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Fitzgerald Bay #5

The Black Sheep's Redemption

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Everyone in Fitzgerald Bay—except his law-enforcement family—is convinced Charles Fitzgerald murdered his children's nanny. Condemned by public opinion, his only hope for a replacement nanny to take care of his two-year-old twins is newcomer Demi Taylor. But Demi has problems of her own…starting with amnesia. She doesn't remember who she is, doesn't know where she's from—and has no idea why she always feels like someone is watching her. Is she in danger because of Charles? Or has someone sinister from her old life found her yet again?

288 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published May 1, 2012

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About the author

Lynette Eason

219 books4,209 followers
Lynette Eason is the NEW YORK TIMES best-selling, award-winning author of over seventy books with more than 3,000,000 copies sold.


She has won a plethora of awards including the Carol Award, the Selah, the Golden Scroll and been nominated for others like the prestigious Christy Award. Her novel, Her Stolen Past was made into a movie for the Lifetime Movie Network. Lynette teaches and speaks at writing conferences all over the country. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), Mystery Writers of America (MWA), International Thriller Writers (ITW), Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA) and Faith, Hope, and Love. She lives in upstate SC with her husband, Jack. They have two grown children and a terribly spoiled American Eskimo pup.

Lynette can be found online at www.lynetteeason.com and www.facebook.com/lynette.eason and @lynetteeason on Twitter.

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5 stars
308 (46%)
4 stars
211 (32%)
3 stars
111 (16%)
2 stars
23 (3%)
1 star
3 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
Profile Image for Kate.
2,058 reviews85 followers
August 9, 2017
As is true of all Lynette Eason books I've read, this one had plenty of action and suspense. I wondered who was attacking Demi and Charles, and if they were trying to get her . . . or him? The answer was revealed in a gripping and page-turning way. The one thing I didn't like as much was the 'insta-love', as I've heard it called. In my opinion, the best love stories take the time to grow and are not 'at-first-sight' as it were.
As far as the ongoing investigation into the murder of Olivia Henry, I had my suspicions about 'whodunnit' from the very beginning, but this book made it necessary to revisit my theory. I'm looking forward to seeing if my new theory bears out.
Profile Image for Hannah.
3,077 reviews1,466 followers
September 26, 2020
I’m continuing to really enjoy this series about a law enforcement family on an Atlantic island town. This is the “rebel” of the family, the man who decided to be a doctor instead of a policeman. The previous four books have detailed the process of the naysayers about town having decided he’s guilty of the unsolved murder of his nanny from book one. A few more clues are coming out about his possible involvement, but his toddler twins need a nanny now, and the only woman brave enough to do that is one with amnesia. What clues does her lost memory hold that ties her to the town?

Just one more book left in the series!
Profile Image for Franzuas.
54 reviews1 follower
October 28, 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Five golden stars!

Some stories are so captivating that you simply don’t want to step away from them, and The Black Sheep’s Redemption was one of those rare gems for me.

I started the audiobook and, before I knew it, I had finished the entire thing in ONE day! That alone should tell you just how much this story had my heart.

Following Charles and Demi’s journey was an absolute joy. Their story had me smiling, worrying, hoping, and feeling every emotion in between. I became so invested in these characters that their happiness genuinely mattered to me.

What made this book especially beautiful was the faith woven throughout the story. The themes of love, redemption, hope, and second chances gave it so much heart. Nothing felt like it was there simply to fill the pages. Every part of the journey made me want to keep listening.

The characters, the emotions, the romance, the faith, the storytelling… I loved it ALL.

This wasn’t just an audiobook I enjoyed. It was a story I completely lost myself in, one that reminded me why I love reading so much.

Five golden stars, without a moment’s hesitation. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
4,268 reviews1,773 followers
October 9, 2026
Woohoo — this was a blast from my reading past. An early Lynette Eason novel, among the first that I read by her — and they just released an audio edition so, of course, I couldn’t resist. Especially not after listening to the sample! What a way to leave a reader hanging! Here’s my review from back in the day:

Prepare yourself for a nail-biting read. The action is fast, the suspense thick and the romance exciting — all the markers of a runaway best-seller. Eason barely gives her readers a chance to catch their breath before she hits them with another tense scene and then another and another. It is so full of cliffhangers it’s a wonder I have any nails left at all! And yet, in classic Eason style, she has successfully woven an credible love story into the suspense threads, which makes this a dream of a read for a romantic suspense lover like me!
Profile Image for Patrizia.
2,096 reviews43 followers
June 28, 2017
La storia mi è piaciuta e stavolta la suspence è durata a lungo perché il colpevole non è comparso in scena che ben oltre la metà del libro. Gli unici commenti negativi che devo fare riguardano alcune inesatezze (Demi è comparsa prima del climax finale del libro precedente e non dopo la fine della storia ivi narrata, come viene detto qui) e lacune (mancano dei personaggi), oltre alla completa insensatezza del titolo (Charles non è una pecora nera, non ha fatto nulla di male per cui deve redimersi).
Profile Image for Nancy Luebke.
1,466 reviews63 followers
June 8, 2023
I really enjoyed this clean, love-inspired, suspenseful romance. I bought this at a local Goodwill store and I voluntarily chose to review it. I've given it a 5* rating. It has a bit of action and violence. It includes twin toddlers and a little bit of baby humor to lighten it up. All around a very nice read.
Profile Image for Janell.
656 reviews
June 25, 2012
Average mystery although it reinforces my resolve to never live in Fitzgerald Bay! :-)

As #5 of this six book series, the underlying mystery is beginning to wrap up. (Ridiculous title!)
Profile Image for Sarah.
356 reviews
August 30, 2012
I enjoyed the story, and thought both levels of tension and twists & turns were good, but after reading it I still have no clue what the title means or how it relates to the story.
Profile Image for Wenona.
188 reviews7 followers
October 8, 2026
The Black Sheep's Redemption by Lynette Eason is book #5 in the Fitzgerald Bay series. Not sure if this is a series in which they need to be read in order as I read book #5 not realizing it was not a stand-a-lone. In fact this was a rerelease book that was originally done in 2012 and then updated a little and changed the cover art to be then released again in 2026.

I am not a big fan of when works are "updated" and then released again, when most readers don't always pay attention to the fact that this is actually an older piece of work. With all that said, this was an AWESOME reads!

Imagine waking up battered and in the hospital and not knowing who you are, where your from and how this happened, All you remember is that you are scared and that you only know your first name, or at least you think you know your first name. This is what happens to "Demi Taylor". When know one knows who she is and no one comes forward, she has to try and make a start. With that, she becomes a nanny for Charles Fitzgerald, who's previous nanny was murdered and the town believes he is the one responsible.

Mysterious notes found in coffee, attacks, gun fire and more, who is the intended target? Is Charles really a killer and has a thing for taking out the nannies are is something darker lurking in the shadows.
2,554 reviews16 followers
January 17, 2025
The Black Sheep

Demi and Charles have a wonderful story amidst the danger and suspense surrounding them. Demi has moved to Fitzgerald Bay to start over. She doesn’t know anything about her past life. All she is aware of is that she awoke in a hospital severely beaten with no memories. The nurses inquired of the public if anyone might know about her with no response. She has now agreed to be a nanny for Dr. Charles Fitzgerald’s children. Charles is the prime suspect in the murder of his previous nanny. Be sure to read their thrilling story.
Profile Image for Patty.
758 reviews2 followers
November 21, 2024
Enjoyable, tense read about Demi, who has amnesia, Charles & his 2-year-old twins for whom Demi is a nanny, and the whole Fitzpatrick clan of police officers.

Charles has been accused of killing his former nanny, altho there’s no evidence, and someone is harassing and perhaps trying kill him or Demi or both.
Profile Image for Rebecca Trump.
Author 1 book83 followers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
September 22, 2026
I just finished the audiobook of The Black Sheep’s Redemption by Lynette Eason. It was heart-pounding suspense and family love and loyalty at its best. I finished it so fast because I had to know the ending!! But no spoilers ;)

I received a complimentary copy of the audiobook from the publisher. The opinions expressed are completely my own.
Profile Image for Judine Brey.
787 reviews2 followers
June 29, 2017
While Demi's amnesia was a unique twist, this series feels a bit repetitive: person is stalked by semi-crazy person who thinks the stalkee is their life's mate. However, in this rendition, Charles' paranoia makes this plotline a bit more believable than the previous "bad seed" stories.
Profile Image for D.
1,332 reviews16 followers
October 23, 2017
This series has a great many wonderful couples. In this story, Dr. Charles Fitzgerald and Demi Taylor deal with a great deal of drama. With the town of Fitzgerald Bay suspecting Charles of the murder and Demi more suffering amnesia, the two are dealing with a great deal while falling in love.
128 reviews
June 12, 2021
Very suspenseful

Buckle up for a rollercoaster ride of suspense, struggles, faith, trust, love and vindication. This story has strong characters and a strong storyline. It is full of surprises.
Profile Image for Susan.
2,683 reviews15 followers
February 18, 2024
Christian suspense, romance

This book is slow moving for me and the ending is abrupt without fully tying all the loose ends. However the characters are enjoyable and the Christian flavor is nice. Still only 3 stars for me.
Profile Image for Pascale’s*ARC,Unwind,Read,Review.
2,524 reviews5 followers
October 31, 2024
I purchased this because it was on sale. I had no idea it was part of a series and I didn’t read any f the others. It was easy to read as a stand-alone. It was predictable. It was a good read but nothing all that special. Well written but it didn’t stand out to me.
Profile Image for Clara K Page.
866 reviews9 followers
November 13, 2024
Really good bookc

Loved this book! The characters were great, I can't imagine not having any memory of who you are or your life! The story had so many twists and turns and kept me on the edge of my seat.
Profile Image for Jasmine.
1,328 reviews44 followers
July 2, 2017
Excitement, danger, and romance abound! Great way to spend a slow, quiet afternoon/evening.
4,416 reviews29 followers
March 2, 2019
The Black Sheep's Redemption review

The Black Sheep's Redemption is the fifth romantic suspense book in the Fitzgerald Bay series written by author Lynette Eason.
241 reviews
May 30, 2019
This book I didnt put down till I finished it at 1:25 in the morning. What an exciting book. Starting the next one.
Profile Image for Chrissy.
815 reviews1 follower
January 2, 2020
It was good! We learned more things. It was a bit predictable on how the drama would play out, but still good. I'm excited to read the last book :)
2,940 reviews38 followers
June 7, 2023
This book was ok but didn’t draw you in like her other books.
Profile Image for Hunter Q Lee.
513 reviews3 followers
April 24, 2024
Unputdownable

This book was unputdownable. So many unsolved mysteries and there is the fact that Charles was unsure what to do about Demi.
Profile Image for Cynthia.
89 reviews
November 11, 2024
Edge-of-seat Thriller

Entertaining and fast-paced read. Lynette Eason is a favorite author of mine. Her stories always grab the attention and are hard to put down.
461 reviews3 followers
December 7, 2024
Exciting good read but a bit far fetched with 2 dramatic, life threatening mysteries going on at the same time!
238 reviews1 follower
January 12, 2025
Great book.

This is a great series. Lynette is a great author and one of my favourites. Looking forward to the next book.
Profile Image for Glenn.
1,918 reviews8 followers
April 14, 2026
The story was interesting and held your attention, however it did not finish. There were still unsolved murders at the end of the book…
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews