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Revive Me: Part Three: The Apology
The next book in the New Haven series, interconnected standalones featuring second chances, fiery passion, and Black heroines who get their happily ever afters. This is part three of a trilogy.
Mallory
Hope is a dangerous thing. It holds you close like a lover, whispering promises it never intends to keep, and just as soon as you relax into its arms, it lets you go. Sending you spinning into an abyss of nothingness. When I sent him away four years ago, he promised he would come back to me, and even as I asked him not to, I hoped that he would.
Hope. I tucked it deep inside of me, underneath the scars of our before, beside the dreams of our after. Hidden like contraband. Guarded like a treasure. Broken like every promise that ever fell from his lips and hit my ears. Eventually, I got tired of hoping, of waiting for him, and I plunged my hands inside my own heart, ripping past scar tissue and muscle, veins and arteries to root it out.
Hope. He conspired with it to make a fool of me, and when I freed myself from it, exorcised that pointless dream, I promised myself that no one would get the chance to do that to me again. Then, and only then, did he appear.
My promise, a spell that conjured him. My determination, a challenge. My heart, the only prize he hopes to win.
Christopher
Life without Mallory Kent has taught me that time doesn't heal wounds. It turns them into scars. Jagged tissue that grows around your pain, covering it with raised skin that will never again be smooth to the touch. My first scar formed when I was just a child. Too young to fully understand what my mother's loss would mean for my life but old enough to remember the echo of the pain inside my empty chest. It was a unique agony. One I never expected to feel again.
But that was before I loved her. Before I let things that had nothing to do with us cost me everything.
It's been four years since I decided to honor her request to stay away. To move on with my life and give her a chance to move on with hers. And she might not agree, but it was more than enough time for us to try and do the impossible. The only thing our time apart has done is remind me that wherever she is, is where I'm supposed to be.
Now I just have to make her believe it.
Mallory
Hope is a dangerous thing. It holds you close like a lover, whispering promises it never intends to keep, and just as soon as you relax into its arms, it lets you go. Sending you spinning into an abyss of nothingness. When I sent him away four years ago, he promised he would come back to me, and even as I asked him not to, I hoped that he would.
Hope. I tucked it deep inside of me, underneath the scars of our before, beside the dreams of our after. Hidden like contraband. Guarded like a treasure. Broken like every promise that ever fell from his lips and hit my ears. Eventually, I got tired of hoping, of waiting for him, and I plunged my hands inside my own heart, ripping past scar tissue and muscle, veins and arteries to root it out.
Hope. He conspired with it to make a fool of me, and when I freed myself from it, exorcised that pointless dream, I promised myself that no one would get the chance to do that to me again. Then, and only then, did he appear.
My promise, a spell that conjured him. My determination, a challenge. My heart, the only prize he hopes to win.
Christopher
Life without Mallory Kent has taught me that time doesn't heal wounds. It turns them into scars. Jagged tissue that grows around your pain, covering it with raised skin that will never again be smooth to the touch. My first scar formed when I was just a child. Too young to fully understand what my mother's loss would mean for my life but old enough to remember the echo of the pain inside my empty chest. It was a unique agony. One I never expected to feel again.
But that was before I loved her. Before I let things that had nothing to do with us cost me everything.
It's been four years since I decided to honor her request to stay away. To move on with my life and give her a chance to move on with hers. And she might not agree, but it was more than enough time for us to try and do the impossible. The only thing our time apart has done is remind me that wherever she is, is where I'm supposed to be.
Now I just have to make her believe it.
544 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 16, 2026
About the author
J.L. Seegars
15 books2,742 followersJ.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.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
July 17, 2026
This was a great read. As a reader, I tend to engulf myself in the lives of characters I am reading about, so it was great to finally see Mallory and Christopher have their happy ending after so much turmoil throughout the 3 books dedicated to them. I understand why Mal didn’t trust Chris after her broke her heart not once, but twice. BUT, I was getting upset in this book for how she was treating him and the fact that he wouldn’t just go his separate way.
I’m glad he was persistent about showing her how much she really did mean to him. And in the back of my mind, I had a feeling the lady he kept running into was his mother. I actually teared up. Overall, I truly enjoyed all the ups and downs this book put me through.
I’m glad he was persistent about showing her how much she really did mean to him. And in the back of my mind, I had a feeling the lady he kept running into was his mother. I actually teared up. Overall, I truly enjoyed all the ups and downs this book put me through.
June 26, 2026
This book was LONG ANTICIPATED. It took me a long time to read it because I knew it was the last of Chris and Mallory's story, and also because I was a BIT underwhelmed. The build up to get to this point fell a little bit flat with the storyline. Holding it together was Chris' persistence to get back into Mallory's good graces. Seeing his careful pursuit was what we have been waiting for from him, so it kept me locked in while Mal grappled with her feelings.
After reading the entire series, I don't feel like Chris' problems warranted TEN YEARS of them not being together. I know he figured out this all happened because of his savior complex (WHICH I CLOCKED IN THE ACT), and I was grateful that it was addressed IN the book, and not just in my commentary, but I feel like life is way too short to be wasting valuable time apart when we can be together. Ten years without the love of my life because my daddy is a meanie? ok, has anyone thought to maybe, possibly, kill him? (maybe I've been reading too much urban fiction, because bang bang shoot him up, thanks)
We should have been able to hear Mal's conversation with Sloane about her past. It was an anchor in her characters development and was reduced to a memory rather than an experience we earned to watch her have. Also, TELL YO MAMA! I hate that she held on to this pain for so long, especially when she had the type of support system she had.
Reese, RJ, and Giselle should have had bigger roles in this book, like they did in the others. The story moving far past them was evidence of how thin the plot that was keeping them apart actually was. Even when Reese finally got what was coming to him, Chris didn't have a final stand off with him. WE EARNED THAT AFTER ALL HE PUT US THROUGH!
All in all, J.L Seegars is a PHENOMENAL author and I couldn't have been happier than I was reading this book!
After reading the entire series, I don't feel like Chris' problems warranted TEN YEARS of them not being together. I know he figured out this all happened because of his savior complex (WHICH I CLOCKED IN THE ACT), and I was grateful that it was addressed IN the book, and not just in my commentary, but I feel like life is way too short to be wasting valuable time apart when we can be together. Ten years without the love of my life because my daddy is a meanie? ok, has anyone thought to maybe, possibly, kill him? (maybe I've been reading too much urban fiction, because bang bang shoot him up, thanks)
We should have been able to hear Mal's conversation with Sloane about her past. It was an anchor in her characters development and was reduced to a memory rather than an experience we earned to watch her have. Also, TELL YO MAMA! I hate that she held on to this pain for so long, especially when she had the type of support system she had.
Reese, RJ, and Giselle should have had bigger roles in this book, like they did in the others. The story moving far past them was evidence of how thin the plot that was keeping them apart actually was. Even when Reese finally got what was coming to him, Chris didn't have a final stand off with him. WE EARNED THAT AFTER ALL HE PUT US THROUGH!
All in all, J.L Seegars is a PHENOMENAL author and I couldn't have been happier than I was reading this book!
July 11, 2026
(contains spoilers)
What a way to bring everything together. Honestly, his mom being alive wasn’t even a shock to me — I’d already suspected the mystery woman he kept running into throughout the series was either his mom or his aunt, so it felt more like confirmation than a twist. But that didn’t take anything away from how satisfying it was to watch it unfold. I was so happy Chris finally got his family back — or at least the family he actually wanted and deserved, which isn’t always the same thing.
Everything came together in a way that felt magical rather than forced, and the ending gave the payoff this series deserved. Listened via Audible and the narration made it hit even harder.
A must-read (or must-listen) for anyone who’s followed Chris and Mallory’s journey from the start, especially readers who love a found-family payoff. I’m already diving into Reclaim Me next — completely hooked.
What a way to bring everything together. Honestly, his mom being alive wasn’t even a shock to me — I’d already suspected the mystery woman he kept running into throughout the series was either his mom or his aunt, so it felt more like confirmation than a twist. But that didn’t take anything away from how satisfying it was to watch it unfold. I was so happy Chris finally got his family back — or at least the family he actually wanted and deserved, which isn’t always the same thing.
Everything came together in a way that felt magical rather than forced, and the ending gave the payoff this series deserved. Listened via Audible and the narration made it hit even harder.
A must-read (or must-listen) for anyone who’s followed Chris and Mallory’s journey from the start, especially readers who love a found-family payoff. I’m already diving into Reclaim Me next — completely hooked.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 21, 2026
What does it really take to work toward forgiveness?
This book captured something that feels so true: the reality of trying to hold deep hurt and deep love at the same time. Even though it was a romance, my favorite parts were the hard conversations. The dialogue felt real, messy, honest, and full of uncertainty. Even when they didn’t know what the future would look like, they couldn’t quite let each other go.
And that apology? It left me completely exposed.
Mallory could ask Chris for anything except to leave her, because that was the one thing he could never do.
More than the romance, this story felt like an exploration of forgiveness, vulnerability, and what happens when love remains even after trust has been broken.
This book captured something that feels so true: the reality of trying to hold deep hurt and deep love at the same time. Even though it was a romance, my favorite parts were the hard conversations. The dialogue felt real, messy, honest, and full of uncertainty. Even when they didn’t know what the future would look like, they couldn’t quite let each other go.
And that apology? It left me completely exposed.
Mallory could ask Chris for anything except to leave her, because that was the one thing he could never do.
More than the romance, this story felt like an exploration of forgiveness, vulnerability, and what happens when love remains even after trust has been broken.
Review of advance copy
4.5 ⭐️
Mallory truly got on my nerves throughout this book. While I completely understood her pain and why she struggled to trust Chris again, she definitely stressed me out at times. Meanwhile, Chris’ patience was honestly unmatched because he dealt with so much from every angle. I also really felt for him with everything going on within his own family.
Despite the frustration, this was such a good conclusion to Mallory & Chris’ story. J.L. Seegars gave them an ending that felt emotional, messy, realistic, and well deserved.
Mallory truly got on my nerves throughout this book. While I completely understood her pain and why she struggled to trust Chris again, she definitely stressed me out at times. Meanwhile, Chris’ patience was honestly unmatched because he dealt with so much from every angle. I also really felt for him with everything going on within his own family.
Despite the frustration, this was such a good conclusion to Mallory & Chris’ story. J.L. Seegars gave them an ending that felt emotional, messy, realistic, and well deserved.
July 5, 2026
Finally! *Spoilers*
There was a lot of repetition. I don't think we needed 3 books, but I still appreciate the characters.
The storyline with Reese Johnson fell flat and the mom coming back and Chris not realizing who she was sooner also fell flat. Good read otherwise.
There was a lot of repetition. I don't think we needed 3 books, but I still appreciate the characters.
The storyline with Reese Johnson fell flat and the mom coming back and Chris not realizing who she was sooner also fell flat. Good read otherwise.
July 20, 2026
Very touched by this book and how everything went full circle and back with Sloan, Nick, Mallory and Kris! 🥰🥰 I think Kris is my new #1 book Bae now! He's not just a man of his word, it's the actions for me without being told to do so! Why you make her wait so lonnngggg....but still!
July 29, 2026
😴 😵💫
No! Just no! This was too wordy and I found myself skipping pages more than I was ready. It became a snooze fest so I quit! I actually read two books prior to this and this story started out 5 stars strong. I don’t know what happened but it’s a wrap for me!
No! Just no! This was too wordy and I found myself skipping pages more than I was ready. It became a snooze fest so I quit! I actually read two books prior to this and this story started out 5 stars strong. I don’t know what happened but it’s a wrap for me!
July 5, 2026
Great read
This is my favorite of the New Haven series because it wraps up Restore Me and all of the Revive Me series!! I love it!!!
This is my favorite of the New Haven series because it wraps up Restore Me and all of the Revive Me series!! I love it!!!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews