A Twist of Fate

Coledare Island #1

by Shai Lenore

Will his dark secrets ruin his chance at love?
When Frankie leaves her cheating ex, she finds herself alone with nobody to turn to. She awakens to find herself in the hospital after she was left for dead from an attempt on her life. Cayson is by her bed, willing to help her with her recovery and hunting down her would be assassins. She soon learns that he holds some dark secrets and when he asks her to stay, she can’t help but wonder if the things he’s hiding will be too much for her to handle.
Cayson is a self-proclaimed monster. He knows that the things he does are awful, but it’s not all that he is. When he saw Frankie, he knew he had to have her. But will his past, and the man he’s become because of it, make her turn him away or will she choose to stay?

Genres: Dark Romance, Dark, Romance, Forced Proximity

294 pages, Paperback

Published November 12, 2024

About the author

Shai is a Canadian author from Ontario. She grew up getting lost in books and the worlds within them. Eventually, her passion for reading turned into a love of creating stories of her own, although they mostly lived in her head until 2023 when she was encouraged to write them.
These days, when she’s not spending time with her husband and their three children, you can find her writing dark spicy romance, among other things. Her debut novel, A Twist of Fate, came out in May 2024 and she’s been writing as much as she can ever since!

Reviews

[Carley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Frankie finds out her boyfriend has been cheating on her with her bff and decides to leave and break up with him. She yells back saying tell your goons they can stop following her now. With no where to go to makes a quick stop at the camping store to pick up supplies to camp until she figures out her next plan. Unfortunately she doesn't make it to the campsite as someone is determined to leave her for dead.

Cayson receives a call that Frankie is in bad shape and orders for them to bring her to "the island". Cayson is a lost soul with baggage bigger than all of the baggages combined in an airport, but something intrigued him about Frankie and he needs her with him to figure it out.

Frankie wakes up in a strange place wondering how the heck did she get here? And the first person she sees is a mysteriously handsome man.. but she's skeptical because is he the one who ordered her hit?

For being a debut novel it's really good work, the writing was well written, the characters were developed and the scene was built. I enjoyed reading who Cayson is and how he became who he is today. I enjoyed him showing his more vulnerable side throughout the story. I also enjoyed Frankie and how she was a strong character and didn't take crap from no one and how Cayson needs someone strong to carry some of his demons for him.

This next part is not factored into my review and it's absolutely stupid but it really bothered me. Frankie starts out in an unknown city which is fine I'm ok not knowing this, but the island NEEDS a name lol every time I read it I'm like "what island?!?!" Idc if it's a made up one 😂 my only guess is somewhere near Australia or New Zealand as the spelling in this book was not American English.

Overall a great read thanks for letting me read it early.

Edit: Because this author is AMAZING and didn't take my island debacle badly.. y'all are getting a name!! 😂 thank you Shai for making me laugh and not making me feel like an idiot 🤪

[Kez Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A dark mafia style romance, that features lots of violence, past trauma, mystery and exposes secrets.
When Frankie's car is run off the road and she's left for dead, she has no idea the drama she's going to be involved in.
Cayson has had a secret obsession for months. He's been stalking a women, following her every move, but never dared to speak to her, but when someone tried to kill her, his possessiveness goes into overdrive.
Now Frankie finds out her mysterious stalker is keeping her prisoner on a strange island to keep her safe, and despite knowing nothing about him, there's an odd feeling of being at home.
This story explores vulnerabilities, obsession, passion and empathy.
I loved the found family vibes, the side characters relationship, and the sassy banter.

🔥"Well, Carrots, when the fuck is Mr Bossy Bitch coming back?"
🔥 "She's become an obsession. An addiction, one that I don't plan on giving up"
🔥"I'm hoping that anyone who gets the stupid idea to fuck with what's mine, hears about this and makes a smarter choice. Because I will not hesitate to kill anybody who fucks with what's mine"

[Caitie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for giving me an arc for review! All opinions are my own.

This book was adorable. It was a very enjoyable time and I devoured it super quickly. I do wish the characters had been fleshed out a little more, especially Cayson, but I adored Sam and Frankie’s relationship. I would absolutely read more kcal the authors work going forward.

[Crystal]

DNF @ 71% 😭😭😭

I found this on KU randomly and it looked sooo good. I was trying really hard to get into this but I just couldn’t. It was labeled as a dark romance but personally I didn’t think this was dark at all. The plot was sorta confusing and honestly I just lost interest.

[Susete Kunkel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!! What an amazing read! I still can't believe how fortunate I was to be selected to be an ARC to this amazing book.

It was such an easy, quick read, I was hooked since the first few pages, and the chapters are small, which made me want to read non-stop. I loved all the characters, how Frankie grows to an even more badass version of herself. How caring and good-hearted Cayson is. The bond that group has.

We have darkness, we have spicy, we have plot, just fantastic! Can't wait for the release day, I have no doubts that this book will be successful 👏👏.

I'm ready to read more from this author.

[Books with Jen B · Rating 5 out of 5]

'A Twist of Fate' is a novel that seamlessly blends mystery, suspense, romance, and a touch of spice. This book will keep you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end. The story revolves around Case and Frankie, two characters whose paths cross in an unexpected encounter. Case, a mysterious and alluring man, conceals a dark secret that Frankie gradually uncovers. The author's writing immerses the reader in the characters' world. You'll feel as though you're right there with Case and Frankie, experiencing their every emotion and navigating the complexities of their relationship. The mystery and suspense will keep you guessing until the very end. The author cleverly provides clues that hint at Case's darker side, but the full extent of his world is revealed gradually, adding to the intrigue and tension. The romance between Case and Frankie is both intense and heartwarming. Their chemistry is undeniable, and their journey together is filled with passion, vulnerability, and unexpected twists. The author does an excellent job of balancing the romance with the suspense, creating a captivating and well-rounded story. Overall, 'A Twist of Fate' is a highly recommended read that will not disappoint!

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m a fast reader when the book keeps me glued to the pages and this book did just that! It has Found Family, Plot, Spice, and Cayson is an absolute book boyfriend! The friendship between Sam and Frankie are friendship goals all around.

The bond that develops between Frankie and Cayson becomes so strong that you can just feel that it will last and I’m here for it. I loved this book, everything about it gets a 5 ⭐️ from me. I will definitely be reading more from this author in the future, more arcs as well if given the opportunity.

✨ IF you find certain things triggering, it does have a few warnings listed, so be sure to check them out. In my opinion nothing was overly descriptive, but keep in mind that is my personal opinion and everyone is different.

[Rebecca Cushing · Rating 4 out of 5]

After leaving her less than ideal relationship, Frankie realizes she truly has no one else. Her mom has never been a mother and her only friend has been sleeping with her boyfriend. After someone tries to take her life as she leaves, she finds herself with Cayson. The man who has followed her for a year. He hasn't had the shiniest past but despite his demons, wants her in his life, needs her in his life.

A Twist of Fate by Shai Lenore was a quick read that shows very much that life and family are what you make of them. Though I wish there were more details about the life Cayson lives now in regards to work and family, I did like the supporting cast of the book that love and cheer for him no matter what.

[Butter Nutt Squash · Rating 4 out of 5]

For starters loved this book and the characters (Sam is fave lol). Frankie cracked me up. Cayson and Frankie are adorable. Her reading to him was so cute and wholesome. I did feel like it was a tad rushed sometimes, like maybe she gave in a little to quickly (could just be me lol). overall I really enjoyed reading this. I mean who doesn't love a stabby cinnamon roll book boyfriend . If you're looking for a quick sweet but slightly dark romance definitely check this out
*arc review*

[Ashley Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. I wasn’t sure how I felt about it in the beginning but I was sooo wrong. The ending made me sad not because it wasn’t a good ending but I wanted it to keep going. I wasn’t ready for the story to end. It has some spicy scenes and definitely make sure to read the trigger warnings before you start.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stalking? ✅
Touch her and 💀? ✅
Found family? ✅
Protective? ✅
Wow Cayson and frankie really did me a favor with this one. They served up their drama on a platter and I ATE. IT. UP. I’d read a whole series based just on them tbh. I’m a sucker for a good revenge turned NO HES MINE plot. The twists in this one were a little predictable which is why I took it to 4 but I still really enjoyed this.

[Jessi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this story. Frankie and Case made such an adorable couple, and the side characters were fantastic as well. The blend of dark, mysterious, and suspenseful elements with sweet and funny moments was masterfully done. It was thoroughly entertaining and enjoyable from start to finish.

[Danielle Beckham · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book as an ARC, and I have to admit, I LOVED the story and the characters! There was perfect mix of intrigue and romance. I look forward to reading more from Shai!

[Christi Elaine Camacho · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a good book. The way it is written. I found it to be a cute love story. It is a dark romance, fast paced. I fell in love with the characters all of them

[Carmela Dimattia · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Frankie leaves her failed relationship she is truly on her own. That is, until Cayson comes into her life after she is almost abducted. Through Cayson and his brothers she finds a true sense of family and when she discovers that Cayson has had her followed for quite some time it takes her by surprise. Cayson will go above and beyond to protect Frankie at all costs and even if it means sending her away from him to protect her then he will do it. We discover Frankie is a strong woman who does not know her own strength until she is forced to protect the ones she loves. Although this was a quick read it had all the punch of a full length novel and I only wish we could read more of all the characters and get all their own stories. Loved it!

[Kristina Marquardt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story. The demons the main characters carried played well with each other. I found it entertaining, and it held my attention throughout. I liked that the story gave the right amount of sizzle after a slow burn and a lot of drama. The side characters were just as interesting as the main characters, Sam being my favorite. This is a good weekend read.

[Tiffany J McLay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was beautiful.
The FMC is so relatable, and I instantly loved her.
The MMC is handsome, and I absolutely love his 'touch her and die' attitude.

This book has love, passion, anger, vulnerability, and a found family.

Shai Lenore paints a beautiful picture of this love story, and the fact that this is the first book she has written is so impressive.

[Vanessa Hilario Mata · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic! Mystery, suspense, plot twist, he falls first, and spice! Enjoyed reading Cayson and Frankie’s book! A must read!

[Raelin Moore · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the idea of this book, and the writing itself is well done! Which is what bumped this from a 2 star to closer to a 3 star for me.

However, the entire story was just very surface level and didn’t really delve deep to immerse you into it. It felt like things were just kind of thrown out there and there were some loose strings attached to pull it together to at least make the story make sense.
I enjoyed all the characters, but they didn’t feel fully fleshed out to really be able to connect to them or their relationships. The relationship between the FMC and MMC even felt like kind of an afterthought. The FMC seemed to have a stronger connection to one of the side characters than she did the man she was supposed to be in love with. It left a lot to be desired in the romance aspect.

If we could have gotten more substance to the plot and characters/the relationships, this book would have been at least a 4 star read for me.

I would absolutely be willing to give this author another chance and read future releases! I’d love to see her work improve based on how well this one was written!

*I received this book for free as an ARC from the author*

[Ashley Swain · Rating 4 out of 5]

This gives off serious beauty and the beast vibes and while it took awhile for the erotica to start, the story itself was easy to read until you got there. I think the end was a bit rushed for such a good build-up, but overall, a very well written love story with a few special scenes along the way

[Sam Lance · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have never read a mafia/stalker romance style book that was so hilarious. A Twist of Fate by Shai Lenore is one of the easiest five star reads I’ve had this year. There’s stalking and kidnapping in this story. Cayson had an abusive father and Frankie had an addict of a mother. There’s darkness found in each other. He falls first and they find their own little family in this story.
Cayson and Frankie literally run into each other in a bookstore. After this meet cute, Cayson realizes that Frankie is to be his no matter what. He has his men who are his best friends keep tabs on Frankie as he tries to figure out a way to develop a relationship with her. After Frankie finds out her boyfriend was cheating on her with her best friend, she decides to leave him in and go camping until she can figure out what else to do. On the way, some enemies of Cayson attempt to murder Frankie. Cayson’s men rescue Frankie and Frankie gets to officially meet one of her stalkers. Afterwards, Cayson and Frankie decide how to learn more about each other while trying to find out who’s after Frankie. Frankie becomes a part of the family by building friendships with Sam, Jonas, Caleb and Sarah. Frankie shows Cayson in the end that she’s there for him through darkness and light and Cayson keeps her safe. The story ends in love and family.
My favorite thing about this story is the character Sam. He’s hilarious and I identify with him so much. He’s a great friend and protective of those he cares about. He is a talker, and he does so all with an air of confidence and ease. He welcomes Frankie and even has a cute little nickname of Creature for her. He recognizes Cayson’s vulnerabilities and tries to help him as best as he can even with advice on how to be a good boyfriend.
I rate this story a 5 out of 5. I have no complaints about this book. I finished it all in one sitting which was less than 3 hours. It was amazing and I can’t wait to read more by Shai Lenore!

[Maxine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was sooo good. I really enjoyed it, and I believe this is the author's debut novel as well. I loved how sweet and awkward Cayson is when it comes to Frankie and how just a random chance encounter was so impactful on him that he had his friends st@lk her for the better part of the year while he waited for his chance. He knew she was in a relationship and was respecting that until he found out what her BF was up to and then he was just waiting for his opportunity. I also thought Frankie was adorable when she was interacting with everyone in the story. I loved how sweet she was when it comes to Cayson like reading to him to help him relax. I also really enjoyed the side characters especially jones and sam and hope there is a future novella that dives into their story even though we did get minor details. This book has very strong found family trope/vibes but it really worked since Cayson is needed this to keep himself together after everything that was done to him by his father as well as what he is required to do. He needs his support system and the way they accepted the task of st@lking this woman he met one-time because she made him feel something is really friend goals lol.

I will say that while I enjoyed the characters and story there were a few writing areas that I feel could use a little work. I personally wish we knew more about the island they were on. We didn't have a name or location or even real details about it. When I think of an island especially with their business endeavors, I do thing remote island but with the little facts we got it sounds like a full-on town/city is on this island. I will also there were I think missed opportunities for little easter eggs to set up later plot points because some things like the villain in the story for me felt completely out of left field and I think there could have been some indicators before to help that plot point. I also do thing towards the end there were certain passages/points that felt a little rushed. But as this is possibly the author's debut novel these are things I think that will be smoothed out as the author continues to write more and in no way were they big enough factors to ruin the story for me.

I will definitely keep an eye on this author and their future works.

I also think this book would be a great starter novel for those looking to dip their toes into dark romance (as long as they are ok w the triggers). This book has dark elements, but I wouldn't call it dark at all. It was more lighthearted in my opinion but I think experienced DR readers like myslef who still want the dark elements but want something a little lighter as well for in-between the other dark things we read.

this book is about Frankie who after finding out her boyfriend is cheating on her with her best friend moves out and rather than go to her mother decides to buy camping gear and camp out while she figures out her next move. However, recently she has noticed that she is being followed. Originally, she thought it was her boyfriend and his friends wanting to keep tabs on her but as she is leaving to go to the camp site the car that has been following her runs her off the road and she has to pretend to be de@d so that they don't finish the job. After she is able to fool them however, she passes out only to wake up to having a handsome man standing over her that she vaguely recognizes saying that he has kidnapped her to keep her safe. What is she to do??? Does she believe him when he says that he won't hurt her or is he lying and is connected to those who ran her off the road?

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I LOVED this book!!! Shai knocked it out of the park. The character development was great. Frankie was sweet and fiesty and Cayson was broody with a kind heart. I enjoyed learning about how he came to be. Their chemistry was great. The side characters were all very interesting and I need their books ASAP! The dark pieces were great and the suspense was fun.

You might be wondering why I didn't give it 5 stars. I have to be honest, it's paining me to not give this book 5 stars. I want to give it 4.75. The reason is two fold, while I don't mind waiting for spicy scenes, I felt they were a tad rushed. There was some really good build up so I needed MORE, more details, longer scenes, just more of their spice! The second, I needed to know more about Frankie's experience after the climax of the book. No spoilers in this review so you'll have to read to find out what that means. Maybe that will be touched on in a sequel (please please let there be more books!) but it's just a little piece that I needed.

I would 100% recommend this book as a dark romance with great characters and an interesting story!

[Tishana Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Shai for writing such a good mafia romance.

I DEVOUR every single mafia read that comes my way and "A Twist of Fate" was a delicious mafia read! I really loved the storyline that Shai has written. The mysterious aura surrounding Frankie and Cayson made this a really thrilling read. So many plot twists lurking page after page, and the storyline was well thought out from beginning to end. I really liked that there was LOTS of action to keep me engaged and the way that Cayson talked was HOT in a morally gray way. One thing I want to point out is Shai's way of showing different facets & layers to her character especially Cayson. Throughout the story, you really get to see a deeper side that wasn't there before. It was nice to see a more vulnerable side to him that was only shown around Frankie (it made me really like him a lot more, we love a vulnerable mafia man). Their chemistry was something else! The connection was real, both emotional and physical and I loved that while it was intensely passionate and sweet too! I can't believe this was a debut novel and will keep an eye out for more books by her in the future!

