Plot Twist

Written by Bethany Turner

Narrated by Talon David

An aspiring screenwriter has a chance encounter with an actor who could be the man of her dreams. Over the next ten years, she’ll write the story . . . but will he end up being the star?

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.

Praise for Plot Twist:

“Plot Twist gave my rom-com loving heart everything it could hope for . . . Perfect for anyone who loves love or dreams about meeting George Clooney.”—Kerry Winfrey, author of Waiting for Tom Hanks

“Funny, clever, and sweet, Plot Twist reminds us that sometimes love doesn’t look just like the movies—and that it can be so, so much better than we ever dreamed.”—Melissa Ferguson, bestselling author of The Cul-de-Sac War

“Bethany Turner just keeps getting better! Plot Twist is like experiencing the best parts of all my favorite rom-coms, tied together with Turner’s pitch-perfect comedic timing, an achingly sweet ‘will they or won’t they?’ romance, and the BFF relationship most girls dream of.”—Carla Laureano, RITA Award–winning author of The Saturday Night Supper Club and Provenance

• Sweet and playful contemporary rom-com
• Full-length, stand-alone novel (approx. 86,000 words)
• Perfect for fans of Sophie Kinsella and Katherine Reay
  

• Language: English
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson
• Release date: Jun 15, 2021
• ISBN: 9780785244943

Bethany Turner

Bethany Turner has been writing since the second grade, when she won her first writing award for explaining why, if she could have lunch with any person throughout history, she would choose John Stamos. She stands by this decision. Bethany now writes pop culture–infused rom-coms for a new generation of readers who crave fiction that tackles the thorny issues of life with humor and insight. She lives in Southwest Colorado with her husband, whom she met in the nineties in a chat room called Disco Inferno. As sketchy as it sounds, it worked out pretty well in this case, and they are the proud parents of two grown sons. Connect with Bethany at seebethanywrite.com or across social media @seebethanywrite, where she clings to the eternal dream that John Stamos will someday send her a friend request.

Reviews for Plot Twist

[Neverness · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

If it wasn't for a tasteless 'joke' about the terrorist attack that happened in Boston I would have given this 2 stars. This was a bad book. The characters which were supposed to be in their 30s did not act lile that. Everyone was in love with the MC but I could no figure out why. The friend relationship was at times toxic and other sweet but while that sounds like a complex relationship it really wasn't. Overall, I don't recommend this book, which was a poorer version of One Day In December.

[Karla O'Neal · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

It’s just a little anointing how long it takes for the main character to get the guy.

[Khaye-rynne J · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Skipped to the end. The book was a bit too bland .

[Dori Miller · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved the book. I was wondering how it would end, but it was worth it.

[Rachel Yoder · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I usually like angsty romances, but this book kept my curiosity up throughout the whole story. I enjoyed the twists and turns and that I didn’t quite know how things were going to end up. Good writing and likable characters!

[Ann Bush · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I love Bethany Turner's writing. She has such a way with words and a great imagination. Her humor is great too.! I like the way she incorporates cultural things like movies into the stories!

[Dayna Bennett · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

So I just don’t know what to say about this book. I can’t decide if it was the narration (not great, not the worst ever but just - not great) or the slightly unlikable main character who started to frustrate me with her choices. The concept was great and the writing was sometimes really good - but other times like it needed one more developmental edit. It was bearable enough, and I cared enough to want to finish and find out what happened. The final plot twist was a bit of a stretch and felt forced to make everything make sense. Overall I’m confused at how well this book was reviewed because I feel it just missed. But again, that could have been the narration - she read it way too chipper and was off on her inflection. I’m going to check out her other book because perhaps this was a one off.

[Lauren Shelton · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I can’t lie here - I got swept up in this one. Totally, 100% into the Fiona mindset of cheering on Olivia throughout the book. As I listened to the audiobook, I was squealing with glee at pivotal moments and jumping excitedly like a dork during the last chapter. There were moments where I fought myself not to cry though it would have been completely valid to - there’s some raw emotions hidden throughout the pages of this cynical rom com. My only “complaint” was the quality of the audiobook as it seemed to be fuzzy and that was mildly irritating but I was so engrossed in the story that I decided not to let it bother me enough to turn away. I think Talon did a great job performing this book, which may have been why the emotional moments felt so raw to me.

Further, I loved the references to the film industry, guessing throughout the book which movie they were referring to based solely on the actors mentioned. It took me a while to realize one of the characters was based on Gerard Butler - even though there is a blurb thanking him at the beginning of the book *big facepalm*. Before that realization, I pictured Heath Ledger (10 Things I Hate About You era) as that character and I have to say - I decided to keep him in that role even after knowing it was supposed to be Butler and Ledger isn’t Scottish.

I will add that initially I did not like that the characters were beginning the story in their 30s. I would have preferred 25 maybe BUT after the entire story played out, I don’t think it could have been anything but a 30s love story set in LA. At 25, I want everything to be happening right now because that’s what society has told me I should want, but the story grounds the younger (& older) readers in displaying that getting to where we are supposed to be takes time for most of us. The main character goes through various internal conflicts and external struggles before deciding to take charge over her life - and still it’s not perfect. She gets her happily ever after, but it wasn’t just magic or irony because she worked for it.

As for content warnings, here’s what I can recall:
There is infidelity in the form of a kiss, twice in two separate chapters but is mentioned in a few other chapters. There’s also mention of adultery in two chapters. To my knowledge that was the only content that really warrants a warning.

Overall, I obviously enjoyed this book and may purchase a paperback or digital copy, as much fun as the audiobook was. I’m giving it 5 stars and I think those are well deserved.

[Whitney Sivill · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

An adorable sweet romance. The characters were fun and relatable and the hook was there straight from the beginning. My biggest beef was it felt more like women's fiction than a romcom. There was a lot of scenes that did nothing to further the romance, in fact taking up a huge bulk of the story. With that said, there was enough of a draw between the MC and her LI that you were on pins and needles right up to the end.

[Sunshine Panda · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Heart-warming , funny and delightful. What I expected and more

[Amber Jacque · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Love love loved this book and the title really says it ALL!

[Nikki Ffrench · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Such a cute story! It hit on so many emotions as Olivia’s life unfolded over the decade. The way the author structured the story was novel and added to the enjoyment. Overall a fun, heartwarming read.

[Jessica Coppedge · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Delightful! I couldn’t stop listening because I needed to know how the story unfolded.

[M. Malcolm · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book lived up to its name. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it. The audio book narrator was superb.