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Beacon Hill #5

Something Like Redemption

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How do you destroy a monster without becoming one?


Spencer:

Will I always be the villain I’ve been made out to be?
It’s hard to tell anymore.
To the outside world I have it all. My life seems picture perfect.
Sometimes those who talk the biggest game are hiding the most pain.
And I have misery by the truckload.
I didn’t ask for any of this. Especially not her.
By letting my purpose be greater than my pain, I know I can make it through this.
I can survive my father without dragging her down with me.
May the bridges I burn light the way to my reckoning—even if I destroy myself in the process.


Is this a love story?
No.
This a little something like redemption.

201 pages, Unknown Binding

9 people are currently reading
146 people want to read

About the author

J.D. Fondry

10 books182 followers
J.D. Fondry is an Amazon Bestselling Author, completely and utterly flying by the seat of her pants when it comes to this whole writing thing. She currently resides in New England, the home of saying "wicked" every other word, with her three-legged rescue pocket-pittie, Harley. If she is not working on a new novel, she can probably be found reading, binge-watching horror movies on Netflix, or stuffing her face. (Carbs are not a food group--they're a way of life). She has a strange affinity for bleach blonde men, justifies her sassy attitude by simply stating that she is a Scorpio and hates the smell of flowers.

Stay in the loop!:

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5 stars
44 (67%)
4 stars
17 (26%)
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3 (4%)
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
Profile Image for Melanie (mells_view).
1,937 reviews395 followers
January 5, 2021
Spencer Laurent seems to be an enigma of the worst kind.

Wow. I don’t even know what to say! What a freaking rollercoaster this entire series has been, but Something Like Redemption and Spencer’s redemption story was a JOURNEY. Holy. Ugh I can’t even explain how quickly I fell in love with him and Bristol together. Sometimes you meet people at the exact right time in your life, and yeah. I can’t say everything I want to, because I don’t want to spoil it, but yeah. This story is intense, but also has some light and steamy moments between Bristol and Spencer.

All in all a great read and a great ending to the Beacon Hill series? I guess we will see what happens there?!?
Profile Image for Sammy.
562 reviews151 followers
January 1, 2021
4.5 star.

I finished this book in the beginning of November and I am only now just getting the courage to write this review. JD asked me to read the Beta copy for some extra feedback, so thank you J for that opportunity.

This is such a bittersweet book. This is the end of the Beacon Hill series and it's time for Spencer, the villain, to tell his story. This doesn't necessarily need to be read in order, however for a better reading experience (and to better understand Spencer) I highly suggest starting from the beginning.

When we first meet Spencer Laurant, in the way we burn, he's an a$$hole. He's Kennedy's ex-boyfriend and he has treated her like shit. His father is an even bigger a$$hole so it's not wonder he's so such an unlikeable person. Enter book 5, Spencer is in recovery and trying to be a better person. Not only is he working on righting his mistakes, but he wants to take down his father.

He meets the beautiful and mysterious Bristol and they have an instant connection. They are two broken souls trying to become better people. Through their strong bond and steamy connection, they start to heal. I wont say anything more about the plot because that is really all you need to know.

This book HURTS. It's not a sweet story, it's painful, it's raw it's heartbreaking and it's redemption.
119 reviews
December 31, 2020
Just kidding… but really this book was amazing. I didn’t think it could get better, but J did it again!! She took the ultimate villain, the person we learned to hate through the last 4 books, and made us understand him, feel for him.

I have so much to say but you really need to read this book to understand for yourself the struggle Spencer had and why he is the way he is. Until this book, I was under the impression he was a rich boy, as Bristol says, taking advantage of the things his father gave him. In reality, he is so much more complex than that. The reason why I absolutely loved this book was because J addresses deep issues that sometimes get overlooked in books. Not everything is so perfect all the time and people have issues despite what it may look like from the outside.

Spencer has too many issues to list which made him the way he is and acts the way he has. This book is truly his redemption for the horrible things he did. Of course, it does not excuse his horrible behavior towards Kennedy among others but it gives some explanation as to why he treated her so badly.

With that is also his developing relationship with Bristol. At first, he looks to her as an outlet, but she becomes such an important piece to his recovery and to his ability to see himself as something other than a failure. His trauma and scars are laid out in this book, something we were not clued in on in the other books.

A question for the readers - after reading this book, would your view of Spencer in past books change?
Profile Image for christyheartsbooks.
1,147 reviews32 followers
February 14, 2021
I loved this book. I saw Spencer in a completely different light and grew to understand him better and fell in love with him. He absolutely redeemed himself. I loved Bristol - she was absolutely perfect for Spencer and exactly what he needed. But the ending ruined it for me. I completely respect the ending the author wrote and it really is where the story needed to go but I need the HEA. So I was a bit bummed that Spencer and Bristol don't get that together. If you are okay with not having a HEA then I recommend this one. But if you need the HEA like I do, then end the series at Good For You.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Angela D.
221 reviews20 followers
February 17, 2021
Wow..... what freaking rollercoaster ride this series has been!! But this book...Spencers redemption story.....it was a hell of a journey. I like him now, J.D said our opinions would change with this book!

I absolutely love him and Bristol together. They each had their own demons to deal with, and so so much baggage that was not even any of their fault.

This was an absolutely intense read. The shit that went down in this book.....😱.

I loved their friendship that builds to a relationship. They are each others ride or die.

I would like to thank J.D. Fondry for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Beacon Hills series has to be one of my favorites!
Profile Image for Kandace Denys (bookish_kayy).
1,256 reviews
March 8, 2021
Awww

This feels like the end of an era, and I just don’t know what to do with myself.
Spencer tied everything up, and his growth has been off the charts, from the first book to this one. I loved the insight to his character, all the things that made him, him. His history, his life, the befores and afters.
That ending did me in, and I’m gonna need to recover now. I understand why things played out the way they did, but I wish things could have been just a little different. But that’s just my selfishness peeking through.
Profile Image for Taylor.
156 reviews2 followers
January 6, 2021
5/5

Tabula Rasa

If you haven't watched Buffy the Vampire Slayer, do it because first off you're missing out on one badass fucking show. Two, tabula rasa is literally everything this book is. You see everything from Spencer's POV. And I mean EVERYTHING (i.e. past and present, not strictly his pov). And Bristol is simply amazing. She is so strong, and probably my fav chick (SORRY BECKS. STILL LOVE YOU BOO).

SLR is full of so much feeling. There's happiness, desperation, anger, hatred, hurt, and so much more. It will have you on a rollercoaster and still reeling from it days later. The ending to the Beacon Hill series couldn't have been better. It comes back full circle and J.D. really killed it.

Be brave and live.
Profile Image for Brittney.
236 reviews3 followers
January 17, 2021
Spencer is BAE <3 First, I love the Beacon Hills series!! I disliked Spencer in the first 3 books. I thought he was just this rich prick who used people and did not care about anyone but himself and money.

He redeemed himself a little bit in book 4. But this book, omg, the redemption is real. I absolutely love the series where each character or couple gets their own book. I love getting the background of the characters and getting to understand how they got to be how they are. What are their triggers? Spencer while being rich and having a silver spoon, did not have what you'd call an easy childhood. He has an overbearing controlling father who doesn't actually show him love or affection which is all he ever really wanted.

Spencer is a lonely, sad, broken boy who needs someone to love him and care about him. He ends up using drugs, being an asshole, making bad decisions as we've seen throughout this series. Book 5 is him taking his life back and trying to make it better. He is in a rehab treatment center and this is where he meets Bristol.

Spencer and Bristol start a FWB relationship which turns in to more. Cue Spencer's dad to come back and try to ruin things. I don't want to give anything away so I will leave it at he tries to come back and ruin things. I was not expecting nor prepared for the reaction to this by Spencer.

Bristol helps Spencer through some of his deepst feelings and traumas. Then things go terribly wrong and Spencer ends up making a sacrifice for someone else because he wants to do the right thing for the first time in his life.

This book had me feeling so many emotions. My heart broke for little boy Spencer and then shattered for adult Spencer. My chest literally hurt reading some of this. But him and Bristol made me happy. Spencer being more laid back and care free was everything. He did a lot to make a come back in this book and I am in love with Spencer. He is my favorite boy of Beacon Hill, you can't change my mind!

So this is not really an HEA. The ending is realistic and it fits the story and plot so freaking well but if you want the HEA and ride off in the sunset, that's not happening here. But I promise it is SO WORTH the read.
Profile Image for Lizs.book.nook ||Elizabeth||.
1,393 reviews47 followers
January 6, 2021
Oh my goodness...JD Fondry has completely wrecked my soul with this story.

We all get this picture of Spencer as this horrible person, and while he has made many mistakes, he is also just a broken boy trying to cope with a crap life that no one sees behind closed doors. The love and happiness he was never provided growing up. This story had me bawling. Hearing Spencer’s story like this, seeing him truly try to make a better life for himself and work through his demons is truly beautiful, despite his hatred of himself.

“People so often only want access to the good parts of others—their light—but don’t want to take the time to see and understand their flaws. Their darkness.”

Bristol is such a beautiful and broken human. The way that Bristol and Spencer see each other on this infinitely deep level, see each other’s light and dark, and still accept each other fully is awe-inspiring.

This story is beautiful, and at times hard to read due to some of the difficult but very real and necessary subjects discussed (be sure to read the trigger warnings and be aware that there are sensitive topics discussed), but it doesn’t take away from the flawlessly stunning and heart-wrenching story that JD Fondry has created. My emotions were at an all time high reading this story, but Spencer certainly got his redemption.

Phenomenal 5 stars!
Profile Image for Amber Brennan.
200 reviews30 followers
January 5, 2021
I was given an ARC to review in exchange for my honest opinion.

So let me start by saying that I have not read the entire series and by reading this book first, I didn’t feel like I was missing out on crucial information but if you want to feel more connected to the characters and just know more about their back story, I suggest reading them in order to get a fuller experience.

Now, this book definitely lived up to its name of redemption and redemption he got in the end. Wow! I was blown away and did not expect that. Actually, I didn’t know what to expect from these characters and honestly I’m not sure I’m disappointed at that either. I was not a fan of some of these characters and maybe if I had read all of the books in order I would feel differently, but from this book alone I didn’t feel the love for Palmer, Kennedy, or Deacon (Don’t come for me!). However, I am definitely team Bristol and Spencer. I loved how JD was not afraid to end the series the way she did...where it could be picked up for more or left exactly as is and readers can just be happy for what they got. This is definitely an author I want to check more out from in the future!
Profile Image for Scream Queen Reads .
228 reviews15 followers
January 1, 2021
I was given this ARC with out reading the rest of the series to see if it could be read on its own or out of order. There were a few times I was slightly confused when other characters from previous books were mentioned but each time it worked itself out. J did a great job of explaining everything enough that I could easily catch on with out being familiar with books 1-4. So I would say yes, this book can be read if you are not caught up.

What I didn’t expect, was that this would become one of my favorite books. I felt these characters on a deep level. Spencer is so broken and it doesn’t excuse the way he was in the previous books (I learned from flashbacks) but he deserves so much love. Bristol has so much love to give and they’re so beautiful together.

Being a massive Buffy the Vampire Slayer fan this book is just everything. Everything....

I’m heartbroken and crushed but feel strangely peaceful and I’ll never forget this story even though I want to cry into JD Fondrys shoulder and watch hours of Buffy then read this all over again
Profile Image for Samantha Rogers.
13 reviews2 followers
January 4, 2021
All I can say is wow.... This book was phenomenal.
You know that douchebag guy we all hated? Spencer? Well I’m not convinced I hate him anymore. This book dives deep into Spencer’s past - it gives us a sense of why he is the way he is. It’s not excusable, all the things he has done to Kennedy & everyone else, but it helps us understand the why behind it all. You will learn about Beck’s, who Spencer doesn’t realize he needs and has a deeper than he thinks connection with.
This book is deep, and it details lots of things that plenty of people experience, but not something that is talked about much.
I can’t wait to read the next book in this series!
Profile Image for Tori J Williams.
5 reviews
January 10, 2021
Well shit, that was a roller coaster of emotions. I didn’t expect to like Spencer, but I did. I’m happy you decided to write his story. Plus a lot of the author came out in this one. I love it and it made me cry. The anti-hero ♥️ I’m not ready for this ride to be over yet though...
Profile Image for Ashley.
6 reviews
February 12, 2023
I cried so much during the end of this book but I wouldn’t change a single thing!
Profile Image for Jacqueline (on brand).
753 reviews3 followers
January 13, 2021
Spencer Laurent.

Playboy. Rich. Junkie.

I've always been drawn to villains starting at a young age. On a primal level something connects with me more than anyone else. We're all villains in someone else's story.

Make no mistake Spencer Laurent is a villain. Fondry spent four books showing us just how villainous Playboy Laurent is. We hated it, but did we really?!?!? Wasn't there part of some of us that loved it? Something Like Redemption gives you so much more of Spencer Laurent. You will still hate him but I guarantee you will love him.

Spencer is in rehab, meets a girl, starts a FWB with the girl, and in the end.....

Spencer became the anti-hero. I can't say more because frankly that would ruin the book, a book that I dare call Fondry's best work to date. That's how moving and emotional I was with SLR.

For lover's of Beacon Hill, haters of Spencer Laurent....take a chance on the villain. He might just surprise you.
Profile Image for Chelsea Cummings.
26 reviews1 follower
June 30, 2021
A new view

The suspense - the sadness - the want. This book was, as J.D. said, a doozy! Before getting into this book I would have bet so much that I’d never be a Spencer fan, but here I am, telling you I was wrong! To be able to see behind the scenes made my heart break for Spencer. I loved reading his recovery and successes. This book really tore at my heartstrings. A must read and I HOPE not the end of this series ;-)
Profile Image for Chelsi Weddle.
12 reviews
May 26, 2021
My heart!!!!

I’m so glad I gave Spencer a chance. He fully redeemed himself AND some! I really like him I’m kinda sad he didn’t fully get what I expected but it was soooo much better than I could’ve predicted! I absolutely love this series and also THAT GHOSTMANE REFERENCE!!!! I love him!!!
Profile Image for Taylor Lane.
6 reviews1 follower
June 11, 2021
The true anti-hero

As i’m sure most of us feel the same way, i never ever expected to love spencer as much as i do. His story is something so unbelievably heartbreaking, but his desire to break free of his demons and the mold he had been placed in is evident, as well as his growth.
Profile Image for Courtney Tremble.
328 reviews2 followers
June 18, 2021
I wasn’t sure what to expect from Spencer’s character but… OMG did J. D Fondry not disappoint. Getting his backstory put in perspective his decisions throughout the series. Loved the dynamic between Bristol and Spencer. I was enraptured in the words and characters and didn’t want it to end.
Profile Image for My Best Book Life.
121 reviews1 follower
January 5, 2021
“People so often only want access to the good parts of others—their light—but don’t want to take the time to see and understand their flaws. Their darkness. His darkness speaks to mine. We’re both haunted. I don’t see his past as flaws, or anything of that nature. They’re all bits and pieces stitched together to make the beautifully put together man before me”

An arrogant rich boy trying to right his wrongs, the damaged girl haunted by her past and the way they heal and help each other on their road to redemption

JD Fondry is a genius storyteller. She manages to take the most flawed, pompous d-bag villain from her Beacon Hill series and leaves us with no choice but to fall in love with him! Me? Love Spencer? There was no way. He wasn’t just some alpha bad boy with an underlying heart of gold. Oh no, he was a first class piece of work! There was no chance in hell he was getting an ounce of my love. Then I got to beta read this book and I was utterly screwed. All of Spencer’s warped, twisted layers got peeled back and all I was left with was a beautifully broken boy you couldn’t help but want to love and protect at all costs. The love story that unfolds between Spencer and Bristol is an absolutely amazing look into two lost souls digging in to the wreckage of their past. The pain and insecurity and emotion really grab on to your heart and squeeze until the very last word!!!

The entire Beacon Hill Series is one of my very favorites. Nobody can quite write my exact brand of dry humor and hot af steam like Jess can! I’d suggest reading the entire series to get the whole magnitude of Spencer’s story. You won’t be disappointed 🖤
Profile Image for J.B. Sharp.
Author 4 books57 followers
February 15, 2022
"In a perfect fucking world, I’d take Bristol Somers like a drug. Intravenously, or cut on my coffee table and snorted like a line; it doesn’t matter."

I absolutely loved how this series was closed out with the "villains" story. Spencer was the playboy we loved to hate in the other 4 Beacon Hill series books, but in Something Like Redemption, that's exactly what he got.
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