Absolution

by L.D. Davis

My life didn’t take the path I’d intended years ago, but I had much to be thankful for. My family, my new friends, and my improving health, just to name a few. I thought I also had Marco to be thankful for, despite our differences, but after a trip to Italy, his relationship with his past made my hope for our future slip through my fingers.

Unknown Binding

About the author

L.D. Davis is a New York Times Bestselling author residing on the east coast of the United States with her family, two cats, and fish. She enjoys wine, audio books, bursting into song like a Disney character, and lounging on the beach.

Reviews

[Bev · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sigh ... this book right here is why I really do not like stories that are dragged out over several books. The first two in this trilogy were fabulous, they truly were and then the author takes two awesome characters and turns them into whiny, obtuse, dense children. OMG I don't know who the hell this Marco is, but he certainly is not the strong, hot, thoughtful, caring and considerate bloke that was the Marco I came to know and love in the other two books.

And don'even get me started on that she-bitch-from-hell Celia who played, manipulated and twisted things for drama's sake, on freaking repeat ad nauseum, and it drove me nuts. I almost threw my kindle a number of times, I was getting so damn irritated. Celia is the epitome of the OTT wanna be other woman. It was cringy at times, very unnecessary and made a long story drag on and on.

Then we come to Gavin, who ended up being my favourite character in this book and he's dead! I hated where she took his story. Hated. It. See, if you're going to throw mental illness in there as an excuse for the way a character has behaved then try to turn it around and make it all okay, you need to flesh it out. This so wasn't.

This is not how you finish off a story that was so fabulous the second book went on my favourites for 2020 list. Very disappointed at where the author took this story and the characters.

[Ang C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since reading Disenchanted, I became addicted to the drama surrounding Marco and Lydia's lives. So much passion, heartache, and regret consumed these characters in the first two installments, I was eagerly awaiting its conclusion and incredibly anxious for this finale. Absolution did not disappoint and, in my opinion, the best read of the series. An erotic romance filled with extreme relationship angst L.D. Davis set me on a volatile roller-coaster ride, which had me on edge, as she both shattered and mended my heart. A testament to this author's talents, my emotions were twisted into knots, and I loved every nail-biting and soul-crushing moment.



In the previous installments, I've had my fair share of issues with Lydia, as I was both fascinated and extremely frustrated with her character. I understood she was consumed with guilt and regrets from the past, namely the unresolved problems with her sister and late husband. Her struggle to overcome those demons while falling for Marco pulled at my heartstrings as it undoubtedly affected their relationship. But it was difficult to sympathize with Lydia during the times she became too contentious and acted immaturely.

However, the Lydia that appeared within this read was the heroine I wished for, and I fell in love with her. She evolved from a woman who repeatedly tried my patience to someone I truly admired. Despite her tragic circumstances, Lydia found the courage and inner strength to trust and fully open her heart to Marco. Falling in love with this sexy Italian was not without its challenges as some members of his family added to their mounting troubles. Their journey, although beautiful, was also heartbreaking, aggravating and incredibly messy at times. The more complications they faced, the more twisted my emotions became, and I savored every tension-filled second.



A swoon-worthy and passionate hero with a heart of gold, I adored Marco. A man so full of love and hope, he was determined to pull Lydia away from her dark and joyless life, despite her ornery and stubborn attitude. Overly caring, I admired how he tended to his family's needs, especially his nieces, nephews, and Lydia's children. There was an intensity, a fierceness to his character that overwhelmed me - particularly the way he deeply loved his "Tesoro" - Lydia, his precious treasure. However, there were times his actions and bad choices wreaked havoc on my nerves. There was so much angst in this story-line, mostly when it came to dealing with his vile sister-in-law Celia clashing with Lydia that drove me completely insane, and I was beyond enraged. Regardless, Marco was amazingly gentle and loving, as he helped to heal Lydia's fragile heart and earn her trust.

To fully appreciate the true beauty of Marco and Lydia's tumultuous love story, you'll need to read this series in its entirety, as this is not a standalone novel. If you are looking for an emotional romance brimming with a fiery passion and angst, with a couple who strives for their well-deserved happily ever after, I highly recommend this series. Exquisitely written and with all the feels, L.D. Davis delivered a remarkable and unforgettable saga of destined love.



I voluntarily reviewed an advance copy of this publication

[Three Chicks · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Stars
Review by Jen Skewes

Like anyone else who has read this trilogy I was waiting not so patiently for the conclusion to Lydia and Marco’s story. Absolution is everything that I could have hoped for and so much more. The angst, the drama, the way LD Davis put me through the wringer, tugged hard at my heart strings, and made me feel every emotion possible. In the end my heart was perfectly pieced back together. This is LD Davis at her finest and the reason I love her writing!!

When we left off Lydia and her children were on their way to Italy with Marco to see his family and be there for his brother who is very sick. Lydia and Marco have not had an easy start thus far and trust me when I say it just gets harder for the two of them. Lydia has her reservations about going to Italy with Marco, but she has agreed to be all in where their relationship is concerned. She loved him, and he adores her children. But there is one thing that keeps getting in the way and being in Italy is not going to solve that issue. It only seems to get worse now that Celia and Marco are in the same country.

Marco is blind to Celia’s motives and all that is really going on, but Lydia knows not to trust her. There is something about that woman that Lydia does not like, and she has every right to feel this way. Celia is the wedge that will drive these two apart if they both let her.

I don’t want to spoil this one for you I am just going to stop right there. This book wrecked me in so many ways. I loved Marco but boy did he piss me off at times. My heart was beating out of my chest through most of this book. Not sure what would happen next, what would Marco do to piss me off even more. And then there is Lydia. I loved her but at times she was strong and fought and stuck up for herself and her feelings and then other times just gave in too easily for me. But in the end she held her own and stuck to her gun and I loved her for it. I loved how things happened in the end and nothing about it felt forced.

Absolution and the rest of this series was amazing. This was my favorite of the series and for me had the drama and angst that I love from Ms. Davis. She know how to twist your stomach in knows, how to bring out every emotion, make you have a love/hate relationship that her characters and yet after all of that she manages to piece every part of your heart back together. This was absolutely the perfect ending to this series.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the conclusion of Lydia and Marco's story. Man this book was absolutely heartbreaking at times Marco being blinded by Celica's manipulations and leaving Lydia behind with people and a country she has never seen or been before now, making her feeling isolated from her family and friends back home.
When will Marco come to his sense? Will it take Lydia returning home without him before that happens or will Lydia keep pushing him away after he returns? Or just maybe will they get their happily ever after?
Find out when your read this amazing book!! Thank you L.D. Davis for such an amazing book!

[MJLovestoRead · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolution is the outstanding conclusion to the Disenchanted trilogy. LD Davis put me through the wringer with the abundance of emotion that practically drips from every page. Lydia is taking a huge chance and leap of faith by accompanying Marco to his native Italy to see his very ill brother, Massimo. From the first moments they find themselves at the Mangini homestead, a whirlwind of events transpire with Lydia feeling even less appreciated than she did with her late husband, Gavin. Past loves and long-held secrets come between Marco and his Tesoro almost immediately and it's only with the last remainder of strength and courage does Lydia finally take her life and future into her hands, even when it may fail to please everyone around her.

I loved watching Lydia find her backbone again, and not just to hurl insults and snarky comments. She truly does find it within her to get the life she wants, whether or not the man in her heart joins her and I couldn't have been more proud of her. It's as if the 'old' Lydia emerges from a long sleep and grabs onto a hope fueled by her own self-discovery and the thoughts and feelings of those closest to her.

But, there is definitely more than a few confrontations and fireworks like I've never seen. I suppose the combination of a very passionate Italian family together with Lydia's huge chip on her shoulder may not always equal success. Add to the mix a diabolical family outcast who would do anything to further ruin our heroine and you have one hell of a tempestuous story-line.

Davis certainly knows how to deliver a hard-fought HEA and with Absolution, we get that tenfold. It's an uphill battle for both Lydia and Marco but every tenuous moment, every bit of doubt only makes any kind of reunion full of forgiveness and hope that much more special. These two flawed characters somehow found that someone, their person in the other and despite all the pain they inflict on the other, and there is way too much of that believe me, their desire, their love only gets stronger with time. And my god, is that a beautiful thing to watch.

I couldn't love this trilogy more if I tried and this long-awaited finale was the well-crafted ending I needed. Every thought and feeling is there for the taking and I'm overcome with the best kind of emotion. You can't ask for much better than that.

5+++ stars all the way!

[V. Lashan Carr · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Perfect Conclusion!

I received an Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review. This was another 5 star read for me!

Marco and Lydia love story is a beautiful journey that pulls on your heart strings. I had my ups and downs with Lydia however I grow to love her! This is a series and you must start at book one.

L D Davis hooked me with this series. This was the perfect conclusion to a great series!

I never include spoilers with my reviews! This is a must read for 2020!

[Deloris · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good Place to end Marco and Lydia’s story. When I started this series I didn’t really care for Lydia, and I was in the fence about Marco especially his friendship with Celeste . By the time I finished this story I really understood and rooted for all three. Lydia self reflections and growth helped me see how she or anyone can be the cause of their bad reactions to a relationship. Marco had some lessons he learned too, and he did it in time for us stop wanting to smack him and wanting to root for him again. I felt all of the stories we ironed out in the end and I’m hoping we hear more form some of the extended family.

[Marcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolution, the conclusion to Marco and Lydia's story in the Disenchanted series, a companion to the Accidentally on Purpose series, was heartbreaking, tragic and absolutely beautiful all at the same time. Longer review coming shortly.

[Bookreader73 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel like Lydia needed a psych evaluation in this book. She was unhinged. I know she was upset with the looks and the whispers between Marco and Celia (I think that's how you spell it)...but she did some pretty rotten things in this book.

[Penny Arcade · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

Overall, great job! Another great trilogy, well executed, full of angst and second chances.

[Teresa Daugherty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good

I liked this but Lydia just seemed like she needed a psych evaluation through most of it. I mean I know She was hurt but she blazed a pretty destructive path.

[Kadijah_reviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a really good end to a really long story so I really didn’t like it at first I thought it was way to long for a story that didn’t seems all the interests it was so not my kind of book


"I received a free copy with no obligation to review"

[Nikki Costello ***Crazy Cajun Book Addicts Blog*** · Rating 5 out of 5]

The conclusion of Marco and Lydia's story had my emotions all over the the place. I laughed, cried and was even tempted to throw my kindle across the room a time or two, but let me tell you it was worth every second.

Lydia and Marco's relationship is already hanging by a thread. Will they fight for each other and the family they have created or will a trip to Italy tear them apart forever?

A fantastic conclusion to the Disenchanted Series. L.D.Davis has written a hell of a story and its one you will not want to miss out on.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved Marco and Lydia's story. They've had their ups and downs and people who have tried to come between them. But love will always win.

A must read series!

[Penny Arcade · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

Overall, great job! Another great trilogy, well executed, full of angst and second chances.