Fate Book

Fate Book #1

by Mimi Jean Pamfiloff

A New Adult, Contemporary Romance from New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author, Mimi Jean Pamfiloff.

Dakota Dane is about to tell a lie she’ll wish she hadn't. Because her lie is dangerous, sexy, and just showed up on campus, angry as hell and looking for her...

Ugly duckling Dakota Dane has a new boyfriend. He’s male-model gorgeous, built to perfection, wealthy, and smart. He is also a lie. As in, 100% fabricated. Does it matter that Dakota has a perfectly good reason for making him up? Not really. Not when Dakota’s made-up boyfriend shows up in the flesh.

So is she crazy? All signs point to maybe. But the walking, talking enigma with the deadly vibe isn’t about to give her any answers or let her out of his sight. And with college just around the corner, Dakota fears her dreams of a bright future have just collided with a dark rabbit hole…

Genres: Romance, New Adult, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Suspense, College, Mystery

220 pages, ebook

First published August 9, 2013

About the author

Because Mimi wants to focus on writing and her freakin' awesome fans, she does NOT monitor this site. PLEASE GO TO her Facebook
FAN PAGE: https://www.facebook.com/groups/MimiJ...

or her website:
www.mimijean.net, and sign up for her newsletter if you want the latest FREEBIES and news!
****
MIMI JEAN PAMFILOFF is a New York Times bestselling author who writes insane plot twists that will have you burning through the pages. Whether it’s Romance, Suspense/Thriller, or Fantasy, there are always big heroes to root for, smart and resourceful heroines, and a ton of heart pumping excitement in every story.

Mimi lives with her extremely patient husband (“Be right there! Just one more page, honey!”), two pirates-in-training (their boys), and their three spunky dragons (really, just very tiny dogs with big attitudes) Snowy, Mini, and Mack, in the vampire-unfriendly state of Arizona.

Reviews

[Carol [Goodreads Addict] · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the past I have confessed my love for all things Mimi Jean Pamfiloff. I fell in love with her series, Accidentally Yours. Happy Pants Café was amazing. Then, I read Fate Book. This book was fan-freaking-tastic! So my fanhood of this author has just been compounded like crazy!!! I have had Fate Book forever. Why didn’t I read it before now? I have no earthly idea and am hitting myself over the head because of it.



First of all, the cover couldn’t be more perfect. This is exactly how I imagined Santiago would look.

Dakota Dane has just turned eighteen and is just a few weeks from graduating high school. She has struggled to fit in at school, only making one best friend. She has been constantly bullied by the school mean girl, Janice. She has no idea why Janice hates her so much but it seems to be the goal of Janice’s life to make her miserable. But Dakota is eighteen now, and is determined to take control.

“Everything will be great. The universe likes you. Dax will notice you. You are not afraid of Janice.”

But things do not go as planned and in a desperate attempt to win the war with Janice, Dakota invents a boyfriend. She names him Santiago and goes so far as to post his picture on Facebook. So little did she expect to return to school and find Santiago waiting for her in the flesh. And every inch of him was just as sizzlingly sexy as she dreamed he would be.

“Oh my God. Was everyone in on this? Had Invasion of the Body Snatchers been based on real events? Because that’s what this felt like.”

I have to admit, I was completely perplexed as to what was going on. Who was Santiago and where did he come from? And his demeanor towards Dakota was so confusing. He was surly one minute and over protective the next. The chemistry between these two was completely off the charts. As things progress, answers are given. And just when Dakota thinks she has regained control of her life, graduated high school and started her college education, her life takes yet another unexpected turn when Santiago re-enters her life yet again. Santiago and Dakota are then forced onto a wild ride to protect their lives. This is not at all what Dakota had in mind for her first semester of college.



“What do you want from me? To see me crumble? To see me fall into the world’s tiniest pieces, so small that no one can ever find me? Because that’s where I’m heading! I’m not like you! I’m a person. I’m real!”

Throughout this entire ordeal, the only solace Dakota has is her journal, a gift from her father, where she pours out her heart, describing every detail of her dreams of Santiago, and the turmoil of her emotions.



This book was just so awesome. The suspense was crazy. I could not stop turning the pages trying to figure out what was going on. Santiago was just “sigh,” well, you get the idea. But he is determined not to give in to the attraction he feels for Dakota. Will he be strong enough to keep his distance or will the electric chemistry they both feel win out?

“It would be silly to need someone so much when I didn’t really know him, wouldn’t it? So why did I feel that way?”

Mimi Jean, I profess my love for you. I will read anything you write. You are amazing. Stay tuned for Fate Book Two, due out in December, 2014. I will be first in line to read it. So if you haven’t read this yet, love a good romance with lots of suspense and wonderful characters, read this book. I really don’t think you will be disappointed.

[Geri Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I honestly didn't know what to expect when I started reading Fate Book. I was intrigued with the blurb. I mean, who wouldn't? A dorky high school girl who had trouble fitting in, made up a boyfriend based on an image he saw on the Internet and the next day she found out that her "made-up" boyfriend was real and pissed at her. I just couldn't resist. I had to read it.

Fate Book had a lot of promise but I was a little bit let down during the first half of book. I couldn't connect to Dakota at all. I questioned a lot of choices she made. Santiago, Dakota's made-up boyfriend, blew hot and cold that I had trouble keeping up with his feelings or his non-feelings for Dakota. Fortunately, the mystery that was hinted at the very beginning was slowly, unraveling and before I knew it, I was hooked to the story.

I liked the twist and turns in this story. And I liked even more that Dakota and Santiago finally got both their head on straight and just confronted their growing feelings for each other. Santiago finally proved how uber hot and badass he can be by being there for Dakota. And when they came together, I was like, "Yipee!"

The ending was okay. It was satisfying although I wanted more answers regarding Dakota's father's involvement in the whole thing. He was a major player in the story but except for a few explanations here and there, I never really got to know him and the state of his relationship with his wife. Overall, still a satisfying read though. :)


Copy is generously provided by the author to Ever After Romance as part of a blog tour and in exchange for an honest review.

[Dali · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think it’s time Mimi seriously considers promoting FF&SS (Fast and Funny, Smart, Sexy), especially as a reference to her writing!

I was pretty sure I would like this book before opening it, and even after starting it when I was really sure I had figured out what was going on I loved it. Because when you pick up a romance novel, you’re fairly certain you’ll get a happily ever after, what’s important is how you get to that fairy tale ending.

Mimi’s writing style is both funny and enticing; she sets a pace that has you glued to your favorite reading spot and makes the time fly.

I liked Dakota’s personality and how she matured and faced her Fate. I fell in love with Fate Book’s lust, rock star, tough guy, jock, Prince Charming, and misfit rolled into one male lead.

I laughed at the eclectic film references that ranged from Star Wars to Meet the Family to Twilight and yes, even E.T. which mostly came from Dakota’s smart mouth.

“But what if ET comes by and wants to call his mother?”
“Tell him to fuck off”

I wanted to cry and act out in frustration together with Dakota. I updated my status with so many quotes I liked that I could’ve copied the entire book on it and in the end we learn why this novel is titled Fate Book and I only wish I had more, may be from our alpha male’s POV.
Reviewed on 08.13.2013

[Dhini · Rating 5 out of 5]

❤❤❤❤❤5 ~THRILLING HILARIOUS FASCINATING~ Stars❤❤❤❤❤

“Fate. Such a simple word, isn’t it? But there’s nothing simple about it.”

Holy.Mother.So.Fucking.Sexy.Italian.Alpha.Male
Crap.Crap.Crap !!!!

Paolo..Paolo..Paolo (or Santiago?)
Whatever
I LOVED HIM OH SOOOOO MUCH ❤❤❤

Meet Santiago (or Paolo) a 23 y.o, sexy, mysterious, gorgeous Italian man.



One day he showed up at Dakota's life like a magic.. said that he was her boyfriend and kept telling her not to question it.

Dakota an 18 y.o girl who apparently had a rough school life.



She was bullied by her friends.
And after Santiago came into her life, her school life suddenly became more bearable.

But then, Santiago dissappeared like he never exist.

4 months later, Santiago came back again to Dakota's life. Said that he won't leave her anymore. He was there to keep her safe.

But then Dakota's life turned upside down. Everything seems like hell, but she still had no clue what had happened to her life.

“My only regret is that I never had the chance to tell you that I think our ghosts, our fears from the past aren’t there to hold us back or to make us feel afraid, but to teach us to value what we have. To fight for what we love.”

It was a thrilling, fascinating story.

It kept to surprise me.

I loved it a lot..

It's a STAND ALONE, but I want more Paolo-Dakota's story..

[The BookChick · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Rating: ★★★★★

EXCELLENT: The characteristics of a 5 star story include: an awesome story; and, I love everything about the story — characters, plot, and story elements. I would definitely read it again and I would highly recommend it to a friend and rave about it often.

My Thoughts:
Mimi Jean...Mimi Jean...MIMI JEAN!!! <--yes, that much emphasis was required. *LOL*

I have read most of the books in the Accidentally Yours series and enjoyed all of them because they are wholly different from each other but the storyline flows from one to the next. I love the characters in the series and the passion between them. So, I will say honestly that I was expecting THAT kind of story when I picked up Fate Book. And I'm happy to report that I did not read THAT kind of book. Fate Book was a fast paced, new adult romance that was definitely unique and engaging. Without going into any details about the story -- I know! Sue me! But, I ain't ruining it for you! *LOL* -- readers will be pleasantly surprised with this one. When you first begin, it reads like a paranormal romance but ends anything but. So, grab this book and hold on to your seats. Fate Book will thrill you and intrigue you. You will not want to put it down. And it's a steal right now at only $.99.

Pick up your copy today: Amazon | BN | Kobo

Ratings Detail:
Rating for female protagonist: 5★
Rating for male protagonists: 5★
Rating for secondary characters: 5★
Steam Level: 5★
Plot Viability: 5★
General Storyline: 5★
Story Ending: 5★
Ease of Reading: 5★
Book editing: 5��
Cliffhanger: No

Overall rating: 5★

Would I recommend this book: Yes!
Would I read other books by this author: Absolutely!

For more of my reviews visit The BookChick Blog

[Aura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dakota is that girl that the most popular girl in school like to torment. She's a good girl. That rare kid that stays out of trouble, keeps good grades, is dependable and trustworthy. But, the first day back at school after spring break, that popular girl starts poking at her, and she's snaps. Just a little snap, like good girls do - she only tells a little lie. That she met a guy, and he's her boyfriend.

She even tries to cover her tracks. She makes a fake FaceBook profile for him and looks online for a picture of her imaginary boyfriend. Only, the next day, he shows up at school.

I really like Dakota. She's very relateable. Even if you weren't the good kid, her little insecurities and quirks are just normal. She is the every 18-year-old girl.

Santiago is not the every-anything. He's sexy, mysterious, intimidating, and confusing. Where the heck did he come from? Is Dakota really crazy? Is this book a paranormal and someone failed to mention it in the blurb? Really, who the heck is Santiago?

The facts come out in bits and pieces. Some of them are a bit obvious. Some are really not.

Dakota is a full character. She has a total personality, a background, and real reactions. And, she's not a twit! I wouldn't say she's a bad-ass heroine, but she's no damsel in distress, either. She's a normal girl. Maybe I read too much paranormal and such, but I really like normal on Dakota.

Santiago is…confusing. I spent most of this book just trying to figure out what the heck his deal was. I was convinced that this was going to turn out to be a paranormal. It's not, but it's almost frustrating trying to figure out who he is and how he got there. But, I gotta say, it was worth it.

The story is original, the hero and heroine are inspiring, and the book is a rush.

My only issues:
· The story wraps up in a rush and seems awfully convenient. Mr. Dane does a total 180 at the end, and it didn't feel like it fit his character.
· The only visible bad guy is pretty tacky.
· Just what the heck does Mr. Dane do?

Overall, this was a fantastic read, especially since it was a freebie!

[*J* Too Many Books Too Little Time · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars!

The storyline definitely held promise but for me it just didn't quite develop. This was my first book by this author....and I will say it was definitely well written. It and great dialogue and some really funny banter.

Fate Book begins with our heroine, Dakota, in high school. Dakota has always been bullied and picked on. She returns to school after Spring Break with a new wardrobe and style and suddenly people start to take notice of Dakota. In an effort to stand up to her bully, she makes up a tiny little lie about spending spring break with her new boyfriend. A boyfriend named "Santiago" who's picture she plucked off the Internet and posted to FB.

A boyfriend who appears out of thin air and seems to be a lot more real then Dakota imagined. Now at this point in the book, I wondering is this paranormal??? I got really confused and had a hard time following the storyline. Apparently Dakota's life and family isn't exactly what or who she thought it was. And Santiago is protecting her from something dangerous??? This is the part of the story that never really developed for me.

Santiago ends up disappearing only to reappear several months later once Dakota heads to college. Apparently she's in danger again?? The rest of the book is spent with Santiago and Dakota on the run. But I never really knew why or who they running from. IDK, it was all very weird. Dakota and Santiago of course end up falling for each other....this is a romance after all.

I'm just kind of at a loss still what to think. I can't decide if I really liked it or not. Perhaps if the suspense element had been a bit more developed. It definitely had potential.....this was a standalone with a HEA.

[ZARIA (Sheldon Cooper lover) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dakota Dane goes through a lot of drama, puzzles and of course, my favorite, hot scenes. A fantastic read and I look forward to read some more work from this author!

[❃**✿【Yasmine】✿**❃ · Rating 5 out of 5]

What happens when your fake boyfriend appears from nowhere?

“MR. TALL, DARK AND SCARY-AS-SHIT-BUT-HANDSOME”

Cover: 4/10
Plot: Who the f*ck is he?
Writing style: 7/10
Heroine: 7/10
Hero/s: 9/10
Heartbreak: 3/10
Romance: 6/10
Hotness: 6/10
Ending: 7/10
Extra book Details: Standalone, HEA.
Overall: Mixture of genres.

After being an ugly duckling all her life, 18 year old Dakota has transformed herself over the high school break, loosing the glasses, braces and fuzzy hair, she's determined to re-invent herself and get the guy.

When her high school enemy shows her up in front of the school, she lies... She tells everyone she has a handsome spanish boyfriend called Santiago. Backing up her lie, she finds a random picture of her new fake-boyfriend on the internet and creates a Facebook page for him.

But what happens when he appears out of thin air? When he tells her that he is her boyfriend, bodyguard and protector? When he won't answer her questions? And what happens when shit hits the fan and he tells her that her life is in danger?

'“I won't be far, Dakota.” Had he meant that as a threat? Or to comfort me?'

'I was developing some strange, dark obsession with him.'

'Der iz no name for usss...'

The dialogue and situation at the beginning of the book made it feel quite YA, then as it progressed, the lust made it feel more of a NA mystery, but by the last half, it was more of a action-romance. I did enjoy the last 50% a little more. Reason for the 3.5 stars? Well I didn't feel the romance, but I very much felt the lust. I wouldn't read it again, I would read more from the author, and I'm glad I read it.

Dakota is very much an 18 year old, only just feeling adulthood, she is bold, truthful (most of the time) and not scared to tell 'Santiago' where to stick it. 'Santiago' is the embodiment of a 23 year old mob member. He's dark, dangerous, sexy, angry as hell and obsessed with keeping her alive. Parts of the book were fun, hot, mysterious, lovable, witty and adventurous.

[Dirty Dayna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fate book 1

I picked up fate book 1 as an amazon freebie without reading the blurb. And when I saw fate book 2 on netgalley I decided its due time I read this freebie

3 Fake Boyfriend Stars
This book is about Dakota who is rich yet not popular and seems to be the butt of everyone’s joke in high school. So our awkward 18 year old virgin decides to make up a story about her spending her senior year of high school spring break with her boyfriend Santiago and she pulls a picture off of a website and creates a fake facebook profile of him. After she creates him she goes to school and as she is walking in from the parking lot she actually sees Santiago right before she gets hit by her arch enemy’s car. She spends some time in the hospital and recovering at home where everyone seems to take Santiago’s word for everything and believes that is her boyfriend.
(love this premise)
And then I stop being able to follow the story but I continued because Netgalley gifted me book 2 .
It turns out that Santiago is actually Paolo and as soon as he enters into her life her house gets broken into they go on the run a house burns down..he dad is some time of killer/mob/hitman/cia agent guy and Paolo works for him….
And of course Dakota and Paolo fall in love and shes like oh please be my first and hes like I can’t give you a relationship (standard romance insta love bad boy genre)
I don’t think I can get into the “action” this book tries to portray
I still have no idea what is going on… but theres an easy HEA

[Ingrid Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again Mimi delivers!!!! This book is not so funny as the accidentally series, but it is very charming!
I read it was a not paranormal book, but for the first half of the book I kept thinking that there had to be magic involved!!! Turns out, No!
Read the book in one sitting!! It's short but very interesting, with a charming but often angry and egotistic male! Plus I love that Dakota can come out of her shell and not worry abut what others thought about her.

[Cali Jewel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twits and turns but so much fun better than a roller-coaster ride. Love this story. Can't wait to see what Mimi has in-store for us next.

[Angie Klug · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh Mimi...How I love you, Let me count the ways!!

I now know that no matter which book I pick up from Mimi Jean, it's gonna be a page turner!

Fate Book was nothing I expected and everything I wanted. A little out of left field and maybe just a little unbelievable...centered around a REAL heroine who wants to take control of her life and make everything count! Little does she realize that the 'fake' boyfriend she regrets lying to everyone about will show up to rescue her in her last few months as a HS Senior! WHOA. And just MAYBE this 'fake' boyfriend is the hottest, dark-skinned, and ripped hottie that she could find on the internet! OH...this is just the beginning to the crazy rollercoaster <3

I loved the characters. I loved the intrigue. My only 'hmmm' moment, was it took me so long to determine if I was supposed to HATE this hottie's attitude or LOVE his protectiveness!

"It wasn’t about looking to create an unattainable state of perfection sometime in the future. It was about living the life I had." 4.5 Fun Stars

[Christa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Heroine was TSTL 🤦🏼‍♀️

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (12/4/2020)! 🎁

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it.

[╰⊱♥⊱╮ღ꧁Kathy,Ahmazing Book Faerie꧂ღ╭⊱♥≺ · Rating 4 out of 5]

FATE BOOK
Four stars
Oh wow, what a read.
This has mystery,Intrigue, humor,.....
What kind of book has titles for it's Parts. like, "Partly Ghostly skies,Fifty Percent Chance of Rabbit Holes"!? This Book!!

I was captured by this book from the first page, several times I really had to hold myself back from turning to the last chapter to find out what happens.
I loved the characters, Santiago is our handsome, tortured, hero, and Dakota, our sweet innocent heroine.
Dakota, is not the most popular girl among the boys, so when she invents a boyfriend and he actually turns up, in the flesh, she has no idea how to cope with him. Then, just as quickly as he appeared, he disappears, and Dakota is left pining for him. Suddenly, months later he turns up again, and the craziness begins.
Dakota learns that the world she grew up in is a lie, and things are nothing like they seem. While under Santiago's watchful eye, she falls in love with him, but he is unprepared to commit to her, until they are separated, and he is forced to go looking for her.

Great story and characters, with secrets in abundance, intrigue, and Dakotas weird sense of humor, she says some crazy things!


