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 . . .
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**My thoughts**
I have had this one sitting on my Kindle for way too long and finally decided to give it a go. It's a bit painful to read because of all of their trauma, yet is completely engrossing at the same time.
Callie was considered a nobody in high school, especially when she started acting strangely after her 12th birthday. [And why, oh why does no one try to figure out why??] She doesn't come right out and say what happened, but you can make an educated guess.
Kayden is the polar opposite - a well-loved star football player from a wealthy family. Only people don't realize that he is hiding the secret that his father beats the hell out of him while his mother turns a blind eye.
Their worlds somewhat collide in an accidental encounter at a party where Callie actually saves Kayden from a worse beathing.
And then they run into each other in college in another coincidence. Both are doing better out of their terrible home environments. Callie has even made a new friend named Seth who is just as damaged as she is. The two are trying to gently push each other forward in life as a part of their healing. Part of that healing is hagning out with Kayden and Luke, his best friend who also went to high school with them Luke suffers his own personal trauma.
This formidable foursome is so broken individually, but so much stronger to gether. They don't yet know all of the details of each other's secrets, but know enough to hold each other up. It's the kind of friends we all need in life.
I know this book is about the slow burn start to a romantic relationshp between Callie and Kayden, but it is so much more.
It's about the power of friendship. It's about learning to love and trust again - not only yourself, but others around you. It's about facing past trauma and starting to heal.
It's also very intense and emotional, which is right up my alley, but may not be for everyone.
And I will give you the heads up that it ends on a sort of cliffhanger. But that is okay, because the rest of the series is readily available.
I gave this emotional book 4.5 stars.
This sounds like a good easy read. I'll add it to my list!
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