Twist of Fate

by Karly Lane

A delightfully entertaining new rural romance from Karly Lane, the bestselling author with over 600,000 books sold.

'Karly Lane is without question the queen of rural romances.' Cindy L Spear

At twenty-nine years old, single, living in a very small country town, and working in the same job she's had since she left school, some would say Bel Buckley's life is mediocre at best.

But Bel is content and always escapes to her beloved romance novels whenever she feels a bit lonely. No matter how hopeless a situation seems, there's always a hero to swoop in and save the day with a happily-ever-after at the end.

Despite her best friend, Emma, trying to set her up with every eligible man in town, no one holds a light to Bel's perfect Jax Lexington. Bel owns every book in the outrageously romantic series and loves them.

Emma is concerned about her obsession, but Bel knows the line between fantasy and reality . . . until the day Jax Lexington arrives in town.

Her fictional hero is real - and he's best man at her cousin's wedding.

Praise for Karly

'Perfect to read on a plane, train or beach-side holiday.' – Reading Writing and Reisling on The One That Got Away

'I absolutely couldn't put The One That Got Awaydown . . .' – Ms G's Bookshelf

'. . . a compelling, fast-paced and engaging read with heart and substance.' – Better Reading

'If you are looking for a good holiday read, then definitely choose For Once In My Life.' – Blue Wolf Reviews

'A seriously wonderful book…perfect if you are looking for something to make you smile and touch your heart.' – Beauty and Lace

'A country reading delight, Wish You Were Here is the perfect book to enjoy this summer season. You can't go wrong with a Karly Lane novel and this latest one was no exception.' – Mrs B's Book Reviews

'Heart-warming…an enjoyable read that will be warmly welcomed by fans of Australian romance writing.' – Canberra Weekly

Genres: Romance, Audiobook

349 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 3, 2024

About the author

Karly Lane lives on the beautiful Mid North Coast of NSW in Australia. A certified small town girl, she is most happy in a little town where everyone knows who your grand parents were. She writes women’s fiction – everything from romantic suspense to family sagas and life in rural Australia. She has romantic suspense titles published under Karlene Blakemore-Mowle and her latest release, Third Time Lucky is available now.

Reviews

[Dora Koutsoukou]

🐌🐌

Dnf @ 32%

[Brenda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bel Buckley had wanted to leave the small town she'd grown up in, but when her beloved grandmother, who had taken her in when tragedy occurred, became ill, Bel remained to care for her. Suddenly she was twenty nine years old and seemingly stuck in her ways. Her best friend Emma was continually on her case, telling her she needed to find a guy, and telling Bel who she thought would be "the one". Bel wasn't interested - until the wedding of the year rolled around and with Bel being a bridesmaid for her cousin, met the handsome, dashing Tate. But he lived and worked in Perth, which was across the other side of the country. Would Bel follow Tate to Perth when the wedding was done and dusted? Was Tate "the one"? It certainly felt like it to Bel - but when first one thing, then another, threw up red flags, Bel kept making excuses...

Twist of Fate is another rural romance by prolific Aussie author Karly Lane and I was a little disappointed. Nowhere near as good as I've grown to expect by this author, the story had little substance, no meat on its bones. Emma and her children were great characters, so was Dean. I know I'm an outlier, going on other reviews, therefore there will be many others who will love the story. Unfortunately I didn't - that said, I'll read more by this author.

With thanks to NetGalley & Allen & Unwin AU for my digital ARC to read and review.

[Lisa B]

Not rating did not like the start.

[Karren Sandercock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mabel Buckley is twenty nine, single and lives in a small country town called Wessex, in New South Wales and works at the general store and service station. Bel dreams of finding true love like her best friend Emma and one night she writes a list of the attributes her soulmate needs to have and what her ideal man would be.

Bel returns home after a long shift to her cottage and she likes to relax and read a swoon worthy romance novel. Bel feels like she's been caught in a rut and had more career opportunities if she had taken the plunge and left Wessex. The chance to meet new and exciting people, and men and wonders if the grass greener on the other side and will she ever know!

A reluctant Bel is a bridesmaid in her cousin wedding and she can’t believe it when the best man looks like her fictional romantic series idol Jax Lexington. Bel doesn’t hold out much hope of Jax’s double showing any interest in her and a girl can dream can’t she?

I received a copy of Twist of Fate from Allen & Unwin and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Karly Lane is one of Australian bestselling and prolific rural romance writers and once again she’s delivered a five star read. Her latest story will engage your interest from the first page and keep it and you will ride the highs and lows of Bel Buckley’s journey to finding herself, happiness and love.

Ms. Lane always has a meaning and message in her narrative and I enjoy piecing it all together. Bookworms will relate to Bel’s character and reading is the perfect way to unwind and relax, an escape from reality and life, it transports you to another place and you might develop a crush on a fictional hero and nothing wrong with having a book boyfriend and even if you're married like me.

I highly recommend Twist of Fate, and it made me laugh out loud, cry and cheer on Bel, Emma, Craig and Dean and I would love to read a sequel.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a big fan of Karly Lanes and there is a reason for that, she writes such awesome stories they are filled with wonderful characters, who are so easy to get to know you can feel the emotions running through the words and this one is just so very good. Come along and meet Mabel (Bel) Buckley you will not be disappointed.

Bel has lived in the small country town of Wessex since she was ten when the loss of her parents saw her moving to live with her grandparents she is now twenty nine and has had the same job since leaving school, sure she has had dreams of moving away and doing something else with her life but nothing ever eventuated so Bel is very happy reading her romance books and doing her reviews on Book-Toc and she has a small following but is that all about to change when her favourite hero manifests himself into town and what’s more he is best man at her cousin’s wedding and she is bridesmaid.

Bel’s best friend Emma is always encouraging Bel to find a real man not someone from her books like her hero Jax Lexington and now someone she went to school with Dean has returned to town to take over the family farm and Emma is doing her best to push them together but for Bel the man she wants is Jax’s look-a-like, Tate and soon together they are and Bel is on cloud nine, but will it work out, has Bel finally found the love of her life, making changes in her life seem to be for the best, but are they?

I did love this one it has all of the emotions and the feels, I smiled and cheered Bel on and I felt for her but she showed strength and courage throughout the story, I loved meeting Emma and Craig and their gorgeous kids and Dean is such a fabulous man, I do highly recommend this one, it was a hard book to put down, thank you MS Lane for another awesome story it did leave me smiling who doesn’t love a character who loves reading romance.

My thanks to Allen & Unwin for my copy to read and review.

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I loved about this book

* The character of Bel. She made me smile and laugh. It was nice to see her growth.

* That books play a major role. We hear about book reviews, bookshops and booktok.

* How Karly's sense of humour shines . This book was funny and entertaining. Ive never read a book by Karly that I havent liked.

* The city vs country representations. This time it is country to city .

This book does discuss the sensitive topic of coersive control. This is a book about manifesting, love , friendship and growth.

[Gloria (Ms. G's Bookshelf) · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️4.5 Stars⭐️
Twist of Fate by Karly Lane is a delightfully entertaining and fast paced story of romance dreams, finding yourself and friendship it made me smile lots. It’s always easy to connect with Karly’s characters and settings.

Bel Buckley is twenty-nine and lives a quiet bookish life, she dreams of finding her perfect soulmate, the man of her dreams and now she has an instruction list to manifest him!

Our protagonist loves reading, and hates it when work gets in the way of that joy, there’s nothing better than reading in bed with a glass of wine and of course Bel’s reading about her book boyfriend Jax Lexington. Until she finds a man just like Jax she’d be happy to stay single.

Bel’s best friend Emma tries her best to set her up with eligible men but then one day Jax her fictional hero arrives in town to be best man at her cousins wedding….will she live out her fantasy?

Karly is one of Australia’s best rural romance authors and a favourite of mine, I’ve never not loved one of her books! Always looking forward to her next novel!

How exciting is it when as a book reviewer you see your quote on the back cover of a book (and the inside too)!!! Thank you Karly and Allen & Unwin.

Publication Date 03 December 2024
Publisher Allen & Unwin Australia

A big thank you to Allen & Uunwin for a copy of the book.

[Veronica ⭐️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twist of Fate is yet another brilliant read from Australian author Karly Lane. It is funny, engaging and heartwarming.

Bel Buckley is all about positive affirmation and believes all she needs to do to manifest her soul mate is write a list of exactly what she wants in a soulmate and sit back and wait.

I sped through Twist of Fate. It is the perfect holiday read. A closed door rural romance with all the feels.

Karly Lane adeptly writes about rural life and the ups and downs of living in the same small town all your life.
Bel had always dreamed of leaving the small town of Wessex as soon as she could but when her grandmother became ill she decided to stay and care for her. Now she is content to escape through her romance novels where there is always the perfect hero to sweep a girl off her feet. That is until the embodiment of her latest book crush turns up in town to be best man at her cousin's wedding.

Twist of Fate is the un-put-downable story about small-town communities, people banding together in times of need, farming accidents, regenerative farming and taking a chance on love.

Twist of Fate is beautifully written with an authentic rural flavour, natural banter and unforgettable characters making it an absolute delight to read.

[Craig and Phil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Big thanks to Allen & Unwin for sending us a copy to read and review.
Karly Lane, a name associated with addictive rural romance stories and a very popular Aussie author.
Where there’s the reality of the outback, a countrified love story and the truth of farm life, this go to writer will always deliver.
Bel is nearing the big 3-0, very much single and working the same job, her life just plods along without any excitement.
Her big Friday night out consists of sitting back and devouring a romance novel.
Getting whisked away and falling in love with the hero is her idea of a dreamy date.
Her best friend and cousin Emma is getting married and in walks one of the wedding party.
A dashing man who Bel thinks resembles her romantic hero of the fictional world.
Bel gets swept off her feet and finds herself living out her fantasy.
But could love be closer than she thinks……
An embracing story with lots to relish in.
Lots of heart, soul and comfort in every book she creates.
Add this to your Christmas list and escape to the country.
Enjoy your new adventure with this trusted author.

[Marianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Twist Of Fate is the twenty-fourth novel by best-selling Australian author, Karly Lane. At twenty-nine, Bel Buckley still lives in Wessex, the town she grew up in, any urge to go further afield subdued by the time she had nursed her gran through her final years. She’s mostly content to manage Dwyer’s General Store and live in Gran’s house, as long as she gets the chance to read her romance novels, those starring heroic, chisel-jawed Jax Lexington being her favourites.

She enjoys spending time with her best friend Emma and her young family, when Emma can resist matchmaking: she may be a little lonely, but is expecting the universe to send her soulmate, who will look and act just like Jax Lexington, thank you, and not the recently returned Dean Preston, who plagued her school years.

She’s not looking forward to the big society wedding of her cousin Larkin, aka bridezilla, but when the best man walks into Dwyer’s, she sees her prayers for a soulmate have been answered: Tate McBride could be Jax’s double. Not that he notices plain-jane Bel, but Emma encourages her to change that.

Larkin’s insistence on a makeover that includes contacts instead of her heavy-framed glasses is dramatic enough that all the groomsmen take notice. Soon, she’s enjoying the intimate attentions of the best man, but he’s only in Wessex for the week, and then it’s all over. Or is it?

Bel’s tale certainly takes a few twists and turns before she (fairly predictably) ends up with the right man. Lane’s plot touches on coercive control, potentially tragic consequences of farm accidents, and attracting tourists to small country towns and, despite some minor plot holes, makes for a very enjoyable rural romance read.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Allen & Unwin.

[Beccabeccabooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

What does a socialite wedding, a rooster named Elvis, a country town and a bookish heroine searching for a soulmate, have in common?

The answer lies in Karly Lane's newest novel, Twist of Fate.

Bel Buckley has lived in Wessex all her life and has no plans to leave her beloved town. Even though she's quite content with her job at the local general store and filling her time with books and bestie, Emma, Bel dreams of more. For something exciting to happen to shake things up a bit. So, it comes as a shock when a handsome stranger comes to town who eerily looks identical to Bel's book crush, Billionaire Jax Lexington.

