Monday, 2 March 2015

*** REVIEW *** UNEXPECTED FATE by Harper Sloan



Have you ever felt like you were living your life for a future that was predetermined? Like there was some bigger picture you just prayed you would someday see clearly? That picture has been crystal clear to me since I was old enough to recognize it for just what it was.

Or I should say recognize him for who he was.

I’ve loved Cohen Cage since I was a small child. He’s been my everything for the last twenty-two years. I’ve loved him through every girlfriend he’s ever brought home. Through his college years and then mine. I’ve loved him through two deployments. And ever since the day I told him how I felt, he’s acted like I’m a stranger.

My name is Danielle Reid, and it’s time for me to get my man.

Our future is an unexpected fate, and no matter what our parents, siblings, and friends say…it’s going to be worth every second of the fight to make it happen.

4.5 Stamps


Unexpected Fate is the first book in the Hope Town series by Harper Sloan. 

Let me start by saying I am a big Corps Security fan.  When Harper announced that Locke was the last book in the series I was so disappointed I wanted to cry.   I remember when I finished Locke I wanted more and stalked Harper Sloan’s website for months hoping that she would change her mind. 
As soon as I heard about Unexpected Fate I found myself excited and concerned at the same time.  Excited because I want to know what is happening at Corps Security but concerned that the new series wouldn’t work for me.  Now I’m excited and very happy with this new series. 

I didn’t need to worry at all.  Unexpected Fate works for me.  It melds some of the past with some of the present and gives glimpses into the future.  The story focuses on little Cohen Cage who is all grown up now, and that is a WOW for the grown up Cohen, and Danielle Reid also an adult. 
I read an excerpt a few months back that showed Axel tossing Dani’s prom date out on his ear I worried and I prayed that Ms. Sloan didn’t make me hate Axel.  I didn’t want to hate my guys and, thank God, I don’t.  Cohen saved the prom and Axel relaxed—kind of.

There are so many things that I like about this book I don’t know where to begin. 

"I don't think we have enough time to get into everything that I want from you, Cohen. Let's just put it this way. I want you. I want you and everything that comes with it."

The story

There is a little bit of everything in Unexpected Fate.  The story is told primarily from Danielle's point of view.  About twenty five percent of the book is in Cohen's point of view and one chapter Liam gives his slant on the story.  This is done very well and not confusing at all.  

There are times when I laughed (how can you not when Sway shows up) there are times that I cried and times when I held my breath for a second or two.    In a way the story is a little about predestination with a longtime friendship turning to love.  Cohen and Dani’s young love makes me smile.  Unexpected Fate wouldn’t follow the Corps Security tradition without a little mystery and some hurdles to jump.

Dani, Lila and Lyn get a house together after Dani realizes her dad just can’t let go of his little girl.  This is a fun scene because their mothers are pulled into the plan.  It is a little sneaky and fun.  
At one point my heart cried for Dani when Cohen deployed.   Poor girl fights for Cohen since they were children and right when things are finally looking up he has to go dark.  Cohen’s deployment is good for the reader, however, because it is catch up with Axel and Izzy and the rest of the team.  Axel is as overprotective as ever and Izzy still calms him as only she can. 

The characters

"For years- years, Dani-you've been parading around this flawless body and teasing me with something I couldn't have. For weeks, we've been dancing around this attraction. I've had a taste, and now, I need my meal.”

I really enjoy reading this first book in the Hope Town series.  It is intriguing to see the next generation.  I wonder how these characters were going to flesh out and all I can say is just what I needed.  The characters we meet are well developed and real.
Cohen is hot like his father.  I didn’t expect anything less as much as he loved Greg.  Dani is his perfect complement.   In other words they are a couple that the reader identifies with and wants them together. 

Cohen is in the military (following in the Cage tradition) Special Forces.  As an aside there is also a jewelry tradition that Cohen is carrying on.   Love it!

Danielle Reid, Dani-girl to Cohen is the daughter of Axel and Izzy.  She reminds me a lot of her mother with a good portion of her father sprinkled in. 

Lyn and Lila Cage are good friends of Dani and Cohen’s sisters.  I really like these women a lot.  I sense (and I feel there are hints) of a story coming about them in the future.  These two are great characters that I can relate to.     

Sway is back in full force.  I love him and his bigger than life personality.  It is no surprise that he is the star of a reality show.

Other characters that we are reacquainted with are Nate, Liam and of course the core of the Corps Security team.  I can see where all these characters have a story and I’m anxious to read about them in the future.  I love Chance, Cohen’s friend and roommate.  He is definitely getting a book.

There is only one thing I didn’t like too much is that there are a couple scenes that are very predictable.  It felt a little cookie cutter in these sections and that was a little disappointing. 

Unexpected Fate is a good story told by a good writer about characters that I love.  It will definitely leave you wanting to know more about the next generation and waiting with bated breath for the next book in the Hope Town series. 


About the Author:
harper sloan bio.jpg

Harper lives in small town Georgia just a short drive from her hometown of Peachtree City. She (and her 3 daughters) enjoy ruling the house they dubbed 'Estrogen Ocean', much to her husband’s chagrin. Harper has a borderline unhealthy obsession with books; you can almost ALWAYS find her with her eReader attached. She enjoys bad reality TV and cheesy romantic flicks. Her favorite kind of hero--the super alpha kind!

Harper started using writing as a way to unwind when the house went to sleep at night; and with a house full of crazy it was the perfect way to just relax. It didn't take long before a head full of very demanding alphas would stop at nothing to have their story told.


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