Enjoyed this story, so different, heartwarming. The kindness showed by all the folks in the small community was amazing. Great writing!
November 12, 2022
Chances Are by Kellie Coates Gilbert is the first book in the Pacific Bay series. Allie Barrett keeps her mom’s words of wisdom close to her heart. Especially “Chances are, you never know what story might be in the very next chapter.” So after her divorce and receiving a letter that she has inherited her uncle’s home and fishing charter business,. she packs up her son and everything they own and makes the trek from Texas to the Oregon coast. Her high hopes for a fresh start are dashed when the cottage and boat need more work than she expected. But never afraid of hard work, Allie and Ryan set out to make the home livable and the boat seaworthy. As a friendship with Cam, a local widower, grows, her good-for-nothing ex-husband shows up. Will she be able to meet the challenges ahead of her?
Many of the reviews complained that Chances Are was taken from the 1985 movie, Murphy's Romance. While I am aware of the movie, I have never seen the movie, so I can’t say whether this is true or not. A single mother starting over in a new town, meets with challenges and a new love is a common trope. Either way, I enjoyed this story. It’s a good, clean romance with a sweet ending. It was a nice break from the heavier stories I read recently. I enjoyed the small town friendly feel even with the common small town “enemies.” Although I must admit the “villains” of the story could have been more developed. However, I still enjoyed the story for Allie and Cam’s relationship. I look forward to reading the rest of the series. If you enjoy second chances with life and love, I recommend Chances Are.
Chances Are is available in paperback and eBook
Many of the reviews complained that Chances Are was taken from the 1985 movie, Murphy's Romance. While I am aware of the movie, I have never seen the movie, so I can’t say whether this is true or not. A single mother starting over in a new town, meets with challenges and a new love is a common trope. Either way, I enjoyed this story. It’s a good, clean romance with a sweet ending. It was a nice break from the heavier stories I read recently. I enjoyed the small town friendly feel even with the common small town “enemies.” Although I must admit the “villains” of the story could have been more developed. However, I still enjoyed the story for Allie and Cam’s relationship. I look forward to reading the rest of the series. If you enjoy second chances with life and love, I recommend Chances Are.
Chances Are is available in paperback and eBook
June 16, 2021
Entertaining and Nice Escape From Afternoon Heat
Chances Are is another first in series novel from an author I only recently discovered, Kellie Coates Gilbert. The theme of this novel, learning to love and trust again after being betrayed by your ex, is a tried and true romance theme. But the presentation of the theme, given Ms. Gilbert's exceptional storytelling skills, is fresh and new.
Her main characters, Allie and Cam, evolve throughout the story, becoming more relatable as the story progresses. And her villain, well, you know you are caught up in the story when you are ready to throat punch a character you know is not even real.
This book was so entertaining that I started it at 7pm and finished it in less than four hours. I barely took time for bathroom breaks! If we weren't in the middle of a pandemic, I would say Chances Are, is the perfect summer beach read. Instead I grabbed my evening tea, cuddled up on the couch with my lover and the dogs, and got lost for hours on the Oregon Coast. I could smell the ocean, hear the gulls cry overhead, while the fishermen unloaded the catch of the day. And for awhile, I was back spending my summer at Poppies and Grandma's place in Lincoln City, Oregon!
Thanks Kellie Coates Gilbert, for that wonderful interlude! If you keep on writing, I can assure you I will keep on reading!
Chances Are is another first in series novel from an author I only recently discovered, Kellie Coates Gilbert. The theme of this novel, learning to love and trust again after being betrayed by your ex, is a tried and true romance theme. But the presentation of the theme, given Ms. Gilbert's exceptional storytelling skills, is fresh and new.
Her main characters, Allie and Cam, evolve throughout the story, becoming more relatable as the story progresses. And her villain, well, you know you are caught up in the story when you are ready to throat punch a character you know is not even real.
This book was so entertaining that I started it at 7pm and finished it in less than four hours. I barely took time for bathroom breaks! If we weren't in the middle of a pandemic, I would say Chances Are, is the perfect summer beach read. Instead I grabbed my evening tea, cuddled up on the couch with my lover and the dogs, and got lost for hours on the Oregon Coast. I could smell the ocean, hear the gulls cry overhead, while the fishermen unloaded the catch of the day. And for awhile, I was back spending my summer at Poppies and Grandma's place in Lincoln City, Oregon!
Thanks Kellie Coates Gilbert, for that wonderful interlude! If you keep on writing, I can assure you I will keep on reading!
January 30, 2021
Allie Barrett receives a letter saying that she has inherited a house and a boat in Oregon. She lives in Texas, and has recently divorced her no account husband. She has an eleven year old son, and feels that this is a chance to start over.
So she loads her car, takes her meager savings and heads for Oregon. When they arrive in town, with her money spent. They stop to ask directions and get a bite to eat. There they are introduced to the people of the town. A friendly, helpful, kind group of people.
There she is offered a temporary job to hold her over until they can get settled. When they arrive at the house she has inherited, she finds nothing but mess. The inside worse than the outside. But with a lot of elbow grease they begin to clean the yard and the house.
Then she sees the boat she has inherited. It too needs a lot of work. She needs it insured, she needs a captain, she needs it licensed and any other number of things.
If you enjoy stories about the good of small town people you will enjoy the story. It takes many interesting twists and turns, even the boat is destroyed by fire. The book is well written and very interesting. Buy it!
So she loads her car, takes her meager savings and heads for Oregon. When they arrive in town, with her money spent. They stop to ask directions and get a bite to eat. There they are introduced to the people of the town. A friendly, helpful, kind group of people.
There she is offered a temporary job to hold her over until they can get settled. When they arrive at the house she has inherited, she finds nothing but mess. The inside worse than the outside. But with a lot of elbow grease they begin to clean the yard and the house.
Then she sees the boat she has inherited. It too needs a lot of work. She needs it insured, she needs a captain, she needs it licensed and any other number of things.
If you enjoy stories about the good of small town people you will enjoy the story. It takes many interesting twists and turns, even the boat is destroyed by fire. The book is well written and very interesting. Buy it!
February 5, 2021
Forgiveness heals many past hurts
A sweet little story with few surprises but the kind of story that gives one hope and ,ales you feel good. Allie and her son Ryan drive from Texas to Oregon to start a new life along Oregon’s coast, even though she had never been there. She had inherited a house and a boat, both in rough shape,from and uncle she had never met. Her uncle was well known in the community and Allie was warmly welcomed into the town.
Of course, Allie had left behind her in Texas, an ex-husband who wasn’t worth much in any way. And of course, it is not really a spoiler to know he shows up in Oregon and makes life miserable for Allie. However bad he was, Allie still wants her son to have his dad around and does all she can to be polite but there is only so much she can take.
Just know that, as many of us have leaned, forgiveness lightens loads and once a person can forgive wrong doings, life is easier. Forgiveness does not mean forgetting though.
An easy book to read; a feel good book. Romance, yes, but sex, no. Rather refreshing.
A sweet little story with few surprises but the kind of story that gives one hope and ,ales you feel good. Allie and her son Ryan drive from Texas to Oregon to start a new life along Oregon’s coast, even though she had never been there. She had inherited a house and a boat, both in rough shape,from and uncle she had never met. Her uncle was well known in the community and Allie was warmly welcomed into the town.
Of course, Allie had left behind her in Texas, an ex-husband who wasn’t worth much in any way. And of course, it is not really a spoiler to know he shows up in Oregon and makes life miserable for Allie. However bad he was, Allie still wants her son to have his dad around and does all she can to be polite but there is only so much she can take.
Just know that, as many of us have leaned, forgiveness lightens loads and once a person can forgive wrong doings, life is easier. Forgiveness does not mean forgetting though.
An easy book to read; a feel good book. Romance, yes, but sex, no. Rather refreshing.
March 15, 2021
A lovely easy read.
When recently divorced Allie Barrett receives a letter notifying her that she’s inherited her deceased uncle’s home and fishing charter business in Oregon, she quickly decides the coastal town of Pacific Bay might be the perfect place to start over and raise her eleven-year-old son. But her high hopes are dashed when she discovers the quaint home on the bay is really a ramshackle dump in severe need of renovation and the fishing charter is a run-down business requiring an infusion of financial capital she does not have. Worse, the town mayor and her son are her competition and employ extreme measures to block her success.
With a surprise money source in hand, and the help of a no-nonsense widower who offers the love she’s always wanted, Allie finally finds things turning around in her favor. In fact, her story might just have a happy ending... that is, until her good-for-nothing ex, Deacon Ray, shows up and complicates matters.
When recently divorced Allie Barrett receives a letter notifying her that she’s inherited her deceased uncle’s home and fishing charter business in Oregon, she quickly decides the coastal town of Pacific Bay might be the perfect place to start over and raise her eleven-year-old son. But her high hopes are dashed when she discovers the quaint home on the bay is really a ramshackle dump in severe need of renovation and the fishing charter is a run-down business requiring an infusion of financial capital she does not have. Worse, the town mayor and her son are her competition and employ extreme measures to block her success.
With a surprise money source in hand, and the help of a no-nonsense widower who offers the love she’s always wanted, Allie finally finds things turning around in her favor. In fact, her story might just have a happy ending... that is, until her good-for-nothing ex, Deacon Ray, shows up and complicates matters.
November 1, 2020
Broke and hanging her hopes on an inheritance from her deceased uncle, Allie brings her 10-year-old son to Oregon from Texas, restores an old cabin, and resurrects a fishing charter business, much to the chagrin of the local mayor whose son has a monopoly on charter boats. Just as she begins to fall for the widower who's been helping her every step of the way, her ex shows up and demands a place to stay and a job.
I had to suspend disbelief a little more than I like when reading this kind of fiction, so that took it down a star.
I had to suspend disbelief a little more than I like when reading this kind of fiction, so that took it down a star.
November 17, 2020
An enjoyable romantic romp
Every now and then I pick up a book that falls in the romance category. When I do I am never disappointed. "Chances Are" is a light, clean and fun romantic story about a girl meeting a boy.
I truly enjoyed all the lovely coastal details. I grew up in the beautiful State of Maine and understand the love of the sea and all the wonders it holds.
My gratitude to this author for bringing me back some great coastal memories.
I highly recommend this story to those of you who love a clean romantic romp to lighten your heart.
Every now and then I pick up a book that falls in the romance category. When I do I am never disappointed. "Chances Are" is a light, clean and fun romantic story about a girl meeting a boy.
I truly enjoyed all the lovely coastal details. I grew up in the beautiful State of Maine and understand the love of the sea and all the wonders it holds.
My gratitude to this author for bringing me back some great coastal memories.
I highly recommend this story to those of you who love a clean romantic romp to lighten your heart.
May 13, 2022
What didn't you just call it Murphy's Romance 2.0 meet Dr. Phil? This is one of the more frustrating books I've read lately because it's rewriting the movie Murphy's Romance using most of the lines - definitely the plot - but just in a different location in the sad attempt to throw the reader off from the fact that this charming little story is original. They could have also called it "My Mama Always Said........." and made it a book of memes about mama's wisdom.
I have a feeling I won't be reading anything else by this author unless the pen name changes when I'm not looking.
I have a feeling I won't be reading anything else by this author unless the pen name changes when I'm not looking.
December 7, 2022
It was enjoyable story. The main character, Allie, is a positive person. Sometimes I did find her a bit naive considering all the hard knocks life had dealt her. However, I did admire her positive attitude overall. Fortunately, she receives some help and kindness from the people in Pacific Bay to help her settle in and hopefully to get the second chance she is striving for. She truly loves her son and tries to do her best buy him. The secondary characters were interesting, and I enjoyed the romance. Overall, it was an entertaining first in the series.
October 22, 2020
I enjoyed this novel by Kellie Coates Gilbert. She has a special way of bringing you on a journey. This trip she takes us to a little town, Pacific Bay on the Oregon Coast. Just when she thinks her life can't get any harder, she receives an inheritance from an uncle she has never met. She's a single mom, divorced and broke. What does she have to lose. She takes off with her son and a ice chest full of food, in her old care and heads for her new life in Oregon.
November 4, 2020
well, Amazon is not being friendly at the moment, telling me the page can not be display or can not be found??! whatever ... come on now??! i think this was either a Goodreads giveaway or i found it on one of those authors get together where they have a free read??! lean toward Goodreads giveaway?! any who ... i am new to Kellie's books. gorgeous cover. so relaxing and refreshing. fun characters. will read more from Kellie soon enough!! check her out out if you are looking for a new author??!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews