The Good Luck Charm

Hunting (Getting Down) sparkles in this well-plotted contemporary about a struggling and superstitious hockey player, his devastated ex-lover, and the hope and joy of second chances. Just after NHL player Ethan Kase is traded from Chicago to his home state of Minnesota, his cantankerous father has a stroke—and Ethan comes face-to-face with his biggest regret: Delilah Jane, the childhood sweetheart he abandoned eight years earlier. Now a nurse in their hometown of Forest Lake, Lilah sees Ethan’s father being admitted to the hospital and knows that Ethan’s arrival won’t be far behind. Ethan knows that breaking up with Lilah was the biggest mistake he ever made, but he begins trying to woo her back. But having been abandoned first by her father and then by Ethan, Lilah’s not sure she wants to try again—especially when she finds out Ethan may just see her as a good luck charm. Hunting imbues her characters, especially Lilah, with quick wit and enjoyable depth, and the curveball she throws into the plot at the end is truly surprising, yet believable. Lively supporting characters, including Lilah’s sassy sister, Carmen, add fun to the mix. Readers will hope for a return to Forest Lake. Agent: Kimberly Brower, Brower Literary & Management. (Aug.)