i was graciously given this book as an arc copy from net galley (didn't even realize but i got it on the last day it was available) but unfortunately i physically could not get myself to finish this book. not only was finn entirely unlikable--i mean, his first thought when he saw ash was about how sex with her would be like and what her lips would look like wrapped around his wiener--the plot felt like it dragged on and i just couldn't get myself to like this book at all. for context before the rest of this review, the book is split into jumping between what happened in the past--the one week ash and finn spent together when they met on the tour--and the present--ash just so happening to get a job at the same exact firm finn worked at and being surprised that he was there and happened to own the place (i mean, seriously, could that be any more purposefully placed ??? like girl why are you so surprised YOU'RE THE ONE WHO APPLIED TO A JOB AT THE SAME PLACE HE USED TO WORK AT!!! yeah sure he never told you his dad owned the company but that to me does not matter because you knew he would likely be there??? like be SO fr rn.)

<b>the characters</b>
finn was a beefy, asshole-ish, lust-filled man who literally could not stop thinking about wanting to have sex with ash. it was honestly disgusting at some points, because you cannot tell me that this man fell in love with her in a week when the majority of his thoughts were about screwing her. i especially hate the fact that when he first met her, instead of his first thoughts being something about how pretty she is or whatever, it was immediately wondering what sex with her would be like. in multiple dialogues later on that finn had with ash, when we were in his pov, he'd constantly be thinking about wanting to have sex with her and, once again, the whole "what would her lips look like wrapped around my wiener" shtick. it was getting old, annoying, and just plain icky. i hate that these kinds of male characters in books completely degrade the strong women who are their love interests to objects for screwing. it's disgusting and quite frankly i hated it. i do not care if later on he redeemed himself or if he felt bad for what he did to ash (which, from what i picked up/was explained, he basically ghosted her after that week and never spoke to her again even though they promised to stay in touch) because his intentions from the get-go showed to be sex-motivated. then when theo came along in the present he was acting all self-righteous and like he deserved to be with ash.

news flash--both men suck ass and neither "deserved" to be with her (theo fuck u for using ash for publicity stunts to further ur career and for cheating on her!!!)

ash... i wanted to like her. i really did. she truly wasn't that bad, though often times her actions annoyed and confused me. the main problem i had with her character is something that is more fault of the writing, i think, but i truly disliked the fact that her chronic illness wasn't mentioned until 1/3rd of the book had already been read, and then it was relevant for a little bit and suddenly disappeared again. i mean, truly, that's something that should've been mentioned long before hand. why wasn't it ???? the chronic illness she has is rheumatoid arthritis, and if she was on this trip and walking around a ton, more than she usually would, then that would cause a flare up--even a small one. it should've been mentioned at the start, even with something as small as her mom asking about if she remembered to bring her medicine. having it be randomly mentioned 1/3rd of the way in, and then not again after that, felt like it was added just so it can be said that the main character is chronically ill.

the side characters were all fairly likable from what i saw of them. i only was able to get 60% through this book, and i wanted so badly to finish it, but i just couldn't. it wasn't a book i enjoyed and i was truly immediately put off by how finn was acting/thinking about ash. i truly did want to like this, and i wish all the best to the author, but unfortunately this just was not for me.

once again thank you for the arc and i wish i would've like this book more!

There were several things that worked in this book. The setting was descriptive and pretty spectacular, the characters Finn and Aisling were well matched, the second chance slow burn was not tedious and the h mothers role was superb.

Overall this was a highly emotive and well written book.

#netgalley #TwistofFate

J.L. Berg’s Twist of Fate is a gentle ache wrapped in romance and rooted in Irish charm. With a dual timeline that flickers between a whirlwind six-day past and a present steeped in grief and growth, this story delivers the kind of emotional resonance that lingers like a favorite melody.

Aisling and Finn’s love story smolders with second chance promise. I felt their chemistry and rooted for them to find their way back to each other.

The friendships Aisling forms in Ireland are vibrant and grounding, adding warmth and dimension to her journey. And her bond with her mother? Absolutely lovely. Their trip together felt so real and intimate—like a page out of my own life. As someone incredibly close to my mom, I found those scenes especially moving. I could totally see us setting off on an impromptu escape like that, teacups clinking in a cozy inn while swapping stories over scones.

Berg handles the dual timeline with finesse, weaving past and present into a cohesive narrative that never loses its emotional thread. I’ve only read a few books with the dual timeline and I find that I really do enjoy the time jumps. I found the timeline easy to follow.

While Finn’s broody intensity could’ve used a touch more emotional sunlight, the chemistry still crackled. The scenic setting was vivid, the pacing mostly steady, and the overall vibe? Like flipping through memories on a rainy day.

This was my first JL Berg book but won’t be my last! Thanks to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

This was such a fun read by J L Berg. I loved how it was set in Ireland and following along with Aisling and Finn's story, especially how it kept flashing back to their first meeting in Ireland and then coming back to their current lives. It flowed well and helped me understand Aisling and Finn's characters so well. I absolutely adored them and will definitely be re-reading time and again!

Thank you to JL Berg, BooksGoSocial, and Netgalley for the eARC!

I ended up DNFing this, but not because of the story. I thought the concept was good. I felt that although a few swear words in a book is fine. I fine that whenever a character has to swear almost every time, they speak it takes away from the story and I don't fine it enjoyable anymore. I feel the same way in the real world when I speak to a person that swears every other word, they just lose my respect.

I was sucked in by the title and cover however the book didn’t deliver. Maybe it’s the plot switching between then and now that many times makes me confused, but it was hard for me to follow. I did like the book being set in Ireland, I would love to visit one day, so it made me dream I was there now.

I love any book set in Ireland and this one was no exception. I was a bit confused by the timing - I had to flip back to the beginning to see whether I started in the past or the present - but once I figured that out it was an easy, fun read. The leads had great chemistry and the supporting characters were really fun as well.

Twist of Fate was a sweet story about second chances, love and loss. I love, love loved that it took place in Ireland and felt like I lived vicariously through these characters. The book alternates between the past and the present which worked well with the story. These characters had some fantastic chemistry and I loved every minute reading as their story unfolded.

Aisling and Finn initially meet when Aisling is visiting Ireland with her mother and they hit it off. Unfortunately they lose touch but fate throws them together a couple of years later when Aisling returns, following the death of her mother. This time, they reconnect but there is a workplace, boss employee vibe to their relationship. It was so clear that these two were just meant to be.

I have really enjoyed this author's work in the past, but there was definitely something special about this book. The characters, the story line, the location....truly fantastic.

Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

I loved the dual timelines and the dual POVs giving us Aisling and Finn's love story and, more poignantly, their responses to grief and loss. When the story first starts, you almost think that it could have been as easy as getting a hot tour guide and having a whirlwind vacation romance to rebound from a horrible ex. But the story becomes deeper when you realize what each of the characters overcomes in the time between that first trip and Aisling's return to Ireland to get them to that second chance at love.

This romance novel is a heartwarming and emotional journey filled with chemistry, charm, and relatable characters. The story beautifully balances tender moments with just the right amount of drama, making it an engaging and satisfying read for fans of the genre.

I really enjoyed this book . It is a second chance romance about Aisling who takes a tour of Ireland with her mother. Finn is the tour director and immediate sparks fly between the two. They hold off these sparks due to him being the tour director. Once home Aisling tries to contact Finn but her ghosts her. Several years later Aisling takes a job in Ireland and turns out Finn is her new boss . I loved seeing them work out their issues and loved the setting in Ireland since I had been to several of these places on a bus tour myself.

This review is based on ARC provided via NetGalley

This story is told in two POVs, both Aisling and Finn, and in two timelines, the past and present. I loved being able to see where the characters were in the present, as well as in the past and how the time between the two had shaped them. I had visited a number of the places that were mentioned in the past and the author did a great job of making you feel like you were there. The side characters did a great job of complimenting the MCs without taking away attention from the plot. The plot was well developed and spice was good, well placed and fit with the vibe of the story.

TW: parental death (off page), parental sickness (on and off page), cheating (not between the MCs), toxic relationship (not between the MCs)

Twist of Fate had a lot of potential, but honestly, it was just an okay read for me. I really enjoyed the Irish setting (which was one of the main draws for me). However, I found myself a bit lost with the plot jumping back and forth between Then and Now. Just as I was starting to get to know the main characters Aisling and Finn, the timeline would switch again. I wish there had been a bit more on Then to really understand why they still had so many feelings for each other when they met up again.

Overall I found it charming and a fun read but it was just missing something for me.

This book was so heart-wrenching but also heart-warming. It was such a comforting and emotional read and I had so much fun reading it!

When Aisling goes on a guided tour to Ireland with her mother she doesn’t expect their tour guide to be young and handsome. Feelings rise throughout the tour, but they both try to not fall for each other since he is working. They decide to try to keep in touch afterwards, but despite Aisling’s efforts to reach out, Finn ghosts her. Two years later life throws them back into the same circle.

I’m a sucker for a good second chance romance. I also loved that it was set in Ireland as I have been to many of the places mentioned in the book. This was a quick and enjoyable read.

I really enjoyed reading this book; the romance was really sweet, and the fate aspect of it was something that really excited me when going into the book.

What stood out to me the most within this book was the location itself. The descriptions of Ireland and exploration of locations and culture were done really well and didn’t rely heavily on Irish cliches or stereotypes, which drew me into the story even more. As soon as I opened the book and saw the Claddagh ring illustration used to separate sections of the book, I knew this story was going to be more authentic than most set in Ireland and seeing that familiar symbol pulled me into the story and made me more excited to see how Ireland would be portrayed.

Another favourite aspect of mine was Aisling’s relationship with her mother. Getting to know Deirdre as a character as well was something I enjoyed. This also continued with the other side characters, which were all written really well and stood as their own as characters, so much so that I'd love to see more of them and see what they get up to in the future.

