In Too Deep

by Elly Redding

Set in the rolling countryside of Devon, In Too Deep is the emotional story of a woman’s determination to win the trust of the man she’s adored since they were thrown together as children, by forcing him to confront the darkness of his long-lost past.

One little lie. A guilty secret. And the man she mustn’t love…

It’s been six years since Isy Forrester left home. In that time, she’s strived to forge a new life for herself in London, away from Jack Mancini, her father’s adopted son, and his devastating betrayal of everything she thought they had.

Only now her father’s in hospital, and the house that’s been in her family for generations is at risk. Forced to return to Devon, she finds Jack as infuriating and stubborn as ever, and just as irresistible. Soon she realises the bright lights of London can’t hold a candle to him.

But Jack has a past, one which he refuses to share with her. And until he can trust her with these deepest secrets, how can she risk her heart? How can she even begin to help him, when he won’t tell her what happened all those years ago – before her father brought him home to Hambledon Hall?

246 pages, Paperback

Published February 3, 2020

About the author

'In Too Deep' - A second chance love story with a touch of mystery - B.R.A.G. Medallion Award, Chill With A Book Readers' Award and Cover of the Month Award for April 2020

'True Colours' - B.R.A.G Medallion Award, Chill With a Book Readers' Book of the Month Award March 2017, and Winner of The Festival of Romance's New Talent Award

I've always lived with a dream or two bubbling away in my head. Whether it was tap dancing to the golden 'Oldies', or dashing through a forest, pursued by felons, my imagination has always sent me soaring to a world where anything was possible. Only it would have been very lonely, if I'd been there by myself. So I created a hero, someone to share my adventures with and make my dreams come true.

When I'm not writing, I enjoy trying to dance and watching the waves, although not necessarily at the same time!

My website is http://www.ellyredding.com. Thank you for stopping by.

Reviews

[Nursebookie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love reading about second chance romance and family drama with secrets and a past that will slowly unravel and reveal itself in this lovely story. This is my first read from author Elly Redding and I really loved her writing style and how she develops realistic characters that engrosses me in this fabulous story line.

Isy comes back home after six years to see visit her father Frank who has just had a heart attack. Isy had been avoiding coming back home to Devon - trying to avoid a broken heart and seeing Jack again. Isy's father Frank is Jack's godfather - Jack has been living with them since he was 11 yo and Isy 6 at Hembledon Hall, a large 6 bedroom 3 story home that needs to be restored to help bring in some income as a future wedding venue hall.

I found the writing to be engaging and enjoyed Isy and Jack as a couple working through their brokenness. Their love for each other is evident and I enjoyed reading about their slow burn romance.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Isy Forrester has been living and working in London for six years, ever since she fled her Devon home and her break-up with Jack Mancini. Jack is her father’s godson and had been living with them since Isy was six and Jack was eleven. Jack has a secret that he won’t not divulge to Isy about why he came to live with them all those years ago, and why he won’t go back to London.
Isy’s dad, Frank, has a heart attack and she has to come home urgently, bringing her back into contact with Jack who still lives in the family home. With her father out of danger, Isy learns that Hambledon Hall is being renovated with a view to becoming a wedding venue, otherwise they will have to sell it. Very reluctantly Isy agrees to come home for three months, and help Jack to ensure the house is ready for the first booking.
She is very uncomfortable being under the same roof as Jack as it’s obvious they both still have feelings for each other; the memories from six years before come flooding back. Told from the alternating points of view of Isy and Jack, with lots of flashbacks, Elly Redding gradually peels back the layers to reveal Jack’s secret. The tension is ramped up and what we discover is quite a shock.
It might seem that Isy is obsessed with learning the truth about Jack’s past, but until he confronts it there will always be a barrier between them; he needs to face up to it to be able to move on, and for them to have a future together.
In Too Deep was a joy to read with its vivid descriptions of the Devon countryside, witty banter between Jack and Isy, well-drawn, believable characters and sensitive handling of some fairly distressing themes. It was interesting to note the unflattering language used to describe Tom; it suggested to me that his days were numbered. I had not read anything by Elly Redding before, but will definitely go back and read her first book, True Colours.

[Oriana Blyth (_head_in_a_book) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was really lovely and intriguing all at the same time. I found it difficult to put down and the story drew me in really easily.

I loved that there was a past, and clearly some tension between the main characters Jack and Isy, and this is quite apparent from the start of the book. Jack and Isy were in a relationship which ended badly, both of them left feeling heartbroken, and both not realising how much they needed each other.

They are thrown back together after 6 years apart, and this story follows them as they try to learn to trust one another which means opening up about their secrets and leaning on each other, instead of walking away.

