The Coincidence of Callie and Kayden

So, I admit it.  I really lucked out on getting an ARC of this book.  I really, really wanted to read it and as fate would have it,  I managed to score one from Jessica Sorensen (yay me!).  So first of all if you haven't seen the gorgeous cover of the book, let's give you a taste of what is to come.

Blurb:

There are those who don’t get luck handed to them on a shiny platter, who end up in the wrong place at the wrong time, who don’t get saved.

Luck was not on Callie’s side the day of her twelfth birthday when everything was stolen from her. After it’s all over, she locks up her feelings and vows never to tell anyone what happened. Six years later her painful past consumes her life and most days it’s a struggle just to breathe.

For as long as Kayden can remember, suffering in silence was the only way to survive life. As long as he did what he was told, everything was okay. One night, after making a terrible mistake, it seems like his life might be over. Luck was on his side, though, when Callie coincidentally is in the right place at the right time and saves him.

Now he can’t stop thinking about the girl he saw at school, but never really knew. When he ends up at the same college as Callie, he does everything he can to try to get to know her. But Callie is reserved and closed off. The more he tries to be part of her life, the more he realizes Callie might need to be saved.

(New Adult Contemporary)*Mature Content** Recommended for ages 17+ due to sexual situations and language.

Ok, I must admit I went into this book thinking I knew what I was going to get.  But, boy, I was really freaking wrong.  This book broke the mold of every expectation I had for it, and it was good.  Oh boy it is so GOOD.   I have mentioned in previous posts that I am a sucker for characters that are crafted extremely well, and Jessica Sorensen has created some fantastic characters in this book.  It's not even just Callie and Kayden I loved, but some of the secondary characters were wonderful and people that I wanted to be friends with in real life.  The relationships between these characters is absolutely fantastic, and I love that Jessica Sorensen tackles a multitude of social issues that we see in everyday life. 

As far as the plot of the book, if you read the blurb you know that Callie and Kayden went to high school together and now are at the same college.  From the blurb I expected Kayden to be full on pursuing Callie and kind of forcing her to come out of her shell.  What we get in the book is definitely better than what is described.  The relationship between Callie and Kayden is believable amongst the backdrop of college.  It is a gradually building relationship that you honestly don't know where they are going to end up.   Jessica Sorensen creates this very real portrait of two individuals trying to become free of past torments, but she does it in a believable way.  I think that it is very human of people to fail at points in life, and I think that this idea is demonstrated beautifully in this book.  The story of Callie and Kayden is meant to be savored like every new experience that you have in your life. 

I don't want to address to much more of what goes on in the book because I am trying to make this a non-spoiler review because this book is really meant to be enjoyed as you read it.  But, what I will comment on is the multitude of real life issues that are addressed in this book.  These events are tragic and scarring, the characters who have experienced these issues do not magically become better by trying new things or making new friends.  These experiences linger and need to be worked through, and I think that this is done beautifully in this book.  It is very real, and I think that it is great that these issues are addressed.   I think what solidified my absolute love for this book was the end.  No, I promise I won't give anything away, but damn that was a great ending.  It reinforced so many themes that we see through the book and is a total, "OMG what is happening right now!?!" moment.   

The Coincidence of Callie and Kayden is fantastic.  Seriously, the 14th needs to be here now because everyone needs to be reading this book!  Job well done Jessica Sorensen, job well freaking done.  Can't wait for more.  ;)

Oh yeah count 5/5!

      !!!!