This Is Fate

Fated Loves #1

by Zee Irwin

She’s sworn to go solo. He’s once-bitten and twice-shy. Together, their passion is—complicated.

Maddie McComber is driven to succeed. Working her way through Harvard by tending bar, the dual MBA and law student isn’t about to lose focus by letting any of her regulars take her to bed. But the flirty banter she shares with the well-dressed older man definitely makes her tingle in all the right places.

Daniel Jones has no faith in love. The high-flying billionaire divorce attorney knows from both personal and professional experience that almost all perfect affairs end in expensive disasters. But the way the attractive grad student at the pub sees past his wealth and acknowledges his true self has him totally hooked.

Moved when he rescues her from an attacker, Maddie starts to feel her anti-dating regulations may require serious review. But though Daniel recognizes she’s everything he wants, his heart remains mired in the pain of the past.

Can these two legal eagles soar over their fears and into a happy future?

This Is Fate is the standalone first book in the delicious Fated Loves contemporary romance series. If you like strong women, conflicted men, and steamy open doors, then you’ll adore Zee Irwin’s gorgeous tale.

Genres: Romance, Audiobook, Contemporary, Friends To Lovers, Contemporary Romance, Ebooks, Amazon

306 pages, Paperback

First published October 25, 2021

About the author

Zee Irwin is a USA Today Bestselling Author who gets powered up by steamy small town romance. She's a bit of sunshine living countryside in Pennsylvania with her own grumpy alpha guy, two teenagers, and twin kitties. Her favorite character to write is a small town billionaire, especially if he falls first, is former military, and is possessive of the woman he loves.
Visit her at zeeirwinauthor.com to keep up to date on her latest work in progress.

Reviews

[Cams Roberts · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have to admit the whole “I’m never going to love again” trope is probably my least favourite unless there’s a good reason for it. Unfortunately Daniel the H in this book doesn’t have a good enough reason as far as I’m concerned. He was hurt once and saw his mum hurt through her divorce so that’s it, love and commitment is out the door for him. I liked Maddie more than I did Daniel but she annoyed me too nearer the end. Instead of crying and giving into this idiot all the time, she needed to stand up for herself. It was a bit like Maddie meet doormat. I didn’t read the final chapter because by then I just didn’t care anymore.
Now after all that I will try this author again. Her writing was good, well paced and there was depth to the story. I will make sure it’s not the same trope though.

I received a free copy for an honest review.

[Megan]

This book was a building of a romance. There was alot of back and forth does he doesnt he, will she wont she. It isnt a bad read I just wish there was more content. There was alot of buildup to a relationship but not any clue of where the relationship went... I doo look forward to reading more from Zee Irwin!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Eileen Ehrmann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed This is Fate. It was a delightful read with all the warm fuzzy feels I love in a romance book.

Maddie and Daniel’s love story will give you those warm tingles we all love. The pace was perfect with just the right amount of angst to keep things interesting. I am looking forward to the next book in the series!

I’ve no doubt we have a lot to look forward to from this debut author!

[Readers Together · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first Zee Irwin book but it won’t be my last. I really enjoyed the story. It’s a relatively quick listen at almost 5 hours. But a lot is packed into that time.

If you love a bit of an age gap. A possessive hero who needs to overcome his past hurts, and a strong heroine, who knows what she wants. Then you will love Daniel and Maddie’s story. The sparks fly when these two meet, and it is more of a slow burn, but once that tension (that bleeds through the page) becomes too much, it’s explosive.

A definite must read. I look forward to more from this author.

Matt Haynes performed this book really well. He had his work cut out for him because the book is dual POV. Casting a single narrator for dual POV is always a difficult one, on the one hand you don’t have to worry about the voices sounding different, but on the other, the narrator you choose needs to have a strong voice for the opposite sex. Unfortunately, I don’t think it works too well for this book. During Daniel’s chapters everything sounded fine, and I enjoyed his performance immensely. However, when it came to Maddie’s chapters there just wasn’t enough of a feminine flare for me to get as connected or invested. Overall, it was an enjoyable listen, and I give the performance 4 stars. But I do hope future books will have two narrators.

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fated Love . . .

This is a well-written book with strong characters, Maddie McComber and Daniel Jones, and a great chemistry that stirred both of them up when neither wanted a relationship. The author delivered a well-paced sweet romance with descriptive and detailed scenes and delivers the kind of entertainment I enjoy reading. The humor just tops it all off perfectly!

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (8/27/2021)! 🎁

[Lisa Stinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story. This is the first book by Matt Haynes that I have listened to and I really enjoyed his narration. I do wish that there was a female narrator just to have a more distinct difference between chapters. He did a good job with Maddie's chapters, I just think a female narrator would have been a bit better.

Daniel definitely wasn't looking for love. That was one thing that he has sworn off since the way his father treated his mother when he was younger and then finding out his fiance had cheated on him and left him at the alter. He wanted nothing to do with love. He was expecting Maddie to get under his skin and slowly change the way he sees his future.

Maddie is focused on just getting through one day at a time while she is working her way through Harvard. Tending bar one night, she encounters Daniel and they slowly build a friendship that turns into so much more. But with Daniel refusing to discuss a relationship, she just can't keep trying with him.

It takes these two some time to finally realize that finding true love is worth it in the end.

[Kat Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story. Loved this one about two who meet, fall for each other, and fight it every step of the way. Great characters and great chemistry. I will read more by this author.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[J L · Rating 5 out of 5]

I fell in love with Daniel! Witty and entertaining interaction between the two main characters keeps the story moving throughout the book.

[BP34 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book in the Fated Loves Series and is read as a standalone. The author says that some of the characters will appear in additional books in the series. Maddie was a good girl in her last year at Harvard Law. Daniel is a silent partner in the pub where Maddie works. She doesn't sleep with customers and he main interest is in finishing school. Neither is looking for a relationship and he is sour on love because of past history and cheating. Fate keeps bringing them together. It's a sweet romance and love story where fate overrules. The author did a good job with the story line and characters.
.

[Rellim · Rating 3 out of 5]

This launches Zee Irwin’s Fated Mates series.

While this is a billionaire romance, I liked that everything Daniel did for Maddie was thoughtful, practical, and often under the radar. In some respects he rescued her yet it was respectful to her need to be self-sufficient. I enjoyed the slow burn friends-to-lovers for the first half of the book.

The pacing was a little slow and I’m mixed on the “I don’t believe in real love” trope. I think what kept the story from working well for me here was too much angsty back and forth from both Daniel & Maddie. Daniel was needlessly cruel in an effort to “create a clean break” and never actually apologized for it.

I did like the epilogue and it was nice to see their HEA.

Narration:
Matt Haynes is new to me. I enjoyed his performance, especially the Irish & Boston accents.

I received a free copy of this audiobook from Home Cooked Books and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Danda K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this story between Daniel and Maddie! Zee gave us the perfect amount of steam, emotions, and fun banter! Highly recommend!

[Ingrid Vermeulen-Quakernaat · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Is Fate: Epilogue
by Zee Irwin

A short but powerful epilogue that makes me want to read the book. An ARC of just an epilogue is something I've never experienced before. Still, like I said, this chapter makes me want to read the whole book. It is romantic and you feel the love between Maddie and Daniel
4*

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

And after reading the full book:
I received an ARC from This is Fate but initially only had the epilogue and I loved it.
The writer informs me that the whole story was indeed offered as ARC so I downloaded the ARC again from Booksprout and yes! Now I have the whole story of Maddie and Daniel.

And I still think Daniel and Maddie look great on paper, but now I also know what hurdles were taken before they get that romantic epilogue.

Daniel, you can't help but love this man. His fears for a relationship stem from personal experiences and his work as a divorce attorney. As soon as he sees Maddie, he is impressed by her and wants to get to know her.

Maddie gets to know him as a regular at the pub where she works. Every week he sits on the same bar stool, gives generous tips and their conversations deepen. When he comes to her aid when she is attacked, she realizes that she sees more in him, wants more with him. But how does she convince him that not all relationships are doomed to end in pain?

A great story as Zee Irwin's debut.
The emotions come through well. Both the banters and the flirting as the hope for more. The emotions of pain, being alone and the insecurities of Maddie and Daniel.
Really great well written story

5*

[Sarah Hills · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting read from a new author to me. It concerns Maddie and Daniel who are attracted to each other but fight this every step of the way, Daniel more so than Maddie.
He got up my nose a bit as I didn't feel he had enough reasons to not want to love or be in a relationship but I'm glad he saw sense with his mothers help!
A well written book, to good strong protagonists, good supporting cast who it looks like we see more of in future books.
A great read over two rainy days in London during the pandemic.
I have enjoyed the book and loved the way Daniel took care of Maddie as a true hero should.
I was given a copy of this book by voracious readers only for an honest review - I always give an honest review.

[Kristin Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a lovely quick read. I skipped to dinner to finish. Yes, it’s got a little of everything. Great dialogue but what I loved that the author did so well, was let us really into the minds if the main characters, Daniel and Maddie.

If you like an age gap romance this is for you. Daniel, a well-dressed lawyer, found a seat at the end of a bar where he is intrigued by the bartender. Maddie is a non-traditional student, meaning she has taken the long because of having to work her way through college.

Daniel fell for her but wouldn’t act on his feelings. He knew she deserved better despite his billionaire status. But he did as much as he could for her to show he cared…but was it enough?

Definitely recommend💚

[Hanna Barker · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book number 1 in the Fated Loves series and focuses on Daniel and Maddie. Maddie is a law student who works as a bartender. This is where she meets Daniel. Daniel is a silent partner in the pub that Maddie works at and starts coming in frequently just to see Maddie. Neither one of them is particularly looking for a relationship when they find each other but in the end they were exactly what the other person needed. I really liked this story and I can't wait to see what the rest of this series will be like.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Vinessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maddie a beautiful and feisty bartender has her rules and standards.

Daniel a man of his word, does not go back in a promise, no commitment in a relationship.

Until the feisty bartender..
Her eyes told a story and he was captured by her tail

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ree · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Having decided to be a perpetual bachelor, Daniel Declan Jones is perfectly satisfied with his life. Then he sees Maddie and his careful plans to stay away and remain unaffected fall through. As their relationship deepens, and his fears threaten, will he resign himself to fate?

Maddie is finishing law school and part-timing as a bartender. Her favourite customer soon becomes the man that she falls for, but he's afraid of labels. And for a woman who wants it all, his reluctance might prove too much.

This book by new-to-me author Zee Irwin is a light read with mild angst and drama. I felt Daniel's fears were over-the-top, and Maddie a bit too much of a pushover for him near the end. However, I liked all the characters introduced and look forward to book #2.

I voluntarily read & reviewed an ARC of this book.

[Dolores · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet light-hearted romance. I love the chemistry between Maddie and Daniel. I enjoyed Maddie's quick wit and humour and the laid back Daniel. It was fun to see the various characters evolve and how they all tie in together.
A great read for a sunny Sunday afternoon.

[Lillie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Maddie and Daniel's relationship was so freaking wholesome, and it made me yearn for a relationship like theirs. The narration for the audiobook was also fabulous. I will definitely be checking out more of Zee Irwin's works due to how much I loved this book.

[Ms K Nicholson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book, the story line was really good and kept you reading to the end.

Loved that Daniel came to believe that he could be a life long partner and his romantic gestures at the end. Also liked the fact that his mom found happiness a second time around.

Would recommend you add a copy of this book to your collection.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Voracious Readers Only

[Claire Trickett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and felt for Maddie before Daniel worked his feelings out.

I'm very pleased for the HEA. Looking forward to book two which I've already downloaded!!

I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author via Voracious Readers Only.

[Cathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Megan works at a bar to earn money while studying at Harvard. She has one firm rule for herself to make sure her work environment stays as it should, one rule she really wants to break after meeting Daniel.
This was a nice, easy read. I liked the casual banter between the characters and while I liked Megan and found her to be a relatable character, Daniel frustrated me, although I did like his mum. The pace moved along at just the right speed to be drawn into the detail of the story but not too much that it dragged. Overall, an enjoyable read.

[M.W. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! It has great characters and a nice storyline. I would definitely recommend!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

This Is Fate is a great listen. Rich (very rich) guy with some hang-ups and history and a very pessimistic outlook on love, and a grad student, some hang-ups and history of her own but a very different outlook on love. If it comes along and the timing is right . . . . The story starts out strong and just keeps getting better, in large part thanks to Matt Haynes’ excellent narration.

The first words we hear out of Daniel’s mouth confirm that he is a cocky, arrogant, rich guy with an attitude, certain he knows what’s best not only for himself but for everyone else. It doesn’t take long, though, until that tough guy who-cares-not-me façade begins to crack, and narrator Haynes does an wonderful job of portraying both Daniel’s cockiness and then his slow melt.

Maddie is intrigued when Daniel comes into the bar but intends to stick to her don’t get involved with the customers rule. She suspects there may be more than what he lets everyone see but she’s got to finish school and take care of herself so bar banter is her limit. Daniel, however, is more or less struck by lightning from the first time he lays eyes on her. Naturally, he won’t admit it. Actually, it’s doubtful he even realizes it. He admits to himself that he is drawn to her but he has rules, too. No involvement, no commitment, therefore no danger of losing your heart or inflicting pain on someone else. Love ‘em and leave ‘em. Or more accurately, spend one night with ‘em and leave ‘em. He’s a handsome billionaire with no shortage of available women, so his plan must be working, the rules must make sense, right? Hmmm, we’ll see about that.

As she gets to know Daniel and glimpses what’s beneath the mask he hides behind, Maddie realizes he’s a good man, caring, loyal, and generous. Her heart might be in a bit of jeopardy here. Daniel persists in thinking he just wants to help her because she works so hard and she’s so much fun to talk to at the bar. Okay, if you say so, Daniel. They are presented as a grad student and an older man but there’s only about eight years difference in their ages. Enough for him to be established and settled – or stuck in his stubborn rules and fears, and it’s a joy watching the effect she has on him. Maddie is like waves on the shore to Daniel, just washing over him and scouring these protective layers away. And even in the face of some weak moments, he still thinks he’s maintaining control.

Author Zee Irwin does a delightful job with the slow, tortuous dance going on. Maddie at least comes to realize she has serious feelings for Daniel, but he’s a stubborn man. His “Oh, fudge!” moments when he feels his rules and resolve shaking a little are hilarious. Falling for her? Nope, nope, nope. Can’t happen, I won’t let it happen, this is just like another business decision. It only sinks in very gradually how much he is doing, how much of his own life he is rearranging, to take care of and protect her. But nope, nothing serious going on here. Even after a fantastic, steamy, unforgettable night together he convinces himself that one night of heaven and the rest of his life in hell without her is worth not risking hurting her. Or himself. His surprise when his old friend violates the pact they made to never get involved again makes Daniel certain it will end in disaster and their no-involvement rule is still best. But it makes us smile as he clings to those fears; he must learn what it means to trust and to live, and to forgive yourself. And Maddie might just be the woman to make that happen.

This Is Fate bounces back and forth between Maddie’s and Daniel’s points of view. The writing is strong and the transitions are smooth. There is a lot going on outside of these two characters, much happening beneath the surface, a lot of secrets both old and new. It’s all integrated into an enjoyable contemporary story with some steamy fun, plenty of romance, and a little ironic humor (author Irwin has a knack for the humor – keep it up!). Daniel’s mother is an added bonus – go watch a movie with Maureen O’Hara playing a funny, caustic, straight-talking Irish mother and you’ve got the picture. It's a contemporary romance so we know where the story is going but getting there is a lot of fun (and a few tears) leading to a very satisfying ending. When the book started I was more than ready to give cocky Daniel a smack, but as the story went on and he revealed more and more of himself and his backstory he became so, so huggable and lovable.

Thanks to Karen White and Home Cooked Books for providing a copy of This Is Fate for my listening pleasure and honest review. It’s the first in the new Fated Lovers series by a new-to-me author. I will miss Maddie and Daniel but I can’t wait to hear more of Matt Haynes’ fabulous narration and see what happens in books two and three. All opinions are my own.

[Reader03 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read that was well written with wonderful characters that had good chemistry and great dialogue. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Joanne Bosworth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book really enjoyed the story, the male is a hero in his own right but doesnt want to taint the friendship hes developed with her by complicating things. He doesnt want any hurt his or hers.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a good story. It is my first by this author and I look forward to reading more by this one. This is Maddie and Daniel’s story. It is a lovely and beautiful developed story. I love the characters and the plot is interesting. The chemistry is strong between Maddie and Daniel with good build in the relationship.

[Lisa Garcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story.

[Karla Wheeler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Novel

Loved the authenticity of the characters! They depicted conflicts that are reflective of real life situations. I would love to read the love story of the the bar owner and his wife!