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Lies and Consequences
Chris Fletcher and Ian McCallum started out as a hook-up: no names, no strings, no future. But fate seemed determined to throw them together and each time was better than the last. Ian couldn't help starting to think about forever.
Chris knew he shouldn't take the chance. His life was a web of lies, from providing his Navy fiancee Jenny with a beard to the details of his fictional childhood. Ian would hate being deceived and a crash was inevitable. But Chris had never felt so deeply about a man before.
When the lies came out, Ian did walk away. But fate wasn't done with them. Because Chris's life was in danger, and only Ian was close enough to help. Now Ian had to decide where the deeper truths lay, and whether what he felt for Chris was still strong enough to risk his safety and his heart.
Chris knew he shouldn't take the chance. His life was a web of lies, from providing his Navy fiancee Jenny with a beard to the details of his fictional childhood. Ian would hate being deceived and a crash was inevitable. But Chris had never felt so deeply about a man before.
When the lies came out, Ian did walk away. But fate wasn't done with them. Because Chris's life was in danger, and only Ian was close enough to help. Now Ian had to decide where the deeper truths lay, and whether what he felt for Chris was still strong enough to risk his safety and his heart.
240 pages, ebook
First published April 5, 2011
15 people are currently reading
604 people want to read
About the author
Kaje Harper
91 books2,728 followersI get asked about my name a lot. It's not something exotic, though. “Kaje” is pronounced just like “cage” – it’s an old nickname, and my pronouns are she/her/hers.
I was born in Montreal but have lived for 30 years in Minnesota, where the two seasons are Snow-removal and Road-repair, where the mosquito is the state bird, and where winter can be breathtakingly beautiful. Minnesota’s a kind, quiet (if sometimes chilly) place and it’s home.
I’ve been writing far longer than I care to admit (*whispers – fifty years*), mostly for my own entertainment, usually M/M romance (with added mystery, fantasy, historical, SciFi…) I also have a few Young Adult stories (some released under the pen name Kira Harp.)
My husband finally convinced me that after all the years of writing for fun, I really should submit something, somewhere. My first professionally published book, Life Lessons, came out from MLR Press in May 2011. I have a weakness for closeted cops with honest hearts, and teachers who speak their minds, and I had fun writing four novels and three freebie short stories in that series. I was delighted and encouraged by the reception Mac and Tony received.
I now have a good-sized backlist in ebooks and print, both free and professionally published. A complete list with links can be found on my website "Books" page at https://kajeharper.com/.
You can find me and my book reviews on my author page here on Goodreads - I hang out on Goodreads a lot because I moderate the Goodreads YA LGBT Books group. I also post free short YA stories on that group, more than 50 of them so far.
You can also find me on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/KajeHarper
I was born in Montreal but have lived for 30 years in Minnesota, where the two seasons are Snow-removal and Road-repair, where the mosquito is the state bird, and where winter can be breathtakingly beautiful. Minnesota’s a kind, quiet (if sometimes chilly) place and it’s home.
I’ve been writing far longer than I care to admit (*whispers – fifty years*), mostly for my own entertainment, usually M/M romance (with added mystery, fantasy, historical, SciFi…) I also have a few Young Adult stories (some released under the pen name Kira Harp.)
My husband finally convinced me that after all the years of writing for fun, I really should submit something, somewhere. My first professionally published book, Life Lessons, came out from MLR Press in May 2011. I have a weakness for closeted cops with honest hearts, and teachers who speak their minds, and I had fun writing four novels and three freebie short stories in that series. I was delighted and encouraged by the reception Mac and Tony received.
I now have a good-sized backlist in ebooks and print, both free and professionally published. A complete list with links can be found on my website "Books" page at https://kajeharper.com/.
You can find me and my book reviews on my author page here on Goodreads - I hang out on Goodreads a lot because I moderate the Goodreads YA LGBT Books group. I also post free short YA stories on that group, more than 50 of them so far.
You can also find me on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/KajeHarper
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 123 reviews
July 26, 2013
Fun, exciting, and romantic, with engaging leads.
I began reading with no preconceptions, so when the sweet-natured romance plot flirted with suspense I went with it, but I pined for the simpler and (frankly) much more pleasant romance.
When it then veered into a slightly silly action thriller, I wished the book had stuck with the suspense plot.
On the upside, Harper's writing is excellent. I was far and away hooked in the first couple pages; she's got a great ear for dialogue and a polished flow to her prose. Some of the action sequences had me racing along to see what happened next.
She's got chops. I can hardly believe she's as good at writing romance as she is at writing an action thriller—but she is.
The genre-meld was not successful in this case, but I have a feeling this is an author who can only get better.
This is an impressive bit of writing and I'm sure to read more from Harper in the future.
I began reading with no preconceptions, so when the sweet-natured romance plot flirted with suspense I went with it, but I pined for the simpler and (frankly) much more pleasant romance.
When it then veered into a slightly silly action thriller, I wished the book had stuck with the suspense plot.
On the upside, Harper's writing is excellent. I was far and away hooked in the first couple pages; she's got a great ear for dialogue and a polished flow to her prose. Some of the action sequences had me racing along to see what happened next.
She's got chops. I can hardly believe she's as good at writing romance as she is at writing an action thriller—but she is.
The genre-meld was not successful in this case, but I have a feeling this is an author who can only get better.
This is an impressive bit of writing and I'm sure to read more from Harper in the future.
September 30, 2013
Abundant action. Packed plot. Lots of lies.
I gotta admit, I didn’t expect to fall for a twinkie spewing one continuous lie after another, but I did. I absolutely adore Christopher Robin all the way to my toes. Toss in a sexy lumberjack, and apparently I am done for.
Chris is a poor damaged soul with a heart too big for his chest, but regrettably he can’t trust his mouth. At an early age he found lies, big or small, made his life more bearable. Soon he began protecting not only himself, but those he loved with lies as well.
Staging a fake life for his best friend (a lesbian in the Navy) he makes the best of the cards he has been dealt. Longing to succeed as an author, he escapes from his misery in his stories. An unexpected hook-up shakes his façade and for the first time he aches to let someone past the web of lies he’s created.
The problem becomes…. can he separate the facts from fiction?
Ian is not looking for love. He is not looking for a date, hell he isn’t even looking period, till Robin falls from the sky. A moment of lust takes over and before he knows it he isn’t acting as his typical calm reasoning self.
He is strong, proud and out and was raised with morals and survival burned into the fundamentals of his core. Mourning the loss of his partner, he claims he is better off alone than with a man he can’t trust.
After fate brings them together again and again, Ian begins to wonder if life really is black and white, or maybe, just maybe he can begin to see the gray?
All in all I enjoyed their adventures. It was a crazy ass action-packed streak of trouble that brought them together. A little overwhelming at times, but somehow it all wrapped up nicely at the end. I found myself thinking all the parents involved needed therapy or a bit of slapping around, but honestly the other secondary characters pissed me off at times too.
It was Chris, it was Ian, and them together that made the story delightful. *ahem* and the sex was steamy and certainly not lacking in the slightest.
Unlikely action but regardless I will say, I was thoroughly entertained.
*4 slippery-suspenseful-stripped stars*
I gotta admit, I didn’t expect to fall for a twinkie spewing one continuous lie after another, but I did. I absolutely adore Christopher Robin all the way to my toes. Toss in a sexy lumberjack, and apparently I am done for.
Chris is a poor damaged soul with a heart too big for his chest, but regrettably he can’t trust his mouth. At an early age he found lies, big or small, made his life more bearable. Soon he began protecting not only himself, but those he loved with lies as well.
Staging a fake life for his best friend (a lesbian in the Navy) he makes the best of the cards he has been dealt. Longing to succeed as an author, he escapes from his misery in his stories. An unexpected hook-up shakes his façade and for the first time he aches to let someone past the web of lies he’s created.
The problem becomes…. can he separate the facts from fiction?
Ian is not looking for love. He is not looking for a date, hell he isn’t even looking period, till Robin falls from the sky. A moment of lust takes over and before he knows it he isn’t acting as his typical calm reasoning self.
He is strong, proud and out and was raised with morals and survival burned into the fundamentals of his core. Mourning the loss of his partner, he claims he is better off alone than with a man he can’t trust.
After fate brings them together again and again, Ian begins to wonder if life really is black and white, or maybe, just maybe he can begin to see the gray?
All in all I enjoyed their adventures. It was a crazy ass action-packed streak of trouble that brought them together. A little overwhelming at times, but somehow it all wrapped up nicely at the end. I found myself thinking all the parents involved needed therapy or a bit of slapping around, but honestly the other secondary characters pissed me off at times too.
It was Chris, it was Ian, and them together that made the story delightful. *ahem* and the sex was steamy and certainly not lacking in the slightest.
Unlikely action but regardless I will say, I was thoroughly entertained.
*4 slippery-suspenseful-stripped stars*
October 3, 2015
DON'T READ THE BLURB IF YOU CAN HELP IT. It gives way too much away.
How is this still free? This is one of the best M/M thrillers I have read. It cemented Harper in my mind as one of my favorite authors, as strong and consistent as Josh Lanyon. The pacing is excellent, the plot is interesting and is as important as the romance. The ation and suspense are exciting and the major incident that really gets the two interested in each other for real is very well handled. For those of you who know me, The book's got all the peril and danger and near-death excitement
I love the characters and they mostly feel real and unique. The two MCs are nice, likeable and believable men and their reasons for why they do what they do makes sense. They're not stereotypes. They're not perfect. There is angst but it's not overwhelming and it doesn't affect the day to day dealings of the characters. And the manifestation of it is original and interesting. One of them is just too prepared and skilled but I was easily able to suspend my disbelief. And the ending was perfect. you know I love.
I want a sequel and I want it right now!
How is this still free? This is one of the best M/M thrillers I have read. It cemented Harper in my mind as one of my favorite authors, as strong and consistent as Josh Lanyon. The pacing is excellent, the plot is interesting and is as important as the romance. The ation and suspense are exciting and the major incident that really gets the two interested in each other for real is very well handled. For those of you who know me, The book's got all the peril and danger and near-death excitement
I love the characters and they mostly feel real and unique. The two MCs are nice, likeable and believable men and their reasons for why they do what they do makes sense. They're not stereotypes. They're not perfect. There is angst but it's not overwhelming and it doesn't affect the day to day dealings of the characters. And the manifestation of it is original and interesting. One of them is just too prepared and skilled but I was easily able to suspend my disbelief. And the ending was perfect. you know I love.
I want a sequel and I want it right now!
March 22, 2020
I don't know what to make of this one. It's like one of those TV films they air in the afternoons. Action packed and a bit over the top. I enjoyed it because I didn't take it seriously but went with the flow...
June 4, 2016
4.5 stars. An exciting m/m romance in which tree trimmer Ian McCallum falls for writer Chris Fletcher but is discouraged by Chris's double life.
..he'd be damned if he'd get caught up in this mess of lies and half-truths. He should have known it was too good to be true. Chris was too good to be real. "Enjoy the wine," he said harshly. "Have a nice imaginary life."
..he'd be damned if he'd get caught up in this mess of lies and half-truths. He should have known it was too good to be true. Chris was too good to be real. "Enjoy the wine," he said harshly. "Have a nice imaginary life."
April 12, 2011
I usually give the free novels a wide berth, because even when the story is good, I get frustrated just by seeing how much better it could be under the hands of experienced editor. While Lies and Consequences wasn't without the flaws, I was really pleasantly surprised and I will most definitely pick up the authors next book.
The flaws were actually not too many: there were coincidences that could have been avoided, Ian was conveniently trained to be the super survival machine and some phrases were repeated over and over again. The resolution of Christopher's relationship with his family happened off page or without his direct involvement. However, these flaws weren't overwhelming and they didn't significantly diminish my enjoyment in this story. Chris was a great character. As flawed as he was, I have to give a credit to the author because my sympathy for him never wavered. The other characters were great as well: Ian with his black and white view of the world, his best friend Trent and Jenny and Becca as well (we all shout how DADT is/was wrong, but we often forget the real people who suffered because of it).
This was an easy, pleasant read and I can recommend it to everyone. And, yes, great cover too.
The flaws were actually not too many: there were coincidences that could have been avoided, Ian was conveniently trained to be the super survival machine and some phrases were repeated over and over again. The resolution of Christopher's relationship with his family happened off page or without his direct involvement. However, these flaws weren't overwhelming and they didn't significantly diminish my enjoyment in this story. Chris was a great character. As flawed as he was, I have to give a credit to the author because my sympathy for him never wavered. The other characters were great as well: Ian with his black and white view of the world, his best friend Trent and Jenny and Becca as well (we all shout how DADT is/was wrong, but we often forget the real people who suffered because of it).
This was an easy, pleasant read and I can recommend it to everyone. And, yes, great cover too.
May 12, 2012
When I decided to read this, I had no clue that it was a freebie. After reading "The Rebuilding Year" yesterday (my first by this author) I was eager to read something else by her. I saw the description of this and had every intention of doing the one-click on Amazon. So my purpose of reading this book had nothing to do with the fact that it didn't cost me anything. That was just a bonus.
As with The Rebuilding Year, I totally enjoyed this book. I like the author's writing style and the fact that neither book was rush, rush.... jump into a relationship and all is well. A lot happens in this book. Just when I thought the drama and action were over and that things would settle down a bit something else happened that kept me glued to my Kindle until I got to see the resolution.
Chris and Ian hook up and it's supposed to be a one time thing, especially in Chris's eyes. He has too much of a complicated past (and present) to get involved in a relationship with anyone. He has to play the part as fiance for Jenny (his best friend) who has a girlfriend. Jenny is in the military before the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't tell and is unable to be with her girlfriend publicly. With Chris being gay, he is the perfect pretend husband-to-be. But when Chris and Ian end up mixed up in dangerous situations beyond their control (more than once) they each realize that they have strong feelings each other. Adding to that, Chris has lied to Ian consistently since they met the first time... when Chris introduced himself as Robin, his cruising persona. Not only lied during the initial meeting but continued to do so about everything from minor things to very major. That is where I had a problem with this book. Not only did Chris lie a few times, he pretty much lied constantly. There are many MANY times in this story where I was saying "Huh?" when Chris would say something. And the lies he told his parents... while I understood why he did it, I felt that at 29 years old and him living away from home... it was past time to just tell the truth. Most of the things he lied about with Ian were things that he could have just changed the subject or said "I don't want to talk about that." Of course Ian learns the truth and it blows up in Chris's face. The Robin thing kind of got old but most of that was in the first half of the book. The second half was better.
Jenny came across as a very good friend to Chris but also selfish. She had HER lover on the side and even encouraged Chris to go out and find someone as long as it didn't hurt her military career. Who cares if Chris's life is on hold for HER... as long as she wasn't hurt professionally. I didn't like that. I do, however, like the way the Jenny and Chris thing played out toward the end. I wasn't sure how the author was going to fix that but it was done very well.
I love how the author allowed the relationship between Chris and Ian to play out instead of tying everything together in a nice, neat bow early on. There are lies, misunderstandings, a plane crash, kidnappings, hiding out, getting shot at and even drug lords. I said there was a lot happening in this book. Chris and Ian have issues. Real issues. Not just minor misunderstandings. I love how the author worked their relationship. I also love how she allowed them to have a good ending. Everything comes together well and there are only a couple of things left undone... but nothing that affects the overall outcome for all of those involved.
As I said, this is only my 2nd book by this author. I am so eager to read more. I am definitely a new fan.
As with The Rebuilding Year, I totally enjoyed this book. I like the author's writing style and the fact that neither book was rush, rush.... jump into a relationship and all is well. A lot happens in this book. Just when I thought the drama and action were over and that things would settle down a bit something else happened that kept me glued to my Kindle until I got to see the resolution.
Chris and Ian hook up and it's supposed to be a one time thing, especially in Chris's eyes. He has too much of a complicated past (and present) to get involved in a relationship with anyone. He has to play the part as fiance for Jenny (his best friend) who has a girlfriend. Jenny is in the military before the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't tell and is unable to be with her girlfriend publicly. With Chris being gay, he is the perfect pretend husband-to-be. But when Chris and Ian end up mixed up in dangerous situations beyond their control (more than once) they each realize that they have strong feelings each other. Adding to that, Chris has lied to Ian consistently since they met the first time... when Chris introduced himself as Robin, his cruising persona. Not only lied during the initial meeting but continued to do so about everything from minor things to very major. That is where I had a problem with this book. Not only did Chris lie a few times, he pretty much lied constantly. There are many MANY times in this story where I was saying "Huh?" when Chris would say something. And the lies he told his parents... while I understood why he did it, I felt that at 29 years old and him living away from home... it was past time to just tell the truth. Most of the things he lied about with Ian were things that he could have just changed the subject or said "I don't want to talk about that." Of course Ian learns the truth and it blows up in Chris's face. The Robin thing kind of got old but most of that was in the first half of the book. The second half was better.
Jenny came across as a very good friend to Chris but also selfish. She had HER lover on the side and even encouraged Chris to go out and find someone as long as it didn't hurt her military career. Who cares if Chris's life is on hold for HER... as long as she wasn't hurt professionally. I didn't like that. I do, however, like the way the Jenny and Chris thing played out toward the end. I wasn't sure how the author was going to fix that but it was done very well.
I love how the author allowed the relationship between Chris and Ian to play out instead of tying everything together in a nice, neat bow early on. There are lies, misunderstandings, a plane crash, kidnappings, hiding out, getting shot at and even drug lords. I said there was a lot happening in this book. Chris and Ian have issues. Real issues. Not just minor misunderstandings. I love how the author worked their relationship. I also love how she allowed them to have a good ending. Everything comes together well and there are only a couple of things left undone... but nothing that affects the overall outcome for all of those involved.
As I said, this is only my 2nd book by this author. I am so eager to read more. I am definitely a new fan.
May 2, 2013
This book is a 4.5 for me. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and loved the great dynamic between the MCs. They were likable from beginning to the end and even as the plot escalates into somewhat OTT action, there is always humor and a style of writing that is easy to follow and never lets the story get boring.
I must admit that I was a bit wary of the title at first. I've read many stories where the MCs just kept secrets unnecessarily, without the characters reasoning ever really explained. Such artificial plot devices to disrupt the relationship of the characters and drive the plot always pulls me right out of the world of the book. I don't mind a few coincidences, I can accept that they might happen and that perhaps fate has a hand in them too. I even thought the Hollywood-esque action sequences and plot twists were a lot of fun, even if they sometimes required a bit suspension of disbelief. But I absolutely hate it, when MCs act stupid and out of character just to twist the plot in some desirable way. In this novel, the characters act credible, have good reasoning for their actions,which are sufficiently explained and the Lies and Consequences of the title seem never forced.
This novel is great for those interested in believable, sympathetic characters and fun, thrilling action. A very successful debut effort ;)
I must admit that I was a bit wary of the title at first. I've read many stories where the MCs just kept secrets unnecessarily, without the characters reasoning ever really explained. Such artificial plot devices to disrupt the relationship of the characters and drive the plot always pulls me right out of the world of the book. I don't mind a few coincidences, I can accept that they might happen and that perhaps fate has a hand in them too. I even thought the Hollywood-esque action sequences and plot twists were a lot of fun, even if they sometimes required a bit suspension of disbelief. But I absolutely hate it, when MCs act stupid and out of character just to twist the plot in some desirable way. In this novel, the characters act credible, have good reasoning for their actions,which are sufficiently explained and the Lies and Consequences of the title seem never forced.
This novel is great for those interested in believable, sympathetic characters and fun, thrilling action. A very successful debut effort ;)
July 21, 2013
2.75 stars
I'm on the fence about whether or not I thought this book was actually successful. It was mostly entertaining, though it started to drag a bit in the last third of the book because the action sequences felt like they went on forever.
It almost read like a gay North By Northwest because of how much crazy shit HAPPENED to the MCs, but not as clever or cohesive of a plot. I also thought the , and so it felt a bit anti-climactic there.
I enjoyed the romance for the most part, though I got a little annoyed about how easily the characters fell into the damsel (Chris)/macho hero (Ian) stereotypes. Chris's lies drove me crazy, though after his background was revealed, they made more sense (which was, of course, the point).
I'm on the fence about whether or not I thought this book was actually successful. It was mostly entertaining, though it started to drag a bit in the last third of the book because the action sequences felt like they went on forever.
It almost read like a gay North By Northwest because of how much crazy shit HAPPENED to the MCs, but not as clever or cohesive of a plot. I also thought the , and so it felt a bit anti-climactic there.
I enjoyed the romance for the most part, though I got a little annoyed about how easily the characters fell into the damsel (Chris)/macho hero (Ian) stereotypes. Chris's lies drove me crazy, though after his background was revealed, they made more sense (which was, of course, the point).
March 18, 2012
Loved it. I saw some other reviewers say that they didn't care for the beginning, and I think I get where they were coming from...but not because there was anything wrong w/ the beginning. It's just that the rest of the story was even better. The action really picks up, and lately I've been a fan of action -- probably the fault of this author :)
I used to not care much for alternating POVs--sometimes it feels like a cop-out move to keep a story going. Harper's books have managed to change my mind. There is never any head-hopping, and her characters are so different that I always want to hear more from both perspectives.
And I'd really love to hear more about these particular boys. A sequel would certainly be nice.
I used to not care much for alternating POVs--sometimes it feels like a cop-out move to keep a story going. Harper's books have managed to change my mind. There is never any head-hopping, and her characters are so different that I always want to hear more from both perspectives.
And I'd really love to hear more about these particular boys. A sequel would certainly be nice.
June 29, 2011
4.5 stars plus an extra half star for making this fantastic story available for free.
June 21, 2013
This story addressed several human issues. There are lies and trust and who is to judge right and wrong of those lies. There is the human rights issue of being able to live one's adult life on one's own terms which do not hurt anyone. I loved a facebook posting on "Being Liberal" that said (I am paraphrasing) "I am pro-choice and pro-gay rights because I do not need to get in other people's private business.
The characters were not the usual ones we readers find. Robin/Chris was a small man physically with deep emotional scars. He felt deep fear emotionally but was brave in the face of danger. Ian's fear was trauma induced but we never know the details. We are only privy to some vague flashbacks. He is open about his lifestyle but Chris is not. The descriptions of these characters were so clear and detailed I could have been looking at photographs. They were developed beautifully. Their relationship was hot. It was a quick build to love but, at least for Ian, Chris's actions after the crash were a solid basis for moving from simply sexual attraction to deeper appreciation and respect. That is why Chris's dishonest was so difficult for Ian to accept.
The stalker storyline was brought to a conclusion too abruptly. Suddenly the storyline of the other crash victim was front and center. The resultant action was well written and had me on the edge of my seat, but the transformation from one to the other was not satisfying.
The other problem I had was the numerous typos and other such errors that should have been corrected by a good proof editor. Computer spell check does not replace a human proof editor.
Overall a good story that touches the reader's heart while taking one on a thrilling adventure.
The characters were not the usual ones we readers find. Robin/Chris was a small man physically with deep emotional scars. He felt deep fear emotionally but was brave in the face of danger. Ian's fear was trauma induced but we never know the details. We are only privy to some vague flashbacks. He is open about his lifestyle but Chris is not. The descriptions of these characters were so clear and detailed I could have been looking at photographs. They were developed beautifully. Their relationship was hot. It was a quick build to love but, at least for Ian, Chris's actions after the crash were a solid basis for moving from simply sexual attraction to deeper appreciation and respect. That is why Chris's dishonest was so difficult for Ian to accept.
The stalker storyline was brought to a conclusion too abruptly. Suddenly the storyline of the other crash victim was front and center. The resultant action was well written and had me on the edge of my seat, but the transformation from one to the other was not satisfying.
The other problem I had was the numerous typos and other such errors that should have been corrected by a good proof editor. Computer spell check does not replace a human proof editor.
Overall a good story that touches the reader's heart while taking one on a thrilling adventure.
June 30, 2013
I love Kaje Harper's characters and how wonderfully she writes their stories. This one was no exception - though I have to admit that I skimmed/practically skipped through chapters 11-12 when all that crime/suspense/chase was happening. It's just not my cup of tea. But the romance, the angst, the conversations, the reconciliation, the flirting..yes please! I loved Chris and Ian from the get-go and it only got better as the story progressed!
I sympathized with Chris in this book in that I'm such a white-liar. I'm kind of notorious for lying to make things easier, faster, and generally to either spare someone's feelings or make them feel good. I don't really think it hurts anyone or makes me less trustworthy - but I've questioned myself many times as to why lie at all. I thought about that after reading Chris' fallout. Here with Chris, the lie he told was major but when he said it, Ian was still kind of stranger at arms length so I completely understood why he did it and how it tailspinned. I also understood, unfortunately from experience, how difficult it is to find the right time to finally tell the truth. This aspect of the story really resonated with me. In the end, I suppose it's always best to just tell the truth.
Thank you Kaje for sharing this wonderful book for free!
I sympathized with Chris in this book in that I'm such a white-liar. I'm kind of notorious for lying to make things easier, faster, and generally to either spare someone's feelings or make them feel good. I don't really think it hurts anyone or makes me less trustworthy - but I've questioned myself many times as to why lie at all. I thought about that after reading Chris' fallout. Here with Chris, the lie he told was major but when he said it, Ian was still kind of stranger at arms length so I completely understood why he did it and how it tailspinned. I also understood, unfortunately from experience, how difficult it is to find the right time to finally tell the truth. This aspect of the story really resonated with me. In the end, I suppose it's always best to just tell the truth.
Thank you Kaje for sharing this wonderful book for free!
June 13, 2012
I like Kaje Harper, I really do. And this book seemed promising; it started out great but as I got further and further into it, I was like "how much random, unrelated bullshit can happen to two people in the space of a few months?". And according to Harper, the answer is a lot. A lot of random, unrelated bullshit can happen. It was non-stop dramarama, and it was a bit tiresome after a while. So, yeah, kind of disappointed.
May 28, 2013
Loved all the details, all the twists and turns and of course, the two leads - both very different, yet who complement each other, and ultimately rescue each other.
I can't get enough of this author. Looking forward to two new books this year (fingers crossed).
I can't get enough of this author. Looking forward to two new books this year (fingers crossed).
October 2, 2020
3.5 Stars Rounded Up. I'm a huge Kaje Harper fan and while I loved the characters in this one the plot was a bit all over the place. I'm not sure why Ian had a backstory with a plane crash only to get in another plane crash (because really what are the odds of that?). There was no need for the first plane crash as it had happened a long time ago. He could easily have just had a fear of flying without a plane crash. Then we have a stalker which could have been the only villain for the book - but instead we also get a mob boss. Chris is also dealing with family issues and he he is a beard for his friend who is in the Navy because this is before DADT has been revoked and she is worried about being caught. Needless to say it was just a bit too much in one book.
With that said though I really liked the both Chris and Ian and I love that they had some serious obstacles to work through for their relationship. Chris was frustrating at times but once we learned more about his history some of his "poor choices" made a lot of sense. I wish more time was spent on the relationship and less time dealing with all the extreme plots. (plane crash/stalker/mob boss).
With that said though I really liked the both Chris and Ian and I love that they had some serious obstacles to work through for their relationship. Chris was frustrating at times but once we learned more about his history some of his "poor choices" made a lot of sense. I wish more time was spent on the relationship and less time dealing with all the extreme plots. (plane crash/stalker/mob boss).
April 29, 2018
I love how the relationship between Chris and Ian to played out instead of tying everything together in a nice, neat bow early on. There are lies, misunderstandings, a plane crash, kidnappings, hiding out, getting shot at and even drug lords. Chris and Ian have a lot of issues. Real issues. Not just minor misunderstandings. I love how they worked out their issues. I’m happy that they had a HEA. I would love a sequel.
February 16, 2012
I was not expecting much when I downloaded this eBook. I just wanted to try out the male/male romance genre, and the price was right (it's a free download from smashwords.com). But this novel turned out to be a very pleasant surprise. Although far from perfect, Lies and Consequences captured my interest from the beginning and kept me entertained to the last page.
Kaje Harper is a relatively new author (her first published novel was released in May 2011), and it definitely showed in this book. Her excessive use of italics to emphasize her characters' dialog, their thoughts, and even their actions was distracting and unnecessary. Her plotting was also weak. The suspense storyline was poorly-developed and relied on too many coincidences.
Harper's greatest strengths as a writer appear to be in character and relationship development. She managed to make me care about her characters almost from the very beginning. The development of the romance between Chris and Ian was well-paced and emotionally engaging.
I want to mention the eBook's cover image before I end my review. As a rule, I never mention covers in my reviews, because (a) they are usually awful, and (b) they are not the authors' fault and in no way affect the books' contents. However, I'm making an exception in this case because I approve of this cover. Not only are there no naked male torsos in evidence, but the cover depicts a scene that actually happens in the novel. Revolutionary concept, I know.
Kaje Harper is a relatively new author (her first published novel was released in May 2011), and it definitely showed in this book. Her excessive use of italics to emphasize her characters' dialog, their thoughts, and even their actions was distracting and unnecessary. Her plotting was also weak. The suspense storyline was poorly-developed and relied on too many coincidences.
Harper's greatest strengths as a writer appear to be in character and relationship development. She managed to make me care about her characters almost from the very beginning. The development of the romance between Chris and Ian was well-paced and emotionally engaging.
I want to mention the eBook's cover image before I end my review. As a rule, I never mention covers in my reviews, because (a) they are usually awful, and (b) they are not the authors' fault and in no way affect the books' contents. However, I'm making an exception in this case because I approve of this cover. Not only are there no naked male torsos in evidence, but the cover depicts a scene that actually happens in the novel. Revolutionary concept, I know.
March 9, 2016
I've had this sitting on my TBR list for a couple of years, silly me!
In lieu of writing long reviews – I’m taking an extended break – I decided to leave this list showing some of the reasons for the stars I’ve given to the stories I’ve read.
5 Stars – Given to stories that had me falling in love with the characters or stories where I hated the characters but the author had me hooked. For stories that had me so engaged in the plot I couldn’t put the book down and stories that either made me cry buckets and/or laugh until I cried. In short…. these ones rocked my world!!!
4 Stars– Given to stories that I REALLY, REALLY enjoyed reading but had me wishing for just a bit more.
3 Stars – Given to stories that I thought were worth the read but they didn’t knock my socks off.
2 Stars – Given to stories that didn’t work for me. I couldn’t connect to the MCs or feel any sort of connection between them. I couldn’t follow the plot or there wasn’t a plot. Every so often one of these stories just needs work to fix what went wrong but mostly 2 star reads are stories that leave me wondering why I kept reading until the end.
1 Star - I RARELY give out 1 Star so when I do it means the story was a complete train wreck.
I know what I may love another reader may wonder what the hell I was thinking and vise versa but I’m okay with that!
July 4, 2012
I need more stars!
Lies and Consequences is one of those books that have been on my kindle for months, so when I started reading it I didn´t know what to expect or even what it was about.
After almost half of it, I went to check Mrs. Harper´s profile and found out more about the origins of L&C.
It´s been a while since a book consume every spare moment in my day.
I wanted to read, read & read some more.
I am in love with Ian, what an amazing character he is. He is not conflicted, very straight forward and OMG so hot and adorable.
Chris, what can I tell you about Chris? He has issues, he doesn´t trust people, he is a compulsive liar; somewhere along the line you learn to care about him and understands him.
The mix with plane crashes, kidnappings, crazy stalkers and other complications make the book interesting.
But it is all about Ian and Chris.
My words will not be enough, go read it!
Lies and Consequences is one of those books that have been on my kindle for months, so when I started reading it I didn´t know what to expect or even what it was about.
After almost half of it, I went to check Mrs. Harper´s profile and found out more about the origins of L&C.
It´s been a while since a book consume every spare moment in my day.
I wanted to read, read & read some more.
I am in love with Ian, what an amazing character he is. He is not conflicted, very straight forward and OMG so hot and adorable.
Chris, what can I tell you about Chris? He has issues, he doesn´t trust people, he is a compulsive liar; somewhere along the line you learn to care about him and understands him.
The mix with plane crashes, kidnappings, crazy stalkers and other complications make the book interesting.
But it is all about Ian and Chris.
My words will not be enough, go read it!
July 16, 2012
The cover copy left me unprepared for the actual content of the story. So far as the plot goes, it has a forceful sprawl... one thing happening after the next, some twists I found cliche while others were delightfully unexpected. There was too much going on for the length of the story.
I enjoyed Chris, an emotionally damaged twink with a penchant for spinning yarn, but caught myself often in disbelief of Ian's reactions to events in the book... yeah right, no civilian is that well adjusted and blah blah blah. I spent a lot of time while reading Ian's bits wondering if Ian had a "reload room" to go along with his shoe-sole survivor kit. Ian's past and previous long-term love relationship felt like half-explained and useless baggage within this story, but might have been interesting had more pointed attention been paid to it.
Apart from that, the author failed to breathe much life into the DADT lesbian couple which Chris plays beard to. They seemed like a wasted foil.
L&C is a decent free read, but your time is probably better spent elsewhere.
I enjoyed Chris, an emotionally damaged twink with a penchant for spinning yarn, but caught myself often in disbelief of Ian's reactions to events in the book... yeah right, no civilian is that well adjusted and blah blah blah. I spent a lot of time while reading Ian's bits wondering if Ian had a "reload room" to go along with his shoe-sole survivor kit. Ian's past and previous long-term love relationship felt like half-explained and useless baggage within this story, but might have been interesting had more pointed attention been paid to it.
Apart from that, the author failed to breathe much life into the DADT lesbian couple which Chris plays beard to. They seemed like a wasted foil.
L&C is a decent free read, but your time is probably better spent elsewhere.
October 26, 2016
Not an easy book to review (careful there are spoilers ahead).
On the one hand this book has a lot of flaws, frankly it has too much of everything.
There is a stalker, sending threat letters, a Mafia like gang that is after the M/C's, just after they meet and have the hottest sex ever, Chris and Ian are coincidentally!! on a flight together.
This is already so unbelievable that is rather laughable, but then guess what? The plane crashes and guess who is among the sole 4 survivors? I mean really??
For my taste the book was also too long. In spite of all this action I got bored around the middle.
But then I still wanted to know how it ends and in spite of the ridiculous storyline, the main characters were loveable and their problems seemed real among all that action bullshit.
I understood their struggles and it moved me and I really hoped they would be able to figure it out. So below a stupid setup lay a nice and beautiful love story and at the end I was really glad that I finished it in spite of all the flaws I just complained about.
3.5 stars and a good read for me!
On the one hand this book has a lot of flaws, frankly it has too much of everything.
There is a stalker, sending threat letters, a Mafia like gang that is after the M/C's, just after they meet and have the hottest sex ever, Chris and Ian are coincidentally!! on a flight together.
This is already so unbelievable that is rather laughable, but then guess what? The plane crashes and guess who is among the sole 4 survivors? I mean really??
For my taste the book was also too long. In spite of all this action I got bored around the middle.
But then I still wanted to know how it ends and in spite of the ridiculous storyline, the main characters were loveable and their problems seemed real among all that action bullshit.
I understood their struggles and it moved me and I really hoped they would be able to figure it out. So below a stupid setup lay a nice and beautiful love story and at the end I was really glad that I finished it in spite of all the flaws I just complained about.
3.5 stars and a good read for me!
February 12, 2012
I can't believe this was free, everyone should go to BN or Smashwords and get it now in case it doesn't stay that way!
This is basically a good-old-fashioned M-M romantic suspense. I liked both Chris and Ian, and Chris definitely has some issues that kept things from getting boring on the personal level. On the suspense level, damn. This definitely went places I did not see coming , and there were actually a few different things going on that kept you on your toes. This could have been confusing or over the top, but it worked, and it made it impossible to guess where the plot twists would come from. Things wrapped up nicely without wrapping up perfectly (which drives me crazy sometimes), and I would love a short story follow up just to see more of Chris and Ian (or even Jenny and Becca!).
This is basically a good-old-fashioned M-M romantic suspense. I liked both Chris and Ian, and Chris definitely has some issues that kept things from getting boring on the personal level. On the suspense level, damn. This definitely went places I did not see coming , and there were actually a few different things going on that kept you on your toes. This could have been confusing or over the top, but it worked, and it made it impossible to guess where the plot twists would come from. Things wrapped up nicely without wrapping up perfectly (which drives me crazy sometimes), and I would love a short story follow up just to see more of Chris and Ian (or even Jenny and Becca!).
June 22, 2011
This was a really well thought out book. The characters are imperfect but you love them because of this. The emotional passion was just the perfect amount to draw you in and believe that should be with each other. The action plot was a bit much but your so drawn into their plot togather that you don't really mind. It's a book I'll be re-reading so that means it's pretty good in my openion.
June 14, 2011
Very good m/m romantic suspense about an author pretending to be his lesbian best friend's fiance so that her career in the Navy isn't threatened. He's so used to protective lying... can he even tell the truth anymore? (Stalker alert!)
November 8, 2012
I thought this book had everything. There was the action, drama, sizzle between Ian and Chris, and even mystery! Let's not forget the lesbian couple trying to get by in a DADT world! It is a great read! I think I may have to read it more than once... but those are my favorite stories!
February 7, 2013
A great read!
I liked both main characters, I liked their interaction and the development from one night stand to relationship. It was a bit dramatic for my taste, but it somehow fit the characters and the overall story.
Very well written and - unbelievably - a free read.
I liked both main characters, I liked their interaction and the development from one night stand to relationship. It was a bit dramatic for my taste, but it somehow fit the characters and the overall story.
Very well written and - unbelievably - a free read.
December 28, 2025
Maybe a tad under 4 stars. This has been in my library for a looooong time. Not sure why but I’m glad I finally read it. I wound up enjoying this book more than I expected, especially since I was ready to give up early in the story. The first third to half I was getting quite bored and thinking would something please happen already. I wasn’t even enamoured of either MC at first. Chris came across as too twinkish and immature; particularly since he was allegedly smart enough to get into medical school. Ian was more likable but he holier-than-thou persona was a bit grating. And his MacGyver routine through each of the three drama scenarios put this squarely into fantasy land.
But, by the time they were running from the bad guys, I was more willing to overlook the editing errors - mostly missing or incorrectly spelled words - and just enjoy the rollercoaster this story became. I actually found it quite exciting and as it wound down, the ending was rather fitting.
But, by the time they were running from the bad guys, I was more willing to overlook the editing errors - mostly missing or incorrectly spelled words - and just enjoy the rollercoaster this story became. I actually found it quite exciting and as it wound down, the ending was rather fitting.
July 15, 2022
Unlike other readers, I'm giving the book 3 stars mainly because of the action. I find it hard to believe they were always ready to go at each other so I wasn't all that interested in their passionate couplings (hot as they were). But I was curious to discover the stalker. I was surprised by the plane crash and subsequent kidnapping. And I was excited to read about the pair hiding in the cave away from the mafia. The parent angle and Jenny's DADT seemed a bit rushed, considering Chris spent more than half his life trying to please his parents and Jenny was too scared to be with Becca and have a child.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 5, 2022
As a rule, I'm not crazy about romantic suspense. Most authors aren't good at both sides of that equation.
This book is an exception, and I loved it. The characters and their interactions are believable, the dialogue is good, even the plot makes sense.
And, while there isn't a great deal of it, there's even some character growth.
What there isn't, is a slow burn buildup. Chris and Ian kinda pick each other up in a club, so it's more like a hook-up, but if you seperate the sex from the relationship, you can see the growth.
So, depending on how you like your romance, this book may or may not satisfy you. I loved it!
This book is an exception, and I loved it. The characters and their interactions are believable, the dialogue is good, even the plot makes sense.
And, while there isn't a great deal of it, there's even some character growth.
What there isn't, is a slow burn buildup. Chris and Ian kinda pick each other up in a club, so it's more like a hook-up, but if you seperate the sex from the relationship, you can see the growth.
So, depending on how you like your romance, this book may or may not satisfy you. I loved it!
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