It’s said that your life flashes before your eyes when you die.
It must only happen to those whose lives were worthy.
Clearly, mine was not.
The only thing that happened to me was a repeat of what I thought was my death.
The blast of the gun as it went off.
The loss of my breath as two hundred pounds of dead weight dropped on top of me.
And then darkness.
This replayed over and over.
…
This replayed over and over.
When the guy squatted down next to me and asked if I was hurt, the only thing I could see, feel,
hear, were those few seconds.
Even now, as I sat in the back of a blacked out van—it was the only thing that ran through my mind.
Gunshot, breath, darkness.
more
I can’t tell you how much I am hooked on these books. Definitely my favorite so far this year. This is Bailey story. This poor girl has had a rough life and she ends up in this dangerous situation. She is so beaten down that she doesn’t really care if she lives or dies but she finally finds someone that cares about her, protects her and makes her feel safe but he is not who he seems to be. Nick is a dangerous man who also had a very sad childhood . Both Bailey and Nick find love and protection and caring but you think you got it figured out but you don’t. This one is a must read! 10 huge stars!
Umm yeah that just happened is what I felt like while reading Nate & Baileys book. This was not what I expected and I’m a pretty good at guessing what’s lurking around the corner. I thought I knew, I was totally wrong. The way this story is weaved is a total rollercoaster ride of emotions and no spoilers here cause it will kill the book, looking forward to the next one
*3 Stars*
Copy kindly received in exchange for an honest review.
I’m disappointed to say that this book took ages for me to read, and I wasn’t really feeling it all that much. After the ending of the first book, I was so curious to find out what was going on, and how everything was linked together.
This book gives us much more info about Madison/Bailey, and about Nate and even Tiny, but it just didn’t go in the direction I was hoping for. We needed this background information I guess, but I was hoping it would only be part of the book and not all of it.
It’s interesting the way that the book delves into the relationship/bond between the two main characters, and I must say that I am interested to see where we come to with this in the final instalment. Particularly given the first book.
I’m interested in reading, and will read the next book, as I need to see how it all comes back full circle and what actually happens in the present day with these characters.
Oh, my heart! I was left with so many questions after reading the first book in the Combative trilogy and was hoping for most of the answers with Redemptive, but once again, I’m left with SO MANY QUESTIONS! This book has left my mind racing, but it’s my heart — my poor heart — that has taken a beating. In the first book, I was curious about Nate DeLuca. It seemed like he was the bad guy, that I shouldn’t like him, but I couldn’t say that I really hated him. In Redemptive, I seriously fell in love with him. And now…now my heart is torn, because I have no idea where this is all headed in book three.
Jay McLean, who has quickly become one of my favorite authors, has an amazing talent for character building and she has definitely done it again with this story. My heart broke so many times for both Bailey and Nate. I love these characters and I so badly want them to find their happiness, but knowing what I do from book one, I just don’t know how it’s going to happen! See? SO MANY QUESTIONS!
This story is one of the most intricately woven stories that I’ve read in awhile with the way that it’s written and presented, from the first book into the second, and now heading into the third. The story keeps you guessing, and just when you think that you may have something figured out, it takes another turn. The first book was great, this book was absolutely amazing and I can’t wait to see what happens next. Oh, and did I mention that I love Nate DeLuca?
This is the 2nd book in this amazing series and let me just say that this story did not go in the direction I throughout it would. This tale gives a background into Bailey and Nate’s lives, and the circumstances around their relationship, and their love is tangible. I did not like Nate very much in the 1st book, but the man certainly redeemed himself in this story. This is a well written story which is fast paced, emotional, dark, complex, heartwrenching, intense, intriguing, and I was left with so many questions that I need answers to. I look forward to reading the next book in this riveting and addictive page turner, and I recommend this talented author for all readers.
• •
: Redemptive
: Jay McLean
: 5/5
WOWOWOWOWOW. What just happened? We go back in time and get some answers on some questions (or did we really?). I am still left with so many questions. I thought I had it all figured out, turns out I did not at ALL. What you have to know about me, is I am not a big fan of love triangles, it’s just too hard on my heart most of the time. So when I figured this was probably the case, I almost wanted to stop reading, but I couldn’t. It was just too good. Nate and Bailey broke my heart and they healed it and then broke it again and so on. It is just such an unexpected love story with tons of mystery and suspense. I didn’t think I could love Nate more than Ky, but after this book… all bets are off. This one ends on another cliffhanger which just has you craving for more. I can’t say anymore without spoiling the story, so you’ll just have to read it for yourself! TICK. TOCK.
My reviews are also available with photo at my Bookstagram: @justmyfantasyworld
This is the second book, make sure you read the first book!! There are so many things to say about this book! The twists and turns had me spinning and I could not put the book down. The characters stole my heart, and the story line drew me in. This story is so awesome! The trilogy will not let you down!
Going into this book I was expecting to pickup from where we left off at the end of Combative with Ky, Madison (Bailey), and Nate. However, what I found was a whole different layer of story from a different time and place.
Jay is the queen of making my emotions work overtime, forcing me to feel so many feels. As loving as this story was, it was also angry and heart stabbing. There was an honest love that was blooming, yet it got plucked before it could fully bloom. And the pain…I could honestly feel that deep pain in my heart that was just awful. The heartbreak I was left with is just all consuming and driving me nuts.
So many questions that I wanted to ask about Bailey were answered in Redemptive, yet at the same time it evoked so many more burning questions that I really NEED answered.
So far this series is just so amazing because it shows that Jay was able to step out of her comfort zone and write a different type of story altogether…and boy did she rock the heck out of it!! She has grown so much as a writer and I am so glad that I was able to watch her bloom into the amazing author she has become. I honestly cannot wait for Combative #3 so we can all see how this amazing story will unfold itself.
“Ti amo, mio bellissimo ragazzo spezzato.”
The top three reasons why you SHOULD read Redemptive:
1. Nate DeLuca
2. Nate DeLuca
3. Nathaniel fucking DeLuca
Enough said. Go ahead. Read it. You’re welcome. *smirks*
Book 2 in this Combative trilogy, and boy this was nothing like I expected! I was expecting this book to carry on from the first, but that’s no what we get at all. What we get is a completely different story from completely different people!
We go back in time six years, and learn about Bailey (who turns out to be Madison in the first book, but that will be in her future) and we learn about Nate. So no Kyler in this one.
So in this one we find out about Bailey’s past, which we had no clue about in the first book, and definitely got more answers from this one. Then we learn more about Nate! OMG these two!!! If I felt the connection with Madison and Kyler was slightly missing in the first book, then Bailey and Nate are the complete opposite and are off the charts!! These two characters blew me away!!! Their connection is just beautiful, that they found chemistry and love and such an incredible bond in such threatening and dangerous situations, just wow!!
Nate is such a different character, an anti hero, but he was just so perfect in many ways, sweet, caring, protective…. I loved him from the beginning. Such a layered character with a broken past, but his situation with Bailey was so complicated, their love grew but under the conditions they were in it was always going to be tainted.
I really felt for Bailey in this one, once we learned her background and what she’d been through, the puzzle pieces started to fall into place and connected slowly back to book 1. This girl has been through the wringer and still managed to come out the other side.
The whole situation with Bailey and Nate just smacks of desperation, and there’s not a fat lot anyone can do about it, it’s just circumstance. Their desperation is a tangible thing in this, it really got to me at times. Their love and connection was undeniable, what they felt for each other was real, but was this due to their circumstances and the dangers?
Brilliantly written, I was completely engrossed in this story line and can’t wait to see what the last book has to offer. Highly recommended reading.
WOW! 5+ Mind F&$% stars across the board from #BabblingChatterReads!
This has been one of the harder reviews for me to write because I am lost in a daze on everything that has happened. Needless to say that I am still reeling in shock of this AMAZING read.
It’s said that your life flashes before your eyes when you die. It must only happen to those who lives were worthy.
Seriously, nothing could have prepared me for this utter mind F#$@ of this book! Who the? What the? When the? Where the? WHY?!?!? I totally thought I would have answers to some of the questions that have been in my mind since that cliffy in Combative but was thrown in a loop several times over as I got distracted by the overwhelming intensity of Nate Deluca & Bailey Wright’s story. My heart has been broken to pieces of EPIC proportions and it still has not been fixed. No movement, no progress even as I read those last words in the book. I’m still freaking shaking as I write.
Bailey had become my drug. My addiction. My escape. My salvation. My curious fascination turned obsessive infatuation.
Nate is someone I had least expected to fall hard for. I am at a lost on everything that has happened. Soooo Logan Matthews (from her More Than Series) was one that was on the top of my book boyfriend list but damn after meeting and getting to know Nate he is gradually moving up and I am TORN! Ahhhhhh!
There are soooo many things I can rant, vent, babble on and on about this series thus far but until you have read it I’m keeping my mouth SHUT because any new reader to this series needs to experience the true journey of this read. You will be thank me you did. I won’t be sorry on the book hangover it will leave you though.
I am glad that I held off on reading this series until closer to the release of the final book because now I really need to know what happens. I am loving this series so much!! It has definitely kept my interest
*e-book generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review*
That was me going into book 2, thinking I had it all figured out:
*insert gif of Jonah Hill feeling like a boss in 21 Jump Street*
But I didn’t. At ALL.
“I won’t get out
Because I’m crazy, baby
I need you to come here and save me
[…]
[H]e knows me, every inch of my tar black soul
He doesn’t mind I have a flat broke down life
In fact he says he thinks it’s what he might like about me, admires me
The way I roll like a rolling stone
Likes to watch me in the glass room, bathroom.”
Off To The Races – Lana Del Rey
What’s this book about? (I’m trying to give as little spoilers as possible)
Bailey is a lost girl with no future in sight; she lives for the day. And the next. One after the other. One day, she is mixed up in a terrible (and fatal for some) situation. Nate DeLuca comes and saves the day. Or does he?!?!?!!??!?!!?? Let’s entertain the idea that some of you may be reading this review without having read book 1, shall we.
Oh, so you thought book 1 was entertaining and mysterious, did you, Evil Witch? Well, prepare yourself for book 2. You ARE NOT ready. After the first few chapters, I noticed that book 2 was incredibly different from book 1. They just didn’t play in the same stratosphere. I always tend to search words when I begin a book and this time I searched for ONE word only. And it didn’t appear. And I was like… WTF. Why should I read this if this WORD doesn’t appear?
I’ll tell you why. NATE DELUCA. We’re introduced to him in book 1, but that introduction is just the book cover; in Redemptive, you get the entire package. I encountered a version of Nate that I hadn’t expected. He’s damaged, broken, but most of all, in need of love. So far, both of Jay McLean’s leading men in the Combative series had something incredibly lovable about them. I had read reviews that mentioned Stockholm Syndrome and while I do believe this syndrome played a role in Bailey and Nate’s relationship, I just can’t get over how deeply he seemed to care for her. It’s not a typical hostage situation and that’s why the lines are blurry.
I didn’t always know what to feel about Bailey. One thing that I couldn’t deny was that I felt pity for her. She was truly unfortunate. I didn’t like seeing her in the confined environment that she was kept in. She didn’t deserve it one bit. I can’t really call what she has with Nate chemistry, considering the circumstances under which they met, but I can say that there is something about them that clicks… I believed in them, if one could say it like that.
Book 2 wasn’t quite as easy to read as book 1 because of the content that felt much heavier, but still, I binged it as much as I could. I read the entire trilogy in one weekend and I don’t regret it one bit. HOW DID THE PEOPLE WHO READ THIS BACK WHEN IT FIRST CAME OUT SURVIVE ALL THE WAY TO 2020? The cliffhanger was such a surprise. I felt déjà vu to book 1. At the end of Combative, you felt like everything was going great, everybody was happy and nothing could go wrong now, we’re at the end, right? NO. JAY MCLEAN SAYS HI. The situation in Redemptive was different, certainly NOT happy, and you should think something will go wrong… But you don’t. At least, I didn’t. How can things get even worse? I had got into the spirit of Bailey, going along with the constant (almost) Groundhog Day that was her life. And then the cliffhanger happened and everything changed.
This book gave me all the feels and although it wasn’t the same as Combative, I welcomed the change because it opened up a new world, however dark that world may be. If you’re like me and you go into this book looking for a certain someone and you’re upset that you don’t get that certain someone, just keep reading and give it a chance. It’s worth it.
I wrote in „Combative” review that I went and read the next book in series immediately. And I done it. „Redemptive” was finished two hours later. Now I am relatively calm, but I am in this lucky group of people whos have the third book to read too.
The ending of „Combative” was terrible. This cliffhanger destroyed me, because everything in this book was a lie. In „Redemptive” we have explanation of everything and the truth about Madison, whos name here is Bailey. Why?
Because Bailey is her past.
This book is different than the first. I had a big eyes when I started reading this because Bailey and Nate? Their story? What? Ok, I didn’t expect something like this but when I end this book I think that „Redemptive” is better than „Combative”.
Nate is my boy. I don’t care who loved him first. He is mine. Kyler next to him is just a little, lost boy. Nate is a young alpha men. His and Bailey story was intense and beautiful. I felt desire between them on every single page of this book. I love him as a hero and I love Bailey. She is such a great woman with strengh. Strengh which she needs but Nate needs this strengh more.
Jay McLean done a fantastic background character – Tiny. I really want to read his book, because I think that this guy has a lot to say and his story will be sweet-bitter!
„Redemptive” is a book I truly love. Can’t wait to read the third book in series and see what Jay McLean prepared for us with these heroes!
***5 “Gunshot. Breath. Darkness.” stars***
“You are my sunshine. My only sunshine. You make me happy when skies are grey…”
Jay McLean is killing me!!!! Literally!!!
I just finished the book and i feel such an anguish of what will happen after all and to be totally honest with you, i really don’t know which outcome i preffer….
I wasn’t expecting the second book to be proceeded that way, but darn… I loved it!!!!
It’s strange, but my heart is heartbroken… For Nate and his…. Bailey!!!!
For what they had and what have they lost… Even though I’m wondering… Was it real after all???
So many fucking questions and no many answers in here, only a ray of light in her past…. And then more questions and more agony!!!!
Thank you, God, for making me wait and finally i’m binge reading this series, or else i couldn’t survive that’s the only sure thing!!!!
“We all need saving at some point, and I’m here to save you.”
Her life was over. And I, no doubt would be the one to end it”
“It’s strange- how love can form from the most fucked-up of circumstances.”
Well, for once again, i don’t know how much to tell you about this story…
In here, we had different main characters than the previous book, but don’t fool themselves… They are connecting between them…
In here, the time has come to learn more about Nate and his Bailey….
“Bailey had become my drug. My addiction. My escape. My salvation. My curious fascination turned obsessive infatuation.”
“A calm washed over me… the kind I suspected junkies got after taking a hit.
Was Nate my drug?
My addiction?”
And as the blurb is saying…
It’s said that your life flashes before your eyes when you die.
It must only happen to those whose lives are worthy.
Clearly, Bailey’s life is not.
Unwanted from the day she was born, and then discarded, Bailey’s only plan in life is to make it through to the next day.
But one hopeless night, one wrong decision, and one pull of the trigger changes everything.
Not just for her, but for Nate DeLuca too.
Born into a world of crime, he had his entire life planned out for him.
He wasn’t supposed to find her that night.
He wasn’t meant to capture her, either.
And he sure as hell wasn’t meant to save her.
Sometimes villains are born.
And sometimes… heroes are made.
“It’s that the problem with “simple” was LOVE. And within the walls of this room, with the bonds that kept us together, neither simple nor love could exist.”
Well, my heart was aching for Nate and Bailey so badly…
They were both broken and in a weird way, they found solace in each other…
Bailey was in the wrong place and Nate, even a bad guy, tried to protect her in a very unorthodox way…
Feelings got involved, but the situation was tricky… So, these said feelings were true after all???
“I gave her what she needed. I inhaled her cries and let them consume me, I tasted her tears and let them destroy me, I gave in to her pleas and let them control me, and then she did the same with me.”
“His existence was almost as pathetic as mine.
No. It was worse.
Because he had a choice. I didn’t.”
And then the ending came and i was trying so hard to connect the dots between the two books and that’s where i’m losing my freakin’ mind!!! Because I liked very much Kyler, but i think i fell in love with Nate and now, my heart is pounding really loud from all the agony!!!
Some has to lose, but who’s gonna be??? Arrrrrr….. Jay, you’re killing me here!!!!
Time is running out… Tick tock… Tick tock….
“Who i am outside this room is the one who’s trapped, Bailey, but with you… you allow me to be me, you love me for me. I know you think I saved your life, but the truth is, you saved mine…
You’re the only freedom I’ve ever known, Bailey.”
“I wished more than anything in the world, that this wasn’t our life. That we were able to be out there, loving each other freely and honestly, because I’d give up the world if I could’ve met her as her and have her fall in love with me for me.”
***I want to thank the author for providing me a copy of this book!!!***
I can’t stop shaking my and head and trying to scramble for my own truths
Well, I didn’t see that coming! And yet a part of me did…
Redemptive is a history lesson of sorts. It focuses on the before…Before Madison. Before Ky. Before.
I’m still shaking my head at all the “coincidences ” and trying to wrap my brain around them. I’m still trying to digest that ending. But most of all, I’m trying to fight my feeings…because I can totally see that he falls for her. I can see her return of feelings. I also see what it looks like from Mark’s point of view. This clearly isn’t going to end well for all parties. I know who I want to come out the winner, but I also don’t want there to be a loser.
Jay McLean has me all twisted up. I am 100% feeling Destructive…
Reviewed for Sweet Spot Sisterhood
OK first. This book might be second in the series, but it’s a prequel. Because it tells the story of how Nate and Bailey met, which takes place 5 or 6 years before the first. I don’t really have a problem with this, in fact I liked it. But I was pretty surprised.
Second. To me this is not necessarily a romance book. I mean it has a romance in it (though I wasn’t really invested in it), but it’s mainly a big mystery. And I freaking loved it! I loved this book. In answered a few questions from book one and you get to truly understand Bailey and Nate. And even though I didn’t really care about the romance between them, it was so dang interesting learning their twisted history.
I loved seeing more of Kyler’s brother and how he influenced Bailey’s life. I loved seeing the different sides of Nate DeLuca, and Tiny is officially a favorite character. He’s just awesome.
This story is captivating. The dynamics, the justifications, the lies, the devastation, the heartbreaking revelations. They all leave you feeling rather breathless and wanting more. I think this story was a big risk and in my humble opinion it paid off big time. I actually think this is my favorite book of the series. I did miss reading about Kyler. But I understand the choice to explain Nate and Bailey’s past, because it honestly impacts every instance of their future. This one ends on another crazy cliffhanger and I’m so glad I got to pick up the next one immediately!
Intense, emotionally confusing and heart breaking but powerful.
This is book two in a series. And it is intense !
The first book left us questioning who is Madison or bailey and where the heck did she come from . Although I suspected she was involved with Nate somehow I was not expecting this .
It’s hard to describe without giving away details but after reading this I’m feeling team mate vibes . He’s not what he seems let’s say that . Their journey is heart breaking and soul crushing their love doomed from the start but powerful none the less .
Fate it seems plays a
Powerful role in this whole story however I’m prepared for a twist or two in the final book . Luckily for me reading this for the first time the final book is about to be released ! I’m really looking forward to discovering how this story comes together and who’s love is stronger .
Ps at the end of this book we are still yet to find out who Sara is or how or why Madison/bailey moves into the unit across from Ky
Book two was mostly from bailey and nates perspectives.
Definitely read book one first as although it’s still a puzzle it’s a journey of discovery and addictively good !
This is the second book in this trilogy and the first book Combative really does need to be read first and what better time to start than now, when the 3rd book Destructive is due release in a week.
I thought this book would pick up where we left Ky, Madison and Nate, and i also presumed i knew where we were going to go with their newly found love!!!
But its Jay McLean, and our emotions will get no respite, because nothing is what it seems and we just get our hearts and souls hauled into another complicated facet of this journey. I really can’t give anything away but OMG , HOLY FIRETRUCKS! HOLD ON FREAKING TIGHT!! My head was spinning like something from the exorcist !! I kid you not, talk about being hooked? When i thought my heart couldn’t shatter into any tinier pieces, when i both loved and hated Madison/Bailie, Ty and Nate, yet i could also understand their actions and reasoning !! I can say that you will struggle to read through sobbing and ranting!! You will be so engrossed in this story you won’t even register real life going on in the back ground, you will live and breathe this story and these characters!!! The twists and turns will have you asking more questions, and answers come but not how we expect !! So much love yet so much pain !!! Truly fecking brilliant !!
Once again, I fell so hard for Jay McLean’s words. Every single time I finish one of her books, I sit in awe of her ability to not only tell a brilliant story, but capture every emotion under the sun. The love, the pain, the little pieces that all fit together so seamlessly. I couldn’t stop reading… got nothing done, and it was pure perfection. This is why she is and will always be one of my most favorite authors. Eleventy-billion stars!!!