Published by Simon & Schuster, Simon Pulse on August 27th
Genres: Contemporary, Parallel Realities, Young Adult
Format: eBook
Source: Publisher
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Caroline is at a crossroads. Her grandmother is sick, maybe dying. Like the rest of her family, Caroline's been at Gram's bedside since her stroke. With the pressure building, all Caroline wants to do is escape--both her family and the reality of Gram's failing health. So when Caroline's best friend offers to take her to a party one fateful Friday night, she must choose: stay by Gram's side, or go to the party and live her life.
The consequence of this one decision will split Caroline's fate into two separate paths--and she's about to live them both.
Friendships are tested and family drama hits an all-new high as Caroline attempts to rebuild old relationships, and even make a few new ones. If she stays, her longtime crush, Joel, might finally notice her, but if she goes, Chris, the charming college boy, might prove to be everything she's ever wanted.
Though there are two distinct ways for her fate to unfold, there is only one happy ending...
Recently books that deal with alternate universes or, different realities and paths are becoming more and more popular. When then two famous amazing authors like Cat Patrick and Suzanne Young join forces to write such a book, it’s eve more exciting! Just Like Fate felt like a similar concept as Pivot Point, which I absolutely adored!
What If…
I made a different choice back then? We all have asked ourselves this before and in “Just Like Fate” we actually explore two choices. Caroline has two choices at the night of her beloved Grandma’s death – either stay with her until the end, or leave with her friend for a party. Now I must point out that Caroline had no way of knowing her Grandma would actually die this night, and she was devasted that she was so sick and wouldn’t recover. So, for me both her choices made sense. Getting out to forget for a few minutest the desperation and utter sadness or stay and wait, even though no one knew when it would be the end…
Caroline – a Runner, not ready to face her problems!
I guess Caroline will split the readers, because she is a runner, she likes to run from her problems instead of facing them. Personally, I think that made Caroline incredibly real and genuine as not everyone likes to face a problem and if there is a way out, there are lots of people who would take this opportunity. But I can see why some people might not like Caroline. Sure, sometimes I could also have strangled her, but in the end this whole story is also about the growth of Caroline to become someone who deals with problems instead of running. I found this approach truly genuine and real, which is why I truly loved this book!
Two Storylines woven seamlessly into one!
I really liked the way these two authors explored the two possibilities, as each chapter was labels with either “stay” or “go” so we immediately knew where we are. In one storyline, Caroline finally gets what she always wanted; the long time crush finally shows interest in her. In the other storyline she meets the wonderful College boy Chris. But I’m getting to the romance in a second! The way the authors handled both situation was great and effortless but most of all it was understandable and not confusing. It’s always a very fine line when dealing with parallel realities and storylines but these two authors managed it perfectly in my opinion!
Love, Romance, Family and Fate…
Caroline has big problems with her sister and her Mom but in each storyline she deals differently with them and in each storyline she faces these problems in a different way. I loved both developments as it shows the strengths between family bonds and that even though you think everything is broken, you can always go back as your family just loves you!
Apart from the family issues and how they developed and were resolved and dealt with, I loved the most the romance with Chris!
Gosh, this boy was made of awesome and win! He was utterly cute, totally endearing and just perfect to get Caroline out of her shell! The chemistry between them was nearly palpable and their easy and instant connection was just perfection!
“But then there was you. Your terrible jokes and your quite signing. Your beautiful eyes and the way you try to fix things. I was wrong – you don’t disappoint me. You amaze me!”
The Ending!
The ending again will split readers and I won’t say anything, other that it was absolutely perfect!!!
Bewitched Rating
Bottom Line
Just Like Fate by Cat Patrick and Suzanne Young is not only a story that utterly romantic and beautifully sweet, but also tells the story of a girl who never liked facing her problems and now begins to realizes that running is not always the easiest way. The romance is especially wonderful and Chris is a boy that stands out with his cute cheesiness but strong personality. Girls will fall for this boy hard! I don’t think I’ve ever meet a more endearing boy and I wish this boy would be real!
Seriously! more stories like these, I definitely enjoy these parallel universe/realities stories a lot! Just Like Fate has a similar touch then Pivot Point, minus the paranormal element. Do you also love such stories Do you have some recommendations?
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Great review!
I read Just Like Fate a week ago and have been (slowly) preparing my review. I wanted to wait a bit to see if I still felt as strongly and loved the book as much after a few days had passed. There really were no criticisms that I thought of then, or now! Haha! I loved Chris too, and I really liked their relationship. It was so strong and they had funny banter together.
And that ending! Wow…all I can say is, wow. Really well written. I now have to read Pivot Point. Everyone is telling me since I liked this story I’d love Pivot Point. ^_^
I’m kinda sad there won’t be another book it was a great stand along though. I wonder of these authors will pair up again!?
Dee @ Dee’s Reads
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I don’t know what it is about choice books but I usually want a more solid, final ending, not two possibilities. It’s a little OCD of me, I know. However, this does sound like a good story…I don’t know. I might have to try it.
Mary @ BookSwarm recently posted..Top Off Tuesday: THE UNTAMED MACKENZIE by Jennifer Ashley
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I loved Pivot Point and I’m becoming a growing fan of these stories featuring a parallel time . I think it’s so fascinating to see where the authors take the story once it starts to split, and the MC is faced difficult choices. Great review Danny! Going to have to put Just Like Fate on my list. Thanks. 🙂
Kim (Book Swoon) recently posted..Book Review: Darker Days by Jus Accardo
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Hmmmm. I’m not sure what to think about this one Danny! It sounds a little like Pivot Point, would you say that’s an accurate description? I worry about the fact that Caroline is a runner – while I understand the urge to avoid, it always frustrates me in books. And now I’m absurdly curious about this ending. I wasn’t sure I wanted to know yesterday when we talked, but now I definitely do and I feel like I need to know before I read this one! Next time we Skype, we’ll have a chat about it:)
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I wasn’t really sure about this one, but I loved your review. It’s on my list. I’m kind of glad to have something without the paranormal elements. Thanks!
Annette recently posted..Audio Book Review: The Raven Boys, by Maggie Stiefvater
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Oh Caroline definitely sounds like a genuine character to me. Although I personally tend to tackle my problems head-on, I do appreciate that there are many, many people who could easily relate to her. I’m worried about this ending though! I hope I land on the right side with that one… Great review as always!
Sam @ Realm of Fiction recently posted..Top Ten Tuesday: Favourite Beginnings & Endings in Books
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yes! I’m so glad to see some more love for this book. I totally agree — I almost liked the fact that Caroline was a “runner” because I know people like that (……… maybe even me at times haha) and it honestly felt like it made her a little more real to me.
Great review! I hope people enjoy this one. I liked that it was split into two possible outcomes, but it wasn’t really paranormal/sci-fi.
Brittany @ The Book Addict’s Guide recently posted..My Latest Bookish Addiction [5] – Fantasy. The RIGHT kind of fantasy.
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This is on my wishlist, I love both of these authors! I’m glad that it ended up being really great, hopefully I can get my hands on it soon!
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Love your review:) This is on my wishlist:)
Elin recently posted..Top Ten Tuesday: top ten beginnings/endings of books
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Now I’m super curious about this book. Caroline sounds like a character I could really relate – although I usually prefer to take charge of my own issues, I sometimes wish I could just ignore and run from my problems. Thanks for sharing.
Henrietta recently posted..The Bone Season – Samantha Shannon
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This sounds really interesting. I can understand a character that would rather run from her problems than face them. I think I was like that when I was a teen too. The concept, while not too original, is really interesting as well. There are a lot of choices that I’ve made that I wondered … what if I made a different one? The fact that the two separate stories are woven together well is another attractive feature. I’ll have to be on the look out for this book. Great review, Danny!
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This looks great. I adore Suzanne Young so I’m excited for this one. I am reading Pivot Point this month so I’m glad to see you liked that one as well 😉
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So, I haven’t been wowed by Cat Patrick books in the past. And I haven’t read anything by Suzanne Young, not even sure what she’s written. And I’m not sure about parallel universes. So this will go on the reading list but I’m not in any rush for it. Maybe when it goes on a Kindle special, if it does. I see you’re leaning towards Chris as the love interest 🙂 Glad you enjoyed it so much!
Heather @ Buried in Books recently posted..WOW- Waiting On Wednesday
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This has been on my wishlist for so long and I think I’ll be getting it this September for review so I can’t wait for that! 4.5 stars, eeeeeeeppp!
Dianne recently posted..Cover Reveal: Torch by Cambria Hebert
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This reminds me of that movie Sliding Doors. Did you ever see it? Its starring….ahhh whats her name….not cameron Diaz…but BLAH had to look it up Gwenthyn Paltrow! it’s so awesome is like that – the alternate reality – what if you made a different choice. You should check it out if you have it over there – very awesome movie!
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A perfect ending? YOU HAVE SOLD ME. (Though I was already sold. I ADORE Suzanne Young’s writing)
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I wish I could talk to someone about the ending. Because I think it’s perfect but I’m sure some might disagree.
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