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Redemption

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Evan Lockwood hurts people.

Men throw away their kid’s college funds watching him pummel other fighters into submission. It’s immoral, not to mention illegal. And he loves every second of it.

But even this bad boy has a weakness, and it’s the hard-talking woman who raised him. When her ailing health takes a turn for the worst, Evan makes the decision to hire a home care worker to make sure she’s cared for at night. What he was expecting was some matronly nurse—what he wasn’t expecting was quiet, practical Isobel and her quiet, practical beauty.

He’s huge, she’s tiny. He’s a brute, she’s as gentle as a lamb. Even their differences can’t keep them from wanting each other.

But it isn’t long until Evan’s lifestyle catches up with them both and tests them in ways they never could have foreseen. One thing is certain, when the women in his life are threatened, Evan won’t take it lying down.

_______

AVAILABLE NOW FOR PRE-ORDER ON AMAZON. RELEASE DATE 13 JANUARY.

242 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 13, 2018

76 people are currently reading
82 people want to read

About the author

Emily Blythe

7 books66 followers

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5 stars
23 (24%)
4 stars
25 (26%)
3 stars
22 (23%)
2 stars
15 (15%)
1 star
9 (9%)
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
Profile Image for Maria✦❋Steamy Reads Blog❋✦.
662 reviews2,784 followers
March 2, 2018

➦I actually enjoyed this read by Emily Blythe quite a bit. In fact, I think she has a hell of a lot of potential. Almost two months after reading this book I still remember a lot about it. There was something about these characters that was unique and likable and I was even hit with a case of teary eyes at the end. I think that there could have been more fleshing out of the characters but, overall, this made for a very enjoyable reading experience.


➦If you like tortured heroes then this fighter might be just up your alley. I enjoyed his broodiness and rawness but I really wanted to know more about his past and what made him the way he was. I always suggest flashbacks to authors but hey, not everyone likes writing them. But I love them, I can't help it :D


➦I was very bummed out to see that the ratings for this book were so low because of the whole "safety" issue. Honestly, I had to go back into the book to even see what the fuss was about. The heroine is a nurse who is assigned to live in and help the hero's grandma. They literally have just met and he isn't very friendly. At which point he goes and spends some sexy time with someone else. I mean, realistic? Yes. If you can't stomach it, I guess it's not a book for you.

➦Recommended to anyone who likes romances about bad boy fighter heroes with a tortured past and very likable shy heroines. This had a bit of friends to lovers theme going and the progression of the romantic relationship was well done. Looking forward to more work from Emily Blythe.

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Profile Image for Karen Janet.
433 reviews1 follower
January 21, 2018
I was liking it until H fucked up and slept with another woman when he already met h and felt something for her. So it’s not safe. I giving it one star because the author does not bother us, readers, with the sex scene between the OW and H.
Profile Image for Mandie.
692 reviews34 followers
January 13, 2018
Oh wow! This book!! These characters!! I didn't really know what to expect when I first started reading it, but once I started reading, I couldn't put it down! This book gave me all the feels!!

I received this book from the author for an honest review.
Profile Image for Harris Danielle.
878 reviews
January 5, 2018
I freaking love this book! This was definitely not what I expected. This is my favorite from this author. I laughed, blushed, and I cried. This book is amazing. This is one steamy thrilling ride you don't want to miss.


I love Evan, and Isobel. Glory is my most favorite character. This lady is a hoot! I will not go into detail about the book. You have to read it for yourself.

I received this book for an honest review.
Profile Image for Dee.
162 reviews
October 26, 2019
This is the first book I’ve read by Emily. Fighter Evan meets caretaker Isobel when his Gran falls ill. With spending a lot of time together they start to feel like a family and with the help of Gran and their friend Tanya they come to realize that they are in love with each other. Isobel isn’t very keen on the idea of Evan fighting but understands why he came about being a fighter. Throw in a rival of Evan’s that takes an interest in both Evan and Isobel and it makes for a little suspenseful book. This story is different than other fighting/MMA books I’ve read. It has equal parts in the club fighting and spending time together and with Gran. Overall I think it was a very good book. I loved Evan and Isobel’s conversations with Gran. I will always have a spot in my heart for her!
Profile Image for Brutally  Honest  Book Reviews .
90 reviews1 follower
January 30, 2018
Evan is a brute he fights for a living. All he wants to do is make is Grandma Glory's life comfortable and easy. when Glory has a fall. Isobel comes into there lives as Glory's caregiver. Isobel is quiet and shy but can't help being drawn to Evan. As time goes on Glory sees Isobel as family and things develop between her and Evan. Evan with Evans rough edges I couldn't help but fall a little in love with him. Isobel at the beginning of the book annoyed me a little but again she quickly grow on me, As she became more confident the more I liked her. To me the real star of the story is Glory she's tough she's feisty and she's who I want to be when I grow up. I'd love to read Glory's story as a stand alone book and find our more about her.
Profile Image for Samantha Love HEA Romance Book Blog.
826 reviews44 followers
January 8, 2018
🌟🌟🌟🌟 4 Stars

Redemption is the first Emily Blythe novel I have read. This story has a nice flowing story line and enticed various emotions from me while reading.

Our female character Isobel is a shy girl. She comes to work for Evan, looking after his grandmother and helping her with her daily living. She is a uni student and comes with a slightly painful past.
Evan is big, strong, rough, fierce, and commanding. He is into some shady things that Isobel frowns upon. He loves his grandmother so much and that shows through out the story.

This story invoked a bit of emotion from me. In one part of the story I actually cried because of the emotions surrounding what was happening. In some of the book it did annoy me how Evan and Isobel where blowing hot and cold with their feelings. Once they established how they felt it was a sweet romance. The book had a little bit of anticipation, not knowing what was going to happen in certain parts. The book had a lovely ending which I enjoyed, and was a lovely, easy read.
Profile Image for Stacey(TotalBookAddicts).
653 reviews57 followers
January 27, 2018
When Emily messaged me and asked if I would like to review Redemption I was like YES!!

I saw the cover and thought the guy is hot and also this book has got to be about fighting.

So I was excited when I started reading it.

Evan ♡ Damn that man is just WOW!!! I swear love him!!

Isobel ♡ I love her. She is hilarious when her and Glory get together.

Glory ♡ aka Evans Gran. I seriously loved her character. She was hilarious and didnt give a shit what she said to anyone. 'You little Brat' hahahaha.

This was my first book of Emilys and I really did love it xx
Profile Image for Booksobsessive .
763 reviews21 followers
January 6, 2018
Evan is the bad boy - fights illegally and cares for no one but his grandma!
After she has a fall they need some home care with him working most nights.
Goody two shoes Isobel is hired!
She knows he isn’t a bouncer like he says and she knows they are so different but neither can deny their chemistry!

I loved Isobel and Glory’s friendship ! Witty and humor!
Then there’s Evan and Isobels chemistry with steamy scenes 😍

Really enjoyed the story -
4* from me just because I prefer the story to be told in first person.

X
Profile Image for Angela.
614 reviews70 followers
February 10, 2018
I've been sitting her contemplating what rating I want to give this. I enjoyed it, enough...ish. Ok. Here's the thing; I LOVED Glory. She was seriously who I want to be when i'm old and a crotchety, old-hag. Honestly a single star is granted for her alone.

As for the rest of the story? Evan wasn't as much of a tough bastard I think the author made (or rather tried to make) him be. He was kind of all talk (sorta) and no show. Kind of a pansy ass if you ask me. He was decent enough, but if the author was going for some hard-ass, tough, alpha-male, panty-melting, guy, Evan wasn't that for me. Unless she wasn't and i'm just reading into his character all wrong? Who knows.

I actually loved Isobel and looked forward to her banter with Glory. Those two together were a total hoot! She was caring and not once annoyed me. I liked her. And surprising, I loved her relationship with Tanya. It was, well, not something you see happen, if you catch my drift

So there you have it. A 3 for plot, characters and the whole she-bang, docked up a point because of Glory :)
Profile Image for nicandbooks.
1,073 reviews4 followers
October 13, 2023
A gorgeous love story

Redemption is the first book I’ve read by Emily Blythe - a relatively new indie romance author - and her third released book. It’s a beautiful love story about two very different people - Evan and Isobel - brought together because of Evan’s grandmother Glory needing care. I have to say, Glory is definitely a stand out in this novel - as a secondary character she is well fleshed out and steals practically every scene she is in.

Evan is a meat head - a man who earns good money through illegal underground fighting - but he has a heart of gold, especially when it comes to his grandmother and Isobel - the college student who becomes Glory’s carer for the money as she is in need of a job. At its soul, this is a story of redemption for Evan, as he contemplates whether he can be more than what he is.

The start of this story had me hooked. I’m a fan of an alpha male and throw in a need for him to change his ways and I’m usually a happy reader. Evan comes across as your typical dominate alpha male throughout the first 1/3-1/2 the book, but somewhere in the story I felt he lost some of these traits and there wasn’t a clear reason for it either. For me, this change in personality is what demonstrated that while author Emily Blythe clearly has a great deal of writing talent, her newness as an author still shows. But over time (and with a good editing and feedback team) I’m hopeful her books will improve and her stories will flow better.

In saying all of that, Redemption is definitely a book worth reading. At no time did I want to stop or put it down - I was hooked and had to know how Evan and Isobel’s (and of course Glory’s) story ended. And I was more than satisfied with the ending. I’m looking forward to reading whatever Emily brings out next.
Profile Image for Jennifer.
1,086 reviews9 followers
January 29, 2019
Oh wow. Ms. Emily Blythe is a new Author to me and I am going to fan girl for a moment. Have you ever read a book and had it stay with you? Have you ever picked up a release and couldn't put it down until you were done and then sat there wishing for more? That is what Redemption is. What a terrifically designed storyline and the characters are amazingly written (Glory is my favorite). Evan is a strong man with a heart of gold. He took a path in life that he shouldn't of, however, at that time, he did what he had to do for his Grandmother. She was the only person who has been a constant in his life. When everyone else walked away, they had each other, until things started to go wrong. Then we are introduced to Isobel. She has had an equally rough past and they all come together at a time in their lives when they need each other. Heartbreak hits and this little makeshift Family is about to fall apart. Can they hold on to one another? I found this book to be heartbreakingly beautiful as well as a must read. I encourage all romance readers to pick up a copy of this riveting release and get lost in the world that Ms. Blythe has created.

I was beyond fortunate to have requested an advanced reader's copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion and I highly recommend reading ASAP.
12 reviews
January 14, 2018
DNF at like 15% or less. I had high hopes considering the reviews. The plot is interesting enough. However it gets totally ruined by the poor writing. It just lacked detail and muscle. The dialogues were shit. The chemistry between the hero and heroine was shit. The hero was shit. The heroine was so boring I cant even say she was shit. she was just...bland.

Dont really give enough fucks to continue with this review but let me just insert this that got my eyes bugging at only 5%.

"Well, there you are," she said. "I was starting to wonder if you were going to show up."
"I'm sure you were having a terrible time," he said, motioning to the nurse, who stood up. The guy was around his age, and handsome in a bland way.
"He's a bore," she said dismissively.
The nurse—who was probably gay—pretended to be offended. "After everything we've been through together?"

im sorry....."probably gay" wtf??????????

Goodbye.
Profile Image for Daniella Marchand.
399 reviews5 followers
January 15, 2018
I voluntarily read a ARC of this book.

It’s an Ammazing love story about two very different people (Evan and Isobel) brought together because of Evan’s grandmother Glory needing care after falling in the house, where she lives alone. He's a man who earns good money through illegal underground fighting, but he has really a heart of gold, especially when it's for his granmother and leter on for Isobel too. She's a college student, who becomes Glory’s carer, because she needs the money, and she's not afraid to open her mouth :) I'm found of alpha male characters and Evan is a dominate alpha male.
I was hooked and I really wanted to know how Evan and Isobel’s story ended. I’m looking forward to reading whatever Emily brings out next.
Profile Image for BP34.
6,280 reviews46 followers
January 13, 2018
Grab your kleenex because you'll need them. A heartwarming story featuring Evan and Isobel. Evan only cares for one woman and that is his grandmother who raised him. After her fall he hires Isobel as her night caregiver. They are like night and day, he is big and gruff and she is tiny and meek. But the attraction and chemistry are there. He's an illegal fighter and she's not keen on that. This is a well written story with complex characters and an engaging storyline. A fun book to read. I read an advance copy and voluntarily chose to write a review.
Profile Image for Farah.
673 reviews61 followers
January 14, 2018
*Arc Generously Provided By Author*

I've gotta say this is my second read from Emily and by far it is my favourite.

The beautiful, telling story of brawling Evan meets Caretaker Isobel who ends up making him question his life decisions and take a new turn with life. Isobel takes care of Evan's witty, full of life Gran but when she turns for the worse things get a little complicated...

If you want a read that's witty, romantic and kinda mysterious then you better pick up Emily Blythe's - Redemption as it will keep you up all night long!
Profile Image for Crystal Pitchford.
1 review
January 13, 2018
Wow! I was hooked from the first word. Great plot. Well written and the characters seemed so real. There were times where I laughed, times where I wanted to scream, times where I wanted to cry and times when things got so hot that I needed a cold drink. I received this book for free as part of the ARC Team in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Suzanne Withers.
693 reviews4 followers
January 14, 2018
An amazing well written story with great characters. It is an emotional book that has humor, lots of chemistry between Evan and Isobel that leads to hot steamy scenes. I am voluntarily reviewing an advanced reader copy of this book and this is my honest opinion.
Profile Image for Michelle.
562 reviews8 followers
March 22, 2019
I told myself I wasn’t going to care how many stars this book was because it sounded good. Unfortunately, I should’ve heeded the warning of the previous readers.

It’s like this book was a purge of every thought and idea for a plot with no actual plot or character development.
1,000 reviews4 followers
February 19, 2018
Good

3 stars this was a good book when I saw the picture on the cover I expected to be reading about MMA not street fightng. That was a little disappointing.
Profile Image for Lisa Taylor .
2,645 reviews7 followers
March 22, 2019
Wow this book kept me hooked , lots goin on , great storyline too
868 reviews6 followers
March 30, 2019
Pretty darn good

I enjoyed the story of Evan and Isobel. Throw in a crazy grandma and a crazy friend and you have some great laughs
Profile Image for Mel Calix.
6 reviews1 follower
February 17, 2018
Really enjoyed this book. It was my first book by Emily Blythe. The main character, Isobel, is a good girl with a hard past. She is vulnerable yet has many strengths. Evan is the tough guy with a soft spot. Their love is exciting and sweet. This is an opposites attract story that really did hit me in the feels every now and then. I’m sad there was no epilogue. Needed more.. but I’ll be sure to read more by this author.
Profile Image for KD.
285 reviews18 followers
June 6, 2018
I voluntarily signed up for the ARC for this book. I really don't know what to expect. I am so glad that I did! Emily has a unique voice and a different way of writing. I read so much romance books that everything seems to be blending together. When a book catches your attention and makes you notice, I immediately dig that. I love the unique. I love it when authors dare for the unknown and I hate it when authors write to market.

I love the dialogue and the banter. It's unique and I laughed out loud in certain points of the story. I definitely want to be Glory. That's exactly who I want to be when I am 70. I love that Isobel is into textiles but not fashion design. It's so unique that I can honestly say I have never ever read another heroine with the same interests. It really goes to show how well Emily researches her stuff.

Overall, I like it. I love the characters and I love that Isobel is Evan's redemption.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews

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