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Twist of Fate
Joanne was a shadow of her lovely mother...
Everywhere she went, Clea Thorpe was the center of attention. And Joanne had been content enough living in her shadows—until Ben Norris arrived at their villa in Nice.
He seemed drawn to Clea, even offered to back her latest film. But his motives were not as simple as they seemed. The day Joanne discovered his real feelings was the day she decided she never wanted to see him again.
Now, after five years, she thought she'd got him out of her system. Then she opened a hotel room door—to suddenly find herself right back at square one!
Everywhere she went, Clea Thorpe was the center of attention. And Joanne had been content enough living in her shadows—until Ben Norris arrived at their villa in Nice.
He seemed drawn to Clea, even offered to back her latest film. But his motives were not as simple as they seemed. The day Joanne discovered his real feelings was the day she decided she never wanted to see him again.
Now, after five years, she thought she'd got him out of her system. Then she opened a hotel room door—to suddenly find herself right back at square one!
190 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1979
2 people are currently reading
246 people want to read
About the author
Charlotte Lamb
261 books313 followersSheila Ann Mary Coates Holland
aka Sheila Holland, Sheila Coates, Charlotte Lamb, Sheila Lancaster, Victoria Woolf, Laura Hardy
Sheila Ann Mary Coates was born on 1937 in Essex, England, just before the Second World War in the East End of London. As a child, she was moved from relative to relative to escape the bombings of World War II. Sheila attended the Ursuline Convent for Girls. On leaving school at 16, the convent-educated author worked for the Bank of England as a clerk. Sheila continued her education by taking advantage of the B of E's enormous library during her lunch breaks and after work. She later worked as a secretary for the BBC. While there, she met and married Richard Holland, a political reporter. A voracious reader of romance novels, she began writing at her husband's suggestion. She wrote her first book in three days with three children underfoot! In between raising her five children (including a set of twins), Charlotte wrote several more novels. She used both her married and maiden names, Sheila Holland and Sheila Coates, before her first novel as Charlotte Lamb, Follow a Stranger, was published by Mills & Boon in 1973. She also used the pennames: Sheila Lancaster, Victoria Wolf and Laura Hardy. Sheila was a true revolutionary in the field of romance writing. One of the first writers to explore the boundaries of sexual desire, her novels often reflected the forefront of the "sexual revolution" of the 1970s. Her books touched on then-taboo subjects such as child abuse and rape, and she created sexually confident - even dominant - heroines. She was also one of the first to create a modern romantic heroine: independent, imperfect, and perfectly capable of initiating a sexual or romantic relationship. A prolific author, Sheila penned more than 160 novels, most of them for Mills & Boon. Known for her swiftness as well as for her skill in writing, Sheila typically wrote a minimum of two thousand words per day, working from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. While she once finished a full-length novel in four days, she herself pegged her average speed at two weeks to complete a full novel. Since 1977, Sheila had been living on the Isle of Man as a tax exile with her husband and four of their five children: Michael Holland, Sarah Holland, Jane Holland, Charlotte Holland and David Holland. Sheila passed away on October 8, 2000 in her baronial-style home 'Crogga' on the Island. She is greatly missed by her many fans, and by the romance writing community.
aka Sheila Holland, Sheila Coates, Charlotte Lamb, Sheila Lancaster, Victoria Woolf, Laura Hardy
Sheila Ann Mary Coates was born on 1937 in Essex, England, just before the Second World War in the East End of London. As a child, she was moved from relative to relative to escape the bombings of World War II. Sheila attended the Ursuline Convent for Girls. On leaving school at 16, the convent-educated author worked for the Bank of England as a clerk. Sheila continued her education by taking advantage of the B of E's enormous library during her lunch breaks and after work. She later worked as a secretary for the BBC. While there, she met and married Richard Holland, a political reporter. A voracious reader of romance novels, she began writing at her husband's suggestion. She wrote her first book in three days with three children underfoot! In between raising her five children (including a set of twins), Charlotte wrote several more novels. She used both her married and maiden names, Sheila Holland and Sheila Coates, before her first novel as Charlotte Lamb, Follow a Stranger, was published by Mills & Boon in 1973. She also used the pennames: Sheila Lancaster, Victoria Wolf and Laura Hardy. Sheila was a true revolutionary in the field of romance writing. One of the first writers to explore the boundaries of sexual desire, her novels often reflected the forefront of the "sexual revolution" of the 1970s. Her books touched on then-taboo subjects such as child abuse and rape, and she created sexually confident - even dominant - heroines. She was also one of the first to create a modern romantic heroine: independent, imperfect, and perfectly capable of initiating a sexual or romantic relationship. A prolific author, Sheila penned more than 160 novels, most of them for Mills & Boon. Known for her swiftness as well as for her skill in writing, Sheila typically wrote a minimum of two thousand words per day, working from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. While she once finished a full-length novel in four days, she herself pegged her average speed at two weeks to complete a full novel. Since 1977, Sheila had been living on the Isle of Man as a tax exile with her husband and four of their five children: Michael Holland, Sarah Holland, Jane Holland, Charlotte Holland and David Holland. Sheila passed away on October 8, 2000 in her baronial-style home 'Crogga' on the Island. She is greatly missed by her many fans, and by the romance writing community.
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July 9, 2024
This one was terribly hard to rate. The writing is beautiful. In some ways, I feel it is the best CL has written. She poured her heart and soul into this and her main protagonist, Joanne, is an unusually complex, interesting and sympathetic character.
However, the conclusion of this turbulent novel left me depressed. The male protagonist and the rest of the secondary characters are sick, vile beings with no redeeming value whatsoever. CL's world building in this one is at its most cynical, ugly, and hopeless. It reminded me a lot of Anne Rice's depiction of plastic Hollywood people in Belinda, another beautifully written novel filled with trash. Read at your own risk :~{
The story starts out as a revenge scheme. The "hero" targets the heroine's mother, a fading film star, for a game of seduction. The heroine's mother was the hero's father's mistress decades ago.
He has always blamed her for his parents' split-up soo now that he is grown up, he plans to pump and dump his father's ex-mistress to score points against both of them.
The heroine's mom is more than willing to be seduced and not at all bothered by the fact that she is nearing 50 and he is half her age, nor that her daughter, the heroine, is crushing on the guy. She thinks she is still in her glory days and the world revolves around her. Her entourage of hangers-on, sycophants, servants, and her own daughter, have all been trained to cater to her as their goddess and allow her to maintain her delusions of grandeur.
Heroine, at 21, still dresses like a plain, introverted child in order not to steal her mother's thunder and to maintain the illusion that she is the ugly duckling to her beautiful swan mother. Hero doesn't notice heroine from the wallpaper at first but later on, when he catches her in an unguarded moment swimming in the pool, he is suddenly very, very interested. But not in a genuine, honorable way. He just figures he can use mother AND daughter in his sick revenge scheme.
Heroine senses his dishonorable intentions even if she doesn't know exactly what he is up to. Unfortunately, she is also a sheltered, virginal, young woman who, despite herself, is feeling some romantic stirrings for this gorgeous-looking, bad boy. She is both attracted and repelled by him and for the first time, she rebels against being dismissed under her mother's shadow.
Then the hero's dad shows up and whisks his ex away before his turd of a son has a chance to seal the deal with her. Hero then tries to avenge himself on heroine. He kidnaps her, takes her to his boat, and attempts to rape her, hoping that the scandal not only destroys heroine, but puts a wrench in his dad's plan to marry the heroine's mom.
But heroine thwarts him, jumping off his boat into the Mediterranean Sea, trying to swim back to shore, although it is evident that she would surely eventually drown. Her would-be rapist, in a short-lived bout of remorse, or maybe because he wouldn't want to be arrested for homicide, ends up rescuing her and putting her to shore safely.
Five years later, coincidence brings him and the heroine back together. Heroine is living with her dad and engaged to a tepid OM. The hero woos the heroine away from her fiance. Heroine thinks this is their second chance...until she catches him in his hotel room with HER MOM!!!!! HIS STEPMOM!!!!!
Sick.
By that time, I had no interest in his cock-and-bull story about why HER MOM!!!!!!!!! HIS STEPMOM!!!!!!! just happened to be there nor could I believe my eyes when a couple of baskets of red roses sent to heroine's flat convinced her to take him back.
Eventually the two of them marry. The hero leaves his young bride alone to deliver the happy tidings to her crazy mom, who goes into an apoplectic jealous rage. Heroine has to endure just the most terrible, lunatic rantings and ravings of a madwoman who calls her own daughter an ugly, plain tart and accuses her of deliberately getting herself knocked up to trap the hero because there would be no other reason why he would marry her, since he was really in love with his fifty year old stepmother! While the big wuss just hid in the garden waiting for the storm to end. What a man!
We are supposed to be thrilled that heroine finally won the day, stood up to her mother, and got her man. Really? I never forgave or liked the guy she ended up with. They both had similar childhoods, neglected and hurt by selfish monster parents. But while she grew out of this dung heap into a sensitive, beautiful flower, he came out as gnarled and twisted as his creators. The way I see it, the heroine was so hopelessly brainwashed all her life to take abuse, betrayal, and neglect from everyone around her, that she was ripe for the picking for this awful, morally bankrupt, weak, cheating, lying, psychotic creature. She got herself another undeserving lame duck to pamper and protect to the end of her life. Well, I guess that made her happy but it just made me sad.
However, the conclusion of this turbulent novel left me depressed. The male protagonist and the rest of the secondary characters are sick, vile beings with no redeeming value whatsoever. CL's world building in this one is at its most cynical, ugly, and hopeless. It reminded me a lot of Anne Rice's depiction of plastic Hollywood people in Belinda, another beautifully written novel filled with trash. Read at your own risk :~{
The story starts out as a revenge scheme. The "hero" targets the heroine's mother, a fading film star, for a game of seduction. The heroine's mother was the hero's father's mistress decades ago.
He has always blamed her for his parents' split-up soo now that he is grown up, he plans to pump and dump his father's ex-mistress to score points against both of them.
The heroine's mom is more than willing to be seduced and not at all bothered by the fact that she is nearing 50 and he is half her age, nor that her daughter, the heroine, is crushing on the guy. She thinks she is still in her glory days and the world revolves around her. Her entourage of hangers-on, sycophants, servants, and her own daughter, have all been trained to cater to her as their goddess and allow her to maintain her delusions of grandeur.
Heroine, at 21, still dresses like a plain, introverted child in order not to steal her mother's thunder and to maintain the illusion that she is the ugly duckling to her beautiful swan mother. Hero doesn't notice heroine from the wallpaper at first but later on, when he catches her in an unguarded moment swimming in the pool, he is suddenly very, very interested. But not in a genuine, honorable way. He just figures he can use mother AND daughter in his sick revenge scheme.
Heroine senses his dishonorable intentions even if she doesn't know exactly what he is up to. Unfortunately, she is also a sheltered, virginal, young woman who, despite herself, is feeling some romantic stirrings for this gorgeous-looking, bad boy. She is both attracted and repelled by him and for the first time, she rebels against being dismissed under her mother's shadow.
Then the hero's dad shows up and whisks his ex away before his turd of a son has a chance to seal the deal with her. Hero then tries to avenge himself on heroine. He kidnaps her, takes her to his boat, and attempts to rape her, hoping that the scandal not only destroys heroine, but puts a wrench in his dad's plan to marry the heroine's mom.
But heroine thwarts him, jumping off his boat into the Mediterranean Sea, trying to swim back to shore, although it is evident that she would surely eventually drown. Her would-be rapist, in a short-lived bout of remorse, or maybe because he wouldn't want to be arrested for homicide, ends up rescuing her and putting her to shore safely.
Five years later, coincidence brings him and the heroine back together. Heroine is living with her dad and engaged to a tepid OM. The hero woos the heroine away from her fiance. Heroine thinks this is their second chance...until she catches him in his hotel room with HER MOM!!!!! HIS STEPMOM!!!!!
Sick.
