About Books #130: Plot Twist

As far as reading slumps go, the past 6 months have been on their A-game. But, honestly? I think Bethany Turner’s Plot Twist might just have broken that streak!

I was offered an ARC by Netgalley in exchange for a review. All opinions are strictly my own.

The story

February 4, 2003, promises to be a typical day for Olivia Ross—a greeting card writer whose passion project is a screenplay of her own. But after she and a handsome actor have a magical meet-cute in a coffee shop, they make a spontaneous pact: in ten years, after they’ve found the success they’re just sure they’re going to achieve, they’ll return to the coffeehouse to partner up and make a film together. The only problem? Olivia neglected to get the stranger’s name. But she doesn’t forget his face—or the date.

For the next ten years, every February 4 is marked with coincidences and ironies for Olivia. As men come and go and return to her life, she continues to write, but still wonders about the guy from the coffee shop—the nameless actor she’s almost certain has turned out to be Hamish MacDougal, now a famous A-lister and Hollywood leading man.

But a lot can happen in ten years, and while waiting for the curtain to rise on her fate, the true story of Olivia’s life is being written—and if she’s not careful, she’ll completely miss the real-life romantic comedy playing out right before her eyes.

The opinion

Honestly? As soon as I finished this book, I wanted to go back – to have never read it and start again. From the first page, the characters were complex, relatable and entertaining through and through. They were the type of people I would like to meet and hang out with. They knew how to not take themselves too seriously, they were there for each other, even as they were sometimes blinded completely by their own emotions.

The yearly check-ins allowed for such a fun way of seeing things happen – because you knewthat each year it would be that same day, there was never too stark a difference between the narration time and the narrated. Talking about narration – that was so brilliantly done! Even the tone of voice changed as the characters, and Olivia in particular, grew through those ten years.

It doesn’t happen very often that I consider a romance a five star read, but this one just blew all of my expectations right out of the window – in the best way possible! Add to that, that the plot twist was actually that: a plot twist? Well, I was sold!

The rating: 5/5

All in all, this was just such a fun read read. Sure, it dragged you through all the emotions. At the same time, though, Plot Twist left me with that perfect fulfilling, heart-warming ending. If you’re in need of the perfect relaxing read? I cannot recommend this book enough. (

-Saar