Nice guys always finish last, and Coby Epstein is sick and tired of being last. After his boyfriend dumps him, Coby vows to take it slow and not jump into another relationship, no matter what his ninety-five-year-old great aunt says. When Coby sees his ex has moved on, he goes on a series of disastrous first dates and swears off men, determined to be alone. His best friend disagrees and finds the … the “perfect man” for him online and arranges a date. The only problem? Coby has no idea what she’s done.
Since childhood, Eli Kaplan has been his father’s greatest disappointment, a fact he’s reminded of at every opportunity. For years, he’s struggled with the knowledge that dating women doesn’t work for him. A late-night confession to his brother changes everything and Eli realizes, maybe, just maybe, he can come out, find himself, and find love. Eli takes the plunge and creates a profile on a dating website, not knowing what to expect. One night he chats with an intriguing man, and despite his nervousness, they arrange to meet for coffee. No big deal. They’ll probably never see each other again.
On the day of their first date, nothing could surprise Coby and Eli more than to discover that they live in the same apartment building, on the same floor. In a city of eight million people, coincidences don’t get crazier than that. But as the two men begin to weave their lives together with cautious optimism and hope for a future, they find an even greater thread holding their families together—one born from the ashes of a final solution that couldn’t destroy their ancestors’ courage, leaving scars that remain almost a century later. Past lives torn apart can be pieced together by a future no one could have ever imagined, where love is more than fate or coincidence. It’s meant to be.
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Story 5 stars
Audio 5 stars
What a delight this book was from start to finish. Ms. Stevens has a way of pulling you into the story and connecting you with all of her characters on a personal level.
Colby works in a high-class fashion store and really has a fabulous personality. He is so witty and I don’t think he knows it. Dumped by a jerk of a boyfriend he is licking his wounds and not in any major hurry to get back out there and start dating. His 95 year old great-aunt is not only wise but is a real hoot. She wants Colby to find that special someone while openly delighted that his ex is gone. She couldn’t stand him and what fun it would be helping Colby find a new man. The scene where she offers to help Colby navigate a gay dating app was too adorable for words! Suffice it to say while his luck with men sucks, he has a wonderful supportive family and a best friend that has his interest’s first.
Eli works as a court security officer and takes immense pride in his job. His father is a caustic bitter excuse of a man that has been belittling his oldest son by constantly comparing him to his younger brother. In his father’s eyes Eli is nothing but a pathetic loser. His brother Darren is also tired of their dads warped judgmental views. At a horrible luncheon their father verbally attacks Darren’s wife Isabel and that is a straw that breaks the camel’s back. The brothers have had enough and realize family doesn’t have to include their cruel and unkind parents.
Darren offers support to Eli who is struggling with finally coming to terms with his sexual identity. I love the strong and nurturing way the brothers treated each other. Despite the lack of parental emotional care each has turned out to be amazing and loving men. In a city of millions Colby and Eli meet on a dating app and yes it is an incredible coincidence they both live in the same apartment complex. Their connection is instant and pure and I love the dynamics between the man who is a novice at dating and the man who has been hurt too many times. Eli is perfection for Colby and hopefully both will realize this. Another scorching winner that I coincidentally implore you to read.
Audio:
Narrator, Mr. Kale Williams
I love Mr. Williams expressive voice. He certainly did justice to this sweet and perfect romance that centers on life’s ironies. The soothing production was incredibly enjoyable. I loved hearing the story told with so much feeling. I promise that this audiobook will make a wonderful accompaniment to this special tale. I highly recommend this audiobook as it was such a treat to listen to. Happy listening!
4.5 stars!!
Coby and Eli were everything!
Anytime I read a book by Felice, I am always left with smile on my face. One thing that you can be sure of is that no matter what the characters are going through in the book, she always guarantees a HEA <3
First let me say when it came to Eli and Coby, I loved their friends and the support they had from them. That filled me with so much joy.
Both of them have been dealing with their insecurities and who would have thought a dating app would bring them together. More of a coincidence is them living in same building, same floor.
Their slow burning romance was sweet to watch. Eli had so much to learn and having Coby by is side made things so much better.
Lots of family history is mentioned and again you would not believe how much they have in common. I devoured this book and loved every minute of it.
If you are a fan of Felice's books, this is just another one you will love 🙂
4.5 stars!! Felice Stevens is an absolutely amazing writer. I absolutely love her stories and The Coincidence was yet another story for me to fall in love with. I always know when I pick up a Felice Stevens novel that I am going to get a heartwarming, emotionally gripping, and family/friends-oriented story that will take to the many hidden treasures that NYC has offer, and The Coincidence did not let me down. I fell in love with Coby and Eli, and their journey to happiness, which was not an easy road to travel. I absolutely loved all of the history that was included in Coby and Eli’s story. Their story is a powerful tale of learning to accept one’s self, and of course, of coincidence…or is it fate??!! Thank you, Felice Stevens for giving us readers yet another wonderful tale of two people, well in this case, two families, with not only wonderful leads, but absolutely awesome secondary characters that stay with you as long as the heroes, finding their closure and happily ever after.
One of my favorite genres to read is contemporary romance – and I think it’s definitely one of the hardest genres to write…harder still because the authors who do it well make it look effortless, and I promise you, it’s not. It’s one of the genres I wish I could write but I’m actually grateful I can’t because it makes me so able to fully enjoy the contemps I read. That being said, The Coincidence by Felice Stevens is, simply put, a gorgeous contemporary romance. It’s a seamlessly layered love story that details the way two lives intertwine and it’s done with humor, heat, and a definite dose of that ‘gives you chills’ magic that happens when two people fall in love. It’s a beautiful MM romance, yes, but it’s a beautiful romance, period.
This story completely engaged my heart. Coby had a history of bad relationships; and Eli was just coming to terms with his sexuality, which was made more difficult by the insecurities instilled in him by disapproving parents. The men’s reactions after meeting online, then realizing that they were practically next door neighbors, were great. They were wary but interested, and they were cautiously optimistic. The more time they spent together, the more perfect they seemed for each other.
When the bigger, dramatic coincidence tying them together was revealed, I did feel that it was fate that brought them into each other’s lives. Both Eli and Coby wanted a lover to count on, someone to be with at the end of the day, to never have to worry about loneliness. They just had to figure out if they could have that together.
I absolutely loved these men, as well as the very supportive people in their lives. My heart broke at the loss both families suffered in the past; and it made me cry to thing that through sacrifice and heroics of their relatives in the past, these two were able to meet and fall in love today.
This book came from the mind and heart of an author whose work I adore, and she used the inspiration of her own family history to tell a story that will stay with me always. It was heartbreaking and heartwarming at different moments, and I was entranced. Coby and Eli’s romance was lovely, and I’m so glad I read it!
The Coincidence is another wonderful example of what I’ve come to expect from a Felice Stevens romance. Two men who deserve to be happy, finally overcoming their obstacles with help from friends and family, with a surprise or two along the way.
Coby is determined not to get stuck in another bad relationship and to take things slow in the future. Eli is finally ready to be true to himself and start dating men, doing his best to tamp down the hurt over his awful father’s never-ending list of why he’s a disappointment. Both men have a little help going forward, Eli from his awesome brother and Coby from his best friend. I’ll admit to not being a huge fan of meddling best friends and while Addie skirted the line at first, she never crossed it for me. Both characters are well-rounded and we see them in the work, friend and family circles. I adored Coby’s family and Eli’s brother’s family with their unwavering love and support of each other.
There is no big angst in the story, but that’s not to say there aren’t bumps in the road. Most of the drama comes naturally as Eli navigates his coming out and learning to date. Coby and Eli’s chemistry is palpable from the moment they meet, but their romance is a slow burn, completely fitting with the circumstances.
The coincidence of them living on the same floor in the same building isn’t the only one, so maybe fate always intended that Eli and Coby would meet. Even knowing what the other connection was from early on, I was kept waiting to see how it would play out and I wasn’t disappointed. Emotional and a bit cathartic for some characters, while opening up the possibility that a family rift just may be on the mend.
This is a slow-burn romance with delightful characters and, of course, a very HEA. Highly recommended.
Coby isn’t really ready to dive back into the dating pool after suffering through a devastating breakup. Eli is slowly coming to terms with his sexuality. But somehow both end up on a dating app, AND live in the same building. If that’s not coincidence, perhaps it’s fate? Perhaps the two are really meant to be together.
I FLOVED The Coincidence!! It’s sweet with a slow burn tension, bringing two different men who ultimately are perfect for each other, perfect together. Felice Stevens really knocked this one out of the park. I love it even more than the last of hers I read – His Uptown Guy, and that’s saying a lot because I love His Uptown Guy so much. There is something about Felice’s writing – it’s paced perfectly, and her characters are always layered, real characters who are lucky find love with each other. I’m definitely looking forward to more from her!
This was a fantastic read! First time gay is one of my favorite tropes so I knew this was going to be a must read for me. Coby and Eli’s story really hit all the high notes I look for in a book – romance, sexy times, a touch of humor and all the feels. I loved Eli’s shyness as he found himself and who he wanted to be. Coby’s romantic heart made me all warm and fuzzy. It was their intertwined history that really swamped me with feelings. This is one my favorite authors because she can always draw me into her stories and the worlds she creates. Eli and Coby’s story was no exception. I couldn’t recommend this book more!
Felice Stevens is another author that I stalk on Amazon and Facebook looking for a new release. The Coincidence is such a sweet emotional book. We have Coby who has been recently dumped by his boyfriend and he decides that he want to wait before he starts dating again, Then there is Eli who is scared to come out to his friends and family. They hookup by chance online and realize that they live in the same building and starts dating.
They decide to take it slow and their relationship grows from there. The book will have your attention from start to finish and I hope you enjoy as much as I did.
I loved everything about this book. The characters were engaging and the were so well-written they evoked genuine emotion as I read their journey to their happy ending. The storyline grabbed me from page one and had me reading until well past bedtime. It was a very enjoyable read.
*I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book*
Merriam-Webster defines coincidence as “the occurrence of events that happen at the same time by accident but seem to have some connection”; as well as defining fate as “the will or principle or determining cause by which things in general are believed to come to be as they are or events to happen as they do”. These words encapsulate the essence of The Coincidence by Felice Stevens.
Coby Epstein, a personal shopper at Barneys, thinks his life is perfect. That is until his boyfriend decides they want different things and abruptly breaks things off. Turning to online dating Coby encounters a sea of rotten fish. He’s ready to build a future with that special someone, but first he has to find him.
Eli Kaplan, a Supreme Court officer in downtown Brooklyn, has never felt a connection with the women he dates. Knowing he is a huge disappointment to his family, he has kept his sexuality to himself. He finally opens up to his younger brother, Darren, and finds acceptance. Giving him the courage to change his life.
It is fate that brings Coby and Eli together and a series of amazing coincidences further cement their relationship. Their bond builds gradually – learning the details about one another, what their likes and dislikes are, discovering their pasts while sharing their insecurities. There is no instant hook-up for these guys but a slow build of desire that culminates into something absolutely beautiful.
The Coincidence, weaves a heart wrenching yet heartwarming tale with tragic ancestral roots and redeeming qualities that blossom in the present. Some of the characters are funny and others need to examine themselves, just *grrrrr*. Yet, under it all, the cast just want the best for Coby and Eli. A special mention goes out to Coby’s ninety-five-year-old great aunt, Tante Fay. This sassy, sarcastic, tell-it-like-it-is woman steals the show!
Every turn of the page toys with your emotions. One minute you are laughing with Tante Faye. The next, you want to hug Darren for his support. Then you feel an intense desire to throttle Eli’s dad. But the guys come along and make you all gooey inside. Felice has done an absolutely amazing job bringing these folks to life.
