PRE-RELEASE REVIEW: 'Moment of Fate' by Karen Stivali
Title: Moment of Fate
Series: Moments in Time #5
Author: Karen Stivali
Published: February 24, 2017
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist: Anna Sikorska
Genre: Contemporary Romance; Erotic Romance; New Adult
Length: 244 Pages
Tags: Gay; M/M; College; Rock Star/Musician; First Time; Friends to Lovers; Angst-Light; HEA
About Moment of Fate
Bryan Dane’s been living the dream—photography student by day, up-and-coming rocker by night. His summer goals are to earn his last few credits, graduate from NYU, spend as much time in the recording studio as possible, and survive the next few months without sex so he can complete his yearlong goal of self-imposed celibacy. Everything is on track, until he meets Oliver Newcastle.
For years Oliver planned a marriage of convenience with his high school BFF, but now that she’s fallen in love for real, with someone else, it’s no longer convenient. So Oliver came out to his family, quit his job, and left small-town New England for NYC, an intensive summer study program, and a chance to find his own happiness.
From the moment they meet the sexual tension between Bryan and Oliver sizzles. But Bryan wants no part of a relationship, and Oliver wants to sew his wild oats—he just isn’t sure how. Oliver seeks Bryan’s help navigating the NYC gay scene, which throws them together in increasingly more sexual situations until they can no longer deny they're hot for each other. Bryan is desperate to keep things simple, but fate might have other plans.
5 HEART READ
REVIEW: Moment of Fate, by Karen Stivali, is book five in her Moments in Time series and is written to be read as a standalone, but you do get the pleasure of brief appearances from previous characters to the series.
I have to say right off the bat that as of right now Moment of Fate is my favorite five star read of 2017. I have loved this series from the start but Moment of Fate far surpasses all the others.
The writing is amazing, the MC’s are what we readers dream of and the storyline and sexy times are off the charts!
I willingly admit that I’ve already read this book - twice - and have even skipped to my favorite parts and re-read them….again.
Bryan is a such an amazing character. He’s the type of guy who goes the extra mile and does for other people, often times putting his own needs aside. He’s also ambitious, finishing up school while rocking out with his band, Wasabi Incident. He has an older sister and niece whom he adores and he loves hanging out with his best friend, Milo. Not wanting people to treat him with kid gloves, Bryan also has a secret that he’s guarding very closely.
After receiving some news from a close friend he’s recently sworn off relationships and has taken a vow of celibacy. But his stance on love and sex is sorely tested when he meets Oliver.
Oliver has recently moved to New York City after seriously re-evaluating his life. His plan is to stay for the summer while attending a writing program at NYU. He’s started a blog about his life in the city and navigating the dating scene. Oliver doesn’t have much experience with men and is hoping the city will open his eyes to new experiences.
Bryan and Oliver meet by chance in an elevator on campus. Bryan is instantly smitten and is cursing his celibacy vow. Oliver is equally attracted to Bryan and the two part ways after some serious eye contact. Bryan later finds a journal and discovers it belongs to “hot elevator guy.”
As Bryan begins to read Oliver’s blog through this journal he finds himself wanting to be “the guy” Oliver is searching for and he sets out to help the man discover himself and his desires.
Bryan becomes Oliver’s official tour guide/mentor and the two have many nights together at different restaurants and bars. Their friendship deepens and so does their attraction to each other. Bryan finds himself wanting to be with Oliver all the time. A thought that at once scares him and thrills him.
I loved being in Bryan’s head. He struggles so hard to not become attached to Oliver but he simply can’t resist. And the reader also gets a chance to be in Oliver’s head while reading his blog, Oliver Unabridged. I felt so close to these two men - laughing and crying right along with them.
Wow! Karen Stivali has truly outdone herself with Bryan and Oliver. Their chemistry literally leaps off the page. Every first touch and first kiss is expertly written and the emotion between the two burns hot.
I loved how their friendship deepens page by page. Not one thing is rushed.
“...wanting doesn’t even begin to cover how I feel about you. Crave. Need. I don’t think a word exists that explains how much I want you.”
Way to make a girl melt!
Soon enough Oliver is getting lessons in frottage and blow jobs and hand jobs. And Bryan doesn’t mind one bit being the recipient.
“Where the fuck did you learn to give head like that?”
He gave me that sexy slow grin. “New Hampshire.”
“Fuck New York. I’m moving to New Hampshire.”
“How about if for now you just stay here, with me?”
That was the best offer I’d had...ever.
I knew by 15% into Moment of Fate that it was going to be “One of those books” for me. The one that keeps you up all night, one minute happy the next one mad.
With stellar writing that just shines and captivates, and amazing dialogue between the two men throughout, I was so caught up in this story that time just flew away.
Moment of Fate is definitely the sexiest book in the Moments in Time series. It’s not all hearts and flowers for Bryan and Oliver. They have to work a little bit to get their HEA but they do get it and the ending is amazing! Some of the best scenes in this book are the heavily charged erotic ones, but heh, even the kissing scenes were hot! Oh and the scenes where they’re just hanging out are even written with feeling and intensity. Moment of Fate is just a hot book!
I highly highly recommend Moment of Fate especially if you’re a fan of the Moments in Time series. A brief appearance by Tanner and Collin makes it all the more awesome!
An advanced reader copy of Moment of Fate was provided to Kimmers’ Erotic Book Banter, by Dreamspinner Press, at no cost and with no expectations in return. We offer our fair and honest opinion on behalf of our readers.
About the Author
Karen Stivali is a prolific writer, compulsive baker and chocoholic with a penchant for books, movies, and fictional British men. She's also the multiple award-winning author of contemporary and erotic romances. She writes novels about love...like real life, only hotter. Karen's lifelong fascination with people has led her to careers ranging from hand-drawn animator, to party planner, to marriage and family counselor, but writing has always been her passion. Karen enjoys nothing more than following her characters on their journey toward love. Whether the couples are m/f or m/m, it’s guaranteed that Karen's novels are filled with food, friendship, love, and smoking hot sex—all the best things in life. When Karen isn’t writing (and often when she is), she can be found on Twitter attempting witty banter and detailing the antics of her fruit-loving cat, BadKitteh. She loves to hear from readers (and other writers), so don't hesitate to contact/follow/like her at:
For more works from Karen visit her website.
