NetGalley Review: “Meant to Be” by Jennifer Probst

Series: Twist of Fate #1

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐✨

Steam: 🔥🔥🔥

Release Date: April 19th, 2022

Add to Goodreads | Amazon.in (Available on KU)

CW: secondary character with drug problem, scenes with kids from troubled homes, scenes of a character being drugged 

Two broken hearts discover an unpredictable path to healing in an emotional romance about fate and second chances by New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Probst.

It’s been two years since Chiara Kennedy lost her dearest friend, Rory. Chiara misses everything about her. Rory’s widowed husband is another story. Sebastian Ryder is a man Chiara had secretly wanted, let slip away, and hoped to never see again. Then fate throws them together for an unexpected one-night stand and a morning after of new challenges.

Sebastian had a soul mate in Rory. Shutting down after his tragic loss, he kept a cool distance from everyone—including Chiara, with whom he once shared a deep if fleeting affection. That was over and done with a long time ago. But when they meet again, old emotions resurface along with a heart-wounding past that haunts them both.

As Chiara and Sebastian grow closer, finally getting to know each other, Chiara struggles with feelings of guilt even as she cherishes her second chance with Sebastian. Will fate allow them to overcome the past, or are they destined to always wonder if they are truly meant to be?

 

This book had a whole heap of tropes and while I enjoyed most of them, it also felt like there were too many? I’ve always had a hit or miss relationship with Jennifer Probst books, but I loved the sound of this one so much I had to pick it up. The premise, the characters, the location and basically the underlying message of helping other people achieve their potential was a big draw for me. All said and done, while this book might not have worked for me, I think it might be just what someone else wanted.

Aside from the weird and awkward sex dream situation pretty early on in the book, there were quite a few things I did like. However, there were also some things that didn’t work for me as well.

What I did like: I’m a huge fan of books with great friendships and with Chiara, Malia and Tessa we have an incredible group of women who’ve been together for years and lean on each other through quite literally everything. Not only is their friendship special, the company they started is so powerful and I loved the idea behind Quench and how everything is run. I also loved Dex, because books with furry friends are also a way to win me over. The second chance romance was a huge draw for me and while it didn’t always feel that way through the book, I enjoyed the first time Chiara and Ryder meet and all that comes from that. 

What didn’t work for me: I felt like I didn’t get proper insight into Chiara and Ryder/Sebastian’s pasts till halfway through the book, so their choices till that point felt strange. I liked the forbidden element of Chiara falling for her late best friend’s husband, but the constant reminder of Sebastian beng Rory’s got on my nerves a little. I also didn’t really feel much chemistry between the two, I felt like they were more affectionate friends than anything else and that was a little disappointing for me. There were a few other things that I didn’t enjoy, but I don’t want to talk about them because spoilers!

While this book didn’t do it for me entirely, I am curious to see what happens in the next one. So It Goes also has a gorgeous cover and from the little teaser and the blurb that’s up already it has me very interested to see what’s coming. Plus, I like what we saw of Malia so far and I am ready for more!

Thanks to Montlake and NetGalley for an advance copy. I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.



One response to “NetGalley Review: “Meant to Be” by Jennifer Probst”

  1. […] me not like or trust him for a good portion of the book. I really liked what we got of Malia in the first book, but I liked her a little less in this one. I admired her drive and passion and her tough as nails […]

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About Me

Hi! I’m Anna P. and welcome to my blog! I’ve been reading romance exclusively since 2010 and been reviewing and blogging for a few years since. In 2021, I published my debut romance novel that can be found on Amazon and in Kindle Unlimited.

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