LoganFour years ago, my life changed forever.Some see it as a vast improvement. Me?I’m not so sure. The guilt from my betrayal has haunted me from day one. I knew my past would catch up to me. So when it comes crashing back into my life, I know the time has come to finally make it right. My path to redemption won’t be easy. But I’ve always been up for a challenge.QuinnMy life was never golden, … challenge.
Quinn
My life was never golden, but I had everything I needed. Then four years ago, everything changed.
I lost everything important to me, including myself.
I’m not certain I’m capable of forgiveness. So when the past comes back into my life, there will be no absolution for him in my heart.
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This is my second book by Nicole and it was excellent. It handles tough topics and I like that she never waters down her characters. They’re broken, and struggling. With that said, this is a new adult romance so the angst is off the charts. A few times I found myself thinking they’re immature but I realized that they truly are! They are teenagers. Overall, I loved this story of fated lovers who find their way back through all the destruction, and heartache. My heart broke for these kids but I was vested in their journey. This is a HEA but there should be a trigger warning for abuse, violence, and drug addiction.
I love Nicole’s books!
Seriously Logan & Quinn are perfect. Their story is so true to life. And of course they get a HEA! Loved it!! Thanks Nicole for another great read!!
“His kiss was soft, but his betrayal has a hard edge.”
Redemption is a heartbreaking and inspiring story. A friendship founded on pain. Trust born of necessity when survival was at stake and those whose care they were entrusted to fail. Betrayal when that trust is forsaken and promises are broken.
“I’ll always be here for you, Quinn. For whatever you need. Whenever you need it.”
Imagine finally having what you always dreamed of as a kid… and hating it. How can you enjoy something when it means that someone else is suffering because of it? Logan has been through so much that it’s surprising that he still has a conscience after what he’s endured. Black and white become gray when it comes to survival, right? Quinn made the hard times more bearable for Logan. He needed her and she needed him. They eased each other’s pain. Until he left her…
Quinn is even more broken now than she was four years ago when Logan left. Hope seemed to walk out of her life right along with him and now she’s hardened. She never expected to see him again and she tries to convince herself she feels nothing. He wants forgiveness and she is not willing to risk what’s left of her heart.
Second chances are hard to come by and very costly. Redemption can not be bought with cash, it’s a priceless commodity. Sometimes equal installments of guilt, pain, and regret can lead to avoidance which only makes the interest compound until the debt is unsurmountable. When Logan and Quinn reconnect it wasn’t because he sought her out, which makes his betrayal feel even worse, to both of them. But, regardless, their ‘connection’ is as strong as ever, the four years that they’ve been apart have not diluted the pain and seems to have made it stronger.
Be still my broken heart. I can’t tell you how hard I strained my #MentalMatchmaker trying to get these two broken characters together. They deserve some happiness after so much sadness in their lives. And, of course, that means each other, right? Will he ever be able to convince her to give him another chance? Is there anything left of the Quinn he left behind? Will he want this version of her? All I can tell you is that I loved all the versions of these characters, before and after, soft and hard, lost and found. I know that you will too.
This is a beautifully written second chance, friends to lovers, emotional, dark book that I really enjoyed.
Redemption
By: Nicole Dykes
Narrated by: Thurlow Holmes, Dash Coleman
Gritty, raw and real, Nicole Dykes give us another amazing story. Logan, Rhys, Quinn and Shawn have a bond. Growing up together in the foster system, they truly know each other, Unil Logan is given the opportunity to live with his parents. Now 4 years later, they are again in each others lives, and while completely different, the broken children they once were is still easily surfacing. Dykes takes us down their roads, and we see the true people they are. Each has issues, and we watch them even now find their strengths to live and grow. The relationship with Quinn and Rhys is toxic, but I love the truths that are revealed. Always having each other’s back shows their real hearts. Seeing Logan and Quinn grow though is the best. They have a lot of emotional obstacles, but the addition of loving parents and friends, we get to live their journey. I loved this story for it’s shredding and rebuildig of my heart. A truly wonderful listen.
The narartion is impeccable by the team of Thurlow Holmes and Dash Coleman. These two are fabulous, and they give the new adult voices to these character with emotion and feels. It’s fantastic.
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Being the first book by Nicole that I’ve ever read, I didn’t know what to expect. And now, it’s safe to say that I’m glad I read it and that I can’t wait to read her other books.
Redemption is about just that. Two best friends against the world. Two people that heavily rely on each other to have some sort of normality in their lives; one who’s in foster care, and the other who’s mother relies heavily on substance abuse. When something happens that splits them up, fate has a strange way of throwing them back together. Only this time, the trust that the two once had is gone.
This book is an amazing, raw and inspiring must read.
“… if you break, do it with me. Don’t ever run to anything else.”
Oh. My. Heart. Rhys. Nicole hooked me in once again! I was not expecting his book to go down the path it did, but I absolutely loved it. On the outside, Rhys is all hard muscle and has walls built to the sky around him because of his extremely troubled past, but deep down he has a huge heart, is caring, and protective. My heart completely broke for him and everything he experienced as a kid. Other events in this book tugged at my heart strings, like Rhys’ relationship with Bree and how his relationship with Blair progressed. I came to love Blair’s character. We see her in Redemption first, but we get to know more about her in Clarity. She has this effect on Rhys, that allows him to open up to her, become comfortable around her, even though those things are very hard for him to do, and he doesn’t think he can, she helps Rhys in so many ways throughout this book. This was a dark, gritty read, but I am so happy with how this story turned out! Now off to read Vengeful Bastard for Sean’s story!!
*ARC received in exchange for honest review
5 Audio Book Review
I really enjoyed this book. This is a crossed/fated lovers book. Quinn and Logan found each other when they were young kids. They both were in and out of foster homes. They both grew up in the rough side of town. They held onto their friendship unit everything changed for Logan. They found each other again later in life and were still drawn to one another. Nicole Dykes writes raw and emotional books. I do recommend to read or listen to Clarity before Redemption. Dash and Thurlow did a great job narrating.
Thurlow Holmes and Dash Coleman did an amazing job with the audio of this one. They were exactly what I expected from Login and Quinn.
I loved Login and Quinn’s story. Nicole Dykes did a wonderful job with them. This book can absolutely be read as a standalone.
I was captivated throughout the entire book. I highly recommend this to everyone that is looking for a great angsty story.
Redemption is a story of friends that grew up together in foster care and how their lives change and take different paths when they age out, to reuniting 4 years later at the age of 22. I listened to redemption on audio and loved it, Dash Coleman’s performance as Logan was perfection, he really has a way of getting the characters under your skin and packing all the emotion into his performance. Thurlow as Quinn took a little getting used to but she won me over in the end. I just found her to be a little too girly and not quite as rough and ready as I imagined Quinn to be.
I knew a little bit about Logan and Quinn as I have already listened to Clarity, which is Rhys and Blair’s story and both feature in Redemption as partners to Logan and Quinn. Firstly I couldn’t believe the transformation in Rhys, in this novel he is so different to Clarity, you really see his struggle with sobriety and the way he treats Quinn is painful to read/listen too. I respect Nicole so much for writing these characters stories so raw and real. Painting their strengths and weaknesses and that journey to overcome their demons isn’t an easy path to walk.
Redemption is a friends to lovers romance, one that shows how a simple change of circumstance can send people on different paths in life. Logan throughout is the type of Hero I love, he owns his mistakes is protective, thoughtful, respectful but he has his own ghosts that haunt him. Seeing him have to rely on others for a change and be supported instead of the one doing the supporting was a beautiful journey to witness. Quinn, this woman just has that will to survive and she is a heroine that rolls with the punches and tries to make the best of every situation despite the hard hand she has been dealt. She is a strong heroine and fiercely loyal, often putting others before herself. When she comes to the point in her journey that she finally lives for herself she soars.
I loved Nicole’s storytelling, it felt realistic and you can connect to the characters throughout. The story came together beautifully and I am off to re listen to Clarity now I have a new perspective for the journey these characters have gone through.
Beautiful
“ ’ , ’ , . , ’ .“
Every single time, this author smacks me in the feels and I’m left reeling from it.
Not one of these kids had an easy life, and their pasts are tangled up together, which makes for both unbreakable bonds and high tensions.
Quinn and Logan are meant to be. Their entire world knows it. They know it, and yet they simply can’t seem to make their way to one another without an outside force casting doubt.
I cannot tell you how relieved I was when they started to figure it out.
And Rhys. I forgot what a mess he was, but seeing it firsthand here made my heart hurt for him.
This gang lives on in my head for sure.
This is quite the story. I enjoyed listening to it. It really took me in a journey through these kids lives. There are happy times and sad times. Each character grows as the story moves along. It was wonderful to see how these four started and where they ended up. Logan and Quinn just about killed me more than once. The whole being with another sexually while starting something with each other is horrible. Just for spite. I was frustrated over that entire situation. Other than that the Characters seemed believable and likable.
Overall this is a good listen. It’s angsty but has wonderful characters. I am guess a lot of Logan’s fam comes from previous stories. I did listen to this on audio. The narrators did a great job
Quinn & Logan both drew the short end of the stick when it comes to the family life they were dealt. Their story is emotional and angsty but the journey is worth it!
The narrators were new to me and did a great job of telling the story.
Redemption hooked me with its prologue and kept me listening to the end. I love, loved Logan and Quinn. Angsty, heartbreaking and a compelling story. Intricately weaving a beautiful story about two kids with a difficult beginning finding their way back to each other in this maze called love. The writing is captivating and the world this author has built is exciting. Looking forward to listening to more audiobooks by this author.
Narrators Thurlow Holmes, Dash Coleman uprisen the story with their fabulous dual performance. Bringing the characters personality to life.
I like Nicole Dykes writing. Quinn and Logan’s story is beautifully written and very emotional. The characters are well developed. The storyline is gripping, filled with drama, and angst. Dash Colemam and Thurlow Holmes did a good job with the narration.
Audio Review.
I really enjoyed the story of Logan and Quinn even although I haven’t ‘read’ any of the other books that are obviously a part of Logan’s world.
Some very serious issues were touched on and, at times, this was difficult to ‘read’ but they definitely gave some of the characters redeemable qualities.
I will certainly be looking for more of this author’s work to sink my teeth into!
Every book I read by this author I think..this is it, this is the peak, but then I get a hold of another and the cycle repeats. Every book (that I’ve read so far) is incredibly hard hitting yet not in a suffocating way. It heals as it hurts and this is no different. Quinn and Logan both grew up with rough childhoods, but as Logan got out, Quinn didn’t so when they reunite, there’s some anger there. And the push and pull in this one is really well done. This is quite the slow burn and it’s pretty intense at times. I didn’t want to put this down and the audio was top notch. I volunteered to listen and review a complimentary copy of this. All opinions are my own.
Redemption was a beautiful story about two kids finding their way back to each other and realizing they were always worthy of love! I absolutely loved this book. Nicole Dykes really knows how to write heartbreaking and emotional stories that stick with you for a while. After reading, Clarity (which now I think should have been read after Redemption) I had to know about Logan and Quinn’s story. Logan was one of the lucky ones to escape the horrors of foster care and find a parent who wanted him. He felt a lot of guilt for leaving behind his friends, especially the girl he loved, Quinn. Quinn had it rough; she experienced abuse her whole life until, the day Logan came back into her life. He saved her and together they healed each other. Logan and Quinn were real and captivating characters, you want to root for. This gut wrenching, angsty, slow burn romance will take you on an emotional journey that you might need to take a few days from work to recovery from. As for the narrators, Dash and Thrulow were perfect for Logan and Quinn. They brought these characters to life and made the story enthralling!
Where are the tissues! All of Nicole’s stories are so unique and so emotional! You will feel all the emotions down to the bottom of your soul. Laughing out loud, cussing at characters and crying when there are moments so deep the tears are torn from you. This story is filled with so many of those moments. I joke with Nicole she needs to rename all these books to the KC crew because they are all there at one point and in my head all these characters Adamsons, Monroe’s and their friend families are all one. Logan is a second generation Adamson, who was in the system and when he landed in jail he found his real father Phillip. His social worker became his step mom. (Read Misled ). This story is the Logan and Quinn’s story. And it starts when they were both just kids in the wrong side of the track. I don’t know how she manages to pull so many emotions but each story has its own struggles, it’s own vibes and like all the rest it pulls in all the heart strings. It’s beautiful. I have read this story but hearing it just elevates it to next level goodness. When Quinn gasps and tells Gillian he’ll be okay, you’re heart will stutter and if you’re eyes don’t at least well up then you need to make sure it’s working. Gah it was amazing!
h: Quinn
H: Logan
(Dual POVs)
Logan and Quinn met when they were both in foster care. At the age of 14, Logan is taken away from his current living situation with his birth mother and loses contact with Quinn and the other two foster boys. Fast forward four years, and Logan runs into his old friends and has to confront his past.
This was another emotional and deep read from Nicole! Nicole always delivers characters that you can’t help but sympathize for, and Quinn and Logan are no different! I thought some of the actions of Quinn and Logan fit their characters as well as their age. I loved that these two got their HEA, after everything they had to go though. The epilogue was great!
Favorite quotes:
”Happy Birthday.”
“Go fuck yourself.”
His kiss was soft, but his betrayal has a hard edge. -Quinn
All the lost kids in one place. Our own personal Neverland.