A lovely book, with a fantastic storyline and plot, and characters that are wonderfully relatable.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 from me.

[Jo_Scho_Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up. Isy has been away from home for the last six years fleeing from her father’s adopted son Jack over something he did or didn’t do. But now her dad is in hospital and she’s returned to discover that her feelings for Jack are as strong as ever, despite her being in a relationship with someone else.

A romantic read which, for fans of this genre, will definitely hit the spot. The only thing I couldn’t get away with was the references to Jack being her father’s adopted son - which would make Jack Isy’s adopted brother? (who had been part of her life since she was 6yo). Well there are stranger relationships I guess.

Well written and filled with emotion and longing. Perfect for those romantics among us.

[Su Andrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great characters, layers of intrigue, suspense and tension, mixed with an excellent writing style drew me in and kept me there. I loved it! What an excellent read!

[ChillwithabookAWARD With · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Too Deep by Elly Redding has received a Chill with a Book Readers' Award.
www.chillwithabook.com

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an excellent read!
“In too Deep” is a second chance romance with all the complexities of love, relationships and trust. Circumstances draw Isy and Jack back together after 6 years apart but the reason for that separation remains unchanged. The connection between Isy and Jack is unmistakable but will it be enough?

Brilliant characters and a well written and captivating story. I loved the humour, the ups and downs and the anticipation. This book has a secret at its heart and it kept me turning pages extremely late into the night. A wonderful and highly recommended read.

[Christine Galletly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought that this was a really good story that had some great characters.

I did think that it could have moved along a little faster in my opinion to make the story flow a little better but it was still a very well written story that was a good romance.

It is 4 stars from me for this one, I thought it was a well written and well developed story - highly recommended!!

[Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Too Deep is the second book published by author Elly Redding, and the first book I’ve actually had the pleasure of reading from this author. I enjoyed it so much I went and purchased her debut book! I always love discovering new authors and I look forward to seeing what Ms. Redding has for us in the future!

As we start our story, Isy is back home after six years to see her father who has just had a heart attack. She’s been avoiding coming home as she can’t handle facing the man who broke her heart, Jack. Jack and Isy grew up together after Jack moved in with her and her father when he was eleven and Isy was six. Isy’s dad Frank is Jack’s godfather. As Jack and Isy try to find a way to work together to restore her family home and turn it into a Wedding Venue, the past can’t help but come up between them. Will they be able to overcome the secrets of the past and find a way to build a future together?

What a great story! I liked both Isy and Jack from the beginning. It’s obvious from the start that they both still love each other and that there are a lot of things left unsaid between them. As Isy begins to uncover secrets from Jack’s past, we get to see the life he led before he came to live with Isy and her father. My heart went out to Jack and all he endured growing up and knowing his past kept him from being with the woman he loved. As for Isy, she loves Jack and just can’t understand why he can’t trust her with the truth of his past. They were a sweet couple who truly loved each other and I was rooting for them to find a way to be together again.

Not being familiar with Ms. Redding’s writing style, I didn’t know what to expect. So I was pleasantly surprised to get caught up in this story from the very beginning, and quickly became invested in the storyline and all the characters. I felt the story was well-written and flowed well. A wonderful, emotional, second-chance romance that I truly enjoyed and highly recommend!

[Eclectic Review · Rating 4 out of 5]

Is their love meant to be? Can she forgive him for what he did?

She was standing, staring straight at him, but there was no desire in her eyes, just curiosity. No lust or love on those lips, as immaculate as ever, with just a splash of colour. There wasn’t even friendship.

Because of his past, Jack Mancini doesn't think he is good enough for Isabella "Isy" Forrester, the woman he has always loved. There is just too much tragedy and despair in his life after what happened at age 11 when he came to stay with Isy and her dad.  It's for the best that Isy returns to London, but best for whom?

Pain pricking its way forwards, as it always did, against a wound which refused to heal. The realization that love didn’t conquer all. That it didn’t stand a chance, not when there were secrets and lies, and a story half-told.

When Isy's dad has a heart attack, she reluctantly comes back to Devon after six years to help Jack renovate her father's house to host weddings. Her future is in London with her boyfriend, Tom, but when she returns to Devon, her heart is still with Jack. Will he finally reveal his secrets, or will she have to take matters into her own hands?

This sweet and dark second chance romance is like a chocolate bar where one wants to savor every bite.  Ms. Redding's writing style is gripping, witty, and romantic all at once, and she does a great job covering serious topics such as alcoholism and abuse. Isy and Jack are a broken couple who truly love each other dearly and the suspense of finding out Jack's past keeps the reader enthralled.

Overall, I loved this lovely story with a happily-ever-after ending. Recommend highly.

Thank you to Ms. Redding for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.

All my reviews can be found at The Eclectic Review

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

In some ways, this book was a surprise – there’s an edge I hadn’t been expecting, a touch of darkness, that legacy of secrets of the past. But there’s also a perfect balance, often really difficult to achieve – a lightness, such well drawn characters, a convincing romance, and a story really well told.

I very much enjoyed the simmering attraction between Isy and Jack, thrown back together after six years apart, their earlier separation particularly traumatic for them both. Both characters have a really satisfying depth, fleshed out by looking at their past. I particularly liked the “sparkiness” of their present day exchanges – the author has a considerable gift for natural dialogue.

And when the story does dip into their past – as they work together, a little uneasily, to secure the future of Hambledon Hall – I was entirely engaged by the story, with its intriguing twists and its layering of secrets.

There’s an interesting exploration of family – I particularly liked Isy’s relationship with her father – and I really enjoyed the way the story was told, the layers of secrets slowly uncovered, the emotional complexities so well handled. Both the main characters need to learn to trust again, after the earlier damage – and that recovery and rebuilding makes for an excellent read, with real uncertainty about where the story might be heading.

And there’s a particular confidence about the writing – no hesitation in confronting the emotional challenges, a real easiness that makes the reading a pleasure. I very much enjoyed this one…

[Rebecca Rayner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love second chance romances and this one certainly did not disappoint, with its layers of mystery, and intrigue cleverly crafted into the plot. There's a touch of darkness, too, all of which drew me in and kept me there, wanting more. Why won't Jack talk about his past? What did happen to him before he came to live with Isy at Hambledon Hall? The characters were fantastic, so endearing and relatable, that I was rooting for them from the start to find a way to get back together again. 'In Too Deep' was a beautifully written love story and the issues explored with great sensitivity and insight. All in all, a very enjoyable read!

[Joanna Lambert · Rating 5 out of 5]

REVIEW TO FOLLOW

[Miriam McGuirk · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed In Too Deep - a captivating read involving Isy, Jack, and family secrets with captivating twists and turns that kept me guessing. I liked how Elly Redding built the story with a good balance, i.e. her layering of darkness, lightness, secrets, humour, loss, and romance.
I could feel a constant anticipation of asking myself will they won’t they? I look forward to reading more of Ms Redding's work.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great read!

This romantic novel follows the life of Isy Forrester as she suddenly needs to move back to her hometown in Devon. This story is full of family drama and character development.

This is my second read by Elly Reading and it did not disappoint. I’m looking forward to reading her next.

[dove🤎 · Rating 4 out of 5]

4🌟

[gj indieBRAG · Rating 5 out of 5]

We are proud to announce that IN TOO DEEP by Elly Redding is a B.R.A.G.Medallion Honoree. This tells readers that this book is well worth their time and money!

[Cam Nicholl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read, curled up on the couch on a rainy day

[Tiziana Langone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Isy left her home 6 years ago, being heartbroken by Jack. She limited contact to the bare minimum. But when her father is in the hospital, she rushes back home.
When she finds out that her home is at risk of being lost, she won’t go without a fight. She wants to do whatever it takes to keep the house part of the family. Even if this means working together with Jack.
Jack is still this stubborn and infuriating as six years ago. But he also carries a big secret he is not ready to share with Isy. But even after all these years, both of them seem unable to put the feelings they had away.

Will they both find it in their hearts to completely trust each other, even if a secret may be push Isy even further away?
This story was not what I thought… I had this romantic story practically already written in my head. But the more I read, lesser the story in my mind and the actual book matched.
In my modest opinion, this story is all about trust…
Jack is so sure that his darkest secret will push Isy away and that she will leave him. By thinking so, Jack keeps his secret to him, creating a distance between him and Isy. 

What I really enjoyed while reading was, how Isy and Jack were coping with the distance between them, and slowly you see that the feelings they had did not just disappear into thin air. 
And because of their distance, there are so many misunderstandings, but as they are both stubborn, they don’t immediately clear the air. And this caused a lot of rolling of my eyes, nearly yelling at Isy and Jack, because it was so obvious that they want to grow close again, but they just don’t! So frustrating as a reader!

For me, it was not what I expected, but even better! Not a simple “one look at each other and they fall back in love and live happily ever after” but a story about forgiveness, trust, putting the past behind you and allow yourself to love another person! And also, never underestimate the feelings someone has for you. Because if it’s true love, all can be forgiven!