By that time, I had no interest in his cock-and-bull story about why HER MOM!!!!!!!!! HIS STEPMOM!!!!!!! just happened to be there nor could I believe my eyes when a couple of baskets of red roses sent to heroine's flat convinced her to take him back.
Eventually the two of them marry. The hero leaves his young bride alone to deliver the happy tidings to her crazy mom, who goes into an apoplectic jealous rage. Heroine has to endure just the most terrible, lunatic rantings and ravings of a madwoman who calls her own daughter an ugly, plain tart and accuses her of deliberately getting herself knocked up to trap the hero because there would be no other reason why he would marry her, since he was really in love with his fifty year old stepmother! While the big wuss just hid in the garden waiting for the storm to end. What a man!
We are supposed to be thrilled that heroine finally won the day, stood up to her mother, and got her man. Really? I never forgave or liked the guy she ended up with. They both had similar childhoods, neglected and hurt by selfish monster parents. But while she grew out of this dung heap into a sensitive, beautiful flower, he came out as gnarled and twisted as his creators. The way I see it, the heroine was so hopelessly brainwashed all her life to take abuse, betrayal, and neglect from everyone around her, that she was ripe for the picking for this awful, morally bankrupt, weak, cheating, lying, psychotic creature. She got herself another undeserving lame duck to pamper and protect to the end of her life. Well, I guess that made her happy but it just made me sad.
May 27, 2017
I know I am going to hate myself when this all over.
This is another book that could easily be filed under suspense/horror. The slow development of horror, suspense and mood reminds me of an old David Niven/Deborah Kerr horror movie set in France called Eye of the Devil.
Not very many likable people in this book as in none.
Joanne, the h, lives with her man-eating mother. Unlike most man-eating mothers this one is soft, sweet and gentle. Unlike most in the romance genre, she actually wants her daughter around. Her daughter knows better than to try and compete with mom as she never wants to know what it would be like to lose a man to her mother.
Past history on her mother. She’s gorgeous, known as “The Face”, but not really a great actress on the screen. In real life she’s Oscar, Emmy and BAFTA gold. Before the h was born, two men dueled, yes dueled over the wench, on the beach. The winner wasAthos the h’s father. Now divorced from the mom, he faded back to England, literally and figuratively, where he married a kinder, gentler, blander woman. The h never sees him as her life evolves around her mother in …an island somewhere. Porthos the loser in the duel left and went back to his wife and child. Too bad he left as he was apparently the better man; the better man as long as fidelity is not a qualifier.
Shades of Mommy Dearest. Everything is sunshine and daisies between actress mother and daughter until the h decides to actually dress her age, 20, rather than as a more young teen. In response to the mother’s fury over her daughter looking attractive, Mumsie’s sycophantic caretaker says,
’Our girl is growing up,' she said in her gruff voice. 'Of course, she'll never be another Clea Thorpe, but we love her just the way she is, don't we?” And we’re off to the races. Everyone, at all costs, makes Clea’s life a little easier.
Ben, Porthos the dueling loser’s son, arrives to kneel at the altar of mom, but seems to have an agenda. Ben plays both sides of the game as he woos the h if you can call luring the h on to a boat and promising to rape her wooing. Risking her life to escape, she jumps the boat and swims to shore. It sounds funny, but it’s not. The H made it obvious that while he lusts for her, the bigger game is revenge on Mom for wrecking his life as a kid.
Ben’s dad, the first dueling cavalier comes back, and he really is better at handling the mother so the h leaves for England. The h gets engaged to Ralph. Ralph’s name is Ralph and he’s a bean counter. Need I say more? Ben ends up in Joanne’s life again and more drama and angst than you can shake a stick oozes out. Wait, it gets worse, or better.
This is another book that could easily be filed under suspense/horror. The slow development of horror, suspense and mood reminds me of an old David Niven/Deborah Kerr horror movie set in France called Eye of the Devil.
Not very many likable people in this book as in none.
Joanne, the h, lives with her man-eating mother. Unlike most man-eating mothers this one is soft, sweet and gentle. Unlike most in the romance genre, she actually wants her daughter around. Her daughter knows better than to try and compete with mom as she never wants to know what it would be like to lose a man to her mother.
Past history on her mother. She’s gorgeous, known as “The Face”, but not really a great actress on the screen. In real life she’s Oscar, Emmy and BAFTA gold. Before the h was born, two men dueled, yes dueled over the wench, on the beach. The winner was
Shades of Mommy Dearest. Everything is sunshine and daisies between actress mother and daughter until the h decides to actually dress her age, 20, rather than as a more young teen. In response to the mother’s fury over her daughter looking attractive, Mumsie’s sycophantic caretaker says,
’Our girl is growing up,' she said in her gruff voice. 'Of course, she'll never be another Clea Thorpe, but we love her just the way she is, don't we?” And we’re off to the races. Everyone, at all costs, makes Clea’s life a little easier.
Ben, Porthos the dueling loser’s son, arrives to kneel at the altar of mom, but seems to have an agenda. Ben plays both sides of the game as he woos the h if you can call luring the h on to a boat and promising to rape her wooing. Risking her life to escape, she jumps the boat and swims to shore. It sounds funny, but it’s not. The H made it obvious that while he lusts for her, the bigger game is revenge on Mom for wrecking his life as a kid.
Ben’s dad, the first dueling cavalier comes back, and he really is better at handling the mother so the h leaves for England. The h gets engaged to Ralph. Ralph’s name is Ralph and he’s a bean counter. Need I say more? Ben ends up in Joanne’s life again and more drama and angst than you can shake a stick oozes out. Wait, it gets worse, or better.
April 4, 2017
This is an intense revenge story as well as a mother/daughter rivalry for the same man. Strap up, because Charlotte Lamb is going to take you on a hell of ride.
Aging actress mother and "plain" 19 year-old heroine are in the South of France for the mother to network and get funding for her latest project. The hero is offering to finance her film, but it's all very suspicious because he is the son of one of the actress's former lovers. (There's a ton of backstory here - but the upshot is that the seven year-old hero's life was ruined when his alcoholic mother committed suicide after his father took up with the actress. The actress went on to marry the heroine's father, but it didn't last long.)
