Thanks to HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for my review.

When I saw perfect for fans of Me Before You or One Day in December, I had high hopes for this book because I loved both of them and this book was SO GOOD! I read 90% of it in one sitting, tears streaming down my face multiple times, so have tissues nearby.

When Leila loses her charm bracelet in order to convince the stranger who finds it that it is hers, she tells the story of each charm and the memories with Jake. Told over a 20 year period from, it's a slow love story.
While Leila is slightly annoying and never really grows out of her teenage angst I was still rooting for her, I absolutely loved the writing and it just sucked you into these characters and you could feel the emotion.

This was an absolutely wonderful, yet heartbreaking novel. I highly recommend it.

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started reading The Last Charm by Ella Allbright. The synopsis of the story left some pretty big shoes to fill when it states that the story is perfect for fans of Me Before You by Jojo Moyes, which happens to be one of my favorite movies (shh! I have not read the book yet!). I would like to expand on this a bit further because not only is it reminiscent of Me Before You, but it also takes aspects of The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks (That kiss scene..sighs!) and Suzanne’s Diary for Nicholas by James Patterson.

I do read a lot of books, but there is always that one book that stands out from the crowd. The Last Charm is one of those books. Sometimes a book just hits you in all of the feels, can make you laugh, cry and give you hope. It is a story that will stay with you long after the last page is read. Some books are just really special and are meant to be read over and over again like this one. Seriously, can this book be made into a movie because I would be in the theater every weekend it is out (much like I did for The Notebook!) I am such a sad sap! LOL

There are so many passages in this story that totally blew me away such as the letter accompanied by the rainbow charm. It just totally made me cry! Jake, the hero of this story, has such a way with words that is both tender and emotional and just sucks you right in. I just want to wrap him up and put him in my pocket forever! He is the ultimate book boyfriend!

The charm bracelet represents each journey Leila, our heroine in this story, has taken from the time she is a little girl to the present. Each charm is a symbol of her accomplishments as well as events that have taken place in her life both good and bad. Each charm tells a story and these stories are the ones she tells to a stranger who finds her charm bracelet. Here is where our journey, as readers, begins as we are taken back to the past when Jake and Leila first meet.

If you are a sad sap like me and enjoy emotional, heartwarming stories that give you hope then you definitely do not want to miss out on reading The Last Charm by Ella Allbright. There are definitely not enough stars to express just how much this story has meant to me. A definite five star read and one of my top reads of 2020.

" Have you ever loved someone so much, that every time you look at them a piece of your heart swells with joy simply because they're in the world?"

Heartfelt, moving, and surprising, The Last Charm is a charming will-they-won't-they story of love and friendship told through the eyes of its protagonists Leila and Jake.

The story slowly unfolds beginning with Leila's lost charm bracelet and then taking us right back to young Leila and Young Jake who are on the cusp of their teenage years when they first meet. Both are battling with their own demons but in each other find a focal point and sense of calm. Unbeknown to Leila, Jake spots something in her at first sight, and slowly, patiently works to win her affections.

What follows is a beautiful exploration of their relationship, their family, and their journey to find themselves, in order to get back to each other - all cemented into a series of secretly delivered charms. I particularly loved the use of imagery, Leila's expression of herself and feelings through her art, and the way the narrative dealt with some very complex and hard hitting themes.

This is no straightforward story and there are number of unexpected twists and turns. Will love win out? You'll have to read it to find out!

Thanks to the OneMoreChapter and NetGalley teams for the ARC.

Leila's charm bracelet is never far from her wrist, each charm tells it's own story and is special in it's own individual way. So when it becomes lost and is found by a stranger, Leila recounts the meaning behind each charm to prove that it is hers. The charms not only tell her story but also the story of Jake, who plays just as big a part in her life as her bracelet. This is their story, of love, loss and hope.

Oh this book! It's a truly emotional journey involving the best kind of friendship and is full of love and hope but also tinged with loss and sadness. I was instantly drawn in by the author telling the story behind each braclet charm which she does through her main protagonist Leila who, although frustrating at times, is hard not to like. Jake is loveable from the moment you are introduced to him, thoughtful and caring despite what he's been through and watching their relationship blossom was just what my little romance loving heart needed!

