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Stories of Serendipity #9
Saving Charlie
Welcome to the final (for now) installment of the Stories of Serendipity, where real people live life and find love in small town, Texas.
100,000 children are sexually trafficked every year in the US. In the 1990s, Charlie was one of those children. She’s spent her adult life getting past that, trying to become a successful business owner in Serendipity, TX. Relationships are not goals for her. In fact, she’s not even sure she has what it takes to be a part of one.
Les is a fool for love. All he’s ever wanted was a girl. Now that every last one of his friends are married, and in happy relationships with families, he can’t stop thinking about the sexy lady who sells house parts, even if everything about her screams at him to stay away. He just can’t.
When they are thrown together on a cross-country road trip, Charlie’s past comes back to her full-force, long-buried memories inundating her. Les seems to be the only thing grounding her to the present, when everything else seems to be trying to tear her apart.
While it has a HEA, the road getting there is long, rough, and dark. Enjoy the ride.
100,000 children are sexually trafficked every year in the US. In the 1990s, Charlie was one of those children. She’s spent her adult life getting past that, trying to become a successful business owner in Serendipity, TX. Relationships are not goals for her. In fact, she’s not even sure she has what it takes to be a part of one.
Les is a fool for love. All he’s ever wanted was a girl. Now that every last one of his friends are married, and in happy relationships with families, he can’t stop thinking about the sexy lady who sells house parts, even if everything about her screams at him to stay away. He just can’t.
When they are thrown together on a cross-country road trip, Charlie’s past comes back to her full-force, long-buried memories inundating her. Les seems to be the only thing grounding her to the present, when everything else seems to be trying to tear her apart.
While it has a HEA, the road getting there is long, rough, and dark. Enjoy the ride.
- GenresRomance
242 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 15, 2014
5 people are currently reading
66 people want to read
About the author
Anne Conley
49 books500 followersAnne has written her entire life and has the boxes of angst-filled journals and poetry to prove it. She’s been writing for public consumption for the past several years. She lives in rural East Texas with her husband and children in her own private oasis, where she prides herself in her complete lack of social skills, choosing instead to live with the people inside her head.
Currently, she has five romance series. Playing with Fire explores the trials and tribulations of a small team of fire fighters in the fictional mountain town of Pamona Gulch. In Pierce Securities, she gives us Ryan, Evan, Miriam, Zack, Quinten, Jordan, Hollerman, and Simon. Her favorite series, Book B!tches, is all about a group of women in Mystic, Texas who get into all sorts of shenanigans. In Stories of Serendipity, she explores real people living real lives in small town Texas in a contemporary romance setting. In The Four Winds, she chronicles God’s four closest archangels, Uriel, Gabriel, Raphael, and Michael, falling in love and becoming human.
Currently, she has five romance series. Playing with Fire explores the trials and tribulations of a small team of fire fighters in the fictional mountain town of Pamona Gulch. In Pierce Securities, she gives us Ryan, Evan, Miriam, Zack, Quinten, Jordan, Hollerman, and Simon. Her favorite series, Book B!tches, is all about a group of women in Mystic, Texas who get into all sorts of shenanigans. In Stories of Serendipity, she explores real people living real lives in small town Texas in a contemporary romance setting. In The Four Winds, she chronicles God’s four closest archangels, Uriel, Gabriel, Raphael, and Michael, falling in love and becoming human.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
January 17, 2015
Warning... This book may contain triggers for some people.
Saving Charlie is the story of an adult woman who is trying to work out how to live her life after she was sold into prostitution as a child. By her own way of thinking, she is totally broken and so fucked up that she couldn't possibly find her way to anything resembling a 'normal' life. Few punches are pulled in this book. Charlie's life is laid out bare. Every scar and misstep taken, and her reaction to these events in her life, are there for the reader to pick through. Please don't think this is a pity party for Charlie, because it most certainly is not. True... She feels a serious lack of self worth. True .... She has problems with relationships that live outside the bedroom. True ... she has made some mistakes since her liberation from 'The Man' who bought her from her parents...
