Lucky Charm- Marie Astor

Annabel Green is concerned for her cousin and her cheating husband- little did she imagine that her fiancé Jeremy was up to the same tricks after freeloading off her for years. Luckily the advertising job she’d taken after college to support Jeremy’s writing ambitions (instead of pursuing her own) provided some challenges to take her mind off her devastation as she cancelled wedding plans. When her best friend Lilly takes her to a fortune teller, Annabel is sceptical of the optimistic love predictions and the lucky charm necklace given to her by the mystery lady. Fortunately she takes a chance shortly afterwards when fashion designer Lilly offers her the opportunity of three weeks in Paris, and the charm begins to take effect.

Kooks for your Kindle?– A nice variety of characters here, the selfish fiancé Jeremy is a piece of work. Meredith is Annabel’s deluded older cousin, who refuses to face her husband’s infidelity. Her anger at Annabel was very well done when Annabel kicked Jeremy out. Lilly is exceptional, more of a free spirit, especially when it comes to men where she loves ’em and leaves ’em- until she’s finally tempted to keep one.

The Bella-Swan-Pathetically-Self-Sacrificing-Factor– Annabel is a likable, strong, decisive character. I’ve always thought that just because frothy books are fun doesn’t mean the heroine has to be a complete disaster. I loved the way she immediately threw out Jeremy, despite all their shared history, and finally realised how she’d been used for so long.

Painting a picture for your paperback?– Although Annabel is a Jersey girl, the book’s mostly set in Manhattan, where it’s easy to casually meet friends for a post-work drink without having to worry about driving home (yep, jealous). Towards the end we have something of a guided tour of Paris, romantically done.

Evaluation of your eBook?– I only had a minor quibble- Annabel, although only twenty-eight, came across as a lot more mature, in speech and actions. But it didn’t adversely impact the story, which was wide open and unpredictable for a large part of it. It’s unusually refreshing to be at least halfway through a chick-lit book and not know who the leading lady will end up with! The lucky charm aspect didn’t start until about half way through, but I didn’t notice as the story was engrossing. Ultimately it’s about picking yourself up when it all goes south, and ending up much better off.

Frothy Ranking: 4/5.

Can be obtained from:

UK: On Amazon for only £1.92

US: On Amazon for $2.99.