Random Review: Moment of Fate by Karen Stivali #Review #Giveaway

Author: Karen Stivali
Book: Moment of Fate
Series: Moments In Time #5
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Publication date: February 24, 2017
Length: 244 pages
Cover Artist: Anna Sikorska


Reviewed by Morningstar


Synopsis

Bryan Dane’s been living the dream—photography student by day, up-and-coming rocker by night. His summer goals are to earn his last few credits, graduate from NYU, spend as much time in the recording studio as possible, and survive the next few months without sex so he can complete his yearlong goal of self-imposed celibacy. Everything is on track, until he meets Oliver Newcastle.

For years Oliver planned a marriage of convenience with his high school BFF, but now that she’s fallen in love for real, with someone else, it’s no longer convenient. So Oliver came out to his family, quit his job, and left small-town New England for NYC, an intensive summer study program, and a chance to find his own happiness.

From the moment they meet the sexual tension between Bryan and Oliver sizzles. But Bryan wants no part of a relationship, and Oliver wants to sew his wild oats—he just isn’t sure how. Oliver seeks Bryan’s help navigating the NYC gay scene, which throws them together in increasingly more sexual situations until they can no longer deny they're hot for each other. Bryan is desperate to keep things simple, but fate might have other plans.

Buy Links

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Amazon

Review

The first time I ever read a Karen Stivali book I fell in love! It was a free read (still free BTW) called Tonight. I remember reading this wondering first, how was it freaking free and second, why didn’t everyone and their mother know who she was and buy all her books like now?! Because, for me, her writing was fantastic, it was the flow, the pace, the characters, the settings, the HEAT. She had it all. And she quickly became one of my favorite auto buy authors. Maybe that makes me bias, but I think I can be objective...mostly ;)

The world she created in the Moments in Time series is a world with very dynamic and fully fleshed out characters that I cannot help but connect with, cheer for, and swoon over. And Moment of Fate was no different. Bryan Dane is the down to earth rocker guy who was going to NYU for photography we met in book one, Moment of Impact. Finally being able to see him and know him was what I’ve been waiting for. He’s the guy that never shares his problems, never wants to depend on someone else, but is always there to lend a helping hand. Bryan is working hard to graduate, taking it slow this summer with his band, and oh yeah he has that whole year of celibacy thing. I loved the glimpses we got of him in book one, but seeing him deeper here, finding out his secrets; shed a whole new light on what makes him tick. He’s not as put together as he makes himself out to be, which honestly made me love him more. He’s a funny guy who really gives everything 110% when he sets his mind to it. So finishing this pact shouldn't be so difficult…or so he thought until he met Oliver.

Oliver is a new character, and although the story is completely from Bryan’s POV, I felt I knew as much about him as I did Bryan. Oliver seems sweet, naive, and full of life. After living a half-life; he chose, he’s finally out in the big bad city wanting to explore and learn about the side of himself he’s kept hidden. I loved his blog and Bryan reading it - in his sneaky stalkerish ways - because it felt like through them I, as the reader, got to know him better. The chemistry between these two was a super slow burn but was hot and ready to ignite at any given moment. Karen took their story slowly and I loved each and every scene between these guys. And can I just say talk about super-hot catch the kindle on fire sex scenes!!! I know in part it’s the chemistry and anticipation but believe me when I tell you there are very few authors that I can say write smexy so well and Karen is one of them. It should come with a warning to not read in public, for sure.

The journey of love is easy to see between them, even when they weren’t ready to admit it. The story talks about Oliver's need for a new experience, exploring to get to know himself, but in the end this is a story about Bryan letting go of the past, looking to the future, and letting people in. It was heartwarming, heat filled, with breathtaking writing, and a place wouldn’t mind going back to again and again.

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