Lucky Charm (Lucky Series Book 1)

Derek thought he would get away from the family curse. Every male in the family who married for love lost his love and money. So Derek broke up with this first love Gabrielle in hopes of avoiding the curse. He married someone else and had a daughter. He ended up divorced and broke. Derek moves back to his hometown and Gabrielle does as well about six months later. Gabrielle doesn't believe in the curse but does believe in fate and figures that they both returned to town around the same time for a reason.
She's also a writer and chooses to write about the Corwin curse in an attempt to disprove it once and for all.She is even back in town to give a talk about it.
But when Gabrielle starts to receive threats against her it could threaten her relationship with Derek.
This story is about a second chance love with a hint of suspense- a great mix. I loved it!

The first book in the Lucky Series, Lucky Charm, gives us a second chance romance with Derek and Gabby.

This book fell flat for me.
I love a strong, independent woman, but Gabby just didn't do it for me. She was too overbearing when it came to winning Derek back, and I think she should have made him do more of his own winning over of her. Derek, on the other hand, seemed too caught up in and focused on the "curse." The chemistry between the two felt forced (or at least not deep and meaningful), and there was no build up or anticipation.

There was a suspenseful side to the story, but it was a bit predictable.

Overall, I did not find this story as engaging as Carly's other books, but I have hope that the next two in the series will be better.

*** I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advance Reader Copy.***

Generations of bad luck in his family’s male line have convinced Derek that marriage to the woman he’s always Loved, are never to be had for himself, or any other man in his family. Gabrielle, the love of Derek’s life has had enough! For years now she has tried to move on, never finding any other man good enough. She still loves Derek! She takes it upon herself to convince him that they should be together. After lots of twists and turns: bribery, break-ins, political intrigue, arson,… Will Derek stick to his decision, or will he let go of all of it to finally live the life he’s always wanted and take what comes along. Beautiful story of second chance. Hot love scenes (these definitely belong together)! Intrigue… the whole package. Loved reading about Derek and Gabrielle! I VOLUNTARILY REVIEWED AN ADVANCE READER COPY OF THIS BOOK.

I really enjoyed this latest book out by Carly Phillips. This is the story of Derek and Gabrielle. According to Corwin family legend there is a curse on the Corwin men. It is that they will be unable to find true happiness with the one they love and lose their mate forever. Derek didn't want that to happen so he broke Gabrielle's heart and walked away. Now he is divorced, broke, and miserable. The only good thing going for him is his daughter. Gabrielle sees this as her opportunity to prove to Derek that the curse is bogus and make him realize that they belong together. They both never stopped loving each other but Derek is hesitant to take a risk.

I highly recommend this book to everyone. I can't wait to read the next book in the Lucky series. Well done!!!

I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.

Derek and Gabrielle were high school sweethearts who everyone thought would end up together. However thanks to an ancient curse placed on Derek’s male family members he ends his relationship with the love of his life before the curse ends it for him. The curse states that any Corwin man who falls in love is destined to lose his love and his fortune and Derek will be damned if the curse hurts Gabrielle. After marrying another woman he did not love and having a child Derek is back in his home town divorced and broke. Enter Gabrielle, back in town to give a lecture on her newest book debunking curses and myths. She is determined to give a relationship with Derek another go and prove that the Corwin Curse is nothing but a silly superstition. Will Derek come around to her way of thinking or will history repeat itself? 5 Stars for such a great books!!

The Corwin men have lived their lives under a curse that prohibits them from pursuing love. This story focuses on Derek. Derek is back living in his old hometown after going through a divorce and an unfortunate down-turn in his professional career. He gave up his one true love--his high school sweetheart--to spare her from the curse. Gabrielle didn't believe in the curse and has gone on to make her living writing books which disprove the existence of curses. Gabrielle has returned home to do three things--help her best friend's fiance win an election, interview people for her next book (on the Corwin curse) and win back Derek. When you throw in a precocious child, a funny dog, an unknown enemy and still-hot attraction and you have yourself a great start to a series.

LUCKY CHARM is a great start to the Lucky Trilogy...can I only give this 5 stars?... Carly has done it again and I am not surprised. Derek and Gabriella (Gabby) have suffered for years because of "The Corwin Curse". The fact that Derek and all the Corwin men plus the town members believe in the curse makes for a good story. There were some great lines like the peroxide hair Sharon and Gabby lived through that made me laugh out loud.....I did the same thing in high school my hair turned orange...and my mother made me suffer with it for a while... Sharon and Richard as side story were great and lets not forget Holly...my granddaughter is the same age which made picturing Holly so easy..I'm off to read LUCKY STREAK...

Good story on second chances romance. Derek walked away from the woman he loved at 18 because he didn't want to lose her because of a long time family curse on the men in his family. But fate brings them back together years later. Gabrielle comes back home a famous author and determined to prove the curse is bogus. Derek is divorced with an 11 year old daughter. With the help of his daughter an ultimately his ex-wife, can he finally believe the curse is not real and give Gabrielle and him their shot at forever? Great characters, great story and a little suspense to unfold the bizarre events going on. Definitely a story to keep you interested.

Derek Corwin turned away the only woman he loved because he believes the men in his family are cursed.

Gabrielle Donovan has spent her career debunking thinga like curses. She is determined to make Derek see that there isn't a curse greater than love.

Derek and Gabby are still attracted to each other, despite circumstances trying to get in there way. Can Gabby get Derek to see they can survive together even as someone seems intent on keeping them apart.

Loved this book. Wasn't sure at first but it only took about 10 pages tp be swept away into Derek and Gabby's love story. I found myself unable to put it down. Eager for the next book. As always Carly delivers

Good story on second chances romance. Derek walked away from the woman he loved at 18 because he didn't want to lose her because of a long time family curse on the men in his family. But fate brings them back together years later. Gabrielle comes back home a famous author and determined to prove the curse is bogus. Derek is divorced with an 11 year old daughter. With the help of his daughter an ultimately his ex-wife, can he finally believe the curse is not real and give Gabrielle and him their shot at forever? Great characters, great story and a little suspense to unfold the bizarre events going on. Definitely a story to keep you interested.

Having missed this series the first time it came around, I'm absolutely thrilled that I got to read this. Phillips created such a realistic town (and while there were a few too many characters to keep straight, none of which seem to be characters from the rest of the series) that I'm eager to learn more about. I like that Gabrielle took this terrible thing and turned it into a way to make a living. I loved Holly. I was worried that she would be annoying or terrible to Gabrielle, but she was exactly the opposite.

The end of the "mystery" was a tad predictable, but all in all, it was a fun read that has me very eager to read the next one.

Derek moves back to his childhood home, with his Dad and his sad basset hound named Fred. Unexpectedly, Derek's ex-wife Marlene, grants him limited custody of his eleven-year-old daughter Holly, for the summer. He looks forward to bonding with his daughter but he is anxious about how he is going to handle a pre-teen, especially one as precocious as his daughter is. Finally, without any pressures from his job, he is able to set time aside and really get to know his daughter. He is unaware that someone from his past, a LUCKY CHARM, is going to turn his life around in ways he never expects. What lies ahead for Derek's future?

I fell in love with Carly Phillips new novel, LUCKY CHARM. It sizzles with sparks of lust and laughter as it tells the story of a family curse. High school sweethearts, Derek Corwin and Gabrielle Donovan are a match made in heaven but as luck would have it, they break up. Actually, Derek, madly in love with Gabby, quickly calls it quits, to try to dispel the family curse before it dooms their romance. Derek weds Marlene who he is fond of but doesn't love and their marriage inevitably fails. As Derek connects with his daughter Holly, their time spent together provides insightful reflection on his part as he re-evaluates his priorities in life, while he negotiates teen emotions. Complex relationships, gossipy small-town life, steamy sexy situations, and a plot that is wickedly delicious will have fans eagerly clamoring for Carly's next novel. Carly's humor laced tale contains more laugh-out-loud lusty romance than an afternoon soap opera!

The romance between Gabrielle and Derek is undeniable. Their love has been waiting to combust for years, but Derek believes his family is cursed when it comes to love. Gabrielle is the one person you had owners his heart for years and she is destined to break that curse that he is so sure he believes in.

Derek Corwin and Gabrielle Donovan were in love but a curse tore them apart. The Corwin men were cursed by a witch to lose their love and fortune if they fell in love. To save himself and Gabrielle from that pain Derek left her. When Gabriel comes back to their hometown to speak about her most recent book and discuss the Corwin curse, she knows she'll see Derek again. She's never gotten over him and she's determined to see if her high school sweetheart still has feelings for her as well. If he does, Gabrielle plans to win him back, curse be damned. As Gabrielle tries to solve the mystery of the Corwin curse it becomes clear that someone wants her and her friends to stop meddling, but Gabrielle is convinced she knows what's really going on and she thinks if she can explain it, Derek will change his mind about it and their relationship. Easier said than done though because Derek says he isn't willing to hurt her. Unfortunately, he already has, and he's about to again.

Lucky Charm kept me smiling from start to finish. Gabrielle has a lot of spunk and determination. Derek is charming. He's a good dad and an easygoing guy, except for his stubbornness about the curse. Gabrielle and Derek have great chemistry. Whether they're talking, arguing, or making love, their connection is strong and undeniable. They were made for each other. Lucky Charm is romantic, fun, and sexy. I love Carly Phillips' books and I can't wait to read the next in the Lucky series!

Nannette
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

The curse!! Gabby is writing a book the proves the curse is not real. She loves Derek and hates that he used the curse as a break up excuse. Gabby knows he loves her. But will it be enough. Great summer re read!! Loved reading it again. I felt the passion between them.

This is an interesting book, a little slow in the beginning but once you get to know the characters and their story you star liking it. I really enjoy reading it.

I received a free copy in exchange of my honest review.

Lucky Charm - Carly Phillips
Carly knows how to write about a character that has you falling in love with them, Derek and Gabrielle! Sweet & sexy read! If you love a great contemporary romance series, you'll love this Lucky trilogy.

After seeing the book cover with the gorgeous guy on it, I couldn't wait to read Lucky Charm. What I found was a lackluster storyline and the chemistry between hero and heroine needed a boost. I didn't take to the two characters that well. The premise of the story kinda turned me off as well. The hero dumped the heroine years ago because of his belief in a family curse. That would have turned off anybody else from reuniting with him, but the heroine wants him back. Also, the fact that neither one of them, when they were younger, professed to the other that they loved the other. The story just didn't feel believable enough for me. I give it 3 1/2 stars.

Absolutely loved this book. Carly knows how to write about a character that has you falling in love with them. I enjoyed the characters and especially lived Holly and how she showed how most of the time, kids are smarter than we are.

Great series.

Supposed cursed family. Men who marry for love lose their live and their fortune. Derek decides to try and outsmart it. He ends up losing his fortune and wife anyway.

Such a great story.

Lucky Charm by Carly Phillips
Contemporary Romance Mass Market Paperback October 1, 2008
4 Stars

Lucky Charm is book one of the new Corwin Cousins trilogy. In this first book, we meet Derek, a man in pursuit of his long lost love Gabrielle. Derek turned Gabrielle away years ago because he was in love with her. If this seems odd, it's really not. Derek and the men in his family have been cursed to lose their wives should they marry for love. It is for this reason that he turned Gabrielle away years ago, but now that he's divorced, Danielle returns determined to challenge the curse.

Carly Philips writes a charming book with a little bit of magic infused with witchcraft and ancient sorcery. The magical elements in this book keep the romance quite breezy with a whimsical edge. The father daughter relationship is quite endearing too. I found this book to be fun and enjoyable.

Reviewed by Monica from Bookaholics Romance Book Review

Derek Corwin loves Gabrielle, so much he has to break up with her because of the curse......fast forward through a failed marriage and the loss of all his money and he finds Gabrielle again.....will the second time be the charm.

I loved this book! Derek and Gabbys story was amazing. They fought with everything they had to be together again despite the family curse. I won't give any spoilers but I can't recommend this book enough!

In Stewart, Massachusetts, they were in love with one another through high school. However, upon graduation, Derek ended his relationship with Gabrielle though he still believed she was his soul mate. He dropped her out of fear of the Corwin Curse that has haunted all his male ancestors since witch Mary Perkins cursed the family in the nineteenth century when a member eloped with the fiancée of her son; Mary declared the Corwin males would lose their beloved and their fortune.

Derek did marry, but not to Gabrielle. His marriage and his business failed even though he ran from love; however, he also has a tweener daughter, Holly, who he loves very much.

Gabrielle never mended her broken heart; instead as a psychological defense mechanism she turned to writing and avoided any relationships. She debunks myths and curses, but has returned to Stewart to use her skills to prove the Corwin Curse is a sham.

This is a charming lighthearted romantic romp starring two likable protagonists; some might say antagonists. The second chance story line is fast-paced and filled with humor and angst due to deep characters, but although the plot is slim. Carly Phillips fans will enjoy visiting the town 1.5 miles west of Salem.

Harriet Klausner

Lucky Charm is a great second chance romance. Gabrielle and Derek have wonderful chemistry. They over come their differences from the past. This book has plenty of heat and humor to keep you wanting more.

"Lucky Charm" by Carly Phillips is the first book in a series of three about the Corwin cousins (all male) and their trouble with the famous Corwin curse.
Book 1 is all about Derek Corwin and him meeting his first and true love Gabrielle again after he broke up with her at their prom 14 years ago and she left town heartbroken. Then he broke up with her because he really believed (and still does) in the Corwin curse that says that "any Corwin male who falls in love will be destined to lose his love and fortune".
But now Gabrielle is back to prove Derek that there is nothing true about the curse and that they can have a future together. Derek is not the only one sceptical about Gabrielle, soon after she arrives in her old hometown she starts getting serious threats by someone who wants her gone. The situation gets even more complicated because of Derek's daughter, who adores Gabrielle but Derek's ex-wife still has some issues with him and threatens Derek for sole-custody. In the end it comes down to what Derek has more trust in, an old family curse that dictated his love life forever or himself and Gabrielle and their love to each other.
The main relationship between Gabrielle and Derek is great, ok sometimes I would have liked to shake Derek and tell him to go get his girl but because his main interest was always to make sure Gabrielle is safe I still like him. Gabby is a strong woman who goes after what she wants and is also a great friend to Sharon, her best friend since they were children.
Sharon and her fiance Richard, who's trying to become the new mayor in town, have their own problems to solve because of something that happened in Sharons past and took away all her self-confidence. They are a lovely couple too and made my heart warm whenever I read about them.
There are two great love stories in the book, some really hot scenes and a lot of feeling and funny moments - just perfect.
So all in all I really liked "Lucky Charm", recommend it to everyone who likes romances and can't wait until next year to read how Derek's cousins handle the "curse".
S.M.

Other reviewers have continually stated Lucky Charm is "an easy read" and they are right. Predictable storyline, predictable mystery, generic romance as well as bedroom scenes. Hero and heroine are both pretty lame, and the storyline is way far fetched and easily forgettable.

Another reviewer mentioned that it is a book you don't have to "think about" when reading-and sadly that's true. Average at best. Is the book equivalent of getting mediocre takeaway-it fills you up but never truly delights the tastebuds. About the only good thing I could say about it is it's a good book if you have pressing personal issues and just need to "zone out". 2.5 stars

This book was horrible! The whole series is horrible! The storyline was corny and rediculous! The only good thing about this book were the sex scenes! I'm just grateful I checked the audiobook out at the library instead of buying it! Two thumbs way down!

This was a good love story. Derek Corwin believed in the Corwin Curse. Supposedly in the late nineteenth century William Corwin fell in love and eloped with a woman who was going to marry someone else. The man that was wronged was Martin Perkins and his mother, Mary, was a witch. She put the following curse on the Corwin: "Any Corwin male who falls in love will be destined to lose his love and his fortune." Unfortunately all the Corwin men believed this as they have been unlucky in love and business. Derek broke up with the love of his life Gabrielle before going off to college so she would not be hurt. Derek ended up getting a girl in college pregnant, married her, had a daughter, and then was divorced. He thought the curse would not affect him because he did not love his wife. Gabrielle is now a well known author and is trying to show the people of her small old town that the Curse is not real. The current mayor has kept control of the people in town by using the curse. You will need to read the story to see what happens.

I loved Gabrielle and how strong and logical she is. I know she got very frustrated with grown adults believing in "witchcraft" in this day and age. Especially when she was fighting for her future with Derek. There is also a sub plot going on with Richard going against Mary Perkins who is the current mayor. His fiancé Sharon is Gabrielle's best friend and their story is intertwined. The story is very interesting and keeps you reading so you can find out what is going to happen next. The book is good and I encourage you to read the book. I voluntarily read an Advanced Reader's Copy of this book.

Lucky Charm, the first book in Carly Phillips Lucky series trilogy, is a second chance love story. Every Corwin male was cursed since the era of the Salem witch trials to fail in a marriage of love as well as lose their fortune. Unfortunately, generations seemed to prove its truth despite it sounding crazy.

Derek Corwin was deeply in love with his high school sweetheart, Gabrielle. For her own good, he lets her go and she moves out of state a short while later with her family. He marries a college interest, who got pregnant, and they had a daughter. They are divorced and his ex-wife remarried at the opening of the story. Holly, his 11 year old daughter, has come to live with Derek for part of the summer. Gabrielle has never stopped loving Derek and no man she has met has been able to measure up to him. She has become a successful author and recently moved back to the area. Gabrielle is determined to prove that the curse cannot be real and goes about winning Derek's love.

Gabrielle is spunky, courageous, and funny. Derek is a smart man yet he has let history and his family convince him into believing in the curse. Gabrielle is determined to change his mind, and many interesting happenings occur.

Ms. Phillips is a wonderful storyteller which she demonstrated in this story. I enjoyed reading this book and had trouble putting it down. This is a great book with plenty of romance and suspense, as well. I recommend this book to other readers.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

This was a charming read (get it LOL)! Derek and Gabrielle are high school sweethearts and Derek breaks her heart (by choice) to try to break the curse on his family. However, while at college his girlfriend gets pregnant so he marries her and thinking since he doesn't really love her the curse will not come true all will be fine. Fade to present day, Derek is back to his home town, divorced, broke, unemployed and his preteen daughter with him since his exwife is on her honeymoon with the new husband. Gabrielle is back in town too and she has never believed in the curse and wants to debunk it. Strange things are happening though...

This is a wonderful second chance romance and the chemistry is still just as strong between these two. Add in a preteen and a dog and if you like a little mystery with your romance you will enjoy this as much as I did.

This can be read as a standalone.

ARC provided for review.

This series has a very interesting premise. It is said that the male Corbin's is destined to loss if they fall in love. For many generations they have believed this. Carly Phillips doesn't actually set out to prove that curses aren't real just that love concurs all. This is book 1 in the series, it is also a rerelease of an older series that has been updated. Somehow I missed reading this one. It's a second chance romance. Derek ended things with Gabrielle the day after the prom because he loved her very much and he didn't want her hurt by his family curse. He got a girl pregnant in college and married her thinking he didn't love her so the curse wouldn't effect him. However, his marriage ends in divorce and he loses his fortune. Gabrielle refuses to let the curse tear them apart this time. I enjoyed this book quite a bit.

****I voluntarily received an Advanced Readers Copy of this book for my honest review.****

Derek thought he would get away from the family curse. Every male in the family who married for love lost his love and money. So Derek broke up with this first love Gabrielle in hopes of avoiding the curse. He married someone else and had a daughter. He ended up divorced and broke. Derek moves back to his hometown and Gabrielle does as well about six months later. Gabrielle doesn't believe in the curse but does believe in fate and figures that they both returned to town around the same time for a reason.
She's also a writer and chooses to write about the Corwin curse in an attempt to disprove it once and for all.She is even back in town to give a talk about it.
But when Gabrielle starts to receive threats against her it could threaten her relationship with Derek.
This story is about a second chance love with a hint of suspense- a great mix. I loved it!

Generations of bad luck in his family’s male line have convinced Derek that marriage to the woman he’s always Loved, are never to be had for himself, or any other man in his family. Gabrielle, the love of Derek’s life has had enough! For years now she has tried to move on, never finding any other man good enough. She still loves Derek! She takes it upon herself to convince him that they should be together. After lots of twists and turns: bribery, break-ins, political intrigue, arson,… Will Derek stick to his decision, or will he let go of all of it to finally live the life he’s always wanted and take what comes along. Beautiful story of second chance. Hot love scenes (these definitely belong together)! Intrigue… the whole package. Loved reading about Derek and Gabrielle! I VOLUNTARILY REVIEWED AN ADVANCE READER COPY OF THIS BOOK.

I really enjoyed this latest book out by Carly Phillips. This is the story of Derek and Gabrielle. According to Corwin family legend there is a curse on the Corwin men. It is that they will be unable to find true happiness with the one they love and lose their mate forever. Derek didn't want that to happen so he broke Gabrielle's heart and walked away. Now he is divorced, broke, and miserable. The only good thing going for him is his daughter. Gabrielle sees this as her opportunity to prove to Derek that the curse is bogus and make him realize that they belong together. They both never stopped loving each other but Derek is hesitant to take a risk.

I highly recommend this book to everyone. I can't wait to read the next book in the Lucky series. Well done!!!

I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.

LUCKY CHARM is a great start to the Lucky Trilogy...can I only give this 5 stars?... Carly has done it again and I am not surprised. Derek and Gabriella (Gabby) have suffered for years because of "The Corwin Curse". The fact that Derek and all the Corwin men plus the town members believe in the curse makes for a good story. There were some great lines like the peroxide hair Sharon and Gabby lived through that made me laugh out loud.....I did the same thing in high school my hair turned orange...and my mother made me suffer with it for a while... Sharon and Richard as side story were great and lets not forget Holly...my granddaughter is the same age which made picturing Holly so easy..I'm off to read LUCKY STREAK...

Good story on second chances romance. Derek walked away from the woman he loved at 18 because he didn't want to lose her because of a long time family curse on the men in his family. But fate brings them back together years later. Gabrielle comes back home a famous author and determined to prove the curse is bogus. Derek is divorced with an 11 year old daughter. With the help of his daughter an ultimately his ex-wife, can he finally believe the curse is not real and give Gabrielle and him their shot at forever? Great characters, great story and a little suspense to unfold the bizarre events going on. Definitely a story to keep you interested.

Good story on second chances romance. Derek walked away from the woman he loved at 18 because he didn't want to lose her because of a long time family curse on the men in his family. But fate brings them back together years later. Gabrielle comes back home a famous author and determined to prove the curse is bogus. Derek is divorced with an 11 year old daughter. With the help of his daughter an ultimately his ex-wife, can he finally believe the curse is not real and give Gabrielle and him their shot at forever? Great characters, great story and a little suspense to unfold the bizarre events going on. Definitely a story to keep you interested.

What a sweet and intriguing book! Loved Derek and Gabrielle. She had such a strong, take no prisoners attitude and he was stubborn as can be but they both made it work! Their story was very interesting and I liked that it was different from your average romance and had a crazy family curse! Lol I couldn't wait to find out what happened.