ladycivic's review against another edition
5.0
Wow!! An amazing book!! This is a tough book to review as I don't want to give anything away. Juliet had a crime committed against her, and she committed a crime. Instead of jail time, she was sent to the tropical island. Terrence (Tack) committed a crime, and was sent to the island in lieu of jail time as well. Each were sent to the island for different reasons. The island is remote, bare bones, this is no resort. The two eventually cross paths (don't they?) and their pasts come barreling back at them.
I just want to say I loved that this book was so different from any other book I've read. And I loved it!! I can't wait for the conclusion to land on my kindle!! Highly recommend Redemption Island!
I just want to say I loved that this book was so different from any other book I've read. And I loved it!! I can't wait for the conclusion to land on my kindle!! Highly recommend Redemption Island!
kylieeason's review
3.0
I'm not a fan of this book, despite the fact that the writing is good.
I felt the story was lacking, there wasn't a deep desire to find out what would happen next. I was just blindly following along.
I think a big part of this is due to the lack of back stories for the two characters in this book. While you get little glimpses, you don't get enough. And never mind about the night they met, and changed their fate. That is a scene that should have been described in detail, and maybe even taken an entire chapter to flesh out. But it's hardly a complete scene and it left me feeling empty.
There were minimal errors, which is outstanding especially given I received this book as an ARC, but I just can't get behind anything else about it.
I felt the story was lacking, there wasn't a deep desire to find out what would happen next. I was just blindly following along.
I think a big part of this is due to the lack of back stories for the two characters in this book. While you get little glimpses, you don't get enough. And never mind about the night they met, and changed their fate. That is a scene that should have been described in detail, and maybe even taken an entire chapter to flesh out. But it's hardly a complete scene and it left me feeling empty.
There were minimal errors, which is outstanding especially given I received this book as an ARC, but I just can't get behind anything else about it.
csharp0710's review
5.0
The title and blurb of this book immediately intrigued me! So different than the norm these days so I had to jump right in. Holy wow!! I can’t even say anything besides it’s about 2 “wounded” people on an island. You have to read it and be prepared for book 2 coming soon!
linzreadz13's review
3.0
This cover is so beautiful and the blurb had me hooked. I have to say though, I was a bit disappointed in the story. It was really unique and quite dark at times with also a great message weaved in. I have to say, the last part of this book saved it for me. I struggled reading the beginning until about 25% of the way through.
Juliet and Tack have each committed a crime. In order to get their salvation they decided to live on an island completely isolated from the world instead of the alternative of going to jail. They think they are completely alone until an accidental meeting. They are forced to face their past, themselves, their thoughts, and how they are going to deal with each other. I really enjoyed the setting of this book. A deserted island, with the wilderness, challenges them in unexpected ways.
I struggled with the lack of backstory to each of the characters. We get glimpses but I never felt like it was enough to truly feel for the characters. Because of this I had a hard time staying invested in the plot and my attention tended to stray from the book often.
While this book was hard for me to connect to, I think the dark and somewhat taboo topic was very unique and I wish I was able to connect more to the story.
Grateful to have received an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.
Juliet and Tack have each committed a crime. In order to get their salvation they decided to live on an island completely isolated from the world instead of the alternative of going to jail. They think they are completely alone until an accidental meeting. They are forced to face their past, themselves, their thoughts, and how they are going to deal with each other. I really enjoyed the setting of this book. A deserted island, with the wilderness, challenges them in unexpected ways.
I struggled with the lack of backstory to each of the characters. We get glimpses but I never felt like it was enough to truly feel for the characters. Because of this I had a hard time staying invested in the plot and my attention tended to stray from the book often.
While this book was hard for me to connect to, I think the dark and somewhat taboo topic was very unique and I wish I was able to connect more to the story.
Grateful to have received an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.
talonvictoria's review
1.0
A completely ridiculous read. The amount of eye rolls that I have don’t even do the book justice. 160 pages. 160 eye rolls.
The actions of the main characters were so unbelievable. I skimmed a lot of the parts because I could not take them seriously. Every single interaction they had was a complete mess. Not even a good kind. And where is the story line? How do we have books with no plot or story line? Why was the male just known as “angry” all of the time? Why are these characters so dense? Was all of that saved for the second book? I don’t know, I won’t find out.
Maybe this is my fault. Maybe since I don’t read blurbs this was just something that I wasn’t expecting. I was hoping a fantastic story to fit that fantastic cover but I didn’t receive that.
The actions of the main characters were so unbelievable. I skimmed a lot of the parts because I could not take them seriously. Every single interaction they had was a complete mess. Not even a good kind. And where is the story line? How do we have books with no plot or story line? Why was the male just known as “angry” all of the time? Why are these characters so dense? Was all of that saved for the second book? I don’t know, I won’t find out.
Spoiler
Most importantly- and I’m going to say this because I feel like the readers should know- the author turned a gang bang rape into smut. Plain. And. Simple. I am a firm lover of Stockholm Syndrome, sure. But this was not even what that was. This was a mess and it was very unbelievable. I know the author was hoping to achieve that in a believable way but it just didn’t happen that way.Maybe this is my fault. Maybe since I don’t read blurbs this was just something that I wasn’t expecting. I was hoping a fantastic story to fit that fantastic cover but I didn’t receive that.
dawn3171's review against another edition
5.0
I am not typically swayed by a book cover, but wow, this cover captured my attention! I knew I had to read it. As usual, LB does not disappoint! As I read Juliet's story, I felt her heartache, her pain and healing.
Tack and Juliet come from very different worlds and meet under the worst circumstances. A chance meeting has them suddenly stranded on an island battling their inner demons.
Redemption Island, intended to give Tack and Juliet time to, independently, reflect on events that resulted in criminal activity. Imagine their surprise when they discover they are not alone? Or are they? Can they forgive themselves? Each other?
This story takes you on an emotional rollercoaster. I can't wait for the next book to see where this story is headed.
Tack and Juliet come from very different worlds and meet under the worst circumstances. A chance meeting has them suddenly stranded on an island battling their inner demons.
Redemption Island, intended to give Tack and Juliet time to, independently, reflect on events that resulted in criminal activity. Imagine their surprise when they discover they are not alone? Or are they? Can they forgive themselves? Each other?
This story takes you on an emotional rollercoaster. I can't wait for the next book to see where this story is headed.
picky_book_b1tch's review
4.0
There are books that are read for the pure enjoyment of the story and then there are those books that challenge how you think and change your view of the world, of humanity. This is one of those books that challenged me and I am a better person for having read it.
The only reason this is a 4 star and not 5, is that I felt as though L.B. pulled a few punches, held back when I needed her to follow through. Still, an awesome read. I am eagerly waiting for the next installment.
The only reason this is a 4 star and not 5, is that I felt as though L.B. pulled a few punches, held back when I needed her to follow through. Still, an awesome read. I am eagerly waiting for the next installment.
mells_view's review
3.0
If Naked & Afraid had a baby with Scared Straight
This was pretty good. It wasn't dark per say, but there were dark moments. It honestly felt like a stranded by choice story, where two people who do not want to be around each other end up leaning on one another. I feel like the story was interesting, but something was missing for me. Or maybe a piece of the story just didn't work and allow me to appreciate it as much.
I think if you are a super forgiving person, or can accept disliking a hero/heroine greatly then you will be able to enjoy this book at a five star. My dislike for one of the characters poor choices stopped from fully loving this one. That being said I will definitely read book two, because I did enjoy the read. 🤷🏽♀️. This is a long winded review, but whatever it's mine.
This was pretty good. It wasn't dark per say, but there were dark moments. It honestly felt like a stranded by choice story, where two people who do not want to be around each other end up leaning on one another. I feel like the story was interesting, but something was missing for me. Or maybe a piece of the story just didn't work and allow me to appreciate it as much.
I think if you are a super forgiving person, or can accept disliking a hero/heroine greatly then you will be able to enjoy this book at a five star. My dislike for one of the characters poor choices stopped from fully loving this one. That being said I will definitely read book two, because I did enjoy the read. 🤷🏽♀️. This is a long winded review, but whatever it's mine.
shannonlovesbooksandreading's review
5.0
LB Dunbar never fails to tell an exciting almost unbelievable story! Rockers, sweet home town heroes, and now real life people looking for…you guessed it Redemption. A new concept in “punishment” with an ending that is not really an ending!
I liked how Dunbar made you think this story was going one way but then gave just enough of a twist that left you guessing what could possibly happen next.
I loved both of the “criminal” characters. Tack and Juliet make choices in their lives that had consequences. Those consequences meant jail time or a one-year trip to Redemption Island. They each are told they will be alone on the island. They didn’t know what they would find on the island.
“A year off”
“A year to discover what’s important”
“A year of reflection”
“A one year experiment”
“A year to repent”
“A year to restore”
Tank and Juliet are told many things about the island but which are lies and which are really truths. The things they discover on the island make you go hmmm. Cannot wait for the next part of this adventure!
I liked how Dunbar made you think this story was going one way but then gave just enough of a twist that left you guessing what could possibly happen next.
I loved both of the “criminal” characters. Tack and Juliet make choices in their lives that had consequences. Those consequences meant jail time or a one-year trip to Redemption Island. They each are told they will be alone on the island. They didn’t know what they would find on the island.
“A year off”
“A year to discover what’s important”
“A year of reflection”
“A one year experiment”
“A year to repent”
“A year to restore”
Tank and Juliet are told many things about the island but which are lies and which are really truths. The things they discover on the island make you go hmmm. Cannot wait for the next part of this adventure!