Reviews

The Last Charm by Ella Allbright, Nikki Moore

frannyhaha's review against another edition

emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

erobinson20's review

dark emotional funny inspiring lighthearted reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

crystal7's review

4.0

This book is special.
The story is told chapter by chapter, each an experience leading to a charm on the bracelet.
A split narrative is used which I love - switching between the two main characters.
I loved so many parts of this book (although I wished for a different ending).
Read it, you won't regret it!

cleg11's review

5.0

Thanks to netgalley for the chance to read this book.

What a heartbreaking but beautiful book.

When Leila loses her charm bracelet she puts out an advert to find it again. Someone answers the advert to say they have found it but need proof that it is Leila’s. The book tells the story of what each of the charms mean to Leila and the reason behind each one. The book had me in tears at the end as Leila tells the story of how the bracelet was lost.

lisam0183_bookworm's review against another edition

5.0

Wow, where do I begin. Jake and Leila's love story - I laughed, I cried, I got angry and I smiled.

I loved this story and just didn't want it to end. 2 people broken in different ways who are linked by a charm bracelet. The story just sucked me in from the beginning and I kept picking it back up to find out more of what happened and if Leila ever got the bracelet back.

jesstckr's review

emotional hopeful sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

hmorgz11's review

adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

a_hutchinson19's review

emotional funny hopeful inspiring sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No

5.0

I have no words. This was beautiful and heartbreaking and funny all at once. It showed true love with sensitivity and hope. 

thathappyreader's review against another edition

4.0

The Last Charm is one of my favourite romance stories of 2020. It is heart-warming, emotional and memorable: the kind of read that will have you thinking about Leila and Jake for a long time afterwards.

The story surrounds Leila’s charm bracelet, which was given to her by her mother prior to leaving Leila and her father. On the heart is a single charm. By the time Leila loses the bracelet years later, it is full of unique and beautiful charms. Each charm represents a special time in the romance between Leila and Jake: a story she has to tell the stranger who has found the bracelet in order to have it returned. The story is told in a series of memories starting when Leila is 13 until she is 30.

I respect that this romance does not happen immediately. Both Jake and Leila have a dysfunctional parent which impacts their identities and self-respect. As a result, each of them has personal growth to experience before they can commit to one another. These issues are presented with impact, and sensitivity.

I absolutely love the theme of the book for its originality and sentimentality. I appreciated learning about the story behind each of the charms. These characters are well developed and likeable. In summary, I found the story to be very engaging and I had a hard time putting it down.

I listened to the audiobook version which was narrated by Sarah Lambie who does a fantastic job as bringing Leila’s voice to the story. I found her voice to be youthful, sweet and joyous in all the right places. Her articulation and cadence made this book a joy to read. If you are a fan of audiobooks, I would definitely recommend this version of the book which enhances an already wonderful story.

Thanks to Netgalley, HarperCollins Audio UK and One More Chapter for the ARC of this book in exchange for the honest review provided here.

smithhj1992's review

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

3.0