The Good Luck Charm
by Helena Hunting
Published by Forever on August 7th, 2018
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Sports
Pages: 352
Format: ARC
Source: Kindly provided by Hachette Book Group Canada in exchange for an honest review
Summary from Goodreads:
Is it love, or is she just his good luck charm? New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Helena Hunting brilliantly captures the hilarity and heartache of first love and second chances in her sexy new romantic comedy.
Lilah isn't sure what hurt worse: the day Ethan left her to focus on his hockey career or the day he came back eight years later. He might think they can pick up just where they left off, but she's no longer that same girl and never wants to be again.
Ethan wants his glory days back. And that includes having Lilah by his side. With her, he was magic. They were magic. All he has to do is make her see that.
Just when Lilah might finally be ready to let Ethan in, though, she finds out their reunion might have nothing to do with love and everything to do with improving his game. But Ethan's already lost her once, and even if it costs him his career, he'll do anything to keep from losing her again.
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Review:
Hilarious, steamy, and heartwarming from beginning to end. Helena Hunting has definitely scored with this one.
The Good Luck Charm focuses on Ethan, a pro-NHL player whose career is on the brink of ending, and Lilah, a nurse who is changing her life for the better. When Ethan is traded from Chicago to Minnesota, he knows he needs to figure out why his performance has been declining and ultimately how to turn his game around so he can keep playing for the NHL. However, when he arrives back home he finds that his father has suffered from a stroke. It is there in Minnesota, sitting in his father's hospital room that he comes face-to-face with his first and only love, Lilah. For Ethan being back home has a whole bigger meaning that simply playing hockey, maybe this trade happened for a reason.
Lilah's day has been miserable to say the least. From someone stealing her caffeinated beverage, to getting soaked out in the rain, to having her husband's lawyer showing up outside her morning meeting to serve her the final divorce papers so she can sign them, and attempting not to cry during said meeting. She thought that signing the divorce papers ending her six-year marriage was the icing on the cake but a cherry was about to be added onto it in the form of the man who she looked up to since she was little being admitted to the hospital she works at and his son, her oldest friend and first love, sitting in the very room. Though Lilah has stayed in close contact with Ethan's parents, Martin and Jeannie, these childhood friends turned first loves have had nothing to do with each other since their break up 8 years ago.
Ethan, in hopes that he can explain why he broke up with Lilah 8 years ago and even possibly having a friendship, is undeterred by the walls she has built around herself. But as they begin to see more of and get to know each other all over again, old desires and attraction take over the two in the most steamy ways possible. Soon Ethan's happiness of their reconnection is reflected in the way he plays but because of his superstitions he believes that it's all because of Lilah. Believing that she is the reason for his new found success, he makes her a part of his pre-game rituals and begins to see her more and more throughout the week.
Lilah is determined to make and live a life for herself, starting off by going by to school in hopes of getting accepted into her dream school, University of Minnesota's master's program. Having spent eight years trying to get over Ethan's abandonment, she questions if letting him back into her life was the right call. Lilah, in fear of him leaving her again, becomes dependent on Ethan's need for her. Even when she knows that it becomes too much, when she has assignments due or tests to study for, she lets him lean on her in fear of what would happen if she should turn him away. If he lost a game because he couldn't see her, would he blame her?
I was captivated by Lilah and Ethan's story from the very first page. Their connection and intricately woven history made it that much more entertaining to read. Neither one truly forgot one another, no matter the amount of years thats past, and as the secrets from their past were revealed and laid bare before each other I truly felt for the characters and what they had to overcome in order to be together.
Honestly, it did take a some time to warm up to Ethan's character - he seemed rather selfish. It was like he truly believed that he could show up unannounced into Lilah's life and be welcomed back like all he said and done would be forgiven because he had a smirk on his face and a bag candy in his hand. Ugh! Lilah did play a small role in letting Ethan get away with this, due to her insecurities, by enabling his behaviour and allowing him to walk all over her life with little to no resistance but that changes as the story continues to unravel. She begins to see that in giving up her priorities that she is not only giving up the path she wants but also a part of herself.
As the story progresses, I got to see a whole other side of both characters from how they matured from young teens to adults who know what they want from life and what their willing to do in order to get it as well as how they reconnect and build through all the pain from their past and also take the time to hear what the other person needs. The way Helena Hunting portrayed this honest and true depiction of young love was truly awe-inspiring.
I absolutely adored the second chance romance aspect of this book. I think it was portrayed realistically and stayed true to the pain and vulnerability each character was going through and yet how compassionate, strong, and determined they became in their love for each other. Their chemistry sparked with each page they shared. Hunting knew how to write it so you can tell that they were meant to be together.
In the end, I have to give The Good Luck Charm is one of those books that will stick with you not just because of how hilarious and cute it is but also because of the raw and powerful moments that just make you sit there for a minute and take in what they must have felt. I would definitely love a sequel or even a spin-off on some of the awesome secondary characters like Carmen or Emery.
I recommend you pick up this book immediately if you love second chance romances, realistic stories, or simply contemporary books.
Rating:
★★★★★
About The Author:
Helena Hunting is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author. She lives outside of Toronto with her her amazing family and her two awesome cats, who think theist place to sleep is her keyboard. She writes all things romance - contemporary, romantic comedy, sports, and angsty new adult. Helena loves to bake cupcakes, has been known to listen to a song on repeat 1,512 times while writing a book, and if she has to be away from her family, she pretends to be in warm weather with her friends.
About The Author:
