Told in the form of a verse novel, Chances is the story of John, a shy, self-conscious individual who spends much of his time alone. Despite his paralysing shyness and awkwardness, he meets Helen, his first love and cannot believe his luck. He totally falls for her and she seems taken by him and, together, their love develops through their teenage experiences. However, he has his heart broken as Helen falls for another and finds himself alone once again. Despite many meets and encounters he can never get over that first love.
 
Thirty five years later he attends a school reunion, where his first love seeks him out and tries to rekindle their love. Will things work out? Will her tragic life experience persuade him to give their relationship another chance after all these years? Is he prepared to risk having his Heartbroken a second time?