Review: The Coincidence of Callie & Kayden by Jessica Sorensen

The Coincidence of Callie & Kayden
Publisher: Fovever
Publication date: December 13th 2012
My rating:  5 stars

For Kayden, suffering in silence was the only way to survive. If he was lucky, he could keep his head down, do as he was told, and make it through the day. But one night it seemed like his luck-and his life-might finally end... until an angel named Callie appeared just in time to rescue him.

Callie has never believed in luck. Not since her twelfth birthday when everything was taken from her. After the worst was over, she locked up her feelings and vowed never to tell anyone what happened. Now, six years later, she continues to struggle with the painful secret that threatens to consume her.

When fate lands Kayden and Callie at the same college, Kayden is determined to get to know the beautiful girl who changed his destiny. Quiet and reserved, Callie still fears letting anyone else into her world. But Kayden is certain that Callie has come back into his life for a reason. And the more he tries to be a part of her life, the more he realizes that, this time, it's Callie who needs to be saved...

My Thoughts:

The Coincidence of Callie and Kayden may sound like your typical New Adult but somehow this was done so much better than most.  The story swept me up and didn’t let me go! It filled my heart with emotions and intensity!

Callie and Kayden have known each other for years, going to the same school.  Their families have even socialized on and off.  But they’ve never traveled in the same social circles with Kayden being the popular high school football quarterback and Callie being the school recluse/freak since she was twelve. However, Callie makes an impression on Kayden when she saves his life. He doesn’t get a chance to thank her because just a few days after, she goes off to college early to attend summer session.  Being gone from her home can’t happen a minute too soon for Callie.  Ever since her twelfth birthday it hasn’t been the normal sanctuary that most homes provide for children. 

Callie doesn’t think she’ll lay eyes on Kayden again after saving him, and she certainly doesn’t expect Kayden would ever think a thing about her. Callie couldn’t be more wrong. Little does she know Kayden has suffered growing up as well, except all his suffering has been hidden, and that one night when she bothered to care is something he’ll never forget.

Like I said, the idea of this story is really nothing new in New Adult category, but it stands out from the rest in execution.  The effects from the traumas that both Callie and Kayden went through felt very authentic.  Ms. Sorensen wrote characters that felt very real and so it was easy to connect to, put myself in their shoes, and root for their happiness!  Their emotions, pain, and new tentative hope come through clearly thanks to the dual POVs. 

When they strike up a friendship in college, knowledge of Kayden’s past pain allows Callie to share her own, and their shared burden makes it easier to bear, cope, and heal.  The romance was timidly and cautiously allowed, and I felt completely appropriate for the situation.  With that being said there were still passionate, intense, and lusty moments to relish:

“No, I don’t like you better this way. I like the sober Callie, the one that I can talk to. The one that is so sweet it’s f**king adorable.” I dip my face forward and breathe on her neck, moving toward the no touching line, but not crossing it. “The one that trembles just from the feel of my breath. The one that I want to kiss and touch so f**king badly it drives me crazy. The one that makes me feel things…”

Anxiousness kept me at the edge of my seat at times.  Callie and Kayden’s traumas are hidden and secret, and others want them to stay that way.  I was nervous and worried over what might happen when and if they came out. 

Fair warning, this does end in a cliffhanger.  I had the second one ready to go so I wasn’t worried.  I also found out that the blurb for The Redemption of Callie and Kayden (book 2) alleviates some concerns, but I wouldn’t read it if you haven’t read the first.  Best of all, the second book releases August 6^th, so there’s very little wait time if you decide to read this now. If you have any inclination toward New Adult reads, this is one I would pick up for sure.  I loved it!