Loving Kalvin

By: Siobhan Davis

Narrated by: Laurence Bouvard, Craig Van Ness

Length: 9 hrs and 51 mins

Publisher's Summary

A friends-to-lovers second-chance romance from USA Today best seller Siobhan Davis. Stand-alone, with HEA and no cliff-hanger.

Lana

I knew it would end in disaster, but I didn't listen to reason. I didn't care. Because I loved him so much. Kalvin Kennedy ruled my heart. Until he destroyed it. Shattered it so completely that I became someone else. Someone I loathed. Someone who repeatedly lied to her loved ones.

So, I ran. From him. From myself. Desperate to hide my new reality.

But I could run only so far. When he reappears in my life, I'm terrified. Unbelievably scared of facing the consequences of my actions.

Never mind that I still love him and want him so badly - there's too much at stake now.

How can I trust him with the biggest secret of all when he's likely to rip my world apart again?

Kalvin

Lana was always far too good for me. Everyone knew it but her. I tried to stay away, but I was weak. And I hurt her. Crushed her until she barely resembled herself. Forced her to follow a path she would never have willingly chosen. And then she was gone.

And my world has never felt as empty, as lonely.

She begged me to stay away. Not to find her. To forget she ever existed.

But that's like asking me to slice my heart in two and toss half aside.

I've never believed in fate, but when I rock up to the University of Florida, I'm ready to eat my words.

Because she's here. Like I hoped she would be. And I'm determined to prove I deserve a second chance.

Will I enjoy this book?

If you enjoy emotional, angsty second-chance romance with hot guys and a dash of drama set within a college backdrop, then you should enjoy Loving Kalvin! While you don't need to listen to the first three books in this series to enjoy Loving Kalvin, it is highly recommended. This book is upper young adult/new adult, and it is suitable only for listeners aged 17 and older due to mature content, sexual situations, and language.

This book, like its predecessors, contains a controversial subject that, on this occasion, relates to something Lana did to Kal previously that some readers might find unforgivable. If you don't like being stretched out of your comfort zone, then I'd recommend you skip this book.

©2017 Siobhan Davis (P)2018 Audible, Inc.

Critic Reviews

"It wasn't pretty. It was a fully-fledged sob-fest and ugly cry but I loved every second of it." (Dreamland Teen Fantasy)

"This is my favorite Kennedy book of the series. I am quite shocked that it is considering how things were left between Kal and Lana in the Kyler books." (K.M. Montemayor, author of The Circle and The Spirit Chasers series)

“Siobhan Davis is outstanding when it comes to young adult emotional romances, be it in outer space or college.” (TJ Loves to Read)

“LOVING KALVIN goes above and beyond in the telling of one young couple’s twisted tale of love, loss and second chances.” (Tome Tender)   

Interesting Characters and Great Writing

The female narrator does a great job and she fits Lana's character wonderfully. The male narrator did okay, but I definitely preferred the female narrator. I also listened to the last book in this series, Keeping Kyler, and the female narrator on that book was better too. I think the males are a little too robotic, they need to flow more and add some swagger to their narration. I still really enjoyed the listening experience though!

Siobhan Davis is one of my favorite authors, and I always love her writing! The way she writes her characters emotions really resonates with me, and I can feel the depth of those emotions as I read her books. Lana isn't my favorite, but after reading Loving Kalvin, I understand her a bit better, and although, I can never condone her actions, I can imagine the pain she must've felt in order to do something so egregious, so I think this story is important to understand some of her thought processes. After reading Loving Kalvin, I'm still not completely sold on Lana, but I really enjoyed Kalvin and her story. I loved that they have a backstory with each other, and I think Siobhan Davis did a great job of showing what the consequences are for Lana's actions. The writing is a 5 star for me, and the only reason I went with a 4 star is more of a storyline that I don't enjoy being involved in Kalvin and Lana's story, so it's a personal preference thing rather than a quality of the story thing. I can always count on Siobhan Davis' books to be entertaining and to keep me enthralled in her characters stories. Loving Kalvin is a great book, and I read it in one sitting. Both Kalvin and Lana have needed to grow up rather fast, so I often forgot that they are so young, so I would find it odd when their ages were mentioned; Kalvin doesn't act at all like a 17 year old, but that just goes to show the maturity these characters exhibit, which I like because sometimes with NA or even some Adult books, some older characters act like they are little children with their actions, so I really appreciate that these characters generally use their intelligence to make decisions. Lana has a lot of guilt over her false accusations against Kalvin, and keeps pushing Kalvin away, when he will do anything to have Lana back. The love Kalvin displays to Lana is so sweet, and the connection these two have with each other is wonderful. I also loved that we get a little bit of Faye and Kyler! I'm excited to see more in the next books, and I know I'm going to want to slam Brad's head against a wall multiple times while reading his story, so I hope he catches a clue quickly! Siobhan Davis' story telling is off the charts terrific, and I will always want to read any book by Siobhan Davis. Definitely check her out!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Final Score - 4 Stars!

I have enjoyed reading the book but listening to the book acted out brings a level of realism to the story that only ever previously lived in my imagination. And that’s saying something!

I especially loved listening to the Irish brogue ... *le sigh*. I may need to do another listening or by more books from the series if they are available.

Kalvin and Lana!

Kalvin and Lana grew up together and were best friends. In high school their relationship changed and their feelings were much deeper however neither was mature enough to handle how they felt for each other. Kalvin hurt Lana more than once and when she reached her breaking point she hurt him in the worst way possible. She knows that he would never be able to forgive her and why should he so she tells him to never contact her again and she leaves town.

After Lana left Kalvin accepted responsibility for his part in the tragedy and he has forgiven her and wants her back and now he just needs to convince her. He is determined to fight for a second chance for what always should have been but there is one more bombshell to be dealt with before they can look to the future but will this be the one thing that could send him away?

This is an emotional rollercoaster filled with twists and turns that keeps you coming back for more. It is a wonderful story about the power of love and how it has the power to forgive just about anything. I thought the narrators did a good job however I had a hard time connecting with the voices of some of the characters, Chance in particular. I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book from the author.

Loved this romance!!

"If you love someone, really love someone, you stand by them, even when they’ve screwed up. Especially then. You forgive them for their mistakes"
― Loving Kalvin by Siobhan Davis

This is such a beautiful romance. It’s about two soulmates finding their way back to each other. It’s about forgiveness, understanding and loyalty.

Kalvin and Lana have been soulmates since they were children and it grew stronger as they got older, until Kalvin's mother put a stop to them seeing each other. But that connection was still there, even when they tried to fight it. They hurt each other many times.

Now in Loving Kalvin they are in college. Lana had run off and went to University of Florida secretly. Kalvin went there thinking that's where she went, because they always talked about going together, and he wanted to find her and win back her love. He knew they belonged together and was willing to try whatever it took to get her back.

Lana feels she's undeserving of Kalvin's love. She's made some pretty unforgivable mistakes and hurt Kalvin very badly. Even though he says he forgives her, she just cannot forgive herself. It doesn't help that she still isn't being totally honest with him and is holding back important information from him. The guilt is eating her up and making her feel unworthy of his love.

The whole story is so heartwarming and the lesson of forgiveness is a big one.
It’s such a romantic story. I became so wrapped up in the characters. The narration was good. Especially for the main characters. Some of the side characters sounded a little strange. But overall I really enjoyed the audible version of this book.

Exciting

I really liked this book. Loved the secret it held, but in all loved the whole story itself!