Reformed gangster Luis falls hard for his boss. When friendship turns to love, it’s up to Paolo to convince him second chances are worth the pain.
Luis Pope is back on the street after a six year stretch in prison, but life on the outside seems just out of reach, especially when the whole neighbourhood knows his face for all the wrong reasons.
Paolo’s temper makes it hard to keep staff, and he knows Luis’s rep all too well. But his nonno believes in redemption, and Luis isn’t the tough guy Paolo remembers. Prison has left its mark, inside and out, and all the kindness in the world can’t fix the three inch scar on Luis’s skull.
And it can’t keep ghosts locked up. Luis’s the best worker Paolo’s ever had, and Luis’s happier than he’s ever been. But his old life doesn’t want to stay in the past. Trouble comes to call, and when it makes him an offer he can’t refuse, keeping Paolo safe hurts the most.
Redemption is an angsty, standalone MM romance novel, with second chances, found family, friends-to-lovers, and buckets of hurt/comfort themed loveliness.
Narrator: Dan Calley
Listening Length: 6 hours and 26 minutes
Who says there aren’t pockets of joy amid all our terrestrial woes? Don’t tell anyone but this is my first Garrett Leigh (shame on me) and Dan Calley is also a NTM narrator. I was delighted on both counts.
If you’re in need of an emotional, and authentic feeling hurt/comfort story look no further. The fact that this intimate story takes place among actual working class people is a gratifying bonus.
Luis Pope lived his whole life on the wrong side of the law. Now, at the ripe old age of twenty seven (27) he’s getting out of prison with minimal life skills, no friends or family to speak of, and virtually a stranger to the world. His inadvertent savior is Paolo Cilberto who runs a local chip shop/cafe on his own and desperately needs help. Paolo reluctantly and cautiously takes him on. Luis will have to prove that he’s no longer the muscle for or associated with his brother Dante, the local drug lord.
I really loved everything about this story. The keen insight into people reentering society after prison. The burden and joys of family. Luis and Paolo are both pan, or as Luis calls it “extra-sexual” and that was kind of perfect for these guys, none of the oft trod angst over sexual orientation or coming out. Instead we get to witness Luis, like a newborn horse, take trembling steps into ‘civilian’ life, learn that he has value, explore what he actually likes. He more than likes Paolo. Paolo who has a reserved spot in the lovable grump shelf:
“Paolo Cilberto was a moody motherfucker. All day long he growled and swore, muttered under his breath, and kicked anything that got in his way.”
and Luis can’t get enough of him. Luckily Paolo has had a thing for Luis since high school and once he gets to know Luis the person, once he becomes the keeper Luis’s innermost secrets & fears, that like quickly morphs into more. I love how protective they were of each other, willing to face true danger, how though Paolo has more of an education than Luis it isn’t something he wields like a cudgel, quite the contrary. I loved how vulnerable Luis allowed himself to be with Paolo, how he trusted his person to Paolo, how Paolo jealously guards that trust. I loved that there was no miracle come to save them, that after all was said and done they continue to be two ordinary people living by the sweat of their brow. Working class people also get love stories too.
Enthusiastically recommended and Dan Calley’s narration will put you over the moon.
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