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The Program #2.5
The Recovery
Six months after the fall of The Program, ex-handler Michael Realm is struggling with his guilt. After all, he was instrumental in erasing the memories of several patients—including one he claimed to love. With a lifetime of regret stretched before him, Realm vows to set things right.
Along with his friend, James Murphy, Realm will track down those he’s hurt in an attempt to give them back their lives—starting with Dallas Stone. He’s not looking for forgiveness or redemption; he’s not a hero. But Realm hopes that with each recovered past, he’ll be able to reclaim a small bit of his own.
Along with his friend, James Murphy, Realm will track down those he’s hurt in an attempt to give them back their lives—starting with Dallas Stone. He’s not looking for forgiveness or redemption; he’s not a hero. But Realm hopes that with each recovered past, he’ll be able to reclaim a small bit of his own.
50 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 24, 2015
131 people are currently reading
6190 people want to read
About the author
Suzanne Young
69 books4,880 followersSuzanne Young is the New York Times bestselling author of The Program, The Treatment, and several other novels. She currently lives in Tempe, Arizona where she teaches high school English and obsesses about books. Learn more about Suzanne at www.suzanne-young.blogspot.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 272 reviews
May 5, 2015
This was a short story which basically followed Realm as he went on a little tour of redemption, going around confessing what he had done to the kids who were in the The Program. What was interesting was the little re-cap of book 2 though, as I hadn’t realised that
7 out of 10
7 out of 10
May 9, 2015
Lackluster writing, no pace whatsoever, out-of-the-blue changes in characters, and basically just unnecessary. This could've been an awesome read if it had been longer, but this novella is more The Remedy sneak peek than actual novella.
November 26, 2019
My review of "The Program" series will be live on December, 25th, 2019 here: https://youtu.be/MyVFNNOc32g
I am sorry, but I still hate Realm. This story is about him trying to do better and give people their memories back, but he's still an assh*le in my book... sorry. May be in time my opinion will change, but he was a character I never liked.
The story is nice, tho.
I am sorry, but I still hate Realm. This story is about him trying to do better and give people their memories back, but he's still an assh*le in my book... sorry. May be in time my opinion will change, but he was a character I never liked.
The story is nice, tho.
February 2, 2021
”Be kind to yourself, Michael. You’re the one who has to live with you.”
“I’m trying.”
is it problematic that i still love Realm with my whole heart?🥲
“I’m trying.”
is it problematic that i still love Realm with my whole heart?🥲
January 2, 2019
I read the first two books awhile back and needed to get reacquainted with the characters and storyline before continuing with the series, and this novella was the perfect way to do just that. I actually enjoyed reading about Realm making some amends, and having James join him for some of them was a great to read. Now I am ready to continue with the series very soon.
My quick and simple overall: short but actually entertaining and nice to read about some of Realm’s atonements so to speak.
My quick and simple overall: short but actually entertaining and nice to read about some of Realm’s atonements so to speak.
August 13, 2025
— 2 ★
i don't have much to say about this novella, as it was mostly michael trying to make amends for what he did, and somehow redeem himself. it's safe to say i've never hated him, i'm more like disappointed. and maybe that's even worse. no matter what i was, i am, and i'll always be conflicted about michael realm. i liked his unexpected friendship with james though. i wish there was a full-length book that dived into michael's character and explored his relationship with dallas!
*it wasn't bad actually, but it only had 50 pages, so i can't really rate it any higher.*
⭑𓂃 ⌗ quotes worth sharing
"you know. you're not nearly as awful as you think you are."
"no. i'm worse."
"stop doing what you think is best for me, realm. i'm a big girl. i make my own decisions. and one of them is that i don't think you're as terrible as you imagine you are. so i'm going to be your friend. and we're going to change some lives. that's the kind of recovery i'm looking for."
"he should have said no. but at the time, there had been no one since dallas. he wasn't sure there ever would be. they were magnets, drawn back together—somehow still a match even after everything that had happened."
"and maybe that was what michael realm realized now, sitting in the parking lot of another hotel. his guilt made him keep dallas at a distance, hurting her in favor of loving her back the way she deserved...he always knew she deserved better. but...for the first time since before the program, realm thought that there was a chance for him. to redeem, to recover, to be the right guy."
"he couldn't change the past, couldn't predict the future. he only had now. and that sometimes....the only real thing was now."
⊹ "be kind to yourself, michael. you're the one who has to live with you."⭑𓂃 ⌗ my thoughts
"i'm trying." ៹࣪
i don't have much to say about this novella, as it was mostly michael trying to make amends for what he did, and somehow redeem himself. it's safe to say i've never hated him, i'm more like disappointed. and maybe that's even worse. no matter what i was, i am, and i'll always be conflicted about michael realm. i liked his unexpected friendship with james though. i wish there was a full-length book that dived into michael's character and explored his relationship with dallas!
*it wasn't bad actually, but it only had 50 pages, so i can't really rate it any higher.*
⭑𓂃 ⌗ quotes worth sharing
"you know. you're not nearly as awful as you think you are."
"no. i'm worse."
"stop doing what you think is best for me, realm. i'm a big girl. i make my own decisions. and one of them is that i don't think you're as terrible as you imagine you are. so i'm going to be your friend. and we're going to change some lives. that's the kind of recovery i'm looking for."
"he should have said no. but at the time, there had been no one since dallas. he wasn't sure there ever would be. they were magnets, drawn back together—somehow still a match even after everything that had happened."
"and maybe that was what michael realm realized now, sitting in the parking lot of another hotel. his guilt made him keep dallas at a distance, hurting her in favor of loving her back the way she deserved...he always knew she deserved better. but...for the first time since before the program, realm thought that there was a chance for him. to redeem, to recover, to be the right guy."
"he couldn't change the past, couldn't predict the future. he only had now. and that sometimes....the only real thing was now."
May 27, 2016
This was a nice little story that added some character and some perspective to Realm. I liked it!
October 14, 2017
Even though Realm did some pretty awful things, I couldn't help but like the villainous thug. Okay, that might have been a bit harsh, he did redeem himself after all and if truth be told, I am thrilled that this is his story after The Program was disabled. I really wanted some kind of happily ever after for the guy, after all, he wasn't all bad and he was trying to make up for his past sins, you can't really fault someone for that now can you?
Knowing James (and maybe even Sloane) was going to be in this, just made it even better.
I was so curious how the world was dealing with the loss of the Program, was it better, worse? Were things back to a better “normal” now that it was all over?
I have to say, the best part about this whole short story, was James and Realm. They were..amazing. I loved watching how their friendship has changed, grown, and evolved from when the story left off. I have always loved James, but I love him just a bit more now because of it. And Realm? His story, the hatred he had for himself, it was heartbreaking to read. I felt so much for him. So much of his loss, his guilt, his self loathing. Just so darn many feels for the boy who was hard to not fall in love with, just a bit.
This was an amazing story and I am so very glad that Suzanne gave it to us, to her fans, to the ones that fell in love with the dark gritty world and characters that she created.
Knowing James (and maybe even Sloane) was going to be in this, just made it even better.
I was so curious how the world was dealing with the loss of the Program, was it better, worse? Were things back to a better “normal” now that it was all over?
I have to say, the best part about this whole short story, was James and Realm. They were..amazing. I loved watching how their friendship has changed, grown, and evolved from when the story left off. I have always loved James, but I love him just a bit more now because of it. And Realm? His story, the hatred he had for himself, it was heartbreaking to read. I felt so much for him. So much of his loss, his guilt, his self loathing. Just so darn many feels for the boy who was hard to not fall in love with, just a bit.
This was an amazing story and I am so very glad that Suzanne gave it to us, to her fans, to the ones that fell in love with the dark gritty world and characters that she created.
August 27, 2017
This will contain spoilers if you haven't read The Program or The Treatment.
This wasn't bad. I admit that for me I wasn't interested in really reading a story from the point of Realm but I get it. Regardless, you get to see the turmoil and guilt that Realm carries with him and understand more about what he did.
Pretty much this is the story of Realm about 6 months or so after the events of The Treatment. It follows him as he attempts to atone for his involvement in The Program.
This wasn't bad. I admit that for me I wasn't interested in really reading a story from the point of Realm but I get it. Regardless, you get to see the turmoil and guilt that Realm carries with him and understand more about what he did.
Pretty much this is the story of Realm about 6 months or so after the events of The Treatment. It follows him as he attempts to atone for his involvement in The Program.
February 8, 2017
Ouch, my heart.
THIS WAS WAY TOO SHORT SUZANNE YOUNG!!
This novella came quite unexpected, and focuses on a side character from The Program duology, Realm. I wasn’t particularly fond of this character in the books, but he was an okay character.
This short story just gave me everything I wanted. I got to see main characters Sloane and James, the aftermath of The Program, and, of course, how Realm’s doing. The way I remember the duology, which is my favorite duology btw, was with tears and laughter and tears and more tears. So depressing and sad, but it made me laugh in the same page that made me cry. Just so many emotions and attachments to the characters from the beginning. This was no different. Crying and laughing happened. It was a good time.
THIS WAS WAY TOO SHORT SUZANNE YOUNG!!
This novella came quite unexpected, and focuses on a side character from The Program duology, Realm. I wasn’t particularly fond of this character in the books, but he was an okay character.
This short story just gave me everything I wanted. I got to see main characters Sloane and James, the aftermath of The Program, and, of course, how Realm’s doing. The way I remember the duology, which is my favorite duology btw, was with tears and laughter and tears and more tears. So depressing and sad, but it made me laugh in the same page that made me cry. Just so many emotions and attachments to the characters from the beginning. This was no different. Crying and laughing happened. It was a good time.
Read
July 23, 2018I love finding a novella that just adds so much to a series, especially when it's from a different character's perspective. If you love the program series, pick this one up. Loved getting to know Michael Realm better.
March 19, 2015
The Program is an amazing series, one of my favorites, and this was exactly what I needed!I was happy with how The Treatment ended, but if you're curious about Realm, you don't want to miss this. It's about Realm trying to deal with all the bad things he's done. He's not looking for forgivness, he knows that some people will never forgive him, but he's trying to make things right, to give back the memories he's stolen.
He's really hard on himself, and I'm not sure I can forgive him either, but I feel closer to him and I really appreciate how much he's changed. And my adorable husband, James Murphy, is with him *heart eyes* I love James, he's one of my favorite book boyfriends. He made me cry even in this novella, but then he made me laugh so everything's good.
Sloane and James are just incredible, their relationship is so cute and they are mad for each other, I could talk about them forever. If you haven't, do yourself a favor, read The Program!
He was glad he was facing his problems, but there was one person he could never escape-himself.
He's really hard on himself, and I'm not sure I can forgive him either, but I feel closer to him and I really appreciate how much he's changed. And my adorable husband, James Murphy, is with him *heart eyes* I love James, he's one of my favorite book boyfriends. He made me cry even in this novella, but then he made me laugh so everything's good.
There was movement, a hug, a kiss. "When I get back," James called to Sloane in a flirtatious warning. Realm lifted his head to see James pointing at her, and Sloane laughing and slapping his hand away playfully. "You're an idiot," she told him.
Sloane and James are just incredible, their relationship is so cute and they are mad for each other, I could talk about them forever. If you haven't, do yourself a favor, read The Program!
Want to read
January 26, 2015Lo quiero...
October 19, 2015
One of those fun few hour reads that really doesn't forward the story but gives it a tad bit of character development.
January 24, 2018
This short story seemed to end very abruptly with very little happening.
January 25, 2021
4.5/5
Holaaaa? 50 páginas solamente???
Tenia muchas ganas de leer el final de Realm pero siento que es un personaje al que se le pudo sacar muchísima historia pues es super interesante y creció como personaje, evidentemente se pudo contar más de él que las que se cuentan en 50 páginas.
Holaaaa? 50 páginas solamente???
Tenia muchas ganas de leer el final de Realm pero siento que es un personaje al que se le pudo sacar muchísima historia pues es super interesante y creció como personaje, evidentemente se pudo contar más de él que las que se cuentan en 50 páginas.
December 14, 2023
I liked this in-between book. I am a sucker for redemption arcs. It was a lot shorter than I thought, including a teaser for the next book. There's not much to say about 50 pages.
