Redeeming Six - review

Redeeming Six from the Boys of Tommen series is an emotional rollercoaster: so  raw, painful, and filled with grief and loss that there were many times I wanted to put the book down for my own sanity. 

The story follows on from Saving Six, which focuses on Joey Lynch, the second eldest of six siblings, and tells the story of a boy forced to grow up far too soon. Raised in a home marked by abuse, neglect, and alcoholism, Joey carries the weight of protecting his younger siblings and his mother while enduring his own trauma in silence. With everyone depending on him, the question becomes: who is there to protect Joey?

That person is Aoife. Strong, compassionate, and fiercely loyal, she has loved Joey since the day they met. Watching their relationship grow from childhood friendship to something deeper was both beautiful and heartbreaking. Their bond faces constant obstacles, and every setback hits just as hard for the reader as it does for them.

Chloe Walsh does an incredible job exploring mental health and trauma, drawing from real-life experiences to shine a light on issues that are often left unspoken. Walsh has been open about the inspiration behind Joey's character, saying: “I poured a lot of pain into the character to cope with personal pain and mental anguish.” Joey’s inner dialogue was especially devastating; his constant self-blame and belief that he’s “just like his father” felt painfully real. As the pressure becomes too much, he turns back to drugs in search of relief, even as life demands more of him than ever.

The surprise pregnancy storyline was the one element I struggled with. While I understand what Walsh may have been trying to portray, the teenage pregnancy trope didn’t fully work for me and felt like it leaned into a cycle that doesn’t reflect everyone’s reality. 

With Joey soon becoming a father, his life begins to spiral further downwards. Lacking both financial and mental support for his girlfriend, he disconnects from reality and falls into depression. He desperately needs help, and I rooted for Joey because he truly deserves to be happy and loved. 

Walsh does a fantastic job of portraying the reality of addiction—it's never a simple journey, nor is it easy to let go. There are ongoing battles to face, honest and painful conversations to have, and a constant recognition that the desire will always linger during the recovery process.

Another aspect I loved was the significance of words in people's lives. Joey had a negative and toxic view of himself, which prevented him from seeing the beauty he brought into the world. However, his siblings, Aoife, and other adults in his life showed him just how loved and cherished he truly was.  “You might not love yourself,” Aoife tells him, “but I love you enough for the both of us.” This support ultimately led him to go to rehab and turn his life around, all while becoming an amazing father. As Aoife says: “You have got a beautiful mind, Joey Lynch, and a beautiful heart. You can beat this, you just have to want to.”

Redeeming Six is an incredibly powerful and emotional read. Joey and Aoife’s story is heartbreaking and hopeful, and stays with you long after the final page.