I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

No longer in high school, Chloe Lilywhite is now living and working in Annar, the Magicals’ city-state plane of existence. Since moving, she’s joined the Council, gone on missions with the Guard, moved into her own apartment, and enrolled at the University of Annar. Plus, she’s happily engaged to be married to Jonah Whitecomb, the literal man from her dreams, not to mention her Connection. While she still struggles with aspects of her craft, Chloe feels like she’s finally coming into her own, especially after a difficult year that had her questioning nearly everything in her life.

After a brutal attack by the Elders, her life is turned upside down once more. Accusations fly throughout the Council and Guard, forcing Chloe to confront her worst fears about what’s she’s capable of as a Creator. And then there’s the matter of Kellan Whitecomb, Jonah’s twin brother and Chloe’s ex, who resurfaces after disappearing months before. Although Chloe chose Jonah, and despite their best efforts, the two find it hard to stay away from one another.

But no matter what Fate throws at her, Chloe is determined to take charge of her life, even as it begins to spiral out of control.

*This is a New Adult title, suitable for readers 18+.

A Matter of Heart by Heather Lyons was so, so amazing. Heather did a fabulous job with this sequel. Sometimes, the second book in a series isn’t as good as the first book; it just can’t live up to the hype of the first book. But that is ABSOLUTELY NOT the case with A Matter of Heart – it stands on its own and is an overall amazing read!

As with A Matter of Fate, this book sucks you in from the very first page and takes you on a wild ride. There’s an action scene almost immediately, followed by a scene that holds some incredible insight and has some great moments between Chloe and Kellan (Kellan! Swoons!)

I absolutely love Chloe. Honestly, I’m pretty sure she’s one of my favorite MC’s ever. Her destiny as a Creator carries so much weight and responsibility. Yes, she complains sometimes and she does go through some mini-meltdowns in this book, but she still holds her head high and tries to think of others before herself. We also get to see Drunk Chloe again, and let me tell you, she’s hilarious. It’s so wrong, but I love Drunk Chloe!

If you read my review for A Matter of Fate, then you know I’m 100% Team Kellan. So it’s no surprise when I say: Jonah makes me soooo mad! He’s so quick to assume the worst, and I hate his temper. He needs to trust Chloe already! I mean, I get why he doesn’t and I guess at certain times (I admit reluctantly) he would be an idiot to trust her, what with her and Kellan’s history, but still. It’s irrational, but it irritates me! I think part of the problem was that I was just sick of the fighting, in general. I know no relationship is perfect, but how can they be soulmates with THIS much fighting? Didn’t they learn their lesson in A Matter of Fate? Clearly not. But it’s okay, because I want Chloe and Kellan to end up together, so she and Jonah can fight all they want! *Grins.*

There’s a LOT of tension between Chloe and Kellan in A Matter of Heart, especially in the beginning. There’s a funny scene where they trade insults, and I couldn’t help but laugh out loud. And I even agreed with Kellan a few times!

I seriously love Callie. I know I said this in my review of A Matter of Fate, but it still holds true. I love her friendship with Chloe. She’s honest and blunt, and she tells it like it is, even when Chloe doesn’t want to hear it. Honestly, as far as friends go, I prefer Callie over Cora. There’s something about Cora that.. I can’t explain it. She’s a great character, but I just love Callie. Maybe it’s the WAY their friendship developed, but I feel like Chloe and Callie were MEANT to be friends. They just fit so well together.

The ending absolutely blew my mind. I didn’t see it coming, and I was shocked, to say the least. It was so sad, for everyone involved, and I’m really anxious to see how things are resolved in the third and final book, A Matter of Truth (out in November). Honestly, waiting for November is going to be so tough! I need to know what happens next! I need to see who she ends up with!

All in all, loved this book. I did get irritated with the characters – a lot – but in a good way, if that makes sense – I was so invested in this story line and these characters, I couldn’t help but yell at them when I thought they were being stupid, or cry with them when they were hurt and upset. It’s a great thing to read a book and be that invested in it – It means it’s well written and amazing. I hope that makes sense! And I highly, highly recommend this book, as well! You’ll swoon over Jonah and Kellan, trust me!

I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Chloe Lilywhite struggles with all the normal problems of a typical seventeen-year-old high school student. Only, Chloe isn't a normal teenage girl. She's a Magical, part of a secret race of beings who influence the universe. More importantly, she's a Creator, which means Fate mapped out her destiny long ago, from her college choice, to where she will live, to even her job. While her friends and relatives relish their future roles, Chloe resents the lack of say in her life, especially when she learns she's to be guarded against a vengeful group of beings bent on wiping out her kind. Their number one target? Chloe, of course.

That's nothing compared to the boy trouble she's gotten herself into. Because a guy she's literally dreamed of and loved her entire life, one she never knew truly existed, shows up in her math class, and with him comes a twin brother she finds herself inexplicably drawn to.

Chloe's once unyielding path now has a lot more choices than she ever thought possible.

A Matter of Fate by Heather Lyons was amazing – plain and simple. It was unique and original, the world-building was incredible and I loved Chloe’s voice and the tone of the story. I don’t think I can put it into words in a way that will make sense, but I just loved it.

The main character, Chloe, is a Magical. Magicals are the “cause of an event. The effect is what society and the people within choose to do with it once it’s begun.” Everything about being a Magical is set in stone, and Chloe just wants to be able to make her own choices.

Chloe’s relatable and likable. As a Creator – someone who can build up and destroy civilizations at will (or, as per the Council), she has many responsibilities. Creators are especially important to the Council because they are rare. As such, Chloe’s life is even more set in stone than most Magicals. She doesn’t like having her entire life mapped out for her, but she still manages to hold her head high.

Near the middle/end, Chloe really starts to get obnoxious and hypocritical. But oddly enough, this felt like it matched her personality. I don’t even know if that makes sense. She was whiny, hypocritical and ridiculous, but she had her reasons for it, so it didn’t annoy me as much as it normally would. I understood where she was coming from, and I understood why she had to whine and pout for awhile.

Early on in the book, we are introduced to Jonah and Kellan Whitecomb. In the beginning, Jonah comes off as a loner, keeping to himself and ignoring Chloe almost completely. It takes way too long for Chloe and Jonah to talk, honestly, and Jonah’s constant avoidance of Chloe gets frustrating. As the story progresses, we learn why he avoided her, but it’s still really upsetting. Don’t get me wrong, I liked Jonah well enough, but he wasn’t my favorite match for Chloe.

Kellan, though, is swoon-worthy almost from the minute he and Chloe start talking, and I instantly loved him and wanted Chloe to be with him. Some of my favorite Kellan moments? When he calls himself an attention whore, I laughed out loud! Also, when he used the term “Ankle Biters” he reminded me of Uncle Jessie from Full House. This definitely earned him some brownie points!

I loved Karl, so much. He was protective and fatherly, like a big brother for Chloe. He tried so hard to act tough, yet deep down, he was just such a softie. His guidance was exactly what Chloe needed. He was trustworthy, both to Chloe as a character and to myself as a reader. His protectiveness brought happy tears to my eyes.

Another character I loved is Astrid. As much as Karl is like a fatherly figure to Chloe, Astrid is like a motherly type to her. She’s kind, understanding and, above all else, honest. She doesn’t belittle Chloe, the way her parents do. She confirms so many things for Chloe, putting Chloe at ease – to a certain extent. It’s more than Chloe’s parent’s have ever done and, for that, I love Astrid.

Cora was a frustrating character. She was the stereotypical best friend, both there for Chloe and also completely oblivious. It was obvious from the beginning she was flirting with Raul; Chloe was so surprised when she finally found out, but I thought what was going on was crystal clear. Cora meddled too much, especially in things that were not her business and things that concerned Chloe, Kellan and Jonah. This, too, was frustrating. Yet, at one point, something happens and Cora lectures Chloe about it (well, it’s more like an all-out, explosive yelling match) – and even though her methods were wrong, I absolutely agreed with Cora!

Finally, I LOVED Callie. I know, I know – Jonah fans will hate me. Maybe? But Callie was great. She was funny and sarcastic, she spoke her mind, and I never saw her as a threat to anything or anyone. Honestly, since I want Chloe to end up with Kellan, I didn’t see Callie as a threat to anything at all.

The ending was explosive and amazing, and it set things up nicely for the second book. I can’t wait to see what happens next! I’m still rooting for Kellan, though!

Also, I just want it on record: I totally called the whole “voice in her head” thing! I can’t go into details, because it’s too spoilery. But it’s epic and I totally called it, right from the beginning!