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Games of Chance
In the aftermath of a tragedy, Alex, Seb and Emilia—who are not biological siblings—are raised as siblings in an Italian-American family in New Jersey. Alex is smart, charismatic, and easily carried away when it comes to partying and pretty girls; Seb is fearful, pensive and used to living in Alex’s shadow; and Emilia, the only girl, is a competitive runner and a perfectionist. They are all best friends. Over a period of twenty-one years, from their childhood to their late twenties, the three of them grow and change. They have romantic relationships—some fulfilling, some toxic—start careers, and take risks. Their choices lead them everywhere from dive bars in Boston to medical school in New York, from museums in Italy to the depths of mental illness. Their mistakes put a strain on their family—and one of them goes too far astray. Games of Chance is a novel about what family means and what keeps certain families together while others fall apart.
503 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2022
About the author
Raquel Drosos
1 book37 followersRaquel Drosos is the author of the novel Games of Chance. She grew up in New Jersey and still lives there with her husband and children. As a teenager, she wrote and published three young adult novels under her maiden name, Raquel George: Jill/Until Proven Innocent, Seventeen Days, and Secrets of Candie-Land. Games of Chance is her first book for adults.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
February 1, 2023
This is a wonderful coming-of-age story centered around 3 siblings-by-choice: Alex, Seb, and Emilia. I enjoyed reading about each of them -- Alex the impulsive dreamer, Emilia with her discipline and self-containedness, and Seb, growing to see beyond his childhood fears.
Reading this book felt like watching 3 dear friends grow up into strong adults - I enjoyed every minute.
Reading this book felt like watching 3 dear friends grow up into strong adults - I enjoyed every minute.
February 28, 2024
An intricate story of life and family
Games of Chance is different from the majority of books that I have read. It is like having a sneak peek into the lives of a family. There is a lot of trauma and hardships involved and some heavy themes, so if you are sensitive, be sure to check for any trigger warnings. There were times I wanted to shake Emilia or smack Alex, which means the characters were well written. The ending wasn't what I expected and confused me a bit, but overall, it was a good book.
Games of Chance is different from the majority of books that I have read. It is like having a sneak peek into the lives of a family. There is a lot of trauma and hardships involved and some heavy themes, so if you are sensitive, be sure to check for any trigger warnings. There were times I wanted to shake Emilia or smack Alex, which means the characters were well written. The ending wasn't what I expected and confused me a bit, but overall, it was a good book.
April 19, 2023
Games of Chance by Raquel Drosos pulls readers in immediately, tugging on heartstrings as we are thrown into the aftermath of the sudden death of the parents of siblings Emilia and Seb. After their aunt and uncle take them in, they are quickly and seamlessly woven into their cousin Alex’s life. From here, Drosos takes us on a journey of these three’s lives as teenagers, young adults, and beyond as they navigate finding their place in the world and the difficulties that come with it.
I really enjoyed this book, despite its slow start. It’s definitely a character-based novel, which isn’t for everyone, but I loved how it spanned many years. There was not a lot of depth to some of the character arcs that were meant to be more dramatic—conversations and major decisions felt contrived and were often neatly and predictable wrapped up. Still, the growth of the characters over time was enjoyable to read, and I looked forward to seeing each of the three grow and evolve. The pacing was incredibly well done, which I’d imagine is hard to plan and write in a novel meant to encompass several decades of three different character’s lives.
The struggles these characters go through are so universal, but Drosos writes in such a way that you feel like you are in the world with them, experiencing their highs and lows. You care about their journey, and I couldn’t help but keep reading to find out how their lives continued to unfold, how they would grow, who they would fall in love with.
As the title suggests, a major theme of this novel is the idea that we can have all of these grand plans and expectations for our lives, especially when we are young and idealistic, but ultimately every choice we make (or don’t)—one seemingly small (or large) event—can change everything we thought we envisioned or knew about ourselves, for better or worse. In one conversation, Emilia’s college professor explains how making mistakes when you’re younger can be beneficial—if you haven’t experienced things you have to overcome, you don’t know how capable you really are, and it can be harder to feel confident in knowing you can withstand any challenge. I’ve always found this a helpful view on life’s challenges and felt this especially resonated throughout this beautiful tale.
Thanks to Reedsy Discovery for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
I really enjoyed this book, despite its slow start. It’s definitely a character-based novel, which isn’t for everyone, but I loved how it spanned many years. There was not a lot of depth to some of the character arcs that were meant to be more dramatic—conversations and major decisions felt contrived and were often neatly and predictable wrapped up. Still, the growth of the characters over time was enjoyable to read, and I looked forward to seeing each of the three grow and evolve. The pacing was incredibly well done, which I’d imagine is hard to plan and write in a novel meant to encompass several decades of three different character’s lives.
The struggles these characters go through are so universal, but Drosos writes in such a way that you feel like you are in the world with them, experiencing their highs and lows. You care about their journey, and I couldn’t help but keep reading to find out how their lives continued to unfold, how they would grow, who they would fall in love with.
As the title suggests, a major theme of this novel is the idea that we can have all of these grand plans and expectations for our lives, especially when we are young and idealistic, but ultimately every choice we make (or don’t)—one seemingly small (or large) event—can change everything we thought we envisioned or knew about ourselves, for better or worse. In one conversation, Emilia’s college professor explains how making mistakes when you’re younger can be beneficial—if you haven’t experienced things you have to overcome, you don’t know how capable you really are, and it can be harder to feel confident in knowing you can withstand any challenge. I’ve always found this a helpful view on life’s challenges and felt this especially resonated throughout this beautiful tale.
Thanks to Reedsy Discovery for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
February 25, 2023
This book is a heartfelt exploration of the lives of three siblings in Jersey and NYC. We follow the characters from a pivotal moment that brings them together and sends shockwaves through their lives across decades.
The characters are richly imagined, and the author sends them on distinct journeys as they cope with beliefs and self-conceptions that shape the way they perceive the world and their lives. How do you cope with senseless tragedy? Do you tell yourself you are fated for bad luck or convince yourself that you’re in control? Do you think you’re the lucky one and everything comes easily to you? This book is ultimately about the stories we tell ourselves about our formative years and what happens if and when we are forced to confront that they are just stories.
I am a New Englander and also enjoyed recognizing settings sprawled across NY, NJ, MA, and PA. We encounter a host of vivid family members, friends, and love interests along the way and follow how they push our main characters to confront or ignore the beliefs they’ve carried with them.
I read this when I was sick and also need to say the descriptions of the FOOD were an absolute delight and had me daydreaming about a heaping plate of pasta with Sunday gravy (not me tearing up when Seb has his first plate of Sunday gravy at his aunts and uncle’s house!!).
And then there’s a fictional Boston dive bar called La Lucciola aka THE LOOCH and I want to go there NOW and drink an Aperol spritz with the owner!!
The characters are richly imagined, and the author sends them on distinct journeys as they cope with beliefs and self-conceptions that shape the way they perceive the world and their lives. How do you cope with senseless tragedy? Do you tell yourself you are fated for bad luck or convince yourself that you’re in control? Do you think you’re the lucky one and everything comes easily to you? This book is ultimately about the stories we tell ourselves about our formative years and what happens if and when we are forced to confront that they are just stories.
I am a New Englander and also enjoyed recognizing settings sprawled across NY, NJ, MA, and PA. We encounter a host of vivid family members, friends, and love interests along the way and follow how they push our main characters to confront or ignore the beliefs they’ve carried with them.
I read this when I was sick and also need to say the descriptions of the FOOD were an absolute delight and had me daydreaming about a heaping plate of pasta with Sunday gravy (not me tearing up when Seb has his first plate of Sunday gravy at his aunts and uncle’s house!!).
And then there’s a fictional Boston dive bar called La Lucciola aka THE LOOCH and I want to go there NOW and drink an Aperol spritz with the owner!!
August 9, 2023
In July of 2023, I had Raquel join me on my music fandom podcast. During our discussion she talked about this new book, it covers the three things she loves most, family, Italian Cooking and Bruce Springsteen. I was immediately sold. I loved reading Seb, Alex and Emilia story. I rejoiced in their wins and mourned with their losses. I wanted the book to keep going so I could learn more about the characters future. The music Bruce Springsteen, Eric Clapton and Sugar Ray provide the soundtrack to this wonderful novel.
November 19, 2022
I loved this book, the beginning is a little slow but once the story gets rolling it's impossible to put it down. The main characters are so vivid and even the side characters have a lot of depth. Though I really didn't like one of the siblings, I thought he was realistic and necessary to the story. I loved the other two siblings. I didn't want the book to end! You will still be thinking about the Venet family long after the story is over.
June 18, 2023
I don't know how to describe this book other than extremely excellent. It checks all of the boxes: great characters, great storyline, great writing, applicable to life, real, hard hitting, you get sucked in and are living life with the characters.
I haven't read a book that followed characters from their early life into their adulthood (from 3-40's) with so much involved, in such a great way, without getting bored from too many details, without getting rushed with too few details.
I haven't read a book that followed characters from their early life into their adulthood (from 3-40's) with so much involved, in such a great way, without getting bored from too many details, without getting rushed with too few details.
January 13, 2023
Having grown up in the northern New Jersey area I related to this book so much- from the food to the dialect I was brought back to my childhood. The book really gives you a depth look into the lives of these characters and you can’t help but love and hate them. I saw so many of my friends and family in these characters. I can’t recommend it enough! It’s for everyone!!
February 17, 2023
I loved being a part of this family for several hundred pages and was sad to see it end although hope springs eternal that there will be a sequel. This was a heartwarming story of love, trials and tribulations and ever-lasting family support. if these are valued attributes you will love this story!
March 9, 2023
This was a solid book. I gave it 3 stars, because I felt that there were just too many things going on. I felt the characters vacillated between different personalities, and it didn't fit well. While there were parts I didn't like, it was definitely a book I wanted to finish.
I received this book through a Goodreads giveaway.
I received this book through a Goodreads giveaway.
January 4, 2024
Spaghetti and Gravy, Yum!
A delicious read. The story follows two brothers and a sister as they grow and mature. It is multiple POV's. I found it most interesting as a segment was told through different eyes. Character development is spot on and I could feel the hub bub of NYC at Christmas time. Highly Recommended.
A delicious read. The story follows two brothers and a sister as they grow and mature. It is multiple POV's. I found it most interesting as a segment was told through different eyes. Character development is spot on and I could feel the hub bub of NYC at Christmas time. Highly Recommended.
February 28, 2023
Wow. This book had me wanting to laugh, cry, smile, and rage. I felt all the emotions. The author has a knack for making you feel what the characters are feeling and it’s beautiful.
TW: alcoholism, death of parents, suicide attempts
TW: alcoholism, death of parents, suicide attempts
February 29, 2024
Are people born lucky or unlucky, or is life a balance between lucky and unlucky events? Follow the journey of Seb and Emilia when they are raised by their aunt and uncle after the unfortunate death of their parents in an automobile accident at the tender age of eight and five. Their cousin Alex is also eight and the three become best friends continuing as friends through their late 20's. The story is so well written, you'll feel as though you are a part of their lives, cheering their successes and feeling their pain during their losses. The author has poured her heart and soul into this book and I can't stress enough how good this book is. You won't be disappointed.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews