Revive Me

Beneath #2

by Charity Ferrell

This isn't your typical I'm in love with my brother's best friend romance.
This is raw. This is real. This is heartbreaking.

Tessa Benson had a perfect life until one tragic event shattered her life and killed her twin brother. She's broken, and the only person who seems to get her is her twin's best friend. Dawson Thomas, the guy who'd shot her down so many times she'd lost count. The guy who told her she was off-limits to him.

But now, he wants to get close. He wants them to help each other heal.
Can she go down that road with him?

NOTE: THIS BOOK WAS PREVIOUSLY TITLED REVIVE ME

Genres: New Adult, Romance, Contemporary Romance, Young Adult, Friends To Lovers, New Adult Romance

527 pages, ebook

First published November 4, 2014

About the author

Charity Ferrell is a Wall Street Journal, USA Today, #1 Amazon, and #1 Apple bestselling author.

She resides in Indianapolis, Indiana. When she’s not writing, she’s hanging out with her dog, on a Starbucks run, shopping online, or spending time with her family.

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Reviews

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 breathless stars

Loss. That one word is so short. One syllable. Four letters. Yet the meaning is massive. One word, one million feelings.

Revive Me is such a hard topic to read and write about, but a book like this comes with the promise of hope and love. Tessa's world was destroyed when she lost her brother, nothing is the same in and out of her home. Her life that was once full of laughs, smiles and fun is now filled with sorrow, grief, guilt and pain...so much pain. Her parent's drown their sorrow's away with alcohol leaving her to take care of him. With no outlet to push her own sorrows away, she spirals and latches onto a bad idea, Reese.

I was drunk. I was sad. I was sick. I was lost. I couldn’t pick one.

Dawson is trapped with a stupid promise to his best friend which is keeping him from helping and saving Tessa, but how much longer can he sit aside and watch, when she is determined to hurt herself ... Sometimes there is no other choice but to let those you love fail and make their own mistakes, you just got to be there when they fall so you can pick them up, help them heal and move on.

“I’m going to fix this. I’m going to bring you back to life and make you happy again,”

Learning to live through the pain and the guilt is possible you just have to have people who won't give up on you and love you unconditionally.

"Girl you’ll always be cracked, but you’ve got some good glue; you’ve got people who love you. Stick with that, let it stick with you, and I think you’ll be okay.”

Revive Me is a sad somber read, going through the stages of grief. Tessa is a young girl who was too busy being strong for others that she forgot to take care of herself, it was so sad to see someone who was so full of life risk it all for a few moments of peace. This book could be triggersome to some readers, but I personally think the author did an excellent job bringing us into Tessa world and letting us feel what she was going through and live through her mistakes. As much as I was upset with her choices, I can't really fault her because it was her way, however right or wrong, in making it through another day. Dawson was a sweet loving guy, didn't really care for his reasons to stay away from Tessa, but in the end he more than made up for it. It's an emotional read and there is the semblance of hope at the end, but it is not a story to take lightly, knowing that this maybe a story to me but a real life occurrence to others. As sad as it is, I did enjoy this story especially when life was breathed back into her.

ARC kindly provided by the author, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.

***Quotes above are taken from the ARC version of the book and may differ upon publication.

[Mariℓina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was waiting for this book for so long. The whole premise is so strong and the characters are very compelling.


Tanner is dead. And everyone's life is changed completely after that. His girlfriend is lost, his sister Tessa spirals into self-destruction and his best friend Dawson, not only lost his rock, but now is the only one able to save Tessa and protect her from herself.


Tessa is destroyed, her life means nothing anymore and Dawson only makes it worst. Were was he before tragedy destroyed their perfect lives? Why he cares now?


But Dawson's life is not as easy as everyone thinks. His family issues and the promise he made on Tanner make him apprehensive to make a move on Tessa and that is the big factor in what will follow.


This installement in the series is much more sentimental and devastating than the previous. My heart was beating so hard for the whole time i read it, it was so difficult seeing a great girl trying to inflict pain to herself and losing her personality in such an extend.


Overall this book is great, maybe not as carefree or playful as i hoped it would be, but in the end, hearts are mend, lives are getting back in track and love fixes everything.




THOUGHTS ABOUT THE BOOK

- Tanner was so important to everyone.
- Dawson realy revived Tessa.
- The reliving of Tanner's death was devastating..
- I hated Reese. This guy took so much advantage of Tessa.
- I also didn't like many of his friends. Namely Alexa.. That Bitch!
- I loved Derrick.
- Derrick and Dawson, have an amazing relationship.
- I loved all the memories they had before Tanner's death..


ARC provided by the author, in exchange of an honest review. Thank you!

[Anesha †Curious & Obsessive Bookworm† · Rating 5 out of 5]

FIVE POWERFUL REVIVED STARS!!!

Ever had a book that makes you feel like you've been knocked out, only to wake up as the MCs of that very book? The words spilled out within this book would sometimes blur because of my tears; I'd find myself pausing from this book, take a breather and try to recollect my feelings and put the back in order, shoving the most emotional ones at the very back. .

Yes, I received this book as an ARC months ago, but I just finished it yesterday simply due to the fact of the content affecting me like no other. Sometimes I literally, honest to God had to put this book down while I reflect on things happening to and around me.



Brace yourself for an epic roller-coaster! I never felt something so painfully raw before and all packaged with this simple style of writing that just clicks? I wasn't kidding myself when I say Ms. Ferrell is an insta-click read from the first book I've read by her :P

Tessa went through SO much in this book and I felt like an ass for just focusing on Daisy when I was reading her book. To know that this girl was going through so much and had it so much harder than anyone literally stabbed me in the chest. I love that she got me pissed - she made me hurt for her yet at the same time I wanted to fuck slap her because of the decisions she made. But seriously, all that she went through? You'd have to be a fucking rock to not get even an ounce of it's effect. Seeing the train wreck waiting to happen was nerve wrecking but the way she was hurting Dawson really had me warring with myself.

And honestly? What happened between her and that sexy asshole-y dude? I didn't feel bad for her. I was actually happy. Sometimes in life you gotta get dealt some harshness to make you open your damn eyes. I love the reality about this book how it didn't paint that fairy tail life that shields you from the ugly truth.

When Tessa broke... I broke. No, I crumbled and turned to ashes. I had to put down the book and wonder how Ms. Ferrell could affect me so much. The way everything was described, the feelings, the self-hate... Man. It was simple, again...but so fucking powerful. This book went through a lot of holds, restarts, holding and then my scared ass had to fight the demons and get to reading.


Dawson though?

He was fucking amazing.

I loved him from Daisy's book at the start and I loved him in her book once again when he told her off in the hospital. But I realize that what I felt for him wasn't love. It was something...but in comparison to how I feel now? THIS is love! lol. His whole life wasn't easy. The problems he faced but still went on with life waiting for the better to come - no... MAKING the better happen really speaks highly of his character. I love his dedication not only for Tesse but for circumstances in general. I don't know how he does it, but he's fucking amazing.

His patience, his alternatives to sex (oh yh, I def had to mention those ;3) ... I loved them all. Am like... O_O ... The couch scene... the first sexual scene... hey, DAWSON get your fine ass over here!!

This book was like a movie. Transitioning perfectly and showing the growth of each characters. I kind of started to dislike Daisy tbh lol... Seeing the flip side I felt she was greedy. The first half of this book... What Tessa was going through, how desperately she tried to keep/talk to her best friend? I mean people deal with shit differently, but stepping into Tessa's shoes - it really got to me.

The realness, once again, is magical if I must say. This book isn't just for your entertainment - it gives you a lesson whether or not you're going through the same thing as these characters - you get the message clearly.

"You helping me was a figment of my imagination."


Simple words spoken by Tessa but had me teary eyed. I swear... Sigh. I love this book.

Moving along - I'm glad I was re-introduced to Gabby! Damn I forgot how much I love that girl!! xD

Hey dear, awesome author? When will more Gabby be available?? xD

ARC given to me in exchange for an honest review!! :D

[Kristine Ruiz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charity is trying to move on from the tragic event that took her brother from her. She's dealing with it in all the wrong ways and is slowly spiraling out out control. Then there's resse the bay Boy that all so wrong in so many things but you see a side you never would have thought. As charity hits rock bottom Dawson is there to pick up the pieces. Being that the two have been in love with each ther but done nothing about it because Dawson was her brothers best friend and promised he wouldn't. He picks her up when she's down and teachers how to live again. Can they find love in one and other or will the brother that's no longer there make them stay friends. .?

[Julie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Check out my other reviews at Little Miss Bookmark!

Whew. This one was a doozy. I wavered between two and three stars and finally settled on two. Revive Me was just all over the place for me. I have quite a few reasons why ... I'll highlight a few of those I guess.

This isn't a first novel for this author, so I expected a lot from her. I don't think that I go easier on new authors but I do find that I put higher expectations on an established author. Okay ... the book was a bit boring. I skipped I don't know how many pages just to get through this one. Is that the right thing to do? Absolutely not. If I'm going to review a book, I should read each and every page but after a while on this one, it was either skip some stuff or just file it under Did Not Finish and be done with it and I hate doing that. So skipping some pages was the only way to get to the end.

In the beginning of the novel, I was sadly and grossly fascinated with "watching" the main character (Tessa) just spiral out of control. I was excited to see this happen because I think that there is some author magic involved in the rebuilding of that same character. It can transform a book from MEH to HELL YES! But unfortunately, I just didn't get there and the reason is because it was just too much. I mean, come on. And there is a big spoiler here so if you don't want to know, don't read anymore of this review!! You've been warned! Okay ... so the main character lost her brother. And lost her best friend. And she's depressed. And she's an aspiring alcoholic. And she does drugs. And she lost her V-Card to a bad boy who dumped her. And she's a cutter. And she has to take care of her little brother because her parents are alcoholics. And kids at school slut shamed her. It was just so much and so unrealistic. So, so, SO unrealistic. After the 847th thing went wrong in this girl's life, I just totally checked out.

That's it. That's all I'm going to talk about. OOOH! Okay, one more thing ... I DID NOT appreciate that most of the characters had names that started with the letter D. Petty, I know. But again, it was just a ridiculous amount. I mean, I know that in real life, you're going to have friends that have the same first initial and it's totally normal. But her best friend was named Daisy, her boyfriend was named Dawson, her brother was Derrick and her dad was Darryl. Overkill. It was hard to keep track of the dude names and remember which one had which issue that was unrealistic and the whole thing just ended up annoying me. I mean, two D names is okay, three is pushing it but 4 was just ridiculous.

[XxTainaxX Curvy and Nerdy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was a rollercoaster of emotion. I was hooked and it never let go of me. Tessa was on a path of destruction that was influenced by all the wrong people. Dawson was her steady rock. Her brother's best friend/ love of her life and they couldn't be together because of an old promise. I laughed. I cried. I felt. Stories like these don't come along that often. I am very much a fan of this author and can't wait for more.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

* A review copy was provided by author in exchange for an honest review *

Amazon Buy Link ( Pre-Order )---->> Revive Me

~~ 5 Healing Stars ~~

Revive Me is the third book that I have read by Charity Ferrell and I just have to say, I think this is her best book yet!!!! This was such an emotional roller coaster and I had a really hard time putting it down, even to sleep. I will warn the readers that this book does touch on some really serious subjects, like suicide, depression, drug and alcohol abuse and self harm. If you have trouble with those types of topics then this book probably isn't the one for you.

Charity is becoming one of those authors that is an auto read for me. I love her writing style. Her books have intriguing plot lines and her characters are both relatable and believable. She knows how to draw out the emotions of the readers. This book will have you giggling at times, crying at times and definitely yelling at your kindle at times. I know I was ready to throw my iPad across the room after some of the crap Tessa pulled. But to me that is exactly what makes a book a 5 star read for me. Each of her books are standalones but are kind of interconnected with the characters. Each book has a different storyline but you do see some of the other characters from the other books. You don't need to read all the books to read this one, but it is good to get the background of all the characters.

In this book we meet Tessa and Dawson. We met them briefly in Beneath Our Faults, but this is their story. This book starts out with a tragic event that happens at their school, which leaves Tessa's twin brother dead. From here this is the story of how Tessa , her parents and friends deal with this loss. Tessa has a real difficult time dealing with the loss of her brother and begins a downward spiral after she meets Bad Boy Reese. I didn't like Reese at all…..I truly thought he was a douchecanoe right off the bat but as the story goes on he proved me correct in that assumption. I don't want to give away the whole story, but just know that Tessa actually hits rock bottom, but Dawson is the amazing Hero that is there for her when she falls. Tessa and Dawson have been friends for many years. Dawson was her brother's best friend. Both Tessa and Dawson were secretly in love with each other, but Dawson wouldn't do anything about it because he made her brother a promise not to be with Tessa. Let me just say that some promises are made to be broken ;) I loved Tessa and Dawson's relationship/friendship.

I would definitely recommend this book to everyone. I will say that this story revolves around high school aged kids but there is some steam added to the story, so it wasn't completely a YA story. This truly was a heart wrenching journey toward healing for a family who loses someone tragically.

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[Merita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read by Charity Ferrell!

Revive Me is an emotional heartbreaker. There was so much sadness. In parts of the book I had tears rolling down my face and if a book can do that to me then it is worth giving 5 stars to!!

I loved it and if you enjoy emotional books then this book IS for you!! Just be prepared to get onto an emotional rollercoaster and have the tissues ready.

Charity I hope your next book is about Reese because I would love to hear his story.

FYI - Revive Me has characters that were in Charity's other books - Karma and Beneath Our Faults so I would read them first but its not a necessity.

[Julie (Bookish.Intoxication) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recieved this novel from NetGalley.

Wow, it has been a long time since I loved a novel this much! It has everything that a great book needs and it delivers on each of those aspects. The characters are amzing, relateable, likeable, hateable, everything that makes them feel real.

The plot is amazingly moving, it isn't cliche like most tales along this story line are, it is horriffic and yet so heart-warming that it is almost perfect.

Although this novel may be a trigger for some people, in more than one way, this novel shows strength, understanding, and that getting help for our issues isn't the worst thing in the world.

An aboulutely amazing novel!

[Stephanie Prasuhn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. Charity is an amazing writer she has a way of making you feel what the characters in the book are feeling and I think that's what makes her books great. Revive Me totally pulled at the heart strings. There was times I was crying my eyes out and others times I was laughing and smiling. I loved how it had an amazing story line that was relatable and intriguing. It definitely is hard to put down because once you start reading it you won't want to stop. Revive Me is an outstanding book and I can't wait to read the next one

[❤️Melanie G.📖💛 · Rating 5 out of 5]

*****5 Moving Forward Stars*****

This book was a great surprise. I fell in love with Tessa & Dawson. Each character was strong, lost, hurt and looking for love. They experienced lost, pain, family issues together yet they fought each other. The struggles that they went through were so beautifully written out and done tastefully. This book was very emotional and pulled at every heart string. Great book and highly recommend.

[Betsy Hillendahl · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved it and cried so much

[Ashley Estep The Art of Reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

I swear Charity is going to kill me!! I completely obsessed with her books and keep going back for more even after everyone brings me to tears.

I’m not a twin so I have no idea what it would feel like to lose mine, but I do have siblings. I know a bond between twins would be much stronger. And the way Tanner dies is absolutely awful, and such a reality for some people.

A boy brings a gun to school and kills twenty people, one of them being Tanner. He was in the wrong classroom at the wrong time. She’s in a classroom near and can hear the shots. Tessa begs to be let out to help her brother. I cannot tell you how much my heart broke reading this book. And it was such a different kind of heartbreak.

School shootings happen all the time, we hear about them we feel bad, but we don’t truly understand what the people they live behind feel.

Tessa’s downward spiral is not surprising but absolutely so sad, you want to just hold her and make her and let her cry out her pain. Tessa’s parents checked out after Tanner’s death. She turns to cutting and drinking. Her younger brother is just trying to survive.

Dawson, Tanner’s best friend who promised to never date his sister. Every time they get close he pulls away. Dawson tried to help Tessa but her hurt and anger don’t allow it. Dawson fights to keep Tessa from her spiral while trying to respect what Tanner wanted.



When Tessa ends up hurt Dawson steps up and in.

Dawson and Tessa make an amazing couple. Dawson’s ability to help her heal made my heart so happy.

This book will hit home for many people. It is absolutely an inside look into the heartbreak suffered when you lose someone, and you lose them tragically.

Charity makes you feel everything these characters feel. You can’t help but falling in love with them and cheer for them to get their happy ending.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is more than just your run of the mill romance story. It's about a woman grieving her twin brother, a man grieving his best friend and trying to honor a promise to his dead best friend, and then ultimately realizing that life doesn't wait for anyone. It deals with heavy topics, mental health, and harsh realities in a beautiful way - in a respectful way. It broke my heart to watch the depths of despair these characters fall, too, and also healed me in ways I didn't realize I needed.

If only the world had more humans like Dawson, we'd be so much better off! He's incredible. He's supportive and accepting, and yet he takes no BS. He's exactly who he is and does it unapologetically. His confidence is reassuring. He's never cocky or arrogant. The man has a heart of gold.

Tessa is sweet and naive, and yet she's tough as nails. Even as she walks through hell, she doesn't forget about her younger brother. She's there to watch over him and take care of him when their parents can't.

We all know people like Reese, how good it feels to be "seen" by them, and how badly it hurts when they drop us- and that's all I will say about him.

I LOVE Dawson and Tessa's story and know they will live rent-free in my mind forever. ❤️🙃

[Kelly Fountain · Rating 4 out of 5]

Drowning. Slowly falling, fading, pain, heartache, hurt. Trying to escape, trying to feel...something, anything. Tessa is in pain. Losing her twin, her other half has been too much. It’s overwhelming. Everything has changed. Her brother is gone, her parents have disconnected, disappeared, she’s paying bills, cooking, shopping, taking care of her younger brother. The only thing that hasn’t changed is her feelings for Dawson. But those have never been returned. She’s done. She has to do something to feel.
He’s trying to be storing. For himself, for her, her family, his mom...there’s so many. He loves her, he always has. He made a promise and has now way of breaking it easily. She’s spiraling. He’s losing her. How can he hold on for them both?
A story of pain and heartache. A story of beautiful love. Excellent story.

[Angelina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This may be another brothers best friend book by this author, but it's so different to Bad For You and stood out on its own. The story is definitely darker and deals with topics some readers may not enjoy, but Revive Me was another 5 star read for me and one I'd recommend to readers who, like me, are on the look out for books that don't shy away from emotional and challenging topics. This is the third book I've read by the author and as with the first two, I was unable to put it down and didn't stop reading until I got to the final page. I'm so in love with this author's work and can't wait to head off and find another amazing book she's written. Charity Ferrell has fast become one of my favourite authors, and more readers need to pick up her books!

[Kristina Maysonet · Rating 4 out of 5]

"This isn't your typical I'm in love with my brother's best friend romance.
This is raw. This is real. This is heartbreaking."
this really describe the story perfectly. It was heartbreaking but it was really raw.

Tessa lost her twin brother and in return lost herself. Her brother's best friend, Dawson, is the only one who can help her find herself again but he swore to his friend he would stay away from his sister.

[Andrea Sliger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book!

I read Beneath Our Faults and I wanted to know about Tessa. I wanted to know if she was alright. I was so glad that she has her own book. Dawson is such a great guy. They are perfect for each other. I left this book with a really happy feeling. Now on to "Risky", which is Gabby's book.

[Stefanie Jenkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartbreakingly beautiful

Wow just wow! Beautiful words of love sadness loss and healing. I can’t even put it into words how amazing Dawson and Tessa love story is. What was worth the risk more to Dawson....breaking a promise he made to his best friend all those years ago or possibly losing out on being with his soulmate...forever. I loved the family dynamics. I want more!!! ❤️💔

[babygyalreadit · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is based in high school bare that in mind. The story itself I guess is insightful but I’m grown so the decisions that were made in this had me rolling my eyes so hard they might have fell out of my head. Everything was predictable, maybe this is a YA book but it was kind of boring for me. So if you’re looking for a cute high school story, not much angst & emotion this is that.

[Peggy Hogan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beneath Our Loss is the second book in the Beneath series by Charity Ferrell. I knew Tessa and Dawson's story would take me on an emotional journey, and I was not disappointed! Wow! I love these kinds of books! They'll rip your heart out, but put it back together by the end of it. This one is highly recommended with way more than five stars!

[Nikkita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic!!!

A very heart warming, emotional story about loss, depression and the road to recovery. With great characters in Dawson and Tessa a phenomenal story line and a happily ever after I couldn't be more satisfied!

[Kim Gauger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unbelievablely amazing

This story is captivating and will keep you searching for what is coming next. So full of heartbreaking scenes you will not want to put this book down. Loved it

[Anna Ra · Rating 1 out of 5]

Worst book I've read in ages. Awful. Don't read it.

[S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow another powerful and emotional story.

[BookLover89 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book! It had a lot of typos though!

[Natalie O’Brien · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dang obviously there were some problems with this book cuz it wasn’t the best but I did absolutely love the story behind it and just know that you are NOT EVER alone

[LuAnn M. · Rating 1 out of 5]

Content not correct

When I downloaded the book it was the same story as in the first book Daisy and Keegans story. Ugh!!

[Ketana · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a good book, but i found so so so many errors in it that really affected the story and the way to read it

[Tiffany Wooten · Rating 2 out of 5]

My first DNF idk what it was but I was over it come the middle of the book. I only had 3 chapters left and it honestly felt like I was just rushing through to finish it