4.5 stars — Well, that was an emotional rollercoaster that I devoured. I seriously ended up biking way past my goal time because I was so absorbed, gotta love that!

I don’t know what expectations I had for Elliott, but I don’t remember being as excited for his story as some of the others. And yet I ADORED him. I think I had this strange image of what a pyromaniac is, and he gave me a more realistic one. As with all the boys of Preload, his childhood story is rather devastating. I ached for the confused child he was in his flashbacks, and how much he still hadn’t dealt with over the years. I was SOOOO proud of the way his journey progressed in this story, and how it turned out in the end. I can’t give spoilers, but I was really satisfied with the decisions he made and the reasons.

I loved that he was drawn to helping other troubled boys just like him…what an admirable quality, and one I know doesn’t fit for everyone. I hurt watching him struggle with wanting to help Daniel while being afraid of his own triggers.

And on the romance front? OMG, he was sooooo cute! I wasn’t expecting that at all, and I really loved it! I mean, don’t get me wrong — he was also sexually filthy, but I adored his romantic side.

Kendalee was not at all what I was expecting either. I didn’t anticipate her faith (or her struggle with it). I also hadn’t anticipated how damaged she would be from her broken marriage. It was a really interesting perspective, and it made me cheer for her when she started to wake up to the automatic reactions she had with Adrian. She had her own journey to go on, but I really appreciated how her heart was generally always in the right place, and that she truly wanted what was best for her son.

And Daniel. Oh poor Daniel. He broke my heart, but he started mending it by the end.

I don’t know…I just really enjoyed this story. I think I *might* still love Jordan’s more, but honestly I’m super happy with what the Preload stories are giving me — so much grit, but with beautiful lightness as well.

Elliott Redeemed is a beautiful and heartwrenching story. Most of Scarlett Cole's hero are deeply scarred and that is especially true for Elliott. There are serious and sensitive issues address in this book and their are handled with skill and care.

I wasn't sure whom was going to be a good match for Elliot, because his issues were deep. He survived by being the player and jovial but he carried so much pain.

Kendalee was the perfect match for Elliot. Since she was a bit older she had what Elliot needed, as well as she cared for him like no one has ever done in his past. The relationship with Kendalee's son Daniel is super sweet and also the spark for Elliot to deal with his own baggage.

Elliot's trials and tribulations felt real and you felt for him. I also loved the fact that his love for Kendalee and Daniel caused him to get the help he needed for the right reasons.

"... I need to fill the holes in me. Because there isn't enough of you to fill the holes in me, and there isn't enough of me to charge you up. And that isn't healthy anyway."

Again well researched about arsonists and pyromania. As well as the recovery from the aftermath of being burnt

Daniel and Elliot's back stories were heart breaking and well done. Adrian, Kendalee's ex was written well as you hated him with a passion and that was the point.


Heartfelt Series and I loved all the men from Preload

This is the 2nd book in the Preload series, spin-off of Second Circle Tattoos. I love these guys and seeing Dred/Pixie and Jordan/Lexi's lives continue. This one wasn't my favorite of the series though. Elliott's backstory is difficult, but here's something that didn't always draw me to him and his passion. I think it's also because this isn't 2 of my favorite tropes - older woman/younger man and angsty teenager. The beginning definitely hooked me with Kendalee's story - cheating husband, homeless, 14 year old son severely burned and hospitalized. Jordan's character fell flat as has he comes off more as the therapist and clinical helping her work through her drama. A good set-up of Nikan's background and Lennon's escalating drama.

Second book of the band Preload – a single mom meet tortured musician. Elliott got demons he fights every day to overcome. Kendalee is a struggling to meet end meets trying to take care of her teenage son. The two met at the not so happy circumstance. Kendalee’s son was hurt, Elliott jumped in to help. Despite all that Elliott went through he is such a kind and gentle soul. I like the complexity of both the hero and heroine. I love the heartfelt storyline. I love that despite Elliott’s success he is so down to earth with the boy. There is a special bond between Elliott and Daniel – it quite tear-jerking beautiful. They help each other heal in the way that no one could.
Hooked from the start - emotional, heartfelt, second chance at love and life.

ooh Elliott how I love you so. Elliott had to face all his childhood fears when he agreed to meet a teenage fan at the hospital. The attraction between him and Kendalee was off the charts hot. I liked how she wanted him for him and not his money or fame. She didn't even like the music he made :)

I adored that Cole took the story in the direction of an older women with a younger man. Shows hope for many of us ;)

I so enjoyed – in fact, more than enjoyed if that’s possible – the first book in this series, Jordan Reclaimed, that I was very keen on reading this one. The series is about a successful heavy metal band, Preload, whose home base is Toronto, ON Canada. They all grew up in the system and became best of friends and even brothers in a group home. Music was their escape.

Right from that alone I’m excited, because I live close to Toronto and it’s obvious the author is familiar with the city too. I recognize streets and areas and even stores, so it makes the book seem even that more real. Elliott Dawson is the hero of this book. It opens not long after Jordan Reclaimed ends. There are only two of the group living in their home now and Elliott is planning on buying them all out. But, in the meantime, he and fellow bandmate Nikan are living together. Nikan asks if Elliott would be willing to make a hospital visit with him to visit a young fan of the group. While he has his issues with hospitals, Elliott is a really good guy and agrees. While he’s there he notices another young patient, fourteen-year-old Daniel, a burn victim. Daniel has suffered pretty bad burns when he set his home on fire. They say like recognizes like, and Elliott can tell right away that he an Daniel both suffer from the same issue, an unnatural love of fire.

Elliott has worked years to overcome attraction to fire and his need to set them. Elliott became a pyromaniac when he was young, in a way to deal with the trauma of his childhood, and he can sense in Daniel the same thing and he wants to help him through it. It also doesn’t hurt that Elliott is strongly attracted to Daniel’s mother, Kendalee Walker.

Kendalee is attracted to Elliott too. I mean, he’s very good looking and he is good to her son, who’s a big fan of Preload. But there are SO many reasons she can’t get involved with him. She’s older than him by a few years. She was shattered when her husband left her for a younger woman and cleaned out their joint bank account. She has her son and his ongoing issues to deal with. She is homeless since Daniel burned down their home. She spends all her time at either the hospital or her part-time cashier’s job at No Frills – of note here, I was a part-time cashier at a grocery store for nine years and I often shop at No Frills myself. Her ex meets Elliott and is turned off right away. Elliott is a long-haired rocker whom Daniel worships and refuses to have anything to do with his father.

So any kind of relationship is almost impossible. But now that Elliott has taken an interest in Daniel, he runs into Kendalee more often and the more often he runs into her, the more he wants to help her and just plain wants her. But the closer he gets to both her and Daniel, the more his own issues begin taking over as he identifies with Daniel. As Daniel begins to confess to Elliott the abuse he has suffered, the harder it is for Elliott, but he knows this is all leading to healing for Daniel, so he’s undone in whatever he does.

This is another most excellent book in this series. While I preferred Jordan Reclaimed just a tad more, it was that I found Jordan extraordinary and special. It doesn’t take away from this book at all. Elliott is such a wonderful hero, so tortured, so loyal, so honorable, so everything that makes for great hero material.

Kendalee is also very well written. She has had so much thrown at her in such a short amount of time and she deals with it so well and remains strong and such a good mother. I love it when I adore both hero and heroine.

The secondary characters are also amazing. Daniel is so damaged, and I love seeing the other members of the band. It’s clear by the end who is going to be matched up in the next book and I can hardly wait for that one. I’ve already pre-ordered it. I highly recommend this book. I think it could be a stand-alone, but it is worth it to read the first book if only to get insight into the tight bond these friends and brothers have.

I really enjoyed this story. Its heart breaking at times and its sweet and hot. I really like how Elliot has such good relationships with his band mates and friends how he doea so much to try to help kids that are sick at the hospital and how he helps kendalles son work through his problems being there for him and umderstanding him. I love love love his character . the book keeps you interested the whole time and you cant help but root for him for a happy ending.his story is heart breaking and inspiring at the same time

4.5 fantastic stars!! I am so excited for this series. I love all
these men!!

This is book two in the Preload series. It can be read as a stand alone but you will love all these guys!


🖤Elliott and Kendalee’s story...

Elliott~ I love Fire. Let it burn. I love singing and playing guitar. Rock on. One thing I have never loved is a woman of my own. I don’t need it, I have too many issues. Until this kid’s mom throws me completely off of my game...


Kendalee~ My marriage is over, my son is stuck in the hospital in a lot of pain, I am homeless, and life has never been so bad. I have to make sure my baby is ok, so much has happened and I just can’t seem to get life together. But I will put all my effort into doing just that. I didn’t realize that maybe I needed something too....



💭My thoughts..

What a beautiful story. It was painful and raw but so damn pretty. I love Elliott, he is exactly my type. Rough around the edges but has such a big heart. Omg the cover is perfect for him too. Swoooonnnn!!! I think their relationship was great and realistic. I love how tight all the guys still are and how they are all just assholes with these beautiful soft spots! Lennon worries me so I can not wait for his story.

This book invoked many different emotions. I felt sad, determined, angry (Adrian is a dueche), frustrated, sexy, loving, funny and so many other things. It was written perfectly. You do not want to miss out on this series, and def not this book!

**I received this book as an ARC via NetGalley and in return gave my honest review**

5 reasons to read it :
1_ PRELOAD is a band of 5 men, 5 friends who became more than just a family. 5 broken little boys who grew up together and became beautiful humans. We'll never have enough of them, of their funny sparring matches, of their huge love. I want to know more about the mysterious Lennon and about the lovely Nikan. They're all big guys with tattoos, rock n roll stars but with the little and cute Petal they're just big bears, they all kneel in front of her. Sooooo cute!
2_ DANIEL. I won't spoil so i won't write a lot about him but i can't say nothing... Daniel was a surprise for me, i didn't expect him, his story, the pain burning inside him, the nightmare that became his life... He brought me tears, a lot of tears. And yet... he's so brave and mature.
3_ KENDALEE. The perfect mother, perfect wife, perfect woman... But who didn't live the perfect life. I'm in awe of her! She's on her own facing her self centered and selfish husband, facing her son's nightmares, facing... being homeless and without money. She's living in the hospital where her son is treated. Everything she does she does it for her son. All the pain she feels and worries and tiredness, and still she never breaks.
4_ ELLIOTT. Elliott can be a little scary. His issues, his compulsions, his way to deal with his nerves...Dangerous? And he's younger , much younger. But still, he's what Kendalee and Daniel needed without knowing it. A protective figure, a strong partner, a thoughtful and caring man. He helps them in different ways. He's still broken but succeed to help this beautiful woman and her son. And oh god the way he loves Kendalee !!! HE ADORES HER! He tries to make all her dreams come true and to be the man she deserves. And oh god he is HOT !!! He never stop fighting for her... I JUST LOVE him !!!!
5_ ART/ MUSIC. Elliott is a guitarist, he lives through music. So Scarlett used music too. And it's a big success. It creates a special atmosphere, and increases emotions. She chose the perfect songs and made the perfect playlist for her characters and their story.
---> I loved this story, i loved the characters, i loved the writing, i loved the use of music... Thank you Scarlett Cole .

As I have come to expect, another great book in this series. Keep them coming!

I voluntarily read an advanced reviewers copy of this book

I want to take a second and thank Scarlett Cole for not being afraid to tackle all of the hard core issues in this world. This book is not a cookie cutter romance but a beautiful and heartbreaking imitation of life.

Elliot has a problem that haunts him daily but in a moment of selflessness he decides to share a song with a boy who needs the motivation to keep on living. What started as a simple song turns into so much more when Kendalee walks into the room.

And so the story begins, prepare your hearts and grab some tissue... because this is a book worth reading and an emotional ride worth taking! Very good job Scarlett Cole!

Holy wow, author Scarlet Cole has really impressed me with her Preload series. I had a myriad of emotions while reading Elliott Redeemed and I’ll admit I was a bit of an emotional wreck during parts of this story, but I have to give Ms. Cole credit for the way she handled the difficult parts of this book, that she didn’t gloss over the issues contained within its pages, she showed there was no magic fix, and I appreciate that the characters were put through the paces and made to work to get better and find the happiness they deserve. Often in books I find there is a rush to finish and everything is tied up way too easily, and I applaud this author for not taking the easy way out.

The last thing Elliott Dawson wants to do after a long tour is visit a children’s hospital, yet he can’t say no and with good reason and when he stumbles upon a 14 year old boy who is a huge fan and a burn victim, he knows immediately he is in over his head and that no good can come from of it give his own issues with fire but the minute the boy’s mother walks into the room Elliott knows he can’t and won’t turn his back on them no matter the damage it might do to his own mental well being.

Kendalee Walker’s entire life was turned upside down and sideways after her son sets fire to their home and burns it to the ground. With him in the hospital and devastating burns on a large part of his body, Kendalee has no home, very few belongings, and an agitated husband who walked out on them months ago to be with his much younger assistant. Given that her son refuses to see his father adds to her stress along with her son’s worsening depression. When she walks in his room she is blinded by the man sitting next to her son, but she can’t help but notice a remarkable difference in her son or the attraction she is feeling for someone so not her type and at least 10 years her junior.

This was not an easy story, this couple has many obstacles to overcome and in addition they both were striving to put Daniel’s needs first. With an a$$hole of a soon to be ex-husband, Elliott’s own issues with fire and abuse, Daniel dealing with way more than any 14 year old should every have to deal with, and Kendalee barely hanging on by a thread there were a lot of heavy moments in this book, but they were tempered with sexy banter, the joy of a new relationship, and the hope of healing for all of them. I loved the way Elliott was determined to make things easier for Kendalee and Daniel even though his interactions with them set off his own triggers, he wanted to be strong for them. Watching Kendalee come to life with Elliott and begin to understand everything that she’d been missing in her marriage. Elliott feeling calm around Kendalee something he’d never really felt with a woman before. And watching Daniel open up to Elliott when he struggled to do so with anyone else including his therapists and watching them bond over music and so much more was a thing of beauty.

Reading as many romances as I do in a year’s time, I often see themes repeat and that’s okay, but the two books I’ve read by author Scarlet Cole have gone above and beyond in the very best of ways. Complicated and messy but with an overwhelming sense of joy, rightness, and love, Elliott Redeemed is a not to be missed romance and one of my favorites of the year.

Elliott Redeemed by Scarlett Cole
Book #2: Preload Series
Source: Netgalley and Purchase
My Rating: 5/5 stars
My Review:

There are a few authors in my world I feel never, ever let me down and Scarlett Cole is absolutely one of those authors!! Elliot Redeemed, the second book in the Preload series is wonderfully strong and incredibly moving!

Elliott Dawson is exhausted and that is how he spends most of his life. Make no mistake, the time he spends on the road with Preload is worth the tired, but the time he spends struggling with his darker desires, that’s not worth the tired. Elliott’s darker desires have been under control for many years now, but it is truly a daily struggle to maintain that control. His desire for fire sometimes becomes nearly overwhelming and there is nothing Elliott can do but escape to his safe place and create a blaze that burns off his anxiety and reduces some of his exhaustion. Elliott has long thought this exercise is the only way he can continue to control his dark desires, and then he meets Kendalee Walker.

Kendalee Walker once had it all; the doting husband, the well-mannered and handsome son, and a home and bank account that allowed for serious comfort. That all went away when she caught he husband in bed with another woman and her now-depressed and angry son burned down their home. Kendalee is now broke, her marriage is over, and her son has burns over a significant portion of his body. The only thing that seems to brighten their seemingly dismal future is the completely random and unexpected visit from Elliott and one his bandmates, a service they offer exclusively to the children’s hospital. As it turns out, that visit changes everyone’s life.

Elliott understands his connection to Kendalee’s son (fire and abuse!) but, he can’t explain nearly as easily his connection to Kendalee. Kendalee sparks (HA!) everything good and protective in Elliott and quiets the demons and dark desires he battles constantly. For the first time in his adult life, Elliott can see beyond his own colossal struggles and can envision a future with true and lasting happiness. All he must do is convince an extremely guarded and wary woman that he’s not only good for she and her son, but he’s exactly what they both need in their lives. Oh, and he has to find a way to break it to her that he has his own issues with fire and abuse that will continue to be a factor in their lives forever.

The Bottom Line: Holy Hell!! I’m not sure how dark it got in Scarlett Cole’s head when she was writing this book, but what came out on the pages is awfully dark. In fact, I think this may be the darkest book of the entire world/series - Second Circle Tattoos included! This book runs the gamut from arson/pyromania to physical, sexual, and emotional abuse, to extremes in love and devotion. There isn’t a reprieve of any kind once you start this book so be prepared for all the feels and prepared to experience a sleepless night because you aren’t going to want to put this one down. I thoroughly enjoyed this read, but need to make clear to protentional readers, this isn’t an easy read. Oh, the writing is flawless so that part is easy, but the topics touched on are very dark and emotionally challenging. There was no way I was turning down the challenge and I simply can’t wait for the next book to hit the shelves!

5 Discovering Love!!

This is my first book by Ms. Cole at the very strong recommendation of one of my BFF's and it's one of the best books of my year! Elliott and Kendalee's love story is not one that followed conventional love stories. Elliott is the lead guitarist of Preload and has not had the best of upbringings and when he meets Daniel and then his mother Kendalee, his world changes as he knows it.

Kendalee is woman that is struggling in every facet of her life including keeping Daniel on the straight and narrow, which isn't easy that's for sure! When she meets Elliott, while there's a little zing between them, not only does she not have time for a love interest, he's younger than her and she never saw herself as a cougar! But Elliott has other ideas....even if he's not sure he deserves the happiness.

This book is rich in character development, emotions and a love story that grows at the exact right pace given all the players. There's just the right amount of heat and the occasional laugh. It's not all about sunshine and roses in this book as there's the abuse that the boys suffered from which broke my heart.

I'm so thrilled to have discovered a new to me author and I'll be reading more of Ms. Cole's work as soon as possible.

While I didn’t read book one of this series, Jordan Reclaimed, this in no way limited my enjoyment of this story. Cole does an excellent job of recapping the main points without retelling the entire backstory. The Preload series (a spin off of Cole’s Second Circle Tattoo series) revolves around the world-famous rock band Preload with each book devoted to a band member and their journey towards love as they learn to let go of their past in order to embrace their future. This group of men all grew up together in a group home after being taken away from their abusive families. Each one has had an extremely rough childhood and suffers from PTSD. There are some triggers in here with mentions of past sexual and child abuse and suicide, so reader beware.

Elliott Redeemed is an emotional undertaking that introduces us to a damaged man who is trying to move past the trauma of his abusive childhood. Strong narrative and intriguing protagonists gives readers a deep and thoughtful storyline that more than tugs at your heartstrings. Family is a strong theme that repeats itself through out in here as Cole reinforces the idea that family can be anyone and is often made through shared experiences. Elliott’s family are the boys in the band and his group home mother Ellen and her wife, Maisey. They form a band and even buy a house together, basically isolating themselves off to the world. With Dred and Jordan finding the other half of their souls and moving on, that only leaves Elliott, NIkon, and Lennon. Having watched all this happen, Elliott is ready to settle down though his issues keep him alone and isolated.

“Fire would always be his mistress. He didn’t have room for anyone else.”

Cole introduces Elliott and Lee in an interesting mannor, gradually allowing Elliott to become a mentor for a teenager who suffers from issues similar to his own. While Elliott fears Daniel is a trigger for him in the beginning, he manages to pull himself out of his own head and offer Daniel something no one did for him till he was older…someone to listen and not judge.

“Elliott knew from personal experience just how hard it was to open up to strangers about the kind of thing he had gone through. It was a huge responsibility and a privilege that Daniel was trying with him.”

Lee appreciates Elliott’s attention to her son though she fears what will happen when it fades. As a single homeless mom with a low-level job and a son who’s looking at long-term physical and mental care, Lee is surviving day to day right now. Especially when dealing with her soon to be ex-husband who can’t seem to grasp how much he hurt her and his son with his choices. Cole takes Elliot’s and Lee’s relationship slow and easy. She guides their attraction with a firm hand, giving voice to the age, financial, and personal differences.

“I want this. You and me, Kendalee. I know there’s a pile of shite between us taller than the CN tower that we have to deal with. tell me this isn’t an experiment. That you aren’t going to just leave me because you decide I’m not worth it.”

The blending of Elliott’s and Lee’s issues assures readers that this is more than a simple erotic romance with all the sex and very little plot. Not that the sex isn’t an important aspect of this relationship because it is. Elliott has never had a long-term relationship with a woman. His experience comes from random hookups with fans and groupies. His developing feelings for Lee are completely new for him. Lee and her husband had an okay marriage that was subdued in the bedroom. Years of infertility and building a business left Lee sexually unsatisfied but resigned. Elliott introduces her to new experiences and she is more than on board. Elliott has a dirty mouth and they both have an easy sense of humor, allowing for some lighter moments to shine through despite the darker overall tone.

“Dear lord, Elliot. You’re-“

“Right here. Between your legs. About to press my skin to yours for the very first time. Ready to crawl down this hot body of yours until I can get a taste of you. Before I make love to you for the next few hours.”

“I was going to say handsome, or ripped, or some other descriptive words.”

I know, but I prefer my version.”

The ending is rushed and a tad melodramatic when Elliott comes completely clean about his past and Lee reacts in a predictable fashion. The scene and its reasons for happening are predictable. Regardless, Elliott and Lee get some much-needed help and advice from friends and family, allowing them to finally overcome this last hurdle blocking their happiness.

While I enjoyed overall, there were some issues. The books’ speed is uneven. In some areas, you race along firmly engaged while at others, the internal monologue drags you down and you have to fight not to skip ahead. Some scenes drop in from out of the blue while others seem only there to manipulate us emotionally.

Regardless, if hot and vulnerable rock stars are your jam, then this series is for you.

Grade: C+

I'm not usually a rocker storyline fan but I heart Scarlett Cole and loved Preload #1. She's an automatic read for me.

There were so many damaged people in this story and my heart breaks for all of them. Young Elliot and current day Elliot, Daniel and his mother, so much ugliness and pain. The first half of the story hooked me in quickly. Elliot's background story and why his nickname is Pyro makes so much sense and it's an ugly story. Watching Elliot work through his demons current day is a fascinating/scary watch and all I could think is how much help he still needed. Throw into the mix, teenage Daniel, who burned his house down and is in a hospital burn unit. Elliot and Daniel meet and quickly form a bond although it's not fully clear to each other why. Their common bond of abuse and fire made me nervous and made me nervous for what it meant for Elliot and his emotional and mental stability. I kept waiting for the proverbial shoe to drop.

The romance part of the story, Elliot and Kendalee, Daniel's mother, seemed to happen a little too easily and too quickly but it's no more insta-lust than any other romance story. While the relationship was sweet and sexy, I felt it wasn't necessarily THE primary storyline. If anything this story was more about Elliot and his road to healing and Kendalee and her son were an important part of that healing. Basically like the title says this is about Elliot's redemption and it's a good one.

ARC received for review

Another great Preload novel. These boys had a lot of issues to overcome. Elliott does it and helps out Kendalee's son, Daniel, in the process. There's no insta-love, but a very sweet love story. Remind me to let my future husband have "access" to my Pinterest boards.

Can't wait to see what Ms. Cole has in store for Nikan and Lennon.

Elliott is a rocker with an abusive childhood who on a chance encounter meets Kendalee & her son Daniel at SickKids. An instant connect is formed and an unbreakable support system. Will Elliott's past break them apart? Will Daniel's & Elliott's past experiences heal them or will their relationship drag them both down? A great story of love, healing and strength.
Can be read as a standalone.