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The Anchor #3
Harboring Secrets
Brodie Taggart travelled around the world, and all he has to show for it is a broken heart.
After meeting Liam in Greece and falling headfirst into a whirlwind affair, Brodie is left alone and bereft after Liam receives a mysterious phone call and breaks things off. In love with a man who doesn’t want him anymore, Brodie does the only thing he can think of—he goes home.
Liam Lawson is grieving… and furious. When the parents of his deceased wife call him home to take part in their latest publicity stunt, Liam is sent reeling. Sick of dealing with his former in-laws and living in a cloud of mourning, Liam does the only thing he can think off, the only thing that makes sense—he decides to find Brodie, the stranger who’s stolen his heart.
Brodie has wasted no time settling back in at home. After years of traveling, he’s ready to get his own place and put down some roots. At one time, he’d imagined building a life with Liam, but now he’s looking to the future alone. Before he has a chance to get comfortable with that, Liam shows up on his doorstep, begging forgiveness. Liam’s been harboring secrets and he’s ready to spill them all, but only if Brodie is willing to listen. Because Liam might have lost the first love of his life, but he's not going to let go of the second without a fight.
After meeting Liam in Greece and falling headfirst into a whirlwind affair, Brodie is left alone and bereft after Liam receives a mysterious phone call and breaks things off. In love with a man who doesn’t want him anymore, Brodie does the only thing he can think of—he goes home.
Liam Lawson is grieving… and furious. When the parents of his deceased wife call him home to take part in their latest publicity stunt, Liam is sent reeling. Sick of dealing with his former in-laws and living in a cloud of mourning, Liam does the only thing he can think off, the only thing that makes sense—he decides to find Brodie, the stranger who’s stolen his heart.
Brodie has wasted no time settling back in at home. After years of traveling, he’s ready to get his own place and put down some roots. At one time, he’d imagined building a life with Liam, but now he’s looking to the future alone. Before he has a chance to get comfortable with that, Liam shows up on his doorstep, begging forgiveness. Liam’s been harboring secrets and he’s ready to spill them all, but only if Brodie is willing to listen. Because Liam might have lost the first love of his life, but he's not going to let go of the second without a fight.
220 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 15, 2025
39 people are currently reading
45 people want to read
About the author
E.M. Denning
95 books548 followersEM Denning has more than twenty romance novels under her belt and has become an author you can rely on to bring you emotionally endearing, soft and fuzzy, stories. She is well known among her friends for her love of naps and sarcasm. She spends her free time reading as many romance novels as she can get her hands on.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
May 11, 2025
E.M. Denning is one of my favorite discoveries this year. I've loved all her books that I've read so far, so to say I was ecstatic when she asked me to beta read this book for her, is a bit of an understatement.
I love that she doesn't tend to go for the obvious angst plots that always frustrate and annoy me. I know that, when I pick up one of her books, the relationship angst will be at a minimum, and I love that kind of consistency. I also dislike lots of relationship angst, which makes her books perfect for yours truly.
I loved how open Brodie is, yet he's not a pushover. He IS going to make Liam work towards forgiveness, as he should. He also doesn't let his brothers walk all over him. Kieran is still a protective grump and Shane is like an eager puppy when he spots someone he can help. Archer is still awesome and I'm still soft for Clay. But Brodie and Liam were the stars of the book, without a doubt. Liam had no trouble putting in a lot of effort to show how much he cares about Brodie. We do love a bit of grovelling when it's warranted, haha. But Liam's also a bit of a mess and I felt so bad for him that I just wanted to hug him silly.
I cared about these two so much and seeing them really connect and figure out how to make things work for them was so beautiful. It's just as lovely as I've come to expect from E.M.'s books and I'm full of happy, fluttery feels. I even blinked away some tears a couple of times (and I do NOT cry easily with books). A very wonderful addition to a wonderful series.
I love that she doesn't tend to go for the obvious angst plots that always frustrate and annoy me. I know that, when I pick up one of her books, the relationship angst will be at a minimum, and I love that kind of consistency. I also dislike lots of relationship angst, which makes her books perfect for yours truly.
I loved how open Brodie is, yet he's not a pushover. He IS going to make Liam work towards forgiveness, as he should. He also doesn't let his brothers walk all over him. Kieran is still a protective grump and Shane is like an eager puppy when he spots someone he can help. Archer is still awesome and I'm still soft for Clay. But Brodie and Liam were the stars of the book, without a doubt. Liam had no trouble putting in a lot of effort to show how much he cares about Brodie. We do love a bit of grovelling when it's warranted, haha. But Liam's also a bit of a mess and I felt so bad for him that I just wanted to hug him silly.
