When Fortune Knocks (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9798218554460)

When Fortune Knocks by Milan Gotcher is a poignant story that follows Damian Frost, a former high school football player who is now a substitute teacher. Damian has always been academically inclined and has a love for learning. Unfortunately, not all his classmates shared the same appreciation for education, which created challenges, particularly with his friend Jared Hall. While Damian excelled academically and in sports, Jared struggled and was assigned to work with him to improve his grades. Now, as a teacher, Damian encounters Barrett Greer, a star athlete with a bad attitude that reminds him of Jared. Through his interactions with Barrett and his students, Damian begins to reflect on the impact of mentoring and the importance of resilience in overcoming personal challenges. He starts to fall in love with teaching and seeks to help his students succeed academically and in understanding the value of teamwork, friendship, and self-worth.

When Fortune Knocks is a heartwarming tale illustrating how past experiences shape relationships and personal growth. Damian's journey encompasses significant transitions in his life, from his final year in high school to his teaching career. The story is narrated from two perspectives: as a high school student and as a teacher, allowing readers to witness the evolution of his character. The book addresses various struggles students and teachers face, exploring the balance between academic work and athletics, family issues, loss and grief, and personal aspirations. Damian's uncertainty in following his dreams is a central theme that reminds readers to seize life's opportunities courageously and never lose sight of their passions. This story is insightful and inspiring, capturing the reader's attention from start to finish. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and hope it encourages others to follow their dreams and cherish life's special moments.