The weakest point of the story is easily the notion that Lilah is the "Good Luck Charm" indicated by the novel. I was surprised at how this one is a fairly good New Adult romance. Though the story is more of a slow burn thatn Helena Hunting's other books, I found that to be more realistic than most other in the genre. I received a copy of this book as an egalley in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley.

This book was amazing! It's really different from her Puck'd series. I love them by the way. I loved how it was light and witty. Hope she writes more like this.

Oh. My. WOW!!! THE GOOD LUCK CHARM is such a charmer! I went into this book blindly, expecting it to be light, fluffy, flirty, and fun to match the whimsical cover. WHOA!!! I am thrilled to say that it’s all that and MORE. It’s sweet-sigh swoony. It’s steamy. It’s sweet. It’s sentimental. It’s soulful. It’s one hell of a heart-hitting hockey romance!

”Can you honestly tell me you don’t feel this?”

The Good Luck Charm is a second-chance story of soulmates who lost their way but find themselves thrown together again as their paths cross. Ethan and Lilah’s connection is unstoppable—full of passion and promise—and a flame that has always flickered. Their shared history adds another layer of swoon. Endearingly awkward and angst-filled moments make this hero and heroine’s story even more fresh and fun. Yet, there’s a vulnerability that pierces through the pages—so raw and real, tender and touching—that it makes you sigh as it nearly steals your air.

You only get one soul mate.

It was love at first site with this second-chance romance that sucked me in from the very first page and never stopped enchanting me. I was captivated. So charmed. So consumed. So owned. I LOVED this emotional charmer so much! I was completely LOVESTRUCK!

”It’s always only been you.”

Go get charmed by this MUST-READ ROMANCE!!!

🌟🌟🌟🌟 charming stars

I adore Helena Hunting's hockey series Pucked and am always on the lookout for the next in series. When I saw that she was going to have a separate hockey romance, I knew I wanted to read it.

The Good Luck Charm is a sweet, easy reading, second chance hockey romance. Without too much angst, the romance makes for a light read and perfect summer pick up. Per usual, Hunting delivers likable characters while introducing secondary characters we want to see again. Lilah and Ethan were a match I loved rooting for and my fingers are crossed we'll get to revisit them in someone else's story.

The Good Luck Charm by Helena Hunting
Standalone Contemporary Romance
*While my reviews are spoiler-free if you don’t want to know more about the book, after the first paragraph skip down to likes and dislikes and the Down & Dirty review*

I’m a big fan of Helena Hunting so I couldn’t wait to pick up her newest contemporary romance, The Good Luck Charm. I didn’t even read the blurb so I had no idea what to expect, and was a bit surprised to find out it was another Hockey Romance, but not part of the Pucked Series.

Ethan and Delilah are childhood friends-turned-lovers in high school. They had a fantastic first love until he left to focus on his professional hockey career and cut off all communication. When Ethan gets traded back to Minnesota and his dad gets ill, he’s back, and he wants Lilah back too.

“I don’t want to get ahead of myself, or let the superstitions rule me, but all of this—the good and the bad—seems like fate is throwing us back together again.”

———–

“What I do know is a conversation or an apology isn’t going to change anything. He can never unbreak my heart.”

She tries to resist.

“My heart remembers that he broke it, but the rest of me seems to have forgotten.”

But he isn’t going to give up.

“I taste penance in his gentleness. I feel his regret in the tender way his palm curves along my jaw, and I sense his need for forgiveness in the tentative stroke of his tongue.”

She didn’t make him work very hard to get back in there.

“His touch could calm me and excite me simultaneously. Like being given a sedative and a shot of caffeine at the same time. It’s been a long time since I’ve felt this kind of intense draw to another person.”

But once they were together, I found the relationship to be pretty unhealthy for both of them.

“I was trying to be logical, because God knows nothing about the way I loved you was rational…”

Back together, his playing was the best ever. Could their relationship handle the pressure of her being his Good Luck Charm?

It was kind of strange reading a Hockey novel from Helena that didn’t have the raunchy OTT humor I come to expect from her Hockey books. This was a light and fluffy, easy read, but it just fell a little flat for me and moved pretty slowly at times. I never really rooted for the couple because I was never really sure they were together for the right reasons.

“Nothing you say is going to change the past.”
“It could change the future, though.”

Likes:
•A sweet and light read.
•Likable characters and side characters.
•Low angst.
•Good beach read.
•Well written.

Dislikes:
•As much as I like a low-angst book, it was all a little too easy.
•I felt like they had a very unhealthy relationship.
•Moved a little slow for me at times.
•I felt like there was absolutely nothing memorable or unique—it was just a sweet second chance hockey romance.

The Down & Dirty:
I love Helena Hunting. I was SO EXCITED to read The Good Luck Charm. I enjoyed it, but it never felt unputdownable. It took almost a week to read, and as I review this a few days after reading, I have to go back through the book to refresh my memory about the storyline. When I described it to a friend, I said it’s “Just a sweet, light, 2nd chance Hockey Romance.” I liked it, I really did, but I was never wowed.

Rating: 3.5 stars, 4 Heat

***ARC Provided by the Publisher via NetGalley***

3.5 Stars

I enjoyed Lilah and Ethan. They had chemistry, and a strong connection, and I was able to believe that these 2 people would be willing to reconnect, and to let go of the past hurts because of the draw they had to one another.

I liked the second chance elements, and I believed the reason that they separated initially. It was one of those that I am not sure I would have believed had they been older, but with their age, I think they would have made the choices that they did. And, it's true that long distance college relationships rarely, if ever work, so the story had this going for it as well.

What I didn't love was the good luck charm thing. I didn't totally believe that had anything to do with their relationship and it working...and more importantly, I am not totally convinced that Lilah believed it. Their break up over this, and the plot points around it, seemed more like plot for the sake of plot than actually the way the characters would react.

While this didn't ruin the story for me, it definitely made it one that I loved a lot more to this point than I did after it. It's probably just me, and I still absolutely recommend this title.

The Good Luck Charm is a charming story that gives two people a second chance. I think it was a refreshing realistic view into working hard at relationships. These two people have obstacles to overcome but they actually communicate! There's great chemistry between the two that can be seen throughout the novel and the author does a great job the past. As they've known each for quite a while, I sometimes find stories with a lot of background can become inundated with references to the past instead of moving forward but Hunting does a great job of maneuvering between the two. There's a lot of layers to this story that I was not expecting and I can't wait to read about more of the side characters that added spirit and funny banter!

Who doesn’t love a good second chance romance? Lilah and Ethan seemed like they were meant for each other from the very beginning. They grew up together and Lilah always spent time at Ethan’s home. His parents were like her parents. Everything changes though when Ethan gets drafted into the NHL and he decides to break up with her. Lilah, naturally is heartbroken. She’s young, but Ethan was her whole world. They were each other’s first loves. How do you move on from that?

Fast-forward to 8 years later and things have definitely changed. Lilah is loving her job as a Nurse and planning to get her Master’s. Unfortunately, she’s also in the process of getting a divorce. She’s in an emotional place right now. Especially when Ethan comes back into town. It’s obvious that they still have feelings for each other. Ethan wants to apologize and set the record straight, but despite their ever-present connection, Lilah isn’t too sure she is ready to hear anything he has to say. She was hurt deeply when he left. I don’t think she ever fully got over that. However, circumstances and a well meaning, but semi-pushy sister keep bringing these two together until they are able to hash out the past.

Ethan is very determined to make things right. He is a big believer that things happen for a reason and he wants to show Lilah that they can be good for each other again. If she is willing to take a chance. Is she willing or able to let go of the past and embrace a new future with Ethan? Can these two finally get it right, the second time around?

The Good Luck Charm is a sweet second chance romance story that had me rooting for Lilah and Ethan straight away. There wasn’t a ton of drama (which is how I like it), but theses characters did start to annoy me with their behavior. There were times when I wanted to shake them and say “Hey, don’t screw this up.” All in all I liked the story, especially the ending. It was perfect IMO. This was the first book I had read by this author and I am excited to find other books by her. I would say this is a good summertime read, but since summer is almost ending, I’ll say if you’re looking for a good sports romance, then The Good Luck Charm is one to check out.



RATING: 3½ out of 5.

Helena Hunting knows how to write heroes that women want! The Good Luck Charm was an adorable second chance romance with just enough "drama" to keep the reader wanting to find out how it is going to end. Hot heroes, smart and sexy heroines, and a whole mess of amazing supporting characters make this book one of the best of the year.

I really liked the start of the book but by halfway through I began to really dislike both main characters and there was a side storyline that just felt shoved in at the last moment. I think I will firmly give this author a firm pass on the future.

Helena Hunting brings us a sweet and easy to read second chance story, told in dual point of view, that has twists and turns and some humor mixed in. Lilah and Ethan have been best friends since their childhood and high school sweethearts, each of them growing up with one another, and sharing everything with one another. Until Ethan abandoned Lilah for 8 years, to focus on his NHL career.

Ethan’s now back in his hometown. His father had a stroke and he wants to be there for his family. Feelings begin to resurface and everything is questioned. Can Lilah and Ethan get back what they had or is he only back to leave yet again?

I enjoyed reading Lilah and Ethan’s story. I found Lilah’s character to be well developed and engaging. With Ethan back in the picture, her world is turned upside down and all types of questions linger in the air. How she handles those is exactly how I would anticipate anyone in that type of situation would, as well. Ethan’s past behavior is questionable through part of the book, but as we see more of him and what truly motivated him, I was able to better understand him.

C+

Hunting is back with a second chance romance that engages and amuses. Told from dual POVs, a bad break up and a reconnection is picked apart and put back together when an NHL star is traded back to his hometown where he has to face the girl he left behind. Bittersweet and emotional at times, I found the overall story rather cute though truth be told, I wanted more from each character. Loads of chemistry and dialogue but not much substance. We stay in the present with mentions of the past to help readers understand how and why this couple broke up. External forces played a strong role in the breakup and the emotional baggage both parties carry but Hunting really doesn't divulge deep into them and I was left with questions. This story seems so subdued. I missed the energy that Hunting's other novels carry though I will admit, I loved how frank the heroine is with the hero. She admits her mistakes and holds firm to the solutions needed to fix them. Even when it meant keeping the two of them apart. A cast of personable secondary characters help to round the story out but a couple were just places setters while others were used to resolve certain subplots.

All in all not bad but not my favorite from this author.

I love everything about second chance romances and Good Luck Charm by Helena Hunting was just what I needed. Lilah and Ethan's story is complicated, but it's full of fun. You see these two navigate a friendship after a family crisis reunites them and watch their story/chemistry grow from there.

Their coming back together was beautiful. It seemed natural and I enjoyed every piece of it. Their love for each other never died, they just had to forgive the past and move on, and see that they could, make it so much better.

Lilan and Ethan's story was one I could read over and over again.

What a beautiful second chance love story with all the feels!!

The Good Luck Charm features the story of a love lost and found. Lilah and Ethan were the perfect couple when they were in high school. And even better friends when they were kids. Their relationship was perfect. But when the time to make decisions came, Ethan was gone and Lilah was left with her heart broken. So many years later, Ethan is back in town and Lilah doesn’t know what to do with the news since she is very close to his family. She resists him as much as she can but her feelings are coming back and Ethan is irresistible, with his charm and all *dreamy heart eyes*, and they get back together… But the reasons behind his decisions are revealed and the problems in their relationship from the past come back and they now have to work them and decide if it’s really worth it all or just move on.

I love how their relationship grew stronger this time after so many years of being away from each other. I love how persistent was Ethan to have Lilah back in his life but I wanted to kick him in the balls so many times *chuckles* I love how much she resisted him but when she couldn’t resist him anymore, she was his completely, right like before. But this time their relationship was different and better in so many ways, they had to face fears and truths that were painful but so important for them to finally move on and be completely with each other.

On a light note to the story… The cameos of the Pucked men were perfect!! I WANT MORE LOL I wonder if it was easy for Helena to write those scenes *chuckles*

100% recommended

I love Helena Hunting"s books, but sadly this one was lacking for me. It was sweet and cute. For me, not a lot happened as far as plot development. Insta forgiveness after 8 years and the conflict felt a bit forced and unoriginal.

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

4.5 stars

I really enjoyed The Good Luck Charm by Helena Hunting.
The storyline is well written, the plot is highly entertaining with likable and relatable characters that will touch your heart with their story.

I loved watching Ethan and Lilah get their second chance at love. After eight years apart they find themselves back in each other's lives and try as they might the love they once shared is still there, it's like time has stood still. But could the pain of their breakup be the thing that keeps them apart?
Ethan warmed my heart with the way he went out to prove to Lilah that she's the one and only for him, he was determined to show her they are meant to be.
With time, honest communication, learning to trust each other with their heart they are able to find their happily ever after.

For me Helena Hunting is an author that always delivers, she writes with her heart, giving her readers heartwarming, passionate romance stories that will entertain you and leave you with a smile on your face.

💙NOW AVAILABLE!💙
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*Thank you to the publisher via Netgalley for the advance copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.*

It’s never fun coming face to face with an ex after an acrimonious breakup, but it’s darn right brutal when your ex is successful pro hockey player Ethan Kane. They say time heals old wounds but truth be told Delilah hasn’t yet come to terms with the callous way her childhood sweetheart called time on their romance in order to concentrate on his career.

Although eight years may have passed she’s made it her business to make him none of hers. That’s no mean feat considering she’s remained in their hometown and is still as close to his parents as she was back then. The shock of his father’s stroke and his return to town is seconded by the news that it his fixture will be long term as he has been traded to his local team.

Fluctuating between basking in his beauty from afar and ignoring him altogether, Lilah hates to admit he still has the ability to take her breath away. For the sake of helping to coordinate his parents care they agree to attempt to put the past behind them and forge forward with a tentative friendship.

“It’s always only been you—you know that, right? Nothing compares to this feeling. I should never have let you go in the first place.”

Belong long they begin to reminisce and feelings they told themselves they had buried rise to the surface. My favourite part of reading was the level of comfortability they had with one another. Their relationship felt easy and intimate and I loved seeing these two rekindle their flame. Although they encountered some obstacles I enjoyed the relaxed feel of this cute as a button romance.

I haven't read this author's books before so when this came up for review. I jumped at the chance to read it. I've heard good things about her Pucked Series, and with this being around Hockey, but from reading other's reviews I can see that the Pucked series has more Hockey in it then The Good Luck Charm.
In The Good Luck Charm, the story follows Ethan and Liliah, they were high school sweethearts, that broke up 8 years ago because Ethan's Hockey career took off. Life moved on for both of them, Liliah got married and Ethan carried on with his carrer.
But now Ethan's career has brought him back to his hometown. Liliah is still there working in the local hospital.
I enjoyed the start of his book but at about 20% it just went downhill from there.
Ethan and Liliah's chemisty was good and it was felt straight away.
I liked Liliah at the beginning she was having a hard day, everything seemed to be going wrong and to top it off she runs into her high school sweetheart because his dad is in the hospital.
But when the story progressed and her and Ethan got back together (rather quickly I might add, even though she didn't want to at first) she lost herself. She let her studying suffer because she had this need to never say no to Ethan. That kind of relationship can be toxic and I didn't feel that was a good thing in this situation. Liliah was a pushover when it came to Ethan.
I liked Ethan at first but when he started ignoring Liliah's wants and what she was asking of him, he started to annoy me and I liked him less and less. He couldn't see what he was doing to Liliah and it took for her to say they need a break for him to realise that.
Ethan's father had a stroke or a heart attack (I can't remember) and when he was recovering, he had trouble with his speech and had no filter on his words. And the way Ethan and Liliah handled it was harsh and not nice at all.
I think the title was misleading as there was this big arguement as Liliah didn't think she was Ethan's good luck charm and she made that really clear.
Overall I don't think this book was for me. I would be interested in reading the author's other books.

I love Second Chance Romances and this book blew me away by Author Helena Hunting.
This is a quick and sexy fun read to keep you entertained this summer.
Ethan & Lilah story of finding each other again after many years apart was amazing.

I loved how the author brought us gave us a clear understanding on how and why these two characters lost each other and are brought to present and them reconnecting again.

It is sweet, sexy, a bit angsty and totally gives us the wonderful Author Helena Hunting style of writing that we love.

Get ready to fall in love with falling in love all over again.