All That Charm

Morning Glory #3

by Liz Talley

A dying friend’s gift delivers a chance to start over…

With Morning Glory in her rearview mirror, Eden Voorhees heads to New Orleans to pursue the dream she put on hold while caring for her disabled mother. But in the Big Easy, she finds a roach-infested apartment, a non-existent job and a dwindling bank account. Refusing to slink home and admit defeat, she accepts a part-time caregiver position to keep her theatre dreams alive.

Nick Zeringue juggles his restaurant empire with the demands of a special needs daughter. Devastated after his wife leaves him, he throws his energies into making his growing restaurants the best in the nation. When his daughter’s nanny quits, he replaces her with the quiet and alluring Eden. Attraction sizzles between them, but Nick won’t risk another broken heart for someone who may not stick around.

Eden has a plan for her life and it doesn’t include a man…at least not yet. Then her hidden identity as cabaret singer Lulu LaRue drops her (literally) into her boss’s lap, making her rethink what she’s always wanted. And when the chance to be on Broadway tap dances her way, Eden must decide – does she want love or fame?

Fall in love with Bourbon Street, a thrilling speakeasy…and Eden’s chance for happily ever after.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Chick Lit, Audiobook, Fiction

311 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 2, 2017

About the author

I unashamedly read, write and love romance books. I adore the weight of a book in hand and the anticipation of a happy ending. I love the journey, the word play and the magic of story. Nothing's better than reading a good book...except writing one. You can learn more about me and my award-winning romances at http://www.liztalleybooks.com

Reviews

[Jacob Proffitt]

This is third in a series and characters from previous books show up here and their contributions will make more sense if you've read those other books. Further, the background setup with Lacie is more fully explained and understood from those as well. I definitely recommend reading these in order.

This one was harder for me to get into than the others. Eden is kind of a quiet little mouse in the other stories and her mother is awful and her sister is probably a jerk (though she's absent so we can't say for sure). So I liked her getting out from under her mother's thumb and blowing off her awful situation in Morning Glory. And I have a soft spot in my heart for New Orleans so it was fun seeing her land there and attempt to make a go of it.

Unfortunately, the plot is a bit hard to immerse into. There's a lot of unlikely things happening, starting with Nick hiring her as a nanny and everything to do with her cabaret singer stint. And it strains even harder when those intersect (like when Nick fails to recognize her in a wig. Yeah, she's vamping it up and that's out of character for the Eden he knows but from that close up? Really?). I went with it because I liked both main characters and I really liked seeing Eden take chances and get some success.

And then we got the late-story romance complication and I didn't like that, either. I kind of liked Nick overcoming his poorer impulses. I had feared he'd go the coward route. But I didn't like Eden's responses (though they totally made sense given her history).

Anyway, this is a soft three star read. I liked it well enough and I particularly liked Eden growing into taking charge of her own life. And Nick's Sophie was a great character, well-drawn and complex enough to be a real extension of Nick and Eden's relationship in both the plus and minus columns. But those plot weaknesses and rough patches required some determination for me to get through.

A note about Steamy: There are some explicit sex scenes. It's the low end of my steam tolerance because only the first is of any import and Talley didn't really go into more. That first did a great job of illustrating their relationship, though not necessarily in a good way (I'm not a fan of virgins keeping the fact it's their first time from their lover. It's a recipe for disaster and makes me tense. Also, it says bad things about trust in the relationship.).

[Siv30]

כנראה שעייפתי ומיציתי רומאנים שבהם הדמויות מחפשות מזור מחיי האומללות והצער שחוו.

גם הביצוע באודיו היה די חלש ומבעס ביותר כך שלא נהנתי בכלל מהספר.

העלילה, עדן עוזבת את העיירה מורנינג גלורי להגשים את חלומה ללמוד תאטרון ולהופיע על הבמה בניו אורלינס. אחרי 10 שנים בהן טיפלה באמא הבוטה והחסרת מעצורים שלה שסובלת מנכות בגפיים בעקבות שבץ, ניו אורלינס מגלמת עבור עדן את השיחרור.

