The Coincidence of Callie & Kayden: Jessica Sorenson

Well, if you're looking for some nice light reading, the Coincidence Series isn't for you.  I'll start off with the first two books in the series, The Coincidence of Callie & Kayden and The Redemption of Callie & Kayden.

Blurb: 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...

Blurb: The Redemption of Callie & Kayden

The dark secret Kayden has kept hidden for years is finally out. Worse, he's facing charges for battery. The only way to clear his name is for Callie to speak up-something he'll never ask her to do. Instead, he'll do whatever he must to protect her . . . even if it means letting go of the only girl he's ever loved.

Callie knows Kayden is going back to his dark place and desperately wants to save him. But that means facing her greatest fear and admitting her own painful secrets aloud. The thought of breaking her silence terrifies her-but not as much as the thought of losing Kayden forever.

Deep in her heart, Callie knows the time has come for her and Kayden to forget the pain of the past. With the help of her friends Seth and Luke she makes a plan to show Kayden the life they could have. But can she convince him they can make a fresh start together-or is she already too late?

Review: 4.5 Stars (for The Coincidence) and 4 Stars (for The Redemption)

I came across this book when I was going through a list on Goodreads for Best Book Boyfriends.  After reading Broken, I was ready to read about a good guy.  Kayden was just that, a good guy; but he's also not a laid back, drama-free guy. 

I loved the first book in the series because it was about Callie and Kayden getting to know each other and drawing strength from each other.  Callie is one of those characters that you can't wait to see flourish.

The Redemption was a harder book to read.  Kayden's issues come to a head and it makes for more angst and a darker storyline (not that the first book was all sunshine).  I'm not a big fan of the whole "I'm not good enough for her, but I can't stay away" story line.  It gets a bit old after a while.  But, I do love to see characters rid themselves of the negativity that has held them back and take their power back.

I am a few books ahead of these two in the series, but was a bit surprised to see that #6 returns to these two characters.  Looking forward to reading it -- though I am a bit weary about the need for three books.

Broken: Lauren Layne

Blurb:

When Olivia Middleton abandons the glamour of Park Avenue for a remote, coastal town in Maine, everyone assumes she’s being the kind do-gooder she’s always been. But Olivia has a secret: helping an injured war veteran reenter society isn’t about charity—it’s about penance. Only, Olivia’s client isn’t the grateful elderly man she’s expecting. Instead, he’s a brooding twenty-four-year-old who has no intention of being Olivia’s path to redemption . . . and whose smoldering gaze and forbidden touch might be her undoing.

Paul Langdon doesn’t need a mirror to show him he’s no longer the hotshot quarterback he was before the war. He knows he’s ugly—inside and out. He’ll do anything to stay in self-imposed exile, even accept his father’s ultimatum that Paul tolerate the newest caretaker for three months or lose his inheritance. But Paul doesn’t count on the beautiful twenty-two-year-old who makes him long for things that he can never have. And the more she slips past his defenses, the more keeping his distance is impossible.

Now Paul and Olivia have to decide: Will they help each other heal? Or are they forever broken?

Review:  3 Stars

It's not an easy feat to take a cheater (from one book in the series) and make them the heroine in the next book.  Although Olivia exceeded my expectations with her maturity in Isn't She Lovely, I was a bit nervous about whether I would like her in Broken.  Kudos to the author for crossing that hurdle and, in my opinion, being successful with creating a likeable character who could have easily been a cliche of a snobby socialite.  

Unfortunately, this book was not as enjoyable for me as the previous one in the series.  There's only so much abuse (from Paul) and watching Olivia be a doormat that I can take.  I prefer female main characters who don't put up with any shit.  I'm also not good at forgiving ass-aholic behaviour, regardless of the underlying reasons for it.  So, Paul just didn't float my boat.   Taking a bit of a break from the series, but I do plan to return to read Michael's story.

Isn't She Lovely: Lauren Layne

I often find myself wanting to jump into a book midway through a series that I have yet to read.  With the Redemption Series, I was able to resist jumping ahead because the blurb for the first book in the series, Isn't She Lovely, peeked my interest too.

Blurb:

Stephanie Kendrick gave up her whole summer to ace her NYU film school screenwriting course, so she's pissed to be stuck with a preppy, spoiled frat boy as her writing partner. Then again, with her piercings, black-rimmed eyes, and Goth wardrobe, Stephanie isn't exactly Ethan Price's type, either. He's probably got his eye on some leggy blonde with a trust fund... or does he?

As the summer scene kicks off in the Hamptons, Ethan is desperate to make his snobbish mother forget the pedigreed girl who broke his heart. While Stephanie's a stretch as a decoy, the right makeover and a pastel cardigan just might do the trick. She may not love the idea of playing Ethan's brainless Barbie girlfriend, but the free rent and luxurious digs make a tempting offer. So does the promise of a ready-made screenplay idea inspired by their charade.

But when Stephanie steps into Ethan's privileged world, the "acting" begins to feel all too real. The kissing and touching that were intended to fool the Hamptons crowd wind up manipulating "them." And Stephanie faces a question she's too afraid to ask: Is Ethan falling for the real her or for the dolled-up princess he wants to see?

Review: 4 Stars

I'm  sucker for a story like this - watching two people who seem to be complete opposites finding more common ground than expected.  I was pleasantly surprised with this book.  I liked the banter between  Stephanie and Ethan, as they poked fun at each other after being paired together to work a project for their screenwriting course.

And how do I know you won’t go rogue on this project and turn in our screenplay with a dead bird smashed on the front?”

The end of the story is a bit weak, in my opinion.  But, a fun read nonetheless.  I've already moved on to reading the next book in the series!

Spark: Erin Noelle

Blurb: 

I’m failing. 

My younger brother is getting worse, and my job - my duty - is to help him at all costs. We’ve tried everything modern medicine has to offer and nothing works. 

Nothing. 

Deciding to turn to unconventional treatments, we end up at Fire-on-the-Mountain, a holistic resort deep in the Rockies. 

In our search for medical marijuana, I find beautiful, free-spirited Hudson Shavell - a girl who may not only hold the key to heal my brother, but to fix me as well. Even though I can’t afford distractions right now, she’s all I can think about. All that I want. 

It’s funny how everything can change with one little SPARK.

Review: 4.5 Stars

I try to not read too many reviews before getting into a book.  If I know I want to read a book, I don't want to be tempted by spoilers or biased by others' options.  As a result, I was not prepared for this one.  I spent part of the book steeling myself for what might come, the next part breathing to avoid breaking down and then taking deep breathes to try to find my happy place again.

After seeing acquaintances have their lives turned upside down by untreatable epilepsy and related symptoms, I am completely in favour of trying medical marijuana.  I hope this book helps to shed some light on the topic.

The author did a very good job of making me feel connected to the characters.  At times, I could imagine myself sitting at the dinner table with the family, experiencing everything along side of Hudson and Crew.  I loved them as a couple, but wanted to pummel them at times too.

Looking forward to the next books in the series!

In the Absence of Light: Adrienne Wilder

I've been on a bit of reading binge on stories that feature characters with autism (or on the autism spectrum).  That, combined with really strong reviews, catapulted In the Absence of Light to the top of my reading list.

Blurb:  

For years Grant Kessler has smuggled goods from one end of the world to the next. When business turns in a direction Grant isn’t willing to follow he decides to retire and by all appearances he settles down in a nowhere town called Durstrand. But his real plan is to wait a few years and let the FBI lose interest, then move on to the distant coastal life he’s always dreamed of. 

Severely autistic, Morgan cannot look people in the eye, tell left from right, and has uncontrolled tics. Yet he’s beaten every obstacle life has thrown his way. And when Grant Kessler moves into town Morgan isn’t a bit shy in letting the man know how much he wants him. 

While the attraction is mutual, Grant pushes Morgan away. Like the rest of the world he can’t see past Morgan’s odd behaviors. 

Then Morgan shows Grant how light lets you see but it also leaves you blind. And once Grant opens his eyes, he loses his heart to the beautiful enigma of a man who changes the course of his life.

Review: 4 Stars

The manifestation of Morgan's autism is different from other characters I've read.  The blurb describes him as "severely autistic".  I'm not sure if that's accurate, but I had a harder time understanding the relationship between him and Grant than other books I've read that feature a relationship with an autistic main character.  I tried to listen to Morgan's words and ignore the rest.

“The light is a funny thing, Grant. We think it shows us what we need to see, but in reality, it blinds us. That’s why I brought you here. I wanted you to see me.”

Most people can't see past Morgan's tics and verbalizations.  He has been underestimated his entire life.  I feel like the author did a good job of creating a complex, interesting character in Morgan.  But, in the end, I felt that there was a lot about Morgan that was never said and that storyline would have intrigued me more than any of the FBI storyline.  However, I'm not a big fan of police story lines in general.  

Aside from that, it's the kind of book that makes me wish I belonged to a book club because I would like to discuss it with a group of people to get their impressions and interpretations of what happened.  What did Morgan see in the light?  What was missing from his sculptures?   What does Morgan see that others don't and what parts of the book are influenced by this?   

Aflame: Penelope Douglas

Blurb:

The tables have turned. Now I have the power—and it’s his turn to beg…

Everyone wants to be me.

Maybe it’s the sway of my skirt or the way I flip my hair, but I don’t care. Even though their attention is the last thing I crave, I just can’t stop. I dominate the track, the speed rattles my bones, and the wind and the crowd screams my name.

I’m her. The girl driver. The queen of the race. And I’m surviving—something he thought I’d never do.

They all still talk about him. Did you see Jared Trent on T.V? What did you think of his last race, Tate? When is he coming back to town, Tate?

But I refuse to care too much. Because when Jared does come home, I won’t be here.

Tatum Brandt is gone. I’m someone new.

Review: 3.5 Stars

Like many others, when I read the sneak peak for Aflame, at the end of Falling Away, I was pissed off.  I was really angry with Jared.  But that's not logical; he's just a character.  So, in the end, I settled with being pissed off at the author.  Although I agree that Jared and Tate's story never really reached the HEA point, it all felt like a financially-motivated decision to eke out one more book from a popular series; akin to a major studio doing a remake on a movie that is sure to fill seats.  So, with that in mind, it's hard to review this book without being biased by how I felt about the storyline.  I guess I fundamentally don't agree that Jared needed to leave Tate to find himself.

All of that aside, the book was an enjoyable, quick read.  I don't think the blurb does a very good job of representing the book.  But, I always liked Jared and Tate together, so I was happy to read about them and how their relationship progressed.  It wasn't as steamy as Falling Away, but it had its moments.  I don't think the extra book was necessary.  Not after the two previous books featuring Jared and Tate.  Still, I'm sad to see the series end.  I got attached to the characters.

Everything: Melissa Pearl

Blurb:

Jody Pritchett had a dream...but life had other plans. Instead of singing and dancing on Broadway, Jody's a twenty-year-old single mom, living at home with her disapproving father and overbearing sister. The choice to keep her little Angelia came with a high price and although she adores her baby girl, it doesn't take away the sting of kissing goodbye her chance at a career on the stage.

Leo Sinclair had his own dream...but got lost along the way. After a failed marriage that left him hollow and downtrodden, the Australian songwriter wonders what joy his future could possibly hold. Encouraged by the one family member who doesn't think he's a failure, Leo decides to stop living the life everyone expects him to and start chasing his dreams again. 

When the perfect opportunity comes knocking, Leo leaves Australia behind and hops a flight to LA. With his sights set on selling a musical to a Broadway producer, Leo is determined to finally realize his life-long dream. But life gets in the way again, when he spots a young mother outside his apartment in tears. He never realized how one person, one voice, and one Angel could have him contemplating abandoning his dreams once again. 

As these two burned hearts wrestle to overcome their past struggles, Leo and Jody must decide what dreams are worth clinging to...because, sometimes, everything you want is not everything you need.

Review: 4.5 Stars

This was a really sweet book that had me smiling throughout.  I loved Leo.  He is a breathe of fresh air in contrast to the way many men are portrayed in romance novels.  I also really enjoyed flipping back and forth to Youtube to listen to the songs the characters were thinking of at various moments.  It added an element of closeness to the story.  

As an aside, I really like the book cover.  For the most part, I find romance book covers to be pretty cringe worthy.  The guy in the picture gives off the same vibe I got from Leo's character.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.