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The Callahan Split: No One Knows You Better Than Your Sister
No one knows you better than your sister.
In tennis, as in life, nothing ever goes truly to plan.
Samantha and Annie Callahan are successful doubles champions -- the toast of the Olympics, Wimbledon, and Flushing Meadow. But their winning partnership spirals out of control when Annie's new boyfriend announces their engagement at the Australian Open in Melbourne.
Bear, the sisters' coach, guides Annie as much as she'll allow. But when she insists on dropping Samantha in favour of a singles career, her game and rankings plummet.
Samantha is left floundering. Disillusioned, her only sweet spot is the growing passion between her and Bear. Amidst rising anger and betrayal, Samantha completely changes both their destinies when she does the unthinkable after a devastating Wimbledon loss.
The sisters are driven to create new lives by confronting the past and taking control of the present.
But can Samantha and Annie both win?310 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 2015
1 person is currently reading
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About the author
Lisa Heidke
9 books83 followersLisa’s passion is for writing fiction, typically stories about women navigating friendships, careers, romance, ultimately triumphing over adversity. With several previously published novels under her alter ego, Lisa’s seventh novel, Lilly's Little Flower Shop was published by Bloodhound Books UK in 2021.
My Big Greek Holiday was also published by Bloodhound Books in 2021.
A teacher of Creative Writing at the Australian Writers’ Centre in Sydney, Lisa also presents workshops, has been on panels at RWA conferences, GenreCon, Sydney Writers’ Festival, and many regional writers’ festivals.
My Big Greek Holiday was also published by Bloodhound Books in 2021.
A teacher of Creative Writing at the Australian Writers’ Centre in Sydney, Lisa also presents workshops, has been on panels at RWA conferences, GenreCon, Sydney Writers’ Festival, and many regional writers’ festivals.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
August 17, 2015
The Callahan Split is Australian author Lisa Heidke's sixth novel but her first foray into the world of self publishing, supplementing her successful career in traditional publishing.
Professional doubles tennis champions, sisters Samantha and Annie Callahan, have each others backs both on and off the court. Riding high after winning a gold medal at the Olympics they are favourites to win the Australian Open, until Annie's new boyfriend drops a bombshell just before their first match, and the girls relationship begins to falter. Samantha, ambitious and driven, is irate as a love-struck Annie loses interest in their childhood goal, and is completely devastated when her sister severs their partnership to pursue a singles career. Without Annie by her side, Samantha is lost and is forced to wonder if winning is really everything.
The Callahan Split is a story about sisters, Samantha and Annie share a close personal and professional bond which is severely tested when their goals in life no longer coincide. The main theme takes Heidke's protagonists on a journey of self discovery, but it also explores serious issues such as depression, anxiety, and abandonment.
I didn't relate particularly well to either sister initially. I found Samantha's single-minded focus and emotional immaturity draining, and Annie's desertion selfish. To be fair, the sisters have their reasons, not the least being their mother's abandonment, which had a significant impact on them both, and I wasn't entirely unsympathetic to the pressure they were both under as elite athletes trying to stay on top. Most of the story unfolds from Sam's perspective, and I grew to appreciate the hard earned growth her character experienced. I felt her relationship with Violet and her family, and her romance with her coach, Bear, also softened her sharper edges somewhat.
I have to admit, I'm not that interested in tennis, though I spent several sleepless nights watching the Australian Open in 2003 as Andre Agassi and Serena Williams claimed the title, while nursing my newborn daughter, however I did enjoy the behind the scenes look this elite level sport, including the gossip about the on and off court antics of the players.
A tale of personal and professional adversity and triumph, The Callahan Split is an engaging story, another winner for Lisa Heidke.
August 30, 2015
Ok, confession time. I don't like tennis. It's something about the no set end time that gets me. But I've been a Lisa Heidke fan for years- and this book is Lisa at her best. Besides, this isn't a tennis book- it's about 2 sisters who just happen to play tennis as their career. Lisa examines their relationships and it's ups and downs in a way that only a sister can- and with her trademark honest humour. Both sisters are flawed, yet I cried and cheered for them both. As for Bear- yep, I'd fall for him too.
Congratulations Lisa- you've done yourself proud.
Congratulations Lisa- you've done yourself proud.
July 24, 2015
The Callahan Split is the latest offering of talented Aussie author Lisa Heidke, available digitally, and quite different to her previous books.
Samantha and Annie Callahan are sisters playing professional tennis as doubles partners and much of the book revolves around their careers and the tennis circuit. There were many famous tennis players mentioned but I think all of the characters are fictitious. This book is most definitely a tennis book and Heidke offers a comprehensive lesson in Australian women's tennis history.
I am not a big fan of sport so for a little while I struggled to get into the story because it was so centred on the circuit. Before long I found myself invested in the characters and what had seemed like tennis overkill seemed much more important to the storyline.
Sam and Annie have been a team forever and neither can see themselves playing doubles with anyone else, and singles has never really been a priority. They are in their mid-twenties and their career is on the rise, until an impromptu proposal jams a spanner in the works and cracks begin to show.
Annie has always been quite calm and has a great poker face, it is still a game to her but Sam's driving passion is tennis. She lives and breathes it, and has kept it the centre of her life to minimise distractions. Every tournament is a step in the direction of the next one. This makes the drive and the determination unbalanced within the partnership; when they are in sync it's amazing but once they are off it can fast turn disastrous.
We met them as they head into the Australian Open semi finals, with a great chance of taking the win until distractions take their heads out of the game and set them on a short course to destruction.
Sam is emotional, explosive and extremely insecure. Her mum disappeared when they were young and then their dad remarried and started a new family so in Sam's eyes it's been her and Annie against the world, they're a team, unbreakable. Sam turned to tennis to have something to consume her after her mum left, and if she buries herself deeply enough in the determination to win she has all the reason she needs to not let anyone else in.
She comes across as so self-centred and everything is about her and how things affect her but as the story unfolds we understand a little more about why she is the way she is.
The Australian Open loss is the beginning of a downhill slide both professionally and for the sisters relationship. The duo who have always been a team start drifting apart and learning to live their lives more separately. Finally things get to the point where Annie can't take any more and she takes off to find herself, leaving Sam completely bereft and unsure of how to go on with her career without her doubles partner.
The remainder of the review is live at: http://bookgirl.beautyandlace.net/boo....
Book #39 for #AWW2015
Samantha and Annie Callahan are sisters playing professional tennis as doubles partners and much of the book revolves around their careers and the tennis circuit. There were many famous tennis players mentioned but I think all of the characters are fictitious. This book is most definitely a tennis book and Heidke offers a comprehensive lesson in Australian women's tennis history.
I am not a big fan of sport so for a little while I struggled to get into the story because it was so centred on the circuit. Before long I found myself invested in the characters and what had seemed like tennis overkill seemed much more important to the storyline.
Sam and Annie have been a team forever and neither can see themselves playing doubles with anyone else, and singles has never really been a priority. They are in their mid-twenties and their career is on the rise, until an impromptu proposal jams a spanner in the works and cracks begin to show.
Annie has always been quite calm and has a great poker face, it is still a game to her but Sam's driving passion is tennis. She lives and breathes it, and has kept it the centre of her life to minimise distractions. Every tournament is a step in the direction of the next one. This makes the drive and the determination unbalanced within the partnership; when they are in sync it's amazing but once they are off it can fast turn disastrous.
We met them as they head into the Australian Open semi finals, with a great chance of taking the win until distractions take their heads out of the game and set them on a short course to destruction.
Sam is emotional, explosive and extremely insecure. Her mum disappeared when they were young and then their dad remarried and started a new family so in Sam's eyes it's been her and Annie against the world, they're a team, unbreakable. Sam turned to tennis to have something to consume her after her mum left, and if she buries herself deeply enough in the determination to win she has all the reason she needs to not let anyone else in.
