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Charming Lily

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Professional mountaineer Lily is building a new life for herself--in ways she never would have expected. She's traded the mountain wilderness of Wyoming for the lush river country of the deep South, where she is busy restoring a fine old Natchez, Mississippi house. And she's rediscovered happiness with Matt Starr, the man she has always loved.

But Lily's dreams for the future are suddenly threatened when Matt disappears without a trace. Fearing foul play, she is determined to use her wits--and her will--to find him, embarking on a dangerous journey into unfamiliar territory. Though tested as never before, Lily knows that somehow she is being guided by a source she cannot explain--one that will help her find the courage to hold onto everything that's dear. . .

351 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

1203 people are currently reading
721 people want to read

About the author

Fern Michaels

427 books6,531 followers
Fern Michaels isn’t a person. I’m not sure she’s an entity either since an entity is something with separate existence. Fern Michaels® is what I DO. Me, Mary Ruth Kuczkir. Growing up in Hastings, Pennsylvania, I was called Ruth. I became Mary when I entered the business world where first names were the order of the day. To this day, family and friends call me Dink, a name my father gave me when I was born because according to him I was ‘a dinky little thing’ weighing in at four and a half pounds. However, I answer to Fern since people are more comfortable with a name they can pronounce.

As they say, the past is prologue. I grew up, got a job, got married, had five kids. When my youngest went off to Kindergarten, my husband told me to get off my ass and get a job. Those were his exact words. I didn’t know how to do anything except be a wife and mother. I was also a voracious reader having cut my teeth on The Bobbsey Twins, Nancy Drew, The Hardy Boys, Cherry Ames and the like. The library was a magical place for me. It still is to this day. Rather than face the outside world with no skills, I decided to write a book. For some reason that didn’t intimidate me. As my husband said at the time, stupid is as stupid does. Guess what, I don’t have that husband any more. Guess what else! I wrote 99 books, most of them New York Times Best Sellers.

Moving right along here . . . Several years ago I left Ballantine Books, parted company with my agent, sold my house in New Jersey that I had lived in all my married life and in 1993 moved to South Carolina. I figured if I was going to go through trauma let it be all at one time. It was a breeze. The kids were all on their own at that point. The dump was a 300 year old plantation house that is listed in the National Registry that I remodeled. Today it is beyond belief as are the gardens and the equally old Angel Oaks that drip Spanish moss. Unfortunately, I could not get my ghost to relocate. This ghost has been documented by previous owners. Mary Margaret as we call her, is “a friendly”. She is also mischievous. It took me two weeks to figure out that she didn’t like my coffee cups. They would slide off the table or counter or else they’d break in the dishwasher. I bought red checkered ones. All are intact as of this writing. She moves pillows from one room to the other and she stops all the clocks in the house at 9:10 in the a.m. at least once a week. When the Azaleas are in bloom, and only then, I find blooms on my night stand. I have this glorious front porch and during the warm months I see my swing moving early in the morning when the air is still and again late in the day. She doesn’t spook the dogs. I always know when she’s around because the five of them line up and look like they’re at a tennis match. As of this writing we’re co-habiting nicely.

Most writers love what they do and I’m no exception. I love it when I get a germ of an idea and get it down on paper. I love breathing life into my characters. I love writing about women who persevere and prevail because that’s what I had to do to get to this point in time. It’s another way of saying it doesn’t matter where you’ve been, what matters is where you’re going and how you get there. The day I finally prevailed was the day I was inducted into the New Jersey Literary Hall of Fame. For me it was an awesome day and there are no words to describe it.
I’ve been telling stories and scribbling for 37 years. I hope I can continue for another 37 years. It wasn’t easy during some of those years. As I said, I had to persevere. My old Polish grandmother said something to me when I was little that I never forgot. She said when God is good to you, you have to give back. For a while I didn’t know how to do that. When I finally figured it out I set up The Fern Michaels® Foundation.

READ FERN MICHAELS' FULL BIOGRAPHY HERE: http://www.fernmichaels.com/biography/

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5 stars
1,585 (48%)
4 stars
912 (27%)
3 stars
550 (16%)
2 stars
157 (4%)
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57 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
2,202 reviews2 followers
August 7, 2024
Different

Not what I expected. But it was an interesting read.

You see characters from old books pop up, nice touch.
Profile Image for Kitty.
889 reviews19 followers
November 22, 2008
I struggled through about 3 chapters one morning - couldn't get myself to pick it up again. Guy leaves true love at the alter. Runs into her years later, convinces her for 2nd chance, long courtship, 2nd wedding arrives. He's kidnapped night before. She's sure he's "done it again" and is devastated. I know it'll all work out, but it annoyed me so much that I didn't give it the chance.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Chrissy.
375 reviews12 followers
December 30, 2020
This book was pretty awful. The prose doesn't flow at all, the main male character cusses A LOT (which is a huge pet peeve of mine) and the storyline doesn't pull me in. DNF on the first chapter.
418 reviews
Read
July 24, 2019
Matt Starr was the CEO of Digitech. He'd left Lily Harper at the altar 10 years before and had gone on to become rich running his company. He found out that his life was empty without Lily in it. He'd tried to find her with no luck. It was as if she'd dropped off the face of the earth.
Matt decided to take a survival course and was surprised to find out that Lily was the instructor. He pursued Lily after that and won her back. They'd been together now for 2 years and they were once again engaged. A month before the wedding, he found out there was sabotage within his company. He set out to do some investigating and was returning home for the wedding when he was kidnapped. Lily thought at first that she had been left at the altar again but Matt's best friend, Dennis, convinced her otherwise.
Lily had bought a family home that had been inherited by her best friend, Sadie. She was getting ready to move in and had found Matt's dog wandering freely. That was what convinced Lily that Matt had been kidnapped because he would never let his dog run loose. Sadie had given Lily and necklace that she had found in the house when Lily moved in. The necklace seemed to have some power that caused Lily to see things when holding the necklace in her hands.
Lily saw the house that Matt had been taken to. The house was empty when they arrived but they learned who the kidnappers were. They then saw the house where Matt was and they found him. Matt had been tied up and left naked in an abandoned warehouse. He tried to get away and found some clothes but ended up cutting his foot. Matt had walked around until the blood poisoning made him stop. He was too sick to move when Lily, Sadie and Dennis found him. They got him to the hospital and Lily saw that the medication they were giving him had gotten mixed up when she grabbed the necklace. After they switched his medication, Matt got well.
Sadie did some more investigating and went back to the house where Matt had first been taken. She found Matt's car there. Matt was determined to see that the 3 brothers would pay for taking him and his money that was available through the ATM where they found him.
Matt had discovered that the traitor within his company was Marcus Collins. Marcus had broke into his computer to steal a program. He got the program and sold it to two different competitors for $30M each. He was wanted by the companies because the program wasn't the right one. He had stolen their money.
Marcus had left the country without taking anything with him. He was deeply in debt, mostly because his wife and daughter cared for nothing but material possessions and how they looked. Betsy wasn't deeply concerned for anything other than the money she wouldn't have coming in.
Lily finished the house she purchased from Sadie and had it furnished while Matt was in the hospital. She brought Matt to see it and was worried because he didn't know about it. She was hoping that Natchez would be a home base for them. Matt's plan was to locate his business headquarters in Oregon.
Dennis had been Matt's best friend growing up. Sadie and Lily had been best friends growing up too. Sadie and Dennis had fallen for each other from the time they met just before the wedding and throughout the process of searching for Matt. They had made arrangements for a date after Matt was found but they were living miles apart from each other. Dennis went first to NY to take care of things with the business since Marcus had gone. He was then heading for Oregon. Sadie went back to work at the survival outfit until things were more settled between her and Dennis.
Things ended up changing quickly, starting with the weather. It was too stormy for Sadie to return to work on a plane. They all went to visit with the brothers housekeeper and told her what had happened with them. She told them what she knew of the necklace Sadie had given Lily, called the Wish Keeper. She told them that Lily couldn't get rid of it but it was good. She would keep the wishes of others and see into the future at times. Her wishes would also come true.
Sadie went to the newspaper office and found out that the brothers had susbcribed to the local paper and had it sent to an address in the Cayman's. They had found the brothers. They flew to the Islands and the girls dressed up and talked the brothers into going back to their bungalow. They told them they needed to get swimsuits to go swimming even though it was dark. The guys were waiting there for them and made them give Matt his money back. They left the guys tied up and turned them over to the authorities for what they had done. They felt good about what they had done and felt that if the story was leaked, it would help the stock in their company to go up.
They went back home and Lily made a wish and put the necklace back in the closet. She had thrown it out and the housekeepers place but they all watched in find it's way back onto Lily's neck out of nowhere. Lily was a bit frightened of it now.
Betsy had received a visitor asking for the whereabouts of her husband, Marcus. She was told what he had done. She figured out where he had gone and went to find him. She remembered they had opened accounts for the girls in Europe and she withdrew the $60M from the bank account. She went back a week later to see if she could find him.
Betsy had taken more money from the same people that Marcus had swindled for the promise of telling them where he was. She had lied to them and found Marcus on her own. She then stole his money and spent a week alone in a hotel room feeling guilty and missing Marcus. She started to feel bad about deserting her children with their housekeeper in the States. She also found the necklace that Lily had hidden in her closet in Natchez. She held the necklace and worried for what she saw as her future.
She stopped to eat across from the bank and Marcus found her there. He told her that he also was sorry for what he had done. They decided that they really loved each other and wanted to work out their problems. They would find a way to get their girls so they could become a family again. Marcus told Betsy that he would find a way to pay Matt back for all that he had stolen. He was going to sell his own software program and let the people he had swindled have an interest in his project so they would be paid back too. Their future would be better than their past. Betsy would become less materialistic.
Lily had found the necklace gone when they got back from the Cayman Islands. It had been her wish that Betsy would get the necklace. That is what happened.
Lily and Matt were getting married, finally. Lily told him that he had better show up because she wasn't going to wait for him. He ended up getting stuck in the elevator and arriving 7 minutes late with his clothes tore up. He had to crawl out the top of the elevator and pry open the doors to get to his wedding, but he made it. They were finally married!
Sadie and Dennis were now together too. Sadie wasn't leaving him to go back to work at the survival outfit. She was staying in a cottage on Lily's property that Lily gave her the deed too.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Susan Clair Holt.
1,363 reviews1 follower
September 16, 2021
Charming Lily

Matt left Lily at the alter ten years ago, now his second chance is going up in smoke. He missed his wedding because he was abducted. Lily was hurt at first but when her dog Buzz shows up with a tired and hurt Gracie, Matt's dog she listens to his best friend, Dennis and they start searching for him. She has an amulet given to her by her friend, Sadie that is causing her to have visions about Matt. When they find him he's very sick but after treatment he's home. They discover who abducted him and emptied his bank accounts and locate the three brothers, get his money back and has them arrested. One of Matt's top executives tries stealing from the company and scams two of his competitors and disappears. His high maintenance wife figures out where he is and takes the money. Lily had wished the amulet on the wife, Betsy, and when Betsy finds the magical necklace and puts it on everything becomes clear to her. Het husband, Marcus got into all this trouble and disappeared because of her spending and bitchiness. By the time they find each other she's had time to change back into the sweet woman he married. Matt and Lily finally get married in Las Vegas. A lot of decisions are made by many people and life goes on. Great story, great author.
Profile Image for Rose Grabowski.
1,806 reviews17 followers
June 18, 2021
I liked the two strong women who were main characters. Lily's fiancée doesn't show up for their wedding and she initially thinks he jilted her. When his beloved dog is found she knows something happened. After this point you need to suspend disbelief when she has visions of where he is thanks to a magical necklace she is given and she and two friends head out to track him down. If the dialog was edited down a little more and the plot was tightened up a bit I would have enjoyed this more but it was worth finishing. This is from this author's backlist and I have loved her more current books.
87 reviews
September 30, 2021
Fern Michaels does it Again!

Fern Michaels is one of America’s favorite authors. She manages to lend intrigue to romance, mystery, murder and mayhem. This time it’s software giant who can’t seem to make it to the chapel more than twice!) along with his best friend and his wanna be bride and BFF. The foursome begin separately but have to partner to survive in Natchez as well as New York and Cayman Islands. Will they wed? Will they survive a Survivalist Worse nightmare? What will happen to there 4-legged best friends? All that money, theft, intrigue and drama…Read on…
14 reviews
February 25, 2023
Finally. I was reading a well-planned and different book! At first, I was a bit not feeling it, but as I read on, I became engulfed in the story and the characters. It was interesting and different, two young women who had minds of their own, and very different ways of stating what they were about. The writer wove us through the various character's inner beings. The ending was the only thing that didn't sit well with me, too quick and too much of nothing! I would assume that a second story about these characters would be coming to the bookstore near you, shortly!
Profile Image for Sunni.
187 reviews
November 12, 2017
Fern Michaels has always written about strong women, but like all of us her women have one weak spot and that is their heart. Lily Harper isn't an exception although she is exceptional.
This is a great story of love, hurt, forgiveness, and survival. I truly enjoyed ever aspect of this book, and I am glad to see that the woman is sometimes the survivalist and the man is the one lost in the wilderness. This is a very enjoyable novel, and a very quick read.
Profile Image for Maggie.
530 reviews3 followers
February 3, 2022
Lily Harper has met up with Matt Harper (multi millionaire) once again and she has accepted a proposal of marriage from him once again. Once again Matt leaves her standing at the alter. Did he chicken out once again or has something happened to him to stop him being there for Lily. This novel kept my interest from page one to the end. It was full of action and quite exciting throughout. Highly recommended for a fun, lighthearted read.
24 reviews
March 4, 2022
Fern Michaels usually writes interesting stories, this one really missed the mark. It started out with an interesting premise but went downhill from there. The story line seemed contrived and unbelievable on so many levels. The pendant appearing and disappearing for one, with the way it ended up was just so hokey. But the worst part was the Epilogue and how the greedy people just amazingly came to their senses and made everything "right" was disappointing, seemed liked the least likely ending possible and maybe the author got tired with her own story at the end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
149 reviews
June 22, 2017
I was given this book by Donna (coworker) to read. Started off sort of interesting with characters efforts to survive, and others to find him, but got a bit different with character having visions. Had potential of a good storyline of character's partner stealing from company, but that fizzled out too. Wouldn't recommend.
2,665 reviews
March 10, 2021
This story had zero credibility. The dialogue was so dreadful, I wanted to use a red pen to delete half of it. Whatever editor let this book slide through as is needs a different job. If it was an early novel, I might let it slide, but it’s not. The sad thing is that it could have been a great tale.
37 reviews
November 29, 2023
I loved this book!

I really liked this book because it kept moving. At points I didn’t want to put it down. The ending was a surprise. Also some of the characters in the end were familiar because I had read The Texas, Vegas and Kentucky series a while back. Fern Michaels is by far my favorite author.
56 reviews
May 6, 2020
Hooked by the first chapter...as usual.

Fern Michaels knows how to tell a story that books you from the very start. I've lost count on how many of her books I've read. Most of the Sisterhood series, some of Godmothers, Brotherhood and many Freestanding! My favorite author.
Profile Image for Ginetta.
209 reviews1 follower
April 17, 2021
Skimmed through most pages in this book. So unbelievable. The supernatural wish keeper pendant turned me off in the beginning. I really didn’t like any of the characters except the two dogs and maybe the spoiled, selfish Betsy.
Profile Image for Shavona Thompson.
582 reviews14 followers
April 17, 2021
Good story line. The dialogue could have been better. It might have sounded better had it been read by a female narrator. It was difficult for a male narrator to pull off some of the lines between Lily and Sarah. Still it was entertaining and happily-ever-after.
2 reviews
April 20, 2021
The book began really strong and I didn’t want to put it down. About 2/3 through the book got a little ridiculous, too much excess sidetracking, but finished out back on track. I love Fern Michael’s books but seemed like if it had been a bit shorter it would have been a fantastic read.
1 review
May 13, 2021
Disappointing ending

This must be one of the earlier books because the writing is really choppy. Doesn’t flow really well. And the ending is just dumb. Sorry. It was mostly enjoyable to read...
Profile Image for Karla Sharp.
3 reviews
August 1, 2021
Nice read . You should read it. Like all her books. Any suggestions on other books that are good summer reads. Let us know




Good read. Never been disappointed with her books. Anyone have any suggestions on other good summer reading. Let us know




Profile Image for Pierrette Baklik.
4 reviews
December 22, 2021
wonderful story

Loved this story, had me continuously wondering what would happen.
Certainly love how even in the end you had me wondering if once again the bride would be left standing at the altar.
511 reviews4 followers
June 4, 2022
Some things in the story are fun: the introduction of Lily and Matt at a survival camp where she is in charge of his group; the deep friend ship of Lily and Sadie; the lifetime friendship and trust between Matt and Dennis; the dogs, Gracie and Buzz.
Some of the story just was too unrealistic.
40 reviews
October 26, 2022
LOVE THIS AUTHOR!!

I am binge reading every book Fern Michaels writes. Each character is so alive. It starts out and she grabs you . it feels as if you are the main character. Please Fern Michaels keep the books coming!



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P



45 reviews
October 9, 2023
Charming Lily

Another great read by one of my favorite authors! The story line was interesting & full of twists and turns. I enjoyed reading and it was certainly hard to put down! As usual I look forward to reading another book by Fern!
Profile Image for Carla HUCKABEE.
113 reviews
August 17, 2019
A little unconvincing. The story was entertaining but too much of the book was dialogue.
5 reviews
October 14, 2021
Good Book

I enjoyed reading this book. It good to think people cab recover from the mistakes they make and that they can see their own faults
383 reviews3 followers
November 6, 2021
Charming lily

This is a cute story with characters that were super smart but not people that handled real life to good. It made for a fun read


Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews

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