Bennie Ford was raised by her beloved grandmother in Tallgrass, Oklahoma, and had two BFF's, Calvin Sweet and J'Myel Ford. The threesome were inseparable, and Bennie thought their friendship and Tallgrass would be their forever/together home. When Calvin and J'Myel enlisted in the Army together, they completed tours in Iraq and Afghanistan and were heroes. They each had a chestful of medals to prove it. Calvin opted to take courses planning to improve his education; J'Myel elects to have fun and not think about tomorrow. The two drift apart and stop speaking, and when J'Myel marries Bennie, she also loses contact with Calvin. When J'Myel is killed, Bennie begins to study to become a nurse. Her only social life is a weekly meeting of the Marguerite Girls, made up of women who loved a soldier and lost him. It is the highlight of her week.

Capt. Calvin Sweet returns home after eleven years on the battlefield. He is whole with all his arms and legs, but he has wounds you cannot see. He needs medications to counteract depression, mood changes, sleep problems, problems with trusting, and he recently tried to commit suicide. Now placed in a Warrior Transition Unit, near his home so his family can be a part of his recovery, Calvin suffers the shame of trying to end his life. He must work hard to control PTSD and move forward toward his hopes and dreams...which include Bennie. He has always loved her and needs to tell her his truths so they can have a new beginning together.

A CHANCE OF A LIFETIME is a NOW story that needs telling, needs understanding, and Ms. Pappano does it well. Her characters (including two dogs) are warm, and wonderful. Diez, the young teenager who saved Calvin's life is a nice addition to the close-knit families as well as Luce, another widow who dreams of owning her own business filled with luscious beautiful pastries; she would call it "Prairie Harts". Joe Cadore, the high school coach, has been in love with Luce from first sight and is waiting for the right moment make his move. He was my favorite character! I love A CHANCE OF A LIFETIME and will recommend it to all. It will really melt your heart!