She comes across as so self-centred and everything is about her and how things affect her but as the story unfolds we understand a little more about why she is the way she is.
The Australian Open loss is the beginning of a downhill slide both professionally and for the sisters relationship. The duo who have always been a team start drifting apart and learning to live their lives more separately. Finally things get to the point where Annie can't take any more and she takes off to find herself, leaving Sam completely bereft and unsure of how to go on with her career without her doubles partner.
The remainder of the review is live at: http://bookgirl.beautyandlace.net/boo....
Book #39 for #AWW2015
July 2, 2015
Lisa Heidke is one of Australia’s best-known authors with books such as Lucy Springer Gets Even, Claudia’s Big Break and It Started With A Kiss under her belt. Lisa’s latest release, The Callahan Split, due out August 1st, is another great read to add to her list.
Annie and Samantha Callahan are successful doubles tennis players and Australia’s darlings of the tennis world having won Gold at the London Olympics. However success, pressure and love take its toll on the girls and their relationship. When Annie falls in madly and unexpectedly in love with her new boyfriend and decides to pursue a singles career, Samantha is left devastated and things go downhill very rapidly from there – for both sisters.
Told mainly through the eyes of Samantha and two other secondary, yet still important characters, the book explores the themes of family, abandonment, love and ones purpose in life; all with Lisa’s trademark wit and humour.
Being a big tennis fan myself the backdrop for the story naturally caught my eye. And Lisa certainly captures the essence of the tennis world perfectly. From the pressure, dedication and hard work required to stay on top, right through to the glitz and glamour as well as the media scrutiny that surrounds the sport at the highest level.
The book is fast paced and moves quickly through the events as they unfold, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t done well. Lisa, as always, has the ability to capture the reader and make you want to turn the page to find out what happens next. And there is a lot that happens next! Drama, action, love, lust, twists and turns; it’s all here.
I really enjoyed that Lisa chose to take the point of view of Samantha although there were some times in the second half of the book where I wanted her to delve deeper into Samantha rather than brush over underlying storylines. Perhaps if I were to pick a weakness, and it would be very nitpicky of me, it would be that Lisa should have explored Samantha’s emotional responses a little but further.
At times too, I really wanted to know what Annie was thinking! I thought there were a few unanswered questions, but maybe that was intentional – will there be a sequel told from Annie’s point of view? Mmmmmmm, maybe?
Overall I thoroughly enjoyed the book. It is a light, casual read that is easy to pick up from where you last left – which was great considering I read it during school holidays.
If you’re a Lisa Heidke fan, you certainly won’t be disappointed. And if you’re not, you will want to read her back catalogue after reading The Callahan Split.
Annie and Samantha Callahan are successful doubles tennis players and Australia’s darlings of the tennis world having won Gold at the London Olympics. However success, pressure and love take its toll on the girls and their relationship. When Annie falls in madly and unexpectedly in love with her new boyfriend and decides to pursue a singles career, Samantha is left devastated and things go downhill very rapidly from there – for both sisters.
Told mainly through the eyes of Samantha and two other secondary, yet still important characters, the book explores the themes of family, abandonment, love and ones purpose in life; all with Lisa’s trademark wit and humour.
Being a big tennis fan myself the backdrop for the story naturally caught my eye. And Lisa certainly captures the essence of the tennis world perfectly. From the pressure, dedication and hard work required to stay on top, right through to the glitz and glamour as well as the media scrutiny that surrounds the sport at the highest level.
The book is fast paced and moves quickly through the events as they unfold, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t done well. Lisa, as always, has the ability to capture the reader and make you want to turn the page to find out what happens next. And there is a lot that happens next! Drama, action, love, lust, twists and turns; it’s all here.
I really enjoyed that Lisa chose to take the point of view of Samantha although there were some times in the second half of the book where I wanted her to delve deeper into Samantha rather than brush over underlying storylines. Perhaps if I were to pick a weakness, and it would be very nitpicky of me, it would be that Lisa should have explored Samantha’s emotional responses a little but further.
At times too, I really wanted to know what Annie was thinking! I thought there were a few unanswered questions, but maybe that was intentional – will there be a sequel told from Annie’s point of view? Mmmmmmm, maybe?
Overall I thoroughly enjoyed the book. It is a light, casual read that is easy to pick up from where you last left – which was great considering I read it during school holidays.
If you’re a Lisa Heidke fan, you certainly won’t be disappointed. And if you’re not, you will want to read her back catalogue after reading The Callahan Split.
July 7, 2015
As one of four sisters, I knew from the outset that any sisters living and working together in close confines was fodder for some serious conflict, rivalry, and explosive love/hate storytelling. Add to this dynamic, one sister who is uber competitive, controlling and singularly focused on winning and the other who is much more laid-back and almost whimsical about competition and you know immediately you're in for a wild ride!
Within the opening scenes, Heidke introduces the uniquely close, almost unbreakable bond between sisters with characters Samantha and Annie Callahan. The groundwork that Heidke puts in to establishing their bond, with the inclusion of a particularly sad back-story, offered a vital setup for the Callahan's story.
From page one there's no looking back. True to form, Heidke delivers the first of many twists and turns in the story and immediately hooks the reader by investing us in the Callahan lives.
From a characterisation perspective, Heidke certainly delivers and not just with the key characters. Samantha, though single-minded and fiercely focused on competition and winning develops steadily, if not tumultuously, throughout the story, each step of the way completely plausible and well structured. There is clear development of Annie's character also and interestingly her departure from the direct storyline is a catalyst for the further development Samantha as well as secondary characters such as Violet, Bear, and Zach.
Possibly the most important aspect of this story and the reason I very much hope this novel is an incredible success for Heidke, is the discussion Heidke introduces on aspects of mental health that so desperately require a voice: depression, suicide, anxiety and controlling relationships (notably Annie and Janko). The topics of depression and anxiety in particular where remarkably well done and I commend Heidke on her empathetic presentation of these topics.
The Callahan Split explores the beauty of sisterhood, the joys of romance, and the trials and tribulations of finding your place in the world. Most poignantly, The Callahan Split shows how vitally important it is to face your fears, release yourself from your past in order to push forward into the present, accept opportunities, celebrate your triumphs, and allow the happiness in.
- J'aimee Brooker, AusRom Today
Within the opening scenes, Heidke introduces the uniquely close, almost unbreakable bond between sisters with characters Samantha and Annie Callahan. The groundwork that Heidke puts in to establishing their bond, with the inclusion of a particularly sad back-story, offered a vital setup for the Callahan's story.
From page one there's no looking back. True to form, Heidke delivers the first of many twists and turns in the story and immediately hooks the reader by investing us in the Callahan lives.
From a characterisation perspective, Heidke certainly delivers and not just with the key characters. Samantha, though single-minded and fiercely focused on competition and winning develops steadily, if not tumultuously, throughout the story, each step of the way completely plausible and well structured. There is clear development of Annie's character also and interestingly her departure from the direct storyline is a catalyst for the further development Samantha as well as secondary characters such as Violet, Bear, and Zach.
Possibly the most important aspect of this story and the reason I very much hope this novel is an incredible success for Heidke, is the discussion Heidke introduces on aspects of mental health that so desperately require a voice: depression, suicide, anxiety and controlling relationships (notably Annie and Janko). The topics of depression and anxiety in particular where remarkably well done and I commend Heidke on her empathetic presentation of these topics.
The Callahan Split explores the beauty of sisterhood, the joys of romance, and the trials and tribulations of finding your place in the world. Most poignantly, The Callahan Split shows how vitally important it is to face your fears, release yourself from your past in order to push forward into the present, accept opportunities, celebrate your triumphs, and allow the happiness in.
- J'aimee Brooker, AusRom Today
August 8, 2015
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The two sisters were certainly different, each had their different strengths and weaknesses. I don't think there was ever a time you felt that you needed to choose between the two or that either of them had a better point than the other. They were just at different points of their lives.
I don't think I was ever really lost while reading this book, except maybe on occasion when the tennis things got too technical but I don't think that happened more than once or twice at the most.
There were certainly several shockers that you might not be able to predict and these certainly helped to make the book a little more interesting, more so than watching the drama and intrigue of Samantha's life as well as what you know of Annie's.
Lisa Heidke has created a good, strong novel that follows the story of Samantha and Annie.
Find this review and many more at Reading Shy With Aly
The two sisters were certainly different, each had their different strengths and weaknesses. I don't think there was ever a time you felt that you needed to choose between the two or that either of them had a better point than the other. They were just at different points of their lives.
I don't think I was ever really lost while reading this book, except maybe on occasion when the tennis things got too technical but I don't think that happened more than once or twice at the most.
There were certainly several shockers that you might not be able to predict and these certainly helped to make the book a little more interesting, more so than watching the drama and intrigue of Samantha's life as well as what you know of Annie's.
Lisa Heidke has created a good, strong novel that follows the story of Samantha and Annie.
Find this review and many more at Reading Shy With Aly
October 21, 2015
I received an ebook copy from the author as part of a Goodreads giveaway.
I was delighted with the setting and one of the main themes which was centred around tennis. I'm quite the fan and I've even played a bit, and reading a novel set on the women's tour was great. I also kept watching for factual errors and to be truthful I didn't find any, except near the end with a match being called a game or something like that. It made me realize that the author put in quite an effort to make the book as realistic as possible. Kudos!
Some of the gossip from the actual tours is woven into the characters in the novel; you'll recognize the references when you read them...
The storyline was engaging, too. I enjoyed it even though I usually don't read romantic capers anymore. It's also an easy read, perfect for commuting or reading to take your mind off work.
I was delighted with the setting and one of the main themes which was centred around tennis. I'm quite the fan and I've even played a bit, and reading a novel set on the women's tour was great. I also kept watching for factual errors and to be truthful I didn't find any, except near the end with a match being called a game or something like that. It made me realize that the author put in quite an effort to make the book as realistic as possible. Kudos!
Some of the gossip from the actual tours is woven into the characters in the novel; you'll recognize the references when you read them...
The storyline was engaging, too. I enjoyed it even though I usually don't read romantic capers anymore. It's also an easy read, perfect for commuting or reading to take your mind off work.
October 29, 2015
This is a Goodreads First Read. I only started reading this on my way into work today and am really enjoying it. Love all the tennis references. I have now finished this book and, probably because I am a huge tennis fan, I absolutely loved it - easy to read, fast paced, with loads of tennis references along the way. Would thoroughly recommend to any tennis fan. Must keep an eye out for this author - this was the first book of Lisa's that I have read.
December 29, 2017
I finally got around to reading this book. This is one of my favourite Lisa Heidke's books and is well worth a read. With tennis being the back drop, it's about 2 sisters and finding themselves through the dramas of life and tennis.
May 27, 2016
Review first posted on my blog 'A Spoonful of Happy Endings': http://spoonfulofhappyendings.blogspo...
Professional doubles tennis players and sisters Samantha and Annie Callahan have everything going for them. After winning a gold medal for Australia at the Olympics, they are now the favourites to also win the Australian Open. However, their position as favourites is jeopardised when Annie's new boyfriend unexpectedly proposes to Annie right before the start of an important match. Annie is over the moon, but her game obviously suffers from it and this is only the start of a downwards spiral for both the partnership between Annie and Samantha, which also influences their bond as sisters. Annie and Samantha find themselves at a crossroads, both wanting different things. But will they be able to work things out, both on a professional as well as on a personal level?
'The Callahan Split' is author Lisa Heidke's sixth novel already, but my personal first experience with her writing. I wasn't too sure what to expect exactly when I started reading, but I was really captivated by Annie and Samantha's story from the first chapter and just didn't want to put the book down, but see what was going to happen next. I also really enjoyed the tennis/competition element in the book, to my personal surprise; I really felt myself rooting for Samantha and Annie and hoping they would overcome their differences and win. Unfortunately, this feeling didn't last throughout the entire book; at a certain point the story slowed down a bit and it didn't captivate me as much as the first part did, even though I was still curious to see what would happen to Annie and Samantha.
While I was interested in both Annie and Samantha and their storylines, I didn't really warm to them. If I had to pick one sister I could relate to it's probably Samantha, but some of her actions just made me want to jump into the novel and slap her in the face. I also missed a convincing romance storyline for both sisters; there is an element of romance in the book but I thought it was a bit disappointing. I know this review will probably come across as a negative one, but it definitely isn't all negative. I enjoyed this read; I think the great and addictive first 100 pages just made me expect something different than the direction the novel eventually took. Overall, though, I think 'The Callahan Split' has been a promising first Lisa Heidke read for me and I look forward to reading more of her work in the future.
Professional doubles tennis players and sisters Samantha and Annie Callahan have everything going for them. After winning a gold medal for Australia at the Olympics, they are now the favourites to also win the Australian Open. However, their position as favourites is jeopardised when Annie's new boyfriend unexpectedly proposes to Annie right before the start of an important match. Annie is over the moon, but her game obviously suffers from it and this is only the start of a downwards spiral for both the partnership between Annie and Samantha, which also influences their bond as sisters. Annie and Samantha find themselves at a crossroads, both wanting different things. But will they be able to work things out, both on a professional as well as on a personal level?
'The Callahan Split' is author Lisa Heidke's sixth novel already, but my personal first experience with her writing. I wasn't too sure what to expect exactly when I started reading, but I was really captivated by Annie and Samantha's story from the first chapter and just didn't want to put the book down, but see what was going to happen next. I also really enjoyed the tennis/competition element in the book, to my personal surprise; I really felt myself rooting for Samantha and Annie and hoping they would overcome their differences and win. Unfortunately, this feeling didn't last throughout the entire book; at a certain point the story slowed down a bit and it didn't captivate me as much as the first part did, even though I was still curious to see what would happen to Annie and Samantha.
While I was interested in both Annie and Samantha and their storylines, I didn't really warm to them. If I had to pick one sister I could relate to it's probably Samantha, but some of her actions just made me want to jump into the novel and slap her in the face. I also missed a convincing romance storyline for both sisters; there is an element of romance in the book but I thought it was a bit disappointing. I know this review will probably come across as a negative one, but it definitely isn't all negative. I enjoyed this read; I think the great and addictive first 100 pages just made me expect something different than the direction the novel eventually took. Overall, though, I think 'The Callahan Split' has been a promising first Lisa Heidke read for me and I look forward to reading more of her work in the future.
July 26, 2016
Great book for tennis fans with a bit of romance thrown in for good measure! The Callahans are Samantha and Annie, Australian sisters who are pretty good at doubles, until that is, a man gets in the way and things go down hill fast. Not too many of the tennis players are likeable and that includes the sisters, who seem to live in a narrow, selfish world, but it's easy reading chick lit and would be perfect to read on holiday. This is the first book I've read by this author and would read more. I was given this ARC by the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
November 1, 2015
This is an exciting and interesting tennis book written with some Aussie flare that I found on the Book Club Reading List.
Two sisters, Samantha and Annie Callahan, grew up playing tennis together and competed on the doubles pro circuit.
Read the rest of my review here: http://kayla1080.novelblogs.com/the-t...
Two sisters, Samantha and Annie Callahan, grew up playing tennis together and competed on the doubles pro circuit.
Read the rest of my review here: http://kayla1080.novelblogs.com/the-t...
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews