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Tristan's Redemption
David has everything going for him—a successful career and marriage to the love of his life—until one act of carelessness leads his death. Luckily for him, an angel gives him the opportunity for a second chance. The only catch is that Abby, his grieving widow, has to fall in love with him in his new body, before she gives birth to their son.
Abby's husband cheated on her, and died, all on the day she found out she was pregnant. Still in pain over her betrayal, Abby meets Tristan in a survivor's group and finds herself inexplicably attracted to this stranger. Despite questions over the similarities between Tristan and David, she can’t help falling in love. What Abby doesn't know is that she is the key, the only way Tristan will ever get over his own hurt and find his redemption.
Abby's husband cheated on her, and died, all on the day she found out she was pregnant. Still in pain over her betrayal, Abby meets Tristan in a survivor's group and finds herself inexplicably attracted to this stranger. Despite questions over the similarities between Tristan and David, she can’t help falling in love. What Abby doesn't know is that she is the key, the only way Tristan will ever get over his own hurt and find his redemption.
224 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 30, 2013
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161 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
January 4, 2026
Reread- I randomly thought... What was the book where the dude cheated on his wife, got killed and came back in another body? It took me a minute, but I tracked it down, and it's mildly holiday themed (partial background), so I figured it was a good time to reread. I do wish they would've fleshed out the cheating a bit more... like was it only that one time. I think so, but it's never verified because David doesn't specify. (unless I missed it)
***Original Review***
The blurb sets this one up… David and Abby are madly in love, but infertility issues have put a strain on the marriage. The book opens with Abby walking in on David having sex with his secretary. She’s there to announce their miracle pregnancy, and he’s horrified to be caught. Abby flees; David pursues and is killed by a drunk driver on the way home. Six months later, an angel offers him a second chance in another man’s (Tristan) body…. That’s the gist.
Tristan’s Redemption has a mixed bag of tropes. It’s like the author struggled a bit where she wanted it to go, so it’s a bit all over the place while never really committing to any lane. For instance, we get cheating with the opening scene, but it’s not super angsty because it’s not really explored. He dies right away, so there aren’t any conversations. He feels guilt, but it’s never really explained. Sure, he was upset and felt like a failure, but nothing is provided to support why he went from dedicated super-hubs to a cheating bastard for 20 minutes then back to dedicated super-hubs. There’s a bit of PNR and religion themes with the body swap/ angel/God/Christ references, but again she doesn’t really commit to either. There’re some family conflicts, but they sort of dissolve without generating any significant drama.
Bottom Line- Unique take on a cheating/second-chance romance, but it failed to delivery any deep feels. I found it an OK, vanilla read that ended with a win for both mc’s. David had a chance to redeem himself, and Abby got an upgrade with the taller, richer, more endowed Tristan. Epilogue ten years later.
***Original Review***
The blurb sets this one up… David and Abby are madly in love, but infertility issues have put a strain on the marriage. The book opens with Abby walking in on David having sex with his secretary. She’s there to announce their miracle pregnancy, and he’s horrified to be caught. Abby flees; David pursues and is killed by a drunk driver on the way home. Six months later, an angel offers him a second chance in another man’s (Tristan) body…. That’s the gist.
Tristan’s Redemption has a mixed bag of tropes. It’s like the author struggled a bit where she wanted it to go, so it’s a bit all over the place while never really committing to any lane. For instance, we get cheating with the opening scene, but it’s not super angsty because it’s not really explored. He dies right away, so there aren’t any conversations. He feels guilt, but it’s never really explained. Sure, he was upset and felt like a failure, but nothing is provided to support why he went from dedicated super-hubs to a cheating bastard for 20 minutes then back to dedicated super-hubs. There’s a bit of PNR and religion themes with the body swap/ angel/God/Christ references, but again she doesn’t really commit to either. There’re some family conflicts, but they sort of dissolve without generating any significant drama.
