♥︎ Heather ⚔ 's Reviews > Keeping 13

"Hi, Johnny."
"Hi, Shannon." 🥹

3.5 Stars Rounded Up!⭐⭐⭐⭐

This story picks up right where book 1 ends in the middle of Shannon and Johnny's tumultuous relationship - but for everyone that has been commenting and are worried - there is a HEA here! ❤️

I'm going to keep this pretty short because there's not much detail that I can go into as this is book 2 and heavy on spoilers.

When I first started this series I was a major skeptic - the writing is very wattpadish and an editor would have been really appreciated. If I never hear 'Shannon like the river' again it will be too soon. But these characters wormed their way into my heart despite all of the flaws that I found with the books. So, I cannot even be a hater here- Johnny, Shannon and all of the others have won me over!

╰┈➤ I loved the growth of Shannon in this book. I will say, that even though I felt terrible for her in book 1 with everything that she had going on at home, and at school and well- in general. She frustrated me to no end. Okay, that's harsh, but I did find myself rooting for her to stand up for herself in some way when possible. I don't do well with frail FMC's so forgive me for some of my criticism of her.

In this book, her growth starts to shine. She's still insecure and a little grating for me but I found that the more she felt comfortable and loved - she really started to thrive and I loved seeing that for her.

╰┈➤ Johnny is just amazing. What an amazing, loving, caring, understanding, green flag hunk of a man. I loved how no matter what nothing would deter him from being there for Shannon, and how tender and patient he was with her.

Not only was he marvelous with her but with her family. Oh, that makes my heart sing! Her tight relationship with her brothers and despite being amidst all of the family turmoil - he held fast and was a true example of how a love interest should treat his woman/partner.

╰┈➤ Johnny's parents - omg. Shut the front door. They are the best and I love them so much!

I feel like I've been through such a long journey with these characters and I love them all so much - I can't wait to continue and read Joey's story because he is life and deserves all the best.

Overall, yes. I have many issues with these books and the writing but at it's core it's a story about tragedy, love, sacrifice, resilience, growth, compassion, hope and family. I highly recommend them!

✨Shy Girl/ Popular Boy
✨ Sports Romance
✨Found Family
✨Dual POV
✨Hurt/Comfort
✨Friends to Lovers

╰┈➤ 𝓠𝓾𝓸𝓽𝓮𝓼

“Every bit of me misses every bit of you.”

“My whole heart's inside of ya.”

“I loved her more than I knew what to do with. I could see it all ahead of me: my life, my future, my career, and her. The girl I knew would play the leading role in all of it. I'd thrown it all in with her and I had no doubts. Not a single one. She was my teammate now.”

“You show up and all the bad just...goes away for a little while.”

“That very first time I saw you? You sparked to life something inside of me.”

“We're all a little fractured.”

“I want your trouble, and your complications, and everything else that comes with you.” 💕