The Heart of the Journey
Step into No Chance, the evocative debut novel by Gareth Alun Thomas, where the rhythmic clatter of European trains becomes the soundtrack to a journey of love, friendship and self-discovery. Set during a summer interrailing adventure in 1985, the story follows Will Evans as he travels across Europe with hope in his heart and one unwavering goal: to win the affection of Ruby, the woman he has never quite managed to forget.
From bustling city squares to quiet countryside platforms, each stop along the way brings new encounters, awkward missteps and moments of unexpected clarity. As rivalries surface and friendships are tested, Will begins to realise that love is rarely as simple as timing it right. The journey forces him to confront rejection, pride and the uncomfortable truth that growing up often means accepting what we cannot control.
Blending humour with heartfelt reflection, No Chance explores the fleeting intensity of youth, the nostalgia of shared adventures and the enduring impact of the choices we make when everything still feels possible. It is a story about taking risks, embracing vulnerability and discovering that sometimes the real destination is not a place on the map, but a deeper understanding of yourself.
The Author's Journey: Crafting 'No Chance'
Over the past two years, the evolution of No Chance has felt deeply personal. What began as scattered notes inspired by my own interrailing trip across Europe gradually became a story about timing, love, and the weight of missed opportunities. Those early memories, written down almost casually, slowly shaped themselves into something much bigger.
Set in the summer of 1985, No Chance follows Will Evans as he travels across Europe with one simple but overwhelming goal: to win the heart of Ruby, the girl he has loved since university. Armed with optimism, misplaced confidence, and a loyal group of friends, Will soon discovers that romance is rarely straightforward. Rivalries, misunderstandings, and the awkwardness of youth complicate every step of the journey. As the trains carry them from city to city, Will begins to realise that growing up is about more than chasing someone you love. It is about understanding yourself, accepting rejection, and finding humour even in heartbreak.
Writing this book meant revisiting a time of life defined by uncertainty and possibility. Your twenties are shaped by tension between staying and leaving, holding on and letting go. In telling Will’s story, I wanted to capture the nostalgia of train platforms at dusk, friendships forged in cramped compartments, and the quiet reflection that comes when the landscape slips by outside the window.
No Chance stands as a reflection on youth, memory, and the risks we take for love. It is not simply a story about whether Will gets the girl. It is about the courage to try, even when the odds seem slim. My hope is that as you follow his journey across Europe, you recognise something of your own in it, and perhaps are reminded that some chances are worth taking, even when they feel impossible.