Here to be part of Bel's cousin Larkin's wedding party, Tate immediately sweeps Bel of her feet. She's a different person when she's around him, but is that necessarily a bad thing? Both Emma and Larkin have been trying to convince her for YEARS to spread her wings a little. So, of course, Bel takes this as a sign. She's smitten with Tate, and going by the way he treats her like a princess, Bel is convinced that he is, in fact, the One.

But... Is he really or has Bel fallen too hard too soon? Either way, Tate shows Bel that it's possible to take giant leaps of faith, find adventures in the ordinary and figure out that home will always be where the heart is.

If you're looking for a modern-day fairytale that is written with Karly's usual charm, Twist of Fate is for you.

4.75 🌟

[Carol - Reading Writing and Riesling · Rating 5 out of 5]

A read in one session, “feel good”, country romance, that bought many smiles to my face.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aussie author Karly Lane is a favourite author of mine and I know when I read anything by her I’m going to enjoy it. Twist of Fate is another fabulous story about a small country town with likeable and relateable characters with a plot that will keep you turning the pages as you want to know how it will end. Highly recommended.

With thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for my digital copy to read and review.

[Adventures with Shelle (Rochelle Kentish) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher Allen and Unwin for an advanced copy of this book.

Another fun, light hearted engaging story from Karly Lane. I loved the main character Bel and I felt like the author wrote this character as a nod to all those readers who enjoy reading romance novels, want to work in bookstores and post book reviews and recommendations on their social media. I enjoyed the authors descriptions of all the places in the novel, especially the gorgeous apartment in the big city! I can’t wait until this book is out and I can buy a hard copy to add to my collection. I’ll definitely be recommencing to fellow readers and Karly Lane remains an author whose books I’ll always automatically buy!

[Chelsea Pinkard · Rating 1 out of 5]

1.25-1.5 stars (and it only gets the maybe .5 for the first 50 pages or so)
This book gave me whiplash, there were that many different major plot arcs that honestly I feel like I just read 4 books in one. It was so disjointed and it felt like the book I was reading at the end was not the same book I started at the beginning. Also, the blurb is incredibly misleading - the whole “book series hero magically appears” thing lasts for a brief second and it’s not even the book hero at all, it’s some finance bro who just happens to look like him. I struggled through this “I’m not like other girls girl, I wear glasses and messy buns and read books” and this so-blatantly-obviously manipulative lovebombing asshole being a couple, when it was obvious from the start she’d go back to farmer boy. On top of all this, the writing was very telling-not-showing which is unfortunate. The last 50 pages or so were incredibly repetitive, especially dialogue-wise, and I feel like a lot was crammed into those last two chapters. A bit of a slog to get through but I made it 💪🏻

[what.karli.reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 4.5/5 STARS

𝙰 𝚜𝚠𝚎𝚎𝚝 𝚛𝚞𝚛𝚊𝚕 𝙰𝚞𝚜𝚜𝚒𝚎 𝚛𝚘𝚖𝚊𝚗𝚌𝚎 𝚗𝚘𝚟𝚎𝚕 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝚖𝚊𝚗𝚢 𝚕𝚊𝚢𝚎𝚛𝚜!

𝙸 𝚏𝚘𝚞𝚗𝚍 𝚖𝚢𝚜𝚎𝚕𝚏 𝚐𝚎𝚝𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚌𝚘𝚖𝚙𝚕𝚎𝚝𝚎𝚕𝚢 𝚕𝚘𝚜𝚝 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚙𝚊𝚐𝚎𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚛𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑𝚕𝚢 𝚎𝚗𝚓𝚘𝚢𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚙𝚎𝚛𝚏𝚎𝚌𝚝 𝚋𝚊𝚕𝚊𝚗𝚌𝚎 𝚘𝚏 𝚛𝚘𝚖𝚊𝚗𝚌𝚎 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚜𝚘𝚏𝚝 𝚜𝚝𝚢𝚕𝚎 𝚜𝚖𝚞𝚝.

