Reviewed by Donna
TITLE: Redeeming Hope
SERIES: Home for Hope #1
AUTHOR: Shell Taylor
PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press
LENGTH: 206 Pages
BLURB:
Fifteen years ago Elijah Langley’s world came to an abrupt halt with the death of his high school boyfriend. He keeps his past—and his sexual orientation—hidden until he attends a fundraiser for The Center for HOPE, an LGBT youth center, where he meets Adam Lancaster, HOPE’s infuriatingly stubborn and sexy founder.
A survivor of a turbulent childhood, Adam understands better than most the challenges his youth face. He’s drawn to Elijah’s baby blues and devilish smile but refuses to compromise his values and climb back into the closet for anyone—not even the man showering time and money on HOPE. Months of constant flirting wear down Adam’s resolve until he surrenders to his desires, but Elijah can’t shake his demons.
When a youth from the center is brutally assaulted, Elijah must find a way to confront the fears and memories that are starting to ruin his life, so he can stand strong for those he loves.
REVIEW:
Wow. This book starts with an emotional punch that is heartbreaking, yet it’s also the perfect beginning to a story that is going to make you feel so much.
The story revolves around LGBT youth center, The Center for Hope, which was founded and is being run by out and proud gay man Adam Lancaster. Adam is one of those characters that you fall for easily and immediately. His love for his family and the youths he strives to protect shines through in all of his actions. He practically radiates inherent goodness, so when Elijah begins sniffing around, it makes you cringe, because you know it’s going to cause emotional upheaval for Adam.
In contrast to Adam, Elijah is all kinds of messed up and is lost in life. Outwardly, one would think that the rich businessman is the one who has his life together, but he lacks Adam’s strength and purpose. Elijah seems to swing between nice guy and uncaring asshole, which is why the beginning of this story is so important. I think without that glimpse into Elijah’s early heartbreak, I would have found it hard to forgive the man his ridiculous and hurtful behavior. Adam, being Adam, puts up with a lot from Elijah, He would forgive Elijah each time the other man saw the wrong in his behavior and apologized. I appreciated the fact that Adam was understanding but not accepting of Elijah’s dickish behavior. Again, the author showed us how strong and genuine a character Adam is.
While this story was emotional, it definitely had its ups and downs, there wasn’t really any angst driving the plot. If anything, it was the tension of knowing something bad was going to happen to one of the kids (so the blurb tells us) that kept me wound up and wondering what was going to happen next. I had my fingers crossed the whole time that the child to get hurt wasn’t going to be Kollin, a sixteen year old from the center who, just like Adam, you will fall in love with the moment you meet him. I’m guessing that we may see Kollin’s story in the future.
But not next. The next book continues the story of Adam and Elijah. While this story doesn’t end with a cliffhanger their story is still unfinished. The beginning of the second story in the Home for Hope series can be found in the back of this book. I was already impressed by this author, but now, having read the teaser for what’s coming up, I’m dying to get my hands on the next release.
RATING: 
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