Fighting Redemption in Buddy Read Zone

Dec 03, 2013 Anna rated it it was amazing

Shelves: hand-to-my-heart-and-tears-falling, military, brothers-best-friend-best-friends-b

I'll love you longer than the stars that live in the sky

What a beautiful unforgettable story ❤️

This is a story about war and the cost of sacrifice. Where bonds are formed, and friendships found. Where those who are strong, fall hard. Where love is let go, heartache is born, and heroes are made. Where one man learns that the hardest fight of all, is the fight to save himself.

Ohhh
My
God

Goodbye heart ❤️

He couldn’t think of Fin as his. He couldn’t feel that way. Ryan had to focus on fighting his wa ...more

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Dec 02, 2013 Maggie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites

I loved this story. I've added it to my favourite list. : )
I keep thinking about it over and over again. It's so heartbreaking but sweet at the same time. I think I've become attached to Ryan and Fin....I won't ever forget them. Ryan made me swoon and they both made me cry...multiple times. Their story of love and sacrifice made me reevaluate my own actions and want to become a better person.

The prologue drew me in and I wondered why it took me so long to read this book. The pacing was perfect, ...more

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Dec 04, 2013 Madison rated it it was amazing

Read this and other reviews at Madison Says.

So, as it turns out, Fighting Redemption was my first experience reading a Kate McCarthy book. It seems I couldn’t have picked a better one to start with. This book really impressed me. A lot. It was emotional, sexy, sad, happy–it really covered every feeling you could have. This is a story about soul mates, in every sense of the word. What brings them together, what pushes them apart, and the lives they lead as a result.

I loved the war hero aspect of Read this and other reviews at Madison Says.

So, as it turns out, Fighting Redemption was my first experience reading a Kate McCarthy book. It seems I couldn’t have picked a better one to start with. This book really impressed me. A lot. It was emotional, sexy, sad, happy–it really covered every feeling you could have. This is a story about soul mates, in every sense of the word. What brings them together, what pushes them apart, and the lives they lead as a result.

I loved the war hero aspect of this story–so much. It added a whole other dimension to have Ryan and Jake (Fin’s brother) fighting for the Australian Army, but also have Fin have her heart fighting this war. The story is told in third person POV, with plenty of flashbacks as to how and what and who shaped the characters. The way it all unfolded was very well done, and it was told so gorgeously, you can’t help but feel connected to the characters…from page one. Seriously, the prologue had me heartbroken, heart racing, and so intrigued. That never really changed through the whole book.

“I have a thick skin, baby…but you’re under it. You’re buried in there so deep it’s like I was born with you in my soul. When I’m near you I’m consumed by you–your smile, your eyes, your heart. Even though we’ve never been together, you’ve always been mine, and even if I never get to keep you, you’ll still be mine.”

There are so many layers to this story–from both the past and present situation, that I won’t touch much on the plot. Ryan–so damaged from his childhood–has always wanted to be part of the Army. He’s known it from a young age. It was what he was born to do. HIs best friend, and essentially “brother,” Jake, joins with him. The other thing these boys are meant to do is love Fin. After leaving for six years without speaking a word to Fin, Ryan returns. Kate’s obviously set up a life for herself. A life apart from Ryan. But has her life ever really been apart from him? Then comes the most captivating, devastating, and beautiful love story.

The Army and the SAS had been his dream–his chance to be somebody, save lives, show his parents he was worth something. Being a soldier had been his escape, his flight from the demons that bound him. War is a cold, selfish bitch. It changes you. It makes you hard, and it makes you hurt, yet somehow, we keep going back for more.

Kate did a great job of punching me in the gut, but also gave me enough to smile about and feel happy about. I also think it was done very realistically. There were a lot of moments where I thought Kate would have something go one for the sake of what you’d normally read, but nope, I was pleasantly (or sometimes devastatingly) surprised to see she kept the honesty there.

The secondary characters were amazing. Jake, Fin’s brother, though really a main character, was perfection. He brought so much to the story. The same goes for Rachael, Kyle, Fin & Jake’s parents, and Ian. They all brought something to the story and deepened the connection between Ryan and Fin.

Because this story is told over so many years, it could very easily have had flow issues. That wasn’t the case at all. The back and forth between past and present to show the development and fire of Ryan and Fin’s relationship was done so seamlessly, it was impossible to put this book down. I realize I’ve barely touched on much of the story, but please, do yourself a favor and read it. There’s so much passion between the pages you won’t be sorry.

“You’re the strongest person I’ve ever known, but someone smart and brave once told me that it’s always the strongest that fall the hardest. You can trust me, Ryan. Let go. I’ll be here to catch you. I’ll always be here.”

...more

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Dec 06, 2013 April rated it it was amazing

Sometimes, when I am completely foolish and wonderfully inspired, I torture myself with a book as heart gripping as this one. I can't say that the plot was unforseeable, because it wasn't, but there was something about it that seemed fresh and real. I enjoyed it and the tears I allowed myself to have were well worth the read. ...more

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Dec 03, 2013 Erin rated it really liked it

I don't think I loved this as much as everyone else, but i still really enjoyed it. A solid 4 stars for me!! ...more

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Dec 03, 2013 Tahsin rated it it was amazing

Shelves: made-me-cry, stories-that-will-stick-with-me-for, so-good-that-i-had-to-add-new-shelv, left-speechless, twisted-to-perfection, billion-stars, favourite, all-consuming, military, bawl-my-eyes-out

wowowowowowow this was every bit as good as expected!

the protagonists reminded me a lot of "tweet" from "present perfect", what with their determination to not be with each other and all. regardless of their somewhat martyr nature, it worked. big time. i loved it. it was gooooooood :D

it was a tearjerker, that's for sure. i mean something happened, and it was past midnight when i got to that point, and i started bawling. sobbing. loud angry tears. i felt gutted. and that is exactly how you know y ...more

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