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Saving Liam #1
Saving Liam
He went from homeless to porn star. Now, he's a prisoner. Liam's life in gay porn is far from glamorous. Saved from the streets of Vancouver as a young teen, he thought his life was turning around. Now he’s trapped in a new hell with little chance of escape.
Justin has loved Liam from afar for years. Oblivious to Liam's secret career, he's content to be a neighbor with a crush until the truth stumbles drunkenly into his apartment one night. As Liam's nightmare grows darker, Justin must find a way to rescue him before it's too late.
Saving Liam is the first installment of a four-book series that features gritty realism, compelling characters, bittersweet romance, and sinfully-addictive writing.
Buy this book today to read a heartbreaking story of second chances that needs to be told!
Justin has loved Liam from afar for years. Oblivious to Liam's secret career, he's content to be a neighbor with a crush until the truth stumbles drunkenly into his apartment one night. As Liam's nightmare grows darker, Justin must find a way to rescue him before it's too late.
Saving Liam is the first installment of a four-book series that features gritty realism, compelling characters, bittersweet romance, and sinfully-addictive writing.
Buy this book today to read a heartbreaking story of second chances that needs to be told!
218 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 2014
44 people are currently reading
414 people want to read
About the author
D.P. Denman
14 books86 followersAward-winning author DP Denman wrote her first short story when she was eight and has been crafting fictional adventures ever since! You can usually find her with a cup of coffee in hand, contemplating her next story.
A covert romantic, she writes addictive, character-driven gay romance about damaged people who find the strength to put their lives back together. Her stories are gripping and dramatic -- guaranteed to hold you hostage to the last word!
A covert romantic, she writes addictive, character-driven gay romance about damaged people who find the strength to put their lives back together. Her stories are gripping and dramatic -- guaranteed to hold you hostage to the last word!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
March 7, 2017
Update: True rating 1/2 a star!! I disliked this with a passion and not for the reasons you might think. Scroll all the way til the end of this review page. My thoughts POST read are marked as "Update: Post Read". I genuinely think that Liam got cheated out of the book he deserved to have written. This was all over the place and it was just ... horrid :-/! No!
*****
PRE-READ::
So I got to thinking about the premise of this book ... It isn't that Cord [Liam's jailer-cum-boyfriend-cum-rapist] is forcing Liam into being a porn star, it's that Cord is filming Liam in Snuff films and either rapes Liam himself, or has other "porn stars" rape him!! What's happening here is RAPE. Ongoing, cruel, brutal rape!! Let's not dance around the topic and let's just call it what it is. RAPE!!
In that mindset, I'm intrigued to see what this book has to offer, because I've heard good things about it, and also, I want to witness Liam getting freedom, love, justice, and vindication. I want to see Liam metamorphose into a champion of his own life. I want to see Cord DIE [and hopefully, that's exactly what he'll do]!!
Also, note, I won't be making updates as per the usual. I won't have any updates because all I'll be is enraged on behalf of Liam!! I can tell this book is going to be cruel, demoralizing, brutal, and sad. But I'm also anticipating a glorious HEA. As I've said, I'm intrigued by this book, I got it for FREE, so I'm doing it. I'm reading this.
Let's see ...
*****
UPDATE POST-READ::
Okay, so I hated this book!! Hated! It had nothing to do with the premise in terms of the rape either. It had everything to do with the fact that:
1. Cord seemingly gets away with it, for now!!
2. Justin is involved with another guy [Rich] for the majority of the book and by "majority", I mean MAJORITY!!
3. There's NO point to or chemistry between Justin and Rich, none, zilch, nada. BUT, we do get lots of gratuitous sex scenes between these two, and I just felt entirely turned off by it, seeing as this book SHOULD have been about Justin and Liam. I get that it made sense that Justin would live his life, considering how Liam was otherwise unavailable, but still, ON PAGE?!!?
4. Rich is a massive CHEATING douchebag!! He cheats on Justin repeatedly and Justin is seemingly okay with it (because frankly, he doesn't give a shit and wants to be with Liam), and continues to try and make it work. WTF?!!?
5. I know it's out of context, but the idea is the same ... who the fuck says "His cock would be happier as a vagina"???? I get that Liam has been through several types of hell, I CANNOT even imagine the hell he must have been through, but for the author to word it like that or work it into such a concept, is just too skeevy and odd to me :-/.
The rant isn't over ... more to come!!
*****
PRE-READ::
So I got to thinking about the premise of this book ... It isn't that Cord [Liam's jailer-cum-boyfriend-cum-rapist] is forcing Liam into being a porn star, it's that Cord is filming Liam in Snuff films and either rapes Liam himself, or has other "porn stars" rape him!! What's happening here is RAPE. Ongoing, cruel, brutal rape!! Let's not dance around the topic and let's just call it what it is. RAPE!!
In that mindset, I'm intrigued to see what this book has to offer, because I've heard good things about it, and also, I want to witness Liam getting freedom, love, justice, and vindication. I want to see Liam metamorphose into a champion of his own life. I want to see Cord DIE [and hopefully, that's exactly what he'll do]!!
Also, note, I won't be making updates as per the usual. I won't have any updates because all I'll be is enraged on behalf of Liam!! I can tell this book is going to be cruel, demoralizing, brutal, and sad. But I'm also anticipating a glorious HEA. As I've said, I'm intrigued by this book, I got it for FREE, so I'm doing it. I'm reading this.
Let's see ...
*****
UPDATE POST-READ::
Okay, so I hated this book!! Hated! It had nothing to do with the premise in terms of the rape either. It had everything to do with the fact that:
1. Cord seemingly gets away with it, for now!!
2. Justin is involved with another guy [Rich] for the majority of the book and by "majority", I mean MAJORITY!!
3. There's NO point to or chemistry between Justin and Rich, none, zilch, nada. BUT, we do get lots of gratuitous sex scenes between these two, and I just felt entirely turned off by it, seeing as this book SHOULD have been about Justin and Liam. I get that it made sense that Justin would live his life, considering how Liam was otherwise unavailable, but still, ON PAGE?!!?
4. Rich is a massive CHEATING douchebag!! He cheats on Justin repeatedly and Justin is seemingly okay with it (because frankly, he doesn't give a shit and wants to be with Liam), and continues to try and make it work. WTF?!!?
5. I know it's out of context, but the idea is the same ... who the fuck says "His cock would be happier as a vagina"???? I get that Liam has been through several types of hell, I CANNOT even imagine the hell he must have been through, but for the author to word it like that or work it into such a concept, is just too skeevy and odd to me :-/.
The rant isn't over ... more to come!!
February 19, 2015
I suppose when I first read Saving Liam's blurb I was more or less convinced that what I was going to get was the usual "sexy, reluctant porn star controlled by bad boyfriend, gets saved by gorgeous neighbour who has admired beautiful young twink from afar" type of story and in a roundabout way that's pretty much what happens but what did surprise me greatly was the way the plot was structured to arrive at that conclusion because most of my expectations and assumptions were actually way off the mark.
Liam is eighteen but was kicked out of his home by his father at fifteen for being gay, ending up on the streets, trying to survive, until Cord an older, manipulative guy takes him in, and using unfair influence and false declarations of love persuades him to star in his homemade porn movies that he makes twice a week in their apartment, subjecting Liam to hours of filming with the typical beefcake type stranger who he picks out to star alongside 'Angel' (Liam's porn name) in his 'virginal twink gets taken by guy with a big dick" fantasies. During filming, to cope with what's happening to him, Liam disassociates by imagining himself on a secluded beach, away from the manhandling and the smell of sex and sweat...after filming, his only other escape is a trip across the hallway to visit his handsome, kind hearted, understanding neighbour Justin, where he plays video games and for a few hours gets to leave behind the life he's now tied to with a boyfriend who may not be abusing him in a physically violent sense, but whose "There's no such thing as a free ride" mentality and twisted sense of love, guilts him into agreeing to do anything he suggests. God I hated that man!!
Justin is very taken with Liam but has no idea of what's going on over in the other apartment. He does know that Liam has a long term boyfriend though, so admiring the sweet young man and having a bit of a crush is as far as it goes for him. So, no questions asked, no flirting, just a general neighbourly type of friendship between them, until one night, after Liam has had a particularly upsetting interlude with Cord, he arrives home to find his neighbour, waiting for him in the corridor, drunk and clearly dismayed... that's when he gets to hear the whole sordid story of poor Liam’s life with shitty Cord.
Following usual plot lines, this would be generally be where the attraction between the two MC's starts to take off and their relationship to solidify. The underlying desire that's been simmering, coming to the surface... pulling them closer together. But that's not the case in this book. In fact at this point Justin has already started a new relationship with a guy called Rich, who he's met through a blind date and they're starting to get closer as a couple. So I must say I was really starting to wonder where DP Denman was taking the story, because it certainly wasn't going in the direction that I was expecting. Liam finds solace in his visits to Justin and Justin still feels protective towards his lovely neighbour, who he does find alluring, but they both carry on with their own lives and complicated relationships, Justin and Rich's not without some hitches but still becoming more concrete the more they continue to see each other. Then one fateful night Cord sends (or should I say pimps) a very reluctant Liam to the hotel where Justin works, under false pretences, and something dreadful happens that pushes Liam right over the edge. On duty that night, Justin steps in again, taking Liam under his wing in a bid to help finally pull him out of Cord's nasty clutches forever. They get closer after getting rid of Cord , which leaves Liam more or less homeless again, having not a lot of money of his own so he offers to take Liam in while they try to find him a job, accommodation he can afford and a sense of self again...
Link to rest of review: http://bit.ly/17vcLds
️SINFULLY...Addicted To All Male Romance
Formerly
Liam is eighteen but was kicked out of his home by his father at fifteen for being gay, ending up on the streets, trying to survive, until Cord an older, manipulative guy takes him in, and using unfair influence and false declarations of love persuades him to star in his homemade porn movies that he makes twice a week in their apartment, subjecting Liam to hours of filming with the typical beefcake type stranger who he picks out to star alongside 'Angel' (Liam's porn name) in his 'virginal twink gets taken by guy with a big dick" fantasies. During filming, to cope with what's happening to him, Liam disassociates by imagining himself on a secluded beach, away from the manhandling and the smell of sex and sweat...after filming, his only other escape is a trip across the hallway to visit his handsome, kind hearted, understanding neighbour Justin, where he plays video games and for a few hours gets to leave behind the life he's now tied to with a boyfriend who may not be abusing him in a physically violent sense, but whose "There's no such thing as a free ride" mentality and twisted sense of love, guilts him into agreeing to do anything he suggests. God I hated that man!!
Justin is very taken with Liam but has no idea of what's going on over in the other apartment. He does know that Liam has a long term boyfriend though, so admiring the sweet young man and having a bit of a crush is as far as it goes for him. So, no questions asked, no flirting, just a general neighbourly type of friendship between them, until one night, after Liam has had a particularly upsetting interlude with Cord, he arrives home to find his neighbour, waiting for him in the corridor, drunk and clearly dismayed... that's when he gets to hear the whole sordid story of poor Liam’s life with shitty Cord.
Following usual plot lines, this would be generally be where the attraction between the two MC's starts to take off and their relationship to solidify. The underlying desire that's been simmering, coming to the surface... pulling them closer together. But that's not the case in this book. In fact at this point Justin has already started a new relationship with a guy called Rich, who he's met through a blind date and they're starting to get closer as a couple. So I must say I was really starting to wonder where DP Denman was taking the story, because it certainly wasn't going in the direction that I was expecting. Liam finds solace in his visits to Justin and Justin still feels protective towards his lovely neighbour, who he does find alluring, but they both carry on with their own lives and complicated relationships, Justin and Rich's not without some hitches but still becoming more concrete the more they continue to see each other. Then one fateful night Cord sends (or should I say pimps) a very reluctant Liam to the hotel where Justin works, under false pretences, and something dreadful happens that pushes Liam right over the edge. On duty that night, Justin steps in again, taking Liam under his wing in a bid to help finally pull him out of Cord's nasty clutches forever. They get closer after getting rid of Cord , which leaves Liam more or less homeless again, having not a lot of money of his own so he offers to take Liam in while they try to find him a job, accommodation he can afford and a sense of self again...
Link to rest of review: http://bit.ly/17vcLds
️SINFULLY...Addicted To All Male Romance
Formerly
May 9, 2014
Saving Liam is your typical boy next door romance. If the boy next door is being coerced by an evil monster to perform internet porn for in exchange for a roof over his head and food to eat. Justin has been Liam's neighbor for a couple of years and has had a crush on him from the first time they met. Liam lives with his "boyfriend" Cord. Justin doesn't know the details of their relationship, he just knows that the honorable thing to do is to not tell Liam about his crush and to be a friend to him when he needs one.
For Liam, living with Cord, not matter how terrible the things he has to do make him feel, is better than living on the street which is where he was when he was kicked out of his house for being gay. Cord records Liam having sex with different hustlers at least weekly. It's gotten so bad that Liam has to drink before going through with what Cord demands of him. Cord never stops reminding Liam that nothing is free in life. Cord rescued Liam off the streets, now Liam has to do this so they can have enough money to live.
The only part of Liam's life that gives him any comfort is when he goes across the hall to Justin's and plays video games. That is the only place he feels safe. Each time he goes over to Justin's to play games it is nearly impossible for Justin to not kiss him and tell Liam he cares about him. Justin has no clue that Liam is being forced to perform porn by his so called boyfriend.
Cord decides that Liam is too old for his target audience and starts to require other things from him in order to still earn money from Liam's work. When he gets into a bad situation at the hotel where Justin works, Justin comes to his rescue and helps get him out of the terrible living situation he has been stuck in. I just want to wrap him up and hug him like his parents should have done. Liam breaks my heart, over and over again. This poor kid had the short end of the stick every chance there was. Watching his struggle then little by little getting his soul back was extremely heart-warming.
Justin is such a sweet guy and always thinking of others before himself. He definitely is the fixer. Both at work and in life, he is able to solve virtually any problem that he comes across. Between the separate plots of Justin's life at work and with Rich, and Liam's life with Cord, then with Justin, Saving Liam was like an emotional roller coaster. I rooted for Justin then bawled for Liam. Then I rooted for Liam but bawled for Justin! And all along I just wanted Cole and Rich to disappear so our heroes could be together and safe!
The plot and subplots moved a little too slowly for my taste, but they eventually got to where I wanted them to be. And I did like how the ending really pulled together all the details without leaving anything unanswered. D.P. Denman didn't fall into the happily ever after trap that often reads more like a fairy tale than reality. This is a decent read and a happily for now with the inferred potential for a happily ever after was good enough for me.
For Liam, living with Cord, not matter how terrible the things he has to do make him feel, is better than living on the street which is where he was when he was kicked out of his house for being gay. Cord records Liam having sex with different hustlers at least weekly. It's gotten so bad that Liam has to drink before going through with what Cord demands of him. Cord never stops reminding Liam that nothing is free in life. Cord rescued Liam off the streets, now Liam has to do this so they can have enough money to live.
The only part of Liam's life that gives him any comfort is when he goes across the hall to Justin's and plays video games. That is the only place he feels safe. Each time he goes over to Justin's to play games it is nearly impossible for Justin to not kiss him and tell Liam he cares about him. Justin has no clue that Liam is being forced to perform porn by his so called boyfriend.
Cord decides that Liam is too old for his target audience and starts to require other things from him in order to still earn money from Liam's work. When he gets into a bad situation at the hotel where Justin works, Justin comes to his rescue and helps get him out of the terrible living situation he has been stuck in. I just want to wrap him up and hug him like his parents should have done. Liam breaks my heart, over and over again. This poor kid had the short end of the stick every chance there was. Watching his struggle then little by little getting his soul back was extremely heart-warming.
Justin is such a sweet guy and always thinking of others before himself. He definitely is the fixer. Both at work and in life, he is able to solve virtually any problem that he comes across. Between the separate plots of Justin's life at work and with Rich, and Liam's life with Cord, then with Justin, Saving Liam was like an emotional roller coaster. I rooted for Justin then bawled for Liam. Then I rooted for Liam but bawled for Justin! And all along I just wanted Cole and Rich to disappear so our heroes could be together and safe!
The plot and subplots moved a little too slowly for my taste, but they eventually got to where I wanted them to be. And I did like how the ending really pulled together all the details without leaving anything unanswered. D.P. Denman didn't fall into the happily ever after trap that often reads more like a fairy tale than reality. This is a decent read and a happily for now with the inferred potential for a happily ever after was good enough for me.
October 28, 2014
Far better than I expected, I was pleasantly surprised. Especially for only $0.99! A portion of the proceeds went to a good cause, so I figured it was worth a shot. Turns out, it was. Pages upon pages of hurt-comforty goodness - if that's your thing. I don't think it's a secret that it's certainly mine.
Liam is trapped in an abusive relationship because he believes it to be better than the streets that he came from. Justin is a neighbor with a secret crush and the kind of friend Liam doesn't believe exists. The two of them together are very sweet, but a little sad too.
It wasn't perfect, but I enjoyed it nonetheless.
Liam is trapped in an abusive relationship because he believes it to be better than the streets that he came from. Justin is a neighbor with a secret crush and the kind of friend Liam doesn't believe exists. The two of them together are very sweet, but a little sad too.
It wasn't perfect, but I enjoyed it nonetheless.
October 23, 2023
Reviewed for THC Reviews
"4.5 stars" Saving Liam is the first book in D. P. Denman’s series of the same name that follows the same couple throughout. Justin and Liam have been nextdoor neighbors in the same apartment complex for a couple of years. Liam was once a homeless teen before being taken in by Cord, the man he now considers to be his boyfriend. However, for the past two years, Cord has been manipulating Liam to star in porn videos. Seeking escape from his life of abuse, Liam often ends up at Justin’s, playing video games, and the two have become friends. Although Liam is often sullen, Justin has no idea that Liam is being exploited almost right under his nose until one night, in a drunken stupor, Liam finally confesses everything. Justin is horrified and wants to help Liam out of his situation, but ashamed of what he’s been doing and fearful of Cord throwing him back out on the street, Liam refuses. Cord ratchets things up, though, when he arranges to prostitute Liam without his knowledge or consent, which leads to Liam being knocked around and raped in the very hotel where Justin works. When Justin finds Liam in the aftermath of the abuse, he offers comfort and insists on doing everything he can to get Liam out from under Cord’s thumb once and for all. Finally realizing that Cord never loved him, Liam agrees, although in his experience nothing comes for free, so he worries when Justin might call in his debt. Justin surprises him, though, by being nothing like any man he’s ever been with before. After Justin’s latest relationship implodes, he and Liam start up a tentative romance of their own, but while Liam is starved for affection, after all that he’s been through, sex is something he can no longer enjoy and he fears that Justin might leave him if he can’t get there.
Liam was just fifteen when his father caught him with another boy and threw him out of the house. Frightened and homeless, he was preyed upon by Cord, who offered him a place to stay, but almost immediately started grooming him to star in the porn videos he produces. Most days, Liam works as a waiter at a greasy spoon, but he doesn’t make enough money to live on. Two days a week, he has sex with a parade of strange men in front of a camera. He hates what he’s doing, but naively believes that Cord loves him. He also knows that if he refuses, he’ll probably end up back on the streets. His only respite from his life of abuse is going nextdoor to play video games with their neighbor, Justin, who provides a little escape and doesn’t ask for anything in return. Ashamed of what he does and fearful that someone will discover the truth, Liam never talks about his life. Then one night, when things are particularly bad, he gets drunk and spills everything to Justin who wants to help. Feeling like there’s nothing he can do, Liam refuses, but things only get worse when Cord prostitutes him and the john rapes him. Justin is there to help him pick up the pieces afterward, assisting him with getting a better paying job and a nice place to live. Liam is concerned that Justin may call in his debt, but when he keeps surprising him at every turn with his generosity, Liam starts to fall for his handsome savior. When their romance starts to heat up, he loves being close to Justin, but after all he’s been through, he doesn’t care if he ever has sex again and worries that Justin may leave him because of it. Liam is the ultimate tortured hero who’s been though a lot in his mere eighteen years of life. I hated that he had to go through everything he did, but I was glad that he had Justin to help him get out of the awful life of abuse he was in. Liam is a real sweetheart and I look forward to seeing him grow and blossom as the story continues.
Justin works as a customer service manager at a five-star hotel, but he lives in a not-so-great part of the city while trying to save money for a better place, which puts him in the path of Liam, who he simply knows as the sweet kid nextdoor. Justin thinks Liam is adorable, and under other circumstances, he might have pursued him. But between Liam’s youth and believing he has a boyfriend, Justin maintains his distance. Instead, they share their love of video games, but not much else. Meanwhile Justin goes out on a blind date with Rich, the friend of a co-worker, which quickly turns into a steamy love affair. After Liam confesses all, Justin immediately wants to do something to get him out of that life, but when he refuses, Justin knows there’s not much he can do for Liam until he admits that he needs help. Then one night, while dealing with a particularly difficult guest at the hotel, Justin sees Liam in the guy’s room and realizes what just happened. After that, he won’t take no for an answer when it comes to getting Liam out of Cord’s clutches for good, and this time, though still scared, Liam truly does want Justin’s help. Not long after he has Liam situated in a nice apartment with a better job, Justin’s relationship with Rich falls apart, leaving him free to pursue Liam. After all he’s been through, though, Liam is very psychologically damaged, and it will take all of Justin’s patience and love to help Liam find healing and a new normal. Justin is a great guy who’s all about solving people’s problems in his day job, and that caring demeanor extends into his personal life as well. I admired him for giving Liam a safe space as his neighbor and for wanting to help as soon as he finds out there’s a much bigger issue at play in Liam’s life. He goes out of his way to make sure Liam is safe and able to look after himself, without ever making any moves on him in spite of his attraction, which was exactly what Liam needed.
One thing that initially bugged me a little, is that the trajectory of Justin and Liam’s story is a bit different than most romances in that Justin and Liam don't become romantically linked until late in the narrative. There’s a clear attraction between the two, but Liam is far too shy and skittish early on and also wouldn’t want to ruin the good thing they have going playing video games since it’s his only escape. Justin has his own reasons for keeping it platonic, too, and instead gets involved with Rich, with whom he shares lots of steamy times. At first, I was questioning why the author chose to write another love interest for Justin when it obviously wasn’t going to last, but then she answered that question in Justin’s introspection when it dawns on him that Liam is the one he’s really wanted all along and Rich was just a place-holder until Liam was in a position to be in a relationship. Then it made sense and I wasn’t quite as perturbed by it. I grudgingly admit that it gave Justin something to do, while leaving Liam much-needed space to get out of the terrible situation he was in and start to heal a little before getting into something new. Rich’s actions made the necessary break-up that I knew was coming much more palatable, too, so that he didn’t end up being the third wheel left out in the cold. Therefore, my only real complaint about the book is that the author’s writing mechanics and the editing could have used a bit more polish. Given that this story has no less than four main male characters, she uses far too many he/him pronouns, often making it difficult to discern whose POV I was in and who she was talking about. There was also a significant overabundance of certain character actions such as shrugging, twitching a smile, and eyebrows climbing foreheads.:-)
Otherwise, I really enjoyed Saving Liam. Liam is a sweetheart who’s been done wrong in a myriad of different ways and really needs someone to step up to the plate and help him. He’s also starved for affection and needs someone to love him and not just use him. Justin is a real stand-up guy who’s the perfect person to do both. I love the way that Justin treated Liam all along, always being there for him as a friend, which made the quick inception of their romantic relationship more believable. Once Justin and Liam are together romantically, their interactions are achingly sweet and tender, with Justin giving Liam all the affection he’s been craving without making him feel obligated to have sex. Justin also exhibits love and patience in trying to help Liam figure out if he’ll ever be able to get there. Admittedly their romance is barely getting started just as the book is ending and there’s much still left to explore between them, but that only makes me eager to get to the second book as soon as possible to find out what happens next for these two wonderful heroes.
Note: This book contains scenes of non-consensual sex, discussion of a minor being groomed for sex work, and suicidal ideation, which could distress some readers. It also contains explicit sexual situations, including light bondage and use of a sex toy, which could be objectionable to sensitive readers.
"4.5 stars" Saving Liam is the first book in D. P. Denman’s series of the same name that follows the same couple throughout. Justin and Liam have been nextdoor neighbors in the same apartment complex for a couple of years. Liam was once a homeless teen before being taken in by Cord, the man he now considers to be his boyfriend. However, for the past two years, Cord has been manipulating Liam to star in porn videos. Seeking escape from his life of abuse, Liam often ends up at Justin’s, playing video games, and the two have become friends. Although Liam is often sullen, Justin has no idea that Liam is being exploited almost right under his nose until one night, in a drunken stupor, Liam finally confesses everything. Justin is horrified and wants to help Liam out of his situation, but ashamed of what he’s been doing and fearful of Cord throwing him back out on the street, Liam refuses. Cord ratchets things up, though, when he arranges to prostitute Liam without his knowledge or consent, which leads to Liam being knocked around and raped in the very hotel where Justin works. When Justin finds Liam in the aftermath of the abuse, he offers comfort and insists on doing everything he can to get Liam out from under Cord’s thumb once and for all. Finally realizing that Cord never loved him, Liam agrees, although in his experience nothing comes for free, so he worries when Justin might call in his debt. Justin surprises him, though, by being nothing like any man he’s ever been with before. After Justin’s latest relationship implodes, he and Liam start up a tentative romance of their own, but while Liam is starved for affection, after all that he’s been through, sex is something he can no longer enjoy and he fears that Justin might leave him if he can’t get there.
Liam was just fifteen when his father caught him with another boy and threw him out of the house. Frightened and homeless, he was preyed upon by Cord, who offered him a place to stay, but almost immediately started grooming him to star in the porn videos he produces. Most days, Liam works as a waiter at a greasy spoon, but he doesn’t make enough money to live on. Two days a week, he has sex with a parade of strange men in front of a camera. He hates what he’s doing, but naively believes that Cord loves him. He also knows that if he refuses, he’ll probably end up back on the streets. His only respite from his life of abuse is going nextdoor to play video games with their neighbor, Justin, who provides a little escape and doesn’t ask for anything in return. Ashamed of what he does and fearful that someone will discover the truth, Liam never talks about his life. Then one night, when things are particularly bad, he gets drunk and spills everything to Justin who wants to help. Feeling like there’s nothing he can do, Liam refuses, but things only get worse when Cord prostitutes him and the john rapes him. Justin is there to help him pick up the pieces afterward, assisting him with getting a better paying job and a nice place to live. Liam is concerned that Justin may call in his debt, but when he keeps surprising him at every turn with his generosity, Liam starts to fall for his handsome savior. When their romance starts to heat up, he loves being close to Justin, but after all he’s been through, he doesn’t care if he ever has sex again and worries that Justin may leave him because of it. Liam is the ultimate tortured hero who’s been though a lot in his mere eighteen years of life. I hated that he had to go through everything he did, but I was glad that he had Justin to help him get out of the awful life of abuse he was in. Liam is a real sweetheart and I look forward to seeing him grow and blossom as the story continues.
Justin works as a customer service manager at a five-star hotel, but he lives in a not-so-great part of the city while trying to save money for a better place, which puts him in the path of Liam, who he simply knows as the sweet kid nextdoor. Justin thinks Liam is adorable, and under other circumstances, he might have pursued him. But between Liam’s youth and believing he has a boyfriend, Justin maintains his distance. Instead, they share their love of video games, but not much else. Meanwhile Justin goes out on a blind date with Rich, the friend of a co-worker, which quickly turns into a steamy love affair. After Liam confesses all, Justin immediately wants to do something to get him out of that life, but when he refuses, Justin knows there’s not much he can do for Liam until he admits that he needs help. Then one night, while dealing with a particularly difficult guest at the hotel, Justin sees Liam in the guy’s room and realizes what just happened. After that, he won’t take no for an answer when it comes to getting Liam out of Cord’s clutches for good, and this time, though still scared, Liam truly does want Justin’s help. Not long after he has Liam situated in a nice apartment with a better job, Justin’s relationship with Rich falls apart, leaving him free to pursue Liam. After all he’s been through, though, Liam is very psychologically damaged, and it will take all of Justin’s patience and love to help Liam find healing and a new normal. Justin is a great guy who’s all about solving people’s problems in his day job, and that caring demeanor extends into his personal life as well. I admired him for giving Liam a safe space as his neighbor and for wanting to help as soon as he finds out there’s a much bigger issue at play in Liam’s life. He goes out of his way to make sure Liam is safe and able to look after himself, without ever making any moves on him in spite of his attraction, which was exactly what Liam needed.
One thing that initially bugged me a little, is that the trajectory of Justin and Liam’s story is a bit different than most romances in that Justin and Liam don't become romantically linked until late in the narrative. There’s a clear attraction between the two, but Liam is far too shy and skittish early on and also wouldn’t want to ruin the good thing they have going playing video games since it’s his only escape. Justin has his own reasons for keeping it platonic, too, and instead gets involved with Rich, with whom he shares lots of steamy times. At first, I was questioning why the author chose to write another love interest for Justin when it obviously wasn’t going to last, but then she answered that question in Justin’s introspection when it dawns on him that Liam is the one he’s really wanted all along and Rich was just a place-holder until Liam was in a position to be in a relationship. Then it made sense and I wasn’t quite as perturbed by it. I grudgingly admit that it gave Justin something to do, while leaving Liam much-needed space to get out of the terrible situation he was in and start to heal a little before getting into something new. Rich’s actions made the necessary break-up that I knew was coming much more palatable, too, so that he didn’t end up being the third wheel left out in the cold. Therefore, my only real complaint about the book is that the author’s writing mechanics and the editing could have used a bit more polish. Given that this story has no less than four main male characters, she uses far too many he/him pronouns, often making it difficult to discern whose POV I was in and who she was talking about. There was also a significant overabundance of certain character actions such as shrugging, twitching a smile, and eyebrows climbing foreheads.:-)
Otherwise, I really enjoyed Saving Liam. Liam is a sweetheart who’s been done wrong in a myriad of different ways and really needs someone to step up to the plate and help him. He’s also starved for affection and needs someone to love him and not just use him. Justin is a real stand-up guy who’s the perfect person to do both. I love the way that Justin treated Liam all along, always being there for him as a friend, which made the quick inception of their romantic relationship more believable. Once Justin and Liam are together romantically, their interactions are achingly sweet and tender, with Justin giving Liam all the affection he’s been craving without making him feel obligated to have sex. Justin also exhibits love and patience in trying to help Liam figure out if he’ll ever be able to get there. Admittedly their romance is barely getting started just as the book is ending and there’s much still left to explore between them, but that only makes me eager to get to the second book as soon as possible to find out what happens next for these two wonderful heroes.
Note: This book contains scenes of non-consensual sex, discussion of a minor being groomed for sex work, and suicidal ideation, which could distress some readers. It also contains explicit sexual situations, including light bondage and use of a sex toy, which could be objectionable to sensitive readers.
July 12, 2015
I had a bit of a love hate relationship with this story. First, the plot line itself: the MC Liam is brutalized and deceived, the perfect set up for the hurt/comfort trope I enjoy. It all starts when he is 15, and apparently he is so starved for love and affection that he never really realizes just how badly he is being abused until he is 18. Not buying that so much. And Justin, the neighbor across the hall who's played video games with him for a year or more and ultimately saves him, is supposedly halfway in love with him before he even knows him and realizes what is going on. OK, with all the explanation about that, maybe.
Second, the writing. This certainly could have used a lot of good line editing. There was frequent awkward phrasing, many punctuation fails, a few words mistaken ("ring" for "wring" is the one I remember off the top of my head, but there were others), and the most egregious thing was overuse of pronouns during dialogue. Anytime the characters said more than one or two sentences to each other, they were still only referred to as "he" which made figuring out who said what extremely confusing. It was so annoying I almost DNFed the book.
I truly did appreciate the relationship arc between Justin and Rich, however, and that was one of the only things that kept me reading. In so many romance novels, there is only "the one" and the MCs have eyes for no others. Justin and Rich had a nascent relationship that just might have worked, and an ending that is certainly real world. Their breakup had nothing at all to do with Liam, and though I don't think it added much to the story (other than to explain why Justin didn't just jump right in to a relationship with Liam), I still enjoyed reading it.
I am not planning on reading any further in the series however, because the grammar mistakes got to me too much, and I don't want to wade through that again. I'm all for self-publishing, but when I'm spending money on a book I'd rather the author have a professional edit it.
Second, the writing. This certainly could have used a lot of good line editing. There was frequent awkward phrasing, many punctuation fails, a few words mistaken ("ring" for "wring" is the one I remember off the top of my head, but there were others), and the most egregious thing was overuse of pronouns during dialogue. Anytime the characters said more than one or two sentences to each other, they were still only referred to as "he" which made figuring out who said what extremely confusing. It was so annoying I almost DNFed the book.
I truly did appreciate the relationship arc between Justin and Rich, however, and that was one of the only things that kept me reading. In so many romance novels, there is only "the one" and the MCs have eyes for no others. Justin and Rich had a nascent relationship that just might have worked, and an ending that is certainly real world. Their breakup had nothing at all to do with Liam, and though I don't think it added much to the story (other than to explain why Justin didn't just jump right in to a relationship with Liam), I still enjoyed reading it.
I am not planning on reading any further in the series however, because the grammar mistakes got to me too much, and I don't want to wade through that again. I'm all for self-publishing, but when I'm spending money on a book I'd rather the author have a professional edit it.
August 6, 2015
Liam is forced into porn by his boyfriend Cord. After pimping him out,Liam has enough.
Justin is Liam's neighbor and has had a crush on him for a long time. Now he sees a chance to step up.
I lived the slow burn of their romance and how patient Justin is with Liam.
I am so glad Justin saw through Rich and gave him the elbow after him cheating with James.
Justin and Liam seem made for each other.
Justin is Liam's neighbor and has had a crush on him for a long time. Now he sees a chance to step up.
I lived the slow burn of their romance and how patient Justin is with Liam.
I am so glad Justin saw through Rich and gave him the elbow after him cheating with James.
Justin and Liam seem made for each other.
August 21, 2018
Been on my to-read list for ages. An engaging m/m romance.
May 12, 2014
A male/male romance/erotica.
First time I have read a male/male romance and I can honestly say I was pleasently suprised by the content and how it was portrayed between the two characters.
I wasn't expecting to be so normal in a word and written in way that draws into their world and I found that I was eagerly turning the pages to see what happened.
This story isn't all happy and rainbows, it has a dark twist in the heart of it, four guys, two different relantionships and a secret that is destroying them.
You get introduced to Liam and Cord first, two guys, one dominering and one quite shy.
I was drawn to Liam straight away, shy, quiet and easy going.
He has not had an easy life by any means, living on the streets, a mean father, bullied and straved untill he walks into a little diner and his world changes, he get's a job, he meets a guy, he has a place to call home but at what price?
Liam has a day off, which he hated."He hated Tuesdays. Hated them beyond mere loathing, but he didn't have a word for what came after loathing. Despised seemed far too civilzed".
Liam has to work for his boyfriend, Cord, on his day off, which we are all thinking, surely it can't be that bad?
Liam wouldn't agree with you there "He was a porn star, but the title was perverse and laughable. He wasn't a star. He didn't live in a mansion. He didn't ride around in a limo. He was just a guy living a recurring horror who refused to think about the collection of loyal internet viewers that were intimately familiar with his body. It was better to pretend it was all for Cord's amusement because the truth was too ugly to face."
Liam does this for the sake of Cord, he feels he owes him a debt that he can't repay so he lets the cookie cutters who Cord finds, abuse him in the most debasing way possiable, he sleeps with them while Cord films him.
Liam does it for love but I can't help but feel that Cord does it for a profit.
After all, "Gay porn was a messy business".
After one of his sessions Liam starts to have doubts "He strode across the room and closed himself in the bathroom to shower. Tossing back the curtain, he turned on the water and let it warm up while he dug an enema bottle out of the collection they had under the sink. He had a routine he refused to think about any more than he did the rest of it."
This highlights it perfectly, how Cord abuses his trust, loylalty and love of his boyfriend for his own gain.
"If there was any glamour in being a porn star, he coudln't see it".
Your heart breaks for Liam here "A cold spray beat against his shins, growing warmer a little at a time until he could stand under it without gaspingfrom the shock. He was aching and exhausted after eight houts of fucking. He didn't want to be touched again for at least a month".
As he stands under the shower he was one last thought " He held his head under the spray and let the thought swirl down the drain with remains of salvia and cum".
Cord seems to be blind to Liam feelings of desperation and utter helplesness.
Liam wants to be loved but feels he doesn't warrent it " His body wasn't his own and hadn't been for a long time." There was no point wanting what he couldn't have."
At this in the book, I felt like shaking Cord so I settled for shouting at him instead.
But Liam seems to find a friend in Justin "He took a step or two closer. " I won't touch you if you don't want me to, but you look like you need someone to hold you for a while"
Liam shrugged as more tears trickled down his face. He rested a hand on Liam's arm and felt him trembling, a fine tremor he could'nt see. A little at a time he pulled Liam closer and wrapped him in his arms. The sobbing started the mometn Liam's head touched his chest.
This part had me crying, if only Liam could see how Justin feels and if only he would say instead they both just carry on with their lives.
Justin goes out on a date with Rich but I can't help feeling that in the in the back of his mind is Liam.
The date goes better then expected, the intensity of it was brillaint!
"He watched in fascination as Rich lifted his hand to his lips and kissed his knuckles in the dim light".
"I really want to kiss you right no. I wouldn't protest if you did".
Rich let go of him to rest a hand on the consloe wedged between their seats and leaned closer. Justin met him half way as gentle finglers slid along his skin. A palm rested agaisnt his face followed by the tender contact of lips. The tentative touch blossomed to a deep caress and bubbles of attraction burst into boiling desire. He tangled fingers in Rich's jacket pulling him closer as hands held his face. The intensity left them gasping for air in the silence.
This part right here even had me going woah!
How you get drawn into the moment and hooked you need to get some air yourself!!
This book took me awhile to get into but once I did I enjoyed of moment, heartbreak, joy, love and passion all with a dark twist, will these characters ever get to the truth? Will they come clean?
You need read this to find out, be it your first male/male book or if your a reguler reader of it, this will have you turning pages and breaking your heart,
Perfect story if your a new reader to the genre and want to test the waters or if your a seasoned pro of this genre theres enough passion and anguish in here to keep you hooked! Either way, miss this and you miss out!!
Saving Liam
First time I have read a male/male romance and I can honestly say I was pleasently suprised by the content and how it was portrayed between the two characters.
I wasn't expecting to be so normal in a word and written in way that draws into their world and I found that I was eagerly turning the pages to see what happened.
This story isn't all happy and rainbows, it has a dark twist in the heart of it, four guys, two different relantionships and a secret that is destroying them.
You get introduced to Liam and Cord first, two guys, one dominering and one quite shy.
I was drawn to Liam straight away, shy, quiet and easy going.
He has not had an easy life by any means, living on the streets, a mean father, bullied and straved untill he walks into a little diner and his world changes, he get's a job, he meets a guy, he has a place to call home but at what price?
Liam has a day off, which he hated."He hated Tuesdays. Hated them beyond mere loathing, but he didn't have a word for what came after loathing. Despised seemed far too civilzed".
Liam has to work for his boyfriend, Cord, on his day off, which we are all thinking, surely it can't be that bad?
Liam wouldn't agree with you there "He was a porn star, but the title was perverse and laughable. He wasn't a star. He didn't live in a mansion. He didn't ride around in a limo. He was just a guy living a recurring horror who refused to think about the collection of loyal internet viewers that were intimately familiar with his body. It was better to pretend it was all for Cord's amusement because the truth was too ugly to face."
Liam does this for the sake of Cord, he feels he owes him a debt that he can't repay so he lets the cookie cutters who Cord finds, abuse him in the most debasing way possiable, he sleeps with them while Cord films him.
Liam does it for love but I can't help but feel that Cord does it for a profit.
After all, "Gay porn was a messy business".
After one of his sessions Liam starts to have doubts "He strode across the room and closed himself in the bathroom to shower. Tossing back the curtain, he turned on the water and let it warm up while he dug an enema bottle out of the collection they had under the sink. He had a routine he refused to think about any more than he did the rest of it."
This highlights it perfectly, how Cord abuses his trust, loylalty and love of his boyfriend for his own gain.
"If there was any glamour in being a porn star, he coudln't see it".
Your heart breaks for Liam here "A cold spray beat against his shins, growing warmer a little at a time until he could stand under it without gaspingfrom the shock. He was aching and exhausted after eight houts of fucking. He didn't want to be touched again for at least a month".
As he stands under the shower he was one last thought " He held his head under the spray and let the thought swirl down the drain with remains of salvia and cum".
Cord seems to be blind to Liam feelings of desperation and utter helplesness.
Liam wants to be loved but feels he doesn't warrent it " His body wasn't his own and hadn't been for a long time." There was no point wanting what he couldn't have."
At this in the book, I felt like shaking Cord so I settled for shouting at him instead.
But Liam seems to find a friend in Justin "He took a step or two closer. " I won't touch you if you don't want me to, but you look like you need someone to hold you for a while"
Liam shrugged as more tears trickled down his face. He rested a hand on Liam's arm and felt him trembling, a fine tremor he could'nt see. A little at a time he pulled Liam closer and wrapped him in his arms. The sobbing started the mometn Liam's head touched his chest.
This part had me crying, if only Liam could see how Justin feels and if only he would say instead they both just carry on with their lives.
Justin goes out on a date with Rich but I can't help feeling that in the in the back of his mind is Liam.
The date goes better then expected, the intensity of it was brillaint!
"He watched in fascination as Rich lifted his hand to his lips and kissed his knuckles in the dim light".
"I really want to kiss you right no. I wouldn't protest if you did".
Rich let go of him to rest a hand on the consloe wedged between their seats and leaned closer. Justin met him half way as gentle finglers slid along his skin. A palm rested agaisnt his face followed by the tender contact of lips. The tentative touch blossomed to a deep caress and bubbles of attraction burst into boiling desire. He tangled fingers in Rich's jacket pulling him closer as hands held his face. The intensity left them gasping for air in the silence.
This part right here even had me going woah!
How you get drawn into the moment and hooked you need to get some air yourself!!
This book took me awhile to get into but once I did I enjoyed of moment, heartbreak, joy, love and passion all with a dark twist, will these characters ever get to the truth? Will they come clean?
You need read this to find out, be it your first male/male book or if your a reguler reader of it, this will have you turning pages and breaking your heart,
Perfect story if your a new reader to the genre and want to test the waters or if your a seasoned pro of this genre theres enough passion and anguish in here to keep you hooked! Either way, miss this and you miss out!!
Saving Liam
July 9, 2014
Reviewed for Hearts On Fire Reviews - 4 hearts
The one thing that really jumped out at me as I read this story was just how authentic it felt. Whether it was about how a sweet young boy/man could get caught up in a life of porn, or about the coping mechanism someone might use to live through a situation in which they felt little hope of escaping, or even how a survivor might react after they make it through their personal nightmare – all of these were portrayed with a very real thread of authenticity in “Saving Liam”.
This is not a sweet and sappy, boy meets boy, they fall in love and live happily ever after type of story. The romance between Liam and Justin comes with the high price of a horrible past that created lots of psychological and emotional baggage. Saving Liam isn’t about a miraculous rescue and then everything is rainbows and sunshine. No, saving Liam is a process – it’s a process that requires infinite patience, a flair for creativity, and a whole heap of love because it comes with just as many setbacks as steps forward.
While it seems as though Liam and Justin weather the worst of the storm in getting on their feet together in this book, it’s clear they have a long road ahead and more closure needed on several fronts so I was glad to see that this is just the first book in what looks like a continuing series. I found myself very invested in both main characters. They were both sweet and vulnerable in different ways. I couldn’t help but root for them to succeed against the bad guys because they deserved that and more (and then I secretly wished for a little kick ass justice just because I was feeling a whole lot protective and a little bit vindictive).
I’m looking forward to the next step in the journey for Liam and Justin, so we’ll see what “Skin Deep” delivers. I’d definitely recommend this book for anyone who enjoys a good hurt/comfort type story or anyone who likes to see the underdog have a chance at coming out the victor. Don’t expect everything to wrap up neatly. If you commit to it, you should plan for another book or two in order to complete the story in what I hope will be a more than satisfying happy ending. After all, these guys definitely deserve that bright spot after all their hard work!
The one thing that really jumped out at me as I read this story was just how authentic it felt. Whether it was about how a sweet young boy/man could get caught up in a life of porn, or about the coping mechanism someone might use to live through a situation in which they felt little hope of escaping, or even how a survivor might react after they make it through their personal nightmare – all of these were portrayed with a very real thread of authenticity in “Saving Liam”.
This is not a sweet and sappy, boy meets boy, they fall in love and live happily ever after type of story. The romance between Liam and Justin comes with the high price of a horrible past that created lots of psychological and emotional baggage. Saving Liam isn’t about a miraculous rescue and then everything is rainbows and sunshine. No, saving Liam is a process – it’s a process that requires infinite patience, a flair for creativity, and a whole heap of love because it comes with just as many setbacks as steps forward.
While it seems as though Liam and Justin weather the worst of the storm in getting on their feet together in this book, it’s clear they have a long road ahead and more closure needed on several fronts so I was glad to see that this is just the first book in what looks like a continuing series. I found myself very invested in both main characters. They were both sweet and vulnerable in different ways. I couldn’t help but root for them to succeed against the bad guys because they deserved that and more (and then I secretly wished for a little kick ass justice just because I was feeling a whole lot protective and a little bit vindictive).
I’m looking forward to the next step in the journey for Liam and Justin, so we’ll see what “Skin Deep” delivers. I’d definitely recommend this book for anyone who enjoys a good hurt/comfort type story or anyone who likes to see the underdog have a chance at coming out the victor. Don’t expect everything to wrap up neatly. If you commit to it, you should plan for another book or two in order to complete the story in what I hope will be a more than satisfying happy ending. After all, these guys definitely deserve that bright spot after all their hard work!
November 22, 2015
Very sweet and rather depressing
It is a pretty sad story. Justin helps Liam to escape a life of forced sex for porn films and rape. Liam met Cord as a 15 year old and confused Cord's care as affection and the films as something he had to do to help Cord house and feed him. Justin helps Liam get a job to support himself and a new apartment. After a break-up with a guy who ultimately was no good, Justin begins to spend more time with Liam. He learns just how badly Liam's prior sexual treatment had affected him. Justin never pushes Liam and they begin a relationship with limited physical affection. This is where it lost points for me. Justin is management level at a high end hotel and obviously depicted as intelligent. I'm not sure how old he was but he had to be mid to late twenties. So why would he never suggest or research how to get therapy for Liam? Justin was good to Liam, helped to give him some self-worth and was very understanding of his limitations. I just can't understand how the author wouldn't add a logical step for Liam's recovery. Allowing Liam to agonize that he was an unlovable mental case was just wrong for me. It seems like the author is heading for a love cures all scenario.
It is a pretty sad story. Justin helps Liam to escape a life of forced sex for porn films and rape. Liam met Cord as a 15 year old and confused Cord's care as affection and the films as something he had to do to help Cord house and feed him. Justin helps Liam get a job to support himself and a new apartment. After a break-up with a guy who ultimately was no good, Justin begins to spend more time with Liam. He learns just how badly Liam's prior sexual treatment had affected him. Justin never pushes Liam and they begin a relationship with limited physical affection. This is where it lost points for me. Justin is management level at a high end hotel and obviously depicted as intelligent. I'm not sure how old he was but he had to be mid to late twenties. So why would he never suggest or research how to get therapy for Liam? Justin was good to Liam, helped to give him some self-worth and was very understanding of his limitations. I just can't understand how the author wouldn't add a logical step for Liam's recovery. Allowing Liam to agonize that he was an unlovable mental case was just wrong for me. It seems like the author is heading for a love cures all scenario.
September 15, 2014
This author did a remarkable job of this story. The author took some really difficult topics and turned it into a really great emotional story.
My heart broke for Liam. He's already gone through so much heartache after being kicked out of his home for being gay. Liam's boyfriend Cord gives him a place to stay. However in return he has Liam being a porn star which he hates. The only light in Liam's life is when he spends time with his neighbor Justin. When the truth about what Liam does comes out all Justin wants to do is protect him.
This is a really emotional and heart wrenching m/m story. I'm looking forward to reading more about Liam and Justin.
My heart broke for Liam. He's already gone through so much heartache after being kicked out of his home for being gay. Liam's boyfriend Cord gives him a place to stay. However in return he has Liam being a porn star which he hates. The only light in Liam's life is when he spends time with his neighbor Justin. When the truth about what Liam does comes out all Justin wants to do is protect him.
This is a really emotional and heart wrenching m/m story. I'm looking forward to reading more about Liam and Justin.
August 28, 2014
Very well-written love story involving a sexually-abused, formerly homeless teenager and his neighbor. The romance between the two leads is sweet and tender. There are rape scenes and, though not graphic, are realistic and the author does an excellent job of detailing the aftermath of such abuse. The victim, Liam, does not simply get over what has happened to him and his love interest is kind and gentle, showing Liam love in ways he's never known. Excellent read and I’m looking forward to the next installment!
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October 7, 2015I'm not sure I can really review this book as my opinion of it changed from chapter to chapter, in some instances from paragraph to paragraph. The story, as a whole, I really enjoyed, I liked Justin and I adored Liam, my maternal instincts kicking in big time with him. Parts of the book were great, beautifully written, emotionally touching,the bits that weren't, were so different it seemed as though they could have been written by a different person.
July 19, 2025
I dnf’d this twice before deciding to continue. I wanted to know what happened to Liam. After all, he had a boyfriend (Cord) who found him on the streets at 15, moved him into his apartment, and immediately (same day) started filming Liam in porn. That’s CP and it took way longer than it should have for anyone to acknowledge that. At the time of this book Liam
Justin was an across-the-hall neighbor who was always friendly with Liam. He let him play with his Xbox and it really was just friendly.
Liam was victimized so badly that he didn’t know what love and compassion were. He thought Cord loved him, which he probably wanted to believe because he was “rescued” from the street. Then things got worse. A lot worse with the probability that it could end up with him seriously harmed or even dead. Justin was in the right place at the right time and intervened.
===== Below are spoilers they took me from thinking Justin was a great guy to loathing him=====
Liam was saved from that kind of life but still looking for someone to care for him. Only one person did care about him and this is the part that pissed me off. You don’t take a kid who’s been raped and prostituted for almost three years, finally freed from it, and start dating him. The age gap between them is bad enough but Liam had no idea how to survive on his own without jumping into bed with the guy who rescued him and Justin encouraged him. Horrible excuse for a human being. Not as bad as Cord, obviously, but he took advantage of Liam in a big way and it’s inexcusable.
Justin was an across-the-hall neighbor who was always friendly with Liam. He let him play with his Xbox and it really was just friendly.
Liam was victimized so badly that he didn’t know what love and compassion were. He thought Cord loved him, which he probably wanted to believe because he was “rescued” from the street. Then things got worse. A lot worse with the probability that it could end up with him seriously harmed or even dead. Justin was in the right place at the right time and intervened.
===== Below are spoilers they took me from thinking Justin was a great guy to loathing him=====
Liam was saved from that kind of life but still looking for someone to care for him. Only one person did care about him and this is the part that pissed me off. You don’t take a kid who’s been raped and prostituted for almost three years, finally freed from it, and start dating him. The age gap between them is bad enough but Liam had no idea how to survive on his own without jumping into bed with the guy who rescued him and Justin encouraged him. Horrible excuse for a human being. Not as bad as Cord, obviously, but he took advantage of Liam in a big way and it’s inexcusable.
March 4, 2020
I've added a new shelf, "not-a-romance" for this book (and others marketed as romance that have romance in them but aren't romance novels. Romance novels are about the journey of a couple falling in love and this one doesn't start until the book is 2/3 over.) When Justin started a relationship with someone else, I kept thinking this must be polyam, otherwise why are we spending so much page time on this not-the-relationship-promised? NOPE. Just filler. Or maybe a set up for a later book, but it felt like filler.
I honestly didn't like Justin, and even when he and Liam finally start their actual relationship, I am utterly mystified why therapy was never a consideration. Everything between those two felt a/forced and b/a set up for disaster.
I'm not much for the hurt/comfort trope, and if you are, this might be your catnip.
But if you're expecting a journey towards HEA, maybe bear in mind that it's not even really a HFN. But I guess if it's to be dragged over multiple books...I don't know. It definitely hit ME wrong. I think a book marketed as romance should have a complete romance in it. It if takes three books to tell the romance, maybe find a way to convey that more clearly to those of us looking for romance novels.
I honestly didn't like Justin, and even when he and Liam finally start their actual relationship, I am utterly mystified why therapy was never a consideration. Everything between those two felt a/forced and b/a set up for disaster.
I'm not much for the hurt/comfort trope, and if you are, this might be your catnip.
But if you're expecting a journey towards HEA, maybe bear in mind that it's not even really a HFN. But I guess if it's to be dragged over multiple books...I don't know. It definitely hit ME wrong. I think a book marketed as romance should have a complete romance in it. It if takes three books to tell the romance, maybe find a way to convey that more clearly to those of us looking for romance novels.
May 8, 2014
Book Worms review left by Kimberley a Book Worms Reviewer, thank you Kimberley.
We gave this book 4.5 Stars.
A male/male romance/erotica.
First time I have read a male/male romance and I can honestly say I was pleasantly surprised by the content and how it was portrayed between the two characters.
I wasn't expecting to be so normal in a word and written in way that draws into their world and I found that I was eagerly turning the pages to see what happened.
This story isn't all happy and rainbows, it has a dark twist in the heart of it, four guys, two different relationships and a secret that is destroying them.
You get introduced to Liam and Cord first, two guys, one domineering and one quite shy.
I was drawn to Liam straight away, shy, quiet and easy going.
He has not had an easy life by any means, living on the streets, a mean father, bullied and starved, until he walks into a little diner and his world changes, he get's a job, he meets a guy, he has a place to call home but at what price?
Liam has a day off, which he hated."He hated Tuesdays. Hated them beyond mere loathing, but he didn't have a word for what came after loathing. Despised seemed far too civilized".
Liam has to work for his boyfriend, Cord, on his day off, which we are all thinking, surely it can't be that bad?
Liam wouldn't agree with you there "He was a porn star, but the title was perverse and laughable. He wasn't a star. He didn't live in a mansion. He didn't ride around in a limo. He was just a guy living a recurring horror who refused to think about the collection of loyal internet viewers that were intimately familiar with his body. It was better to pretend it was all for Cord's amusement because the truth was too ugly to face."
Liam does this for the sake of Cord, he feels he owes him a debt that he can't repay so he lets the cookie cutters who Cord finds, abuse him in the most debasing way possible, he sleeps with them while Cord films him.
Liam does it for love but I can't help but feel that Cord does it for a profit.
After all, "Gay porn was a messy business".
After one of his sessions Liam starts to have doubts "He strode across the room and closed himself in the bathroom to shower. Tossing back the curtain, he turned on the water and let it warm up while he dug an enema bottle out of the collection they had under the sink. He had a routine he refused to think about any more than he did the rest of it."
This highlights it perfectly, how Cord abuses his trust, loyalty and love of his boyfriend for his own gain.
"If there was any glamour in being a porn star, he couldn't see it".
Your heart breaks for Liam here "A cold spray beat against his shins, growing warmer a little at a time until he could stand under it without gasping from the shock. He was aching and exhausted after eight hours of fucking. He didn't want to be touched again for at least a month".
As he stands under the shower he was one last thought " He held his head under the spray and let the thought swirl down the drain with remains of salvia and cum".
Cord seems to be blind to Liam feelings of desperation and utter helplessness.
Liam wants to be loved but feels he doesn't warrant it " His body wasn't his own and hadn't been for a long time." There was no point wanting what he couldn't have."
At this in the book, I felt like shaking Cord so I settled for shouting at him instead.
But Liam seems to find a friend in Justin "He took a step or two closer. " I won't touch you if you don't want me to, but you look like you need someone to hold you for a while"
Liam shrugged as more tears trickled down his face. He rested a hand on Liam's arm and felt him trembling, a fine tremor he couldn't see. A little at a time he pulled Liam closer and wrapped him in his arms. The sobbing started the moment Liam's head touched his chest.
This part had me crying, if only Liam could see how Justin feels and if only he would say instead they both just carry on with their lives.
Justin goes out on a date with Rich but I can't help feeling that in the in the back of his mind is Liam.
The date goes better then expected, the intensity of it was brilliant!
"He watched in fascination as Rich lifted his hand to his lips and kissed his knuckles in the dim light".
"I really want to kiss you right no. I wouldn't protest if you did".
Rich let go of him to rest a hand on the console wedged between their seats and leaned closer. Justin met him halfway as gentle fingers slid along his skin. A palm rested against his face followed by the tender contact of lips. The tentative touch blossomed to a deep caress and bubbles of attraction burst into boiling desire. He tangled fingers in Rich's jacket pulling him closer as hands held his face. The intensity left them gasping for air in the silence.
This part right here even had me going whoa!
How you get drawn into the moment and hooked you need to get some air yourself!!
This book took me awhile to get into but once I did I enjoyed of moment, heartbreak, joy, love and passion all with a dark twist, will these characters ever get to the truth? Will they come clean?
You need read this to find out, be it your first male/male book or if you're a regular reader of it, this will have you turning pages and breaking your heart,
Perfect story if you're a new reader to the genre and want to test the waters or if you're a seasoned pro of this genre there's enough passion and anguish in here to keep you hooked! Either way, miss this and you miss out!!
March 8, 2018
A good and beautiful story, full of emotions, telling us some truths from the bad world around us. I liked the style of writing, it was quite simple but not at all underestimating the reader, just very easy to read and feel.
April 7, 2024
2.5 stars
Fabulous premise (I’ve never read anything like this), but the story was told in an incredibly slow, boring way. And although the ending is a complete cliffhanger, there are a ton of loose ends that have yet to be tied up. Too bad I won’t be finding out what happens!
Fabulous premise (I’ve never read anything like this), but the story was told in an incredibly slow, boring way. And although the ending is a complete cliffhanger, there are a ton of loose ends that have yet to be tied up. Too bad I won’t be finding out what happens!
November 7, 2017
3/5
Solid start, just didn't work for me.
Solid start, just didn't work for me.
May 9, 2014
ARC received for an honest review
When I first signed up for this blog tour, all I saw was m/m and gay porn star - I'm in, that's gonna be hot!!
While yes, Saving Liam is about a gay porn star, it is so much more than that, and so much more then I expected.
18 year old Liam has had a pretty shitty few years. His boyfriend Cord got him off the streets, but really is a doughebag and SOB all rolled into one.
"No one gets a free ride" and has made Liam into an internet porn star, making him make videos with stranger after stranger, week in week out. That's the price he pays to be off the streets, and the price of loving Cord
Ugh, I just wanted to beat the crap out of Cord.
Liam's saving grace is his neighbour Justin. I just loved Justin. Sweet, kind, crushing on Liam since forever. And has no idea what goes on across the hall. And when he does...... well, let's just say it's not good!
My heart breaks for Liam time and time again. He is so emotionally broken from what has happened in the past few years. You just want to give him a great big hug and tell him things are going to get better.
Justin and Liam have a great friendship, but can it become more. We know that Justin wants more, but how will Liam cope? They will never have a hearts and flowers kind of relationship, but I love what they do have together. It is heartbreaking but also heartwarming as they work through their difficulties together.
We get to see different sides of our MC's which I really liked. We see a lot of Justin's life away from Liam ~ his work, other relationships, his innermost thoughts. And we get lots of Liam's dark thoughts, his anguish, his feelings of helplessness.
There were times when I was not sure which direction this story was going to take. I love when a story surprises me like that. I wondered for a while if Liam and Justin would end up together? Could they be happy? Could they be happy together?
DP Denman has touched on some pretty heavy issues in Saving Liam, and she has done it extremely well. The characters get into some pretty dark head space and it is dealt with sympathetically so as to not make a mockery out of the situation.
This is the first DP Denman books I have read, but will definitely be adding more to my TBR.
When I first signed up for this blog tour, all I saw was m/m and gay porn star - I'm in, that's gonna be hot!!
While yes, Saving Liam is about a gay porn star, it is so much more than that, and so much more then I expected.
18 year old Liam has had a pretty shitty few years. His boyfriend Cord got him off the streets, but really is a doughebag and SOB all rolled into one.
"No one gets a free ride" and has made Liam into an internet porn star, making him make videos with stranger after stranger, week in week out. That's the price he pays to be off the streets, and the price of loving Cord
Ugh, I just wanted to beat the crap out of Cord.
Liam's saving grace is his neighbour Justin. I just loved Justin. Sweet, kind, crushing on Liam since forever. And has no idea what goes on across the hall. And when he does...... well, let's just say it's not good!
My heart breaks for Liam time and time again. He is so emotionally broken from what has happened in the past few years. You just want to give him a great big hug and tell him things are going to get better.
Justin and Liam have a great friendship, but can it become more. We know that Justin wants more, but how will Liam cope? They will never have a hearts and flowers kind of relationship, but I love what they do have together. It is heartbreaking but also heartwarming as they work through their difficulties together.
We get to see different sides of our MC's which I really liked. We see a lot of Justin's life away from Liam ~ his work, other relationships, his innermost thoughts. And we get lots of Liam's dark thoughts, his anguish, his feelings of helplessness.
There were times when I was not sure which direction this story was going to take. I love when a story surprises me like that. I wondered for a while if Liam and Justin would end up together? Could they be happy? Could they be happy together?
DP Denman has touched on some pretty heavy issues in Saving Liam, and she has done it extremely well. The characters get into some pretty dark head space and it is dealt with sympathetically so as to not make a mockery out of the situation.
This is the first DP Denman books I have read, but will definitely be adding more to my TBR.
April 29, 2014
** JEN'S 5 STAR REVIEW **
I am not sure how to even put into words how this book affected me, so I’m going to do my best. The subject matter is so heavy. Liam is a sex slave, a porn star, an 18 year old kid who literally is at the mercy of his “boyfriend” Cord. The things Liam is forced to do out of obligation and fear because Cord saved him from the streets practically had me doubling over feeling so sick for him. The harsh reality of the sheer hell Liam lived with is nothing but sickening. I literally had to walk away in parts because it was so crushing and it was so painful to read at times. D.P. didn’t sugar coat anything and nothing was swept under the rug.
This story is definitely not one for the faint at heart, it’s dark, it’s emotional, it’s very harsh, gritty, real and raw. When I thought things couldn’t possibly get any worse for Liam’s situation I was quickly proven wrong time and time again. Nothing is easy, actually things get a whole lot worse before they get better. Liam’s only solace in the nightmare he’s living is Justin. A guy who lives across the hall that has absolutely no idea what really is going on with Liam. When he does find out he’s at the mercy of wanting to take matters into his own hands or doing what is right for Liam. And let me tell you all, I have never met a character like Justin. This man, this beautiful, tender man who is so understanding, so patient, so strong, so determined with the most beautiful soul was just an absolute god sent. There was never a moment where he tried to take advantage of the situation. The respect I feel for him is just insurmountable. What I’m feeling is “Thank fucking god for Justin”. Thank god someone is finally treating Liam like a human being not a hired piece of ass or some whore they can do whatever they feel like doing to him. Thank god someone cares enough to see that Liam deserves to have respect and dignity.
D.P.’s writing is just so raw and so brilliantly done that you will feel every single emotion, touch, fear and hardship going on throughout. It’s definitely one of those stories where it reaches deep levels within you and shakes you to the core because it’s not pretty, it gets real ugly. The aftermath of Liam’s ordeal is just as gut wrenching. This poor broken soul.
This is definitely not a hearts and flowers story, it’s not your typical m/m where everything is all hot and steamy. I’m so grateful that she didn’t wrap this up in a neat little bow at the end because after what Liam went through there is definitely going to be long lasting effects. I need the next book. I need to see how Liam is coping, I need to see him heal emotionally. I wouldn’t say this leaves you with a cliffhanger more like you’ll be craving for more. Seriously, Thank you for introducing me to an unbelievably heart wrenching story. I cannot wait to read the next installment because there is just so much story that needs to be told.
I am not sure how to even put into words how this book affected me, so I’m going to do my best. The subject matter is so heavy. Liam is a sex slave, a porn star, an 18 year old kid who literally is at the mercy of his “boyfriend” Cord. The things Liam is forced to do out of obligation and fear because Cord saved him from the streets practically had me doubling over feeling so sick for him. The harsh reality of the sheer hell Liam lived with is nothing but sickening. I literally had to walk away in parts because it was so crushing and it was so painful to read at times. D.P. didn’t sugar coat anything and nothing was swept under the rug.
This story is definitely not one for the faint at heart, it’s dark, it’s emotional, it’s very harsh, gritty, real and raw. When I thought things couldn’t possibly get any worse for Liam’s situation I was quickly proven wrong time and time again. Nothing is easy, actually things get a whole lot worse before they get better. Liam’s only solace in the nightmare he’s living is Justin. A guy who lives across the hall that has absolutely no idea what really is going on with Liam. When he does find out he’s at the mercy of wanting to take matters into his own hands or doing what is right for Liam. And let me tell you all, I have never met a character like Justin. This man, this beautiful, tender man who is so understanding, so patient, so strong, so determined with the most beautiful soul was just an absolute god sent. There was never a moment where he tried to take advantage of the situation. The respect I feel for him is just insurmountable. What I’m feeling is “Thank fucking god for Justin”. Thank god someone is finally treating Liam like a human being not a hired piece of ass or some whore they can do whatever they feel like doing to him. Thank god someone cares enough to see that Liam deserves to have respect and dignity.
D.P.’s writing is just so raw and so brilliantly done that you will feel every single emotion, touch, fear and hardship going on throughout. It’s definitely one of those stories where it reaches deep levels within you and shakes you to the core because it’s not pretty, it gets real ugly. The aftermath of Liam’s ordeal is just as gut wrenching. This poor broken soul.
This is definitely not a hearts and flowers story, it’s not your typical m/m where everything is all hot and steamy. I’m so grateful that she didn’t wrap this up in a neat little bow at the end because after what Liam went through there is definitely going to be long lasting effects. I need the next book. I need to see how Liam is coping, I need to see him heal emotionally. I wouldn’t say this leaves you with a cliffhanger more like you’ll be craving for more. Seriously, Thank you for introducing me to an unbelievably heart wrenching story. I cannot wait to read the next installment because there is just so much story that needs to be told.
April 28, 2014
*ARC provided by the author in exchange for my honest review
I liked the premise of this book from the synopsis, as the porn industry holds a fascination for outsiders (like me!) that can give the fake impression that it is all glamour and glitz. This story thankfully illustrated the true underbelly of the scene and the effect it can have on some.
Liam is a young eighteen year old living with his older boyfriend Cord, who also happens to produce web porn with Liam holding the starring role. This has been Liam’s life for the last three years which has gradually worn the young man down to the depths of repulsion but he still continues for he cannot say no to Cord. He feels he owes Cord for taking him off the streets, in exchange for a roof over his head and love……
Justin is the guy from across the hall who he finds a kindred video games addict. It’s with this escapism that aids Liam to cope with the sessions with the ‘cookie cutters’ and all that those entail. Justin is not privy to what happens behind the door across the hall, until one night after a particularly bad scene, Liam downs a bottle of vodka and admits his sorry existence.
Nothing happens at that point, in fact the story is then filled with Justin’s developing relationship with Rich, a man he met on a blind date (ish). Rich has his own issues with his on and off boyfriend he has had since high school. Although I liked the relationship with Justin and Rich, I couldn’t really invest my feelings in it as I kind of hesitated a guess of the outcome at an early stage plus I knew something was waiting to come with Justin and Liam.
The turning point of the story comes after something happens to Liam at the hotel Justin works at. This, for me, was when the storyline picked up and gave the more in depth emotion and angst ridden flow that delivered a better understanding of the impact of Liam’s early life in the porn industry. It was gratifying to see the caring and devotion Justin gave to young Liam, even holding back his own feelings to help Liam start to recover from his past.
There was a lot of over descriptive narrative for areas that didn’t really add to the story, however I am now fully aware of skills required should I ever need to run a service function in a top hotel! As much as this was a great insight I would have preferred to have had more background to Liam and Justin.
I see this is book one in a series but I’m not sure if the story of Justin and Liam will carry on. From where the book ends (which was a good one) I feel more can be given to the story of Justin and Liam in the next stage of their relationship. I certainly hope so. Overall a good storyline and a four star read for me.
Full book details, review and giveaway at Foxylutely Book Reviews today.
http://foxylutely.blogspot.com/2014/0...
I liked the premise of this book from the synopsis, as the porn industry holds a fascination for outsiders (like me!) that can give the fake impression that it is all glamour and glitz. This story thankfully illustrated the true underbelly of the scene and the effect it can have on some.
Liam is a young eighteen year old living with his older boyfriend Cord, who also happens to produce web porn with Liam holding the starring role. This has been Liam’s life for the last three years which has gradually worn the young man down to the depths of repulsion but he still continues for he cannot say no to Cord. He feels he owes Cord for taking him off the streets, in exchange for a roof over his head and love……
Justin is the guy from across the hall who he finds a kindred video games addict. It’s with this escapism that aids Liam to cope with the sessions with the ‘cookie cutters’ and all that those entail. Justin is not privy to what happens behind the door across the hall, until one night after a particularly bad scene, Liam downs a bottle of vodka and admits his sorry existence.
Nothing happens at that point, in fact the story is then filled with Justin’s developing relationship with Rich, a man he met on a blind date (ish). Rich has his own issues with his on and off boyfriend he has had since high school. Although I liked the relationship with Justin and Rich, I couldn’t really invest my feelings in it as I kind of hesitated a guess of the outcome at an early stage plus I knew something was waiting to come with Justin and Liam.
The turning point of the story comes after something happens to Liam at the hotel Justin works at. This, for me, was when the storyline picked up and gave the more in depth emotion and angst ridden flow that delivered a better understanding of the impact of Liam’s early life in the porn industry. It was gratifying to see the caring and devotion Justin gave to young Liam, even holding back his own feelings to help Liam start to recover from his past.
There was a lot of over descriptive narrative for areas that didn’t really add to the story, however I am now fully aware of skills required should I ever need to run a service function in a top hotel! As much as this was a great insight I would have preferred to have had more background to Liam and Justin.
I see this is book one in a series but I’m not sure if the story of Justin and Liam will carry on. From where the book ends (which was a good one) I feel more can be given to the story of Justin and Liam in the next stage of their relationship. I certainly hope so. Overall a good storyline and a four star read for me.
Full book details, review and giveaway at Foxylutely Book Reviews today.
http://foxylutely.blogspot.com/2014/0...
May 10, 2014
Saving Liam by DP Denman is a really wonderful book. This is the second M/M romance that I’ve read, and I’m starting to really like this genre.
Liam was kicked out onto the streets when his father found out he was gay. When you’re fourteen, alone, cold and hungry, you’ll do anything to just have a bed and food. When Cord took Liam in, Liam felt that he must do whatever Cord asked, otherwise he’d just be put back on the streets, and he was determined to never be there again.
From the very beginning, Cord made sure Liam knew how to fuck. He would continuously sell Liam to men so he could film them having sex. Liam was a porn star, one that was made to look like a fifteen year old boy, scared and alone. Cord continued this for four years, until one night, he actually sold Liam to be raped.
Justin lives across the hall from Cord and Liam. He never suspected what was happening. Liam often turned up at Justin’s to play video games. One night, when Liam was drunk, he spilled his guts. Since that night, Justin was determined to help him.
While continuing a new relationship with a man named Rich, Justin does whatever he can to help Liam, including helping him get a place to stay, new clothes, and even a new job. But after everything Liam’s been through, will he ever be able to hold a steady and healthy relationship with a man?
I liked this book. I didn’t love it, and I’ll tell you why.
First thing that bothered me, and when writing M/M romances, you have to be REALLY careful about this. I often couldn’t tell who was speaking, since most of the characters are male. The pronoun “he” was used in a sentence too many times, and I couldn’t figure out who was speaking or who was doing what.
I also felt like I was cheated out of a happy ending. Well, maybe just an ending in general. I feel like they’re should’ve been some huge passionate scene at the end where Liam finally comes to terms with everything, but that didn’t happen.
There also wasn’t really too much happening. Yes, I think that overall idea and story line is good, but I felt like they’re could’ve been more action in this book.
I give this book three and a half stars. It was very steamy, yes, I give it that. The M/M scenes are very erotic and arousing. With the first M/M novel I read, I had a hard time getting into those scenes, by DP Denman does a wonderful job with that.
Overall, I think if you like the M/M genre, you’ll like this book. Just don’t go in expecting a lot, because you won’t get it. I am just really hoping there’s a sequel to this. No, it doesn’t end on a cliffhanger, I just feel like it could have ended differently.
Liam was kicked out onto the streets when his father found out he was gay. When you’re fourteen, alone, cold and hungry, you’ll do anything to just have a bed and food. When Cord took Liam in, Liam felt that he must do whatever Cord asked, otherwise he’d just be put back on the streets, and he was determined to never be there again.
From the very beginning, Cord made sure Liam knew how to fuck. He would continuously sell Liam to men so he could film them having sex. Liam was a porn star, one that was made to look like a fifteen year old boy, scared and alone. Cord continued this for four years, until one night, he actually sold Liam to be raped.
Justin lives across the hall from Cord and Liam. He never suspected what was happening. Liam often turned up at Justin’s to play video games. One night, when Liam was drunk, he spilled his guts. Since that night, Justin was determined to help him.
While continuing a new relationship with a man named Rich, Justin does whatever he can to help Liam, including helping him get a place to stay, new clothes, and even a new job. But after everything Liam’s been through, will he ever be able to hold a steady and healthy relationship with a man?
I liked this book. I didn’t love it, and I’ll tell you why.
First thing that bothered me, and when writing M/M romances, you have to be REALLY careful about this. I often couldn’t tell who was speaking, since most of the characters are male. The pronoun “he” was used in a sentence too many times, and I couldn’t figure out who was speaking or who was doing what.
I also felt like I was cheated out of a happy ending. Well, maybe just an ending in general. I feel like they’re should’ve been some huge passionate scene at the end where Liam finally comes to terms with everything, but that didn’t happen.
There also wasn’t really too much happening. Yes, I think that overall idea and story line is good, but I felt like they’re could’ve been more action in this book.
I give this book three and a half stars. It was very steamy, yes, I give it that. The M/M scenes are very erotic and arousing. With the first M/M novel I read, I had a hard time getting into those scenes, by DP Denman does a wonderful job with that.
Overall, I think if you like the M/M genre, you’ll like this book. Just don’t go in expecting a lot, because you won’t get it. I am just really hoping there’s a sequel to this. No, it doesn’t end on a cliffhanger, I just feel like it could have ended differently.
May 7, 2014
Actual 4.5 Star Review!
Saving Liam by D.P. Denman!
Eighteen year old Liam needs to do whatever he can to survive and for him that means being a gay porn star but he hates this job! Liam is not the famous porn star but a prisoner to the man who saved him from the streets of Vancouver. Justin has had a long-time crush on Liam, he is very naive to what Liam does for a living. He minds his own business in regards to Liam's tumultuous relationship with Cord his porn producer boyfriend until one when the drunken truth comes out. Now that Liam's boyfriend realizes that rent boys make much more money than porn stars, is when Liam's life takes the worst turn possible. Now it's up to Justin to rescue him from a very dangerous situation.
I really enjoyed learning about the real world of the gay porn industry as it's not all glamorous and fun. The author takes us on a journey into the very realistic world, her very detailed knowledge of this world was refreshing to read as she did her research and she got it spot on. The characters that she created and developed along the story was simply brilliant and so well written. My only issue is that more information on the background of Liam and Justin would have been great but it doesn't hurt the book by any means.
Justin, the gaming addict living across from Liam and Cord gives him an escape playing videos games to avoid the true horrors of his life with Cord, the controlling and exploitive gay porn producer. One night after a very bad situation, Liam gets drunk and he confides his total life of destruction with Justin. Now here is where the story gets really juicy when something happens to Liam at the hotel where Justin works. This scene was so emotional to read as it shows the complete compassion that Justin shows to Liam for everything he has gone through.
I hope the author continues the story of Liam and Justin to show the next stages of their relationship. This was a good story filled with the porn industry knowledge, caring, love, despair, pain, angst and the true emotions of two beautiful men who learn to care for each other against the backdrop of the gay porn industry!!!!!
"Complimentary copy provided by author/publisher for an honest review."
Reviewed by Paul at Gay Media Reviews!
Saving Liam by D.P. Denman!
Eighteen year old Liam needs to do whatever he can to survive and for him that means being a gay porn star but he hates this job! Liam is not the famous porn star but a prisoner to the man who saved him from the streets of Vancouver. Justin has had a long-time crush on Liam, he is very naive to what Liam does for a living. He minds his own business in regards to Liam's tumultuous relationship with Cord his porn producer boyfriend until one when the drunken truth comes out. Now that Liam's boyfriend realizes that rent boys make much more money than porn stars, is when Liam's life takes the worst turn possible. Now it's up to Justin to rescue him from a very dangerous situation.
I really enjoyed learning about the real world of the gay porn industry as it's not all glamorous and fun. The author takes us on a journey into the very realistic world, her very detailed knowledge of this world was refreshing to read as she did her research and she got it spot on. The characters that she created and developed along the story was simply brilliant and so well written. My only issue is that more information on the background of Liam and Justin would have been great but it doesn't hurt the book by any means.
Justin, the gaming addict living across from Liam and Cord gives him an escape playing videos games to avoid the true horrors of his life with Cord, the controlling and exploitive gay porn producer. One night after a very bad situation, Liam gets drunk and he confides his total life of destruction with Justin. Now here is where the story gets really juicy when something happens to Liam at the hotel where Justin works. This scene was so emotional to read as it shows the complete compassion that Justin shows to Liam for everything he has gone through.
I hope the author continues the story of Liam and Justin to show the next stages of their relationship. This was a good story filled with the porn industry knowledge, caring, love, despair, pain, angst and the true emotions of two beautiful men who learn to care for each other against the backdrop of the gay porn industry!!!!!
"Complimentary copy provided by author/publisher for an honest review."
Reviewed by Paul at Gay Media Reviews!
August 16, 2014
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Saving Liam was a well-written book. It flowed smoothly. Let’s start with Liam. He’s an 18 year old
that was thrown out by his father at the age of 15 for having sex with another boy. He struggled while living on the streets until he was taken in by Cord. Well, turns out Cord is a producer. Only thing is, he produces porn and puts Liam to work at the tender age of 16. Hell, you gotta contribute to the household, right. Liam puts up with it. It’s better than being on the streets, even if he is dying inside. Justin is Liam’s neighbor. He’s in love with Liam but considers him off limits because of Liam’s relationship with Cord. What happens when the intolerable becomes even worse? Will Liam escape Cord’s clutches? Will Justin get the guy in the end or will he move on with someone else?
This was just an okay book for me. I didn’t really care for any of the characters. I found Liam to be weak. He’d rather drink himself into oblivion than stand up for himself. Cord was just a predator, enough said about him. I liked Justin in the beginning, but then he started seeing Rich and lost that likeableness. I also didn’t like Rich. He was weak also, not being able to let go of a partner that used you and basically cheating on the guy you’re seeing. I didn’t really understand why Rich was even in the story. I did like the subjects this book touched on, child predators and suicide. However, it didn’t really strike me as realistic, mostly the suicide. Liam decided to hang himself, but he would only do it if Justin wasn’t going to be the one to find him. Really, that’s what deterred you? And then we have the whole ending. ***Spoiler Alert*** I liked that Justin and Liam ended up together. I hated how Liam went from tolerating sex because of Cord, but couldn’t stand the thought of Justin even touching him sexually. Again, it didn’t seem realistic.
Okay enough. I’ll leave it at that. I’ll just say one more thing. If the synopsis appeals to you, go ahead and take a chance on it. You’ll have to make up your own mind about Saving Liam.
3-Bombs
Reviewed by Tracy
Saving Liam was a well-written book. It flowed smoothly. Let’s start with Liam. He’s an 18 year old
that was thrown out by his father at the age of 15 for having sex with another boy. He struggled while living on the streets until he was taken in by Cord. Well, turns out Cord is a producer. Only thing is, he produces porn and puts Liam to work at the tender age of 16. Hell, you gotta contribute to the household, right. Liam puts up with it. It’s better than being on the streets, even if he is dying inside. Justin is Liam’s neighbor. He’s in love with Liam but considers him off limits because of Liam’s relationship with Cord. What happens when the intolerable becomes even worse? Will Liam escape Cord’s clutches? Will Justin get the guy in the end or will he move on with someone else?
This was just an okay book for me. I didn’t really care for any of the characters. I found Liam to be weak. He’d rather drink himself into oblivion than stand up for himself. Cord was just a predator, enough said about him. I liked Justin in the beginning, but then he started seeing Rich and lost that likeableness. I also didn’t like Rich. He was weak also, not being able to let go of a partner that used you and basically cheating on the guy you’re seeing. I didn’t really understand why Rich was even in the story. I did like the subjects this book touched on, child predators and suicide. However, it didn’t really strike me as realistic, mostly the suicide. Liam decided to hang himself, but he would only do it if Justin wasn’t going to be the one to find him. Really, that’s what deterred you? And then we have the whole ending. ***Spoiler Alert*** I liked that Justin and Liam ended up together. I hated how Liam went from tolerating sex because of Cord, but couldn’t stand the thought of Justin even touching him sexually. Again, it didn’t seem realistic.
Okay enough. I’ll leave it at that. I’ll just say one more thing. If the synopsis appeals to you, go ahead and take a chance on it. You’ll have to make up your own mind about Saving Liam.
3-Bombs
Reviewed by Tracy
July 24, 2014
This is the heart-breaking story of Liam, a guy who finds himself in an impossible situation. Terrified, depressed and feeling completely used and abused he feels he is left with no alternative than to contemplate ending it all.
“Not everything can be fixed, and even when it can, sometimes the solution is just a bigger pile of shit in disguise.”
Thankfully, although Liam can’t find it in him to trust easily there becomes a glimmer of hope in the friendship he has developed with his neighbour Justin. Justin is a manager in a top hotel, confident in his sexuality and in life in general. He finds himself drawn to Liam and determined to save him from his broken life. With Justin’s help we see hope and trust win out and Liam slowly piece his life back together.
“If it bothered me that we don’t have a traditional sex life, would I be sitting here with my hand on your knee telling you that you make me happy and that I’m falling in love with you?”
This storyline really does take you out of your comfort zone. I really felt for Liam, he was being treated disgustingly by someone he cared about and relied on. This story touches on rape, abuse and sexual predators but that isn’t all that makes up the story. It also shows us love, trust, hope and pushing through against the odds.
This is part 1 of a Series and although it ends with you wanting more it is not a cliff-hanger ending. I really loved Liam and Justin and can’t wait to read more about them in the next book. I have a feeling that we will be seeing more angst and drama but I am hoping for more love and healing for Liam too!
An ARC was kindly provided by the Author for an honest review.
Review posted at Love Between the Sheets
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“Not everything can be fixed, and even when it can, sometimes the solution is just a bigger pile of shit in disguise.”
Thankfully, although Liam can’t find it in him to trust easily there becomes a glimmer of hope in the friendship he has developed with his neighbour Justin. Justin is a manager in a top hotel, confident in his sexuality and in life in general. He finds himself drawn to Liam and determined to save him from his broken life. With Justin’s help we see hope and trust win out and Liam slowly piece his life back together.
“If it bothered me that we don’t have a traditional sex life, would I be sitting here with my hand on your knee telling you that you make me happy and that I’m falling in love with you?”
This storyline really does take you out of your comfort zone. I really felt for Liam, he was being treated disgustingly by someone he cared about and relied on. This story touches on rape, abuse and sexual predators but that isn’t all that makes up the story. It also shows us love, trust, hope and pushing through against the odds.
This is part 1 of a Series and although it ends with you wanting more it is not a cliff-hanger ending. I really loved Liam and Justin and can’t wait to read more about them in the next book. I have a feeling that we will be seeing more angst and drama but I am hoping for more love and healing for Liam too!
An ARC was kindly provided by the Author for an honest review.
Review posted at Love Between the Sheets
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April 30, 2014
Saving Liam is a sweet story of one young mans survival. Liam was on the streets at fifteen years old and picked up by a predator who pretended to love him. Cord was Liam’s “boyfriend” yet turned the young man into a gay porn star. Rather than facing life on the streets again, Liam did what Cord asked of him, while blocking what he could out of his mind during the acts.
Justin is the neighbor across the hall from Liam and Cord. He is a hotel manager, so he is working during the daytime while the debauchery with Liam is going on. Justin has some what of a friendship with Liam, letting him come over and play video games when he needs to get away from Cord. Liam doesn’t know it, but Justin has a bit of a crush on him, however he keeps it to himself as not to cause trouble with Cord.
Justin is working and getting back out on the dating scene. He meets Rich, a pretty nice guy who has some past troubles of his own. Rich and Justin decide to give it a go and Justin buries his feelings for Liam. However that all changes after Cord goes way too far with young Liam and he ends up at Justin’s hotel. Justin and Liam form a friendship, something Liam doesn’t understand as he has always been taken advantage of. Anything Justin did for him, Liam would think he owed Justin. It takes a lot of patience on Justin’s side to show Liam he is worth more than he thinks.
It was sad how Cord beat Liam down and messed with his young mind as bad as he did. I liked Justin’s character as the hotel manager and sort of a life manager as well. As I was reading, I just hoped for something good to come out of this story for Liam as well as Justin. The book is well written, pretty graphic and very sad. Especially if you stop to think about this situation really happening and those boys not getting the help that Liam did.
Tiffany
Justin is the neighbor across the hall from Liam and Cord. He is a hotel manager, so he is working during the daytime while the debauchery with Liam is going on. Justin has some what of a friendship with Liam, letting him come over and play video games when he needs to get away from Cord. Liam doesn’t know it, but Justin has a bit of a crush on him, however he keeps it to himself as not to cause trouble with Cord.
Justin is working and getting back out on the dating scene. He meets Rich, a pretty nice guy who has some past troubles of his own. Rich and Justin decide to give it a go and Justin buries his feelings for Liam. However that all changes after Cord goes way too far with young Liam and he ends up at Justin’s hotel. Justin and Liam form a friendship, something Liam doesn’t understand as he has always been taken advantage of. Anything Justin did for him, Liam would think he owed Justin. It takes a lot of patience on Justin’s side to show Liam he is worth more than he thinks.
It was sad how Cord beat Liam down and messed with his young mind as bad as he did. I liked Justin’s character as the hotel manager and sort of a life manager as well. As I was reading, I just hoped for something good to come out of this story for Liam as well as Justin. The book is well written, pretty graphic and very sad. Especially if you stop to think about this situation really happening and those boys not getting the help that Liam did.
Tiffany
May 1, 2014
"He was just a guy living a recurring horror who refused to think about the collection of loyal internet viewers that were intimately familiar with his body. It was better to pretend it was all for Cord's amusement because the truth was too ugly to face."
The story starts with a hard introduction to Liam's life. It's a world where he is forced into porn by Cord, the man who supposedly rescued him from the streets, a man Liam unfortunately thinks he loves. Liam's world is harsh and ugly and painful.
When things reach the ultimate of lows, Justin, Liam's neighbour, steps in and provides him with a safe haven.
This isn't a traditional romance. Justin has just become involved with someone else, a man with his own set of issues resulting from a troubled relationship in the past. As he helps Liam, Justin is also building his new relationship with Rich. This relationship needed to run its course before Justin could be with Liam which left me wishing for the end to come quickly!
While I enjoyed the story overall, I found it a rather slow evolution for Justin and Liam to get together. However, at the same time, I appreciated the slow and thoughtful way the author presented the transition from friends to more. It acknowledged the sexual past that Liam was having to come to terms with and proved that Justin was just the right man for Liam.
They got their HFN ending, leaving me hoping they can overcome the traumas of Liam's past and build a future together.
3.5 stars
A copy of this book was provided by the author in return for my honest review.
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May 1, 2014
Liam lives with his boyfriend Cord. It's better than living on the street which is where he was when he was kicked out of his house for being gay. But there is a price for having a roof over his head and loving Cord. Liam is a porn star. Cord records him having sex with different men each week. It's gotten so bad that Liam has to drink before going through with it. The only part of his life that gives him any comfort is when he goes across the hall to Justin's and plays video games. There he feels safe.
Justin has had a crush on Liam for a long time. Each time he comes over to play games it takes everything in Justin not to jump him. Justin has no clue that Liam is a porn star. When he finds out and realizes just how young Liam is he tries to protect him. And when he finds Liam in a compromising situation in a hotel he decides that Liam needs saving.
I enjoyed this story. The characters are well thought out. My heart bled for Liam and what he went through in his young life. Justin is a great guy and really steps up when he discovers what Liam is going through. I like that Liam and Justin didn't just get together as soon as Liam left Cord. The relationship grows out of friendship and those are always the best.
Justin has had a crush on Liam for a long time. Each time he comes over to play games it takes everything in Justin not to jump him. Justin has no clue that Liam is a porn star. When he finds out and realizes just how young Liam is he tries to protect him. And when he finds Liam in a compromising situation in a hotel he decides that Liam needs saving.
I enjoyed this story. The characters are well thought out. My heart bled for Liam and what he went through in his young life. Justin is a great guy and really steps up when he discovers what Liam is going through. I like that Liam and Justin didn't just get together as soon as Liam left Cord. The relationship grows out of friendship and those are always the best.
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