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Redemption
Recently appointed an executive of a Philadelphia department store, Claire Porter doesn’t want a man in her life. She still bears scars from her past, including the Hollywood scandal that resulted in the birth of her son, but she’s the last to admit she needs a hero.
Matt Grayson is perfectly cast for the role. As a kid, he staged rescue operations with GI Joe and Barbie. Now he plays a hero on the big screen, but when he encounters Claire, ten years after their disastrous affair, he realizes she's no longer the naive girl who fell into his arms. She not only forbids him to use her store as a location for the film he’s directing, but also refuses to cooperate with the emotional rescue he plans.
As layers of secrets are exposed, Claire and Matt grow closer, and finally face their personal—and public—redemption.
Matt Grayson is perfectly cast for the role. As a kid, he staged rescue operations with GI Joe and Barbie. Now he plays a hero on the big screen, but when he encounters Claire, ten years after their disastrous affair, he realizes she's no longer the naive girl who fell into his arms. She not only forbids him to use her store as a location for the film he’s directing, but also refuses to cooperate with the emotional rescue he plans.
As layers of secrets are exposed, Claire and Matt grow closer, and finally face their personal—and public—redemption.
- GenresSecond Chance
Unknown Binding
First published October 6, 2014
2 people are currently reading
88 people want to read
About the author
Kathryn Barrett
4 books65 followersKathryn Barrett reluctantly put aside childhood dreams of becoming an author and took a more practical approach, majoring in Business Administration in college. But after marrying an Air Force officer, she realized a career in high finance didn’t suit an itinerant lifestyle. She happily returned to her first love, writing stories that feature larger-than-life characters, family relationships, and of course, a happy ending.
Having lived all over the United States, Kathryn and her family now live in England, just outside London. She enjoys walking her dog in the Chiltern hills and exploring crumbling castles, and only occasionally reads the Financial Times.
Having lived all over the United States, Kathryn and her family now live in England, just outside London. She enjoys walking her dog in the Chiltern hills and exploring crumbling castles, and only occasionally reads the Financial Times.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
October 14, 2014
My only complaint with this book was that i wish the h had a bigger backbone. The H came back ion her life and steam rolled her. Yes she had a child with him. But if the past speaks at all about his character then he should understand why she wanted nothing to do with H. He left her to deal with his mistake and he took none of the blame. Why would she want her child to go through that.
The book was a really good read for me. I highly recommend it!!
The book was a really good read for me. I highly recommend it!!
October 25, 2014
This was an interesting story. Different from anything I've read, and that's good! the writing was tight, a few minor errors, but tightly edited. Interested to read more from her.
December 25, 2015
I enjoyed Kathryn Barrett's first book, Temptation, so figured I would like this one, too. Yup! Ms. Barrett has a simple but not simplistic writing style that makes reading a breeze. I enjoy many of her turns of phrase, and it's clear she did her research on the film and merchandising industry for this book. Occasionally I wished for more emotional insight/development to understand the hero's internal workings, but the characters were likable and the plot intriguing. I look forward to reading True Gold next.
November 2, 2014
Interesting start
but very slow moving. kept reading waiting for something to happen but just more talk or descriptions of her job and not the relationships.
but very slow moving. kept reading waiting for something to happen but just more talk or descriptions of her job and not the relationships.
March 3, 2015
A fun romance, executed with above-average skill.
April 11, 2021
If a book has a musician or an actor in it, you've already hooked me. This one has an actor and Kathryn portrays him exactly right...a bit of ego, naturally, and used to attention, but also a real person. More to draw you in, though, is Claire. She's a fighter and I really loved how strong she was and her ability to show amazing self-control (even when it wasn't always in her best interest). It's easy to show women giving in (if even in their heads), but Claire's sheer force of will was fabulous to see, which made watching her open up a true reward.
May 18, 2018
4 Stars
What a great book. I am so glad I found this book. It went way my expectations. I loved the characters especially Matt and the way he took care of Claire.
What a great book. I am so glad I found this book. It went way my expectations. I loved the characters especially Matt and the way he took care of Claire.
November 19, 2014
3.5 stars..
Claire Porter didn’t have a typical upbringing. As a young woman she was an aspiring actress and had a promising career ahead of her. That is until she ended up in the middle of a scandal that put her in the headlines not in a good way. The only good thing that came out of that was her son. Completely changing her life, she moves away from it all and sets out for a different career. She ends up in Philadelphia as an executive for a struggling department store. She is content with her life that is until Matt Grayson comes back into it.
Matt Grayson is Hollywood’s it man. Playing a hero on the big screen. When they find the perfect set for a new movie in Philadelphia he never expected to run into Claire. Ten years after their affair that ended in disaster, he sees how guarded she has become. She fights the filming in her store tooth and nail. He is determined to get her to cooperate and to let him in.
It took ten years for Claire to get to where she is. The last thing she needs it the paparazzi snooping around. She has her son to protect as well as her identity. The one thing she is determined to avoid is getting her heart broken all over again by the same man.
Claire finds herself becoming friends with Matt and she starts to feel other things. Slowly, secrets are revealed and things are exposed. Matt will do anything to protect Claire but as the past continues to rear its ugly head, he realizes he may lose her again but this time it will be permanent.
This story was enjoyable. The prologue was great but the first few chapters were slow for me. It goes on and on about her job, way too detailed. I got a bit bored with that. I loved the flash backs and how it gives you bits and pieces of her past. I had a hard time connecting with her character. I completely understand her struggles but she came off really cold and stiff at home, with her son and at work. The moments she was vulnerable I adored her, she became more human and in those times, I was able to connect.
I loved Matt’s character. He is sexy, confident and determined. He is also a loving and caring man. He is determined to break down the walls that Claire has put up. She is straight Fort Knox! Once he was able to break through a little, their chemistry was off the charts. Poor Matt, I felt that every time he was able to break through to her, she just pushes him away, almost too much.
Over all it was a decent read. There was romance, angst and a bit of some shock factor.
Claire Porter didn’t have a typical upbringing. As a young woman she was an aspiring actress and had a promising career ahead of her. That is until she ended up in the middle of a scandal that put her in the headlines not in a good way. The only good thing that came out of that was her son. Completely changing her life, she moves away from it all and sets out for a different career. She ends up in Philadelphia as an executive for a struggling department store. She is content with her life that is until Matt Grayson comes back into it.
Matt Grayson is Hollywood’s it man. Playing a hero on the big screen. When they find the perfect set for a new movie in Philadelphia he never expected to run into Claire. Ten years after their affair that ended in disaster, he sees how guarded she has become. She fights the filming in her store tooth and nail. He is determined to get her to cooperate and to let him in.
It took ten years for Claire to get to where she is. The last thing she needs it the paparazzi snooping around. She has her son to protect as well as her identity. The one thing she is determined to avoid is getting her heart broken all over again by the same man.
Claire finds herself becoming friends with Matt and she starts to feel other things. Slowly, secrets are revealed and things are exposed. Matt will do anything to protect Claire but as the past continues to rear its ugly head, he realizes he may lose her again but this time it will be permanent.
This story was enjoyable. The prologue was great but the first few chapters were slow for me. It goes on and on about her job, way too detailed. I got a bit bored with that. I loved the flash backs and how it gives you bits and pieces of her past. I had a hard time connecting with her character. I completely understand her struggles but she came off really cold and stiff at home, with her son and at work. The moments she was vulnerable I adored her, she became more human and in those times, I was able to connect.
I loved Matt’s character. He is sexy, confident and determined. He is also a loving and caring man. He is determined to break down the walls that Claire has put up. She is straight Fort Knox! Once he was able to break through a little, their chemistry was off the charts. Poor Matt, I felt that every time he was able to break through to her, she just pushes him away, almost too much.
Over all it was a decent read. There was romance, angst and a bit of some shock factor.
October 19, 2014
2.5 stars
This was predictable in the end, but I did enjoy the push and pull between the two and their past.
This was predictable in the end, but I did enjoy the push and pull between the two and their past.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews