A Matter of Fate

Fate #1

by Heather Lyons

Chloe Lilywhite struggles with all the normal problems of a typical seventeen-year-old high school student. Only, Chloe isn't a normal teenage girl. She's a Magical, part of a secret race of beings who influence the universe. More importantly, she's a Creator, which means Fate mapped out her destiny long ago, from her college choice, to where she will live, to even her job. While her friends and relatives relish their future roles, Chloe resents the lack of say in her life, especially when she learns she's to be guarded against a vengeful group of beings bent on wiping out her kind. Their number one target? Chloe, of course.

That's nothing compared to the boy trouble she's gotten herself into. Because a guy she's literally dreamed of and loved her entire life, one she never knew truly existed, shows up in her math class, and with him comes a twin brother she finds herself inexplicably drawn to.

Chloe's once unyielding path now has a lot more choices than she ever thought possible.

Genres: Fantasy, Paranormal, Young Adult, Romance, Magic, Paranormal Romance, New Adult

558 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 25, 2012

About the author

Heather Lyons is known for writing epic, heartfelt love stories often with a fantastical twist. From Young Adult to New Adult to Adult novels—one commonality in all her books is the touching, and sometimes heart-wrenching, romance. In addition to writing, she's also been an archaeologist and a teacher. She and her husband and children live in sunny Southern California and are currently working their way through every cupcakery she can find.

Reviews

[JB · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF at 51%

I'm done. Can't read another word.

Let me start out by saying that I like the world Heather Lyons has created. It's an interesting place, and one I normally wouldn't mind visiting as a reader. Unfortunately, the romance killed the book for me. I just can't get past it.

Allow me to explain.

I am not a big fan of love triangles. Sometimes they work - and work really well - but in too many cases, love triangles take over the story and create a lot of extra drama I would just as soon not read about. I don't like the idea of soul mates, either, because IMO it makes things too easy. My favorite romances are the ones that don't come easy. I believe HEA's should be earned, not handed out on silver platters.

In "A Matter of Fate", I was hit with a double whammy. Soul mates AND a love triangle. Wary, but determined to give the book a fair shake, I threw myself wholeheartedly into the story, and for a little while, everything was fine. My hopes soared. I was into it. Enjoying it, even.

And then....thud. Crash, meet Burn.

Based on what I read, soul mates are the be-all/end-all. Fate picks your perfect match, and that's it, done deal. You WILL be together. Sure, you can try to date someone else, but that's only because you're stupid and confused and not willing to embrace your glorious romantic destiny. A fact your friends and loved ones will be more than happy to point out to you. They'll line up in droves to lecture, advise, and bully you into submission. They will tell you, ad nauseum, that you are making a big mistake even THINKING of being with someone else. Because, DUH, don't you realize how lucky you are? Do you honestly think Fate lines up soul mates for just anyone? Puh-lease! That honor is only bestowed on Really Important People like YOU. Everyone else is shit out of luck, but hey, they're just peons on the lower tiers, they don't count anyway, right? Forget them, and forget the boy you're currently with! Time to wake up and get with the soul mate program, girlfriend! Fate has blessed you with guaranteed love and you MUST seize it with both hands!

Okay fine, whatever. I get it. Soul mates = endgame. So then why spend 1/2 the book building up a relationship between Chloe and someone she is never going to be with? Why go to such pains to tell me how great and wonderful he is, how electric their connection is, and how right she feels every time she is with him? Call me crazy, but I actually thought Chloe would take a stand, that she would thumb her nose at Fate and say "I'll choose my own soul mate, thank you very much!" Because that's what she claimed she wanted. The right to choose her own destiny. Naturally I assumed she would apply that same attitude to her love life. More fool me.

Chloe sucks face with one brother, secretly moons over the other, and isn't honest with either of them. And when the truth finally does come out and all the cards are on the table, what does she do? She has a tearful conversation with her boyfriend, and as soon as he is out of the picture, she runs straight into the arms of her destined soul mate. To add further insult to injury, she has the nerve to wax poetic about how wonderful her soul mate's kisses are, how sexy he is, and how her life is now (finally!) complete - and she does this mere PAGES after saying goodbye to the other guy! And as a reader, I'm supposed to be okay with this? Are you fucking kidding me?

No. Just...no.

[Jen (jenslostinthepages) ♥Star-Crossed Book Blog♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Matter of Fate was captivating, slowly intoxicating and emotionally charged. While everything unfolded at a slower pace, and it was heavily character driven, I found myself glued to the pages. We're taken through daily struggles, friendships, battles, love, and even learning and watching how Magicals influence the universe. But what was at the heart of this story, in my eyes, was the most emotionally gutting love triangle I have ever read. And I will most definitely be continuing on with this series, because my heart has to know what happens next.

Why does this hurt so much? If this is how it’s supposed to be, then why do I feel like I’m breaking apart?

We're led through the story with Chloe, who is a Magical. And within the Magical race, she is a Creator. This means she will be asked to create and destroy anything and everything in the world, including civilizations. I felt suffocated right along with her. Fate has mapped out her life, and she few choices for how it'll all go down. On top of that, her parents are heartless and leave her clueless about what it means to be a Magical, since she lives on the human plane and goes to a human high school. But thankfully she doesn't feel entirely alone, since she has her Cousins in her life. They're not all technically related to her, but each of them are Magicals and have different ways that they'll influence the Universe. I adored Cora, Meg, Lizzie and even Alex.

I look out the window, at the streaking colors, now muted with growing shadows. And then I find myself telling him the truth. “I’d want to go somewhere and be anyone who wasn’t me.”
For a long moment, the only sounds are that of tires on blacktop. Rather than saying something unhelpful like, Why would you want to do that? Kellan merely says, “You and me both.”

But her whole world shifts in class one day, physically and emotionally. A boy walks into the classroom that she knows , but she's never met him outside of her dreams. Since they were four, they've been together in Chloe's dreams. They slowly became each other's best friends and even fell in love. But a year ago he disappeared, and she was heart-broken that he was gone from her dreams. So seeing Jonah in real life floors Chloe. And in those first few pages we see Jonah, I was captivated by him. He was sexy, alluring, and oh so beautiful. But he doesn't approach her, and before she can talk to him, everything gets flipped upside down.

And like a fool, I take a step closer, unable to resist the pull toward him any longer. He is confused, wary . . . and yet also unable to resist the pull, because he tentatively reaches out his hand and touches my face so lightly, I wonder if the fingers are even there or not.

You see, Chloe realizes Jonah has a twin. One she never knew about. And his name is Kellan, and he has no problem approaching Chloe. Their moments together made me gasp and giggle. I adored Kellan and I couldn't get enough of him. So it was inevitable that I fell head over heels in love with him. He commanded my full attention and he made my heart race. Kellan was funny, caring, loving and intoxicating. I loved his words, his mannerisms, every single tiny thing about him. Now here's the but. But while Chloe has always loved Jonah, she ends up with Kellan, and I was selfishly okay with that.

Beneath my ear, his heartbeat speeds up. Finally, “If you need me, I will always be here for you.”
These words mean more to me than he’ll ever know. I press my face harder against him, clutch at his shirt tighter. He is my anchor. He is my strength. He is here, for me, and even though I don’t deserve it, I take it.

So I struggled. Because while Jonah takes more of a backseat throughout certain parts of the story, and that was perfectly fine by me, then you learn stuff. And it threw me for a loop. So my heart was on the line constantly while Chloe vacillated between the twins. Chloe broke my heart apart, because while I desperately wanted her to just be with Kellan, I got why she kept getting drawn back to Jonah. And usually I end up screaming and wanting to pull my hair out at love triangles, but this time I got it. And I never once got mad at Chloe.

“Fate sucks,” I say, trying hard not to cry. Which is stupid, because he knows I’m upset, and even worse because he knows it’s over his brother.
“Yeah,” he says quietly. “Sometimes, it really does.”

I became completely invested and totally addicted. The writing, story line and characters pulled me in, and I'm scared yet excited to see where this story goes. So wish me luck, because I'm reading Jonah's novella next - Beyond Fate. And while I hope he'll just die to make the story easier, yes I know I'm awful lol, I'm scared to death I'm going to fall for him. Just like Kellan. *Takes a deep breath* Here I go......

*ARC kindly provided by Author via Inkslinger PR in exchange for an honest review*

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[Natasha is a Book Junkie · Rating 5 out of 5]

“A flower blooms inside my chest. No, an entire garden of lovely, precious feelings forms. I am lightheaded, deliriously happy. And he knows it, because his gorgeous smile mirrors the sun before he kisses me.”

My name is Natasha and I'm a closeted paranormal/urban fantasy junkie. There, I said it. I don't share this normally about me because I am very picky in my reading choices when it comes to this particular genre, but once in a while a book comes along that makes me want to shout it out from a mountain top for everyone to hear, skywrite it for everyone to see, for everyone to know that I have found a precious little gem. What could only be explained as a well-kept secret among those who have read and loved it, this book will keep you glued to the pages from start to finish, with never a dull moment in sight, never a scene that won't provoke one deep emotion or another in you. Immaculately written, original and engaging, emotional and touching, this book is truly the full package.

Chloe appears to be just an ordinary seventeen-year-old, in her last year of high school, with the usual issues of a teenager - parents who pay very little attention to her, meddling but loyal group of friends, boy trouble. But nothing in Chloe’s life is ordinary. We learn very early on in the story that there is a whole race of beings whose existence is kept secret, a race of Magicals spread over seven planes of existence, comprising of a number of different beings as well as Humans. Their history is deeply entrenched in human history, their actions influencing and often determining the course of events throughout time.

“Our kind is responsible for influencing the course of events within our world and beyond. According to legend, Magicals have been around since the beginning of time, charting courses for the civilizations they populated. All of the major events which have occurred over history of the Earth can be traced back to Magicals.”

Each Magical is gifted with specific powers, determined at birth but their full extent only developed during Ascension, a transition that each Magical goes through once they turn eighteen. Nothing about a Magical’s life is accidental, every aspect of it determined by the almighty Fate.

“Everything about being a magical is preordained, set in stone. From the moment of birth, a Magical learns of their craft from a Seer and whether or not they’ll join the governing Council. There’s no room to manoeuvre, no room to change course. Everything is dictated by the nebulous yet all-important Fate.”

Chloe is a Creator, the most powerful of all Magicals, with the ability to build up and destroy civilizations at will if needed. Because of her great power and her future role in her society, Chloe has always had a mapped-out life, with no freedom to make her own choices one day or deviate from what she is told her priorities should be. But Chloe struggles with such responsibilities. She wishes she could choose her own path in life, simple things such as which university to attend, what to study, what to make of her future. Whom to marry.

What no one knows about Chloe is that since she was a little girl she has been dreaming about a boy named Jonah. He was more real to her than any other person in her life – he was her first real friend, her first kiss, her first love, the only one who knew everything about her. They grew up together, creating shared memories night after night, their bond only getting stronger over time. And then after more than a decade of shared dreams, one day he just disappeared and never came back to her, causing her to fall into depression and making her question everything in her life.

“Jonah isn’t some random high school crush to me ... This is the person I fell in love with before I could read. My best friend. The person I’ve trusted with tragedies and victories. The person who knows all of my deep, dark secrets. He is my heart.”

Until he just walks one day into her classroom. With a twin brother called Kellan. What follows is much more than just a teenage love triangle – Chloe’s inner battle over her feelings towards both brothers confuses her, troubles her, tears her apart. While her Connection to Jonah is unquestionable and solidified by the memories they share, her attraction to Kellan is just as primal and impossible to fight.

“…that’s an amazing thing, at seventeen, to be so sure of someone. To know that they will always be there for you, that they will always accept you as you are. So many people never find this, seventeen or seventy. So many people search their entire lives to find someone to share their existence with and fail. But not me - I’ve found my home.”

Chloe finds herself torn between two opposite things that her heart is telling her to do, all the while fighting for her life and the safety of those around her. By creating a magical new world for us, a reality that incorporates mythology as well as fairytales, Ms Lyons gives us a myriad of loveable characters that are as fantastical as they are ‘human’. They make mistakes, follow their hearts, show faults and insecurities, and fight for what they believe in. We are given a lesson in forgiveness, living in the moment and appreciating every second, about how imperfect love can be and still be worth fighting for.

“Love isn’t always clean and pretty - sometimes it’s messy, cruel, and confusing. And sometimes, it doesn’t turn out the way you want it to. But then, the beauty of love is that it’s very strong, and when it’s real, it’s worth it.”

We are shown that it is the little things in life, the small off-path diversions, the new experiences enriching our lives that really count, regardless of how clear our destination is. The journey we travel to reach that destination can be just as important as the destination itself.

An absolute pleasure to read, a book you won’t be able to put down, a story you will hope it continues. If you are a fan of authors such as Cassandra Clare, Richelle Mead, Kate Lauren or Becca Fitzpatrick, to name a few, you will enjoy this story immensely. Or if you just want a spectacularly and responsibly written book, a story that will move you, shake you, make you believe in fairytales again, look no further. This is that book.

“… today is all about this moment. Because that’s what life really is all about. A series of moments strung together. We do our best to deal with what we have at any given second.”

~ N ♥

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[Sláinte Wanderlust · Rating 3 out of 5]

So when I read the reviews and blurb for this book I was like..

Then I started reading it and I was like...

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

See more reviews at The Book Asylum

As some of you may know, I just got my new Kindle Paperwhite after waiting (im)patiently for over a month. As I charged it up, I tried to narrow down titles and make a choice as to what novel would have the honor of being the first to grace the new reader. It was a tough call, but I re-read the description of A Matter of Fate and was sold. Young girl struggling with her fate, secret race of Magical beings, vengeful spirits, hot twin brothers, perhaps a love triangle? I’m there.

A Matter of Fate is a YA fantasy/romance novel that is told from the first person perspective of 17 year old Chloe Lilywhite, a Magical who happens to be an exception among the exceptional. She is a Creator who has the power to build up and destroy civilizations at will. As she is only one of two Creators (the other is very old) she is very special to the Magical world. Once she turns 18, she will Ascend which means she will gain full access to all of her powers. Chloe completely resents her path in life and what she perceives as her lack of free will. Unfortunately for Chloe she also has parents who are emotionally detached and perpetually disappointed in her. Over the years, she has found comfort and connection in two places: her best friends/cousins Cora (Shaman), Lizzie (Muse), Alex (Intellectual), and Meg (Joy) who are also Magicals, and in her dreams with a boy named Jonah. Since she was four years old she has dreamt of him. She never thought he was real until one day he shows up at her school. And that’s where the story begins…

Right away, the pace of the story is quick, thrusting you into Chloe’s confused thoughts about Jonah showing up at her school after him being absent from her dreams for the last year. She didn’t anticipate him ever being real, let alone him having an identical twin - Kellan. Things tend to spin out of control pretty fast for Chloe on the relationship/love front. I don’t want to give anything away, but I will say that although I didn’t always agree with her decisions, I could understand why she made them…or avoided them altogether. Kellan and Jonah are both achingly beautiful characters. Though each has their own distinct personality and energy, they were both very warm, generous, intelligent, confident and selfless when it came to Chloe. Between the description of them and Chloe’s obvious affection for each of them, it was almost impossible not to swoon over them. New book boyfriends? Yeah. I think so. Definitely.

Lyons evens out the crazy relationship angst with a more serious situation that could see Chloe attacked or even murdered by a group of non-corporeal beings hell-bent on taking out important members of the Magical race. As the next Creator, Chloe is a top target thus warranting protection from the Guard (sort of the military for Magicals). As you can imagine, she’s none too thrilled with this arrangement either, but it allows for the expansion of the cast and we get to meet some amazing new characters who fill out the story beautifully. Additionally, this thickened the plot giving Lyons the chance to flex her literary muscles a bit. From writing an intricately crafted, believable, and tension-filled romantic story line to hitting readers with fast-paced, edge of your seat action sequences again and again, Lyons showed huge range as an author. I’m not sure why, but it took me by surprise. The transitions were all flawless. One chapter, I am fully engrossed in an intimate moment with Chloe and her beloved and the next, I’m frantically breathing through a car chase, or a fight sequence, or a free fall off a bridge! Those high-paced action sequences had me so tense wondering if the characters were going to make it out alive, I couldn’t read fast enough. It was AWESOME!

The Magical world that Lyons has created does not disappoint. It seems she really thought of everything - a long history, customs, and seven planes of reality (Elvin, Goblin, Dwarven, Gnomish, Faerie, Human, and Annar – the Magical plane)… Basically, any question that you might have about this alternate universe is covered. The details are so striking, so well-developed, and easy to understand that I never found myself confused or having to go back and re-read anything. It seems I ALWAYS have to go back and re-read something when reading a fantasy, but not with A Matter of Fate. It was so refreshing to just absorb everything and completely lose myself in this story.

This was a fairly long book at 558 pages, but it never felt slow or lacking in any way (which is why it took me less than 24 hours to finish it). I have to admit, there were opportunities where the story could have fallen off and lost me, but it never did. Whether it was the action sequences, the relationships building and evolving, or the confusion and emotional turmoil Chloe experienced being inexplicably drawn to two men there was always something new and exciting. I was always in the moment with the characters as if I was watching the story play out with my own eyes. It was exhilarating!

As the debut novel from an unknown (at least to me) author, I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started this book. I was impressed not only by the writing, but by how defined the characters were, and I’m not just talking about Chloe, Jonah, and Kellan. There were a number of secondary characters that were hugely important to Chloe’s story, and also to the greater Magical world. Kyle, a Quake (can manipulate earth) and the member of the Guard assigned to protect Chloe, easily grew into one of my favorite characters. He could be rough around the edges, but he was always there for her helping her navigate the Magical world, listening to her, giving counsel, helping her hone her skills as a Creator. He was the loving big brother and father figure she never had and always needed and I loved him for that! Cora, Chloe’s distant cousin, was funny, bright, stubborn, and challenging, but she always tried to do her best for Chloe. I may not have liked her at times, but I respected her and her loyalty to be true to her friend. Caleb was a fun, sometimes mysterious character that I loved to see pop up in the story. All the other members of the Guard, Moira, Astrid… even the characters you loved to hate were very distinct and consistent.

I may never have known about this title had the Heather Lyons not contacted me talking about her love of cupcakes and asking for an honest review. I am so glad she did! Upon completion, I begged her to tell me that this was not a standalone novel. I breathed a sigh of relief when she told me that she is currently working on the second book and that there will be a third too. When you read this book, I hope you’ll be able to see, as I do, what a promising future these books and Lyons has ahead of her. I would absolutely recommend this book to any reader who loves a well-developed plot, heavy on romance (love triangle) and fast-paced action. A love of Fantasy is not required – any fiction lover will enjoy this book and at only $2.99 you cannot go wrong with A Matter of Fate!

[Cristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I started reading this book I knew very little and I wasn’t certain what to expect. It’s books such as these that surprise me and leave me with an intense feeling of anticipation for the release of the sequel. This story is not only action packed but it’s also filled with angst and the love triangle is stressful and heartbreaking! There are so many layers to this story filled with supporting characters that have depth and each have their purpose.

There's a reason why I love urban fantasy/pnr so much and it's because it's a world where anything is possible. I say that almost every time I finish reading a book of this kind! Not only was this book incredibly well written but my imagination was stretched to the fullest extent possible and I was lost in a world created by Heather Lyons. If I could crawl inside this book and live amongst all the magicals in all the different planes with all the different gods, I would!!!

This is the story of a gal that's destined for greatness despite the internal battle that rages within her for a chance to be and live a normal life. She's meant to be a Creator; one who can create and destroy anything which certainly feels like a god-like quality. A Matter of Fate isn't just about magic and the supernatural but it's also a story about relationships. It's about choices we’ve made and how those choices affect the people we love.

The heroine of this story, Chloe, not only is she trying to come to terms with being a Creator but she’s in love with Jonah and Kellan. Both Jonah and Kellan are classified as Emotionals and can read feelings and manipulate them. Fate has connected her to both and so the drama begins. As the story progresses you see Chloe evolve from a girl into a young woman embracing what she’s meant to do and while she knows she’s meant to be with her first love, Jonah she can’t deny the love she has for Kellan. To see her and Jonah make mistakes and grow from them was inspiring because ultimately forgiveness is the true gift in life.

The pace and depth of this story are perfect, the writing is fluid and I was surprised at how long it was. While it may be over 400 pages there isn’t a dull moment at all! Everything you want in a book is in A Matter of Fate!

“Love isn’t always clean and pretty - sometimes it’s messy, cruel, and confusing. And sometimes, it doesn’t turn out the way you want it to. But then, the beauty of love is that it’s very strong, and when it’s real, it’s worth it.”

My final two cents: Take a chance on this book and embrace a world filled with endless possibilities! ;)

[Brenna]

DNF @ 28%

I never really do this, but I just can't get into this book. I don't necessarily think there's something wrong with it, I just can't connect and the love triangle is already annoying me. When I start skimming this early and it takes me 4 days to get this far, I need to just cut my losses.

[Vilma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Riveting, heart-wrenching, amazing, extremely well-written, achingly real and totally unique! One of my favorite reads ever! It left me breathless with heart break, gripped me with its mystery and had me reveling in heart-happy, true-love moments. A must read! 6 stars!!!
——————————

I could go on and on about this book. There really is something special about reading paranormal/fantasy books because it shatters the boundaries of my imagination. The story doesn’t exist within the framework of reality and so I really don’t know what will happen next and I relish in that feeling of the unknown. It’s exciting and unnerving and I love it! This book did that for me, not only was I hooked by the characters in the story, but I was also just as hooked by the story itself. It’s unique and fresh and just so good. This book inspired me to do what I hadn’t done in awhile…pick up the phone, call and text my reader friends saying I had found the next OMG-you-have-got-to-read-this-or-else book! A Matter of Fate totally blew me away. It reminded me of why I love to read and why I love to blog, because when you find a book that’s this good, you have to share it! Have I convinced you yet?!

Oh and did I mention it has a love triangle???

Ok, someone slap me. Hard.

