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Under My Skin #4
Redeem
Successful financial analyst Michael Walsh leads a picture-perfect life that anyone would envy—unless they caught a glimpse beneath the surface. Haunted by failed relationships and self-doubt, Michael harbors a soul-deep loneliness that no number of casual hookups can fulfill. So why can’t he stop thinking about his New Year’s fling with a man whose quiet desperation matched his own?
Barista Stewart Jenkins has an abysmal track record with relationships, and no matter how hard he tries to keep things tightly under wraps, his life is spinning out of control. His hookup with the gorgeous Michael was only supposed to be sex—hot, dirty, uncomplicated—but that small taste leaves him yearning for more.
Every no-strings encounter that follows between Michael and Stewart peels away more layers, blurring the lines, until they’re left with a raw tenderness and acceptance they both crave. A relationship seems out of the question—they come from drastically different lives and are plagued by inexcusable sins. Being vulnerable is sure to reveal old wounds, and forgiveness seems out of reach, unless they can find a way around their fears on the road to redemption.
Barista Stewart Jenkins has an abysmal track record with relationships, and no matter how hard he tries to keep things tightly under wraps, his life is spinning out of control. His hookup with the gorgeous Michael was only supposed to be sex—hot, dirty, uncomplicated—but that small taste leaves him yearning for more.
Every no-strings encounter that follows between Michael and Stewart peels away more layers, blurring the lines, until they’re left with a raw tenderness and acceptance they both crave. A relationship seems out of the question—they come from drastically different lives and are plagued by inexcusable sins. Being vulnerable is sure to reveal old wounds, and forgiveness seems out of reach, unless they can find a way around their fears on the road to redemption.
255 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 26, 2019
114 people are currently reading
531 people want to read
About the author
Christina Lee
58 books2,151 followersChristina writes romance in different sub-genres, mostly with LGBTQ characters, not only because she's part of the community, but because representation matters, and everyone deserves a happily-ever-after.
You can find more info on her website: www.christinalee.net. From there you can link to her Facebook reader group as well as her IG account and newsletter.
You can find more info on her website: www.christinalee.net. From there you can link to her Facebook reader group as well as her IG account and newsletter.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 125 reviews
February 26, 2019
Well,hello....this was a bit delicious....
I've only read a couple of books by this Author but this is definitely my favourite.Book 4 ,but without doubt it's a standalone (I haven't read any of the other books in this series )
Right so,who doesn't like a controlling asshole?
Michael is THE MAN........or so he thinks.He throws money about,he wants approval,he wants to be appreciated and noticed....
And I absolutely loved him....he totally made this book work for me (and he's got dogs-always a positive)
A dirty (and,yes it's filthy), New Year's hook up was about to be so much more
Two men,both with deep issues....and this is something that's been done to death in romance books but this really worked for me.The writing was truly engaging and it's always a plus when you're thinking,just one more chapter and before you know it you're almost done.
And it's seriously HOT...it's like take-me-now,I'm -desperate,man-on-man action at it's dirtiest-push me against a wall and do all those filthy things to me.
I didn't skim any of those scenes...AT ALL.
But it's not just sex at all.It might start off that way but the progression of Michael and Stewart's relationship developed at just the right pace.
-Lust,
-Friendship,
-Love,
Sometimes the simplest of stories can really work and this is definitely one of them.
Recommend Read.
An Arc of Redeem was kindly provided to DirtyBooksObsession in exchange for an honest review.
My reviews are posted on DirtyBooksObsession
January 29, 2022
4.5 stars
This was wonderful.
The first chapter was one of the best starts to a story that I've read in a while. It grabbed me right away and I can't imagine a better beginning for those two characters.
I absolutely loved Michael and Stewart in this story. I can't say I hated them in previous books, it was more that I found their behaviour annoying.
I loved Michael's caring side in this one, it was so endearing. As for Stewart, I couldn't believe how adorable he was and I loved the way he stood up to Michael. They were so perfect for each other, and their connection and chemistry were amazing.
The writing was beautiful and the progression of their relationship was done just right. I'm really glad we got a chance to read their story.
********
Re-read 1/2022: I wasn't sure if I would feel the same way about this the second time around, but I did. Loved it. Personally, I would recommend reading the books in this series in order.
This was wonderful.
The first chapter was one of the best starts to a story that I've read in a while. It grabbed me right away and I can't imagine a better beginning for those two characters.
I absolutely loved Michael and Stewart in this story. I can't say I hated them in previous books, it was more that I found their behaviour annoying.
I loved Michael's caring side in this one, it was so endearing. As for Stewart, I couldn't believe how adorable he was and I loved the way he stood up to Michael. They were so perfect for each other, and their connection and chemistry were amazing.
The writing was beautiful and the progression of their relationship was done just right. I'm really glad we got a chance to read their story.
********
Re-read 1/2022: I wasn't sure if I would feel the same way about this the second time around, but I did. Loved it. Personally, I would recommend reading the books in this series in order.
December 24, 2023
I really love the idea of taking the evil ex from book 2 & the evil ex from book 3 and giving them their own book. Who would have guessed they would have ended up being my favorite. Love a good redemption story, loved this book!
February 27, 2019
My favorite of the series! I loved the two antiheroes finding love with each other. This book was smoking hot and super emotional. Recommend!
March 2, 2019
Two anti-heroes for the price of one.
Loved, loved, loved Redeem by Christina Lee. Everything about it worked.
-Flawed characters
-Character growth
-Sexy (DIRTY. TALK)
-Unlikely pairing.
Why unlikely? If you read previous installments of the Under My Skin series, you may remember Michael and Stewart. They were the asshole exes from Reawaken (#2) and Reclaim (#3). While, I knew Christina Lee could redeem them- never did I think she'd redeem them together.
As mentioned above, this book is sexy as all hell; like seriously, I thought my iPad mini might catch on fire, there was so much more to this book than just sex. This book was about second chances, believing in yourself- leaving behind old hurts and learning from them. I found myself moved and without realizing I had tears rolling down. It felt genuine and relatable. I don't know of one person who hasn't at some point worked to improve themselves- including me. None of us perfect.
I actually have gone back and re-read some of my favorite parts already.
Way to finish off the series with a bang and this is my new favorite by this author.
5 Stars
++Side note: Can this be read as a standalone? Yes, but I think to truly catch the essence of the story reading books 2 and 3 would be best.
March 18, 2019
3.5 Stars!
Not bad, but it didn't wow me.
Not bad, but it didn't wow me.
February 27, 2019
Oh Christina you absolutely outdid yourself with this one. Not only did you write a beautiful love story about two flawed men but you most certainly did Redeem Voldemort and the asshole :)
Nothing works better for me when it comes to my romances than a redemption arc story. Both Michael and Stewart will be familiar to the readers of the Under My Skin series as the exes of West (Jonah) from Reawaken and Elijah from Reclaim.
This can be read as a standalone but personally I think you miss out on just how big the redemption is for these two wonderfully broken men who each find in the other their perfect cracked half.
Michael just wants to care for someone, Stewart's anxieties stem from his childhood and he has to control everything. Neither man was right for West or Elijah but they're utterly right for each other.
Watching them start off as a hook-up - and oh lordy did Christina lay down the heat for the blistering encounter which opens this book - and slowly build up an almost accidental level of trust and support is beautiful.
Having seen them from the other side in the previous two books, it made me all teary and gave me loads and loads of feels to see that what had seemed to be two absolute bastards incapable of relationships or emotional connections absolutely could do that - and do it with absolute commitment - when the right person appeared.
A must read for me.
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review
Nothing works better for me when it comes to my romances than a redemption arc story. Both Michael and Stewart will be familiar to the readers of the Under My Skin series as the exes of West (Jonah) from Reawaken and Elijah from Reclaim.
This can be read as a standalone but personally I think you miss out on just how big the redemption is for these two wonderfully broken men who each find in the other their perfect cracked half.
Michael just wants to care for someone, Stewart's anxieties stem from his childhood and he has to control everything. Neither man was right for West or Elijah but they're utterly right for each other.
Watching them start off as a hook-up - and oh lordy did Christina lay down the heat for the blistering encounter which opens this book - and slowly build up an almost accidental level of trust and support is beautiful.
Having seen them from the other side in the previous two books, it made me all teary and gave me loads and loads of feels to see that what had seemed to be two absolute bastards incapable of relationships or emotional connections absolutely could do that - and do it with absolute commitment - when the right person appeared.
A must read for me.
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review
May 10, 2022
3.75 stars
“Something burned inside my gut. The overwhelming urge to help him out, take care of him. He wasn’t just some kid I’d gotten off, and if I ever made that implication again, he’d likely deck me. He had layers, depth, and vulnerabilities, which seemed to match my own.”
A moderately angsty story about a lonely finance executive and a younger barista moving past failed relationships to find their own happy ending.
— angsty
— hurt/comfort
— age gap
— coming out
— steamy
“Something burned inside my gut. The overwhelming urge to help him out, take care of him. He wasn’t just some kid I’d gotten off, and if I ever made that implication again, he’d likely deck me. He had layers, depth, and vulnerabilities, which seemed to match my own.”
A moderately angsty story about a lonely finance executive and a younger barista moving past failed relationships to find their own happy ending.
— angsty
— hurt/comfort
— age gap
— coming out
— steamy
March 11, 2019
There couldn't have been a more fitting title for this story!
The MCs were portrayed as villains in previous books but here we get to know the why behind their behavior and the real them behind the walls they had built to protect themselves from the world.
Stewart is Elijah's ex from Reclaim and so far we knew him to be controlling, persistent and stubborn. He didn't take no for an answer and continued to seek out Elijah even after months of them supposedly breaking up.
In this book we see behind the facade and find out the reason why he wants to have control over everything happening in his life. His past with Elijah was what made him understand how wrong he was in his approach of their relationship and try to change that.
The other MC, Michael, is West's ex from Reawaken. He is older than Stewart and bisexual but he only recently discovered or acknowledged his attraction to men and he struggled with it. West took the burnt of it and had to deal with the secrecy and the back and forth of Michael's behavior.
That time in his life and the outcome of it, where West distanced himself, found a proper parner and didn't want anything to do with him, made him rethink his decisions in life and what's important for him. Stewart was the reason he needed to start acting on what he had figured out after West left.
They were each other's saviors while their exes were what they needed in order to change their ways.
They author made me really care about these too characters that so far were supposed to be the bad guys. I liked that everyone managed to be civil at the end and at the same time no one crossed the line over to too much by suddenly being best friends with the exes that they hated so far.
I liked how Stewart and Michael started and how they slowly became friends. It was nice seeing these two lonely guys finding someone and finally being happy.
*An ARC of this book was kindly provided to me in exchange for an honest review. *
The MCs were portrayed as villains in previous books but here we get to know the why behind their behavior and the real them behind the walls they had built to protect themselves from the world.
Stewart is Elijah's ex from Reclaim and so far we knew him to be controlling, persistent and stubborn. He didn't take no for an answer and continued to seek out Elijah even after months of them supposedly breaking up.
In this book we see behind the facade and find out the reason why he wants to have control over everything happening in his life. His past with Elijah was what made him understand how wrong he was in his approach of their relationship and try to change that.
The other MC, Michael, is West's ex from Reawaken. He is older than Stewart and bisexual but he only recently discovered or acknowledged his attraction to men and he struggled with it. West took the burnt of it and had to deal with the secrecy and the back and forth of Michael's behavior.
That time in his life and the outcome of it, where West distanced himself, found a proper parner and didn't want anything to do with him, made him rethink his decisions in life and what's important for him. Stewart was the reason he needed to start acting on what he had figured out after West left.
They were each other's saviors while their exes were what they needed in order to change their ways.
They author made me really care about these too characters that so far were supposed to be the bad guys. I liked that everyone managed to be civil at the end and at the same time no one crossed the line over to too much by suddenly being best friends with the exes that they hated so far.
I liked how Stewart and Michael started and how they slowly became friends. It was nice seeing these two lonely guys finding someone and finally being happy.
*An ARC of this book was kindly provided to me in exchange for an honest review. *
October 14, 2020
Color me surprised, Christina did manage to make me fall for the anti-heroes of this stories.
I must say that I really didn't think Michael was all that bad, I thought he was scared, panicking, desperate and making bad choices because of it, a bad person wouldn't have changed, but he did. I did not read the third book, so I don't know how much of a bastard was Stewart, but considering he's mentally ill U can't blame him too much, is no excuse but it is a reason.
In this las book of the series they both meet in a very explosive way and find kinship in each other because they are the fuck ups, the anti heroes, the misfits, but they are in their way to become better, they have learned and want to grow, specially after meeting each other.
This one had what the other didn't, pasion, even though at the 80% mark I was tired of all the sex, but all the other aspects of the story were well developed, their relationship was actually really sweet and real, I really liked this one.
Lovely, lovely. ❤😍
I must say that I really didn't think Michael was all that bad, I thought he was scared, panicking, desperate and making bad choices because of it, a bad person wouldn't have changed, but he did. I did not read the third book, so I don't know how much of a bastard was Stewart, but considering he's mentally ill U can't blame him too much, is no excuse but it is a reason.
In this las book of the series they both meet in a very explosive way and find kinship in each other because they are the fuck ups, the anti heroes, the misfits, but they are in their way to become better, they have learned and want to grow, specially after meeting each other.
This one had what the other didn't, pasion, even though at the 80% mark I was tired of all the sex, but all the other aspects of the story were well developed, their relationship was actually really sweet and real, I really liked this one.
Lovely, lovely. ❤😍
March 9, 2019
I think for a book titled "Redeem" the expectations abound. In this case the author managed to redeem two characters that really were a challenge. And it was done very well.
Read
February 27, 2019 REDEEM is LIVE!
Amazon (KU): https://amzn.to/2Xpi1L2
Universal link: mybook.to/REDEEMLee
✔️ Two antiheroes unite and fall madly in love
✔️ F**k buddies to lovers
✔️ Redemption x2 is oh so sweet
**PLEASE NOTE: This is book four in the Under My Skin series and can certainly be read as a standalone. You might gain a deeper understanding of Michael and Stewart's redemption, however, if you at least read one of the other books (Regret, Reawaken, or Reclaim).
Amazon (KU): https://amzn.to/2Xpi1L2
Universal link: mybook.to/REDEEMLee
✔️ Two antiheroes unite and fall madly in love
✔️ F**k buddies to lovers
✔️ Redemption x2 is oh so sweet
**PLEASE NOTE: This is book four in the Under My Skin series and can certainly be read as a standalone. You might gain a deeper understanding of Michael and Stewart's redemption, however, if you at least read one of the other books (Regret, Reawaken, or Reclaim).
March 3, 2019
I'm between 3 to 4 stars. It's all about villains(?) finding a HEA for themselves! I have read all her books in the series so it was a bit difficult to find soft spot for the 'villains'
We have come across Michale in West and Tristan's HEA and Steward in Elijah and Cam's. Only Christina can come up with a love story for the 'villains' of her own series!! Its was exciting to see how she could make them work!!
We have come across Michale in West and Tristan's HEA and Steward in Elijah and Cam's. Only Christina can come up with a love story for the 'villains' of her own series!! Its was exciting to see how she could make them work!!
March 22, 2022
Haaawt!!!
I ventured into fluff-town and survived. o.o :D
This wasn't half-bad, and by that I mean it wasn't too sweet, except maybe the ending. The dialogue in places was a bit superficial. And there's a bit of hurt/comfort in it as well.
I can't say I remember this series much, just the bare bones. I know I anticipated this book a lot because 2 of the exes from the previous books got together and I was intrigued by that.
Mostly it's about how these 2 bad-guys started on the right path, together.
I enjoyed it. And it was hot!
I ventured into fluff-town and survived. o.o :D
This wasn't half-bad, and by that I mean it wasn't too sweet, except maybe the ending. The dialogue in places was a bit superficial. And there's a bit of hurt/comfort in it as well.
I can't say I remember this series much, just the bare bones. I know I anticipated this book a lot because 2 of the exes from the previous books got together and I was intrigued by that.
Mostly it's about how these 2 bad-guys started on the right path, together.
I enjoyed it. And it was hot!
April 29, 2019
Ok, so I wasn’t sure if I would like this one because of the characters they are the exes to some of our favorites. And you know what it worked! I love that Michael and Seth knew that for the most part, they were in part why their past relationships didn’t work.
Their connection was hella HOT, and I loved that they both worked on who they are to make them work. :)
Great story and I loved Michael Pauley’s narration for this one esp for Michael’s voice it was gruff and just how I pictured him in my head.
Their connection was hella HOT, and I loved that they both worked on who they are to make them work. :)
Great story and I loved Michael Pauley’s narration for this one esp for Michael’s voice it was gruff and just how I pictured him in my head.
February 28, 2019
Antagonists United!💕
Mix in wronged Ex’s, remorseful thoughts, pugs Chloe & Coco and you have the makings for a Stewart & Michael love story. I like the premise...antagonists (from previous books, however this book is stand alone readable) fall in love while working on their issues. I actually liked the MCs, the sexy times (wow), the pacing plus good, solid writing. Btw, these are my most favorite authors, too. What’s not to like!
Mix in wronged Ex’s, remorseful thoughts, pugs Chloe & Coco and you have the makings for a Stewart & Michael love story. I like the premise...antagonists (from previous books, however this book is stand alone readable) fall in love while working on their issues. I actually liked the MCs, the sexy times (wow), the pacing plus good, solid writing. Btw, these are my most favorite authors, too. What’s not to like!
May 30, 2019
I know these two were the villains in the previous books but all this self beating....ugh.
February 27, 2019
Michael and Stewart's book really took me by surprise- I wasn't expecting all the emotions these 2 characters would evoke.
These are two men who, on paper, couldn't be more different. Michael has money to throw around, which he does quite often- it's really his way of participating in life, because he's not one to open himself up to people. Unlike Michael, Stewart is more of a living pay check-to pay check kind of guy, money doesn't hold the importance for him as it does Michael. But, like Michael, Stewart also holds things close to his vest, sharing the bare minimum, even with people he's supposedly friends with- which was a major factor in his past break-up. So it's not surprising these two feel a a kinship towards each other.
What started as a NYE hook-up slowly morphed into so much more. And I just loved seeing their connection grow.
I really liked how both Michael and Stewart grew over the course of the book, how they realize some hard truths about themselves. While we never got a clear picture of either one in the books where they're originally introduced, we got just enough to know they weren't the best people. Not that they were bad men, they just had some major issues that needed worked on. And Ms. Lee did such a wonderful job of writing a beautiful redemption story for them both.
These are two men who, on paper, couldn't be more different. Michael has money to throw around, which he does quite often- it's really his way of participating in life, because he's not one to open himself up to people. Unlike Michael, Stewart is more of a living pay check-to pay check kind of guy, money doesn't hold the importance for him as it does Michael. But, like Michael, Stewart also holds things close to his vest, sharing the bare minimum, even with people he's supposedly friends with- which was a major factor in his past break-up. So it's not surprising these two feel a a kinship towards each other.
What started as a NYE hook-up slowly morphed into so much more. And I just loved seeing their connection grow.
I really liked how both Michael and Stewart grew over the course of the book, how they realize some hard truths about themselves. While we never got a clear picture of either one in the books where they're originally introduced, we got just enough to know they weren't the best people. Not that they were bad men, they just had some major issues that needed worked on. And Ms. Lee did such a wonderful job of writing a beautiful redemption story for them both.
March 1, 2019
*4.5 stars*
I really liked this. I love men who need to redeem themselves in a better version of themselves. I have not read any earlier installments but I got they both needed to be each other's only person.
Some people just fit.. Oh and I loved Michael's dirty talk. f*** hell!!!
I really liked this. I love men who need to redeem themselves in a better version of themselves. I have not read any earlier installments but I got they both needed to be each other's only person.
Some people just fit.. Oh and I loved Michael's dirty talk. f*** hell!!!
March 2, 2019
5 Stars
Redeem: such a fitting title for this story. Ms. Lee performed somewhat of a miracle in taking, not one, but two characters who were complete asshats and she not only made them redeemable, she made me fall in love with them.
I’ll be honest, I had my reservations about reading this story. I really disliked both Michael and Stewart when I was introduced to them in the previous installments in the series, but as I got to know them, I could understand what caused them to act as they did. They were both, in different ways, scared and insecure.
I loved the growth they both showed throughout the story. The change in each of them was remarkable, yet some of those characteristics we all came to hate about them in our previous meetings stayed intact, but seeing them as a loving couple made those characteristics somehow more bearable and maybe even a bit endearing.
As scared as I was in the beginning to read this story, I ended up absolutely loving it and I wasn’t quite ready for it to end. It’s well-written and flows well. Michael and Stewart had amazing chemistry and omg, were they hot together! This book is filled with tons of smoking hot sex. I thought my iPad, and maybe myself, might combust it was so hot. This was a thoroughly enjoyable read and even if you hated Stewart and Michael, give their story a chance! Very recommendable!
*copy provided by author/publisher in exchange for an honest review*
Redeem: such a fitting title for this story. Ms. Lee performed somewhat of a miracle in taking, not one, but two characters who were complete asshats and she not only made them redeemable, she made me fall in love with them.
I’ll be honest, I had my reservations about reading this story. I really disliked both Michael and Stewart when I was introduced to them in the previous installments in the series, but as I got to know them, I could understand what caused them to act as they did. They were both, in different ways, scared and insecure.
I loved the growth they both showed throughout the story. The change in each of them was remarkable, yet some of those characteristics we all came to hate about them in our previous meetings stayed intact, but seeing them as a loving couple made those characteristics somehow more bearable and maybe even a bit endearing.
As scared as I was in the beginning to read this story, I ended up absolutely loving it and I wasn’t quite ready for it to end. It’s well-written and flows well. Michael and Stewart had amazing chemistry and omg, were they hot together! This book is filled with tons of smoking hot sex. I thought my iPad, and maybe myself, might combust it was so hot. This was a thoroughly enjoyable read and even if you hated Stewart and Michael, give their story a chance! Very recommendable!
*copy provided by author/publisher in exchange for an honest review*
April 24, 2024
华尔街之狼Micheal 和 咖啡师小哥 Stewart
这两个主角是这个系列前面几本里的反派前男友。我没看前几本，但这本看得我一把泪[😭两人在新年之夜酒吧后巷手动了一发，仅仅是互相看对眼而已。后来才发现错中复杂的关系，大概是两人的ex曾经是室友，都听说过对方的劣迹。Stewart大概是对前任死缠烂打不放手，Micheal是深柜不公开男友还控制欲强。但两人都在前任身上学做人了，也解释了他们“罪行”的原因。
很俗套的两人成为了py，Stewart觉得自己不值得被爱，也不敢再爱，Micheal觉得不能再像以前那样强制别人的行为，不是有钱就能为所欲为的。尽管两人早就爱上对方了，但谁都不敢多走一步，因为不想再当坏人了，很怕以前的行为加害到眼前人身上。😭两人的那种孤独感写得太好了，对前任的内疚，对自己过往行为的懊悔，交织在一起，看得我的心直淌血🩸最后Micheal升职要离开城市，Stewart不想再像对前任那般死缠烂打，所以也什么都没说没做，只每晚在家做噩梦
Micheal走后Stewart被朋友约去酒吧放松，在舞池跳舞的时侯，DJ说下面这首歌献给Stewart，歌名是Stay with me。。。我的眼泪又不值钱了😭是的Micheal没走，为他留下来了。华尔街之狼说：钱不能晚上给你暖床。。。（我：可以的吧）
“sometimes assholes need extra love.”反派的爱太香了😭
这两个主角是这个系列前面几本里的反派前男友。我没看前几本，但这本看得我一把泪[😭两人在新年之夜酒吧后巷手动了一发，仅仅是互相看对眼而已。后来才发现错中复杂的关系，大概是两人的ex曾经是室友，都听说过对方的劣迹。Stewart大概是对前任死缠烂打不放手，Micheal是深柜不公开男友还控制欲强。但两人都在前任身上学做人了，也解释了他们“罪行”的原因。
很俗套的两人成为了py，Stewart觉得自己不值得被爱，也不敢再爱，Micheal觉得不能再像以前那样强制别人的行为，不是有钱就能为所欲为的。尽管两人早就爱上对方了，但谁都不敢多走一步，因为不想再当坏人了，很怕以前的行为加害到眼前人身上。😭两人的那种孤独感写得太好了，对前任的内疚，对自己过往行为的懊悔，交织在一起，看得我的心直淌血🩸最后Micheal升职要离开城市，Stewart不想再像对前任那般死缠烂打，所以也什么都没说没做，只每晚在家做噩梦
Micheal走后Stewart被朋友约去酒吧放松，在舞池跳舞的时侯，DJ说下面这首歌献给Stewart，歌名是Stay with me。。。我的眼泪又不值钱了😭是的Micheal没走，为他留下来了。华尔街之狼说：钱不能晚上给你暖床。。。（我：可以的吧）
“sometimes assholes need extra love.”反派的爱太香了😭
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 10, 2019
That was cute ! Two outcasts, antiheroes who just couldn’t get it right meet up randomly and the connection begins. While they both fought their feelings and tried to keep it simple, a deeper element developed, love trust and friendship. Very sweet redemption
April 18, 2019
This book was hot-hot-hot! Best of the series!
March 1, 2019
This was everything I hoped for. Christina did it again for sure in this OUTSTANDING book were the villains of the world unite and we see they are a bit misunderstood mostly by themselves. Everyone deserves a second chance, don't you think? I loved the way this book progressed, both Michael and Stewart's hangups and how little by little a friendship and then love made them realize they are allowed to have happiness even if their past isn't spotless. I also enjoyed seeing all the other guys and especially their reactions throughout the book.
We've met Michael Walsh, aka V, aka Voldemort, in the 2nd installment. He was in a strange and not happy at all relationship with West (the MC there). Michael was overbearing, high handed and controlling but also keeping West his "dirty little secret", not being able to come out or even acknowledge to himself he is bi. Their relationship was a disaster! and though they had good years in the beginning when Michael took care of West after his family were killed in a fire, they came to an impasse when West took all his staff and left. Michael was left on his own, in his big, spacious apartment looking over the river with only his two pugs for company. He realized he's done wrong, realized he is becoming into the man he hates the most - his father. Now it's time to make things right. But it's not easy.
Stewart Jenkins was our guy to hate in the 3rd installment. In a way he was WAY worse that Michael who, in his twisted way, had good intentions. Stewart was more than just controlling toward his boyfriend Elijah (the MC in the 3rd installment), he was mean to him, he tried to isolate him, and made Elijah act only in the way Stewart saw fit. They might have been happy at first, but Stewart was breaking Elijah to little bits with his wild demands so it's no wonder this relationship was over as well, leaving Stewart dealing with his biggest fear - being left on his own, totally alone. Everything horrible in his past came hunting down and that's when he went to therapy because enough was enough. He couldn't take it anymore. He loved Elijah but truth be told he hasn't opened up to him AT ALL. He couldn't. But everything he did, the way he behaved was him struggling to make sense of his world, trying to put every piece in the right place before it all came tumbling down. But that happened anyway.. He knows now how wrong he was to poor Elijah but he is unable to speak to him knowing just how much he hurt him.
In the very end of the 3rd installment Christina gave us a glimpse into a hot encounter between Stewart and Michael and though I wasn't sure HOW it's going to work, I really wanted this book of them having more than a few stolen minutes together. I believe in second chance and people being more than meets the eye. More than they allow most of us to see. We are complicated beings and sometimes though are motives are the best (towards someone else OR towards ourselves) we somehow screw up ROYALLY. Michael needed to have a hard stare at the mirror and SEE who he has become and why it's imperative mostly to himself he starts acting like the person HE wants to be and not the person his father tries to shape him into. He loved West, he still does in his own way, but he needs to love himself also and from there he could be a good friend to him, and a great lover to someone else. He has A LOT to give and he gives with no effort, and I'm not talking just about money.. But there are still things out there he needs to resolve, he needs to learn how to connect differently than he did before. That's not an easy task.. As for Stewart, believe it or not, he IS a good guy, but in some way he is a shadow of his past. He is controlled by it, and he has manipulated his life to be everything but what he has gone through and without the proper help it turned into a nightmare not only to himself but to the people around him as well. He never meant to be this horrible to Elijah he was just trying to survive and not very successfully..
The few very meaningful times Stewart talked to Elijah and Michael talked to West were EVERYTHING to me. It showed us not only the people we knew, but also a changed version of all 4 of them. They are in a different place now and they are able to bring out different things in themselves towards one another.
I could write another hour about this book. I haven't said anything about the plot really.. But I guess there is nothing I want to tell more than PLEASE READ IT. It's simply BEAUTIFUL. I suggest starting with the first book in the series, but even if you don't, if you read just this one, you'll get the best kind of second chance life/romance. Stewart and Michael didn't believe they deserved to be happy, they wanted first to change their lives and fix their wrongs somehow, this relationship sneaked up on them. It started with sex, but somehow it progressed to so much more. It was easy to see through their interaction they GET each other on a different level than just what the other one needs sexually. They were truly meant to be. Together they make each other better. Yet each on his own is also so not the person we've seen before. There is no growing up without pain, Elijah and West didn't need to be hurt by Michael and Stewart, yet they did, but all four of them are so very different now and what they went through helped shape them into who they are today.
HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
I kindly received this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
More Reviews HERE
We've met Michael Walsh, aka V, aka Voldemort, in the 2nd installment. He was in a strange and not happy at all relationship with West (the MC there). Michael was overbearing, high handed and controlling but also keeping West his "dirty little secret", not being able to come out or even acknowledge to himself he is bi. Their relationship was a disaster! and though they had good years in the beginning when Michael took care of West after his family were killed in a fire, they came to an impasse when West took all his staff and left. Michael was left on his own, in his big, spacious apartment looking over the river with only his two pugs for company. He realized he's done wrong, realized he is becoming into the man he hates the most - his father. Now it's time to make things right. But it's not easy.
Stewart Jenkins was our guy to hate in the 3rd installment. In a way he was WAY worse that Michael who, in his twisted way, had good intentions. Stewart was more than just controlling toward his boyfriend Elijah (the MC in the 3rd installment), he was mean to him, he tried to isolate him, and made Elijah act only in the way Stewart saw fit. They might have been happy at first, but Stewart was breaking Elijah to little bits with his wild demands so it's no wonder this relationship was over as well, leaving Stewart dealing with his biggest fear - being left on his own, totally alone. Everything horrible in his past came hunting down and that's when he went to therapy because enough was enough. He couldn't take it anymore. He loved Elijah but truth be told he hasn't opened up to him AT ALL. He couldn't. But everything he did, the way he behaved was him struggling to make sense of his world, trying to put every piece in the right place before it all came tumbling down. But that happened anyway.. He knows now how wrong he was to poor Elijah but he is unable to speak to him knowing just how much he hurt him.
In the very end of the 3rd installment Christina gave us a glimpse into a hot encounter between Stewart and Michael and though I wasn't sure HOW it's going to work, I really wanted this book of them having more than a few stolen minutes together. I believe in second chance and people being more than meets the eye. More than they allow most of us to see. We are complicated beings and sometimes though are motives are the best (towards someone else OR towards ourselves) we somehow screw up ROYALLY. Michael needed to have a hard stare at the mirror and SEE who he has become and why it's imperative mostly to himself he starts acting like the person HE wants to be and not the person his father tries to shape him into. He loved West, he still does in his own way, but he needs to love himself also and from there he could be a good friend to him, and a great lover to someone else. He has A LOT to give and he gives with no effort, and I'm not talking just about money.. But there are still things out there he needs to resolve, he needs to learn how to connect differently than he did before. That's not an easy task.. As for Stewart, believe it or not, he IS a good guy, but in some way he is a shadow of his past. He is controlled by it, and he has manipulated his life to be everything but what he has gone through and without the proper help it turned into a nightmare not only to himself but to the people around him as well. He never meant to be this horrible to Elijah he was just trying to survive and not very successfully..
The few very meaningful times Stewart talked to Elijah and Michael talked to West were EVERYTHING to me. It showed us not only the people we knew, but also a changed version of all 4 of them. They are in a different place now and they are able to bring out different things in themselves towards one another.
I could write another hour about this book. I haven't said anything about the plot really.. But I guess there is nothing I want to tell more than PLEASE READ IT. It's simply BEAUTIFUL. I suggest starting with the first book in the series, but even if you don't, if you read just this one, you'll get the best kind of second chance life/romance. Stewart and Michael didn't believe they deserved to be happy, they wanted first to change their lives and fix their wrongs somehow, this relationship sneaked up on them. It started with sex, but somehow it progressed to so much more. It was easy to see through their interaction they GET each other on a different level than just what the other one needs sexually. They were truly meant to be. Together they make each other better. Yet each on his own is also so not the person we've seen before. There is no growing up without pain, Elijah and West didn't need to be hurt by Michael and Stewart, yet they did, but all four of them are so very different now and what they went through helped shape them into who they are today.
HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
I kindly received this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
More Reviews HERE
March 1, 2019
4.5 Stars
Readers tend to polarize when it comes to villans in books. Love or Hate. Not much in between. Something about Michael and Stewart in this series made people think, hmmm, I wonder if they can be redeemed for all the pain they have caused? You know what happens when an author starts to wonder the same thing?/ Yeah, she decides to put these two crazy people together and see what happens.
The best---Michael and Stewart didn't even try to hide their flaws. Everything out on the table. The real message here----everyone is worth a second chance. Both of these anti-heroes were licking their wounds and trying to adjust to a new normal. Trying ti figure out who they were in the world with out their previous partners. Understanding that it's ok to be in this position and it is part of a life process, is most likely what made these two open to trying something new. Oh, not like they didn't protest the "no relationship" thing, but deep down, I think they both knew it would just take the right person, the right respect, the right amount of love---and they were hooked.
Not my favorite of the series so far, but not because of the writing. These two characters were just so yucky in the previous books, it was hard to give them some love. But kudos to the author for giving readers a second look. EVERYONE is worthy of being Redeemed!
*Complimentary copy provided for an honest review.
Readers tend to polarize when it comes to villans in books. Love or Hate. Not much in between. Something about Michael and Stewart in this series made people think, hmmm, I wonder if they can be redeemed for all the pain they have caused? You know what happens when an author starts to wonder the same thing?/ Yeah, she decides to put these two crazy people together and see what happens.
The best---Michael and Stewart didn't even try to hide their flaws. Everything out on the table. The real message here----everyone is worth a second chance. Both of these anti-heroes were licking their wounds and trying to adjust to a new normal. Trying ti figure out who they were in the world with out their previous partners. Understanding that it's ok to be in this position and it is part of a life process, is most likely what made these two open to trying something new. Oh, not like they didn't protest the "no relationship" thing, but deep down, I think they both knew it would just take the right person, the right respect, the right amount of love---and they were hooked.
Not my favorite of the series so far, but not because of the writing. These two characters were just so yucky in the previous books, it was hard to give them some love. But kudos to the author for giving readers a second look. EVERYONE is worthy of being Redeemed!
*Complimentary copy provided for an honest review.
March 10, 2019
I never thought this book would see the light of day and honestly, I was okay with that. I was completely satisfied with the bonus chapter included in Reclaim. But now that I've read it? I have no idea how I lived without it.
Michael and Stewart are two very unlikeable characters. In Reawaken, we get a glimpse that makes us think Michael might not be such a bad guy after all. But there was nothing about Stewart that made me think he could be redeemed.
Redeeming a character can be a tricky thing. They can't be truly evil, they need a good reason for acting badly and you can't make them good overnight. You have to make them earn it.
These guys aren't evil. They're not misunderstood, they just have issues. Most of which they brought on themselves. They have faults and insecurities. Neither of them has ever truly opened up to someone. They purposefully separate themselves from others and it's destroyed their past relationships.
To be honest, they never should've gone beyond the steaming hot sex they shared in that bathroom but the more they came together, the more you could see how good they'd be for each other. We just needed them to see it.
It's hard to own up to your flaws but Michael and Stewart did. They earned their redemption.
Christina Lee nailed this book. She took two guys that I thought I'd never be able to like and she made me like them. She made me feel bad for them. She made my heart hurt for them. And she made me fall in love with them.
Michael and Stewart are two very unlikeable characters. In Reawaken, we get a glimpse that makes us think Michael might not be such a bad guy after all. But there was nothing about Stewart that made me think he could be redeemed.
Redeeming a character can be a tricky thing. They can't be truly evil, they need a good reason for acting badly and you can't make them good overnight. You have to make them earn it.
These guys aren't evil. They're not misunderstood, they just have issues. Most of which they brought on themselves. They have faults and insecurities. Neither of them has ever truly opened up to someone. They purposefully separate themselves from others and it's destroyed their past relationships.
To be honest, they never should've gone beyond the steaming hot sex they shared in that bathroom but the more they came together, the more you could see how good they'd be for each other. We just needed them to see it.
It's hard to own up to your flaws but Michael and Stewart did. They earned their redemption.
Christina Lee nailed this book. She took two guys that I thought I'd never be able to like and she made me like them. She made me feel bad for them. She made my heart hurt for them. And she made me fall in love with them.
April 20, 2022
I procrastinated this book because I seriously disliked both Michael and Sawyer in their previous appearances, and I had doubts that Christina could make them appealing leads. I'm pleasantly surprised to say that she could, by leaning into the fact that both characters were very undeniable asses. It's a (very enjoyable) first, and I liked it. No denials, full acceptance of their wrongs, and a real attempt at being better while not being able to magically shake off the bad habits that made them villains in their previous appearances. It's refreshing, to be honest.
April 16, 2019
I LOVE a good redemption story and Christina Lee really showed the vulnerability of these two former antagonists. It feels like books two and three were just building up to this one and the explosion was epic. Plus, CL brought the H.E.A.T in this installment. Yippee! I think this one is going to have to move to my favorite shelf. Highly recommended.
March 5, 2019
The story is as simple as it gets but I loved the nuances and the attention to anxiety, breakup and building yourself up for the better. The underlying message is beautiful and even tho a bit cheesy, this was one helluva comfort read.
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