What you will really take away from this story is Charlie's strength, willpower and intrinsic beauty. She forces herself to rise above her past and make a decent life for herself. She struggles with issues arising from that past, but they don't control her every waking moment. She owns her own home, she runs her own business and, through a series of events that you will have to read for yourself, she is rescuing other young girls from the same imprisonment that she endured.
It is heartbreaking to see inside the fractured mind of a person who has had their childhood stripped from them, but it is important for people to understand why children and young adults end up feeling the way they do. If you look at these people using your own life as a marker, you cannot understand why they sometimes think they love their pimps. Why they feel the need to please these disgusting excuses for human beings... You cannot understand if you haven't been in their shoes. This book won't put you in their shoes, but it will give you a peek behind the curtain, and go a very long way toward helping you to understand how easy it is to twist a child's thinking. That small words of praise and encouragement, even from the wrong people, having you do the wrong thing, can have a huge impact on a child's mind.
This book is not all doom and gloom. Far from it, in fact. It is Charlie's quest to discover how, with a little help from a client named Les, to trust herself to put her past more firmly in the past, and allow herself to see how she looks to someone else.
There were some real laugh out loud moments in this story ....
'"Thanks for that. I needed a hug." The husky murmur against her earlobe made her insides tingle, and Charlie swore her panties were smoking. She could use a lot more than a hug.'
As always though, there is another side to this story. The struggle of another character. Les. Now his struggle is completely different to Charlie's. Les knows how to love.... But he loves too much too fast and seems to always end up alone. Les thinks Charlie is beautiful and smart and strong, and he loves her. Charlie has so many walls erected around her, that Les isn't sure he will ever be able to help her see how amazing she truly is. He is certain that he will say too much too fast and scare her off. Not only that, he knows she has a past that she isn't ready to share with anyone. He doesn't know why she shuts people out, but he wants in. He won't let her push him away, but has to find the balance between being there for her (without suffocating her) and showing her that he won't be scared off, and allowing her the breathing room she will need to begin the task of de-constructing some of those walls. Bit by bit he begins to chisel away at her resolve to only be involved in sexual relationships .... No REAL feelings allowed. Once that happens, she starts to get scared of screwing things up 'again' and of hurting Les, who she thinks is a wonderful man deserving of someone MUCH better than she can ever hope to be.
This is really a beautiful story of love and redemption and acceptance on many, many levels. Although the subject matter of this book is difficult to read and accept. Human trafficking of young boys and girls, sadly goes on all over the world. To pretend otherwise just allows it to continue while more gentle folk keep their heads in the sand. This is a serious issue and if this story opens the eyes of ONE person in political power to the plight of these young people, then perhaps it should become mandatory reading for aspiring politicians to do more to protect the vulnerable in our communities. OUR CHILDREN.
For those who know me quite well, this will come as a shock to you .... From page 214 on .... so many tears. Some because my heart was breaking for Charlie, for all she had lost and all that she gained, and for Les also, though in a different way and for different reasons... Some from happiness... And some for all of the lost childhoods of all of the thousands and thousands of children who are forced into this kind of life.
In my humble opinion, SAVING CHARLIE is a MUST READ.
Saving Charlie is the story of an adult woman who is trying to work out how to live her life after she was sold into prostitution as a child. By her own way of thinking, she is totally broken and so fucked up that she couldn't possibly find her way to anything resembling a 'normal' life. Few punches are pulled in this book. Charlie's life is laid out bare. Every scar and misstep taken, and her reaction to these events in her life, are there for the reader to pick through. Please don't think this is a pity party for Charlie, because it most certainly is not. True... She feels a serious lack of self worth. True .... She has problems with relationships that live outside the bedroom. True ... she has made some mistakes since her liberation from 'The Man' who bought her from her parents...
What you will really take away from this story is Charlie's strength, willpower and intrinsic beauty. She forces herself to rise above her past and make a decent life for herself. She struggles with issues arising from that past, but they don't control her every waking moment. She owns her own home, she runs her own business and, through a series of events that you will have to read for yourself, she is rescuing other young girls from the same imprisonment that she endured.
It is heartbreaking to see inside the fractured mind of a person who has had their childhood stripped from them, but it is important for people to understand why children and young adults end up feeling the way they do. If you look at these people using your own life as a marker, you cannot understand why they sometimes think they love their pimps. Why they feel the need to please these disgusting excuses for human beings... You cannot understand if you haven't been in their shoes. This book won't put you in their shoes, but it will give you a peek behind the curtain, and go a very long way toward helping you to understand how easy it is to twist a child's thinking. That small words of praise and encouragement, even from the wrong people, having you do the wrong thing, can have a huge impact on a child's mind.
This book is not all doom and gloom. Far from it, in fact. It is Charlie's quest to discover how, with a little help from a client named Les, to trust herself to put her past more firmly in the past, and allow herself to see how she looks to someone else.
There were some real laugh out loud moments in this story ....
'"Thanks for that. I needed a hug." The husky murmur against her earlobe made her insides tingle, and Charlie swore her panties were smoking. She could use a lot more than a hug.'
As always though, there is another side to this story. The struggle of another character. Les. Now his struggle is completely different to Charlie's. Les knows how to love.... But he loves too much too fast and seems to always end up alone. Les thinks Charlie is beautiful and smart and strong, and he loves her. Charlie has so many walls erected around her, that Les isn't sure he will ever be able to help her see how amazing she truly is. He is certain that he will say too much too fast and scare her off. Not only that, he knows she has a past that she isn't ready to share with anyone. He doesn't know why she shuts people out, but he wants in. He won't let her push him away, but has to find the balance between being there for her (without suffocating her) and showing her that he won't be scared off, and allowing her the breathing room she will need to begin the task of de-constructing some of those walls. Bit by bit he begins to chisel away at her resolve to only be involved in sexual relationships .... No REAL feelings allowed. Once that happens, she starts to get scared of screwing things up 'again' and of hurting Les, who she thinks is a wonderful man deserving of someone MUCH better than she can ever hope to be.
This is really a beautiful story of love and redemption and acceptance on many, many levels. Although the subject matter of this book is difficult to read and accept. Human trafficking of young boys and girls, sadly goes on all over the world. To pretend otherwise just allows it to continue while more gentle folk keep their heads in the sand. This is a serious issue and if this story opens the eyes of ONE person in political power to the plight of these young people, then perhaps it should become mandatory reading for aspiring politicians to do more to protect the vulnerable in our communities. OUR CHILDREN.
For those who know me quite well, this will come as a shock to you .... From page 214 on .... so many tears. Some because my heart was breaking for Charlie, for all she had lost and all that she gained, and for Les also, though in a different way and for different reasons... Some from happiness... And some for all of the lost childhoods of all of the thousands and thousands of children who are forced into this kind of life.
In my humble opinion, SAVING CHARLIE is a MUST READ.
July 15, 2015
Wow! This book is amazing and brought me to tears. It is such a touching story of a woman struggling to deal with a horrible time in her childhood and a man that loves all of her and is able to bring her past it all. Loved this book!
December 29, 2014
Not a story that is easy to read but one that brings attention to an important problem in our society. There is a happy ending coupled with encouragement.
December 8, 2014
Don’t be alarmed when you realize this is the ninth book in the Serendipity series. Each is a standalone based in the same small town of Serendipity Texas, but I would recommend you read each one, as they all hold their own special message to the reader. Saving Charlie though, wow, rarely does a book leave me speechless due to the amount of raw emotions I am feeling once I finish. The topic in this novel is human trafficking. The characters are Charlie and Les. The message the author is trying to convey…….priceless.
Charlie’s life was brutal. Parents who used and sold her, The Man who once again used her and sold her, Adam who was supposed to be her savior ended up being hurt by her. Life was just one sex scene after another for her as her soul slowly crumbled to dust. Not knowing her own worth, she went through therapy and came out a stronger, more determined woman, yet still that scared and bruised little girl lives inside of her. Nightmares and anxiety become her daily life. She builds her own business and keeps to herself so she never has to answer any questions about her past. She also has a few side projects that she does, but I will let you read about those in the book. Charlie knows she is not meant for a long term relationship, she messed things up with Adam and she believes she will do it again. Because of that fear she tries to deny her feelings for Les hoping she will never have to tell him her truth.
Les fell for Charlie the first time he saw her. Not knowing who she was or what her name really is, he started calling her Sweetness when he would come to her business to purchase the items he needed for construction. He is also a main player in rescuing the girls who have been kidnapped and sold in the trafficking business. He learns about Charlie throughout this book and his response is beautiful. While he is use to giving his heart to women after the first date only to be denied and left broken, he realizes he can’t rush her and has to decide if she is worth the work and effort to tear down the walls she lives behind. How is this going to work when each is denying their feelings in order to protect the other? Les came from a great family, parents he is still very close to. How can he ever understand the choices that were made for Charlie and the ones she had to make herself?
I won’t go into more of the story here as it will mean more if you read it and let it unfold before you but I will say the author was brilliant in the way she gave you the story of Charlie and Les’ romance, intertwining the facts of human trafficking and the damage it does to the victim. She gives us plenty of suspense in the story as well; I once again won’t risk spoilers to inform you. I started this book before Thanksgiving and with the holidays and family demands I had to put it down till last night. I will tell you though that Charlie and Les never left my mind over the holiday. I was so invested in them earlier in the book, their playful banter, the internal thoughts and desires they were both afraid to share. The insecurities the each had, this book became a well-rounded and powerful story. I not only recommend Saving Charlie I say it is a MUST read.
Charlie’s life was brutal. Parents who used and sold her, The Man who once again used her and sold her, Adam who was supposed to be her savior ended up being hurt by her. Life was just one sex scene after another for her as her soul slowly crumbled to dust. Not knowing her own worth, she went through therapy and came out a stronger, more determined woman, yet still that scared and bruised little girl lives inside of her. Nightmares and anxiety become her daily life. She builds her own business and keeps to herself so she never has to answer any questions about her past. She also has a few side projects that she does, but I will let you read about those in the book. Charlie knows she is not meant for a long term relationship, she messed things up with Adam and she believes she will do it again. Because of that fear she tries to deny her feelings for Les hoping she will never have to tell him her truth.
Les fell for Charlie the first time he saw her. Not knowing who she was or what her name really is, he started calling her Sweetness when he would come to her business to purchase the items he needed for construction. He is also a main player in rescuing the girls who have been kidnapped and sold in the trafficking business. He learns about Charlie throughout this book and his response is beautiful. While he is use to giving his heart to women after the first date only to be denied and left broken, he realizes he can’t rush her and has to decide if she is worth the work and effort to tear down the walls she lives behind. How is this going to work when each is denying their feelings in order to protect the other? Les came from a great family, parents he is still very close to. How can he ever understand the choices that were made for Charlie and the ones she had to make herself?
I won’t go into more of the story here as it will mean more if you read it and let it unfold before you but I will say the author was brilliant in the way she gave you the story of Charlie and Les’ romance, intertwining the facts of human trafficking and the damage it does to the victim. She gives us plenty of suspense in the story as well; I once again won’t risk spoilers to inform you. I started this book before Thanksgiving and with the holidays and family demands I had to put it down till last night. I will tell you though that Charlie and Les never left my mind over the holiday. I was so invested in them earlier in the book, their playful banter, the internal thoughts and desires they were both afraid to share. The insecurities the each had, this book became a well-rounded and powerful story. I not only recommend Saving Charlie I say it is a MUST read.
July 18, 2017
Wow – this was really well done.
Charlie has been through a lot and of course still has difficulty with her past but has moved on and managed to do pretty well for herself. Emotionally she’s pretty screwed up, but who wouldn’t be? As I became acquainted with Charlie, I couldn’t help but notice that her thoughts really do seem quite fitting to someone who went through all she did. She is a little bit emotionally stunted in just the right ways, and incredibly strong in others. This is a beautifully designed character that I would actually like to see more of. I spent the better part of the day with her as I was unable to put this book down. Any time I did put it down, it didn’t last and I had to pick it right back up.
Les is another well designed character that I felt like I really got to know, despite a little bit of his past being presented in a sort of vague manner; it was perfect because his own issues do not take away from Charlie’s but the reader still gets a clear idea of who he is.
