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Review: A Matter of Truth (#3, Fate) by Heather Lyons

My Thoughts

Another heartbreaking, heartwrenching,
heartfelt installment of the Fate series.
A decision is made, the truth is revealed and the fallout is dealt with.
I loved every emotionally charged moment of this book and I’m desperate to see the final twists and turns of the story as it nears its conclusion.

Related Posts: 2013 Favorites, Epic Paranormals, Emotional Powerhouses, My review of A Matter of Fate (#1), My review of A Matter of Heart (#2), My review of Beyond Fate (#1.5)

Synopsis

Not long ago, Chloe Lilywhite seemingly had it all: a prized spot on the Magicals’ Council as lead Creator, a loving fiancé and Connection, and a wealth of good friends. But the poised young woman she projected was nothing more than a façade. Her parents all but disowned her. Power plays and accusations of murder within the Council rocked her confidence. And most difficult of all, her secret, a secondary Connection to Jonah’s twin brother, Kellan, became painfully impossible to resist. Desperate to gain control over her rapidly unraveling existence, Chloe did the unthinkable: she ran away.

Now living and working in Alaska under an alias, Chloe is slowly discovering who she is and, more importantly, who she wants to be. But the more she tries to leave the Magical world behind, the harder it becomes to stay hidden. The Elders are back with a vengeance, and the stakes have never been higher. Chloe finally has to make a choice: embrace her pre-ordained Fate or pave her own way in the worlds. One thing’s for sure, though—she’s finally up for the challenge.

My Review

“It’s out there now. I’ve flat out said it. I want him. I’ve chosen him. There will be no more indecision.”

The moment we’ve all been dreading is here. Chloe picks the boy. This latest book in the Fate series took my heart and squeezed all emotion out of it, good and bad, expected and unexpected. I will of course refrain from dropping a single clue to whom she chooses she chooses, but by the time the choice is made, my emotions were already on edge. A Matter of Fate is really centered around Chloe’s growth… the journey to realize her own truth.

“Imagine being torn between two people. Imagine knowing that you’re constantly causing somebody you love more than life unbearable pain at all times.”

When we finished A Matter of Heart, Chloe leaves it all behind. With mounting pressure, crippling heartache and declining health, she escapes to find herself… find her strength… and find the truth deep within her heart. In Alaska, she unexpectedly finds friends, family and most importantly perspective. Heather Lyons introduces one of my very favorite new characters, Will Dane. You guys are seriously going to love this boy. Meet Will.

Will is funny and kind and has become Chloe’s closest friend. Will harbors his own pain and despite not knowing Chloe’s predicament, they seem to connect on a deeper, fundamental level. They both endure life with an underlying heartache… a relentless constant pain that only the other can soothe with understanding and support.

“Will is my drug of choice nowadays. I’m utterly addicted.”

Chloe finds herself cherished, loved and enveloped by a sense of home that she never expected to find so far away from Kellan and Jonah. And I think that’s just exactly what Chloe needed… to be away from the factors and people who caused her so much pain and insecurity, despite how much they loved her and despite how much she loved them.

“I feel safe with the Dane boys. Their house has been a sanctuary for me. The love they’ve shown me, the utter acceptance into their lives and home, have been a lifeline. For nearly twenty years, I’ve been starved for what they offer so freely. Security. Acceptance. Love. Honesty. And most importantly: family.”

When trouble finds Chloe, the time to face the consequences of her escape arrive and she’s also forced to come clean to Will and her father, Cameron about her past. As much as I enjoyed reading about her time in Alaska, once characters I know and love re-appear on the page, my heart was hammering in anticipation of what was to come. Three books into the series, I am seriously, deeply invested in what happens to these people, and I loved that this time, she’s going back with fire ignited within herself, leveraging a strength not solidified before. She’s ready to take it all on.

“That girl? That stupid, pointless, coward of a girl? She’s gone. Dead. I will never, ever be her again.”

And OMG, when she finally comes face to face with Kellan and Jonah, I was an apprehensive mess, ready to fall apart, wanting to read faster and at the same time shut my eyes to the words she would say. Regardless of whether you are a Kellan fan or a Jonah fan, when the moment came, it shattered me into a million tiny pieces. I was simply heartbroken.

“I’m terrified of losing him, beyond scared of what giving him up like this might mean to the both of us. But I can’t let Fate dictate this moment. I can’t let this Connection between us be what defines our relationship.”

I was happy that Chloe had finally made a choice, but felt laden with sadness over the truly sucky situation (*shakes angry fists at Heather!!!*). But in the end, I have to say I felt it went the way it probably should go and the story continues beyond this pivotal moment with not a happily ever after, but rather an unexpected plot twist that left me mouth agape in incredulous shock.

Everything is a big hot mess, the Elders are still out there and Chloe’s decision didn’t give her the result she counted on. This book is teeming with emotion, yes, much of it achingly real and afflicting, but there are also moments of rightness and love. With each book released in the series, I feel like I understand the motivations and feelings of each character even more, because all three of our protagonists (Chloe, Kellan and Jonah) are complex, multidimensional people with a profound capacity to love. I can’t wait to see what happens next. I have loved every single book in this series.

“I know my truth. And I’ve learned the hard way that a person has to be true to themselves if they want a chance at happiness in life.”

Excerpt

Frieda’s not done with me, though. “You cannot honestly tell me that you haven’t hit that yet.” She purses her red lips together.

I look her straight in the eyes and say slowly, but clearly, “I haven’t hit that.”

“Are you asexual?”

I level a long look at her. She’s only asked me this about, oh, a hundred times since we’ve met.

“Because, honey, Will is what we call USDA Prime beef.”

“Well, thank you. Nothing makes a man feel manlier than being compared to actual cow flesh. Shall I lift my shirt so you can check my marbling as well?”

Ginny gasps, fire engine red, as Will sets a rag down on the counter next to us. Several customers nearby laugh loudly. Another smile curves my lips. It’s an epidemic.

But Frieda is not shamed in the least. She pats Will’s rock hard abs, still hidden behind his shirt and apron, before sauntering away. Ginny flees shortly afterwards.

“You’re evil,” I tell him, but he knows I’m joking.

“Bullocks. I am the epitome of angelic fortitude. Besides, they clearly don’t know Dad. He wakes at the drop of a pin. Any shagging we’d ever do would have to be out of the house. I’m extremely loud when aroused, and I have a feeling you are, too. Some things just cannot be helped. Dad could never sleep through us.”

I hush him, mortified. Frieda is at the end of the counter, taking an order while slyly watching us. I’m positive she just heard every word he said, as did much of the Moose’s clientele in our vicinity. “Seriously. You’re oiling the gossip machine.”

He chuckles. “Perhaps I am a wee bit evil after all. But it’s hard to resist. She’s utterly tenacious with this insanity.”

Most girls might be insulted, not to mention disheartened, if an extremely hot and charismatic guy chose to describe the thought of them being a couple as insanity, but I’m not most girls. Every time he reaffirms what I already know, that we’re family and the closest of friends, sweet relief washes over me. I don’t know what I’d do if I had to push Will away, if his feelings toward me were to change.

I poke at his chest with a spoon. “Try.”

His laughter is positively charming beyond words.

Reading Order

This is *my* suggested reading order. Note that there are only 4 books for the main characters, the rest are either companion novellas or a related spin-off.

A Matter of Fate (#1)
A Matter of Heart (#2)
Beyond Fate (#1.5 – Jonah’s novella) – October 10th
A Matter of Truth (#3) – November 5th
Unnamed (#2.5 – Kellan’s novella) – TBD 2014
Unnamed (#4) – TBD 2014
Unnamed (#5) – TBD 2014

About Heather Lyons

Heather Lyons has always had a thing for words—She’s been writing stories since she was a kid. In addition to writing, she’s also been an archaeologist and a teacher. Heather is a rabid music fan, as evidenced by her (mostly) music-centric blog, and she’s married to an even larger music snob. They’re happily raising three kids who are mini music fiends who love to read and be read to.