Member Reviews
This was such a cute and funny read! I loved how light-hearted My Lucky Charm was, and especially loved all of the characters. I read this as a stand alone but can't wait for Raya's book. This is definitely a slow-burn, and I would've loved a little more spice between our two main characters. But overall, I think it was really well written and a fun read.
Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing for the ARC!
to start this off, I would like to thank NetGalley, Courtney Walsh, and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for granting me access to this book in exchange for an honest review!๐
This book was one of the most adorable reads I have read this year!!๐ thereโs just something about a grumpy man I love so much๐คญ Grayson was probably the most adorable grumpiest man Iโve ever read about! and Eloise!!?? Are you kidding me??? Just her name sounds like such sunshine you already know youโre gonna instantly love her!๐ฅบ I adored reading about every character in this book and the dynamic between all of them! Especially Scarlett! Literally the cutest kid ever! What I loved most about this book was that we really focused on Gray and Eloiseโs connection through talking and not all that spice that comes with a lot of books. We really felt them connect you know? Gray having trouble communicating his feelings and slowly finding his way to do that was so specially to read๐ฅบ๐
To Courtney Walsh, I cannot wait for Rayas book and what you have in store for her๐คญ๐ซถ๐ป
In a bid to make her ex jealous and to also not be the only one without a partner to kiss on New Year's at a bar, Eloise talked a stranger into planting one on her. She thought she wouldn't see him again, but he turned out to be Grayson Hawke, the newest player of the Chicago Comets, and her new boss.
The team hired her to help Gray acclimate. Eloise was sunshine personified so his grumpiness definitely stood out. He had it ingrained in him that love was a distraction that he couldn't afford to indulge in. She dove in headfirst when it came to feelings but having been jaded by her former boss, she didn't want a repeat.
I could feel Gray's with frustration as he warred with his heart and while I sympathized, it was all for a good cause ๐ Eloise wore her heart on her sleeve. It had caused her pain, and I loved how her sisters helped her get through and deal with the heartache. I loved how it all wrapped up, with Gray showing her how much he treasured her for being such a bright light in his life.
The Comets were such a vibe in this one. I loved how they got all up in Gray's business. I also loved meeting new characters and seeing others from book one.
Thank you to Netgalley and Publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The 2nd book in the Holidays with Hart series brings us the story of Eloise, the youngest Hart sister. Eloise is such a relatable character in many ways-youngest sibling who constantly feels like she will never be as good as her two older sisters, unsure of what career path she wants to take, and she has a big heart and always strives to see the best in people which causes her to feel like she must always be "on" or happy. When she gets hired to be the assistant to the newest hockey player on the Chicago Comets, she had no idea it would be for the stranger she shared a kiss with on New Year's Eve, Grayson. He has problems of his own-being traded by a team that he thought he would retire in, always living up to the high standards set by his dad growing up (relationships make you weak and if you make mistakes we do it until you don't), and moving away from a daughter he loves with all his heart. He tries to fight the connection he has with Eloise, especially since she is his assistant, but remembers that kiss from New Year's Eve and hasn't been able to stop thinking about her since. This was truly a roller coaster of emotions! I really enjoyed getting to know these two characters and their personal, emotional, and professional struggles. This was honestly a great example of why romance books are so much deeper than people think. This one deals with familial relationships, personal and professional growth, vulnerability, fighting toxic masculinity, and finding your place in the world. It was an amazing read that I will definitely be recommending and reading over again many times! Thank you NetGalley for giving me an arc copy in exchange for an honest review!
Love the grumpy x sunshine trope? Check out MY LUCKY CHARM by Courtney Walsh - you're in for a treat!
Grayson Hawke has just been traded to the Chicago Comets from Philadelphia and is adamant he doesn't need any help. Enter Eloise, the actual physical representation of sunshine, fresh off a bad breakup and needing a new job.
I loved how grumpy Gray is and how the author showed his reasons for being grumpy - the plot twist was perfect and really added to the character of Grayson.
The representation of the deaf community was refreshing and well integrated into the story. And the found family feels with all the different characters made for a perfect ensemble.
READ FOR:
๐คฉGrumpy x sunshine
๐Hockey romance
๐ฆป Deaf community rep
โค๏ธClosed door romance
โญ๏ธ4 stars
Thanks to Victory Editing and NetGalley for the ARC! Opinions are my own
#rochellereadsit
Grumpy hockey star!? Gimmeee๐ซ ๐ซฃ
I loved how Eloise helped making him feel home in Chicago. How he found a family there.
Their relationship was so cute. Iโm obsessed with the grumpy x sunshine trope and I am obsessed with this book too. Thank you NetGalley โฃ๏ธ
Heโs a grumpy mc-grumperson and she is the physical representation of sunshine. So when Grayson Hawke is assigned an assistant by his newly traded hockey team, he pushes back like the idea of working closely with her is personally offensive to him.
But then again, this isnโt their first meeting.
Gray has just been traded to the Chicago Comets from Philadelphia and while he is adamant he will do this on his own, there is one person he has left behind in Philly that cements his grump status in this new city.
Eloise is fresh off a breakup & a firing from a job she was actually looking to grow in. If that wasnโt hard enough, the boss that fired her? Her boyfriend that neglected to tell her he was seeing someone else. For the first time, she was looking to grow career wise, but the relationship definitely made things complicated. She may wear her heart on her sleeve, but the people around her doubt her commitment to building a career. And you know what? Maybe thatโs not her goal after all.
A chance encounter one New Yearโs Eve introduces this pair but itโs the second meeting at her parents front door that sets the tone for their relationship.
If you read Book 1 of this Holiday with Hart romance you will be pleased to see familiar characters of Poppy & the rest of the hart family as well as a more in depth look at the Comets. What I really loved was how Courtney integrates details of the deaf community & signing within the Hart family. Their father Mick has been deaf since he was a child and itโs so well integrated into their family story that itโs a comfortable yet refreshing addition to this solid family dynamic.
Note: as I was finishing up this read I also received an ARC copy so I both paid for my own copy and received an advanced copy courtesy of Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op
My Lucky Charm is book two in the Holidays With Hart series by Courtney Walsh.
This was such a feel good and delightful romance!
Eloise and Gray were super cute and fun together! They had a ton of chemistry.
This book is well-written and includes lots of witty banter.
This book was amazing! The description was so vivid and this book kept me up all night.
A fun and exciting grumpy/sunshine, sweet hockey romance.
Thank You NetGalley and Sweethaven Press for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!
This book was a breath of fresh air. ๐
Courtney Walsh just writes the best books, with the best characters, in the best settings, with the best feels ๐ but seriously! I couldn't stop reading.
The characters! Gray is the grumpiest grump ever and man if that's not how I wish I could treat the world ๐
instead of words he grunts. He's not there to make friends. He's there to be the best. And Eloise, what a sweet, sunshine-y, chatter box. She wears her heart on her sleeve, and has so much extrovertedness it's enviable. (I could never be that out going). The dynamic between the two is refreshing and fun!
From the first chapter, I was giddy and squealing (silently)! That kiss ๐ฅ yes it's a clean/closed door romance, but it still gives you all the tingly feelings of giddy happiness!
Anywho, go grab this one from somewhere and give it a read! It'll brighten up your day! ๐
Thank you Netgalley and Sweethaven Press for the ARC! ๐
I absolutely ADORED this book! I have recently discovered that I LOVE Courtney Walsh's books! I enjoyed book 2 of the Holidays with Hart series! The characters were well developed and I found myself staying up way past my bedtime to sneak a few more chapters in. Thank you so much for the opportunity to read this amazing book! I will definitely be sharing it with all of my fellow book lovers
๐ Book Recommendation ๐
๐ My Lucky Charm by Courtney Walsh
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โก๏ธ Swipe through for all the book info!๐ซถ
I have really enjoyed The Hart Sisters series so far! My Phony Valentine was adorable and mature with Poppy + Dallas. I worried this second one would feel too similar in plot but it does not! It is such a different sweet story that goes a little deeper and Eloise's character is also very funny.
Eloise Hart is a bit lost in life and love. On New Year's Eve she needs a way to make her horrible ex jealous and she approaches the quiet handsome guy at the bar to help her out. She never anticipates seeing her amazing kiss stranger again until she is brought in to take on an unusual job assisting a grouchy NHL player with a bad attitude and helping him adjust to life in a new city after being traded. (props to a Chicago settingโค๏ธ)
If you love Grumpy/Sunshine this is a MUST read for you. Grayson is truly the grumpiest of grumps BUT you still love him and root for him as his kindness shines through and backstory unfolds.
Thank you Netgalley for this ARC - this book is out now! and available on kindleunlimited.
I am veryyy picky about my romance books. Itโs not my go-to genre by any stretch but with booksta being my number 1 way to try new authors or find books I may like, Iโve realized that my cold heart does love a little romance ๐
And with that I say, this was perfection. I loved it from page 1 to page ___ (insert page number ๐). You got me with grumpy meets sunshine mixed with single dad. And for good measure we got a trio of sisters that completed this hat trick.
I should note that I married a hockey player. And he never had an assistant but can I relate to Eloise. The random hockey locker room chats ring true. So is the difft egos/personalities that complete a team. A few things I would have added but I was too busy giggling at the banter, smiling with Scarlett or just waiting for the HEA he come to love with the authors books.
This just took spot for the ones Iโve read of hers.
Ps. I married my grumpy player
Thank you Sweet Haven Press for the advance copy.
My Lucky Charm by Courtney Walsh is the equivalent to curling up under a cozy blanket with a hot beverage. It simply warms the soul and brings your heart joy.
My Lucky Charm is the second book in Courtney Walshโs hockey-themed Holidays with Hart romantic comedy series. My Lucky Charm will be better understood and enjoyed if read after My Phony Valentine. This is a clean opposites-attract workplace romance that doesnโt contain any sex or profanities.
Eloise Hart was introduced in My Phony Valentine as Poppy Hartโs younger bleeding-heart sister. Eloise is 29 years old and has had a string of low-paying jobs and loser boyfriends who broke her heart. She most recently had a relationship with her businessman boss Jay, who she found out was cheating on her. Then she finds out that she was actually โthe other womanโ. When she sees Jay and his girlfriend at a bar just before midnight on New Years Eve, she asks a handsome stranger to kiss her when the ball drops. He agrees because he sees whatโs going on with Jay.
Weeks later Poppyโs boyfriend, Chicago Comets center and team captain, Dallas Burke, recommends Eloise for a job as an assistant to their newest team member, Grayson โGrayโ Hawke. Gray has been traded from the Philadelphia team and heโs not acclimating well to Chicago or his new team. Dallas thinks that Eloiseโs sunny disposition and golden retriever personality is just what Gray needs. Gray doesnโt want an assistant, nor to participate in any publicity for his new team. After several bad practices, he realizes that his career will end if he doesnโt maintain his reputation as a top scorer.
So Gray accepts Eloise as his assistant, even though she know nothing about hockey. He pretends not to recognize her as his New Years Eve kisser. She decorates his apartment, shops for him, stocks his refrigerator with prepared meals, and handles all of his social media. She also encourages him to get to know his teammates and enjoy playing hockey again, instead of expecting perfection. For his part, Gray is attracted to Eloise, but his father has drilled into him since he was three years old that he should only focus on hockey.
Gray is hiding a big secret from the world, and Eloise discovers why he is so bitter and closed-off. She constantly fights her attraction to him and does her best to stay professional. Occasionally their real feelings surface and they have a passionate kiss, and then agree that it canโt happen again. They have a push-pull relationship throughout the story.
I enjoyed the continuation of Poppy and Dallasโ storyline and seeing more of the hockey players from My Phony Valentine. I enjoyed My Lucky Charm more because of the amazing chemistry between Gray and Eloise. All of the various family dynamics and interactions really added to the depth of the story. Iโm looking forward to reading the oldest Hart sister, Raynaโs story.
I received an advance review copy (ARC) from NetGalley and Victory Editing Co-op for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Loved everything about this hockey rom-com! Eloise is the sweetest heroine, and Gray might be the grumpiest hero ever written! They might be my favorite grumpy-sunshine couple ever. So much tension between them, lots of misunderstanding and adorable side characters! A fun story that I devoured in one afternoon because I couldnโt put it down.
๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐:
Eloise shares a New Yearโs kiss with a stranger, only to later find out that heโs her new boss, the grumpy hockey star Grayson Hawke.
๐ผ๐ข ๐๐๐๐:
Itโs no secret that My Phony Valentine is one of my favorite romances, so when I heard that all of the sisters were getting their own books, I squealed like the dramatic woman that I am.
I didnโt think that anything could beat Poppy & Dallasโ meet cute from my Phony Valentine, but Eloise & Grayโs comes pretty dang close. We know that the chemistry is going to be explosive instantly, but then Grayson fully unleashes all that grumpiness & I was stepping back just a bit.
Excuse me sir, how dare you be so grumpy towards the sunshine that is Eloise?!
But then the reason behind the grumpiness is revealed, Eloiseโs light starts to penetrate through Grayโs clouds & BAM! weโve got ourselves some mutual pining goodness, my friends!
& yโall, I thought I had this book alllll figured out, but then Mrs. Walsh went PLOT TWIST & I was gasping for air like ummmm ๐ณ
Letโs just say thereโs a certain hidden trope in this book that I wasnโt prepared for๐
๐๐ฟ๐ฎ๐๐๐ผ๐ปโ๐ ๐ท๐ผ๐๐ฟ๐ป๐ฒ๐ ๐ถ๐ป ๐พ๐๐ผ๐๐ฒ๐ ๐๐ผ ๐ณ๐ฎ๐น๐น๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ถ๐ป ๐น๐ผ๐๐ฒ ๐๐ถ๐๐ต ๐๐น๐ผ๐ถ๐๐ฒ:
โ๐๐ฉ๐ฆโ๐ด ๐ช๐ฏ๐ด๐ถ๐ญ๐ต๐ช๐ฏ๐จ ๐ฎ๐ฆ, ๐ข๐ฏ๐ฅ ๐ ๐ต๐ฉ๐ช๐ฏ๐ฌ ๐ด๐ฉ๐ฆโ๐ด ๐ข๐ฅ๐ฐ๐ณ๐ข๐ฃ๐ญ๐ฆ.โ
โ๐๐บ ๐ฃ๐ฆ๐ญ๐ญ๐ช๐จ๐ฆ๐ณ๐ฆ๐ฏ๐ต ๐ข๐ฏ๐จ๐ฆ๐ณ ๐ช๐ฏ ๐ต๐ฉ๐ฆ ๐ง๐ข๐ค๐ฆ ๐ฐ๐ง ๐ฉ๐ฆ๐ณ ๐ถ๐ฏ๐ธ๐ข๐ท๐ฆ๐ณ๐ช๐ฏ๐จ ๐ฌ๐ช๐ฏ๐ฅ๐ฏ๐ฆ๐ด๐ด ๐ฅ๐ฐ๐ฆ๐ด๐ฏโ๐ต ๐ด๐ต๐ข๐ฏ๐ฅ ๐ข ๐ค๐ฉ๐ข๐ฏ๐ค๐ฆ.โ
โ๐๐ฉ๐ฆ ๐ฅ๐ฐ๐ฆ๐ด๐ฏโ๐ต ๐ฃ๐ฆ๐ญ๐ฐ๐ฏ๐จ ๐ต๐ฐ ๐ฎ๐ฆ. ๐๐ฐ ๐ธ๐ฉ๐บ ๐ฅ๐ฐ ๐ ๐ธ๐ข๐ฏ๐ต ๐ต๐ฐ ๐ต๐ฉ๐ณ๐ฐ๐ต๐ต๐ญ๐ฆ ๐ฎ๐บ ๐ฐ๐ธ๐ฏ ๐ต๐ฆ๐ข๐ฎ๐ฎ๐ข๐ต๐ฆ ๐ซ๐ถ๐ด๐ต ๐ง๐ฐ๐ณ ๐ต๐ข๐ญ๐ฌ๐ช๐ฏ๐จ ๐ต๐ฐ ๐ฉ๐ฆ๐ณ?โ
โ๐โ๐ฎ ๐ฏ๐ฐ๐ต ๐ข โ๐ฎ๐ข๐ฌ๐ฆ ๐ต๐ฉ๐ฆ ๐ฃ๐ฆ๐ด๐ต ๐ฐ๐ง ๐ช๐ตโ ๐ฌ๐ช๐ฏ๐ฅ ๐ฐ๐ง ๐จ๐ถ๐บ. ๐๐ญ๐ฐ๐ช๐ด๐ฆ ๐ข๐ฏ๐ฅ ๐ฉ๐ฆ๐ณ ๐ต๐ฐ๐น๐ช๐ค ๐ฑ๐ฐ๐ด๐ช๐ต๐ช๐ท๐ช๐ต๐บ ๐ฎ๐ถ๐ด๐ต ๐ฃ๐ฆ ๐ณ๐ถ๐ฃ๐ฃ๐ช๐ฏ๐จ ๐ฐ๐ง๐ง ๐ฐ๐ฏ ๐ฎ๐ฆ.โ
โ๐๐ฉ๐ฆโ๐ด ๐ญ๐ช๐ฌ๐ฆ ๐ข ๐ต๐ฐ๐ถ๐ค๐ฉ๐ด๐ต๐ฐ๐ฏ๐ฆ, ๐ข ๐ฉ๐ข๐ณ๐ฃ๐ฐ๐ณ ๐ช๐ฏ ๐ข ๐ด๐ต๐ฐ๐ณ๐ฎ, ๐ข ๐ด๐ข๐ง๐ฆ ๐ฑ๐ญ๐ข๐ค๐ฆ ๐ต๐ฐ ๐ญ๐ข๐ฏ๐ฅ. ๐๐ฏ๐ฅ ๐ด๐ฉ๐ฆ ๐ช๐ด ๐ต๐ฉ๐ฆ ๐ณ๐ฆ๐ข๐ด๐ฐ๐ฏ ๐ฎ๐บ ๐ง๐ฐ๐ค๐ถ๐ด ๐ด๐ฉ๐ช๐ง๐ต๐ด.โ
โ๐๐ง ๐ต๐ฉ๐ฆ ๐ธ๐ฐ๐ณ๐ญ๐ฅ ๐ญ๐ฐ๐ด๐ต ๐ฑ๐ฐ๐ธ๐ฆ๐ณ, ๐ข๐ญ๐ญ ๐ช๐ต ๐ธ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ญ๐ฅ ๐ฏ๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ฅ ๐ช๐ด ๐๐ญ๐ฐ๐ช๐ด๐ฆ. ๐๐ฉ๐ฆโ๐ด ๐ญ๐ช๐ฌ๐ฆ ๐ข ๐ฃ๐ณ๐ช๐จ๐ฉ๐ต ๐ญ๐ช๐จ๐ฉ๐ต ๐ข๐ญ๐ญ ๐ฐ๐ฏ ๐ฉ๐ฆ๐ณ ๐ฐ๐ธ๐ฏ.โ
โข-โข-โข-โข-โข-โข-โข-โข-โข-โข-โข-โข-
This book is seriously one of those books that just makes your heart happy. I canโt wait for Rayaโs story!
๐๐ก๐๐ญ ๐ฒ๐จ๐ฎ ๐ ๐๐ญ:
โ๏ธgrumpy x sunshine
โ๏ธopposites attract
โ๏ธhockey player x assistant
โ๏ธsurprising plot twist
โ๏ธforced proximity
โ๏ธteammate banter / support
Thank you so much to Netgalley for an ARC of this incredible book!
โญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธ
My lucky charm by Courtney Walsh
Pub date: February 23 2024- available now!
I really really really enjoyed this! A hockey romance (arenโt they all these days?) with genuinely likable characters and some pretty exquisite tension. No open door scenes and nothing beyond kissing between our sweet Eloise and stormy Grayson. A quick read, this only took me an afternoon but such a delight.
Thank you @courtneywalsh and @netgalley for my arc! Really looking forward to going and reading the first book in the series and already anticipating the final Holidays with Hart story!
Such a light, happy, fun romance! It's refreshing to find an author who writes more about the emotional connection between two people and less about the physical. I enjoy her humor, and especially the relationships between the characters. The Hart sisters (and their parents) are so endearing. Even the grouchy Grayson really grew on me as the book progressed. My favorite character was definitely Scarlett, a precocious 10-year-old. When she came into the story, my heart was fully invested! Who knew I would enjoy a book about hockey, but honestly, the team's dynamic is great and I've found it be a wonderful setting! Definitely would recommend this series to friends and I'm hoping that Raya's story will come next.
Thank your Net Galley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op, Sweethaven Press for the ARC copy of this book by Courtney Walsh. I really enjoyed this book about Gray, the grumpiest guy in hockey and Eloise, sunshine all wrapped up in a Dr. Pepper loving woman. The book flowed nicely although I had wished for Gray to get over his complex grumpiness just a little earlier in the book. Gray comes with a lot of baggage and after being traded to the Chicago Comets he has trouble adjusting to his new team and town (Chicago). Enter Eloise, the sister of the team captain's fiancee, to assist Gray in making the necessary changes for his public persona. As Gray's past relationships in his life unfold you come to see the barriers he has put up behind his wall of grumpiness. I love how their relationship evolves and how Eloise chips away at his outside shell to reveal the real man. As a Midwest girl from the suburbs of Chicago I loved the setting details in this book. Courtney Walsh told a very sweet hockey romance story. I had not read the first book in this series, so immediately read that one too, My Phony Valentine.
Loved this return to Loveland and the Hart sisters. This is Eloiseโs story. She meets very grumpy hockey player Grayson; he was brought to Chicago in a trade (mostly requested by Dallas Burke). He is very unhappy to be on a new team and makes no effort to befriend anyone. Eloise is hired to be his personal assistant to help with his persona and to help him find love for Chicago. I love the interactions between the two!