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.
In the existence of our lives, there is a single coincidence that brings us together and for a moment, our hearts beat as one.This book was so heartwrenching and heartwarming at the same time. A chance encounter brings Callie to Kayden's rescue. A coincidental meeting at college, begins their surprising friendship/relationship. They are both hiding tragedies and scars that have shaped their views on their lives and future. But despite the attraction to each other, both are terrified of feelings, intimacy, and even touch so it is not easy to move forward and build trust. His best friend Luke and her new friend Seth are also affected by their pasts and the quartet become an unlikely support for each other. I loved these characters and how they interacted and were there for each other.
My heart broke for both Callie and Kayden and how deep their wounds affected them. They both had such emotional and physical symptoms of their tragic pasts. I was emotionally invested in every small victory that Callie and Kayden made together. I loved how protective they became of each other despite being afraid to face their own demons. But together they begin to realize what it is to truly live and feel.
Callie: It's like I'm not me anymore, like he's changed me into a girl who thinks about the possibilities for life and love.
Kayden: I realize that maybe I'm the one avoiding her because she makes me feel things I'm not used to; the dirty dreams, the protectiveness, the way my stupid heart starts to beat like it's finally alive.
Kayden: The way I feel is irreversible, overtaken, wanted, needed, connected. I'll never be able to let it go.
Kayden: "Callie, you're the only person that'e ever made me feel happy about anything. That night you saved me, you changed something in me--you made me want to live."
I was so glad that Jessica gave us both Callie and Kayden's POV. Their inner monologues and observations were deep and gave so many clues into their suffering and fears.
I let is slip out, hoping he'd freak out and let me go, but he did the opposite. He held on, allowing me to cry, letting me break apart, and giving me more than he'll ever know.
All I've ever seen in my life, is people leaving, not caring, hitting, yelling, telling me to suck it up. But then Callie comes along and tells me I can change it--that I deserve so much better It's so simple yet her words mean to much to me.
I was so hoping for a sweet, happy ending. I was not mentally prepared for a cliffhanger! A serious cliffhanger at that, and really hope Jessica does not take too long to put out book 2!
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