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Coincidences

by Maria Savva (Goodreads Author)

3.93 of 5 stars 3.93 · rating details · 67 ratings · 39 reviews

The people in Alice’s life have never let her down. Her relationship with her mother, Stephanie, is one of enormous closeness. Her friends and colleagues are loyal, and Andrew, a fellow student, has his eye on Alice which could mean the promise of a blossoming romance.
All is well until she wakes suddenly one night, and, by chance, notices the time on her clock. Then a news...more

Hardcover, 208 pages

Published March 29th 2001 by Book Guild Ltd (first published 2001)

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Aug 14, 2012 Susan Buchanan rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I'd been trying to get around to reading this for some time, after the synopsis caught my eye. I read it in 2 days, and found I couldn't get on with the other things I was meant to be doing until I'd finished it.
The author planted little clues along the way, so there were no great surprises for me, as I do like to be a bit of a detective, as I read, and I picked up on her clues. In other instances, my over-active imagination got me there and I was delighted to be proven right.
However, the crux o...more I'd been trying to get around to reading this for some time, after the synopsis caught my eye. I read it in 2 days, and found I couldn't get on with the other things I was meant to be doing until I'd finished it.
The author planted little clues along the way, so there were no great surprises for me, as I do like to be a bit of a detective, as I read, and I picked up on her clues. In other instances, my over-active imagination got me there and I was delighted to be proven right.
However, the crux of the story, not mentioned in the synopsis, I thought was brilliant and one I had not seen coming and also one I have not seen addressed by other authors I have read. Likewise, the ending, I hadn't guessed that.
The story is relatively simple and uncluttered, but it reminded me of what great chefs say about cooking. Keep it simple and often the simplest is the best.

You really feel for the mother, Stephanie and the daughter, Alice. Even when I thought Stephanie was being selfish, I still felt a little sorry for her. There are characters later in the novel, who quite frankly I would have liked to shake them and punch their lights out. And there's a shining beacon of a character, whose sunny disposition makes it all worthwhile.
I could imagine Alice's various meetings with her mother, Alice's visits elsewhere - you'll need to read it to see where! I could even imagine clearly the ensuing chaos.
The relationship with Stephanie's friend, Ria is also very important, although I did think the introduction of a key piece of info, was rather a late introduction, but believe me if that's my only quibble, Ms Savva has done an excellent job.
If there were half stars, I would have given this 4.5, as I think 5 stars is for something truly exceptional and can be overused. However, given the quality of the writing, I am happy to round this up to 5, rather than down to 4.

A wonderful tale which I was happy to discover. Am delighted that Ms Savva has so many other books for me now to go and get my teeth into. (less)

6 likes · like · see review

Jul 27, 2012 Maria rated it 5 of 5 stars · (Review from the author) · review of another edition

Well, I think it's fantastic, but I wrote it, so I'm biased :)

6 likes · like · see review

Sep 05, 2010 Jen Knox rated it 4 of 5 stars

I'm already a fan of Maria Savva's work, so I was excited to win a free copy of Coincidences, and I wasn't surprised to find the story engaging, the characters believable and the action to move me from page one.
The story is one I related to on a personal level as what propells it forward is a young girl(Alice)'s search for identity as those around her attempt to protect her from reality. Alice is haunted and intrigued by a photograph of her father, a man who left his family when Alice was just a...more

4 likes · like · see review

Aug 24, 2012 Doreen rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: favorite-novels, human-interest-novels, slice-of-life-novels

Maria Savva has skillfully woven a captivating, insightful story that revolves around a string of coincidences that set a young woman on a quest to find the dad she has never known. Page one pulled me immediately into the story, setting a riveting and even mystical tone for the revelations to come.
Stephanie Turnbull is a single mom who has raised her daughter, Alice, into adulthood. Alice has rarely questioned the reason that her dad left them, feeling loved and content in the close relationshi...more

2 likes · like · see review

Jul 24, 2012 Julie Powell rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I've read all of Maria Savva's books and I have never been disappointed - Coincidences is no exception. From beginning to end, I enjoyed its storyline, characters and 'reality'.

