A Simple Twist of Fate by April Asher is a cozy paranormal romance with fantasy elements of witches, shifters, and a town full of magic. Also the wild chapters were hilarious and had me laughing throughout the novel.

This book felt like a warm hug, even with the heavier themes of feeling unwanted, coming home, second chances, and healing old wounds. I loved the friends who felt like family and the family that always had an open-door policy. I enjoyed the elements of this book and how they were woven together very well. There was a very cool magical system, and a mystery drove that plot, not just that the main FMC had to go back for some vague reason.

I loved the slow burn of this second-chance romance, and I was rooting for Harry and Jaxon from the start. I love the chemistry between both of them and the side characters. My one complaint is I didn't really get a plus-size or curvy girl from Harry's character, like I expected. Overall, I had a great time reading this book, and if you like a cozy romance with a lot of cool magical and shifters, this book is definitely for you.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and April Asher for the copy to review.

firstly, thank you to the publisher for an arc and an alc!

unfortunately, dnf @ not even 10% because whew… as soon as i started reading i knew this would not be for me at all.

not only is there the entire kitschy paranormal romance tropes and corny, cringey language in the less than 10% i’ve read, but there is too much emphasis and sexuality and libido as a joke — and that’s just so annoying in my book.

as for the narrators, they did a fine job, at least for what i listened to!

Overall, this book was an easy, quick read. I'm not sure if I would continue on with the series. The miscommunication made it hard to get through the story at some points.

I was excited for this book and it paid off! I loved the world this book is set in. It’s modern day living but non magical and magical humans/beings all live together! You get witches, shifters, angels, demons, vampires, fae and more!! I loved it! It felt like the perfect combo between fantasy and romcom. I hope there are more books set in this world with the side characters from this one because I’m not ready for it to be over.

This was a slow start. I was really ready to quit but it was an ARC, so needed to get through it. Figured someone has to give a book a negative review, might as well finish.
But then the story got going. The simpering and angry looks stopped and the story got going. People started cooperating and the story grew with heart and fun characters. There was enough mysteries in the book that needed solving to be a story, the beginning stuff wasn't needed. I was smiling and crying by the end. So happy I stuck with it, it was a tidy little book. Not part of her other series, but in the same world. If I put too much thought into it I might say too much of the same, but the side stories are what made the book more than the main romance. In fact, the book got better as that was resolved and they were a team. That would be a good series, a witch and a shifter couple solve mysteries

Fated mates, shifters, and witches... say no more! A Simple Twist of Fate by April Asher was everything I wanted and more. It's a funny, slow burn, second chance romance set in the most adorable small town. I was hooked from the very first page. I loved Harry and Jax, and was rooting for them the whole time. .

Thanks to SMP and NetGalley for providing me an ARC in return for an honest review.

Another fun, witchy read from April Asher. I enjoyed the romance between Harlow and Jaxon and the fated match element of the plot. After a messy break up thirteen years previously, Harlow must return to her hometown to find help for her goddaughter. There she runs into her ex, Jaxon. There was some fun banter, touching moments, and growth between characters that really drew me in. I do wish there was a bit more between them as the plot seemed to stray to other elements that I didn't care as much about (possibly building up for book 2?). I also liked the shifter elements in the novel and the role the fated mate played in the plot. This was a fun, quick, whimsical read.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and St. Martin's Griffith for this advanced copy. You can pick up A Simple Twist of Fate now.

I had high hopes when starting this book, but unfortunately, I had to DNF pretty early on. I found the multiple instances of the non-word "snortled" to be too much for me. And overall, the writing style was a bit too quirky for my taste. But I can see this cute and cozy paranormal romance appealing to a ton of people who enjoy second-chance romance and found family.

This was so fun!
Harlow (Harry) ran away from her boyfriend and her home town after a giant misunderstanding. 13 years later she’s back needing help from the very man she left behind.

It was a bit of a slow start for Harry, Jax, and their group of friends. But, once things got moving I was invested and rooting for all of them! The secondary cast is entertaining, especially Grace.

The town of Fates Haven is part of wonderful world building. I appreciated how Harry and Jax were able to address the past and move forward all while the group solved a mystery, AND we were able to get to know the town too. I am definitely curious about what might next in Fates Haven!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A Cozy, Magical Delight!

I absolutely loved this book! A Simple Twist of Fate by April Asher is a 5/5 stars read that completely charmed me from the first page (well… first chapter of the audiobook and ARC eBook—yes, I devoured both formats!).

This story is like curling up under a fuzzy blanket with a mug of something warm while watching Gilmore Girls, Vampire Diaries, and Smallville all at once. Think cozy small town vibes + magical creatures + a dash of mystery. The result? A romantasy that’s equal parts emotional and lighthearted, with a “vibes over plot” energy that makes it a perfect reading slump-buster.

While the plot seems unclear in where it's going at times, I honestly didn’t mind. The vibe was the real star here. I don’t usually like small town or second chance romance tropes, but this one totally worked for me thanks to the added layers of fantasy and intrigue. It felt fresh and fun, never stale.

Harry and Jax were such compelling main characters and I genuinely rooted for them. Their romance was suprizingly spicy in the best way!!! And can we talk about Grace? She’s a spunky teen with budding magical powers who added so much spark to the story. Total scene-stealer.

Now let’s talk audiobook: if you’re an audiobook person, you need this one in your lineup. Teddy Hamilton is an instant 10/10, as always. And Isabelle Ruther matched that energy beautifully. The performance brought the characters and story to life in a way that made me want to start it all over again as soon as I finished.

Fans of Legends and Lattes will fall in love with this cozy, magical world. Add it to your TBR—trust me, your heart will thank you. 💫📚✨

Thank you to NetGalley, April Asher, and her publisher for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

OKAY COZY & SEXY LIL WITCHY FANTASY. I adored this book - I have a hard time with “cozy” fantasies sometimes because they’re almost too cutesy for me, but this one was the perfect balance of cute/funny/sexy! The banter between basically every character was fantastic, and the found family was SO strong and had me all in my warm and fuzzies. And the spice also had me in my warm and fuzzies. 😏

I would definitely recommend to anyone looking for a cute but still spicy fantasy read!

Rating: 4 ⭐️
Spice: 2 🌶️

A Simple Twist of Fate by April Asher follows witch Harlow “Harry” Pierce and shifter Jaxon Atwood. Once childhood sweethearts, a shocking turn of events thirteen years ago led to Harry’s flee from their home town and broken hearts on both sides. Now, Harry must return home to find answers for her goddaughter, who’s having some shifter problems of her own. When old feelings come back to the surface, and new problems arise, it’ll take Harry and Jax working together to solve the town’s problems and their own.

My personal thoughts: I really love Grace’s character, she is the ultimate example of a moody teen (coupled with uncontrollable supernatural powers). Both the fearsome four and the big bads are chock full of lovable characters. They do feel a bit typical, but i love them nonetheless. The town of Fates Haven is a bit cliched, but I do really love its cozy vibe, close-knit residents, and fun shops. Grace and Harry’s relationship is absolutely wonderful. Truly heartwarming display of niece and pseudo-aunt love. This book was certainly easy to read; a nice book to relax with that doesn’t require a lot of brain power. I did enjoy this read, it was an easy, lighthearted romantic read, albeit a bit corny. Still a fun read overall.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this e-arc.

A simple twist of fate was what second chance romance dreams are made of. It had all the heart you’d expect with the fun twist of an added paranormal aspect. I absolutely loved it!

This book is everything you need to pull you out of that reading slump. The perfect mix between a romance and a fantasy book that will making you laugh, cry and smile ear to ear from start to finish. I’m can say this is one of the best books I have read in a while and I cannot wait for more in this world. From what I can tell the author will pick up the story with another couple and I really hope it’s our angle/ demon couple

Book wise . Wow April did it again. Have I said how much I love her books. Like always the perfect mix of contemporary and magic in them. Loved how this book is funny, entertaining. Is about second chances and make things right. Found family and reconnecting with family and your roots. OverallI loved it , like is obvious. But I don’t want to spoil it if I keep going . All I can said we have a feisty witch and a very grumpy shifter. And to throw a bit in the mix a very temperamental teenager 🤣.

One of my most favorite witchy authors has done it again. April Asher brings us to Fates Haven, a bubbly town full of the mystical and magical alike.

Harlow is every girl who ran from their small home town, only to be dragged back by forces even our little witch couldn't stop.

Harlow is a delightful FMC, and her besties are equally fun. Her ex, unbeknownst to her, is the newest Alpha, and, well, we get to journey along as Harlow must reconcile more than how hot her ex has grown into.

I would love to book a room in Fates Haven anytime, but definitely during a Fates Festival! My witchy heart is happy here, and I can't wait for more!

loved this book on audio! thank you so much to dreamscape media for the ALC, and to St. Martin's Press / St. Martin's Griffin for the eARC. these are my honest thoughts.

I LOVE April Asher's paranormal world(s), and this story was just as I expected from her... that's to say, it's full of fun and emotional topics and characters with diverse needs who all come together for a good cause.

I loved Harry. She was a little bit grumpy, a little rough around the edges, a little worn down and world-weary. She's helping to raise her best friend's daughter, and Grace might actually be a shifter. She's getting kicked out of school, and Harlow has lost her job in NYC, and so these two pack up their belongings and return to Harry's hometown, a place she hasn't returned to in 13 years.

Harry's convinced that her Aunt Nora and Alpha Atwood will be able to help diagnose and train the maybe shifter, because she can't go on without someone formal watching out for her. But upon her return, she realizes that Mrs. Atwood is no longer the alpha. Instead, it's her son, who broke Harry's heart 13 years ago on an ill-fated night where the fates found that Jaxon's match was not Harry at all...

The magic unleashed in this story is topsy turvy upon Harry's return to Fates Haven. Something has scrambled the magic. While Jaxon helps Grace slowly unleash her powers, Aunt Nora convinces the town council to reinstitute the Fates Festival, in hopes to bring the magic back to rights. There are competitions where the four male main characters in this story bet Harry, Grace, and Harry's two best friends, to competitions. There's rivalry. There's magical powers. And there's close proximity. And when more than one thing heats up, flames licking to the surface, it's anyone's guess what will happen next.

Read if you love:
- Paranormal
- Witches, shifters, dragons
- Second chance
- Witchy Small Town Vibes
- PCOS rep (briefly mentioned)
- Single mom-adjacent
- Simple twists of magic
- Rivalry and competition

This audiobook was such a fun listen! I loved both narrators. My only complaint is that April Asher likes to switch perspectives within chapters, and sometimes that whiplash on audio is a bit jarring. One second, it's the female narrator, and the next, it's the male. This is something I've noticed across all of the April Asher books I've listened to (as in, the other three that I've listened to), and this very well could just be a me-ick situation, but it's something that always bothers me.

Out now!

This is another fun tome from April Asher. Having read her previous books about the three sisters. I will say I spent a lot (most) of this book wondering if it's the same universe. I think the answer is yes.

This is a delicious mystery and slow burn. I really enjoyed the relationship between Harry and just all of her friends, and especially Jax. I can't wait to see if, when, we get a book for her firends. I'm hoping there are three more books, one for each one of her girlfriends. fingers crossed!

This was a quick and fun paranormal romance between a witch and shifter! I dove into this book not knowing what to expect and was pleasantly surprised by how much fun I had reading it. There was banter, there was emotion and of course, there was magic! The only downside was that I wish the book was a little bit longer. The pacing at the beginning was perfect but then the last 25% felt rushed and I think if there were even 50 additional pages, a lot could've been captioned. But I highly recommend this one if you are looking for a quirky, magical read!


Read if you like:
- Second Chance Romance
- Small Town Romance
- Paranormal RomCom
- Found Family

I’m so sorry! I really wanted to love this one and it was one of my most anticipated reads on NetGalley. But the story lacked for me personally, the world was hard to keep up with.

I DNFD @ 25%