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“The Charm Bracelet,” by Viola Shipman, is a multi-generational story about the complexity of mother-daughter relationships, love, forgiveness and what it means to figure out what one wants in life to be happy.

It follows the lives of three women — Lolly, her daughter, Arden, and Arden’s daughter, Lauren.

Lolly is a free spirit but knows she is slowing down and experiencing some mild cognitive impairment. She lives in a small town in Michigan — where Arden grew up — but Arden has not been back in several years, not even for a visit and this realization fills her with guilt. Arden is a divorcee who lives in Chicago and lives for work. Lauren, a college student, would rather study art than be a business major. She chose business because it would pay more than art but lacks the fulfillment her art provides.

What ties them all together are their charm bracelets and the story behind each charm. Each of the women receives a different charm, from Lolly, on her birthday. When she receives her charm, the recipient must recite a poem she learned from girlhood. The poem is the same each year, and the tradition started by Lolly’s mother, who died when Lolly was only 11.

Each charm represents a goal in life or a focus. For example, the kite charm represents encouragement to fly high in pursuit of one’s dreams. The puzzle piece charm is for a life filled with friends who complete you.

Now, Lolly’s forgetfulness has been brought to Arden’s attention and she realizes she needs to see her mother to assess the situation. She and Lauren decide on a road trip to visit Lolly.

During the visit, Lolly learns to accept the assistance she needs to help with her memory (upon their arrival, Arden and Lauren find the cabin full of sticky notes reminding Lolly to eat breakfast, get to work on time and water the plants). Arden is reminded by her mother that life is not all work and deadlines, and Lauren, too, is reminded our choices should not be based on what is easiest, or what someone else wants for us.

Ultimately, the family stories the three women share, and what Arden and Lauren learn about Lolly, bring them all closer together.

At 293 pages, the book is a quick read. The characters are well-developed, and the reader can empathize with each of the women, probably relating to each one of them for we all can be someone’s mother, daughter or granddaughter facing similar circumstances.

The book cover reveals that Viola Shipman is a pen name for Wade Rouse, who chose his grandmother’s name “to honor the woman whose charm bracelet and family stories inspired him to write his debut novel, which is a tribute to all of our elders.”

“The Charm Bracelet,” in the end, is a book that the reader will savor long after the last page has been turned.