Bottom Line- Unique take on a cheating/second-chance romance, but it failed to delivery any deep feels. I found it an OK, vanilla read that ended with a win for both mc’s. David had a chance to redeem himself, and Abby got an upgrade with the taller, richer, more endowed Tristan. Epilogue ten years later.
June 28, 2021
Summary of the story:
On the very first page, the wife walks on her husband banging his secretary on his desk. She wanted to surprise him by announcing she was pregnant after years of trying. He runs after her and dies, killed by a drunk driver. He's given another chance by being reincarnated into someone's else body but can't tell his wife who he really is. He attends the same support group for widows and widowers as her as he also lost his wife. Turns out his wife was the drunk driver. They fall in love again, she is disconcerted by all the similarities between Tristan (the new body) and David (her husband). They get (re)married and have a son.
My review:
I hated David with a passion and think he didn't deserve a chance at redemption. Well, the only reason he deserved one is to alleviate his wife's pain. Imagine this: the poor woman has been trying for years to have a baby. She's very much in love with her husband and has never loved anyone else like this (he was her first). She had to cope up with fertility treatments (for those who did it, they are SUCH a pain...) and countless disappointments. Plus, her in-laws hate her and never wasted a chance to let her know behind their son's back. When she finally gets pregnant, she's so happy she goes to his office to tell him the good news. She catches him f-ing his assistant. Once she gets home, her phone rings to tell her her husband is dead. Basically, this poor woman is in so much misery I don't know how she can still function. She is pregnant and is fighting depression and heartbreak. What did she do to deserve this?? If that wasn't enough, once she starts dating Tristan, she gets sh*t from her in-laws and from the secretary (she makes a mean comment when she sees her at a restaurant with Tristan, telling her the mourning period didn't last long). By the way, how is that secretary punished? Tristan throws some money and asks his former business associate to move her into another state, with a big check and the moving costs paid. Wow, what a TERRIBLE punishment.
How is Poor little David's cheating justified? He was having a sh*tty day. He was disappointed because he felt like he was failing in giving a baby to his beloved wife. So what does he do when he sees his secretary bent over his desk with her garters showing? Of course he bangs her! What a lovely thing to do.
An angel grants him a new body because "You died so you paid for your fault". Excuse me? Nope he didn't. When he wakes up in Heaven or in this in-between, 5 months have passed. Basically, he was in blissful oblivion from the moment he died to the moment he woke up while his wife was living in agony. Apparently, his love is SO strong that he's given a second chance. All he has to do is date and seduce his wife. Which is kind of easy because that poor woman is vulnerable and in pain, plus, he knows her and remembers how he initially seduced her. Did I also mention he inherited the body of a sexy Spaniard? Oh, and this Mediterranean God is also a billionaire? *eye roll*
In short, cheat on your wife and it'll be forgiven because you'll be reincarnated as a Sexy Billionaire. Your wife will forget about the cheating and you'll get your HEA with lots of babies.
On the very first page, the wife walks on her husband banging his secretary on his desk. She wanted to surprise him by announcing she was pregnant after years of trying. He runs after her and dies, killed by a drunk driver. He's given another chance by being reincarnated into someone's else body but can't tell his wife who he really is. He attends the same support group for widows and widowers as her as he also lost his wife. Turns out his wife was the drunk driver. They fall in love again, she is disconcerted by all the similarities between Tristan (the new body) and David (her husband). They get (re)married and have a son.
My review:
I hated David with a passion and think he didn't deserve a chance at redemption. Well, the only reason he deserved one is to alleviate his wife's pain. Imagine this: the poor woman has been trying for years to have a baby. She's very much in love with her husband and has never loved anyone else like this (he was her first). She had to cope up with fertility treatments (for those who did it, they are SUCH a pain...) and countless disappointments. Plus, her in-laws hate her and never wasted a chance to let her know behind their son's back. When she finally gets pregnant, she's so happy she goes to his office to tell him the good news. She catches him f-ing his assistant. Once she gets home, her phone rings to tell her her husband is dead. Basically, this poor woman is in so much misery I don't know how she can still function. She is pregnant and is fighting depression and heartbreak. What did she do to deserve this?? If that wasn't enough, once she starts dating Tristan, she gets sh*t from her in-laws and from the secretary (she makes a mean comment when she sees her at a restaurant with Tristan, telling her the mourning period didn't last long). By the way, how is that secretary punished? Tristan throws some money and asks his former business associate to move her into another state, with a big check and the moving costs paid. Wow, what a TERRIBLE punishment.
How is Poor little David's cheating justified? He was having a sh*tty day. He was disappointed because he felt like he was failing in giving a baby to his beloved wife. So what does he do when he sees his secretary bent over his desk with her garters showing? Of course he bangs her! What a lovely thing to do.
An angel grants him a new body because "You died so you paid for your fault". Excuse me? Nope he didn't. When he wakes up in Heaven or in this in-between, 5 months have passed. Basically, he was in blissful oblivion from the moment he died to the moment he woke up while his wife was living in agony. Apparently, his love is SO strong that he's given a second chance. All he has to do is date and seduce his wife. Which is kind of easy because that poor woman is vulnerable and in pain, plus, he knows her and remembers how he initially seduced her. Did I also mention he inherited the body of a sexy Spaniard? Oh, and this Mediterranean God is also a billionaire? *eye roll*
In short, cheat on your wife and it'll be forgiven because you'll be reincarnated as a Sexy Billionaire. Your wife will forget about the cheating and you'll get your HEA with lots of babies.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 14, 2014
David no merecía otra oportunidad, just saying e.e
June 23, 2021
Interesting PNR twist on the cheating husband trope.
3.5 stars rounding up.
3.5 stars rounding up.
March 21, 2016
Ok entiendo el punto o el mensaje que quiere dar el libro. La redención, las segundas oportunidades, apreciar las cosas, personas que tenemos alrededor y los momentos que tenemos con ellos pero mi gran problema es que a Tristan se le hizo todo muy fácil en mi opinión.
* SPOILER *
Engañó a Abby, la traicionó de la peor manera y ella se enteró de la peor manera pero a pesar que David (Tristan) lo hizo Abby lo recuerda de la mejor manera. Ok, lo ama a pesar de todo pero olvidar el engaño, la traición y en tan poco tiempo no se me hace muy creíble. Que se enamore de otra persona por muchas semejanzas que tenga con "su anterior amor" tampoco se me hace muy creíble y que todo suceda mientras está aún embarazada de "su gran amor" tampoco se me hizo muy creíble.
Quizá si se hubiera mostrado un poco reacia a la situación me hubiera gustado mas y que a Tristan se le haya hecho todo tan fácil tampoco me agradó.
El libro me aburrió varias veces, varias paginas, varios momentos, se me hacia demasiado monótono y lo quería terminar. Era como una linea recta que ni subía ni bajaba, no había emoción, no había conexión con los personajes, hasta los personajes secundarios ¿como quedó todo? quiero decir, los suegros de Abby no la querían, luego la amenazan por si no los dejaba ver al bebe pero ¿que pasó después?
Diría que el libro es pasable aunque en lo personal como dije es demasiado monótono para mi gusto al menos.
Http://ClaryWayland.blogspot.com
* SPOILER *
Engañó a Abby, la traicionó de la peor manera y ella se enteró de la peor manera pero a pesar que David (Tristan) lo hizo Abby lo recuerda de la mejor manera. Ok, lo ama a pesar de todo pero olvidar el engaño, la traición y en tan poco tiempo no se me hace muy creíble. Que se enamore de otra persona por muchas semejanzas que tenga con "su anterior amor" tampoco se me hace muy creíble y que todo suceda mientras está aún embarazada de "su gran amor" tampoco se me hizo muy creíble.
Quizá si se hubiera mostrado un poco reacia a la situación me hubiera gustado mas y que a Tristan se le haya hecho todo tan fácil tampoco me agradó.
El libro me aburrió varias veces, varias paginas, varios momentos, se me hacia demasiado monótono y lo quería terminar. Era como una linea recta que ni subía ni bajaba, no había emoción, no había conexión con los personajes, hasta los personajes secundarios ¿como quedó todo? quiero decir, los suegros de Abby no la querían, luego la amenazan por si no los dejaba ver al bebe pero ¿que pasó después?
Diría que el libro es pasable aunque en lo personal como dije es demasiado monótono para mi gusto al menos.
Http://ClaryWayland.blogspot.com
September 17, 2014
Desde que lei la sinopsis de este libro quise leerlo, la trama me parecio distinta a la de otros libros que he leido y he de decir que el libro no me decepciono, al contrario, me gusto muchisimo mas de lo que esperaba en un principio.
Muy recomendado, a pesar de que no deja de ser una historia sencilla y facil de leer, tiene ese " algo " que enamora.
3.5 Estrellas!!
June 28, 2021
Not too sweet. Not too angsty. A l’il bit of PNR. A l’il bit of religion, but not oppressive.
December 17, 2013
***4.5 out of 5 stars***
Pull out your tissues when reading this debut novel from Candace Blackburn. Tristan's Redemption is a beautifully written love story about the power of true love outlasting death.
Since it's in the blurb that David is caught cheating on his wife Abby on the day he dies, I'm giving nothing away by saying I was hesitant to believe he could prove himself to Abby in another man's body. However, as David became Tristan, I really did stop seeing him as David and more as Tristan with some of David's characteristics, which even Abby noticed. I loved the chemistry between Abby and Tristan and how honest each was about needing the other. I loved watching Abby fall in love with her husband all over again and seeing Tristan realize how much he really almost lost by betraying Abby while still David.
I was surprised by the reveal that David's family had never been on board with their marriage and loved how protective Tristan was of both Abby and their son. I especially loved how he even channeled the old Tristan to remove the woman who cheated with David from Abby's life. I was cheering the entire time. Was completely brought to tears at the birth of their son, especially once Abby revealed his name.
Candace Blackburn gave her readers a wonderful emotion filled story and I look forward to more books from her in the future.
Pull out your tissues when reading this debut novel from Candace Blackburn. Tristan's Redemption is a beautifully written love story about the power of true love outlasting death.
Since it's in the blurb that David is caught cheating on his wife Abby on the day he dies, I'm giving nothing away by saying I was hesitant to believe he could prove himself to Abby in another man's body. However, as David became Tristan, I really did stop seeing him as David and more as Tristan with some of David's characteristics, which even Abby noticed. I loved the chemistry between Abby and Tristan and how honest each was about needing the other. I loved watching Abby fall in love with her husband all over again and seeing Tristan realize how much he really almost lost by betraying Abby while still David.
I was surprised by the reveal that David's family had never been on board with their marriage and loved how protective Tristan was of both Abby and their son. I especially loved how he even channeled the old Tristan to remove the woman who cheated with David from Abby's life. I was cheering the entire time. Was completely brought to tears at the birth of their son, especially once Abby revealed his name.
Candace Blackburn gave her readers a wonderful emotion filled story and I look forward to more books from her in the future.
July 18, 2021
👎
Def a twist on this subject.
Read no further if you don’t want spoilers.
So couple has infertility problems. Husband cheats with secretary. Wife catches them. Husband gets hit with car comes back to life in another body to-win wife back.
Ok the part I hated. In his new body he goes back to his law firm and has secretary fired and moved across country. I mean I thought that was unfair. Yes he did die but please he got to come back. It takes two to cheat after all. .
Def a twist on this subject.
Read no further if you don’t want spoilers.
So couple has infertility problems. Husband cheats with secretary. Wife catches them. Husband gets hit with car comes back to life in another body to-win wife back.
Ok the part I hated. In his new body he goes back to his law firm and has secretary fired and moved across country. I mean I thought that was unfair. Yes he did die but please he got to come back. It takes two to cheat after all. .
July 29, 2017
3/5
¿Qué derecho de abuelos? Eso no existe; y lo digo con fundamento por ser cuasiabogada. La verdad no creo en las segundas oportunidades eso no existe; si lo hicieron una vez lo van a volver hacer otra vez; ademas quien fue infiel la primera vez lo va hacer la segunda vez asi de sencillo. Por tal razón digo que… Este libro fue muy fantasioso… El final la vedad no me gusto. Aunque el resto uno si lo puede leer porque no es tan malo
¿Qué derecho de abuelos? Eso no existe; y lo digo con fundamento por ser cuasiabogada. La verdad no creo en las segundas oportunidades eso no existe; si lo hicieron una vez lo van a volver hacer otra vez; ademas quien fue infiel la primera vez lo va hacer la segunda vez asi de sencillo. Por tal razón digo que… Este libro fue muy fantasioso… El final la vedad no me gusto. Aunque el resto uno si lo puede leer porque no es tan malo
October 1, 2015
Oookay, me voy a salvar de decir mucho con decir lo clave: Es fácil de leer y cortico.
Esto hace que se te revuelva la cabeza pensando ¿Qué haría yo? ¿Le daría una oportunidada ese imbecil?
En fin, es interesante.
Realmente no se lo recomendaría a lxs que no se lleven bien con el cheating (yo sigo deliberando acerca de cómo me sentí al respecto).
Esto hace que se te revuelva la cabeza pensando ¿Qué haría yo? ¿Le daría una oportunidad
En fin, es interesante.
Realmente no se lo recomendaría a lxs que no se lleven bien con el cheating (yo sigo deliberando acerca de cómo me sentí al respecto).
June 3, 2017
Relectura: 21-07-2015
Una historia acerca de las segundas oportunidades y el verdadero amor.
El libro me hizo llorar reir. Simplemente precioso.
Altamente recomendado
April 18, 2021
4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Liked it!
March 14, 2022
Touching but unrealistic
Unfortunately as far as I know this doesn't actually happen. But for them David coming back was a blessing.
Not quite sure why the secretary was let go or why Julian felt it necessary considering it was his own fault.
Unfortunately as far as I know this doesn't actually happen. But for them David coming back was a blessing.
Not quite sure why the secretary was let go or why Julian felt it necessary considering it was his own fault.
May 22, 2016
Debo decir que la historia me pareció super rapida, sentí como que la autora apresuró todo, en especial la relación entre Tristan y Abby. Los personajes la verdad ninguno me conquistó, solo me gustó un poco el Ángel. La historia tampoco me enamoro, siento que le faltó MÁS. Lo de los padres de David, me sorprendió como eran con Abby desde siempre y que David no se enterara de eso.
Al final las cosas entre Abby y Tristan/David se solucionaron sin drama. En la parte de Tristan y sus padres, creo que eso fue demasiado corto. Y el epílogo... bueno la verdad no me emocionó mucho.
Es un libro con una lectura ligera, facil y rapida.
Al final las cosas entre Abby y Tristan/David se solucionaron sin drama. En la parte de Tristan y sus padres, creo que eso fue demasiado corto. Y el epílogo... bueno la verdad no me emocionó mucho.
Es un libro con una lectura ligera, facil y rapida.
August 29, 2014
Uno de los mejores libros que lei en el año :)
Muy bueno y altamente recomendable.
Cuando empece a leerlo , primero pense que se venia a lo distópico pero nada que ver. Desde el primer capitulo quede atrapada y ya no podia dejar jaja!
Hay un par de momentos finales en las que mmm, no me convencieron, pero no por eso hace menos la historia. Tiene sus momento bajos, pero no recurre continuamente a ellos. La disfrute muchisimo, me emocione y hasta se puede sacar una moraleja.
Clap, clap!!
Muy bueno y altamente recomendable.
Cuando empece a leerlo , primero pense que se venia a lo distópico pero nada que ver. Desde el primer capitulo quede atrapada y ya no podia dejar jaja!
Hay un par de momentos finales en las que mmm, no me convencieron, pero no por eso hace menos la historia. Tiene sus momento bajos, pero no recurre continuamente a ellos. La disfrute muchisimo, me emocione y hasta se puede sacar una moraleja.
Clap, clap!!
December 14, 2013
A great story from debut author, Candace Blackburn.
There was heartache, parts that made me laugh and cry...I love stories about the power of love.
Can't wait to read more from this author!
There was heartache, parts that made me laugh and cry...I love stories about the power of love.
Can't wait to read more from this author!
Read
January 21, 2021DNF 31%
no no no no.... lo siento pero no pude continuar.... David es un cretino, y o sea justificándose por haber sido infiel, no no no ODIO a este tipo de personajes....
Y que le den una segunda oportunidad me arrecha más, porque no la merece, no debió morir así, sino vivir y quedarse solo sin nadie que lo quiera y ver desde lejos a su hijo crecer y como otro hombre lo cría.... no así tan fácil que se lo pusieron... Ughhh me da mucha rabia!!
Si el tal Tristan fuera realmente otra persona quizá lo hubiera terminado
no no no no.... lo siento pero no pude continuar.... David es un cretino, y o sea justificándose por haber sido infiel, no no no ODIO a este tipo de personajes....
Y que le den una segunda oportunidad me arrecha más, porque no la merece, no debió morir así, sino vivir y quedarse solo sin nadie que lo quiera y ver desde lejos a su hijo crecer y como otro hombre lo cría.... no así tan fácil que se lo pusieron... Ughhh me da mucha rabia!!
Si el tal Tristan fuera realmente otra persona quizá lo hubiera terminado
January 1, 2015
I absolutely adored this book! It was mostly sweet with with some "hot spots" interspersed within. The author combined concepts of her Christian faith into the storyline to create a unique and heartwarming story so lovely and encouraging in a time of great adversity and despair in today's world. I could NOT put this book down-and I imagine I will feel the same regarding her other books. If you want a feel-good and encouraging read, this is the one. A story that demonstrates that love indeed lasts forever and never fails.
Did not finish
June 22, 2021The H cheats on the first page with his secretary, wife walks in (she came to tell him she's pregnant) sees him & takes off. The H is completely distraught & goes after her & dies in a car accident. He is given a chance to go back in another body (a man in the h's support group) to get a do-over with his wife....but he can't tell her who he is.
March 15, 2016
No estoy segura de como reaccionar con este libro. No me malinterpreten, esta super bueno. Pero el tema y la historia necesitaba más. Y no se a que me refiero con "más", solo no fue suficiente cuando la trama debio dejarme marcada.
July 19, 2021
Redemption
This is very different from what I've read so far, and I absolutely was captivated from the very beginning. I was caught up in the story and read it in one sitting. I really liked it a lot definitely will reread again.
This is very different from what I've read so far, and I absolutely was captivated from the very beginning. I was caught up in the story and read it in one sitting. I really liked it a lot definitely will reread again.
December 5, 2013
Not bad. Moved very quickly and you didn't really feel involved with the characters as it was so short but it was an easy ok read.
February 3, 2014
A heart-felt Romance and wonderful debut for Ms. Blackburn.
If you believe in 2nd chances and true love you'll love this.
Keep some Kleenex handy though.
Buy this book and read it!
If you believe in 2nd chances and true love you'll love this.
Keep some Kleenex handy though.
Buy this book and read it!
October 8, 2014
Such a beautiful read ♡♡♡♡
February 13, 2015
Desde que leí la sinopsis del libro espere mucho de el, y definitivamente no me defraudó. Es una historia muy linda y con mucha enseñanza.
March 20, 2015
A different kinda read I liked it
May 20, 2015
Creo que David no se merecía esa segunda oportunidad
Did not finish
February 22, 2023DNF. Don't like writing and not feeling angst.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews