Blade Truax did some street racing when he was younger. Illegal, sure. But that’s not what sent him to prison. It was the lying, conniving Watkins girl and her father, Judge Watkins.He did his time, and he’s out. But he has to register. Despite the fact that he was innocent to begin with.He’ll never drive down that road again.His fines are paid, his time is served. All he wants now is to build … again.
His fines are paid, his time is served. All he wants now is to build his business legitimately. No more stripping exhausts and smoking the turbos.
But in order to get soccer moms and little old ladies to bring their cars to his shop, he needs to look legit.
Liberty Watkins suspects her sister lied. But she could never prove it. And Blade looked guilty.
Still, Liberty couldn’t stop believing in him.
So, when she gets the opportunity to supplement her church secretary job by becoming his parts person and bookkeeper, she’s tempted.
When he suggests a dating relationship just for the summer, she’s not as sure.
She’s not interested in being his temp.
Can she convince the bad boy to make her his forever girl?
The Small Town Boy’s Redemption is the first book in the Small Town Boys series by award-winning author and Kindle All-Star, Jessie Gussman. Grab your copy today!
Reviews for The Small Town Boy’s Redemption:
★★★★★ “Yep, this book was amazing —from the first chapter to the epilogue. Libby and Blade’s story had me in a melted puddle.” – Forevermooremom
★★★★★ “I stalk this author for her releases so I guess it’s the good and approved kind of stalking. I always love her characters and the story and I get a welcome relief from all of the bedroom details other authors feel they need to make their stories work.” – Teri
★★★★★ “With an engaging plot and complex characters, it was a sweet, at times heartbreaking story about life, redemption, hope, new beginnings and the possibility of finding true love.” – Yvonne
★★★★★ ”What a great story. I enjoyed the characters and how trials, bitterness, forgiveness and love are worked out in a really believable story line.” – Kindle Customer
★★★★★ “The story is sometimes light & funny, then thought provoking…no matter where you are, it pulls you deeper & won’t let you walk away.” – Norma
Books in The Small Town Boys series:
- The Small Town Boy’s Redemption
- The Small Town Boy’s Secret Romance
- The Small Town Boy’s Second Chance
more
Good male characters and good dialogue.
I received an ARC of this book from the author, Jessie Gussman, via Bookfunnel and this is my voluntary and honest review. This is a wonderful romance between Blade and Liberty (Libby). Blade was accused of sexually assaulting a sixteen year old girl even though there was no evidence to prove him guilty. The girl’s father was a judge and he influenced the judge over the trial to sentence Blade to three years in prison and he had to register as a sex offender. The girl was Liberty’s sister and she always thought that Blade was innocent and that her sister lied. Was she able to prove his innocence? You will have to read the book to find out. I highly recommend this book as a clean romance with wonderful characters.
I’ve read several series by this author, including this one. She delivers page turning stories with sweet romance and likable, honorable characters while keeping it clean.
The Small Town Boy’s Redemption is a story that is heard a lot in sex abuse cases that the man is innocent. But, that is the truth in Blade’s case. He was accused by the Judge’s daughter, Mariam of molesting her. No proof except her word put him in prison for 3 years, 2 years of parole and on the sex registry for the rest of his life. And since he has got out and living in the same small town as he was convicted, the garage his brothers all own business is just not enough anymore. They are trying to get a contract with a big company to service all their vehicles and the older woman that has ran the service desk since the garage opened quit to move to Florida. They needed a new person to run the service desk and after the Judge’s older daughter, Liberty was by there delivering flowers yesterday, they decided that she would give them a better reputation. Liberty was part time church secretary and had a good reputation herself and suffered from a bad limp. Blade was furious when she came by the garage as he hated that entire family. He had seen Liberty walking of the morning as he passed her on the way to work and had been in high school with her. He thought she was beautiful and made a point to accidentally run into her and they started walking together. She never believed he did anything to her sister but, her father would not listen and with his influence Blade had no chance. Blade was told to go and ask Liberty since he treated her so mean the day before to come work in a temporary situation till they get an answer on the contract decision. She agreed to come work for the garage. The morning when the representative from the big company came he started asking Blade about the conviction and the sex registry and Liberty came over and told the representative that went to church with her that she and Blade was dating and that they were taking it slow. She said that Blade was not convicted on any evidence, just the word of her sister. That made their interview go a lot better. But, can they fake date with the feelings that they have felt for years? What would happen if they allow their feelings to be real? Is Liberty just fooling herself about the conviction of can Blade ever find any proof that Mariam lied? And can jealously in the strongest form have been the reason for Mariam accusing him?
The Bad Boy’s Forever Girl by Jessie Gussman (5 stars)
I loved Blade and Libby! I love how their romance develops; how her belief in/defense of him makes him want to be a better man and how his undeniable attraction to her gives her the boost she needs to feel like she actually might be attractive to a man in spite of her disability.
Religion played a stronger role in this and I loved that it did. Everyone is defined by a belief system, regardless of what that may be. These two started with the same belief system and, although he lost his way and buried those feeling of faith deep-down, he had the same beliefs as she did and when she spoke certain truths to him, they resonated in his soul.
I can’t wait to read the next one! Well done, Ms Gussman!
*poor, **ok, ***good, ****very good, *****something special
I received an ARC of those book from the author and I’m voluntary leaving my honest review
Here are the things made me want to read this story:
Before i read the description of the book i knew i wanted to read the story because i seen “Bad boy” and have a weak spot for bad boys
I fell in love with The Bad Boy’s Forever Girl!!! The story line was perfect. The story Blade and Libby gives you all the feels you want from a romance and Mrs. Jessie writes the story where you feel for Blade and Libby has individuals also. the story is sweet (not toothache sweet though) with warm heat, this is a clean story. I never felt the urge to knock Blade and or Libby upside the head because they were acting stupid.
Im off to read Thad’s story now.
Another 5 star start to a new series from Jessi Gusman! Blade can’t seem to stay away from Libby even though he really should. There’s no reason why Blade should fall for Libby and he really should just stay away from her. But circumstances force them together and it’s a good thing! I love that one of the challenges they have to overcome as a couple is the prejudice of others and how real love really is worth standing up for and fighting for.
The Bad Boy’s Forever Girl is a wonderful book! I loved it. The book is interesting and fun. The characters are wonderful. Blade and Libby have wonderful yet complex dynamics together. I love their playful banter. This is a great sweet romance. This is a great new series. I really enjoyed the book and look forward to the next book.
A sweet story, definitely. I love the rough, yet vulnerable side shown by both the major and minor characters. It was a fun Friday- afternoon read and went fast. The banter was fun, the kisses sweet and realistic with just the right touch of steam, and the through line was validating. I like how it caused me to analyze aspects of my relationship and authenticity. I gave it 4 instead of 5 stars because the clonclusion was a bit too hasty; it was over before I knew it and I was left with a feeling of wanting more. Otherwise, I was delighted and I look forward to reading more!
Jessie Gussman’s stories bring to life people that could be living in your neighborhood. The bad boy, Blade, was trying to get his life back on track after being accused and sent to prison. He did his time and paid his fines. Libby was born with a deformed hip and walked with a limp. She is the sister of Blade’s accuser. She has never believed that Blade was guilty. Dating was difficult due to the past. Can these two find a way to make it all work? This is a book you just cannot put down! Great storyline and fantastic characters!
I received an advance copy of this book from the author and I voluntarily wrote an honest review.
Liberty and Blade’s story is a fascinating one. Watching them overcome the past and seeing the trust and love grow between them makes a wonderful read. Liberty has always believed Blade innocent and isn’t afraid to speak out.
I received a free copy of this book and this is my voluntary, honest review.
Trial by fire.
“Yup. If her face could get any more red, it would probably catch on fire. In fact, as hot as it was, if he had marshmallows, he could probably roast them.”
“And suddenly it wasn’t about revenge or posturing or making any kind of point, and it became all about the woman beside him and against him, her softness under his hands, her taste on his tongue, her scent surrounding him and his world shrinking to just the two of them and his crazy heart blazing hard and hot in his chest and every nerve ending attuned to her slightest movement.”
Don’t you love it? Grab a book – it’s awesome!
I stalk this author for her releases so I guess it’s the good and approved kind of stalking. I always love her characters and the story and I get a welcome relief from all of the bedroom details other authors feel they need to make their stories work. This author doesn’t need them. Her characters are flawed. They can be your neighbor or you sibling because they are just people. He went to prison because of her sisters lies. She is the soft and easy sister, the good girl, the cripple and one of the few who doesn’t believe her sisters lies. When circumstances have them working together in more ways than one it just might be their chance to be seen for who they are not how they are perceived. The good girl may just get under the skin of the bad boy and become his forever.
It’s a beautiful story of forgiveness and of course in this authors way a love story that will melt your heart. You will find yourself invested in their outcome and his innocence. You will feel her pain of exclusion. You will feel his pain and anger at the betrayal and lies. Most of all you will feel their release when they receive their healing.
The Bad Boy’s Forever Girl was such a sweet read!! Yes, it features a bad boy, but it’s all very Clean/Sweet and gives Blade a (second) chance at love with Libby, but also at life. There are faith elements sprinkled throughout the book (there are more towards the end of the story) but I still loved all the references, and the message that the trials we go through may be part of God’s plan to help us grow, if we so choose to do. I can’t wait to read the rest of this series, as each Truax brother finds his own HEA. ~ 4.5 stars
LOVED IT!
Blade was wrongly accused and had spent his time in prison. Understandably he had a lot of bitterness and resentment.
A woman named Libby came into his and his brothers’ business inquiring about their job opening. Oh, did I mention that Libby is the sister of the girl who lied about Blade resulting in his imprisonment?
This book is filled with negative feelings (understandably), humor, gentleness, and forgiveness.
I HIGHLY recommend this book!
I have read several of Jessie Gussman’s books and have enjoyed them all. This one did not disappoint! Once I started reading, it was hard to put down! I loved the characters in this story and the story line. I loved how the characters were not afraid to voice their feelings. So many books have misunderstandings between the characters because they assume things and don’t talk them out. The openness of the characters in this book was refreshing. There is no bad language or steamy scenes in this book. This can be read as a stand alone, but the ending does introduce the premise for the next book. Definitely a recommended read!
*I received this book in exchange for an honest review
Wow, this book kept me interested from the start. It covers topics such as physical handicap, wrongful conviction, sex offender registers. The feelings of people dealing with these issues and how God can make you better for the trials you ensure. All that in a sweet, clean, HEA romance, it just doesn’t get any better than that for me.
I received a free copy of this book, and this review reflects my honest and unbiased opinion.
Libby was born with a condition causing one leg to be twisted, affecting her hip and spine. Though beautiful, life has rarely treated her fairly. Blade was wrongfully found guilty of a crime that he didn’t commit. Libby’s family was responsible for his conviction.
Thrown together by circumstance they have lessons to learn, a reputation to redeem, and a business to save. Can they overlook the deep hurt and prejudice to accomplish these monumental problems?
A truly magnificent story of faith, love, and mercy.
I received an ARC copy of this book and I am leaving a voluntary review.
The Bad Boy’s Forever Girl is aptly named. Jessie Gussman’s story of a young connection that is strong enough to withstand heinous false accusations and convictions and bitter disappointments was inspiring to me. The romance between these two was strong but not stronger than the support and friendship these characters offered one another – physically, spiritually, and emotionally. I read an ARC, and this is my honest review.
This book was so good. I loved the story, the characters and was captivated from the beginning. I didn’t want Blade and Libby’s story to end but I’m anxiously awaiting the next book in the series.