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M. L. Steinbrunn

Teoksen Forgive Us Our Trespasses (Redemption, #1) tekijä

4 teosta 20 jäsentä 3 arvostelua

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Includes the name: M.L. Steinbrunn

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To me this book was just okay. Nothing stood out as horrible but nothing really shone either. The characters, plot and writing were all just fine. The book was unpleasant to read but also not particularly engaging either.
 
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KateKat11 | 1 muu arvostelu | Sep 24, 2021 |
Disclosure: I received a copy from the author/publisher, in exchange for an honest review. This does not influence my review in any shape or form.

I wasn’t sure what A Beholden Heart was about but I wanted to read it because M.L. Steinbrunn wrote it. I absolutely loved her Redemption series and was eagerly awaiting a new novel by her. She writes the most beautifully broken characters that are often lost and have no hope and turns them into a beautiful woven story.

A Beholden Heart is no different it is the story how one person can change another person’s life just by being themselves. It shows how much one person can have an impact on our life rather we notice it or not.

Matt and Gwen’s point of view tell the story. Gwen is new to Middleton; she is currently living with her grandmother for her senior year. Her parents are moving to London because of a job offer, Gwen turns down going to London (shocking, I know!) but it is for a good reason.

Matt is the town’s golden boy. The most popular boy in school and of course he is the star football player. A bit cliché but it works.

This is no love story (although I did ship one couple then decided it was best if that ship didn’t happen that another ship should happen, I was confused can you tell?). This is truly a story about friendship, the kind that makes you wonder what you ever would have done without that person. The kind that shows you that a person can truly change you for the better.

What I love the most about M.L. Stienbrunn’s novels is that I find a deep connection not just with the main characters but also the minor characters. I absolutely loved Sam and Spencer and their banter. I thought it was perfect for the story. I wanted more of both them and I saw they will be getting their own stories that you of course will see reviews on later within the year.

There were parts I found a bit unbelievable. They weren’t serious enough that they took away from the story. So for me they were easy to overlook. The story was beautiful and left me in tears. It was a bit of a trigger for me but overall it was beautiful and I look forward to the rest of the series.

I hope you pick this up and you walk away knowing that you make a difference in someone’s life. It could just be by simply saying hi to someone or just being yourself you make a difference.
… (lisätietoja)
 
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tina_thebookworm | Feb 12, 2016 |
I was provided a copy through Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Forgive us our trespasses what a title right?

The prologue draws you in; leaving you wondering just how does this title fit into the story. The story begins with Vivian reliving the moment her life changed forever…the death of her father. We then fast forward and meet Vivian in college trying desperately to get away from the small town she grew up in. She was tired of being “that girl whose father was killed, the whispers, the pity she wanted to break free and start all over. College was about to give her that fresh start. We meet her roommates Jen, Carly and Campbell. We get to know a little about each one such as Jen is the potty mouth and will have your back no matter what, Carly is the emotional friend and Campbell is more of the tell it like it is friend. The kind of friends you need by your side when the going gets tough and believe me for Vivian the going gets tough a lot.

Vivian has always been closed off since her father’s passing. That is until she locks eyes with Brooks. Brooks is a total womanizer who’s only concern about getting sex. That is until he meets the beautiful red head named Vivian. But unlike every other girl on campus Vivian won’t give Brooks the time of day because she knows boy like him have heartbreak written all over them. Instead Vivian hangs out with Will (Brooks’ roommate). Brooks changes his womanizing ways to win Vivian’s heart. The chemistry between Vivian and Will is electrifying and neither one can deny they feel something for one another. Eventually they end up together.

For a class project they have to write a paper over something that has changed them and Vivian decides to write about her father’s murder, her mother won’t answer her questions leaving to investigate on her know. Brooks offers to go with her to find out more and then begins to act weird. Then it happens, Vivian knocks on the door and another girl opens up getting dressed.

Heartbroken. Betrayed. Lied to. Vivian never hears from Brooks again, leaving what ifs and unanswered questions to always be in the back of her mind. And it leaves the reader with the same questions.

We ended up skipping ten years later…literally one minute Brooks cheats on her and then we’ve skipped to ten years later. Vivian is now a teacher and has two kids Blake and Emma and get this she’s married to WILL. I personally did not like the ten-year hop. I was left wondering what happened in those ten years. I would’ve had liked to have seen Will and Vivian’s relationship blossom. I really didn’t feel the chemistry between them like I did between Vivian and Brooks. I kept wondering if this was going to turn into a love triangle a Vivian-Brooks-Will, and whom would she pick in the end. I was thinking Brooks since the title is “Forgive us our trespasses” but my theory was wrong!!!

Vivian ends up a widow...like can this poor girl catch a break. And once again, she is getting pitted, becoming the woman "whose husband died" and being treated like glass. She decides its time to move away so she moves with her sister to Denver. A fresh start. With her upcoming college reunion she realizes she faces her biggest fear seeing Brooks again. And sure enough he's there and this time he isn't running but could he ever tell her the truth about the secret he was holding from her all those years ago? Will forgiveness set you free?


Overall, I loved how the title played into the story. It really fit the story perfectly. I thought the author had good supporting characters. I loved how they help Vivian go through everything in life. I thought the story was original because there was no real love triangle for once. I would’ve liked more of an emotional and physical connection between Brooks and Vivian, I wanted to feel their passion. But really, Vivian is an extremely strong character. I don't always grant forgiveness but I loved how beautiful and forgiving Vivian was. She was what really made this book so wonderful. I did think the end was a bit abrupt like the author felt she needed to end it right there and then. Besides that I really enjoyed reading this book and I’ll be checking out the rest of the series.
… (lisätietoja)
 
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tina_thebookworm | 1 muu arvostelu | Feb 12, 2016 |

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Tilastot

Teokset
4
Jäseniä
20
Suosituimmuussija
#589,235
Arvio (tähdet)
4.0
Kirja-arvosteluja
3
ISBN:t
3