If you had the power to change your fate, would you? Would you change the fate of someone you loved? Someone you felt could’ve lead a different, possibly much better, life if that one life-changing experience never occurred? Love is powerful, all-knowing, and eternal, right? In Rematch, the first book in The Vortex series, Janine Caldwell introduces us to a splay of characters that will hammer their way into your heart, who will make you consider things you never would’ve before.
Cassie Moore is a spectacular tennis player. But in one fateful moment, everything changes. Trent Astor is a time-traveler, a gift given to him due to a horrible circumstance but one he has come to realize as important. He is forced back in time, to random events of tragedy to save lives. Trent’s never failed, until someone he was supposed to save is shot. Thinking that he’s failed his duty, Trent, otherwise known as Jeremy, is completely taken aback to realize that his subject is indeed alive, but her life is different than it would’ve been…maybe.
I have to say, I was completely mind-blown by the journey Cassie and Trent/Jeremy take together. I was always on the edge of my seat, either laughing, anxious, or incredibly sad. It was such an amazing book, and it made me think on topics that I’ve never given much thought to. What happens when you feel you’ve somehow failed the one person you love the most? Would you change it, make things better for them? To be so self-sacrificing is beautiful to see, the whole goodness of the story makes me want to just hug everyone.
I feel the need to add Cassie and Trent/Jeremy are now officially on my list of favorite book couples. The world of high school they inhabit so reminded me of my own high school times, and I couldn’t help but smile at the fact that Cassie’s parents acted the way parents are supposed to. For once, we have caring parental figures, and it is totally refreshing! I loved the concern Cassie’s mother had for her, what mother shouldn’t be concerned when she thinks her teenaged daughter is head over heels in love?
Rematch really took me for a spin, it was my own personal “vortex”. It’s an enrapturing story, one that will make you feel everything the characters do. Janine Caldwell absolutely outdid herself in her debut novel. The world they live in, is incredibly real, the things they go through, are painfully realistic (both in a good and bad way). And best of all, love in this book, is eternal, forever, and true. Rematch will touch your heart, Janine Caldwell masterfully pulls you in and doesn’t let you go. I can tell you with upmost faith that Rematch will take your breath away!