Reluctantly Charmed

by Ellie O'Neill

• ISBN10: 1476757550
• ISBN13: 9781476757551
• Publish Date: 17 March 2015
• Publish Status: Active
• Imprint: Touchstone Books
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 416
• Language: English

Reviews

[MurderByDeath]

I didn't think I'd make it through this book at first.  Well, that's not completely accurate; I thought the first 10% or so was really intriguing.  I liked the idea of an inheritance hinged upon the publication of 1 letter each week.  But then it stated to get a bit weird with the whole fairy thing and how obsessed people got about it.     What kept me hooked had nothing to do with the fairies, or her magic (which was never really fleshed out in detail).  I kept reading because I found the story of instant fame and celebrity thrust upon someone who is not the least bit interested in it compelling.  In this respect the story is moving and powerful as Kate completely loses control of her own life and identity.  There's romance here too, but so slow burning it's almost back-burnered most of the time.   An odd story, written well enough, with an exploration of the destructive powers the public can wield.

[littleread1]

What would you do if you found out you had a crazy Great-Great-Great (maybe missing a Great or two!) Aunt who left you her estate, and all you had to do was publish some seemingly bizarre but harmless rhyme/poem every week for seven weeks? Well, I would do exactly what Kate McDaid did - post it on a blog and not give it a second thought. Until it becomes popular. And things start happening ...

From the beginning I was really able to connect with Kate. She really is an average person, just trying to get by in Dublin, make friends, find love, be a good daughter, and figure out who she is and where she belongs. She could have been me, or any number of people I know. She really is just ... average. Which makes her more relatable than most main characters I've read.

The story is somewhat slow to build, but Kate's narration keeps you engaged. She is funny, but awkward, her life is average yet stressful, and her love life is basically nonexistent. There is not much of a fantasy element in the story, but there are hints of it. It reminds me of stories my grandparents used to tell - stories that are so real except for this one tiny bit, that make you wonder if it all could be true.

While somewhat predictable, Reluctantly Charmed is an easy read and great for anyone looking for an almost real escape from reality - if that makes sense!