Beautiful Redemption

Beautiful Redemption A Novel

Jamie McGuire2015
No-nonsense Lies Lindy is an agent go the FBI. Deciding she is married only to her job, she breaks off her engagement and transfers from Chicago to the field office in San Diego. She loves her desk. She is committed to her laptop. She dreams of promotions and shaking hands with the director after cracking an impossible case. Special Agent in Charge Thomas Maddox is arrogant, unforgiving, and ruthless. He is tasked with putting away some of the world's toughest criminals, and he is one of the best the Bureau has to offer. Though, as many lives as he's saved, there is one beyond his reach. Younger brother Travis is faced with prison time for his involvement in a basement fire that killed dozen of college students, and the media want a conviction. Travis's only savior is his unusual tie to the mob. In a deal that will spare his brother, Thomas has agreed to recruit Travis into the FBI. Lies is stubborn, defiant, and yet somehow softens Thomas's rough edges, making her the perfect agent to accompany him to the ceremony. Posing as a couple, they must travel to Travis & Abby's beach vow renewal and give him the news, but when the pretending ends, she finds herself wondering if they were pretending at all. In the second installment of the Maddox Brothers books, experience firsthand the mysterious world of the elusive Thomas Maddox, and how good love can be when you're not the first, but the last.
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Reviews

Photo of Lauren Grey
Lauren Grey@literarywallflower
2 stars
Aug 20, 2023

I have been a fan of the Maddox brothers since first meeting Travis in Beautiful Disaster, but I felt this book was lacking. First, the book was tiny in comparison to the other books she has written. This doesn’t always have to be a bad thing, but I felt the story was just so rushed. Throughout the whole book they talked about this one “sting” and then when something finally went down, instead of explaining it, it was just skipped over and told that it was over. Second, Thomas (T.J.) Maddox barely had a personality. I could tell that he was different from the other brothers. He didn’t smoke or get wasted every night or use foul language every other word. He seemed more mature and to have a good head on his shoulders, but besides that I didn’t feel like there was anything else to him. That was it. Thirdly, I felt that Liis and Thomas didn’t really have a relationship. The “getting to know you” part was skipped over and they were just perfect for each other right off the bat. That kind of storyline just isn’t very interesting to me. Liis kept saying she felt like a broken record and there is truth to that. In every scene once they were finally “together” they would just have the same fight over and over and I was about done. Either get over it and be with him or don’t and cut him loose. Fourth, this book had only a few sex scenes and I will say that it made a difference. I always say that if a book is truly good, it won’t rely on it’s sex scenes, but this book wasn’t that great. I think a few more love scenes might have made it a bit more enjoyable. I just didn’t feel the chemistry between the couple. On a more positive note, I appreciated that this book contained less cursing. Not that I necessarily feel that cursing is appropriate at any time, I could see why it was inserted where it was. It didn’t take away from the story in any way. I also appreciated the fact that Liis was Asian. I feel so much that we put pretty blonde/brunette white people up on this beautiful perfect match pedestal and forget that everyone is beautiful, so kudos for that! This book wasn’t terrible, I didn’t hate it… I just felt that it started out really strong and then just got skipped over. I felt like there was just so much more to their story that was missing. It could have been longer. (**SPOILER**) Although the Epilogue wasn’t that good, I did like that Liis ended up in her dream job and carrying a child. That was super exciting. Yay for happy endings!

Photo of Anna Ureta
Anna Ureta@akiikomori
5 stars
Jan 23, 2023

DEM MADDOX BOYS! That’s it. That’s all I have to say and want to say about Beautiful Redemption and Thomas Maddox. Holy mother freaking emm geee!!! What the hell? Move over Travis Maddox, because there’s a new love in my life and his name is Thomas! *swoon* Travis Maddox (Beautiful Disaster) changed the face of fictional boyfriends everywhere. In Beautiful Redemption you follow the story of his oldest brother Thomas, introduced in the first Maddox Brother book, Beautiful Oblivion, as he works through his feelings for his ex in order to love the girl who’s stolen his heart. Thomas Maddox is…man….I can’t even talk about it…just thinking about him, just typing his name is making me CRAZY! If you liked Travis you’ll fall HEAD OVER HEELS for Thomas. Liis Lindy is the type of woman who doesn’t mind being married to her job. She loves working for the FBI and is a strong, independent, ambitious woman. After transferring to San Diego and leaving behind everything she was familiar with, Liis meets and has a one-night stand with her neighbour, who happens to live one floor directly above her. Her first day in Squad Five she finds out that her one-night stand didn’t come ‘no strings attached’. Turns out he was her boss. Thomas Maddox is the FBI’s Golden Boy. He’s stern, intimidating, and kind of an asshole. But Liis isn’t intimidated by him and is determined to do her job – well. Thing is, how are you expected to do well when your boss is starting to develop romantic feelings for you? And to make matters worse, as much as he wants to move on, he’s is still in love with his ex, Camille. Agent Lindy will just have to decide on what’s more important, her career, or love? I will admit that I wasn’t really feeling Trenton in his book Beautiful Oblivion. I mean he was alright and all, definitely a Maddox to the T, but Thomas…phew….*fans self* Thomas is something. I don’t know what it is about fictional men, and maybe I like them because they’re fictional but men who take life by the balls and men that are kind of assholes are pretty damn hot. What’s even hotter is that behind every strong man there’s a strong woman. And Liis Lindy is ONE HELL of a woman. She is the woman every woman should aspire to be one day. Even I look up to her. I would gladly say, “When I…reached that age of maturity (or whatever), I want to be as bad-ass as Liis Lindy.” she’s definitely one of my MOST FAVOURITE FEMALE PROTAGONISTS. All emotion left my face. “You don’t have cats.” “But I like cats.” I leaned back, and I hit my desk, frustrated. “You don’t like cats.” “You don’t know me that well.” I hid behind my monitor again. “I know that you either have a miracle lint brush, or you don’t have cats.” “I could still like cats.” I leaned over. “You’re killing me.” Liis and Thomas are like what I wish to be….smart, and witty. The best thing about Liis is that she doesn’t take any of Thomas’ crap and he ABSOLUTELY loves it. He loves she’s a strong woman, and that she doesn’t need protecting, but she just can’t handle being with someone who’s in love with someone else. I mean who would? Why would you put yourself through that? That’s just torture. “You can love someone without wanting to be with them. Just like you can want to be with someone before you love them.” Although it’s obvious that Thomas, Liis and Squad Five are older than Travis and Abby it’s really funny to see them all interact in their ‘work’ environment. For being in the FBI they act as if they’re in some sort of high school reality show. Everyone has their quirks, everyone has drama, and everyone has their secrets. It is actually very entertaining to watch not just Thomas and Liis interact but Liis and the rest of the team. Any girl should count herself lucky because a Maddox loves forever. However Liis has her own mind, morals and an INCREDIBLE amount of respect for herself. As much as I don’t like to see a man beg (lol – yes I do) I’m happy for their happy ending. A woman deserves to be chased by a man she deems equal. I just hope the twins (Taylor and Tyler Maddox) can follow suit. 5/5 Hearts of Love Read the rest of my reviews at http://www.akiikomorireading.com

Photo of Thais Souza Passos
Thais Souza Passos@thaayp
5 stars
Oct 22, 2022

WHAT A BOOK!! OMG I'M STILL NOT OVER IT, MAYBE I NEVER WILL!!!! Ok, sometimes I wished I could hold Thomas and Liis by thrir shoulders and ask WHAT THE HELL IS YOUR PROBLEM!!! but anyway, I FUCKING LOVED IT!!! JAMIE, YOU GOT IT RIGHT ONCE MORE!!!!

Photo of Bethany Lacey
Bethany Lacey@laceylovesliterature
5 stars
Feb 28, 2022

Link to Blog: http://laceysloveofliterature.blogspo... I read Beautiful Disaster years ago and instantly became a Jamie McGuire fan. I absolutely loved Travis and that book - but as I matured I developed a distinct taste in literature and the style of writing I loved, thus I outgrew this series. However, everybody was reading about them so I thought I'd give her new series a try. I was extremely disappointed in the first book in this series. I didn't especially care about the first book as I couldn't stand the heroine. I just thought she was a heartless bitch, and I couldn't stand her roommate. Raegan just seemed like a two-faced slut, and I couldn't be dealing with the unnecessary teenage-like drama. I loved Trenton though. So I stuck it out. But then we had the secret with T.J. And then I read this book... I absolutely adored this freaking book! I fell madly in love with Thomas and Liis and thought they were both kick-ass! I think I loved this book more than the others because it seemed more mature and older. We didn't have whiny college students doing the whole "woe me" like the previous books. But the whole Thomas being T.J? I did not see that coming!!! I actually thought his secret was he was married at first, or that Camille was his gay-beard or something. Yes, I know what you're thinking. They slept together. So I had to scratch that theory out as well. I even went back to skim Beautiful Oblivion to see if I missed the signs... 'Sigh' I didn't. Anyway, Liis. Can I just say how much I adored her name. It was a beautiful name, and because I loved her name so much, it's most likely one of my future daughters names (behind Ava and Evelyn). Liis, after moving to San Diego to escape her ex-fiance, goes to her local Pub to celebrate moving into her new Condo and her new job. There she meets Thomas. They have a one-night stand, but Liis believes she is emotionally unavailable so that's the end of that. Or it would have been if Thomas didn't live directly above her. Queue the awkwardness. "If you wait a second, I'll walk you out." "I know the way. This is my building. I'm sure we'll run into each other again." My cheeks paled. "You live in this building?" He peered up at the ceiling. "Just above you." I pointed up. "The next floor up, you mean?" "Yes, but," he said with a sheepish grin, "my place is right above yours. But I'm rarely home." Oh, but it gets much worse. On her second day of work she finds out that Thomas is actually Agent Maddox, her boss. More awkwardness. I loved these two together. The banter, the sexual tension between the two. It was epic. But then we had Camille getting in the way (yes I am doing her name purposely in italics - sense my dislike of this character, yet?). I especially loved how Thomas thawed to Liis, how he was only soft and open with only her. It was incredibly sweet. Yes, Liis made a slight bit of drama about the whole not-over-Camille thing, but that's expected. Who wants to have feelings for and be involved with a guy who is in love with somebody else? Not me... "I loved her first," Thomas said. "But you, Liis... you are the last woman I will ever love." So, you probably get that I hate Camille. I didn't like her in her own book, Liis just fused the fire behind my dislike, and it grew to hatred. And I thought she had some nerve going to their hotel room before the wedding ceremony. Eurgh, moving past she-who-must-not-be-named... I absolutely adored the Epilogue in this book. It was incredibly sweet. And I loved getting to see what their future would be like a few years down the line. Anyway, I absolutely adored this kick-ass amazing book, and will definitely be reading the future Maddox Brothers books. You can count on it.

Photo of Lysha Taynish
Lysha Taynish@lyshabooks
4 stars
Feb 18, 2022

Pretty much fell in love with Thomas James Maddox, even if it’s a pretty cliché book.

Photo of Camila
Camila @camie
3 stars
Jan 9, 2022

Ñe... Son más bien 2.5 estrellas Todo lo que me gustó de Oblivion ciertamente no estuvo aquí. ¿No se supone que Thomas era el hermano Maddox "chico-bueno"? Porque me pareció muuuy parecido a Travis, menos impulsivo tal vez. Y se nos la pasa todo el libro lamentándose por Cami, como si no fuera su culpa haber estado con la chica que de la cual SABÍA su hermano siempre estuvo enamorado. Porque eso es lo que sentí , más que seguir enamorado de Cami, él sentía lástima de sí mismo, sino guerra así, nunca se habría ido con Lindy así de fácil, además de desarrollar sentimientos por ella tan rápidamente . En otros términos este libro me decepciono y se siente como si Jamie sólo siguiera escribiendo porque esta saga le da dinero, sé que pudo escribir algo mejor para Thomas pues con Trent sentí que se había lucido .

Photo of Cat Nunez
Cat Nunez @catxbooks
5 stars
Oct 8, 2021

DEFINITIVAMENTE SIEMPRE QUERRÉ A UNO DE LOS HERMANOS MADDOX <3 Este libro me encantó ya que desde beautiful oblivion venía esperando la historia de Thomas alias "TJ"... Y sin duda Jamie nunca me defrauda, amé cada parte del libro aunque a veces me daban ganas de pegarle a Thomas por ser tan tonto y seguir hablando de Cami, pero en definitiva lo amé en gran parte del libro y siempre diré que necesito un hombre Maddox jaja. La trama me gustó porque tiene amistad, amor, peleas e salen los personajes anteriores como Travis, que es sin duda el mejor de todos <3<3<3 Me encantó leer sobre Thomas, Travis y por supuesto Travis. Aunque igual quería saber la perspectiva de Thomas, me gustó que Liis contara la historia para así saber de parte de ella como veía a Thomas y como era la relación entre ellos y como se desenvolvía su historia... Desde el principio me cautivó el libro y no podía dejar de leerlo. Cada vez sentía que lo que venía era mejor que lo de antes y gracias a eso tuve que leer el libro cada vez que podía. Jamie de nuevo me enamoró con sus libros y amo como une todas las historias de los hermanos Maddox y siempre se puede saber más que es lo que pasó con ellos después de sus libros. Sin duda este libro también me enamoró más de Thomas ya que desde el final de beautiful oblivion necesitaba saber que pasaba con él y como terminaba la historia de él con Cami. 5 estrellas a todos los libros de Jamie porque hasta el final diré que ella es asombrosa y siempre amaré cada uno de sus libros.

Photo of Sally Salinas
Sally Salinas@salsreads
3 stars
Sep 26, 2021

Continuation of the Maddox brothers--this one following Thomas. this one was annoying as heck! The same argument over & over. Still like the characters & side characters. I already bought the book so continued till the end...ugh...Can't believe this much work place drama, its a wonder they got any work done.

Photo of Cat Imb
Cat Imb@thereadingcat
4 stars
Sep 13, 2021

This is probably my favourite Jamie McGuire book so far. I think why I loved it so much was because Liis was so relatable. I understand her putting her job first and putting people second, and I get that. Not many people do, and they will like you're the biggest b*tch in the world for it. Also, Thomas Maddox is my favourite Maddox brother so far. He takes taking care of his family to the next level, yet, like Liis, puts his job first. This story was realistic and captivating. Loved it from beginning to end.

Photo of Gretchen Gomez
Gretchen Gomez@chicnerdreads
5 stars
Aug 10, 2021

4.5/5stars Loved this book!!! Jamie McGuire did it again with another Maddox! I just had a small problem with both characters but it's something that finally got settled at the end. I literally laughed out and we got to see all the Maddox brothers again, ugh!!! Swoon!

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Gisela Ayala @giselasmusings
0.5 stars
Sep 7, 2022
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Kattia@kattia
2 stars
May 27, 2024
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Cass McCullough@cassidycasuallyreading
5 stars
Dec 29, 2023
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Jennifer S@shancora
3 stars
Dec 16, 2023
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Lilah Merie@lilahmerie
5 stars
Nov 16, 2023
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Agus@lucky_777
5 stars
Aug 9, 2023
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Martha McLendon@marthaymc
5 stars
Jul 31, 2023
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Zaira A @zai
4 stars
Jul 28, 2023
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nur@elkadinur
4 stars
Jul 23, 2023
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Janae Lusk@amourjay23
4 stars
Jul 18, 2023
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Gaby Menendez@gabymenendez
4 stars
May 8, 2023
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Marianela Arevalo@marianelaarevalo
5 stars
Apr 28, 2023
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camilla@alittlelife
4 stars
Jan 18, 2023
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Lauren Bledsoe@lauren-bledsoe
5 stars
Dec 14, 2022

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