i am the second chance trope’s biggest fan…hence why i was super thrilled to arc read this paranormal second chance romance

what I love abt second chance is the angst & yearning that clearly play as the most central theme to the characters love story. unfortunately i did not pick up on any romantic chemistry between the lead characters and honestly thought they would have been better off as friends.

i would’ve also loved to see the magic system either developed or at least demonstrated more? at times, i forgot this was meant to be paranormal because this element wasn’t explore nearly as much as i thought it would be.

thank you so much to st martin’s press for the digital arc in exchange for my honest thoughts 💌

📖 Title: A Simple Twist of Fate

✍🏾 Author: April Asher- I've read Supernatural Singles # 2,3 both 4⭐

📅Publication date: 5/13/25 | Read 5/8/25

📃 Format: e-Book 352 pgs.

Genre:
*Paranormal Romance
*Rom-Com

Tropes:
*2nd chance romance
*small town
*miscommunication
*high school sweethearts
*found family
*fated mates
*witches/shifters
*magic
*opposites attract
*1 nightstand

👆🏾POV: 3rd person dual

⚠️TW: parental absence, teen angst

🌎 Setting: Fates Haven, CO

Summary: Harlow returns home to Fates Haven after a thirteen-year exile. She was broken-hearted at eighteen after their Fates Finding Ceremony indicated Harlow and Jaxon weren't fated mates. Jax and her BFF Elodie were fated and Harlow left town to give them a chance at happiness. While in New York she met Cassie who had a daughter Grace now sixteen. Grace can't control her magic and has no idea what kind of shifter she is. She is angry and needs help so Harlow returns home thinking the old alpha-Jax's mother Patricia-will help.


👩🏾 Heroine: Harlow "Harry" Pierce-31, a witch

👨🏾 Hero: Jaxon "Jax" Atwood-31, a cougar shifter, the new Alpha of the Rocky Mountain Pack

🎭 Other Characters:

*Grace-Harry's temporary ward, Cassie's daughter
*Cassie-Harry's BFF, searching for Grace's biological father
*Nora-Harry's great aunt
*Elodie-Harry's childhood BFF, a warrior angel
*Maddox, Silas, and Gavin-Jax's BFFs-a human, demon, and vampire
*Lennox "Lenny"-Harry's childhood BFF

🤔 My Thoughts: I loved this cute, lighthearted paranormal romance with a witch and a shifter. I'm a sucker for 2nd chances and Grace experiences a found family like no other.

Rating: 5/5 ✨
Spice level 4/5 🌶️flirting + 1 good cabin scene

🙏🏾Thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press | St. Martin's Griffin, and April Asher for this ARC! I voluntarily give my honest review, and all opinions are my own.

This book was AMAZING! I really enjoyed the magical realism, felt very natural like it could be real. This book would make for a great tv show. Loved the romance the mishap fated mates and the shifter training.

Having read April’s Supernatural singles, I was happy to see another witchy story of April. And she has done it again!

The story of Harry and Jaxon is original funny and has some spunk. The build up of the story is done excellent, the banter between Harry and Jaxon is funny as hell and snarky teenager Grace is definitely my favorite character.

So, what can I say: just dive in and enjoy! Five out of five stars from me and a special thank you to Nergalley for providing the arc.

This book was very fun! I loved April Asher’s Supernatural Singles series so I couldn’t wait for this series! And it has a very similar feel, just in a small town romance style. While I thought the characters were so wonderful and the story was charming, I didn’t really connect with Harry and Jaxon as a couple so part of the story fell a bit flat for me. But I cannot wait to the next book! I loved an enemies to lovers story and she set up the next one perfectly!

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin’s Griffin for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Witch Harry Pierce left her broken heart and hometown of Fates Haven behind for the Big Apple. But when her friend leaves Harry in charge of her teenage shapeshifter daughter Grace, Harry is out of ideas to help the young shapeshifter. Her last resort is to return to Fates Haven and hope the Rocky Mountain Pack can help. Problem is the pack leader is Jaxon Atwood-her ex and the reason she left Fates Haven. As Harry slowly begins to rebuild old relationships and move on from her past, Grace begins to gain control of her powers thanks to Jaxon’s help. But will Harry and Jaxon let fate get in the way of their happiness a second time?

This is my first April Asher book, and I am hooked! With a magical Rocky Mountain small town, and highly entertaining and hilarious characters I cannot wait for my next visit to Fates Haven!

I received a DIGITAL Advance Reader Copy of this book from #NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book was so much fun. I have loved every one of this author's books and will probably continue to read all of them. (Her supernatural ones at least) Love that this book didn't really have a third act break up, I at least don't count what happens as one. I kind of predicted most of the things that happened in this book but it's a romance book not a thriller so it's not like I'm expecting twists and turns.

My only complaints is that I felt like the ending was a little rushed, a lot of things happen in the last 10% of the book. Also I'm sure it's going to come up in another book but I want to know what the other favor that Harry owes to the fae is going to be and how he knows her aunt.

April Asher writes supernatural/paranormal romance books, and I jumped at the chance to read this book as I love her Supernatural Singles series. A Simple Twist of Fate is a second chance paranormal romance which while, enjoyable, failed to cast its spell on me.

Thirteen years ago, witch Harlow “Harry” Pierce, fled after her cougar shifter boyfriend, Jaxon Atwood was fated to be with her Harry's best friend instead. Heartbroken and shocked she fled town. Now that she has returned to town, she has become reacquainted with her friends and family including Jaxon!

While I usually fall head over heels in love with Asher's books, I found myself not as captivated as I usually am. I usually love the fun banter between her characters and am instantly drawn into the worlds, but this time, I just didn't feel a connection with the plot. One thing that I did enjoy was the creation of this paranormal world, the originality and uniqueness of the towns and characters. Speaking of the characters, while I enjoyed both main characters, Jax was my favorite. I found that I had a hard time becoming engaged in this book. I found it was lacking a little bit of oomph even with the steam, to have me falling in love with this book.

Fans of second chance romances, paranormal romances, shifter-witch romances may enjoy this book. Other reviewers have enjoyed this book more than I did, so please read their reviews as well. This was a solid 3-star book for me.

Enjoyable and entertaining.

3.75/5

A Simple Twist of Fate is a cozy paranormal romantic comedy with lots of tongue-in-cheek humor (looking at you, chapter titles) and lovable characters. I'd say this would make for a nice beach read, as it did not take me too long to get through. Nothing was too surprising in the storyline to the point of almost being cliché, but setting of Fates Haven was very charming, and the characters made you want to root for them. The "fated mates" trope was executed just a bit differently than other times I've read it, which was fun. I will say that the summary made it seem a bit more high-stakes than it actually was, but I suppose there's only so much one can do when you are working with a standalone novel, as it's hard to get into the full magic system of the world.

Harry is our FMC who finds herself the temporary guardian of her friend's teenage daughter, whose magic is getting difficult to control. In an effort to find some answers, she returns to the home and friends that she left behind 13 years ago. It's a sweet reckoning of facing your past and finding your place. She is the sunshine to our grumpy and broody MMC Jax, who of course goes soft for the right people. There is a "touch her and d!e" trope moment which I wasn't expecting but I thought was pretty well done, if short. Full disclosure, the "second-chance romance" trope is actually not a favorite of mine, but I did find the interactions between the two pretty entertaining.

While there were plenty of background characters who had their own vibrant personalities, my favorites would have to be the mother figures, Patricia and Nora. I would have LOVED to see more of them both as I found them sharp, witty, caring, and no-nonsense. I thought it was great how they used their "mom powers" to nudge things along.

Overall a lighthearted read that I quite enjoyed. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for a digital ARC copy!

Harlow “Harry” Pierce attended her first Fates Haven Finding Ceremony at age eighteen, certain her cougar shifter boyfriend Jaxon Atwood would be her Fated match. When her best friend matches to him instead, Harry left town. Though she didn't intend to return, her goddaughter, Grace, is half human and half shifter, with powers she can't control. Harry hopes that the local Alpha of the Rocky Mountain Pack could help, and discovers it's none other than Jaxon Atwood. He never knew why Harry had disappeared, but since then, Fates Haven’s magic has gone wrong. There hasn’t been a Fated Match made in thirteen years, and the town needs its magic back.

In a world of witches, demons, angels, shifters of various kinds, vampires, and fae, magic is very real and lives alongside ordinary humans. After Harry ran from her hometown, she lived in New York City and helped her human friend Cassie raise her daughter, Grace. They assumed Grace was fully human, but now strong emotions have her lighting things on fire, and she can't control it. Harry doesn't like being back where she grew up, but she needs help with Grace and controlling the shifting. She manages to rekindle a friendship with her former best friends and is constantly in Jax's orbit because of Grace and the festival games that her aunt planned. It's funny, and the competition brings out different aspects of Grace's shifter side, as well as the relationship between Harry and Jax.

April Asher is really good at supernatural romcom novels, and this is no exception. The fated mate concept is less of a growly "you are mine and no one can have you" trope (which I don't like) and more of "you're the other half of me and I'm better with you" (which I really do like). They get over fears of the past and of being left behind, and work together to build a better future. There are glimpses of at least three other potential couples, so it will be fun to see those stories, too.

A cozy, cute, whimsical second chance romance.

A couple of pages in and it’s already hilarious! The cast of characters made it a fun read. It’s a small town with magical shenanigans.

Harry “Harlow” and Jax are meant to be though the journey to being together is curved. There is such a way of writing that feels like a warm hug and April Asher achieves that mystical feeling but still feeling home.

This story the right recipes for a supernatural rom-com full of magic, love, laughs, and a little spice

A cozy fantasy with all the rom-com feels and the sweetest atmosphere. I enjoyed this one so much more than I expected it was a great light second chance love story with all the supernatural elements I’m obsessed with. While there was some predictability in the twists and revelations for me I didn’t mind because of how the mysteries unraveled within the story. The diverse character types and relationship between Jaxon and Harlow were cute and the spice fit the story well but wasn’t necessary and easily could be skipped over if you choose. I wish the reasoning of their past relationship ending was done differently but it didn’t matter enough to take away from the fun and whimsy I found in this story and all the supernatural elements I loved.

A Simple Twist of Fate is a shifter x witch romance featuring second chances, a quirky small town, found family, and a dash of steam! This rom-com was so much fun, the chaotic and cozy town was just adorable and the perfect balance to the mystery subplot. The magic and plotlines were bursting with personality and so much humor throughout; the town and surrounding characters made the story so bright. I loved how Harry and Jax found their way back to each other while so much was happening outside their relationship. The two were so perfect for each other, and while I would have loved if the romance was even more central, the tension and chemistry left me wholly satisfied. If you're looking for a vibrant and lighthearted romance full of magic, mischief, and charm, I cannot recommend this book enough!

Read if you like;
✨Eccentric Characters✨
✨Stars Hollow x Halloweentown✨
✨Fated Mates✨
✨Plus Size FMC✨
✨Dual POV✨
✨Festivities and Games✨

Asher brings together two likeable characters in this second chance romance. While she doesn't manage to do anything particularly unique in this work, it's a good time and there's minimal conflict. Asher isn't trying to revolutionize the field; she writes a solid supernatural romance to launch a series that I predict will be comforting and spicy.

I'm on the fence on this one.

Dubbed as a paranormal romance, I was expecting, well, more romance.

A Simple Twist of Fate focuses more on the town of Fates Haven--which is very Hallmark meets Halloweentown, with tons of found family goodness and friend shenanigans, more so than Harry and Jax's fated mate romance.

Which, overall, was fine, as I never really bought into their romance anyway, and was definitely more invested in finding Grace's dad and the friend group as a whole.

To put it bluntly, Harry and Jax lacked chemistry. Like a lot.

There wasn't enough angst and pining, and everyone seems to forgive Harry so easily (especially Jax) for pulling a runner and disappearing for the last thirteen years all because her feelings got hurt and she didn't wait around to learn the truth for herself. (I HATE THE MISCOMMUNICATION TROPE!!!!)

Honestly, I just wish everyone would have made her work for it (again, especially Jax) instead of ushering her back into town and their lives with arms wide open, but I digress.

A Simple Twist of Fate was cute, and does wrap up nicely with its eventual fairytale happy ending and conclusion to all the other shenanigans going on in Fates Haven... I just wanted (and expected) more.

What to expect:
- witch + alpha shifter
- kooky but close-knit small town
- found family
- second chance romance
- fated mates

This was such a fun book! I love April's other books, and this one was no different. I loved the cozy supernatural vibes of the town and characters. I'm usually not big on second chance romance, but this was cute! A charming and fresh take on witches and shifters. Kinda like Gilmore Girls meets Sweet Magnolias with some magic thrown in. 5 fun and bewitching stars!

Harlow “Harry” Pierce was stressed. She lost her job. She became the guardian of a cranky teenager with a controllable shifter tendencies and now she lost her apartment. Only option left was to go back home to Fate’s Haven - problem is she ran away 13 years ago after the boy she loved was fate matched to her best friend. From here we have the best cozy and hysterical paranormal romance I’ve read in years. This brought me back to the fantastically fun stories from Shelley Laurenston with all the shifters, witches and demons you can hope for. I cannot recommend this book more and I hope for more romance set in this crazy fun town.

Harlow (aka Harry) Pierce is a guardian to her friend's child Grace. Harry is a witch and Grace is an unknown magical. She has an out of control fire power. Harry is trying to help her control her powers but shes lost. Cassie, Grace's mom is trying to find her 8 day stand and get answers for Grace. When Grace accidentally sets fire to her school and apartment. Harry decides to return to Fates Haven, Colorado for some help from the magical community. Her Aunt Nora lives there.

I loved this book. The writing captivated me right away and I was hooked. I loved the magical town and the townsfolk. I'm hoping this is a new series and we get to know the rest of the Trouble Trio. It was the perfect amount of spicy, romance and magic.

Looking for a little magic, a little romance, and a whole lot of cozy charm? A Simple Twist of Fate delivers just that. Set in the whimsically witchy town of Fates Haven, this paranormal rom-com is the perfect comfort read for anyone craving low-stakes tension, second chances, and found family vibes with a spark of spellwork.

Harlowe and Jaxon’s chemistry crackles from the very first page. Their shared history adds depth to their banter and makes every stolen glance feel that much more meaningful. This is a second-chance romance that leans into its emotional roots without ever dragging the mood down. The heat level is just right—sweet with a bit of sizzle—and the pacing feels natural for a couple with unfinished business.

Grace, Harlowe’s goddaughter, brings a wonderful subplot to the story with her coming-of-age magical journey. Her struggles with her powers and identity add richness to the narrative without pulling focus from the central romance. And honestly? Her bond with Harlowe was just as heartwarming as the romantic arc.

The town itself feels like a character—full of magical hiccups, quirky locals, and just enough mystery to keep the plot moving. The missing Fate Witch storyline adds a touch of intrigue without ever turning this cozy tale into something too intense.

Is it groundbreaking? No. But it’s comforting, and sometimes that’s exactly what a book needs to be. If you love magical small towns, second-chance love, and stories where the emotional stakes are just high enough to make you care (but not stress), A Simple Twist of Fate is well worth the read.

Perfect for fans of:
The Ex Hex
Light paranormal romance
Small-town magic
Found family with a sprinkle of spice

This book had everything I love in a supernatural romance—small town charm, second chances, spicy chemistry, and a full cast of magical misfits I wish I could be friends with. From shifters and fae to vampires, demons, and seers, the supernatural world-building was rich and delightfully chaotic in the best way.

I absolutely adored the found family vibes and the fun, flirty dynamic between the characters. The second chance romance was swoony and sizzling—these two had chemistry that leapt off the page. Add in a town festival complete with challenges, competitions, and a hilarious boys vs. girls bet? I was hooked.

There’s mystery, mayhem, and moments that made me laugh out loud. The plot felt layered but never overwhelming—just full and engaging from start to finish. If you’re into magical towns, romance with heat and heart, and stories that balance humor, emotion, and just a touch of chaos, this one’s for you.