randikaye's review against another edition
4.0
I think everyone could use a little bit of Christmas magic and whimsy this year, can't we? For that, Christmas Charms has us covered!
In this book, we meet Ashley who is returning home to the small town of Owl Creek for the first time in years after her Christmas plans fall apart. On the trip home she receives a mysterious charm bracelet...and things only get more mysterious from there as the charms on the bracelet begin to come true right before her eyes. Will she get her happily ever after?
This book truly is a Hallmark Christmas movie in book form... and one I truly hope to see come to the screen at some point as others by the author have. It is romantic, it is whimsical, it puts focus on family and tradition... and most importantly, it's filled with Christmas magic! I absolutely could not get enough. Was it a little predictable at times? Maybe, but I don't mind a little predictability in a story like this... especially at the holidays. I find it comforting and just a nice, sweet read for the holiday season.
If you love a good Christmas story or are a fan of Hallmark movies/stories any time of year, this is certainly one worth checking out.
**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley for consideration. All thoughts are 100% my own.
In this book, we meet Ashley who is returning home to the small town of Owl Creek for the first time in years after her Christmas plans fall apart. On the trip home she receives a mysterious charm bracelet...and things only get more mysterious from there as the charms on the bracelet begin to come true right before her eyes. Will she get her happily ever after?
This book truly is a Hallmark Christmas movie in book form... and one I truly hope to see come to the screen at some point as others by the author have. It is romantic, it is whimsical, it puts focus on family and tradition... and most importantly, it's filled with Christmas magic! I absolutely could not get enough. Was it a little predictable at times? Maybe, but I don't mind a little predictability in a story like this... especially at the holidays. I find it comforting and just a nice, sweet read for the holiday season.
If you love a good Christmas story or are a fan of Hallmark movies/stories any time of year, this is certainly one worth checking out.
**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley for consideration. All thoughts are 100% my own.
booklover1974's review against another edition
4.0
Christmas book in July? Yes, when you’re sick in Covid and need something cozy and romantic
colem4482's review against another edition
4.0
Not my normal genre but I wanted a feel-good Christmas story and that is what I got. Charming!! (pun intended).
katkinney's review against another edition
5.0
This had everything I enjoy in a great Christmas story—wonderful setting and lavish Christmas descriptions.
bookdrgn's review against another edition
5.0
A classic Hallmark magical Christmas. There’s something comforting about the predictability of a Hallmark Christmas romance. The happy ending, life lessons, the characters, and the whimsy. Everything you need to feel Christmas come to life, even months before it.
Once I realized this was heading down the wish-fulfillment road I was so excited and had it not been midnight when I started, I would have finished it in one sitting. Wish fulfillment books and movies are one of my favorite genres and they are few and far between. I am so glad I got to review this one.
I am so pumped it’s a ‘Mrs. Claus’ character who sets the ball rolling, instead of the traditional Santa. Girl power! I loved that it took a different route other than the ‘wake up in a different life’ – even though those are some of my favorite Christmas movies. The bracelet element fit with Ashley’s interests and personality perfectly.
I loved the thorough description of Manhattan at Christmas time, a New York Christmas is on my bucket list of experiences to enjoy. The scene-setting is sublime, both in New York and Owl Lake. I really got a good image of Ashley’s surrounding no matter where she was. I liked how she took charge once she realized Jeremy wouldn’t give her what she wanted, and clearly didn’t know her very well.
Fruitcake is adorable, he makes me want to get another dog and it was so cute how he puts his head on hands when he wants to be petted. One of my current dogs was doing the same thing to me as I read this book. The activities she partakes in, Fruitcake in tow, add to the charm of small-town Christmases and I’m looking forward to trying the recipe in the back.
I loved how the magic was connected to the dream Christmas of her six-year-old self. The interactions she had with the people who have watched her grow up, seeing old friends and running into her ex. And what an ex. He’s a firefighter (hot right?), he’s a good Uncle, he’s always handy for rescue and he knows Ashley, what she likes and what she loves. Their chemistry is sweet, the intimate moments they share are lovely, and the fun they have makes me want to step into the pages and experience it with them.
Of course, the ex-boyfriend shows up at the worst possible moment, as a catalyst for Ashley to make decisions about her life and her heart.
Of course, we recognize the owner of the jewelry store, I momentarily forgot how connected everything is in a Hallmark book/movie.
I received a free copy of this via Hallmark Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
Once I realized this was heading down the wish-fulfillment road I was so excited and had it not been midnight when I started, I would have finished it in one sitting. Wish fulfillment books and movies are one of my favorite genres and they are few and far between. I am so glad I got to review this one.
I am so pumped it’s a ‘Mrs. Claus’ character who sets the ball rolling, instead of the traditional Santa. Girl power! I loved that it took a different route other than the ‘wake up in a different life’ – even though those are some of my favorite Christmas movies. The bracelet element fit with Ashley’s interests and personality perfectly.
I loved the thorough description of Manhattan at Christmas time, a New York Christmas is on my bucket list of experiences to enjoy. The scene-setting is sublime, both in New York and Owl Lake. I really got a good image of Ashley’s surrounding no matter where she was. I liked how she took charge once she realized Jeremy wouldn’t give her what she wanted, and clearly didn’t know her very well.
Fruitcake is adorable, he makes me want to get another dog and it was so cute how he puts his head on hands when he wants to be petted. One of my current dogs was doing the same thing to me as I read this book. The activities she partakes in, Fruitcake in tow, add to the charm of small-town Christmases and I’m looking forward to trying the recipe in the back.
I loved how the magic was connected to the dream Christmas of her six-year-old self. The interactions she had with the people who have watched her grow up, seeing old friends and running into her ex. And what an ex. He’s a firefighter (hot right?), he’s a good Uncle, he’s always handy for rescue and he knows Ashley, what she likes and what she loves. Their chemistry is sweet, the intimate moments they share are lovely, and the fun they have makes me want to step into the pages and experience it with them.
Of course, the ex-boyfriend shows up at the worst possible moment, as a catalyst for Ashley to make decisions about her life and her heart.
Of course, we recognize the owner of the jewelry store, I momentarily forgot how connected everything is in a Hallmark book/movie.
I received a free copy of this via Hallmark Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
jasmyn9's review against another edition
5.0
Christmas Charms by Teri Wilson gave me to perfect dose of Christmas magic. When Ashley finds her Christmas plans unexpectedly canceled, she decides to her hometown of Owl Lake. She has no idea that this is actually the beginning of all her Christmas wishes coming true.
I love how Terri Wilson tied the charms into the story. Not only does Ashley work at the charms counter in a high-end jewelry store, but her love of antique and vintage charms plays well into the overall magic of the story. The charms almost become another character - or at least an extension of Ashley.
I'm not usually a big fan of second-chance romances. Someone has usually done something awful, and I don't like disliking a character. But this was different. In this case, it just wasn't the right time for them yet. Now, we just have to wonder if now is the right time, or they will miss their second chance.
I love how Terri Wilson tied the charms into the story. Not only does Ashley work at the charms counter in a high-end jewelry store, but her love of antique and vintage charms plays well into the overall magic of the story. The charms almost become another character - or at least an extension of Ashley.
I'm not usually a big fan of second-chance romances. Someone has usually done something awful, and I don't like disliking a character. But this was different. In this case, it just wasn't the right time for them yet. Now, we just have to wonder if now is the right time, or they will miss their second chance.
ryannreads's review against another edition
4.0
Ashley is excited to start her holiday with a trip to Paris with her boyfriend, until she thinks he is going to propose...and he doesn't. Instead he says “marriage isn't for people like us”, so she breaks up with him and decides to return home for the holidays. On the way, a mysterious passenger on her train home gives her a Christmas charms bracelet. When she arrives home, she finds a friendly dog waiting for her on the front porch...who looks exactly like one of the charms on her new bracelet.
Ashley's happy to reconnect with her family...until she hears of promotion that just opened at her job in the city. She needs to apply in person, but something gets in her way each time she tries to leave town and usually the effort ends with her ex-boyfriend, firefighter Aidan coming to her rescue.
Is it the magic of Christmas or true love that keeps her thinking about her ex? Will she ever make it back to the city to apply for the job? WILL SHE KEEP THE DOG EVEN THOUGH HER NYC APARTMENT DOESN’T TAKE PETS??
This delightful Christmas story succeeds in transporting the reader to a happier time, longing for gingerbread and hot chocolate. A very enjoyable story which will make an equally excellent Hallmark movie at some point. Advanced copy read courtesy of @NetGalley and Hallmark Publishing.
Ashley's happy to reconnect with her family...until she hears of promotion that just opened at her job in the city. She needs to apply in person, but something gets in her way each time she tries to leave town and usually the effort ends with her ex-boyfriend, firefighter Aidan coming to her rescue.
Is it the magic of Christmas or true love that keeps her thinking about her ex? Will she ever make it back to the city to apply for the job? WILL SHE KEEP THE DOG EVEN THOUGH HER NYC APARTMENT DOESN’T TAKE PETS??
This delightful Christmas story succeeds in transporting the reader to a happier time, longing for gingerbread and hot chocolate. A very enjoyable story which will make an equally excellent Hallmark movie at some point. Advanced copy read courtesy of @NetGalley and Hallmark Publishing.
melmo2610's review against another edition
5.0
Loved this one. A sweet Christmas romance with fun characters. Very enjoyable!!