Book Review: Fighting Redemption by Kate McCarthy

Fighting Redemption
Author: Kate McCarthy
Reading Level: New Adult
Genre: Romance
Released: December 2nd 2013
Review Source: Purchased

Ryan Kendall is broken. He understands pain. He knows the hand of violence and the ache of loss. He knows what it means to fail those who need you. Being broken doesn’t stop him wanting the one thing he can’t have; Finlay Tanner. Her smile is sweet and her future bright. 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. His patrol undertakes the most dangerous missions a soldier can face. 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.

This is a story about war and the cost of sacrifice. Where bonds are formed, and friendships found. Where those who are strong, fall hard. Where love is let go, heartache is born, and heroes are made. Where one man learns that the hardest fight of all, is the fight to save himself.

This book is recommended for 18+ due to adult language and themes.
Please note: K McCarthy is an Australian author and Australian spelling, language and slang has been used in this book.

“I’ll love you longer than the stars that live in the sky”

This is my love for this book.

This is the best example why I love reading books. All the feels you get while reading. Every thought that goes through your mind. The mental exhausting. The unforgettable journey. The things you learn. The things you become aware of.

I am often asked why I love reading books that breaks my heart, and the author herself opens this book with the very explanation of why:

“There are things that we don’t want to happen but have to accept, thing we don’t want to know but have to learn and people we can’t live without but have to let go.”

Fighting Redemption is the story of Ryan and Finely. They met while they were young. Ryan became Finley’s brother, Jake, best friend. They grew knowing each other. They grew loving each other but without showing their affection with one another. There are reasons why Ryan always kept himself distant from her. Running away from his demons, Ryan joins the Army. As his best friend, Jake decides to join him.

Fighting Redemption in not only about war but the cost of sacrifice these families go through. It deals about the lives of soldiers and those who are left behind. It provides you a glimpse of the life of a soldier. It also provides you a glimpse of the life of broken child.

My dear broken heart, I apologize for making you go through such an incredible book.

I adore this book. I love the characters. I love their journey. I love Ryan. I love his devotion for Finley.

I highly recommend this book to everyone. But if you love books that will rip your heart out, then this is book is for you.