Honestly, thank God for Garrett Leigh, because i’ve been struggling with reading for months. Covid, isolation and so many things that came with that, made my depression even worse than it is on daily basis. I lost interest in everything, that includes reading too. But she is my favorite writer and after months of not reading anything, i finally wanted to read this. So, today – let’s talk about Redemption by Garrett Leigh.
I think… if i’m wrong, correct me, but as far as i remember all her books that i’ve read, she haven’t written any other main charcter like Luis. Luis is ex gangster who spent 6 years in prison. Now he is out and he has nothing. He has to start his life again and it’s not easy. It has been 6 years… Paolo owns little cafe and one choice leads to another and Luis starts working for Paolo, who remembers Luis from time before prison. But as days go by, he also sees that Luis is not as he was before and that he is also someone special that Paolo is starting to have feelings for. But sometimes past just doesn’t want to leave you alone as much as you want that…
I fell in love with Luis fast and it happened because GL made him so believable. I mean – he is out of prison where he spent 6 years. He lost 6 years there. Imagine yourself 6 years ago and imagine, that you loose those 6 years and have to start living again today. So many things have changed. He is confused, sad and lonely. And this is not the case where he was holly angel and people just wrongly put him away. No. But he is also not that man anymore. And this kinda touches a reality(which doesn’t surprise me, because – hello, It’s GL. She always writes about problems which are real, feel real.) – Paolo doesn’t trust Luis at the beginning and i get that. Because honestly – how many of us would just trust someone who was in prison? It’s like first reaction – do not trust this person. He was in prison. What if he did not learn anything and will go back to his old ways??? But at the same time – we should give that person a chance because… maybe he is not the same person anymore. All ex cons are not the same. There are bad ones, who haven’t changed, but there are good ones too, who are not going back to old ways. Second chances are important. And Paolo gives Luis this chance. Prison changed Luis mentally and phisically.
I loved Luis’s and Paolo’s relationship story and development. They started as work colleagues and it developed from there. It was like Paolo gave Luis peace he was craving for so long. I can’t explain my feelings so they make sense. So i will just say, that i loved them and their story. I have my few all time favorite GL couples and Luis and Paolo now joins them. I will not spoil the big drama moment because i want you to be on edge just as i was. I don’t want you to already know what to expect and what will happen. Because i was on edge all the time – scared for Luis’s past to come and destroy everything in his new present. I was reading about nice moments between Paolo and Luis, and at the same time i was scared of the moment when something or someone(like Luis’s brother or old gang, or something) will come and destroy everything. Because i knew that something will happen. This is not book about pink unicorns and wonderland, where nothing bad happens.
Also, there is food in this book. Again. GL sooo neeeds to come out with cookbook with her characer’s favorite recipies and foods :D. Everytime i read about food in any of her books, i want to eat :D. Another little thing – i try not to judge books by their covers, but cover of this book is so good. I read this book as ebook, but i want to buy a paperback not just because i loved main couple and their story, and i want to support my favorite writer, but also because this cover will look so good on my bookshelf :).
Overall – there is nothing new i can tell you. This book is about second chance. Main characters felt believable and it made me think about trust and also family, and loyality. If you like GL style and her other books, i think you will like this one too. I fell in love with Luis and i wanted him and Paolo to be happy together.
Bookshelf darling 