I loved learning the meaning behind each handpicked charm and how it connected the two characters together even when they were apart. The rainbow charm was the one that bought a tear to my eye and the ending was completely heart breaking.

It reminded me of The Notebook in a way, with both characters reminding me of Noah and Allie, it was a messy love story just like theirs and one that will have you sobbing. The thought and detail that has gone into this story makes it truly touching.

Beautiful and emotional. Tender and touching. Heartwarming and heart wrenching. Ella Allbright’s enchanting storytelling hit me right in the feels. This is the story of Leila and Jake. The story spans 15 years and highlights the events that the charms on Leila‘s charm bracelet represent. A heart, a key, a dog, a car, a rainbow, a champagne bottle, A pencil, a book.... The story is told linearly so we really get to watch Layla, Jack, and their friends and family laugh, cry, and live through the years. The story has such a raw and authentic quality and I was completely invested in the lives of these characters. Leila was a great character, but wow did that girl frustrate me. Jake I just loved him he really was an honorable man. All the secondary characters added so much heart and charm to the story. This book really took me by surprise, it exceeded my expectations, and will stay with me for a long time. A stunning heartfelt story.

This book in emojis ✏️ 📖 🐶 🎨 🎼 🌈 🚗 🗝

*** Big thank you to One More Chapter for my gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own. ***

I went into this book blind, and like most of the best reads, I picked it for its cover and a quick glance at the blur to see if we would be a good fit.
The Last Charm by Ella Allbright, is a story of first love, a slow burn over the years, of adolescent misconceptions and one family trying to hold it together as another fell apart.
The charms are a pointing reminder of the events in the main character, Leila's, life, made more so by the journey she and Jake take, both together and apart.
Read this book, with a warm drink, a bar of chocolate, and a box of tissues, you will need them. I won't say any more as I don't want to do you the disservice of spoiling anything about this book, sit back and enjoy it.

My thanks as always to Netgalley, the publisher #OneMoreChapter and the author Ella Allbright for allowing me to read and review #TheLastCharm

Leila's mum walked out of the family, leaving behind a charm bracelet . Each time a significant event happens in Leila's life, she receives another charm & she assumes that it’s her mother’s way of keeping in touch. When Laila loses the bracelet, she has to tell its story to prove to the finder that she is the owner.
We follow Leila’s story from her childhood through her teenage years and on into her adult life as the book unfurls with chapters detailing the story behind each charm, from the dog to represent her new puppy, to ones representing happy times (graduation cap, trip to France etc) as well as the sad/poignant (the rainbow). Intertwined with Leila’s story we find Jake, the friend who is always there when Leila needs him. Jake’s traumatic childhood is heartbreaking at times but it motivates him to choose his future career path and shapes him into the man he becomes. Leila was quite a difficult character to like – her over-reactions and temper were appropriate when she was a teenager whose Mum had recently walked out on her family, by the time she was in her early-mid 20s, it felt immature and inappropriate. As well as our two main characters, there is a lovely cast of supporting characters - from Leila’s hardworking father and her ex-Navy Grandpa, to the loyal friends Eloise, Chloe and Michelle who provide stability and consistency.
Ultimately it is a story of friendship that started at a difficult time in both Laila & Jake’s lives, and which grows & changes as they grow up & move through life. The love story is realistic, delightful and full of hope tempered with frustration, heartbreak and tension.
I liked the idea/concept of the plot, where Leila is asked to describe each charm on her lost bracelet in order for the finder to confirm that it is hers, but the way it is done is a bit cheesy – you’d give a description of the charms with a snippet or two, not write a huge novel to prove you are the owner!

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book free from the publisher via NetGalley. Whilst thanks go to the publisher & author for the opportunity to read it, all opinions are my own.
#TheLastCharm #NetGalley

I received an ARC of this book to read through NetGalley. All opinions are my own. The Last Charm by Ella Allbright is one of those books that plays on all your emotions and then doesn’t leave you with the satisfaction of a HEA, so not really my kind of book. The premise of the book is that Leila Jones has lost a beloved charm bracelet and in order to prove to the person that found it she details the stories behind each of the charms on the bracelet going back to the day that she received it as a present for her 11th birthday and also the day that her mother left and was not heard from again. Jake Harding is the boy who’s parents purchase the house that Leila lived in, and he falls for her when he sees her room and the art that she left behind in that room. They meet again many times over the years, but Leila so damaged by her mothers leaving, never really grows up and moves on. She allows that damage to poison all of her relationships and doesn't realise what she has until it’s too late. I found the book to be engrossing and finished it less than a day but it’s probably going to take a number of happy books before this one stops depressing me. Publishing Date: August 21, 2020 #TheLastCharm #EllaAllbright #HarperCollinsUK #OneMoreChapter #WomensFiction #bookstagram

TW: grief, child abuse, neglect, child abandonment, miscarriage.

I went into this book with high hopes and the expectation that I was going to love this. Unfortunately, this wasn't meant to be.

My main issue with the book was that I didn't find the characters real or likable. Especially the protagonist, it was excruciating at times seeing her attitude towards others and frankly ridiculous actions. The side characters felt far more real than the protagonist and I'm not sure that's a good thing. Jake was the only character I connected to and he had such a rough run putting up with Laila's attitude and I have no idea how he remotely tolerated her.

When I put the book down, I wasn't thinking about it or wanting to pick it up again. This is normally my genre of book and I just felt detached from it. It seemed very slow paced and almost as though some actions were thrown in for effect and didn't have much relevance to the story.

This was so frustrating because it is actually well written! I just wish that it felt more realistic, had a more human protagonist and a more realistic plot. I'm not sure I would expect an entire novel in an email proving you're the owner of a charm bracelet...

I was reviewing this for the blog tour but won't be sharing my review on social media for obvious reasons.

TW: grief, child abuse/neglect, child abandonment, miscarraige.

The Last Charm was one of those unexpected reads - it gripped me right from the offset and I devoured it in one sitting.

The book begins with a lost poster and an email claiming the bracelet from Laila, who begins to spin us the tale of how her charm bracelet came to be. From the initial gifting at 11, to the final pages at 29 - we follow Laila as she gains more relevant charms that she believes are from her mum, and how she meets Jake - a boy she doesn't want to like as he's living in her old house, and sleeping in her old room...and how their stories intertwine throughout the 18yrs that we cover in the book.

I found the way that the book was written very engaging, I loved the different povs and the time jumps were well done, with the pop culture references dotted around too. Both Laila and Jakes povs were really interesting to read to see their conflicting views and actions at certain times, and I loved Laila's grandfather Ray and Fleur the dog too!

Absolutely lovely and heartbreaking, The Last Charm is a fantastic read,

Thank you to One More chapter for my copy of this book via Netgalley and to Rachel for letting me take part in this tour.

I liked the cover and the blurb as well as being a fan of Me Before You so I grabbed my copy and volunteered for the tour. I also listened to a little of the audiobook but I mostly read the kindle version. I really liked Sarah Lambie's narration and if I had the time I would have listened to all of it.

I have just finished the last page of this story and I don't quite know where to begin with this review. The story of Jake a Leila is one of love, loss and friendship. It will make you laugh, it will make you mad and it will make you cry. I feel like I really know these characters. Over 15 years we see and learn so much about these two. I felt like I heard a whole life story in this book. I loved the alternating POV. It's something I've always loved in a book.

While this story is all about Jake and Leila there were some excellent side characters. I loved Leila's friends Eloise, Chloe and Michelle. They are such good friends to Leila. I also really liked Jake's friend Owen. I'm so glad they stayed friends.

The pacing and the timeline of this book were done really well. Sometimes we skipped years other times months. It reminded me a little of One Day where we skip through and see the very most important parts.

I really enjoyed his story and while I feel like I've been through the mill it was definitely worth it. It was cathartic in some ways. I look forward to seeing what Ella brings us next.

Unfortunately, I find myself in the minority of not being a fan of this novel. The general storyline was sweet, but I had reservations the minute I finished read the opening letter.

The tone throughout the piece felt detached and passive; it was hard for me to engage with the storyline. Leila was simply not a likable character (in my opinion) and she felt very underdeveloped in contrast to Jake and several other supporting characters. Her reactions to several instances seemed hasty and reactive with little explanation and context.

I wanted to like this story; it just wasn’t the right fit for me. The charms were sweet, but weren’t enough for this reader.

When Leila loses her charm bracelet, she takes the reader back to every charm she received. Each charm has significance in her story with childhood friend Jake. ⁣
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I know this book has such great reviews and I can understand how some may love it, but it was a bit too slow of a burn for me. The romance slowly builds over time, with ups and downs along the way. It starts with the main characters as children, skipping years in between. There are so many conversations between them that I got bogged down in. I couldn’t invest in the story well because I didn’t like the characters. Leila was very immature and Jake had too much of a protective “bad guy” vibe, which was alright when they were kids, but they didn’t seem to grow out of it. Now that said, I really appreciated the sentimentality of the charm bracelet. I thought the premise was so unique and cute. I loved hearing about each charm and got so excited when I knew how it tied into the story. That aspect of the book is what kept me going and was enjoyable. ⁣
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“𝘌𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘮 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘪𝘭𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘪𝘵𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘦𝘥 𝘭𝘰𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘵 𝘤𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘱 𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘪𝘨𝘯𝘪𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘯𝘵, 𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘮𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘺 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘩 𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘮𝘦 𝘭𝘢𝘶𝘨𝘩, 𝘴𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘦, 𝘰𝘳 𝘤𝘳𝘺”⁣
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TW: child abuse, miscarriage⁣
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****The Last Charm is a bittersweet love story that begins in childhood between two youngsters whose lives are anything but happy. Leila’s mother abandoned her family with no warning for her child...just a bracelet with one charm left behind. Over the years charms are given which Leila believes are from her mother, but really aren’t. When the lost bracelet is found Leila describes each charm and tells the story about her relationship with the giver, Jake. The well written story conjures up a range of emotions as a friendship born in loss grows and changes as Leila and Jake grow up. To say more would give spoilers. I voluntarily reviewed an advance copy of this book from NetGalley.

Sunshine, laughter, storm clouds, tears. So many different emotions …

Jake snuck into my heart from the beginning. I’ve loved watching him grow and develop over time. His childhood is traumatic and it is those experiences that motivate him to follow the path he does. In fact, I felt so proud of him! I understood what motivated Leila and I enjoyed her introspection but I have to be honest, there are moments when I didn’t like her. Jake understands her and despite not being around all the time, is a constant when life turns upside down.

The charms all have meaning and are a way to show Leila that she’s loved. Each chapter is focused on the special events linked to the charm and Jake is a part of all of them.

Meeting because of family circumstances when they were young and Jake’s absences means this story’s romantic focus isn’t ‘will they or won’t they’ but for me it was ‘when is the time going to be right.’ I loved the sparks that flew off these two! It was so easy to identify with them both and their experiences became mine. I did guess where we were heading and braced myself … but I still fell apart. That final search undone me totally. In amongst those feelings I was surprised to find a glimmer of hope.

Life unreels in all its multicoloured hues in The Last Charm. It’s such an emotive story. From the first contact between Leila and Jake in their early teens in 2001 and across the years I became a part of their families and their love for each other. Set in my home county, I know that when I visit these places my thoughts will turn to Leila and Jake. Their love story has such a powerful emotional pull I just know I will see them and relive their experiences. Highly recommended.

This was the most beautiful and heartbreaking love story that I have read in a very long time and once I had started reading it I couldn’t put it down and devoured it in one Rainey afternoon. It was such a moving and thought provoking story and was written with such sensitivity and attention to detail. The story is centred around the main Character Leila being given a charm bracelet for her birthday and the story unfolds as it how each of the charms end up on their and as to what the story and meaning behind each one is and how the charms mark significant turning points in Leila’s life. It’s hard to describe the story without giving spoilers so I will leave it there. Reading this brought back lovely memories of my own charm bracelet bought for my 21st birthday and the Reignited memories behind each charm which Gave me a warm funny feeling inside. I highly recommend this read and it is one of my best reads of the year so far.

A poignant story about two young people dealing with what life throws at them as they navigate their way through adolescence and into adulthood. 

The lost charm bracelet holds years of memories. Each charm tells a story. When Leila loses hers, she has to convince the person who found it, Caitlin, that she is the owner. In doing so, it's a trip down memory lane, recalling events of the past ten plus years ago. It's a time to reflect on life, to make peace with what happened, and to look to the future with a lighter outlook on life. 

Before I start, I recommend having tissues handy for this one because I needed to grab one or two. Leila and Jake's story is one of hope and optimism as they handle challenging issues during their young lives as their friendship develops over the years. 

A slow-burn romance, Jake and Leila journey is a bumpy one, fraught with drama… a reflection of their young age and specifically Leila's immaturity. Jake is two years older, and despite his hostile upbringing, manages to turn his life around. However, secrets and withheld information are the unstable foundations of their relationship, yet, somehow after it all collapses, they're finally able to acknowledge their true feelings for one another, somehow stronger than before. 

Ms Allbright has written a beautiful novel with an emotional punch. The narrative is full of surprises and thought-provoking incidences. As a reader prepare to laugh and cry as the story unfolds against the stunning Dorset coast. 

To sum up, The Last Charm is a heartfelt novel which will stay with you long after you've read the final page. 

***arc generously received courtesy of 0ne More Chapter via NetGalley***

Leila's mum left when she was 13, leaving her a charm bracelet . Each time a significant event happens in Leila's life ,she receives another charm ,which she thinks her mother is sending to keep in touch, Another stable factor in her life is Jake, the boy up the road, who saves her from expulsion at school, and who, when he is in the Navy, sends her postcards from all over the world. The reader learns how Leila and Jake's lives progress and eventually intertwine,and the story behind each charm. A lovely, heart- rending story, beautifully written.

This is an excerpt of the book review on my blog https://trails-of-tales.com/

......I have made an important observation. The more realistic a love story is, the more frustrating it is. Why? Because heartfelt connections that really matter are tested. And I am not very happy about that.

The Last Charm too, is a realistic love story. It is frustrating, heartbreaking, hopeful, playful and adorable simultaneously......

......Moreover, I feel like it is my moral obligation to tell you this. YOU WILL CRY. And no, I am not cursing you. Author Ella Allbright had ensured that The Last Charm will bring on the water works....

....The Last Charm is a great read for all romance fans. Even though I am not exactly a big fan of this genre, yet I am glad I read this story. But you HAVE to sit with a box of tissues. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

There's so much I want to say about this most beautiful book, and there's so much I can't say because I wouldn't want to spoil anything for anyone who has yet to read it. One of the most captivating stories I have read this year, I was transported fully into the world of Jake and Leila and I didn't want to come back to reality.

Jake and Leila are two lost souls, immediately drawn to one another. Leila's Mum abandoned her on her eleventh birthday, leaving behind only a charm bracelet with a heart attached. Jake lives with an abusive and cruel father, and a mother who is so defeated that she does nothing to protect her fragile son.

As their paths continue to cross over the years they tentatively become friends. As each faces their own struggles, they push and pull away and towards one another.

The only constant in Leila's life is her charm bracelet, and she receives a new charm after every significant event. She believes it is her Mum who is sending these charms, and that it is her way of telling Leila that she hasn't forgotten her and that in her own way, she still loves her and wants to feel connected.

But when Jake and Leila finally admit their feelings for one another, the truth comes out and it seems that once again, Leila is going to pull away.

As Jake arranges a birthday treasure hunt for Leila, they are both finally happy - happier than they've ever been. Until one phone call changes everything.

This story is so poignant, so heart-wrenching and ultimately life-affirming but it will take you through every emotion and back again, as every good book should. Truly one of the most romantic and charming love stories I've ever read.