Lauren's Review of Fighting Redemption by Kate McCarthy

Summary: Ryan Kendall is broken.  Being broken doesn’t stop him wanting the one thing he can’t have; Finlay Tanner. She’s the girl he grew up with, the girl he loves, the girl he protects from the world, and from himself. At nineteen, Ryan leaves to join the Australian Army. After years of training he becomes an elite SAS soldier and deploys to the Afghanistan war.  But no matter how far he runs, or how hard he fights, his need for Finlay won’t let go.  Returning home after six years, one look is all it takes to know he can’t live without her. But sometimes love isn’t enough to heal what hurts. Sometimes people like him can’t be fixed, and sometimes people like Finlay deserve more than what’s left.

Rating: 4 Stars

What I Loved: What's not to love. This book contains a beautiful love story, the characters are fun and there is plenty of drama.  One of my favorite relationships in this book is Fin and Jake.  I loved the bond between brother and sister. You can see the strong love he has for his sister. I don't know many brothers who would be ok with their best friend hooking up with their sister.  I enjoyed how McCarthy created Jake's character. She makes you fall in love with him and there is no way you cannot like him.  He stands by Ryan and follows him through his journey to reach his life dream. 

Now for the gushy stuff...Ryan & Fin. I love a childhood crush turned hot relationship.  Lots of smiles and tears.  I adored watching them realizing their love for each other and finally letting each other in. 

Cons: Two cons for this book.

1) I read to be happy so I tend to stay away from emotional reads. That is why I stay away from Nicholas Sparks books.  If this book did not get so much praise, I don't know if I would have picked it up. This book is definitely a rollercoaster ride of emotions and it hits you right away in the prologue so if you do not want to be sad, this book not be for you.

2) I think some reviewers went a little overboard on how good this book was.  Don't get me wrong... I really enjoyed this book but it was not a stand out to me and I was suprised how many five stars reviews were out there.

Next on my TBR list: Beg, Tease and Submit by C.D Reiss (I will be reviewing the first three books in series)