This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.
M. Kevin Hayden is a novelist from the South Side of Chicago, where he grew up surrounded by storefront churches, corner stores, and the quiet echo of stories waiting to be told. His work blends emotional realism with speculative mystery, always rooted in place, memory, and the magic tucked inside ordinary lives.
Hayden’s fiction explores what it means to belong—to a person, a time, or a world that might be slipping away. Inspired by the works of Emily St. John Mandel, Stephen King, and Audrey Niffenegger, his debut novel An Old Soul is a slow-burn mystery of love, memory, and unraveling reality, set against the backdrop of 1996 Chicago.
He writes for anyone who has ever felt out of place in their own life, and hopes to remind them they’re not alone.
He now lives somewhere quiet, surrounded by trees, words, and the occasional flash of something just beyond the veil.
Reviewed by Ruffina Oserio for Readers' Favorite
An Old Soul by M. Kevin Hayden is a gripping narrative centered around Isaac André, a young African American who feels lost in his life in 1996 Chicago. Working at a video rental store, Isaac struggles with feelings of displacement, family responsibilities, and the quest for love. When he meets Noa Gayle—a captivating Canadian zookeeper—through an online chat room, their connection blossoms quickly despite Isaac's internal struggles with self-worth and the chaos of his environment. As their romance unfolds, they encounter the challenges of their respective backgrounds, revealing layers of deep emotion, synchronicity, and personal growth. The novel explores themes of identity, the desire for belonging, and the profound impact of love.
M. Kevin Hayden expertly intertwines the threads of synchronicity—seen in the recurring elements of birds, music, and art—to mirror Isaac's journey. The contrast between his mundane life and the surreal moments shared with Noa offers a rich exploration of authenticity and self-discovery. Characterization is exceptionally done. Isaac is profoundly shaped by his upbringing, having lost his mother at a young age and being raised by his grandparents. His character oscillates between confidence and insecurity, vividly depicted by his work interactions and romantic pursuits. With its heat and urban grit, the setting of Chicago comes to life in this mesmerizing tale. Noa, a symbol of light and hope, not only fascinates Isaac with her beauty but also stirs within him a longing for connection and understanding. An Old Soul is emotionally rich and psychologically grounded. This novel is one of the best literary works I have read this year, infused with realism and featuring fully fleshed-out and unforgettable characters.
