Laura’s Review of Unexpected Fate (Hope Town, #1) by Harper Sloan

Synopsis

Have you ever felt like you were living your life for a future that was predetermined? Like there was some bigger picture you just prayed you would someday see clearly? That picture has been crystal clear to me since I was old enough to recognize it for just what it was.

Or I should say recognize him for who he was.

I’ve loved Cohen Cage since I was a small child. He’s been my everything for the last twenty-two years. I’ve loved him through every girlfriend he’s ever brought home. Through his college years and then mine. I’ve loved him through two deployments. And ever since the day I told him how I felt, he’s acted like I’m a stranger.

My name is Danielle Reid, and it’s time for me to get my man.

Our future is an unexpected fate, and no matter what our parents, siblings, and friends say…it’s going to be worth every second of the fight to make it happen. 

What I Loved

          First off, Yay!! I’ve missed the wonderful people from the Corps Security series and it was so wonderful not only getting to see all of them again but to experience the next generation all grown up and falling in love.  If you have read the Corps Security then you know Cohen Cage very well, and will be very happy to see how much he’s grown up and the upstanding man he has become.  Danielle Reid was a baby in the previous series, so it was great to see all grown up and make a life for herself and what kind of father Axel Reid has turned out to be. 

          The very beginning of the book had me cracking up so much that people were looking at me like a crazy lady because I couldn’t stop laughing, at the same time sucking me into the story.  Danielle has grown up with an overprotective father, an awesome mom and great group of friends.  All of this mixed in together made for one hell of a book that I couldn’t put down and captivated me immediately.  Although there was funny parts, thanks to her brother Nate, there are also heart touching scenes along with pretty steamy love scenes.  Danielle has loved Cohen Cage her entire life, and just knows down to her bones that they are soul mates.  I loved how she never gave up, even when Cohen would push her away she always still loved him.  Cohen Cage finally pulls his head out of his ass, and the sexual tension between them builds from there until one fateful unexpected night that defined how their relationship would go from there. 

Not So Much

          My only main complaint is that this plot followed too closely to the Corps Security plots.  In almost all the books in that series the woman is being stalked or attacked and her new love is there to pick up the pieces and try to protect her.  I kind of wish this story broke away from that mold especially since this is a brand new series the overall plot should be completely different than other series.  It came off as unoriginal and predictable because of it.

To Sum It All Up!

          I was so happy to find out a new series was being made that circled around the kids from Corps Security.  Cohen cracked me up as a 4 year old constantly talking about penis jewelry and because I loved him so much as a kid I just knew I would love him as an adult.  It was heartwarming to see Cohen follow in his father’s footsteps and join the armed forces.  It shows how much Greg Cage meant to Cohen, and how their love and respect for each other grew over the years.  Danielle’s family leads to some hilarious scenes throughout the story, especially Nate!  The chemistry between Dani and Cohen was boiling and their sex scenes were freaking awesome!

This group of characters has always had a special place in my heart and because I knew most of them it was easy to become engrossed with this story.  I think the foundation of the plot was right on point, even if you haven’t read the Corps Security series I don’t think you would be completely lost because everything is laid out well. The development of the characters was pretty good too, watching Dani fall into her new role and watch Cohen finally man up was great.  I’m so excited for this new series and I can’t wait to jump into Bleeding Love.