Atoning Conviction (Conviction, #5) by Greer Rivers

Atoning Conviction (Conviction, #5) Reviews

• 
  Paige Wiltshire

  ‘Oh my god. How the hell did I have you so wrong, Phoenix?’
  
  Are we surprised that the queen herself has done it once again? No we absolutely are not. MY GOD THIS BOOK!!
  
  Now let me start off with the fact that this book is not like the others. It is dark, and I know some intense topics have been covered in the rest of the series, but this one IS DARK. That being said, If you can handle the triggers throughout this one you HAVE TO READ IT - but they’re not to be taken lightly!
  
  My love for this series is endless and every book just gets better and better, this one was no exception and my goodness me Phoneix was so utterly misunderstood, he was not what I was expecting and my opinion of him changed by like chapter 3, he must be protected at all costs thank you. His and Callie’s story couldn’t have a more poetic ending after the horrendous circumstances that brought them together. After all, love prevails and no obstacle was ever going to stop these two beautifully broken people from fighting for what they want. The relationship they slowly built ripped my heart out and put it back together again, the way they protect each other just had me. Every single one of these couples are perfect, but these two?!
  
  Once again I need to take a moment to say how much I love and appreciate the way that Greer approaches and talks about all of the tough topics in her books. She writes amazingly badass heroines who are the strongest yet most vulnerable women and I love all of them, but she also does the same with her heroes. They are big badass military men who have just as many mental wounds and I love how openly and easily that’s approached, there’s no toxic masculinity and the brotherhood they have with each other too after everything they’ve been through is beautiful.
  
  Im trying to keep this spoiler free, but we finally got some more answers! I love how each book has unravelled something new but this one gave you ANSWERS FINALLY!! Greer has done a great job of keeping you on your toes with the wider plot and we’re getting so close to that big ending!! I’m so not ready for this series to end but I’m dying to get my hands on Leading Conviction and I’m hedging my bets on FINALLY finding out some more about my mysterious man Hawk 👀
  
  So here’s your friendly reminder to go and read this book ASAP and if you haven’t already well what better book than Escaping Conviction as your next read…
• 
  Lisa Marie

  
  Atoning Conviction by
  Releases March 22nd
  Paperback | Kindle Unlimited
  
  “You know… I bet you’re right. You’re a little fighter. There’s no other way you could’ve survived in this hellhole for as long as you have without fightin’ for it.” 
  
  ✨Let just say one thing. I want to publicly apologize to Phoenix. I thought you were trash but you aren’t. Please accept my apologies.
  
  If you haven’t read Convictions series. You should. They aren’t standalones - so I would suggest reading from the beginning. This is book number 5. The stories are well inter-connected.
  
  This is Phoenix’s story. He meets brown eyes aka Callie. Callie is bad ass mother trucker. She is now my favourite FMC in this series.
  
  Phoenix is kidnapped as is Callie. Phoenix goes through flipping hell in this book. My heart hurt for him. Both characters it hurt.
  
  Their banter in this book is chef kiss. Callie can handle her own. This was acquaintances to enemies to lovers. They are so strong character it was interesting seeing it played out.
  
  Greer, it is amazing like always. Please read the series ! :) I don’t know how long I can wait for the last one.
  
  
  
• 
  Lia

  She did it again. I feel like every time I read one of Rivers books I have less and less words to say because she makes my mouth drop literally like poof mind blown. I’ve put off writing this review because I really had to gather my thoughts for this book. This book was as Rivers stated a dark romance, but a very dark one which I think personally made the story more interesting and different. Like I say every time the characters are so freaking loveable. I love Phoenix, well I’ve loved him since book one but that’s not the point. Callie is so much more different than I thought. Like reading her story and everything that revolves around her was a really interesting experience and I really loved how Rivers made her as a character. Spice as always good but like I always say, no matter how good and 5 star worthy the spice was the dynamic between the characters and their love story has a greater importance. Although the spice is important so don’t get it twisted. Anyway read this story 5 stars as always can’t wait for the next one!
• 
  Renee (BookLoveWithRenee)

  This book had me on the edge of my seat the WHOLE time. I’ve gotten so attached to these characters throughout the series, I couldn’t go to sleep until I finished the book. This one is DARK and several scenes were hard to read (definitely pay attention to the trigger warning), but the story is so compelling and powerful. Phoenix & Callie’s love story is twisted & brutal, but oh so beautiful. In true Greer fashion, she’s left us with a little cliffhanger. Can’t wait for the next installment of the BlackStone Security family!
• 
  Sam

  OMG, I absolutely love the twist Greer gives us with this book. I went in with a not-so-great opinion of Phoenix and is role in the overall story of the Conviction series (this is book 5), but that was quickly flipped on its head in the best way.
  
  I wasn't sure how we were going to get a more bada$$ FMC than we got in previous books, but Callie blew me out of the water. She was not who I was expecting, but she is every bit the FMC I needed.
  
  The books in this series are considered standalone, however they are all following the same backstory and you gain more information with each book in the series, so it is better to start with book 1. BUT if you have read books 1-4, please be warned this book is significantly darker than the previous books (check your triggers, if you are considered) however the dark and grittiness makes it better.
• 
  valerieamanda09

  Check your TW’s
  
  Callie can hold her own. If I could, I would give this book 100/5 stars. I received this as an ARC for an honest review. This book is terrific. You can not help but become invested in the story and the characters. This book picks up after Breaking Conviction. I highly suggest that you read them in order, or you can read BC then this masterpiece. This book had me on the edge of my seat for the whole book. I love her writing style; It is phenomenal. It was one of my most anticipated reads, and I wasn’t let down. I can’t wait to see what LC has in store.
• 
  Veronica and Rae

  Hey y’all, it’s Veronica again. Recently, I was gifted an ARC of the 5th installment of Greer Rivers’ Conviction Series: Atoning Conviction. I’ve decided it’s my birthday present from Greer. And what a gift it was.
  
  I’m going to be honest… I don’t even know where to fucking start and I mean that in the best way possible.
  
  I’ve been a fan of Greer’s writing since the very first book in the series. The plot pulled me in. I wanted to know where things went. I liked learning about the rest of the team. I was intrigued by multiple perspectives. The writing was compelling (and hot).
  
  Honestly, I didn’t even think that the series would be this big. I thought it might be a trio and be done. I didn’t expect to get a full-blown 6-book series.
  
  Dearest readers, I love it when I’m wrong about something involving a book. It’s the best kind of surprise.
  
  I convinced Rae to review the ARC of Fighting Conviction (book 2) and then I reviewed ARCs for the next two on my own. I have been highly awaiting book 5, as I’d developed my own theories as to how the plot would develop. So without further ado, let’s get into it, but fair warning: if you haven’t read the first 4 books, there will be spoilers.
  
  The Plot
  Atoning Conviction takes place over the course of the tail end of Breaking Conviction (book 3) and the entirety of Healing Conviction (book 4).
  
  At the end of book 3, we find Phoenix leaving the Blackstone facility with the enemy. He’s not seen, nor heard from until the very end of book 4, where his former teammates receive a video of him.
  
  The events of the book take place in between these two markers in Phoenix’s life. And holy shitballs is it a fucking ride.
  
  A significant portion of the book (about 60ish%) takes place in captivity. Phoenix and Callie are trapped in what they call “the underground.” It’s a prison. Callie has been there for a long time already.
  
  They’re both tortured, though in different ways. There are graphic depictions of physical and sexual violence. Drugs are involved. It’s absolute hell for both of them.
  
  As you might expect (this is a romance novel, after all), the two of them form a forbidden bond and eventually work together to escape.
  
  A Note on Content and Trigger Warnings
  First and foremost, it’s important to understand that this book is officially listed as a dark romance. While the rest of the books in the series are listed as romantic suspense with dark themes, this is … real dark.
  
  It’s entirely worth noting that Greer Rivers is extremely sensitive to this fact and made sure to warn her ARC team (hair flip) on multiple occasions. In fact, she also told us that we could skip this book and remain on her ARC team if we wished.
  
  We can get into a whole discussion about trigger warnings on a different day, but for now, know that if you have triggers surrounding human trafficking, rape, assault, or violence, prepare yourself. As Greer said to us: “protect your heart.”
  
  If you’re wondering whether the content will be too much for you, I can’t really answer that. But I will say that there is one scene, in particular, that was really tough for me to get through. If I weren’t sitting next to a stranger in an enclosed space (masks on) at the time, I might have cried. I won’t lie to you: I considered skipping it.
  
  I didn’t though because I trust Greer. I truly don’t believe she would put gratuitous violence against women in a book for shits and giggles.
  
  I got through it and I’m glad I did. Again, you’ll need to make that decision on your own based on your own mental health and triggers. But the bottom line is that it’s instrumental to the plot and important in Phoenix and Callie’s story.
  
  I will say that what helped me get through it was knowing the purpose behind the action, and that’s to spur the Blackstone team and Callie to absolutely fucking annihilate the people who run this trafficking ring. As a reader, I was more than ready for some violent revenge when the time came.
  
  Top Bun
  My top bun is Greer’s plotting.
  
  If you hadn’t caught on during the first 4 books, Atoning Conviction makes it extremely obvious that she’s not just spitting out romance novels with a hint of suspense. These books might be standalones for the couples, but they should absolutely be read in order so you can fully appreciate Greer’s attention to detail.
  
  There is a detail from the very first book that I had completely forgotten until reading Atoning Conviction. It didn’t seem like a major deal at the time, but it’s used to set the tone for a specific character and I did not realize how much that tiny detail influenced me until this book.
  
  I had to travel for work this week, so I was doing a good portion of reading on the plane and in the airport. While a lot of the pieces were clicking into place for me, I was 31,000 feet in the air being slingshot from one state to another and entirely unable to talk to anyone about what was happening on my Kindle.
  
  When I got home, I pulled my Kindle back out to keep reading and PROMPTLY typed an all-caps email to Greer.
  
  The breadcrumbs she leaves that don’t feel like breadcrumbs at all are perfection.
  
  It would not surprise me at all if she has the entire series completely mapped out in a series of post-its on a giant wall in her house. She knows exactly where we’re going and what will happen and she’s not giving any goddamned thing away. She tells you what she wants you to know and when so you can be properly dragged up and down the hills on that rollercoaster.
  
  Greer Rivers is one of the most talented new writers I’ve seen. I’ll one-click her from here until eternity.
  
  The Meat
  OOF it’s dark. Dark romance isn’t really my thing – the world is dark enough. In fact, I read romance primarily to escape the darkness of the world. But like I said before: I trust Greer.
  
  And also, I want that sweet, sweet revenge.
  
  So that’s why I suffered through the parts that made me wince and cringe and tear up and tense up every single muscle in my body.
  
  One thing that is mentioned multiple times is nightmares – how they’re both stronger than their nightmares. From Phoenix’s perspective:
  
  “Being in the underground was his villain origin story. His nightmares didn’t stand a chance against him.”
  
  Again, I’ll reiterate that readers should check the trigger warnings and protect yourselves. Everyone will need to make these decisions on their own. If it’s too much, skip through those parts.
  
  Bottom Bun
  Phoenix.
  Fucking.
  Rises.
  
  This is another aspect of Greer’s brilliant plotting. His nickname is Phoenix. Of course, it could be argued (and is essentially inferred) that the name fits him because he flies helicopters – they literally rise straight into the air. We also find out at the end of book 4 that his real name is Felix. (If it’s stated before then, I don’t recall it.) Phoenix is a play on the name Felix.
  
  But I’m willing to bet money that his nickname was intentional from the very start of this series.
  
  I had a theory during book 3 that Phoenix was sacrificing himself by allowing himself to be captured. Perhaps Phoenix thought he could play both sides long enough to get closer and find out who was at the top.
  
  I had hope that he was still a good guy deep down, but was suffering from a lot of PTSD and a rather significant amount of depression. But again with Greer’s plotting… I questioned it. I questioned my theory a lot throughout book 4.
  
  The theme of the entire series is justice and redemption but is perhaps the most poignant in this book. Callie and Phoenix are works of art.
  
  Given the amount of trauma the two of them have been through in their lives (both pre-underground and during), I wondered how in the world the two of them would move forward. How do you get up and try to go about a “normal” life after all of that?
  
  But Phoenix is an incredible person with a huge heart, so he takes the initiative, essentially telling Snake that he is ready to heal all his trauma and move forward with his life, alongside Callie.
  
  “I need to make sure I fix myself, too. People can cut each other with their broken pieces. I want to be whole for both of us.”
  
  Would I recommend this book? Hell yes. (Be sure to mind your trigger warnings.)
  
  I’m going to go ahead and say it: Atoning Conviction is my favorite book in this series.
  
  I’m certain I’ll go back and read parts of it now and again, much as I do with Fighting Conviction. (I’ve really got a soft spot for the reformed rakes.)
  
  Honestly, I can’t say enough good things about this book. It’s excellent. I’m upset that I have to wait until October for the conclusion of the series.
  
  But I have a feeling it will be very worth the wait.
• 
  Sandi

  I went into this book with a certain perception of Phoenix, and not exactly the best one either. That said, I absolutely expected to love him by the end of the book, and I can definitely say that expectation was met. But everything else, nope, this book blew everything else out of the water. What we get with Phoenix is a very nuanced, and deeply damaged, beautiful soul. He struggles with what he’s seen, he struggles with what he does, and he struggles with himself. But an interesting thing that I absolutely didn’t expect, was an almost innocent hopefulness below the layers and layers of darkness and pain. Phoenix embodies his call sign in so many ways in this book. He re-emerges from the ashes of his past, of his present, and of his demons, and he becomes something bigger, stronger, and infinitely more potent.
  
  Callie is also a fascinating character. It seems pretty clear early on that her being in the hands of the traffickers was not entirely out of her control. What is the biggest mystery is why (aside from knowing she’s looking for revenge for her sister, what else is she looking for), and the how, not to mention, the why of how long she has been prey for the general and his predilections. She has endured, and continues to endure, some extremely dark and horrifying trauma at the hands of the general and his men, and yet she continues to move forward, her goals firmly in place, and her will unbreakable. When she first meets Phoenix, who she initially knows as prisoner 813, she thinks him to be on the side of the traffickers. Either one himself, a competitor of the general, or involved with them in some way. She doesn’t trust anyone, which prevents her from diving too deep into who he is, but at the same time, she also senses that maybe there’s something different about him. She embodies both a strength and a vulnerability that propel her to do what she feels is necessary. She also plans to escape the underground nightmare, and she doesn’t need to get involved with this prisoner and derail any plans in that regard.
  
  Phoenix is a very tactile person. He craves people and touch, and even though he’s been struggling with his PTSD since the Yemen attack, he still finds his release and relief through touch and human interaction. So being trapped underground, the only contact with others through torture, that in itself is a whole other form of torment for him. When Callie appears and provides him with even just brief moments of interaction, he connects with her, and his protective instincts kick in, even though he’s a prisoner. There are some extremely dark and difficult moments they share, at the hands of the general, but they still have difficulty trusting, which holds them back from truly being able to help each other. When things come to a head, however, they fall into a natural lock step, a rhythm that they just move to, and their coordination is like music. They also lash out, their mistrust unable to easily let them get past the violence.
  
  The chemistry between them, holy cow, when they finally tear it all down, is insanely hot. It’s dark, and violent, and powerful, and it consumes them. They have this push and pull between them, an enemies to lovers vibe, even though their not actually enemies (though she believes them to be at first). It’s definitely something that stokes the flames, and their joint, shared trauma actually helps them heal each other with their touches.
  
  Be sure to check your TWs on this one. This is definitely the darkest of the series, and there are some very, very dark moments, explicit, and devastating. That said, those moments carve these two people out and mold them into something that is so much stronger together, it’s absolutely a beautiful thing to see. The pacing of the book is steady and fast. The plot moves along with some big reveals, and bolstering some of what we already knew, as well as a little bit of fantastic closure from previous books of the series. Overall, it weaves together a fantastic romance for Phoenix and Callie, and I absolutely loved every bit of it.
• 
  Karly Wise

  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
  🔥🔥.5/5
  WARNING!!! This is book 5 in the Conviction series. While each book follows a different couple, the plot ends on cliffhangers so you must read books 1-4 before this one in order to understand. Also, this book is significantly darker than the previous books, so please mind the TW’s.
  
  TW’S: Drug Use; Drugging; Human Trafficking; Violence; Rape; Mention of Suicide; References Child Sexual Abuse
  
  Kinks: Pain Play; Gun Play(ish)
  
  Tropes:
  •Enemies-to-Lovers
  •Hidden Identity
  •Revenge
  •Protective Hero
  •Dark
  •Forced Proximity
  
  I truly don’t know if there are words to describe how much I loved this book. This is hands down, without a doubt my favorite book in the series so far.
  
  I’ll be honest, I went into this book with less than high hopes. If you’ve read Books 3-4, you’ll probably know why. I want to publicly announce my apology to Phoenix. I’M SO SORRY PHOENIX!!!! After believing he was the bad guy for almost 2 books, it was a shock to the system to see what he was truly going through during that time. I didn’t think any of the guys would be able to pass the line Snake drew for favorite Conviction Book Boy, but man, Phoenix flew right past it.
  
  So, it’s been a while since I’ve wanted to literally throat punch a character, and that happened multiple times in this book. Firstly, with Callie every time she referred to Phoenix as a trafficker. I was just screaming at the book like, “No the fuck he’s not bitch,” but damn did she make up for her mistrust in the end **cough**putting his team in their place**cough**. Callie and Phoenix were fucking endgame, and I love them!!
  
  This book made me feel so many different emotions, so quickly, it’s not even funny. This was a frickin rollercoaster of a book and I lived for every second of it. It had me hooked from page one and I never wanted it to end. So, if you’re looking for a book with nail biting suspense, sneak attack plot twists, and panty melting spice, this may be the book for you.
  
  If you know me, you’ll know Greer is one of my favorite authors, so I'm very excited to see what she brings us next. And as much as I disliked Hawk because of his decision making in this book, I’m still excited to see what happens in his story next, and to hopefully see the team finally get some answers.
  
  Thank you so much to the author for letting me read this as an ARC.
• 
  Cheyenne Thurston

  Dark. Twisted. Each book gets better! Spoilers ahead! You've been warned. (ARC Review)
  GO READ ALL OF THE CONVICTION SERIES!
  Wow. I thought Draco and Nora's story was something I was eagerly waiting for but after reading Atoning Conviction, I never thought I needed Phoenix's story more than anything. This is the darkest of the Conviction Series and it is phenomenally done. Well done Greer.
  Each of her books just gets better and better. She blows it out of the water every time.
  Callie just surprises you around every turn and plays her cards very close to her chest. Getting a peek into who Phoenix is through this book was wonderful. We barely got much of him through books 1, 2, 3, and what we did wasn't much. Greer set it up perfectly for our outlook on what kind of person Phoenix is in book 4. The way Greer conveys trauma and trauma responses is so well done. So well done, that it is relatable. When you have your own personal trauma responses or your own triggers, it can remind you of them but in a good way. Not a bad way. The way that makes you realize that while everyone may be different, everyone is fighting some kind of battle every day. Greer portrays that really well, especially in the team dynamic of the Blackstone boys.
  
  Spoilers ahead:
  
  I would like to profusely apologize to Phoenix for disliking him so much since the second book. I was about ready to throw my phone at about the 75% mark. It was in serious danger. I scared my husband when I yelled out.
  Callie. Brown eyes. She is my favorite right now. I did not see it coming. Not her being an FBI agent at all! I will honestly say I squealed at the end of chapter forty-five and happy danced all of forty-six. My husband thought I was crazy.
  I was also very happy to see Snake and Phoenix work it out. Now Hawk on the other hand? That guy is a closed book, but he let a few things slip during this book. Little tidbits that Greer gave us for the next book which I am now counting the days for!
• 
  Madeline

  Every book in this series seems to be better than the last, and that's saying something because the first one was amazing. Atoning conviction, while a crucial part of the series, breaks off into a dark and twisted beast of it's own. It has it's trigger warnings for a reason and, out of the 5 books, this one is the heaviest emotionally. Do not let this dissuade you from reading, unless you have issues with the triggers.
  
  Phoenix's story picks up after the bombing, and we truly find out what is happening. I don't want to spoil any of the details but nothing is as it seems. The entire book is Phoenix's quest for understanding, while being subjected to physical, mental, and emotional abuse. While in captivity, he meets Callie, a woman who has a fire in her eyes and proves she's no damsel in distress. She's fighting her own battles, while trying to stay alive and whole, and not fall for the captive, "813". While both prisoners without the truth, they prove to each other that they're not who they seem to be and have to decide if they can truly trust the other to help them.
  
  While their story is full of hurt, you will be left knowing there's another book in the works and they are alive. Phoenix's name just proves how much of an overcomer he truly is, with a fiery passion and protective heart. And Callie, she's a wild card I didn't see coming but I 100% wish I had her own my team. I whole-heartedly recommend reading this book with breaks so you can process everything but you'd probably be fine binging it because it's just that good.
  
  *I was given an advanced reader copy in return for an honest review. The author did not purchase my review or persuade me in any way. These thoughts and words are my own.*
• 
  Whitney Weaver

  I can not get over how well Greer wrote this story line. While the first four books of the Conviction series are not technically "dark" romance, Phoenix and Callie's story dug MUCH deeper into the dark than the previous titles have and I'm here for it!
  
  Phoenix may have a bad vibe leading into this book, but you'll quickly realize there is more than one side of the story when diving into this one. Follow him while he faces his nightmares, and finds the one true light quite literally at the end of the tunnel (or beanhole).
  
  Callie is a force to be reckoned with, and not quite what she seems when first meeting her. You'll feel every emotion in the book right along with her as she does whatever she is required to find her own justice in this world. Even if it means losing herself along the way, one playtime at a time.
  
  The details in this one are a cut above the rest. I was able to visualize every tiny detail while following along with this forced proximity romance. Greer will have you picturing yourself in a 6x9 ft box, begging for mercy right along Phoenix. But have no fear, these two baddies will help you find your way to reckoning. Right after your heart is shattered into a million pieces of course.
  
  While you don't necessarily have to read these in order, I do recommend it to get a good grip on everything the BlackStone Security men (AND WOMEN) have been up to since day one.
  
  Happy reading BABs!
• 
  Alison Shoepe (alisonsoverbooked)

  “People can cut each other with their broken pieces. I want to be whole for us both.” ⁣
  ⁣
  If you’ve followed me for a while, you know I’ve been reading this series since last year. Atoning Conviction is book 5 in the series and it didn’t let me down!⁣
  ⁣
  At the end of the last book, I had a theory…and while I wasn’t completely correct, I’m going to pat myself on the back for being partially correct. 😂⁣
  ⁣
  Oh, Phoenix…you poor, broken, fighter of a man. There is so much more to you than what others around you see. And Callie, holy crap did you have a few surprises up your sleeve! Also a fighter, I was so impressed by this woman and her strength. ⁣
  ⁣
  The overall story and the answers we got were great and went in the direction I thought they might be going…I was almost right! The surprises Greer had in store for her readers were awesome and I can’t wait to see them play out in the final book!⁣
  ⁣
  However, I need to warn you that this book is dark. Like, really dark. I don’t really have any triggers, but the first half of the book took me a little longer to read because I needed breaks from what was going on. I’ve included the author’s trigger warning on the 3rd slide here. She has more specific information for those who need it on her website with some spoiler content to prepare you for certain chapters, should you need it. I want to thank her for always including trigger warnings for her readers, but also for going above and beyond this time to protect her readers from things they may find upsetting. ❤️⁣
  ⁣
  Thank you, to the author for the eARC I received in exchange for my honest opinion of this book. ⁣
• 
  Carlie Drury

  Atoning Conviction is easily in my top 3 favorites of the Conviction series, and that’s hard to say because I love them all so much.
  
  This book is significantly darker than the rest of the series, please don’t take the trigger wanting lightly. That being said, if it was written any other way it would not have done Phoenix and Callie justice. They came together under horrible circumstances and if any of the dark and twisty details had be left out or simply summarized then we wouldn’t truly see Phoenix rise from the ashes or Callie go through her metamorphosis and make the butterfly tattoo even more meaningful. I’ll admit I hated Phoenix going into this book, and for that I wish I could tell him how sorry I am for thinking that. This book shows so many new sides of Phoenix that I’m so glad everyone will know soon. Callie is so much more than she seems. She’s the perfect dark and twisty counterpart for Phoenix.
  
  I’ve been looking forward to reading Atoning Conviction since the second I finished Healing Conviction. I had so many questions and theories and AC gave me some answers and even more questions. Book 6 can’t come fast enough and until then I’ll be not so patiently waiting for it.
• 
  Callie

  I like this series and this was a good addition to it.
  
  This review may have slight spoilers!!
  
  For me, it felt like the heaviest book. Obviously, sex trafficking is a main component of all of the books, but between Phoenix’s torture and Callie’s assault this one was definitely intense. I really appreciated the author’s trigger warnings and felt she was super clear about them.
  
  I was skeptical about Phoenix at first. I could’ve done without the many references to him banging strippers or bouncers while super drunk, to be honest. I know it was supposed to show how he had vices to deal with trauma, but it made me wary of him. (And it made me wonder what he would do now with Callie in the picture, because his trauma wouldn’t be gone.) He did grow on me, and seemed to instantly want to look out for Callie, which was nice.
  
  I wish we got to see Phoenix and Callie more on the outside. I would’ve loved to see more of Phoenix getting back with the team, how his supposed betrayal affected dynamics, and more of him and Callie’s relationship.
  
  I was glad they got a happy ending considering all the things they had to endure! I’m looking forward to the next one and how it will wrap up!
• 
  Salma Mounir

  This book was incredible, did it break my heart and make me cry multiple times? Yes. Was it still absolutely worth it at the end? Also yes.
  First of all, the writing. The writing is abolutely magnificant. I am not used to the way this author writes but after reading 5 books from her, I absolutely love the way she writes. While it's not the "traditional" dual pov, it still gives u so much depth about the characters that you are reading about and how they feel about everything and anything happening around them.
  I can't even begin to talk about my love for Pheonix because that man is the definition of a tortured hero and I just wanted to give him a hug all throughout the book. The things he did for his girl amd the things he would do for her? Ugh I want a Pheonix in my life. How he is not ashamed of admitting he is bi? Absolutely love it. How he openly admits he reads romance books and novels? We love a reader king.
  Anyways, this review is just here to tell u to read this book but START FROM THE BEGINNING, I promise every book is good and just keeps getting better.
  I am off to read Hawk's book now hehe🤭
• 
  Kristen

  Atoning Conviction is the fifth book in the Conviction Series. 𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐆𝐆𝐄𝐑 𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆. This is the darkest book yet, and the majority of the content is DARK AND DISTURBING. PLEASE TAKE THIS INTO CONSIDERATION BEFORE READING!
  
  𝐷𝑜𝑒𝑠 𝑖𝑡 𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑛 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑜𝑛 𝑡𝑜 𝑘𝑛𝑜𝑤 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑙𝑖𝑓𝑒 𝑖𝑠 𝑖𝑛 𝑚𝑦 ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑠, 𝑏𝑟𝑜𝑤𝑛 𝑒𝑦𝑒𝑠?
  
  Phoenix and Callie are my absolute favorite so far in this series. They're both subjected to their own form of tortured trauma in the same location at the orders of the same person. I cannot get enough of their relationship, both with how they grow during and after the trauma, individually and together.
  
  Pain. Blood. Lies. Drugs. Torture. Death. Corruption. Things are not as they appear for Phoenix and Callie's situations and why they ended up where they are. There's more to the underground than what meets the eye despite brainwashing heresy. The corruption and deceit seem to have no bounds the further they dig into the operation.
• 
  Cassie Flinchum

  Wow. Everything I thought I knew was completely misconstrued after reading Atoning Conviction. This series is so gripping, and this book is no different.
  
  I have to apologize to Phoenix. I really thought he was a bad dude but… Let’s just say NOTHING—and I mean nothing—is what it seems. And Callie? Girl is a freaking warrior and I loved everything about her.
  
  The way that they protect each other is everything. While the way they were brought together is absolutely horrific, it was needed. They wouldn’t be who they are without that tragic experience. And thank God they got the ending they did. I would have rioted if not lol.
  
  This book is probably her darkest one emotionally, so please check the trigger warnings Greer has so kindly provided. She has a way with approaching the tough subjects, as she does here.
  
  If you like romantic suspense and dark subject matters, this is the book for you. But it makes sense to read the rest of the series first, preferably in order.
  
• 
  Chey3995

  Phoenix and Callie
  
  Both Phoenix and Callie are haunted by their own demons, and when they find themselves dealing with real monsters, they need to decide if they can trust each other, or if the other is worth saving.
  
  
  I've had a sort spot for Phoenix throughout the series, because he was always portrayed in a way that made him look bad. I knew he had more to his story and I wasn't wrong. Phoenix has a heartbreaking past that would make anybody act worse than he did. Callie has a traumatic past as well, and the two together helped heal each other in a way. They were absolutely made for each other and the author gave us a dynamic pair.
  
  This book does have several triggering scenes that readers need to be aware of, so make sure you check the warnings before reading. This is on the darker side for this series, but it was beautifully written that even scenes that could cause triggers give readers the ability to ease into them.
• 
  Ariel

  Hands-down this book is now my FAV in the entire series. And I’ve loved every book so far but this one completely blew my mind!
  
  I’d previously lost all faith in Phoenix but once I got his side, all the blanks were filled in and now I absolutely love his character. As well as the FMC Callie. I loved her strength through every vulnerable scene and was speechlessly shocked with the way her character and story was revealed.
  
  The circumstances that brought Phoenix and Callie together were horrific but the depth of their connection and how they overcame so much was amazing to read. I couldn’t get enough of these two!
  
  The overall plot linked throughout this series is so thought-out, intriguing yet horrific and the suspense continues to keep me on the edge of my seat.
  
  Bring on the next book
  BRING IT ON!!!!
• 
  Lili

  Phoenix is now my favorite hero, and Cassie my strong-woman model. I could easily relate to the characters' pain, loss and suffering in the previous books in this series, but this one was exceptionally vivid, the depth of the feelings evoked shredded me - the writing is that good!
  
  While not as fast-paced as the others, this proved to be even harder to put down, I just could not sleep until the end. Heart clenched, shoulders tense, eyes teary I read how a strong spirit can be only broken by betrayal and protecting the weak, and how justice and truth cannot always shine, but love can be found in the less likely of places. There's no limit to good and evil...
  
  Also, so much past was resolved in this volume, I felt somehow vindicated; now I'm waiting to see how justice will be served by extraordinary people in the next one. Hopefully soon...
• 
  Shawna Jimenez more.books.forever

  Out of this series so far I would have to say Phoenix and Callie are by far my favorite couple. Callie is amazing! These two were completely made for one another a bit damaged, a bit broken but completely beautiful and strong and fighters to say the least. The way these two were brought together no one should ever have to go through but their connection runs soul Fuking deep. While their story had some gut wrenching moments and had tears in my eyes their connection made my heart melt. This story is definitely way darker than the other books In The series but it is worth everything. This author has quickly became one of my go to 1-click authors and I swear her work just blows my mind with every new story. If you have not started the Conviction series you absolutely need to ASAP you will not be disappointed and every story will have you on the edge of your seat!
• 
  Donita Burgess

  So, I can honestly say I've been 1 of those people who knew from the get that there was more to Phoenix than meets the eye. I was right. 😉 I was SO hopeful that Greer would give us a darker book; I knew from the beginning Phoenix would need it, and as usual, my girl DELIVERED.
  
  Phoenix and Callie's book is NOT your average Conviction book, so protect your hearts friends. Greer does the BEST job of leaving TW's on her books, but it bears repeating on this one.
  
  Phoenix is amazing; Callie is strong, unapologetic, and their HEA is one for the books. I cannot, with this one, say enough about how in love with these 2 I am. They go through so much, and it only makes them stronger. They are both so broken, but they get it right together.
  
  If you haven't read any of the other Conviction novels, I'd HIGHLY recommend it. These boys are so hot. 😂
• 
  Amber Rieger

  This series is everything! How Greer pulls together these plot lines is phenomenal. I was not at all expecting it to go where it did, but wow!!! Callie and Phoenix are perfect! Their characters are so well developed! This is totally a book you could sit and binge read in one sitting. Greer keeps you engaged and the story line rolling!
  There is a lot of dark topics covered - so be ready for that - make sure you take note of the trigger warnings, and if you feel you will be triggered - DON'T Do it. Now with that said, she did a very good job touching on these very real and sensitive subjects!
  Also - this is a series, but the books can be read out of order. To fully appreciate the plot line of this book though, I HIGHLY recommend you read them in order and don't skip ahead!!
  
  Side note: I really appreciated how she brought up the topic of mental health and therapy!
• 
  Kylo Badgley-Glover

  Oh wow, I would never have guessed the series was building to this book. This is the darkest in the series thus far. While I would always encourage you to check your trigger warning. The author does handle the more difficult subject matter with grace.
  
  I don't know how Phoenix went from being on my sh!t list to being a book boyfriend but he certainly did. He and Callie are ridiculously strong and I adore them. We find Phoenix as a prisoner after the Yemen attack. He is deep in PTSD. Callie is firm in her plan to avenge her sister. but when you are trapped underground with little humanity and enduring endless cruelties how do you find the strength to trust again?
  
  As Phoenix and Callie figure out if they are enemies or lovers the tension and passion build to something that is truly spectacular. I already can't wait to read it again.
• 
  Han_and_her_books

  Book 5 in the conviction series and I can honestly say It left me spechless. These books honestly get better as they go on!
  This book was definitely the Darkest out of them but it was a great story. It's slightly different than the previous books in the best way and still fits perfectly.
  There were some shocking twists in this book that haven't been seen in the previous books and it made for a thrilling story.
  I absolutely love the MCs in this book. I think they have some of the most traumatic backgrounds of all ther series MCs but they were easy to love and the relationship was hot!
  I also think the spice in this book was some of the best!
  So glad Phoenix got his redemption story!
  Can't wait for the final book to see how everything gets wrapped up!
  
  I received and Arc for this book in exchange for an honest review 🙂