What do you think?
Rate this book
Held #2
Pushed
Ron Redwine is an up-and-coming author, a man whose lifelong dream of achieving celebrity status in the literary world is finally becoming a reality. But Ron isn't only a writer. He's also a sadistic serial killer who kidnaps, tortures, and murders women in his basement.
Nicole Lee is a beloved wife and mother. She's also the only woman who has ever escaped Ron's clutches. After being held in captivity for nearly a year, she found a way out, a way to be free once again and go back to her life. Only she can't. The life she knew before her abduction is gone. Separated from her husband and son, Nicole is psychologically broken. She spends months in a mental health facility trying to put the past behind her so she can return to her family.
Upon her release, Nicole hides herself away in a fleabag motel where she wrestles with her demons alone. When an interview on the local news advertises the last two stops on Ron's latest book tour, she becomes enraged. Furious that he's able to live his life happily while she's reduced to an existence filled with guilt and despair, she decides to take matters into her own hands.
Pushed too far, Nicole seeks her revenge, using Ron's own devices against him.
For mature audiences only.
From the dark mind of Kimberly A. Bettes comes the highly anticipated sequel to HELD. Be warned: This book is every bit as raw and gritty as the first.
Nicole Lee is a beloved wife and mother. She's also the only woman who has ever escaped Ron's clutches. After being held in captivity for nearly a year, she found a way out, a way to be free once again and go back to her life. Only she can't. The life she knew before her abduction is gone. Separated from her husband and son, Nicole is psychologically broken. She spends months in a mental health facility trying to put the past behind her so she can return to her family.
Upon her release, Nicole hides herself away in a fleabag motel where she wrestles with her demons alone. When an interview on the local news advertises the last two stops on Ron's latest book tour, she becomes enraged. Furious that he's able to live his life happily while she's reduced to an existence filled with guilt and despair, she decides to take matters into her own hands.
Pushed too far, Nicole seeks her revenge, using Ron's own devices against him.
For mature audiences only.
From the dark mind of Kimberly A. Bettes comes the highly anticipated sequel to HELD. Be warned: This book is every bit as raw and gritty as the first.
ebook
First published February 19, 2014
73 people are currently reading
416 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
February 7, 2017
Nicole is a free woman. She is the only woman who escape from Ron’s basement. Even if she’s free physically, Nicole can’t forget the hell she experienced when she was abducted. She had nightmares, she is still scared, Ron still controlling her life.
Nicole spent months in a mental health facility trying to put the past behind her, to forget to horror she experienced. She is a broken woman. She thinks revenge will heal her and bring her peace, so she decides to pay Ron a visit.
Ron is now a successful author now. He continued killing women in his basement. He misses Nicole and he never forgot her, so when she appears on his doorstep he thinks she wants to be with him. What he doesn’t know is that Nicole has other ideas.
I liked this one, but not as much as the first book in the series. If I thought that first book was a little rushed through the end, I think this one was rushed from the start. From a premise like this, I think this book was too short. I expected something different, something more, some neww twist and turns.
What I really liked was Ron’s POV. It what great to see what and how he thinks.
Overall, a great book!
“He was very much a part of me now and I hated it. I hated that he was all I could think about. I hated that I still feared him after all this time, still looked over my shoulder for him, expecting him to be there.”
Nicole spent months in a mental health facility trying to put the past behind her, to forget to horror she experienced. She is a broken woman. She thinks revenge will heal her and bring her peace, so she decides to pay Ron a visit.
Ron is now a successful author now. He continued killing women in his basement. He misses Nicole and he never forgot her, so when she appears on his doorstep he thinks she wants to be with him. What he doesn’t know is that Nicole has other ideas.
“I’ve certainly missed you, Nicole, and I’m ecstatic that you’re back.”
“You shouldn’t be, Ron.”
“Why is that?”
She whirled around to face him.
“Because I’m going to kill you.”
I liked this one, but not as much as the first book in the series. If I thought that first book was a little rushed through the end, I think this one was rushed from the start. From a premise like this, I think this book was too short. I expected something different, something more, some neww twist and turns.
What I really liked was Ron’s POV. It what great to see what and how he thinks.
Overall, a great book!
July 26, 2016
Nicole has escaped Ron. But with no help from the police, he continues living his life, now as an up and coming author and still doing 'research'. Nicole is unable to move forward in her life, so she decides to to take matters into her own hands.
Ron has missed Nicole, unable to find anyone to replace her. But she isn't looking for a happy reunion.
I could not put this book down. My stomach was in knots, and my anxiety was through the roof. But I had to know what would happen. Ron is probably one of the most terrifying characters ever. I liked having both Nicole and Ron's POV's. Although, I do wish we were given more insight into Ron past, but overall I was satisfied with this conclusion.
.
March 11, 2014
Book – Pushed
Author – Kimberly A. Bettes
Publication Date – February 20, 2014
Type – Conclusion of Held
Genre – Horror/Thriller
Rating – 4 out of 5 Stars
Review
I don’t know if I was “pre-menopausal”, PMS’ing, or just plain weepy this weekend….but I HATED this book!! Nah, seriously – I did. Well, not so much the book as much as the story of Ron. So, I hated Ron in the first book and wanted revenge against him (most of the time)……I don’t know if I have a soft side for the human race whether they are serial killers or rapists or what-not --------- or it could be that I am just as fucked up as Ron was.
I know right?? If you read this book you will probably be scratching your head and just getting ready to click that “UNFRIEND” button right now on GR ----go ahead and DO IT...I would, if I was in your shoes!! ;-)
The beginning didn’t bother me, I didn’t hate Ron for what he was doing to those women – I think I sugar coated his obsession with Nicole and the heart break he was experiencing for the excuse of why he was abusing these women as bad as he did.
I understand why Nicole had to do the things she did – I understand she was handing out punishment to Ron coinciding with the punishments he handed her in the past….but COME ON…..she really had to go there with the “soup”?? I was appalled….my poor sweet Ron – I could hear his heart breaking from my chair.
What would I have done different? OK….so once we get to the part where Nicole and Ron are having a heart to heart talk….Nicole starts to change her mind – she knows she will never be normal again after going through the shit she went through along with not feeling any remorse in what she is doing to Ron – so little by little Ron starts to break down her defenses and is true to his word about not harming her if she lets him go so they could be “good together”. This is after Nicole makes sure that Ron will never walk again – this is to protect herself. COME ON.....the bitch has to protect herself....I may be fucked in the head...but I ain't STUPID!! Incapacitate him by making it so he can never use his feet again....HINT HINT.....Once Ron is free and understands what it feels like being on the other end of a knife – he vows never to hurt Nicole again and instead the two of them do research together on writing his horror novels. The basement ends up getting a lot of use!
Another happy ending for me would have been if Ron escaped at the last minute – turned to Morgan and said “I will eat your liver with some fava beans and a nice chianti”
Why?…..please tell me why I feel so heartbroken over Ron? I should be happy and doing a tango over Nicole getting her revenge and finally putting the ghosts to rest.
Ms. Bettes, I honestly loved the book and the whole concept behind it ---- to me it measures up to the famous Stephen King and Dean Koontz!!
I shall go see a therapist now and discuss my irrational thought processes…..
Re-Cap
Nicole is physically free but emotionally and mentally she is still being held captive in Ron’s basement. No matter how many therapists she sees, no matter how many pills she takes – she will never be free.
It’s time to take matters into her own hands and with fate on her side…she finds Ron and plans the perfect revenge.
That’s it…..what suckers??? Read it yourself – if I start reminiscing, I’ll start another rampage about the inhumanity of what happens to my Ron!
Wrap-Up
Want some draw dropping horror? Want some fucked up philosophy? Want some feet served on a platter? Welp, then this is for you!!
Author – Kimberly A. Bettes
Publication Date – February 20, 2014
Type – Conclusion of Held
Genre – Horror/Thriller
Rating – 4 out of 5 Stars
Review
I don’t know if I was “pre-menopausal”, PMS’ing, or just plain weepy this weekend….but I HATED this book!! Nah, seriously – I did. Well, not so much the book as much as the story of Ron. So, I hated Ron in the first book and wanted revenge against him (most of the time)……I don’t know if I have a soft side for the human race whether they are serial killers or rapists or what-not --------- or it could be that I am just as fucked up as Ron was.
I know right?? If you read this book you will probably be scratching your head and just getting ready to click that “UNFRIEND” button right now on GR ----go ahead and DO IT...I would, if I was in your shoes!! ;-)
The beginning didn’t bother me, I didn’t hate Ron for what he was doing to those women – I think I sugar coated his obsession with Nicole and the heart break he was experiencing for the excuse of why he was abusing these women as bad as he did.
I understand why Nicole had to do the things she did – I understand she was handing out punishment to Ron coinciding with the punishments he handed her in the past….but COME ON…..she really had to go there with the “soup”?? I was appalled….my poor sweet Ron – I could hear his heart breaking from my chair.
What would I have done different? OK….so once we get to the part where Nicole and Ron are having a heart to heart talk….Nicole starts to change her mind – she knows she will never be normal again after going through the shit she went through along with not feeling any remorse in what she is doing to Ron – so little by little Ron starts to break down her defenses and is true to his word about not harming her if she lets him go so they could be “good together”. This is after Nicole makes sure that Ron will never walk again – this is to protect herself. COME ON.....the bitch has to protect herself....I may be fucked in the head...but I ain't STUPID!! Incapacitate him by making it so he can never use his feet again....HINT HINT.....Once Ron is free and understands what it feels like being on the other end of a knife – he vows never to hurt Nicole again and instead the two of them do research together on writing his horror novels. The basement ends up getting a lot of use!
Another happy ending for me would have been if Ron escaped at the last minute – turned to Morgan and said “I will eat your liver with some fava beans and a nice chianti”
Why?…..please tell me why I feel so heartbroken over Ron? I should be happy and doing a tango over Nicole getting her revenge and finally putting the ghosts to rest.
Ms. Bettes, I honestly loved the book and the whole concept behind it ---- to me it measures up to the famous Stephen King and Dean Koontz!!
I shall go see a therapist now and discuss my irrational thought processes…..
Re-Cap
Nicole is physically free but emotionally and mentally she is still being held captive in Ron’s basement. No matter how many therapists she sees, no matter how many pills she takes – she will never be free.
It’s time to take matters into her own hands and with fate on her side…she finds Ron and plans the perfect revenge.
That’s it…..what suckers??? Read it yourself – if I start reminiscing, I’ll start another rampage about the inhumanity of what happens to my Ron!
Wrap-Up
Want some draw dropping horror? Want some fucked up philosophy? Want some feet served on a platter? Welp, then this is for you!!
November 20, 2015
***** 5 Justice Is Best Served As Revenge Stars*****
Nicole escaped the hands of the evil and deranged Ron, only to find her life is not what it used to be. She is lost in the darkness of all she endured and is fighting to save the life she fought so hard to get back to. Her husband and two son's need her.
"I'm suffocating. Like there's this huge, heavy weight bearing down on me and I can't do anything about it. I can't lift it, can't move it, can't scream for help. I feel, helpless." .
After seeing in an interview that her captor is leading a normal, a life filled with book writing success. Books about all the atrocities he has committed and got away with, Nicole knows she can NOT sit by and let him continue to get away with his evilness.
She sets forth a plan that will lead to someone dying, whether it is her or Ron, this nightmare existence for her will come to an end.
"Confront your fear, conquer your fear."
Ron never sees Nicole coming for revenge. When he realizes she is not messing around he does what he can to overcome the bad place he is in. He thinks he can out think her mind, but Ron has met his match.
"I've certainly missed you Nicole and I'm ecstatic that your're back."
"You shouldn't be,Ron."
"Why is that?."
"BECAUSE I AM GOING TO KILL YOU."
I have to tell you, Nicole's plan and revenge are SIMPLY FABULOUS!! This is THE BEST REVENGE story I have ever read!
I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS!!
Nicole escaped the hands of the evil and deranged Ron, only to find her life is not what it used to be. She is lost in the darkness of all she endured and is fighting to save the life she fought so hard to get back to. Her husband and two son's need her.
"I'm suffocating. Like there's this huge, heavy weight bearing down on me and I can't do anything about it. I can't lift it, can't move it, can't scream for help. I feel, helpless." .
After seeing in an interview that her captor is leading a normal, a life filled with book writing success. Books about all the atrocities he has committed and got away with, Nicole knows she can NOT sit by and let him continue to get away with his evilness.
She sets forth a plan that will lead to someone dying, whether it is her or Ron, this nightmare existence for her will come to an end.
"Confront your fear, conquer your fear."
Ron never sees Nicole coming for revenge. When he realizes she is not messing around he does what he can to overcome the bad place he is in. He thinks he can out think her mind, but Ron has met his match.
"I've certainly missed you Nicole and I'm ecstatic that your're back."
"You shouldn't be,Ron."
"Why is that?."
"BECAUSE I AM GOING TO KILL YOU."
I have to tell you, Nicole's plan and revenge are SIMPLY FABULOUS!! This is THE BEST REVENGE story I have ever read!
I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS!!
May 4, 2014
3 ~ 3.5 REVENGE Stars
Nicole is physically free from Ron's grasps but his presence in her life will not diminish. He is now a successful author and has not faced the consequences for his actions in his basement and even worse he continues his escapades.
Nicole can't return home until Ron is no longer a threat to her and others. She devices a plan and carries it out.
"I've certainly missed you, Nicole, and I'm ecstatic that you're back."
"You shouldn't be, Ron."
"Why is that?"
She whirled around to face him. "Because I'm going to kill you."
Overall, I expected so MUCH more from this second installment. It is told in both Ron and Nicole's pov and I yearned for more from Ron's pov. I wanted to know his true background, etc. This was an adequate conclusion to a gruesome first book. I will be trying other stories out by this author to see what other tales she has to tell.
Nicole is physically free from Ron's grasps but his presence in her life will not diminish. He is now a successful author and has not faced the consequences for his actions in his basement and even worse he continues his escapades.
Nicole can't return home until Ron is no longer a threat to her and others. She devices a plan and carries it out.
"I've certainly missed you, Nicole, and I'm ecstatic that you're back."
"You shouldn't be, Ron."
"Why is that?"
She whirled around to face him. "Because I'm going to kill you."
Overall, I expected so MUCH more from this second installment. It is told in both Ron and Nicole's pov and I yearned for more from Ron's pov. I wanted to know his true background, etc. This was an adequate conclusion to a gruesome first book. I will be trying other stories out by this author to see what other tales she has to tell.
February 23, 2014
Loved It!!!
***Review to come***
***Review to come***
April 28, 2016
5 brilliant stars!!!
SPOILER FREE REVIEW, BUT PLEASE ONLY READ THIS IF YOU HAVE READ HELD.
After finishing, Held (the first book) I was not sure what to expect from this one. I loved the first one and it was so awesome, crazy, sick, twisted, dark. It was that good. Now moving into this one, I felt sick to my stomach from the beginning. Fucking Ron, and his sick twisted self. We not only get Nicole's POV in this one like we did the last but, we also get the privilege to be in the psychopath him self, Ron. Just getting his POV and what drives him to do the things that he does, and how he gets off on it, with all the details, SO MANY DETAILS , it was almost too much. This book is not as fucked up as the first one but it is still up there. Every time I was in, Ron's head I just kept thinking OMG what is he going to do now.
This is the aftermath of Held, Nicole is almost as strong as she was in the first book. But, her mind is fucked up. From everything that happened in the first book it's like you are living it with her all over again with everything she is going through at the moment.
I almost felt bad for, Ron. There were moments when I did feel bad. Thought that he could change. But, that is not possible. He is that bad.
The authors writing again was brilliant. She sure does know how to get into your head and don't let go till the end. This might be messed up but those two books are one of my favorite reads this year. Yeah... That is pretty messed up. I am looking forward to reading more from this author. If it is anything like this I need to read her books in sections and depending on my mood at the time.
SPOILER FREE REVIEW, BUT PLEASE ONLY READ THIS IF YOU HAVE READ HELD.
After finishing, Held (the first book) I was not sure what to expect from this one. I loved the first one and it was so awesome, crazy, sick, twisted, dark. It was that good. Now moving into this one, I felt sick to my stomach from the beginning. Fucking Ron, and his sick twisted self. We not only get Nicole's POV in this one like we did the last but, we also get the privilege to be in the psychopath him self, Ron. Just getting his POV and what drives him to do the things that he does, and how he gets off on it, with all the details, SO MANY DETAILS , it was almost too much. This book is not as fucked up as the first one but it is still up there. Every time I was in, Ron's head I just kept thinking OMG what is he going to do now.
This is the aftermath of Held, Nicole is almost as strong as she was in the first book. But, her mind is fucked up. From everything that happened in the first book it's like you are living it with her all over again with everything she is going through at the moment.
I almost felt bad for, Ron. There were moments when I did feel bad. Thought that he could change. But, that is not possible. He is that bad.
The authors writing again was brilliant. She sure does know how to get into your head and don't let go till the end. This might be messed up but those two books are one of my favorite reads this year. Yeah... That is pretty messed up. I am looking forward to reading more from this author. If it is anything like this I need to read her books in sections and depending on my mood at the time.
March 2, 2014
If you dance with the devil then you are a fool, for you think you'll change the devil but the devil changes you - unknown
I want to start by saying since I read Held I have been anxiously awaiting the sequel. This was not how I expected it to but damn was it thrilling.
If you read Held in tears, mouth open and hoping to hell that Nicole would survive then you'll love this sequel. This is everything you were begging to happen in Held that we never got to see. I don't want to give too much away.
Nicole's life has taken a turn for the worse, she is not only having mental issues including nightmares and at points almost hallucinations but she is now distant from her family until her health is to improve. She holds guilt in her heart from not killing or stopping Ron and knowing that he is still out there haunts her.
Ron's life has suddenly became everything he ever hoped. He is a best selling author with over fifteen books under his belt and lives in a perfect home with a purpose built basement for his book research, we are given a glimpse into his latest victims showing how Ron has not changed.
Now this may contain minor spoiler so be warned if you continue reading.
Ron's past has never been divulged however at the start he does agree when a victim calls him a son of a bitch, to which it appears evident that his mother has something to do with his need for control. He believes with every fibre of his being that he loves Nicole, that he did right by her and that she should be grateful to him.
Nicole wants closure and although her version of events are not even a patch as gruesome as Ron's she does formulate a plan and her vengeance is blissful to read. Instead of reading with panic, I read with a smile as she fed him dog food and hosed him down like Nicole endured.
Pushed gives the reader closer, gives you your own revenge on Ron. If Held managed to scar you and you felt you needed a brain bleach after reading it, after this you'll feel content however slightly uneasy it sits.
although I did notice sole minor plot holes or inconsistencies it was nothing to write home about.
I shouldn't love this mini series or maybe this author but - I am a little demented so I do.
I want to start by saying since I read Held I have been anxiously awaiting the sequel. This was not how I expected it to but damn was it thrilling.
If you read Held in tears, mouth open and hoping to hell that Nicole would survive then you'll love this sequel. This is everything you were begging to happen in Held that we never got to see. I don't want to give too much away.
Nicole's life has taken a turn for the worse, she is not only having mental issues including nightmares and at points almost hallucinations but she is now distant from her family until her health is to improve. She holds guilt in her heart from not killing or stopping Ron and knowing that he is still out there haunts her.
Ron's life has suddenly became everything he ever hoped. He is a best selling author with over fifteen books under his belt and lives in a perfect home with a purpose built basement for his book research, we are given a glimpse into his latest victims showing how Ron has not changed.
Now this may contain minor spoiler so be warned if you continue reading.
Ron's past has never been divulged however at the start he does agree when a victim calls him a son of a bitch, to which it appears evident that his mother has something to do with his need for control. He believes with every fibre of his being that he loves Nicole, that he did right by her and that she should be grateful to him.
Nicole wants closure and although her version of events are not even a patch as gruesome as Ron's she does formulate a plan and her vengeance is blissful to read. Instead of reading with panic, I read with a smile as she fed him dog food and hosed him down like Nicole endured.
Pushed gives the reader closer, gives you your own revenge on Ron. If Held managed to scar you and you felt you needed a brain bleach after reading it, after this you'll feel content however slightly uneasy it sits.
although I did notice sole minor plot holes or inconsistencies it was nothing to write home about.
I shouldn't love this mini series or maybe this author but - I am a little demented so I do.
May 10, 2014
3.5 Stars
Pushed picks up a year after Held ends. Nicole has escaped, but is completely messed up from the trauma she experienced. Ron is a best selling author, because YES all that research has paid off.
Again, I won't say much because spoiling this for someone would be horrible!!
I will say, I wanted so much more from this one. I was happy with the outcome, but would have been ecstatic if somethings had been a little different.
Pushed picks up a year after Held ends. Nicole has escaped, but is completely messed up from the trauma she experienced. Ron is a best selling author, because YES all that research has paid off.
Again, I won't say much because spoiling this for someone would be horrible!!
I will say, I wanted so much more from this one. I was happy with the outcome, but would have been ecstatic if somethings had been a little different.
September 12, 2019
Reviewed by Puss'n'Books
PussnBooks.net Reviewing the darkest, most erotic, and taboo books we can find
I had literally just posted my review of HELD, Book 1 and hit publish when I went back up to my nest (aka my bed with a thousand blankets and pillows), downloaded PUSHED and started it.
It’s now two hours later and I’m finished and ready to review.
I want to start by saying FUCK YEAH! What an amazing sequel.
So. Many. Feels.
I wanted this poor woman to somehow get a little revenge before the series ended, one way or another.
I’d been thinking about her since the end of HELD.
I needed her to either kick some ass and walk away a new person or go down swinging and hurt him in the process.
But I wasn't ready for this.
NICOLE -
I really wanted to read that after she escaped, Nicole managed to see Ron arrested and sent to prison.
I wanted to see her back with her family, recovering and healthy, if not all the way back to settled yet.
I wanted it so bad and was heart-broken when I found out what had become of her.
Ron fucked her over in that house and even after she escaped he fucked her life up some more.
She is no longer with her husband and son. In fact, she’s in a mental hospital (as I know I would be too).
She was so strong during HELD but something like that changes you for life, I would imagine, and it certainly did Nicole’s.
The police didn’t give a shit, and it’s almost two years later.
Nicole, who is now struggling with alcohol addiction and a slew of emotional problems it would seem, decides to do her own form of therapy.
What happens in that basement is nothing short of barbaric but I NEEDED it to happen. However, she should never have taken her eyes off him! And that’s all I’m going to say about that.
RON -
I am so glad that we got to see things from his POV in PUSHED.
I desperately wanted to know how he thinks. Maybe get an idea as to why he’s, well, him. But nope! I’m utterly floored at his thought process and angry and sick and...well all kinds of things.
Yeah, I know he’s a fictional character but that’s how good Kimberly A Bettes is at writing.
You feel things you can’t explain and see things that haven’t happened.
Ron hasn’t changed.
He’s still at it, and on top of that, he’s a freakin’ successful author now! He’s got everything that he wanted.
Everything that Nicole had but lost. Peace and joy.
Something needed to happen but Ron is an extremely talented manipulator and I really had no idea how this was going to go.
Right down to the last page.
FINAL THOUGHTS on PUSHED by Kimberly A Bettes
The story made me queasy in parts and anxious throughout but I inhaled that sucker like it was a cookie and I’d been dieting for a month.
It left me feeling raw and a little shaky and I loved it!
I have already downloaded the next book and will start that in the morning.
5 Stars
PussnBooks.net Reviewing the darkest, most erotic, and taboo books we can find
I had literally just posted my review of HELD, Book 1 and hit publish when I went back up to my nest (aka my bed with a thousand blankets and pillows), downloaded PUSHED and started it.
It’s now two hours later and I’m finished and ready to review.
I want to start by saying FUCK YEAH! What an amazing sequel.
So. Many. Feels.
I wanted this poor woman to somehow get a little revenge before the series ended, one way or another.
I’d been thinking about her since the end of HELD.
I needed her to either kick some ass and walk away a new person or go down swinging and hurt him in the process.
But I wasn't ready for this.
NICOLE -
I really wanted to read that after she escaped, Nicole managed to see Ron arrested and sent to prison.
I wanted to see her back with her family, recovering and healthy, if not all the way back to settled yet.
I wanted it so bad and was heart-broken when I found out what had become of her.
Ron fucked her over in that house and even after she escaped he fucked her life up some more.
“I’ve never had the chance to miss you.” He raised his eyebrows. “Is that so? In what way do you mean?” “I mean you haunt my nightmares. Your face, it’s what I see when I close my eyes. Your voice is what I hear in the silence of my days. I’ve never had a chance to miss you because you’ve never fucking left me.” He smiled. “Aw. That’s really sweet, Nicole.”
She is no longer with her husband and son. In fact, she’s in a mental hospital (as I know I would be too).
She was so strong during HELD but something like that changes you for life, I would imagine, and it certainly did Nicole’s.
The police didn’t give a shit, and it’s almost two years later.
Nicole, who is now struggling with alcohol addiction and a slew of emotional problems it would seem, decides to do her own form of therapy.
What happens in that basement is nothing short of barbaric but I NEEDED it to happen. However, she should never have taken her eyes off him! And that’s all I’m going to say about that.
RON -
I am so glad that we got to see things from his POV in PUSHED.
I desperately wanted to know how he thinks. Maybe get an idea as to why he’s, well, him. But nope! I’m utterly floored at his thought process and angry and sick and...well all kinds of things.
Yeah, I know he’s a fictional character but that’s how good Kimberly A Bettes is at writing.
You feel things you can’t explain and see things that haven’t happened.
Ron hasn’t changed.
When the pliers cut through her index finger, they didn’t cut all the way through. The finger hung from her hand like a limp sausage, connected only by a thin layer of bloody skin. Ron looked at the mangled digit and wondered what the pain felt like. He cupped his hand around the dangling finger and gave it a gentle tug, watching as Bethany’s face wrenched in agony and horror. Smiling, he continued to pull on the broken finger, slowly twisting it to add to the pain.
He’s still at it, and on top of that, he’s a freakin’ successful author now! He’s got everything that he wanted.
Everything that Nicole had but lost. Peace and joy.
Something needed to happen but Ron is an extremely talented manipulator and I really had no idea how this was going to go.
Right down to the last page.
FINAL THOUGHTS on PUSHED by Kimberly A Bettes
The story made me queasy in parts and anxious throughout but I inhaled that sucker like it was a cookie and I’d been dieting for a month.
It left me feeling raw and a little shaky and I loved it!
I have already downloaded the next book and will start that in the morning.
5 Stars
March 26, 2017
All I saw when I looked at him was blood and gore, anger and rage, torture and brutality. While the rest of the world saw a well put together and debonair author, I saw a sadistic madman.
Pushed is the revenge sequel to Held and continues Nicole’s storyline after she escaped from Ron’s clutches. Despite escaping and returning home to an adoring husband and beautiful baby boy Nicole cannot adjust to life as normal. After checking herself in and out of a mental institution she decides conventional therapy just isn’t going to cut it. She’s going to take matters into her own hands.
I don’t know why I did it- I’m still reeling from the book hangover from the first book and that is now super intensified! Nicole and Ron’s story- whoa intense to say the least. This duo will stay with me for a long, long time.
My heart broke and shattered as Nicole was holed up in some ratty motel as she called her husband from a disposable phone. I could almost feel her agony being away- being too unstable and not wanting to bring any darkness to her family. I could feel her husband’s desperation as well, a man emasculated, with no way to bring peace to his wife. *sobs*
I think maybe Ron grew on me a little bit. We see into his mind and he truly has convinced himself he’s in love with Nicole. But a monster like him is impossible to redeem.
Another 5 star read for sure and I’d highly recommend this book to thriller and horror readers alike. I can’t rave enough about this! Emotional, gory, thought-provoking and guaranteed to make your stomach drop a number of times!
You know I think I might read a FLUFFY book after these two… *gasp*
Pushed is the revenge sequel to Held and continues Nicole’s storyline after she escaped from Ron’s clutches. Despite escaping and returning home to an adoring husband and beautiful baby boy Nicole cannot adjust to life as normal. After checking herself in and out of a mental institution she decides conventional therapy just isn’t going to cut it. She’s going to take matters into her own hands.
I don’t know why I did it- I’m still reeling from the book hangover from the first book and that is now super intensified! Nicole and Ron’s story- whoa intense to say the least. This duo will stay with me for a long, long time.
My heart broke and shattered as Nicole was holed up in some ratty motel as she called her husband from a disposable phone. I could almost feel her agony being away- being too unstable and not wanting to bring any darkness to her family. I could feel her husband’s desperation as well, a man emasculated, with no way to bring peace to his wife. *sobs*
I think maybe Ron grew on me a little bit. We see into his mind and he truly has convinced himself he’s in love with Nicole. But a monster like him is impossible to redeem.
Another 5 star read for sure and I’d highly recommend this book to thriller and horror readers alike. I can’t rave enough about this! Emotional, gory, thought-provoking and guaranteed to make your stomach drop a number of times!
You know I think I might read a FLUFFY book after these two… *gasp*
March 19, 2015
Nightmares that never end.
Please see my review for "Held" as the same vile acts of depravity continues with book two, "Pushed."
While I enjoyed reading this novel, I did have a couple of issues with it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 25, 2014
They says there's nothing worse than a woman scorned! Ron should have been the one looking over his shoulder. He should have been checking his naughty or nice list twice, because Nicole out for blood. What would you do for an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth? How would you settle the score of losing everything to the one who took it away??? It payback fucker, and Ron's number up!!! Excellent read, loved it....loved it!!
March 12, 2015
Poor sick, twisted, delusional Ron. I almost felt sorry for him. Almost. I loved this book. Just as much as the first one. Not something I recommend reading on your lunch break, unless you're trying to diet and need an appetite suppressant.
Want to read
February 23, 2014yessssssssssssssssssssssssssss
October 29, 2017
"For better or for worse, things were going to change the second I crossed the threshold. Only one of us would be coming out of this house alive, and it was only a 50/50 chance that it would be me." — Nicole
Awesome sequel.. I actually liked this one better than the first book. The beginning broke my heart. All the demons, nightmares, etc. she was going through alone. Not having her husband nor her son by her side got to me. I put my self in her shoes and I would just Die if my husband and children where not by my side. But I completely understood why she did what she did. *tearing up*
I loved how bad-ass Nicole was in this one. She was determined to get her life back. And VENGEANCE is what she seeks, and Ron is gonna get it!!
April 14, 2019
Loved it. Don't want to say much as I don't want to give anything away. I will be reading more books by this author. Enjoy her writing very much. Team Nicole? YES!!
Read
December 29, 2021I don’t feel like this answered enough questions I had after the first book. Glad she got her revenge, but there were enough leftover plot threads to make a tapestry.
April 3, 2017
When I finished Held I desperately needed to know how the story continued!! (Luckily for me it was an obligation-free Sunday so I could read all day, lol!) Together Held & Pushed are a 5 star read for me! Ingeniously put together! A really good book, however imo it wasn't something 'new'. I know several movies which are based on very similar elements. If I have to rate the books seperate, I'd say Pushed was very predictable, hence the 4 stars. Nevertheless, I could not put this book down and just wanted to be sure Ron got what he deserved! Besides Nicole's POV, in this book there is also Ron's POV... and yep, he is true psychopath, oblivious of his own craziness. Oh... imo Held and Pushed are, could and should have been just 1 book.
February 9, 2017
Review to follow...
January 9, 2016
Phenomenal sequel to Held! Nicole had me a bit worried with her being unstable and all, but she came through with her revenge against her kidnapper, Ron! She isn't nearly as created as Ron or heck as I would have been, but she got the job done. Kudos to Nicole!
Five twisted and revenge filled stars!!
Five twisted and revenge filled stars!!
August 3, 2016
A good follow up to the first book, "HELD". Ron misses Nicole, the one that got away. In his sick and twisted mind, he feels that she is his soul mate and they belong together. Don't worry Ron, she is coming back...just for you.
May 6, 2014
Great Sequel!! It was everything I wanted and more!
August 12, 2016
do we really want revenge? are we strong enuff to actually carry through
Read on..the horror continues!!!
Read on..the horror continues!!!
December 27, 2017
Another sick and twisted read by Kimberly A. Bettes. Pushed is book 2 in the Held series.
Push continues the story of Nicole, a woman who was abducted from the local mall parking lot.
In Pushed the story flips over to Nicole and how she gets her life back.
If you are faint of heart you do NOT want to read this series.
This series is very graphic and gruesome and Ms. Bettes holds nothing back.
Chelsea Cain fans will love this series.
Push continues the story of Nicole, a woman who was abducted from the local mall parking lot.
In Pushed the story flips over to Nicole and how she gets her life back.
If you are faint of heart you do NOT want to read this series.
This series is very graphic and gruesome and Ms. Bettes holds nothing back.
Chelsea Cain fans will love this series.
August 9, 2020
Payback
This book was ok. Just ok. I was not near as exciting as the first book. While I completely understand Nicole wanting payback the book kind of drags until chapter 12. I was routing for her the whole time and I wasn’t disappointed.
This book was ok. Just ok. I was not near as exciting as the first book. While I completely understand Nicole wanting payback the book kind of drags until chapter 12. I was routing for her the whole time and I wasn’t disappointed.
January 2, 2022
Nicole's saga continues. It's been 13 months since she escaped the basement of horrors. She's been in a psychiatric facility, unable to cope with the nightmares. When she gets out, she embarks on a plan of revenge that is both gory and satisfying. Book two of the trilogy. Extreme gore and violence.
January 21, 2025
Good job Nicole! 👏👏👏 our h finally got her revenge. I love stabby stabby woman 😂 i kinda hope she’d torture him more, but i get it. h is not a psychopath. She’s a normal person after all, so it’s satisfying enough for me.
May 12, 2017
Wow
Spoiler alert!!!!!
Seriously I'm so glad she got her revenge !!! Here's hoping everything goes back to normal even tho I know deep down he's not really dead !!!
Spoiler alert!!!!!
Seriously I'm so glad she got her revenge !!! Here's hoping everything goes back to normal even tho I know deep down he's not really dead !!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews