Review: An Amazing Follow-Up to Obsession
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 08 16, 2013
Redemption picks up six months after the Obsession, and we find Noelle broken, grieving, and angry. After realizing that he's not able to help her on his own, Jax (swoon alert!) takes Noelle to The Manor, a BDSM club of sorts, and training ground for those new to the lifestyle.With the help of Cal and (the super-hot) Master Blue, Noelle begins to accept her feelings towards Gabriel, and explore her new lifestyle. It's not an easy journey for her, and while some of her friends don't necessarily understand her needs, she's lucky enough to have them as a great support system. The Darkness Falls members, as well as her new friends at The Manor, embrace her and want to see her whole again.Even so, I can't imagine how hard it was for Jax to introduce her to a world that led Gabriel down such a dark path. I feel like he was willing to do this for her, help her channel her rage and grief in a way acceptable to her, because he loved her.  He helps Noelle learn the RIGHT way to dominate, as opposed to Gabriel's special brand of manipulation. (Pro Tip: Re-read Obsession after you read Redemption. Sheds a WHOLE new (unflattering) light on Gabriel!)So where does Noelle end up? That's for me to know and you to find out! Suffice it to say, she reaches a breaking point, but thankfully, she has people to bring her back from the brink. I think her journey continues far beyond the pages of Redemption, and although we don't know exactly where she ends up, I trust that she is able to remain true to herself, and she will be taking very good care of her future subs.All in all, I think Ivory did an amazing job with this follow-up novel. The BDSM scenes were well-written, and felt authentic, without being over the top. While she may have been unable to redeem Gabriel, I think Noelle found her own redemption, and I was glad to be able to take the journey with her.