Revive Me

New Haven Series, Book 2

By: J.L. Seegars

Narrated by: Bianca Drew, Winston James

Mallory: The day Christopher Johnson decided to kill me, I already knew what it was like to die. I had already experienced it once. Having the life leeched from my body, blood stolen from my veins, oxygen pulled from my lungs. When he decided to walk back into my life, I was in the middle of my third resurrection, healing from the loss of my brother when I was still raw from losing him. It wasn't going well. I guess the human heart can only stop so many times, can only take so much damage before it questions whether it's worth it to be revived. My heart is on its last leg, but even that can't stop me from seizing the chance to have him again.

Chris: Walking away from Mallory Kent is one of the hardest things I've ever done. Coming back had always been a part of the plan. Even as I gave in to the forces hellbent on tearing us apart, I knew we weren't done. I just didn't know we'd come back together like this: under a cloud of unexpected grief with the pain of our stolen future lingering just beneath the surface. This time together was never supposed to happen. I hadn't accounted for it when I started working to clear a path back to her, but I'm thankful for it. For the opportunity to comfort her in a way no one else can. For the chance to hold her until the demons in my life force me to walk away again.

Contains mature themes.

©2022 J.L. Seegars (P)2023 Tantor

I Wanted to Shake Him and Hug Her at the Same Time

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ 4.5 stars

Listen. When I tell you I did not like Chris in book one, I mean it. I had my protective big sister energy fully activated for Mallory. I did not trust him. I did not want her near him. I wanted her to choose peace, therapy, water, anything but that man.

And somehow JL Seegars made me sit down and deal with my own feelings in Revive Me Part Two The Affair.

This book is messy in the most honest way. Not messy for shock value, but messy because love is complicated and people are flawed. Chris is still frustrating. He is still prideful. He still makes choices that make you want to close the book and take a lap around the house. But this time we get depth. We see layers. We see the insecurity and the fear driving him. It does not excuse him, but it explains him.

Mallory though. That is my girl.

Watching her wrestle with love, loyalty, betrayal, and her own heart had me stressed. I wanted to protect her from everyone, including herself. You can feel her internal tug of war. She loves deeply, but she is learning that loving someone should not cost her peace. That growth was subtle but powerful. She is not weak. She is human. And that made it hurt more.

The emotional tension in this book is thick. Every conversation feels loaded. Every touch carries history. The chemistry between them is undeniable, but so is the damage. JL Seegars writes intimacy with vulnerability. You feel the longing. You feel the regret. You feel the hope trying to fight its way through the wreckage.

And let me just say, I was in my feelings by the end. I wanted to run from this story the way Mallory sometimes wants to run from Chris. But just like her, I stayed. Because underneath the chaos, there is something real. Raw. Tender.

I am giving this 4.5 stars because it made me feel everything. Frustration. Softness. Anger. Compassion. That half star is only because Chris still has to fully earn my trust. I am watching him closely.

If you love complicated romance where no one is perfect and healing is not linear, this one will pull you in. Just be prepared to argue with the characters out loud. I know I did.

Loved it!

Love the deep dive of Mal and Chris's back story. This held my attention thee entire time and had me feeling all the feels.

I AM OFFICIALLY A FAN!!!

I’ve never heard of this author before, but baby she/he just wanted a new fan. I love the plot, the character development, the lessons, the highs and lows. I’m so looking fwd to to the next installment, PLEASE PUT IT ON AUDIBLE. I NEED to know what happened next.

Reese is the DEVIL!!!!

I can’t believe that Chris finally got a damn back bone!!!! Ugh, about damn time!!!

I’m fully invested!!!

This story was amazing and captivating!! I couldn’t stop listening. I’m fully invested in what comes next. I’m glad they were able to reconnect and he could help her process her grief and her unresolved feelings about losing him. I’m glad that Chris was honest and told Mallory the truth. I’m also glad Chris found out the truth about his mother so he can begin his journey to healing. I don’t like the ending because I wanted them to live out the life they planned without any obstacles, but maybe they still can? I can’t wait to read the next one. Excellent work!