Charlotte Miles waited. For eight long years she clung faithfully to Conor Thames, longing for his release. But rehabilitation doesn't come easy, and when Conor is finally released, he is not the same man he used to be. With love and determination, Charlotte battles to reclaim the man she loves and knows still lives inside him.
For years Conor Thames lived in hell. Struggling to survive, he had to become what he feared the most: a monster. While slowly losing himself to the unimaginable acts he must commit to stay alive, one person keeps him from the brink of insanity. Charlotte has never left his heart, and he wants her fiercely.
Now thrust into the world of freedom, Thames knows walking out of prison doesn't mean leaving the world of hell behind. After all, one thing had been made clear to him from the very start: survival doesn't come free, and all debts must be paid.
New York Times and USA Today bestseller, R.J. Lewis, is the number one bestselling author of the Ignite series, the Loving Lawson series, the Borden series, and numerous other titles. She has been writing all her life and looks forward to sharing her stories with readers who are interested in character growth and romance of the unconventional kind.
Well this conclusion was long time coming but oof, I think I need a drink, possibly a ciggie. It's no secret I loved Conor Thames, and RJ Lewis should be proud for giving us the perfect finale. This cannot be read as a standalone, so do yourself a favour and start from the beginning if you're looking for a read that will consume you heart, body and soul.
"Time, of course, the healer and destroyer of all things."
One could say that Conor Thames and Charlotte Miles are star crossed lovers. It was no easy feat being together and then it all went to shit when Conor was sent to prison. Eight long years to reflect on everything he's lost. Now that he's released he can't know how it will play out. He may have pushed away everyone that mattered to survive mentally, but the one thing that remained absolute, was his love for the woman and child he left behind.
"I’m dirty everywhere now, Char. It’s in my soul and in my touch. Can you feel the difference?"
There are no fresh starts or do-overs for men like Conor. The regret all-consuming at the suffering he's made Charlotte endure. It weighs on him. And unfortunately, trouble has a way of finding him regardless if he's served his penance.
"You waited." His voice sounded pained.
"I promised, " I choked out, my voice hardly above a whisper. "Don’t you remember?"
His eyes shined with unshed tears. He remembered. Oh, my heart. It pounded for dear life. And my soul…it pulsated beneath my flesh in yearning.
Through it all, we get the untold story of Conor’s torrid beginnings. For this isn’t just his story. It is a tale of four children, Conor, Locke, Jem and Dominic that never caught a break amidst the corrupt underbelly of Blackwater. A life changing event that altered them forever. Four men now haunted from a past and the going ons that can’t remain hidden.
Conor knows he shouldn't be grateful that his very heart waited for him, but he is. And he's adamant that there's no fucking up a second time. There is no denying he's a changed man however he's missed so much and it's like having to start all over again. Thank heavens for a woman like Charlotte that sacrificed it all for their family.
"I’m here for you, Conor. Present no matter what. I’m never leaving you. I’ll hold your hand through your darkness, and I’ll be there when you’re ready to step into the light again."
There are no real happily ever afters with a story like this. Yes, there is closure for Conor and Charlotte and proof that love can endure the rockiest of events, but one can never get back all they’ve lost. This story will break you, and yet will make you feel grateful for all you have. I honestly hope we get the books for all the remaining lost boys that deserve their own happy even if it is in the form of revenge.
'She cupped his cheeks with both hands and stared deeply into his eyes. “Conor,” she whispered, gravely, “I would go to the ends of the earth for you.” “What if something happens?” “Then I would wait an eternity for our happily ever after.” “No matter what?” Her smile reached her eyes. “No matter what.”'
I like how loyal and dedicated Charolette is. She is trapped alone in this town with a baby and Conor is away in prison. After going crazy and feeling lonely by herself she finally reaches out to Conor's friends. As years pass by she adapts as a mother and makes place in Blackwater. She is a matured woman now, strong and independent.
'The years, though spent in a harsh environment, had not harshened his appearance. Instead, there was an edge to him. You could see a story behind his look. He had clearly endured something awful, but you couldn’t know exactly what it was.'
Connor has a different personality here or more clearly his personality is suppressed. He is distant and cold. He fights an internal battle against himself. He was once a man with no control of his actions now he is quiet and lethal.
"I’m so tired, and it’s so late. Waking up is going to hurt.” “We have caffeine for that.” “But what about my pussy?” He let out a groan. “Say pussy again.” “Pussy.” “So hot, dove.” “It’s sore.” “It’s your fault. You ran from me.”
Both Conor and Charolette try to find a mutual ground and pick up their life. There is vulnerability between them and they are so supportive and sharing of each other. Concluding I can't wait to read about Max, Dominic and Jem's books!
“We met in the rain,” I whispered then, thinking back at our first night together. Conor must have been thinking of it too because he looked at the water streaking the window and softly uttered, “She was passionate about the rain and I was passionate about the way she loved it. It was that way with everything. It is safe to say that if I didn’t have her, there would be no fire in me at all.”
I am a sobbing crumbling mess. literally stalked this authors page for days and clicked when it went live and then hid myself and read. idk what happened to lewis but her writing has just gone to new heights. she was good before dont get me wrong but this is just different now with captive and ct2. proper review coming i need to pass out for a bit
This book was just a jumbled mess to me and left a lot of unanswered questions and unfinished story lines at the end. The build up to the ending dragged on. The side characters played a bigger role in the story than the main 2 characters. Overall I was left very unsatisfied with this book.
When Charlotte moved to Blackwater she had no idea this town harbored wicked secrets. After Conor was sentenced to eight years in maximum security prison she was trapped in this town while she awaited his release. She felt alone and isolated trying to raise her baby until she reached out to his friends. Time was the key factor in healing both characters lives. With time she was able to put her fears aside. With time she adapted to her role as mother. With time she found her place in Blackwater. With time she grew from a young girl into a woman. For Conor time meant letting go of the shadows that followed him. Conor left prison a changed man.
Overall: Once Conor returned home his life with Charlotte and his daughter was very basic. While I appreciated how Ms. Lewis tried to provide a domesticated normal lifestyle for him it still was tedious to read. I envisioned a darker read where Conor was on the brink of destruction. I pictured a man who returned from war suffering from PTSD not this man fighting an internal battle against himself. The execution of this concept didn’t work for me. Once the chapters labeled “the hole” began I felt conflicted and confused. I questioned which direction Ms. Lewis was taking the story. I had to refer back to the synopsis for clues. There were too many characters that overcrowded the main characters story. I was expecting a different type of second chance romance. After awhile I grew bored with Conor’s character and developed an interest in Max’s character. Maybe this was intentional given that Ms. Lewis plans to expand Locke’s story. There were many working parts to this story. Except it was unclear how they were connected until the very end. By this point I felt like I needed to reread chapters to process what was unfolding. I kept looking for the significance of referring to Conor as Thames and Max as Locke when Jem and Dominic went by their first names. The importance of Billy’s ghost was lost on me. It made me want to go back to book 1 and reread Billy’s character.
I’m confused by what transpired in the hole and who was involved with what happened in the hole. A better backstory regarding the hole would’ve been preferable. In the beginning I didn’t know how to process those chapters. It’s meaning didn’t unfold until later and then when later came my curiosity was at an all time high. I needed more answers. The hole dominated this story overshadowing Conor’s character. This had the potential of being a really good story but the hole storyline overshadowed Conor’s character.
I really liked this book, especially that there wasn‘t any additional drama. In general or with OW/ OM. But it was so long, I was literally exhausted when I finished.
When I first started reading about this couple I loved them and I couldn’t wait tell they got their happy ever after but then at the end of the first book he went to jail and I was so sad and mad at the same time and I couldn’t wait to read this book and to be honest I love the even though he told her to move on with her life she never did and she wait to him and she told his daughter all about him and she never gave up hope that he would get out and come back to her even when he was different I really loved this story I can’t wait to read about the guys in the book
"I received a free copy with no obligation to review"
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I just loved this story! I wish I had reread the first book first, but this was so good. Conor was just perfect and RJ Lewis did a great job showing how he recovered from his time in Prison and everything was really well woven together. At 85% I thought there was no way she could tie everything up that needed to be but she does and did a really good job at it!
Wowwwww! This novel had so many puzzle pieces. I am waiting for a story focused on Max, Jem and Dominic. I would love to hear more secrets about the town
So many details and answers I didn't realize I needed. SO SO GOOD!!! The characters and their lives had me glued to my kindle. Just WOW!! I never saw this story unfolding the way it did. Conor and Charlotte are still deeply in Love despite being torn apart by circumstances. Love their HAE but I really need more from these Blackwater boys!
Such a great book! RJ never disappoints. I will seriously be stalking her page for the next book in the blackwater boys series! I just know the other boys stories are gonna slay me💔
This book was barely a 3 star read for me. I read the first one and was pissed about the cliffhanger. A few years and probably about 200 books later, the sequel is finally here. It took me a long time and a lot of confusion to catch up with the story line because I didn’t feel like going back to read book number 1. I hated “The Hole” story line and I felt like it interrupted a lot. A blurb about what happened would have been sufficient. And who really was the main characters? I felt like everyone had a story going on.
*Note: There's several reasons for why this book took me so long to read. 1. My mind was distracted by real life events 2. This book was not as engaging for a follow-up as I thought it would be 3. I was in a book reader's slump (as I've fallen behind by 6 books on my Reading Challenge)
I can't pinpoint why this book took me so long to read and why I put it down so many times and had trouble finishing it except for a combination of the 3 reasons listed above.
Perhaps this book took on a very negative departure from Book 1. I loved Conor and Charlotte's love story in the 1st book, but for some reason, I did not love them in this follow-up book. I found it lagging and boring. I could no longer connect with these two.
Honestly, I was more intrigued by Locke - his character was so much more intriguing, engaging and you wanted to really root for him and everything that happened to him. This book was DARK and I mean DARK. Darker than I would have thought and perhaps I was not prepared for the darkness, but I really liked Locke and wonder what will happen with him and (insert the spoiler). Perhaps he will have a story next. I feel really bad for him.
I really wished I would have liked this story more, but I just couldn't get into it. And don't get me started on Billy's ghost....I get it but didn't really care for it in the story either. This feels like a GOT (Game of Thrones) bad ending to what would have been a good series.
I don't have the words to express the feels this book has. I read book 1 and stalked RJ Lewis like a cold. I could not wait for book 2!!! And man was it worth the wait. I keep thinking about it. I keep wondering "what if...". I keep seeing the multiple points of view in my mind. This book was a total mind bender. I just can't stop thinking. And that's the beauty of this story. It makes you think. I have been a HUGE fan of RJ Lewis for many years and I think this series and the upcoming stories of these amazing characters,is my favorite by far!
R.J. Lewis did a great job on this story. Conor Thames 2 had a strong well written plot that was packed with so many emotions that it'll leave you on the edge of your seat. Charlotte and Conor have been through so much, their journey has been a rollercoaster, nothing has been easy for these two but were fighters though. Even though Conor had to turn into something, most would fear, he still had that soft spot when it came to Charlotte. His journey has been rough, he's gone through h*ll an back, he was strong. His path wasn't easy but he had something that was worth fighting for. Conor and Charlotte, these two were made for each other, they're just drawn to each other. The attraction, their connection and chemistry was intense. They were meant for each other. This was a great story. I'd suggest reading it. Thank you, R.J. Lewis. Wonderful work :) Looking forward to reading more :)
Well that's a first....the second book was better than the first. Think The Lovely Bones meets Endless Love. Seriously that good!!I'm blown away. Is it possible to get all the feels of a heartfelt romance while simultaneously getting the creeps from the flashback scenes?? And not just any creeps...the creepity creeps... And don't get me started on the steam!!!!! This duet was everything and more. Outstanding conclusion. This author is amazing. That is all.
What a story! I’ve goosebumps reading this story. I can’t get over how dark it was but what a great book, really enjoyed it. I hope the other guys get there stories told.
I should probably give this a four but I’m giving it a five instead because it really really gripped me until the end. But if you’re expecting a continuation of part 1, well... this isn’t it. It becomes about this friend group (Dominic, Locke, Jem and Conor) and our heroine is just kind of a narrator and observer to that all—albeit a very involved observer. The back story about these four guys is interesting, but this book just stops being a romance. Which is okay... but... what is it, then? I’m not entirely sure.
Of all the character’s, Conors change arc is most developed. He returns from prison entirely changed with his spunk gone. The heroine is a bit too supportive, never pushes back, and it feels borderline doormat to me, although he’s utterly devoted to her. In any case, they have no real tension or conflict in this installment ... not interpersonally. Conor has a shit ton of issues - understandable - but it causes almost no ruptures in their relationship. She’s just too patient and loving. But again... it’s not really their story anymore... Charlotte is basically just a narrator for this friend group.
Towards the end, the entire thing becomes about Locke. Locke is a super captivating character... so that is kind of nice, and she sets up his romance in further installments, but maybe he shouldn’t have been so developed in this installment?
It’s not a confusing book, but it doesn’t conform to genre, so it’s impossible to review.
It does some things I dislike... constant flashbacks, slow build up, etc, but it is well plotted and the backstory is interesting. If the other guys get their books, I’ll read them for sure... I do just hope that the romances are a little more foregrounded.
I also want Hobbes and Doll to get their novel if the writer is reading this...
I took a break at 79% in book 2 for a while but always knew I’d be coming back.
I loved the narrative. I loved the beginning when Charlotte spoke of the story from her point of view but in the context of it being past tense.
For example:” That moment- that single moment of me standing there, in my school uniform, pleading for Reid to leave with me - sealed my fate. The new chapter of my life began right there and then. I didn’t know it then, but Thames had made me his and there was no going back.”.
It kept me riveted. Conor was interesting. I liked the dynamic among the four boys and with Charlotte. There was enough mystery to keep me invested in finding out what happens. I also liked that the characters had multiple layers and were well developed. I predicted the big reveal but that didn’t make me like it any less.
I loved what Charlotte and Conor both did for love. It was a bit painful but they made it through. I liked the little twist at the end of book 2 where some of the questions were answered. I also liked the little cliffhanger at the end where it’s obvious we need book 3 with Locke and his secrets, even though Conor and Charlotte’s story ended on a nice note.
Overall, I would recommend this. It wasn’t an easy ride with me feeling indignant at multiple points where life just didn’t seem fair but it gave me a little faith too that people can rise above their circumstances and still have their HEA.
They are now more mature and handle situations much better. I wish the author didn’t make them quite this tragic, but it was a consuming story nevertheless.
While this is a romance, it is more about the hardship of life.
What I didn’t like about the book was the drawn out flashbacks. While I understand the importance of the memories, I think it could have been said with a tenth of the words used. Maybe less.
The falshbacks were there every time something more exciting and important was happening elsewhere. A cheap trick to add page fluff as many times nothing actually happened in the flashbacks.
At times I only read the dialogue as nothing much happened. A lot of repetition and inner monologues that added nothing to the story.
The dichotomy of Billy in this story is confusing considering his past. The author could have just said he had too many hits to the head from his dad beating him and that it was ironic that his death was from too many hits to the head as well.
The first book was way better. Many things bothered me in this one. First, I didn't like the proximity between the h and the H's friend, it was so weird. She even undressed him at times when he was hurt and stayed with him so he could take a bath. I'm sure she wouldn't have liked it if the H did the same with her bestie. The H wasn't even bothered by it 💀😤
There was actually nothing romantic between them. She was only about the H and the H only about her. She waited for him for 8 years without going out or thinking about anyone else. However, the relationship between her and H's friends was completely unnecessary and badly portrayed.
Also, I didn't care about "The hole" storyline. I started the series about the MCs story, not about their friend Max. He has his own book, why make this one all about him ?
So, only two stars because the things that I mentioned bothered me a lot.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Trying to write a review about this follow up to Conor Thames is bittersweet. This book picks up the story right away and it’s different in how it’s written this times but I don’t want to ruin your experience by explaining further. Just know that after a year of waiting I loved this book. I felt the pain, anguish, bitterness, regret and hope of each character. Highly recommend this duet.
I’m so glad I decided to read another book from this author. I loved the storyline. I wouldn’t change anything. By the end of part 2 all my questions were answered, and I understood everything the author was trying to tell. I couldn’t put this book down I just had to know what was going to happen next with book 1 and 2. I’m counting down the days til the other boys get to tell their story.
5 dove stars💜💜 wow I thought the 1st book was something.. The 2nd book ruined me😭 I had ALL the feels with this 1, I don't even have words to describe Conor. He was fearless and he loved with everything, he might be my new fav.
I don't think my words will do this book justice, I just love Thames and I loved how he fell for Charlotte from the very beginning in book 1. Things changed for them but their love for one another never changed, they made a great team and they both deserved happiness.
This is the second book and you must read the first one. It picks up right where it left off. Thames is paying for his actions and it’s left a huge hole in Charlottes life. The author does an amazing job of bringing their pain and heartache to life. My heart broke several times reading this book. So many emotions, so many secrets revealed. Beautifully written. I can’t wait to read the next one.
Most of what you need to know is explained in this book. I love that Thames gets his happy ending with his family. I like that you get to know more about Conors group of friends when they were young and what they are doing now. I can't wait until I get to read about the other guys....
Listeeeen I loved the first book. I really did. But this second book was a bit of a disappointment to me. First of all the time apart between the hero & heroine really ruined it all for me, secondly I felt like R J was trying to cover so much ground in this book by giving us flashbacks & I get it but then again ugh!!
I almost DNF at some point but duh this was not it for me!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Well the first thing I said for Book 1 was Wow!!! The first thing I am saying for this one is Holy Crap !!!!! This is the worst book hangover I have had in so long. The book is riveting. Keep you guessing, wondering what is going to happen now...... Both books are a must read but they aren’t for the faint of heart so remember this.