There is a lot packed into The Coincidence including a bit of personal introspection. Please take a moment to read the author’s note at the beginning of this story where Felice tells about her inspiration, the premise behind this book and how the characters took over with a story that they wanted to tell.
4.5 Stars!
I loved Eli! I will admit that I wasn’t too sure at first because he’s sort of, kind of in the closet, yet not, but he ended up being my favorite. He was so wary of coming clean to his brother and then his best friend, Mario, of even accepting that part of himself to well, himself, but once he started it was great to see him start to come out of his shell. Not that he didn’t mess up, because he did by not trusting his instincts and hurting Coby in the process, but overall, he was a good, kind man. I absolutely hated his father and the way he put both Eli and his brother down every single time and I was very happy they presented a united front to him and even if his words and actions still hurt them, still stood up to him.
Coby was sweet and I felt bad for him that he’d come across such awful men like his ex, and because of that, it was understandable that he wasn’t willing to jump in with two feet into a relationship with Eli, no matter if it was obvious Eli was a better kind of man than Stewart ever was. That doesn’t mean that I wasn’t frustrated that he kept Eli at arms’ length. LOL
Eli and Coby were awesome together, they had amazing chemistry and the sex scenes were hot and passionate. But above all, I loved how well they balanced each other out and brought the best out in each other.
I adored Tante Fay, Coby’s mom, Darren, Izzy and their little family and Mario, they were fantastic secondary characters. And while I wasn’t a fan of Eli’s parents, Felice Stevens managed to kind of redeem them in a very believable manner.
All in all, this was a lovely slow-burn romance filled with emotion and a whole lot of heart that you simply can’t miss out on! Very recommendable!
*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn’t a requirement. ***
“It’s more than a coincidence. It’s fate.”
The universe works in mysterious ways and nothing is coincidence if the universe want it….
Coby and Eli are stranger lived in a city of eight million people, but them serial coincidences happen to them in a very unique and unbelievable way that lead them to the one true love of their life…
“You need to find somebody to love who’ll love you back the way you deserve. You need someone to care about you…”
After break up with his ex, Coby made a promise to himself to not to jump into any relationship again for a moment and put himself first after being treated as less important person all these time. But that’s not what his best friend, Addie think, because she’s insisted that to forget the old ones Coby should find a new guy to move on. She then decided to find a new perfect guy for Coby through the dating online site…
All my life, I’d kept my emotions hidden. People called me the strong and silent one, but that wasn’t the real me. Only now, in this moment, could I expose my true self. Now, with Coby touching me. He unlocked the passion I hadn’t even known existed inside me…
For years Eli had accustomed for being the black sheep in the family. Whatever he did never satisfied and fulfill his father standard of success. After he come out to his brother and have serious talk with him, Eli then taking his brother advice and decided to join the dating online site. When a stranger profile caught his eyes he brave himself to made a contact and then…one by one coincidence start to happens…
One thing that always made me fall in love with Felice’s works is her capability to turn a very simple things that happen in our daily life into something extra ordinary through her writing and made us keep falling and falling in love again and again with the story she wrote and all the main characters she created.
I already falling in love with the blurb before I even read the book, and I’m fall deeply in love more when I started the book. The dynamic of the story, the connection, the slow burn and the two adorable main characters had stolen my heart right away. The coincidence by coincidence that happen in this book work like magic and warmed my heart. But what I love the most in this story is the way the author always put a family love into the story, and this is what made this book successfully warm my heart to the fullest.
The Coincidence is no doubt another good read from Felice Stevens. And I recommended this book to YOU!!
Coby is tired of getting his heart stomped on. He decides to take a break from dating. His friend decides he needs to get back on the wagon and signs him up for a dating site. Eli is coming to terms with his sexuality. He knows that he’s gay but doesn’t feel 100% comfortable admitting it.
Amazing angsty read. I loved the connections the two had. Sweet and spicy romance. Coby is so sweet and open. Eli is resilient and strong. I loved Eli accepting himself and the dynamic between him and his brother. Great writing and storytelling!
5 Truly Beautiful Stars
“This time, with this guy, I think you’ve finally got it right.”
I look forward to every new story by Felice Stevens and while they are all terrific, this one was extra special. Two different men, two totally different backgrounds, two different life experiences. Coby, out and proud, great family, personal shopper at Barney’s. Eli, hiding his true self, hateful father, loves his job as a Supreme Court officer. When Coby’s best friend sets him up on a dating website, he is skeptical of finding someone. After a few disasterous first dates, he finally meets Eli. They clicked immediately. As their relationship progresses, they discover an even closer connection that brings their two families together. Sound intriguing? 1-click this wonderful story by the very talented Felice Stevens and prepare to fall in love with Eli and Coby!
The Coincidence by Felice Stevens is a stunningly beautiful and deeply emotional story. This book takes us from World War II and the atrocities of Nazi Germany to present day New York City. Along the way we learn of the horrors experienced by Jewish families during the war. We see how this has impacted generations of family lives.
Eli and Coby meet in a very modern way, online dating. The coincidence of them being neighbors in the same building is surprising. As they learn more about each other they find an even deeper connection to their family history. Coincidence or fate, you be the judge!
Felice Stevens weaves a masterpiece of heartbreak, strength, hope and love. I got lost in this book and didn’t look up until I reached the last page.
I believe that The Coincidence is Felice’s most personal story, at least, some of Eli and Coby’s background were very close to reality.
Eli and Coby met in a very modern way, online dating site. Who knows, that coincidence by coincidence happened after they get to know each other better.
Do you believe in fate? I do. Universe has a funny way to make anything happen the way it supposed to happen. No matter where we are, or what we do, fate will make it work.
The Coincidence is a sweet and adorable story with a strong family issue, an old story about their roots.
Heartbreaking, but at the same time, this is a heartwarming story about finding yourself and be what you are supposed to be, no matter how much you pay for that.
It’s no secret that I always love Felice’s writing, and The Coincidence is a page turner romance with two strong characters that meant to be together in a first place.
And of course a HEA that guaranteed to make me happy!
This was a charming romance with a few thought provoking insights into family history and personal goals. Coby and Eli are very sweet characters surrounded by an interesting cast.
The story moves at a slow pace, but Kale Williams’ narration kept me engaged. Definitely a worthy listen if you are looking for a bitter sweet romance that might just be fated.
This was fantastic. So may coincidences. Once I started, I honestly could not stop. Coby is a personal shopper at a high-end department store. Coby is a romantic. His last relationship did not end well. He vows to take a break and take things slower if he ever finds someone else. Eli is a closeted security officer at a courthouse and does not feel like he measures up to his parents. He is just starting to discover things about himself. These two were perfectly matched, so good together. I loved how they were open with each other and did not really try to hide anything from each other. This was a slow burn, high angst love story. So many feels!! Loved it!!
I was gifted an ARC from the author for an honest review. This was solely based on my honest thoughts and views.
Absolutely read this story if you need a sweet, uplifting romance that is guaranteed to make you smile.
Coby and Eli’s love story warmed my heart and I caught myself with a smile throughout the book. Coby (and his bff) made me laugh and Eli is a total (HOTTIE, as in lifts weights and wears a uniform HOT) sweetheart. Their meet-cute is adorable and while the relationship does have some bumps, they handle it like mature adults, which I always appreciate. They’re both pressured to date, and handle their dating life in different ways based on their past experiences, and I could so relate to outside pressure and, sometimes unwanted, advice/opinions from well-meaning friends and/or family. Also, their Jewish history is a nice extra element to the story; with each Felice book I read, I get another glimpse at New York City and it’s diverse population, and it just makes her books even better. And as always, the side characters are all fantastic. Coby’s best friend, and their relationship, is my favorite!
This is a must-read, especially if you have loved previous Felice books. (And if you haven’t, go read her Man Up series now!!!)