Tour Review: The Redemption by S.L. Scott

REVIEW:

This is the first book I read by this author and I highly enjoyed it. I’m a sucker for the bad boy romances and add a little “forbidden” to the mix and I’m a goner! This book is packed with angst and took my emotions on a roller coaster ride filled with lots of highs and lows.

This is book two in a series about a rock band called, The Resistance. While each book is a standalone, I first felt I was missing something reading book 2 first. In The Redemption, we meet the characters at a funeral for one of the band members. Evidently he was dating/was married to Rochelle, who handled behind the scenes activities/tours for the band. I felt out of the loop because I didn’t know how Cory died. Was it an accident? Was it a sickness? While I read the book, I thought Cory and Rochelle were married, but there was a reference at some point that they weren’t. Needless to say, these details interrupted the flow of the story for me, and overall, I really enjoyed this book.

Rochelle is picking up the pieces of her life after the death of Cory, who was the love of her life. Alone with two little boys, she is trying to move on and keep busy. Dex is the bad boy drummer of the band, who has dealt with addiction all his life, and has been secretly in love with Rochelle since they first met.

This book takes place throughout years. Years to come to terms with grief, mourning a friend and loved one, years of trying to do the right thing and overcoming addiction. I liked how S.L. Scott portrayed Dex throughout this book-she didn’t sugarcoat how to over addictions, which only made Dex a stronger character in my eyes. My heart hurt for him, and for Rochelle, because together they both wanted to do the right thing…it just took them awhile to get their crap sorted out and in its place.

This book made me hate and love both the characters—my emotions and feelings towards Rochelle and Dex flip-flopped back and forth depending on the chapter. I wanted to hit Dex and yell at him, then I wanted to hug him and swoon over the little things he said or did for Rochelle. Rochelle also made some mistakes and had difficulty with making decisions, and there were a few times I wanted to shake her and ask her why she is tormenting herself and Dex?!

I liked this book. I liked the feelings it made me feel and I enjoyed experiencing Rochelle and Dex’s story. After such along journey to reach an understanding and acceptance of each other, I only wish there was more of an ending.

EXCERPT:

“Here’s the truth of the matter. If we do this… again, there’s no going back to square one tomorrow. Not for me. I won’t be able to act like I don’t care about you, like I haven’t thought about you every day since we were together last. So it’s easier to stop now than later.”

 With a discouraged sigh, I say, “You’re stronger than me, Dex.”

 “No, I just know my greatest weakness is the woman beneath me right now.” He rolls over sighing in a way that shows frustration has set in. Turning his head to me, he says, “I want to fuck you so bad, but I also want to do all that making love stuff too. And if we do that, I can’t pretend it didn’t happen.” He sits up and walks to the other side of the room, leaning his back against the wall. I prop myself up on my elbows, caught by the heaviness of the emotions I’m suddenly feeling for him.

 “Go to sleep tonight. Fly home tomorrow.” He walks into the shadow of the entryway. “I’ll see you in a few weeks.”

I hear the door open as I fall back on the bed, my own sexual frustration setting in. But just when I hear the door close, the weight of his body lands on top of me and he kisses me hard. Surprised, my eyes fly open, but then I go for it just like him and kiss him back with just as much passion. He pushes off of me again and stands between my legs.

“I make very few promises in life, but this one I can make to you. Rochelle Floros, I’m coming for you. It’s our time, so get ready for me.” He turns abruptly and leaves me sitting there stunned… and tingly.