Reviews with content warning for Domestic abuse - Keeping 13

It is kinda hard to rate these, I wouldn’t say I love them I wouldn’t say I hate them. This second one is better than the first for sure, more plot and less drag. I enjoy reading their story and feel you will hate this if you’ve never been through trauma or a rougher upbringing. I do feel like it does still drag on slightly more than needed tho still but it was better than the first. This one did make me cry and bring out emotion so plus for that. It is a good one to talk about in book club setting and did enjoy and will continue reading the series but i wouldn’t give it a top read for me personally. I do enjoy the culture and learning of the time and country.

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bribreez's review against another edition

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dark emotional funny hopeful reflective sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

*Please check trigger warnings before reading

*Potential spoilers ahead!

4.5⭐️

Shannon and Johnny’s story wasn’t over yet, especially with that ending from the previous book. With the events that occurred in, “Keeping 13”, as well as the big cliffhanger at the very ending, this book picked up right where we last left off. Everything (for the most part) was out in the open meaning, Johnny knew EXACTLY what really happened to Shannon. Shannon on the other hand was dealing with so many things varying from the trauma, pain, and utter mess her life was, but through it all, her ray of light was, Johnny. More heartbreaking moments mixed with sadness illustrated the difficult path both Johnny and Shannon were on, but as they grew closer, and had their best friends beside them, there was still more things headed their way.

(Sigh) the beginning chapters really didn’t hold back on all the pain that Shannon endured. For all that Shannon went through, this story continued to break my heart each time I had to read what Shannon went through. Poor girl didn’t deserve that treatment at all! Shannon’s dad was a piece of garbage and ugh it made me so mad to see him in any instance! Even seeing how Joey how in this book broke me too (sigh) and don’t even get me started on the younger siblings too…all those kids living in that house was not the type of environment that should be around. Regardless, I was just happy to see some help come through despite Shannon’s reluctance to believe she anything would make a difference.

Ok, I may have spoken too soon and now with this sequel, I’m enjoying Shannon and Johnny a lot more. In the first book, I think since everything was being set up, and I was still trying to get a sense of everything, I didn’t necessarily form a strong bond to the characters. With this book, I feel like I not only got to see more of Shannon and Johnny’s romance start to develop into something more, but also feel a bit more protective about them. Again, this story isn’t for the faint of heart or if you’re not a fan of sad/heavy topics then I don’t think you’ll enjoy this story. Nonetheless, seeing Shannon and Johnny take on the many obstacles in front of them showed how much they were willing to go in order to be together. Plus, with Gibsie, Joey, and Claire appearing once again, I got to know them even more, and dare I say, I started to appreciate and adore them just like everyone else.

While reading this book, I kind of got, “Romeo and Juliet” vibes from Johnny and Shannon due to her mother and older brother, Darren not wanting them to be together. Oh to be young and in love, Shannon and Johnny were in full force in love with each other, and amongst all the cute, and heartfelt moments they shared, they continued to share their deepest feelings and fears to one another. With everything starting to pick up, Shannon and Johnny’s feelings weren’t just the simple crush variety, instead it felt like the all consuming love that you feel when you’re in love for the first time. For Shannon and Johnny, they knew that what they felt for each other wasn’t just a case of wild hormones, and lust (although it did come up a few times), their connection was based on understanding, support, and friendship that they had since the first book. I found myself enjoying Shannon and Johnny’s story and romance a lot more in this book compared to the previous one. I even found myself annotating and highlighting a lot of cute, romantic quotes shared between Shannon and Johnny, it was sweet to see them be together against all odds.

Umm…I’m sorry, but…WHAT THE?!?! I knew this book/series was going to be sad and heavy, but like…I WASN’T EXPECTING THINGS TO GO DOWN LIKE THAT?! (Sigh) oh sweet baby Jesus, Shannon, Joey, and their little brothers MUST BE PROTECTED AT ALL COSTS, and you know what? IN THE END THEY GOT THE SAFETY AND HELP THEY NEEDED! This book packed the emotional punches especially towards the end with everything that went down with Shannon’s father, and without spoiling it, just know this story had a lot more that’ll leave you feeling sad and downright depressed for these characters. I was literally on edge, feeling so anxious at a specific chapter that I didn’t know what was going to happen, and just when I thought everything was ok…it went in an entirely different direction that changed Shannon and her siblings lives. If I didn’t feel a sense of protectiveness over Shannon and her siblings before, this book made me! Even with somewhat of an idea of this book being sad and having a romance, it caught me off guard with the way it turned into a whole other set of heart wrenching experiences Shannon and her siblings went through.

PHEW! This book was such a wild ride! From the very beginning, this book went all in from the emotional experience Shannon and her family endured to the ever growing romance getting more intense between Johnny and Shannon. The first book I wasn’t sure if I was going to continue this series, but this book really changed my mind. I became enamored with Shannon, Johnny, Gibsie, Claire, Joey, the younger Lynch brothers, and Johnny’s parents. The found family in this book in particular really stood out to me, and it was really great to see how the friends in this book supported each other. The romance was honestly even sweeter and more potent in this book that I was really loving it! Shannon and Johnny have come a long way from the day when Johnny accidentally knocked Shannon out on the pitch haha. Now the two young lovers were even more wholeheartedly committed to one another, and experienced things together that most teenagers don’t. Once again, I was LOVING any scene with Gibsie and Claire! Honestly, I’m really excited for when I get to Gibsie and Claire’s story because, I just feel like there’s a lot more to their story. With all the trauma and pain Shannon and her siblings experienced, in the end they found a warm, loving home, and their lives changed for the better. I genuinely adored this book, and I’m really happy to see how this book ended with Shannon and Johnny’s story.

Content Warnings

beaniebookcorner's review against another edition

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emotional tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

Content Warnings

greenknightemrys's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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charlsie4's review against another edition

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dark emotional funny inspiring lighthearted sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I didn't think that the second book would get better, but it did. I was an emotional wreck with this book. I haven't finished the series yet, but this one is by far my favorite!!

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shelovesabook's review against another edition

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emotional funny inspiring sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

It was so great to see how much Shannon had grown since the last book. Some parts may be a little more depressing and hard to read but overall such a great book.

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crgrace's review against another edition

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dark emotional funny hopeful sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

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gracelage's review against another edition

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challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

this book is a life changer-my view on the world is now different. i’m in love with every character in this book except fucking teddy go burn in hell-

well it looks like you managed to do that yourself thank god-

mb that was uncalled for. the men in this book have raised my standards and i will not settle until i get my johnny.

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