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The Matawapit Family #2
Redeemed
Bridget Matawapit is an Indigenous activist, daughter of a Catholic deacon, and foster mother to Kyle, the son of an Ojibway father—the ex-fiancé she kicked to the curb after he chose alcohol over her love. With Adam out on parole and back in Thunder Bay, she is determined to stop him from obtaining custody of Kyle.
Adam Guimond is a recovering alcoholic and ex-gangbanger newly paroled. Through counseling, reconnecting with his Ojibway culture and twelve-step meetings while in prison, Adam now understands he’s worthy of the love that frightened him enough to pick up the bottle he’d previously corked. He can’t escape the damage he caused so many others, but he longs to rise like a true warrior in the pursuit of forgiveness and a second chance. There’s nothing he isn’t willing to do to win back his son—and Bridget.
When an old cell mate’s daughter dies under mysterious circumstances in foster care, Adam begs Bridget to help him uncover the truth. Bound to the plight of the Indigenous children in care, Bridget agrees. But putting herself in contact with Adam threatens to resurrect her long-buried feelings for him, and even worse, she risks losing care of Kyle, by falling for a man who might destroy her faith in love completely this time.
Adam Guimond is a recovering alcoholic and ex-gangbanger newly paroled. Through counseling, reconnecting with his Ojibway culture and twelve-step meetings while in prison, Adam now understands he’s worthy of the love that frightened him enough to pick up the bottle he’d previously corked. He can’t escape the damage he caused so many others, but he longs to rise like a true warrior in the pursuit of forgiveness and a second chance. There’s nothing he isn’t willing to do to win back his son—and Bridget.
When an old cell mate’s daughter dies under mysterious circumstances in foster care, Adam begs Bridget to help him uncover the truth. Bound to the plight of the Indigenous children in care, Bridget agrees. But putting herself in contact with Adam threatens to resurrect her long-buried feelings for him, and even worse, she risks losing care of Kyle, by falling for a man who might destroy her faith in love completely this time.
362 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 19, 2019
1 person is currently reading
105 people want to read
About the author
Maggie Blackbird
26 books342 followersAn Ojibway from Northwestern Ontario, Maggie resides in the country with her husband and their fur babies, two beautiful Alaskan Malamutes. When she’s not writing, she can be found pulling weeds in the flower beds, mowing the huge lawn, walking the Mals deep in the bush, teeing up a ball at the golf course, fishing in the boat for walleye, or sitting on the deck at her sister’s house, making more wonderful memories with the people she loves most.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
October 27, 2021
I loved this book so much! Bridget and Adam have my heart completely! Bridget and Adam were previously engaged to be married, but Adam struggled with addiction and found himself locked up in prison for a number of years. Bridget is the foster mom to Adam's child, and their reconnection is based around Adam being released from jail and trying to regain custody of his son Kyle.
Let's talk about the romance! I swooned so hard for these two. Adam is a bit broken but seems dedicated to make things work this time around. Initially, his primary focus is Kyle, but he's never stopped loving Bridget and wants to do good by her too. Their scenes were sooooo swoony! I found myself just wanting good things for both of these characters!
It's a redemption love story through and through, and the way this author writes their battle between wanting each other yet denying themselves is so good. Bridget is the main one who puts the brakes on, but she was jilted by Adam in the past, so she's justified to doubt his sincerity. But her character was so perfectly written for a character like Adam. Whereas he's rough around the edges, she's super sweet, devoted, and altruistic at heart. Just what they both needed from one another.
As with the previous book, there are a lot of realistic elements which some readers may like, and some may not. Namely, the history of how Indigenous people in the Americas have dealt with outcome of being invaded, relocated, and put at risk over and over again by the dominant government bodies that overtook their lands. This book doesn't get too political (IMO), but doesn't sugarcoat anything either.
Let's talk about the romance! I swooned so hard for these two. Adam is a bit broken but seems dedicated to make things work this time around. Initially, his primary focus is Kyle, but he's never stopped loving Bridget and wants to do good by her too. Their scenes were sooooo swoony! I found myself just wanting good things for both of these characters!
It's a redemption love story through and through, and the way this author writes their battle between wanting each other yet denying themselves is so good. Bridget is the main one who puts the brakes on, but she was jilted by Adam in the past, so she's justified to doubt his sincerity. But her character was so perfectly written for a character like Adam. Whereas he's rough around the edges, she's super sweet, devoted, and altruistic at heart. Just what they both needed from one another.
As with the previous book, there are a lot of realistic elements which some readers may like, and some may not. Namely, the history of how Indigenous people in the Americas have dealt with outcome of being invaded, relocated, and put at risk over and over again by the dominant government bodies that overtook their lands. This book doesn't get too political (IMO), but doesn't sugarcoat anything either.
April 23, 2019
I really loved this second Matawapit Family book REDEEMED even more than the first! Maggie Blackbird really draws you into this world and these characters that are completely believable and relatable. As in the first book, this story touches on subjects we tend to shy away from (gang violence, foster system, etc.). Yet, it also draws us into the story in such a way that it forces us to look beyond our own limited viewpoints on them. Mostly, this is a story each and every one of us can relate to in some form--second chances at forgiveness and the desire for our own happily ever after. In this, the story and subject matter was remarkably tackled and battle lovingly won. I highly recommend REDEEMED, particularly for a book club selection that would make for some great discussion. Can't wait for the third sibling's story (Jude), and I'm hoping Ms. Blackbird is considering a prequel that stars the parents. Sounds like there's a great and interesting story there! One, I would definitely read.
April 2, 2020
This book pulled me in and kept me entranced till the end. The feelings of love, hate, and pain coming out in waves making you want to cry while you read. This was such a beautiful book! I loved the characters wholesomeness!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 21, 2019
They have a push and pull relationship that just makes them grow closer as Adam recovers. I enjoyed their story. Some scenes are a bit slow moving. The sex is good but this more of an emotional book rather than a romance. Redeemed is an intricate, heavy story that I enjoyed reading.
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February 7, 2020
Redeemed is the second book in the Matawapit Family series.
This story has great characters that have a past together but are not supposed to have a future. The storyline is well written and brings to light some hard subjects to deal with such as foster care and gangs. There are also family issues and the history of the indigenous community in Canada.
Is there any way that Adam can redeem himself and he and Bridget can be a family together with Kyle or has too much damage been done?
I read and reviewed this book with no obligation.
This story has great characters that have a past together but are not supposed to have a future. The storyline is well written and brings to light some hard subjects to deal with such as foster care and gangs. There are also family issues and the history of the indigenous community in Canada.
Is there any way that Adam can redeem himself and he and Bridget can be a family together with Kyle or has too much damage been done?
I read and reviewed this book with no obligation.
February 1, 2020
This is the 2nd book I've read written by Maggie Blackbird; she has done a great job at writing a good book; I can’t wait to read more of her books.
The story line caught my attention at the very beginning and kept me interested throughout the entire book.
I loved the chemistry between the characters.
I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.
The story line caught my attention at the very beginning and kept me interested throughout the entire book.
I loved the chemistry between the characters.
I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.
June 4, 2020
This is intense, emotional and interesting. Adam and Bridget are not meant to be together, but when tragedy strikes, Adam begs Bridget for help. The longer they work together, the harder it is for them to ignore their feelings for each other. There's just enough drama to keep it interesting without going overboard.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. This is my honest and voluntary review of it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. This is my honest and voluntary review of it.
December 24, 2019
The second book in Matawapit Family series and Deacon Matawapit is just getting worse. This story centers around Bridget Matawapit, Adam Guimond an ex con, and his son Kyle. I enjoyed reading how this story comes together.I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 30, 2021
So many things I learned from this book. I loved the realistic situations and love story.
September 23, 2019
A second chance romance.
Bridget Matawapit faces a conundrum. She was once engaged to the man whose child she is fostering.
It wasn't clear until the story was underway, how that happened. When she began dating Adam Guimond, he had been a bad boy type with a young son by a woman who died of an overdose. Once he was arrested and went to jail, she became the child's foster mother. She broke up with him and was determined not to let the child return to his father, because she was fearful of his relapsing into criminal behavior.
But now that he is out of prison, he is back and seeking to gain not just custody of the boy, but to get Bridget back into his life.
Being with him puts her at war with her idealistic visions of helping the boy, gaining full custody for herself, and the conservative Roman Catholic upbringing of her family. Her family hoped that she would date and marry a more upstanding man. However, Bridget had too much of an inner bad girl to follow that path. The attraction was too overwhelming for her to want anyone else.
Key to understanding the story is the role of forced assimilation imposed upon First Nations people by the Canadian government, through boarding schools run by religious institutions--including the Catholic Church--where generations of indigenous children were placed. This in turn created trauma within families and communities. Bridget's family aims to help heal the trauma, which pushes her to help Adam gain custody and rekindle their relationship.
Reading this book encouraged me to learn more about the history of First Nations people in Canada.
Bridget Matawapit faces a conundrum. She was once engaged to the man whose child she is fostering.
It wasn't clear until the story was underway, how that happened. When she began dating Adam Guimond, he had been a bad boy type with a young son by a woman who died of an overdose. Once he was arrested and went to jail, she became the child's foster mother. She broke up with him and was determined not to let the child return to his father, because she was fearful of his relapsing into criminal behavior.
But now that he is out of prison, he is back and seeking to gain not just custody of the boy, but to get Bridget back into his life.
Being with him puts her at war with her idealistic visions of helping the boy, gaining full custody for herself, and the conservative Roman Catholic upbringing of her family. Her family hoped that she would date and marry a more upstanding man. However, Bridget had too much of an inner bad girl to follow that path. The attraction was too overwhelming for her to want anyone else.
Key to understanding the story is the role of forced assimilation imposed upon First Nations people by the Canadian government, through boarding schools run by religious institutions--including the Catholic Church--where generations of indigenous children were placed. This in turn created trauma within families and communities. Bridget's family aims to help heal the trauma, which pushes her to help Adam gain custody and rekindle their relationship.
Reading this book encouraged me to learn more about the history of First Nations people in Canada.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews