My Twist of Fortune

The Greene Family #0.5

by Piper Rayne

Two aching hearts. A meddling small town. A second chance. It’s not a new story. Wife finds out husband’s been cheating on her and she packs up her four kids and heads back to her hometown, Sunrise Bay, Alaska. Yeah, not a fresh start, but thousands of miles away from my ex will do just fine. I’m prepared for the cold weather, the early snowfalls, and dark days and nights. What I’m not prepared for is coming face to face with my ex’s cousin and for the same feelings from twenty years ago to ignite like the flame never went out. It doesn’t take long before people are whispering about the widowed Hank Greene and me. But we both have children to think of this time around. Then again, Hank knows what it’s like to be a single parent and sometimes those damn dimples of his make it hard to remember why we can’t be together. This is a prequel to The Greene Family series and does not have to be read in order to enjoy the series.

Genres: Romance, Audiobook, Contemporary, Second Chance, Contemporary Romance, Friends To Lovers, Novella

140 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 4, 2021

About the author

Piper Rayne is a USA Today Bestselling author duo. Our goal is to bring you romance stories that have "Heartwarming Humor With a Side of Sizzle" (okay...you caught us, that's our tagline). A little about us... We both have kindle’s full of one-clickable books. We're both married to husbands who drive us to drink. We're both chauffeurs to our kids. Most of all, we love hot heroes and quirky heroines that make us laugh, and we hope you do, too.

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Reviews

[Elisa ♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

this book has:

-> single mom
-> widower hero
-> single dad
-> kinda second chance (he liked her back in high school, but nothing ever happened)
-> small town
-> cute couple

[maura · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

i think this one is my fault. i just don't really like single-parent romances because its just so different from my life right now. if you like small town, single parent romances this might be for you

[Regan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where it begins

I loved the Bailey stories and I just started these. So far, they’re good. I can’t wait to read more of them.

[Nadine Bookaholic · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Greene Family is here and we are starting off with a freebie! Thank you PIPER RAYNE!!!

Amazon - https://amzn.to/3aZRKdM (2/11/21 #ad)

[⭐Toonasa⭐ •Romance Book Lovers' Haven• · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
A Sweet, Swoony & heartwarming prequel to this lovable Small-Town series! This novella tells us the tale of Hank & Marla's love. DEVOURED this in around 2hrs, read way past midnight as I started it then 🤣.

Marla's back in town leaving her cheating jerk husband (who's Hank's estranged cousin btw), while Hank's wife died tragically 5yrs ago. Both have their kids to handle, but when due to a water heater they meet...
The 2 decades old feelings rise again.

I liked the slowburn yet flirt & fast pace as H+M are mature, especially as they've both experienced love, loss & now hope again. Hank's such a sweetie, how can't Marla fall for him?! With small town gossip, meddling oldies & kids drama, Fun dates, there's not a dull moment! 😁

I liked how though M+H were trying to keep it a secret, it wasn't really...& Came out in such a spectacular way 🤣. I love these two!

It was amusing to see Jed & Cade's rivalry as I know they'll be besties as future stepbrothers, which we see a glimpse of. Seeing these kids, who are adults in the series books, is cute!

I've already read the 1st 3 books in this series (Fun to see the Cade's POV in last chapter here!), I'm glad to have accomplished reading this before I start "Summer Bash". I'm so excited, plus omg Jed's book's released too. Yay!

[Rosie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Piper Rayne’s interconnected Bailey series was one of my favourites of 2020, so hearing the Greene family from the next town over were getting the same treatment had me so excited, especially after the hints we got in the last Bailey book. I was also so excited to see Dori and Ethel, the meddling Grandma’s matchmaking skills all over again!

Marla has returned to Sunrise Bay with her four kids after divorcing her cheating husband Jeff. She’s trying to put her life back together in her hometown but doesn’t expect Hank Greene to be the one to help her pick herself back up. Her ex-husband’s cousin, she grew close to him in high school, forming a friendship which developed into more romantic feelings, but at 18, she picked Jeff. Hank’s a widower with his own five children, all similar ages to Marla’s. Their spark is still there, but how will their kids, and the tiny Alaskan town they grew up in, react to the news that they are seeing where that spark goes?

It was well worth reading this short novella before starting the Greene series, because it sets up the Greene family dynamic perfectly, introducing you to the blended family, who they are and a bit about their personalities. I am so excited for the kids’ books to come next!

[Paula Phillips · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my favourite family saga authors is the duo known as Piper Rayne. The other thing that I love with their books and different series is they often have a connection to a previous series by her and some of the characters /place’s crossover and work as a great lead-in to a new series. For the Greene Family, this series spins-off from another family - The Baileys. Remember Dori Bailey's best friend Ethel Greene? This is her family, like Dori - Ethel is the Matriarch of the Greene family. Years ago, Marla went to high school in the town and was best friends with two cousins Jeff and Hank Greene. She really should have married Hank but ended up marrying Jeff and moving away to Arizona where Jeff became successful and rich. Unfortunately, though with this came Jeff's many affairs and the last one was the final straw for Marla. She has moved her and her four kids back home to her parent's house while they are away RV'ing around the country. While in town, Marla meets back up with Hank and the pair of them reconnect and the strong sparks are still there. Hank is also a single dad of four as his wife Laurie died five years ago in a freak accident. Though they make each happy, will their children be happy with the relationship especially since technically their children are second cousins as their dad Jeff is Hank's cousin? Find out in this prequel to another amazing series by Piper Rayne that I am excited to get reading and falling in love with another family and just like Lake Starlight has their Buzzwheel Gossip newspaper, this town has a gossip segment on the radio which outs Hank and Marla to the world.

[The Romantic Rush Blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

The only comfort I had with the iconic Bailey family series coming to a conclusion was the promise of this spin-off series and the Green family- the progeny of Ethel Greene, the bestie of everyone's favorite grandma, Grandma Dori.

This novella gives us a taste of what's to come in what already appears to be an equally complicated and equally lovable dynamic family. This story centers on Marla- who was once best friends with two cousins and unfortunately made the wrong decision when it came to getting romantic with one. Years later, after a failed marriage and an unfaithful husband, she and her kiddos come back home, putting her back in the sights of, you guessed it, the cousin she should have chosen. A widower and single parent of several kiddos.

Their reconnection is easy, but with so many kids in the mix, the real question is if they can blend their very large and complicated brood. And, of course, there's that pesky situation about Hank being related to Marla's heinous ex.

This is a delightful prequel that both sets this family apart while also comforting us to know that what we loved about the Bailey's will translate- small town, gossip, a lovable matriarch, the family first dynamic, and sweet and swoony love stories. Gonna love this series!

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute way of introducing us to a new series. It was a sweet second chance romance between two old high school friends. I enjoyed getting to know Marla and Hank, and all their kids- many of whom we'll be getting to know much better in the upcoming books. I can't wait to see what's to come.

[belle ☆ﾐ (thisbellereadstoo) · Rating 4 out of 5]

i’ve always been curious about hank and marla’s reunion, and the process of the rekindling their feelings for one another in a small town where everyone knows that marla was married to hank’s cousin. things aren’t awkward between the couple at all. they had their moments at the beginning but things smoothen out almost immediately as they started spending more time together. most likely because of their age and the time they have already spent apart, marla and hank were incredibly open with their feelings and communicating their worries to one another. one of their biggest worry is how their children will get along considering that jed’s appearance had caused cade to share the quarterback position. another thing was the small town gossip that kept bringing up marla’s ex-husband. though the couple aren’t that worried about the gossips, they are concern on how that would impact their kids.

overall, it was a great novella that showed the start of a huge, loving greene family, and the younger versions of marla’s and hank’s children. i think reading about them when they were younger contrasted with how they behaved in the future, especially for jed who had a lot of demons regarding his birth father.

[Steph's Romance Book Talk · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars / 2.5 Steam Fans

Video review available in Week 28: Jul 11 – Jul 17, 2021, full weekly book reviews available on Steph's Romance Book Talk Patreon.

For other bookish content, check out my YouTube Channel: Steph's Romance Book Talk.

[Cheryl Graham-Petit · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Twist of Fortune is the first book in the new The Green Family series. This sweet and heartfelt second chance story gives the reader a glimpse into the Greene family history.

I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable and real!

This was a great way to get introduced to the Green family! Piper Rayne does such a good job at emotional connections and realness between characters. I felt like it really showed in this book. It was really neat to get the parents’ backstory! I’m so excited to see all of the Greene children as adults finding their happy ever after. Oh, and that Grandma Dori cameo was perfection! I’m so excited for the Greene Family Series!!

[Steffi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Schöner Auftakt für die neue Reihe des Autoren-Duos. Die Story war süß und genau so cozy wie schon die Baileys-Reihe. Bin also sehr gespannt auf die anderen Teile des Spin-offs rund um die Greene Familie.

[Susan McClintock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here’s a story of a lovely lady
Who was bringing up four very lovely boy & girls
All of them moved to Alaska, with their mother
The youngest one in curls.

Here’s the story, of a man named Hank Greene
Who was busy with five kids of his own.
They were six folks living all together
Yet they were all alone.

Til the one day when this lady remet this fellow
And they knew it was much more than a hunch
That this group must somehow form a family
That the way they become the Greene Bunch.

Okay, so I probably shouldn’t become a lyricist, but you get the point. This is the prequel to the new series by Piper Rayne, The Greene’s. This is a second chance romance between widower Hank Greene and newly divorced Marla Greene (she was married to his cousin). Marla brings four kids to the mix and Hank brings five. This blended family will be the basis of the new series the Greene’s. I loved Hank and Marla’s story and I cannot wait for all of the kids stories. I received an arc of this book from the author for my honest opinion.

[BOOKLOVER_81 · Rating 4 out of 5]

If a Hallmark movie needs to be a book, this is it! He's a widow with 5 kids. She's newly divorced of 4 kids to his cousin. They had a friendship in high school ... a attraction.

I loved that they were both older in age and struggling. I liked that they didn't play games about their feelings. It's was a cute read. But mostly a 3.75 rating.

**Second chance
**Widow/Divorcée
**A lot of kids
**Great chemistry



Libby listen 🎶

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute novella!

[zae · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good quick read to start off the Greene Family series!!! This made me feel giddy with excitement for the series! I love that we get a glimpse of the parents’ relationships (esp since we didn’t get one for the Baileys) & the introduction for the kids. It's cute to know how they are at that age esp since the series stars 10 (?) years after this novella <3

[Shan ~A~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great prequel to introduce the Greene family siblings. I knew once I finished that last book in The Bailey's series that the Greene's were going to get their story. Getting to see how they became a family was awesome and I can't wait to experience each of the sibling's love story.

At the time of this review, the book was free. However, I listened to it on Hoopla and the narration was great.

I'm excited for the books to follow.

[Tpagirl Loves Romance · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Twist of Fortune was the prequel to the Greene Family series by the authors Piper Raine. The series was a spinoff from their Baileys series; however, it was not necessary to have read the Baileys series first.

I loved the prequel and it set the stage for the series well. The series will ultimately be about the blended family children finding their mates but the authors gave us the parents first.

Hank Greene was the single father to five children (Cade, Adam, Xavier, Fisher and Chevelle) having tragically lost his wife to a freak accident. It had been five years, his children were growing and his high school crush moved back to town. Maybe it was time to look at things differently.

Marla McAlister-Greene was the divorced single mom to four children. Staying in the same town with her cheating ex was no longer fun so she hightailed it back to her hometown with her children (Jed, Nikki, Mandi and Posey) in tow to pick up the pieces again. Oh, and did you notice the Greene - yup, her ex was the cousin to Hank. Can you say awkward?!

True to form, the authors brought us a humorous tale. They also included a few life lessons along the way providing additional depth and dimension to the storyline. Ultimately, My Twist of Fortune was the foundation for the series and I totally fell in love with the unique personalities presented for both families. It looks like Cade is up first in My Beautiful Neighbor and I can’t wait!

[Kate McMurry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story that has a taste of the 1960s Lucille Ball movie, Yours Mine And Ours.

A 42-year-old widower falls for a divorced woman his same age whom he had a huge crush on in high school. But there are two big problems standing in the way of a potential HEA. He has five children and she has four, and she used to be married to his cousin.

This book has a very sympathetic hero and heroine and lots of fun subcharacters in the form of their children and the hero's matchmaking mother.

The next book in this series takes place a few years after the events of this book. It and each of the subsequent books will be about the romance of one of the adult children of this delightful couple.

[Michal · Rating 4 out of 5]

In a little town in Alaska two families reunited when the widowed father and the divorced mother, who were almost high school sweethearts, got their second chance..

Great start for the greene family.

Two mature and strong characters in their forties, family and friends in strong cycle, he had five kids and she had four and later they had another one together, no drama, no ow or om, no angst and a really smooth sailing.

[Erin Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was drawn into this story from the first chapter. Having read and loved the Bailey family from Piper Rayne I wasn't sure of I would be able to dive into a new family. Boy was I wrong.

What a great introduction to the Greene Family this was. The characters were easy to relate to ad I found myself totally invested.

I cannot wait to read more in the series and knowing that Dori and Ethel will be popping in just made my day.

[Live, Laugh, Love · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this world Piper has created! Second Chance Romances are the best. Seeing Hank and Marla grow and come to terms within themselves. Plus you dont just get a sweet second chance romance, you get a whole family! There is so much depth into this world that was created. I can't wait to see where it goes from here.

[Crystal Wilke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eeekkkkk! We are back in Alaska but with a new family, The Greene's. My Twist of Fortune is the beginning of a new series. I am beyond excited to see more of Ethel and Dori. The Greene grandkids are in for a surprise.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Totally loved this book and although I knew what had happened in regards to this couple. It was brilliant reading about it as it happened. Reading about the kids as they were younger was great and I laughed loads and loads. A great novella and a total recommend

[Lauren · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just… so many questionable decisions made in this book. What.

[B-Books Review · Rating 5 out of 5]

“𝙄 𝙡𝙚𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙤𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙨𝙡𝙞𝙥 𝙖𝙬𝙖𝙮 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙢𝙚 𝙤𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙄 𝙬𝙤𝙣’𝙩 𝙙𝙤 𝙞𝙩 𝙖𝙜𝙖𝙞𝙣. 𝙏𝙤 𝙝𝙚𝙡𝙡 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙩𝙤𝙬𝙣 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙞𝙧 𝙜𝙤𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙥 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙟𝙪𝙙𝙜𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙨.”
💖
Let’s talk about “My Twist of Fortune by Piper Rayne”, the prequel of The Greene Family.
💙
When I finished the first book of the Greene family, My Beautiful Neighbor, I knew that I had to know how Hank and Marla came together, they intrigued me and also because their roads couldn’t be easy. Especially when there is 9 (!!!) kids involved, here is the list: from Hank: Adam, Cade, Chevelle, Fisher and Xavier. From Marla: Jed, Mandi, Nikki and Posey. Plus Rylan, who is from both of them and came later in the game.

So I started My Twist of Fortune and right from the start I felt for Marla and Hank, they were friends in high school, but then they roads were split apart. She got to marry his cousin, Jeff, who years later became a cheater and a bastard. And Hank got married with Laurie, got five kids and a good marriage, only for her to die tragically. Years later, Marla returns to Sunrise Bay with 4 kids and on track to begin a new life.

I loved how they reconnected and they were both at a right fase in their lives they could try to have something more. I’ll tell you what: Marla and Hank are relationship goals! I’m seriously in love with them and they might be my favorite couple from Piper and Rayne. Together they were stronger and their chemistry was off charts. It didn’t hurt that Hank was the guy that every woman deserves in life. God, please put one of that in my path!

They have some bumps on their way and after my reading I already have my favorite kid from them: Posey and Adam (Chevelle is closer too). They are the best and I can’t wait to read their books. Oh! We also witness the beginning of Ethel and Dori friendship! Goals! This serie has a lot to give and it’s a highly anticipated for me. If you want to dive in the Greene family, read this book first, you won’t regret!

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a delightful prequel to The Greene Family series. Hank and Marla were friends in high school. But both felt there was a something a little more between them that could grow to be more than friends. Although, those feelings were not explored. Marla married and moved away.
Twenty years after high school, Marla moves back home with her four kids for a fresh start and to be near her parents after her husband walks away from their marriage. Marla’s first encounter with Hank was due to a broken water heater that needs to be replaced pronto. Both Marla and Hank notice a spark at that brief encounter. Hank has been a widow for 5 years and this would be his first relationship since losing his wife that he loved dearly.
Hank also has 4 children. Watching Marla and Hank venture back into the dating world while also ensuring their kids are doing well and thriving in this new normal was wonderful and sometimes a little sticky.
I loved Marla and Hank. I laughed out loud several times while listening to the book. I look forward to reading more in this series!

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Even though this was a short introduction to the series, I felt like it was a complete story and a satisfying one at that. Seeing Marla and Hank reconnecting after their marriages both ending with in kids in tow was just something utterly special and beautiful. There was the fact that Marla’s ex was the cousin of Hank just added a twist, but also some intensity as well. The fact that they already had a friendship when they were teens was a good foundation to what became a soul mate type of love. The friendship between them was great. The connection they built was special. What I really liked seeing was how the kids dealt with the two of them dating and dealing with that struggle. I liked it didn’t cause a problem between them but only strengthened their relationship and family because of what they had to overcome. It just made it feel very much based in reality. It provided with a satisfying conclusion that I am assuming will lead to the kid’s story in the series. It was a very enjoyable read.