Sandy S.
FINDING HIS REDEMPTION by Melanie A Smith is a stand alone, contemporary, adult, erotic, rock star romance story line focusing on thirty-six year old, guitarist Kristoffer ‘West’ Westberg, and journalist Max Marshall. Although FINDING HIS REDEMPTION is a stand alone, Frankie and Julian from the author’s EVERYBODY LIES (2019) cross over with a cameo appearance. Told from dual first person perspectives (Max and West) FINDING HIS REDEMPTION follows the downward spiral, come back, and ensuing chaos of Kristoffer ‘West’ Westberg, guitarist for the rock band Violent Mood Swings. Hours out of rehab, our hero finds himself already the subject ongoing controversy when West’s seat mate on the plane, Morgan Marshall, reveals that his sister and journalist Max Marshall was once one of West’s biggest fans but his addictions and ongoing bad behavior no longer appealed to our heroine’s wants and desires. Knowing he had to meet said ‘former fan’ West and the band’s promoters prepare for an apology tour wherein Max Marshall would interview and record the people West hurt the most but demons from the past send West on another downward spiral, a spiral that implodes, destroying his career, his band, and his relationship with the woman with whom he is falling in love. What ensues is the building enemies to lovers relationship between West and Max, and the fall-out as West is unable to tame the beast, allowing his addictions to control every aspect of his life. Max Marshall knows she should hate West for everything he represents but Max carries a secret that once revealed shakes our hero when the truth is revealed. Max and West will journey together as West apologizes to family and friends but his final act of rebellion is about to explode for all the world to see. The relationship between Max and West is an enemies to lovers although West has no idea what he did to invoke the ire of our story line heroine. Forced to work together in an effort to redeem our hero, West’s past reveals a dark and ugly history that has affected his life, going forward, a life wherein West is unable to forgive himself for the pain he has caused. Kristoffer ‘West’ Westberg is a man struggling with his demons, self destructive and lost, and when his world has finally righted itself, West is forced to make a decision that will affect his entire future. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text. We are introduced to the members of Violent Mood Swings: lead singer Ward Pierce, drummer Michael, keyboardist James and bassist Nik, as well as band manager Burke McKinley, West’s ex girlfriend Sadie, and his siblings Annika and Erik. FINDING HIS REDEMPTION is a story of addiction and abuse, secrets and lies, betrayal and heart break, forgiveness and love. The premise is intense; the characters are broken, tragic and edgy; the romance is energetic and spicy but struggles in the face of ego and lies.
Mary S
"Finding His Redemption" is an emotional and deep journey for one rock star seeking, just that. This is the story of West and Max. West has traveled down the dark and troubled path of addiction. He is now try to salvage what is left of his life and music career along with make amends for the past. Max, a rock magazine writer, who once was a huge fan of his and the band, is tasked with reporting on his comeback of sorts. She is very jaded and skeptical of him; you might say she is now his biggest critic. This is a good story about enemies becoming more. What a journey!
Dawn Marie Burke
This was a perfect example of what makes the Rockstar genre so good we also get the added bonus of enemies to lovers and it's a win win! West is a selfish Rockstar blinded by his own arrogance he doesn't grasp how his actions have hurt others. Max was a strong feisty woman who doesn't back down because she knows her worth. They both have baggage and flaws and this story does a beautiful job with their journey it was emotional and raw and worth reading. I definitely recommend it. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
