Last Chance Hero

May 11, 2015
The power of gossip and the triumph of battling personal demons share center stage with suspense and arson in this unbalanced visit to the small town of Last Chance, S.C. (last seen in Last Chance Family). Miriam Randall comes into Sabina Grey’s antique shop to deliver the prophecy that Sabina’s soulmate won’t appear until Sabina’s little sister, Lucy, gets married. The community responds by pushing Lucy’s boyfriend, fire chief Ross Gardiner, to pop the question. But when the house Ross buys for them burns down, Lucy finds herself with cold feet and an undeniable attraction to arson investigator Zack Bailey. Meanwhile, Sabina starts dating wealthy Layton Webster, whom she wronged in high school, to distract herself (and the townspeople) from her own obvious lust for Ross. Late events maneuver everything toward working out, but they feel strange and forced. There’s more angst than the setting can support, and it’s hard to feel good for Sabina and Ross without imagining the awkward family politics that would result from marrying your sister’s ex-fiancé. Agent: Elaine P. English.

Narrator Kristin Kalbli perfectly captures the charming, caring, and just-a-little-slower Southern rhythm of Last Chance, South Carolina, and its citizens. When the local matchmaker announces to beautiful but guilt-ridden Sabrina Grey that her soul mate will arrive as soon as she sets her efforts to getting her sister married, romantic confusion ensues, and sparks fly. Add in mysterious fires and a hunky fireman with a cute dog--and listener entertainment is a sealed deal. Kalbli perfectly portrays the distinct cadences of Southerners and brings a believable papery thinness to the voices of the older characters. Her acting skills breathe life, humor, and just a touch of sadness into these somewhat flawed folks who are looking for love while navigating family relationships. This is a story with depth, well presented and most enjoyable. A.C.P. © AudioFile 2015, Portland, Maine