January 23, 2024
dobra to bylo nieironicznie dobre
November 29, 2018
Not really much to this story. A short snippet of Realm trying to redeem himself and the guilt that he felt over betraying those that he deceived with his role in The Program.
July 2, 2020
Plot:
Michael Realm was on the road to recovery, one that would hopefully make his guilt load lighter. After being an embedded handler, which involved being a patient in The Program, making friends with the difficult patients, only to tell the doctors what memories to target, Realm made a lot of enemies, like Sloane. Yet, he wants to make it right, not with just Sloane, but with all of them. Realm has their files from The Program, the doctor’s notes that will hopefully help them remember who they were. First, Realm must start with Dallas, his old girlfriend whom he destroyed, then Ally, Anthony, and finally, Sloane, the girl he has no chance with, but one he wants to be forgiven for destroying.
Thoughts:
As a short story with 10 chapters, Suzanne Young did a great job. Taking from the point of view of Realm, it takes us on his journey to find redemption in his life. From his heartbreaking reunion with Dallas, him finding Ally and Anthony, a deeper look into his friendship with James. It is an unnecessary part of the series, but one nice to read. Not necessary for the plot, but if you wanted to know a bit more about James, and a decent amount more about Realms, then this is the book for you.
Michael Realm was on the road to recovery, one that would hopefully make his guilt load lighter. After being an embedded handler, which involved being a patient in The Program, making friends with the difficult patients, only to tell the doctors what memories to target, Realm made a lot of enemies, like Sloane. Yet, he wants to make it right, not with just Sloane, but with all of them. Realm has their files from The Program, the doctor’s notes that will hopefully help them remember who they were. First, Realm must start with Dallas, his old girlfriend whom he destroyed, then Ally, Anthony, and finally, Sloane, the girl he has no chance with, but one he wants to be forgiven for destroying.
Thoughts:
As a short story with 10 chapters, Suzanne Young did a great job. Taking from the point of view of Realm, it takes us on his journey to find redemption in his life. From his heartbreaking reunion with Dallas, him finding Ally and Anthony, a deeper look into his friendship with James. It is an unnecessary part of the series, but one nice to read. Not necessary for the plot, but if you wanted to know a bit more about James, and a decent amount more about Realms, then this is the book for you.
May 15, 2015
"Be kind to yourself, Michael. You're the one who has to live with you."
OMG. This was amazing. I started this really ready to hate Realm. I've been mad at him for a long long time - multiple years and books (lol)
so I was surprised when I easily slid back into this crazy world and read the banter and easiness between he and James. Through James, I can almost like Realm again.
......almost....... READ IT! It's an amazing addition to the series. So worth it!
OMG. This was amazing. I started this really ready to hate Realm. I've been mad at him for a long long time - multiple years and books (lol)
so I was surprised when I easily slid back into this crazy world and read the banter and easiness between he and James. Through James, I can almost like Realm again.
......almost....... READ IT! It's an amazing addition to the series. So worth it!
September 18, 2018
Vond het niet echt een meerwaarde aan het verhaal zeg maar. Maar het was leuk om te lezen hoe Realm zich herpakt. :-)
July 29, 2016
Carino anche se un po' ripetitivo
April 12, 2017
This story centered around Michael Realm after the Program. Not as intense or exciting as the full length novels but still ok. Just nothing that really stood out.
September 18, 2018
Way too short!!
May 20, 2015
I think I have a better insight to Michael Realm now. This is a good little extra read.
August 1, 2018
Original Review: https://holedupinabook.blogspot.com/2...
So there are “technically” six books in this series but in reality, there are 3 separate duologies so I decided to only read the first duology because while I found it interesting, I didn’t feel like investing anymore time since it didn’t really suck me in. Plus, I didn’t like the fact that the rest of the books went on to focus on different characters. I was already partially invested with the main characters in the first duology plus I liked Realm and might have picked up the later books if he played major roles in them but I don’t think so.
Anyways, moving on…I did enjoy the first duology and since I liked Realm a lot, I also read the novella. Personally, I thought Realm was the best and he was definitely my favorite character. I liked Sloane as well but I think out of the three main characters (Sloane, James and Realm), Sloane was probably my least favorite. I think it was because I typically do not enjoy helpless characters and she struck me as utterly helpless in the face of things. There were just so many things that she couldn’t control and I really didn’t like that.
For me, the best part of these series is the romance between Sloane and James. It didn’t feel forced at all and I loved how despite the very negative side effects of the therapy in the program, Sloane reminiscing about how she and James fell in love was very romantic. Somehow it fit really well and I just found their romance to work. I think the author does a really good job with romances because Realm’s love for Sloane also worked as well. He was a great guy and his affection and desire to help her despite his position. I definitely enjoyed this aspect.
If I had to describe these books in one word, that word would be: frustrating. Do you know how frustrating it is to read about someone who has lost their memories and then the aftermath of what they are thinking is so similar to how they were previously or they become so different that it’s astonishing? It’s incredibly frustrating because just when you think you know a character relatively well, a curve ball is thrown and it’s completely different. Or, it’s the same thing all over again and it’s as if you are playing yo-yo or something. The only thing more frustrating is being that person who had their memories taken from them.
Overall, I did enjoy these books and I really liked the concept even though, it was pretty obvious to me that what they were doing with the program was only increasing suicides rather than decreasing them but clearly, they thought they were doing something good there. The books did deal with some serious issues as well but I thought it was addressed relatively well.
So there are “technically” six books in this series but in reality, there are 3 separate duologies so I decided to only read the first duology because while I found it interesting, I didn’t feel like investing anymore time since it didn’t really suck me in. Plus, I didn’t like the fact that the rest of the books went on to focus on different characters. I was already partially invested with the main characters in the first duology plus I liked Realm and might have picked up the later books if he played major roles in them but I don’t think so.
Anyways, moving on…I did enjoy the first duology and since I liked Realm a lot, I also read the novella. Personally, I thought Realm was the best and he was definitely my favorite character. I liked Sloane as well but I think out of the three main characters (Sloane, James and Realm), Sloane was probably my least favorite. I think it was because I typically do not enjoy helpless characters and she struck me as utterly helpless in the face of things. There were just so many things that she couldn’t control and I really didn’t like that.
For me, the best part of these series is the romance between Sloane and James. It didn’t feel forced at all and I loved how despite the very negative side effects of the therapy in the program, Sloane reminiscing about how she and James fell in love was very romantic. Somehow it fit really well and I just found their romance to work. I think the author does a really good job with romances because Realm’s love for Sloane also worked as well. He was a great guy and his affection and desire to help her despite his position. I definitely enjoyed this aspect.
If I had to describe these books in one word, that word would be: frustrating. Do you know how frustrating it is to read about someone who has lost their memories and then the aftermath of what they are thinking is so similar to how they were previously or they become so different that it’s astonishing? It’s incredibly frustrating because just when you think you know a character relatively well, a curve ball is thrown and it’s completely different. Or, it’s the same thing all over again and it’s as if you are playing yo-yo or something. The only thing more frustrating is being that person who had their memories taken from them.
Overall, I did enjoy these books and I really liked the concept even though, it was pretty obvious to me that what they were doing with the program was only increasing suicides rather than decreasing them but clearly, they thought they were doing something good there. The books did deal with some serious issues as well but I thought it was addressed relatively well.
July 19, 2023
Realm hopes that with each past he helps to recover, he'll be able to reclaim a small bit of his own in this spinoff story to Suzanne Young's best-selling duology, The Program and The Treatment.
I listened to this book on Scribd. I enjoyed this story. I liked Realm in the first 2 books. This book is from his point of view and I feel like reading this helped me to understand him better and why he made the choices he made.
I listened to this book on Scribd. I enjoyed this story. I liked Realm in the first 2 books. This book is from his point of view and I feel like reading this helped me to understand him better and why he made the choices he made.
March 30, 2018
I'm not hugely into novella so that is part of the reason it has taken me 3 years to read this one. And on the other side, I'm not a Realm fan. However Suzanne wins and I now what a Realm and Dallas story that is longer than a novella.
July 12, 2017
Way shorter than expected, I wanted to hear what happened after the last chapter ended. So I'm slightly disappointed. And now I have to wait for my Amazon order to get here to continue this journey.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 272 reviews