BETHTommy and I grew up together in a foster home that nearly killed us both. We loved each other with our whole hearts until the world tore us apart.And now I’m in the back seat of his car and he won’t tell me where he’s taking me.As the days pass, one thing is clear: the attraction between us is as powerful as ever. His kisses are still sweet. His touch irresistible. But I don’t know if the boy … I don’t know if the boy I loved is going to save me? Or ruin me?
TOMMY
One last job and my debt to the dangerous man who holds my life in his hands will be paid.
My slate wiped clean.
To save my life I have to kidnap Beth, the only woman I ever loved, and deliver her to the one person who wants to destroy her.
Resisting her touch is impossible but falling for her could get us both killed.
I’d rather die than hurt Beth, but we’re both running out of time…
Book One in the thrilling and romantic When We Were Young Duet
“M. O’Keefe is an absolute auto-buy for me.”- J. Kenner NYT Bestselling Author
“Emotional and gut wrenching.” – Stacey on Goodreads
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The audio version of this book was beyond perfection! The dual narration, the narrators, they captured the characters, their nuances, their feelings, better than my imagination could, and that is saying something. I listened to this in my car, and the feelings that oozed out of the car speakers drenched over me, nearly drowning me with their weight.
This story had me wanting to know more, and wanting to turn away at every single moment. I sharply felt all the pain, all the angst, all the hopelessness that Beth and Tommy projected. Their pasts, their current, their future, it all was the same for them, more of just trying to survive. So much held deep in their souls, not to be shared, because sharing had only brought them despair. Even with the wealth of feelings they had for each other, they couldn’t take away the veil, because it already hurt too much. Tommy and Beth near about wrecked me, so of course, I had to dive right in to the next book, the conclusion of their story, because if any people deserve an HEA more, I don’t know who they would be!
Sometimes love provides the courage to overcome bad things that have happened in life and help you to become a stronger person.
Plz disregard prior review. Mixed up this story with another one. This book was actually GOOD. Enjoyed this story.
It’s not everyday your able to pick up a book and completely have no idea how it’s going to end. The tragedy all of these characters go threw and are able to still be standing on the other side it truly amazing. A truly must read!! Recommend to read the whole series!
I liked the book however it drives me insane when I have to read another book to get the conclusion – if I knew upfront it was a 2 or 3 book read I wouldn’t have got the first one
Save your money.
I devoured Tommy and Beth’s story. Full of pain and heartache and passion and suspense and drama, this beautifully written story has it all.
As soon as I finished this, I quickly dove into the next book!
I despised having a book that forces me to read another and another another to come to a conclusion. Although the book was written well, it leaves you hanging , when you purchase the second one is give some conclusion but keeps opening more doors. I will not purchase another book from this author as I believe her books are all like this and not independent of each other. Disappointed is not a strong enough word.
Some hard hitting difficult to read scenes. Tommy was always the protector in the foster home and after the incident that separates them he continues that role. He meets up with Beth/Jada again repaying his debt. Instead of repaying his debt he takes her away so that he can care for her himself. Now they are both wanted.
Ends in a cliffhanger.
LOVED THIS BOOK!!
Loved it!!
Very much enjoyed
exceptional writer!
A must read!
not really sure where this one is headed, but no thanks. first in a series of cobbled together crap from a dozen (overused) familiar themes.
3.5 stars– LOST WITHOUT YOU is the first full length instalment in Molly O’Keefe’s contemporary, new adult THE DEBT dark, romance series focusing on a former group of teens thrown together in the foster/ juvenile system of San Francisco, California (more specifically the St. Jude’s Home for Court Place Juveniles) -Tommy, Beth, Simon, Rosa and Carissa. LOST WITHOUT YOU is twenty four year old Tommy MacNeill, and twenty three year old Beth Renshaw’s story line. I have not had the opportunity to read the conclusion to their story WHERE I BELONG but I am hoping to rectify that very shortly.
NOTE: There is a FREE short story prologue available -THE DEBT -that reveals some of the background and events leading to the debt owed by Tommy, Simon and Carissa. The same short story prologue is also contained at the beginning of Tommy and Beth’s story-Lost Without You.
Told from dual first person perspectives (Tommy and Beth) LOST WITHOUT YOU begins seven years earlier in which we are witness to the horrific acts of violence perpetrated on five young souls who will be beaten and broken for any number of offenses deemed inappropriate or wrong. LOST WITHOUT YOU focuses on the fall out of a corrupt juvenile system that saw five ‘young offenders’ destroyed by a sexually and physically abusive foster family, only to discover that freedom came at a cost- all debts must be repaid; anytime, anywhere, without question or fail.
Fast forward to present day and Tommy MacNeill’s contracted debt has been called into fruition, and his assignment will bring him face to face with his past. Enter pop sensation Jada, the young girl formerly known as Beth Renshaw, and the woman Tommy has always loved. What ensues is the rekindling relationship and romance between Tommy and Beth, and the fall out when Tommy is unable to pay off his seven year debt.
LOST WITHOUT YOU is a somewhat dark and edgy story of heartbreak, betrayal, abuse and regret. Five teens caught in the system with no chance of parole until a mysterious and dangerous stranger, Mr. Bates, offers freedom for a price. All debts must be repaid, and Tommy’s debt has been called placing our hero in the line of fire. The premise is engaging and angst-ridden; the characters are broken and battle-weary; the romance is passionate but lacked the heat factor of many of today’s dark romance novels-perhaps the events of the past interfered in their ability to let go and enjoy their few remaining moments together.
LOST WITHOUT YOU ends on a cliff hanger-you have been warned.
A hauntingly heartbreaking love story. Tommy was left a orphan when his parents died and put in a foster home. Beth was out in by her cruel mother. They were abused by the Pastor and his wife, some more than others.
This is the first book I have read by O’Keefe but it won’t be the last one.
I would highly recommend this book.