Review: "Redemption Lane" by Rachel Blaufeld (Crossroads #1)
Note: This ARC was provided by RockStar Lit PR in exchange for an honest review.
When Bess Williams' and Lane Wrigley's paths first cross, it's at a yoga class in the gym that Lane's twin brother Jake owns. He notices Bess straight away, not just because she's beautiful but because her odor was beyond terrible. Soon enough though, she passes out right in front of him and he calls for an ambulance while attending to her. Instead of going with her to the hospital, he decides to first get back at his brother for putting him in another situation where he's the stand-in.
Four years later, Bess has remained clean, staying away from her addictions and attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings with her sponsor, who happens to have feelings for her. She lives in a cabin with her beloved dog Brooks and works at the WildFlower Resort and Spa. She tries not to get too close to anyone and makes sure she maintains a routine to help keep her busy. On an ordinary day, she seats a handsome man dressed in a business suit who is about to change her life...again.
It's been four years since Lane Wrigley last saw the young woman who passed out in front of him and was rushed to the hospital. He's carried a lot of regret when it comes to his actions that day and has kept his life centered on his successful business and on staying as far away from his hometown as possible. When he visits the WildFlower Resort and Spa to complete a business deal with the place's management, he's shocked to come face-to-face with the one woman he's never forgotten.
One meeting changed the course of their lives, never having spoken a single word to each other. After four years, they meet again but Bess has no memory of Lane and Lane has chosen to not tell her of that day he saved her life. They embark on a relationship, one that has Bess confessing to Lane her past addictions and that she continues to deal with them, but Lane continues to remain mum, not ready to reveal the dark secrets that have shaped his life and left him struggling with his guilt.
Where do I begin with this book?! When Rachel Blaufeld casually informed me on Twitter that I could sign up to read and review the first book of her new series, I couldn't click the link fast enough. Redemption Lane is a complex story with even more complex characters, but then, that's what I love about Rachel Blaufeld's work. She makes you think and feel and as you read their stories, you can't help but fall in love with these imperfect characters as they try to overcome their struggles.
Bess' addictions and Lane's secrets play huge roles in the evolution of their relationship but it's obvious that what happened to Bess four years ago forced her to finally deal with her problems while the very same event affected Lane differently, making him run away from his issues. There's a twist in the story, one that I didn't see coming until it was nearly right there in front of my face. I have a feeling that the lack of resolution regarding the twist will play a part in the series' next book.
Allow me to share a moment of stupidity on my part. The end of the story includes an introduction of sorts to Jake Wrigley's story, which is entitled Absolution Road. I saw that one of the characters, who I'm assuming is the lead female, was called "Ms. Road", and it was only then that I realized that the "road" in the title is connected to her and that Redemption Lane is connected to lead male character Lane. What can I say? I read the book in one sitting in the wee hours of the morning.
After having read her three currently available books, Rachel Blaufeld has proven to me that she's one heck of a talented writer. Electrified introduced her to me, Smoldered made me a fan, and now Redemption Lane has cemented her status as a must-read author in my book. I absolutely loved this book and highly recommend it to my fellow bookaholics. I shall try to be patient as I await the release of Jake's story. ^.^ Redemption Lane is a 2015 favorite and gets five stars! ♥
Release Date: 19 February 2015 17 February 2015 (It went live early!)
Date read: 19 February 2015
Learn more about author Rachel Blaufeld here.
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