Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Redeeming Rhys

Rate this book
Are people born pure?

Is evil learned, or is it birthed into one's soul, like a fallen angel who was previously part of graciousness?

Rhys is decayed, black, and bad. He cut distortion out of his life years before, but he let her live; his only way to gain redemption once more.

As his sinful needs blanket him with dread, he seeks penance from the soul he saw as a second chance.

Is absolution too late for Rhys?

158 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 19, 2016

20 people are currently reading
799 people want to read

About the author

Mary E. Palmerin

19 books425 followers

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
113 (32%)
4 stars
99 (28%)
3 stars
77 (22%)
2 stars
28 (8%)
1 star
31 (8%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 133 reviews
Profile Image for ✦❋Arianna✦❋.
790 reviews2,552 followers
February 9, 2017
4 Stars!!

description

“Redeeming Rhys” was my second book by this author and for sure it won’t by my last. Oh my Gawd…to be in this author’s mind is pure and simple fascinating. ‘The dark’ she portrays in such a twisted way will leave you scared for life, but somehow at the same time will leave you wanting more. Mary E. Palmerin delivered a dark, gory, disturbing story about a man who tries to find redemption in a very unnatural way to say the least.

description

“One, two, Bad Boy is coming for you. Three, four, Little Girl it’s too late to lock your door. Five six, Bad Boy is about to show you sick. Seven, eight, Bad Boy is gonna filet you like steak. Nine, ten, never see Momma or Daddy again.”


Rhys grew up only with his mother, a woman who loves to drink more than care for her son. Rhys’s life change when her mother brings in their lives a man who will become the new step father and his little girl, Wren. Rhys is constantly beaten by his step-father. His mother knows about it, even the Church knows it, but no one seem to care enough do actually do something for him. Since he was a kid, Rhys grew up with the conviction that he’s a bad boy, that he’s a sinner who needs to be punished, that he has to pay for his sins. The only good thing in Rhys’s life is Wren, the girl he felt in love with, the girl who never said the most important words for him, that he’s not a bad boy.

Years later, Rhys is a serial murder, a truly psychopath who tortures and kills women who look like Wren. He needs absolution from her, so wants to find her; he’s ready to meet her again. He will find her no matter what.

“Those who cast the first sin will always be haunted by the darkness.”


description

Oh boy…what a twisted tale! This one was disturbing and also terrifying at times. Rhys, the anti-hero of this story was scary as f@ck. His POV was crazy and sooo f@cked-up. At times I couldn’t believe what I was reading. He left me with my mouth hanging open and he made me cringe from start to finish.

“…nothing is ever what it seems. People are always hiding behind something.”


The author did a fantastic job portraying Rhys’s crazy character. What a sick man! He doesn’t give a f@ck about anything, he’s evil and he doesn’t have a conscience.

description

description

Being is his head was mind-blowing.

The story fast-paced, which I really enjoyed, graphic and unapologetic and for one reason or another it kept me at the edge of my seat from start to finish. There are some interesting twists I didn’t see them coming and the ending…OMG…so damn smart and intriguing.

Overall, an entertaining dark and twisted tale!

“Play dead, little Sally. Play dead. Play dead, little Sally. Play dead!”


description
Profile Image for Jennifer Kyle.
2,611 reviews5,401 followers
January 20, 2016
4 Bad Boy Stars

description

I’m not sure what to say about this book but first and foremost this story for me falls one hundred percent under the HORROR genre. The writing is excellent and since this is my second book by this author I was expecting creepy characters that fall on the other side of normal. However, unlike The Goodbye Man there wasn’t anything in this book that I could hold onto and say I liked it if that makes sense?

”One, two, Bad Boy is coming for you. Three, four, Little Girl it’s too late to lock your door. Five, six, Bad boy is about to show you sick. Seven, eight, Bad Boy is gonna filet you like steak. Nine, ten, never see Momma or Daddy again.”

description

The hero is a serial murder living off the grid with no home or connections. He tortures and kills women who look like his stepsister, Wren the only person he ever wanted to be told by that he wasn’t a bad boy from. Rhys craves absolution from Wren. His POV takes you to the events of his past ten years earlier and his need to find Wren now. The author then gifts Wren’s POV to the story and of course their reunion.

description

This story is graphic, disturbing, unapologetic, and pretty terrifying to be in these character’s heads. I don’t think I liked the story or could think of any friends who I could recommend it to. Perhaps I’m wrong and dark lovers will love this one?
.
description

The reveals were shocking and very well done and the ending seriously unforgettable. I think the most disturbingly haunting line of the book hands down is:

”Play dead Sally!”

description

I’m left completely creeped out and believe it or not one clicked a sweet Christmas novella to do next, no joke my friends!
Profile Image for ❥ KAT ❥ Kitty Kats Crazy About Books.
2,622 reviews10.9k followers
December 7, 2015
༺**Complimentary Copy**༺ Provided by the author
"Mary E. Palmerin" in exchange for an honest review..Thank you!!

Image and video hosting by TinyPic

Image and video hosting by TinyPic

TITLE: Redeeming Rhys
AUTHOR: Mary E. Palmerin
GENRE: Contemporary Romance
RELEASE DATE: January 19th 2016

MY RATING: 5 SICK AS F*CK STARS

I've only read one other by this author and that was "The Goodbye Man (Red Market, #1)" and that was seriously sick so I'm sitting here debating weither I should run for the hills now!! Or 0800 THERAPY!!

And this right here says it all!! **Warning, dark scenes depicted heavily throughout this novel. Read the Author's disclaimer carefully before proceeding with this title.**

OH GODS!!

This tale has graphic depiction of abuse including but not limited to; rape, physical torture, emotional abuse, murder, strong language, sexual degradation and humiliation.

Are people born pure?

He wasn't a high-rolling criminal, dealing sparkling cocaine that yuppies snorted up their noses while driving around in cadillacs. No, he stole. He killed. He took. He did what he had to do to survive..to feed his belly along with the need he didn't like to admit he had.

Image and video hosting by TinyPic

Hmmmm well this is different, like I have no idea what I'm reading but like a train wreck going off the rails to destruction I can't for the life of me stop reading it, and if I was asked right at this minute what I am reading I would answer honestly that I have no bloody idea!!

Image and video hosting by TinyPic

Cutting them away from his life, making the hurt stop was the method to his madness, the start of something beautifully fucked that he would never be prepared for.

Image and video hosting by TinyPic

He wished he could talk to God, but there was no God where he was birthed. God was learned. God was forced. He belived in him once, only to be left.. Stranded. Alone. Eveil was easier. Turning to the darkness was the simplest route.

Image and video hosting by TinyPic

Get a glimpse into the mind of a trully evil person which will have you flipping too and fro and your mind in turmoil, heed the authors warning at the beginning of the book as it's not for the faint hearted, but if your a sicko like me this book will leave you wanting more..The reason I solely signed up for this was the cover, it just displays evil then I looked at the author it all made sense this author knows no boundaries when she pushes you out of your comfort zone into the dark..

All he wants is to get back to Wren to prove that he isn't a bad boy that he's good..It's taken him 10 years to find her, now he's ready..

As his sinful needs blanket him with dread, he seeks penance from the soul he saw as a second chance.

Image and video hosting by TinyPic

Profile Image for Michelle.
944 reviews219 followers
February 2, 2016
3.5 Messed Up Bad Boy Stars!
The first thing I thought after reading this book is...I'm glad he didn't eat anybody and why does this book take place 30 mins from my hometown? Bahahahahaha!

Rhys grew up with a drunk for a mother and no father. Until his mother meets the man with the little girl who becomes his step father. Rhys grows up believing he's bad. He is beaten and thrown in the cellar with rats often. His mom does nothing about this. His parents take him to church where he is made to confess his sins. He's just bad bad bad is all we here. Not really knowing why he's bad or what he did to be bad in his step fathers eyes. We just know he's bad and the church turns a blind eye to all the abuse they witness. The only thing Rhys looks forward to is Wren his step sister.
Years later she's the one he left behind. The one he will soon go and get.

One, two, Bad Boy is coming for you. Three, four, Little Girl it’s too late to lock your door. Five six, Bad Boy is about to show you sick. Seven, eight, Bad Boy is gonna filet you like steak. Nine, ten, never see Momma or Daddy again.~Rhys

I felt the first part of this book was kind of slow. I felt things were repeated over and over. I also felt there was a lot of telling and not showing. But don't get me wrong he gets to showing! lol Rhys was defiantly all kinds of crazy! Being in his mind had me cringing.

He pulled her naked, dead body into his, and nuzzled his nose into her blood-matted hair while he floated off to a sleep that would put most nightmares to shame.~Rhys

Then Wren comes in the picture. She's living her life. She has a new boyfriend but still dreaming of the boy from her past. The boy that left her. But don't worry Wren bad boy is coming for you.

Rhys withdrew his fingers, leaving Wren breathless. She didn’t even realize she had closed her eyes, but then when she did, she opened them to lift her head up to look between her thighs at Rhys. He was still holding that wire brush that she would use when she blew her hair dry, which confused her greatly.

Oh yea. I was cringing!!!! Lots and lots of cringing in this book!

We start getting some answers after the halfway mark. Answers that kind of shocked me. We go from past to present through out the book. Who was really bad???

“Play dead, little Sally. Play dead. Play dead, little Sally. Play dead!” Rhys sang in almost a child-like tone.

O.O!!! That was me!!!

The ending was a HUGE cliff and I will be needing to read the next one just because I need to know wtf happens!

“If there is ever such a thing as love, I do believe that I feel it with you. Love is never constant or stable. Hate must keep it in check, my darling. Love and hate are equally as appealing, both of which I feel for you.”~Rhys




Profile Image for Elfina Renee.
611 reviews226 followers
March 5, 2016
 photo orlando_bloom_01.jpg
This story is so messed up I don't know where to begin. Fact: Rhys is dark, disturbing, gory and sinister.
 photo Damngoodbook3.gif
The heinous world Mary E. Palmerin creates is nightmarish, vivid as the victims struggles so will you in not losing your cookies. If you have religious triggers or other triggers then know up front the author pushes those boundaries and this read probably isn't for you. Five amazing stars!
 photo Tied Man 1.gif
Profile Image for Di Covey/TwistedBookReviews.
1,114 reviews216 followers
January 19, 2016
5 Twisted Stars!

A twisted trip of dark, depraved, and uncertainty. You will be shocked, slightly sick, and completely consumed. A wild ride, strap on your seat belt, make sure you have your bible ready, and enjoy the forbidden chaos.

If you can't handle religious aspects, extremely taboo situations, I'd say skip along, because this story will make you tap out.

"The demon and angel danced until the fire burned them both."

Mary E Palmerin has proven versatility once again. Just when you think you've read it all, she pulls out the knife, slices you one more time, leaving your sanity hanging. I'd almost say this one is my favorite book from her. I'd almost say she can't top this one, but I said that the last time too. I'd go as far as saying, this is a top FAVORITE for me, it's going on my Dark Wall Of Fame. I'm going to frame this MotherFucker, remembering its twistedness.

The story, exceptionally written. Poetic in all its darkness. I was intrigued from the first page, devouring until the very end. Rhys is the character I come to expect from dark books, I crave his instability, his twisted thinking. You know he's wrong, but you can't look away. He's so wrongly right.

"There were many people after him, but he was a quiet monster. One that lurked in the depths of madness while basking in the sorrows of all his yesterdays."

The mystery, the intrigue continued throughout the entire book, glimpses from the past kept me turning the pages. The guessing game had me entranced. Nothing is what it seems. I never imagined the ending, completely blindsided, blown away. You know how you get to the end of a movie, and the ending has you gasping from the plot twist? Well, I was laughing, giggling with the crazy. A Wham Bamn, what did I just read? I sat staring at the ceiling with a huge smile on face. Mary E Palmerin you knocked it out of the park, slam dunk, homerun. This book is an absolute must for darkies.


"But nothing is ever what it seems. People are always hiding behind something."
Profile Image for Carol (StarAngel's Reviews) Allen.
1,692 reviews634 followers
January 20, 2016
*****5 +++ Stars*****

I am amazed at Ms. Palmerin's writing and the thought process that goes behind each book she writes.

I do have to be honest and admit that I was a bit skeptical at first because it has been such a long time that I have read a psychological mind fuck book, but this blew me away. Carla had raved about this and I just knew I had to give it a try!

The blurb is what caught me at first... Is evil learned, or is it birthed into one's soul... the age old question of NATURE or NURTURE that has plagued my mind for years. (I even did my thesis on it).

Twisted...that is the word I would use for this book. While reading, I wanted so bad to figure out what happened to make Rhys the way he was and kept turning each page anticipating the answers would lie there.

The ending? OMG...I honestly never saw that coming...UGH.

One word of caution though....NOT FOR THE WEAK!
Profile Image for Aliana Milano.
307 reviews101 followers
January 27, 2016
WOAH............

THIS BOOK!!!

It just did serious things to me.

She remembers what it was like to be happy. To be vibrant. To smile and feel the flutters in your tummy from happiness. Rhys made her feel the butterflies out of fear.

People! Take the Warning VERY seriously! That's what it's there for. This book is DARK. It's TWISTED. It's FUCKED UP. And I LOVED every minute of it.

It's not for the faint of heart at all. If darkness, death and pain isn't your thing, then this book isn't for you.

Heck, Rhys scares the ever loving shit out of me. Wren kinda does too now, thanks to that revelation at the end. But I love them. My fave fucked up couple for sure.

Perfection is a state of illusion.

My heart really hurt for Rhys. He really wasn't a bad boy. Those of you that have read this will know what I'm referring to.

Mary did a fantastic job of mixing just enough past with the present to help you understand what was going on and happened but not enough to tell you what to expect. She crafted a dark story full of hurt and pain and death and sadness. My heart ached for Rhys. It also kind of broke for Wren.

This book ends on one hell of a cliffhanger so if those aren't your thing, I STRONGLY recommend you wait for the release of book 2 before starting this.

NOW LIVE!!!

P.S. This cover is the BOMB. Looks freaking INSANE on my kindle. Gives me all the chills! ;)

The end is never the end, it's only the beginning...

*ARC received in exchange for an honest review*
Profile Image for Sybil aka Lala.
478 reviews231 followers
January 25, 2016
Abandon all sanity all ye who enter here…



From the very beginning this book grabbed my attention with the image of a young boy in a confessional booth, covered in bruises and clutching bloody rosary beads. Some ten years later we catch up with him again on his journey to seek redemption from a girl called Wren. To give more of the story away would be unfair as this book should be entered into blindly to get the full effect. If you’ve ever wanted a glimpse into the deranged mind of a serial killer, this book will certainly allow you that- and then some.



Mary E. Palmerin has given us a work so gruesome and unapologetic that I was held in fascination of the horror like a person looking at a car wreck and counting all the bodies. This book is not romanticized, the author doesn’t even try – but I was so infatuated by the writing style and the darkness of the characters that I never saw a single plot twist coming. And there were many.



The writing style was surreal. Told mainly for Rhys’ POV, his untethered mind only alludes to the events that led him to become what he is today. There were instances of intense and graphic detail and other moments where time seemed to speed up and if you weren’t paying attention, events would pass you by. We also get glimpses from other character’s POV and memories from some. It all left me feeling unbalanced but I loved the entire journey.



This book is dark. This book it twisted. This book is graphic. If you’re expecting romance, you are not going to get it here, but it is a brilliantly written and refreshing story and for those who want to wander along the more disturbing paths of literature, this book comes highly recommended. It does end with a major cliffy but I cannot wait to see what comes next!



SAFETY GANG WARNING:

I want to make it very clear that you should heed the author’s warning before deciding to read this book: If rape, child abuse, violence and sexual abuse are triggers for you – DO NOT read this book. If you are offended by unfavorable views about religion – DO NOT read this book. All things above are explained in graphic detail.






(ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review)
Profile Image for Jamie ♡♡ submits to books ♡♡.
462 reviews170 followers
February 21, 2016
☆☆☆☆ 4.5 Bad Boy Is Coming For You Stars ☆☆☆☆

First off HOLY SHIT.....THIS BOOK IS C -R-A-Z-Y!!!!!

"Penance doesn't find little boys like me. Only hell. "

 photo PicsArt_02-20-09.54.08_zpso0kvgc4j.jpg

Rhys is a monster out to find his redemption for the life he was forced to live so many years ago. Along his road home, Rhys leaves a trail of gruesome death streaked in blood.

"Rhys loved the smell of fear. That fed his belly more than food. That gave him urgency, purpose. He felt like a righteous king ruling an untouchable demense."

The only person that can save him is the one he let live.

"Heaven and hell were about to have a fight and hell would win."

 photo PicsArt_02-20-10.02.45_zpscvzaakcw.jpg

Wren has been fighting the memories of her past and the feelings for Rhys she has carried all the years. She knows her life is not what it could be. She puts on a mask for everyone to get through each day.

"She was programmed differently. She was birthed to be a sinner, disguised as a sweet little angel."

Only the memories in Wren's fragile mind are very different than the truth of what devastation happened 10 years ago.

Face to face with Rhys, Wren's life and memories are about to get a painful and bloody reminder of what REALLY happened and who's hands have caused the most spilled blood.

 photo PicsArt_02-20-10.10.44_zpsiu74sy0j.jpg

I will be completely honest, I loved Rhys but he made me cringe on several occasions. He is darkest of the dark and when the truth is finally exposed, you will NOT believe it. Fabulous twist Miss Palmerin!!

The only reason this fell short of 5☆s was because this ending....well....I am seeing a book 2!!
Profile Image for  Linathebookaddict  .
1,566 reviews407 followers
January 17, 2016
 photo 12489402_546512758851645_4850064288994892401_o_zpsnsxonmqv.jpg



WHAT A STORY! I still cannot recover from the feelings this book awoke in me. This is the ugliest story I've ever read about two warped people and their idea of love...Well, not love...not exactly.
Rhys is a killer. His mind is sick from all the years of torture he has endured in the hands of his family. His one and only hope is Wren, the girl he left behind. He dreams of her and he loves her in his own sick way.
Wren is out there, and in Rhys' mind, waiting for him to resume what they started when they were teenagers, living under the same roof. I won't tell anything else about their story because this book needs to be discovered as you go along but I can say that I loved how different it was.
Rhys doesn't feel emotions like most people do. His emotions are as warped as his mind; twisted and he certainly doesn't feel any sympathy for his victims. Guilt is not something that he can relate to even if sometimes he himself expects it to appear in his subconscious.
His character is very complex and all along he tries to prove to us, to Wren, that he is not a bad boy. He keeps insisting on that and as the plot unfolds we will see who really is to blame for what they accused him of; we will see who trully made him become the man he is.
Every character in this book will challenge your sanity and your emotions. The writing is so unique and phenomenal! Please, do not miss this if you enjoy the dark side. Just heed the warnings; this is not a love story and certainly not a fairytale.

*****5 Stars*****

ARC kindly provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for JESSICA .
441 reviews
February 23, 2016
Going Down The Black Hole With Rhys/Wren
 photo Collage1_zpsvokihbv5.jpg
This is who I envisioned (Alexander Skarsgård/Amy Lee) when I was reading this crazy & disturbing book!

I won't ruin this beautifully dark read by divulging any details, I'm not one to spoil a story... Go into this blindly. But I will say, I feel like frickin Alice in wonderland, when she tumbles into the rabbit hole. But for me it was a black hole of; "Anger-Brutal-Insanity!" I don't even know where to begin... Out of all the dark and twisted books of read, Mr. Rhys, tops them all. This poor man is totally fucked up in the head! He mixes insanity, violence & religion at the finest! But kudos what he did to "You-know-who!" Just wish Mrs. Palmerin, would have gone into great detail with that scene!

Mrs. Palmerin - You Are Frickin Awesome! Love You!
 photo 10805349_zpsbxz1wcfp.gif
Image and video hosting by TinyPic

Highly Recommended For Lovers Of Very Dark Reads ;)

*But If you are easily offended about; religious Catholic undertones, sexual violence, don't read this book! Not for you.
Profile Image for Mirjam.
1,890 reviews112 followers
December 10, 2021

“There’s only one God that can save you, my darling, and he is me.”

OMG! What depraved mind wrote this! Behind the, overly, repeated abuse Rhys receives growing-up, there is one fucked-up story. His only hope for redemption is his childhood sweetheart who he is looking for to pick up where they left ten years ago. Reading the book will let you understand their (oh so troubled) story and, you won't be able to not, feel so sorry for the little boy.
Rhys does not feel emotions and is in desperate need to hear Wren say that "he is not a bad boy".
The writing is very tense, it pulls you into the story and lets you feel the dark side in all the characters. And the warning that comes with the book? Please heed to it!



The end is never the end, it’s only the beginning…
Profile Image for Michelle.
552 reviews44 followers
November 9, 2015

Redeeming Rhys is not for the weak hearted, the warnings are given for a very good reason! :~subjects involving religious aspects that may be a hard limit for some, rape and torture situations.

Prepare yourself for a unique refreshing dark, twisted, sick, gruesome ~ blow you mind read.

Mary Palmerin's writing style is top class, this book will pull you in and take you into Hell a place to be feared, however, you will enjoy the journey through hell alongside Rhys & Wren if like me you enjoy the darker side of life, where an Author is not afraid to push limits, leaving you shaken & at times petrified to turn the pages.

Rhys & Wren have been brought up to be good Catholic followers to ensure their place in Heaven, but things never go according to plan and the events that unfold in this book will leave you with your jaw on the floor, head spinning.

I cannot do this book enough justice in my review, highly recommended read for lovers of very dark reads.

My head is still floating with the last few chapters of this book and it will be some time before I can read again.

My final comment is to say Thank you to Mary for delivering an outstanding enjoyable extremely dark gripping story.
Profile Image for Ashleigh Giannoccaro.
Author 52 books516 followers
January 7, 2016
Phenomenal ... Absolutely phenomenal and also probably the most f@cked up story I have read. When I chatted to Mary about this book I was genuinely afraid to read it.

Rhys and Wren are characters in a story I will not soon forget.

I will post my full review after release because I don't want to spoil this book for anyone that wants to read it... and you should read it!
Profile Image for 'Q' aka CoCo.
569 reviews61 followers
October 1, 2016
"He was a quiet monster. One that lurked in the depths of madness while basking in the sorrows of all his yesterdays."
Sounds good, yeah? I thought so. Problem is that it took soooo long to get to the freakin' point. Rhys had a shit childhood. That's established pretty early on, and he's obsessed with Wren, his stepsister. He believes he can find absolution for all his sins (and they are many) if only he can find Wren and convince her he is not a bad boy...

At 30% in, I'm thinking the imagery is beautiful, but so much of it is repeated thoughts, and I just want something to happen...soon...

BUT, things don't actually start moving forward until about 45% in, and it's a short burst of action--so very short. By the halfway mark, we're back to repeated thoughts.

"There was only one out there that made him feel even like half of a man. Her. Wren."
Yes. I get it. You've told me a million damn times. Moving on...

FINALLY--60% in and Rhys gets to Wren. Now keep in mind, throughout the whole book, the one thing they keep mentioning is the "day everything changed." It was this something that happened with Wren by the swing set. Both Rhys and Wren mention it over and over ad nauseam. I'm thinking, Yes! We'll finally know what happened! But...

No.

Instead, what follows is a brutal scene between Rhys and Wren that even my dark loving heart couldn't really enjoy because I was so annoyed that this one piece of information was still being kept from me. It went on entirely too long. This huge twist about this all important day isn't revealed until 90% in, and when it's alluded to from the start, that's super annoying. Add to that a bunch of missing/misused words, and I was more aggravated than entertained while reading this.

Profile Image for Nova Flynn.
Author 8 books70 followers
March 3, 2021
This book sucked me in from the first word. Written using rich language and religious references, it's a story were you're forced to savour every word describing dark depravity and gruesome details. And behind all the torture, blood and death, there's some sick romance.
I loved this book.

Note - lot of triggers.
Profile Image for Debbie.
61 reviews2 followers
January 19, 2016
I'll start with saying 5 incredible stars! Mary has done it again! The story was deep and dark and at times made me question my own sanity. I couldnt help but fall in love with every character, no matter their faults, which is really quite impressive because i always dislike someone for one reason or another. The writing is so detailed i could see the whole book played out in my head which kept me so engaged, i had to physically remove myself from it when i needed to take care of my family lol.
Its not a love story, and yet my dark mind found it to be beautiful love story...if u find violence and obsession beautiful. Mary does not do light and fluffy and if you've ever read her books you already know that, but if you appreciate the dark and like to have your mind blown and guts ripped out, with plot twists that actually make your jaw drop, this is for you!
Profile Image for Krissy.
564 reviews
August 27, 2020
Forgive me, father, for I have sinned. 

This entire book was a whole ass sin. Rhys is one messed up individual on a hunt for the one woman he's wanted all his life. His journey was dark and full of crazy. Just the way I like it. In true Mary fashion, the ending was not what I was expecting. 


"The end is never the end, it’s only the beginning…"

I can't wait to see where this one goes.
Profile Image for Lustful Literature.
1,822 reviews336 followers
January 25, 2016

JOSIE'S 4.5 STAR REVIEW

Wow just wow, this story was nothing at all what I expected. I love a good dark and gritty story but this one was beyond dark. I had no idea what I was reading, this was different from anything I have read and experienced and for some reason I could not stop reading it. I just had to find out what in world was going on. The author did a remarkable job in writing this very graphic, disturbing and dare I say it evil story. Her words bled through each page while it grabbed and held me captive at every turn.

The author gives readers a warning, one that I did not take to heart, so please if you have a weak heart this is not the book for you – “dark scenes depicted heavily throughout this novel”. That truly is an understatement. This is my first time reading a book from this author and it certainly won’t be my last. I love how this author is not afraid to take readers out of their comfort zone to really deliver an unbelievable story that had me guessing all the way through.


While reading Redeeming Rhys, I found myself intrigued and fascinated with the mystery and darkness that surrounded this storyline. We are giving alternate POV’s told in both past in present. The darkness and complexity of the main characters relationship is confusing and full of uncertainty.

Rhys mind is malicious, warped and distorted. He is a cold blooded killer who does not feel any empathy for his victims. As a normal person would feel guilt, Rhys mind does not relate to that kind of emotion. His character is very complex and throughout this story he tries to prove that he is not a bad. Bad boy. He needs to find the one person from his past, the one that he believes to be his, the one person that knows deep down that he is not a bad, bad boy. This man is truly sick. We get glimpses of this man’s lifestyle and the evil he commits with such satisfaction. It sickened me, but I just could not stop reading. Throughout all his evil, his warped mind asserted his innocence to the atrocities he was accused of, and when we get to the real nitty and gritty, boy did I get played.

This was an absolute mind fuck. I did not see it coming and I was just blown away. I mean what the actual fuck just happened? I never saw it coming. Every character (and we have quite a few) tested my sanity and my emotions. The author’s writing was exceptional and rare. The darkness, plot and where she took this book was nothing I had ever read before. If you like dark reads, and I don’t mean fluffy rainbows, I am talking gut wrenching scenes this is your book.
Profile Image for Jessica.
1,079 reviews44 followers
July 19, 2016
1 Psychotic-Stars! ☆
The best part about the book is the cover. The writing was okay but the story went nowhere. I felt like i was going around in an endless loop of the thoughts in the mind of a serial killer. -But even that sentence sounds more interesting than what happened.

Not much happens in this book. Its a weird story with no real plot. Rhys kills girls that look like wren because he was abused by his father when he was a little boy. Blah blah blah... :( it had added no substance or grit to his personality. I felt like the author wanted me to pity him by explaining his battered life story, but i couldnt even get into the story enough to care. Page after page, he just kept rambling on about Wren and how he wanted to show her he's a good boy but at the same time prove he's really he's not. Over and over...i wanted to punch myself for some action. And when he did kill a girl which by the way took way to long to explain with all his mini flash backs and memories, i didn't even flinch.

“One, two, Bad Boy is coming for you. Three, four, Little Girl it’s too late to lock your door. Five six, Bad Boy is about to show you sick. Seven, eight, Bad Boy is gonna filet you like steak. Nine, ten, never see Momma or Daddy again.”

Fun Fact: the sight of blood makes Rhys dick hard. Yep...i said it. Every time. Doesn't matter who's blood. A little girl's or an old man's blood, doesn't matter. Just wtf?

Warning: Rhys f#%ks Wren with a wire brush till shes bleeding? What The F#%k??? But wait, because just when your mind is literally ready to say f#%k you to this book, he f#%ks her with his c#ck while shes bleeding out from her p#ssy and she comes. She f#%kin comes? WHAT?! Who comes after being tortured and raped? I don't know why, but this book made me mad. I actually finished the book, hoping for one redeeming quality but i was so wrong!
Profile Image for Jamie  (The Kansan Reader).
686 reviews105 followers
September 28, 2016
DNF at 83%

I can't. 1. this is too dark for me. 2. it is bringing up horrible memories. Never have I read a book that has made me physical ill.

Props to the author. She has an amazing writing skills. I am not one for the subject matter she writes about.

Now excuse me while I go find something cute to read.
Profile Image for Nadia Debowska-Stephens (Obsessed by Books).
1,080 reviews28 followers
December 24, 2015
~*~Obsessed by Books copy given in exchange for an honest review ~*~

" She was letting the devil love her in all the wrong ways, and her conflicted heart enjoyed it with every ounce of its fucked up glory."

Religion, the belief in something Divine can act as a mask for the depravity of human nature. Seven deadly sins, the Ten Commandments, the boundaries in which the Bible define good and evil are corrupted beyond belief in this dark tale of blood, pain and liberation. Rhys was a bad bad boy, ingrained from the moment he can recall he has been nothing other than surplus. Born to a devout Catholic mother Rhys soon realises that she is nothing more than an empty shell, reliant on alcohol to mask the pain of her unrequited desires. Finding himself at the mercy of his step father who is brutal in his methods of reinforcing the morales of the scriptures Rhys embraces the inner bad boy that they all paint him to be. Commencing with violence, rape and torture this story is not for the faint of heart. There is no light in the darkness for Rhys he believes his hunger can only be quenched by his companion during his torturous childhood, the one that got away...Wren. Step siblings he watched her from the shadows and fell in love with her secrets. Battling to survive in a home where love was a twisted cruel thing Rhys anchors himself to her. What happens when that love goes too far? Can they survive when their secrets are revealed? Ten years it takes for Rhys to embrace his hunger for her and to finally seek his redemption...in her.

Redeeming Rhys is a heavy on the heart read. When faith is used as a weapon and a method to control hope dies and without it monsters are created from the ashes. The twisting, intricate proses of this tale helps create an aura of the tortured soul that is Rhys with a seductive tone to the tale at times I found myself agreeing with him. This is fundamentally a story of abuse. People who should protect you, love you, care for you...breaking you instead and even worse hiding behind God, in a perpetual cycle of misery. Wren is his dark angel, magnificent in all her broken pieces. I rated this a four star read as I simply needed more...I hate being left hanging!

A four star darkly different read.
Profile Image for Shabby  -BookBistroBlog.
1,936 reviews987 followers
November 22, 2015
Rhys is a tortured angry soul. He is beyond redemption .
but we all know Mary can really spin a tale .rhys's journey starts with pain and his soul searches for redemption, a forgiveness from his soulmate. Mary has excellently portrayed a character in Rhys as somebody who is being haunted by the secrets he's keeping, the lies kept locked in his heart. They make him angry at the world, at God, at God's men, at all the beautiful girls who look like her !
He waits a long time to revisit his places of torture , to get salvation and to test the powers of prayers in saving a soul.
Rhys very early on finds a kindred spirit in Wren. She is as trapped as him, in a family of twisted people. But their psyches respond differently to their environment. Whereas Rhys projects his anger outwards and is very much aware of who the real monsters are, Wren internalise everything and tries to drift through life with her head down, pretending to be normal and helping others, but inside she's fighting hard to forget her past.
Not Everything Is What It Seems is supposedly a tagline for this story and how appropriate !!
Nothing is what it seems and nothing is what you'll expect in this supercharged , electrifying book
It is highly intense, highly gritty and the darkness seems to get a bit more blacker with each of her books.
What scares me , is NOT how dark and grisly the books get , but my reactions to it !!
The end !!
OMG the end, you'll never see it coming or believe it
be prepared !
I'm a huge fan of her twisted mind and love her storytelling skills.
Profile Image for Skye Blue ☆*~゚ლ(´ڡ`ლ)~*☆.
2,796 reviews28 followers
April 4, 2016


1 1/2 stars...the full star is for the last 10%
160pg? That's all? I feel like I just read a 1500 page text book, in a foreign language, that I had to translate.

But I finally finished.
I will say, the last 8-10% did mildly catch my interest. I liked getting those last glimpses into the past.

That's it...that's the only portion I really enjoyed. It was painful for me. It was not the darkness, it was not the violence, it was just painful to trudge through each and every page.

Hey, that's gonna be my review too...cause I want to forget all about this book.

Oh...I have one more positive thing to say...and YES, that makes 2, I did say the last 8-10 percent was slightly interesting.
The cover....I thought it was a great cover.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After thinking it over a few mins, I changed my mind.
I decided that I did like the ending. Not just because it was over...although THANK YOU,
But the ending was a satisfying ending imo. I think I would have had issues with any other type of ending.

So I'm rounding up, instead of down.
Profile Image for  ✰  Charlie  ✰ Chisholm.
1,984 reviews22 followers
November 17, 2015
I was given an ARC by the Author for an honest review.

"But nothing is ever what it seems. People are always hiding behind something."

Well what can I say I love all of Marys Books and Redeeming Rhys is no exception.
Read the warnings as Redeeming Rhys is not a light and fluffy read it is not for the faint hearted there is some stuff others might find as a hard limit like religious, rape and torture this book is dark.

It is Unique Dark Twisted Sick it will blow your mind.

This book will pull you and doesn’t let go till the end.

This book will push your limits maybe unless you are like me and it just feeds your dark side

I can’t say enough about this book but if you are a fan of Mary’s work and a lover of very dark reads you will love it.
Profile Image for Thai Holman Pure and Dark book blog.
32 reviews174 followers
November 16, 2015
Brilliant and dark. Mary has a very poetic writing style that makes this very dark story beautiful. This isn't for the faint of heart, had cringe worthy moments where I had to take a moment myself. This book goes inside the mind of Rhys and into what makes him well rhys. It's dark, descriptive, and amazing. Mary is a amazing author and 5 stars isn't enough. Yet again I'm madly in love with these characters and felt connected with them and this dark story. Definitely a must read for dark lovers.
Profile Image for J. Kahele.
Author 15 books439 followers
January 30, 2016
This was a very dark book, that frightened me only because the character Rhys could actually be a real person. My head is so messed up after reading this one I think I may need therapy. The author's writing is intense and she created a world where you wanted to escape, but you had to know what was going to happen next. It's like watching that horror flick that you cover your eyes with your hands leaving a little peek hole to look through. This book will stay with me forever, that's how much it affected me.
Profile Image for Kit.
348 reviews251 followers
March 28, 2016
Writing: ★★
Story: ★★
Characters: ★★

Overall rating: 2.0



This book was just painful to be honest. I love a dark read, and I do mean dark, intense mindfucks, but this one just didn't hit the mark for me. So many times I really wanted to quit and mark it down as a DNF.. but it was so short that I just kept going. And the more I read, the longer the book seemed.

Profile Image for Jennifer Juers.
419 reviews
February 26, 2017
"If there is ever such a thing as love, I do believe that I feel it with you. Love is never constant or stable. Hate must keep it in check, my darling. Love and hate are equally as appealing, both of which I feel for you." -Rhys

I don't even know what else to say without giving anything away. I went in completely blind. Mary weaves a story of two people, Rhys and Wren, who have endured murder, lies, deceit and lust.

Rhys did something that made me actually gag and want to puke and I've never had that happen to me before. All I will tell you is that Mr. Fly<\b>was there.

I felt for Wren during her duct taped chapters. They were brutal. Poor girl. She has many secrets hidden over many years so don't think she's all that innocent.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 133 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.