Book Freak: Redemption by Rebecca Brooke - Blog Tour, Book Review, Giveaway

12 February 2014

Redemption by Rebecca Brooke - Blog Tour, Book Review, Giveaway

I am not what I have done. I am what I have overcome. And once I have faced my problems, only then will I find redemption.

Josh Walker and Lauren Pierce are opposites in every way. While Lauren is a committed student and girlfriend, Josh is a player with a very twisted moral compass…

Or is he?

Growing up with an addict for a father, Josh experienced disappointment from an early age. He puts on a front, shielding himself from everyone. Until he meets Lauren.

Lauren has it all. An accomplished softball player she maintains good grades, has great friends, and is in love with her dedicated boyfriend. Her life is pretty much perfect…until it’s not.

When two bruised souls collide can they help each other overcome their problems? Or are some souls just destined to be lost?

Purchase Link: AMAZON

my review -

This review is so long overdue!

Opposite attracts. Lauren and Josh had proved it once again. While Josh is the ultimate player who sleeps around different girls daily, Lauren is a saint – she’s a diligent student, a great athlete and a loyal girlfriend.

But the moment she was cheated on by her douche of an ex-boyfriend, she decided to live a little.

They go to the same school, with the same set of friends, but never really saw each other until that party – and the attraction was just intense at first sight. Josh wanted to know her, but he had been forewarned. So did Lauren, she received a whole lot of warning from her concerned girlfriend. Did both of them listen? Nuh-uh.

Josh had been through a lot at a young age. He tries to shield himself from pain, puts up a façade so realistic you can almost believe it’s the real him, until you get him to put down his barriers. Until he met Lauren – he couldn’t explain the connection he has with her. All he knew, that after that night she ruined him for other girls. I would have loved this guy if he doesn’t walks out a lot. I know girls like to throw that tantrum – but guys? Rarely. So imagine my surprise when he storms out during tough times, good thing his friends had more sense and urge him to stay.

As for Lauren – she had a perfect life, until all of a sudden, one block comes down right after the other. And before she knew it – her pitching arm was injured and she suddenly couldn’t do the thing that brought joy in her life, playing in the field. All of a sudden, she closed off – and did something that I didn’t really expect of her. For an intelligent girl, it was a very stupid move. Really stupid. Arghhhhh!!!!

What did Josh do – he walks out again. Only this time, I think he had a valid excuse. He had been through this sh*t in his whole life, and he couldn’t imagine going through it again. He had the reason to be mad, and to be angry. But what I didn’t like was for him to just give up like that on her – to lose faith in her. Lauren was lucky enough to be surrounded by friends who love her and never left her side despite all the circumstances. Now – she just have to win him back, if he’ll have her.

Redemption is a story of two broken people who run into each other in their bleakest days, and unexpectedly fell in love with each other. But their HEA wasn’t just a walk in the beach, they needed to fight all the demons, and their past that’s surrounding them before they ever make it. Nevertheless, the ending was worth all the heartache.

★ARC Copy was given in exchange for an honest review.★

Purchase Link: AMAZON

excerpt-

I’d calmed down by the time Lauren came back from the ladies room. She sat back down and immediately grabbed her drink from the bar, downing half of it before she turned to me. "So, how much crap has Em given you about paying attention to me?"

My head snapped in her direction. "What do you mean?"

She laughed. "I know that's why she's shooting dirty looks from the dance floor. She's afraid that I can't handle you."

"And what wouldn't you be able to handle?" I asked devilishly.

"Apparently you're known for your one-night stands."

I choked on the beer in my mouth. This girl was blunt. "Excuse me?"

"You heard me," she said, turning to look me in the eye. It was as if the fragile girl who’d caught her boyfriend cheating was gone, and in her place was a woman willing to put it all out there.

We sat there staring at each other while I tried to wrap my head around what she was saying. Earlier she seemed shy, but now I wasn't so sure. Her behavior was extremely erratic. Maybe she had more to drink than I thought? Or maybe she’d decided that she didn't want to be taken advantage of anymore and was going to get the upper hand. But even more important than that, I didn't understand why it mattered so much to me what she thought.

"You didn't expect me to be so honest, did you?"

I shook my head. "Not really, at least not without a few more drinks in your system." I moved my gaze to hers. "So, since we're being honest, I think you're hot as hell and would love to dance with you right now."

"Horizontally or vertically?" she asked, but then her cheeks blushed scarlet. "Oh my God, I can't believe I just said that."

Hearing her say that, plus the gorgeous color in her cheeks, had my dick hard in seconds. What was this girl doing to me? I'd never had this kind of reaction to a girl before. I shook my head. Get it together!

"How about we start with vertically and maybe move to horizontally later at my place?"

She leaned over and put her lips on my ear. "I'm still not so sure about that but we'll just have to see where the night takes us," she whispered.

The feel of her breath on my skin sent the blood rushing straight from my head. This girl was definitely messing with me, but it didn't make me want her any less.

I put my hand out to help her down from the barstool and felt the heat between us as she touched my fingers. Pulling her behind me, I led her to the middle of the dance floor. She came easily into my arms and we began to move together just like we’d done at the party earlier. This time, however, she turned around and danced with her back to me. The feel of her ass moving against me had need coursing through my veins. Slowly, I moved her hair over her shoulder and lowered my lips to the back of her neck. Hearing her moan softly, I kissed my way up her neck to the spot just behind her ear.

"Josh," she sighed and brought her hand up to wrap around the back of my neck.

"Your skin tastes as good as you smell," I whispered in her ear. I could see the rise and fall of her chest and knew her breathing had sped up. Nothing was going to keep me from having her.

the author -

Rebecca Brooke grew up in the shore towns of South Jersey. She loves to hit the beach, but always with her kindle on hand. She is married to the most wonderful man, who puts up with all of her craziness. Together they have two beautiful children who keep her on her toes. When she isn’t writing or reading (which is very rarely) she loves to bake and watch episodes of Shameless and True Blood.