Thank you NetGalley for the ARC Charmed by Lorraine Zago Rosenthal. This was my first book by this author and it won’t be my last! Loved her character development. She gave just at enough details but not too much. The story was a little far fetched, but still enjoyable. I’m going to recommend this book and start another one of hers now!

This book wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t great either. It just felt like a bit of a chore to finish it. It would be great for people who like family drama and secrets. Thank you to NetGalley for letting me read this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

THis is a story that focuses on family drama and relationships but also romantic relations.

With family drama, you can always expect some deep, dark secrets which did not disappoint. Poor Prisca hasn't found love close to her first love, Nick. When she unexpectedly sees him at a party. she finds out that Nick lives in Las Vegas and has a young daughter leaving her devastated.

I think people can relate to Prisca because she has not gotten over the loss and what could have been. She struggles to find love again which is the main part of the story.

I was really engaged in this story because I really wanted Prisca to find out what happened with her relationship with Nick and hopefully she can get all the answers she needs to move on.

There are some unexpecteds twist which literally kept me on my toes!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!!

Lorraine Zago Rosenthal (favorite author) returns following Independently Wealthy and New Money with her fourth and latest novel, CHARMED —In this compelling tale of family secrets, loss, love, forgiveness, and second chances, a young woman is caught up in a family drama when the past meets the present.

This entertaining, heartfelt love story is emotionally charged and deep, filled with long-held family secrets and complex entanglements. It is a poignant look at family bonds and all their messiness. New York is an ideal backdrop for romance, overcoming past hurts, and the possibility of new love.

About...

Prisca is a young woman passionate about design. She dreamed of marrying her high school sweetheart, Nick, and settling in Brooklyn. But he left for Las Vegas abruptly, and she has not gotten over the loss and what could have been. Her struggle to move on and find love again is a central theme of the story, making her a relatable and sympathetic character.

She is a designer for her father's construction company, and Nick also worked there years ago. She and her complex brother Asher are caught up in the family conflicts between their divorced parents: a controlling father and a reality star TV mom with a new husband and family.

Now, in her late twenties, Prisca is trying to find 'the one' while searching for the happy ever after. However, she finds herself amid family conflicts, old secrets, and unresolved feelings.

What happened to her dreams? Why did Nick leave? She has never found anyone she has loved like her first love.

Tim Aldrich, a family friend and a doctor, returns to New York from California. They have been friends since they were kids. Can there be more than friendship?

When Nick returns to town, will she get the answers she has searched for? Did she really know Nick, and can she move on? Will she be able to piece together and pull her family together instead of apart?

Can the healing begin amid all family drama and conflict?

My thoughts...

“Poignant and heartfelt, CHARMED skillfully examines family bonds, love, and their complex entanglements— with plenty of compelling drama, secrets, humor, mystery, and romantic intrigue to keep you turning the pages!”

The book's title, CHARMED, perfectly reflects its theme. It's a captivating exploration of family, betrayal, loss, and love, and it's all about finding the magic in life's challenges. The author cleverly creates compelling characters you will root for and plenty of conflict among the characters and the family members to draw you in.

Everyone has their take on the situation and how they see the problems. They disagree, causing long-buried conflict. This is a perfect example of how things can spin out of control when there are hidden secrets, lies, and miscommunication.

From heartwrenching to heartwarming, the author keeps you glued to the pages with a surprising, entertaining, and compelling love story with depth, heart, hope, and wit. The characters are flawed and highly relatable, and you sympathize with their dilemmas while being kept on your toes by the unexpected twists.

What if? As we grow older, we often find things work out for the best.CHARMED is an inspiring story of second chances and the family bonds that tie us together. A broken heart finds a little healing magic and a happy ending, leaving you with a sense of hope and optimism.

Fans of New York settings will enjoy the journey from Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Long Island. A perfect blend of romance, family conflicts, and overcoming life challenges.

I was first introduced to Lorraine's books in 2014 when I started my book blog with Independently Wealthy and New Money, and I was delighted to read CHARMED.

Recs...

CHARMED is for fans of the author and those who enjoy contemporary family dramas and romance. Ideal for book clubs. Readers who enjoy works by Rebecca Serle, Jo Jo Moyes, Rea Frey, Jennifer Weiner, Emily Giffin, Jessica Strawser, and Katherine Center will delight. I highly recommend the author and all her books!

Interview

Stay tuned for my featured Oct #AuthorElevatorSeries Q&A with Lorraine as we go behind the scenes of CHARMED and up close and personal with this talented author (pub day Oct 22). Sign up for my newsletter to have it delivered to your inbox!

Thanks to the publisher and author for a digital review copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest opinion.

Blog Review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: Oct 22, 2024
My Rating: 5 Stars
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I really enjoyed this book. I expected it to be a typical romance, but it wasn’t. It focuses just as much on relationships with various family members as it does the romantic relationship. It has an interesting story line, and I’d definitely recommend!

This is a great, complex family drama as Don is celebrating his 70th birthday with daughter, Prisca and son, Asher in attendance. Initially unbeknownst to her, Nick, Prisca's first boyfriend appears and throws her off balance as she hasn't seen him in years and he lives in Las Vegas. Prisca is an interior designer at her father's company and her mother, Bliss is a reality tv star. What starts at the party devolves into complicated relationships, texts, and crazy behavior that all families have buried inside them. It's a wild ride!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

3.5⭐

It's a solid romance, with loads of family dysfunction and drama, but everything works.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this novel.

What a gorgeous cover! I knew I wanted to read this book and I'm glad I did. The story was entertaining, and it felt relatable regarding longing for love. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

I was so invested in the characters of this book! I thought the author did a fantastic job of setting up such a realistic and vivid family dynamic. One that has all the complications you may expect within a tight unit. I was so enthralled as to who the main character would end up with along with the relationship between her and her father. You won't be disappointed with this book, and you'll love it if you appreciate family drama and romance.

Such a cute romance story with family drama from all directions. Was really unsure as the first part of the book is kinda confusing and the set up really did not make sense. But a few chapters in the story picked up and got really good.

Charmed is the latest women’s fiction book I read. It was a wonderful family drama filled with complex characters.