Fate Book (a New Adult Novel) Paperback – August 16, 2013

I'm not a fan of new adult romance, though I keep getting suckered into giving the next new popular #1 listed story a try. I usually walk away from those stories wondering why they're so popular because the characters/writing/storyline were just so . . . Ugggggh! It makes me wonder if I read the same thing as the rest of the population and feeling like I was suckered out of my money.But Fatebook is not like that. At. All. The story is really well written. The characters were well developed and the dialogue wasn't forced. The author was funny when she needed to be and worked it into the story naturally. She wasn't throwing out lame, cliched one liners while seeming to wait for that "ba dum dum" drum beat of her audience like so many NA authors seem to do. There was cursing, because new adults tend to let their mouths run in the naughty direction until they learn to control that and actually sound like intelligent people when they speak. So, I expected that. However, in several recent NA reads, I seem to notice this trend of girls and guys calling their friends, people they actually like, things like b!!ch and c&@t and other derogatory names. Um, what? No. Just, no. Stop doing that, authors. It's not hip or cool. It's just gross. And I am so glad there was NONE of that in this story! Her friend was living and supportive and didn't have to say nasty things to prove herself. It was wonderful.The characters of Fatebook actually acted their ages and not like a group of middle school children playing house, nor like a group of pessimistic, jaded middle aged hags trying to relive their youth. No- these characters were new adults, and they acted exactly as I'd expect new adults to act. They drank, but they were responsible, they made stupid choices and said stupid things sometimes, but not all the time. They learned from their mistakes. There was sexual tension, and Mimi did a great job building it up to "the moment". And she gave us great details while still retaining the romance of the event instead of a) downplaying and disappointing us, or b) making it tawdry and dirty.Finally- Dakota. Thank you Mimi for not making her a weeping, sniveling, crying, sobbing mess. I can't tell you the NA books that has the heroine in tears over every fricken thing. And people respond- oh! She's so strong!- uh, how about no. Dakota was a strong character. Did she break and cry sometimes? Sure. But at appropriate times. And then she sucked it up and got over it. Dakota was a strong character and Mimi did an awesome job developing her. And Paulo-Santiago was matched perfectly with her. He was broody and had a past, but the author didn't dwell on it. She simply stated what happened and we understood why he was the way he was. There was no bringing it up 529 time to fill up empty pages. It just was what it was until he met Dakota and decided he'd give live another chance. And I LOVED that and I loved how Mimi did it.All on all, this was a 5 star read for me. I couldn't put it down. THIS is how NA should be written, so NA authors, take note. Great job Mimi. I look forward to reading more if your work.

Book Review- The Fate Book by Mimi Jean PamfiloffDakota is a senior in high school and considers herself the loser at school. She spent spring break reinventing herself. Now she is determined to stand up for herself against her bullying nemesis and catch the attention of her crush.However when her bully confronts and makes fun of her, Dakota lies about what she did over break. She then stoops to Janice’s level and creates a fake boyfriend. When she returns to school after the lie to face the music, she is completely shocked to see her fake boyfriend standing next to her best friend. Of course that is right before she is hit by a car.Her life completely changes in that moment. She thinks she is going crazy. Her made up fake boyfriend is real and threatening her for silence. He claims he is keeping her safe and she can tell no one. She has no clue what is going on. Then a few days later he disappears.Dakota is still reeling from what happened and is no closer to figuring out what is going on. She is happy to be moving on with her life. However she can’t get Santiago out of her head.When she goes off to college in San Diego she is determined to start anew. No one knows her and she is determined to enjoy college, until Santiago shows up at a frat party. She is furious and confused. He is just as cryptic as always. She is instantly livid and fights him every step of the way until she realizes her life is in danger. Everything she thinks is real about her life comes crumbling around her as she learns secrets about what is really going on.I love this author and I have read most of her books. She creates great characters and I love how she threads humor throughout the stories she writes. This story was more suspense and romance. Dakota has no clue what her father really does. In fact the reader is just as confused. You share the whole experience with Dakota, the confusion, the anger and the fear. The author did a great job weaving the story in such a way that as you read it you still aren’t sure what is really happening.I also liked how Dakota started standing up for herself. It was great to watch her stand up to Janice. Things did get a bit weird after that. She was hit by the car and Santiago entered the story. I wasn’t sure what was going on. Your confusion meshes with Dakota’s as you are forced to feel exactly what she is. I liked how the author did that. You are having the same “what the….?” Moments along with the main character. The ending was awesome. Dakota had to make a choice and she made the right one. It was sweet. I give this book a 4 out of 5.

After a summer of transforming her physical looks, Dakota starts her senior year determined to stand up to the bully that has made her high school life miserable. However, in a moment of madness, she fabricates a boyfriend, sets up a fake FB page for him, and absolutely turns her own life upside down when said fake boyfriend turns up at her school, looking for her!Santiago is a complete stranger, a complete man of mystery, and possibly dangerous. He seems to know her and things about her, and threatens her happiness if she doesn’t play along and pretend he is indeed her boyfriend.Her feelings are totally conflicted between fear and desperation for him to disappear out of her life, and an overwhelming attraction to this gorgeous stranger.I thought this novel was laugh-out-loud funny, seriously sexy, and a compelling mystery that kept me guessing and second-guessing the whole way through. I thoroughly felt Dakota’s desperate frustration with Santiago and his inability to give her any real answers. In addition, he blew hot and cold, and really confused her.Would definitely recommend this novel and I absolutely want to read the sequel!

I'm normally pretty good at seeing a plot twist coming from a mile away however this book kept me guessing! I really enjoyed the action and suspense which kept a good pace throughout. Santiago was an enigma from the start and I was left as confused as Dakota! She has a really bad day at school and makes up a boyfriend. Caught in a web of her own lies she decides to use a photo she finds online and make up a name that suits him. Hey presto, instant fake boyfriend! Things take a turn 2 days later when he appears at school acting as though he is her boyfriend and using the fake name. Events spiral from there and she slowly finds that people around her are not who she thought they were. I was right along with her wondering who she could trust. The man she made up who keeps giving subtle threats, her mum who is hiding something and suddenly working more or her dad who seems to work away a lot and can't be contacted when she needs him?The storyline was really original and kept me hooked. The sexual tension ramped up every time they were together. I wish we had a few chapters from Santiago's point of view! Phew!

What did I think of this book? Well I must say this author has amazing skills keeping the suspense up!! Paolo is a mystery from the start, i was always wondering; 'who is he really?' ' Does he really like dakota, or is he playing her?' and so on....He is this dangerous being that you can't help being fascinated by because be leaves you with so many questions instead of answers. Now dakota is the star of the book, the classic bullied 'nerd' who you can't help but feel protective over. She develops in time to become a woman who is comfortable in her skin, instead of this scared,insecure girl who the world seems to look down upon. The book has a lot of mystery, keeping the reader always guessing and wanting more. The only criticism I have really, is the ending to me seemed rushed. Like what happened with paolo's family? What actually happened between him and his ex? Surely with the exposure of Dakota's existence she was attacked and affronted?? They were main questions for me. However the book on a whole was a very enjoyable read, just like the other books I am slowly working through by this author. Can't wait, fabulous book once again mimi.

I was dubious about reading this book with the "adult" tag on it as I don't enjoy reading pages of pages of drivel about throbbing manhood and the usual smut that comes with it but this book was the best book I've read it a long while (and doesn't have much of the smutty bits!). It is one of those books you live with for a week or so after reading it...echoes of the suspense/passion catching you unaware as you go through your day. In fact, its the first book I couldn't put down until I finished it! A guilty secret, but true none the less.The story line is the stuff of young girls' fantasy but it is definitely gripping stuff...a young girl, an imagined hero comes real, but the plot is very believable.I enjoyed the book so much, I decided to write a review...just to remind myself later on that this is definitely worth reading twice! If the author reads this, please write more like this!

I stumbled across Mimi Jean's books by accident a while ago, and she has quickly become one of my favourite authors there are moments I question her sanity, but the best people in life are just a little off kilter...in the best way, just ask Cimil.This book was absolutely brilliant. I finished it in about 5 hours i just couldnt put it down. If i could have found a way to read it while driving i would have...unfortunately i am lacking the skills for both and anyway probably not really the best idea.This book stands alone from the paranormal books she has written but it was every bit as good. It is funny, well written with brilliant characters. I loved Dakota and Santiago......they are great together.Although I now really wish putting a random picture on facebook really worked i think everyone would like a Santiago to just show up out of the blue.I thoroughly recommend this book to anyone, particularly fans of Mimi Jeans other books. I cant wait to see what she comes up with next.