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Return to Redemption #1
A Little Bit of Déjà Vu
Unsuspecting Margie takes a reading specialist job in the small town of Redemption, PA.
246 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 31, 2013
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1583 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 159 reviews
May 13, 2012
I can't believe I wasted a whole evening reading this. The premise sounded good, the characters sounded interesting, so I assumed I was in for a treat. What I got was an evening of psycho-babble and two dimensional characters, and I'm angry with myself for staying with it to the bitter end.
The story had real possibility, but instead, the psychoanalysis used by one character totally skewed the entire thing. I wasn't allowed to feel the characters' emotions.....I was 'TOLD' how to view them and why. Not since college have I read that much psychology in one book.
Instead of coming off as real, the characters had the feel of paperdolls being moved in a pre-approved manner according to a pre-approved set of rules. There was no true anger or emotion. Even the ex-wife was all kissie-kissie and more than ready to be besties with her ex's new/old girlfriend. While I'm fully aware that it does happen, these people should have been scarred for life by what happened to them, but instead, they're more than willing to forget the past and let bygones be bygones.
I'm still angry with myself for hoping it would get better when there was no reason to hope. I learned a valuable lesson, though. The next work of fiction that spouts psychological theories will get deleted from my Kindle immediately.
The story had real possibility, but instead, the psychoanalysis used by one character totally skewed the entire thing. I wasn't allowed to feel the characters' emotions.....I was 'TOLD' how to view them and why. Not since college have I read that much psychology in one book.
Instead of coming off as real, the characters had the feel of paperdolls being moved in a pre-approved manner according to a pre-approved set of rules. There was no true anger or emotion. Even the ex-wife was all kissie-kissie and more than ready to be besties with her ex's new/old girlfriend. While I'm fully aware that it does happen, these people should have been scarred for life by what happened to them, but instead, they're more than willing to forget the past and let bygones be bygones.
I'm still angry with myself for hoping it would get better when there was no reason to hope. I learned a valuable lesson, though. The next work of fiction that spouts psychological theories will get deleted from my Kindle immediately.
May 14, 2012
A Little Bit of Deja Vu had some interesting twists and turns and the writing style was enjoyable, but I fought myself too much with a couple of issues. One being the way the heroine kept saying no, the hero pressing her anyway, and her giving in. If a woman says no, she should MEAN no. And I feel strongly the hero should take it as a NO. I don't mind the hero trying to change her mind, but not by doing the exact thing the heroine just said no about. The other problem I personally fought with was how the author bounced around in both the parents' and teenagers' sexual experience. Emma was so childish in her behavior, that the teenage sexual scenes made me feel she was being taken advantage of, maybe even molested (ick!), even though she was doing it whole-heartedly. I would have enjoyed the book more if Laurie Kellogg had stuck with giving us a peek into Jake's and Margie's sexual experience and stayed out of the teenagers' sex lives altogether.
In all honesty, if I didn't have a problem with a woman's no not MEANING no and if I could have gotten past someone as immature and childish as Emma having sex at such a young age, I would have given this book more like a 4 star rating. I enjoyed the plot and Ms. Kellogg's writing style. If you don't have issues with the two things, as I did, you would probably enjoy this book.
In all honesty, if I didn't have a problem with a woman's no not MEANING no and if I could have gotten past someone as immature and childish as Emma having sex at such a young age, I would have given this book more like a 4 star rating. I enjoyed the plot and Ms. Kellogg's writing style. If you don't have issues with the two things, as I did, you would probably enjoy this book.
June 15, 2012
When I read a romance, I want a story that not only makes sense, but I also want a roller coaster of emotions as I read.
I want to feel what the characters feel as they go through their adventures in love.
Laurie Kellogg’s A Little Bit of Déjà Vu delivers on both counts.
The heroine, Margie Bradford, a recently divorced widow, gets a second chance to be with the man she fell in love with but couldn’t have approximately twenty years before and yet can’t seem to forget—ex NFL quarterback Jake Manion. But, of course, there are complications to resuming a relationship, a relationship that the author cleverly reveals piece by piece as the story unfolds. I could not keep myself from wanting to read and find out why these two people didn’t get together initially. And I couldn’t help but root for them to get together now.
In addition, Ms. Kellogg makes this an even sweeter romance and a more plausible conflict by having the heroine and hero contend with their “soon to be going off to college” kids, who have gone and done the very thing that they did so many years before.
The reader gets two romances for the price of one.
Bittersweet yet plausible situations.
Ms. Kellogg puts her characters in difficult places, which forces
them to struggle with decisions and to grow emotionally.
I particularly liked the Margie character. On her own, Margie does what she must to raise her daughter. She is committed to her job as reading specialist, and she is trying like hell not to make the same mistakes with her daughter that her mother made with her.
The hero, a Dr. Phil wannabe with a degree as a clinical psychologist who was injured playing professional football, now works as a coach and teacher, and is better at understanding the failings of other kids than his own. So typical. This makes him so incredibly human. He’s made mistakes and he’s not afraid to admit to them. He’s trying to sort out his very complicated life, maintain a solid front for his son and win back the woman he fell in love with so many years ago.
The fun is watching how these two characters—so sexually attracted to each other—will find a way to overcome their past bitterness and fear and learn to trust each other again.
There’s something sweet about this kind of love story.
It makes us believe in the power of love. It makes us feel good about ourselves.
I’m glad that Ms. Kellogg has other books out there that we can read.
This is going to be a good summer for beach reading!
I want to feel what the characters feel as they go through their adventures in love.
Laurie Kellogg’s A Little Bit of Déjà Vu delivers on both counts.
The heroine, Margie Bradford, a recently divorced widow, gets a second chance to be with the man she fell in love with but couldn’t have approximately twenty years before and yet can’t seem to forget—ex NFL quarterback Jake Manion. But, of course, there are complications to resuming a relationship, a relationship that the author cleverly reveals piece by piece as the story unfolds. I could not keep myself from wanting to read and find out why these two people didn’t get together initially. And I couldn’t help but root for them to get together now.
In addition, Ms. Kellogg makes this an even sweeter romance and a more plausible conflict by having the heroine and hero contend with their “soon to be going off to college” kids, who have gone and done the very thing that they did so many years before.
The reader gets two romances for the price of one.
Bittersweet yet plausible situations.
Ms. Kellogg puts her characters in difficult places, which forces
them to struggle with decisions and to grow emotionally.
I particularly liked the Margie character. On her own, Margie does what she must to raise her daughter. She is committed to her job as reading specialist, and she is trying like hell not to make the same mistakes with her daughter that her mother made with her.
The hero, a Dr. Phil wannabe with a degree as a clinical psychologist who was injured playing professional football, now works as a coach and teacher, and is better at understanding the failings of other kids than his own. So typical. This makes him so incredibly human. He’s made mistakes and he’s not afraid to admit to them. He’s trying to sort out his very complicated life, maintain a solid front for his son and win back the woman he fell in love with so many years ago.
The fun is watching how these two characters—so sexually attracted to each other—will find a way to overcome their past bitterness and fear and learn to trust each other again.
There’s something sweet about this kind of love story.
It makes us believe in the power of love. It makes us feel good about ourselves.
I’m glad that Ms. Kellogg has other books out there that we can read.
This is going to be a good summer for beach reading!
April 10, 2013
A Little Bit of Déjà Vu (Return to Redemption, #1)
I found this book on amazon today free and started reading it right away. Let me say I was quite surprized how much I throughly enjoyed it.
Laurie Kellogg is a great author, the story was easy to read, has some great stories, it felt like I was reading two stories at once. It was very very good. Immediately I went and found more books written by Laurie and will definetly be reading more by Laurie Kellogg.
A Little Bit of Deja Vu is about long lost love, regrets, secreat and huge misunderstanding. And as a bonus there is a young romance involved as a side story.
There are some great heated scenes between Margie and Jake, and its a great romance novel.
I have rated it a 4 star rating and will be reading more books in the series.
I would recommend anyone who enjoys the romance genre to pick up A Little Bit of Deja Vu, I loved it and if your like me check out Laurie Kellogg's other novels.
forgot its free on amazon right now so go grab yourself a copy.
http://www.amazon.com/Little-Return-R...
I found this book on amazon today free and started reading it right away. Let me say I was quite surprized how much I throughly enjoyed it.
Laurie Kellogg is a great author, the story was easy to read, has some great stories, it felt like I was reading two stories at once. It was very very good. Immediately I went and found more books written by Laurie and will definetly be reading more by Laurie Kellogg.
A Little Bit of Deja Vu is about long lost love, regrets, secreat and huge misunderstanding. And as a bonus there is a young romance involved as a side story.
There are some great heated scenes between Margie and Jake, and its a great romance novel.
I have rated it a 4 star rating and will be reading more books in the series.
I would recommend anyone who enjoys the romance genre to pick up A Little Bit of Deja Vu, I loved it and if your like me check out Laurie Kellogg's other novels.
forgot its free on amazon right now so go grab yourself a copy.
http://www.amazon.com/Little-Return-R...
April 12, 2013
An interesting premise...college lovers break up and go their separate ways, only find themselves connecting once again when their high school children come to them with some interesting news.
Not a bad story but the over empathises on the teenagers love making, the heroes tendency to verbally psychoanalysis everything, and the overall under development of the characters made it hard to connect with.
Not a bad story but the over empathises on the teenagers love making, the heroes tendency to verbally psychoanalysis everything, and the overall under development of the characters made it hard to connect with.
June 24, 2012
I really liked the story. I loved that we slowly got the story of Jake and Margie, without the use of too much dramatic irony. I think a lot of times these kinds of stories rely too much on the reader knowing more than the characters and a lot of the time it annoys me more than I enjoy it; in this book, though, the reader often discovers along with the characters what’s going on and I really liked it. Jake and Margie’s parallels to Alex and Emma might have been over the top in the hands of another author, but I thought Kellogg did a really good job in having these two stories be different as much as they were the same. My favourite scene, though, had nothing to do with either of the romances, but was the scene in which all the parents show their support of Jake; I love that he’s such a devoted teacher that even the parents love and adore him. It makes him a great character and a good reason to read the book!
: I really liked all of the character, though I think Jake was my favourite. What can I say, I have a weakness for teachers that really care about their kids. Margie at times annoyed me, though not as much that I didn’t want a happy ending for her. I think most of the annoyance stemmed from the fact that I wanted her to get her facts together and get to it with Jake!
I also really liked the younger couple, though in this instance I might have liked Emma more than Alex. Alex was a bit overbearing at times, and Emma really grew into herself as her pregnancy progressed. I loved her.
: I really liked all of the character, though I think Jake was my favourite. What can I say, I have a weakness for teachers that really care about their kids. Margie at times annoyed me, though not as much that I didn’t want a happy ending for her. I think most of the annoyance stemmed from the fact that I wanted her to get her facts together and get to it with Jake!
I also really liked the younger couple, though in this instance I might have liked Emma more than Alex. Alex was a bit overbearing at times, and Emma really grew into herself as her pregnancy progressed. I loved her.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 20, 2019
Welcome to Redemption - the place where characters are just about realistic enough to carry a story, the writing is just short of boring so that you continue to read, and the plot is something just about interesting enough to do the same.
I am sorry to be so harsh, but I was so disappointed, as from the cover picture and the text summary I expected something with a bit more humour and more fast-paced.
Instead I found an unbelievable plot which, although it could happen, was presented in a way that made me think: how unrealistic. The protagonists, although their character traits were some I recognised, did not act realistically. Furthermore,who cares for uneven boobs and what was their point in the story? If Maggie is so spineless and losing every brain cell when confronted with her lover of 19 years or so ago, how did she manage her marriage and a job and a daughter? Talk about moonstruck, huh? If Jake is really such a good psychologist, why does he come across as an arrogant, conceited and smug a--hole? And how can any of the villains in the story be made to see the errors of their ways so quickly, so that everything just comes together just so?
Nope, I like my fairytales, I like happy endings, but I do prefer my plots and characters to be a bit more likeable and believable.
The spelling and grammar was good though, which is always a big plus in any book.
I am sorry to be so harsh, but I was so disappointed, as from the cover picture and the text summary I expected something with a bit more humour and more fast-paced.
Instead I found an unbelievable plot which, although it could happen, was presented in a way that made me think: how unrealistic. The protagonists, although their character traits were some I recognised, did not act realistically. Furthermore,who cares for uneven boobs and what was their point in the story? If Maggie is so spineless and losing every brain cell when confronted with her lover of 19 years or so ago, how did she manage her marriage and a job and a daughter? Talk about moonstruck, huh? If Jake is really such a good psychologist, why does he come across as an arrogant, conceited and smug a--hole? And how can any of the villains in the story be made to see the errors of their ways so quickly, so that everything just comes together just so?
Nope, I like my fairytales, I like happy endings, but I do prefer my plots and characters to be a bit more likeable and believable.
The spelling and grammar was good though, which is always a big plus in any book.
February 18, 2013
4.5 stars!!
Obviously this series is called redemption for a reason... I am definitely giving this a higher rating than the others I've read. By far this was the best story...
A woman who got pregnant & had an abortion (don't judge her... read the details in the book, which is a definite spoiler... not her fault!)
was in love with the baby's dad. He was a rising football star engaged to someone else... After some misguidance & trickery, they never see eachother again...
Until... She moves to town after her husband dies in a plane crash & finds out this now ex-football player is her daughters teacher. She knows who he is but he doesn't know who she is until they have to meet in a restaurant to discuss her daughters pregnancy by his son... WOW!!
Never fear, I do have a slight complaint. I always do! So not to disappoint, all I have to say is that some people do not deserve forgiveness. Let alone a welcome back into my life... BUT that didn't even hurt the story!
It all happens from there & there is a lot of flashbacks & side stories. This one was good.
Obviously this series is called redemption for a reason... I am definitely giving this a higher rating than the others I've read. By far this was the best story...
A woman who got pregnant & had an abortion (don't judge her... read the details in the book, which is a definite spoiler... not her fault!)
was in love with the baby's dad. He was a rising football star engaged to someone else... After some misguidance & trickery, they never see eachother again...
Until... She moves to town after her husband dies in a plane crash & finds out this now ex-football player is her daughters teacher. She knows who he is but he doesn't know who she is until they have to meet in a restaurant to discuss her daughters pregnancy by his son... WOW!!
Never fear, I do have a slight complaint. I always do! So not to disappoint, all I have to say is that some people do not deserve forgiveness. Let alone a welcome back into my life... BUT that didn't even hurt the story!
It all happens from there & there is a lot of flashbacks & side stories. This one was good.
August 7, 2017
Todays world
This book is a little like the world as we know it and the scenes are easy to get lost in.
This book is a little like the world as we know it and the scenes are easy to get lost in.
May 31, 2024
Must say the cover is bad.
It’s a weird and creepy story.
It get crazier by the sentence.
Everyone is involved one way or another
Their conversations are very disturbing.
One second they talk like adults and the next they act like kids.
H is a psychologist and a kind of family planning teacher but at the first chance he gets the h pregnant again.
Baby’s are popping out everywhere.
It took me 3 days to finish the book and I’m glad it’s done.
It was to long, to repetitive and sick.
It’s a weird and creepy story.
It get crazier by the sentence.
Everyone is involved one way or another
Their conversations are very disturbing.
One second they talk like adults and the next they act like kids.
H is a psychologist and a kind of family planning teacher but at the first chance he gets the h pregnant again.
Baby’s are popping out everywhere.
It took me 3 days to finish the book and I’m glad it’s done.
It was to long, to repetitive and sick.
Want to read
March 9, 2023Purch Amazon May 6, 2018
This is actually The Parent Pact (Return to Redemption, Book 3)
This is actually The Parent Pact (Return to Redemption, Book 3)
September 24, 2024
A good read, bit up and down in places
June 18, 2012
I saw the blurb on this one and just could not resist. On occasion, I love quirky over the top story lines and this one decidedly fit the bill though later I'll mention how I kind of mistook the tone of the story.
The story is about two generations of a father and his son and a mother and her daughter having events repeat themselves. Jake and Maggie had a youthful fling with consequences that, due to outside interference and their own youth, caused the paths of their lives to go down a much different road than they set out on. Nineteen years later, they discover that his son and her daughter are getting set to face a similar situation.
Jake is a former Pro football star who has been teaching and coaching at a high school in Pennsylvania. He has reared his son alone since he and his wife were divorced. On the outside he seems to have it altogether, but on the inside he is still confused and hurting from a short period of his life that occurred almost 20 years before when he fell for a young innocent girl who refused to marry him after he got her pregnant. Now that young girl is a woman who is the mother of the girl his son got pregnant and she wants nothing to do with him. Jake realizes that though he is bitter about the choice she made in the past, he has never stopped having feelings for her.
After almost 3 years of widowhood, Margie wants to get back into the game of life so takes a job as a reading specialist teacher that her cousin found for her. It is not long before she discovers that the guy who got her pregnant and then not long after married another woman not only lives in the same town, but teaches in the same school district. She is able to avoid him until a bizarre coincidence forces them together. Her daughter, Emma, falls for his son and they're expecting a child. Now Maggie is forced to work with Jake for the benefit of their children. Her emotions are so upended because even though she is still hurt that he didn't love her and married another gal, she still is attracted to him.
Alex and Emma have their own teen issues going on that force them to grow up fast. He is a star football prospect, but worries about living up to the expectation of being Rocket Mannion's son. He also must fend off a jealous guy and a girl who threatens to ruin what he has with Emma all while adjusting to a youthful marriage and fatherhood. Emma feels physically inadequate and cannot understand what Alex sees in her and will he still want her when she is big with child so she feels insecure and jealous.
So there was a lot going on in this story to say the least. When I read the blurb, I thought it would be a light read, but it wasn't because of the sad circumstances that drove Jake and Margie apart in the first place and were still affecting them and the realistic issues that Alex and Emma were facing too. I didn't mind having to change my perception of the book's tone and enjoyed what came.
The story is mainly about Jake and Margie, but a great deal of it also shifted to Alex and Emma which was fine because their stories are tied together as Jake, who is working on his doctoral thesis in teen psychology pointed out. Fortunately for Alex and Emma, they have two understanding and financially stable parents who can support them- while still making them do us much for themselves as they can to teach responsibility- so that they could still fulfill their dreams if they wished unlike what happened with Jake and Margie who just had to pick up the pieces with no understanding parents and go on in their separate lives.
As a reader, I worked out early on what had really happened in the past because I had the benefit of everyone's perception and thoughts. This had the advantage of making me very sympathetic to the sufferings of Jake and Margie even while I impatiently waited for the moment when all the secrets would be revealed. There were a few secrets that came as a complete surprise too. I was so ready for the big moment of revelation. I felt my own anger at the culprits and I was grateful that the author had already built in consequences for them (guess I've got some vindictiveness in me to be satisfied by that).
I really liked all four of the major characters and enjoyed watching them grow and triumph. I have a great appreciation for the author's talent in switching voices so well. Not everyone can pull off a middle aged man's point of view and turn around to do a young teen girl right behind it and then a middle aged woman and a teen aged boy. Amazing!
This book contains frank discussions about sex (Jake is a sex ed teacher and plans to counsel) and participation in that very activity. ;D It also hits on the touchy topic of abortion.
If you enjoy a story that is a little challenging on the emotions, slow developing with likeable characters while offering up some humor and 'ahhh' moments, give this one a try.
The story is about two generations of a father and his son and a mother and her daughter having events repeat themselves. Jake and Maggie had a youthful fling with consequences that, due to outside interference and their own youth, caused the paths of their lives to go down a much different road than they set out on. Nineteen years later, they discover that his son and her daughter are getting set to face a similar situation.
Jake is a former Pro football star who has been teaching and coaching at a high school in Pennsylvania. He has reared his son alone since he and his wife were divorced. On the outside he seems to have it altogether, but on the inside he is still confused and hurting from a short period of his life that occurred almost 20 years before when he fell for a young innocent girl who refused to marry him after he got her pregnant. Now that young girl is a woman who is the mother of the girl his son got pregnant and she wants nothing to do with him. Jake realizes that though he is bitter about the choice she made in the past, he has never stopped having feelings for her.
After almost 3 years of widowhood, Margie wants to get back into the game of life so takes a job as a reading specialist teacher that her cousin found for her. It is not long before she discovers that the guy who got her pregnant and then not long after married another woman not only lives in the same town, but teaches in the same school district. She is able to avoid him until a bizarre coincidence forces them together. Her daughter, Emma, falls for his son and they're expecting a child. Now Maggie is forced to work with Jake for the benefit of their children. Her emotions are so upended because even though she is still hurt that he didn't love her and married another gal, she still is attracted to him.
Alex and Emma have their own teen issues going on that force them to grow up fast. He is a star football prospect, but worries about living up to the expectation of being Rocket Mannion's son. He also must fend off a jealous guy and a girl who threatens to ruin what he has with Emma all while adjusting to a youthful marriage and fatherhood. Emma feels physically inadequate and cannot understand what Alex sees in her and will he still want her when she is big with child so she feels insecure and jealous.
So there was a lot going on in this story to say the least. When I read the blurb, I thought it would be a light read, but it wasn't because of the sad circumstances that drove Jake and Margie apart in the first place and were still affecting them and the realistic issues that Alex and Emma were facing too. I didn't mind having to change my perception of the book's tone and enjoyed what came.
The story is mainly about Jake and Margie, but a great deal of it also shifted to Alex and Emma which was fine because their stories are tied together as Jake, who is working on his doctoral thesis in teen psychology pointed out. Fortunately for Alex and Emma, they have two understanding and financially stable parents who can support them- while still making them do us much for themselves as they can to teach responsibility- so that they could still fulfill their dreams if they wished unlike what happened with Jake and Margie who just had to pick up the pieces with no understanding parents and go on in their separate lives.
As a reader, I worked out early on what had really happened in the past because I had the benefit of everyone's perception and thoughts. This had the advantage of making me very sympathetic to the sufferings of Jake and Margie even while I impatiently waited for the moment when all the secrets would be revealed. There were a few secrets that came as a complete surprise too. I was so ready for the big moment of revelation. I felt my own anger at the culprits and I was grateful that the author had already built in consequences for them (guess I've got some vindictiveness in me to be satisfied by that).
I really liked all four of the major characters and enjoyed watching them grow and triumph. I have a great appreciation for the author's talent in switching voices so well. Not everyone can pull off a middle aged man's point of view and turn around to do a young teen girl right behind it and then a middle aged woman and a teen aged boy. Amazing!
This book contains frank discussions about sex (Jake is a sex ed teacher and plans to counsel) and participation in that very activity. ;D It also hits on the touchy topic of abortion.
If you enjoy a story that is a little challenging on the emotions, slow developing with likeable characters while offering up some humor and 'ahhh' moments, give this one a try.
March 1, 2013
There's a phrase about history repeating itself. Who would have thought that would be the case in the town of Redemption. Margie & Jake met when he was a college football player and she was just months away from graduating high school and weeks away from turning 18. Their one night of passion was the result of a misunderstanding and Margie became pregnant.
Years later Margie's daughter Emma and Jake's son Alex are attending the same high school and dating. The parents finally meet when the kids get them together to tell them Emma is pregnant. Both parents are obviously shocked but manage to put aside their mutual resentment for the good of their children. This is where the history stops repeating.
In this story it was really refreshing to see Margie and Jake care not only for their own children but how they help other children as well being teachers. Of course there's got to be a bad apple in every story and that comes in the form of the board of education president and his son. You don't really see a lot of them but enough for them to make things embarrassing and possibly devastating for the Bradfords & Manions. When they begin to show their true colors you want to jump into the pages and twist both their heads off.
Margie gets my respect because even though her own mother refused to let her marry Jake and forced her to abort their unborn child, she didn't repeat that same bit of history when Alex wanted to marry Emma. Margie carried a lot of animosity toward her mother and left home shortly thereafter with a mission to never let her mother have anything to do with any children she might have. She eventually forgives her mother but it takes a lot to get her to that place.
Jake also gets my respect because he wanted to do the right thing by Margie but wound up marrying the girl he was engaged to when he first met Margie. Through the years his marriage to Alex's mother wasn't what it could have been. She became a drug addict and eventually left Jake to raise Alex on his own. Jake managed to forgive her for her drug addiction and regularly tried to get Alex to contact her. He finally got through once Alex was about to become a father himself.
You have to give some props to the kids because they really loved each other and Alex was willing to give up his scholarship to Penn State to make sure Emma and their child are taken care of.
This book is definitely worth your time. There was a time or two when I cried along with the characters and laughed when a chuckle was obviously needed. I'm ready to move on to the next book in this series and see who else can find...Redemption.
Years later Margie's daughter Emma and Jake's son Alex are attending the same high school and dating. The parents finally meet when the kids get them together to tell them Emma is pregnant. Both parents are obviously shocked but manage to put aside their mutual resentment for the good of their children. This is where the history stops repeating.
In this story it was really refreshing to see Margie and Jake care not only for their own children but how they help other children as well being teachers. Of course there's got to be a bad apple in every story and that comes in the form of the board of education president and his son. You don't really see a lot of them but enough for them to make things embarrassing and possibly devastating for the Bradfords & Manions. When they begin to show their true colors you want to jump into the pages and twist both their heads off.
Margie gets my respect because even though her own mother refused to let her marry Jake and forced her to abort their unborn child, she didn't repeat that same bit of history when Alex wanted to marry Emma. Margie carried a lot of animosity toward her mother and left home shortly thereafter with a mission to never let her mother have anything to do with any children she might have. She eventually forgives her mother but it takes a lot to get her to that place.
Jake also gets my respect because he wanted to do the right thing by Margie but wound up marrying the girl he was engaged to when he first met Margie. Through the years his marriage to Alex's mother wasn't what it could have been. She became a drug addict and eventually left Jake to raise Alex on his own. Jake managed to forgive her for her drug addiction and regularly tried to get Alex to contact her. He finally got through once Alex was about to become a father himself.
You have to give some props to the kids because they really loved each other and Alex was willing to give up his scholarship to Penn State to make sure Emma and their child are taken care of.
This book is definitely worth your time. There was a time or two when I cried along with the characters and laughed when a chuckle was obviously needed. I'm ready to move on to the next book in this series and see who else can find...Redemption.
June 13, 2014
A Little Bit of Déjà vu is book 1 in the Redemption series by Laurie Kellogg.
Margie Bradford, a widow and single mother, learns Jake Manion is living in the same town and teaching at the high school. She and Jake have a history. She got pregnant with his baby when she was just eighteen. She had a miscarriage but through the machinations of her mother and his father, he thought she aborted the baby because she didn’t love him. His quick marriage to Roxanne convinced Margie that he just used her and didn’t love her. She went on with her life and married, had a daughter, and became a widow. She now teaches reading at the middle school.
Jake Manion, known as Rocket Manion from his NFL days, is teaching and coaching in Redemption. His is divorced and is raising his son Alex. He is a popular teacher. He is working on his dissertation for his PHD. His son Alex seems to be following in his father’s footsteps. He is an excellent student and has a full ride scholarship to Penn State after he graduates. His father asked him to take a new student to lunch and thus he meets Emma, Margie’s daughter. They begin going together and seem to be following their parents’ footsteps as Emma becomes pregnant. Instead of denying he is the father, Alex stands up and faces it. He and Emma are determined to get married and have this baby.
Is history really repeating itself?
Margie Bradford, a widow and single mother, learns Jake Manion is living in the same town and teaching at the high school. She and Jake have a history. She got pregnant with his baby when she was just eighteen. She had a miscarriage but through the machinations of her mother and his father, he thought she aborted the baby because she didn’t love him. His quick marriage to Roxanne convinced Margie that he just used her and didn’t love her. She went on with her life and married, had a daughter, and became a widow. She now teaches reading at the middle school.
Jake Manion, known as Rocket Manion from his NFL days, is teaching and coaching in Redemption. His is divorced and is raising his son Alex. He is a popular teacher. He is working on his dissertation for his PHD. His son Alex seems to be following in his father’s footsteps. He is an excellent student and has a full ride scholarship to Penn State after he graduates. His father asked him to take a new student to lunch and thus he meets Emma, Margie’s daughter. They begin going together and seem to be following their parents’ footsteps as Emma becomes pregnant. Instead of denying he is the father, Alex stands up and faces it. He and Emma are determined to get married and have this baby.
Is history really repeating itself?
February 7, 2019
I pick up a Laurie Kellogg book when I’m looking for something entertaining, relaxing, fun, and light. A Little Bit of Déjà Vu is exactly that. It’s a quick read that will have you laughing, sometimes rolling your eyes, but mostly entertained. It’s a light, total brain candy type of read.
Maggie was one of those children who grew up with a helicopter parent. To say her mother is controlling is an understatement. It was that control that eventually led to Maggie leaving home and never looking back. She has lived with guilt over the best weekend of her life for almost 20 years. She never thought she’d have to confront the guy she met that weekend ever again. She couldn’t have been more wrong.
Jake’s marriage fell apart for several reasons. The main one is the things he’d talk about in his sleep. Or, rather, the person he’d talk about in his sleep. He’s not sure he can ever forgive Maggie for what she did almost 20 years ago. He certainly never thought he’d have the chance to see her again. He couldn’t have been more wrong.
Jake definitely is the star of this one. There’s a little bit of intrigue, more conflicts, a few surprises, but most of all there’s just plain fun between these pages.
Maggie was one of those children who grew up with a helicopter parent. To say her mother is controlling is an understatement. It was that control that eventually led to Maggie leaving home and never looking back. She has lived with guilt over the best weekend of her life for almost 20 years. She never thought she’d have to confront the guy she met that weekend ever again. She couldn’t have been more wrong.
Jake’s marriage fell apart for several reasons. The main one is the things he’d talk about in his sleep. Or, rather, the person he’d talk about in his sleep. He’s not sure he can ever forgive Maggie for what she did almost 20 years ago. He certainly never thought he’d have the chance to see her again. He couldn’t have been more wrong.
Jake definitely is the star of this one. There’s a little bit of intrigue, more conflicts, a few surprises, but most of all there’s just plain fun between these pages.
April 12, 2013
I grabbed this book during the first of its two day free promo and read it non-stop...then turned around and recommended it to everyone I knew! Yes, that's how much I liked it. :)
This particular story gave me my own sense of Deja Vu since I was 17 when I conceived my oldest child AND got married because of it.
I loved the characters and the two generations coming together the way that they did. They dealt with a myriad of emotions and situations that kept me engaged the entire time. I also liked that old wounds had the chance to be healed and that everyone was able to move forward in their lives, despite the series of events that took place.
Wonderfully written...I found myself laughing out loud at some parts, tearing at others and overall going to bed with happy feelings once I had finished. I read it straight through in one (long) sitting. :)
If you are hesitant about teenage sex, abortions and the like, this may not be a perfect fit for you. However, I found that it was a very real storyline and liked the way it all came together.
Highly recommended!
This particular story gave me my own sense of Deja Vu since I was 17 when I conceived my oldest child AND got married because of it.
I loved the characters and the two generations coming together the way that they did. They dealt with a myriad of emotions and situations that kept me engaged the entire time. I also liked that old wounds had the chance to be healed and that everyone was able to move forward in their lives, despite the series of events that took place.
Wonderfully written...I found myself laughing out loud at some parts, tearing at others and overall going to bed with happy feelings once I had finished. I read it straight through in one (long) sitting. :)
If you are hesitant about teenage sex, abortions and the like, this may not be a perfect fit for you. However, I found that it was a very real storyline and liked the way it all came together.
Highly recommended!
May 23, 2013
I really didnt think I'd like this book... Infact after reading The Parent Pact by Laurie Kellogg I liked it so much I looked at her other books n saw this one n thought... no thats not a book for me... but then it was Free on Amazon and wasnt sure what to read next so sitting on the train I took a chance and I realy enjoyed this. I honestly didnt think she'd be able to justify an abortion in my mind and honestly it didnt compleatly but it definitly was a great twist and would have been a really hard call to make. I loved what they both chose to do as careers and probably my least fave person in the book was Emma but then... She was a teen and prego so her attitude though irritating to me was probaly highly accurate! lol I am most deffinitly a fan of Laurie Kellogg now.
May 9, 2012
From Read that also
A Little Bit of Déjà Vu is a book that made me feel exactly that. A Little Bit of Déjà Vu!!!! The plot was vaguely familiar. The story developed along the same beaten paths. Even the surprises were not surprising.
The language in the book is cool and clear. The narration is engaging. But the shallow and slim character list did not do any favor to the already weak plot. If only there was a little more of realism and depth, with the author's amazing grip over narration, the story would have rocked. but sadly it was not so. :(
A Little Bit of Déjà Vu is a book that made me feel exactly that. A Little Bit of Déjà Vu!!!! The plot was vaguely familiar. The story developed along the same beaten paths. Even the surprises were not surprising.
The language in the book is cool and clear. The narration is engaging. But the shallow and slim character list did not do any favor to the already weak plot. If only there was a little more of realism and depth, with the author's amazing grip over narration, the story would have rocked. but sadly it was not so. :(
October 21, 2013
As a single mom to two teens, I could definitely relate to raising a child living paycheck to paycheck. I am not quite as poor as the main character in this novel, but I do struggle with this economy. I felt like I was reading a dream as I read this book. I would love to fall in love with a man who cared about me as much as the main male character did about the female main character. I guess that is why we have books like this, right? We can imagine the story in our heads. I think the author did a good job with the story, which is similar to Pretty Woman, except the female main character has a young child and isn't a prostitute. I would recommend this book as a good read!
March 10, 2016
A Little Bit of Deja Vu-Return to Redemption 1
I picked this series up for free, therefore it was definitely worth reading.
I liked how I was able to read the story in a day. A quick read is fantastic.
The story is about Jake and Maggie who had a fling about 20 years ago. Life happened and then she settled in Redemption, PA. Unbeknownst to her, Jake is now a high school teacher with a son named Alex. Maggie has a daughter named Emma. They date, fall in love and get pregnant while still in high school.
The story is basically two stories in one. Jake and Maggie and Alex and Emma. Its was cute. Short. and had some funny moments.
I picked this series up for free, therefore it was definitely worth reading.
I liked how I was able to read the story in a day. A quick read is fantastic.
The story is about Jake and Maggie who had a fling about 20 years ago. Life happened and then she settled in Redemption, PA. Unbeknownst to her, Jake is now a high school teacher with a son named Alex. Maggie has a daughter named Emma. They date, fall in love and get pregnant while still in high school.
The story is basically two stories in one. Jake and Maggie and Alex and Emma. Its was cute. Short. and had some funny moments.
September 20, 2016
First time reading this author and I plan on reading more by her. The story had some serious situations but the author dealt with it in a serious but somewhat lighthearted manner which made the book fun to read. I could not put the book down. Jake and Maggie have a history of a relationship and a teenage pregnancy that ended in an abortion. Jump ahead 19 years later they are meeting each other again after this many years because Jake's son got Maggie's daughter pregnant. I loved the witty way Jake spoke to his son at times! Made me laugh, but it also pulls at your heart strings. It was a nice easy read, a great way to escape.
April 20, 2012
Ms. Kellogg does it again! Another great story!
Margie Bradford is a reading specialist trying to move on with her life following her husband’s death. When she encounters Rocket Manion, a former NFL quarterback who broke her heart years ago. Jack Manion is a divorced teacher and football coach whose son announces that he knocked up his girlfriend. The girl's mother happens to be Maggie, whom Rocket has been pissed off at for over 20 years. In the midst of wedding arrangements Rocket tries to rekindle their former relationship. And the fun begins...
Margie Bradford is a reading specialist trying to move on with her life following her husband’s death. When she encounters Rocket Manion, a former NFL quarterback who broke her heart years ago. Jack Manion is a divorced teacher and football coach whose son announces that he knocked up his girlfriend. The girl's mother happens to be Maggie, whom Rocket has been pissed off at for over 20 years. In the midst of wedding arrangements Rocket tries to rekindle their former relationship. And the fun begins...
July 5, 2012
I really enjoyed this book. I can't imagine finding someone that I love and want to spend the rest of my life with and just because certain things happen to protect the one's they love they lose it. To have people working against you because they don't want to give you up for their own reasons.
There is always more than just one person to blame. I really loved how everyone had their own demons that they had to work through. It's very rare for children that are really young get married and make it work. There is a lot of life lessons in this book.
Thanks for such a wonderful book.
There is always more than just one person to blame. I really loved how everyone had their own demons that they had to work through. It's very rare for children that are really young get married and make it work. There is a lot of life lessons in this book.
Thanks for such a wonderful book.
April 19, 2013
I really wanted to give this 3.5 stars.
Maggie's life is shattered by the death of her pilot husband. She and her daughter move to Redemption, PA. Maggie has a reading therapist teaching position. Her daughter is a senior at the same school. Her daughter becomes involved with son of a person from her mother's past. The relationships are well defined and believable. The characters are generally well developed and generally enjoyable.
This was a quick and pleasant read with enticement to find out what will happen next.
Maggie's life is shattered by the death of her pilot husband. She and her daughter move to Redemption, PA. Maggie has a reading therapist teaching position. Her daughter is a senior at the same school. Her daughter becomes involved with son of a person from her mother's past. The relationships are well defined and believable. The characters are generally well developed and generally enjoyable.
This was a quick and pleasant read with enticement to find out what will happen next.
March 6, 2015
A Little Bit of Déjà Vu (Return to Redemption) book 2
This story starts off with Jake talking about what happened in college with Margaret (Maggie). Maggie is Emma's mom. Jake is Alex's dad. He teaches a life skills class and he's the football coach. When Alex and Emma invite Jake and her mom to dinner so they can tell their parents Emma is pregnant Jake doesn't know Maggie is Emma's mom. Jake is divorced and Maggie is a widow and the two realize their feelings for each other haven't changed. Each book is a stand alone in the series
This story starts off with Jake talking about what happened in college with Margaret (Maggie). Maggie is Emma's mom. Jake is Alex's dad. He teaches a life skills class and he's the football coach. When Alex and Emma invite Jake and her mom to dinner so they can tell their parents Emma is pregnant Jake doesn't know Maggie is Emma's mom. Jake is divorced and Maggie is a widow and the two realize their feelings for each other haven't changed. Each book is a stand alone in the series
October 27, 2015
I seldom read books in the "contemporary romance " genre. But this was free and the cover not the typical semi-naked sex god kind. I ignored the continuity/time-line problems and just immersed myself in the romances (yes, plural). But the main problem with the story was how the main male protagonist basically raped the the main female lead. Over and over she would tell him NO but he would persist until she gave in. That's just not the message I want to see in a book written in 2012.
But I persevered to find out what happened to all the characters. Basically, a 2.5 star book.
But I persevered to find out what happened to all the characters. Basically, a 2.5 star book.
May 4, 2016
Ok so this book was way out of my genre comfort reading because of the language and sex. I put the book down multiple times, then picked it back up. I read it through to the end, and will say the most positive thing and the reason I continued reading was the characters situations all ending up working out in a positive way. Ms Kellogg had the characters work on their situations and I like to see that played out in real life as well in the fiction stories I read. So I think the author done well, the writing was just fine, but be prepared for foul language and SEX!
June 28, 2012
This was a great book that kept me wanting more. Maggie just doesn't understand how Jake feels about her, she couldn't see it, which drove me nuts and kept me reading and reading so I could finally find out if Maggie was going to give in or just walk away forever. The kids having a baby right out of high school was almost a deja vu for myself as I had my daughter a year after high school. It's a great book full of romance, comedy and the facts of life. It's definitely worth the read.
December 30, 2012
So funny how things work your. Maggie thinks she escaped her past till her daughter changes schools. the one person she has run from for years is now the father of Emma's boyfriend. Maggie has tried to forget about Jake and him getting her pregnant but now she can't avoid him. Emma has only been dating Alex about 8 months and when she gets pregnant it all hits the fan. 2 great love stories with some funny situations and some hot sex scenes. Great red, love it.
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