Review: The Coincidence of Callie and Kayden by Jessica Sorensen

Title: The Coincidence of Callie and Kayden
Author: Jessica Sorensen
Genre: New Adult
Publisher: Sphere
Published: August 8th 2013
Page Number: 400
Rating: 4/5

 

Summary:

 

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 . . .  

 

REVIEW

 

I've actually had a bad experience with a Jessica Sorensen book in the past, so I was very hesitant to start The Coincidence of Callie and Kayden. But I'm so glad that I gave Jessica another shot because I absolutely adored this book.

 

From Page 1, us readers know that this book isn't going to be the happy-go-lucky type, but the tear-your-heart-out type, and I really loved that. The writing immediately captures your attention and drags you into the messy lives of Callie and Kayden. You grow to love all the characters chapter by chapter, and by the end of the book you are completely rooting for them, cheering them on from the side lines.

 

I mentioned earlier that this story was incredibly dark and I have to warn you guys of trigger moments, because the book deals with depression, rape, self-harm and abuse. And while I know these are difficult subjects to bring up in general, but Jessica did a very good job on portraying them. I knew exactly how Callie and Kayden felt because I've been in their shoes before. Not with rape or abuse, but with depression and self-harm. It was one of the darkest times of my life and seeing it through different eyes was so refreshing. So thank you, Jessica.

 

While I loved my time reading Callie and Kayden's story, I have to admit that there were a few times where my eyes rolled and I sighed in annoyance. In places the story became over dramatic, and the fact that everyone around Callie and Kayden suffered from dark pasts just wasn't believable. But I'm still super excited for the next book in the 7 book series.

 

 

 

Buy the book (Waterstones) | Buy the book (Book Depository)

 

 

April Book Haul

This month I promised myself I wouldn't buy so many books. However, that did not happen. I found some great deals, so that's a bonus, but still, I need to calm down. Well, after May I will.

All I Know Now by Carrie Hope Fletcher // Waterstones // £6.49

 

All I Know Now is a non-fiction book about teenage life and the mistake Carrie made and how she learned from them. I've only read through Act 1, but I already love it! It's filled with insightful advice and Harry Potter references.

 

 

The Coincidence Series & The Breaking Nova Series by Jessica Sorensen // Book Depository and Amazon // £15

 

Jessica Sorensen writes incredibly dark New Adult books and The Coincidence Series is now different. It follows two main characters who have broken souls, but only seem to feel fixable when they're with each other. I'm currently reading the second book, and am loving it!

 

 

Thoughtless by S.C. Stephens & Crash by Nicole Williams // Book Depository and Amazon // £9

 

Crash is described as a YA novel, but I've heard incredible things about it, and it was so cheap for a US edition. I picked up Thoughtless for £3.14 from Amazon and I cannot wait to read it soon. Apparently it features a person cheating on their partner, so I am a little weary.

 

 

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas & The Last Summer of Us by Maggie Harcourt // Waterstones and Book Depository // £11.50

 

I received both of these books early. I've already read ACOTAR by Sarah J Maas and loved it, so I had to order a finished copy. My friend, Sarah reviewed The Last Summer of Us and loved it. It's about three friends who take a road trip through Wales (Which is where I live).

 

 

Alienated by Melissa Landers // Wordery via Amazon // £5.80

 

Alienated finally came out in Paperback and I couldn't resist it. Apparently it's quite similar to the TV (which is now cancelled) Starcrossed. The main character has to host an Alien, but finds out that he's keeping a secret that could destroy both worlds.

 

 

REVIEW BOOKS

 

 

Conspiracy of Blood and Smoke by Anne Blankman & Skin by Ilka Tampke // Headline and Hodder & Stoughton // Sent for a honest review

 

Conspiracy of Blood and Smoke is the sequel to Prisoner of Night and Fog, which was released last year and I loved it! I'm so excited to continue on. I'm not sure what Skin is about since I received it unsolicited. The synopsis sounds...unique.

 

 

Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon, Awake by Natasha Preston & The Heartbreakers by Ali Novak // Netgalley // E-ARC's

 

I've already read Everything, Everything and I loved it. My review should be up pretty soon. Natasha Preston is actually a friend of mine, so when I saw this up on the site I had to request. It reminds me a little of The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer, which is such an incredible series! The Heartbreakers sounds like a quick, cheesy read and I wanted to have some of that!

 

 

 

These are all I got this month.

What did you buy?

 

Buy the books (Waterstones) // Buy the books (Book Depository) // Buy the Books (Amazon)

Book Recommendations | New Adult

I sadly don't read a lot of New Adult, but lately that's all I am favouring, so I thought I'd recommend you guys some of my favourites.

The Coincidence of Callie and Kayden by Jessica Sorensen

This was actually my most recent read and I really loved it. The story is dark and dramatic, and sometimes just a little too much, but the development between Callie and Kayden was so nice to read. Their connection wasn't an instant thing, it simmered lightly and then bubbled up at the right moment. I will warn you though, the book deals with a lot of heavy topics: Self-harm, depression, abuse and rape.

Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire

Despite what I think of the author, I actually love this book. It was actually the first New Adult book I read and it instantly inspired me to write New Adult. The story is very dramatic, but it kept up its pace. The romance, however, was a little extreme. Travis and Abby have a very intense and possessive relationship, but it entertained me.

Beautiful Oblivion by Jamie McGuire

This is the first book in the Maddox Brother's Series and I really enjoyed it. Trenton and Cami's relationship was probably my favourite thing about it. It started out nicely, a little flirty and then over time it develops into a realistic relationship. My only issue was that the side characters were a little annoying.

Wait For You by J Lynn aka Jennifer L Armentrout

This is what I call 'Tame New Adult'. The book focuses more of the development of the characters rather than using sex, and I think that's what has everyone sucked up. Cam has to be one of the best New Adult characters I've ever read about. He's hilarious and just a complete and utter charmer.

Maybe Someday by Colleen Hoover

Colleen Hoover is the Queen of Feels, she is without a doubt the best New Adult author around. Maybe Someday follows Sydney and Ridge, after finding out that Sydney's boyfriend has been having sex with her best friend, Sydney moves in with Ridge where they start writing lyrics together. And while I'm not a fan of books where people cheat on their partner, this one was so well done that I didn't even care. It's just a serious, fun novel.


Have you read any of these books?
Let me know in the comments.