Revive Me, Part Two: The Affair

New Haven #3

by J.L. Seegars

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.

Even if it's just for a little while.

Chris

Walking away from Mallory Kent is one of the hardest things I’ve ever done.

The devastation that marred her features that night still haunts me. Refusing to let me forget that the knife I plunged into her heart to protect her had pierced mine as well. Dogging my steps as I walked through my miserable life without her.

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.

Genres: Romance, African American Romance, Audiobook, Second Chance, African American, Contemporary Romance, Slow Burn

234 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 22, 2022

About the author

J.L. Seegars is a dedicated smut peddler and lifelong nerd who’s always had a love of words, storytelling and drama. When she isn’t writing messy and emotionally complex characters like the ones she grew up around, she’s watching reality TV, supporting her fellow authors by devouring their work or spending time with her husband and son.

Reviews

[Shawnaci Schroeder · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5
- This series is sooo good!! Every single book leaves me wanting more. Mallory and Chris are true soulmates!! This book was short, but definitely not sweet and I really hope I get to see a happily ever after at some point because this book stomped on my heart!!
- Really excited for the rerelease of this series and the new covers because I’ve been getting a bit confused when ordering these books because they all look so similar.
- Definitely will be reading the next book in this series soon because I can’t get enough of these characters.

[BookishByTammi · Rating 4 out of 5]

“There was no one thing Chris did that hurt me. It was a series of choices. One on top of the other, on top of the other until the tower toppled over and crushed me. That is the source of the pain echoing in my chest. That is the result of his actions. And that is what matters: the result, not the intention.”

[lulu · Rating 4 out of 5]

”Maybe they were cool with rushing because they didn’t have anything in front of them that was worth slowing down for, but I’d stop the world for you. I’d freeze time if it meant I would never run out of opportunities to look at you.”

This book made me realize that Chris and Mal’s story was never going to be able to be a smooth journey because just like Mal said they really are a case of right person wrong time

Even if they tried to keep their relationship after college, his psycho dad wouldn’t have let it happen. Therefore, I better see Reese dead by the next book he’s actually a sicko.

And the grovelling ima need to see from Chris needs to be HEAVY because my girl Mal has been going through it for way too long😩

Eric’s death was so painful to read about even knowing it was coming :(

Not Chris knowing Dom is in love with Sloane? Lmaoo pls that made me laugh their friendship is actually really cute

Okay tell me if I’m wrong but the song Fire on Fire by Sam Smith gives me majorrr Mal and Chris vibes

Guys I’m not ready to wait so long for the resolution 😭 and also TWO more books in the series?? I can’t think of who they would be about whaaat??

The writing is just top tier I can keep reading forever

[m · Rating 4 out of 5]

my heart has been ripped straight out of my chest, stabbed a couple of times and then shot to finish the job

I don’t deserve this. MALLORYCHRIS DONT DESERVE THIS. WHAT HAPPENED. REESE I HOPE YOU DIE A VERY PAINFUL DEATH. JUMP OFF A FUCKING CLIFF. JUST DIE YOULL DO A FAVOR FOR THE WORLD.

[Ri ♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

“We won’t ever be done, princess. If we’re both here on this Earth, breathing, living, existing, then we are happening. Nothing is ever going to stop me from loving you.”

Mal and Chris's story is breaking my heart. I don't know why the author decides to write to three heartbreaking books for them only to put them through this pain, misery and heartbreaks again and again. They deserve their happy forever more than anything else right now. I don't think this book added anything prominent to Chris and Mallory's relationship.

The affair they had in this book after six years of that heartbreaking breakup was because of Mallory's need to forget about her grief and pain and their need to get each other's out of their system and heart but as usual they both failed miserably at that. Chris is shackled to this depressed and miserable marriage of convenience and Mallory has been dealing with grief and pain of losing her brother.

“The first time I kissed you, everything before you ceased to exist. Your taste, your touch, your smell, eradicated it all. You erased me, turned me into a clean slate, a blank page that only you could fill in. There was nothing before you, Mallory, and if I have my way there will be nothing after you. You are the first woman I’ve ever loved. The only one I’ve ever chased.”

Mallory's grief was so real, tangible and heartbreaking. I was glad that Chris was there for her in the hardest moments of her life. He helped her wade through pain and grief she didn't even understand. And my heart broke for Sloane again in this book and to finally read about the part when she lost her better half. Sloane and Mallory deserves so much better in this series and their friendship is everything.

I hate Chris's father so much and he should be dead for putting his son through so much trauma. He lied to him for all his life and that's not even the worst thing he ever did.

I can't take anymore pain and trauma so hoping for only cute and wholesome moments of Chris and Mallory in part three of Revive Me.

“Mallory and I weren’t good together. We were great. We were a collision of destiny and inevitability. We were fate personified. We were everything.”

[sometimesrobinreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

nobody writes heartbreak quite like jl seegars because why am i balled up in corner rocking back and forth like i just got my heart broke?! why do i feel like my heart just got ripped out my chest?

i will forever be in awe of seegar’s pen. the way she weaves words together tugs at my heart strings and makes me feel like i’m a character in her books. i’m not too sure how i feel about that just yet because i just came here to read, dassit!

nonetheless, she got me hooked and it’ll take a very strong person to pry her books out my hands.

[Angelica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reese please do us all a favor and go straight to hell. Literally please die. 😑

[Wobilba · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author really got my hopes up and I thought here it is, the HEA and then….BAM!! I got hit with a plot twist 😭 can’t wait for the next book

[Deena · Rating 2 out of 5]

Soooo, another reader reviewed this book stating that it has too much internal dialogue and I TOTALLY agree. For the first book I understood, because it allowed us to get to know the characters and to feel what the characters feel. However for this book most of it seemed like a bunch of “fluff”. I do believe that Eric’s character should had been more developed in the last book. It was like he played the background and then he passed away. Then again maybe the entire significance in his role was to bring Sloane and Dominic together in “Restore Me”. I did appreciate that fact that Chris’s questions regarding his mother were finally answered but this could had been wrapped up in the first book I believe. Although this story wasn’t as good as the first two, I will go on to read the last book of the series (I hope) but maybe not right away because sometimes with series I need a little break in between when the characters start to exhaust me!

[Eulannae · Rating 2 out of 5]

Maybe if the author didn’t spend so much time on an internal monologue about everything the story would progress at a good pace and there wouldn’t be a need for 3 books.

Chris and Reese’s storyline is more entertaining than Chris and Mallory’s tbh..

[kiriahsbookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even with me knowing about Eric’s death (even though for a moment I forgot) it still was painful to go through the emotions.

My heart is still broken.

I hate Chris dad so much.

I wanted his mom to be alive so bad.

I need a HEA for Chris and Mal right now. Please my heart is broken.

This book didn’t ruin me as much as part one but it like me frustrated and even more heartbroken 💔.

The way Chris loves Mal is just so beautiful. So so beautifully written.

[Pamela qp_reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mallory & Chris…their story hits differently for me, thinking about wouldas and shouldas. The world would miss out on four 5-star reads if J.L. Seegars kept this series hidden. Writing such a visceral, emotional, and at times devastating novel is a gift. Although I felt complete emotional damage, I loved every word.

[wndrwtch_ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mal + Chris

Once again I am absolutely shattered by Mal & Chris😭😭 I’ve tried reading this book for months but couldn’t let myself get past the first chapter. I forced myself to finish it this weekend, and it hurt so good. Can’t wait for the next chapter in their story!

[Gina Loves 2 Read · Rating 4 out of 5]

At this point, I think we're all rooting for Chris and Mallory! They both deserve the ultimate HEA!
Safe to say, I've already ordered the next book in this series! 🤍

[jakeyvia · Rating 5 out of 5]

reading about eric's death in restore me was sad, but let's all be honest here—we were more focused on the fact dom and sloane could finally be together. now, having seen his relationship in depth with his twin, his mother, sloane, even dom and watching them grieve, you can't help but do the same. my heart was already heavily bruised going into the story but after getting past those scenes it’s been completely broken.

chris’ arrival in this part was a pain in itself. i mean, to find out one of your closest friends and the love of your life’s brother has died in that way? it has to be indescribable. or you would think that, but jl seegars describes it perfectly in painstakingly detail so that you feel everything. the main and most prevalent emotion being yearning. not for his friend, not for the time they didn’t have together, but for mal; his lost love. they’re reunited and try as [mal] might, there’s no denying there connection and like magnets, they’re drawn to each other again.

if i was basing this rating solely off chris and mal’s romance it would sit at a 4.3-4.5. i enjoyed them as i always do but to be completely honest i’m ready for their happy ending. i understand the importance of their relationship in this season in both of their lives, but there are moments in the story where i am FEENING for their ending. where they can stop dwelling on their past and fall into each other without their past restraints. we don’t get that in this book and we won’t get that for six more (book) years. that’s the not-so-good news. the great news is that that isn’t what i’m only basing the rating on.

the reason for the 5⭐️ rating is what i like to refer to as the murder mystery. as much as i would love to get into this subplot and dig DEEP into theories with y’all i can’t. and i mean not even a little bit. bc i would never be able to forgive myself if i robbed y’all of the element of surprise jl has perfected. i was GAGGED, REPEATEDLY! and that’ll just have to be enough for y’all.

this last part isn’t a want, but a need. spring 2023 looking too far right now; i need it by YESTERDAY.

[Books Read · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mal and Chris

I'd like to finish this story but I feel like it doesn't need to take three books to do it. The story is interesting but it's getting drowned out by a lot of unnecessary scenes and unnecessary/lengthy/redundant descriptions. If she cut the useless scenes and descriptions this could be finished in one book that was maybe over 300 pages, which is fine.

[Malene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part 2 of Mallory and Chris’ love story was filled with many emotions. From pain, betrayal and love. I felt it cause I deeply care about this couple but also about Sloane and Dom.
The author stated in the beginning that Part 2 didn’t have a happy ending and it sure didn’t. But what transpired in this part was so important for Mallory’s personal growth. I know Chris messed up but damn this man loves hard and fiercely. I can’t wait for him to get his woman back in the final part.

[missy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just want them to be happy lol

[Breeee Ranae⚜️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

O M G 😭
My heart is on the floor literally. JL Seegars you didn't have to do us like this. Part One was heartbreaking but not as much as this. I wanted to fight Chris now I want to see about him.

Mal got on my nerves so bad in this one like girl you know everything & still being dramatic. This book broke me down all the way to the very last page. I actually finished last night but couldn't compose a review because WHAT😭😒 Even with all that I enjoyed this book better then all the others because it didn't dragggg as much literally got to the point.
Chris's dad MUST DO TIME. I picture him as Rowan Pope from Scandal IYKYK!!

The spice though? 🌶️🌶️🌶️.5/5 Ate it upppp.
Let me take a break from Chris and Mal before I read Part three. JL I better be put back together and I'm not playing.🥲

[trina (kenan ross’ wife) · Rating 4 out of 5]

J.L. SEEGARS HURRY UP AND RELEASE BOOK 3 TO PUT ME OUT MY MISERY. I NEED A HAPPY ENDING SOO BADDD I’M SICK OF CRYINGG. This was bittersweet because I knew there wasn’t going to be a happy ending, but when Chris and Mallory were together I was so happy. I was stuck between a rock and a hard place about Chris’ actions, but this novel helped me understand his side a lot more, and reminded me how much of a great guy he is. I loved this so much.

[Cydney · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a slow burn truther, I love how Mallory and Chris simmer, come to a boil, then come back to simmering in each book. With that said, I hate to reaffirm for the third time that this series is entirely too wordy and that this book in particular was drowning in overwrought inner dialogue for both Mallory and Chris—even though Mallory was the bigger offender here—and I flat out started feeling burnt out from all the finger-wringing around the 80% mark of this book.

One of the things I love most about this series is how raw it is when it comes to emotions and the fact that while we all learn and grow over time, we never become perfect. Mallory and Chris are two characters who learn this lesson over and over again: that they are capable of failing and being failed over and over and over again.

Chris’ daddy and wife gotta go like yesterday! I’m somewhat over reading about both of them because they are cartoonish in how they execute being a villain which makes how extended their villain arcs are not so fun after a while. I’m glad Chris got the answers needed for his mother—that was so unexpected and devastating omg! I actually felt like I empathized with Chris far more in this book than I did in Part One, and that’s a true testament to how JL Seegars is taking the reader throughhhh it!

I hope continued good communication finds them in book 3 and that they both stop having the reaction of “I’m just going to make the decision to end this without the other person’s input” every time they have a roadblock. Part Two was MESSYYYYYY! I had fun. And the spice was hot!

3.75 ⭐️s
3 🌶️

[Laneisha · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5

After reading this, my heart was left on the floor. Seegars continues to take readers on a rollercoaster of emotions in the second part of Chris and Mal's story. Just as in part one, it explored sensitive topics that continued to be written and handled with care. Part two paints a devastating but authentic portrait of grief and its heaviness. My heart played a vicious game of tug of war throughout this story. The Affair gives readers a heart-wrenching but realistic story, showing love in its rawest form. I also appreciate the depth that this series has. Each part shows readers a different level of not only Chris and Mal's relationship but them as individuals. My only con is that I still didn't enjoy the excessive internal dialogue. It becomes redundant and distracting at times. Finally, Reese... count your days. Overall, another good installment to this series, and I'm looking forward to part three.

[zah · Rating 4 out of 5]

brb gonna go kms. i need part three rn

[Crimson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Help!!!

Another great book! I’m glad that I came across this author. She writes very well. The plot twists are awesome. Just go ahead and read the book. The whole series!!!! You will not be disappointed.

[WellReadRuby · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s funny what you’ll do when you’re in love! Mal and Chris continue to take me through and honestly I got my hopes up in this book too because they finally got to experience what things would be like if they didn’t fall apart in Book 1. We see a more mature Chris who is more than ever determined to be there for Mal after the loss of her twin Eric. Him flying to her and leaving his wife was everything sorry not sorry! But them spending those two weeks together just gave me all the feels and emotions! Their getaway trip was everything! Then of course what goes up must come down and baby it came down with a vengeance. I must say this again Chris dad brother and wife are still trash! The secrets exposed were shocking and I was so sad that even when the truth is revealed to Mal she still decides it’s not worth it and never the right time. Ugh all the feels in this one! I need book like tomorrow! Also the Nic and Sloan updates made me go back to Restore Me to re highlight sections! Nic and Chris were closer than I thought and knew each other super well! No wonder he let Chris go after Mal when she stormed out in Restore Me. Revive Me giving clarity to sections of Restore Me! Definitely recommend this book!

[Fidelia (TheVicariousHeroine) · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

This book will tear your heart in two, make you scream, twirl your hair, punch the air, and threaten a fictional character’s life every other chapter. So of course I recommend it.
Part two opens up with a death we’ve been expecting from Restore Me that I was somehow still not ready for. Janil’s depictions of grief and self-care are gorgeous and carry a message I think a lot of us need to hear. Mallory Kent is one of my favorite heroines of all time and I only have JL Seegars' pen to thank for that. The writing is so beautiful that despite a clear warning that there is no happy ending for this part, you still have hope that Mal and Chris will beat the odds. They of course don’t (yet), but best believe I’m counting down the days when my girl Mallory gets her HEA.

Thank you JL Seegars for the ARC!

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75
I do not think so honey this book being 3 parts??? And the audiobook is not avail on Libby yet???? I want to know what happens but why on earth have I listened to 15 hours of part one and 8 hours of part 2 and there’s still more?
I mean yes I want to listen to it so there’s something being done right, BUT I honestly think that even tho this man’s life has been hard we cannot negate that, he needs to leave Mallory alone. He fucked up in a truly idiotic way & did not even try to communicate in the moment but then lets it slip 6 years later? No thanks

[Thea Marquetta · Rating 3 out of 5]

Annoyed

Why is this story so drawn out. I wanted to give it 1 star because I'm annoyed at the way it ended after 700+ pages of Chris and Mal why isn't it finished. The book was good but these extra 200 pages needed to wrap up their story. I also think Restore Me should be read after this one. Since it starts after the 4 years.

[Ebony | ebonylovesbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chris be spiraling out doing wild things

End of day I know him and Mal belong together because as much as I love them both together.

They both equally get on my MFN nerve 🤣

[Amanda G · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oohhhhhh Reese ain’t shit!!!!!!
I love Chris and Mallory.
On to part 3!