The Good Luck Charm

Second chance sports romances are some of my absolute favorite stories to read, and ever since I was introduced to Helena Hunting’s books, I can’t get enough of her storytelling, writing, and characters, so the fact that Hunting’s newest release, Good Luck Charm, includes the tropes I love and is crafted by an author who never fails to entertain and indulge, I knew I was in for one great read.

8 years…that’s how long it’s been since childhood best friends and high school sweethearts, Ethan and Lilah, have seen each other after Ethan broke both their hearts, ending things between them just before he entered the NHL Draft, and while it would appear that they’ve both moved forward with their lives creating successful careers for themselves, none of their personal relationships have worked out because they gave their hearts to one another all those years ago.

The circumstances that bring Ethan back home to Forest Lake, Minnesota, complicate his life and his future in significant ways, but Ethan’s biggest game changer is Lilah, which means coming face-to-face with the love of his life, the girl he gave up to follow his dreams, will either put even more pressure on his shoulders or allow him to make amends and work to win back her heart.

What surprised me most about Ethan and Lilah’s story is the fact that, given their history and what they’re up against, it’s not as angst ridden as I thought it would be. Don’t get me wrong, there’s more than a fair share of drama and heightened emotions dominate many scenes throughout the story, but nothing is over-the-top, and for the most part, Ethan and Lilah work through things without overreacting and they find the words to say how they’re feeling, even if it’s not exactly what the other one wants to hear.

I do have to admit that there were a few times in the story where Lilah’s reactions and actions frustrated me, and I felt like she wanted to blame Ethan for things that were very much in her control, even if he was constantly pursuing her and maybe pressuring things to move forward too quickly. I get that the love between them is intense and consuming and it’s easy to lose her own identity by focusing too much on Ethan, but she’s been an independent woman for the 8 years that Ethan was gone, so that balance she’s struggling with can be obtained, but she first has to acknowledge the real reason she keeps putting Ethan’s needs over her own.

It’s absolutely essential to have Ethan’s point of view presented in Good Luck Charm. Being able to hear his internal musings and his true feelings about what happened when he gave Lilah up brings to light just how much he was affected by the break-up and why his feelings for her have never dissipated, regardless of his drive to achieve his goal of becoming a professional hockey player. Throughout the entire book, Ethan is working overtime to make up for the years he lost with Lilah, which more than proves he regrets how things ended and he’ll do anything to have her by his side forever.

The secondary characters, especially Lilah’s sister, Carmen, and Ethan’s mom and dad play pivotal roles in the story line. They help the hero and heroine to work through their past, realize their mistakes, and figure out a way to move forward without allowing anyone or anything to get in their way, especially Lilah and Ethan themselves.

I really enjoyed Good Luck Charm; the story is well paced; the characters are extremely likable and I’m all about couples getting a second chance at love, especially when it’s beyond clear that they belong together like Ethan and Lilah do.

4.5 Poison Apples (The Fairest of All Book Reviews)

Tediously slow plot, predictable characters, and uninspired writing. Don’t bother.

If a book has to rely on graphic, kinky sex scenes, it is lacking.