Fighting Redemption in Buddy Read Zone

Nov 11, 2013 Michelle rated it it was amazing

Shelves: contemporary-romance, favorites, 6-star, romance, emotional, re-read-again, loved, military, roller-coaster-of-emotions, powerful

This is a 6+++ star book

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

Before reading this book, make sure to have tissues nearby. Your heart will ache and yearn from this emotionally compelling story. I cried ugly tears but it was worth it. I can truly say that without a doubt Jake, Kyle, Ryan and Finlay have touched a part of my heart, soul and mind. Hands down Fighting Redemption is in my top 10 favorite books of 2013.

Fighting Redemption is more than a story a ...more

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Jul 26, 2023 Christy rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2023-new-to-me-authors, 2023-audio

4 stars

This one really put me through the ringer. If you’re looking for an angsty and emotional read, this is for you. It was frustrating at times, and there were a few things I had issues with, but the end had me in happy tears and overall I loved Ryan and Fin’s story.

Audio book source: Audible
Story Rating: 4 stars
Narrators: Rupert Hamilton & Taryn Eva
Narration Rating: 4 stars
Genre: Romance
Length: 9h 10m

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Dec 04, 2013 Shannon rated it really liked it

I grabbed this one in hopes of it being a 5-6 star read as some were calling it.

It didn't quite that for me, but it was pretty good.

I loved how much Fin and Ryan liked each other, especially when the other didn't realize it was a mutual thing.

Jake was hilarious, I loved him he was a good big brother and he loved Fin and he loved Ryan like he was his own brother.

The war scenes were not drawn out, which I really liked. We were instead treated with the banter of the boys as a SAS team and not so ...more

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Oct 28, 2013 Sara rated it it was amazing

Shelves: my-favorites

Very emotional read. A girl who has grown up with a great set of parents and older brother. Ryan had something happen to his family when he was seven that he describes as destroying his whole family. And he also takes the blame. At ten years old he meets the Tanner family. Mike,Julie,Jake and Finlay. They forever changed each other's life. When Jake and Ryan turned of age, they went into the Australian army, and fought in war together.

Fin loved Ryan from a young age. Ryan looked at fin and knew ...more

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Oct 16, 2013 Shamika rated it it was amazing

Shelves: arc

ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review

4.5 Heartfelt Stars….
War, Loss, Love, Guilt, Friendship, Family, Brotherhood, Grief ….These are all the words that come to mind after reading Fighting Redemption. This story is heartbreaking and many times I wanted to reach in and give Ryan a hug for all the guilt he has carried around for such a long time. When a story moves you and makes you feel it sticks and will be remembered for a long time.

Fighting Redemption tells the story Ryan Ke ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review

4.5 Heartfelt Stars….
War, Loss, Love, Guilt, Friendship, Family, Brotherhood, Grief ….These are all the words that come to mind after reading Fighting Redemption. This story is heartbreaking and many times I wanted to reach in and give Ryan a hug for all the guilt he has carried around for such a long time. When a story moves you and makes you feel it sticks and will be remembered for a long time.

Fighting Redemption tells the story Ryan Kendall and Finlay (Fin) Tanner along with an incredible supporting cast that makes this a must read. Finlay is smart, cute, quirky and often times a bit clumsy. I found her to be the type of girl that you would want to be friends with and just so very down to earth. Ryan is a broken young man with one thing in mind - to escape and join the military. He has ghosts in his past that he wishes to forget, however he is haunted by guilt.

Jake is Fin's brother and also Ryan's best friend. Ryan spends most of his later high school years at the Tanner home and he quickly becomes protective of Fin. He begins to have feelings for her and overtime these feelings become difficult to ignore. I loved the interactions between these three as they grew. Fin also has feelings for Ryan, but neither speaks of these feelings - they just both know.

“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.”

The story alternates from the present and past and spans many years. It's also not just about Ryan and Fin, but the effects of war on soldiers and their families. As with many wars, there is loss and it was certainly heartbreaking.

I loved seeing Ryan and Fin fall in love as kids. But there are many obstacles in their way and it kept me guessing whether these two could overcome all that was between them. The issues and some of their actions at times felt immature, and left me frustrated, but still rooting for them. Ryan is the ultimate protector, not just at war, but for Fin also. Even though his protectiveness or what he thinks is best pushes them further apart.

"Ever since we were little I've always protected her. I wanted the best for her. I made sure that nothing, namely me, stood in the way of that…."

Fighting Redemption has many layers, but what I loved the most was the depiction of war and ultimately the sacrifices that are made when you are a soldier serving and protecting your country. I enjoyed the camaraderie between they guys while on tour and back at home. This story is heartfelt and shows incredible friendships, bonds and love. It's deeply touching and I challenge anyone reading it to not shed at least a tear. ...more

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Oct 28, 2013 Stefanie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: amazing-emotional-books, dec-2013-books, got-it

This is a definite must read. This book really touched me on a personal level. I served in the military 11yrs not to mention married to a military member I could relate to this story personally. Being deployed is hard on everyone but probably the hardest on the ones left behind. They are the ones that have to take care of everything (kids included) all by themselves at the same time wondering if their loved ones are safe. This book had me in absolute tears and I felt so bad for Ryan and Fin the ...more

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Nov 25, 2013 CeCe rated it liked it

Shelves: arc, read-2013, romance, military

Angst, love, sacrifice these are some of the adjectives I think of this book
The minute you start reading this book you feel connected to the characters and their love.
In the Prologue, you get a chance of what is in store so I was just waiting to see how that all came about. I knew there was going to be something tragic that was going to happen I just did not know to whom and when. I wanted to get to the end quickly and find out.
This one was not my favorite of the Kate McCarthy’s stories, but I ...more

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