Entangled Fate

by Alexandra Isobel

280 pages, Paperback

Published February 1, 2025

About the author

WHO IS ALEXANDRA?
Alexandra Isobel is a Canadian interracial romance author that writes books that deliver passion, drama, and heart-pounding twists. Set in the highly romanticized everyday world, her culturally infused stories promise the reader intense alpha heroes and quirky heroines while blending forbidden love with unexpected redemption arcs.

Reviews

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Rounded up for Goodreads.

While this was a reasonably interesting story, there was just something about the writing style that I really struggled with.

There was a lot of infodumping about the country and its history that felt completely unnecessary. The book could have been half as long and still had the exact same outcome.

For some reason, the buildup of their relationship felt a bit rushed despite them already knowing each other for a year.

I also wasn't a fan of the way it was never explained why Malik needed supervised visits with his son to begin with.

I’ve read similar kidnapping stories, and it felt like she forgave him for taking her a little too quickly, too, considering the bulk of the story takes place over two weeks.

Unfortunately, the ending felt a bit rushed. It would have been nice to see a bit more from both of their perspectives during the time jump.

I enjoyed the story's bones, but the writing style just isn’t for me.

[Gia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entangled Fate is a standalone romance by Alexandra Isobel has Katherine Alesander-Casey waking up in a strange bed in Basque country. There, taking care of her is last person she would ever expect--Santiago James-Ibarra. The accidental kidnapping of Katherine opens up a can of custody complications, hidden family history and an unavoidable physical attraction.

Entangled Fate has characteristic of a book you'd pick up on summer vacation. There's a good intro of details that talk about Basque Country, which is in the Northern part of Spain. And our main characters originally met in Canada. Santiago's character is charming, patient, sophisticated, dominate and uber possessive. Although this a standalone, there were parts which felt like I was missing elements important to the story. I can't say for sure what industry Santiago and his brother are in or where their power or money truly comes from. But everyone in their inner circle know and respect them. So maybe just their family history? Or maybe a crime organization.

Katherine and Santiago have great chemistry in Entangled Fate and I liked seeing the two of them grow close. Yes, they have history but that doesn't replace the connection readers get to see play out on the pages. I would categorize their relationship technically as a slow-burn in the beginning, but after that they're synced at the hip.

In terms of character development, Katherine has some past demons to face when it comes to self-wroth and old relationships. Santiago helps her along the way but it's her character who reaches those emotional growth points on her own. There's other details centered on why Katherine was also kidnapped which has to do with her godson but I think they're spoilers.

Readers going into this book should be aware that while Katherine is not willingly in the country or care of Santiago, he is not the one behind her kidnapping; just a third party who stepped in at the last moment.

I'm interested in other books by this author and any other books in this series.

[Tracy Redden · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review: 4⭐️
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Spice: 🌶️🌶️

💋Forced Proximity 🖤Enemies to Lovers 🌶️Second Chance Romance🩸Blood Oath 🩶Protective MMC 🔪Kidnapping

This contemporary romance literally felt like I was whisked off to Basque Country Spain and I loved every moment. Alexandra’s depth of describing the country’s deep cultural history set the foundation to get totally immersed in the romance and the culture. It also allows the reader to understand the MMC’s strong desire to show his true love of country and tradition’s, while trying to capture the FMC’s heart.

After a year of being in each other’s presence due to family ties, circumstances has Santiago whisking Katherine across the world from Canada to Basque Country Spain. And maybe it was initially under false pretenses, but Katherine soon can’t help but feel at home with the country, culture, history and maybe even the man who brought her there. Santiago continues to fall deeply for Katherine and will do anything to have her stay with him. As time looms, Katherine begins a journey of self discovery and healing, while both struggle with the possibility of fate and what it could mean for them.

This is truly a heartfelt contemporary romance I was immersed in. Thank you to the author for opportunity to read this beautiful story. Basque Country Spain is also now on my travel bucket list 🤗

[Selena Robins · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Captivating Journey of Love and Cultural Fusion

Alexandra Isobel writes engaging interracial romances, crafting compelling characters and plots set against vivid and immersive backdrops.

In ENTANGLED FATE, the reader is whisked away to the Basque country and immersed in its history and culture. Her storytelling makes you feel like you’re part of that setting.

In this well-written romance, the author blends passion, intrigue and cultural richness by masterfully crafting an interracial romance while exploring the complexities of love, showcasing multidimensional, well-developed main and secondary characters with relatable strengths and flaws.

Katherine’s unexpected journey into the heart of her enemy, Santiago, is filled with palpable sexual tension amidst a thrilling and suspenseful plot. You will root for this couple during this adventure-filled journey packed with emotional depth.

If you enjoy stories that celebrate the passion and diversity of romance through a cultural lens and stories where love knows no boundaries without stereotyping characters, I highly recommend this book.

[Booktokqutiepie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a quick read with rich cultural references and intense heat. The book begins with a God mother Katherine (Katrin ) our FMC court ordered guardian to oversee her godson’s supervised visits with his foreign Jordanian father while the child’s mother and Katrina’s best friend Molly is away on business. His Uncle Santiago (Iago) the MMC Is security at these visitations and can’t help but watch Katrin closely.

Since this is a shorter book without revealing too much of the plot things happen and Katrin and Tariq (the boy) end up overseas in Spanish countryside at his uncle Iago’s estate. Iago decides over the two weeks they are there that he must have Katrin and woo her into being his.

Some great moments in this book, some spicy some not but great once’s none the less. One of my favorites is the boat! I wish the ending had been a bit more drawn out I think there was more to be said with Malik and Molly and more with Katrin and Iago.

That being said I’d rate this 3.5 ⭐️ and 2🌶️

[Chasity Trimble · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is about a spicy forbidden romance that interlaces between cultures. The FMC, Katherine is a godmother to her best friend’s son, Tariq and they get kidnapped by his estranged father Malik. They were taken from their homes in Canada to Basque Country, northern part of Spain . The MMC, Santiago is the brother of Malik, and is holding Katherine in his home against better judgement due to his loyalty to his brother.

This starts off as a slow read for me however picks up when tension starts rising between the two of them and things start heating up. I really like the character Katherine and it took a little bit for me to like Santiago as much as I liked her. The Authors writing style was a little different for me, but I still feel the t was well written and I enjoyed the read. I would recommend for anyone who likes a spicy romance with intertwining of cultures.

*I received this as a free Advanced Readers Copy and am voluntarily leaving a review

[Kats · Rating 3 out of 5]

🖤Forced Proximity
🩸Enemies to Lovers
🖤Second Chance Romance
🩸Protective MMC
🖤Kidnapping

Katherine wakes up one day to find she, and the child she was supervising, have been kidnapped to Basque country by the child's father. Santiago is the brother who is now trying to sort it out, but he happens to be crazy about Katherine. Cue an enemies to lovers romance that sounds a bit more like a holiday romance in some instances than a kidnapping. I'm all for a domineering possessive man, I'm a dark romance fan after all, but there were a couple of moments I thought I don't like that. I did enjoy the exploration of the culture and history of the locations and the family though, it was clear that family was a strong connection for Santiago. I thought the end felt a little bit rushed and some elements were not really explained, like the backstory of how they all met/supervised visits, but it was a good story overall.

[Reads by Mama T · Rating 4 out of 5]

A mother takes a trip for research and entrusts her best friend to care for her son.

Her son’s father kidnaps them both and takes them to his home country halfway across the world, where his brother intervenes and promises the safety of them both.

Katherine (the best friend) finds herself helplessly attracted to Iago and bonded by a blood path and chemistry they become one.

A lot can happen in two weeks! Read to get the spicy details between these fated love birds!
——————————-————————————————

While I love the idea of the storyline I feel it was super slow in the beginning and then rushed in the end.

I also feel like the story was built up basing the reactions of how Molly would react upon her arrival in Basque Country to find her son and how the future panned for Malik, Molly and Tariq. So I was sad to not read anything past the initial encounter of her arrival.

[Sarah | Retro Girl Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Entangled Fate” is a cross cultural romance by Alexandra Isobel, and it was definitely a fun, quick read! Santiago did end up kidnapping Katherine to get her to go with him, but the situation is actually so much more complicated than that.

Santiago was the epitome of a possessive, hotheaded man, and even though he didn’t go about winning Katherine’s heart in the most conventional ways, I still enjoyed reading about his efforts.

Katherine was a complete and total sweetheart, but she also had this fire in her that added some flair to her personality. I loved her back and forth with Santiago, as well!

Like I said, Santiago and Katherine’s love story wasn’t conventional - far from it. But that doesn’t mean it wasn’t enjoyable! I’m actually glad I gave this book and Alexandra Isobel’s writing style a chance.

[bella · Rating 1 out of 5]

thanks to the author for giving me an ARC of this book! it was not my cup of tea, despite the lofty promises re:tropes and summary. while i think this author has astonishing potential, i think she needs a great editor- one who will tell her that the phrase "girl parts" does not belong in romance. i found the information in the story rich and abundant, but the author did nothing with it. the author also wrote an insufferable mmc who i am surprised did not receive some international form of a restraining order and took no fault in his own faulty actions. author, please look for a new editorial team; you deserve better!

[Isabella · Rating 1 out of 5]

**Received as an ARC**
I found this story parts cliche and parts repetitive. There were some interesting back story's that could have been delved into more but were just used as fluff. I did enjoy the sub plot regarding the ex husband. 
I found the descriptions in the spicy scenes to be a mixture of boarderline gory mixed with cringe. I dont think it was intentionally gory, and it definateltky wasnt in the dark romance scene setting sense, rather than questionable usage of discriptive words. I will give the book this - it helped me reach my lifetime quota on the phrase "lady parts" along with the unsettling number of times the word "tummy" was used

[J White · Rating 2 out of 5]

Entangled Fate by Alexandra Isobel is a romance story of two unlikely lovers. Isobel provides rich details for readers to find themselves lost in the beauty of Basque Country.

At times, I great enjoyed the character development of the MMC, however those moments were short lived due to the creative use of words used to describe female 'parts' - it completely brought me out of the story. Plot details at the beginning of the story, seem to become irrelevant as the story progressed, which made the plot slightly confusing.

[Brandy Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kathrine and Santiago were amazing together. Malik kidnapping Tariq and Katherine baffled my mind when I first read it I had to re read that sentence over again twice. The way Santiago called Kathrine Katrin was amazing. I know I keep saying amazing but Alexandra did an amazing job with this book. I was glad I got to read it as an ARC. It wasn't too much too soon It was set at a good pace and I thoroughly enjoyed it. When it got to the heated scenes I was so for it. I was waiting for them to give in and finally get together so when it finally happened I was happy.

[Autumn Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐️

I enjoyed this. It is a little slow in the beginning and there is a lot of history talked about which as I was reading made sense since culture is a big topic in this book. I quickly became attached to the FMC, but the MMC took a little longer to become attached to but I did end up liking him as well. There’s lots of spice as you get further into the book. I recommend if you enjoy spicy romance with cultural fusion relationships.

[Megan Key-Holliday · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up to 4. I enjoyed this story. I liked having a glimpse into a new culture that was very intriguing. The plot progressed quickly though I do feel like some points just fell off, never to be heard from again.

[Dani 💚]

DNF

[Ukiyo Sporrer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Alexandra Isobel and Happily Booked PR for the opportunity to ARC this story!

I found Entangled Fate by Alexandra Isobel to be an intriguing and enjoyable read. While the writing style was a bit unconventional for me, it remained engaging and well-crafted overall. Isobel’s prose carries a unique rhythm that, although it took a little time to adjust to, ultimately added depth to the story's atmosphere.

The pacing of the book starts off slow, with a gradual build-up of tension that later accelerates, drawing me in as the stakes and relationships became more intense. This slow burn approach allowed for a layered introduction to both the characters and the world they inhabit, though I wished it had gripped me a little sooner.

One of the standout aspects of the story was the exploration of history and cultural themes. These elements added richness and authenticity to the narrative, and I found myself appreciating the depth they brought. However, there were moments where the wealth of historical and cultural details felt a bit overwhelming, as if too much information was being delivered at once. This sometimes disrupted the flow of the story, but it didn’t detract too much from my overall experience.

Despite these minor flaws, Entangled Fate offered a fascinating blend of romance, tension, and cultural exploration.

[Sophia.Ailene · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story was very enjoyable,interesting story, fast paced. Intriguing characters!