Erica Spindler is a master at story telling. I have not read one book of hers I did not like. I read Chances Are back in 1997 and loved it.

This was a fun, sassy and sexy read. Rich with scenery and society. Like most of our great romantic suspense greats, Spindler got her start with the romance novel.

Chances Are is a great read-. It is set in New Orleans & the book is as much as a history lesson on the area as it is a romance/suspense novel.

I thought the characters were unique & real. Veronique is sassy & entertaining & Brandon is pretty close to the ideal man- sexy, manly, & sweet.

I look forward to the next book in the Opposites Attract series (this was the first)

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

Also reviewed on bn.com (DaneWeimMama) & goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1046501.Chances_Are?ac=1&from_search=true

Brandon Rhodes is New Orleans’ royalty and the new president of a retail empire. He is privileged, but was born into obligations and traditions. Veronique Delacroix is an outcast of New Orleans’ high society, she is an illegitimate child, has never known her father and is considered a disgrace by her haughty family. In theory, Brandon and Veronique are opposites. Brandon has always played by the rules, Veronique is a self-made woman, impertinent and feisty.

Brandon is Veronique’s new boss, but she holds no punches, she is forthright and even blunt at times. Brandon is intrigued and attracted to her. She thrives on adventure and on taking risks. But can she risk her heart? Despite their mutual attraction, she is convinced that they are not meant to be together. Brandon could be using her as a way to escape his stuffy life.

Veronique never had a real family and being with Brandon just feels right. She can’t resist him, he makes her happy. I loved his determination to fight for her, even if it scandalizes New Orleans’ blue bloods. But secrets and deception could destroy their burgeoning relationship.

This story was well-written and a fast read. The characters are engaging and likeable, I definitely rooted for them. The author did a great job of tying up all loose ends and giving me the happily ever after I wanted!

I really enjoyed this story. It was everything I needed it to be and just what I was in the mood for. I liked both our hero and heroine. Usually I can take or leave the female lead in a book, probably because I usually see myself as that character. I am all about the hero. But our heroine was plucky, sharp, smart, mouthy, tough, strong. She was her own woman and comfortable in her uniqueness. Our hero was kinda dreamy without being an over the top asshole. Their story had romance, a little mystery, a little push and pull, and just a little angst. It was a perfect blend of all the things I like in a contemporary romance.

Veronique hated society gatherings and usually avoided them. But her mother Marie had asked her to come with her so Veronique did and here she was at the Rhodes mansion.The butler opened the door before Veronique even got the chance to knock and Lily St Germaine headed for Veronique and her mother.Lily was a snob and a gossip. Veronique was sure several of the stories circulated about her came from Lily. Veronique was a gambler by nature.Veronique felt there was an advantage to being the black sheep and the biggest was people being so scandalized by her presence and behavior. But by this her mother’s sin was forgotten and she was accepted back in their elite circle and that meant a lot to Marie.They were Marie’s friends , people she had grown up with. Brandon was alone in the billiards room ; his shoulder and neck ached from the tension, his head throbbed from a combination of emotions and he was squinting against the light. There was a hollowness inside him since his father -Blake had died. Blake and Brandon had merely existed in their collected space and now it could never change. Blake had been building a retailing empire- Rhodes. Rhodes was the finest store in the south. Then Veronique said she and Brandon had something in common ( after she ended up in the Billiards room also thinking no one was there) she had not known her father either.Brandon and Veronique were attracted to each other from the beginning. Brandon asked how she managed and Veronique said she did the best she could and she was still dealing and coping. Brandon then realized this was the Veronique he had heard about. Veronique knew she was the only illegitimate child in her mother's circle. Veronique told Brandon he was one who always played by the rules and he asked if she didn’t. Veronique said she had stopped a long time ago and she had no regrets when she gave up rules. Veronique was a window dresser and Brandon was now her boss. She had thought a lot of Brandon over the last week. Brandon then finds out Veronique works for him since he is now the President of Rhodes.But then Brandon finds out the business was built on a lie as the business was suppose to be a joint venture between Brandon’s father and Veronique’s father. But Blake ran Veronique’s father out of town.
I loved this story and really enjoyed reading it. I loved the plot of this story. I liked the way Veronique handled herself and also became very bold and gossiped about because of this and then her mother- Marie indiscretion was forgotten. A lot in this story even though it wasn’t that long but I still loved it. It also made me chuckle which is always good. This is fast paced. I loved the opposites attract a lot also.I loved the characters and the ins and outs of this story and I highly recommend.

I think this is a re-release. The story feels dated. Veronique is a woman who wants to hide behind a vivacious shell to protect her feelings. She hooks up with Brandon for fun times, but discovers he is getting through the shell to the real her. Of course there is something that could compromise their future together.

This story reminded me of a harlequin romance from years gone by. Not engaging, silly and unrealistic.

What a great story. Good writing and excellent plot. Was hooked

Brandon has always lived by everyone's standards and in the shadow of his father. Veronique has always lived by her own rules, mostly to take the attention away from her Mother. Due to her "scandalous" pregnancy, she had been shunned by the New Orleans Society. When Brandon & Veronique meet at an event she challenges him to try to live outside of what is expected of him. But after a night of partying the rumor mill in the Society Page starts and so does this crazy ride.
The banter between them is great and had me laughing, but when Brandon finds some unexpected information about his father that will affect Veronique he doesn't know what to do.

I could not put this book down! The characters were well developed and easy to like or dislike. There were unexpected twists, humor and heartbreak. I will be looking for other books by this author and now following her on Facebook.

Timeless tale by Erica Spindler with the perfect mix of romance, steamy scenes, and a hint of intrigue will have readers eagerly turning pages. Definitely recommend!

Two and a half stars.

I thought this was a really 'odd' book and whilst searching for it on GR discovered that it was first released in 1989 under the Silhouette imprint - totally makes sense!

Veronique Delacroix is the illegitimate daughter of one of New Orlean's most prestigious families. Her maternal grandfather appears to loathe her and she never knew anything about her father. People in New Orleans society have looked down on her and her mother all her life. Rather than be crushed by society's censure Veronique has pretended indifference and courted a reputation for being reckless and artistic. She works as a window dresser at the local department store which has become increasingly run down.

Brandon Rhodes has inherited the family retail business on the death of his father. The height of New Orleans' high society he is courted and feted wherever he goes. Brandon and Veronique first meet at his father's funeral wake, where Veronique's unconventional clothing and genuine sympathy strike a chord. Then Brandon discovers that she works for him when he visits the store.

But Brandon discovers that the family business was built on a lie, the business was supposed to be a joint venture between Brandon's father and Veronique's father but Brandon's father tricked him and ran him out of town. Should Brandon tell Veronique? If he does, what will she do?

This book is very much a product of the 1980s. Society balls, Pretty Woman-style shopping expeditions, Dallas-style family feuds and fade-to-grey sex scenes (oh, and no mention of contraception whatsoever).

I think more needed to be done to make this a modern novel than just put a sexy cover on the front, it needs a thorough overall.

Romance is never dead with Erica Spindler
This book was brilliant from start to finish! Veronique raised as the black sheep of the family , a hell raiser and proud. Brandon a recent owner of a wealthy family business both should.never mix yet when they do it's explosive. In this book Erica this book had a slight thriller element that Erica continued in future books. A family secret that could of destroyed brandons and Veroniques love - instead an act of romance brought them together. cannot wait to read more of Erica's romances this had me hooked!

Veronique Delacroix was raised by a single mother in New Orleans. She is quirky, independent, self-sufficient, lives life on her own terms and never turns down a challenge.

Brandon Rhodes is just the opposite. He grew up wealthy in New Orleans elite society. He conforms to what society expects of him. Now that his father has passed, he is set to take over his business.

There is instant attraction when these two meet. Brandon is drawn to Veronique’s zest for life and devil may care attitude. Veronique thinks he is a devastatingly handsome challenge and her opposite in every way. She does not like it at all when he bests her not once, but twice! I love the way Brandon pursues Veronique.

There is a lot packed into this short story and nothing feels short changed. A really good, solid, short, humor filled romance. It left me with a smile when I finished.

I voluntarily reviewed a gifted copy from NetGalley.

Thank you NetGalley for the copy if Chances Are by Erica Spindler that I read and reviewed.
This book is an earlier book that Spindler wrote that was released again with a new cover. I enjoyed this book. It was a good romance about opposites attracting and being accepted for who you are and not what you have. I enjoyed reading something Erica Spindler wrote earlier in her career and see how much her writing has changed.
If you are looking for a fun fast paced romance book I would suggest this book. Even though it is a bit older you can't tell by the writing so that does not effect the book at all.
Chances Are gets four out of five stars.

Veronique Delacroix has been raised by a single mother ... she has never met her father and her mother never talks about him. She has grown into a wonderful young woman who doesn't wait for things to happen ... she makes them happen.

Brandon Rhodes is the exact opposite. He's wealthy, cultured, raised to take over the reins of his family's retail store. Now that his father has died, he feels cornered ... suffocated. There is something he's missing .. he just doesn't know what.

Veronique and Brandon have a chance meeting that leads to the best game of one-upmanship that I have ever seen. It's funny, it's sad, it's sexy.

But one secret may destroy it all .....

This is a fast read, with lots of humor. What starts out as a game, turns into something that is to be treasured ... love. The story is well-written. The characters are dynamic .. especially Veronique.

I wish to thank the author / Double Shot Press / Netgalley for the digital copy of CHANCES ARE. The opinion expressed here is unbiased and entirely my own.

Very good read. Slow starting I found but then it takes off. Brandon's fathers death bring lies to the surface. They effect his relationship with Veronique.