I don't know what I was expecting from this story, but I got more than anticipated. This was a hilarious story about a wonderful, shall I say magical, small town and its residents. It was one of those stories that makes you wish the town was real and you could just take a stroll one afternoon. I absolutely adored the characters. Just good vibes from every direction. There was a little sprinkle of mystery and a little sprinkle of romance (though, admittedly, that part was pretty minimal). I was treated to the audio of this story and the narrators were perfection. No notes! They brought fantastic energy and brought the story to life.

Thanks to April Asher, Dreamscape Media, and NetGalley for allowing me to listen to a free eaudio ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was fun! As a romance it was kind of lazy--avoid, avoid, kiss, done deal; they're fated, both single, and already in love, so there was zero conflict--but as an urban fantasy it was really interesting, the comingling of creatures and realm lore, though the supernatural species were all talked about as if a reader well-versed in fantasy is a given. I wish either of those aspects had been expounded on rather than focusing on the trite small town festival subplot. The challenges were entertaining and explored the secondary characters well, but it was truly superfluous and beside the point of the more important plots. Absolute filler. Some of that time could have gone toward foreshadowing and building tension for the "plot twist" in which Harry's offered a job back in NYC, because that came out of nowhere for the reader as much as the characters.

I couldn't get used to the name Harry referring to a woman, and the hero was a little too broody and one-note. Despite Grace's teenage attitude, she was my favorite character, probably because there was plenty of conflict, emotion, and mystery surrounding her--not that I didn't immediately know what she was, even without the spoiler on the cover.

I couldn't find mention of this being the start of a series, but I wouldn't be surprised to learn of subsequent installments; there's at least three or four other romances to see to fruition. I enjoyed myself enough to be interested in those, but god I hope they involve more intriguing conflict and higher stakes than that of winning a silly contest and a sure-thing romance.

Ａｕｄｉｏｂｏｏｋ Ｒｅｖｉｅｗ
🌟🌟🌟🌟.2
April Asher's *A Simple Twist of Fate* is my first book by her, and I'm so glad I found her! It's got this cozy, witchy, midnight vibe, you know? I can totally see it becoming a series, and I really hope it does. Harlow, a witch, ran from her hometown thirteen years ago after a disastrous fate-finding ceremony, thinking the Blue Willows Wisp would lead her to her fated match – her cougar-shifter boyfriend, Jaxon. But that didn't happen, so she left. Now she's back with her half-shifter goddaughter, looking for answers.

The audiobook's dual narration by Isabella Ruther and Teddy Hamilton is great! Super easy to listen to and understand. I listened at 2x speed.

Thank you, NetGalley, and Dreamscape Media for the audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

April Asher does a great job blending shifters, witches, angels and the like into one universe, and this is no different. While the twists and answers were all pretty predictable, it's a fun second chance story. At times there was a lot going on that seemed to detract from the romance, but it worked.

Fantastic narration.

A Simple Twist of Fate by April Asher was a sweet and swoony small town paranormal romance that had me giddy from start to finish. Harry and Jax’s second chance, magical journey to HEA was full of revealing truths, witty banter, and intimate moments that made me fall hard for these two. Plus, the underlying mystery of Grace’s shifter powers was so much fun to discover.

Isabelle Ruther and Teddy Hamilton perform this audiobook in dual narration, and both fully embodied their characters. Isabelle’s lively, expressive tone gave Harry so much energy as she took care of teenage Grace and took a second chance on love with Jax. Teddy’s warm, enveloping voice captured Jax’s alpha, protective nature making him simply irresistible. Both narrators created a long lingering “it’s always been you” chemistry that made me melt.

Overall, I enjoyed this audiobook! If you are looking for a fun, adventurous, and swoony small town paranormal second chance romance about a witch and a shifter, then you will love this book!

What a FANTASTIC start to a new paranormal small town romance series! This first book is a second chance romance featuring Harry (Harlow) and her half human, half fae goddaughter Grace, who wants to find her mysterious fae shifter father. The two return to Harry's magical hometown and are reunited with her ex, Jaxon leader of the Rocky Mountain shifter pack in hopes he can help Grace with her shifter identity. This book had a little of everything, romance, friendship, magic, found family and mystery. I loved it so much and can't wait for more in the series! Perfect for fans of Nora Roberts and Kelley Armstrong. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early audio and digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

3.75
A Simple Twist of Fate is not my usual choice of book and I admit, that Teddy Hamilton definitely tipped the scales when I made the decision to read it.

And I didn't regret it.
Because while this might not be my go-to-genre, I think in its realm it was a very enjoyable, fun read!

Miscommunication is a trope I don't often like but seeing as it was the premise for the story, I didn't mind. In fact, it was rather cute and gave me that cozy, sugar sweet feeling of a Hallmark movie where she returns from the big city to the small town she has stayed away from to avoid the guy that broke her heart.
That being said, if there was something I might have wished to see it was a conversation between the two about what exactly happened and how it made them feel. But that might very well just be my own need for open communication.

Although the quest that brought Harry back to Fates Haven - a town so sugary its just across the line to cheesy - revolves around the hilariously bratty teenager under her care, the balance between this plot and the romance always worked and never tipped to heavily to one side in my opinion.
I was very intrigued by some of the more present side characters (to the point where I found myself hoping they too would get their standalones) and they built a great framework for the story. I think April Asher did a great job of conveying the layers of history and familiarity that come with growing up in a returning to a place like this without overwhelming us with too much detail or description.

The magic system the author used is so easily accessible, very light and comfortable while also having a certain charm to it. It felt quite clever, especially details like the tattoos or the cabin. And I would have loved to learn more about that cheeky witch we only meet shortly.
What I very much liked was the way it was resolved. Though none of it came as a surprise, it matched the cozy atmosphere and still resolved all potential weight from the past.

There were minor things that chipped away from the solid 4 star read for me like a reunion within the last few chapters that felt a bit over the top for me personally, the aforementioned lack of a resolving conversation or, something that irked me in a rather hilarious way, the fact that Harry refused to call Grace by her actual name.

Ultimately, however, these are very subjective details and likely minor for most readers. I can very much see this being a 4+ star read for those that crave a sweet and cozy paranormal small town romance.

Thank you to NetGalley, Dreamscape Media and April Asher for an ALC of this book

I enjoyed April Asher’s Supernatural Singles series enough to request A Simple Twist of Fate when it popped up on NetGalley. I think I enjoyed this paranormal rom-com even more than that series, in part due to the dual narration. Teddy Hamilton delivers his usual performance for the main male character chapters while Isabelle Ruther is Harlow “Harry”, voices the female protagonist chapters.

Harry returns to the small town of Fates Haven in order to help her friend’s daughter (Grace) with her emerging shifter abilities which results in a second chance romance with the boyfriend she left 13 years ago after the Fates Finding Ceremony. I found the second chance romance to be pretty typical of the trope - he resists her after being heartbroken and she is pining for someone she doesn’t think she can have or deserve.

Beyond the romance, the story includes shifter types, witches and fae and has a touch of mystery with some wonky magic and a tournament. The male and female friend groups were a fun mix, including a magical fortune telling tattooist and a book nerd vampire. The background tournament added to the plot without becoming the whole story.

It seems like it was set up for future books in Fates Haven with fated couples; there are a few pairs which could be fun additions to the world of Fates Haven.

Thank you Dreamscape Media for providing this audiobook for review consideration via NetGalley.

Shifter romance
Romantasy
Magic
Spicy
Second chance romance
3rd person POV

Dual Narration- Teddy Hamilton & Isabella Ruther
Wow. This was my first Teddy Hamilton shifter book and he was amazing as always. Isabella Ruther was new to me and I really love her voice.

I don’t normally enjoy a book that is in third person POV but this one drew me in. I really enjoyed this story.

Harry (FMC) is a witch who left her hometown years ago after a finding ceremony broke her heart. She had now returned looking for help with her best friends daughter. They need help figuring out what this teenage girl is.

Jackson (MMC) is a cougar shifter and the new alpha in this small cute town. He is also Harry’s ex boyfriend who she left behind when she fled from town.

These two are thrown back together by fate and Harry’s need for assistance. This was such a cute story. It had depth and emotions but also lighthearted and humors moments.

I highly recommend this book!

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.

Quick Summary: A rip roaring, good time, paranormal romance deluxe

My Review: A Simple Twist of Fate: A Novel by April Asher is a 2025 fantasy romance. It will be officially released on 5/13/25.

About the Book: "...something is stirring in Fates Haven, Colorado... A witch and a shifter get a second chance at love..."

The Hook: "At the bright-eyed age of eighteen, witch Harlow “Harry” Pierce attended her first Fates Haven Finding Ceremony certain the Blue Willow Wisp would lead her to her Fated match, her cougar shifter boyfriend, Jaxon Atwood. But Fate had other plans, guiding her best friend to him instead."

The Draw: Magic, fated mates, diverse representation among supernaturals, second chance at love, angsty teen, quirky aunt, The Trouble Trio

In My Own Words: Fate, fantasy, family, friends, fire, fun, and "Sugar Tits & Treats." Oh my!

My Favorite Character: Harry 😎

Honorable Mention: Those pesky gnomes 😂

My Favorite Hot Guy: It's a tie between Jax and Maddox. 😍

My Favorite Ha ha Hoot (coded, so as to avoid spoilers): The Chocolate Drop 😝

My Favorite Yum yum: Cinna-Boob Buns 🍬

My Favorite Concepts (coded):

- The Crossing Call 🌟
- The Blues 👥
- The New It Couple 💖

About the Audiobook: This book was narrated by Isabelle Ruther and Teddy Hamilton. This is the first time I have heard this duo together. They did a wonderful job. I confess I am a little biased where Teddy Hamilton is concerned. I love listening to his narrated books. He could read me the encyclopedia, and I would totally listen.

My Final Say: I loved this story so much! I was thoroughly entertained. The characters, the community, the conflicts and dilemmas, the banter and tension, the bakery - all of it grabbed hold of me. It was a hoot and then some.

This book is a winner! Book me a trip to this magical place.

Reasons I enjoyed this book:

Easy-to-read
Entertaining
Funny
Great world building
Happily Ever After
Original
Page-turner
Witty
Wonderful characters

Other: Readers who enjoy cozy, cute, hilarity and supernatural hijinks with hotness will totally jive with this book. It is a gem.

Rating: 5/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Re-read: Yes
Keeper: Yes
Favorites Shelf: Yes
Status/Level: 💎
Formats: Audiobook
Narration: +

Enthusiastic appreciation is extended to the author, to the publisher ( Dreamscape Media), and to NetGalley. Thank you for the opportunity to review this highly entertaining work. It was an absolute pleasure. I very much look forward to reading more books by this writer.

This audio was a slam dunk! Teddy Hamilton and Isabelle Ruther were perfect narrators for this Romantasy. The characters were hilarious but also vulnerable and strong. You could tell the narrators had fun recording this. Highly recommend!