Kismet

by Vera Jane Cook

On a dreamy island off the coast of Long Island, Vic and Sydney appear to have everything—beauty, success, and a love story that seems almost charmed. Their only problems are the small, ordinary disagreements every couple faces… or so they believe.

But paradise has cracks they can’t see.

Behind the warm smile of a trusted friend lies a secret agenda. Beneath the calm surface of island life, old grudges and hidden desires are quietly aligning. And as Vic and Sydney plan their future, others are planning something far darker. When the truth finally breaks through the illusion, the couple is forced to confront a chilling their fate won’t be shaped by their dreams, but by the ruthless schemes of those who envy them most.

Kismet is a gripping tale of love, betrayal, and the dangerous power of the people we think we know. Perfect for readers who crave atmospheric settings, slow-burning tension, and twists that linger long after the final page.

288 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 28, 2026

About the author

Librarian Note: Also writes as Olivia Hardy Ray

Reviews

[Lulu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kismet had the bones of a four-star read, but too many plot holes and timeline inconsistencies kept pulling me out of the story and ultimately brought it down to three stars. The premise was interesting and the writing itself wasn’t bad, but some things simply didn’t add up or seemed to happen out of order. And these characters? I spent most of this book wanting to personally fight the entire cast, because the red flags were RED and somehow nobody suspected the one person doing the most until decades later—and even then, she basically outed herself. Overall, not a bad read, but the inconsistencies and mind-blowing stupidity of these characters kept it from being as good as it could’ve been.