I also have a ton of respect for the way this novel was delivered and the excerpts from various sources on trafficking statistics. Granted it only seems to address one type of human trafficking – the one that happens right here, at ‘home’ for sex trade purposes. There is a much bigger picture surrounding human trafficking and it is a bigger problem than most people could describe in a way that would do it justice… what I like about this book is the approach. It’s a fictional story that still gives a very real look at this problem. It provides non-fictional facts that are verifiable. I feel like this is presented in a way that it might actually open many peoples’ eyes up to what is going on in their own backyard – and it is just worked into what turned out to be a very addictive read. It is completely brilliant.
I couldn’t help but notice a couple of imperfections but – nothing that majorly distracted / or impacted the overall reading experience and nothing that warranted the deduction of any stars for the reasons stated above. Continuity was overall great, nearly flawless. If this were abundant or combined with lots of errors, I’d say the book needs another look through but honestly it is pretty well edited and I didn’t see much in the way of errors.
This book is also beautifully formatted just adding an element of aesthetic pleasure to the whole experience, which is never a bad thing. I do highly recommend this read to everyone as it brings a serious issue to light in a not-heavy way that I think most anyone can get into.
Charlie has been through a lot and of course still has difficulty with her past but has moved on and managed to do pretty well for herself. Emotionally she’s pretty screwed up, but who wouldn’t be? As I became acquainted with Charlie, I couldn’t help but notice that her thoughts really do seem quite fitting to someone who went through all she did. She is a little bit emotionally stunted in just the right ways, and incredibly strong in others. This is a beautifully designed character that I would actually like to see more of. I spent the better part of the day with her as I was unable to put this book down. Any time I did put it down, it didn’t last and I had to pick it right back up.
Les is another well designed character that I felt like I really got to know, despite a little bit of his past being presented in a sort of vague manner; it was perfect because his own issues do not take away from Charlie’s but the reader still gets a clear idea of who he is.
I also have a ton of respect for the way this novel was delivered and the excerpts from various sources on trafficking statistics. Granted it only seems to address one type of human trafficking – the one that happens right here, at ‘home’ for sex trade purposes. There is a much bigger picture surrounding human trafficking and it is a bigger problem than most people could describe in a way that would do it justice… what I like about this book is the approach. It’s a fictional story that still gives a very real look at this problem. It provides non-fictional facts that are verifiable. I feel like this is presented in a way that it might actually open many peoples’ eyes up to what is going on in their own backyard – and it is just worked into what turned out to be a very addictive read. It is completely brilliant.
I couldn’t help but notice a couple of imperfections but – nothing that majorly distracted / or impacted the overall reading experience and nothing that warranted the deduction of any stars for the reasons stated above. Continuity was overall great, nearly flawless. If this were abundant or combined with lots of errors, I’d say the book needs another look through but honestly it is pretty well edited and I didn’t see much in the way of errors.
This book is also beautifully formatted just adding an element of aesthetic pleasure to the whole experience, which is never a bad thing. I do highly recommend this read to everyone as it brings a serious issue to light in a not-heavy way that I think most anyone can get into.
November 17, 2014
Title: SAVING CHARLIE
Series: Stories of Serendipity #9
Category /Genre: Contemporary Romance
Recommended for: 18+ due to sexual content
Received from: Anne Conley (in exchange for an honest review)
Grammar/editing: book received as an unedited ARC / errors excused
This is book nine in the Stories of Serendipity series. Each does stand on its own, so they do not need to be read in order, but I would recommend it since many characters do show up in each other’s books.
Charlie had a nightmare of a childhood, used and then sold by her parents, then used even more. After being rescued from a sex slavery ring, she has worked hard to bury her past and become successful, stable, and independent. She doesn’t believe she is cut out for a “real” relationship, but there’s something about Les, one of her customers and a local hottie who builds and restores buildings in Serendipity, TX. When Les finds himself stranded on the side of the road in West Texas, he believes he has died and gone to heaven when the angel of his dreams, a girl he knows as Sweetness, offers to provide transportation on a needed trip to California. Les doesn’t know about or understand Charlie’s demons, but he seems to be the only one able to calm her when the past begins to haunt her present. Can Les silence the ghosts of childhood past and will Charlie give him the chance to try?
I have loved this entire series. This story was the best of the bunch. It is dark and scary, but well worth the walk through the valley of shadows to find the green meadow waiting on the other side. I pray that Anne Conley never closes the gate on Serendipity, TX.
As much as there will always be evil in the world, there will also be good people who will extend a hand (or a song) to help another. Les is one of those people, though he will claim he is no hero. So is Charlie, she just doesn’t recognize it in herself. They both are so afraid of rejection. Les tries anyway; Charlie tries to hide, but when they are together everything is even better. I was so happy to see them learn to lean on and love each other.
Series: Stories of Serendipity #9
Category /Genre: Contemporary Romance
Recommended for: 18+ due to sexual content
Received from: Anne Conley (in exchange for an honest review)
Grammar/editing: book received as an unedited ARC / errors excused
This is book nine in the Stories of Serendipity series. Each does stand on its own, so they do not need to be read in order, but I would recommend it since many characters do show up in each other’s books.
Charlie had a nightmare of a childhood, used and then sold by her parents, then used even more. After being rescued from a sex slavery ring, she has worked hard to bury her past and become successful, stable, and independent. She doesn’t believe she is cut out for a “real” relationship, but there’s something about Les, one of her customers and a local hottie who builds and restores buildings in Serendipity, TX. When Les finds himself stranded on the side of the road in West Texas, he believes he has died and gone to heaven when the angel of his dreams, a girl he knows as Sweetness, offers to provide transportation on a needed trip to California. Les doesn’t know about or understand Charlie’s demons, but he seems to be the only one able to calm her when the past begins to haunt her present. Can Les silence the ghosts of childhood past and will Charlie give him the chance to try?
I have loved this entire series. This story was the best of the bunch. It is dark and scary, but well worth the walk through the valley of shadows to find the green meadow waiting on the other side. I pray that Anne Conley never closes the gate on Serendipity, TX.
As much as there will always be evil in the world, there will also be good people who will extend a hand (or a song) to help another. Les is one of those people, though he will claim he is no hero. So is Charlie, she just doesn’t recognize it in herself. They both are so afraid of rejection. Les tries anyway; Charlie tries to hide, but when they are together everything is even better. I was so happy to see them learn to lean on and love each other.
November 19, 2014
If you are looking for a great story with awesome characters, and amazing romance; then Saving Charlie is your book. This book is so much more than a romance book, and I love it. It kept me on my toes the entire time. It was hard to put it down. I was hooked right away, and after it was over, I wanted... no NEEDED more.
I remember Les from some of the other books in this series, so I was excited to read his story. I am a sucker for bad boys and alpha males, but Les is in his own category. He is sweet, caring, funny, and... mmm... sexy as ever. I loved that he was there for Charlie, and he was willing to do what ever it took to make sure she was okay. Most of all I loved the flirty banter between Les and Charlie. You could just tell right away that they were perfect for each other.
Charlie was a strong character. If I were end her shoes, I am not sure if I could be as strong as she was in this book. I wish I could just reach through my kindle and give her a huge hug. Like the blurb of the book said; "While it has a HEA, the road getting there is long, rough, and dark. Enjoy the ride." I definitely enjoyed the ride. I can't wait to see what Anne Conley has next. Give this book a read, it is really good!
***Book provided by author for review.***
I remember Les from some of the other books in this series, so I was excited to read his story. I am a sucker for bad boys and alpha males, but Les is in his own category. He is sweet, caring, funny, and... mmm... sexy as ever. I loved that he was there for Charlie, and he was willing to do what ever it took to make sure she was okay. Most of all I loved the flirty banter between Les and Charlie. You could just tell right away that they were perfect for each other.
Charlie was a strong character. If I were end her shoes, I am not sure if I could be as strong as she was in this book. I wish I could just reach through my kindle and give her a huge hug. Like the blurb of the book said; "While it has a HEA, the road getting there is long, rough, and dark. Enjoy the ride." I definitely enjoyed the ride. I can't wait to see what Anne Conley has next. Give this book a read, it is really good!
***Book provided by author for review.***
January 4, 2015
Charlie had a childhood that no child should have to go through. She was a victim of human trafficking. Les just wanted to find love, settle down, and have a family – all of his friends were already married and having children. Charlie took to the roads to California to buy some pieces for her restoration business when she came across Les who had an accident and was on the side of the road. Les hitched a ride with Charlie and the whirlwind began. Charlie liked Les however her past was so bad she couldn’t risk letting him in after all she would just hurt him like she always does. Les didn’t give up and wanted to get to know Charlie even getting frustrated when she wouldn’t trust him enough to let him in on what was giving her nightmares. Les was not one to give up especially when he was in love and wanted a life with Charlie.
This was an amazing story that captured you from the beginning. It wasn’t like every other story you read. This was on real issues that the world faces today – human trafficking. You walk through the life of Charlie while she battles her past demons and tries to take a chance on love while being scared to death of it. This was another book that I couldn’t put down because I had to see what happened at the end – does Charlie and Les get together?
This was an amazing story that captured you from the beginning. It wasn’t like every other story you read. This was on real issues that the world faces today – human trafficking. You walk through the life of Charlie while she battles her past demons and tries to take a chance on love while being scared to death of it. This was another book that I couldn’t put down because I had to see what happened at the end – does Charlie and Les get together?
December 11, 2014
Saving Charlie is book #9 in the Stories of Serendipity series. But just like the rest of the series it can be read as a stand-alone story. It deals with sex trafficking and the exploitation of children, so be aware of that for anyone who may be sensitive to or triggered by those topics.
Fortunately all of the dark and heavy moment are balanced out by the humor and playful banter between Charlie and Les. One of the best things about this book and the whole series is that the characters are relatable yet able to let you escape through them.
If you’re reading this review, you probably have read the synopsis, so I don’t feel bad for spoiling things a little since they’re already in that. But shy away now if you so choose! So we know it’s going to be a happy ending, we know they’re going to get together. But it’s the journey that gets them there that’s funny, dark, sweet. It’s full of hurt and healing, and makes for a great read.
If you’re a fan of the series (which duh, you should be!) you’ll get some extended time with some of the Serendipity family which is always a nice thing. I really enjoy series of stand alones in a common setting that have cameos from previous books!
Fortunately all of the dark and heavy moment are balanced out by the humor and playful banter between Charlie and Les. One of the best things about this book and the whole series is that the characters are relatable yet able to let you escape through them.
If you’re reading this review, you probably have read the synopsis, so I don’t feel bad for spoiling things a little since they’re already in that. But shy away now if you so choose! So we know it’s going to be a happy ending, we know they’re going to get together. But it’s the journey that gets them there that’s funny, dark, sweet. It’s full of hurt and healing, and makes for a great read.
If you’re a fan of the series (which duh, you should be!) you’ll get some extended time with some of the Serendipity family which is always a nice thing. I really enjoy series of stand alones in a common setting that have cameos from previous books!
November 22, 2014
It's not very often that I really enjoy the male character, but Les is just one of those guys. He's just your average Joe who's not had very good luck with women. He's just the kind of guy I would love to give a hug to and say everything will be OK. He is such a caring and understanding man, he's just what Charlie needs. There are just so many opportunities for Les to show how perfect he is.
Charlie is the broken one, but she is on her way to rebuilding herself before the story even begins. She's a strong female character, devoting her live to preserving historic architecture and saving women who need saving.
The interaction between the two kept me reading. They both had so many witty comments that I was laughing out loud as I read. Although the topic can be dark and difficult to read, this book is not. Yes, it addresses sex trafficking, but it focuses more on rescuing and recovering from the trauma.
This book was my first visit to Serendipity and I have to say, I'll be back. The series focuses on life like characters in their 30's-40's that find love. Just the kind of book I enjoy.
Charlie is the broken one, but she is on her way to rebuilding herself before the story even begins. She's a strong female character, devoting her live to preserving historic architecture and saving women who need saving.
The interaction between the two kept me reading. They both had so many witty comments that I was laughing out loud as I read. Although the topic can be dark and difficult to read, this book is not. Yes, it addresses sex trafficking, but it focuses more on rescuing and recovering from the trauma.
This book was my first visit to Serendipity and I have to say, I'll be back. The series focuses on life like characters in their 30's-40's that find love. Just the kind of book I enjoy.
November 29, 2014
I've read a few of this authors books and really enjoyed them. However this book blew me away.
As much as reading about real topics can sometimes be hard I applaud authors who bring these sensitive subjects to the forefront. Anne Conley has done a fantastic job with this story.
Through Charlie we read about the traumatic effects of human trafficking. My heart broke for Charlie. She went through and is going through so much heartache. Yet she's a really strong character. She's a fighter hence she's living!!
Les. Well what can I say about Les. I absolutely love him. The baby steps he took with Charlie broke me.
The author did a fantastic job of portraying these characters as real. The author put her heart and soul into writing this story. This is a brilliantly written story. I had goosebumps reading this story. It's not an angsty story. However when your reading this and at the back of your mind you know that somewhere this is happening to young kids you can't help but feel sick at the evilness and greed of some people.
Well done Anne on a fantastic story.
As much as reading about real topics can sometimes be hard I applaud authors who bring these sensitive subjects to the forefront. Anne Conley has done a fantastic job with this story.
Through Charlie we read about the traumatic effects of human trafficking. My heart broke for Charlie. She went through and is going through so much heartache. Yet she's a really strong character. She's a fighter hence she's living!!
Les. Well what can I say about Les. I absolutely love him. The baby steps he took with Charlie broke me.
The author did a fantastic job of portraying these characters as real. The author put her heart and soul into writing this story. This is a brilliantly written story. I had goosebumps reading this story. It's not an angsty story. However when your reading this and at the back of your mind you know that somewhere this is happening to young kids you can't help but feel sick at the evilness and greed of some people.
Well done Anne on a fantastic story.
November 29, 2014
I was given Saving Charlie by Anne Conley for an honest review. It was as good as the other books in this series I give it 5 stars. It is an easy book to read before you know it your are finished and are like where did the time go. So we are back in Serendipity, Texas this time we are back for Charlie and Les’s story. Charlie is trying to get over her past and keep it there she believes she is broken and can never have a relationship. Les would love nothing more than to have a relationship especially since all his friends have someone. Charlie and Les are drawn to each other even though they don’t think it’s a good idea. They end up having to do a cross- country trip together and they have a lot of issues that come up that they have to work through. Do they make it or not read the book and see.
November 25, 2014
I have loved Les since he was introduced, he is my sweet loving, caring yet loner. He shows his emotions through his music and in every book he appeared in he was there for whoever needed him. In Saving Charlie, he finds his match, but with everything in Charlies past can they make it as a couple? They are fighting for the same things but in different ways, can Charlie let Les in enough for him to realize he can be loved and loved? Can Charlie let enough of her past go to believe she has a right to a happy future? This is a must read book but understand it isn't your normal love story you will be faced with the truth of human trafficking the effects it has on all parties involved but also how with the correct support you and help anyone can move on from a negative past.
December 2, 2014
"SAVING CHARLIE" BY ANNE CONLEY - Ms. Conley has done it again! Another gem of the Serendipity series. Please note that despite being part of a series, this is easily read as a stand alone. Now to the good stuff - Les and Charlie. Wow! Charlie has a hell of a life, literally, but she is one strong woman making a good life for herself. But, because of her past, she is unsure if she wants a relationship. Les is amazing! He is everything a woman dream of - strong, funny, kind, gentle and patient with Charlie. The road to love is not an easy one for Les and Charlie - there are many dark places along the way but Ms. Conley does an excellent job and leading us to the light. I couldn't put this one down! (Received copy for honest review)
November 14, 2014
This had me in tears and I was heartbroken too I know it that sex trafficking happens but when you read this story you understand a bit more about it.
Charlie is a victim and hero of this book ever since she was sold by her parents to The Man who then used and abused her she managed to escape and become the libaratry who then rescues other girls. Charlie don't do relationships due to her past but with Les it different and she scared to let him in as she knows he run but after a week on the road together they grow close that is until she goes out with him and a voice from the past comes to haunt her.
July 21, 2018
Saving Charlie broke my heart and slowly put it back together again!!
Was truly happy when Les finally got his story to tell and fate brought him Charlie and they find a way to heal one another in the process of finding one another.
Kind of bittersweet being at the end of this series. I hope there are more stories of Serendipity to come in the future.
Was truly happy when Les finally got his story to tell and fate brought him Charlie and they find a way to heal one another in the process of finding one another.
Kind of bittersweet being at the end of this series. I hope there are more stories of Serendipity to come in the future.
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