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The Boy
Ryan Murphy was sixteen when he was sold.
YOU DON’T ASK QUESTIONS.
YOU DON’T SPEAK.
YOU OBEY.
Ryan Murphy was sixteen when he was sold.
Bought by rancher Brad Wilkins, his world has been reduced to silence and control.
Every order obeyed. Every movement monitored. Every day the same rhythm of punishment, submission, and endurance.
He tells himself this is strength – survival disguised as obedience – but he knows better.
He learns to balance the ranch, school, and Wilkins’s growing list of demands.
Chores. Homework. Clients. All while trying to hold on to what’s left of himself.
Loneliness recedes. But everything else gets worse.
Wilkins’s cruelty evolves. The system adapts. And Ryan is expected to adapt with it.
Now he’s no longer just labor.
He’s property.
And they’ve remade him into something marketable.
His identity is slipping. His thoughts are no longer his own.
The system takes and takes, until even memory feels dangerous.
But somewhere beneath the routine and fear, he still counts, still dreams, still remembers what it means to resist.
He wants to live.
And he wants to be free.
YOU DON’T ASK QUESTIONS.
YOU DON’T SPEAK.
YOU OBEY.
Ryan Murphy was sixteen when he was sold.
Bought by rancher Brad Wilkins, his world has been reduced to silence and control.
Every order obeyed. Every movement monitored. Every day the same rhythm of punishment, submission, and endurance.
He tells himself this is strength – survival disguised as obedience – but he knows better.
He learns to balance the ranch, school, and Wilkins’s growing list of demands.
Chores. Homework. Clients. All while trying to hold on to what’s left of himself.
Loneliness recedes. But everything else gets worse.
Wilkins’s cruelty evolves. The system adapts. And Ryan is expected to adapt with it.
Now he’s no longer just labor.
He’s property.
And they’ve remade him into something marketable.
His identity is slipping. His thoughts are no longer his own.
The system takes and takes, until even memory feels dangerous.
But somewhere beneath the routine and fear, he still counts, still dreams, still remembers what it means to resist.
He wants to live.
And he wants to be free.
705 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 15, 2025
About the author
Charley Mayne
6 books11 followersCharley is a caffeine and nicotine addict. She writes in a small room with low lighting. She doesn’t let herself smoke inside. but her desk is covered in empty cups and wrappers.
Ryan’s story was born on a beach. She wrote the first three chapters in a tiny notebook while staring at the sea. It was meant to be one book. Then it took on a life of its own.
The world is a fucked up place. People suffer every day. In different ways. In silence.
Charley wanted to write about them.
Not about heroes. Not about love stories.
But about the ones who suffer in the dark.
The ones nobody sees.
The Chainmark Series is her answer to a world that breaks people.
It’s not pretty. It’s not polite. (Neither is she—Charley’s a sarcastic bitch with a foul mouth and no interest in writing happy endings.)
But it’s honest. Raw. Shocking.
Ryan’s story was born on a beach. She wrote the first three chapters in a tiny notebook while staring at the sea. It was meant to be one book. Then it took on a life of its own.
The world is a fucked up place. People suffer every day. In different ways. In silence.
Charley wanted to write about them.
Not about heroes. Not about love stories.
But about the ones who suffer in the dark.
The ones nobody sees.
The Chainmark Series is her answer to a world that breaks people.
It’s not pretty. It’s not polite. (Neither is she—Charley’s a sarcastic bitch with a foul mouth and no interest in writing happy endings.)
But it’s honest. Raw. Shocking.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
February 13, 2026
Being Erased is Not an Option
Where to begin. “The Boy” is the second book of The Chainmark Series. Just like the first book, I devoured this book in less than 24 hours.
This story picks up where “Bonds of Slavery” leaves off. This story is so alluring that you honestly can’t put the book down until you read the last page.
Charley’s writing style is so unique that I honestly felt I was right beside Ryan the entire time experiencing everything with him.
This series is turning out to be one of those series that live rent free in your mind.
So join me on this very emotional driving roller coaster ride that is Ryan’s story.
Where to begin. “The Boy” is the second book of The Chainmark Series. Just like the first book, I devoured this book in less than 24 hours.
This story picks up where “Bonds of Slavery” leaves off. This story is so alluring that you honestly can’t put the book down until you read the last page.
Charley’s writing style is so unique that I honestly felt I was right beside Ryan the entire time experiencing everything with him.
This series is turning out to be one of those series that live rent free in your mind.
So join me on this very emotional driving roller coaster ride that is Ryan’s story.
December 13, 2025
Wow wow WOW Ryan Murphy suffered a lot in this sequel and now that he has a new owner I bet things are going to get even bad than it is this dark coming of age dystopian isn’t an easy read they’re times I couldn’t read some scenes because it was graphic and disturbing but represents how Slavery is still being known like this today but sometimes I wanted Ryan to be happy also hearing his brother dying was heartbreaking now Murphy is left as an only child to struggle life on his own with a new system that isn’t going to be the best
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 9, 2026
The Boy does not ease you in.
It does not soften the blow.
It begins already broken, and then it breaks you further.
As a continuation of Bonds of Slavery, this book wastes no time offering comfort or relief. The pain is already there from the first page, heavy and unresolved, and what follows is a descent into something even more heartbreaking, more cruel, and more emotionally demanding than before.
This is not a story you read at a distance. It grips you and refuses to loosen its hold. Every chapter tightens the knot in your chest. Every moment adds weight to an already unbearable emotional load. The cruelty hurts because it feels real. The heartbreak devastates because it is written with such honesty and care.
I was emotionally exhausted reading this book in the best and worst way possible. I cried more than once. Not dramatic tears, but the quiet, wrecked kind that comes from feeling too much for too long. This book doesn’t just make you sad; it wears you down until empathy becomes something physical.
What makes The Boy unforgettable is not just how dark it is but how powerfully it is told. The writing is precise, fearless, and deeply human. There is no sensationalism here, only raw emotion, unflinching truths, and the courage to let the story be as painful as it needs to be.
This is a brutal continuation, and it should be read with a full heart and a steady breath. But if you’ve read Bonds of Slavery, you owe it to yourself to keep going even when it hurts.
This is not a book you finish and forget.
It stays with you.
It scars you.
A must-read and an emotional commitment for any 2026 TBR. 💔📚
It does not soften the blow.
It begins already broken, and then it breaks you further.
As a continuation of Bonds of Slavery, this book wastes no time offering comfort or relief. The pain is already there from the first page, heavy and unresolved, and what follows is a descent into something even more heartbreaking, more cruel, and more emotionally demanding than before.
This is not a story you read at a distance. It grips you and refuses to loosen its hold. Every chapter tightens the knot in your chest. Every moment adds weight to an already unbearable emotional load. The cruelty hurts because it feels real. The heartbreak devastates because it is written with such honesty and care.
I was emotionally exhausted reading this book in the best and worst way possible. I cried more than once. Not dramatic tears, but the quiet, wrecked kind that comes from feeling too much for too long. This book doesn’t just make you sad; it wears you down until empathy becomes something physical.
What makes The Boy unforgettable is not just how dark it is but how powerfully it is told. The writing is precise, fearless, and deeply human. There is no sensationalism here, only raw emotion, unflinching truths, and the courage to let the story be as painful as it needs to be.
This is a brutal continuation, and it should be read with a full heart and a steady breath. But if you’ve read Bonds of Slavery, you owe it to yourself to keep going even when it hurts.
This is not a book you finish and forget.
It stays with you.
It scars you.
A must-read and an emotional commitment for any 2026 TBR. 💔📚
December 5, 2025
I didn't want to keep reading, but I couldn't stop.
Ryan's story, the brutality and casual cruelty of his life on the ranch, is hard to start - you know that it's not going to be a relaxed rom com romp - but utterly impossible to put down. It's written in a propulsive way that keeps you hooked from the opening scene and Ryan is a constantly compelling character. Know yourself and your enemy. And there are a lot of those. But there are also chinks of light to illuminate the darkness.
Book two in the Chainmark series: can't wait for book three, but glad to have a break before returning to Ryan's world.
Ryan's story, the brutality and casual cruelty of his life on the ranch, is hard to start - you know that it's not going to be a relaxed rom com romp - but utterly impossible to put down. It's written in a propulsive way that keeps you hooked from the opening scene and Ryan is a constantly compelling character. Know yourself and your enemy. And there are a lot of those. But there are also chinks of light to illuminate the darkness.
Book two in the Chainmark series: can't wait for book three, but glad to have a break before returning to Ryan's world.
December 3, 2025
Charley’s unique writing style continues to captivate. The second book in the series is every bit as raw and traumatic as the first and Charley handles it with expert care. Another book that will leave me staring at the ceiling contemplating life for some time.
March 22, 2026
Reading The Boy feels like stepping into something that shouldn’t work—but somehow works perfectly.
There’s something incredibly unique about the writing style in this series. It’s raw, almost disjointed at times, but in a way that mirrors Ryan’s mind and experiences so authentically. Honestly, I don’t think this style would translate well in most books—but here? It makes the story.
This installment takes us deeper into Ryan’s life—his time on the ranch, his experience at school, and the fragile, complicated relationships he begins to form. The connections with the basketball team and other students offer glimpses of something he’s never truly had before: belonging. And that’s what makes it hurt even more.
Because this book is emotionally brutal.
It gives you hope—just enough to hold onto—while simultaneously showing how easily that hope can slip away. Watching Ryan start to believe in something more, only to lose pieces of himself along the way, is heartbreaking in a way that lingers long after you’ve finished.
What hit me the hardest is how real this story feels beneath the surface. While the circumstances are extreme, the idea of being controlled, shaped, or “owned” in different ways isn’t far from reality for so many people. That underlying truth makes the story even more powerful—and unsettling.
I really appreciated how this book expands Ryan’s journey, especially the moments where he finds support and connection. But that ending…
Yeah. That ending has me desperate for The Vanishing (Book 3).
There’s something incredibly unique about the writing style in this series. It’s raw, almost disjointed at times, but in a way that mirrors Ryan’s mind and experiences so authentically. Honestly, I don’t think this style would translate well in most books—but here? It makes the story.
This installment takes us deeper into Ryan’s life—his time on the ranch, his experience at school, and the fragile, complicated relationships he begins to form. The connections with the basketball team and other students offer glimpses of something he’s never truly had before: belonging. And that’s what makes it hurt even more.
Because this book is emotionally brutal.
It gives you hope—just enough to hold onto—while simultaneously showing how easily that hope can slip away. Watching Ryan start to believe in something more, only to lose pieces of himself along the way, is heartbreaking in a way that lingers long after you’ve finished.
What hit me the hardest is how real this story feels beneath the surface. While the circumstances are extreme, the idea of being controlled, shaped, or “owned” in different ways isn’t far from reality for so many people. That underlying truth makes the story even more powerful—and unsettling.
I really appreciated how this book expands Ryan’s journey, especially the moments where he finds support and connection. But that ending…
Yeah. That ending has me desperate for The Vanishing (Book 3).
December 24, 2025
The Boy (Book 2 of The Chainmark Series) continues Ryan’s story after the unthinkable—his life as a sold slave—and it hits hard. This is not a standalone; you must read Book 1 first for the full emotional impact.
Months into the program, Ryan is allowed to attend school, but the rules remain chilling and absolute: don’t look, don’t speak, don’t touch. And the lessons… those stay with you long after you close the book.
This novel is an emotional roller coaster from start to finish. Ryan has a few allies who genuinely care about him, but because he’s “program,” their ability to help is painfully limited. All they can do is stand by him—and sometimes that makes it hurt even more.
I won’t say more because spoilers would ruin it, but I will say this: Ryan’s strength is staggering. He endures more than I can imagine surviving, and his resilience makes this story both heartbreaking and inspiring.
This book wrecked me in the best way. It’s intense, raw, and impossible to put down.
Must-read. No question.
CHARLEY… I NEED BOOK 3 ASAP 😁
Months into the program, Ryan is allowed to attend school, but the rules remain chilling and absolute: don’t look, don’t speak, don’t touch. And the lessons… those stay with you long after you close the book.
This novel is an emotional roller coaster from start to finish. Ryan has a few allies who genuinely care about him, but because he’s “program,” their ability to help is painfully limited. All they can do is stand by him—and sometimes that makes it hurt even more.
I won’t say more because spoilers would ruin it, but I will say this: Ryan’s strength is staggering. He endures more than I can imagine surviving, and his resilience makes this story both heartbreaking and inspiring.
This book wrecked me in the best way. It’s intense, raw, and impossible to put down.
Must-read. No question.
CHARLEY… I NEED BOOK 3 ASAP 😁
March 16, 2026
Man I didn’t think my heart cld break anymore for Ryan but Charley does it again. This story will flat out break your heart and rip it to shreds, but it’s so good! I’m invested and I need more! I have to know what happens.
Ryan is so broken, he is empty and when something good does happen, he has a hard time seeing the good and a hard time accepting it. He’s broken and battered and honestly I have no idea how he is still surviving and fighting. He searched high and low for just a glimpse of his former self and that is what keeps him going and the fact that he has a couple people that are willing to help him and keep him wanting to keep going and survive this nightmare.
This is such a heartbreaking story of perseverance with so much strength and respect for those who deserve it. He’s not completely lost yet, but he’s getting there and I’m rooting him on with every page turn. I am so thankful for Coach and the basketball players that are willing to risk everything to help Ryan.
Ryan is so broken, he is empty and when something good does happen, he has a hard time seeing the good and a hard time accepting it. He’s broken and battered and honestly I have no idea how he is still surviving and fighting. He searched high and low for just a glimpse of his former self and that is what keeps him going and the fact that he has a couple people that are willing to help him and keep him wanting to keep going and survive this nightmare.
This is such a heartbreaking story of perseverance with so much strength and respect for those who deserve it. He’s not completely lost yet, but he’s getting there and I’m rooting him on with every page turn. I am so thankful for Coach and the basketball players that are willing to risk everything to help Ryan.
March 23, 2026
Wow… the abuse Ryan goes through is so much worse in this book than the first one. Not only is he physically abused, but also s€xua!ly. I had a hard time with the content of this one. Don’t get me wrong, the story is great and I couldn’t put it down. But the content is heart breaking, gut wrenching, nerve racking, and makes you question your sanity for want to read it.
Wilkins is 100% evil. There is no other word to describe him. I’m ashamed of all the other adults in this book that just looked the other way and continued to let things happen even though they seen how it was & heard the rumors. Shame on all of them for not stepping in and doing something.
And I have a feeling it’s only going to get worse…
Wilkins is 100% evil. There is no other word to describe him. I’m ashamed of all the other adults in this book that just looked the other way and continued to let things happen even though they seen how it was & heard the rumors. Shame on all of them for not stepping in and doing something.
And I have a feeling it’s only going to get worse…
February 12, 2026
This book - this series - is a genre of its own. Charley is a master at taking a small setting and making it swallow you up whole. Ryan is embedded in my soul and always will be. This book is the kind that calls to you every time you set it down, begging to be read. Begging to finish telling you its story. The writing style is one of a kind and it's absolutely beautiful and addictive. Charley takes a 600+ page story and writes it as if it's poetry. There's rhythm to the plot and its keep pulling you in. Can not possibly recommend this book more.
February 20, 2026
Charley Mayne has delivered a second masterpiece in this incredible sequel to ‘Bonds of Slavery’.
I make no bones that it is not for the faint hearted, but it is for those readers who want to feel and who want to accompany Ryan on his desperate journey of survival.
I have no idea what is to become of poor Ryan, but will absolutely be buying and reading the third instalment to find out.
This book built me up only to tear me back down at the eleventh hour. It is truly an emotional rollercoaster, enhanced by Charley’s brilliant writing style.
Cannot recommend this book enough.
I make no bones that it is not for the faint hearted, but it is for those readers who want to feel and who want to accompany Ryan on his desperate journey of survival.
I have no idea what is to become of poor Ryan, but will absolutely be buying and reading the third instalment to find out.
This book built me up only to tear me back down at the eleventh hour. It is truly an emotional rollercoaster, enhanced by Charley’s brilliant writing style.
Cannot recommend this book enough.
March 30, 2026
The way this book broke me is the same way. Wilkins broke Ryan. There is no excuse to be that miserable of a human being. Leigh Ann is just as guilty for Ryan’s abuse since she didn’t do anything about it.
I can’t fathom the abuse his mental state took having to endure all he did on that miserable ranch.
I am a firm believer of karma and I truly hope Wilkins gets his.
If you can stomach through the trigger warnings on this book, it is a absolute amazing read.
I can’t fathom the abuse his mental state took having to endure all he did on that miserable ranch.
I am a firm believer of karma and I truly hope Wilkins gets his.
If you can stomach through the trigger warnings on this book, it is a absolute amazing read.
March 31, 2026
This book was so raw and emotionally. I could have finished it in a day but I took my time reading it because my feelings wouldn’t let me read any faster. Every chapter I read filled me with so many feelings, I needed to take time in between to absorb it all. Ryan is so much more than just a character to me. Charley’s writing is so superb that he is a real life person to me. Only a skilled author can make that happen. I will forever be a soldier in Ryan’s Army. Well done Charley.
March 30, 2026
Heart wrenching
I have so many emotions, I don't know where to start. Definite 5 star read for me , but ffs Ryan needs a break!
I have so many emotions, I don't know where to start. Definite 5 star read for me , but ffs Ryan needs a break!
April 24, 2026
Compelling and emotional. Highly recommend
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews