From bestselling author, Dr. Rebecca Sharp, comes an emotional, small-town romance with a twist… For years, I was close enough to fame to touch it. Taste it. Drink it.Until one more drink became my answer to everything.Until one night I made a mistake which couldn’t be undone. So, I cut all ties to my former life and the addiction that destroyed it. And I left in search of redemption on the … destroyed it. And I left in search of redemption on the other side of the country.
After months building a new future, I thought my past had stayed put.
Until I opened my front door to find she’d followed me.
Taylor Hastings. My sister’s best friend.
And the good girl I’d never been good enough for.
Not then. Not now. Not ever.
One glance at Taylor’s face told me she’d come searching for a safe haven. One glance at the swell of her stomach told me she hadn’t come alone.
I didn’t hesitate to offer her my help and my home because looking out for her was the right thing to do…
Even if the way I wanted her would always be wrong.
So, I kept my distance. And Taylor kept her secrets.
Until one kiss changed everything.
Until one kiss made me realize it wasn’t our first.
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5 stars for Redemption by Dr. Rebecca Sharp. This book was heartbreaking and sad. Taylor and Ash have never had an easy relationship. Taylor was friends with Ash’s sister. Taylor moved away awhile back, but now Taylor is at his door with needing help. Only she has no idea about the secrets Ash is hiding. “The only thing worse than an addiction was an addiction to something you couldn’t have.” I will say if you do not want to cry then this book may not be for you. Ash and Taylor’s relationship had me shedding some tears. I could not out this book down. I read it in a couple hours. I would consider this a best friends brother/ secret baby romance. It was a fast read filled with heartbreak, love, and so much more.
After almost ruining his sister relationship, Ash decides something needed to change. He walked away from his life of pushing everyone to achieve their dreams and goals to find his dreams and goals. The first step was moving as far away as possible. The second step was getting sober. Five months later, his sister’s best friend, Taylor, shows up on his door step very pregnant and scared with no place to go. Ash being the good guy he is who is always taking of everyone he of course invites her to stay with him for as long as she needs to. The longer they spend time together the harder it is for them to deny the feelings that they have both been hiding for years.
This book is another one where I was pleasantly surprised by the book and gave me more than what I was expecting. Surprise baby tropes are one of my favorites so I snapped this one up real quick when I read the blurb. But this book was so much more than that. The title is Redemption so of course it was about Ash trying to work towards what he thought was his redemption, but it was also about him learning that to truly obtain that redemption he craved/needed then he would first need to forgive himself and allow others to forgive him. It was pretty amazing to watch his discovery and growth. With Taylor being raised is a such a devote Catholic home her outlook on life truly helped him to find his way. I have my issues with religion being in books that I read (my issue and my issue alone) but I feel that her beliefs truly helped Ash get to where he needed. Her compassion and acceptance (something her parents can’t provide) really gave Ash the guidance and support that he needed. This book was my first by this author and I am excited to read more.
Wow! Just wow! Dr. Rebecca Sharp’s books have a way of being relatable and speaking right to the heart.
“Whether it was Facebook or the Holy Bible, guilt was universal. It stared back at us when we looked in the mirror and reminded us of all areas we fell short and all the ways we were less…”
This book hits on so many issues, ideals, mistakes, strengths, and redemption. This book has so much heart buried with every word that is written. It speaks of friendship, family that you surround yourself (that you make) forgiveness and it gave me a sense of peace. It is so hard to put into words how this book made me feel. It was so relatable in the fact that we have all made mistakes yet we all deserve to have some grace, to have forgiveness. Not just forgiveness from others but forgiveness within ourselves.
This is the second book I have read by this author and it again, it was a book that I utterly devoured. You will want to one-click this baby right now!
I am sitting here shocked by what I have finished reading.
Redemption was the thing that Ash was looking for when he left his life behind. Taylor was looking for her own form of redemption as well. One night that happened months ago changed both their lives is so many ways.
Ash and Taylor were two people that neither one saw changing their lives. But, all it took was Taylor coming to Ash asking for help, and things started to change. Both had their secrets that they were worried about coming to light. Then slowly as feelings began to be shared a real connection is revealed.
This was definitely an emotional story. One that showed that these two characters were ones that built a relationship that really had strength. The spiritual/ religious aspects were part of the characters, but it wasn’t the main focus on the story. You were there emotionally with everything the characters went through. Even when a big loss hits, you are able to feel the pain that both Ash and Taylor felt.
Redemption is definitely a book that a reader of contemporary romance should give a chance.
Redemption is the newest, angsty romance from this amazing author. If you had read and loved Reputation like I did, then you would be happy to know that this book is about Ash and Taylor. You don’t need to read Reputation, but I suggest you do since what happened with Ash there continued in this book.
“Truth was she was too good for me even at my best, which is why I let her see me at my worst. Because only then would she come to me.”
“She saw me at my lowest and still wanted the man underneath.”
The story started when Ash was at his low and raging from the perceived betrayal that Zach did to him; by going back on his promise not to touch his sister, Blake. On this drunken night at the bar, Taylor (Blake’s BFF) was there to help him get back safe to their hotel. He told her his guilt and insecurities and how it affected his judgment. He was always attracted to Taylor but kept her at a distance.
“But how do you regret giving up pieces of your life for someone you love? You don’t.”
Taylor has always wanted Ash. How he always help make others dreams into reality and in the process, lose his own. She wanted him but her strict upbringing dictated most of her life. But when she saw how Ash was drowning in guilt, she decided to gave in for one night.
The story touches a subject that I felt was prevalent in the industry where they were part of. I was glad that Ash was strong enough to face it and eventually getting his redemption by moving to Carmel Cove. There he started realizing his dreams and found the love with Taylor. Although it was process for them to be finally be together, with Taylor not wanting to burden Ash with the news of pregnancy and Ash with his fear that he will never be good enough for her, the build up was all worth it. I loved it. Redemption is a story of forgiveness, second chance at life, and the healing power of love. Another must read!
First time reading this author. The book came up on my Facebook feed and I’m glad it did. Ash and Taylor had feelings for each other which neither acted on until one night. Ash then leaves to get himself sober and Taylor shows up several months later, pregnant and Ash doesn’t remember their night together….until he does. I could relate to Taylor wanting to know the man Ash is now and also that she wanted him to love her and not to be with her due to obligation. I’ll look forward to what’s next in the series!
I always look forward to reading RS and she has done it again with another awesome five star read. I could have totally devoured this book in one go but after starting the book I ended up with two sick kids both vomiting and I had to put it down.
If you have read Reputation, you know that Ash is Blake’s brother and he is hiding a huge secret. He’s a high level functioning alcoholic and it is taking over his life. This was the reason why he gave Zach the ultimatum to break his sister’s heart, and ever since, he hasn’t been able to look at himself in the mirror.
Taylor is his sister’s best friend, and he’s always denied himself feeling more for her than he already does. He believes she deserves so much better than him, and refuses to taint her.
I have to say that the people of Carmel Cove have captured my heart and I so can’t wait for the Carmel Cove series next year.
I received an advance copy of this book. I am voluntarily giving my honest review, and I plan to buy this book when it becomes available.
Ash and Taylor were a friends to lovers, best friend’s brother, surprise baby romance that was heartwarming and beautiful. There were a lot of emotions and real life situations that made you connect with each character. I cannot wait to see where this series will lead!
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Ash reached that point. His life, the environment he surrounded himself and his decisions helped him to immerse himself in alcohol. Losing control due to excesses. Until he decides to turn his life completely, to overcome his alcoholism, pursue his dreams and achieve the stability he needs. What he doesn’t know is the change his life will give, when his sister’s best friend decides to knock on her door…u2063
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Taylor is Ash’s sister’s best friend. For a long time she was attracted to Ash. He grew up around the dogmas of religion. Maybe very coerced of her wishes. Those who overflowed at the right time to unleash the fire that consumed her, when the opportunity to be close to him materializes.u2063
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Ash’s evolution in his determination to rehabilitate and meet his goals is inspiring. The story itself is in some way. His humility, surrender, perseverance will enchant you. In the same way that the relationship with Taylor develops. She is that special person who helps make the best of him. She is his redemption.u2063
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There are moments of much angst in this story. One of the things that surprised me was knowing that one of the characters was inspired by the author’s grandfather, who suffered from severe depression. Rebeca’s writing style is a poetic and philosophical one. You can clearly perceive that she spills his life experience in her words. It is one of the things I love in an author.u2063
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This story is everything the title says as Ash seeks his redemption.
Rebecca has skillfully crafted such a beautiful, raw, emotional book with complex, flawed characters. They aren’t perfect and that’s what makes them real and what I love.
Ash is carrying so much weight, burdened by his demons from his past. Tempered asshole, alcoholic, he’s done some unsavory things and he’s trying to come to terms with the things he has done and become a better man.
In comes Taylor, his sister’s bestfriend and upheavals everything. She appears at his door seeking help, the big catch is she’s pregnant and has a secret of her own.
Taylor is so kind and caring throughout the story and I love how she’s seen Ash at his worst and never passed any judgment and still wanted him.
I won’t give away anything else but this was a beautiful, heartfelt, emotional book with an important message as well and a must read for anyone!
4 gripping
A beautifully written love story of Ash and Taylor, I loved this book and even with tears in my eyes I couldn’t put it down.
Redemption is a Second Chance Romance, so many second chances in this book although the characters might be unaware that they missed some of the first chance. Two people that have secretly loved each other forever get a chance at love together, along with the opportunity to start afresh in a new town.
This story was full of emotion, a really good read just have tissues handy.
Redemption is an angsty read that goes out of its way to tug at readers’ heartstrings. The author mentions in her note afterward that at least one major character and plot point is based on a real life person and experience, which makes those parts even more poignant (honestly, I did not see that coming–which was pretty much the point, of course–though she does give us clues that something is going on with that person). It’s a story of second chances, starting over, and, of course redemption.
I liked both Ash and Taylor, though I wasn’t a fan of all of the secrets. For two people actively hiding at least one big thing from the other person, they each got pretty bent out of shape when they found out that the other one had a secret as well–pot, meet kettle? Honestly, neither one of them ended up voluntarily confessing their own secrets, so it didn’t seem like either of them really had a leg to stand on in that argument. I would have liked a lot more honesty from them both–hopefully they will have it going forward.
Their romance was both sweet and steamy (TBH, I started skipping some of the steamy bits because there were just. So. Many), though the timing of the story felt a bit uneven, dragging at times and going along rather quickly at others. Taylor was 5 months pregnant when she showed up, but the epilogue was three months after the events of the rest of the book. Surely the book’s events took more than a month to occur? It felt like more than a month, and I seem to recall weeks being skipped internally as well, though perhaps my recollection is off. Either way, time in the book seemed a little wonky.
Redemption was my first book from this author, and the first in a new series based in small town Carmel, California. It is related to another standalone by the author ( Reputation –Taylor is Blake’s best friend, and Ash is her brother and Zach’s best friend), but you don’t have to have read it to understand this one. Given how Ash apparently acted in the other book, he might also have to “redeem” himself with its readers as well… 😉
The next book in this series sounds interesting, but we didn’t really get to know the two characters involved all that well (or at all, in the case of the heroine who we hear about but never meet) and since this book felt longer than it needed to be, the jury is still out on whether or not I’ll be picking that one up or not. This one was firmly in the “I liked it, BUT…” category.
Rating: 3 1/2 stars / B-
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
I must have been living under a rock because I had no idea this book was coming out until it was just about to be released!!! AND OMG I just loved this story. Redemption is spinoff of Reputation. We now get Ash story, brother of Blake, and BFF of Blake, Taylor. But this story isnt just a story, it dives deep into the emotional turmoil of life. Life is not always easy and sometimes we need to do things for ourselves to put ourselves back together and along that ride can be bumpy, but they payoff is worth it.
I love this line: Unitl one kiss changed everything. Unitl one kiss made me realize it wasn’t our first.
Just that alone had me hooked and pulled into their world cover to cover.
Ash is the people pleaser, he will do anything and everything for those he loves. But always being in the background can take it toll and the glimpse of taste fame or drink it can have a greater pull. When Ash hits rock botton he cuts ties off all his former life, family, friends and so forth. A desitation unknown, he hopes to find his peace and acceptance.
From there are taken on a ride and then inject Taylor in the equation and we have an explostion of emotional journeys, love, hate, secrets, family, friends that become family and so much more.
Highly recommend this story. It can be read as a standalone but so much more enjoyable reading Reputation first.
Alright, is everyone ready to enter the magical and healing world of Carmel Cove? Ash and Taylor take us on an emotional journey. It is filled with self-discovery, learning to accept your missteps, and working on forgiveness. The message of this story is one of hope and as the title says, REDEMPTION. u2063
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Ash had to run away from home and find a new place to reinvent himself. As the story continues, you realize he has manage to build a new support system that allows him to travel down a different road. You see that he has turned a new leaf especially if you read about him Reputation. He was such a jerk in that book. Eek. It is wonderful seeing him through a different lens. u2063
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Taylor is my girl. You see her beautiful heart from the beginning and how much she cares about Ash, at times to her own detriment. She comes to find him several months after he left. Imagine his surprise to see her knocking on his door and even more shocking is she is visibly pregnant. u2063
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Plan for all kinds of surprises and revelations as this story continues. Both Ash and Taylor have to work on sharing their feelings and believing in themselves. u2063
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The character of Larry leaves me speechless and full of emotions. He truly was “the frosting on the cake” of this story. u2063
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Ugh I don’t want to say more about this story other than it is insightful, intriguing and yes, STEAMY. u2063Wink!
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Happy Reading Everyone! This story is more than five star worthy. u2063
Ash has been battling his demons for a while but when his sister’s best friend Taylor gets called to get him from bar everything changes. Taylor has had a crush on Ash for a while but her strict upbringing stops her from making a move on him. Asher sees her as perfect and unobtainable but what will happen now that nobody else is around? Will they ever act on their feelings? Can Ash overcome his demons?