The Trouble with Possibilities by Nancie Abuhaidar
I gave this book 5 out of 5 stars. I loved that this book shows the main character going through a huge life change and then choosing to make the best out of it. So often in life, we find ourselves stuck after something emotional happens in our lives and we need a reminder that it’s okay to move on and want better for ourselves.
The trouble with possibilities by Nancie Abuhaidar, this was an amazing book that starts off with our FMC Delaney or Del for short. Landing in Africa for a non profit teaching program. Here we meet our MMC Ben who is an absolute sweetheart. From here we learn Del is a widow with two kids trying to figure her life out. We follow her journey of clumsiness and determination. She is funny and realistic, she is a wonderful character to follow around. Throughout the book we get to learn about her life and her kids. We also get to watch her try and learn how to love and be loved, it’s a tough journey and definitely worth the read.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Ellahttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngElla2024-10-20 23:28:462024-10-23 07:19:11The Trouble With Possibilities by Nancie Abuhaidar – Review by Ella Gleason
After the tragic end of her marriage, Del, in her 40s, decides to make a drastic change in her life by leaving her unfulfilling job and volunteering at a school in Tanzania.
From the very beginning, she begins to doubt her decision after a confrontation with the school’s director, David. Things don’t improve when she meets actor Ben Mahoney, the celebrity who founded the school.
Del struggles to overcome the feelings of guilt related to her family trauma and her low self-worth as she tries to move forward with her life. She finds it nearly impossible to believe that someone like Ben would be interested in her, and she worries about whether it would be fair to expose her adult children to the scrutiny of dating a celebrity.
This emotionally charged book addresses various issues surrounding death, addiction, relationships, friendships, and self-worth, yet it remains highly readable.
An enjoyable and engaging read which kept me happily turning the pages. A tragedy forces Del to literally pull the plug on her unhappy marriage and leaves desperate to escape. In a bid to regain control over her life Del heads off to Africa. Whilst volunteering at a school Del meets the celebrity and orphanage founder Ben Mahoney. If being handsome and charming wasn’t enough to make her heart flutter, he also shares her passion for education. Ben is keen to hear her bold plans to improve the school, but she finds he often catches her off guard. Especially as he appears to like her! The likeable and relatable Del was a wonderful character who I really felt for and was invested in her story. The chemistry between her and Ben came across in the narrative. The stunning African setting was brought to life making me feel immersed in the story. I enjoyed the inspirational storyline following Del as she finds herself and follows her dream of volunteering in Africa.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Jennifer Gordonhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngJennifer Gordon2024-10-20 11:32:072024-10-23 07:00:45The Trouble With Possibilities by Nancie Abuhaidar – Review by Jennifer Gordon
Nancie Abuhaidar’s *The Trouble with Possibilities* is a captivating exploration of self-discovery and the unpredictable nature of life’s choices wrapped in a poignant narrative. Del, the novel’s protagonist, is characterized with complexity and depth, making her journey both relatable and compelling. After a devastating personal tragedy, she seeks solace and a fresh start in Africa, a backdrop that beautifully contrasts her chaotic past.
Del’s transformation from a woman weighed down by the baggage of her previous life to an empowered individual armed with spreadsheets and plans for the future is refreshing. The narrative effectively captures her struggles with impulsivity and emotional turmoil while injecting humor and warmth into her journey.
Abuhaidar’s writing shines in its ability to weave together themes of love, loss, and self-acceptance. The setting of Africa is vividly described, adding layers of richness and cultural nuance that enhance Del’s journey. The emotional stakes are high, and the author does not shy away from portraying the rawness of Del’s experience.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Jennifer Crainhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngJennifer Crain2024-10-20 10:30:032024-10-23 06:59:33The Trouble With Possibilities by Nancie Abuhaidar – Review by Jennifer Crain
Whew! What a tale! I loved every second of it! Following along on the journey Del takes is eye opening and refreshing. I was jealous of her to have the nerve to take off like she did. Yes she needed it but I was surprised she did it. It made a world of difference in her life and I loved all the people she met, the places she went and the changes she was able to make to her life and within her family. I just wish she wasn’t so accident prone or weepy but she still is a good character and has sone growth and ability to do more. This is very well written and I am glad I picked it up and gave it a chance. Probably one that will be re read again. Highly recommend if you are looking for an adventurous tale.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Lisa Helmickhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngLisa Helmick2024-10-18 12:49:142024-10-23 06:52:54The Trouble With Possibilities by Nancie Abuhaidar – Review by Lisa Helmick
I wanted to read the Trouble with Possibilities because the title and the cover stood out to me, and I’m glad I did. The story follows Del, who has recently lost her husband and has decided to finally do something with her life that she has always wanted to do. She signs up to volunteer at a school in Africa, and it’s probably the best decision she ever made. I love this aspect of the story as it’s something I’ve always wanted to do as well, and I’m glad it acknowledges not only the positives but also the negatives, the hard parts. I didn’t love the romance aspect of the story as much as I feel like the audience doesn’t get shown the qualities Del appreciates about Ben, at least not until towards the end. I also feel like what stops the love interests from getting together, whilst it is a big deal, isn’t enough to cause a problem for as long as it does. It gets a bit tiring, particularly her childish behaviour which seems unfair on him at times. But nevertheless, it is well written, and the last few chapters are written exceptionally well and I did enjoy the ending. My favourite character was probably Mandi, even though we don’t see much of her, and my least favourite character was possibly David, although he does seem to redeem himself. I recommend this book because it is an inspiring story, and it’s always refreshing to see a romance centred on an older couple. “You do not have to erase the past to embrace the future, but you do have to loosen its hold.”
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Maisiehttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngMaisie2024-10-15 09:01:512024-10-22 19:11:01The Trouble With Possibilities by Nancie Abuhaidar – Review by Maisie Dickinson
Delaney (Del) Harper has lost her husband, job and is having issues with her adult son. So she decides she needs to get away and goes to Africa to help the less fortunate children with schooling. Once there she tries so hard to keep her feelings and anxieties bottled up from everyone and everything that happened at home. Such a wholesome romance novel. Once I started this book I had to keep going. This book shows how grief can manifest itself and eventually you just have to let some things go in order to make peace within yourself.
I hadn’t read any books by this author before, so I was unsure of what to expect. The cover drew me in, and the synopsis piqued my interest, prompting me to give it a try. To my surprise, it turned out to be much more emotional than I anticipated. I found myself relating to the main character, Del, in numerous ways. As a fan of second-chance stories, this book felt like the perfect fit.
What stood out to me is how the author transcends the typical second-chance romance trope. Their writing style is captivating, creating a seamless flow that kept me engaged throughout. The characters are richly developed and relatable, making it feel like I was reconnecting with friends from the pages. The narrative captures Del’s fierce desire to reinvent herself. The chemistry between her and Ben crackles and creates a very tense setting. The author’s exploration of themes such as grief, resilience, and the complexity of human connection is both insightful and engaging. While this book is undeniably raw and heart-wrenching, it also shines with uplifting moments. If you’re in the mood for a fantastic rom com that delves into deeper emotions, I highly recommend giving this one a read!
This was a good and interesting read. This book is about second chances. Del goes to Africa in hopes to find herself and open herself to more possibilities. She has been through a lot and her life hasn’t turned out the way she has hoped. This story has some drama, friendship, family, hope and of course possibilities. I wasn’t sure what to expect going into this story but I’m glad I took the chance. I enjoyed this author’s writing style. The author made the characters relatable and easy to connect with. I recommend this book, I think you will enjoy it as much as I did.
If you love a good women’s fiction story filled with emotion, some humour and second chances with a slightly older lead character dealing with real life basically, then this wonderful book is definitely for you. This may be the authors first book but I know with talent like this it is sure to be the first of many.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Juleshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngJules2024-10-13 17:32:292024-10-22 18:57:16The Trouble with Possibilities by Nancie Abuhaidar – Review by Jules Herbert
The Trouble with Possibilities by Nancie Abuhaidar
OK so this book wasn’t quite my cup of tea. I had trouble connecting with most of the characters in the book. The characters were a little too complex for me. Because of the complexity of the characters, it brought a certain amount of tension between them. On saying that this book has hope, emotional drama, family, friendship and some sense of loss and the possibilities of a different life. While this book was not my cup of tea, I found the writing style of the book was great. For someone, this book is going to be a great read, so please get yourself a copy and find out for yourself. Nancie thank you for putting your thoughts into this book. I give this book a 3.5 rating.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Sue Kemphttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngSue Kemp2024-10-11 23:09:482024-10-22 14:44:26The Trouble With Possibilities by Nancie Abuhaidar – Review by Sue Kemp
3.5 stars “The Trouble with Possibilities” is Nancie’s first book, and I love the story behind how it came to be. This romantic women’s fiction tale is filled with emotions, second chances, and rom com humour as we follow one woman’s journey. I appreciated that our main character is older and deals with real, raw issues. While it was initially hard to relate to Del, I found myself warming up to her as the story progressed.
Del thought life wasn’t supposed to be so difficult, but now it’s time for her to start over, follow her dreams, and discover who she is after everything she’s been through. If only she could overcome her feelings of regret, shame, pain, and guilt. Surprisingly, she finds the best medicine in an unexpected place. They say that beautiful things can happen when we least expect them.
Experience Africa through the rich narrative of the author and follow Del’s new journey in life by reading this moving tale.
A really neat story about second chances. Del’s husband passes away. She decides to go to Africa for a job. What an adventure she has. There are lots of chances for second chances. She has many decisions to make. Can she let go of her insecurities? I found it to be a very entertaining read. It had a wonderful flow. I enjoyed all the characters in the story. It had such a wide variety of personalities. I felt the theme of go for the second chance was a good one.
Del seems to be off to a rough start with her new beginning…. She quit her job and heads to Africa , Tanzania as a volunteer only to left alone at the airport , fear not her her driver finally arrived but when she reaches her destination “ Mr Director” tests her patience even further but telling her her accommodations aren’t available 😳she’s tired and just wants a shower and a bed , her patience is wearing by the minute so yay for “ Mr Smile” when he saves the day and her accommodations are sorted ….
She’s about to settle when she meets her roomie , Julia , who’s bubbly and messy and the last thing she wants to deal but she’s a trooper and takes the grand tour …
Ben Mahoney is a celeb so obviously everyone wants a piece of him and Del doesn’t even know who he is and I think he finds that refreshing , he’s seen for just being Ben and he was the first person there to settle her in after her disastrous introduction to “ Mr Director “ ….. yes “Mr Smile” is Ben 😜 and on the more of “ Mr Director” aka David , the man is a chop and he really has it in for poor old Del 🙈but I’m sure she’ll charm him to warm up a little and once he thaws they’ll get along 😉
Now Del has 2 kids , Mandi and Trevor, she was married but her husband was injured in duty and she had to make a difficult decision which haunts her and I’m grateful she spoke about and made her peace …..
Must just add there’s something regal about the Masai warriors/ guards that just make you feel safe . Also being guests in a foreign country with a different culture must be difficult especially if I look at how Del was with Akili …
What I appreciate about Del is she’s serious about teaching and helping and she sees potential in if I think back on Beti , she’s bright but struggles a little because she’s dyslexic and Del approached David to ask if she could tutor her and let’s just say the response wasn’t the warmest 🥲 but she found a way to to help her 🥰 so the teaching program she sees staff that have potential that could be used elsewhere, she has this heart to help people to help themselves and others and it’s a beautiful quality 🥰
I liked Juma and mama and on more than one occasion wanted to try her cooking while Juma is just this firm , fair , polite , diplomatic, gentle and kind presence , a good man ❣️good people. Julia her British room mate was just what she needed on a friend 🥰and she made me laugh and yes I felt Del’s frustrations at times but all in all she’s a good soul and friend as for mr Ben Mahoney you’ll have to read for yourself about the developments I can’t spill all the beans 😜
It was entertaining to watch the dynamics of all these different personalities , cultures and ideas 🤗
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Heidihttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngHeidi2024-10-07 04:21:502024-10-22 14:01:52The Trouble With Possibilities by Nancie Abuhaidar – Review by Heidi Sturgess
The Trouble with Possibilities, the debut novel by Nancie Abuhaidar, turned out to be a surprising little package that tugged at my heartstrings. It is a contemporary women’s fiction story (chick lit) with heartache, rediscovering yourself, finding where you belong, finding love unexpectedly, new beginnings, family, friendship, following your dreams, angst, emotion, drama, love, loss, regrets, hope, possibilities, complex/realistic characters, adventure, and is a journey of discovery. Sometimes it takes a tragedy to shove us in a new direction, and that’s exactly how Del finds herself winging her way to Africa, on a mission to start her life over. Landing on the vast continent is only the start of her new adventure… what ensues makes for a heartwarming read. Happy Reading…
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Angela Hayeshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngAngela Hayes2024-10-05 00:14:482024-10-21 14:38:56The Trouble with Possibilities by Nancie Abuhaidar – Review by Angela Hayes
The Trouble With Possibilities by Nancie Abuhaidar. I loved this book. It’s the first book by this author I’ve read and it most definitely won’t be my last. It’s the story of Delaney or Del as she goes by, whose life has taken a tragic turn. Her husband has died unexpectedly and even though their marriage wasn’t a happy one it still hurts. Her kids are grown and she finds herself sort of lost so she decides to follow her dream and move to Africa. She has always wanted to work in a school in Africa and is so excited except when she gets there and meets her boss he is a major jerk. She is also smitten with the CEO of the project and what if there is a possibility of a new romance? She decides to throw herself 100% into her job and finds a lot of joy in it. The kids have their own problems she tries to help them with. Del has her own insecurities and is trying to overcome them. Will she be able to let her insecurities go and be the woman she knows she can be. This book was such a joy. I’m a woman of similar age and my child is grown so I could relate a lot to this character. I can’t wait to read another book by this author!
This is a cute story about second chances in life as a middle-aged woman. Del had run away to Africa to help at the Children of Tanzania Organization. And is hoping to maybe find a little bit of her younger self. Only here she is just hiding from her life and family she ran from. Once she gets settled and is able to see how the organization helps young children, she wants to do more. To be able to give some of the girls here a better life of opportunities. Along the way she becomes friends with several of the follow volunteers and comes to look at them as friends. This of course does not always go without a hitch, since her bosses are 1. a hot celebrity that she can’t help but dream about and the other a royal pain to work with. Del has her doubts about everything she has done in her life and does not think she deserves a second chance at a happy ever after. But who knows stranger things have happened along her adventure.
This is the second book I have read recently with an older woman closer to my age and I was able to relate to her, especially with how she felt during her marriage. It caught me by surprise and that caused me to have to step away from the book for a break.
But I went back in and I’m so glad I did. Delaney won me over from the beginning and I definitely understood a lot of her feelings as a woman and the mother of grown children, but I didn’t have the opportunity to go to Africa to get my head back to where it needed to be.
The hate hate relationship between Del and David was great, there is one scene that stands out after Julia left for a short trip away that may have made me chuckle a few times during and later when I thought about it.
I was pleasantly surprised when I realized this was her first release. This was well written, the characters had depth and an enjoyable story to read. Hope to see more from Ms. Abuhaidar in the future.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Robin Rankinhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngRobin Rankin2024-10-02 22:15:052024-10-21 14:30:45The Trouble With Possibilities by Nancie Abuhaidar – Review by Robin Rankin
This book is such an interesting read from the moment you pick up the book. It was much more intense and in-depth than I expected from the blurb, which pulled me in, in a way that I did not expect. I connected with the characters with ease and wanted to know so much more about them. It really felt like I went on their journey with them. This is the first book that I have read by this author and I really like the fact that I was so surprised by this book. Having read so much, it really does take a lot to present me with something I wasn’t expecting, but that is exactly what this author did. I am really looking forward to seeing what else she has to offer.
This was an amazing story and I’m so glad that I had the pleasure to read it. This isn’t your typical rom com. It’s a bit more real. Del is hurting. Deep down pain, guilt and shame. She’s lost who she is trying to be who everyone wants her to be. She constantly snuffs out her own light. She is a widow who hasn’t gotten over her husband’s death and blames herself for it although it wasn’t her fault. She’s full of fear and anxiety. But she has a huge heart. She’s smart, resourceful and great at her job. Ben is more than the celebrity on screen and may be the perfect guy for her if she lets him in. Honestly the story couldn’t have ended any better. I highly recommend this book.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Amber Howardhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngAmber Howard2024-10-01 06:36:222024-10-01 10:21:52The Trouble With Possibilities by Nancie Abuhaidar – Review by Amber Howard
This was a good read. I like the themes of second chances. I did have a little bit of a hard time connecting with Del. Overall, I did like how the characters developed within the plot. The way they went through complex situations while moving through was good.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Trish Annhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngTrish Ann2024-09-30 10:45:542024-10-01 10:11:21The Trouble With Possibilities by Nancie Abuhaidar – Review by Trish Ann
I enjoyed this read. This is an inspiring story filled with second chance opportunities, regret, finally following your dreams and overcoming obstacles you never thought you would need to. The author has done an excellent job with the characters especially making Del feel so real and relatable. I can understand her feelings of guilt for having to turn of her husband’s life support machine, and all the emotions that decision brought up even the feelings of relief which intensified the guilt even more. After losing her husband and her children grow Del decides to follow what was once her dream, to go to Africa and work in a school. With nothing holding her back she throws herself head first into the project and no amount of negative thoughts, other people’s doubts, a boss who is a ass or the increasing feelings she is starting to feel for the CEO is going to stop her from reaching her goals. But there are more issues to take care of apart from the children and Del needs to re learn her way around learning to deal with people and understand other people’s views. And with the chance of romance on the horizon again will Del grab the opportunity with both hands or will the guilt she feels for the past stop her from moving forward and embracing life.
I enjoyed this story and I loved Del’s character. I loved that no matter what was thrown at her she managed to work her way through things with strength and determination
The trouble with possibilities is they are as unexpected as they are infinite.
Del thinks possibilities are the trouble.
When tragedy forces her (literally) to pull the plug on her unhappy marriage, her family is in shambles. Desperate to escape and regain control over her spiraling life, Del boards a flight to Africa.
New continent. New Del.
Armed with spreadsheets and an impeccable plan, she steps into her future– straight into the world of Ben Mahoney. The celebrity orphanage founder makes her heart stutter. Sure, he’s handsome and charming, he’s a Hollywood heartthrob, after all. And Del isn’t looking for another mistake.
Except, Ben shares Del’s passion for education and appreciates her bold ideas to improve the school. He also possesses an uncanny ability to catch her off guard.
He’s a living example of her mother’s mantra. What’s worse? In spite of her damage, he seems to like her.
From a young age, Nancie had a mind full of stories and an obsession with horses. Her passion for literature and travel led her to a BA. in English from Mount Holyoke College and a Five College Certificate in International Relations.
She lives on a farm in the Hudson Valley, NY with one husband, two barn cats, too many horses, and a pack of naughty dogs.
When she’s not cleaning up after her menagerie, she can be found in her writing dungeon letting her imagination run free. Nancie writes Women’s Fiction, Twisty Upmarket Novels, and has an Upper YA Fantasy duology lurking in her drawer.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Possibilites-cover-Final-eBook-2.jpg1200752itsybitsybookbitshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngitsybitsybookbits2024-09-29 00:01:202024-10-09 19:43:45The Trouble With Possibilities by Nancie Abuhaidar
We may request cookies to be set on your device. We use cookies to let us know when you visit our websites, how you interact with us, to enrich your user experience, and to customize your relationship with our website.
Click on the different category headings to find out more. You can also change some of your preferences. Note that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience on our websites and the services we are able to offer.
Essential Website Cookies
These cookies are strictly necessary to provide you with services available through our website and to use some of its features.
Because these cookies are strictly necessary to deliver the website, refuseing them will have impact how our site functions. You always can block or delete cookies by changing your browser settings and force blocking all cookies on this website. But this will always prompt you to accept/refuse cookies when revisiting our site.
We fully respect if you want to refuse cookies but to avoid asking you again and again kindly allow us to store a cookie for that. You are free to opt out any time or opt in for other cookies to get a better experience. If you refuse cookies we will remove all set cookies in our domain.
We provide you with a list of stored cookies on your computer in our domain so you can check what we stored. Due to security reasons we are not able to show or modify cookies from other domains. You can check these in your browser security settings.
Google Analytics Cookies
These cookies collect information that is used either in aggregate form to help us understand how our website is being used or how effective our marketing campaigns are, or to help us customize our website and application for you in order to enhance your experience.
If you do not want that we track your visit to our site you can disable tracking in your browser here:
Other external services
We also use different external services like Google Webfonts, Google Maps, and external Video providers. Since these providers may collect personal data like your IP address we allow you to block them here. Please be aware that this might heavily reduce the functionality and appearance of our site. Changes will take effect once you reload the page.
Google Webfont Settings:
Google Map Settings:
Google reCaptcha Settings:
Vimeo and Youtube video embeds:
Other cookies
The following cookies are also needed - You can choose if you want to allow them:
Privacy Policy
You can read about our cookies and privacy settings in detail on our Privacy Policy Page.