"Where are we?" I whispered
"My place. And if you don't take your hand off me, I won't be responsible for my actions"
Mmmm...Yes.In fact my hand was gripping a very large, hard and warm object.
Horrified, I quickly let go. "I am so, so sorry-"
"Not as sorry as I am" He grinned
"Get the fuck away from my daughter"
I looked up "Daddy?"
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
I held up my middle finger, but I'd already turned the corner so he couldn't see.
"I saw that " he said.
Damn it! The guy was like a goddamned spider with eyes stuck all over his giant fat head.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
After all, I was just some sex kitten ready to pounce on his yarn any chance I got.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
I may never get to see Poalo or my father again, which meant I might never get to kick them in their man baskets. Frigging men! This was all their fault.

[Terisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you follow me on Face Book and Twitter you will know that I am a HUGE Mimi Jean fan. She is probably my FAVORITE author out there because she never fails to make me laugh out loud, want to be BFFs with her heroines and also fall in lust/love with her heroes. Her hero’s are HOT! This book, even though not her normal genre, didn’t disappoint me but then I knew that Mimi wouldn’t. It’s not a supernatural paranormal read and it doesn’t even have a cliff hanger. It wasn’t as funny as the accidently series but Dakota, the heroine, delivers some pretty funny one liners.

Dakota, a high school senior who is bullied in school by the Queen B herself, Janice. When Janice starts her usual bullying by making fun of what she assumes Dakota did over spring break, Dakota cracks and tells a lie stating that she met a hot guy in the Hamptons. That night she pulls a picture off the internet and creates Santiago. Boy oh Boy was she ever surprised when he shows up at her school a couple days later!

This book had so much suspense and mystery to it that it had me wondering if Santiago wasn’t somewhat supernatural after all. While I was able to figure out certain aspects of the plot before they came about there were others that weren’t as noticeable that I didn’t. Hell as much as I hate cliffhangers, I kind of wish that there was more coming from Santiago and Dakota.

[Steph Moles Krayeski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fate Book spans our heroine, Dakota Dane, from high school through college. She mets the man of her dreams, Santiago (a.k.a. Paolo). She conjured him up from the internet to try to impress her classmates. But suddenly he's there and he's very real...
Real sexy, Really overprotective, and a Real pain in her *ss.

Dakota tries to fights her attraction to the dangerously hot Italian Alpha. But, they have a sizzling chemistry that can't be ignored. Their first kiss unravels her every desire for him.

"The man tasted like fifty-one flavors of sin - Sweet, Salty, Sexy - and I wanted more."

This book was full of desire, adventures and surprises that kept me guessing until the very end. I thought there was going to be some paranormal magic throughout, but it didn't happen. Instead, this fairy tale is mysterious and highly entertaining ~ where an Ugly Duckling turns into a Beautiful Swan and meets her Prince Charming.

You'll enjoy this sweet, steamy stand alone novel with an epilogue to boot! My Rating: 4 Stars!

[Rita · Rating 4 out of 5]

WOW! This was certainly not what I expected. A far cry from the norm. Loved it. My first read by this Author. I will have to check out some of her other works. This was funny and romantic. I didn't figure it out until maybe a little over half of the book. I thought she was crazy or still dreaming. Nice surprise. Definitely recommend this fun lighthearted book to all that would like something a little different. Awesome Mimi!

[CeCe · Rating 1 out of 5]

I do love a good mystery and suspense in my romance books, but this one was too vague. I could not connect. The heroine was just there. I did not hate her, but I did not love her either. It did not grab me.

[Phoenix Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mimi Jean hit it out of the ball park with this new one. No vampires or gods this time, exciting and very romantic. I love all her books and look forward to them all.

[Shannie's ⭐️Lookin' 4 My Next BBF⭐️]

Freebie on Amazon as of 5/11/14!!
Click here to get on Amazon!!

[jaiz · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5*

[Mitch Please · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars for this one, leaning more toward 3. It’s not my favorite of Mimi’s books (I am a HUGE fan of the Happy Pants series, the Librarian’s Vampire Assistant series, the OHellNo series, the... oh heck, all of her other stuff!), but Fate Book IS an interesting story with some good suspense in places despite its not so well developed romance, simple characters and kind of obvious plot. It kept my interest well enough to tell fellow readers to try the sample and judge for yourselves whether you will be entertained.

Other than the fact that there are hot sex scenes, it felt more Young Adult than New Adult to me, especially since a good amount of the book is spent in the Female MC’s senior year high school days (though the male MC is 23). It starts out a little slow, but the plot picks up in the middle. The love story, however, is pretty textbook, and it doesn’t have the laugh out loud humor of a lot of the author’s books.

I was really not a fan of our female MC, Dakota, as she seemed kind of thick headed and immature. All this really scary crap is happening, but she basically just sits on her hands, woe-ing over how she is stuck and there’s nothing she can do. The male MC, Santiago, seems to swing back in forth in moods like crazy, and doesn’t seem realistic until about halfway through the book. The author did keep me guessing in whether the Big Reveal would show this to be a book with a supernatural explanation or a realistic one, though. (I won’t spoil you by giving hints!)

After you start getting clues to whether this is reality based or supernatural based, it becomes easy to guess what is happening and everything becomes pretty predictable, IMO. I liked the original suspense, but didn’t feel there was much depth to the plot. I also felt like the romantic relationship had no build up at all and felt like a “love at first sight for no reason other than looks” thing.

I should add that this ebook felt a bit expensive at $3.99 for the length of the story (about 200 pages—it took me maybe 2.5 to 3 hours to read, tops). I am fine with paying quite a bit for really well developed shorter stories, but this one wasn’t very well developed in characters OR plot, despite how awesome the blurb seemed, and about half the book felt like filler. I probably won’t be buying the second book (this book is totally standalone with a HEA and no teaser cliffhanger), especially since the next one goes up in price to $4.99 but seems to be pretty short as well. It is normal for this author to raise her price book by book and to write shorter books (like the starting stories in the OHellNo series, which I adore), but a series usually starts out at $0.99 so you get a taste of whether they are worth continuing in your opinion, and I usually like the books a lot more.

To sum it up, This story was simply not a fav of mine, and so I’ll personally be saying no to the next. Though I don’t highly recommend, I wouldn’t turn anyone away from reading it if you like YA stuff, because it’s certainly not a bad story, just short and kind of obvious. I just don’t think it’s a winner compared with most of Mimi’s other stuff, which is all positively amazing!

[Melanie Marnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book kept me very entertained. It had a lot of lighthearted moments as well as several unexpected turns I never saw coming. Imagine conjuring up your dream boyfriend only to have him step out of your dreams and into your reality. Then no matter how hard you try you can't get rid of him.

There is something for everyone in this book. Romance, humor, suspense, intrigue , and danger. The players are fully developed and the storyline well written. It will definitely hold your interest.

[Sharon Ryder Roberts · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mysterious, just what is going on? We have yet to find out, hopefully in part two! Santiago a dark handsome stranger just appears out of know where... then his gone, where did he come from? and who is he? A novel that makes you feel very much frustrated, waiting for answers that have yet to come...... Towards the end it still leaves me with un-answered questions. Plot and love interest, also still a mystery.

[Michal · Rating 5 out of 5]

  ◊River Review◊

Alright, I'm going to be honest...this book was absolutely nothing like what I thought it would be. I had it sitting in my Kindle library for a few months and then came back across it the other day. So I decided in a 'what the heck' moment to open it up and start reading. With many 'huh?', 'uhh...' and 'what the crap is going on?' moments I think it's safe to say I was thoroughly confused during most of it. But in a good way. Seriously, I thought it was just going to be one of those books that centers around typical highschool bullying and trying to live in the shadows just to get by and with the twist of a lie. Nooot exactly. However, I kept reading because there was no way I was going to be left to wonder what happened next.

Dakota Dane, eighteen, senior, and terminally unpopular. A loser. She is constantly bullied by the school's head cheerleader and trying...yet failing to get the attention of the cutest boy in school but she's aiming to change all that. With Spring Break over, graduation ahead and college just around the corner Dakota is finally ready to stand up and face her fears. Starting with her bully Janice.

"She was truly an evil, sadistic witch.
With a b. Capitalized.
Embossed on a hanky.
With snot."

So at this point I'm thinking it started out okay. Humorous. I like that. I know we all had self-doubts in high school and most likely had a boy we pined after and tried desperately to get him to notice. So here's the kicker, when asked about her Spring Break and what she did...she lied and said she spent it with her boyfriend. Now, of course she had to back it up with tangible evidence or at least a picture of him. The whole time I was squirming because I knew this wouldn't end well.

Enter one Santiago Asturias II from Barcelona, Spain. A sexy, strong, enigmatic and about to drop into Dakota's life without so much as a warning. And he's also her lie...in the flesh. This is where I ended up confused just like Dakota. I was laughing for sure but at the same time I couldn't help but think, 'Crap...how is this gonna work out?'. After an attempted murder by Dakota's bully, Janice, she wakes up in the hospital even more shocked and confused. Unable to escape Santiago she's left trying to figure out who he is but he won't answer any of her questions.

"I'm going to say this one more time, Dakota. Just once."
He held up his index finger. "Stop asking questions.
This isn't a joke. Unless you consider death a joke.
I. Am. Your. Boyfriend."

This is where I'm on the verge of freaking out for Dakota. Her "boyfriend" who just so happens to be the spitting image of her lie won't let her out of his sight. She doesn't know who he is, or what he is, and only wants him to leave her alone. But with her mother working long hours at the hospital and her estranged father (who she believes has cheated on her mom) out of the picture Dakota has no choice but to let Santiago watch over her while she recovers.

"He was like a giant danger-brownie and my body wanted a big fat bite."

After a burglar breaks in to her house she's still as confused as ever. But what Dakota doesn't realize is that she may be in more danger than she thought possible. And perhaps the only one keeping her safe is the one she's trying to escape from. However, she still can't come to grips with Santiago's presence in her life. I would be a little fearful myself if a mysterious man showed up offering zero answers to my questions.

So an abrupt "break-up" and four and a half months later Dakota officially begins college. Although she often thinks about and dreams of her enigmatic high school "boyfriend" she's glad to start fresh and free. Now obviously I was thinking...'Okaaay, what next?' She meets new friends and her roommate Bridget convinces her to go to her first college party. Little does Dakota know that aside from being blacklisted she's about to run into the very person she can't stop thinking about along with a with a heck of a lot more danger!

"I'd spent so much time thinking about the future and about becoming someone I could never be that I'd simply missed the point:
I was alive.
Now.
This very moment.
And that's all there was."

I completely LOVE this book! I just couldn't put it down. It's chock full of humor, mystery, danger and even romance that definitely had me on the edge of my seat turning the pages to find out how it ends. I was so intrigued that I read it in less than a day! Although it wasn't what I expected I was pleasantly surprised by what it turned out to be. The characters were well written and they had me laughing and even made me angry at times. And of course there was nothing I could do about my eyes leaking because, yes, this book got me to cry...and then laugh some more! I really liked the ending but I still had that moment of 'Awe,..it's over?'. I wanted more! Lo and behold, I searched this amazing author and what do I find? That's right. Fate Book 2!! I am so excited to read this sequel and I can only imagine what it will entail!

Mimi Jean Pamfiloff is definitely a new favorite of mine! <3

[Jericho McKraven · Rating 1 out of 5]

Let me count the ways I disliked this story.

1) It bored me to death.

No really, that's all. I always love the character that shines through Pamfiloff's writing, Fate was no exception. However I didn't like any of the characters enough to stay engaged.

There was an air of mystery to this tale but I was just too genuinely disinterested to care. I'm pretty sure I see where the story is going and that assumption alone is enough to sate my minimal curiosity. I DNF'd at the half-way mark and feel no urge to pick Fate up again.

*sigh*

Onward! To the next book!

⚔

[Shirley Klohr-Ricci · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life’s Destiny

Exciting sexy love adventure with humor,anger,and over the top emotions! Definitely a different type of love story but full of extreme characters,thank you for another incredible read love this author 🥰🥰