Fortuity by Jewel E. Ann Series: Transcend #3
Published by Jewel E. Ann on May 28, 2020
Pages: 320
Format: ARC
Genres: Contemporary, Romance
Amazon
From USA Today & Wall Street Journal bestselling author Jewel E. Ann comes a beautiful, passionate, and powerful story about unexpected love, sacrifice, and daring to dream again.
Forty-something Gracelyn Glock is living the dream.
No husband.
No retirement plan.
And since her self-imposed man-ban—no need to shave above her knees.After a tragic accident, Gracelyn inherits her ten-year-old nephew. She signs a lease on a San Diego beach house and learns their neighbors for the summer are a sexy anatomy professor and his young daughter.
Professor Nathaniel Hunt has spent the last decade being a single dad … and not having sex.
So when he discovers Gracelyn has a peculiar outdoor stripping ritual, a million inappropriate thoughts fill his responsible mind.
When kisses are stolen, man-bans are broken, and summer comes to an end, will hearts stay in one piece and hope stay alive? Or will saying goodbye destroy everything?
A standalone contemporary romance.
I am constantly impressed by Jewel E. Ann’s versatility as a writer. If you want a mind-bending thriller filled with twists, she’s your gal. She also does contemporary romance really well. However, she does have a tendency to lure you in with humor and sweetness, only to break your heart. Don’t get me wrong. I love her wicked ways because her books are so engrossing and well-written, but I’m always holding my breath, waiting for the other shoe to drop. There’s no need to worry about that with Fortuity. It’s a bewitching romance that is quite simply a joy to read from beginning to end.
Nate was one of my favorite characters from the Transcend Duet, and I was so excited to find out he was getting his own standalone love story. Single parent romances are like catnip to me, and Fortuity has not one, but two single parents. Nate is a single dad to his 10-year-old daughter, Morgan. Gracelyn has suddenly become the guardian of her 10-year-old nephew, Gabe. Nate has spent the past decade solely focused on nurturing Morgan, leaving no room for female companionship. Meanwhile, Grace has been unlucky in love and sworn off men. The two meet when they rent neighboring beach houses for the summer.
My heart went out to Gracelyn, who is doing some mid-life reflection while navigating heartbreak, a new town, new responsibilities, and an inconvenient attraction to her new neighbor. Nate is grappling with the reality of his daughter growing up. His complete devotion to Morgan is endearing, even though it made me feel a bit inadequate about my own parenting skills.
Gracelyn is quirky and kind, while Nate is more measured but still fun. I loved how well they compliment each other as a couple and I adored them as individuals. Nate and Gracelyn are in their 40s and – as someone of a certain age – I must say I’m increasingly thankful for stories like this one that prove passion doesn’t die in your 30s. These characters are funny, sexy, and relatable.
Nate’s daughter practically steals the show. Morgan has spent her entire life traveling the world with her dad. Her maturity and intelligence come as a constant surprise. Her zest for life and extroverted nature are incredibly infectious. Every scene involving her brought a huge smile to my face.
Fortuity is a touching and exceptionally rewarding story.
Recommended for fans of:
Single parent romances
Father-daughter bonds
Mid-life romance
* I received an early copy of this book to voluntarily read.*
Excerpt from Fortuity
“Cake, Morgan?”
My steps falter when I hear Nate’s voice from the kitchen.
Mr. Hans winks at me. “I invited Nate for cake too.”
I nod slowly. “I see. Whose birthday is it?”
“Life is a celebration. Cake needs no excuse.”
So much for having some time to digest what Nate said to me and my flirty reaction to his kiss comment. I put on a neutral face and drag my timid ass into the kitchen.
“Cake, Gracelyn?” Nate glances up from the counter, a knife in one hand and a plate in his other hand.
“Mmm … yes, Gracelyn. You want cake.” Morgan rolls her eyes back in her head as she slowly chews a bite, standing next to Nate.
How am I supposed to look at him when I saw him barely an hour ago and he said he wanted to kiss me, and I returned the desire without the actual kiss? I guess we’re going to be two people who want to kiss but know that it will never happen.
“Thank you.” I take the cake, giving Nate a two-second glance. It’s all I can give him without completely self-combusting into a pile of ashes.
“Mr. Hans … this is so good.” Morgan traipses out of the kitchen.
“It is good. I haven’t had cake in a long time.” I slowly lick the frosting from the fork.
Nate glances at the floor, eyes narrowed, and hunches down. After a few seconds, I move around to his side of the island.
“Did you drop something?”
Hunched like a baseball catcher, gaze still to the floor, he crooks a finger at me.
I set my plate on the counter. “Did you lose a contact lens?” I squat next to him behind the counter.
He lifts his gaze to meet my squinted eyes. The corner of his mouth bends just as his hand slides behind my head and his lips press to mine.
What the hell?
My lungs freeze while my heart pauses and my mind explodes. There’s no tongue to this kiss, just hungry lips. It knocks me off balance, and I fall to my knees, resting my hands on his shoulders.
Nate pulls back half an inch, letting his lips hover next to mine, the warmth of his breath covering my stunned mouth. “I’m not even sorry.” He shrugs.
My mouth opens as if it wants to speak, but I have no idea what to say.
“Dad …”
Nate bolts up, leaving me on my knees. “Yes?”
“Can Hunter use—” Morgan’s eyes narrow at me, my head barely peeking over the counter. “Gracelyn, what are you doing?”
“I’m …” I give her a tight smile.
Nate says, “Picking up a few crumbs.”
At the same time, I say, “Tying your dad’s shoe.”
His explanation is much better.
Morgan laughs. “Um … okay. You’re both acting weird.”
I climb to my feet.
“Can Hunter use what?” Nate asks.
“Your bike so we can go for a bike ride.”
“Are you going to stay around here?”
Morgan nods. “Pinky swear. We won’t go too far.”
“I’ll need to put the seat down for her.”
“Yes! Thanks, Dad. I’ll go tell her.” Morgan runs out of the kitchen.
Nate covers the cake with plastic wrap and nods to my plate with the half-eaten piece of cake. “Are you going to finish that?”
Cake. He wants to talk about the cake?
My head inches side to side.
“Too good to let it go to waste.” He picks up the plate and finishes my cake.
YOU KISSED ME!
“By the way …” His gaze remains on the plate as he scoops up the last bite. “Morgan knows I know how to tie my own shoes.”
About Jewel E. Ann
Jewel is a Wall Street Journal & USA Today best selling author with a quirky sense of humor. When she’s not saving the planet one tree at a time, you can find her role modeling questionable behavior to her three boys, binge-watching Netflix with her husband, and writing mind-bending romance.
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I totally get what you’re saying about her writing. I’m always a little nervous to read her books because that waiting for a shoe to drop thing! Great review.
I’ve never read anything by this author, but this looks good. I might have to check it out. Great review!