Unlike most eighteen year olds, I had the weight of the world on my young shoulders. Desperate to do right by my family, my questionable choices led me to the pits of hell. Steel bars, three meals a day and no contact with the outside world; regret consumed my every thought. Desperate to pay my penance, forgiveness and a happily ever after wasn’t the plan.But there she was. Warm, passionate and …
Warm, passionate and unexpected, Emerson Lane was the light at the end of the tunnel. She was all a man like me could want and everything I didn’t deserve.
Redemption wasn’t something I thought I would ever find. Until she found me.
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5 beautifully written stars! I have been dying to get my hands on Emerson and Jagger’s story since the blurb was revealed and Im just blown away with it all. From the very beginning I was hooked and as we go further along I’m clutching my kindle so hard with anticipation of what’s going to happen next. Jagger breaks my heart with all he pressure and guilt he puts on himself and there were multiple times I was in need of a tissue thankfully Drix and Taylah brought me back into a laughing fit. Emerson and Dakota these two woman never give up hope and I love that about them.,There’s so much that could be said about this book but I refuse to give any details away. All you need to know is that is it a must read, go grab your copy now. This is my unbiased and voluntary review.
Jagger’s Second Chance
I really liked this story. My heart truly hurt for Jagger and the circumstances behind him going to prison. He realized he was young and made awful mistakes, but he was willing to stand up and take full responsibility, and suffered the consequences for his actions. He never thought he deserved anything good in his life, and that vulnerability about him really broke my heart.
I love seeing people redeem themselves, and what I love even more is when those people have someone in their lives willing to give them that chance. No one is perfect. Owning up to your mistakes is admirable. Having true remorse and regret for whatever hurt or pain you caused is a testament to a person’s character and growth.
Emerson was the perfect woman for Jagger. She saw the good in him and worked to bring that part out in him. She unashamedly showed him what love–real love looks like.
I’m also crazy about Jagger’s twin brother, Hendrix. I wish that somehow he and Sasha could find their way back. I was relieved and happy to see how things turned out for Jagger and Dakota too. Emerson’s crazy, but sincere best friend was a hoot! I absolutely loved her! Good story Ms. Valentine, and I’m anxiously awaiting to see what’s in store for Hendrix.
Your head and your heart aren’t enemies; they’re long lost lovers desperate to be reunited. You don’t have to choose between the two.
When you meet someone that you know you shouldn’t start a relationship with, how can you fight it? When your head tells you one thing and your heart another? Jagger and Emerson are on opposite sides of the law. He’s a prisoner and she’s his attorney. Even then, they can’t help to have a strong connection the moment they meet. Emerson doesn’t understand the pull she has toward him. It’s unexpected and unprofessional because he’s her client. She not only sees his attractiveness, but also the pain in his eyes.
He wears his sins on his sleeves and carries the burden of his actions through every decision he makes.
Jagger is broken by circumstances. He saw prison as a form of punishment for what he did. For many years, he carried a pain for all the hurt he caused. It was easy to sympathize with Jagger. There were many heartwarming moments where I wanted to give him a hug and tell him that things would get better.
She gives me strength, she offers me forgiveness, and delivers redemption.
I liked Emerson. She was able to see more than a criminal in Jagger. She was a positivity in his life; helping him. Jagger had trouble seeing redemption but Emerson gave him hope. She was what he need. Their connection deeper than just the physical.
The kiss is a commemoration. An ode to the random, unexpected, and beautiful things that come into your life when you need them most.
Reclaim is a lovely story about finding redemption. The prologue captures a readers attention and wanting to continue with the story. At least it did for me. The characters were wonderful. Though, I wanted more when it came to character development; more internal struggle. I wanted to feel more of what Jagger was going through, raw emotions, I don’t know… something was just missing. This maybe because I read a character driven novel before reading Reclaim. Also, there were moments where Dakota came across younger than she was. Her age was revealed; I had to guess from the timeline of events and what information was given about her. Regardless, it’s well written and enjoyable. I’m interested in Hendrix book. He seems like he has story to tell.
4.25 stars
**ARC provided by author for honest review**
5 fabulous freakin’ stars!! Marley’s writing is absolutely phenomenal! She gives you some serious angst, heartbreak, love, and “redemption”! The heartache is balanced beautifully with some laugh out loud moments. All of her characters are flawed and relatable, which I loved! Jagger and Emerson’s story will be a story I never forget!
Beautifully written. I wasn’t able to put it down.
A page turner that will tug at your heartstrings.
When you eagerly await a book and from the Prologue your hooked and you hold your breath the whole way through never wanting it to end, that’s when you know you connected with a book.
Reclaim by Marley Valentine was exactly that book for me. I’ll start with the Characters both Emerson & Jagger they we’re perfect I fell instantly in love with them, Jagger was a perfect mix of Devastatingly Gorgeous, Bone Crushingly Lost and void of life but has a caring undercurrent that he keeps hidden because he believes he deserves the life that is set before him., he doesn’t like to hope on tomorrow.
Emerson meets Jagger under circumstances that are not ideal like Magnets these two have a magnetic current that has her wanting to go above and beyond to help him. She intrigues him but she’s out of his league. Emerson is responsible for a lot of positives for Jagger and the meeting with Dakota is one that will melt your heat.
What I find most endearing is the multiple relationships throughout Reclaim. Jagger-Hendrix, Jagger-Dakota, Dakota-Hendrix, Jagger-Sasha, Hendrix-Sasha, Emerson-Taylah, Jagger-Emerson & Emerson-Dakota. This book, the characters and the emotion Marley really nailed it all.
I loved it all, it has Angst, Heartbreak, a palpable Intenseness and a promise of tomorrow.
Congratulations Marley, on a fantastic book, I cannot get enough of these characters. Recommended read for me.
With just the blurb, Marley Valentine had my attention. A new to me author that I’d never heard of managed to snag me with this blurb. It happens but in a jaded and flooded market I’m not often surprised…in a good way.
Reclaim is sweet, emotional, and a spark. A crazy but instant connection that can’t be denied. It’s the happy smile of satisfaction. It’s the sweet memory of a beautiful feeling.
I think the only thing better than reading Reclaim is knowing that this story doesn’t end here. Drix is getting his story too.
Reviewed for Sweet Spot Sisterhood
A battle between the head and the heart
“Your head and your heart aren’t enemies; they’re long lost lovers desperate to be reunited. You don’t have to choose between the two.”
Marley Valentine has once again written a story that grabbed me from the first few pages and did not let go. Jagger Michaels is an inmate, paying the price for a crime that tore his family apart. And Emerson Lane is the Legal Aid lawyer appointed to Jagger to inform him that he is being released on parole for his good behaviour inside and because his brother was willing to apply for the early release. In what should be a simple lawyer-client meeting, an immediate attraction occurs and sparks certainly fly. But this isn’t going to be an easy journey, an easy relationship or even an easy possibility…. and this is where Marley shines as she brings the angst, the slooooooooow burn and the right amount of drama to have your jaw dropping and you turning the pages to find out what’s going to happen next.
I absolutely fell in love with Emerson from halfway through Chapter 1. She has her head in straight, knows what she wants and how to get it and isn’t afraid to say it like it is. She’s got sass and spunk but a whole lot of heart and vulnerability too. And Jagger – he is one hell of a broken man with a backstory that will bring tears to your eyes and break your heart. And the real question is – does Jagger deserve redemption and, more importantly, will if ever forgive himself and start to move on. My heart ached so much for Jagger (while at other times I wanted to slap him in the head!) but ultimately this guy is gonna be one you won’t forget.
Finally I have to do a shout out to the fact Marley set this book on Australia (my home country) and even better, primarily in Sydney (which isn’t far from me). It was so refreshing to read another Aussie-based book by an Aussie author as so many set them overseas to cater for those readers. And I need to mention the fabulous secondary characters in Reclaim as well. I loved Emerson’s best friend Taylah plus Jagger’s family in Hendrix, Dakota and Sasha. And knowing we’re getting Hendrix’s book as well has me totally pumped because these are a group of people I’m desperate to read more about.
Marley Valentine has been a must-read author of mine since I found her debut novel Devastate and with Reclaim she has only cemented herself as an author to watch because she has talent and is definitely deserves all the praise she gets for her incredible storytelling.
nicandbooks
Amazon/Goodreads
5 STARS FOR RECLAIM!! Wow, I devoured this Book in one sitting. This story will touch your heart with love, family, second chances and learning how to live again. Jagger and Emerson have a connection right from the beginning and it is powerful. I enjoyed every word in this story and I know you will too. I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.