𝙸𝚗 𝚙𝚊𝚛𝚝𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚋𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚝𝚊𝚔𝚎𝚜 𝚊 𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚢 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚕 𝚍𝚊𝚛𝚔 𝚝𝚞𝚛𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚞𝚕𝚝𝚒𝚖𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚕𝚢 𝚏𝚕𝚊𝚐𝚜 𝚊𝚗 𝚒𝚖𝚙𝚘𝚛𝚝𝚊𝚗𝚝 𝚖𝚎𝚜𝚜𝚊𝚐𝚎 𝚘𝚏 𝚊𝚠𝚊𝚛𝚎𝚗𝚎𝚜𝚜 𝚝𝚘 𝚌𝚘𝚎𝚛𝚌𝚒𝚟𝚎 𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚝𝚛𝚘𝚕, 𝚗𝚊𝚛𝚌𝚒𝚜𝚜𝚒𝚖 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚖𝚊𝚗𝚒𝚙𝚞𝚕𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗 𝚒𝚗 𝚛𝚎𝚕𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗𝚜𝚑𝚒𝚙𝚜.

𝙰𝚕𝚋𝚎𝚒𝚝 𝚜𝚕𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝𝚕𝚢 𝚙𝚛𝚎𝚍𝚒𝚌𝚝𝚊𝚋𝚕𝚎 𝙸 𝚠𝚑𝚘𝚕𝚎𝚑𝚎𝚊𝚛𝚝𝚎𝚍𝚕𝚢 𝚎𝚗𝚓𝚘𝚢𝚎𝚍 𝚏𝚛𝚘𝚖 𝚋𝚎𝚐𝚒𝚗𝚗𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚝𝚘 𝚎𝚗𝚍.

[Reni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this one. Devoured it.

[Cindy Spear · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twist of Fate is a fun, magical transformation fairy-tale like story that sails along at a perfect pace. I was completely caught up in this divinely written tale. Captivated from start to finish while getting lost in the enchanting Cinderella adventures of Bel Buckley. It is such an exciting scenario. Many of us have been bridesmaids or maids of honour. We have also had moments when we did not feel so lovely or popular and wanted something or someone special to enter our lives. And have been prompted by friends or family to take brave steps to launch into new areas or embark on self-improvement. Haven’t we all wanted a make-over at one time or another to lift our spirits and make us feel like princesses for a day? That is why this story is so relatable. As all these wonderful elements are here unfolding before our eyes. And maybe for that reason, it is now my favourite Karly Lane book as it is just a little extra special with its heaping dessert spoonfuls of heart-felt charm. Karly Lane shows us how to find and experience the extraordinary in the ordinary. She teaches us to step into the storyline. Be brave and allow ourselves to be the best version of ourselves without limitations and without reservations. As Emma says, ‘Get out there and own it.’ Go get your dream or dream guy!

Karly Lane is without question the queen of rural romances. Her stories allow readers to escape their everyday lives to meet fascinating people, enjoy remote Australian locations or travel to faraway places. And best of all, as a reader, we get to live out our dreams, experiment with relationships and take fun adventures through the various characters on the page without leaving our seats! But can’t the real world be just as special as the fictional world?

Twist of Fate is about Bel who sees herself as an ordinary, unattractive, uncharismatic girl with muddy hair and big glasses; who could never get the attention of a good looking guy like Tate. He’s the hero, it seems, that has just walked off the pages of her favourite romance novels into real life. She loves books and enjoys getting lost in them. Here she can be whoever she wants. But is living her life through fictional characters setting her up for some unrealistic viewpoints? Pure escapism is a wonderful way to unwind and release the pressures of everyday but is it the best guide to real life?

Bel has made a soul mate list and when Tate walks in asking for directions to the place where her cousin’s wedding will be, she is stunned at his similarities to her romance hero Jax. Then her good friend Emma encourages her to get acquainted with ‘her soul mate’ but Bel doesn’t have the confidence. Until… she has a pre-wedding makeover set up by Larkin, her soon-to-be-married cousin. Bel discovers Larkin’s fiancé has a drop dead gorgeous best-man and he is Tate. Larkin becomes almost like her fairy-godmother as what transpires is definitely a major transformation in Bel’s appearance. Her cousin wants her to stop hiding behind glasses and frumpy clothes and let everyone see the real her. And as Bel tries to embrace the new version of herself, she realises ‘New me. New Beginning.’ And knows she cannot let a chance slip by ‘to have her real life version of Jax Lexington (her romance book hero)…’

But is the fairy-tale romance with Tate all it seems to be? And what about Dean, the rustic man from her past who is back in town? Is he worth the consideration that her best friend keeps pointing her towards? What follows is a year full of surprises. And Bel’s journey is both breath-taking and scary. Then Bel revisits her soulmate list and gets a few unexpected revelations. Her time of growth has been tough with jarring mistakes that uncover her insecurities. Her jaded perceptions once formed from bad experiences fill her with fear when a new romance comes along. And leads her to say: ‘It’s the situation and not the guy that feels the same.’

Though this novel covers serious topics, there is some wonderful humour—especially surrounding the wedding and her cousin’s entourage. The dialogue at times kept me chuckling and Bel’s internal monologue (sometimes hilarious) reflects perfectly, the ongoing drama.

Karly never misses the big things of life in her novels but she also notices and describes the little details and how to appreciate them. And her passion for country life is evident. In Twist of Fate we get to see what it is like to live in a rural community. The highs and lows, the setbacks and progresses. And thanks to people like Emma who are a driving force in getting things done, advancements happen. Tourism is a big a tool in helping communities grow. Fundraisers like markets and movie nights are successful in helping to pay for necessities that make life in the country a little more convenient, fun and comfortable. The novel also covers seniors’ issues, living alone and the hazards of farm life. Other topics are regeneration farming and the power of community spirit.

This modern day fairy-tale like story is about so many things—including friendship! But at its heart is change, conflict and a happy ending. For Bel, she needed the changes that came about. To overcome her fears, gain her confidence and to learn some valuable lessons. She sees that conflicts not only expose our weaknesses but they also provide positive outcomes. For like rough diamonds once exposed to the heat and tumble of life, we are able to shine in true clarity, too. Bel learns what’s important and how to recognise real love. To find her home and happiness. And that sometimes you have to experience bad stuff to get to the good things. For those events may be the push needed to go in the right direction. And as her best friend says, to find “Excitement and adventure in the everyday things.”

It is fun to escape to our fictional imaginative worlds but there is still a lot of exciting stuff in the ‘real’ physical world to enjoy. We just have to open our eyes and see what is often in front of us, whether it be love, a new career path or other heart’s desires. Twist of Fate has it all. It is an absolute winner packed full of endless charm and age-old wisdom! 5 Blazing Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to Allen & Unwin for my review copy.

[Demi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first book by Karly Lane. I wasn't sure what to expect, but it was a great read.
Bel did feel a little flat, but the characters around her really made the story.
I'm excited to read more of her books!

[Sally906 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bel is a year shy of thirty, and lives in the same country town in outback NSW that she grew up in. Circumstances meant she never left and she currently manages the local service station and general store. She is sort of content, but yearns to find her one true love like her best friend Emma has. Trouble is, there are no suitable men around; except the perfect Jax Lexington, the perfect imaginary FICTIONAL Jax Lexington.

Yes, I said fictional. You see Bel escapes into romance novels whenever she feels lonely. Her favourite series, of which she has every book, stars the perfect Jax Lexington who swoops in and saves the day in every story. Every eligible man that Emma tries to set Bel up with is compared to Jax, and the real men all fall short of her favourite fictional love.

Bel writes a soulmate list with all the attributes of Jax that she wants in her true love when she finds him. She is actually re-reading her favourite book starring her hero when she is annoyed by a customer coming into the shop, she looks up and is struck dumb when she sees that he is the perfect copy of Jax. He turns out to be the best man at Bel’s cousin’s upcoming wedding, at which she is going to be a bridesmaid. Is he the true love she has been waiting for all these years?

What follows is funny, lighthearted rural romance as Bel does finds her true love. I was very impressed with the growth in Bel’s character as the story progresses, and in my opinion she had a lot of growing up to do! But I grew to love her, and understand what made her tick. I really enjoyed reading TWIST OF FATE, and this is not my first Karly Lane book, and certainly wont be my last.

Thank you Allen & Unwin for providing an advanced copy of this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[Lorraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

In “Twist of Fate”, Karly Lane offers a delightful tale which continues to stretch her writing without venturing too far from the rural romance genre she’s best known for.

This is a romance, but it’s also the story of a woman finding her feet – perhaps a little later in life than some, but at an age when a lot of people are still working out their lives. She finds a way to move herself from a “good enough” life to one she’s actively happy with, and it’s an interesting journey to follow her on.

Romance readers will be satisfied, as this works with familiar tropes and gives them plenty to enjoy. Readers who don’t identify with the genre so strongly may find this a touch predictable, but will also find a lot to appreciate in the strong characters and generally interesting plot.

There is one scene early on that I was really uncomfortable with, and felt that Lane had hit a very wrong note. It turned out that this was laying the basis for something later in the novel (and not, perhaps, what you might expect when you first read it). I am still not entirely comfortable with it, finding the scene much creepier than I think Lane intended, but other readers will be more comfortable once they’ve read the entire novel.

Otherwise, though, this is a delightful novel which offers strong, empathetic central characters and a believable, involving story. Lane’s writing style is light and easy, and most readers will close the book with a smile on their face.

If you enjoyed this review, please visit www.otherdreamsotherlives.home.blog to read more.

An edited version of this review first appeared on www.beautyandlace.net as part of their bookclub.

[Nikki Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such an entertaining and heart warming read and this newest release bought some fun younger vibes, which I found enjoyable.

Along with the fun, Karly still bought her small town community vibes, where everyone comes together in times of need and she also brings in a couple of tragedies/disasters which are so true to country life - this one with a farm accident and flooding.

Here we have Bel, who is a bookish, small town country girl, waiting for the perfect book boyfriend to turn up in her real life and soon enough a man turns up in her town and she thinks that he really could just be the one she’s being waiting for. Her life swiftly changes direction and she is off on an unexpected adventure, which has her world turned upside down, with unexpected twists which leave her questioning what she was looking for and what she truly wants in life.

This is a story of self discovery, the power of friendship and kindness and that maybe the one you’ve been waiting for has truly been closer than you realise ❤️

Thank-you @allenandunwin @karly_lane_author and @netgalley for this Digital Advanced Readers Copy, in exchange for an honest review - I will easily be adding a physical copy of this to my shelves once released 🙌

[marlin1 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another stellar book by Karly Lane for pure escapism and being transported to a happy place.
Bel has grown up in Wessex since early childhood and now works at the local petrol station, Reading and daydreaming about her book hero Jax takes up most of her time as well as reviewing books on TicTok.
In despair about not finding love herself, she writes her perfect man manifestation list. Maybe this works because as a bridesmaid for the upcoming wedding of her socialite cousin, she gets a transformation from ugly duckling to beautiful swan and ‘her’ hero in the form of best man Tate arrives.
I don’t know if it was me but I sort of felt this had a fairy tale theme running around in my head..
Loved the characters in the story and how Bel grew in confidence, although I did feel like throwing my hands in the air and crying ‘what do you want’ sometimes. Characters we could see through, others solid as a rock, friendships where they just know and accept you, where they’re always there for you and you for them.
And a small town trying to place themselves on the map as a destination. Loved it all and sometimes what we need is just under our noses.
Thankyou to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy to read.

[Christie Mack · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve always been a fan of Karly Lane’s writing, and Twist of Fate is yet another testament to her talent for crafting heartfelt and relatable stories set against the beautiful backdrop of rural Australia. As one of my favorite Australian authors, Karly Lane never fails to draw me in with her vivid descriptions, authentic characters, and emotionally charged plots.

Twist of Fate is a story that balances romance, self-discovery, and the challenges of rural life. The way Karly Lane weaves the community spirit into her narratives is something I’ve always admired. Her characters feel like real people—flawed, relatable, and endearing—and the dilemmas they face resonate on a deeply human level. I especially appreciated the strong sense of place in this book; you can almost feel the red dirt roads and hear the hum of life in a small town.

What I love most about Karly’s books, and Twist of Fate in particular, is her ability to tackle heavy themes with a light hand, allowing moments of humor and joy to shine through the challenges. Her stories remind us of the importance of family, resilience, and finding where we truly belong.

Karly Lane has once again delivered a book that I couldn’t put down, and I’m already looking forward to diving into her next one!

[Bec · Rating 4 out of 5]

Twist of Fate was a heartwarming and delightful story! Bel, almost 30, has spent most of her life in a small town in New South Wales. She works at the local petrol station and escapes into her beloved romance novels, dreaming of a real-life version of her favorite fictional character, Jax Lexington.

When her wealthy cousin from Sydney decides to host the wedding of the year in town, it draws in visitors—including Bel’s very own Jax! Sparks fly, and the two embark on a whirlwind romance that sweeps Bel off her feet. But is this charming stranger everything he seems?

Add to the mix a loyal best friend, a missing town mascot, and a tight-knit community, and you’ve got a thoroughly entertaining story. I loved how the author brought the small-town setting to life, making the community feel vibrant and authentic. Bel’s growth as a character was beautifully handled, and it was so satisfying to see her find her own strength and confidence by the end.

[Lakinloveslit · Rating 4 out of 5]

REVIEW ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Another wonderful, easy read Aussie rural romance by one of my fave authors!

Bel Buckley is 29 and has lived in the same rural country town her whole life. She works at the general store and some might say her life is mediocre. She has her beloved romance novels to escape real life though, and her favourite character Jax Lexington. He’s her ideal man - too bad he’s fictional! But then one of the groomsmen at her cousins wedding turns up and looks just like him, and she feels like all her dreams have come true. Tate is from Perth, and he and Bel connect, but is ready to take a leap of faith and join him in the city? Is he really her dream man or is her dream man right in front of her at home?

I really really enjoyed this (unsurprising as I love Karly’s books). I loved that Bel was a bookworm, and ended up working in a bookstore with a wonderful boss. Anything bookish I am here for! I loved her best friend Emma, and their friendship was so lovely and supportive. The differences between rural and city life were apparent, and I loved seeing Bel experience new things and grow as a person. We also had Dean - someone Bel knew at school who had returned to their small town and I enjoyed seeing him and Bel reconnect too. Overall a wonderful rural romance - I can’t wait for Karly’s next book!

[Janine Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well this book lived up to my hopes. When I picked it up I was looking for a relatively light read that would still manage to keep my interest. Twist of Fate by Karly Lane did not disappoint.

If I had to make any comparisons to give you an idea of what to expect it would be to say that this book is a cross between a Cinderella type story (in the real world) and It Starts With Us ( very loosely).

All in all I really enjoyed this book and am therefore awarding it a ⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating 😊

Possible spoiler ahead...

A little warning though for anyone who may appreciate it. There is reference and description of domestic abuse in this (coersive behavior towards our main character). This does not go on for too long though but is used as an intricate part of the main character's development.

[SH · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bel is in love with Jax Lexington; however, Jax is a character in a book. Yet when the best man Tate, turns up for her cousin’s wedding and he is all that Jax is, Bel falls in love. Yet, soon she wonders if it is real or whether she just wants it to be.
What initially seems like a simple romance, shows greater depth when Bel has to see the reality of Tate and whether he is the solution to her issues. I enjoyed reading this book as it explores issues relating to life in the country as well as the complexities of love.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bel has been stuck in a rut working in the same job in the local supermarket/petrol station since high school but wishes she could find a boyfriend like Jax Lexington; her book boyfriend.

She writes a soulmate list and low and behold a customer walks into the shop that fills all her requirements. She jumps at her chance for love but are things to perfect to be real?

This is another heartwarming rural romance from Karly Lane.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Melissa Woods · Rating 5 out of 5]

We once again return to Lexi and her life of being a police officer and trying to get justice.

In this book, Sarah has created event after event to keep us intrigued by Lexi and who is trying to prevent from hurting others. Each event causes problems, for which Lexi tries to control in her favour, but something always finds it way to pop up and cause mayhem.

Sarah has played the emotions of the characters to be a force to be reckoned with and keeps us on our toes with what will occur next.