Ellie Harrington is used to being looked over, at being forgotten, at being a mistake in her parent's perfect world. She grew used to the loneliness, to the doubt in herself, covering it up with alcohol and the company of other addicts. Grayson Mable couldn't forget her if he tried though, the beautiful pregnant girl fighting so hard to stay sober is threatening his ordered, quiet world. What starts as a job for him becomes something more as Ellie breaks down his walls and he finds himself doing anything for a moment with her. Both are so used to being alone that they don't even realize that their broken hearts are mending for one another.

"This was the moment. The tiny, unforeseen moment that flipped my world upside down."

I have been looking forward to Unveiling Fate for AGES. Jeannine Allison has crafted a stunning standalone series with her Unveiling books and this one promised so much. The characters are flawed and realistic, their problems are relatable and the happy lives they seek, and so deserve, make these books some of my favorites. Unveiling Fate is definitely the sweetest of the bunch, with only a bit of angst to make the tears flow. Ellie is such a strong character, I was really impressed with Jeannine Allison for writing a character that had so much determination to be better, to be something more. I loved that Ellie brought out that same determination in Grayson. He had accepted his fate, his loneliness, created it for himself really, but Ellie peeled all his layers back. Sweet little Andy, Ellie's brother Damien, and Naomi really helped bring the story to completion. Allison created a complete world with the Unveiling series and this installment allows readers of the previous standalone novels to get an update on where their favorite characters are at now.

"It felt like the time had come to finally tell our deepest fears. Our worst memories."

Like the other Unveiling novels, Unveiling Fate features incredibly difficult subject matters, including alcoholism and depression, and follows the characters through the ups and downs as they find their way to happiness. Ellie is a soon-to-be single mom and Grayson is a tough cop with no relationships to speak of and a case of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Individually they are lonely and very aware of their flaws, but when together they help each other forget. Unveiling Fate moves very quickly at first, I felt like we missed much of their bonding moments and some crucial developments in their relationship. It covers a lengthy period of time, only slowing when they finally recognize they share feelings for one another. I would've liked to see the small moments where they stepped out of their comfort zones, but I absolutely loved, and would not change, their sharing of something bad with each other. The things they shared were similar to my own memories and to those my friends have shared as well, they made the book even more real and they made me want more for Grayson and Ellie too.

"The pawn can always become more, Ellie."

Ellie and Grayson share their poignant past with one another, finding that though their sadness is different that only they can truly understand one another. Unveiling Fate is about them working through their pasts, through the lives they have created for themselves, and about the futures they hadn't thought they would ever get, but now wanted. They find comfort and courage in each other, creating new stories with happiness and love. It was emotional and at times heartbreaking, but ultimately it was romantic, the kind of book where you fall in love with the characters and their story.

"I see you, Ellie. I see you"


ARC provided in exchange for an honest review. ( )

4.8 stars

I have fallen in love with this author. She takes issues that are painful (and often not talked about) and brings attention to them in the most beautiful of ways. She does it with beauty, and respect. She doesn't glorify it or make it seem dirty but instead puts it into a perspective that makes it easier to understand.

Ellie. I cannot say how many times I wanted to hug her. To tell her that she was loved. Grayson. I wanted him to know that I saw him. Together, they were perfect. The one who wanted to be forgotten and the one who was.

If you haven't read this series of interconnected standalones then do so ASAP. I still am hoping that Derek gets his story. I haven't given up hope yet. ( )