I never like to give spoilers, but I will say that the story picks on a subject that relates to many people and uses sensitivity and intelligence to make the point and deal with the relative issues. The author is able to 'get into the minds' of the characters in such a way that the reader cares about what will happen to t...more

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Jul 10, 2012 Darcia Helle rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fiction, ebooks, general-fiction, indie

This is a revision of Maria Savva's first book of the same title, which had been released in hardcover more than a decade ago. The story follows Alice, a young woman who grew up never knowing her father. She sets out to learn why he'd walked away so long ago, and what she finds has her questioning her own identity.

Coincidences is a story of hope and pain, secrets and lies, and, above all, love. We're taken into the heart of complicated family dynamics, where sometimes the wrong things are done f...more

3 likes · like · see review

Sep 08, 2012 Hattie rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

In London during the summer of 1997 there is a huge drama taking place in a family. This family drama proves that the past never disappears like a mirage on a highway. The past follows behind us like a shadow. It affects our present and future. Alice know this fact better than most people. All of a sudden she finds herself unable to walk in her present or future until she deals with the past. Stephanie, the closest person to her, tells her how to find her father. Most of the truth lies with her...more

1 like · like · see review

Aug 12, 2010 TheSecretWriter rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: modern, fiction

'Coincidences' is Maria Savva's first novel. This book presents a story about a twenty one year old Law student called Alice Turnball. Alice's father left home when she was two and her mother had to cope and bring Alice up on her own. Alice is very close to her mother and her friends are also very loyal to her. As a result of this the people in Alice's life have never actually let her down. Alice also has a developing romance with a boy called Andrew who is a fellow student. All could not be bet...more

2 likes · like · see review

May 14, 2009 Katherine Marple rated it 3 of 5 stars

"Coincidences" is about a young woman, in her twenties, who wakes one night after having a very realistic, frightening dream about a plane crash. The next day, she hears on the radio, and sees in the paper, someone who looks exactly like her inside a story about a horrific plane crash that happened at the same exact time as her dream the night before. This sets into motion the feeling that she has some connection with the Plane Girl, but what, she cannot make clear.

"Coincidences" follows her th...more "Coincidences" is about a young woman, in her twenties, who wakes one night after having a very realistic, frightening dream about a plane crash. The next day, she hears on the radio, and sees in the paper, someone who looks exactly like her inside a story about a horrific plane crash that happened at the same exact time as her dream the night before. This sets into motion the feeling that she has some connection with the Plane Girl, but what, she cannot make clear.

"Coincidences" follows her through self exploration, and the strength of a mother, and the neglect of a father. Everyone is trying to do the "right" thing, but no one quite knows what the "right" thing is.

"Coincidences" is realistic in that none of the characters know what is best, but they are all trying to struggle through it all, and make everything work in the end. Life is much like this.

"Coincidences" was a very good plot. I was able to follow it, and Savva pulled the story together quite nicely. I felt eager to learn what was going to happen with the main character.

The first chapter was a great hook. I wasn't sure what to expect, but within the first few pages, the plane crash, the dream, the feeling of being "close" to someone that she's never met. All very intriguing!

Things I loved:
Savva knows how to write undesirable characters, as well as the ones that we like to cheer on. The "father" was almost unbearable and abrupt in the narrator's quest to find her roots. Stephanie (the mother) was nearly annoying at times too, trying to "protect" herself and her daughter- but for understandable reasons.
The old style English words that popped up ever so often. I'm American and use the "lazy" English- while Savva is English, through and through. I loved the old style spellings and words, even if for purely cosmetic reasons.

Things I couldn't get over:
The constant repeating of the characters' names. "Stephanie" this and "Stephanie" that.
The imminant forshadowing that caused me to know the ending at about 20 pages into the story.

At times, I just wanted people to leave the narrator alone, and let her make her own mistakes. She's in her twenties! An adult! Let her breathe, and fall, and pick herself up again!

This is Savva's first novel. Please take a look at her second, much deeper and more stylistic novel: "A Time to Tell."

