Redemption Grove

by David Rawding

Twenty-one-year-old Chris Olson has hit rock-bottom. His addiction to painkillers has left him homeless and ruined. Hoping to give him a clean start, his sister, Aida, convinces him to move to Anchorage to live with her.

But trouble seems to follow Chris, and he brings it right to Aida’s doorstep. Faced with having to kick her brother out of the house, Aida enlists the help of her friend, Doctor Max Fitwell. Max, haunted by a recent personal tragedy, wants nothing more than to be left alone in his misery. But he reluctantly agrees to allow Chris to stay with him and to help build a cabin.

Chris and Max, two men who are each struggling to find their own reasons to live, navigate the wilderness of Alaska, where they’ll either become better men or die trying.

Genres: Contemporary

250 pages, Paperback

First published June 26, 2018

About the author

David Rawding has a BA in English from The University of New Hampshire and an MFA in Fiction from Southern New Hampshire University. He has been nominated for the Pushcart Prize, and his short stories have been published in numerous literary journals and magazines. David spent three years as a fly-fishing guide in Alaska, worked several years at a non-profit for at-risk youth, was an online adjunct professor, and has a litany of other jobs in his wake. When he's not writing, he enjoys traveling the world with a backpack and a fly rod.

To see more connect on Facebook: facebook.com/davidrawdingauthor or on Instagram: instagram.com/davidrawdingauthor

Reviews

[Dianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just when his life had spiraled completely out of control and landed in the cesspool of rock bottom, twenty-one-year-old Chris Olson was thrown a lifeline he couldn’t refuse. Ever the optimist, always looking out for her younger brother, Aida provides the money and means for Chris to leave his drugged out world behind in Alaska. There was one caveat, one painkillers, no slip-ups, and he would have to go cold turkey.

Dr. Max Fitwell has just faced the most horrendous lost he could ever imagine. When the skilled surgeon can no longer trust himself with a scalpel, he runs to the place he and his late wife once thought of as a slice of heaven, determined to become a hermit and punish himself for living.

The broken addict and the broken widower will be forced to endure each other when Chris breaks his promise to Aida and Aida implores Max to take Chris on, knowing the potential for healing for them both. Together they will build a cabin in the wilderness of Alaska as they rebuild themselves from the ashes of their lives.

REDEMPTION GROVE by David Rawding is a raw tale of survival when all is lost, finding meaning in a life that seems meaningless and the inner courage to dare to become a better human.

You may find Chris to be completely weak and self-absorbed, because only the weak become addicts, right? Not true, he was a young man who didn’t know how to deal with the cards life dealt. He is the poster child for the label addict. Max has fallen so far into despair and depression after the loss of his wife, he implodes on himself.

David Rawding has taken two dark “afflictions” without being overly maudlin and weaves a tale of hope and new beginnings where a dead end sign once stood. Not only an entertaining read, but one filled with the realities of human frailties. Part suspense, part family dynamics and even a touch of romance as we witness two men struggle to become whole.

I received a complimentary ARC edition from Red Adept.

Publisher: Red Adept Publishing, LLC (June 26, 2018)
Publication Date: June 26, 2018 *Released June 12, 2018 B&N*
Genre: Suspense
Print Length: 316 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow: http://tometender.blogspot.com

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Chris had started his own change by moving to Alaska. The homeless addict scraping by for his next bag of pills seemed like a different guy. He'd struggled to let that guy go, and there was no place for him up here. Chris was actually proud of the things he'd done.".....


This is a story of addiction, loss, and love. Chris is just 21, already having lived too much tragedy. A life of opioids leaves him alone and homeless. His sister Aida offers him a chance to leave L.A., and move to Alaska with her and her family.

It won’t be easy to change what he’s become. Aida’s friend, Max, may be able to help them. Maybe Chris can help Max in return. They struggle in the wide open, alone and overwhelmed.

I loved the Alaska background to this story. It was not the story I expected. I was fascinated from the very beginning. I couldn’t put it down.

How will Chris change his life? What will Max bring to it? New adventures await for all. Relationships change and new things are learned. One of the best books I’ve read. Written by the “Taking On Water” author, another great book.

Thank you David Rawding

[Angel (Bookn.All.Night) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chris is a drug addict living on the streets of LA. His sister Aida (who is a nurse) flies to LA and offers her help to get him clean. He agrees and flies to Alaska (where Aida lives). Rules are set in place and Chris stops the drugs...cold turkey. Aida believes he is making good progress, however Chris has been unable to sleep, and it's driving his want for pills. One night he breaks out the window of his room and heads to downtown Anchorage in search of drugs. During this search, Chris is robbed and beaten. Aida, who manages to find him, saves him from a worker date. Now, Aida has no choice but to kick him out for breaking the rules. Where will he go? How can she kick him out knowing he will return to drugs?

Max and his wife Julia are hiking in the Alaskan wilderness. A tragic accident occurs and Julia is killed. Max is no longer able to function in life, he shuts everyone out and has withdrawn to his remote property. Harboring thoughts of suicide, he is barely making it from one day to the next. Will he ever be able to heal and move on?

Aida is torn. She has to find somewhere else for Chris to go. Max, who is her friend, is hurting and she doesn't know how to help him. She wants to help them both but has a family of her own to take care of. She comes up with the idea to have Chris live with Max while helping Max build a cabin on his remote property. She believes that Max and Chris can help each other and just maybe become whole in the process.

This book is such an intense, emotional read. Chris' story hit hard and close to home. Alaska is rampant with opiod use and as such our family is no stranger to the heartache and devastation drug addiction can cause. There were so many times I was in tears and had to take a break as it brought such clear memories of the pain of betrayal.

Max's story is utterly heartbreaking. The grief he feels at losing Julia is so raw, and real. He doesn't want to live and feels he should suffer as she did. There is a chapter where I could barely breathe...and had to stop for a bit before I could read again.

I absolutely loved the references to Alaska, like the Xtra Tuffs being the "Alaskan Sneaker" (yes I have a pair🤣🤣). Clearly this author has a love of Alaska and the outdoor lifestyle as it showed through his writing. It was great fun reading about Chris' first time fishing as it reminded me of my own. I still remember my first encounter with a moose at the age of 15 and Chris' reaction had me laughing.

But seriously...if you're looking for a deeper read, one with emotion and feeling, where you are right there alongside the main characters. Where you can feel their pain, their fears, and most importantly their hope....then pick this up. You will NOT be disappointed.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Redemption isn't just for Chris, who is trying to stop his addiction to pain medication. It is also for the people around him. Though I felt, at various times, that the characters were jumping to really drastic decisions or the story was getting a bit too rosy tinted, overall Mr. Rawding does a good job of being realistic about the challenges faced by his main characters. I also enjoyed his scenic descriptions of the Alaskan wilderness and the hazards inherent in living in the wilderness. And while the end was too neat for me, it was a nice feel good kind of story.

A copy of this book was provided by BookSends ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Lindsey Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Going into this book I didn’t really know what to expect. Drug addiction is a topic of book I typically shy away from because of its effects on my own family.

The main thing I loved was the characters. I felt like they had a lot of depth to them. I loved seeing them succeed. I felt their failures with them, and I actually got tears in my eyes during some particular situations that I won’t spoil.
I loved hearing about the location in Alaska the location was described beautifully and made me want to go visit and experience it myself.

My complaints about the book are that the plot felt a little slow at some points. Though some of those points were good opportunity for giving the characters depth.
The romance between Ethel and Chris felt rushed and didn’t have the opportunity to build depth. So their relationship fell flat for me and didn’t really feel super believable.

Overall I really enjoyed this book and going on the journey with these characters. I would definitely recommend.

*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review*

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book review:
⁣
Redemption Grove
by David Rawding
⁣
5 stars - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
⁣
This book is about two broken men saving each other. Max Fitwell’s wife dies in a freak hiking accident and sends him on a downward spiral of self despair. Chris Olson is a long time opioid addict who wants to get clean. Together, in a remote area of Alaska wilderness, the two men build a cabin and help each other recover from the problems in their lives.
⁣
Full review is on my blog
www.theinkdrinkers.com
⁣
Thank you David for the review ebook copy. I liked it so much I purchased the paperback version to share.
⁣

[Devan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never write reviews, but there was an incredibly impressive, raw palpability in this book that hit close to home as someone who has been in Max’s position. This was storytelling at its finest with near perfect pacing and realistic characters that you want to care about. There was maybe a bit too much simile in the first chapter or two, but it quickly found its cadence and voice. I can’t wait to see what this author releases next.

[Kalena · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5****
This is a story about two men facing their own battles in the wilds of Alaska. First, there is Chris who is battling his ongoing addiction to pain killers which has left him homeless and destitute in California. Chris has concerned family, primarily his sister, Aida, who wants to help him get clean and pleads with him to join her in Anchorage. Second is Max who is reeling from his wife's death and grieving intensely. He is a surgeon suffering and unable to work, so he focuses on building his wife's dream--a cabin on their property in the wilderness.

After a terse and difficult withdrawal from the pain killers, Chris still craves a fix and finds more trouble. Aida must seek an alternative place for Chris and seeks help from Max. Despite wanting to be alone, he reluctantly agrees to let Chris stay with him to help build the cabin because of his friendship with Aida who he formerly worked with. Things improve for Chris when he meets Ethel, a recovering alcoholic. She really understands and accepts him in a way Chris has been seeking all along. Through many pitfalls and victories, the pair end up saving each other (literally and figuratively). This is truly a story of redemption.

The only reason I marked it 4.5 stars is that some of the wording, thoughts coming from Chris made me a bit uncomfortable...in the way that I questioned "Do men really think like this?" The relationship pieces with Chris was at times cringe-worthy. I was concerned about some of the thought-process there.

Having said that, this book grabs you by the throat with the events that happen. I mean this in a good way. It is unexpected, adrenaline-pumping, and emotional read that feels very real. The medical portions were well done (I am in health care, so I tend to be overly critical with this so this is high praise). Where this book really shines for me is in the fly-fishing and wilderness realm. I fly-fish and while I have never been to Alaska (sad sigh), I live in Montana and encounter many of the same elements. You can really see the expertise the author has in this area and it was wonderful to read. Looking forward to reading his other book and hope that he continues to write!

I received a copy of this e-book from the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[Cath · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a story of possible redemption. Like many in the modern world, Chris age 21, has become addicted to painkillers. He has had this addiction for nearly five years and has been unable to stop. The only thing stopping him from getting worse is the offer of heroin. For him that is one step too far. His sister Aida tries to get him to visit her in Alaska, but he is hiding what his true situation is from her. Part through embarrassment and the rest from the situation he has got himself in, living on the streets and begging for his next fix.

Chris has to reach his own bottom, before he will take the next step, and join his sister in Anchorage, to go cold turkey under her care. There, he has strict rules to adhere to, or Aida and her husband Frank will kick him out. Where he would go then and would he survive? He is still too far under the mental pull of painkillers and finds it hard to stop and constantly breaks the rules. Which leaves Aida with no choice but to kick him out of her house and send him to a remote site with Max.

Max was a surgeon, who had a very recent and tragic event in his life, and has left his job and normal life to live in isolation and build a cabin. Chris’s only remaining chance is to stay with Max and help him with his cabin. But Max is fighting his own demons. They will both need to rely on each other to either survive and become better people or die in the wilderness of Alaska. The wilds are harsh and can be very unforgiving.

A very apt choice of storyline. The common use of painkillers and the ease of which they are passed out by doctors and thought of as acceptable medicines, does nothing about the fact that most are as addictive as ‘hard’ or illegal drugs such as crack, heroin and ice, if not more so. Some will use these so call ‘legal’ drugs for the wrong reason, to get high, or for the mellow feeling they may produce. For those of us who require they for chronic pain, or any other condition, they will cease to work forever at the same dose and when the maximum is reached, how easy would it be to try and take more?

Legal painkillers have had some very famous ‘addicts’ in the news recently and this was portrayed in the book in a very real manner, even if for recreational use rather that medical need. The book shows that you may not succeed at your first attempt, but you can always try again. You may have already burnt all your bridges, but you have to remember you are doing it for yourself and you are the final judge, of whether you finally succeed or not. An interesting look into addiction in young people and showing much more needs to be done about addiction and the new wave of painkiller addiction as well.

This could affect anyone, from any level of society, at any time. It is a subject that needs to be talked about, from an early age, and with particular attention when they are first prescribed and must be followed up. People can be left on strong painkillers for years, it is only now that reviews are routinely being done. It took over twenty years for the medical industry to realise the problem with constantly prescribing sleeping tablets. Painkillers are being sold over the internet and from the streets, and so are more readily available to those that wish to use them for recreational purposes and to mix them with other ‘highs’ in a drug cocktail. A very dangerous future for society unless something is done – to help those in need – but also to restrict this easy access and criminals making a profit from others suffering.

I received an ARC copy of this book from Hidden Gems and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.

[Taunya Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of Redemption Grove from Book Siren in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Max and his wife, Julia, go hiking in the beautiful Alaskan wilderness. As they're climbing, Julia twists an ankle. Max decides that it's time for them to head back down because he knows that she will try to suffer through it and not ask to turn back herself. On the climb down, she slips and falls to her death. Max is devastated. He resigns as position as a surgeon, moves out of their home and onto a parcel of land that they own in the wilderness. He lives out of his truck as he builds the cabin that Julia always wanted.

Chris is an opoid addict. He's homeless, jobless, and friendless, living in LA with nothing but the clothes on his back. His sister, Aida, comes to visit and offers him a way out. Move to Alaska, stay with her and her husband, and get clean. When he gets to Alaska, he makes it through the physical withdrawals but succumbs to the mental aspects of addiction. He finds himself in downtown Anchorage looking to score some pills after stealing $200 from Aida and climbing out a window. He gets beat by two men who rob him for the money. Aida searches for and finds him, scaring the men off of him, and takes him back home. She tells him the next day that they are going to visit Max who is a friend of hers, to check on him. She ends up leaving Chris there and driving away.

As Chris and Max, two strangers who are both hurting in their own ways, build the cabin, they each save the other. They build more than just the cabin. They build eachother up and teach one another lessons that need to be learned. Chris finds that there is life and happiness after addiction. That he's worth more than he believed. Max finds his will to live.

This is a beautiful story. It really touched my heart and took me on an emotional rollercoaster with the characters. This is so many people's reality. Maybe not the happy ending or finding that saving grace. But there are so many people in the throngs of addiction. Fighting their demons, some winning and some losing. Battling depression, the torment of grief, and the feeling of not wanting to go on without someone that you love is also something that people battle with every day. Stories like this need to be written and they need to be read. People do not want to hear an addict's side to the story. They don't want to talk about mental illness of any sort. We need to talk about it.

The character development was amazing. By the end, I felt like I knew Chris, Max, and even Ethel personally. The author really researched the subject matter, which is obvious by the detail.

[Lareesa Wrightson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was sent this book in exchange for my review 😁

My take on the story:
Chris Is a 21yr old with nothing to live for but his next fix. He has hit rock bottom. Sleeping on the streets, his addiction threatening to take his life at any moment.
Max is a 36yr old surgeon who is struck with unexpected numbing grief. In his mind he has nothing to live for but a log cabin he promised to build, giving up everything to get it done.

When Chris moves to Alaska to live with his sister Aida he is in two minds. He wants to straighten out but the withdrawal process is just all to much. After to many broken promises Aida seeks out the help of her friend Max in an attempt to kill two birds with one stone. help her brother and her friend. Her only hope is that it doesn’t backfire.
-——————————

I didn’t read the synopsis prior to reading this book so it was like a little surprise which I found so exciting! I don’t know what I was expecting exactly, but what I got was a really feel good book.

This book was filled with unexpected turns. In the first chapters I was like whoa what!!! It completely sucked me in. I was on edge and so excited to see where the story was going to go. The turns kept coming up throughout so there was never a lull in the story which made it so easy to read.

I loved reading about Chris and Max. Two stubborn men forced together trying to navigate a tumultuous relationship, both not releasing what was forming under their noses. Being the emotional reader that I am, this was my fave part of the book.
I also loved that this book was set in Alaska. The description of their surroundings had me right there as I was reading and it was written about beautifully.

The fishing and adventure was something else. It’s nothing I have ever read about before so it surprised me how much I enjoyed it. I feel like this book would be a great one for my husband!
The author was very experienced in this field or had done amazing research to nail it. Nothing ever sounded made up and I loved that!
All in all for me this was a really feel good book with adventure and unexpected life like events.
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I’d recommend it anyone who likes outdoor adventure or father son relationships.

[Rutuja Ramteke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Name: Redemption Grove
Author: David Rawding
Genre: Thrill, mystery
Publisher: Red Adept .
Plot: Twenty-one-year-old Chris Olson has hit rock-bottom. Aida, convinces him to move to Anchorage to live with her.
But trouble seems to follow Chris, and he brings it right to Aida's doorstep. Faced with having to kick her brother out of the house, Aida enlists the help of her friend, Doctor Max Fitwell. Max, haunted by a recent personal tragedy. But, he reluctantly agrees to allow Chris to stay with him and to help build a cabin.Chris and Max, two men who are each struggling to find their own reasons to live.
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My Opinion: This was my second read from the author & now I was familiar with his writing style. I almost had fallen in love with his writing style, he is just so good at making the reader more & more curious! Along with mystery, thrill & curiosity the author included many fun elements in the book. I love how he amalgamated many things at once & his concept was altogether very different & unique. Many relationships like- brother sister's relation or a wife- husband's & many such relations were just so well potrayed. The title is also very wow. The book's cover is icing on the cake. I do recommend to everyone.
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Pros: Uff, so intriguing, so descriptive & so amazing. Like, I am going to add this is in my first favourite read of 2019 because I damn definitely loved it. I loved many characters in the book, especially Aida- her love for her brother was very overwhelming & even though she kicks him out of her house she still cares for him & tries to find new ways to cure him. At last, two men trying to heal their pains with each others help was such a beautiful concept. Characterisation was so good & language had an command to keep the reader hooked.
Cons: No noticeable cons, but pick this only if you are patient because the book talks about self evolution that requires patient.
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Rating: 4.35🌟

[Eleanor Mimbs · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was crying by chapter 2! I did not see that coming! In fact there were several times that I was completely taken off guard by this book. The storyline was phenomenal! Such a beautiful message of living through grief and addictions.
As a nurse who has worked in addiction medicine I found that portrayal not entirely believable at times, but a lot of it was spot on. Not really sure how to explain this but the authors use of adjectives were a little repetitive, not needed and not enough at the same time. I think that I would not have even noticed if I had not read some excellently descriptive books recently. However the details of field dressing and injuries were very vivid and grotesque. Exactly on point. There were few times the choice of words were off, like “negotiate instead of navigate” and “off the wagon” where it should have been “on the wagon”. Also a couple things seemed a bit out of place like a French press in the wilderness of Alaska. That said I would be the one to have a French press in the bush! 💜☕️
I could definitely tell that the romantic parts were written by a man 😉 but that can be a good thing. So many times I think we forget that men and women have different perspectives and it leaves both partners lacking. Sometimes it helps to view thing through the other sex’s eyes. I absolutely loved the ending! I loved the lessons and the transition that happened in Chris and Max and the honesty of how difficult emotionally walking through addiction is at times. The hope it brings to have people on your side whatever your struggles so is important. There are some trigger warnings: drug and alcohol abuse/addiction, suicide and self harm as well as death of family members and of animals. Overall, though this is not what I would say is an epic tale, this is a #goodbook that I think men and women will enjoy and find inspiring.

[Tanya R · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tragedy strikes two families leaving two men unable to cope with life.

A boy loses both parents at too young of an age, leaving only his sister to care for him. The pain is overwhelming and he leaves home and turns to pills to numb the pain. Living life on the street isn’t easy and when his sister tries for the last time to help him get clean and get back to living, Chris has to decide if he can face life sober or if he will choose the pills over his family.
A middle-aged man loses everything he loves in a tragic accident. He leaves his friends and his medical position behind to go live on his remote piece of land, deep in the woods. Focusing on building a cabin, Max spends his days isolated from everyone and everything.

Set in the backdrop of the beautiful state of Alaska, Max and Chris’s lives will merge together. Will they continue down their destructive paths? Or will they save each other as they save themselves?

I really enjoyed following the journey of Chris and Max as their paths crossed and merged. It was ultimately a story of non-romantic friendship and love, which tugged on my heartstrings. Not overly dramatic nor overly emotional, just straightforward storytelling. Seeing two characters so lost, helping each other to find peace and the will to live was immensely satisfying.

The natural wilderness setting was such a great addition to the story. I loved reading about all the activities that took place (fishing, rafting, etc). Nature can have such a positive impact on a person’s mind, body and spirit and I loved how that was folded into this story. Really great read!

Thank you to the author for this gifted copy. My opinions expressed are my honest views.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

*A Thank to the author for allowing me to read this in exchange for a honest and unbiased review*

Hello Fellow Readers,

This was such an emotional roller coaster. Once I thought I had a handle on my feelings Rawding gave me another loop and added a steep drop. Chris and Max's story is one that goes on everyday in the world but we never get to hear about it. Rawding did a great job writing their struggles so much so that I had to keep reminding myself that this is a work of fiction.

I was so investing in Chris and Max's journey. Chris did make me so frustrated at times, but this is because I was rooting for him to be strong and get clean, but anyone whose ever been or has known a drug addict can say that it's a daily struggle. There are going to be mistakes and relapses. Max's story, although not as prominent, was just as powerful. I've never lost someone I love (which I am so grateful for) but the grief and guilt he was suffocating in made you feel as if you had been the one grieving. Chris and Max's relationship was a ride all by itself. Every time I felt it was going somewhere they hit a hard stop. They kept taking one step forward and then two steps back again.

Rawding was really aiming for the heartstrings when he was writing this. He wrote amazingly, and really had me picturing the Alaskan Wilderness as if I was there. There were points in the story where I felt he detailed things a bit too hard but it didn't take too much away from the story.

Overall, this was a heart-wrenching book, so if your ready for a emotional ride pick this up.

[MummyBear · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 5 of July was Redemption Grove by @davidrawdingauthor. I was sent this e book in return for an honest review.

I was actually pleasantly surprised by this book. Chris is a junkie trying to get clean, with the help of his sister Aida he moves to her house in Alaska and tries to go cold turkey. When things go sour she decides he cant stay.

Max is a top surgeon. But when his wife is killed in a terrible accident, he moves to his land in wild Alaska to get away from it all. But then Aida, his work colleague, calls with a favour and soon Max finds he has a helping hand for the cabin he is building. The men find themselves working and living together as they hit personal hitches as they try to get back to normality.

It was very character driven book and at times the pace was a little slow. But I actually felt really drawn in by the character, the environment, the building of the cabin and the relationships between the characters. I wanted them to succeed and find their peace. I loved the dangerous but beautiful environment that was so well described. The writer's passion and knowledge of Alaska and for fishing clearly comes across but in a way that helps you learn about what the character enjoys too. 3.5/5 for me due to the pace but would recommend it.

[Lisa Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Redemption Grove by David Rawding
is a novel about grief, addiction, self harm and the struggles to overcome. "People can change" is the uplifting thread that weaves through each character as they face their demons.
❤What I loved: I absolutely loved the setting. The author's knowledge of Alaska, its wildlife, climate and people transports you to the Alaskan wilderness. I loved the main character Chris who is struggling to get clean from his dependency on painkillers. He made me laugh, cry and I was really rooting for him to succeed.
🧡 What I liked: I liked the transformations of the characters throughout the book. They leaned on eachother for support even if they didn't see eye to eye.
🖤What fell flat: This book is tagged as a mystery/thriller. But there was no mystery and no thriller ? There were detailed parts of gutting fish, hunting animals and preparing them for meals that I had to skim over (but that's a personal issue). Some shocking moments that kept the book exciting but I wouldn't call it a thriller.

Overall, Redemption Grove is a wonderful novel that focuses on growing and moving forward after trauma and addiction. Set in the Alaskan wilderness this book will also appeal to the adventurous reader who enjoys survival type stories.

[Brynn | readyourworriesaway · Rating 5 out of 5]

Redemption Grove is a story of addiction, loss, and finding the means to survive amongst life’s difficulties. When Chris hits rock bottom, his sister Aida convinces him to move in with her family in Alaska. Chris’s journey in Alaska is anything but simple as he fights for survival and makes an unlikely bond with Max, who is struggling with his own demons.

David Rawding’s writing completely captivated me from the beginning and I couldn’t stop reading. He touched on incredibly difficult topics so gracefully. Max and Chris were two broken characters who I was fully rooting for along their journey to become whole again. They were both able to find fragments of hope during their struggles. There were so many lessons learned for the characters, and I was more than impressed by how the story wrapped up. In addition to the incredible character development and their storylines, I was blown away by the beautiful backdrop of Alaska. The outdoor lifestyle added another element of survival.

I can’t say enough good things about this book. While it is heavy and emotional, it completely blew me away.

[Daisy Bee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book so much. An honest and no holds barred story dealing with subjects such as addiction, grief, family, and in the end, redemption.

Chris and his sister Aida lost both parents, one to the war, one to suicide. The siblings dealt with their loss in different ways, and while Aida sought help, Chris turned to opiates to numb the pain.

When Aida gives him one last chance to turn his life around, he is resistant. Left in the wilds of Alaska, with a suicidal doctor turned cabin builder who barely utters a word, he is less than impressed.

With many wobbles along the way, and with both men saving the other's life, the friendship becomes something beautiful and underrstated which made it all the more poignant.

In the unlikiest of places, Chris finds love. For himself. For his friend. His sister. And for the girl who fearlessly laid her soul bare - Ethel.

A wonderful story, written with insight and sensitivity. This was an absolute joy to review.

[Krista (Mrs K Book Reviews) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this book for free from the author so I could review it with an honest opinion..

This is a wonderful story. It really touched my heart and took me on an emotional rollercoaster with the characters. Stories like this need to be written and they need to be read. People do not want to hear an addict's side to the story or mentall illness as both are almost taboo which I think this needs too be talked about.

Mr. Dawding wrote his characters too where i felt all of their emotions and their characters were almost like i knew them.

I also really enjoyed the research he put into Alaska and the description he gave of the Alaskan Wilderness and of course the challenges that the two characters faced living off the grid.

Overall its a nice,feel good story. My only issue was the book seemed to drag on more than it should of but definitely would recommend

[Alyce (Alyceloves2read) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was gifted a copy of Redemption Grove in exchange for an honest review. I really enjoyed this book. I think most people have been effected in some of way by addiction. Whether it is themselves or someone close to them. The characters in the story are easy to relate to. First you have Chris , a 21 year old oxy addict who has hit rock bottom. Next you have Max who is suffering after the lose of his soulmate and then you have Aida, Matt’s older sister who desperately wants to help Chris (and Max) but not at the sake of the family she has worked so hard for. I each character has their own unique perspective and each character is so strongly developed that by the end you feel connected to them. By far my favorite of this story is the imagery. The setting is Alaska and although I personally have never visited, I feel like I have. It is clear that the author has first hand experience living and working in Alaska. To be able to take a reader to a place they have never been in an extraordinary talent. If you are looking to get lost in a story about forgiveness, redemption and the unbreakable bond of family, look no further than Redemption Cove!

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Redemption Grove is a book filled with raw emotion that makes you feel connected to each character. I was instantly hooked with the sibling bond between Chris and Aida. Chris is an addict and Aida would do just about anything to help him. I remained captivated by the story with the introduction of Chris helping Max, who in the depths of grief was building a dream cabin he had had with his late wife. The writing was excellent - not only did I feel as if I knew Chris and Max, I felt as if I was in Alaska - experiencing the beauty of nature.

Thank you to David Rawding for a copy of the ebook in exchange for my honest review.

[Christa Colaizzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Special thank you to David Rawding for providing a digital copy in exchange for an honest review.

Redemption Grove follows the struggle of two men, each fighting their own demons. Chris, a twenty-one year old homeless opioid addict, and Max, a widower and former orthopedic surgeon, cross paths in beautiful Alaska with the assistance of Chris’ sister, Aida.

This beautifully written novel delves deep into the life and struggles of an addict, while also exploring the devastating mind of a widower. This novel is an emotional read, making you root for the characters and wish them to destroy their inner terrors. A story about life, bravery, physical and emotional recovery, and friendship-- this book captures the hearts of the reader.

I loved this book for many reasons; first and moremost, Rawding’s writing is phenomenal. His imagery depicting homeless streets was just as telling as when depicting beautiful Alaska. Each character in the story had so much depth and truly made me grow to love them, each in their own way. I can’t say enough good things about the characters.
I thought the way Rawding illustrated addiction, depression, loss, grief, and personal growth and setbacks was outstanding. This is a book unlike any I have read before. This book is a 5 star read, without a doubt, and I highly recommend this novel. I cannot wait to read more of Rawding’s work.

[Amy_Frizbarr · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had me gripped from the start; a little too-close-to-home in some case, the characters resonated with me. The author described each character in detail, and I liked all of them, essentially you want them to do well in the end. He also clearly knows his stuff about Alaska, and describes the people, the way of life and the landscape well. I enjoyed the parts about the fishing, all was well detailed, there were twists and turns throughout, that kept me wanting to go back to read more!

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this from BookSends ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I thought this book was awesome! It was so well written and the characters and their stories pull you in and have you rooting for them. These two men have both been through so many hardships, and although completely different they both need to learn how to heal and how to continue living. It was an amazing story, although it was classified as a mystery/thriller, and really isn't that type of book.

[Mom.Who.Reads (Teri) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy for a review. It was a great read that kept me wanting to read more to find out what was going to happen next. Just when I thought there was going to be a lull in the store, something else happens. I really enjoyed the character development and could picture all the beautiful images of Alaska. The only downfall was I thought the book could have ended a little sooner and found myself skimming the last few chapters. I would definitely recommend this book.

[Shelda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book to review. This author is an excellent storyteller. I found this a compelling read. I was cheering for Chris and Max to find their true worth. Highly recommend this book !!!

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspiring. This was a great read! I loved the characters (although one of them definitely more at the end than the beginning) and their interactions. The story was great and I was hooked from the beginning. I loved how Alaska was portrayed and now I have to add visiting it to my bucket list! 4/5🌟

[Becky Powell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free e-copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. This was such a great story of an unexpected friendship between these two men. They both saved each other, both literally and figuratively! A really great fast paced, heartwarming story.

[Maureen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice read...happy endings for everyone....good story about an addict, a doc losing his wife and a sister appreciating her brother..