Book Review: The Coincidence of Callie & Kayden by Jessica Sorensen

Published December 13th, 2012
Self-Published

230 pages (eBook)

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. (From Goodreads)

Something about Jessica Sorensen's characters really appeals to me.  This book is very much character driven.  It's impossible not to feel something for them.  There is a lot of backstory provided, but not thoroughly explained.  A lot of questions remain regarding all the characters, and I'm hoping that we're just getting set up for future books.

She also knows how to start a book off strong.  I like that this book starts with a very dramatic event.  But let's talk about that ending.  If you want a cliffhanger, this is the book.  Like leaning-over-the-edge, staring-straight-down, about-to-fall-to-your-excruciatingly-painful-death cliffhanger.  I was not prepared for that.  I don't do cliffhangers well.  There is no closure whatsoever to this story.

If you love romance, drama and a good cliffhanger, give The Coincidence of Callie & Kayden a go.  If you can't handle wild endings, download this book, but wait until the title is released and devour both.  It's not worth passing up.  You know I'm anticipating The Redemption of Callie & Kayden, set for release August 6th, 2013.

Much love, Samantha

Book Review: The Secret of Ella and Micha by Jessica Sorensen

Published October 2nd, 2012
Forever
368 pages (eBook)

A rule-breaker with a fiery attitude, Ella always wore her heart on her sleeve. Then she left everything behind to go to college, where she transformed into someone who follows the rules, keeps everything together, and hides all her problems. Now it's summer break and she has nowhere else to go but home. But once there, Ella fears that everything she's worked so hard to bury might resurface-especially with Micha living right next door.Smart, sexy, and confident, Micha can get under Ella's skin like no one else. He knows everything about her, including her darkest secrets. If he tries to tempt the old Ella to return, he will be impossible to resist. But what Ella doesn't realize is that when she left, she took a piece of Micha's heart with her. Now he's determined to win back the girl he lost, no matter what it takes. (From Goodreads)

I really liked this book!  I didn't actually expect to enjoy the story as much as I did.

I think I liked it because it felt different than all of the New Adult that I've read.  The story starts at a different place in Ella and Micah's relationship, not your typical insta-love scenario.  Beyond that, the characters themselves were different.  They were edgier and less cookie-cutter.

There were a couple of issues with world-building.  The setting never quite came together for me in this very character-driven book.  This didn't drag the book down at all, but the descriptive factor needs some work.

I just really liked this story.  Ella and Micha were interesting, and their "secrets" drew me in from beginning to end.  I definitely recommend checking out this quick read.

Much love, Samantha