אבל כשעדן מגיעה לניו אורלינס מסתבר שבית הספר לריקוד בו היתה אמורה להתחיל לעבוד נסגר כך היא נאלצת למצוא עבודה חלופית.

בבוקר היא שומרת על סופי, בתו הנכה של ניק זרינג , גבר שאפתן עשיר בעל רשת מסעדות שאישתו נטשה אותו ואת בתם להגשים את חלומה להיות שפית ידועה. ובערב היא לולה, רקדנית וזמרת במועדון דראג קווינס.

לרגע היה לסיפור פוטנציאל אדיר כשניק מתאהב בלולה בלי לדעת שזו עדן שגם בה התאהב אך בגלל שהוא המעסיק שלה לא יכל לממש את המשיכה בינהם. אבל מהר מאוד הסופרת מפוצצת את המתח ואת זיק העיניין שהיה בסיפור וחושפת לפני ניק שעדן היא לולה.

מרגע זה, מסלול העלילה ידוע: ניק ועדן פוצחים ברומאן. נפרדים בשל חוסר הביטחון שלו והשאיפות שלה. ובסוף הסוף טוב הכל טוב אין מה לכסוס ציפורניים.

התבנית הידועה וההו לא כל כך מפתיעה כי כל היצרתיות של הסופרות האלה מתמצית בעיצוב התפאורה שבה מתרחשת העלילה שבבסיס היא לא מחדשת כלום.

אומנם שתי הדמויות סבלו ממוראות החיים, אבל בסוף הנסיך העשיר על סוס הלבן מוצא את סינדרלה שלו וכמובן שהם רוכבים אל השקיעה - כי ככה זה בחיים האמיתיים. גברים עשירים, חתיכים ומסוקסים שמנהלים אימפריות, הם טלאים בעלי נפש רגישה שנשחטה ללא רחם על ידי נשים שאפתניות שמחפשות רק קריירה.

בכדי לרפא את הפצע הבלתי ימחה בליבם ובנשמתם השבורה, נדרשת אישה קטנה וחביבה ובעיקר ענייה שלא יהיו לה שאיפות גדולות לקריירה כדי שתוכל לטפל בבית ובילדים שלהם בבוקר ובלילה היא תוכל לספק אותם. ואם חס וחלילה האישה הקטנה הזו תגלה שהיא כן רוצה קריירה מיד יתגלה שזה פלופ גדול ושהיא לא מאושרת בלי הגבר שלה שלתוך צווארו תוכל להאנח ולהריח את משב הקולון המרטיט את ירכיה.

הטלאים העדינים האלה גם מתנזרים מנשים ככה שהם כמעט בתולים אחרי 5 שנים כשהם פוגשים את האישה הקטנה והבתולה בעצמה, מה שמוביל לילה עוצמתי ומענג לשני הבתולים.

הבנתם את הרעיון הכללי. פשוט הספיק לי מהספרים האלה והספר הזה היה במיוחד מאכזב כי לפעמים אני סתם נהנית לשמוע את הקריין שהביצוע שלו באודיו לפחות גורם לי להזיל ריר. הפעם הקריינית היתה כל כך עלובה שאפילו לא נהנתי מהפנטזיה ומההקשבה.

[Ed Davis]

I can depend upon Liz Talley to charm me with her wonderful romances. This book was right up there with all the others I’ve read. If you love a sweet romance with just the right amount of drama I highly recommend this author.

[Antonella]

Third book in the series. Can be read as standalone. Each book is about one friend who after dead of their friend needs to fulfill one item on her bucket list, and add a new charm on the bracelet they were given. And that brings new and amazing thing in theirs lives. And love.

Enter Eden.
Life was hard on Eden. Living on the wrong side of the tracks, poor with awful mom and non existing father.
She is hard working, quiet and talented dancer. She wanted study theater but after her drug abusing mother had a stroke she is left taking care of her. But after 11 years she is ready to fallow her dreams. And the road takes her to New Orleans. To exclusive dance club in the Quarter. To the Nick and his adorable daughter Sophie.



This book was really charming. Feelgood read. I loved it.



After book one this series went down hill and that made me reluctant to read this one or more. But I'm glad I did. Sure I was curious about Eden from previous books, but I have to say this one is my favorite in the series. And I really didn't expected to that be the case here. I just wanted to finish this series. Well guess who is surprised now. Me.... That's right. Damn but it feels good when book exceeds your expectations.

I loved the side characters; the dancers, the nun, Derrick the drag queen, friends, Sophie sweet kid with cerebral palsy. I loved the setting in NOLA but I really liked the diversity in characters.



So if you are in the mood for some good women fiction-chick lit-romance read or whatever you want to call it. This book is it.

[Judy Christiana]

This is such a great series. After each book, I think, “This is my favorite book of this series”. Well it happened again after completing this book. I absolutely love the characters. Two people could not be more deserving of a happily ever after.

A great dad to a special needs daughter, who shine so brightly throughout the book, meets a woman who has struggled her entire life with various issues, but who has not let her unfortunate situation reflect in her personality.

This book has a fantastic plot and it was a joy to read. I read the last book in this series first, a few years ago and now want to re-read it knowing all the history behind the town and the other characters, that I am sure will appear in it.

[Jennifer Lara]

All That Charm is the third book in Liz Talley’s Morning Glory series. The Voorhees family has had a infamous reputation since 1909 and Eden has been desperate to leave Morning Glory and her past behind her. When her chance comes, she heads to New Orleans to pursue her dream that she put on hold in order to care for her disabled mother. Once there, her dreams are dashed. Her new job: gone. Her apartment: roach infested. Now with a shrinking bank account, Eden refuses to admit defeat. She takes a part time job as a caregiver for a young girl with cerebral palsy. Nick Zeringue juggles his family’s restaurant empire with the demands of his daughter, Sophie and her special needs. When Eden takes the nanny job, the attraction between them is obvious but Eden is determined to keep their relationship professional and her plan doesn’t include a man or love. As she begins to fall in love with Sophie and her father, her chance for Broadway comes her way. She must decide: love or fame? Can a dream change?
All That Charm is Eden’s story and while a sweet romance, it was not as good as the first two books. I sympathized with Eden’s desire to leave Morning Glory behind especially after one scene with her mother. With a mother like that, I would want to run too! I also enjoyed Nick’s character as a devoted father reeling from his own heartbreak. Sophie was a sweet character too. Of course, I enjoyed seeing Rosemary and Jess return to give their love and support, as well as much needed advice, for their friend. If only I had friends like that. The setting and secondary characters were okay and not as fleshed out as Eden or Nick. However, it was enjoyable and a lovely continuation to the Morning Glory series. I look forward to reading the rest of the series. If you have read the first two books of the series, I recommend All That Charm. If you have not yet read the series, I recommend starting with book 1, Charmingly Yours.

All That Charm is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook.

Book 1: Charmingly Yours is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

[Slick]

I'm giving this one 3.5 rounded down for GR, I actually thought I'd enjoy this one more because Eden was such a downtrodden character and I felt that once she got out on her own we'd see the real Eden shine and we did somewhat, but I was a bit disappointed with both her and her love interest, Nick during this story.

I really could not believe after taking care of her wheelchair bound mother for over a decade Eden ends up becoming a nanny to a wheel chair bound child and yes, these were two very different people and cases and she even reflects on how much she enjoys working with Sophie beccause she enjoys watching her grow and try so hard something her mother never did, but yeah that was a bit of a disappointment. That said, it also brought Nick into her life as Sophie's dad. I also hated that despite her job with Nick, and the money her friend had left her because her sister decided to renoatve their mother's home she was strapped for money (because she couldn't say no) and dropped out of school. UGH! Something she wanted so badly. What I did love was the fact she got a job performing at a Speakeasy and became a headliner when the headliner doesn't show up. I loved her stage persona and the way it transformed her and would have loved to see her bring a bit of that stage persona into her personal life and tell people no when she felt like it. Like telling her sister to figure things out with their mom's expenses like she'd done for a decade, telling Nick no she did not want to go to her hometown as a getaway, and instead of rushing to head to NYC for audtions to really think about what she was giving up and doing. All said, I was glad Eden figured out what was important to her and found her happiness in life.

[Claire Mc Partlin]

Another lovely book in this very enjoyable series. This story is about Eden, the last of the four friends, who was always the less fortunate one, the one who looked after her extremely ungrateful, disagreeable disabled Mother and worked in a store she didn't like to make ends meet.

Her sister had always promised to come back to take over the care-giving, and finally circumstances forced her back to Morning Glory to take over from Eden, although it certainly took her a long time. So it is now Eden's chance to do what she always wanted, to try and act, hopefully on Broadway. So she takes herself off to New Orleans to start her adventure and school, but of course things don't run quite as smoothly as planned and she ends up working as a cabaret singer in Gatsbys, which sounds a fabulous place, and caring for a disabled youngster to make ends meet.

Eden was always set on how her life would be if she could only get out of Morning Glory and pursue her dreams, but sometimes these dreams change, and at first she didn't realise this as she was so intent on following the path she'd decided on years and years ago. But love happened when she least expected it and, eventually, changed her way of thinking.

Very enjoyable book. I really enjoy this series, and hope that it continues, even though the charm bracelet at the centre of the story has now been filled by Rosemary, Jess & Eden, as there are plenty of other characters that could have their own story.

[MK]

Amazing book and LOVED it.. Third in the Morning Glory Series.
It's Eden's turn to venture out in the world and complete the charm bracelet left
by her friend Lacy. Her friends Rosemary and Jess went out there and took the chance.
It's what there friend wanted for all of them. They were all instructed individually. It was touching
she did so much for them. So they each took there turn.

Eden left for New Orleans and found two things. Well at first the Dancing school she was supposed to teach at was closed. But something else fell into her lap. She was hesitant about working as a nanny. Happy once she did. Sophie was amazing. Some disabilies but the sweetest girl ever. She never ever thought she would fall for her dad Nick.

When she faced a decision the her dream job or stay with Nick and Sophie.
It was the hardest thing she ever had to decide.

See what Eden does. When she reads her friends letter again things become
so much clearer..

The must touching, heart warming story. Loved this series and hope there's more to come.
Love Ms. Talley

Highly recommend this series because it's fantastic.

[George]

A lulu of a book

A great conclusion to the story of the three friends left behind when Lacy died. Those familiar with either of the first two books know Lacy gifted each of her three friends with a letter filled with wise, encouraging, prophetic words, money to help facilitate their dreams, and a magical bracelet.

In this book, Eden, trapped in a crummy job and saddled with caring for her disabled, abusive mother, gets her chance to move to New Orleans to restart college. With Lacy's divine intervention, Eden gets a part time job caring for Sophia, a young girl with cerebral palsy, daughter of Nick, a single father and a member of a local restaurant dynasty. Because of money woes, Eden has to drop out of school and take a second part time job dancing and singing at Gatsby's. On stage Eden completely transforms into Lulu. Nick and Eden eventually connect, but an opportunity in NYC leads to Eden moving away. Nick reacts poorly, but a visit to Eden by Rosemary leads Eden to reconsider what makes her happy.

Written with typical Liz Talley wit, wisdom, and grace. A wonderful book.

[Pennie Morgan]

I am loving this series! We now get to know Eden. She has basically put her life on hold to take care of her mother for the past 10 years and now her sister is coming home so she can leave and go to school. With the help of the money left to her from Laci, she is off to New Orleans where she finds the job is no longer there and her apartment is disgusting. Now she has to find a job to stay and she is directed to a school for special needs children and ends up with a job as a nanny for a special girl with a yummy dad. Nick is something else. This job allows her to still go to school but ends up putting school on hold and getting another job, and what a job it is. She finds a job at a burlesque house and was supposed to be in a chorus line but on opening night ends up headlining and was a hit. Soon she has a chance to head to New York. This one had me shaking my head thinking it was not going to find a happy ending but it ultimately did. So, so good!

[Becky]

Eden goes to New Orleans to go to school and be on her own for the 1st time in forever. Nothing ever goes smoothly or as planned for her and this new start is no different. Car problems, the job she expected is gone before it ever starts and then there's the apartment that doesn't turn out as she thought. Desperate for a job she follows a lead for a janitorial job when she comes across a bit of a matchmaking nun who helps set her up for a job as a nanny for a special needs girl who just happens to have a pretty hot dad! One thing leads to another, she postpones school, gets a 2nd job, a chance with the hot dad and then her big break which means leaving romance behind. But that break doesn't go as expected either so will she go back for another chance? I voluntarily read an ARC from the author for an honest review.

[Heather]

2.5 stars

The last of the three friends from Morning Glory, Eden is probably the least likable. She is a little mouse in her RL. However when she's performing, she takes on the persona of her character. The dichotomy between the two aspects of her personality is somewhat jarring. There were times I wanted to shake her and say "grown up and grow a backbone!"

After reading reviews for the final book about Sunny, I've decided to skip it.

Cover: Very nice!
Narrator: Brittany Pressley outdid herself with her portrayal of the drag queen diva. Splendid!
Hogwarts Sorting Hat: RL Eden is a Hufflepuff, and I think Nick is a Gryffindor.

Themes: New Orleans, performer, cerebral palsy

[Maria11]

Great ending to a sweet wonderful touching series. Crap I am crying...what a baby!

Eden the one of the three that I waited to hear about, finally got her story. We also got to peek at the other girls and their beaus. Eden finally gets her chance to leave Morning Glory and out to the big city. She had her ups and downs and then with divine intervention...from a nun no less all falls into place.

I loved Eden she is such a warm loving person. I am glad she had the gumption to try and reach for the stars and be smart enough to realize what matters.

I hate to see this series end, but the women of Morning Glory touched my heart! Loved them all! This series is a great read!

[Michael Wells]

Following your dreams

This is in the third of the term series and that’s a very good story. Rosemary and Jess have had their turn with the charm bracelet and have found them selves. Eden is not so sure if she wants it but takes return anyway. She has the opportunity to go to New Orleans and study and try to find herself. What she finds is quite different from what she thought her dreams were in the plot revolves around what she really wants and what will make her happy. I found this book for interesting and could not put it down. I’d recommend this book for those who like a good love story.

[Sandy]

Just finished this audible and even though I enjoyed listening to it there were a few things that made me struggle between a 3 and a 4 star. First Eden sounded quiet and shy and like she wasn't good enough to speak up and then other times she stood up for herself. I liked Nick until the last few chapters he treated Eden pretty poorly about following her dreams and then when he said something about putting her over his knee and spanking her made me roll my eyes. Sophie was so sweet! In the end I liked them all and I'm glad they all found their happiness. I enjoyed reading about a group of female BFs.

[Martha]

cute story

When Lacy died, she left letters and money to each of her three friends so they could pursue their dreams. It is now Eden’s turn to move out of Morning Glory to New Orleans and go to college for her degree in Theatre. But things don’t start off smoothly. Her apartment is a dump, her job fell through and she needs to earn money to afford university. She goes a job as a nanny to a special needs girl, but her boss is very attractive! But Eden is not looking for love. As her dream of making it on Broadway becomes a possibility, Eden will need to decide what it s she really wants to be happy.

[Dianne M.]

This was a good sisterhood series. Lacy provided for her three BFF's future by leaving them good advice and money. Eden was the most needy of the three because her family was scandalous. However, she was blessed with talent because she could sing and dance. Loved how circumstances evolved to bring Nick and Sophie in her life. Her care for the special needs of 7 yr. old Sophie was sweet and well-written. Just like Rosemary and Jessica, Eden got her HEA when she and Hot Dad Nick finally admitted their love for one another. This was a fun book and I would recommend it to a friend.

[Quinn Fforde]

I loved the first in this series, but each new story has been weaker. Still, I wanted to know what would happen to Eden. I'm glad for her to have her HEA, but it took me forever to slog through it. The first half was slow as molasses, and the second half just irritated me. I think we were supposed to be annoyed at Nick for his "ultimatum," but Eden was the one at fault. She should have been the one that groveled.

[Ginnie]

This was probably my favorite of the Morning Glory books. I really loved Eden's story. I was extremely disappointed that books 3 and 4 do not come with audio included. I listen to most of my books and they come from my kindle unlimited subscription with the Read and Listen for Free option. It always irks me when half of a series does not include the audio. This is why I haven't read book 4 and possibly won't, I don't have much time to actually read because I'm in my car or tending to my family.

[Rachel Smart]

Wow!

I loved this book! It has charm and steam, angst and magic. It is the last of the 3 friends that Lacy (who died from cancer) left the charm bracelet to. Eden is such a strong and gentle woman. Nick is a hunk and a wonderful father. I am not going to give you an outline of this story. It does have a happy ending and the bracelet does move on so there is another book and I can't wait to read it!

[Shellie Williams]

I really enjoyed this series of books, first ones I read from the Author and I would read more of hers for sure. I enjoyed the narrator for audio she did a great job! (I hate when the males voice sound like a female) It kept me wanting to continue. Not to much sex scenes but enough to make it good. I liked the theme of the bracelet and how it was passed on between friends, I could relate to that.

[Kyre]

A little more difficult

I love Eden. She needed her chance to live and All That Charm gives that to her. I didn’t like Nick sometimes and as I said in my review of the last book you don’t have to like everything about a character to enjoy their story. And I warmed up to him. Eden’s coworkers are the best. I would read a story about them alone. So I waffled between 4-5 because of how Nick acted sometimes but ultimately I enjoyed how Eden’s story went.

[Stephanie Villere]

Love love love this book!

This is All That Charm, book 3 of the A Morning Glory Novel series written by Liz Talley. This one really touched home with me. When your life-long dream is standing in front of you but the life you have built is trying to tempt you…. What do you choose? Or WHO do you choose? It’s heart wrenching and will tug your heart strings apart and leave you bleeding. Thank you for the HEA!

[Susan Baranoff]

Set mostly in New Orleans, this is the story of Eden and how she finds herself, and love, without compromise. This could have been a "man gets what he wants" story but it turned out to be a woman thinks she knows what she wants. figures out what she wants, and goes for it story. In the end the woman gets her dreams fulfilled, even a few she didn't know she had. The man learns a few things about himself and what might be if he grows the heck up. A nice 3rd book in the series.

[Janice]

Nice ending for the series. Eden, who had dreams of Broadway, heads to NO to UNO but the expenses get in the way. Nannying during the day and a little girl with MS and a hot dad. Then at night she's the toast of NO in a cabaret club. When NYC comes knocking, she is undecided whether to take this chance on her dream.

[Melissa]

I love the Morning Glory friends

Sweet friendship story woven through the books binding them all together kept this series exciting. The struggles and heartache each girl withstands are endearing. I'm cheering and booing along the way. Lost a star for explicit sex. Not my idea of romance.

[Eileen]

Touching story

This third story in the series touched home for me. Eden had a tough life. When she got the chant to leave she went to New Orleans. It was rough in the beginning but she had some divine intervention and a new job. She just had to learn that dreams do change and it maybe tough to swallow. Glad it all worked out for the girl!s of Morning Glory.

[Ashley M Foster]

Never have I gone through a series so quickly. The books pull you in a make you feel like these are your friends. You just have to know what happens. Couldn't put this last one down trying to find out how it was going to end. Definitely recommend this series

[Judy Archer]

Each one gets better

I am totally in love with this series. This one was as satisfying if not more so than the other three. Keep an coming and keep us informed about the folks in the other books. Fantastic author, so glad I found this series.