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The McBrides #3
Dylan's Redemption
There's a new sheriff in Fallbrook … Meet Dylan McBride.
Jessie Thompson had one hell of a week. Dylan McBride, the boy she loved, skipped town without a word. Then her drunk of a father tried to kill her, and she fled Fallbrook, vowing never to return.
Eight years later, her father is dead, and Jessie reluctantly goes home—only to come face-to-face with the man who shattered her heart. A man who, for nearly a decade, believed she was dead.
Dylan accepted the position as sheriff of Fallbrook looking for a fresh start and a chance to uncover the truth about Jessie's disappearance. He knew he'd have to face a few ghosts … he just never thought one would be Jessie, all grown up, stunning … and alive.
The pull between them is instant, but Dylan's heart has already mourned Jessie, and she has secrets she can never share. Can they escape the darkness of their past for a chance at a bright future together?
Jessie Thompson had one hell of a week. Dylan McBride, the boy she loved, skipped town without a word. Then her drunk of a father tried to kill her, and she fled Fallbrook, vowing never to return.
Eight years later, her father is dead, and Jessie reluctantly goes home—only to come face-to-face with the man who shattered her heart. A man who, for nearly a decade, believed she was dead.
Dylan accepted the position as sheriff of Fallbrook looking for a fresh start and a chance to uncover the truth about Jessie's disappearance. He knew he'd have to face a few ghosts … he just never thought one would be Jessie, all grown up, stunning … and alive.
The pull between them is instant, but Dylan's heart has already mourned Jessie, and she has secrets she can never share. Can they escape the darkness of their past for a chance at a bright future together?
420 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 12, 2014
180 people are currently reading
839 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer Ryan
50 books1,883 followersJennifer Ryan, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of The Hunted and McBrides Series, writes romantic suspense and contemporary small-town romances.
Jennifer lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband and three children. When she isn’t writing a book, she’s reading one. Her obsession with both is often revealed in the state of her home, and how late dinner is to the table. When she finally leaves those fictional worlds, you’ll find her in the garden, playing in the dirt and daydreaming about people who live only in her head, until she puts them on paper.
Please visit her website at www.jennifer-ryan.com for information about upcoming releases.
Jennifer lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband and three children. When she isn’t writing a book, she’s reading one. Her obsession with both is often revealed in the state of her home, and how late dinner is to the table. When she finally leaves those fictional worlds, you’ll find her in the garden, playing in the dirt and daydreaming about people who live only in her head, until she puts them on paper.
Please visit her website at www.jennifer-ryan.com for information about upcoming releases.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 130 reviews
September 14, 2021
It is official! I loving this series. Dylan's Redemption is a story of second chance and forgiveness. Dylan is such a hottie.
Miss Ryan done herself wonderful job to bring a power of forgiveness into the story. Dylan and Jessie story is full of miss chances and an evil plot from his mother. Miss Ryan does not offer OTT drama. Instead she woved the story with a lot of forgiveness message.
And that is what I like about Miss Ryan's writing.
What I found lacking is the chemistry between Jessie and Dylan. I wish Dylan can groovel more.
Overall a wonderful book
4 stars
Miss Ryan done herself wonderful job to bring a power of forgiveness into the story. Dylan and Jessie story is full of miss chances and an evil plot from his mother. Miss Ryan does not offer OTT drama. Instead she woved the story with a lot of forgiveness message.
And that is what I like about Miss Ryan's writing.
What I found lacking is the chemistry between Jessie and Dylan. I wish Dylan can groovel more.
Overall a wonderful book
4 stars
March 30, 2019
The cousin's book. Sheriff Dylan McBride. He ran from town years ago to be free of his parents rule. In doing so he lost the girl who still haunts him to this day. Jessie Thompson. See Jessie you to follow and tag along after Dylan and her own brother. A pest, but really she did it for two reasons. Her crush on him and her safety see unknown to most she was abused at home but her drunk ass father.
When the older, Dylan took younger, Jessie to his prom senior year it was everything. A night in the back seat of his Camaro, Heaven. Then he disappeared. Soon after her father nearly kills her. She runs. Finds she is pregnant at 15. Alone in the world.
Now years later, her old man is dead, her brother is following in his footsteps with the drinking and she has made a great life for herself but she isnt living. She must now go back to settle his affairs and right her brothers failing ways before he is lost. In doing so, the rumors she is dead, turn to where has she been. Leading Dylan to want to know where and why.
When he learns the truth he will work to do everything to right the wrongs of his past and to claim the woman he never should of wronged...or left.
When the older, Dylan took younger, Jessie to his prom senior year it was everything. A night in the back seat of his Camaro, Heaven. Then he disappeared. Soon after her father nearly kills her. She runs. Finds she is pregnant at 15. Alone in the world.
Now years later, her old man is dead, her brother is following in his footsteps with the drinking and she has made a great life for herself but she isnt living. She must now go back to settle his affairs and right her brothers failing ways before he is lost. In doing so, the rumors she is dead, turn to where has she been. Leading Dylan to want to know where and why.
When he learns the truth he will work to do everything to right the wrongs of his past and to claim the woman he never should of wronged...or left.
never-for-me
September 25, 2016Hero leaves the young heroine pregnant to face the whole thing alone.
Not for me here at all.
Not for me here at all.
September 26, 2016
Jessie the long suffering and Dylan.
Dylan and Jessie grew up together with her brother. Then on the night of the prom they get it on in the backseat of his car. This was supposed to be a spectacularly amazing night of loving... in the backseat of A CAR. I kept wondering if the author had ever tried to get it on in the backseat of a car?? Not terribly romantic and pretty darned cramped, lol.
Anyways, the H leaves shortly after to join the Marines and Jessie is left to the mercy of her sadistic father. Sh*t happens and Jessie disappears. The townspeople believe her father killed her but no body was ever found. Fast forward 8 years and Jessie who is only 24, now has her own thriving construction company and makes oodles of handcrafted furniture on the side, after putting herself through college. She did have help, but still, it boggles the mind. Dylan has returned to his home town to become Sheriff.
Jessie's dad finally kicks the bucket and so she returns to have him buried (because she now is pretty well to do) and kick her brother's drunk ass into shape. Then she runs into Dylan again and is reminded of all she has lost . Dylan is surprised by her vehement dislike of him and determined to get to the bottom of what really happened after he left town.
But in all honesty, not much happened other than his mother is an abhorrent b*tch and his father is a useless idiot. Add in Dylan's cute little adopted boy and I think you have all the bases covered for a predictable almost harlequin-like (except the H is a nice guy) read.
The mother is so OTT evil that I thought there might be more to the story as to why she didn't want them to get together (like in Cassandra Clare's City of Bones) . But anyways, the story remained superficially simplistic and the mother really was just an OTT crazy b*tch.
I felt pretty let down as the story is over 400 pages of repetition. I skimmed most of the middle. If it had been 200 pages, I probably would have liked it a lot...
(I should mention that once reuinited, Dylan is properly remorseful, devoted and grovels well... that's what kept me reading really)...
Dylan and Jessie grew up together with her brother. Then on the night of the prom they get it on in the backseat of his car. This was supposed to be a spectacularly amazing night of loving... in the backseat of A CAR. I kept wondering if the author had ever tried to get it on in the backseat of a car?? Not terribly romantic and pretty darned cramped, lol.
Anyways, the H leaves shortly after to join the Marines and Jessie is left to the mercy of her sadistic father. Sh*t happens and Jessie disappears. The townspeople believe her father killed her but no body was ever found. Fast forward 8 years and Jessie who is only 24, now has her own thriving construction company and makes oodles of handcrafted furniture on the side, after putting herself through college. She did have help, but still, it boggles the mind. Dylan has returned to his home town to become Sheriff.
Jessie's dad finally kicks the bucket and so she returns to have him buried (because she now is pretty well to do) and kick her brother's drunk ass into shape. Then she runs into Dylan again and is reminded of all she has lost . Dylan is surprised by her vehement dislike of him and determined to get to the bottom of what really happened after he left town.
But in all honesty, not much happened other than his mother is an abhorrent b*tch and his father is a useless idiot. Add in Dylan's cute little adopted boy and I think you have all the bases covered for a predictable almost harlequin-like (except the H is a nice guy) read.
The mother is so OTT evil that I thought there might be more to the story as to why she didn't want them to get together (like in Cassandra Clare's City of Bones) . But anyways, the story remained superficially simplistic and the mother really was just an OTT crazy b*tch.
I felt pretty let down as the story is over 400 pages of repetition. I skimmed most of the middle. If it had been 200 pages, I probably would have liked it a lot...
(I should mention that once reuinited, Dylan is properly remorseful, devoted and grovels well... that's what kept me reading really)...
February 14, 2018
3 "BLAH BLAH BLAH" Stars-
I was really looking forward to reading Dylan's Redemption in the same way I look forward to watching a good Lifetime Movie. I was expecting a guilty pleasure read and this could definitely qualify. Unfortunately, I just didn't enjoy the book and admit to skimming some.
My main problem with this book is the writing. This is the third book I've read by the author and I noticed the same problem in both the first book I read and this one. After the first book, I knew I wouldn't read anything else from Jennifer Ryan. Then I accidentally purchased a second book, not realizing it was the same author (it was a different series than the first book I had read). I read that book and actually enjoyed it and was looking forward to reading Dylan's Redemption.
Unfortunately, the issue that drove me crazy in the first book I read by her was more than evident in this book. The way she writes the dialogue - it's just not believable. Instead of having a back and forth conversation, too many times the dialogue is written with long paragraphs and goes on and on and on. It's painful to read and it just drives me crazy. Besides the dialogue issue, the story was so sappy in the second half, it was just way too much. I'm still giving this book three stars but overall, I just didn't enjoy it and won't be reading more from this author.
I was really looking forward to reading Dylan's Redemption in the same way I look forward to watching a good Lifetime Movie. I was expecting a guilty pleasure read and this could definitely qualify. Unfortunately, I just didn't enjoy the book and admit to skimming some.
My main problem with this book is the writing. This is the third book I've read by the author and I noticed the same problem in both the first book I read and this one. After the first book, I knew I wouldn't read anything else from Jennifer Ryan. Then I accidentally purchased a second book, not realizing it was the same author (it was a different series than the first book I had read). I read that book and actually enjoyed it and was looking forward to reading Dylan's Redemption.
Unfortunately, the issue that drove me crazy in the first book I read by her was more than evident in this book. The way she writes the dialogue - it's just not believable. Instead of having a back and forth conversation, too many times the dialogue is written with long paragraphs and goes on and on and on. It's painful to read and it just drives me crazy. Besides the dialogue issue, the story was so sappy in the second half, it was just way too much. I'm still giving this book three stars but overall, I just didn't enjoy it and won't be reading more from this author.
March 19, 2023
Its time to meet Dylan McBride.
Jessie Thompson was the girl from the wrong side of town and Dylan McBride was the boy she loved. After the dance and a beautiful night together, he skipped town without a word. Then her father tried to kill her. She never expected to come back to Fallbrook. Years later her father was now dead and Dylan McBride was back in town. And she had a secret she wanted to keep.
Dylan was now sheriff of Fallbrook. he never thought while looking in to the disappearance of the one woman he loved. He would find her in the one place he never thought to see her again. This re-intro to each other comes with lots of surprises and maybe a close call to deaths door. While secrets are uncovered, doors close, new doors open and a future takes shape. These two have things cut out in a hard way for them. Working for what they really want may turn out to be a lot more work than either may have anticipated.
Jessie Thompson was the girl from the wrong side of town and Dylan McBride was the boy she loved. After the dance and a beautiful night together, he skipped town without a word. Then her father tried to kill her. She never expected to come back to Fallbrook. Years later her father was now dead and Dylan McBride was back in town. And she had a secret she wanted to keep.
Dylan was now sheriff of Fallbrook. he never thought while looking in to the disappearance of the one woman he loved. He would find her in the one place he never thought to see her again. This re-intro to each other comes with lots of surprises and maybe a close call to deaths door. While secrets are uncovered, doors close, new doors open and a future takes shape. These two have things cut out in a hard way for them. Working for what they really want may turn out to be a lot more work than either may have anticipated.
August 21, 2017
Absolutely mind-blowing! I loved this book the most out of the series! Betrayal seems to be a recurring theme through-out the series, but even Dylan didn't expect his own family to betray him like that. Poor Jessie. From age 10, her cruel, drunken father beat her to the ground making her pay for her mother's adultery. And the entire town, including her spineless brother, did nothing about it. What a strong, determined woman she turned out to be. Only good things should happen to this couple after everything they have been through.
August 27, 2014
Originally Reviewed For: Bodice Rippers, Femme Fatales and Fantasy
Dylan's Redemption has to be one of the best second chance romances I have ever read! Powerful, poignant, redeeming, it touches on so many emotions that I was in tears too many times. Jennifer Ryan does a fabulous job sharing the lives of Jessie and Dylan, Book Three of her McBride Series.
Jessie Thompson had one thing going for her during her childhood, Dylan McBride. Living with an abusive, alcoholic father was hard. Seriously hard. She was working on construction sites from a young age and attending school and when she got home, she got knocked around. And no one did anything. But life was starting to look up when Dylan took her to prom... or did they? He took her to the prom, made love to her in the back seat of his car and then left.. Jessie was alone again. Only this time her father almost killed her, alone and you guessed it pregnant, Jessie took her bruised and battered body and ran away. Discovering a wonderful father and son that became her true family.. Eight years later she is frozen in time. Her beautiful baby died after only five days.. but somehow Jessie survived. While emotionally stinted she did manage to graduate both High School and College and start not one but two businesses. Now a successful woman she still has to face her past. Her father is dead, her brother is killing himself with guilt and alcohol and Dylan is back in town.
Dylan McBride had to get out of town. Fast!! His parents wanted a life for him that stifled him. He had plans to join the army, it was all set, he just needed to graduate. First though there was prom and one night that changed his world. Afraid of telling Jessie he had to leave, he just left. Only to find out that she had died and for years he grieved. But it changed his direction. Dylan became a cop because he wanted to make sure no young girl was ever left alone and afraid again. Of course it also allowed him to adopt a beautiful son. But time passes and Dylan has finally returned home. Only to discover that Jessie is alive and well and totally hates him.
Pretty basic.. but there was so much behind the scenes, family betrayals abound. It seems that Jessie's family isn't the only dysfunctional one. Dylan's picture perfect parents are monsters in disguise. The things that were done to Jessie are truly atrocious. Self Righteous, horrid woman with a spineless wuss of a father. With all Jessie has to face, to finally close the door to the past, Dylan has it worse. He supposedly had a perfect life. His only grief was the fact that his parents wanted to direct his life and he had to break away. BUT...
I can't say enough about the power of this book. It opened my tear ducts way too often.
The only negative I found in this entire book was their ages.. So she was 16 and he was 18 when they fell in love and 8 short years later, she has TWO successful businesses (one a construction business) and has built her dream house and .... And Dylan is sheriff.. I know that shouldn't matter but it distracted me from a truly wonderful story. But if that's all that is irksome.. yeah I am being way too picky on this one!
Great Job
Shauni
This review is based on the ARC of Dylan's Redemption, provided by Edelweiss.
Dylan's Redemption has to be one of the best second chance romances I have ever read! Powerful, poignant, redeeming, it touches on so many emotions that I was in tears too many times. Jennifer Ryan does a fabulous job sharing the lives of Jessie and Dylan, Book Three of her McBride Series.
Jessie Thompson had one thing going for her during her childhood, Dylan McBride. Living with an abusive, alcoholic father was hard. Seriously hard. She was working on construction sites from a young age and attending school and when she got home, she got knocked around. And no one did anything. But life was starting to look up when Dylan took her to prom... or did they? He took her to the prom, made love to her in the back seat of his car and then left.. Jessie was alone again. Only this time her father almost killed her, alone and you guessed it pregnant, Jessie took her bruised and battered body and ran away. Discovering a wonderful father and son that became her true family.. Eight years later she is frozen in time. Her beautiful baby died after only five days.. but somehow Jessie survived. While emotionally stinted she did manage to graduate both High School and College and start not one but two businesses. Now a successful woman she still has to face her past. Her father is dead, her brother is killing himself with guilt and alcohol and Dylan is back in town.
Dylan McBride had to get out of town. Fast!! His parents wanted a life for him that stifled him. He had plans to join the army, it was all set, he just needed to graduate. First though there was prom and one night that changed his world. Afraid of telling Jessie he had to leave, he just left. Only to find out that she had died and for years he grieved. But it changed his direction. Dylan became a cop because he wanted to make sure no young girl was ever left alone and afraid again. Of course it also allowed him to adopt a beautiful son. But time passes and Dylan has finally returned home. Only to discover that Jessie is alive and well and totally hates him.
Pretty basic.. but there was so much behind the scenes, family betrayals abound. It seems that Jessie's family isn't the only dysfunctional one. Dylan's picture perfect parents are monsters in disguise. The things that were done to Jessie are truly atrocious. Self Righteous, horrid woman with a spineless wuss of a father. With all Jessie has to face, to finally close the door to the past, Dylan has it worse. He supposedly had a perfect life. His only grief was the fact that his parents wanted to direct his life and he had to break away. BUT...
I can't say enough about the power of this book. It opened my tear ducts way too often.
The only negative I found in this entire book was their ages.. So she was 16 and he was 18 when they fell in love and 8 short years later, she has TWO successful businesses (one a construction business) and has built her dream house and .... And Dylan is sheriff.. I know that shouldn't matter but it distracted me from a truly wonderful story. But if that's all that is irksome.. yeah I am being way too picky on this one!
Great Job
Shauni
This review is based on the ARC of Dylan's Redemption, provided by Edelweiss.
October 20, 2014
AJ’s Review:
LOVED IT! Dylan and Jessie’s story simply broke my heart. Ms. Ryan has penned a compelling story about second chances and the obstacles that must be overcome in order to find that Happily Ever After well all desperately seek. The love, the loss, the battle with abuse and addiction will take you through a myriad of emotions that range from weeping, to anger, to pure unadulterated joy. You can’t help but root for Dylan and Jessie given everything they’ve endured and everything they must get passed in order to find their way back to one another. Read More...
LOVED IT! Dylan and Jessie’s story simply broke my heart. Ms. Ryan has penned a compelling story about second chances and the obstacles that must be overcome in order to find that Happily Ever After well all desperately seek. The love, the loss, the battle with abuse and addiction will take you through a myriad of emotions that range from weeping, to anger, to pure unadulterated joy. You can’t help but root for Dylan and Jessie given everything they’ve endured and everything they must get passed in order to find their way back to one another. Read More...
January 29, 2016
Loved it
I really enjoyed reading this series. The characters were interesting. The plots were intriguing. I didn't want to put it down.
I really enjoyed reading this series. The characters were interesting. The plots were intriguing. I didn't want to put it down.
November 9, 2020
This was probably the best book in the series, but it almost seemed like a different series. Have a box of tissues handy because this one is a tear jerker, which I was not expecting at all.
Jessie endures SO MUCH by the time she's 24. Her dad nearly kills her when she's 15 (after beating her often since she was a young girl). It was so bad that final time that everyone actually thought she was dead since she vanished after that. And then she experiences even more heartache after that. I don't see how a 15/16 year old could handle all that in such a short time and then go on to be so successful. For her to make something of herself is either unbelievable or she was incredibly determined to not fail at life and that pushed her to give it her all. She's closed off and doesn't have many meaningful relationships with anyone other than her adoptive dad and brother. I still find it unbelievable that a 24 year old could amass that much wealth and run a successful company(s) with many employees. But it's fiction, so I guess we'll just have to believe that.
Then there's Dylan, the boy she loved from such a young age and he loved her in return. Only he left her after prom (she was 15, he was 18 - he joined the military) and she's kept hidden from him ever since he returned to be the Sheriff of her hometown. But Dylan really did have a big heart and although he was an idiot on prom night, he can't be blamed for what happened to Jessie in that year after. He has an adoptive son, Will, and he's just too adorable. The love Dylan had for that boy was heartwarming.
Dylan's parents were a different store. His mom was a first class B. I hated that woman with a passion. She was nothing but evil. And his dad had no backbone and went right along with her nonsense. They got what they deserved in the end though.
The ending was cute and it was nice to see everyone come together to give Jessie her princess moment.
The book did drag A LOT. There was a lot of repetition and I guess that's why I could only give this 3 stars. It seemed to be about 100 pages too long. Had we not had the two extended scenes with Dylan's parents or the constant lack of communication and held feelings with Jessie and Dylan, I think this would have been better.
Don't let this discourage you from reading Ms. Ryan. Her Montana Men series is pretty good and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I read it before this series though, so I think it set the bar too high for me to really enjoy this series.
Jessie endures SO MUCH by the time she's 24. Her dad nearly kills her when she's 15 (after beating her often since she was a young girl). It was so bad that final time that everyone actually thought she was dead since she vanished after that. And then she experiences even more heartache after that. I don't see how a 15/16 year old could handle all that in such a short time and then go on to be so successful. For her to make something of herself is either unbelievable or she was incredibly determined to not fail at life and that pushed her to give it her all. She's closed off and doesn't have many meaningful relationships with anyone other than her adoptive dad and brother. I still find it unbelievable that a 24 year old could amass that much wealth and run a successful company(s) with many employees. But it's fiction, so I guess we'll just have to believe that.
Then there's Dylan, the boy she loved from such a young age and he loved her in return. Only he left her after prom (she was 15, he was 18 - he joined the military) and she's kept hidden from him ever since he returned to be the Sheriff of her hometown. But Dylan really did have a big heart and although he was an idiot on prom night, he can't be blamed for what happened to Jessie in that year after. He has an adoptive son, Will, and he's just too adorable. The love Dylan had for that boy was heartwarming.
Dylan's parents were a different store. His mom was a first class B. I hated that woman with a passion. She was nothing but evil. And his dad had no backbone and went right along with her nonsense. They got what they deserved in the end though.
The ending was cute and it was nice to see everyone come together to give Jessie her princess moment.
The book did drag A LOT. There was a lot of repetition and I guess that's why I could only give this 3 stars. It seemed to be about 100 pages too long. Had we not had the two extended scenes with Dylan's parents or the constant lack of communication and held feelings with Jessie and Dylan, I think this would have been better.
Don't let this discourage you from reading Ms. Ryan. Her Montana Men series is pretty good and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I read it before this series though, so I think it set the bar too high for me to really enjoy this series.
May 21, 2018
Wow this was a long book for not a lot of plot/growth. I also have to say I had a hard time getting past the fact that the hero who at age 18 has sex with a 15 year old girl on prom (but it's not even really a date). He doesn't pick her up but has her meet him at the dance. No dinner, no romance and they leave the dance early and have sex in the car. Then he avoids her for 3 days and leaves town to join the military without so much as a goodbye. Oh, did I mention he didn't bother to use protection so you can guess the outcome of that one. I really, really disliked 18 year old Dylan! Jessie's life was completely unrealistic once she leaves town. By the time she's 24 she owns a big construction company, has a college degree, and makes her own line of furniture. She's successful and wealthy but full of hate and guilt and has NEVER even gone on a date with another man because she won't let anyone in. Dylan's mother is OTT and a bit ridiculous and his father is a spineless wimp. There's never really an explanation for how much she hates Jessie except she feels Jessie is beneath her son. She makes decisions that her son will obviously be very angry about without once thinking about the consequences. For all that Dylan was a complete jerk at 18 he actually grows into a good man and grovels/apologizes and works hard to win Jessie back. I just never really felt the connection.
November 2, 2017
Cowboy soap opera at its finest.
August 6, 2014
I had the opportunity to read an ARC of this story. This is the first book in the series that I've read, and I have to say that Jessie made me a bit nuts. I have no idea what it would be like to go through what she did, but I felt sorry for Dylan because he knew there was something really important that he needed to know, but she kept not telling him. It was probably worse because so many other people (including his horrible mother) knew, but he didn't know.
Overall it was an enjoyable read, but I didn't enjoy it as much as other books I've read this summer. I think I've just read a lot of romantic comedy over the summer, and while I love angsty romance, I just wasn't feeling this one, and maybe that's because I'm still in the mood for some laughs rather than angst!
I think it's a good recommendation for readers who have enjoyed Susan Mallery, LuAnn McLane, Judith McNaught, Nora Roberts & Sandra Brown.
Overall it was an enjoyable read, but I didn't enjoy it as much as other books I've read this summer. I think I've just read a lot of romantic comedy over the summer, and while I love angsty romance, I just wasn't feeling this one, and maybe that's because I'm still in the mood for some laughs rather than angst!
I think it's a good recommendation for readers who have enjoyed Susan Mallery, LuAnn McLane, Judith McNaught, Nora Roberts & Sandra Brown.
August 13, 2014
I read the first book in the series, I didn't rate it even though I had a lot of problems with it. I wrote a review though.
This book had a similar trope of the woman putting her life on hold and not dating anybody else but with a better explanation for why. I understood Jess's choice. I also appreciated that she was
The problem though it was over the top. *Everything* awful happened to her in her personal life that it teetered on the verge of silly. Seriously? No joy for the weary I suppose.
I also wondered at the conversations people were having in front of a small child.
I liked Dylan much better than Brody so there was that.
This was just a very exhausting story. I think if the author had dialed back on the angst meter it would have been a much more enjoyable read, for me at least.
This book had a similar trope of the woman putting her life on hold and not dating anybody else but with a better explanation for why. I understood Jess's choice. I also appreciated that she was
The problem though it was over the top. *Everything* awful happened to her in her personal life that it teetered on the verge of silly. Seriously? No joy for the weary I suppose.
I also wondered at the conversations people were having in front of a small child.
I liked Dylan much better than Brody so there was that.
This was just a very exhausting story. I think if the author had dialed back on the angst meter it would have been a much more enjoyable read, for me at least.
September 4, 2018
Lots of action but the writing gave too much of everything away. Info dump overload. I’m giving no spoilers cuz what’s there to spoil? The author does it herself.
July 22, 2014
Received digital ARC from Edelweiss. This just might be my favorite one of this series.
January 1, 2018
As usual with every inspirational I read, story has been sacrificed in favor of preachiness. This author does not know how to develop characters either. Boring.
September 24, 2023
HOW DARE THE AUTHOR END THIS STORY WITHOUT AN EPILOGUE! After the TEARS I have cried through this entire story!! After having NO TRIGGER WARNINGS for the loss of a child AND child abuse!!! How dare she end it so quickly!
I slogged through the first two books in this series to get to this one. The first book had a cheating story that was just a mess and honestly never redeemed the MMC in my eyes, even if the main couple definitely needed to end up together. The second story was a lame stalker story that was too childish to have been such a dragged out plot like it was. But again the main couple were perfect for each other. Due to the first book mentioning Dylan, this books MMC, I definitely wanted to read how his dead gf was his HEA. So I was intrigued from book one for this book, part three’s storyline.
This book had so much pain in it. It was so decently done that I’m not mad that there was no warning. BUT THERE REALLY SHOULD HAVE BEEN A WARNING. I cried and cried. I definitely wanted this couple to end up together but other than the dead parent who abused the FMC before the book opens, it never really clarified why the MMC’s mother hated this one person so much that she was willing to overlook her own grandchild like that. I never liked the MMC’s parents from book one, because they were happy to abandon their nephews to an abusive neglectful alcoholic brother as they were growing up due to embarrassment alone. Not because there was a restriction to them helping them or they were not allowed in some way. Their image mattered more than their blood ties.
But for their image to be such a powerful motivator that they blocked their beloved sainted son from knowing or seeing his own child, and to still foster their denials that it wasn’t their blood all while accepting an adopted child makes ABSOLUTELY NO SENSE! This was so contrary that the author even had the MMC mention it to them but these atrocious characters never said anything to explain what was the difference to them. It left me boggled on what this bitter hatred was all about.
I honestly, kept waiting for the author to reveal that the MMC’s father was the one to have the affair with the FMC’s mother. That would have explained it all perfectly. Even if the story would have had to go a different direction until paternity could have been resolved but still. This was not the case and I was left not understanding all the pointless drama for supposedly caring people. If the author had written that the MMC had had other issues with how his parents had behaved in other areas of life NOT just in wanting him to be like his dad, then I could have been okay with it too. But the MMC was okay with his parents ignoring his cousins as they grew up even if he himself was good with them. He never fought for them in his youth. He just ran away.
I can’t really see him as that much of an alpha male because he really wasn’t. He turned a blind eye to his parents faults because he “thought”, they were good to him. Completely ignoring that they weren’t good people because it didn’t affect him directly, he thought. His whole life was still easy for him. He had money which allowed him tons of opportunities and it was never clarified if he was still getting it from them or if he had a payout when he reached a certain age, that gave him full independence from them.
Anyway, those are my gripes but I am TOTALLY invested in this author now because of this book and this series. I liked the other two well enough but this one blew the series out of the park with the pain and growth and maturity of the characters. I wished it was longer. I wish there were more McBride stories! I am definitely going to check out more of her books. But definitely beware this has HUGE TRIGGERS and should be read with tissues and in a safe space. I started this book on the bus and was struggling to not have people see my tears! Not cool author!!
Good luck.
I slogged through the first two books in this series to get to this one. The first book had a cheating story that was just a mess and honestly never redeemed the MMC in my eyes, even if the main couple definitely needed to end up together. The second story was a lame stalker story that was too childish to have been such a dragged out plot like it was. But again the main couple were perfect for each other. Due to the first book mentioning Dylan, this books MMC, I definitely wanted to read how his dead gf was his HEA. So I was intrigued from book one for this book, part three’s storyline.
This book had so much pain in it. It was so decently done that I’m not mad that there was no warning. BUT THERE REALLY SHOULD HAVE BEEN A WARNING. I cried and cried. I definitely wanted this couple to end up together but other than the dead parent who abused the FMC before the book opens, it never really clarified why the MMC’s mother hated this one person so much that she was willing to overlook her own grandchild like that. I never liked the MMC’s parents from book one, because they were happy to abandon their nephews to an abusive neglectful alcoholic brother as they were growing up due to embarrassment alone. Not because there was a restriction to them helping them or they were not allowed in some way. Their image mattered more than their blood ties.
But for their image to be such a powerful motivator that they blocked their beloved sainted son from knowing or seeing his own child, and to still foster their denials that it wasn’t their blood all while accepting an adopted child makes ABSOLUTELY NO SENSE! This was so contrary that the author even had the MMC mention it to them but these atrocious characters never said anything to explain what was the difference to them. It left me boggled on what this bitter hatred was all about.
I honestly, kept waiting for the author to reveal that the MMC’s father was the one to have the affair with the FMC’s mother. That would have explained it all perfectly. Even if the story would have had to go a different direction until paternity could have been resolved but still. This was not the case and I was left not understanding all the pointless drama for supposedly caring people. If the author had written that the MMC had had other issues with how his parents had behaved in other areas of life NOT just in wanting him to be like his dad, then I could have been okay with it too. But the MMC was okay with his parents ignoring his cousins as they grew up even if he himself was good with them. He never fought for them in his youth. He just ran away.
I can’t really see him as that much of an alpha male because he really wasn’t. He turned a blind eye to his parents faults because he “thought”, they were good to him. Completely ignoring that they weren’t good people because it didn’t affect him directly, he thought. His whole life was still easy for him. He had money which allowed him tons of opportunities and it was never clarified if he was still getting it from them or if he had a payout when he reached a certain age, that gave him full independence from them.
Anyway, those are my gripes but I am TOTALLY invested in this author now because of this book and this series. I liked the other two well enough but this one blew the series out of the park with the pain and growth and maturity of the characters. I wished it was longer. I wish there were more McBride stories! I am definitely going to check out more of her books. But definitely beware this has HUGE TRIGGERS and should be read with tissues and in a safe space. I started this book on the bus and was struggling to not have people see my tears! Not cool author!!
Good luck.
June 21, 2018
This is the third in the McBrides series and I thought it was the best. It is the story of two young teenagers who were in love and on prom night they proved their love. Dylan McBride did not tell Jessie Thompson that he was leaving the next day for the military because he felt that she would not understand he was leaving because of the pressure by his parents, not her. In the next days after Dylan left, Jessie's father tried to kill her and she knew she had to leave town for her own safety. She tried to contact Dylan but his mother stopped all communication and she was now alone. Dylan's mother also led Dylan to believe that Jessie had been killed by her father even though she knew better. Dylan returned to Fallbrook as the Sheriff and all he wanted to do was to find out who killed Jessie and put that person behind bars.. He never fell out of love for her and after eight years when she returned to town, he was ready to prove it. This story is about love, forgiving, pain, sorrow, betraying your family, friends' love and pulling yourself up and going on no matter what. Great Book.
July 31, 2017
A beautiful heartwarming story of a second chance at love written by Jennifer Ryan. This is the third installment of the McBride's trilogy and deals with Brody and Owen's cousin Dylan. Years Dylan and Jesse were two teenagers in love that lost their way. Dylan had thought that Jesse had been dead all these years being killed by her abusive father. Jesse thought that Dylan left her and forgot her existence. Through the death of her father Dylan and Jesse reconnect.
This story is about how they found their way back together and is a real powerful book that I will enjoy time after time. Jennifer Ryan is a great writer and what I enjoy that her heroines are the simple minded wimps but are strong successful women. All of her books are filled with a strong female and male lead and the women give the men a run for their money. She is the reason that I am reading the newer romance writers. I rank her up there with Nora Roberts and Lindsay McKenna.
This story is about how they found their way back together and is a real powerful book that I will enjoy time after time. Jennifer Ryan is a great writer and what I enjoy that her heroines are the simple minded wimps but are strong successful women. All of her books are filled with a strong female and male lead and the women give the men a run for their money. She is the reason that I am reading the newer romance writers. I rank her up there with Nora Roberts and Lindsay McKenna.
October 17, 2018
I don’t often say I’m grateful a series is over, but that’s exactly what I feel at the end of the McBride’s. This book was just over the top and not in any kind of good way. Jessie’s life was too tragic, but she’s too talented and successful for that to stop her. Dylan’s parents were too horrible and he too easily accepts their awful behavior. Will is too adorable, but at least he’s a redeeming feature to the story. I have a tendency to overlook how important the narrator is to an audio book. A good narrator can save an okay story, just as a less enjoyable performance can pull down a great book. A story I didn’t enjoy coupled with a performance that didn’t make sense to me, meant that my opinion of this book tanked. Why on earth does the best friend get the big, hero voice while the male lead comes out sounding like a whiny teenager? I just don’t get it; the story, the chemistry, the narration, none of it.
October 1, 2021
What a great heartwarming story this was. Although Dylan McBride and Jessie Thompson knew each other growing up it was one night at Dylan's prom that changed everything for them. Those friendship feelings somehow turned to something much more. But the following day Dylan left without even a goodbye. Jessie's father was extremely abusive to her and after a particularly gruesome attack from him she left Fallbrook a week after Dylan. Everyone thought she had died and in his drunken stupor her father had buried her somewhere.
It is eight years later and everyone is shocked when she returns to Fallbrook. Dylan thought he was seeing things when he saw her. They loved each other once but are those feelings still there? I loved every minute of this book and really did not want it to end.
It is eight years later and everyone is shocked when she returns to Fallbrook. Dylan thought he was seeing things when he saw her. They loved each other once but are those feelings still there? I loved every minute of this book and really did not want it to end.
January 17, 2021
This was by far the best book in the series. Jesse and Dylan were childhood friends and went to the Prom together when he was 18 and she was 15. He left 3 days later to join the military not knowing she was pregnant.
His parents disapproved of the relationship and thought she was only after money. When Jesse reaches out to contact Dylan his mom intervenes with disastrous results. Coming from an abuse situation, Jesse disappears and is feared dead.
Jump ahead 8 years. Her abusive father dies and she returns home, surprising everyone in this small town including Dylan and her brother. They get a second chance, but his parents thwart them every step of the way.
This story is emotional and a great story of redemption and forgiveness.
His parents disapproved of the relationship and thought she was only after money. When Jesse reaches out to contact Dylan his mom intervenes with disastrous results. Coming from an abuse situation, Jesse disappears and is feared dead.
Jump ahead 8 years. Her abusive father dies and she returns home, surprising everyone in this small town including Dylan and her brother. They get a second chance, but his parents thwart them every step of the way.
This story is emotional and a great story of redemption and forgiveness.
August 24, 2025
Maybe I'm a bit weird but I love it when the heroine valiantly endures the worst possible kinds of suffering, and the hero spends the whole book having his face rubbed into how badly he messed up. And wow did this book have it in spades. The number of times the hero was delivered a 'you fucked up' revelation, and was made to eat shit over his past action, was quite sublime. At one point I almost cried mercy for the poor chap, but I'm a grovel aficionado and in my eyes there is no such thing as too much grovel.
The grovel was gold standard, and hard-won because while the heroine may forgive she sure as shit doesn't forget nor does she trust. As it should be.
The insane family drama was the cherry on top.
The grovel was gold standard, and hard-won because while the heroine may forgive she sure as shit doesn't forget nor does she trust. As it should be.
The insane family drama was the cherry on top.
February 5, 2017
"Dylan's Redemption" is a beautifully written story of two people, Dylan and Jessie, that will find their way back to each other after years of being apart. I had a hard time wrapping my head around a parent that would go to such extremes to keep two people apart with dire consequences and still try to defend it. The emotion in this story is beautiful and heartbreaking at the same time. This is a story that you will need to keep the tissues close by, as it is a real tearjerker. It is a must read for lovers of sweet romance and emotionally charged stories. 5 Stars!!
December 4, 2017
I haven't read the first two books in this series but I think I should. The characters referred to in this book that proceed it sound intriguing. I would have like Owen to rescue Jessie from jail but that wasn't to be.
I truly despise the hero's parents but I doubt anyone reading this book could find an ounce of sympathy for them! They are completely unredeemable!
The actual hero of this book is the heroine! I know it sounds silly but she is the MVP for sure and I am so happy she got her family.
I really think anyone wanting a good book to read should read this one 🙃
I truly despise the hero's parents but I doubt anyone reading this book could find an ounce of sympathy for them! They are completely unredeemable!
The actual hero of this book is the heroine! I know it sounds silly but she is the MVP for sure and I am so happy she got her family.
I really think anyone wanting a good book to read should read this one 🙃
June 22, 2022
Jennifer Ryan has done it again! I loved this book, this series, and I want more! This one was a little different than her other ones -- there wasn't a "set antagonist" that was out to get the main character. But I liked her approach to who and what the antagonist were represented by (Jessie's secret and Dylan's mother). I really enjoyed the story line of Dylan's mother being the way she was. It added another layer to the story and especially another layer to Dylan and Jessie's relationship.
Definitely recommend this series and can't wait to read more of Jennifer Ryan!
Definitely recommend this series and can't wait to read more of Jennifer Ryan!
June 23, 2019
Outstanding Read
Oh my The McBride Men, handsome, strong, and a mind of their own especially when it comes to the women in their life's. Miss Ryan sure know how to write a book, that grabs you from page one till the end of the story. I read all three of The McBride books and I look forward to many more books from this talent author. I wish I could rate higher than 5 stars. Thank you Jennifer Ryan, don't stop write wonderful stories, of love lost and second chances.
Oh my The McBride Men, handsome, strong, and a mind of their own especially when it comes to the women in their life's. Miss Ryan sure know how to write a book, that grabs you from page one till the end of the story. I read all three of The McBride books and I look forward to many more books from this talent author. I wish I could rate higher than 5 stars. Thank you Jennifer Ryan, don't stop write wonderful stories, of love lost and second chances.
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August 17, 2019Dylan and Jessie 's story is a great reminder to always tell others how you feel
This story brought tears to me on me than one occasion. Some for Sad reasons and others for happy ones. This is a great read and reminds us to not take life for granted. It can change In a second. But the 2nd chance Dylan and Jessie got wasn't wasted. Amazing story. Amazing final book in this series.
This story brought tears to me on me than one occasion. Some for Sad reasons and others for happy ones. This is a great read and reminds us to not take life for granted. It can change In a second. But the 2nd chance Dylan and Jessie got wasn't wasted. Amazing story. Amazing final book in this series.
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