Launch Day Blitz & Review: The Destiny Of Violet & Luke by Jessica Sorensen

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The Destiny of Violet & Luke
The Coincidence #3
By:  Jessica Sorensen
Published:  Jan. 7, 2014
By:  Forever Romance
Source:  Publisher
Mature Content:  18 & Up

GR's Summary:

Luke Price's life has always been about order, control, and acting tough on the outside. For Luke, meaningless relationships are a distraction-a way to tune out the twisted memories of his childhood. He desperately wishes he could forget his past, but it haunts him no matter what he does.

Violet Hayes has had a rough life. When she was young, she was left with no family and the memory of her parents' unsolved murders. She grew up in foster homes, living with irresponsible parents, drugs, and neglect, and trying to fight the painful memories of the night her parents were taken from her. But it's hard to forget when she never got closure-and she can't stop dreaming about what happened that tragic night. To make it through life, she keeps her distance from everyone and never allows herself to feel anything.

Then Violet meets Luke. The two clash instantly, yet they can't seem to stay away from each other. Although they fight it, they both start to open up and feel things they've never felt before. They discover just how similar they are. But they also discover something else: The past always catches up with you . . .

The Coincidence Series:

My Review on The Coincidence of Callie & Kayden 

My Review on The Redemption of Callie & Kayden 

My Thoughts:

I am a huge fan of Jessica Sorensen's.  The Coincidence of Callie & Kayden, The Redemption of Callie & Kayden, and Breaking Nova were all superb.  One thing I have come to learn about Ms. Sorensen's stories is that they often times break my heart, and make me go through a lot of heartache.  This is because her characters are always so broken, and damaged by horrible life circumstances.  I become attached to her characters, because they leap right of the page for me.  They feel so real, and that's the magic of Ms. Sorensen's writing.  She knows how to hook her audience, keep their attention, and completely mesmerize them with unforgettable characters, and a plot line that is always filled with crazy twists and turns, along with a dreaded cliffhanger!  However, I still continue to read her stories, because they always touch my heart, make me feel a ton of emotion, and stand out from the masses.

The Destiny of Luke and Violet was everything that I had hoped for.  I've been dying to get my hands on Luke's story, ever since I was introduced to him in The Coincidence of Callie & Kayden.  Right away I became attached to his character.  I thought he was a very loyal and amazing friend to Kayden, and Callie as well when he got to know her.  I picked up on the weird vibe between him and his mother, and it was obvious that he was dealing with a lot of his own inner conflict as well.  I wanted to learn more about his childhood, and his life, because he was such a mysterious character to me.  Also, I really wanted him to get his own "happily ever after."

However, until I read this installment of Luke's story, I had absolutely no idea how horrible his life had been growing up, and all the issues that he had to deal with.  Then, I really got to know Violet (Callie's dorm roommate,) and let me tell you her issue's were just as horrific as his.  These two character's were very traumatized, broken, and emotionally stunted.  Violet experienced a horrific event at a young age, and never stopped being plagued by nightmares.  She was also bounced around from foster home to foster home her whole life, and suffered ridicule, abuse, and isolation at the hands of those that were entrusted with her care.  She didn't have family, friends, or anyone that she could count on.  She was an adrenaline junkie who oftentimes put herself in extreme danger so that she could stop feeling the deep emotional pain within her.  Luke had a traumatic childhood in which he dealt with a sick and twisted mother, and an absentee father.  He didn't do relationships, and his only real friend was Kayden.  He had anger issues from the deep rooted trauma of his childhood, and he chose to deal with them through drinking excessive amounts of alcohol, and having meaningless sex with strangers.  Things change for Violet and Luke one night when their paths cross, and things are never the same for either of them, ever again.

Wow, this story was very heavy, dark, and traumatic.  I really felt like I got to know Violet and Luke on a deep level.  These two characters were multilayered and realistic.  Ms. Sorensen did a phenomenal job in the portrayal of the horrors that occur in the foster system, as well as those that occur with excessive drug, and alcohol abuse. The love scenes between Violet and Luke were very emotional and sensual.  The ending had a horrible twist!  Talk about a cliffhanger!  Now, I'm needing to get my hands on Violet and Luke's sequel!  I want to see how their story ends, and am hoping these two can catch a break, and get the happily ever after that they both deserve. 

My Rating:

I give The Destiny of Violet & Luke by Jessica Sorensen, 4 Traumatic, Dark, Surprising, and Sensual Stars!  If you enjoy dark stories with realistic characters, angst, and real life issues, you will enjoy this one.  If you are a fan of Ms. Sorensen, you will enjoy Violet and Luke's story immensely!  One thing is for certain, the characters and plot from The Destiny of Violet & Luke, make for an unforgettable story, that will deeply effect your emotions, and have you rooting for these two underdogs to find peace, love, and happiness in their lives.    

My Favorite Quotes:

"I remember being loved.  God, I hate remembering that.  It hurts so bad, knowing I had it once.  It'd be better if I never knew what it felt like to know someone cared about me enough to never let anything hurt me, because I couldn't feel the ache over something I never had."  (eARC, Loc. 3107)

~Violet

"It's about her.  It's all about her.  Every movement, every breath, the way my heart beats fiercely in my chest, is all because of her.  Violet owns me."  (eARC, Loc. 4100)

~Luke

Excerpt

Luke

She reaches for my fries with an undecided look on her face. “So I have a question.”

“Okay…”

“About you.”

I slowly chew my food. “I’m not really sure I want to hear your question now.”

She picks a pickle off of her burger, pulling a repulsed face. “Well, I’m still going to ask it.”

I grab a handful of fries from the tray that’s on the table between us. “Go ahead and ask but it doesn’t mean I’ll answer.”

She props her elbows onto the table with her burger in her hand. “Why haven’t you ever talked to me before? I mean, we’ve walked past each other probably a hundred times, but never so much as acknowledged each other and then suddenly you’re stalking me.”

I pick up my soda and sip from the straw. “First off, I’m not stalking you. I just can’t seem to get rid of you.”

“You didn’t have to stop to pick me up.”

“Yeah, I did.”

“Why? You don’t know me—you’re in no way obligated to help me.”

“I know, but I wanted to.”

“Why?”

I shrug, setting my drink down. “Why not?”

She gives me a funny look, like I’m the most confusing person in the world, when really she should be looking at herself like that. “I don’t get it. Why would someone like you help someone like me?”

I open up the bun of my chicken sandwich to pick the tomato off. “What do you mean someone like me and someone like you?”

She points at me. “You as in a football player who has friends.” Then she points at herself. “And me as in the loner girl who could probably kick your ass.”

I choke on a laugh and my mouth full of food almost shoots out of my nose. “You could not kick my ass,” I cough, and then take a swallow of my drink.

She scans me over while scooping up some fries. “I beg to differ. I think you’re not as tough as you try to look.”

“Do you really?” If only she knew what really lay inside me. “Because most people think I am and for a good reason.”

“I think it’s all for show,” she replies nonchalantly and I can’t tell if she’s being serious or not. “I think that deep down you’re just a softy.”

“Are you trying to pick a fight with me right now?” I set my sandwich down on the tray and crack my knuckles. “Because I’m not going to fight a girl.”

“That’s such a typical guy answer.” She hurries and takes a drink, but I detect a hint of a smile before her lips wrap around the straw.

“You know what I think?” I cross my arms on the table and lean in, cocking my head to the side as I observe her closely. “I think you like arguing with me and that’s why you’re bringing this up.”

Her shoulders lift and descend as she takes a bite of her hamburger. “Maybe, but maybe I’m being serious.”

“You know that as a football player I have to tackle guys, right? It takes strength to do that.”

“Maybe you just run, though,” she counters. “Maybe you’re just good at running.”

The way she says it reminds me so much of my past and it’s like a kick to the stomach. “Maybe I’m not, though. Maybe I suck at running.” I sound choked and I decide it’s time to cut this conversation short, my brain seeking that potent taste of Jack and Tequila mixed with nicotine. I glance at my watch, pretending to check the time. “I just remembered that I have to meet Kayden somewhere in like a half an hour, so I’m going to have to take you back.”

She balls up the wrapper for her hamburger, acting nonchalant, but her shoulders are stiff. “Sounds good to me. I was done anyway.” She seems irritated and I have no idea why, other than she seems to be able to read through my bullshit and test me, which most people can’t and won’t even try. I’m supposed to be a closed book. A mystery. That way no one can see who I really am. It’s the way I’ve been living for years and it’s comfortable. Not ideal, but nothing is ideal.

We don’t talk as I collect our garbage and then walk next to her as she limps out to my truck. I try to offer her my arm and open the door for her, but she denies my offer, moving to the opposite door and pushing it open.

During the car ride, she barely says two words to me. I should be happy about it. That way there’s no room for sudden questions and statements that will set me off, however I find myself missing the bantering thing we had going and the way she pushed my buttons. By the time I drop her off, all I want to do is ask her to stay, talk some more, let me get to know her. But I don’t understand why. I’ve never wanted to get to know anyone before. I’ve never even been out on a date. Each woman I’ve been with, I’ve only been with once. Just sex. That’s all it’s ever about. And I’ve never wanted anything more.

Until now.

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About Jessica Sorensen:

The New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Jessica Sorensen, lives with her husband and three kids. When she's not writing, she spends her time reading and hanging out with her family.

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