“I want you to tame me,” he hummed. “But you make me wild instead.” Juliet took revenge. The result landed her in a social experiment of solitary reflection called The Island. She didn’t mind the solitude in this tropical paradise until she learned she wasn’t alone. One of them was there with her and this changed everything. Tack commited a crime – almost. By association, his bad decision cost … association, his bad decision cost him the experimental banishment. He thought he’d treat the time away like a much needed vacation until he noticed he wasn’t by himself. She was here – the woman who derailed his life – and that made all the difference.
Can two tortured souls find their way to redemption through the one person they need forgiveness from the most?
This bold beginning to the Island duet is L.B. Dunbar’s detour into dark romance. If you like thought-provoking circumstances, intriguing situations, and something stunningly different in romantic suspense, then this redemptive romance of enemies to lovers is for you.
Welcome to the Island.
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Such a different kind of love story.
This is the story of Tack (Terrence) & Juliet. They both were sent to an abandoned island for redemption. It was a restorative justice experiment. Oddly enough, it was the same island. Juliet worked at the same club that Tack was being initiated into, so they had seen each other there. She was part of his initiation, and she had to submit to it by her boss. But, her boss came first before Tack, and Tack didn’t really do to her what she thought he did. He just pretended. She killed her boss. Therefore, two crimes; one was legit, but the other wasn’t, but no one would believe it. The island is an experiment instead of going to jail. Neither of the people that sent them knew the other was there for the same reason, redemption. Tack and Juliet learned many lessons on the island. But the last thing was love during a hurricane, and then it was all over. They were both taken off the island early. She claimed she would find him. He would look for her, too, until he found her. The end of the first book. This is such a great book, and one you can’t put down. Looking forward to the second book in this duet.
Wow!! What a story !. It’s a journey of self discovery, removal of distractions to hear your soul. Ethereally visceral, contemplative and spiritual to an extent
It doesn’t hit you hard like a sudden storm, yet it builds in strength. The cadence as gentle as soft swells of the sea, it starts by skimming on the surface of blue sea like dolphins , but soon , its the only thing you can see. Endless expanse .
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An unfortunate and horrible crime has been committed. Yet the victim and the perpetrator find themselves together on the Redemption Island.
The mission-
Experiment, she thought. She allowed herself to be part of the scientific process, and she felt played when she swore she’d never be taken advantage of again.
Repent. The word drifted through her head. Without him, she wouldn’t have been on this island. Without him, she wouldn’t have found herself again. She offered forgiveness in exchange for love.
He took what he intended before they knew one another and then she give it to him willingly. Because he asked. He wanted permission and she agreed—love him and be free.
You make me wild, he said, when all she wanted was to be cared for, cared about. She wanted to be claimed.
Restore the liaison had said, but she’d never felt so broken.
For both of them, cause Terrence Jackson Corbin IV & Juliet Montmore are both somehow are criminals in a way. One didn’t speak out, one didn’t speak enough. They are both completely broken, mistrusting and reticent. Very unlikely neighbours and dangerous in personalities, but stranger things have happened. They find each other and themselves to try and get past the horrific ordeal and the stigma attached.
But man proposes and God disposes. Unfortunate nature of events tear their lives apart. Once again they drift away from each other. Very, very far……
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Tbh, when I started reading it, though the words spellbound me, I was hesitant, thinking it’s another cookie cutter romance.
Boy ! Was I wrong. The story has a gentle pace but it’s seeps into your soul, like a chill or warmth. Right through to your bones . The background of the mishap isn’t very clear , but the focus is mostly on now and here . How they share nights, days, food, companionship, and ultimately trust. The human heart learns to apologise and forgive despite its logic and morality.
I particularly loved how Garvey says – Dance. “You need to become one with nature. Pick an animal. Reenact its behavior and reflect on what you can learn from it.”
Though Tack dismisses at first, he subconsciously find his “Mouse ” and he learns to dance like her, with her, and in turn finds himself. His new role of protector and nurturer. It surprises him as much it does Juliet. He’s her rediscovered Romeo, in the sense that he woos her, stands under her balcony(treehouse) and she bestows him with her rarest smile, trust and her heart.
I’m amazed at the writers ability to write such an unusual story with such finesse , such tenderness.
They help each other in getting in touch with their innate goodness and inner humility
“I can be a bad man when I go into business mode. I tend to dominate until I get what I want. I want what I want, and that means taking companies, making them mine, and stripping them of what I need. My father always believed in survival of the fittest.
“Have you ever considered doing something different? Building something up instead of tearing those companies down? Making something that’s for the good of others?”
Most amazing transformation of characters, right in front of your eyes.
I loved the feels that gush forth. The right word would be engulfing! The story engulfs you like a mist on the ocean and you shall find strength of the human spirit here, yet reminds you of basic life lessons- If you commit a crime, you must make things whole again. If you killed a dog, you might need to adopt a puppy or work at an animal shelter.
Its the foundation of survival and decency.
My first by her, but certainly not the last.
5 Circle Justice Stars
This is one of those reads that leave you reeling. This review will be short for no other reason than I refuse to spoil this mind thriller for anyone else. It took me a minute to really get into this read I was thinking why would they do this to the heroine. So the two main characters are both stranded on an island, neither of then knowing about the other. They are there as punishment to repent for their sins, instead of jail time. When these two finally run into each other their sins are connected. This was a total mind, body, heart fudge. I ended with well not knowing what really happened, was I tricked.
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SOULFUL REDEMPTION NEVER TASTED SO GOOD!! 5 UNBELIEVABLE REDEEMING STARS
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Sometimes a book comes along, so powerfully and emotionally driven that it doesn’t require a lot of words to review it. This is one of them. My review of Redemption Island by L.B. Dunbar is very short and very sweet.
All I have to say about Redemption Island, book 1 of the Island Duet Series is……… HOLY S***!!! If you haven’t yet read this book yet………DO IT NOW!!!
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~~ 5 POWERFULLY REDEMPTIVE STARS ~
Wow! REDEMPTION ISLAND by L.B. Dunbar (book 1 of the Island Duet) BLEW ME AWAY!
What an extraordinary tour de force novel about forgiveness, atonement, true redemption and the healing power of love! This is my first book by this mega talented author but MOST DEFINITELY will not be my last. Her writing was absolutely RESPLENDENT, the tone electrifyingly raw and achingly bittersweet, her characters deeply nuanced and fascinatingly flawed, and the plot so wildly innovative it left me speechless!
Set against a windswept tropical island backdrop, Juliet and Tack’s “enemies to lovers” survival romance was truly unlike ANYTHING I have ever read before! Told primarily in dual POV, REDEMPTION ISLAND is mystical and mystifying, gutwrenchingly emotional, ravishingly romantic, intensely sensuous, and oh so soul rejuvenating!
Heinous circumstances led Tack and Juliet to be banished to a deserted island as part of a restorative program in lieu of prison for two related crimes that tethered them together in unspeakably horrific ways. They were supposed to be completely and utterly alone, to reflect and repent, for the duration of their year-long sentence. But in a terrifyingly shocking twist of fate, their paths collided on the island one sun drenched day! And thus began their tumultuous and heartbreaking and achingly sweet road to redemption.
Though they come from two entirely different worlds, in all the ways that matter these two lost, broken souls are true kindred spirits. And as the story progressed, I was captivated by the metamorphosis of this relationship that was initially rooted in fear, hatred and blistering resentment and slowly but surely evolved into a pure, soul deep, forbidden love that defied the odds!
But gah NOTHING is as simple as it seems for this beleaguered duo! Is what they discovered together real or a mirage? Can love and atonement really cleanse the shameful sins of their pasts, eradicate their crippling guilt and sorrow and restore their hope for the future? Well, while I have my opinions on that matter, my lips are sealed and I will leave that to YOU to interpret while you read!
BOTTOM LINE:
I LIVED AND BREATHED each and every beautifully painful, hot and torrid, and ultimately uplifting moment of this brilliantly unconventional love story. Sigh it struck such a deep visceral chord in me that I was left completely and utterly spellbound from start to finish.
And yes, REDEMPTION ISLAND ends on a JAW-DROPPING cliffy, which gave me full body shivers and left me REELING, so I will be plunging headfirst into RETURN TO THE ISLAND pronto!
Be alone with your thoughts and away from the world as punishment for your crimes.
I loved the back story of how the island came to be. Tack and Juliet’s past connection is not a pretty one.
The island is where I got lost. I didn’t have a connection to the redemption process. There are some things in my mind that are unforgiveable. Small details can rip this out of taboo land. We could view the characters as wrong place, wrong time criminals. Tack is a good guy who made an error in judgement and Juliet we can view as seeking justice, but again an error that will cost her.
Though I didn’t connect with this book, I applaud L.B., her writing is exceptional and she did write about a dark topic with a very unique plot.
“Without anger, we cannot know peace. Without hatred, we do not know love. It’s about recognizing one and controlling the other.”
I literally devoured this book in one sitting, I couldn’t put it down.
This story is a surprise, completely different from what I was expecting…
it’s thought provoking,
it’s gut-wrenching,
it’s hopeful,
it’s forgiveness.
It’s Tack and Juliet’s hate story, but it’s their accepting responsibility, learning to forgive (themselves and others), and learning to love, story too.
“It’s too dark without you.” -Tack
Be warned, this one will give you a bit of a pause. It’s been a while since I’ve had a story force me to re-examine things, and the author does leave you hanging. The good news, the second book of this duet is already released, so me, I’m off to finish. I highly recommend you grab this one!
First, this cover is absolutely beautiful. I love it. The title is perfect for this storyline. Second, I’m so glad that we only have to wait until October for the 2nd book. That ending had me all kinds of intrigued about what is going to happen next. This is a unique story, read it in an afternoon. The circumstances that lead Tack and Juliet to the island are not the greatest. It was almost strange in the beginning when they got to the island, but the more I read, everything was coming together between those two and I got it. That last chapter had my mind racing! What the french toast is going on?! I’m really looking forward to the next book.
Redemption Island is a heart wrenching thought provoking journey not only for Tack and Juliet but for you the reader. Tack and Juliet are connected through violence that was brought on by a third person who’s actions affected the rest of lives not in a positive way. Unknown to Juliet and Tack they are both part of an experimental program sent into seclusion for a year to seek redemption for their crimes instead of being sent to jail. They both realize that people actions against you direct your life in a certain path but discover that we all have free will and control where we go next. I strongly suggest that you take the Journey to Redemption Island with Juliet & Tack; you will be surprised in the end; pulling for them both. We will have to wait for part two to discover what lies ahead for them both, will they move forward or be lost forever. L.B. Dunbar is an extremely talented writer every series is different, refreshing from light hearted, supernatural to series heart touching pushing the envelope topics. Congratulations and thank you for sharing your talent and stories.
I went into this blind. I didn’t read the blurb, only relying on skimpy word of mouth; this was my first book by L.B. Dunbar. And I was blown away. First the writing style was perfection. Words, sentences, paragraphs that were weighty; stopping me dead in my tracks and making me go back and re-read passages over again. This did not take me out of the story though; in fact it drew me in more. I immersed myself in all the words. Secondly, I am not going to go into any great plot detail because the details of the story are best experienced organically. The plot shocked me then intrigued me. I couldn’t put it down. I found this book to be amazingly original!
Really liked this book, looking forward to reading Return to the Island (book 2)
There are books that are read for the pure enjoyment of the story and then there are those books that challenge how you think and change your view of the world, of humanity. This is one of those books that challenged me and I am a better person for having read it.
The only reason this is a 4 star and not 5, is that I felt as though L.B. pulled a few punches, held back when I needed her to follow through. Still, an awesome read. I am eagerly waiting for the next installment.