Because I’ve put it out there that I don’t read books with triangles. However, this is the third love triangle book I’ve read this year. Like I said, slap me. I officially withdraw my rule. However, the reason I don’t typically read these books is because I tend to get really stressed and oh boy… this love triangle is without a doubt the most painful, heart-breaking, stress-inducing one I’ve ever read about. I mean, even now, my heart is hurting. I LOVE both of these guys. And if anyone starts putting teams together, I’m going to get my feelings hurt. They mean that much to me! I do not want anyone picking sides! And yes, I get that crazy invested in books sometimes. But hopefully, since you are readers, you understand my level of nutty. Did I mention they are brothers?! Heart. Breaking. But read it anyway. You will fall deeply in love with these guys. They have skyrocketed up in my favorite book boyfriends list. And I refuse to choose, dammit. So what is this amazing book about? FATE. And let me tell you, FATE IS A BITCH.

Our heroine, Chloe Lilywhite is a Magical. Her kind is “responsible for influencing the course of events within our world and beyond.” Not only that, but Chloe is a Creator, which means she has the ability to create and destroy anything. She’s a rare breed and she’s very powerful, but her future is completely mapped out for her, leaving her without choice or much say in the matter.

“Everything about being a Magical is preordained, set in stone. From the moment of birth, a Magical learns of their craft from a Seer and whether or not they’ll join the governing Council. There’s no room to maneuver, no room to change course. Everything is dictated by the nebulous, yet all-important fate.”

This world that Heather Lyons has created is exciting. There are so many directions she can take the story and I feel like I’m still just scratching the surface of what this world, and the intrinsic challenges it presents, is all about. The story really kicks off when the boy that Chloe has literally dreamed about since she was 5… the boy she’s been in love with for years… the boy that is a figment of her dreams… walks in to her math class.

“He’s sitting by the windows, doing math — in my classroom! He’s no daydream, no figment of my imagination — although for many years he’d been exactly that.”

Chloe is reeling. She can’t believe this is happening! Is he real?! And then guess what… that gorgeous boy has a twin brother. Meet the Whitecomb boys – Jonah and Kellan.



What happens? Well, everything spins out of control when Chloe feels a pull for both brothers. It’s as tangible and real with each one of them. She questions her feelings of course, after all, Jonah has been her everything for so long.

“Jonah isn’t some random high school crush to me … This is the person I fell in love with before I could read. My best friend. The person I’ve trusted with tragedies and victories. The person who knows all of my deep, dark secrets. He is my heart.”

And dear lord, this is when my world began to fall apart, because, my heart broke for Chloe, Kellan and Jonah. They are in an impossible situation and although I didn’t always agree with Chloe’s choices, I totally and completely understood her. I mean, really, who ever does the right thing in the face of heartache?! And how can one control the power of their own heart? How can one really combat fate?

There are many moments between the characters that are beautiful and heartfelt… they are so all so incredibly well-developed that I felt every. single. thing. that happened. I was also really happy with those moments where things seemed to click into place.

“A flower blooms inside my chest. No, an entire garden of lovely, precious feelings forms. I am lightheaded, deliriously happy. And he knows it, because his gorgeous smile mirrors the sun before he kisses me.”

So much more happens in this book that you’ll have to read and experience yourself. The characters are so real. They’re flawed, they make mistakes, but they love so deeply. We also learn Chloe is in grave danger and her two men will do anything to protect her. There’s some big-time action in the book too!

In addition to Chloe, Kellan and Jonah, there is an amazing supporting cast of characters: Lizzie (Muse), Cora (Shaman), Alex (Intellectual), Meg (Joy), Karl (Quake) and a Faerie named Caleb. As I read, the movie played in my mind… this would be brilliant on screen!

Overall, this book is just such an amazing find, it’s so well-written that it was easy to find myself completely immersed and captivated by this world and its characters. I literally wish I could buy this book for every person I know because I want you all to experience it! There is yet so much to happen, so many questions unanswered… but I truly feel, in the end, this is a love story. What we are willing to do for love, and often times, what we must sacrifice for love.



There are 5 books planned in the Fate Series. A Matter of Fate is book 1 and A Matter of Heart (out June 25th) is book 2. Heather Lyons is currently writing book 3 and hopes to have it out this fall. Book 4 will be out first half of next year and Book 5, which is actually a companion novel where Chloe will not be the main character, will be out the latter half of 2014.

For more reviews, visit Vilma's Book Blog and connect with me on Facebook!

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh man this book was so good! I was hooked right from the get go, it was honestly so hard to even put this book down to go to sleep!

First we have Chloe, who by the way is totally awesome! She is a magical, basically the fate of everything essentially lies in her hands… yea that’s a lot of pressure for a teenage girl! But even though she doesn’t want the responsibility, she finally is able to come to terms with it because well she has no choice.

Then we meet Jonah… and KELLAN! Ok, so they are twins and they are both super hot and sweet… but they are like total oppisites! Jonah is more quiet and reserved and he has loved Chloe for basically his whole life. Kellan is arrogant and has a short temper, and he falls in love with Chloe the moment he meets her.

*sigh* I love a good love triangle, and this one is so fantastic! But the best part about this book? It has SO much more going on then just the love triangle! All the twists and turns this book took? I was totally not expecting, and its why I just had to keep reading!

I am so looking forward to the next book in this series because I am still rooting for Kellan even though I do have a soft spot for Jonah… Kellan is the one that Chloe should be with!

[Tricia Santos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my gods! I'm an emotional wreck! I'm in love with both of them too! I need to read the next two now! I'll write something more coherent later when I've had time to process this...

This is the most intense love triangle I have ever had the chance to read. I could barely handle it, and I love love triangles. Chloe is a relatable heroine. AND THE BOYS. Omg I love them both so much! And equally! I couldn't imagine being in Chloe's shoes. This book was unique with the plot and the supernatural world that Heather Lyons has created. Speaking of, she is an INCREDIBLE writer. It flows and it makes sense. The emotions are all encompassing, and I definitely get heavily invested emotionally when it comes to my books. I was happy with the ending. Mostly. I am so addicted. I can't wait for the next one.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a believer. It's really that simple. I have never in my life cracked a book with any sort of "magical land" or mythical anything. I have never read a book about a certain sorcerer, a book about hobbits or even one about vampires. It isn't something that has ever really interested me. I like things I can feel and put myself into. Stories that I find plausible. This is where my disclaimer must come in.....I know the author of A Matter of Fate. Now don't get upset, I haven't seen her in over 21 years with the exception of Facebook. However, I know that this is her dream and I wanted to support her. I am a reading machine and thought it was time to step out of my comfort zone of chick lit and romantic comedies. Am I forever grateful I did.

At first glance you think this is a story about magic. And true, there is magic but it isn't only the mystical kind, it is the magic of maturity, love and growth. I sit here smiling as I think of the characters and the paths that they paved. I don't want to give anything away, you must MUST read the book to fully understand how full of love for these characters you become. I do not believe in spoilers, I believe in guidance. I believe in telling you how this book has made a believer out of a non-believer.

We start with the simple high school senior, Chloe. She is an only child with less than involved parents. She is lucky enough to have a group of friends, cousins if you will, of other kids just like her. Chloe, even with her friends still feels a void but isn't quite sure why that is. We instantly relate to Chloe, from page 1 until the end. We all have been Chloe or perhaps are Chloe. She is a girl whose life has been planned for her and although she knows it is the path she must take, she still isn't confident in her ability to succeed.

We learn that Chloe, like her cousins, is a Magical. Magicals live among us in human form although they are truly the beings that make our lives and world what it is...they create, they are emotions, they are healer, they are the weather and the storms, they provide knowledge ... their destiny is mapped out for them and it isn't without sacrifice. The Magicals are on a pre-destined path that is based on rules and extreme sacrifices of the average person.

Nestled in this story of self growth and self discovery is a beautiful love story. It is a story of true and unconditional love. A love that is tested and tried. A love that cannot be denied but that does not come without hurt and pain. There are stories of friendship, parent-child relationships, and sibling rivalry. Thrown in for the perfect trifecta is action, adventure and a little intrigue.

If you love a good coming of age story, a sweet and tender love story, a little action for some spice and an ending that leaves you wanting more, take a chance on A Matter of Fate, I promise you will not be sorry you did.

[BookHookup · Rating 4 out of 5]

What if you knew you were a Magical but no one would give you the information you needed to fully understand it? And what if, even with this lack of information, people continuously told you they had great expectations for you? What if your parents were cold and distant and your friends tried to help but even they only knew so much? What if Fate had mapped out your entire life and taken away your ability to decide things for yourself? What if that boy you dreamed about for years turned out to be real? And what if you fell in love with his twin brother when deep down you knew you loved him as well? Easy, right? I think not! Welcome to Chloe Lilywhite’s life!

This book hooked me from the very beginning. Jonah shows up in her class and immediately Chloe is thrust into complete confusion. Add to that the fact that Kellan, his twin brother, is the one she connects with immediately and things get even worse. The tension is palpable! I felt for her predicament and I liked that she still kept her spunk and her energy. Each time life threw her a curve ball in this book, she figured out what her next step was and barreled forward. Jonah and Kellan were great characters…twins that were alike and different enough to be engaging. Now, of course, I have a favorite and this book served only to break my heart over and over because of the situations he found himself in. But that’s the beauty of this story…all the emotions were there! I wasn’t at all bothered by the love triangle in this story because it sort of made sense to me from the beginning and, in the end when I got additional information, it was crystal clear. Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t like that my guys was hurting, but I understood why.

The secondary characters were very well written as well. I especially loved Karl. He wore his emotions on his sleeve and he became Chloe’s big brother of sorts…looking out for and protecting her. The cousins were great as well, each with their unique personality and role to play in this great story! I thought their individual storylines were important in this book as well and, even though I didn’t always agree with their actions, I knew they always had the best intentions.

Now, before you discount this story as simple a love story, think again. This is a story of a girl who needs to rise to her full potential in order to save those she loves and the magical world. The romance is nicely balanced with some very well written action. There are twists and turns and mysteries to solve and, of course, there’s emotions to deal with. So the book moves quickly in parts and then, in turn, slows for the emotional turmoil of the romance. I must admit that I found the ending to be a bit slower than I would have liked, it could have ended without as much detail, but that did not in any way change how I felt about this book. It was a great read and I’m really looking forward to the next book!!

[Tee loves Kyle Jacobson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Matter Of Fate is a Brilliant READ! Oh man I just loved this story so much. I am a sucker for love triangles and this story has a unique love triangle. I have to say that this is one book that I really did not like the cover but man the saying don't judge a book by it's cover is never more true when it comes to this book. Lord let me tell you when I started reading this book I could not put it down and I wanted no needed more when I came to the end and I am so looking forward to reading book two.

Chloe is not your average 17 year old high school student. She has a secret and that secret is she is a magical. She is able to influence the universe. She loves what she can do. But and yes there is always a but when it comes to teenagers. She is a special magical because she is a creator and her life is mapped out for her. She is no fan of that but what can she do. She has everything mapped out for her from where she will go to college to who she will marry. That is a little scary if you ask me but she is mad because she would like to chose her path in life.

Then if matters are not worse the poor girl is trapped in a love triangle. She has dreamed about a boy a beautiful boy when one day he walks into her math class and she nearly dies because she can't believe her eyes.Only he does not come alone he is a twin and the twin is a brother. Jonah and Kellan will fight for Chloe and as all love triangles this is where it gets interesting. Who will she chose? Will it be Jonah or will it be Kellan? Well you have to read this story and decide for yourself because I am on the fence. She should be with one but the other is very appealing. Why can't she have both???????????

[Meredith · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Matter of Fate by Heather Lyons was amazing – plain and simple. It was unique and original, the world-building was incredible and I loved Chloe’s voice and the tone of the story. I don’t think I can put it into words in a way that will make sense, but I just loved it.

The main character, Chloe, is a Magical. Magicals are the “cause of an event. The effect is what society and the people within choose to do with it once it’s begun.” Everything about being a Magical is set in stone, and Chloe just wants to be able to make her own choices.

Chloe’s relatable and likable. As a Creator – someone who can build up and destroy civilizations at will (or, as per the Council), she has many responsibilities. Creators are especially important to the Council because they are rare. As such, Chloe’s life is even more set in stone than most Magicals. She doesn’t like having her entire life mapped out for her, but she still manages to hold her head high.

Near the middle/end, Chloe really starts to get obnoxious and hypocritical. But oddly enough, this felt like it matched her personality. I don’t even know if that makes sense. She was whiny, hypocritical and ridiculous, but she had her reasons for it, so it didn’t annoy me as much as it normally would. I understood where she was coming from, and I understood why she had to whine and pout for awhile.

Early on in the book, we are introduced to Jonah and Kellan Whitecomb. In the beginning, Jonah comes off as a loner, keeping to himself and ignoring Chloe almost completely. It takes way too long for Chloe and Jonah to talk, honestly, and Jonah’s constant avoidance of Chloe gets frustrating. As the story progresses, we learn why he avoided her, but it’s still really upsetting. Don’t get me wrong, I liked Jonah well enough, but he wasn’t my favorite match for Chloe.

Kellan, though, is swoon-worthy almost from the minute he and Chloe start talking, and I instantly loved him and wanted Chloe to be with him. Some of my favorite Kellan moments? When he calls himself an attention whore, I laughed out loud! Also, when he used the term “Ankle Biters” he reminded me of Uncle Jessie from Full House. This definitely earned him some brownie points!

I loved Karl, so much. He was protective and fatherly, like a big brother for Chloe. He tried so hard to act tough, yet deep down, he was just such a softie. His guidance was exactly what Chloe needed. He was trustworthy, both to Chloe as a character and to myself as a reader. His protectiveness brought happy tears to my eyes.

Another character I loved is Astrid. As much as Karl is like a fatherly figure to Chloe, Astrid is like a motherly type to her. She’s kind, understanding and, above all else, honest. She doesn’t belittle Chloe, the way her parents do. She confirms so many things for Chloe, putting Chloe at ease – to a certain extent. It’s more than Chloe’s parent’s have ever done and, for that, I love Astrid.

Cora was a frustrating character. She was the stereotypical best friend, both there for Chloe and also completely oblivious. It was obvious from the beginning she was flirting with Raul; Chloe was so surprised when she finally found out, but I thought what was going on was crystal clear. Cora meddled too much, especially in things that were not her business and things that concerned Chloe, Kellan and Jonah. This, too, was frustrating. Yet, at one point, something happens and Cora lectures Chloe about it (well, it’s more like an all-out, explosive yelling match) – and even though her methods were wrong, I absolutely agreed with Cora!

Finally, I LOVED Callie. I know, I know – Jonah fans will hate me. Maybe? But Callie was great. She was funny and sarcastic, she spoke her mind, and I never saw her as a threat to anything or anyone. Honestly, since I want Chloe to end up with Kellan, I didn’t see Callie as a threat to anything at all.

The ending was explosive and amazing, and it set things up nicely for the second book. I can’t wait to see what happens next! I’m still rooting for Kellan, though!

Also, I just want it on record: I totally called the whole “voice in her head” thing! I can’t go into details, because it’s too spoilery. But it’s epic and I totally called it, right from the beginning!


You can also find more from me on my blog: Pandora's Books

[Ali · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chloe's life is a carefully planned out. Every detail from her schooling to her career, from birth she's been told what she will do, who she will be. She is told it is in Fate's hands. Now she's being told who she loves has also been carefully planned out, but her heart isn't so sure about Fate's choice.

Chloe met Jonah at a young age, in her dreams. She has spent years growing up with him and loving him, but never believing he is real. A year after he abruptly disappears from her dreamworld, he walks into her math class. She can't believe he is real and she is terrified of the pain of losing him all over again. The idea of him not knowing her scares her into distance and silence.

Jonah didn't come to town unaccompanied though, he brought his twin brother Kellan with him. Chloe feels a strange connection with both boys and does not have the same fears where Kellan is involved. Jonah doesn't attempt to speak to Chloe either, but Kellan does, unleashing a complicated and heated love triangle.

Chloe's distress over the love cards Fate has dealt her is only one of her problems. She's slated to become the most powerful magical creature on the Council, the people that run the world. It's her unique powers that make her the main target for a group determined to take their revenge on all magical creatures.

A Matter of Fate is a modern day twist of magical powers, star crossed love and a dash of mythology. I'm not talking magic the likes of newts eyes and bat wings brewing in a cauldron. I'm talking X-Men type powers. Mystical fireballs, creating lightening storms or earthquakes, inflicting debilitating viruses or emotions; all in the name of taking down your enemies. The fight scenes Lyons wrote were action packed excitement and quite stunning.

On the flip side of all these powers is the good that balances them out. Those that can inflict you with the plague can also heal your wounds. Those that can inflect deep depression can also make you fell pure bliss. If you can destroy you can create. You get the picture. The building of these powers and the world they belong too was enthralling. I love a good dose of paranormal and fantasy and A Matter of Fate has both.

There are so many characters introduced here that some were all together underdeveloped, I'm hoping some of them will take more of a center stage in future titles. However, some were very well developed and I loved them. Kellan and Karl were favorites of mine.

Now, I should probably comment on the love triangle as some of you love them and others loathe them. I am not usually a huge fan of them. I hate love conflicts just for the sake of there being a conflict. I can say that though not all of the aspects of this impossible situation worked for me, other aspects truly did. At the beginning of it I was mentally screaming at Chloe for being so silly and scared but the deeper the story got, the more invested I became in it, the more heartbreaking it became. This is not conflict for the sake of conflict. Even though I saw the true reason for the strife coming pretty early on, it didn't matter, I was knee deep into wondering how it would be hashed out and honestly was pleased that there was not contrite happy ending. It wouldn't have done the story justice.

I'm pleased I had a chance to read A Matter of Fate and look forward to finding out what happens with these characters in A Matter of Heart, due June 2013.

[Bella · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars! What a fun and exciting debut. The worlds contained in A Matter of Fate are really unlike any I've read before. A completely different take on Greek mythology, true love and following your path. Chloe's got a lot of questions... Is one's life really mapped out for them? Do we get any choices? Can she live up to her parent's expectations? It's a complicated and confusing life she leads and it's about to do a 360. OMG! Really- where to begin? This is one of those tales again where I feel if I say anything I might be saying too much. I enjoyed so many things about this story. From beginning to end there are surprises-good and bad. Some very bad. Let's just say about the time you think Chloe might get a break...well, think again. Are the fates against her? Is she doomed to fail? Can she find happiness in a life predetermined for her? AND WTH are these twins all about??? Talk about mysterious, captivating, charming and swoonworthy! And more than meets the eye. Ugh! I fell immediately for Jonah and Kellan. It was easy to see why Chloe was attracted to them both. As if she doesn't have enough to worry about with the Council and the rest of the Magics. As soon as the Whitecombs walk into her life, it is forever altered. Chloe is also a great character. Strong despite the pressure put upon her, witty, smart and yet when it comes to the way of life as a Magic- and with love, she is naive and scared. She makes a great heroine. She faces amazing monsters and unbelievable odds. Makes a bazillion mistakes and lives to tell. There are so many twists and turns. Some you hope and push for only to have the circumstances change in an instant, raising the stakes in love and survival. This is a love story full of angst and regret, misunderstandings and manipulations, chances and promises. A beautiful tale of soulmates, hopes and dreams. All among the threat of a nearly indestructible and unknown enemy, family problems, and high school. There is so much more to A Matter of Fate than all that. Heather has created an intricate world, filled with well developed characters, and the standard gut wrenching-heartbreaking-emotional roller coaster you can't do without in a paranormal romance. I really loved how Heather heightened the intensity of many of Chloe's situations from the beginning with her dreams, to the back stories of the other characters and how they relate and influence the events for which Chloe, Jonah and Kellan are ultimately... well, yeah, I can't really finish that sentence. Spoiler free zone here! Chloe will get on your nerves- she's young, she's been kept in the dark and yes, at times she is lost, lost , lost. I had an inkling early on, that I couldn't believe she and the others didn't pick up on. It drove me crazy waiting to see if I was correct, and crazier trying to will Chloe to catch on. But when she shines, she's brilliant. And honestly, with the heat these three create, it's worth going through the torture. In the end, this is a great story with plenty of page turning action, romance (I did mention the hot guys, right?!), and suspense to keep you on the edge and clutching your chest and holding your breath. I highly recommend AMF to fans of Alyson Noel's Immortals series and Colleen Houck's Tiger saga. You'll thank me for it.

[nightlyreadingheather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn’t sure if I would even enjoy this book when I read the synopsis, but I was pleasantly surprised, shocked, blown away, etc.

On the story line….

The story line of “magicals” was different and unique. Not to mention the different characters and all of their unique abilities. The jest of the story is that Chloe is a magical, a creator, which means all she has to do is think of something like an object and she can replicate what is in her thoughts. Her life kind of sucks since her parents are not really the loving type. They just want Chloe to “suck it up” and deal with it. She is set up for big things by being a creator and they want her to concentrate on that. So, basically what I am saying is that YES!!! I hated her parents!
The only time Chloe has ever been happy was when she was dreaming. There is a boy that she meets every night in her dreams. She loves him but she is not sure if he is real or not. They had basically grew up together since she has dreamt of him as far back as she could remember. But even he is gone now. About a year ago, the dreams stopped and she is not sure what that meant until the day he shows up at her school! And he has a twin!
The story line totally sucked me in. I had to keep reading and reading to see what was going to happen next!

On the characters…….

Okay, I can admit that there were times that I just wanted to smack Chloe upside the head while reading but for the most part, she was a great character. She was just a little confused and I am hoping that now that her confusion is straight, she will move on ahead.
I loved the love triangle that Ms. Lyons had created! Both boys were very droolworthy! I can’t even say that I loved one more than the other? Jonah or Kellan? Okay okay…I admit, I do love one more than the other and I hope pray that Chloe will see that he is awesome too!!! Hopefully by the end of the series!!!
The other character that I HAVE to mention is Cora, Chloe’s BFF/cousin. She was hilarious and literally had no filter what so ever! She actually had me in stitches several times. She was tough too! Especially on Chloe, she loves her but will tell her exactly what she thinks Chloe is doing wrong.

For example:

“He sighs. “If it’s any consolation, I’m not overly thrilled about being away from my wife for so long, either.”
“She a cougar?” Cora asks.
Karl stares at her, mouth open.
“I’m just saying,” she says defensively. “He looks like the sort to snag a cougar.”
She did not just say that. “Cora!”
“My wife is off limits to you.” He shakes a finger at her. And then, after a moment, “She’s not a cougar.”
Cora cackles brightly.”

Conclusion…..

The end of the book was wrapped up pretty well. The reader still may have some questions which I am sure can be answered in the following book. A Matter of Heart was released in June and I will be reading/reviewing it in September!!! I can’t wait to see where these characters go from here!!!

“Love isn’t always clean and pretty–sometimes it’s messy, cruel, and confusing. And sometimes, it doesn’t turn out the way you want it to. But then, the beauty of love is that it’s very strong, and when it’s real, it’s worth it.”

[Teresa Mary Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

More Reviews Here: Readers Live A Thousand Lives

I complained a lot as I was reading this book. I wanted to strangle the characters and knock them upside the head. I mean seriously, I wanted to shake them and just tell them exactly what they needed to do. I also absolutely loved and adored this book. It was just so good and everything I want from a fantasy read.

Let me start with Chloe. I really really wanted to smack Chloe. I can say at least 70% of the book, she made me want to smack her and the other 30% I wanted to shake her. But I also loved her. You could completely understand why she acted the way she did and even though I wanted her to act differently I know why she didn’t.

Then there is Jonah and Kellan. Before I move on, let me address the love triangle. While frustrating, this is a good love triangle because it works and because it makes sense. Also both are likable characters and genuinely good guys. I’ll start with Jonah since he is my favorite of the two. I really loved him. He is sweet and good and just plain old lovely. I don’t excuse all his actions, but again I understand his actions. Then Kellan, I like him too, but Jonah for some reason beats him out a bit. He is willing to do anything for Chloe, no matter what she does, and he always has her best interests at heart. Chloe really is stuck between a rock and a hard place with these two.

The whole world created in this book is just plain old awesome. It’s definitely original and something I haven’t really encountered before. It has everything I want in a fantasy world and everything has an explanation. I’m not left simply having to accept thing or fill in the gaps.

I also love that there is more to the story other than the romance. Sure the romance is a heavy part, but there is much more at play. Things are not looking good for Chloe. There are things out to get her, things that will stop at nothing. There is also the typical drama that comes along with being 17.

One thing I need to address though is Chloe’s friends. I don’t think they were always the best of friends. Sometimes I really wanted to smack them (I’m sensing a theme here…). Unlike with Chloe, I didn’t see why they did what they did a lot of the time. They weren’t the most considerate and always seemed to think they were right, Cora especially. To the point where they stuck their noses where it didn’t really belong. But I digress; Chloe put them in their place when necessary.

A Matter of Fate is a great read, simply put. No matter how much I complained or how frustrated I got, I simply could not put the book down. No matter how many times I wanted to scream at the characters and call them hypocrites, I was also very much invested in their story. All in all this is a book that will hook you and you will be invested in the story.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am an adult who only got into the Young Adult fiction genre in the last 2 years or so, beginning with the Hunger Games series, which became an instant favorite of mine. In between other kinds of reading, I've been discovering some other great YA books along the way. Two other series that gripped me like The Hunger Games and made it difficult to stop reading are the Divergent series by Veronica Roth (2 books of the planned trilogy have been released so far) and The Looking Glass Wars by Frank Beddor (another completed trilogy).

A Matter of Fate is the debut of author Heather Lyons and is the first of a series about The World of Annar and the beings (magical and non-magical) which inhabit it. It has already become a new favorite of mine, joining the above list. The review by Andrea Johnston does a great job of summarizing more of the story, so I will tell you from my perspective what I liked:

*The characters feel authentic and like people you would (or do) know in real life. You know how sometimes you'll be reading a book and a character comes across as so one-dimensional or just plain poorly written that it takes you out of the story as you think about how you could have done better? That doesn't happen here. Lyons breathes life into each of her characters and gives them multiple dimensions. Even when they've done something that you think is unforgivable, she can show you motivations and perspectives that change your opinion.
*Chloe's life is in many ways predetermined by Fate, but she is not just content to sit back and see what happens. Nor does she sit and mope about it, a la Bella Swan. This is a strong female protagonist who takes action. She may not always make the right choices, but she follows her heart and does what she feels is right.
*The action sequences are as well-written as the conversations, there is plenty of humor sprinkled throughout (always a plus for me) and the worlds that Lyons has created are fascinating. A Matter of Fate just gives you a taste of her magically-inhabited version of Earth and the all-magical plane of Annar, but I'm eager to hear more about them and, hopefully, find out more about the other planes as well. Lyons has done a great job of setting up her worlds and giving you an overall understanding of them while leaving layers to be discovered in later books.

If you enjoy YA adult fiction (particularly that has a creative new spin on the world), enjoy romance and humor in your stories or just plain like good writing, you should do yourself a favor and read A Matter of Fate.

[Heather Wood · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an incredible angsty book! I was drawn into the world the author created and the problems a teen girl faces when she decide whether to follow the path that fate has set out for her. I’m a little upset with how things turned out for Chloe, Kellan and Jonah, so I’m super relieved that a sequel is coming out.

I loved the world in A Matter of Fate. I thought it was interesting how different creatures lived on different planes, including the human plane. The powers possessed by Chloe and her cousins were unique and I thought Chloe trying to learn how to use her abilities was interesting.

Chloe was a good character, but definitely infuriating. She was full of so much angst and indecision. I wanted to shake some sense into her at times. I could understand why she was torn, I wouldn’t mind having two hot twins in love with me, but I hated how she hurt the boys in the process. She came off as hypocritical at times, which also drove me crazy.

There are so many great secondary characters in the book. Cora and Karl were particular favorites. I loved how Chloe came to rely on Karl, especially since her parents were emotionally and physically absent from her life.

There is a group of baddies in the book, but they weren’t central to the plot. The book is very heavy on the love triangle with Kellan, Jonah and Chloe. Let me warn you, the romance has some super frustrating parts.

SPOILERS AHEAD I was completely into the book for the first half. I loved the forbidden romance of Chloe and Kellan. He was so flirty and their banter was adorable. Then all of a sudden, the rug is ripped out from me, and she ends up with Jonah. Nooooo! After all of the focus on Kellan and Chloe, I was not invested in Jonah and Chloe’s relationship, at all. I also wasn’t a big fan of Jonah’s character, he came off as distant and although he’s supposed to be Chloe’s soulmate, I was hoping she would say screw it to fate and stay with Kellan. Team Kellan all the way! I’ll read the second book in the hopes Chloe comes to her senses and ends up with the right guy. END OF SPOILERS

As much as I’m upset with the romance, I have to say that the author had me invested in Chloe’s story. Fans of young adult paranormal books that have plenty of romantic drama will enjoy this book.

Rating: 4/5 Stars

Thanks to YA Bound for a copy of this novel for review as part of the A Matter of Fate tour!

[Trish at Between My Lines · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars.

Beautiful cover, beautiful book! So rarely it happens but in this case the cover captures the feel of the story. It's magical and feel good/feel bad all at the same time. Why the split feelings? A love triangle that made me want to split the mc in half!

First Line of A Matter of Fate:

"I am a chronic daydreamer."

My thoughts on A Matter of Fate:

I'm not always a fan of love triangles. Mostly it is glaringly obvious who the mc should be with and I get annoyed at her hovering back and forth between the two poor sods! But in this case, I love both contenders and I know Chloe would be happy with either. And there is an added twist, the guys are twins. Yes, this is one big heartache waiting to happen and I know all three will suffer no matter what happens.

The characters are great and I want them all to live happily ever after, somehow! Jonah or Kellan? I honestly can't pick so I get Chloe's confusion. Each one seems perfect until I spend time with the other one and then my heart feels a bit ripped apart again. I would feel sorry for her but she has these two amazing guys so yea, I'm not that sorry for her!

The world building is superb too and I really enjoyed learning how this world works. As Chloe's parents have left her in the dark about her future, we learn it all through her eyes and I feel both horrified and amazed at how important Chloe is in the Magical World. Such a burden on her shoulders but from the little bits we have seen, I know she is more than capable. For a first book, this world has already become vividly alive for me and I'm eagerly anticipating what is to come.

I loved how the action parts stopped the love triangle from getting too much. If this was a straight forward contemporary book, I would hate the triangle but as it's paranormal and there is lots more going on, it has me glued to it.

I finished A Matter of Fate yesterday and I opened up book 2 A Matter of Heart immediately. I've put a bandage on my heart and am praying to the Gods that this one won't hurt too much!

Who should read A Matter of Fate?

I'd recommend this one to those who like love triangles as it is one to squee and cry over. Also recommended if you like books that mix up contemp settings and paranormal settings as I feel it does a great job of that.

[Naomi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a story that has both an insta-love relationship and a love triangle, because seriously…… identical twins, that would be awesome!! It works out to be very complex as Chloe has strong feelings for both guys, even though she has known Jonah since she was four years of age when they met in their dreams. A year without seeing Jonah had left Chloe depressed and now she is confused about her feelings for him.

The day that the twins, Jonah and Kellan, turn up at her school, Chloe is in such a shock that she sets off three shifts in the universe and anyone who is a magical can feel those shifts. She will be a very powerful magical when she ascends and a major role in the magical community because there is only one other creator in the worlds who is quite old and ready to step down.

Chloe is a typical teenager. Even though Fate has set out her path already, she just wants to be left alone and would love to escape her life. She is loyal to her ‘cousins’, who are all magical as well. It is funny to watch her debate with her conscience because she always has lots of questions. When some creatures come after her, she is on the run and after years of being treated as a failure by her parents, she decides to step up and take action. This Chloe was better and I loved the determination that she has.

Both twins are awesome and I would find it hard to pick between the two guys myself, so I understand why she struggles. They are both sweet, strong magicals and they both have a history. Being magical twins they have a strong bond, but Chloe puts a bit of a strain on their relationship.

I really enjoyed the magical aspect of this story and the roles of all the magicals. There are so many different types and they all form a part of the community. The plot was enjoyable with lives being threatened and the way the magicals use their powers as part of a team was entertaining. Chloe’s personal life was difficult and she found it hard to work through it. The only issue I had with the story was that I thought the ending was a bit rushed and summarised quickly. Overall, I really enjoyed the story and I look forward to the new challenges Chloe will have next!


I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

[Andrea Heltsley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks for allowing me to review Heather!!

Wow! This book was so much more than I was expecting. I must warn you going in, there is a major love triangle in this book. I happen to love them. They create tension and make it hard for me to step away from a book like this.

Heather did a great job with the romance in this book. It was so good, that she had me crying through a good fourth of the book. The emotions of the characters was so raw at one point, you felt everything.

It didn't hurt that Kellan and Jonah were sexy twin brothers either. Finding the man of your dreams, literally, is every girls dream come true. Then finding out there are two of them, BONUS! They are both great guys and I couldn't wait to see what was going to develop with them as the story progressed.

The magical aspects of this book were good. The author penned an alternate reality where magic is real, without flooding the story with it. There was a good balance of human and magic.

I really enjoyed the characters in this book as a whole. They all played their small part to making this book whole. This is one debut by Heather Lyons that is not to be missed! I am giving A Matter of Fate five glittery stars for being that great read than many miss in their debut novels.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actual Rating: 4.5 stars

This book follows the story of Chloe, Jonah, and Kellan. They are Magicals, a secret race of beings who influence the universe. More importantly, Chloe is the Creator. Her entire life has been mapped out since birth. She has no choice in college, job or where she will end up living. The one thing that has always been hers is the dreams that she's been having of Jonah her entire life. Then one day she meets him in real life..........And then there is Kellan, Johan's twin brother, whom she finds herself pulled to.........

This book has the most tortureous love triangle!!! And I hate love triangles, I despise them!! But, this one......OMG!! It frustrated me, tortured me and I couldn't get enough of it!!

This book had lots of love, frustration, action, betrayal and crazy moments that just tugged at your heart. I loved every moment and I can not wait to see what happens next!

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars!

I loved and hated this book at the same time, if that's possible. I love the story; the characters and premise are very creative. The hate part came because there is a love triangle, they always drive me a little crazy. Even with this I couldn't put this book down and can't wait to read more.

This was my first book by Heather Lyons and it will definitely not be my last... Her writing style is smooth, descriptive and great paced. There are a lot of characters in this book beyond the main three and I found myself wanted more of all of them.

This book has twists and turns you don't see coming. This is the first book in the series and although it does not seem to have a true "cliffhanger" I would not call it a standalone at all. There are story lines that are not finished and ones that I need to continue. Needless to say I will be picking up the next book to start right away.

[Sherrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads Giveaway.

This book had me from the very beginning, straight from page 1. The diversity of the characters and their different personalities are stong and true to themselves throughout the book. I felt so sorry for Chloe because she's been kept in the dark about so much and you really can feel the disconnect between her and her parents. The love triangle is one that makes you root for the wrong guy and hope somehow they will find a way to be together and all will be fine. When hearts were broken,mine was also broken. This book had me crying and laughing out loud. A Matter of Fate is my new favorite. Here's to hoping there's a sequel.

[Bayli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful young adult paranormal story. I loved it. I'd been searching for something different in the PRN world and finally found it. Heather's debut novel shows imagination, attention to detail, and fun twists and turns. She'll drive you crazy with Kellan and Jonah! You won't know who to love more! Well, I admit, I think I love Kellan just a bit more.

Anyway, I can't wait to see what happens in the next installment! I'll be starting A Matter of Heart tonight!

[Caitlin Kerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok, this book was a total shock in how much I really really liked it!!!! This book didnt slow down and there was always something going on. I loved it. Sometimes first books in series can be kinda of a drag as it sets up everything but not this one. The world that was set up was very interested and "creative" (see what I did there??? ) OH. and. Team Kellen. :) Get this book, go read it!

Full review at
http://caitontheroad.blogspot.com/201...

[Tracy Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not only did Heather transport me back in time, I found myself thrown into a new world where I could not wait to see what happened next. The dark hours of the night found me still turning pages!

I enjoyed every moment of laughing and crying with these characters and cannot wait to follow them on their next journey.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I REALLY liked this book. I love a strong leading female character, still with emotional issues and self-doubt, she is so real and I am rooting for her to have her happy ending. The love triangle is heartbreaking, but yet so drawing, I can't put this down. I'm well into the second book and LOVE it!!!!