This was my introduction to Jackie Collins and although I haven't read anything else of hers yet it's definitely in my reading plans in the future! Reading this in 2009 it's almost like I can see back into the 80s where it is set and was written! I thoroughly enjoyed this and would highly recommend.

The first book of Jackie Collins Lucky Santangelo series primarily focuses on Lucky's father, Gino Santangelo, and his rise to fame as a mob boss. Gino is violent, hyper intelligent, and a manipulator that knows how to pull strings, but he is also a romantic and loves his family deeply, even if he has a strange way of showing it. People are drawn to Gino's magnetism, and he is essentially a good person that commands loyalty and respect. Despite the fact that he has done some pretty despicable things, it's hard not to like Gino.

In Chances, we also meet Gino's daughter, Lucky Santangelo, and her younger brother Dario. We also follow the story of Carrie, a beautiful young girl whose uncle forced her into a life of drugs and prostitution. Eventually we learn of the connection between Carrie and the Santangelo's, and it's just as wild of a connection as you'd expect from Jackie Collins.

If you're looking for a story that has a little of everything: glitz and glamor, organized crime, sex, drugs, love and deceit, friendship and family then don't look any further than Chances.

I like Jackie Collins writing, she kept me interested through the whole book.
I don't like the misery, though. Very triggering book. Rape, incest, child molestation, etc. etc.
This was my first Jackie Collins, and I have to say I don't understand why people are so excited about [b:Fifty Shades of Grey|10818853|Fifty Shades of Grey (Fifty Shades, #1)|E.L. James|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1385207843l/10818853._SX50_.jpg|15732562].

When I was twelve, I found my mother's copy of this book and I was hooked. I had to hide reading it because, adult content. To say I was blown away is an understatement because this book set standards for the books that followed. They do not write books like this anymore.
Anyway, it starts with Gino, Lucky's dad. A tale of crime, sex, life and money! what more could you ask for. Plus the men in here are macho.

‘Expecting conceit they found courtesy. Expecting arrogance they found a man concerned with people’s thoughts and feelings.’

And me - expecting a sweet little story — found an in-your-face, wham bam, bordering-on-vulgar, yet nonetheless exciting mobster tale. Let me tell you, dear little Jackie Collins has got a mouth on her like a truck driver. She frequently drops the f’bomb, hesitates little in calling women C-U-Next–Tuesdays or — most blush-inducing for me because I hate the word — the p word {the p-word = sometimes followed by cat or willow}, and describes sexual acts in extreme details, aka this book is NOT for the faint of heart. Read More Here

This wasn't one of her strongest for me unfortunately.

The story was too long and the ending just got way too out of control.
Another let down for me, was how many deaths were in this story.

However, her characters once again were captivating.
I'm just happy I have finally started the Lucky Santangelo series and I can not wait to see what the other books bring!

What a beautiful, beautiful story. What a way to play throwball with my pathetic heart, passing it wherever the author liked.
I needed a moment to myself before I could steady myself to write a review about this one. I was lost, found, lost and eventually found again. A long book of 600 pages, and did I ever feel like dumping it? Uh-huh! You bet this is the most trashiest book I've ever come across but it is my guilty pleasure. I am ashamed and proud to say that I thoroughly enjoyed it and Jackie Collins is now my new favorite author. I am looking forward to read more of her work now.
The lady has a way of captivating the reader's mind and soul with her plot twists, her way of delivering the words. I really enjoyed my first JC experience..

Talking about the characters I must say again, I'm ashamed to say I'm head over heels in love with the protagonist: the one and only Gino the Ram Santangelo. An asshole, a sexist, a male chauvinist bastard who thinks women are good for only one thing. But what I most liked about him was his loyalty toward the women he had loved. First Leonara, then her daughter Maria. He was a faithful lover/husband. And a good father too. A cunning business tycoon with lots of power and brains. The book covered everything about Gino; from his birth, his struggles, his prison days, his rise to fame, his allies, enemies throughout his life to his old age - although he never acted like one - which at the end of this book was seventy-one. Yes, I confess, I'm in love with a seventy-one year old man. Thanks!

Let's talk a bit about our own lioness, feminist Lucky Santangelo. Rebellious daughter of our very own Gino Santangelo. She's my spirit animal. What a personality has Jackie Collin masterfully produced in the name of Lucky Santangelo. A wild, raw, super sexy, black eyed beauty who takes over her father's empire during his seven year exile in Israel. And takes over successfully. A confident, bold true to name Santangelo.

Some of the other characters of the book: Costa, yes I like him. He's like a father to Lucky and a brother to Gino.
Aldo: A true, loyal friend till the end.
Marco: Oh poor Marco! I was so very upset when I read that part. They should've let him live. That was unfair.
Carrie: Her life depressed the eff outta me. A very very strong lady indeed.
Steven: I don't know what to think of this man who after knowing he is the half-brother of Lucky, still couldn't stop thinking about her. That was funny actually. I don't want to see their romance in any of the other Lucky Santangelo books I read. That would be incest.
Overall a decent guy. A dutiful lawyer and a good son.
Enzio Bonnatti: *midfing* how on eartn could he do this. Gino had sensed it already. Good old Gino. Poor Lucky took too much time to figure things out but at the end? Well we all know she's champ.
Dario: Mmm... might be a little difficult to like him, but hey, he was a Santangelo, even if he was a fairy.
Leonara: The Basic Bitch of the novel.
Maria: My favorite character. A faithful wife, a loving mother who's demise was tragic. And the asshole Gino was lucky to have a virgin wife knowing his background with the girlies.

A tight, suspenseful, gripping, not to mention a TRASH read I bet you'll love.

This book chronicles the life of Gino Santangelo, mobster, and the numerous people who are, in some way or another, connected to him.

Trashy fiction is not my thing. I guess I should have known, considering how I dislike watching gossip shows and soap operas. There is an excess of (sordid) details and a lack of a centralized plot. Don't stab me, it's just a matter of preference. Also, much of the book is quite...crude. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a prude nor am I conservative, I just don't like Ms. Collins' particular writing style, I suppose.

4.5