[A. Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book because it was advertised as a stalker novel. I think this book is in the gray area. It's definitely not a pitch black stalker novel. Frankie is the female character. I felt sorry for Frankie for many reasons. Cayson has been stalking and watching over Frankie for about a year. The reason I say that this book is more gray is because the majority of what Frankie sees in Cayson is good. Frankie doesn't see another side of Cayson until closer to the end of the book. Frankie is injured trying to flee her then boyfriend. Cayson's team kidnap and bring Frankie to a island where Cayson lives. Cayson has a whole family he made on this mysterious island. Cayson basically protects and takes care of everyone. I think that's his love language. The only thing that was hard for me was there were too many names similar to Cayson. Frankie fought to accept Cayson. When Frankie finally did accept all of Cayson she was all in.

I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily left this review.

[Jordan Fiest · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cayson was absolutely adorable. I know that's interesting to say about someone who does some dark things like he does. However, even though he does those things, the way he interacts with Frankie is the adorable part. He was super nervous being around her, even though he was obsessive and protective over her. He wanted her in his future and I loved reading about his feelings for her. Let's be honest, it didn't really take Frankie long to fall in love with Cayson. Like I said, he had that endearing quality about him that would just make you like him.

There are a couple of side characters which I absolutely loved...Sam anyone? I loved all his interactions with Frankie, they were hilarious. The author has set us up for some future couples, and I hope we get their story as I think some of them would be interesting and cute to read.

[Chaotic Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Twist Of Fate is a darkish romance, which follows Frankie, after discovering her boyfriend has been unfaithful with her best friend she makes the decision to leave, but with nowhere to go or no one to turn to, she decides to camp it out, only to wake up and find herself in hospital, with a handsome stranger by her bed.

Cayson, who has had his men follow her for a year, ever since the day she literally almost knocked him off his feet, now she’s here with him, he helps her recover and hunt down those who did wrong by her.

First off a big congratulations to Shai on this debut, the story/plot and characters were well written and the story was easy to follow. The development, chemistry and vulnerability between Frankie and Cayson was cute. I must say I really liked the supporting characters as well, they all really pulled the story together.

[Sameeksha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Every time I picked up this book, one or the other character, especially Sam, was cooking something delicious. It made my mouth water, so I went seeking a snack.
2.75

Frankie just found out about her cheating boyfriend and is now on the road. In her rage, she failed to notice a car following her until later, resulting in an accident. When she wakes up, she finds herself in a hospital surrounded by strangers.

Cayson fell in love the instant he saw her, but he can't start anything with her, or she'll find out about him and his work. When he learns about her accident, against all rationality, he resolves to approach her and care for her.

Thoughts :
This book was the author's debut book, written in first person with dual POVs. At first, the writing felt a bit choppy, but it kind of improved near the end; the plot is what kept me going. I was invested instantly.

I read a 247-250 page ebook edition (ARC), and while the plot had a lot of potential, it fell short on many of them. The characters acted inconsistently and sometimes illogically. They also lacked a bit of depth, but individually, they had an impressive development arc.

I loved Sam and Jonas, and their relationship was everything that I was looking for. Also, the friendship between Sam, Frankie, Jonas, and Cayson was also very heartwarming to read. At the same time, I was not able to connect with the romance between the two main characters. The spice felt very random and not required. 

Having said that, given that this is the author's first and the plot was fairly impressive, I am eager to read more from the author. 

Thank you so much for providing me an ARC of the book.

[Miriam_Reads94 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me just start by saying that I loved this book. Its characterized as a dark romance, but it was a more vanilla than some dark romances get.

This book contains so much, Found family, spice, friendship, cinnamon roll men and a sassy MFC. This was an easy read, and I found myself wanting to find out what happened next, I couldn't wait to see what was going to happen. I loved that Frankie stood up for herself, and grew into her part in her new family. How she didn't let her past hold her back. I also loved watching how Cayson dealt with his childhood trauma and learned to let people in. Sam was my correct, reminds me of a golden retriever, I wish I had Sam as my Bestie. Frankie is one lucky girl.

[Allison Comis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. I didn’t see any of that coming. Frankie was packing at the beginning of the book. Her boyfriend came back and saw it. Begging her to stay and hear him out. He blamed her for his cheating ways. She walked in on him and her best friend. She left after he hit her. She went to a few stores to get things for where she was going to be staying and she was rear ended and thrown into a ditch. She heard them walking towards the car asking if she was dead. She didn’t know why so she pretended to be dead. She was rescued shortly after. She woke up in a strange place and that is when she saw him!!! She literally ran into Cayson at a bookstore. So much happened in the book. This is a must read.