My happy place is Maine. I am convinced I was destined to live here, and that the decisions made over the last few years set me on the path that eventually led me to my little hometown on the water. Maybe that is why the magic that weaves through this story touched me in a very tangible and special way.

Noel is used to being in control, choosing the mature and responsible option always. Until one day destiny, or fate if you will, bent the arc of her future to the possibility of something she hadn’t even dared to dream for herself. Will she follow it or lean on her usual structured path?

Jamie is no stranger to brick walls showing up in his path. People are organically drawn to him, but he also questions himself in ways that threaten to keep his dreams from reality. The catch is he has some around him who have witnessed all the ebbs and flows of his life and often underestimate what he is capable of. Will he learn to trust in his dreams or follow the safe route?

These two characters, along with a diverse cast of supporting actors (and a very special feline), make this book a simultaneously intriguing and heart-warming reminder that we all have some magic in us, if we have the guts to draw on it when it matters most. You will love this book if you appreciate the combination of the Maine coast, an artist questioning her purpose, and a craft beer aficionado looking for answers to questions he can only truly answer from within. The elements of whimsy, magic, and wit will keep you entertained, and if you're anything like me, you will want to keep a box of tissues handy.

🔮📚 Book Review

Noel Kasey doesn’t believe in magic... well, not really. 🃏💭 Her Nana’s fortune-telling was always a charming childhood game—until a party prank turns real. She “reads” a stranger’s future as a joke and sees visions she can’t explain... including a steamy scene with her in it. 😳🔥

Spooked, she bolts—never expecting that the same man, Jamie Bishop, will reappear years later on her doorstep like fate's cosmic encore. 🚪🌌
🔮 The Magic of Possibility
The book beautifully blurs the line between destiny and decision. Noel’s psychic vision raises the timeless question: Are we living out a fixed script, or are we co-authors of our fate? 📖🤔 The story doesn’t give easy answers, but it invites you to believe in the magic of chance, intuition, and a little universal mischief. ✨🌀

👫 Noel & Jamie = Soft Magic
Jamie isn’t just a romantic interest—he’s a symbol of trust in the unknown. While Noel clings to safety and logic, Jamie dives into mystery with curiosity and charm. Together, they represent the classic opposites who grow toward each other. ☯️❤️

🎢 Emotional
From fear to flirtation, isolation to connection, Noel’s journey is one of emotional bravery. The book gently explores how past trauma and family instability shape us—and how healing often begins with being seen, truly seen. 👁️💬💕

If you’re in the mood for a romance that’s soft, magical, introspective, and a little spooky (in the best way)—this is your sign. 🌌💞
Expect cozy vibes, quirky fate games, and a story that celebrates the courage to leap when love might just catch you. 🎠🫶

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC

ARC Review – The Fate Factor by Lauren H. Mae
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | Mild Spice 🌶️ 🌶️

What a beautiful surprise of a story! The Fate Factor swept me into its quiet magic and didn’t let go. With a concept that flirts with fate and the idea of trusting our own intuition, this book was the perfect blend of heart, hope, and vulnerability.

Happy sigh.

Noel is the type of heroine who feels real, guarded, cautious, and deeply shaped by the uncertainty around her. But when a not-so-innocent party game gives her a psychic flash of the future (including a very personal moment with a stranger), her world starts to unravel in the most beautiful way.

And Jamie?

Flawed, emotionally intelligent, and genuinely swoonworthy. The kind of MMC who doesn’t just make you believe in love, he makes you believe in fate… and in your own ability to choose it.

This story isn’t just about destiny, it’s about choosing someone, even when it’s scary. It's tender, a little spicy, and entirely worth the emotional ride.

If you're a fan of Ashley Poston, Abby Jimenez, or love romance with heart, magic, and a side of “maybe the universe is trying to tell me something,” The Fate Factor belongs on your TBR.

Thanks to NetGalley and the author for providing a DRC for review!

Cute contemporary romance with a magical twist-- would recommend for fans of Mae's previous books!

This was super cute! I love the magical realism aspect, reminds me of Ashley Poston and Stella Hayward.

Noel's grandmother has always had a penchant for fortune telling, something that Noel has always thought was just a hokey hobby. That is until a random rooftop party where she comes across Jamie - a cute stranger looking for life and relationship advice. She jokingly "reads his future" but actually has visions of his business luck and his cheating girlfriend...along with visions of her and Jamie...together.

Fast forward 2 years. Noel's grandmother has since passed and Noel travels to Maine to take care of her house. Jamie, now a brewery owner thanks to his "guardian angel's" fortune telling, gets into an accident that ends up leading him back to Noel.

The two become friends but Jamie has some innocent ulterior motives. What will Noel see in his future? Will it come true?

What to expect from this book:
🔮 Dual first-person POV
🔮 Magical realism
🔮 She's a graphic designer, he's a brewery owner
🔮 He has ADHD and dyscalculia
🔮 More than 1 open-door spice scenes

The Fate Factor captured the nostalgic feeling of a 90s rom com (despite being set in the present) with a little hint of magic!

I thoroughly enjoyed Noel and Jamie's story, I was completely invested from the moment they saw each other on the roof and loved the ups and downs of their journey. I was so invested that I read the book in one sitting!

As someone with ADHD I appreciated the realistic representation in Jamie and found his struggles very relatable.

Overall this is a wonderful romcom that I would highly recommend.

Anytime a book has a whimsical cover and is shelved as Magical Realism you can count on me grabbing it. There is just something about that little touch of magic that makes the romance otherworldly and unforgettable. Let me tell you, The Fate Factor by Lauren H. Mae did not disappoint!

Noel and Jamie’s chemistry was so electric it felt almost palpable and their contrasting personalities balanced each other perfectly. The Portland, Maine setting was the perfect location to help bring this story to life.

If you love a swoony book boyfriend, a lovable FMC, and the absolute sweetest love story then add The Fate Factor to your TBR immediately.

After reading this story, I believe magic is in things we want but are scared to reach out for. Noel and Jamie meet before the visions, and that eyelock itself shouts fate and destiny by romance terms.

Noel, a non-believer in fortune telling, is hit by visions about a stranger. Two years later, she takes a sabbatical to recover from burnout and the destiny delivers this stranger to her front porch. Is magic really for real?

> Character development
Noel and Jamie are flawed characters who will steal your breath, pull at your heartstrings, and leave you longing for your soulmate. My favourite character is Em who stood by Jamie at all crossroads and helped him build up his business. She has kickass advice at opportune times and Jamie is lucky to have her.

> Pacing
I found the book heavily edited for pacing, something the author also confesses in the acknowledgements. The book is an emotional roadroller and the pacing is not a major issue for the reader. The writing is so commendable that you just stick with the pages to know the next decision and how it pans out for the characters.

> Tropes
A fated meet-cute mixed with second chance vibes - that's the trope that The Fate Factor serves you. I would consider the magic element more of magical realism and dive into the romance plot instead of promoting as a fantasy read.

> Setting
Played in Portland, Maine, the author has done their best to include the local elements through the city buzz and the cobblestone streets. I love the summer vibe that this story has, despite the end-of-year timeline.

Who Is This Book For?
Want to read about characters going through impostor syndrome and recovering from burnout

Josie and Jamie meet at a party and while she is pretend to tell him his future she sees what will happen in his life and she is in it . She only tells him about what he has to know and about them she keep it to herself . Two years ago she is back to her grandmother's house and she come face to face with Jamie on the first night . Jamie built his business thanks to her prediction and his successful , Now he needs from her one more to tell him his future because of has to make a business choice . She is negative but he wants them to at least be friends . When her visions became reality she can't resist him but when few things are different she is back questioning everything . Will she give them a chance to be together as her soul wants ?
I received this book from netgalley , the author and the publisher as an ARC . Thank you . All thoughts and opinions are my own .

Enjoyed this book! Loved the storyline and the way them meeting played out. Short cute read and while it was fluffy to me it also had depth and heart!

Super enjoyable read! Read it in practically a day.

I think what I liked most were the characters. Noel & Jamie were too cute. I really loved them together and how their romance developed. It was paced perfectly and was definitely romantic. This also had just the right amount of spice too.

The magical realism element was done well and I did really enjoy this author's writing.

Fans of Ashley Poston will love this!

This was a gorgeous book on love and fate and the ability to know what is meant for us will never pass us by and their is only so much in our control despite how much we think we are in charge. it had love, suspense, romance, and of course fate all mixed into one. It was a very interesting storyline that kept me engaged and curious to know what direction it was heading which was a great feature of the book as well.

The first 75% of this I loved. It hooked me right from the beginning and I needed to see how it would play out. The last 25% I nearly dnf’d. I stopped caring. It was a lot of back and forth of the same things. This book had sooo much potential.

This was a strong 4.5 star read; I devoured it in 24 hours. I needed to read a solid romance, and ‘The Fate Factor’ absolutely gave me all the feels.

Read if you go heart eyes for:
- Dual POV
- Destiny and fate
- Super flirty and Super cute
- Opposites attract

Noel and Jamie meet at a party, and as a joke, Noel intends to read a fake fortune for Jamie as a prank. Instead, she has real visions of the future, and tells him her psychic vision. Two years later, Noel is having a rough time with her grandmother dying and Mom moving. She goes to Nanas beach house and runs into Jamie as fate would have it. Jamie has idolized Noel for two years as everything she told him came true. Now he wants a replay of her fortune telling. Is it possible to happen again? Or has destiny brought them back together for other reasons?

I really loved this. It was such a cute idea for a novel, and I really enjoyed the author’s writing style. Our main characters were flawed and not perfect, but I appreciated that. The chemistry was sizzling hot between Noel and Jamie.

Absolutely recommend this book for all romance readers!

Thank you to Netgalley, Lauren H. Mae, and Victory Editing Netgalley Co-op for the ARC of this novel; all opinions are my own.

This book tries too hard to be funny and in my humble opinion falls really short. I didn’t enjoy any of the characters or the setting. Sorry

Such a cute, fun summer read!! I loved the dynamic between the main characters; their chemistry jumped off the page, and I wanted more of it. The supporting characters were great and probably one of my favourite parts. Pick this book up if you want a quick, entertaining read. 4.5 stars!

I love this book. I love this book. I love this book! Plot, characters, chemistry top tier! I’m obsessed. Please make all my reads this year as good as this one!

I can't recommend this book enough. Perfect for fans of Ashley Poston—realistic and lovable characters grappling with an unexpected dose of magic meddling in their lives. I adored every second.

Jamie is an absolute delight, easily going on my list of all-time favorite MMCs in contemporary romance. His impulsivity is the perfect foil to Noel's cautious approach to life and love, and their chemistry together is off the charts. Also really appreciated the Portland, Maine setting—it felt transportative and authentic and captured so much of the city's character.