I cared about these two so much and seeing them really connect and figure out how to make things work for them was so beautiful. It's just as lovely as I've come to expect from E.M.'s books and I'm full of happy, fluttery feels. I even blinked away some tears a couple of times (and I do NOT cry easily with books). A very wonderful addition to a wonderful series.
May 3, 2025
I liked all the previous books in the series, but this one I love it. Even if second chance is not one of my favorite tropes, Brodie and Liam are perfect together.
"There's no me without you" said Liam, and yep, so much swoon!!!
"There's no me without you" said Liam, and yep, so much swoon!!!
May 14, 2025
The Anchor has become my favorite series by EM Denning and Harboring Secrets is the perfect addition to it. There is a level of raw emotional honesty to this series. The author does not shy from the hard topics and the vivid realism shines through with every word.
I adored Brodie and Liam. These two characters traveled a twisted road to their HEA, but I was there every step of the way. EM Denning excels at creating characters that the reader can’t help but fall for, and this is no exception. There is so much to unpack with these characters. They were exceptionally well developed with layered nuances that made them incredibly realistic. One aspect that truly hooked me is the way the author acknowledges the deep lasting impact the past can have on a person. EM Denning did not try to make it “pretty”, but instead let the reader feel the true emotions from the characters.
Aside from them as individuals, as a couple I loved them. It was a beautiful story with scorching chemistry. It was deepened by the individual issues they were facing including grief from the loss of a spouse and childhood trauma. Other issues cropped up as well. It’s a story about second chances, about acceptance, and forgiveness, all packaged in the most perfectly imperfect love story.
The hardest part of this book was when there were no more pages. I admit, I kept trying to make them magically appear because I was not ready to let go! I sincerely hope the author writes more of these characters, but until then, they’ll live rent free in my head.
5+ stars for an emotionally charged love story that had all the feels, a touch of angst, flawless chemistry, and a perfect for them HEA.
I adored Brodie and Liam. These two characters traveled a twisted road to their HEA, but I was there every step of the way. EM Denning excels at creating characters that the reader can’t help but fall for, and this is no exception. There is so much to unpack with these characters. They were exceptionally well developed with layered nuances that made them incredibly realistic. One aspect that truly hooked me is the way the author acknowledges the deep lasting impact the past can have on a person. EM Denning did not try to make it “pretty”, but instead let the reader feel the true emotions from the characters.
Aside from them as individuals, as a couple I loved them. It was a beautiful story with scorching chemistry. It was deepened by the individual issues they were facing including grief from the loss of a spouse and childhood trauma. Other issues cropped up as well. It’s a story about second chances, about acceptance, and forgiveness, all packaged in the most perfectly imperfect love story.
The hardest part of this book was when there were no more pages. I admit, I kept trying to make them magically appear because I was not ready to let go! I sincerely hope the author writes more of these characters, but until then, they’ll live rent free in my head.
5+ stars for an emotionally charged love story that had all the feels, a touch of angst, flawless chemistry, and a perfect for them HEA.
July 22, 2025
Cute and sweet, but not quite my vibe. Quite a few lengthy sex scenes, which I immediately began skipping over after remembering that this author, for all her cutesy kitty ears, spells come in the gutter style I abhor. Shame. Her books are enjoyable if not magnificent, right up until that word shows up. The other small errors, which seem to be endemic to the romance genre no matter who the author, I can tolerate in tiny doses, but a simply average tale with misspelled come and other illiteracies, not so much.
*******off-specific book rant*******
To all the romance authors out there: you can write a blisteringly hot steamy scene without gratuitously misspelling come. I have a dreadful gutter mouth and a brain to match, but spelling come with three letters is not an enhancement; it's a misspelled word. (This is, of course, a personal opinion from a self-proclaimed grammarian, one who has been known to actually red-pen paperbacks of all genres and donate them to free libraries.)
*******off-specific book rant*******
To all the romance authors out there: you can write a blisteringly hot steamy scene without gratuitously misspelling come. I have a dreadful gutter mouth and a brain to match, but spelling come with three letters is not an enhancement; it's a misspelled word. (This is, of course, a personal opinion from a self-proclaimed grammarian, one who has been known to actually red-pen paperbacks of all genres and donate them to free libraries.)
May 16, 2025
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The Anchor is a series not just of brothers, but of second chances and forgiveness.
And baby brother Brodie is back from his world travels with a broken heart after a whirlwind romance comes to an abrupt end.
But it doesn’t take long for Liam, who is going through some stuff, to come to his senses and make it his mission to fix things with the sweet man he never expected. He may be determined but he’s also super patient and very swoony.
I love them and their journey, but I also really enjoyed seeing Brodie with his brothers as the three of them navigate being adults together.
I’m hoping EM does more in this connected Bennett’s - Anchor world because I’m not ready to let any of them go.
The Anchor is a series not just of brothers, but of second chances and forgiveness.
And baby brother Brodie is back from his world travels with a broken heart after a whirlwind romance comes to an abrupt end.
But it doesn’t take long for Liam, who is going through some stuff, to come to his senses and make it his mission to fix things with the sweet man he never expected. He may be determined but he’s also super patient and very swoony.
I love them and their journey, but I also really enjoyed seeing Brodie with his brothers as the three of them navigate being adults together.
I’m hoping EM does more in this connected Bennett’s - Anchor world because I’m not ready to let any of them go.
May 29, 2025
This was cute, but there is like zero (ok I guess .5) angst in it. So if you love low angst stuff, this is a really sweet book, I had to DNF at like 60% but truthfully it’s just kind of sugary and literally doesn’t go anywhere. I haven’t read the others in the series but the characters and the writing were good.
Honestly I would give it more stars if the plot had any substance. The conflict happens in the first 5 pages and is basically more or less on the road to be resolved by the end of Liam’s first POV chapter 3 chapters in.
That leaves the entire rest of the book just kind of meh, as nothing really needs to happen. There is not problem. Brodie has a rich boy who is head over heels for him following him around and begging for dates and Brodie likes it. By 35% the main conflict from the book jacket is over and done with.
I just don’t really get the point, but if you like super low angst books that are pretty fluffy- I imagine this might work for you.
Honestly I would give it more stars if the plot had any substance. The conflict happens in the first 5 pages and is basically more or less on the road to be resolved by the end of Liam’s first POV chapter 3 chapters in.
That leaves the entire rest of the book just kind of meh, as nothing really needs to happen. There is not problem. Brodie has a rich boy who is head over heels for him following him around and begging for dates and Brodie likes it. By 35% the main conflict from the book jacket is over and done with.
I just don’t really get the point, but if you like super low angst books that are pretty fluffy- I imagine this might work for you.
July 5, 2025
This book might be the least eventful book ever. They meet before the beginning of the book, there’s some complete bogus drama where Liam leaves Brodie because his late wife’s parents call him. Brodie comes home. Liam discovers there was no reason for him to leave Brodie, so he goes to visit Brodie and after a few minutes (in my time, hours in the book) Brodie gives in and they’re back together. And… that’s about 10% into the book… Then we have a lot of uneventful smut and non-smut. Some made up drama with some paparazzi that is resolved within the page. Of course his former father-in-law leaves his wife. We completely forget about the paparazzi. End of the book.
There’s seriously more drama still in this book between Clay and Archer (which is mentioned at least 10 times), than anything else.
The first book in this series was already a bit dramatic but I thought it would be better after that one. Nope.
This one goes on my never to reread again list. I don’t recommend.
There’s seriously more drama still in this book between Clay and Archer (which is mentioned at least 10 times), than anything else.
The first book in this series was already a bit dramatic but I thought it would be better after that one. Nope.
This one goes on my never to reread again list. I don’t recommend.
December 7, 2025
This is a second chance romance, featuring Brodie Taggart and Liam Lawson, and is book three in the Anchor series.
Brodie goes home heartbroken after Liam suddenly ends their holiday romance. When Liam shows up wanting to explain everything, Brodie has to decide if he’ll give him another chance.
This is a heartfelt second-chance story with big emotions and sweet moments. Brodie and Liam’s reunion is messy, honest, and full of love, making their happy ending feel well deserved.
Things to expect in this book are:
Book 3 in series
MM romance
Slow burn
Holiday romance
Time apart
Second chance
Closeted MC
Hurt / Comfort
Widower
Secrets & revelations
Begging for forgiveness
Spicy times
Being outed
Found family
HEA
Brodie goes home heartbroken after Liam suddenly ends their holiday romance. When Liam shows up wanting to explain everything, Brodie has to decide if he’ll give him another chance.
This is a heartfelt second-chance story with big emotions and sweet moments. Brodie and Liam’s reunion is messy, honest, and full of love, making their happy ending feel well deserved.
Things to expect in this book are:
Book 3 in series
MM romance
Slow burn
Holiday romance
Time apart
Second chance
Closeted MC
Hurt / Comfort
Widower
Secrets & revelations
Begging for forgiveness
Spicy times
Being outed
Found family
HEA
May 19, 2025
Such a fantastic read and such a great addition to this wonderful series! I’ve been curious about Brodie and his story definitely did not disappoint! I adored him and Liam so much! They definitely have to work for it but it was so nice watching them get to their HEA. I fell just as hard for these two as I did for the other characters! This author does an amazing job with the depth of these characters and the world building is fantastic and just pulls you in! This kept me engaged from the very beginning and I didn’t want it to end! Very enjoyable and entertaining and I very highly recommend! This is my honest opinion of this complimentary copy of this book
May 27, 2025
4 Stars
Brodie and Liam were made to be together, but the past caught Liam off guard. I hurt with Brodie at the beginning, but getting to see the devastation that Liam had been through already followed by the mistake he made with Brodie made being mad at Liam impossible. I was rooting for Liam to win back Brodie and I loved that they managed to reconnect and learn how to live and love together outside of the bubble that likes to form around them when they are together. I loved seeing Brodie's brothers again and seeing other characters as well. It was a good read, and I loved seeing everyone happy with their partners in the end.
Brodie and Liam were made to be together, but the past caught Liam off guard. I hurt with Brodie at the beginning, but getting to see the devastation that Liam had been through already followed by the mistake he made with Brodie made being mad at Liam impossible. I was rooting for Liam to win back Brodie and I loved that they managed to reconnect and learn how to live and love together outside of the bubble that likes to form around them when they are together. I loved seeing Brodie's brothers again and seeing other characters as well. It was a good read, and I loved seeing everyone happy with their partners in the end.
June 14, 2025
It has been 3 years since I read one of this author's books and quite enjoyed the character development in this one, even the lesser characters. The main characters are front and centre and truly do relate to each other. However, they have to work at it after Liam takes off after a phone call while the two of them are developing a relationship while traveling.
Liam's secret is a)he is bisexual but not out and b)he was married to a woman who had died but her parents are being controlling over him. When he recognizes his life is with Brodie he tries to win Brodie back and even though Brodie is stubborn about it, there is never any doubt.
Liam's secret is a)he is bisexual but not out and b)he was married to a woman who had died but her parents are being controlling over him. When he recognizes his life is with Brodie he tries to win Brodie back and even though Brodie is stubborn about it, there is never any doubt.
July 2, 2025
Brodie is the last of the brothers to get his HEA when he meets Liam while escaping a sudden downpour.
Sweet story, minor angst, some healing of past hurts.
Note: read this series in written order to enjoy the stories to the fullest.
We receive a nice handful of updates and glimpses into Shane and Kieran's lives as well.
Sweet story, minor angst, some healing of past hurts.
Note: read this series in written order to enjoy the stories to the fullest.
We receive a nice handful of updates and glimpses into Shane and Kieran's lives as well.
July 10, 2025
Liam broke Brodie's heart, and now he's doing all he can to earn a second chance. They need this new start to really get to know each other, and they both are pretty wonderful! This romance is so good, and I really like these characters. It's especially nice to know that all the Taggert brothers have achieved their own happily ever afters. I love this series!
May 18, 2025
Harboring Secrets is the third book in the Anchor series, each can be read as a standalone but I like reading them in order. This is a second chances, emotional read about Brodie and Liam. I have really enjoyed this series and reading about these brothers getting to their HEA's.
May 20, 2025
4☆
🇸 🇵 🇮 🇨 🇪 :🌶🌶
🇱 🇦 🇺 🇬 🇭 🇸 :🤣🤣
🇹 🇪 🇦 🇷 🇸 :😭😭
🇲 🇨 🇸 : Brodie, Leam
🇵 🇴 🇻 : 1st, dual PoV
🇹 🇷 🇴 🇵 🇪 🇸 : Second Chance, Bi-awakening.
Me parece un libro super adorable y Liam me ha encatado de principio a fin
🇸 🇵 🇮 🇨 🇪 :🌶🌶
🇱 🇦 🇺 🇬 🇭 🇸 :🤣🤣
🇹 🇪 🇦 🇷 🇸 :😭😭
🇲 🇨 🇸 : Brodie, Leam
🇵 🇴 🇻 : 1st, dual PoV
🇹 🇷 🇴 🇵 🇪 🇸 : Second Chance, Bi-awakening.
Me parece un libro super adorable y Liam me ha encatado de principio a fin
May 21, 2025
oh Liam's story broke my heart and I can understand why he left when he did BUT the way he follow Brodie and does all the romancing and being there to get his second chance is a wonderful ending to this trio of books
I hope we get more stories in this small town world !
I hope we get more stories in this small town world !
May 17, 2025
3.5 stars. Overall, the second chance aspects felt easily resolved with just a few speed bumps along the way. But it’s relatively short, so I think that’s an okay balance.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews