Cover Image: The Last Charm

The Last Charm

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

I do love a romance! These two meet very young and start out as friends, meeting up every few years but always supporting each other through troubled times. But love grows, and so does Leila's collection of charms, each one representing a memory of special times. The day she loses her charm bracelet on the beach is the day she loses so much more. An emotional ride, well worth the read.

Was this review helpful?

I loved this book, the characters were so well crafted that I found myself getting frustrated, expectant and delighted in equal measure as the story unfolded. The end was devastating... Well written, and engaging story. Thank you.

Was this review helpful?

Charming and sweet, The Charm Bracelet is a good purchase for collections where contemporary romance and women's fiction are popular.

Was this review helpful?

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion. This was a very touching read that will make you tear up at times. I loved the story, loved the characters and didn’t want it to end. I absolutely recommend this book.

Was this review helpful?

For fans of time lapse books. The Charm bracelet follows Leila and Jake every year on Leila’s birthday from childhood through adulthood. Many obstacles stand in their way, including an abusive childhood, absentee parents, long distances, misunderstandings, and bad timing. However, at its heart, this is a romance. When they finally get together, as you know they will, it is everything they ever dreamed. But can their love overcome all the damage already done?

Was this review helpful?

This well written story brought up a rainbow of emotions from joy to sadness, even heartache. Every page turned i could picture the scene in my mind which brought the beautiful story to life. Perfect for anyone looking for a thrilling romance.

Was this review helpful?

Oh my goodness such a fabulous book I just didn't want it to end! I loved the story, loved the characters,loved it all.

I think I went through every emotion whilst reading it and now I have been left with quite the book hangover, I actually didn't know what to do with myself when I finished lol.

Was this review helpful?

The Charm Bracelet is a lovely story, one that makes you hope and gasp and tear up. Parts tended to drag a bit for me, but the characters were well written and encouraged me to keep reading. There weren't any big surprises, but it was a very nice happily ever after type story.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you for the opportunity to read this book.

Sadly - and I genuinely was disappointed to feel this way - the book was an inferior addition to the genre, the story has been done many times already and I'm afraid (in my opinion) much better. The emotion wasn't there, the number of times the heroine is unpleasant or ungrateful yet he still keeps coming back 'because she's worth it' just didn't feel justifiable. There felt no give & take, it was far too one sided.
The climax to the story was such a cliche and again is nothing new, I was neither surprised nor touched - and its rare for me not to weep at these stories.

Was this review helpful?

I liked this book. A romance which is drawn out through 15 years . Nice characters, who are well portrayed , the story is written from the viewpoints of Leila and Jake . The emphasis is very much on feelings and their viewpoints rather than the practicalities of life. So you do not get to find out how they function in daily life but it is purely about their relationship with each other and others.
Leila is a dreamer, Jake very much a practical organizer. Leila has, in my opinion, a tendency to jump to conclusions too quickly and storming off. Fine as a teenager, but really she should have improved with this as she got older .
For me, the book was a little too drawn out . Saying that I can't see which parts you could miss. It made mee laugh and cry . Will definitely look out for more from this author

Thanks to net galley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review

Was this review helpful?

A beautifully written book that draws you in and stays with you long after you have finished reading. Leila and her dad have to move in with grandad when they have to sell their home after Leilas mother walks out. She leaves behind a charm bracelet for Leila and this story is told on the occasions Leila receives a charm for her bracelet. Leila is very damaged emotionally by her mother leaving, which causes her to over react in some situations

Jake is the young boy who moves into Leilas old home together with his abusive father and timid mother. Although he is regularly beaten he is a kind boy who blossoms into a caring individual. He befriends Leila on the day he moves in and continues to look out for her. I loved Jakes character and so wanted him to find true happiness. My heart ached for the little boy so badly treated by his father who showed such kindness to Leila even when she was so horrible to him.

This story will take you through so many emotions but at the end you will say it's a book you are so glad You had the opportunity to read




This book

Was this review helpful?

Thank you net galley for an arc of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I loved this book, it was definitely a nice read that is very character driven. I loved the dynamic and relationship between Leila and Jake. I couldn't wait to hear how each charm told their story. A story that took 2 people's relationship and walked us through all the emotions of their connection. I loved seeing them grow not just as characters but how their relationship grew and changed with them. I found this so charming and such an intimate look at how people change our lives. Definitely would recommend this!

Was this review helpful?

I have loved reading this as an ARC book.

In this book the character reminded me of some of the people I went to school with. Leila also bring slim and short (opposite to me) she was similar to me in personality. She found it difficult in her younger years to know what she wanted to do and be and her relationships with friends and her mum were up and down. I really felt everything she felt through the words that were written.

She went through a couple of funerals one at quite an early age so she had to grow up pretty quick. This book is brilliant for talking about difficult situations.

Jake also goes through so much but despite all he goes through with his Dad's abuse and his mum not sticking up for him he still finds it in his heart to love. He's not seen much love in his life.

Jake and Leila's relationship was my favourite and I could not believe the ending.

I cried on a few occasions and laughed too.

It was romantic, emotion provoking and true to life's difficult ups and downs.

Was this review helpful?

This was a great book about the constants in our lives, Leila's mother left but her father and grandfather have always been there for her. Jake who she met when she was a teenager is a thorn in her side but often there for her at different times. The charm bracelet tracks important times in her life, and each charm tells a story. Yes its obvious that they fall in love but it explores how our past can affect our future and how we live our lives. The only slightly irritating thing for me was the amount of times Leila was awful and yet he forgave her. An enjoyable read

Was this review helpful?

I picked this book up expecting a romance and what I got was so much more. The concept behind this novel, the charm bracelet with each charm marking a major event in, and telling the story of, Jake and Leila’s lives, is fabulous. I fell in love with Jake from the very first page and absolutely adored the way his character developed from boy to adult and was willing the relationship on with my whole being. There is however a twist to this tale and this was what made the book so special for me. The author has turned my heart inside out and this story will stay with me for a long time. Highly recommended.

Was this review helpful?

A love story! Pure and simple! Starts in childhood and they both weave in and out of each other’s lives for many years before finally finding each other! Abuse, poverty, grief, love, trust, human failings! This book has it all!

Was this review helpful?

A lovely heartwarming book. I was captured by this From the start I felt every page. I couldn’t put it down. Will be looking out for more by Ella.

Was this review helpful?

Oh my gosh what a wonderful wonderful book. It is 3am and I simply had to get to the end. I couldn’t put the book down and was desperate to see if Leila and Jake finally make it

I understand people who can’t warm to Leila but I saw a lot of me in her. She doesn’t mean to push people away but is defensive and trying to stop herself helpful hurt. Jake is wonderful, the way he gives her chance after chance. I also loved his relationship with Leola’s grandad and was desperate for him to escape his awful home life.

I loved the birthday treasure hunt and totally did not see where the book was going. I have to admit I went back and re read that section because it was so totally not what I was expecting

I loved all the times Leila and Jake so nearly got it together and could feel the frustration from them both !

I felt that all of the characters were wonderfully written and made it easy to identify with them.

Like I said I couldn’t put this book down and found myself saying ‘just one more chapter’ more times than I care to mention!!

I smiled, I laughed and I cried with this book. But most of all I took it as a lesson to not take the people who love you for granted and never expect you will have them forever.

Was this review helpful?

Absolutely loved this book. Such a lovely story of Leila and Jake.
Leila is surprised and shocked that her mother has left her and her dad on her birthday. Leaving behind a charm bracelet wit a heart charm.
They move house, and another family move into hers, enter Jake who also has his own family issues.
What follows are different situations that Leila and Jake have to go through, ups and downs for both, including more heartache.
Not to ruin the story for others, how and where Leila gets the charms on her bracelet each time will make you want to know what happens next. Totally recommend it.

Was this review helpful?

I wanted to love this book. It was a lovely story about the charm bracelet, and poor Jake with his awful upbringing. Leila whined throughout the entire book, I honestly felt terrible how she treated Jake. Just couldn’t connect with story and the main characters selfishness page after page.

Was this review helpful?