***5 ‘Rough and Smooth’ Stars***

That’s exactly what Elliott Redeemed was, rough and smooth, sweet and smexy and heart breaking while making my heart all kinds of wonky and twitterpated. It had it all and then some. From page one I was totally immersed into the story, and even when I had to take a moment to process all that was going on, I couldn’t wait to dive back in and see how everything worked out for Elliott, Kendalee and Daniel and in the end, it was all worth it.

It’s no secret that I’ve loved all of Scarlett Cole’s men, but Elliott has just shot his way past all of them. Even with all of the demons that plague, and believe me he’s got a lot to battle, his heart is absolutely golden. He’s got an interesting alpha AF thing going on, but it’s a little different than the norm and totally works in his favor.

I totally admired Kendalee. This woman is strength, determination and heart personified. Most people would break under the weight that she is carrying, and it isn’t that she isn’t bending and twisting all over the place, because she is, but she refuses to give up and it’s all because of her son. He may be in a bad place, but she refuses to give up on him.

And then there is Daniel, Kendalee’s son. My heart broke for him. All that he’s dealing with and attempting to come to terms with is nothing a child his age should, but to watch as he took the steps to work through it all was amazing.

Kendalee and Elliott’s journey was a bumpy one, especially with all that they were dealing with, but it was a worthwhile one. They helped each other figure out just want they wanted and who they wanted to be for themselves, each other and even for Daniel, who plays a huge role in their relationship and how it’s evolution. It was sweet, smexy and though there was drama, it was low on the angsty scale which I liked considering all that going on already. The big bump in the road wasn’t a surprise, but I loved what came out of it and where they were at the end of the book.


This one was an emotional roller coaster of a ride from page one, and I will say here that some will have issues with the subject matter that is dealt with throughout the book, but I think that Ms. Cole presented it all in a respectful and non-gratuitous manner. But the serious is well balanced out with humor and heart and this may just be my favorite of Ms. Cole’s...so far anyway. We do get to spend time with the Preload guys and their women, which was fun to get a little deeper insight into their relationships with each other. Nikan and Lennon are the last men standing and though Nikan’s is next, I’m not sure whose book I’m looking forward to more. The set up for Nikan’s has me wanting the book, like yesterday, but Lennon is the one stuck in my head. Regardless, I’m making mental grabby hands for their books and can’t wait to see what’s in store for them.

~ Copy provided by the publisher & voluntarily reviewed ~

This book is a really emotional read. Some serious issues. Excellent writing.
Elliott is amazing esp with his empathy for Kendalee and her son, Daniel. He showed real courage facing up to his difficult past. A real tear jerker at times.
There are references to other characters from the series do it is best to read book 1 first.

5++ Stars A fantastic story on another of the guys from the band, Preload. This time it is Elliott’s story that will break your heart. The guys from Preload had all been in the foster care system and luckily ended up in a group home that turned into a real home that was desperately needed by all of these boys.

Elliott’s issues had to do with fire so when he had the chance to meet a 14 year old boy who was in the hospital with severe burns he knew that this could bring up a lot of the old issues that he was still dealing with. Daniel was a huge fan of the band so he was more than excited that he got to meet Elliott. Kendalee, Daniel’s mother sure got Elliott’s attention and he had no issues that she was older than him. He was impressed with the way Kendalee cared for her son and put Daniel first in anything she said or done.

How exactly does Elliott figure he will be able to help a boy when he still needs to deal with his own demons? Would Elliott and Kendalee ever be able to look past that age difference? Then we have to add in that Kendalee is not a fan of the band and thinks their music is just loud. Lol

This is a series that really takes you down some dark roads in which all of these men have had to learn to deal with and they have had to overcome things that would haunt most people in their dreams. You will have to read the other books in this series as well because each and every book has been tremendous. This is an exceptional series that has really made me a fan and I cannot wait to see who our next band member is that will get their story told.

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley for a freely given and honest review.

Elliott Dawson was not nicknamed "Pyro" for nothing as he fought his way out of his inner hell by literally setting things on fire. Kendalee Walker lost her husband to another woman but not before she had long before lost herself to an empty marriage. When Kendalee's fourteen year old son, Daniel, ends up in the SickKids Hospital's burn unit Elliott and Kendalee are instantly drawn to each other and bond in their mutual goal of helping Daniel recover. Can they find the love they need to heal their own tattered spirits?

Get comfortable because trying to pull yourself away from a Scarlett Cole book is nearly impossible, the woman writes with spellbinding intent and super glue in her ink. Elliott Redeemed, book two in her Preload series, brings another of this band's members to the spotlight and cuts deep. This writer is not afraid to go to dark and emotionally wrenching places, but the pain is worth it. Elliott needed love and Ms. Cole's readers will want to love him, this guy will break your heart and this author will piece it back together as Elliott finds his happiness. Kendalee was exquisitely understated as she handled every obstacle thrown at her with dignity, grit and kindness. What really stood out with both of these characters was their generous hearts and how strong they were individually, yet it took the love they found in each other to recognize these traits in themselves. This couple's relationship was rooted in the beauty they found within one another and Ms. Cole did a fantastic job of dismissing both her characters and readers doubts on just how perfectly suited Elliott and Kendalee were together. Moments of poignant sweetness washed over the tragic darkness haunting this story and brought hope in the contrast. Readers will be brought to their knees with the power of Scarlet Cole's writing and Elliott's redemption.

It's always exciting when an author gives us something new and this third installment totally delivers!!!! I honestly don't remember Elliott from the prior books. But that doesn't mean he's a wallflower. There is so much to this guy. I didn't even notice the age difference because he is so mature, sweet and such a great guy!! And I found the pyro so interesting.

Petal... she was so stinkin cute with her jealousy!! And I love how the guys are with her. If I could change one thing, I'd add so many more scenes with all the characters. I love their banter and the family aspect.

And I can't give enough props for one of the best one liners ever!!!!!! "Wasn't it porn if you can see pubes?" Freaking hilarious!!!

Can't wait for Nik and Jenny. Why did he do what he did or did he??? Who knows.

Gah! I'm an ugly crying, emotional mess after reading Elliott and Kendalee's story. I swear that Scarlett Cole will kill me with her words one day. And what a way to go.

Scarlett has this insane talent of creating such beautiful characters. And I'm not talking about their looks.

Elliott is...god he's everything. He's sweet. He's compassionate. He's talented. He's sexy. And he's also a little kinky. That's a lethal combination, and down on her luck Kendalee doesn't stand a chance when he sets his eyes on her.

Kendalee is so tender, and loving. The depth of love she has for her son just called to me. She literally has nothing, but she keeps going for her son. She's by his side no matter what. And then she walks into his room and sees his visitor and...BAM!!! It's over. She's putty in Elliott's hands.

There are so many scenes that grabbed me during this story, but honestly the ones that will be forever etched in my heart are the moments between Elliott, and Kendalee's son, Daniel. They were heart wrenching, but oh so beautiful. And yes I shed a tear or a thousand.

This story is a stellar second instalment in the Preload Series. It has it all, humour, heartache, and good lord the sexy times! Be prepared ladies, because Elliott's gonna melt your hearts and possibly your panties! 😈😉

P.S. He's Stacey's so back off!!!! 😂

Elliott is the lead singer in a heavy metal band with a tortured past. Fame is great but it doesn't fix all problems. Visiting teens in the burn unit of a hospital, he relates well to the kids because he's been there. Daniel is severely burned and is having a hard time overcoming past abuse too. His mom, Kendalee, doesn't know how to reach him and is amazed at how well Elliott can. Great gritty story of overcoming obstacles and finding love.

I was excited to have the opportunity to read Elliott's story, and it was nothing like what I expected it to be, or like anything I've read before. I love that Ms. Cole keeps coming up with original stories with interesting, unique characters instead of following the same shallow, cookie-cutter formula that I come across so often in reading. This story is gritty and intense, and the characters are realistically flawed. I cringed, I smiled, I seethed, I swooned. I was exhausted after reading this one, but in the best way. Elliott and Kendalee are not your typical couple, and their story is not a fairytale, but it is captivating, and the ending is splendidly satisfying. I'll read this one again, and I'll probably enjoy it more the second time because I won't be so anxious! I highly recommend this book; it can be read as a standalone, but trust me when I say that it's so worth reading the first book in the series first, as well as the series from which this one is a spin-off.

Elliott Redeemed is the second in Scarlett Cole's Preload series, and follows Elliott Dawson as he meets a kid who he can relate to about his deepest secrets. Elliott also meets the kid's mom and feels an undeniable pull to her that he's never experienced before. Something about this mother and son force him to come to terms with parts of his life that he would rather forget. But Kendalee also brings out his protective side and Elliott refuses to just leave the struggling single mom alone to face her worries.

This book had me in tears, and these characters broke my heart. Elliott was such a strong character and I really admired him for never giving up on Kendalee and her son, Daniel. But what really made me love him was when we got to see how vulnerable he was around Daniel and how well he handled that situation. He never gave up on them and I really loved how determined he was when it came to their well being.

Kendalee was going through the toughest time in her life, and she she wasn't really sure how she was going to handle. So when Elliott came around offering his help, even though she was a little hesitant to take it, she eventually did. I liked how much she cared for her son and would do anything for him, but I also liked that she didn't stop herself from living her own life. Elliott was there for her when no one else was, and she never pushed him away like many would have done. I really liked her character for that reason, and I found her to be the perfect person for Elliott.

I did have a little issue with the ending and felt like it could have ended with more of an answer on a few things. But that didn't stop me from loving this book and these characters. I am in love with all of these band members, and I'm already counting down the days until we can get more of them.

This rockstar romance rocked my world. I have yet to read the first book in the Preload series, so I was a little-scared jumping in on book two. But oh my, Cole can create a rockstar, people. A hot, sexy, tattoo covers hunk of pure awesomeness. Elliott was extra swoony and I absolutely loved him. I'm a Cole fan for life, and Preload is on my list of MUST READS from this day forward.