Book Review | Unexpected Fate – Harper Sloan (Hope Town Series, Book One)

Unexpected Fate
By: Harper Sloan

Series: Hope Town
Book # in Series: 1 out of 4
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Forbidden, Age Gap, Meant To Be
Publisher:Harper Sloan
Publication Date: February 17th, 2015
My Rating: ✮✮✮✮✮
My Reading Format: Paperback
Pages: 301

Synopsis:

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.

honey-script.light

Unexpected Fate by Harper Sloan is the first book in her Hope Town Series. I started this series by reading the second book, Bleeding Love, so if you are in the same boat as me, have no fear. This series is a series of standalones, meaning, each book features a new love interest. Let me be the first, or the hundredth, person to say the HOPE TOWN SERIES is where it’s at! I’m obsessed with everything from the heat to the pure emotion! I couldn’t put Cohen Cage and Dani Reid’s book down! I have a feeling it’s going to be hard to pick my top favorite book by the time I make it through this series.

If you are new to Harper Sloan, let me clue you in on something that I just found out. The Hope Town Series is a spinoff series from her Corps Security series, which is a series I intend on reading real soon after getting a glimpse of Dani’s dad (Axel) super alpha persona! I’m definitely craving a little more alpha in my romance book heroes these days. I’m excited to dive further into this world!!

Now let’s dive into what Unexpected Fate by Harper Sloan is all about. Dani and Cohen’s story has strong forbidden vibes, an age gap theme and a made for each other premise. Dani grew up sheltered but with an overprotective alpha grump as a dad, that’s to be expected. Now, Dani is craving freedom and the privacy that comes with living on her own. Maybe if she had some privacy she could actually attempt to show her one hearts desire how she feels about him. But her best friends’ older brother isn’t the settling down type. Or rather, the settling down with his best friend’s little sister type. Dani, however, has faith that one day her heart and Cohen’s hearts will form as one. He just needs the time to see how good they will be together. And she’s willing to wait him out.

Cohen lives his life one dangerous tour after another. Being a career soldier isn’t for the light hearted. He risks his life every tour to make sure his family can sleep in peace each night. That’s why Cohen won’t even think about toeing the line where his feelings’ for Dani are concerned. But something is going to change and Cohen isn’t going to be able to deny the passion that has been brewing between the two for so many years. And fate steps in… Unexpected Fate!

My Thoughts:

There is no other feeling than diving into a book that was written ten years ago, or more, and wondering why it hasn’t been read until now. I’m exasperated at the fact that I’ve read Harper Sloan before, but never picked up her earlier published books until recently! I’m in love with her alpha heroes and her feisty heroines! I especially loved Cohen and Dani’s personalities. I loved witnessing Cohen grow into his inner alpha and that strong need to eliminate any and all threats that come into play where the other half of his heart resides. I loved watching him go toe to toe with Dani’s dad! Alpha vs. Alpha, both with the same agenda of protecting Dani. My heart freaking loved this moment. It takes a strong man to take the hand of an alpha male’s daughter and Harper Sloan played this moment out perfectly!

Now let’s dive into Dani’s character. I think I loved her character most of all. I loved how she was feisty one minute and sweet the next. She knew what she wanted at an early age and she wasn’t going to stop until she saw to it that Cohen was hers. I loved the emotional journey she went through that came with loving a man with such a dangerous job. I also loved the fact that she was stubborn and strong. But she wasn’t stubborn enough to realize when she needed help to ask for it. I have to say, I really enjoyed witnessing her journey.

Cohen and Dani set my paperback on fire with all the tension between the two of them. Whew, Harper Sloan brought the heart and an extra dose of heat with this one! I couldn’t get enough!! If you are looking for a slight slow burn that develops into a lot of spice and heart, definitely pick up this book!

And then we have the tight knit family bond that shines so bright throughout this novel. My heart felt the kinship and I felt so light with all the family love. In all honesty, I think this was the main reason why I had trouble putting this one down. I loved the strong dynamic between all of them.

Overall, I’m so happy I went to the book store and found Unexpected Fate sitting on the shelf! It was meant to be! I’m not sure If i can wait to read the rest of the series until I find them in paperback. I may just have to cheat and add the other two books and the corps security series to my KU shelf. I am obsessed with this series, the writing style and these characters. I need more!

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