Chances

Chances follows the intertwining stories of powerful figures in New York City, centered around crime boss Gino Santangelo and his dynamic daughter Lucky. The narrative spans decades, beginning with the 1977 New York City blackout that brings key characters together in unexpected ways. The core storyline tracks Gino Santangelo's rise from poverty to becoming a major force in organized crime, while exploring his complex relationship with his children Lucky and Dario. A parallel narrative follows Carrie Berkley and her son Steven, whose path intersects with the Santangelos during crucial moments. Collins constructs an expansive crime saga filled with power struggles, family loyalties, and forbidden relationships against the backdrop of New York City. The plot moves between past and present, revealing how choices and circumstances from decades ago impact current events. The novel examines themes of destiny, family inheritance, and the price of power in America's criminal underworld. Through multiple perspectives, it portrays how ambition and survival instincts shape the trajectories of both criminals and law enforcement.

Readers describe this as a fast-paced mob story with strong female characters. Many call it their favorite Jackie Collins novel and the best of the Santangelo series. Readers appreciated: - The complex character development of Lucky Santangelo - Detailed backstories spanning multiple decades - The blend of crime, romance, and family drama - Collins' straightforward writing style Common criticisms: - Too many characters to keep track of - Explicit sex scenes felt gratuitous to some - Plot points that seemed unrealistic - Length (over 800 pages) Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (22,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (1,200+ ratings) ThriftBooks: 4.5/5 (300+ ratings) Sample reader comment from Goodreads: "This book has everything - mob violence, family loyalty, revenge, romance. Lucky is fierce and unforgettable." Several readers noted starting the series with this book despite it being a prequel, saying it works well as an entry point.

Lucky by Jackie Collins A continuation of the Santangelo family saga follows the same blend of crime, glamour, and family dynamics in Las Vegas.

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★ The 1977 New York City blackout, a central event in the novel, lasted 25 hours and resulted in widespread looting, with over 1,600 stores damaged and 3,776 people arrested. ★ Jackie Collins wrote 32 novels in her career, all of which appeared on The New York Times bestsellers list, with combined sales of over 500 million copies worldwide. ★ The character of Lucky Santangelo, introduced in "Chances," became so popular that she went on to appear in seven more novels, becoming Collins' most iconic creation. ★ The book's portrayal of organized crime in 1970s New York coincided with the peak of the Five Families' influence, when the Mafia controlled many aspects of the city's economy. ★ Although "Chances" was published in 1981, Collins began writing it in the mid-1970s, conducting extensive research into both New York high society and criminal organizations to ensure authenticity.