Redemption (Sempre, #2) in Buddy Read Zone

Mar 20, 2015 Amy | Foxy Blogs rated it it was amazing

Shelves: audible, 2015-5-stars, headphones, 2015-books

Over Spring Break I listened to this audio and the whole time I kept thinking, “WHY DID I WAIT TO READ THIS ONE.” Then I’d remember ‘that review' I read where it informed me of something I don’t like in books. Plus 'that review' had lesser than stellar stars… Yea, I’m a fool. I should have known that I would love this book based off of my love of this author’s other work.

In 2013 I read Sempre (review) and loved it! Then when MADE (review) came out in 2014 I read that one and it was my favorite ...more

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Apr 22, 2013 Christy rated it really liked it

3.5-4ish stars

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Sempre, the first book in this series, is one of the best books I read last year. It was captivating, heartbreaking, and it just blew me away. I would love to say that this book blew me away like the first, but it just missed the mark for me.

Carmine and Haven come from two different worlds, but they have more in common then they ever thought possible. They are both tied to this world they don’t want to be a part of.

Haven

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Carmine

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They are so in love. Things were perfect ...more

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Dec 20, 2013 MK~ Picky Girl rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2013-favorites

10 Intense, Exciting, Stars!!!
Sempre: Redemption was so much more than just a simple love story. It was the end to an epic tale of crime, drama, redemption, forgiveness and love.
Corrado shined in this!!!
Bravo J.M. Darhower!!

You know how to tell a gripping, exciting story!

Review to come ...more

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Dec 05, 2013 CeCe rated it it was amazing

Shelves: suspense, romance, recommend, read-2013, mob-mafia, arc

4.5 out of 5 Stars:
You need to read Sempre, the first book in the series before you read Sempre : Redemption.
Sempre : Redemption continues with the love story between Carmine and Haven, but also the side story continues with the organization in Chicago.

I knew I had to get through this book. There was nothing wrong with the writing; there was nothing wrong with the story itself. It was told beautifully. Initially, I could not handle some of the angst in the story. See I love Carmine and I love H ...more

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Apr 22, 2013 Shamika rated it it was amazing

Shelves: arc, 6-star-reads

re-demp-tion: the act of making something better or more acceptable; the act of exchanging something for money, an award, etc.

Perfect title for this book. It's spot on and I couldn't describe the finale of Carmine and Haven's story any better.

Here's what I LOVED :

Haven - Her growth and independence, even though missing Carmine so much. She finds herself, even though she's afraid and insecure. She's a survivor and so brave. Haven is undoubtedly in love with Carmine and shows it through her commi re-demp-tion: the act of making something better or more acceptable; the act of exchanging something for money, an award, etc.

Perfect title for this book. It's spot on and I couldn't describe the finale of Carmine and Haven's story any better.

Here's what I LOVED :

Haven - Her growth and independence, even though missing Carmine so much. She finds herself, even though she's afraid and insecure. She's a survivor and so brave. Haven is undoubtedly in love with Carmine and shows it through her commitment to him, mob and all. I think that's what keeps her going through the tough times.

Carmine - He's still hot head Carmine, an imperfect man with some definite issues. I love his loyalty and the commitment to the choice he has made. He loves Haven deeply and every time he referred to Haven as tesoro, my heart fluttered.

Corrado - My goodness did this man make me me shiver at times. But I gained so much respect for him in Redemption. La Cosa Nostra is his life and runs deep in his veins. Even though he's true mafia and very cold at times, I loved seeing how he handled Carmine and the love that he expressed in the things he did for Haven. I truly enjoyed the tender moments he had with his wife, Celia, who is the only person that can bring out that soft side in him.

Haven and Carmine are meant to be together, but they are apart for a large portion of Redemption. I won't lie, that kept me worried. But this was part of their journey. Carmine paying his debts and working for the mob. We see and feel his struggle for the sacrifices that he has made. Even though they are apart, there was no loss in connection for what they felt for one another. It's something you feel all along throughout the story and I just couldn't wait for them to be together again.

This story continues to be engaging and thrilling. We are again taken through some intense heart-pounding parts of the story. Many secrets are revealed and loyalties are tested. Weaved within this mafia story is Haven & Carmine's incredible love story that at times just takes your breath away. Redemption took me through various emotions; I cried, laughed (Carmine is hilarious at times!), felt heartbroken, nervous and panicked.

JM Darhower is a true story teller. This is a complex story, but an absolute must read - EPIC!
...more

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Sep 15, 2013 ❤️ Diana ❤️ rated it it was amazing

What can I say without giving too much away ?? This was such an amazing ride of a story. It was heartbreaking, sad and beautiful all at the same time. After Sempre we had lots of questions....lots and lots of questions. Well you will get your answers in this one.

Carmine. What can I say but I still love his filthy mouth. His heart is always in the right place but his decisions, not always the best. “I won’t let you take that burden,” he said. “And don’t you dare feel guilty for what I did. If yo What can I say without giving too much away ?? This was such an amazing ride of a story. It was heartbreaking, sad and beautiful all at the same time. After Sempre we had lots of questions....lots and lots of questions. Well you will get your answers in this one.

Carmine. What can I say but I still love his filthy mouth. His heart is always in the right place but his decisions, not always the best. “I won’t let you take that burden,” he said. “And don’t you dare feel guilty for what I did. If you wanna blame anyone for it, blame me. I did it because I wanted to, not because I had to. I did it because I love you, Haven, and you didn’t force me to fucking love you. I did that shit all on my own. And I don’t regret any of it.”" he makes decisions for Haven which wasn't really fair but he thought he was protecting her.

Haven. She grew so much. Had to be on her own, somewhat and find herself. She was so strong and brave and her love for Carmine was so strong. Loved her. "“You don’t just quit. You keep trying. You keep reaching. All I ever wanted was someone to see me, to love me, to understand me. I didn’t have to hide from you; I didn’t have to pretend to be someone I wasn’t. You know me, the person no one else will ever know. I wanted to be with you, I thought we’d be together, and then you left! You walked out on me as I slept!”

The hero of this story was Corrado!! He was just so smart but he truly believes in "La familigia" unlike Vincent who was forced into it. Corrado embraced it, fought to be in it and was taught by the best teacher, Antonio (Vincent's father) "“You’re missing the point,” Corrado said. “Being the king isn’t always about having the title. Sometimes the title is a ruse. You want control? You need the upper hand, but you never let them see you have it until you’re ready to make your move.”"

Again can't give too much away but you will have answers, you will be mad, you will be sad and you will be like UNFAIR!! But it's la familigia and they have their own code, their own rules!!

"“Never lose hope,” she said. “You’re special and meant to do great things in the world. I believe in you.”" ...more

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Apr 22, 2013 Ashleigh rated it really liked it

Shelves: kindle-lendable

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Jan 04, 2014 Lindsey rated it it was amazing

What a beautiful book. I just adore the characters. Like she did in the first book, J.M. Darhower wove an incredible story of love, loss, sacrifice, strength, desperation, and, ultimately, redemption.

I completely fell in love with Haven and Carmine in the first book. They are two of my favorite fictional characters of all time. But I also began to love the rest of the family. Despite his flaws, I couldn’t help but love and ache for Vincent. And the loyalty of the family made me want to know mor ...more

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Dec 15, 2013 Katie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 5-star-books

I give this series 100 stars. I loved the first book. Absolutely loved it. The second book was sad in many ways, especially when my favorite character died. I cried for hours. And I cried because the days of high school and football games and DeMarco parties and hanging out at the lake were totally over. That both of Vincent's sons took him for granted for all those years.

My Vincent DeMarco is Andy Garcia from the Godfather years. Sigh.

...more

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Apr 22, 2013 * Meli Mel * marked it as to-read

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Shelves: top-to-reads

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Apr 22, 2013 Stefanie rated it really liked it

Shelves: fav-series, mafia-crime-boss, dec-2013-books, fav-authors, got-it

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Shelves: fictional-friends, waiting-for-release

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Shelves: awaiting-full-series-release

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Nov 28, 2013 Deshone Hollis rated it it was amazing

Shelves: true-romance, favorites, mob-affair, new-adult, suspense-romance, alpha-male, too-rich-to-be-true, new-girl_popular-guy, rich-guy-poor-girl, five-star

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