She will surprise you, and keep you hooked til the end. Her name should be popping up all over the USA soon enough!(less)

1 like · like · see review

Jul 09, 2012 J. Michael Radcliffe rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

'Coincidences' is the heartwarming story of Alice, a young lady seeking the truth about her past. After waking in the middle of the night in a panic, she reads the next day of a plane crash and a young woman who survived. As she begins seeking answers to her past, she finds only more questions. 'Coincidences' follows Alice's journey to the truth, and the answers she may not yet be ready for.

The characters are very believable, because they are flawed individuals like the rest of us. Ms. Savva has...more

1 like · like · see review

Mar 14, 2013 Marie Fostino rated it 4 of 5 stars

What would you do if you found the opportunity to get enough money to travel the world by doing a favor for a couple who could not have children? As I follow the life of Stephanie, Alice, Miranda, Jane and Roger an old saying comes into my head. `Oh what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive.' If you want to know what I mean you will have to buy and read this book. Thank you Maria Savva for the chance to read your book called COINCIDENCE.

1 like · like · see review

Jun 09, 2013 Ellie Mendez rated it 5 of 5 stars

Coincidences is the second novel I read from Maria Savva and it won't be the last. Her stories dig deep into people's mental tug of wars.

This story has to do with Alicia and her quest to find her long estranged father and Stephanie, her mother, who tries to shield Alicia from the truth...the real truth....as far as she knows it.

Coincidences is full of layers, we have the events themselves - Alicia was born thanks to a surrogacy agreement, her Dad left them when she was a baby - but more importan...more

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Aug 09, 2011 Sheri rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-by-good-read-authors, favorites

Coincidences (Maria Savva)

Alice never knew her father. Her parents were divorced when she was very young. Her mother never spoke much about him, accept that he left them. Now that she is 21 years old and at University , she is beginning to become more curious about her father. After a frightful dream, unexplained pains in her arm, and a newspaper article, she decides it is time to find her father. But what she finds is secrets, lies, fears of abandonment. She faces these fears and continues on a...more

3 likes · like · see review

Oct 04, 2012 Alison French rated it 5 of 5 stars

I downloaded this book on the recomnmendation of a Facebook friend and I'm so glad that I did. The storyline is so touching and beautifully written, exploring the emotions both of a mother desperate not to lose the bond built with her only daughter and the daughter's turmoil in discovering the circumstances of her birth. I was moved by the revelations throughout the story and felt real empathy for the main characters. The turmoil felt by the mother in trying to balance what she believes is in he...more

1 like · like · see review

Nov 10, 2012 Marta Bishop rated it 5 of 5 stars

Coincidences by Maria Savva, is a thought provoking tale. It leaves one wondering about so many things. Does a twin have special abilities to sense or feel the others experiences? How often do people do things that turn out badly for others, believing that it is in everyone’s best interest because it is easier for them?

I loved this book, the style of writing and the story line. It delved deeply into the psyche of each of the characters bringing them to life for the reader and made it a joy to re...more

1 like · like · see review

Sep 28, 2012 Kyra rated it 3 of 5 stars

I thought the premise of the story was really strong, and the first chapter had me completely engrossed, wondering what would happen about Alice's dream and how the story would tie up. But ... the fact that it took Alice so long to figure out the truth about her family frustrated me. The clues were laid out in front of her very early on, and she still didn't get it.

That said, I managed to whip through the story quite quickly because I wanted to know what would happen next. There were some twists...more

1 like · like · see review

Sep 20, 2012 Lynda Kelly rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: deleted

I did enjoy this book although I guessed the back story pretty much at the beginning. That didn't spoil it. There was a LOT of repetition and constant crying with a couple of the leading females in this and that started to bore me a little and so I got a bit bogged down around two-thirds of the way in.
It's an interesting tale of a daughter trying to trace her father and learn more about where she came from but with more than a twist !!
It was set in 1997 and in one instance using the number 141 w...more

1 like · like · see review

Oct 30, 2012 Susan Buchanan rated it 5 of 5 stars

A family drama which has you fighting Alice's corner

I'd been trying to get around to reading this for some time, after the synopsis caught my eye. I read it in 2 days, and found I couldn't get on with the other things I was meant to be doing until I'd finished it.
The author planted little clues along the way, so there were no great surprises for me, as I do like to be a bit of a detective, as I read, and I picked up on her clues. In other instances, my over-active imagination got me there and I...more A family drama which has you fighting Alice's corner

I'd been trying to get around to reading this for some time, after the synopsis caught my eye. I read it in 2 days, and found I couldn't get on with the other things I was meant to be doing until I'd finished it.
The author planted little clues along the way, so there were no great surprises for me, as I do like to be a bit of a detective, as I read, and I picked up on her clues. In other instances, my over-active imagination got me there and I was delighted to be proven right.
However, the crux of the story, not mentioned in the synopsis, I thought was brilliant and one I had not seen coming and also one I have not seen addressed by other authors I have read. Likewise, the ending, I hadn't guessed that.
The story is relatively simple and uncluttered, but it reminded me of what great chefs say about cooking. Keep it simple and often the simplest is the best.

You really feel for the mother, Stephanie and the daughter, Alice. Even when I thought Stephanie was being selfish, I still felt a little sorry for her. There are characters later in the novel, who quite frankly I would have liked to shake them and punch their lights out. And there's a shining beacon of a character, whose sunny disposition makes it all worthwhile.
I could imagine Alice's various meetings with her mother, Alice's visits elsewhere - you'll need to read it to see where! I could even imagine clearly the ensuing chaos.
The relationship with Stephanie's friend, Ria is also very important, although I did think the introduction of a key piece of info, was rather a late introduction, but believe me if that's my only quibble, Ms Savva has done an excellent job.
If there were half stars, I would have given this 4.5, as I think 5 stars is for something truly exceptional and can be overused. However, given the quality of the writing, I am happy to round this up to 5, rather than down to 4.

A wonderful tale which I was happy to discover. Am delighted that Ms Savva has so many other books for me now to go and get my teeth into. (less)

1 like · like · see review

Mar 06, 2010 Jerry Travis rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: everyone

Shelves: fiction

"Coincidences" is a very interesting and thought provoking story centering around a young woman's search for her identity. Alice begins by merely trying, against the objections of her mother, to locate her father. He had abandoned them both when she was a baby. An old and haunting faded photograph of her smiling father holding her in his arms is one of the few bits of information she begins with. Little does she know her endeavor will lead her down a road of layer upon layer of deception and dec...more "Coincidences" is a very interesting and thought provoking story centering around a young woman's search for her identity. Alice begins by merely trying, against the objections of her mother, to locate her father. He had abandoned them both when she was a baby. An old and haunting faded photograph of her smiling father holding her in his arms is one of the few bits of information she begins with. Little does she know her endeavor will lead her down a road of layer upon layer of deception and deceit. Just about when she thinks she knows who she is, she discovers a whole new realm of hidden truths.

One of the things I found interesting about this book is that there's no antagonist in the classical sense. All the characters involved have some depth of moral character, and no doubt would view themselves as "good" people. Nevertheless, they create a situation that turns Alice's life into a living hell. Their lies, justified in their own minds to "protect" her, only serve to disillusion and shake Alice's confidence in all her relationships as she slowly discovers the truth about herself. Like pealing away the layers of an onion, what will Alice find underneath it all? Will she even be able to deal with the reality of who and what she is, when she finally gets to the core? And will there be any silver lining to her investigations, or would she been better off to listen to her mother and never have started down this path in the first place?

This unusual work shows how people, though they may mean well, can create a web of duplicity that traps both themselves and all those around them. I admired Maria's honesty about how people think, and are constantly manipulating the truth to produce some desired effect. It's so automatic and fundamental to human nature that we may not even realize it as we're doing it. And more importantly, she shows how those "short-term gains" often come back to bite us, even if it takes many years. Maria's insight into human relationships is both entertaining and educational.

I found Maria's descriptions of the anguish Alice goes through to be so realistic it has lead me to question whether she has experienced these things herself, or through someone close to her. Alice's anxiety, self-doubt, wishful thinking and at times even her evasion of the obvious is very engaging. This is a down to earth and a very human story.

After reading this book, I'm going to have to read Maria Savva's next and more popular work, "A Time to Tell." I realize that most readers will have read that book first. I'm sure those who enjoyed "A Time to Tell" will enjoy "Coincidences" as well.(less)

1 like · like · see review

Nov 25, 2012 Christine rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-to-avoid, crime-and-thrillers

I found this very disappointing. From the first scene I guessed what was going on and there were no surprises or twists. I found the dialogue unrealistic and annoying, especially between Alice and Stephanie. The parents (Miranda and Forester) were flat and lacking in anything to make me remotely empathise with their situation. And it was just too simplistic. I would have liked to have seen more of the psychological effect on Alice of rejection.

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Oct 06, 2012 Dionne rated it 4 of 5 stars

Coincidences follows Alice, the main character, as she experiences a coincidence that turns into a journey to uncover many secrets. I think Maria has written engaging, believable characters and I wanted to know what happened next. The exploration of the theme of finding your identity is relevant and something many people can relate to. The only thing I would have liked to see developed a bit more was the romantic subplot. I found I was just as eager to find out what would happen there as I was t...more

1 like · like · see review

Feb 13, 2013 Tasha Harrison rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is an intriguing tale of an innocent and vulnerable young woman who starts to experience strange coincidences that lead her to question her family background. The suspense keeps you turning the pages all the way to the end, wanting to find out what the protagonist is desperate for: the truth. A very enjoyable read.

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Sep 26, 2011 Kathie rated it 1 of 5 stars

I was drawn to this book because it had a promising story line and great reviews. It was very hard to find, which made it even more intriguing. Finally, I found a used copy online and had it shipped from England. It stayed on my bookshelf for months tempting me and I kept putting it off just so I could keep the excitement going.

One chapter in and I could tell I was in for a huge disappointment. The 'coincidences' were ridiculously plentiful and contrived and the writing was amateurish at best. T...more

1 like · like · see review

Oct 09, 2012 Barbie rated it 1 of 5 stars

This was tough to finish since the book could have been completed in about 3 chapters. It just kept going on and on about the same thing that you, as the reader, already know is inevitablly going to happen. It's a shame, since the 1st chapter really had me and was making it seem that it could be really interesting.

1 like · like · see review

Oct 12, 2012 Teatree_elle rated it 2 of 5 stars

I picked up this book from Amazon and while it was really easy to solve the mystery early on, I still skimmed through all of the chapters until the end. I think Maria Saava is talented and commend her on her first novel. It's a huge feat and it was high on the Amazon charts.

1 like · like · see review

Jan 02, 2013 Anita Dawes rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Susan Buchanan recommended this book and I am glad she did. Just my kind of story, mysterious and spooky.
Fast paced in places and well plotted, I thought more narrative might have calmed it as there were times I was almost out of breath.
Maria says that authors are slightly mad and I have to agree, but that's probably what makes us so special!

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Oct 18, 2012 Georgiann Hennelly rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This is the heartwarming story of Alice, she is seeking the truth about her past. Alice begins against the objections of her mother to try and find her father.He had left them both when she was a baby. All she has is an old faded photo of him holding her when she was a baby. Her endeavor leads her down a road of deception and deceit just when she thinks she thinks she knows who she is she finds more hidden truths. Will Alice ever find out the truth? Or should she have listened to her mother and...more

1 like · like · see review

Oct 15, 2012 Laura Smith rated it 5 of 5 stars

What a fantastic book this was. Thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. Would recommend Everyone to read it!

1 like · like · see review

Oct 10, 2011 Sarah rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: gone

Nearly made it 4 stars. Loved the story but I prefer a less direct style of story-telling. I like to be shown feelings and emotions rather than be told.

2 likes · like · see review

Sep 30, 2012 Mishy rated it 5 of 5 stars

Intriguing story that's hard to put down and gripping. It keeps you wanting more. I enjoyed reading this story :)

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About Maria Savva

Published works:

Coincidences 2001
A Time to Tell 2006
The Game of Life a short story (Writers' News magazine) 2008
Pieces of a Rainbow 2009
Love and Loyalty (and Other Tales) 2010
Second Chances 2010
Fusion 2011
Cutting The Fat 2011 (co-author Jason McIntyre)
Flames a short story (The BestsellerBound Short Story Anthology - Volume 1) 2011
The Dream 2011
Isolation a short story (The Bestse...more

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