“I don’t need some fucking blue Willow Wisp to tell me what I already know straight to my soul. You’re mine. You’re my mate. My world. My heart. My…Everything.”

I definitely had a hard time connecting with this book. I don’t really know what I was expecting but it was not what I read. The parts that were redeeming were Jax and Harlow finding their way back to each other. Other than that, I was not into this story. It was quirky and I’m sure there are people that would really like this but unfortunately it’s not something that I would pick up again.

Tropes:
✨Fated Mates
✨Second Chance
✨Fantasy

3.5 stars

Thank you St. Martins press and Netgalley for the E-ARC.

This book was very cute and cozy. While reading it I did enjoy it a lot. But now sitting here thinking about what to say in my review, I give it 3.5 stars.

I love the Fated Mated trope so much pairs with a second chance at love? Paranormal Gilmore Girls?! Who wouldn't want to read it?!

I feel this book has some holes that need explaining. But. Maybe she will do more books set in this town that will help explain those issues. Overall, I would recommend to a few of my friends.

—Gilmore Girls but make it paranormal

—high school sweethearts

—fated mates gone wrong

—on the page teenage ward

Heat Index: 6.5/10

The Basics:

Witch Harlow (AKA Harry) and shifter Jax were each other's first love, and she thought it would be forever. Until, that is, a sacred ceremony identified Harry's best friend as Jax's fated mate, sending her fleeing from town. Over a decade later, she's back in Fates Haven, seeking help for her best friend's daughter as she deals with unidentified shifter woes. Too bad the new alpha shifter in town is, in fact... Jax.

The Review:

Okay, when they pitch this as "supernatural Gilmore Girls vibes", they aren't kidding. And that's not a callout, it's honestly really cute. But you get it all—a quirky erotic bakery that I would literally pay to have in my town, funky little town residents, a random stable of horses, the various relationship tensions that have stakes but not like, super high stakes?

Obviously, our central relationship is Harry and Jax, and I do think Asher dialed into the second chance romance longing really well. I totally believed that these were two people who truly wanted each other and had never really resolved their feelings. The chemistry was sparking, there was an easiness to their interactions...

And honestly? Once I realized how hard this book was going to lean into small town romance, I was a little worried, because that vibe can be challenging for me. But there's a real charisma to April Asher's writing that kept me going. I wasn't like, OBSESSED, but I had a good time—and a better one than I usually have with small town romances and cozy magic.

I didn't even mind Grace, Harry's teenage pseudo-daughter (though I am both intrigued by her semi-absent mother and confused). She was a pretty real teenager, and she existed to push Jax and Harry together in a way that didn't feel contrived. Hard to pull off!

I will say, the fact that Harry just assumed that she and Jax were done after his supposed fated mate was identified... I mean, I get the drama because they were teenagers. But it did feel like a stretch for her to have no idea that she was completely wrong over the course of a 10+ year timespan. That's where she didn't feel like a real adult to me, and it's why I would say that... I liked her, but she definitely bugged me at points.

The Sex:

There isn't a *ton*, but what you get is good. Jax is a mountain lion shifter; I could've used a bit more of that in the sex scenes. I mean, in general, the magic in this novel is a light touch. But why not dial it up a bit during the sex scenes? I see nothing but win with that approach.

Conclusion:

While I can't say this is going to be one I remember forever, it was a fun, cute time. And I'd say that for Gilmore Girls fans in particular, this could be a good "baby's first paranormal romance" before you decide to run with the big dogs. Nicely done!

Thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

If you were a fan of Asher's Supernatural Singles series then this is one you won't want to pass up. Seemingly set in the same universe as the previous series, don't quote me on that because it's just a feeling, this story follows Harry Pierce as she makes her way back to her hometown of Fate's Haven, Colorado, to seek help from the Alpha of the town. She has been left in charge of her best friend's daughter who is struggling to control her shifter powers. The BFF went off to find her one-night stand from 16 years before on a wild goose chase. Any way Harry and Grace make their way back to Fate's Haven and the Alpha is now none other than Harry's Ex, Jaxon. Jaxon is our other POV, a cougar shifter who was fated to Harry's Best friend and that was why Harry left town and made sure no one could follow.

Fate's Haven is a charming small town that seems to have it all. Everyone knows each other, creating a cozy atmosphere reminiscent of "Gilmore Girls," where community gatherings occur for nearly every occasion. At the heart of Fate's Haven is the town gazebo, a central meeting point for everyone.

The story incorporates beloved romantic fantasy tropes, including fated mates and second-chance romance. I appreciate the witty banter, especially from Harry, who speaks her mind and ensures that others listen. The friendships in the story are just as enjoyable as the romance, featuring an unlikely trio of high school friends who, mostly, pick up right where they left off: an angel warrior, a seer who tattoos your future (even if that future may involve a rabid raccoon).

Overall, I would categorize this book as fun and easy to read. The characters have great chemistry, and the narrative sets the stage for a series, which I hope will continue. If you've enjoyed Asher's Supernatural Single Series, you'll likely love this one as well.

There is something to be said for getting exactly what you want from a book. This book promised cozy paranormal romance and more than delivered on that.
Harry and Jax delivered the the right amount of angst and baggage for a second-chance romance without going too far (which is not an easy ask), and their re-connection felt the right amounts of inevitable and natural progression. And while they shine as the central story, the side plots of Harry reconnecting with the whole town (people and place) and magic and helping her best friend's daughter was equally wonderful to read. There was the perfect balance of all three and they are delivered with the warm fun that I have come to expect from Asher (shenangians and heartful moments equally abound).
Full of charm and heart, this is a book I recommend whole heartedly and I hope to see continue into a series so I can see what the rest of the town gets up to and their stumbles on the way to Happily Ever Afters.

✅ Jax Atwood, alpha mountain lion shifter & Harlow (Harry) Pierce, witch
✅ Fated Mates, except Jax & Harry were not the fated mates. They haven’t seen each other in 13 years.
✅ Second chance romance set in a magical small town in Colorado
✅ strong cast of secondary characters
✅ trying to solve a mystery
🌶️: yes! Slowish burn


This is such a fun, lovely, magical romance to whisk you away from reality

This was a cute, fun read, all about Fated Mates! I really enjoyed it. There were fun characters, and really good world-building. I also really loved the found family aspects - however, the amount of side-plots got a bit overwhelming at times. The focus could really be reigned in to the main characters.

However, I will add this to my paranormal/magical romance recommendations!

Thank you so much for allowing me to read this ARC!

Harry Pierce is a down on her luck witch in New York City. She is the guardian of a teenager, Grace, while the teen’s mother, Cassie, is tracking down the bio dad of her shifter daughter for answers as to her child’s new found abilities. Grace is dealing with some hazardous growing pains. When the bad luck keeps piling up for Harry she has no choice but to head to home to her Aunt Nora’s. Fate’s Haven is a special town known for its Fated Match ceremony and festival. Thirteen years ago the ceremony went awry and Harry ran away from town with a broken heart.

Not sure of the welcome she will receive, Harry hopes to keep a low profile, while asking for help with Grace from the Alpha of the local shifter pack. The bad luck continues when the Alpha is new and is Harry’s past lover and the reason she left town heartbroken. Harry will have to face her past to move forward and help Grace and Cassie. Will Harry and her friends find a new home in Fate’s Haven?

Full of magic, michief, good friends and true love, A Simple Twist of Fate is the perfect read.

2.5 ⭐️

A Simple Twist of Fate’s premise had me intrigued from the beginning. A fantasy romance is always right up my alley. Unfortunately, I felt like the book didn’t deliver in a few key areas:

1. The magical world. In my opinion, whole Fate ceremony/Fate witch thing was not well described. Why was everyone’s magic in the town wonky? Did anyone try to do anything about it? Why is a Fate Ceremony so important to the town? I feel like we were given information and just expected to accept it with little or no backstory. This bothered me.

2. Lack of minor character development. I felt like the FMC and MMC friends were basically stock characters. They felt so flat and went along with almost everything the main characters threw their way. There is so much potential here, but I felt like things weren’t developed enough between the FMC friends to make me feel anything toward them. I kept confusing the two female friends with one another and can’t even tell you their names now, to be honest.

Overall, this was a quick, fun read that didn’t require much thought or processing. It is a good palate cleanser; however, I don’t think it’s a world I’m invested in at all.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advanced copy of this book.

I love witchy books! As well as small town romances. It was a fun read with some cute banter.

If you like:
💫Second change romance
💫Dual POV
💫Spice
💫Cozy vibes
💫Slow burn
💫witches
💫magic


Then this is the book for you! It was a quick read! This is the first book I read of Aprils. I’m looking forward to reading more books by her.

Rating 💫💫💫
Publication Date May 13 2025

Thank you NetGalley, April and St.Martin’s Press for the eARC!

A simple twist of fate
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The BANTER! 🤌🏻

This quippy romantasy was such a refreshingly funny and sweet read! The banter, character development and plot line were executed with such care and precision. I simply loved the world April Asher was able to drop the reader into; it read as Gilmore girls meets Buffy the vampire slayer. It had a true 90’s nostalgic feel.

Overall this was a phenomenal read and I couldn’t put it down. The banter, the reunited lovers, the magic it was great! My only criticism would be for the POV, when shifting, to be more obvious. There were times when the POV would shift from Harry to Jax and I wouldn’t realize it immediately. I think the book would really benefit from POV chapters that specify whose perspective we’re viewing the world from.

This was a 4.5 star read and I can’t wait to read other work by this author.

Thank you to NetGalley, April Asher and the publisher for this e-ARC copy!

I admit it.

Been a fan of this author since I picked up the triplets' first story in "Not the Witch You Wed" .
She's kept the momentum of humor, romance with curvy heroines and alpha males going with this new spinoff (hopefully, the first of many).

Harlow a.k.a Harry's character is shaped by her childhood friends, her strong maternal figure in her aunt Nora, and the female mentor/quasi familial relationship she has with her BFF's daughter, Grace. Investing in different assets of her character makes her a multidimensional one. The result? She's more than a sum of her many parts.

Given Harry's determination to not be found, Jaxon's feelings of abandonment and betrayal are understandable. So when these two reconcile, it's heartfelt.

This ARC was provided by the publisher, St. Martin's Press | St. Martin's Griffin, via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was a great supernatural second chance romance and I really loved the chemistry between Harlow and Jaxon. Harlow returns to Fates Haven to get help with her half shifter half human goddaughter and end up back in the embrace of her first love Jaxon Alpha of the Rocky Mountain Pack. I loved the mystery of figuring out what her goddaughter is and finding her dad. This was a fun romantic comedy and the dynamic between Harlow and her friends was great once they were reunited and the town of Fates Haven was a great with the naughty bakery and everyone being in everyone’s business as small towns do.
Thanks to St. Martins Griffin and Netgalley for the complimentary copy of this book. All opinions in this review are my own.

Needed more details. It’s ok to make the book bigger. I love a big book over here. But it was lacking details. The storyline is good though. It was very easy to read. Cute romantic comedy.

A cute and cozy small town shifter romance. I loved the romance and banter between the two main characters. This book had me giggling and kicking my feet the entire time. Will definitely be recommending this to my book besties. I'm super excited for book 2.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press | St. Martin's Griffin for giving me the opportunity to read April Asher's A Simple Twist of Fate in exchange for my honest review.

From the moment I saw the title of the first chapter, "Teenagers Are Velociraptors," I knew I was in for a good time.

