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Redeeming Characters
"Animals may bite, but people always suck" is Drue's motto. His only goal is to disappear into the wild with nary a nitwit to be seen. Yet, when he discovers an old friend has published the book he helped create, a new plan surfaces. Revenge. Romance author Dakota Whitmore is in a slump. Maybe what she needs is a little help, a beta reader who will tell her that her work hasn't turned into a steaming cow pie. Enter uber sexy Drue, the man who helped her pen her first-and only-bestseller. Nothing could possibly go wrong. Right?
296 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2010
3 people are currently reading
41 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer L. Hart
72 books478 followersSign up for my author newsletter and never miss a new release at authorjenniferlhart.com
USA Today bestselling author Jennifer L. Hart writes about characters that cuss, get naked, and often make poor but hilarious life choices. A native New Yorker, Jenn now lives in the mountains of North Carolina with her imaginary friends. Her works to date include the Cougars and Cauldrons series, the Silver Sisters series and the upcoming Legcay Witches of Shadow Cove.
USA Today bestselling author Jennifer L. Hart writes about characters that cuss, get naked, and often make poor but hilarious life choices. A native New Yorker, Jenn now lives in the mountains of North Carolina with her imaginary friends. Her works to date include the Cougars and Cauldrons series, the Silver Sisters series and the upcoming Legcay Witches of Shadow Cove.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
July 3, 2020
"The mark of a man is considering how his actions will affect the people around him and making the best choice possible."
Drue and Dakota worked together on a book that later became a romantic sensation under Dakota's pen name. Their lives separated until a literal collision outside an indie bookstore where Drue worked. So much had happened since they had ended that partnership. For Dakota, marriage and a family; for Drue, a life of independance for better or for worse. Neither have had the best life. Can two broken people help each other heal?
This is a fascinating study of interpersonal relationships and how they can support people. Dakota's insular life gets invaded by Drue, who on a good day isn't the nicest person (there are times I wanted to kick him into Tuesday). And they both open up as life goes on, and by the end I was cheering for the both of them. Highly Recommended 5/5
[disclaimer: I was gifted this book by the author and chose to read and review it]
Drue and Dakota worked together on a book that later became a romantic sensation under Dakota's pen name. Their lives separated until a literal collision outside an indie bookstore where Drue worked. So much had happened since they had ended that partnership. For Dakota, marriage and a family; for Drue, a life of independance for better or for worse. Neither have had the best life. Can two broken people help each other heal?
This is a fascinating study of interpersonal relationships and how they can support people. Dakota's insular life gets invaded by Drue, who on a good day isn't the nicest person (there are times I wanted to kick him into Tuesday). And they both open up as life goes on, and by the end I was cheering for the both of them. Highly Recommended 5/5
[disclaimer: I was gifted this book by the author and chose to read and review it]
January 12, 2011
My friend Heather won this book here on goodreads. She raved about how good it was, and how I had to read it next. I'm a book worm so I couldn't say no. I'll be honest.. when I saw the cover i was a little apprehensive. Even my husband commented on how it looked like it was from the 70's. I dont judge a book by it's cover, and Redeeming Characters is great proof as to why.
I have read tons of Romance novels. Lately I have been sticking more to the young adult paranormal romance variety, so that's what I mostly have rated and reviewed on here, but over the years, I have read so many I can't even remember all the names. They all blend together in the, "oh he touched my ....., and I touched his.... category. Redeeming Characters however, will stick out for me, and this is why;
while it held onto the things that make a romance novel, it left out enough of the fluff that usually accompanies a romance book, and that made it feel more real. As heather had described to me when I got the book from her.. "Dakota and Drue's love was raw". I felt that too. They both went through a lot in their lives. I do believe that love can conquer all, but not without work from both parties. Being married 7 1/2 years to my wonderful husband, and coming from a pretty messed up childhood, I get that. Love is wonderful, but we all have hang ups and issues we have to overcome to fully appreciate it. The Author gets that too, which is why this book struck a cord with me.
I didn't like Drue in the beginning.. I thought he was a whiny loser, but by the end of the book he redeemed himself. Dakota, well, I coudn't help but love her. I was also pleasantly suprised to see that Dakota has kids.. that's not really a spoiler since you find that out within the first few pages, but being a mom, I enjoy reading anything involving kids.
Overall, a great book. My only regrets were, that I didn't win it myself.. but when you have a friend like Heather who wins everything.. and I do mean everything <----- insert jealous scowl here------ you get used to it. *sigh* lol.
I recommend this to anyone who likes a good romance. Love is not rainbows and butterflys, it's what you make it.. and I enjoyed watching Dokata and Drue make it into something that was right and beautiful for them. I will definitely be checking out some more of Jennifers work. :)
December 21, 2010
i just won this as a first-reads!! Thank you goodreads and Jennifer L. Hart! cant wait for this one to arrive so i can start it!
update: i just finished the book.....it is truly amazing. This is the first romance novel i have ever read so i wasnt sure if i would like it all that much. i was dead wrong! there was so much sarcasm (or snark, as Jenn would say) that i could completely relate to the characters. it took me a little longer than usual to finish reading because, well to be honest, i wanted Drue to last a bit longer!
time to pass on the book......April and Brooke, i hope you enjoy it!!
update: i just finished the book.....it is truly amazing. This is the first romance novel i have ever read so i wasnt sure if i would like it all that much. i was dead wrong! there was so much sarcasm (or snark, as Jenn would say) that i could completely relate to the characters. it took me a little longer than usual to finish reading because, well to be honest, i wanted Drue to last a bit longer!
time to pass on the book......April and Brooke, i hope you enjoy it!!
October 10, 2010
Read this book and you will remember what it felt like to fall in love
Dakota Whitney is a popular romance writer coming back on the market after the death of her unfaithful husband. She is trying to reconcile the responsibility and reality of life versus the dreams and pursuits of youth. What Dakota never expected was to run into her teenage love Drue at a book signing but that is exactly what happens and the world turns on its axis again for her, but this time she is not naïve but very jaded.
Drue was her first love and at the time writing partner and he believes she stole the idea for her best seller from him and ruined the book but making it a romance novel. Drue does not understand the market or the concept of literature if he doesn’t like romance which Dakota carefully explains. Dakota also begs to disagree that she did not steal his book but does accept his offer to come home with her and help her finish the next book which she is struggling to finish, money being the help to all her woes. They were always great together because Drue had the ideas that Dakota could expand on and bring the characters that readers love to life. But Dakota has so much baggage raising her two sons and the daughter from her husband’s affair that Dakota is not convinced Drue wants to work with her or any other reason but revenge for what he perceives are misdeeds.
While Dakota tries to keep the relationship professional Drue too quickly remembers the passion between them and even gives up lying to himself that it is his job to keep her on task and not in his bed. The more time they spend together the more they reveal about prior lives, past pain and present dreams both wanting to trust the other but not sure they can. Drue won’t stop snooping and Dakota refuses to acknowledge there is anything wrong in her life or let Drue in but he is breaking down the walls of her defenses and proving he is not only trustworthy but a man of substance. Drue shows helps her finish the book, corral her life into manageable pieces and explains the importance of distancing yourself from the past plus he understands the important relationship between author and book reviewer – brilliant man that he is.
This book is a love story at the core but also a story that shows how difficult life is and how much baggage we all have but can recover from. Ms. Hart writes these characters as not troubled or tortured but survivors who take the experiences they have been given and grow from them to become stronger and more intuitive on how to deal with the next great drama. Life is tough but love is amazing when you find it and let it fill your heart with joy.
Dakota Whitney is a popular romance writer coming back on the market after the death of her unfaithful husband. She is trying to reconcile the responsibility and reality of life versus the dreams and pursuits of youth. What Dakota never expected was to run into her teenage love Drue at a book signing but that is exactly what happens and the world turns on its axis again for her, but this time she is not naïve but very jaded.
Drue was her first love and at the time writing partner and he believes she stole the idea for her best seller from him and ruined the book but making it a romance novel. Drue does not understand the market or the concept of literature if he doesn’t like romance which Dakota carefully explains. Dakota also begs to disagree that she did not steal his book but does accept his offer to come home with her and help her finish the next book which she is struggling to finish, money being the help to all her woes. They were always great together because Drue had the ideas that Dakota could expand on and bring the characters that readers love to life. But Dakota has so much baggage raising her two sons and the daughter from her husband’s affair that Dakota is not convinced Drue wants to work with her or any other reason but revenge for what he perceives are misdeeds.
While Dakota tries to keep the relationship professional Drue too quickly remembers the passion between them and even gives up lying to himself that it is his job to keep her on task and not in his bed. The more time they spend together the more they reveal about prior lives, past pain and present dreams both wanting to trust the other but not sure they can. Drue won’t stop snooping and Dakota refuses to acknowledge there is anything wrong in her life or let Drue in but he is breaking down the walls of her defenses and proving he is not only trustworthy but a man of substance. Drue shows helps her finish the book, corral her life into manageable pieces and explains the importance of distancing yourself from the past plus he understands the important relationship between author and book reviewer – brilliant man that he is.
This book is a love story at the core but also a story that shows how difficult life is and how much baggage we all have but can recover from. Ms. Hart writes these characters as not troubled or tortured but survivors who take the experiences they have been given and grow from them to become stronger and more intuitive on how to deal with the next great drama. Life is tough but love is amazing when you find it and let it fill your heart with joy.
January 20, 2011
The characters were down to earth, non generic characters. Instead of being perfect bodied and typical hero and heroine, they were real people, with real flaws, and real physical and emotional damages.
I seriously considered giving this story four stars, because I kept reading, kept wanting more, which is a feat in itself. Unfortunately, I kept hoping the heroine would step up her game just a bit, and that just didn't happen for me. So despite the author's ability to hold my interest, I had to give it a three star rating.
For me, the heroine came across as too much of a "victim", making it really hard for me to relate to her. I loved the hero, he reminded me of my own real-life hero: flawed, cynical, analytical and emotional. Fantastic use of an anti-hero to bring out the best in the story.
Don't let the three star rating fool you. It's a great read, and though I may not relate to Dakota (the heroine), I'm sure there are many women out there who do.
If you like romance with a different style of hero, this book deserves a place in your library.
I seriously considered giving this story four stars, because I kept reading, kept wanting more, which is a feat in itself. Unfortunately, I kept hoping the heroine would step up her game just a bit, and that just didn't happen for me. So despite the author's ability to hold my interest, I had to give it a three star rating.
For me, the heroine came across as too much of a "victim", making it really hard for me to relate to her. I loved the hero, he reminded me of my own real-life hero: flawed, cynical, analytical and emotional. Fantastic use of an anti-hero to bring out the best in the story.
Don't let the three star rating fool you. It's a great read, and though I may not relate to Dakota (the heroine), I'm sure there are many women out there who do.
If you like romance with a different style of hero, this book deserves a place in your library.
November 10, 2010
This book is so much fun.
May 15, 2016
A romance that has it all, love, hate, sarcasm, sass, loss and two people who need to get over themselves so they can come together as a family.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews