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Creekside Valley #2
Unredeemable: MM Bear/Cougar Shifter Dark Romance
He never thought he deserved forgiveness. He certainly never expected love.
Carter has been running from the wreckage of his past for years. A bear shifter haunted by a drunken car crash that claimed the lives of his brother, cousin, and stepsister-girlfriend, he’s learned to survive by disappearing—into the shadows, into the streets of Metro City, and into the arms of strangers. With a shattered body and scarred face, he’s convinced himself he’s unredeemable. He's a killer, and killers don't deserve happy endings.
But when he escapes from the city with his two best friends and lands in the quiet town of Creekside, everything begins to change. There, he meets Shaun—a bold, unapologetically flamboyant cougar shifter who sees Carter's pain… and sees through it.
Carter doesn’t know if he’s ready for love, or if he even deserves it. But Shaun isn’t the type to let fear win. As Carter confronts his past, heals old wounds, and reclaims parts of himself he thought were lost forever, he discovers that sometimes, the fiercest kind of love is the one that finds you when you’re broken.
Raw, tender, and ultimately hopeful, Unredeemable is a shifter romance about redemption, the power of love, and the courage to heal and find peace.
Carter has been running from the wreckage of his past for years. A bear shifter haunted by a drunken car crash that claimed the lives of his brother, cousin, and stepsister-girlfriend, he’s learned to survive by disappearing—into the shadows, into the streets of Metro City, and into the arms of strangers. With a shattered body and scarred face, he’s convinced himself he’s unredeemable. He's a killer, and killers don't deserve happy endings.
But when he escapes from the city with his two best friends and lands in the quiet town of Creekside, everything begins to change. There, he meets Shaun—a bold, unapologetically flamboyant cougar shifter who sees Carter's pain… and sees through it.
Carter doesn’t know if he’s ready for love, or if he even deserves it. But Shaun isn’t the type to let fear win. As Carter confronts his past, heals old wounds, and reclaims parts of himself he thought were lost forever, he discovers that sometimes, the fiercest kind of love is the one that finds you when you’re broken.
Raw, tender, and ultimately hopeful, Unredeemable is a shifter romance about redemption, the power of love, and the courage to heal and find peace.
221 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 11, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
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December 16, 2025Unredeemable is the second book in JT Fader's Creekside Valley series and it’s fantastic! Carter went through so much heartbreak in the beginning of the story. We go through the first 6 years after the accident that destroyed his life and body. He meets Jessie and Rory and they sort of form a found family. Shaun is Carter’s mate and is going through something himself too. I loved these two together so much, they were sweet. Shaun is the bright to Carter's shadows. Can't wait for the next book! This was a fantastic read, definitely recommend.
I’m voluntarily reviewing from an advanced copy that I received. My review is solely based on my thoughts and opinions.
I’m voluntarily reviewing from an advanced copy that I received. My review is solely based on my thoughts and opinions.
December 8, 2025
The story opens with Carter waking up after a very bad accident that killed several members of his family (the only ones who loved him as it turns out). The remainder of Carter's birth family are truly terrible to him at this point and I hope karma swings around hard on them as they're horrible people. The first several chapters cover bits and pieces of Carter's life for the 6 years after he gets out of the hospital, meets Jessie and Rory (his best friends) and eventually moves to Creekside. These chapters are not happy for the most part and Carter has a hard life (not helped by his inner demons making him think he deserves to be punished). When Carter finally meets Shaun he's in a dark place emotionally, but something draws him to Shaun. Shaun himself has some sadness he's dealing with and doesn't think he wants any sort of relationship, but again, something draws him to Carter. They take things slowly and get to know each other before making any sorts of decisions about having a relationship. As a couple, they were very sweet together and I was so pleased that they both got a very hard earned happy ending to close out the book. Shaun's first POV chapter hinted at some events in Rory and Denver's life which made me think they're the subject of the first book in this series (which I did not read), but this book read totally fine as a stand alone. If you are looking for something fluffy and light this is not it. If, on the other hand, you're in the mood for some serious hurt/comfort mixed with angst and overcoming personal demons, this is an excellent choice.
***I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.***
***I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.***
January 12, 2026
4.25 stars - Carter is one of the three bear shifter friends who moved to Creekside after saving enough money living and working on the streets in the big city. They each have a pretty sordid back story as to how they ended up where they did and what they had to do to survive. Carter believes he doesn’t deserve love because of his past so when he meets Shaun, he is determined to keep things on a friend level.
Shaun has some past issues as well and is known as a bit of a player. He doesn't intend to do anything with Carter either, and while their friendship grows, so does the attraction. They build trust as events unfold and their bond grows more solid.
These two really needed some breaks in life and they end up finding them and supporting each other along the way. They face a number of challenges, including being an inter-species couple whoch is generally frowned upon by other shifters.
This is an interesting and fun world even with the heavier topics involved. We have the third friend up next, and he has some even bigger issues than the first two. I'm excited to see him fight his demons and get some wins as well.
Review written for Love Bytes Reviews.
December 25, 2025
Unredeemable, the second book in JT Fader’s Creekside Valley series, is an emotional knockout in the best possible way. From the very first chapter, Carter’s journey grabs you by the heart. The story takes us through the six difficult years following the accident that shattered his life and body, and Fader handles that trauma with so much care and depth that you can’t help but root for him.
Along the way, Carter finds Jessie and Rory, and the three of them slowly build a beautiful, unexpected found family. Their dynamic adds warmth and grounding to the story, making Carter’s healing feel even more meaningful. Then there’s Shaun—Carter’s mate—who is quietly fighting his own battles. Shaun and Carter created a relationship that feels tender, steady, and incredibly sweet. Watching them find their way to each other is one of the most rewarding parts of the book. This installment is heartfelt, immersive, and full of emotional payoff. I absolutely loved it and can’t wait for the next book in the series. Unredeemable is a fantastic read—highly recommended.
Along the way, Carter finds Jessie and Rory, and the three of them slowly build a beautiful, unexpected found family. Their dynamic adds warmth and grounding to the story, making Carter’s healing feel even more meaningful. Then there’s Shaun—Carter’s mate—who is quietly fighting his own battles. Shaun and Carter created a relationship that feels tender, steady, and incredibly sweet. Watching them find their way to each other is one of the most rewarding parts of the book. This installment is heartfelt, immersive, and full of emotional payoff. I absolutely loved it and can’t wait for the next book in the series. Unredeemable is a fantastic read—highly recommended.
December 9, 2025
ARC Review:
This second book in the series is a darker, more emotional, heartbreaking, and raw read. Read the TW triggers I advise. I personally love the books with emotional trauma, hurt/comfort, with redeeming plots to them...THIS book has those in abundance. The unspeakable things both Carter and Shaun has endured in their past only to find themselves falling for one another is such a beautiful read. To see their relationship building as they navigate through past hurts and current journey is well worth healing your fractured heart from the beginning...now patiently waiting for Jesse's book....
This second book in the series is a darker, more emotional, heartbreaking, and raw read. Read the TW triggers I advise. I personally love the books with emotional trauma, hurt/comfort, with redeeming plots to them...THIS book has those in abundance. The unspeakable things both Carter and Shaun has endured in their past only to find themselves falling for one another is such a beautiful read. To see their relationship building as they navigate through past hurts and current journey is well worth healing your fractured heart from the beginning...now patiently waiting for Jesse's book....
January 30, 2026
Book 2 of the Creekside Valley series. Really need to read the previous book before this one.
'Raw, tender, and ultimately hopeful, Unredeemable is a shifter romance about redemption, the power of love, and the courage to heal and find peace.'
The characters were very complex and complicated and absolutely perfect together. Plot was intriguing and intense and well paced. World building continues to excel and impress. Great addition to the series. Enjoyed immensely and highly recommend.
Grab a copy, kick back and enjoy!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
'Raw, tender, and ultimately hopeful, Unredeemable is a shifter romance about redemption, the power of love, and the courage to heal and find peace.'
The characters were very complex and complicated and absolutely perfect together. Plot was intriguing and intense and well paced. World building continues to excel and impress. Great addition to the series. Enjoyed immensely and highly recommend.
Grab a copy, kick back and enjoy!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 31, 2026
Excellent! Carter, bear shifter is carrying the heavy guilt load of being in a car accident that killed several family members. He doesn't escape uninjured or unscathed. He goes through six years of healing and builds a nonjudgmental found family and runs to Creekside with his friends. He meets Shaun, tiger shifter, who sees into his heart. This is an emotional story that fights through a 360 cycle of grief to recovery. Shaun and Carter meet when they are ready to complete their healing. JT created two really nice men who work hard to pay their dues. JT handles the story with grit and grace. Well done! I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 6, 2026
**********Contains Spoilers***********
I really enjoyed this book and thought that it was a good addition to the Creekside Valley Series. This book just like book one is pretty angsty to start with but don’t worry Carter eventually gets his happily ever with Shaun. Man, my heart hurt for Carter and that after a stupid mistake as a teen he’s the reason for the three people closest to him dying. He lost his younger brother, his cousin & his girlfriend. He’s also left injured and in a lot of pain.
His parents are a*seholes, like yes he shouldn’t have done what he did and is the cause of their deaths but to completely disown him while he’s in hospital is heartless. Like he lost them as well, even if he was the cause. Carter ends up on the streets where he meets Jesse and eventually Rory. He turns to s*x work to make ends meet while living on the streets but it’s also a way of punishing himself by letting others hurt him, as he believes it what he deserves.
It takes Carter years before he starts accepting that even though he’s guilty, he’s still allowed to deserves to live his life. Shaun is the absolutely perfect person to break through Carter’s walls. I thought that they were good together and I liked how their relationship progressed. Shaun has also been through an extremely difficult situation at a young age and I loved that Carter was there for him, and Shaun was there for Carter when he needed him. I’m looking forward to reading Undesirable next which is definitely going to be another emotional one, as well as more books from JT Fader in the future. I’d definitely recommend this book, series and author to others.
I really enjoyed this book and thought that it was a good addition to the Creekside Valley Series. This book just like book one is pretty angsty to start with but don’t worry Carter eventually gets his happily ever with Shaun. Man, my heart hurt for Carter and that after a stupid mistake as a teen he’s the reason for the three people closest to him dying. He lost his younger brother, his cousin & his girlfriend. He’s also left injured and in a lot of pain.
His parents are a*seholes, like yes he shouldn’t have done what he did and is the cause of their deaths but to completely disown him while he’s in hospital is heartless. Like he lost them as well, even if he was the cause. Carter ends up on the streets where he meets Jesse and eventually Rory. He turns to s*x work to make ends meet while living on the streets but it’s also a way of punishing himself by letting others hurt him, as he believes it what he deserves.
It takes Carter years before he starts accepting that even though he’s guilty, he’s still allowed to deserves to live his life. Shaun is the absolutely perfect person to break through Carter’s walls. I thought that they were good together and I liked how their relationship progressed. Shaun has also been through an extremely difficult situation at a young age and I loved that Carter was there for him, and Shaun was there for Carter when he needed him. I’m looking forward to reading Undesirable next which is definitely going to be another emotional one, as well as more books from JT Fader in the future. I’d definitely recommend this book, series and author to others.
January 24, 2026
This is a story of losing those closest to you and finding a family that sees you and loves you despite everything. Carter's life has been miserable since he lost three family members due to his judgement error. He tries to disappear from life but they're people who see past his mistakes. Shaun sees Carter and loves him as he is. Their story has heartbreak, loneliness, joy, happiness and a love that redeems each of them. I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
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December 13, 2025Not for Me because of the dark triggers
December 28, 2025
Looking to be a great series as this second book goes straight for the heart, following Carter as he claws his way out of years of guilt, trauma, and self-loathing. The opening chapters are heavy, charting the aftermath of the crash and the lonely, punishing life he leads before Creekside offers him a sliver of hope. It’s not a cheerful journey and it isn’t meant to be, but it’s compelling in the best way.
Shaun is exactly the kind of character who can cut through Carter’s darkness: bright, honest, and carrying his own quiet sadness. Their connection grows slowly and naturally, grounding the story in trust rather than instant fixes. When they finally let themselves reach for something more, it feels deeply earned.
This isn’t a fluffy shifter romance; it’s messy, emotional, and full of hard truths. But the hurt/comfort is beautifully handled, and the ending delivers a sense of peace both characters deserve. A powerful, tender read for anyone who loves redemption stories with real weight.
I received a free arc copy and this is my honest review
Shaun is exactly the kind of character who can cut through Carter’s darkness: bright, honest, and carrying his own quiet sadness. Their connection grows slowly and naturally, grounding the story in trust rather than instant fixes. When they finally let themselves reach for something more, it feels deeply earned.
This isn’t a fluffy shifter romance; it’s messy, emotional, and full of hard truths. But the hurt/comfort is beautifully handled, and the ending delivers a sense of peace both characters deserve. A powerful, tender read for anyone who loves redemption stories with real weight.
I received a free arc copy and this is my honest review
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews