12/31/25
After reading Saving 6, I was desperate to get my hands on Redeeming 6, and it turned out to be even stronger, more complex, and deeper than Saving 6. I highly recommend reading this to experience a different perspective from the antics from Keeping 13.
We pick up with Joey and Aoife falling apart. Joey is struggling to stay sober while trying to take care of his family,, yet he cannot pull himself out of the water. Day by day, things progressively get worse. He is left waiting for answers. Will his mom choose her children over her abusive husband? Will he find his self-worth? Will he make amends with Aoife?
Aoife, however, is unwilling to give up on him, no matter how much he destroys himself or how deeply addiction takes over both Joey and their relationship. An “unexpected guest” arrives at the door, changing their lives either for good or for worse. Joey must make a decision. Does he love the people in his life more, or the stuff he injects in his veins?
This book was raw, complex, and devastating. For the sake of readers, I will not say anything more to avoid spoilers. This is a sensitive book because it is not just a romance. It explores addiction, family, mental health, and self-worth. Everything is written in a way that keeps you trapped in a rabbit hole you cannot escape.
Experiencing the story through both perspectives is heartbreaking, yet it also serves as a sign of hope. Whenever you are lost in the darkness, keep trying to find the light. This was an unforgettable read and the perfect way to spend my late, freezing winter break nights.
I am already planning to get my hands on a full copy of Taming 7, which follows Claire and Gerard. After reading a couple of chapters, it already gives off the same intensity as Redeeming 6. When I was at the bookstore checking out Redeeming 6, the young lady at the register warned me about how intense this book and the rest of the series is. She told me it would leave me “broken.” I guess she was right.
If you are a bookworm like me who enjoys fiction with complex tropes and characters, this book and this series is perfect for you. Happy New Year and happy reading!
Lit Lounge Reads 