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.
Series: The Coincidence #1
Published by Forever, Hachette, Hachette Audio on August 6, 2013
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult
Pages: 400
Format: Audiobook
Source: Publisher
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From the bestselling author of The Secret of Ella and Micha comes a mesmerizing novel of fate, friendship, and the healing power of love . . .
THE COINCIDENCE OF CALLIEÂ &Â KAYDEN
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:
Callie Lawrence withdrew into herself after a traumatic event when she was twelve, and she’s spent her life ever since trying to be as invisible and unattractive as possible. While fetching her older brother from a graduation party, a chance encounter with Kayden Owens and his abusive father in the middle of an altercation sets both of their paths on a different course. Kayden is a popular jock who’s father’s need for nothing but perfection from his children leads him to take out his frustrations on his children while keeping up the perfect persona to the community.
Callie  sets off for college as soon as she graduates. She finds friendship with another wounded soul in Seth, and with his help, she slowly starts to come out of her shell and live life again. Over the summer at college, they find their footing and Callie finally has some confidence living anonymously on this campus. That is until a familiar person from her past shows up with the rest of the freshman–one who she can’t stop thinking about how she’d saved him from his father’s fists and harsh words earlier that year.
Kayden is relieved to be out of that oppressive house and from under the thumb of his abusive father and away from his alcoholic mother who always looked the other way. Now at college on a football scholarship, he’s making a fresh start and living in the dorms with his best friend Luke. Everything should be going as planned: play football, do good in school, never go home unless he absolutely has to, and he can hold it all together. That is until a fragile girl from his town reappears in his life, and he remembers that he owes her a very large debt for saving his life.
Both Callie and Kayden are hiding very large secrets. This book is very angsty, but I’m an angst loving girl, so I enjoyed every heart wrenching moment of this book. Callie’s best friend Seth has his own tragic story as well as Kayden’s best friend Luke, and I really enjoyed how each of them supported their friend and grew to like the other characters as the story grew.
I give The Coincidence of Callie and Kayden a four out of five. With excellent character growth and emotional angst so intense that my heart hurt throughout the book, I couldn’t help but root for these poor souls to come together and pull through. Told in alternating points of view between Callie and Kayden, you get a nice look into what’s going on with both of the characters, which made the story well rounded. This book did end on a nasty cliffhanger, but luckily I could just download the next book (The Redemption of Callie and Kayden) onto my Kindle since it was already released.
I listened to the audiobook provided by Hachette Audio
Get your own Audiobook at Audible: The Coincidence of Callie and Kayden.
NarratorLeslie Bellair did an excellent job reading this nine hour audiobook. The alternating chapters of Callie and Kayden’s point of view were easily distinguished by the changes in language written by the author even though the narrator’s tone didn’t change that much. Although I think that this series would benefit from having both a male and female narrator, I still highly enjoyed listening to this first installment.
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I actually felt kind of let down by this one and found the characters a little bland and just … I don’t know. Something didn’t click with me, you know? I didn’t feel the chemistry!
I think though some things translate better as audiobooks. I listened to an audiobook recently (The DUFF) that I just loved, but I KNOW that if I read it then I wouldn’t have liked it nearly as much. Sometimes some books are more enjoyable when they’re read to you, so you can visualise things clearer and get a better sense of the characters.
Allie @ Little Birdie Books recently posted..Review: Unravel Me {Tahereh Mafi}
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The Coincidence of Callie and Kayden may be one of those books that just worked better as an audiobook, Allie. I think I liked it that much more, felt the angst and heartache more intensely because I listened to it and couldn’t speed through the words on a screen.
Heather recently posted..Audiobook Review: The Coincidence of Callie and Kayden by Jessica Sorensen
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Angst? Well…it depends on the angst and my mood. Sometimes I’m all over angst. Sometimes it just irritates me. I’m just not sure about this story!
Mary @ BookSwarm recently posted..Speed Date with Donovan: AFTER THE STORM by Maya Banks
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If I had to rate the angst level for the Coincidence of Callie and Kayden, I’d give it a six out of ten. The most angst comes from the fact that neither main character will share their secret for most of the book, and even at the end one of them has some major issues with being close to people.
Heather recently posted..Super Six Sunday – Danny’s Super Six Books of 2013
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I have seen this one around and thought I might want to read it. Now I don’t know if I would want to listen to it or read it. I don’t mind angst. Sometimes, depending on my mood, it’s just what the doctor ordered. I need a good heartbreak every now and then to break the dam. But I hate cliffies so I’ll need to make sure the complete series is available before I read it. I know that’s kind of cheating, but I just hate cliffies. Great Review!!
Heather @ Buried in Books recently posted..Thank you Mike Mullin!
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Since the second book is out on e-book, you’re all set. The third book featuring the secondary character (Kayden’s best friend) comes out January 7, so I’m sure we’ll get even more answers that were left out of book two. Give this series a chance, it’s good when you’re in the mood for some heartache.
Heather recently posted..Audiobook Review: The Coincidence of Callie and Kayden by Jessica Sorensen
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The only thing that makes me worry is that “nasty cliffhanger” Part of why I generally prefer stand alones!
Melissa’s Eclectic Bookshelf recently posted..Cat Thursday – Piper Helps Pack Books for Charity
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When the audiobook of The Coincidence of Callie and Kayden ended on one evil cliffhanger and a preview of the next book, I’ll admit that I groaned out loud at work. Luckily I could just go to Amazon’s site and buy the Kindle copy of book two, but still, it was a bit annoying.
Heather recently posted..Audiobook Review: The Coincidence of Callie and Kayden by Jessica Sorensen
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I just got this the other day so I’m happy to read this was a positive one for you! I like a bit of angst every now and then so I look forward to checking it out soon. Great review
Danielle recently posted..Storm Warning by E. Lee and C. Quinn (Review)
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Hope you enjoy The Coincidence of Callie and Kayden as much as I did. Just be prepared to buy the sequel right away 😉
Heather recently posted..Audiobook Review: The Coincidence of Callie and Kayden by Jessica Sorensen
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This book sounds so sad and powerful. I loved it when you said “,,,my heart hurt throughout the book.” Aww. Thanks for the great review! 🙂
Lexa Cain recently posted..Celebrate: Interview, Guest Post & Freebies
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You’re welcome, Lexa! The Coincidence of Callie and Kayden is worth a read. Glad I could bring it to your attention.
Heather recently posted..Audiobook Review: The Coincidence of Callie and Kayden by Jessica Sorensen
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