The hero is here to revenge himself on the actress by having an affair with her, publicly jilting her, and then not giving her funding. The hero looks just like his father at the age he had an affair with the actress and the heroine can see her mother falling under his spell.
The hero's father gets wind of this revenge idea and shows up at a party to sweep the actress back off of her feat. They decide to marry. Foiled, the hero decides to take revenge on the heroine - who has given herself a makeover - by raping her on a boat.
(I remember reading this one when it came out. I would have been 17. I was so proud when the heroine dove into the water to swim to shore that was at least two miles away rather than stay and be the hero's play toy.)
The hero has to fish her out of the water and he takes her home, still a virgin, to not be seen again for five years.
The second half of the story is the heroine growing up away from her mother and a chance meeting with the hero who regrets what happened five years before. The heroine is engaged to a wimpy guy and the hero quickly dispatches him. All seems to be heading toward a happy ending for the H/h when the heroine's mother makes an untimely appearance. Seems she can't handle a daughter who is happy or is captivating a man she still wants.
*sigh*
In the actress mother, CL creates a portrait of narcissism and borderline personality disorder that is very astute. The mother never atones for her sins because she is incapable of changing her ways. The heroine still loves her mother but realizes she has to set up boundaries in order to survive - in this case the hero and heroine move to California and vow to love their crazy parents from a distance.
Right after this story I read Sara Craven's Unguarded Moment, which is also about an actress who is interested in the same man as the heroine. This actress just has homegrown vanity and insecurity issues and is capable of change - hence the more optimistic tone at the end. CL is much more realistic in showing what kind of damage narcissists can do and how you have to deal with them. (Notice how the would be rapist hero does less damage to the heroine than her mother ever could - that's some complex writing for an HP)
Aging actress mother and "plain" 19 year-old heroine are in the South of France for the mother to network and get funding for her latest project. The hero is offering to finance her film, but it's all very suspicious because he is the son of one of the actress's former lovers. (There's a ton of backstory here - but the upshot is that the seven year-old hero's life was ruined when his alcoholic mother committed suicide after his father took up with the actress. The actress went on to marry the heroine's father, but it didn't last long.)
The hero is here to revenge himself on the actress by having an affair with her, publicly jilting her, and then not giving her funding. The hero looks just like his father at the age he had an affair with the actress and the heroine can see her mother falling under his spell.
The hero's father gets wind of this revenge idea and shows up at a party to sweep the actress back off of her feat. They decide to marry. Foiled, the hero decides to take revenge on the heroine - who has given herself a makeover - by raping her on a boat.
(I remember reading this one when it came out. I would have been 17. I was so proud when the heroine dove into the water to swim to shore that was at least two miles away rather than stay and be the hero's play toy.)
The hero has to fish her out of the water and he takes her home, still a virgin, to not be seen again for five years.
The second half of the story is the heroine growing up away from her mother and a chance meeting with the hero who regrets what happened five years before. The heroine is engaged to a wimpy guy and the hero quickly dispatches him. All seems to be heading toward a happy ending for the H/h when the heroine's mother makes an untimely appearance. Seems she can't handle a daughter who is happy or is captivating a man she still wants.
*sigh*
In the actress mother, CL creates a portrait of narcissism and borderline personality disorder that is very astute. The mother never atones for her sins because she is incapable of changing her ways. The heroine still loves her mother but realizes she has to set up boundaries in order to survive - in this case the hero and heroine move to California and vow to love their crazy parents from a distance.
Right after this story I read Sara Craven's Unguarded Moment, which is also about an actress who is interested in the same man as the heroine. This actress just has homegrown vanity and insecurity issues and is capable of change - hence the more optimistic tone at the end. CL is much more realistic in showing what kind of damage narcissists can do and how you have to deal with them. (Notice how the would be rapist hero does less damage to the heroine than her mother ever could - that's some complex writing for an HP)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 21, 2021
Before i started reading this book i read some of the reviews to this one and they actually scared me half to death!They got to me so well that i actually made myself ready to some crazy thriller feeling.But god...this is the LAST time i will ever read ANY reviews before i read the books!
Well as usual we all know how scary Charlotte makes her bodice-ripping story,mostly because her heroes are so vindictice,brutal and dangerously out of this world in their own way.
The hero in this story,Ben Norris has topped the list of all Charlotte`s heroes i have got to know in her books.He never slaps or rapes the heroine,as her heroes do in her other books like "Disturbing Stranger","Storm Centre"and"Pagan Encounter" (that one was a classic).
But oh GOD what a dark air he has around of himself and the scenes with him and heroine in the beginning left me with a cold feeling.The scene where he kidnapps her to make love to her GAVE ME THE CREEPS!I won´t say rape but forced seduction because he knew she also wanted him and his BIG FAT EGO wouldn`t take having sex with someone who wouldn`t feel any pleasure.(if ya know what i mean)
But i was instantly impressed by the heroine Joanne Thorpe at the way she escaped his clutches and i was like "GO GIRL"!But through their miserable pasts and the now growing powerful love between them i was glad that Ben decided to win his woman,HUH HOW RELIEVED I WAS when she finally broke up with her fiance,he was such a bore!Really love Ben`s and Joanne`s relationship together,especially after their marriage.Through all the turmoil of extreme emotions they felt all their life,they finally found peace in their love for each other.!
Well as usual we all know how scary Charlotte makes her bodice-ripping story,mostly because her heroes are so vindictice,brutal and dangerously out of this world in their own way.
The hero in this story,Ben Norris has topped the list of all Charlotte`s heroes i have got to know in her books.He never slaps or rapes the heroine,as her heroes do in her other books like "Disturbing Stranger","Storm Centre"and"Pagan Encounter" (that one was a classic).
But oh GOD what a dark air he has around of himself and the scenes with him and heroine in the beginning left me with a cold feeling.The scene where he kidnapps her to make love to her GAVE ME THE CREEPS!I won´t say rape but forced seduction because he knew she also wanted him and his BIG FAT EGO wouldn`t take having sex with someone who wouldn`t feel any pleasure.(if ya know what i mean)
But i was instantly impressed by the heroine Joanne Thorpe at the way she escaped his clutches and i was like "GO GIRL"!But through their miserable pasts and the now growing powerful love between them i was glad that Ben decided to win his woman,HUH HOW RELIEVED I WAS when she finally broke up with her fiance,he was such a bore!Really love Ben`s and Joanne`s relationship together,especially after their marriage.Through all the turmoil of extreme emotions they felt all their life,they finally found peace in their love for each other.!
September 28, 2011
This was an intense revenge story,Ben Forris hated and wanted to destroy Clea who destroyed his mother so he has this plan hatched and starts successfully implementing it,but as he starts to flirt with Clea and gossip starts which is all a part of his plan he notices Joanna who is Clea's daughter she is quiet beautiful but in front of Clea she has always melted in the background
Joanna is somewhat atracted to Ben but she knows who he is and she is confused as to what is he trying to do and has her doubts on Ben-Clea.From childhood Joanna has witnessed all her mothers affairs and she has made strict rules never to be like her but as she is seeing more of Ben she is falling for him but it seems he is taken by Clea
Then arrives Ben's father who knows what is Ben's plan and wnats to stop it and he still loves Clea so now he wants to marry her and tie her to him so that she is not able to go away again,both spend time and are happy to get married,he is a father whom Joanna never had and is glad for them
But at the same time Ben has drawn his own cruel conclusions about Joanna"Like mother like daughter"and now that his father has ruined it he will take his revenge but now it will be Joanna and in this process he really hurts her badly and she goes away
They meet again after 5 years in this years Joanna has completely stood on her feet is financially independent and is engaged to a man and then she meets Ben again and from there on starts again her fight to hide her feelings for Ben,but he is not going to stop this time
Overall this was a good read obviously had bitch slaps and some very cruel moments but Ben-Joanna find their HEA,enjoyed this journey which started out with revenge but ended with a beautiful HEA
What i did'nt liked was Clea even after marrying Ben's father and being happy with him when she comes to know about Ben-Joanna she is jealous,cold and mean to Joanna accuses her of trapping Ben and asks her point blank what was it she did seduced and got pregnant and told her how can she take Ben away from her cause he is the only man who really cared for her not her beauty.So basically for this 5 years she was with Ben's father but secretly pinning away for Ben,this left me grossed so cut 1 star
Joanna is somewhat atracted to Ben but she knows who he is and she is confused as to what is he trying to do and has her doubts on Ben-Clea.From childhood Joanna has witnessed all her mothers affairs and she has made strict rules never to be like her but as she is seeing more of Ben she is falling for him but it seems he is taken by Clea
Then arrives Ben's father who knows what is Ben's plan and wnats to stop it and he still loves Clea so now he wants to marry her and tie her to him so that she is not able to go away again,both spend time and are happy to get married,he is a father whom Joanna never had and is glad for them
But at the same time Ben has drawn his own cruel conclusions about Joanna"Like mother like daughter"and now that his father has ruined it he will take his revenge but now it will be Joanna and in this process he really hurts her badly and she goes away
They meet again after 5 years in this years Joanna has completely stood on her feet is financially independent and is engaged to a man and then she meets Ben again and from there on starts again her fight to hide her feelings for Ben,but he is not going to stop this time
Overall this was a good read obviously had bitch slaps and some very cruel moments but Ben-Joanna find their HEA,enjoyed this journey which started out with revenge but ended with a beautiful HEA
What i did'nt liked was Clea even after marrying Ben's father and being happy with him when she comes to know about Ben-Joanna she is jealous,cold and mean to Joanna accuses her of trapping Ben and asks her point blank what was it she did seduced and got pregnant and told her how can she take Ben away from her cause he is the only man who really cared for her not her beauty.So basically for this 5 years she was with Ben's father but secretly pinning away for Ben,this left me grossed so cut 1 star
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 11, 2023
The real main character of this book is the heroine’s mother.
One of the creepiest mothers ever -and there were some.
She’s an aging film star, a woman in her forties that looks ten years younger with a daughter of 20 that she dresses like a child.
She’s a man eater but this comes naturally to her, she acts like a spoiled child and I think she’s also a bit psychotic because she acts as if she’s in a world of her own.
She loves her daughter but not deeply and she has had many men - even married ones, without an ounce of shame.
She’s amoral.
The poor heroine is lucky she’s got no mental issues, because she was supposed to have one with a mother like that.
She is basically her mother’s guardian.
The hero wants revenge because the woman had an affair with his father and his mother was an alcoholic, he thinks it’s her fault that his mother died an alcoholic, so he pretends to be infatuated with her and starts dating her, telling her he will finance her new movie, while he plans to publicly dump her.
The heroine is attracted to him of course but hates that he dates her mother.
Clearly.
Then the hero’s father who’s the heroine’s mother true love, comes up and asks her to marry him.
Of course she accepts because even if she’s brain addled she understands that he’s her true love. No I’m not joking.
So the hero plans to get his revenge seducing the heroine, almost raping her. She manages to run away jumping in the sea since he kidnapped her into his boat.
There are too many mentally disordered people here.
Years later the heroine has gone and lived with her father who’s a conservative and boring man and is a secretary.
Oh jeezus why but why the only job that a hp heroine can do is a- the housewife b- the secretary??? Why not a writer, a doctor, a stylist, a hairdresser or something else?
Ok, so she’s turned into a boring and dull woman and accidentally she meets the hero again.
She’s also engaged to a boring and dull man - which makes me wonder about the penury of interesting men in England since all the substitutes of the heroes are worth less than nothing.
Each one of them.
The hero of course tries to seduce her again and she suffers from severe TBS so she doesn’t want to give in but her body betrays her. Oh alas! (With her hand on her forehead)
There’s a very embarrassing reunion with all her parents and new partners and the heroines mother, now over fifty, who behaves pitifully and me myself I was embarrassed for them all…
She acts like a child of four, and an annoying one.
When the heroine and the hero finally are together the heroines mother tries to seduce him because no matter is she’s married to his father, no man can say no to her.
Really.
So there’s a big misunderstanding and eventually all is well but I’m not satisfied because even if it was not the heroine’s mother fault if the hero’s mother was an alcoholic, the woman was awful. She even attacked the heroine when she told her she married the hero, because she stole him from her.
And the heroine, instead of slapping her backhand, tries to reassure her. And the cretin man who married her? Is he certified? He deserves a special annuity for disabled people.
Even the hero tries to defend the madwoman in the end.
I just couldn’t.
But the book was entertaining in a crazy kind of way.
Not safe, since the hero was almost surely not celibate during the five years apart, while of course the heroine was.
Sigh.
One of the creepiest mothers ever -and there were some.
She’s an aging film star, a woman in her forties that looks ten years younger with a daughter of 20 that she dresses like a child.
She’s a man eater but this comes naturally to her, she acts like a spoiled child and I think she’s also a bit psychotic because she acts as if she’s in a world of her own.
She loves her daughter but not deeply and she has had many men - even married ones, without an ounce of shame.
She’s amoral.
The poor heroine is lucky she’s got no mental issues, because she was supposed to have one with a mother like that.
She is basically her mother’s guardian.
The hero wants revenge because the woman had an affair with his father and his mother was an alcoholic, he thinks it’s her fault that his mother died an alcoholic, so he pretends to be infatuated with her and starts dating her, telling her he will finance her new movie, while he plans to publicly dump her.
The heroine is attracted to him of course but hates that he dates her mother.
Clearly.
Then the hero’s father who’s the heroine’s mother true love, comes up and asks her to marry him.
Of course she accepts because even if she’s brain addled she understands that he’s her true love. No I’m not joking.
So the hero plans to get his revenge seducing the heroine, almost raping her. She manages to run away jumping in the sea since he kidnapped her into his boat.
There are too many mentally disordered people here.
Years later the heroine has gone and lived with her father who’s a conservative and boring man and is a secretary.
Oh jeezus why but why the only job that a hp heroine can do is a- the housewife b- the secretary??? Why not a writer, a doctor, a stylist, a hairdresser or something else?
Ok, so she’s turned into a boring and dull woman and accidentally she meets the hero again.
She’s also engaged to a boring and dull man - which makes me wonder about the penury of interesting men in England since all the substitutes of the heroes are worth less than nothing.
Each one of them.
The hero of course tries to seduce her again and she suffers from severe TBS so she doesn’t want to give in but her body betrays her. Oh alas! (With her hand on her forehead)
There’s a very embarrassing reunion with all her parents and new partners and the heroines mother, now over fifty, who behaves pitifully and me myself I was embarrassed for them all…
She acts like a child of four, and an annoying one.
When the heroine and the hero finally are together the heroines mother tries to seduce him because no matter is she’s married to his father, no man can say no to her.
Really.
So there’s a big misunderstanding and eventually all is well but I’m not satisfied because even if it was not the heroine’s mother fault if the hero’s mother was an alcoholic, the woman was awful. She even attacked the heroine when she told her she married the hero, because she stole him from her.
And the heroine, instead of slapping her backhand, tries to reassure her. And the cretin man who married her? Is he certified? He deserves a special annuity for disabled people.
Even the hero tries to defend the madwoman in the end.
I just couldn’t.
But the book was entertaining in a crazy kind of way.
Not safe, since the hero was almost surely not celibate during the five years apart, while of course the heroine was.
Sigh.
avoid
April 13, 2017In my opinion, rapists belong in jail. So let's save everyone one of my rants by not trying to read this!
December 12, 2017
"Twist of Fate" is the story of Joanne and Ben.
Joanne is the daughter of famous actress Clea, and has always lived her life in the shadow of her much famous mother without any demands. All is well, until the handsome stranger Ben enters their life, and Joanne realizes he is the son of Jeb, her mother's ex lover and someone who publicly had an affair with Clea despite having a wife and child.
Soon Ben is seen everywhere with Clea, but he also starts pursuing Joanne, much to her excitement and chagrin. Lots of bruising kisses and one rape attempt later, Joanne realizes his true intentions- and once Jeb and Clea reunite, she leaves to make a life of her own..
5 years later she is more mature, cool and confident- until Ben re-enters her life and skunks over everything.
I didnt like anyone in this book tbh. Loads of drama, angry kisses, non consensual attempts at sexual contact, maternal jealousy, OW/OM drama fill this book.
OK at the best.
SWE/Unsafe
1.5/5
Joanne is the daughter of famous actress Clea, and has always lived her life in the shadow of her much famous mother without any demands. All is well, until the handsome stranger Ben enters their life, and Joanne realizes he is the son of Jeb, her mother's ex lover and someone who publicly had an affair with Clea despite having a wife and child.
Soon Ben is seen everywhere with Clea, but he also starts pursuing Joanne, much to her excitement and chagrin. Lots of bruising kisses and one rape attempt later, Joanne realizes his true intentions- and once Jeb and Clea reunite, she leaves to make a life of her own..
5 years later she is more mature, cool and confident- until Ben re-enters her life and skunks over everything.
I didnt like anyone in this book tbh. Loads of drama, angry kisses, non consensual attempts at sexual contact, maternal jealousy, OW/OM drama fill this book.
OK at the best.
SWE/Unsafe
1.5/5
May 25, 2020
A meandering tale from CL that had some good points but overall fell flat for me. The h's backstory (she is the ordinary-girl daughter of a fabulous and famous movie star) was interesting, and the family dynamics (the H's father marries the h's mother, so they are newly step-siblings) were trainwrecky enough to be entertaining. But the story drags, the H and h aren't in nearly enough scenes together, and secondary characters are given unnecessary screen time, resulting in a somewhat dull read. I didn't really like the H or the h, so wasn't vested in their story. This is the first CL I've read in years and if I read it in her heyday, it wasn't memorable (it's no Devil's Arms, that's for sure).
September 25, 2011
this book bothered me a lot more now than it did when i first read it over 30 years ago. the hero was a flat-out jerk, no matter that he did have a terrible childhood, and seemed to think he deserved to bed the heroine, despite the fact that she was an innocent, so when she could have died escaping from him, he still failed to see that what he did was wrong. the heroine was a bit of an enabler for her narcissistic mother.
December 21, 2022
A story about enabling a narcissistic mother where she’s coddled and gets away with everything! Including making everyone miserable without consequence!! Very enjoyable
November 11, 2021
D@mn. I mean just...whoa. This was much more involved than I'm used to reading in her books. The h was such a sympathetic character throughout the book. She had become a caretaker of her mom growing up and that bled over to everyone else it seemed. And the H. The H! Lamb has written some flaming jack@sses in her books but there was always a superficiality to them so it didn't get under your skin. This story was so thoughtfully told that you really felt the h's thoughts and feelings and became so invested in her that you really start to not only HATE the H but also hurt for the h. It also takes place over several years. At least 5. I loved reading about the h trying to find out who she was and standing on her own feet. But I hated her mom. I actually thought the H and her mom were suited for each other. She would've made his selfish life hell. In fact, even though I knew the odds were against it, I had hoped the mom would trap the H and he would watch helplessly knowing his future would be sh*t stuck with her while the h sailed off into the sunset happy as a clam with a bright future. Oh why didn't it?!!!
I can only say if the h hadn't had such an isolated and ignored upbringing she'd never have given the H the time of day.
Also, for those who have read it...
I can't help but wonder if it was just me but that had the h not went to his place that night, he would've got it on with her mom. I mean we know the mom was totally on board but the H? Like, he seems all macho and physical with the h. You mean to tell me he couldn't physically remove her mom from his bed? Or keep her out of his bedroom? I mean the h knew and the mom confirmed that she was angling for him that night. I am just not convinced about him. I think beneath that aggressive exterior he was a very weak man and anytime in the future left alone with her mom he would be unable to push her away. Not because he fancied her but because he was just that weak. Exhibit 1 being at the end how he vacates Pronto when it's him, the h and her mom. Like dude. Why you running all of a sudden? And your insistence beforehand to the h that she wouldn't believe what anyone...said...or...did... I mean, he said it complete with pauses. Now what is he so scared of being said...hmm. I think that part of the WHOLE book is what sticks with me. The fact that I am NOT sure of him. I am 100% sure, just like the h, the mom and everyone else in the book, that the mom was going after him that night. But I am so not sure about him. Just the way it was described how he was so guilty and not in that frantic way but in what I interpret as a really guilty way. I mean, he says she just wanted to talk about her husband (his father's) health. HOW did that conversation happen in his bedroom. True, she was dressed but she was reclining on the d*mn bed. This man was not a virgin. He was highly experienced and manipulative. You can't tell me he didn't know her angle. And still he let her go that far and who knows how much farther? I mean, there was only 1 step farther left you feel me? OK. I gotta take a breath and step back a sec.
So the HEA is odd in that it was very much what the h wanted. So in that sense, it IS an HEA. It's just that I wanted so much more for her. Though I know she felt she had gotten everything she wanted.
I can only say if the h hadn't had such an isolated and ignored upbringing she'd never have given the H the time of day.
Also, for those who have read it...
I can't help but wonder if it was just me but that had the h not went to his place that night, he would've got it on with her mom. I mean we know the mom was totally on board but the H? Like, he seems all macho and physical with the h. You mean to tell me he couldn't physically remove her mom from his bed? Or keep her out of his bedroom? I mean the h knew and the mom confirmed that she was angling for him that night. I am just not convinced about him. I think beneath that aggressive exterior he was a very weak man and anytime in the future left alone with her mom he would be unable to push her away. Not because he fancied her but because he was just that weak. Exhibit 1 being at the end how he vacates Pronto when it's him, the h and her mom. Like dude. Why you running all of a sudden? And your insistence beforehand to the h that she wouldn't believe what anyone...said...or...did... I mean, he said it complete with pauses. Now what is he so scared of being said...hmm. I think that part of the WHOLE book is what sticks with me. The fact that I am NOT sure of him. I am 100% sure, just like the h, the mom and everyone else in the book, that the mom was going after him that night. But I am so not sure about him. Just the way it was described how he was so guilty and not in that frantic way but in what I interpret as a really guilty way. I mean, he says she just wanted to talk about her husband (his father's) health. HOW did that conversation happen in his bedroom. True, she was dressed but she was reclining on the d*mn bed. This man was not a virgin. He was highly experienced and manipulative. You can't tell me he didn't know her angle. And still he let her go that far and who knows how much farther? I mean, there was only 1 step farther left you feel me? OK. I gotta take a breath and step back a sec.
So the HEA is odd in that it was very much what the h wanted. So in that sense, it IS an HEA. It's just that I wanted so much more for her. Though I know she felt she had gotten everything she wanted.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 18, 2020
Joanne was a shadow of her lovely mother
Everywhere she went, Clea Thorpe was the center of attention. And Joanne had been content enough living in her shadows--until Ben Norris arrived at their villa in Nice.
He seemed drawn to Clea, even offered to back her latest film. But his motives were not as simple as they seemed. The day Joanne discovered his real feelings was the day she decided she never wanted to see him again.
Now, after five years, she thought she'd got him out of her system. Then she opened a hotel room door--to suddenly find herself right back at square one!
Everywhere she went, Clea Thorpe was the center of attention. And Joanne had been content enough living in her shadows--until Ben Norris arrived at their villa in Nice.
He seemed drawn to Clea, even offered to back her latest film. But his motives were not as simple as they seemed. The day Joanne discovered his real feelings was the day she decided she never wanted to see him again.
Now, after five years, she thought she'd got him out of her system. Then she opened a hotel room door--to suddenly find herself right back at square one!
January 31, 2014
This is the best she has written though it's not my favorite. I tend not to like things that makes me feel too much- it becomes painful. lol. Anyway Twist of Fate is depressing- that about sums it up. You get the HEA but still...
Charlotte Lamb showed her excellent writing skills and character development in this book, it's greatly written and boldly told.
Charlotte Lamb showed her excellent writing skills and character development in this book, it's greatly written and boldly told.
January 8, 2012
Not a bad older HP. Not very much action because it's an older one, but I was drawn into the story. The heroine's mom is an odd character, but kind of believable actually.
December 5, 2025
Notable for a really messed up mother and all the people around her who coddle her like a child, in the most loving and exasperating of ways. The romance works really well, too, minus a prolonged attempt at forced seduction—though it’s almost made up for by the determined heroine’s bold escape. I wanted more apology and feelings, but it seems still ends on a surprisingly satisfying note. An unusual and well-written, if highly problematic (and often icky), HP.
March 15, 2022
It’s incredibly difficult for me to swallow lies. I much prefer the most bitter truth to any kind of lie and the fact that hero fobbed the heroine off with a lie annoyed the hell out of me.
Also the heroine’s mother sounded like schizophrenic wreck, she was disgustingly unhinged. And as unsavoury as I find the crazy love triangle between the heroine, her mother and the callous hero, and the fact that basically the heroine herself could somehow be regarded as the other woman, it irked me that she allowed herself to be fobbed off by the thin explanation the hero offered her about being reluctant to let her into his suite that night when she found her mother in a slinky evening gown lounging on his bed in his bedroom. (He said she’d come to talk about his father’s illness, but never explained why the conversation had needed to be conducted horizontally).
I think the hero had a sick mother-daughter fetish that he actually made happen and got away with and I’m seriously irritated at CL for forcing this situation on her unsuspecting audience.
Also the heroine’s mother sounded like schizophrenic wreck, she was disgustingly unhinged. And as unsavoury as I find the crazy love triangle between the heroine, her mother and the callous hero, and the fact that basically the heroine herself could somehow be regarded as the other woman, it irked me that she allowed herself to be fobbed off by the thin explanation the hero offered her about being reluctant to let her into his suite that night when she found her mother in a slinky evening gown lounging on his bed in his bedroom. (He said she’d come to talk about his father’s illness, but never explained why the conversation had needed to be conducted horizontally).
I think the hero had a sick mother-daughter fetish that he actually made happen and got away with and I’m seriously irritated at CL for forcing this situation on her unsuspecting audience.
March 14, 2017
I'm giving this book 4 stars because...
i actually liked this book. although Joanne had an evil mother and an compassionate step father was the real deal for me, the way she finally grew some backbone and made a life for her own instead of constantly being im her mothers shadow was a breath of fresh air.
ill admit Ben seemed like a bit of a jerk but when she had threatened to throw herself overboard and would rather drown then be in a bed with him, he didn't rape her like a lot of the other HPs have written about there hero's. he also fought for her, he was the first one to admit his feelings for her and he redeemed himself in the end. the way he cared so much about her feelings dreamy he was.
was a great book
i actually liked this book. although Joanne had an evil mother and an compassionate step father was the real deal for me, the way she finally grew some backbone and made a life for her own instead of constantly being im her mothers shadow was a breath of fresh air.
ill admit Ben seemed like a bit of a jerk but when she had threatened to throw herself overboard and would rather drown then be in a bed with him, he didn't rape her like a lot of the other HPs have written about there hero's. he also fought for her, he was the first one to admit his feelings for her and he redeemed himself in the end. the way he cared so much about her feelings dreamy he was.
was a great book
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 6, 2016
Very generic smooth story. Old HP, which are usually my favorites but this one just didn't have the stuff.
June 27, 2021
Four stars because it's so interesting, albeit not necessarily enjoyable always and very much a product of its time. A large part of the focus is on Joanne's relationship with her mother - a childish, extraordinarily beautiful actress, petrified of aging... and who Joanne deeply loves, and who loves Joanne as best she is able. The hero is the son of the man who had a tragic affair with Clea years ago; he's come back with plans to destroy her, but obviously is attracted to Joanne at first sight. Relatively early in the novel there's a harrowing near-rape scene, where he kidnaps Joanne on his yacht and basically does attempt to rape her; it's petrifying because of the sheer length of it, and the way in which Joanne employs every possible tactic to escape him - she screams for help in multiple languages, tells him she's a virgin, threatens to report him to the police as soon as they land - and he counters every one of them. It's only by throwing herself overboard and attempting to swim for shore that she escapes - he scoops her out of the water and takes her back to the hotel. Joanne then goes to England and tries to live the world's most boring life for five years. The hero shows up and grovels profusely. Is it enough? Not really. The usual Harlequin millionaire novel of the era is wildly unrealistic, but it feels like Lamb really did too good a job here - Joanne was visibly, thoroughly traumatized by her experience on that yacht, and the hero bluntly acknowledges it; that's not forgivable. But the shaping of the novel and the ways in which it focuses on families at large and Joanne's fascinating relationship with her mother are very unusual for Harlequin categories, and that's where the book shines. Don't read for the romance - in fact just skip the scenes between Joanne and Ben in Nice - but the rest of the book is an engrossing read.
July 4, 2019
MASTERPIECE,FASCINATING. This book was a total joy for me all of the emotions from sadness to anger to happiness, all the twists and emotional and physical barriers to the true love was masterly written and the characters were well developed. The story has a good start that keeps getting better and better. Through and through I loved it so much and recommend to all.
February 2, 2020
How many times did the heroine just peace out of things? All the time. The boat, sure, hero was crazy, but everything else, she simply flits away and hopes everything she left behind fixes it's self. Skip.
May 31, 2021
Everything I like in Charlotte Lamb's rather creepy set of characters and plots. Loved how Joanna escaped first him then her mom, then dulls-ville fiance, and finally mom and mom's instilled sense of unworthiness.
May 16, 2022
Death before dishonor was a bit melodramatic but I liked the plot. I like books where the heroine in particular gets a couple of years away from the jerk hero to grow up and make something of her life. H grew up as well.
May 15, 2019
Joanne should have done everyone a favor and just push Clea down the stairs when she had the chance. Kind of eeky reading about how Clea was jealous of Joanne marrying Ben.
September 6, 2019
Its a keeper
April 26, 2020
The hero is absent for most of the book. Mostly it's about the heroine's narcissistic mother. It's short on romance.
April 27, 2020
3.5 stars
February 26, 2021
It’s extremely weird, in that retro way.
I do like the cover though.
I do like the cover though.
October 4, 2021
I found that the excellent reviews were much more interesting than the book.
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