Imagine Mystic Falls meets Stars Hollow, but with a naughty sense of humor. A Simple Twist of Fate is a charming blend of romance, magic, and small-town antics that delivers all the warm and fuzzy feelings of a Hallmark movie—if Hallmark dabbled in shifters, witches, demons, angels, and sizzling chemistry.

Harlow "Harry" Pierce and Jaxon “Jax” Atwood have undeniable tension, and their second-chance romance had me hooked. Jax is the perfect mix of broody yet sweet (well, as sweet as a shifter Alpha can be), and Harry’s return to Fates Haven shakes up not just his world, but the entire town’s struggling magical balance. But what I loved most was that Grace’s storyline wasn’t just a side plot. Her journey, along with the town’s magic acting up, added depth beyond the romance.

Yes, it’s predictable. Yes, it’s a little cheesy. But I absolutely did not care. The snarky banter, lovable characters, and fast-paced storytelling made this a thoroughly enjoyable read. Sometimes, you just need a book that makes you smile, giggle, and forget the real world for a bit. A Simple Twist of Fate delivered exactly that, and I’m already looking forward to the next installment in the series!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (4.5/5)

In this second chance romance, Harry Pierce goes back to her childhood home of Fates Haven to ask the Alpha of the Rocky Mountain Pack for help. Grace, Harry's guardian, is setting things on fire and needs help controlling herself and figuring out what kind of shifter she is.

Harry fled town when Fate screwed her over, and did everything she could to make sure she couldn't be found. But now she's back, and the lover she left behind, for very good reasons, is the one person who can help Grace. Harry and Jaxon have to put aside their feelings, but that's easier said than done when you truly believed at one time that the other person was your Fated match.

April Asher is an instant-read for me, so I was so happy to receive an ARC of A Simple Twist of Fate. As with her previous series, this was a fun, spicy supernatural romance with an interesting cast of characters and a well-paced plot. As the first in a new series, I can't wait to dive deeper into Fates Haven to learn more about the town and the characters introduced in A Simple Twist of Fate.

****POSSIBLE SPOILERS**** My only wish was to see a little more sympathy towards Harry - yes, the way she left was messed up, but she literally thought fate had spoken and said that the love of her life wasn't really hers. The way that everyone reacts when Grace snoops through Harry's emails was rude AF and Harry deserved an apology.

This was a very cute paranormal romance book. While there were some elements that felt familiar to many other books in the genre, it still felt unique with its fated mates magic system. However, I wish that side of it had been explored more other than in the very last portion of the book.

One highlight of this book were all the secondary characters (who’d better be getting their own books). They all felt very real and well developed, with relationships and dynamics that I look forward to seeing in whatever comes next with this series. I do also hope that Grace eventually gets a book, because I would love to see her older with her own arc and romance, even if that is another spin off series or something. I just think it would be cool.

The romance, aka the main focus, although there was still a plot (yay), was great, and it was nice to see a second chance romance where they actually work through what happened the first time around before the book ends. There were a couple spicy scenes in the book, which were in fact quite spicy, although they didn’t last too long, and were pretty spread apart. They both felt natural to the story and the characters, and I’m very happy with how the romance turned out in this book.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Such a feel good cosy low stakes fantasy with a great romance, loved the characters and fated mate trope, spice was spice-ZING! highly recommend to fans of paranormal romance that are character/relationship driven!

This was such a fun read! I'm a huge fan of April's witchy books and I was so excited to hear she's writing more of them. This one was a fun, fast read and it introduced the small town and it's residents in a great way. I thought the romance was sweet and I loved seeing Harry and Grace's relationship. I will say, the ending was a bit of a let down for me personally. I would've liked not to see the other couples fated matched just yet. The whole thing did feel a little rushed. But I am looking forward to reading the other books in the series! Thank you for giving me the opportunity to read this one!