I loved Aisling and Finn as characters alone and within their relationship. I really connected with Aisling and loved her development throughout the book from the start as someone trying to piece together her life back together to the end when she connects with her roots and finds what she truly wants. I felt the same way with Finn and his character arc, even though I didn’t personally connect with him as much. I also loved seeing his dynamic with his mother and Aisling’s with his mother as well, which I would’ve loved to see more of.

There were many tropes within this story which I loved, and a few that, for me personally, I don’t enjoy as much, but even within the tropes I don’t gravitate towards, I still found myself rooting for their love.

Having a story of fate, accidental meetings and second chances makes a lot of sense to be set in Ireland, and seeing the way the author weaved in this idea and its connections to travelling Ireland, connecting with your roots and ultimately yourself, made the story even more enjoyable for me as someone who personally loves stories about culture and finding out who you are.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC!

Twist of fate is a second chance romance set in Ireland, wich is like a main character itself.... I love how the author really takes you there, like you were taking the tour yourself. It kinda makes wanna go book a flight right now!
Aisling and Finn are an amazing couple, and their slow burn romance is sexy and fun and messy, and perfect. I really liked the way this characters are written, with their struggle with grief, chronic ilness, and sense of family duty.

I really enjoyed this one!

This is only the second book of J L berg I have read, and I must say I am in love with her writing. It captivated me from the very start. I will definitely be reading more from this author, and would highly recommend for others too as well.

Twist of Fate had all the makings of a story I should have fallen in love with. The premise is quietly romantic: a woman, still grieving the loss of her mother, returns to Ireland—the very place where her heart was first broken—to start over. A past love reappears. Old feelings surface. And beneath it all, the question lingers: is this fate giving her a second chance, or simply reopening wounds that never truly healed?

There’s a gentle elegance to the writing. The Irish landscape is rendered with care and atmosphere—it’s almost cinematic in the way it backdrops Aisling’s emotional journey. The grief she carries is palpable in moments, and Finn, for all his brooding and restraint, feels like someone who’s also been quietly haunted. Their dynamic simmers with unresolved tension, and I appreciated the restraint in the way their history unfolded—not overly dramatic, just the quiet ache of what was left behind.

But while I admired much about this book, I didn’t feel much of it in the way I hoped to. The characters were believable, but not unforgettable. Their story moved, but didn’t move me. I was engaged, even entertained, but never completely immersed—and that’s ultimately why I couldn’t rate it higher.

It’s not that Twist of Fate isn’t good. It’s just that, for me, it lacked that emotional punch—that depth that makes you pause, reread a line, and feel like someone just described a feeling you didn’t know you had. I finished it with appreciation, but not attachment. And while I enjoyed the read, I also know it won’t stay with me for long.

So yes—three stars. A solid, well-crafted novel with sincerity and heart, but one that, despite its promise, left me mostly untouched.

Twist of Fate by J.L. Berg is a beautifully written second-chance romance that will make you believe in the power of fate—and leave your heart swooning. The story follows Aisling Farrell, who, after a whirlwind romance with Finn Larkin two years ago, is unexpectedly thrust back into his world when she takes a job at O’Connell Tours in Ireland. But Finn isn’t just the charming tour guide she once fell for—he’s now the acting CEO of the company, and the spark between them is undeniable.

Aisling’s journey to Ireland is driven by the heart-wrenching loss of her mother, and she comes to honor her mother’s final wish. What she doesn’t expect is to walk into a new chapter of her life and find Finn still there, as magnetic and intense as ever. Their chemistry is undeniable, but so is the weight of their past. Their relationship fizzled out when reality hit, and neither of them has truly gotten over it.

The emotional depth of Twist of Fate is where the book really shines. Aisling’s grief and longing for closure are so palpable that you can’t help but feel for her as she navigates this second chance at love. Finn, too, is a complex character—he carries his own baggage from their past, and his feelings for Aisling are raw and unresolved. The tension between them is so thick you can almost feel it crackling in the air. But the real magic of this book lies in how their connection evolves over time. What begins as a slow-burn romance, filled with awkward silences and unspoken words, gradually builds into something breathtaking and real.

Set against the stunning backdrop of Ireland, the landscape itself becomes a character in the story, adding to the beauty and poignancy of their journey. J.L. Berg does a fantastic job of capturing the feeling of being in such a romantic, timeless place, while also highlighting the emotional complexity of starting over and reconciling with the past.

There’s something incredibly swoon-worthy about a love story where fate steps in, offering a second chance at happiness, even after heartbreak. The pacing of this romance is just right—it doesn’t rush the emotional growth of the characters but instead allows their relationship to unfold gradually, giving the readers a chance to savor every moment.

Twist of Fate is perfect for fans of second-chance romance, slow-burn chemistry, and characters who are genuinely struggling to find their way back to each other. The depth of emotion, the stunning setting, and the breathtaking chemistry between Aisling and Finn will stay with you long after you turn the final page.