The Coincidence of Callie & Kayden

By: Jessica Sorensen

Narrated by: Leslie Bellair

Length: 8 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's Summary

From the best-selling author of The Secret of Ella and Micha comes a mesmerizing novel of fate, friendship, and the healing power of love...The Coincidence of Callie & 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.

©2013 Jessica Sorensen (P)2013 Hachette

Callie & Kayden have stolen a piece if my heart!

This was a beautiful story about coincidence, trust, and honesty. This was a story about letting go of the past and making the most of your future. This was a story about taking chances and trying to live in the moment. This was a story about letting people in, when it's the hardest. This one affects you so deeply. Callie Lawrence was more than ready leave her small home town and head off to college at the University of Wyoming. Before heading off to school, Callie stops by Kayden Owens (a fellow classmate) graduation party and comes upon an incident that will finally have her and Kayden's lives cross paths. Although, Callie and Kayden were in the same class, they rarely interacted during all the years they had gone to school together. On that one night, Callie witnesses a horrible event and unexpectedly saves the life of Kayden. Ashamed of what Callie had just witnessed, Kayden insists she shouldn't worry too much about what she saw. Later on down the road, Callie and Kayden cross paths once again when Kayden literally runs into Callie at their new college campus. Despite the fact that they had not seen each other since Kayden's graduation party, neither had been able to forget about that night and each other. The two eventually form a friendship that turns into something that neither had expected. As the two get to know each other they slowly start to reveal the reasons why they're running away from their lives back in their hometown. This was a truly compelling & emotional book that had me totally engrossed right from the beginning through the very end. Well, almost end due to a much disliked cliffhanger!!! I guess that only means I will be using a much deserved credit on the sequel!! This book definitely will be added to my "tissue box worthy" favorite book list!

20 of 21 people found this review helpful

It's No Coincidence I Enjoyed This Book

Sorensen consistently creates engaging characters - this is no different. These characters absolutely insist readers become invested in the outcome because you are connected to them through the author's words. The obstacles these young adults overcome are tragic but the manner it's presented isn't over-dramatized. You appreciate their struggles but still like their actions in pushing through to an HEA or HFN,

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Good story, just wished they had a male narrator!

Would you listen to The Coincidence of Callie & Kayden again? Why?

Uhhh no. The narrator did nothing for this story.

What other book might you compare The Coincidence of Callie & Kayden to and why?

Maybe the edge of never.

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

I did not like the performance at all. She had no emotion on her voice, she just made all the male characters sounds really feminine.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When they were drinking and Kayden told Callie how he felt about her.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

could have been better

Story was great and the narrator did well, BUT not having a male narrator for the Kayden chapters really took away from the story. I'm not sure if I listen to the rest of the books or not now.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

I'm wondering what just happened

I read a lot of reviews and I'm surprised that none of them mentioned that this book ends in the middle of the story. It's not a cliffhanger... It just ends. And now if I want to hear how it ends, I have to pay $15 or use a credit? No.

Leaving that part out, I don't feel like the connection was built between Kayden and Callie was built up enough. For the amount of attachment they had... It just like an introduction of characters and bam... Intensely attached.

Also, rape is something that really damages you. And to go from a rape to losing your intensional virginity is a big deal, it wasn't even close to accurately portrayed.

I'm going to say one last thing. If this book was meant to be a soft porn with fluff in the middle, don't use rape and violence. Those things can't be used as filler between love scenes.

That's all. Moving on... And not to the second book of this series btw.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

So far I like the story, not digging performance

Okay I'm only on Chapter 1 and the storyline has me intrigued so I am going to finish the book, but the performance of it is the worst I've heard yet. She doesn't even TRY to do a guy voice it's all rambled on with the same voice so if your not truly paying attention for even a minute you don't know who is talking the boy or the girl. Totally not impressed with the performance but since the story seems good, I have to finish but seriously contemplating on returning this audio one and buying a book to read it myself. I'm going to try a few more chapters and if I'm still not digging the performance I'm going to do that.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

GREAT GREAT GREAT

that is all....just read this book! It's so sweet, loved the characters, you will laugh, cry & fall in love

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Needs both male and female narrators

Where does The Coincidence of Callie & Kayden rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is a powerful and well-written story about domestic violence and sexual abuse. I have recommended it to friends who have endured similar experiences.

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

Bellair performs Callie flawlessly. Kayden needs his own male narrator. I could barely tell the two apart. Other characters are performed well. Overall the story is well read and Bellair conveys an emotional story without being slow and overly dramatic. For the next title though, dual narrators - please.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Grossly exaggerated story

Any additional comments?

The book was filled with exaggerted stereotypes: the shy girl that spoke to no one throughout the whole high school because of a tragedy that happened to her when she was 12. She moves to college and turns everything around in a way while not changing much at the same time. She befriends a gay man and shares all her secrets with him in a couple of months after they met. Then one of her high school students, who had a horrendous childhood too, attends the same college and he becomes interested in her. Too many problems, too few solutions and the ending is just... Sureal. Sorry. Didnt get this book, although admittedly I did finish it.

1 of 2 people found this review helpful