Meant to Be

Twist of Fate, Book 1

By: Jennifer Probst

Narrated by: Keira Stevens, Nelson Hobbs

Length: 10 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's summary

Two broken hearts discover an unpredictable path to healing in an emotional romance about fate and second chances by New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Probst.

It’s been two years since Chiara Kennedy lost her dearest friend, Rory. Chiara misses everything about her. Rory’s widowed husband is another story. Sebastian Ryder is a man Chiara had secretly wanted, let slip away, and hoped to never see again. Then fate throws them together for an unexpected one-night stand and a morning after of new challenges.

Sebastian had a soul mate in Rory. Shutting down after his tragic loss, he kept a cool distance from everyone—including Chiara, with whom he once shared a deep if fleeting affection. That was over and done with a long time ago. But when they meet again, old emotions resurface along with a heart-wounding past that haunts them both.

As Chiara and Sebastian grow closer, finally getting to know each other, Chiara struggles with feelings of guilt even as she cherishes her second chance with Sebastian. Will fate allow them to overcome the past, or are they destined to always wonder if they are truly meant to be?

©2022 Triple J Publishing Inc. (P)2022 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

“Narrators Keira Stevens and Nelson Hobbs join forces to tell the story of a second-chance romance between Chiara Kennedy and Sebastian Ryder.… Sebastian had a hard childhood, and both narrators bring out his self-doubt. Stevens and Hobbs masterfully convey the guilt Chiara feels for "stealing" her friend's husband. The narrators smoothly transition between each other, allowing listeners to enjoy the developing romance.”—AudioFile Magazine

Sweet with some spice

I’d give this story 3.5 stars. I enjoyed it and looked forward to listening to more. Some of the second guessing and back & forth got a bit frustrating but overall it was sweet with some spice. I’d recommend!

The whole package right here!! loved it!

What a heartbreaking and beautiful story! Every character was absolutely wonderful! I loved the story and connection between every one of them. True friends and a love to forever. The narration was perfect!!!!

Second chance love.

I enjoyed Meant To be. Great second chance love story after the loss of a loved one. This story was full of angst, passion and love, the side characters shared a beautiful friendship and supportive family bond. I adored the MMC, he was sweet, charming and caring. The FMC was strong, fiercely independent and loyal to her friends. Enjoyable book.

Wonderful new series

Does fate have a hand in our lives? Chiara and Sebastian met in a bar and hit it off. They spent all night talking and had a great connection. Chiara didn't continue the relationship because she thought they were too different. Several years later, her best friend and business partner introduces her to her boyfriend who happens to be Sebastian. They act like they haven't met before and try very hard to not interact with each other. Then Rory dies and fate puts Chiara and Sebastian together again. Can Chiara overcome her guilt about Sebastian and her rekindled friendship and will it become more? This is a wonderful book and I can't wait for the next one. Nelson Hobbs and Keira Stevens narrated perfectly.

Not my cup of tea

I can't say the book was poorly written or edited, I just didn't like it. The MF Kiara is the whole problem throughout the book.

******SPOILERS******

The MCs don't get together because after they meet she decides on her own that they shouldn't be together. why? Take a guess. The author never states why, it's just hinted at that she has issues bc of her parents. But she's an adult, so, basically the answer is no real reason at all. Then when they meet again it's because he's dating/in love with her friend Rory. Kiara decides on her own, again, to pretend like she doesn't know him. Why? Only the author knows. No real answer is ever given. Then 2yrs after Rory dies they are thrown together again. Kiara decides, on her own that he belongs to Rory and so they can't be together. Seeing the pattern yet? In case you don't, the pattern is Kiara decides something on her own and it drives the plot. If Kiara is removed from the equation there is literally no plot. Every single thing that happens is because of unexplained decisions that she makes. But also, nearly no one challenges her on any of decisions that she makes for everyone else. Every problem in this book can be resolved with simple honesty.

I just am not a fan of books where the entire plot is driven by contrived internal angst. I like books best where there is a mix of external and internal conflict. I can see how others might be fine with this style book, it's just not my preference. I basically DNF with 1 hour left (I fell asleep listening to it & I never cared to go back and see what I missed).

Move on already!

I didn’t hate this book but it took will to finish it. The main characters Chiara and Sebastian are ultimately MTB but it took Sebastian’s, aka Ryder, a whole entire well of patience to wade through Chiara’s ridiculous attitude and behavior.

After meeting at a club and making a connection she walks away from him without putting in any work to see if their differences could be worked out. Later her friend Rory meets and falls for Sebastian. Chiara decides to be all mean girl instead of a grown-up, well you snooze you lose.

Life takes hold and there begins the stupid back and forth. There’s no cheating only Chiara’s constant inner voice telling her she stole Rory’s life even though Rory is dead. I mean that went on and on. Another bestie at 70% finally told her, Rory is dead move on.

Sebastian is no alpha but you have to applaud his patience. Chiara jerked him around the entire book and he had a couple of minutes of jerk doom and doubts but he was the steady one in this relationship.

This book was kind of maddening and I’m not encouraged to read the second installment. Barely a three star review because it was hard to deal with the repetitive, unrealistic, false drama created by Chiara. She felt unworthy of her life because she thought it should be Rory’s life. Once again for the people in the back Rory is dead! Nothing to steal from her when she’s not there to live it.

Narration was good.

Okay

Not bad but turned out to be what I wasn’t looking for. I still finished it and found that it was an alright read.

loved it

I really enjoyed reading this author.  I look forward to reading more books by this author in the near future.

Meant To Be

This is a second chance story/surprise baby all in one. I thought at one point I was not going to like this one as I kept shaking my head and thinking these characters were not going to get out of their own way and figure themselves out but they finally came through. Chiara and Sebastian met and hit it off but then Rory meets Sebastian and Chiara backs off and lets her have him (WHAT!) Rory dies and Sebastian basically disappears for two years except on the fringe of the everything. When out one evening he notices Chiara being hit on by a guy who appears to slip something into her drink. He cuts in between them and thinking he is much bigger he can drink it and not have any effect, he is drugged and Chiara takes him home and cares for him. Fast forward, he wakes and slips into her bed and in a dream state they have sex. Boom! Does this go over good? Nope but they do start working together to find the guy who drugged him and also Chiara tells her friends about what happened. Since this was the first in the series I am hoping the rest settle into an easier pace. As I said, this one had me shaking my head and this author usually does do that for me.

Mixed Bag

This is a tough one (and part of the premise is very personal) for me to review, especially since I really like this author's stories. I had a tough time liking the h as she, and one of her business partners, came across as unreasonably bitter. I do relate to the roofied drink (although substitute heavy duty medication for walking pneumonia that I was on) and find out decades later that you have more children... Yeah! For those who think that I must have initiated the contact because I am a guy, think again as I spent the better part of 30 hours in my bed either passed out, taking more medicine or struggling to and from the bathroom. I also thought that it was a dream (and absolutely do not consider it rape so please don't go there).

There was a ton of repetitive dialog - I am stealing my dead friend's life and too much we should / we shouldn't back and forth that I almost DNF'd the story a few times.

I will still look for JP's books and will consider this a one-off for me.