The guy I had a wild fling with in paradise and the man forcing me to marry him are one and the same. I found out on my wedding day.
I came back from vacation to satisfy the terms of the contract: marry an enigmatic tycoon to save my company. Only when I arrive to say my vows I learn the man I lived it up with in Cabo San Lucas is my unforgiving, uncompromising new husband, and a liar.
He’ll be the first to point out he never lied about a thing. Those were our terms in paradise—the less we knew about each other the better. And it bit me in my sand-covered bottom. Now, I’m like one of those princesses in a fairy tale, stuck in a Malibu mansion on the beach with a guy I thought I knew but who’s a complete stranger.
Only the longer I’m around my own personal villain, the more I think the fun, supportive guy I met in Cabo is the real Jacobi Dixon. And as he uncovers a threat to me and everything I’ve worked for, he might just redeem himself and become my knight in shining armor.
But while my new husband doesn’t lie to me, he still isn't telling me everything, and it could kill more than our budding relationship.
Marie Johnston is an award-winning, best-selling paranormal and contemporary romance writer. She grew up in the upper Midwest and planned to go to college for English. Didn't happen. She started college in accounting and was awful! Grabbing her inner science geek by the pocket protector, she changed to microbiology and medical technology where her only writing involved scientific articles and procedures. Eventually, she left full-time work for full-time baby raising but kept thinking, "one day, I'd like to write a book." Finally, before any more time passed, Marie decided to buckle down and write. She loves it!
This conclusion to RUINED finds London and Jacobi in the midst of a turmoil of emotions, motives, and secrets. He never wants London to know all of his secrets, and she is learning secrets about not only Jacobi, but also about her parents. Their hearts are at war with their senses of self preservation. Jacobi and London are now locked into a contracted marriage, a union he has planned in order to exact revenge for the wrongdoings of her father. At least that is what he has told London and himself. But his reasons go farther than that. Jacobi has been watching London for years and is now obsessed with her. Their interlude in Cabo has only served to deepen that obsession.....he refuses to call it love, even to himself. Now London is confronted by the cold distant side of a man she had grown to love in Cabo. A side that cruel and demanding. This new side is telling her that her beloved father deceived and swindled his parents in order to build the cosmetics company she now owns. Confused, her emotions in a caught in a whirlpool, London stands up to her new husband and strives to maintain her dignity and poise in front of him. Neither is able to resist the pull of their attraction to each other, and they soon resume an intimate relationship. Jacobi finds that he cannot punish London for what her father did, but he must push her away from him in order to protect her. An unseen and unknown enemy is gunning to take him down...or is it London who is the target? Did letting her go give the enemy an advantage? Can these two admit their love, reveal their secrets and conquer the enemy together?
This book was thought provoking, full of turbulent emotions and and intriguing twists and turns. The characters were strongly defined, vivid and fascinating. You can’t help but feel a gamut of emotions as you read London and Jacobi’s story. Their happily ever after was well earned. I highly recommend reading this duet of books (RUINED and REDEEMED). I received an ARC of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
The return, the betrayal, the threats and so much more
Redeemed is the second book in the Ruined and Redeemed Duet by Marie Johnston. This is the continuation in the story of London Vanderbeek and Jacobi Dixon. All I can say is watch out because the book explodes with all the energy of an atomic bomb when London returns from sowing her wild oats in Cabo with a the handsome and very sexy Jake. She is ready to do her duty and be wed to Jacobi, by way of being blackmailed. When she discovers that Jacobi and Jake are the same person let's just say she not happy and things get even rockier between them. But when someone starts targeting London Jacobi will stop at nothing to ensure that she is protected, even if that may mean divorcing her. He thinks he knows who it is and that it is really him they want to harm. But when he finds out it isn't that person then he has to work quickly to find out who is behind the threats and why.
This second book is even more compelling and fascinating of a story. The twists and turns that the author has written are great and the character development is wonderful. The relationship that developed between London and Jake is Cabo does not go away for either of them, even if she wants to kill him when she finds out that Jake is really Jacobi. When Jacobi finally had his revenge he quickly learns that revenge is not every thing and that sometimes what you think you want isn't what you really want once you have it.
It looks like Jacobi did get the revenge he sought after all. When London returned from her blissful vacation with Jake, she finds out how she has been betrayed by him. The man she loved and had fun with in Cabo San Lucas she now knows is actually her unforgiving, uncompromising new husband. She sees him as a liar, even though he reminds her he never lied about a thing. She is living in a Malibu mansion on the beach with a man she thought she knew -- but he is a complete stranger to her.
Yet when Jacobi uncovers a threat to London and everything she has worked for, will he redeem himself and rescue her? Is she the one someone is after now, or is he the real target? If he pushes her away to keep her safe by divorcing her, will he actually be putting her out there in greater danger? Her new husband perhaps doesn’t lie to her, but she is sure he still isn't telling her the full truth and his silence could get one or both of them killed.
The author did an excellent job with this duet! The mystery was intriguing, and seeing the two of them struggling with their feelings was done very well. Grab your copy and read what happens in this exciting conclusion to London and Jacobi’s story.
AN ABSOLUTELY MAGNIFICENT TREAT!!! Thrilling! Marie blew me away with this enthralling, beautifully composed, block busting, bombshell, wrapping this baby up sleek, shiny and tight. A surging tempest of striking events blow this gem apart, exposing one chart topping, life altering culmination. I don't know where she gets her inspiration or such unique insight, but she has totally cinched the feelings that run rampant, unchecked throughout. She manipulates her words as skillfully and precise as a surgeon welds his scalpel. Seizing the moment, witnessing the trials and tribulations, along with shocking twists and stunning turns, tempting our characters in ways they could have never anticipated. The undeniable attraction and intense chemistry sizzles as each layer is peeled back exposing a deep connection and amplifying affections, binding them to one another beautifully. The characters are genuine and original with depth and qualities that transform into amazing personalities. The scenes are so vividly detailed it gives the illusion you were right there in the middle of ground zero with them. Remarkable job Marie, thanks for sharing this bad boy with us.
Revenge so sweet? London and her step mother run the very successful cosmetics company her dad started years ago. He died recently and she is the CEO. On a vacation in Mexico she meets Jake and they have a holiday affair. But when back in the U.S. he blackmails her into marrying her and turning the company over to him, claiming her dad stole the cosmetics recipes from his mom and cheated his parents out of part of the company. And his real name is Jacobi. But forced to live with him for a week, they feelings she had don’t go away, and then Jacobi finds out that because of someone he put in jail years ago, London is now a target. He hacks into whomever he can to find out what is going on, but the person he thinks is targeting London, isn’t. Now he has to look at other business dealings he had, or go back twenty years and find out who London’s father cheated. And he has to hurry up or London could be in danger. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review
This is the second book in the duet of London and Jacobi. It begins with Ruined and picks up where that book left off. London is back from Cabo vacation and is shocked to find out that her vacation affair Jake is her new forced husband, Jacobi. Jacobi is out to avenge his parents against her deceased fathers . London is shocked and hurt and Jacobi stands on the fact that he didn’t lie. Yet as their story continues the question of not telling the truth can be as damaging . When danger from the past comes to target one or both Jacobi makes decisions hoping to keep London safe. With feelings swirling and trying to be denied. A target on the back and revenge will these two survive the storm? This duet had it all and then some. I enjoyed this well written story. The characters were intriguing and this book entertains.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was an incredible finish to the duet. Jacobi Dixon is looking for revenge because London’s father stole his mother’s formula for the beauty products Natural Glow make and while he lived in poverty ,she was treated like a princess. After Jacobi forces London to marry him, he starts to receive pictures of his mother and of London. He fears its Sully, his mother’s pimp who he put behind bars. Fearing for Lo don’s safety, he tells London they should divorce in order to keep her safe. By this time, both Jacobi and London have fallen in.love with each other ,but haven’t confessed their true feelings. A great storyline and wonderful characters that keep you intrigued throughout the story. I loved it!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Jacobi divorces London thinking it will protect her from whom ever is messing with him. Even though her marriage got off to a bad start, she has fallen in love with him. He has never felt this way and desperately misses her while he and his two friends are on the hunt. The truth about her father’s devious business dealings and her mother’s disappearance are coming to light and she has to struggle to accept what has been uncovered. She is still heartbroken and is missing him. There are some unexpected events that will explain the tormenting that are really focused on her, not on him as they thought in the beginning. Great follow up to book 1 of the duet, Ruined. Could not put it down! I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.
Please be aware that you need to read Ruined the first book in this duet first but don't worry you will be glad to read both of them as this is a story with plenty of twist and turns to keep you engaged
London has returned ready to face her forced marriage to Jacobi after leaving Jake behind in Cabo St Luca but she is in for a shock when she discovers Jake is actually Jacobi Unwilling to forgive his lies she closes herself of from him even though as he says he never lied he just never gave her all the information. But danger is lurking is it London someone is after or Jacobi and if he lets her free to keep her safe will he actually be putting her in more danger Can these two admit what they actually mean top one another and get the future with one another they deserve
This is book 2 of 2, you should read Ruined first for a full understanding of what's going on. Amazing storyline with some crazy twists and turns in this emotional story. London has a lot going on in her life, her father has died leaving her as CEO of the company he started, but she has found out so much about her father and stepmother that has changed how she views everything. Can she trust the man she has fallen in love with? Jacobi is not a good man, but he's not bad either. Will London forgive him when she finds out the truth about his past? Can he keep her safe from the threat to him? Great ending, as much as I hate cliffhangers this was an awesome set of books. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
n a vacation in Mexico she meets Jake and they have a holiday affair. But when back in the U.S. he blackmails her into marrying and turning the company over to him, claiming her dad stole the cosmetics recipes from his mom and cheated his parents out of part of the company. His real name is Jacob, not Jake. Jacob did get the revenge he sought after all. When London returned from her blissful vacation with Jake, she finds out how she has been betrayed by him. The man she loved and had fun within Cabo San Lucas she now knows is actually her unforgiving, uncompromising new husband. She sees him as a liar, even though he reminds her he never lied about a thing.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
"Redeemed" is the continuation of "Ruined" and is beautifully written with lots of glorious romance with a background of mystery and intrigue. It takes them forever to get close to an idea of who maybe behind the stalking of London. Neither Jacobi nor London want to admit their feelings for the other one. There is a new man in town and Jacobi and London do not like him, but they cannot find anything out about him to prove their gut feelings right. London wants everything completed on the right side of the law. The ending ties both books together wonderfully.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Oh My Goodness the second half of the Ruined and Redeemed Duet is amazing!! I loved the buildup in the first book when the bride, London, walks into her wedding and sees Jake the man she fell for in Cabo is really Jacobi the man forcing her to marry him. I really enjoyed the author's writing style with this story as they both work through their feelings for each other especially Jacobi he has hated and been out for revenge for so long. A dangerous threat forces their attention on who's behind it and just adds to the angst surrounding them. It's easy to recommend this duet with all the feelings it provided.
This is the conclusion of London and Jacobi's story. Love, hate, danger and intrigue. The book started to drag a little past half way then picked up again around 80%. Sometimes their attraction was hard to believe and the back and forth was frustrating but things moved along and stayed mostly interesting. All the talk about his hacking but not getting caught was tiresome and that's what made the story feel drawn out. It was overall a good story but I think it could have been trimmed down into one book. I also think the author should lower the price since having to pay for two books makes this an expensive story.
Jacobi and London are perfect together. Yes, he forced her into a marriage she didn't want. But these two had two weeks in Cabo to get to know each other. Lying was not the best way to get their relationship started but once it got started there was no stopping them. These two loved each other fiercely. Their way of showing love is interesting. Jacobi did redeem himself and i loved that the two were able to work through the hurdles along the way.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Book one in this duet was full of internal conflict and the amount here is more than doubled. Where Jake/Jacobi had a running internal dialogue of his internal conflict in book one, this installment continues that thread and adds an increased amount of internal conflict for London. I like the growth we see in Jacobi and the continued strength that London exhibits. The writing is great. The threads all stay tied from book 1 to 2. The secondary characters swoop in and add dimension.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
From the final dramatic scene in "Ruined", the idea of redemption has only a hope of reality. London finding out that her Cabo romance Jake is actually her new husband Jacobi was both a shock and a revelation. Her trust in one is matched by her utmost betrayal. Will her new husband realize the devastation he is about to unleash? Will her passion be used against her in the most heinous ways? Will the truth come to light? Book 2 of a story that started with Ruined
This is the second book in the duet. London discovers who Jake is on her wedding day and is shocked. They have a very stilted relationship, albeit that they are attracted to each other. The day comes though when Jacobi realises that in order to protect her, he needs to divorce her. Who is the person out to get him, will London be ok? A very interesting and engaging book which l recommend highly.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
London and Jacobi’s story continues. It turns out the man she is forced to marry is none other than the man she had a fling with in Cabo. As secrets are revealed, can these two find the passion they felt for each other? Or will unknown enemies force them apart? I enjoyed this story and couldn’t put it down with its many twists and turns. I received an arc of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This story began where, Ruined the first book in this series, ended. London was surprised to discover the man she was falling for while vacationing in Cabo San Lucas was none other than Jacobi. She did not appreciate him deceiving her. Jacobi had his heart set on getting revenge on behalf of his parents. Jacobi does what he thinks is in London's best interest after there are threats aimed towards her. Their feelings for one another continued to grow even throughout all of the chaos. Neither one of them wanted to acknowledge their emotions.
This story was great; and kept me entertained. I was impressed by how both books tied in well together.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
You need to read Ruined before reading this as this continues and concludes London and Jacobi's story. This is is more intense than the first because more secrets are exposed and their hearts are at stake. Their attraction is undeniable but neither wants to be the first to admit it or crack. It's intense, passionate, sexy, angsty, and so so good.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Such a wonderful conclusion to this emotional romance. The suspense and mystery of what was really going on with the threats, wondering how the couple could possibly work out and the dynamic with the mother and daughter all led to me not being able to put this down until i was totally done. I just had to know how everything worked out! Lovely story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Having so enjoyed the first book in this two-book set I was looking forward to reading this second one. I was not disappointed at all but I was surprised because nothing went s as I expected. The characters are so well defined and the storyline is well thought out but nothing is as simple as I expected. I loved the storyline but would stress that you do need to read Ruined first as they must be read as a pair.
I've read several books written by Marie Johnston; she has done a great job at writing a good book; she is becoming one of my favorite authors. I can’t wait to read more of books 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.
She fell in love with him in Cabo.... before she knew who he REALLY was. Now she must decide how she is going to continue on with this arranged marriage that she has agreed to. Will this couple figure out how to be together with the intrigue that now surrounds them? Or will they give in the towel and only do the bare minimum? It is a wild ride to get to the finish. You don’t want to miss us!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A captivating read from beginning to end! An exciting storyline that leaves you breathless wanting more! Sexy steam filled chemistry! Emotionally heartfelt, enjoyable and fun! One heck of a twisted, intense rollercoaster ride! An amazing must read!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I read this immediately after finishing book 1 in this duet. This is a very satisfying conclusion to the story and sees the main characters coming to terms with their new lives that involve some interesting twists and turns.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The second book in the Ruined and Redeemed Duet series a well written with a very good ending to this duet. Jacobi Dixon and London's story just gets better there is drama, danger, suspense, second chances, forgiveness, and romance. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Wow I enjoyed this book. The characters are well developed and engaging the couple having undeniable chemistry which made the storyline enjoyable. The flow was smooth from the start the author did an awesome job with this 2nd book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
WOW! I enjoyed this second part of the "Ruined and Redeemed" duet. What a journey London and Jacobi have. This an addictive story of revenge and so much more. The characters are strong and very likable. The twists and turns are addictive. This an enthralling and thrilling conclusion that I could not put down. I love hoe it develops and the wonderful ending.