Outside

Death Row Chronicles, Book 2

By: Nicky James

Narrated by: Nick J. Russo

Length: 9 hrs and 47 mins

Publisher's summary

Twenty years ago, the crash gates slammed shut on Bishop Ndiaye’s life when he was sentenced to death for a crime he didn’t commit. His life became a waiting game while he sat on death row in one of the country’s worst prisons waiting for his warrant to be signed and his inevitable walk to the death chamber. But it never happened. Anson Miller’s arrival into Bishop’s life changed everything, and with nothing more than a hope and a prayer and a kickass lawyer, Bishop fought for his freedom and won. But how do you reintegrate into a world you no longer know?

Twenty years has brought a lot of change. Bishop needs to relearn the world, but it isn’t easy when his face has become front-page news, and his story is whispered in every crowd. Not only does Bishop find himself suffering from severe trauma after his prolonged sentence, but he’s discovered the world on the outside may not be all it’s cracked up to be. Some days, it’s like he’s exchanged one prison for another. As if that’s not overwhelming enough, Bishop walked out of prison into the arms of a man he knows he loves, but he’s never explored this part of himself before and hardly knows where to begin. Navigating a relationship, technology, anxiety, and people is overwhelming. The cracks in Bishop’s foundation start to show, and the big man doesn’t know where to turn for help. Was this whole ordeal worth it? Maybe he was better off on the inside.

This is book two in the Death Row Chronicles and is not stand-alone. It should be listened to following Inside (volume one).

©2020 Nicky James (P)2023 Nicky James

This book gave me all the feels

I cried more than once listening to this book (and the one before it). Both happy and sad tears. I'm so happy Bishop and Ansen got their happily ever after. The narrator did a wonderful job bring the story to life. I'm especially obsessed with his smooth southern accent he gave Bishop.

Fantastic

What a fantastic story by Nicky James and excellent narration by Nick J Russo! I really enjoyed Anson and Bishop’s journey as they navigated the difficult path to their much deserved HEA. Loved it!

✫✫ 5 "I LOVED THIS BOOK" Stars ✫✫

And another great book by Nicky James! I was dying for this audiobook release after finishing Inside and let me just say this was everything I wanted it to be! I love the relationship between Anson & Bishop and I truly love how they communicate and work hard to deal with everything going on in their lives. I really liked all of the friendships they made and I love both of their families. This book just tugged at my heartstrings and I admire the strength these characters have and especially how they bring out that strength in each other. The ending was perfect and left me with a huge smile on my face. I am sad their story is over and hope maybe one day we will get a novella or something with a how are they now story ;) hint hint

Nick J. Russo was perfect. I really enjoy his work and love that every person has their own voice.

I LOVE THIS DUET!

I’m a huge fan of Nicky, and this book did not disappoint. While I felt there were some points that were obvious, and could have been discovered sooner, I understood that this book was focused on Bishop’s need to deal with his PTSD and growth. All in all this duet it raw, heartbreaking, sad, frustrating, redeeming and beautifully loving! Kudos to Nicky and Nick!❤️

Outstanding performance by Nick J. Russo

4,5 stars

After listening to the audio of Inside, I was really looking forward to listen to the second book, Outside. It’s the book told from Bishops pov, telling the story of how life outside death row treats him. It appears it’s not so good.
Imagine having spent twenty years of your life in prison, the outside world passing by and changing into something almost unrecognisable. The moment you are confronted with all these changes, it must be overwhelming - computers, cell phones, hectic daily life…How do you cope with all that when at the same time you need to adjust to this new life outside, leaving your daily routine, the weirdly comfort of the four walls you’ve known for 20 years? And I’m not even talking about a hostile small town where nobody accepts you and calls you trouble and a murderer and where no one seems to be willing to give you a second chance at life.
The one thing Bishop needed was for Anson to be there for him. But Anson has his own problems and Bishop doesn’t want to add to them, so the idyllic idea of them living together and be happy for the rest of their lives, kind of blows up in their faces. It’s hard on both of them. Life isn’t treating them fair and for a long time it looks like it never will.
I was happy to see Bishop found help from people who knew exactly what he was going through, that David was there for him and helped him. That he understood what Bishop needed, and when David gave him the present that meant so much to Bishop, I couldn’t help but think it had to have been a gift from Anson. He should have known.
Anson didn’t seem like the Anson we met in the first book. I get that he was frustrated, and I get that he had a lot of negative stuff going on at work, but after all the fighting he and Bishop did to get Bishops name cleared and get him out of prison, you’d think he would show more understanding for how hard things must be for Bishop. Instead we see an angry man, too busy with himself to notice what was going on with the man he loved.
Again Nick J. Russo did an excellent job performing this story. The way he portrayed Bishop was perfect.

I loved that Nicky James didn’t rush the story and clearly put a lot of thought and research in what life had to be like when you spent so much time away from the world. It was heartbreaking at times and maddening too, specially at the narrow minded people in that small Texas town. There was only one way for them to be happy and I loved how they finally found their well deserved happy ending.

Phenomenal

Holy cow, words just aren't enough to express how much I loved this book! Nicky James is a goddess of the MM genre and her writing is fantastic. This book is no exception! I had a book hangover for days after listening to this. It gave me ALL the feels and then some! Nick Russo was the perfect choice as narrator.

okay

this story was just okay for me. I didn't love it as much as usual. the performance was great and so was the writing, I think it was just me really. I would still recommend it for a read and listen

another side

I loved this book! I always underestimate how powerful Nick's voice can be and every time I am impressed and crying and feeling all the feels!

Good

3.5
I hate to say it, but I didn’t LOVE this one, especially compared to the first. Which to be fair, it doesn’t have the same excitement factors. It’s actually pretty sad… but I did enjoy it and I loved to see their growth, even when it hurt sometimes. Okay, most freaking times.

Would it be too much to get it a couple years later now?? A novella?

Freedom is only step one! This story is brilliant!

After having first listened to Inside, the necessary prequel, I’ve been dying to find out how Bishop and Anson have been doing. I went into Outside (book two, the conclusion) knowing that, as is her way, Nicky James would not make their journey a smooth one.

Yes prison life had been hard, but at least Bishop understood the rules… how everything worked. Told from his point of view, this half of the story is full of painful challenges. Now he’s having to navigate an unfamiliar, often cruel world while balancing a new relationship and sexual awareness. And Anson’s new reality is no picnic either, even though he finally has his man.

There were often times when I wasn't sure how this journey of love could continue despite the men’s strengths, support systems, and their ability to communicate. The obstacles were many but, in true Nicky James fashion, this gut-wrenching, unforgettable emotional ride ends with a hard fought, stunning HEA. The audio brings all of that to life.

There is a reason that Nick J. Russo is one of my favorite narrators… He never fails to deliver a stellar, moving performance. In Outside (as in Inside) Russo made us deeply feel Bishop’s (and Anson’s) struggle with such clarity.

This two book series is a gift for the soul. I’m already looking forward to re-listening to the entire journey. Treat yourself too!

Even more emotional on the outside!

Wow! Nicky has done a fabulous job with putting this story together!

I thought the way to get out was hard but the start on the outside… a lot has happened to the world in 20 years and a lot happens to a person that’s been locked away for that amount of time.

And to hear Nick perform all the emotions of anger, sadness, fear, defeat and, of course, love! He is amazing!

An insightful and beautiful story

Bishop and Anson find that their journey has only really just begun on the OUTSIDE after the tense and traumatic events of INSIDE.

Petty minded, prejudiced people exist everywhere and a ‘not guilty’ verdict means nothing to those who wish to believe the worst of you. And now the two men must navigate this rocky road together. It is discovering that they need to work together that is the hardest part for them. Bishop needs to talk and Anson needs to listen.

I loved, loved, loved this hard won love story between Bishop and Anson. Not an easy listen but so worth anyone’s time. Nick Russo captures and verbalises perfectly all of the ever changing emotions these two men must travel on their way to the deep and abiding love that inevitably follows such shared trauma. Brava Ms. James and bravo Mr. Russo - the perfect team.

An emotional journey on the outside

This second half of Bishop and Anson's duology was just as emotionally charged as the first. A large part of this book was spent exploring the ups and downs of Bishop's mental and emotional health as he adjusted to the outside world. Bishop's joy in accomplishing small goals was almost always overshadowed by the weight of everyone else's biases, and that didn't even factor in his relationship with Anson. His connections through the Innocence Project were a breath of fresh air in the midst of so much negativity, and it gave me something to hold onto when his relationship with Anson started to strain. In all honesty, Anson's inability to understand Bishop's struggles frustrated me, but that's probably because I was in Bishop's head seeing how much he was trying and failing to keep up. Their heart to heart was much needed, and gave both men the opportunity to be honest about the difficulties they were facing. It was hard to see how both of them were struggling in the aftermath of Bishop's release, and not even reconciling with Bishop's brother or finally taking the next steps in their physical relationship could fully erase the harshness of their situation. It was awful to think that the two of them might not have any choice but to move somewhere else to find their happiness, but again, was probably the most realistic outcome these two could consider. I have a feeling not everyone will like the ending Nicky chose for these two, but I think it marked a hopeful start to the rest of their lives together. Ultimately, this story was more about the emotional healing Bishop and Anson did along the way, and regardless of where these two ended up, I knew in my heart they were over the worst of their personal damage.

Emotional & Heartbreaking ❤

OH....WOW......Absolutely Brilliant what a series this is another truly outstanding narration by Nick J Russo love the way he brings out all the emotions for Anson and Bishop the heartbreak the pain it's so emotional and beautiful I cried for both of them they deserve their happy ending after all they have been through together the love they feel for each other is so wonderful I recommend so much.

My heart is shattered !!!

This story is chokka full with angst and heartbreak....
Some people are merciless and relentless and life can be so unforgiving...
My Poor Bishop may have been exonerated and given his freedom , but nobody told him what to expect next, what he could be faced with and how to cope, so like a fish out of water he is left to flounder. Wide open spaces, people rushing everywhere, never before seen technology and relentless panic, it's no wonder Bishop yearned for his cell at times.
Anson is desperate to help his man, but he has no idea of the turmoil within Bishop. It takes some pretty heartbreaking conversations and eye opening incidents for Anson to realise the extent of his mistakes.
Together both men fight their way to the surface out of the depths of despair, with some pretty remarkable people helping them along the way.

What an amazingly researched story, it broke my heart from beginning to end.
The narrator did an excellent job bringing Bishop's inner turmoil to life.
An excellent duet.

Emotional and raw

What a truly amazing story. I loved the first book and it was nice to listen to the continuation of their story from Bishop pov. I like how they were meant for each other. My heart broke for all their struggles but I'm glad they got their happy ending 💜 It's such an emotional and raw and beautiful story and the narrator did such an amazing job with this story. I'm glad that these two books are now in Audio.

Emotional performance and just perfect

Nick j russo gave us another stunning performance and brought bishop anson and the second part of their journey to life just had I imagined

I cried and there was so many emotion and feels in this story just beautiful powerful and amazing

Amazingly emotional and painfully real

Story: Deep dive into Bishop's recovery from unjustified imprisonement described in painful details. I loved the author's take on the struggles in the outside world and the steadfastness of the bond Bishop and Anson shared. There are a lot of obstacles in their way, but the relationship holds, changing and evolving into something truly beautiful and uplifting.
I appreciate that the author did not take any shortcuts in the story, painting a brutally realistic picture of the system and society surrounding Bishop's wrongful conviction. All in all, the series was a difficult, but beautiful journey. Yet another one hosted by this amazing author!
Narration: Great impersonation of both characters, giving them voice and a new dimension for their emotions to flourish. Great choice of a narrator!