What do you think?
Rate this book
No Place Left to Run
After a lengthy world tour, pop star Samuel Gibbs is looking forward to a nice, quiet break—sleep in, write a bit of music, do his own cooking for a change. He doesn't want his time spoiled by the constant presence of bodyguards, and he is certainly not willing to have someone tail him each time he so much as goes to the shops. No way, no how. It's a good thing, then, that his head of security relents on the matter—or so he leads Samuel to believe.
The break is starting to look even better when Samuel runs into his new neighbor. Ryan Halston is smart and hot and, quite possibly, everything Samuel wants. However, he doesn't know that Ryan is part of the rejected security detail, tasked with protecting him from the dangerous attentions of an unknown stalker.
The break is starting to look even better when Samuel runs into his new neighbor. Ryan Halston is smart and hot and, quite possibly, everything Samuel wants. However, he doesn't know that Ryan is part of the rejected security detail, tasked with protecting him from the dangerous attentions of an unknown stalker.
210 pages, ebook
First published March 25, 2015
10 people are currently reading
335 people want to read
About the author
Zarah Detand
18 books434 followersWriter of M/M romances. Chaos monkey. Coffee snob. Cheese is her love language.
People in love with other people is her jam, with a particular penchant for snappy dialogue and a slow burn that is all the more satisfying once it finally catches fire. Playing with tropes of the famous-meets-non-famous variation? Bring it on! Fake relationships? Yes, please. All's fair as long as everyone gets their happy ending.
People in love with other people is her jam, with a particular penchant for snappy dialogue and a slow burn that is all the more satisfying once it finally catches fire. Playing with tropes of the famous-meets-non-famous variation? Bring it on! Fake relationships? Yes, please. All's fair as long as everyone gets their happy ending.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
February 12, 2025
I like Zarah Detand's writing style. It's quirky and open, very Gen X.
The story flowed well, although if you're expecting a big rock star book, forget it.
Samuel is on a much-needed break during the story, and the focus is not on the music but on his friendship with Ryan (his secret security detail) and the mystery surrounding the stalker who's been leaving Samuel notes.
Samuel doesn't know about the notes, but Ryan does. Ryan doesn't do relationships, and he certainly doesn't want to get involved with a client, but he finds himself falling for the easygoing, charming Samuel.
While I found the story engaging, I had some issues. For one, for all the sexual tension and buildup, the steam level here is pathetically low. The couple intimate scenes are brief and skirt around the edges of passion.
For another, Ryan isn't a well-developed character, and there is an issue with dates that I could not get out of my head.
Ryan is 24 to Samuel's 20, and the book takes place in the NOW. Ryan tells Samuel he lost his parents when he was 13 in the "early 90s." But that would put the time of the story at approximately 2005, not 2015. How could the author be this careless with the timeline?
And finally, while the stalker plot adds some urgency to the story, instead of a gripping mystery, we get a couple WTF? moments and some sloppy red herrings.
I enjoyed the dialogue and the interaction between the MCs, but I was disappointed by the lack of steam and the somewhat tentative HEA.
Shit, he was fairly certain that Samuel was flirting with him. Here be dragons. And yet... "Harmless," he repeated dryly. "Now, I don't know about that."
Samuel's grin widened. Cheekbones, Ryan thought, a little helplessly. This wasn't supposed to happen; he wasn't supposed to be attracted to a client.
The story flowed well, although if you're expecting a big rock star book, forget it.
Samuel is on a much-needed break during the story, and the focus is not on the music but on his friendship with Ryan (his secret security detail) and the mystery surrounding the stalker who's been leaving Samuel notes.
Samuel doesn't know about the notes, but Ryan does. Ryan doesn't do relationships, and he certainly doesn't want to get involved with a client, but he finds himself falling for the easygoing, charming Samuel.
While I found the story engaging, I had some issues. For one, for all the sexual tension and buildup, the steam level here is pathetically low. The couple intimate scenes are brief and skirt around the edges of passion.
For another, Ryan isn't a well-developed character, and there is an issue with dates that I could not get out of my head.
Ryan is 24 to Samuel's 20, and the book takes place in the NOW. Ryan tells Samuel he lost his parents when he was 13 in the "early 90s." But that would put the time of the story at approximately 2005, not 2015. How could the author be this careless with the timeline?
And finally, while the stalker plot adds some urgency to the story, instead of a gripping mystery, we get a couple WTF? moments and some sloppy red herrings.
I enjoyed the dialogue and the interaction between the MCs, but I was disappointed by the lack of steam and the somewhat tentative HEA.
March 28, 2015
AWE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
But this book tho!
It was so good!
So Happy that Ms Zarah Detand's voice did NOT change. There is something about her writing that draws me in like a fish.
I loved it!!!
Cannot wait for more work from her.
Mare~Slitsread
But this book tho!
It was so good!
So Happy that Ms Zarah Detand's voice did NOT change. There is something about her writing that draws me in like a fish.
I loved it!!!
Cannot wait for more work from her.
Mare~Slitsread
March 26, 2015
OK, I just finished and really feel the need to hack out a review before I have time to forget these feelings/emotions that I have.
I loved this book. Really, really fucking loved it. But, OMG, I was SO INCREDIBLY FRUSTRATED at the unnecessary angst, I can't give it 5 stars and I can't recommend it to everyone without caution.
Spoilers now, because I don't want to give anything away. If you haven't read the blurb, you won't know what I am talking out, so you may want to do that first.
But, after all that nonsense, we did get a lovely HEA for the two of them. I loved seeing these two fall in love for the first half of the book and I loved that they got their HEA. Again, I loved this book. But I am only going to recommend this to those that can handle childish, unnecessary angst. There is a shit-ton of it, but all is well in the end. If you are up for that, please, please read this book. The author did an excellent job pulling me into the story and really made me CARE about these boys. Too fucking much actually!
April 6, 2015
Personally, I found almost the first 2/3rd part of the story to be long winded and a touch of the 'same-old same old'. While both Samuel and Ryan were likeable as characters, but their attraction didn't do much for me. MAYBE, because they were both young (only in their early 20s) so that I couldn't connect with them.
Or maybe because despite their attraction, there was one huge secret that Ryan kept from Samuel (Ryan was a bodyguard who was assigned to be Samuel's protective detail) which foreshadowed the climax. I knew that Samuel would react badly when he found out. I knew that Samuel would see it as betrayal. So the whole thing in the beginning, was a bit boring for me (which you could see that it took me almost 4-days to get back to the story after reading it for about 25%). I was simply waiting for the other shoe to drop.
Actually the story picked up a bit after that incident which forced Ryan to reveal himself. Yes, there was drama and angst after that, but to me, it injected the much needed booster to help me get to the very end. It was very much needed and probably why I could still categorized this as my 3*.
The ending was not what I would call HEA. And why would the chapter called as "Epilogue" when it was simply a continuation of the previous chapter (only several minutes after!)? To me, epilogue should at least wrap up all loose ends, a closure. Here, it didn't feel like so. It could be just another chapter *shrugs*.
In addition, I am not a huge fan of how Ms. Detand writes the story in alternate views but in such quick turnaround. Like few paragraphs from Samuel's then switched to Ryan's ... sometimes only two paragraphs in between. I couldn't create strong attachment to the characters that way.
Random musing ...
I noticed that Dani talked about the mishaps in Ryan's age / timeline. Yeah, that bothered me too. Because if Ryan was 24 years old, then him being 13 years old was in 2004. Meanwhile the Rwanda Genocide happened in 1994. It felt like maybe the story was written a decade ago and the author forgot to change this particular detail?
Also, Ryan was very apt into the movie Noting Hill. Just a note, Noting Hill came out in 1999. Which means Ryan was only, what, 8 years old? From the 'young people' I know who are in their 20s, they are probably more in tune with romantic movies made in late 2000s? Just an opinion *double shrugs*
Or maybe because despite their attraction, there was one huge secret that Ryan kept from Samuel (Ryan was a bodyguard who was assigned to be Samuel's protective detail) which foreshadowed the climax. I knew that Samuel would react badly when he found out. I knew that Samuel would see it as betrayal. So the whole thing in the beginning, was a bit boring for me (which you could see that it took me almost 4-days to get back to the story after reading it for about 25%). I was simply waiting for the other shoe to drop.
Actually the story picked up a bit after that incident which forced Ryan to reveal himself. Yes, there was drama and angst after that, but to me, it injected the much needed booster to help me get to the very end. It was very much needed and probably why I could still categorized this as my 3*.
The ending was not what I would call HEA. And why would the chapter called as "Epilogue" when it was simply a continuation of the previous chapter (only several minutes after!)? To me, epilogue should at least wrap up all loose ends, a closure. Here, it didn't feel like so. It could be just another chapter *shrugs*.
In addition, I am not a huge fan of how Ms. Detand writes the story in alternate views but in such quick turnaround. Like few paragraphs from Samuel's then switched to Ryan's ... sometimes only two paragraphs in between. I couldn't create strong attachment to the characters that way.
Random musing ...
I noticed that Dani talked about the mishaps in Ryan's age / timeline. Yeah, that bothered me too. Because if Ryan was 24 years old, then him being 13 years old was in 2004. Meanwhile the Rwanda Genocide happened in 1994. It felt like maybe the story was written a decade ago and the author forgot to change this particular detail?
Also, Ryan was very apt into the movie Noting Hill. Just a note, Noting Hill came out in 1999. Which means Ryan was only, what, 8 years old? From the 'young people' I know who are in their 20s, they are probably more in tune with romantic movies made in late 2000s? Just an opinion *double shrugs*
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 19, 2015
2.75
I've read other Detand books that worked much better for me than this one. This one won't stop me from reading her next one because I have liked her previous two quite a bit.
Right at the start I wasn't impressed with Gary, the head of security, hiding important issues from his client. Don't be surprised when your client is pulling at the bit for a some freedom when he doesn't know the extent of the danger surrounding him. Protecting someone from the truth for their own good doesn't sit right with me. You treat him like a child and then get upset when he pushes back because you're hiding things from him. Give the man the courtesy of treating him like an adult and be responsible and aware for his own safety.
This whole Gary debacle just colored this story for me and it just felt like there was a cloud hanging over the events ready to burst into the massive thunderstorm when all the truths were revealed.
I didn't mind the secret bodyguard action that went on here and the build of the romance between Ryan and Samuel was slow burn and quite sweet and sexy. Where the story lost me was when Ryan crossed the line. Ryan should have revealed his occupation to Samuel when they slept together. That he didn't was a huge breach of trust that I don't know that I could have forgiven.
Moving beyond that, I enjoyed the characters and the writing. They were well developed and I found the writing smooth but the stalker reveal was sad. It actually upset me to see who it turned to be. The ending was quite nice and I like that I left the story feeling lighter.
**Copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review**
I've read other Detand books that worked much better for me than this one. This one won't stop me from reading her next one because I have liked her previous two quite a bit.
Right at the start I wasn't impressed with Gary, the head of security, hiding important issues from his client. Don't be surprised when your client is pulling at the bit for a some freedom when he doesn't know the extent of the danger surrounding him. Protecting someone from the truth for their own good doesn't sit right with me. You treat him like a child and then get upset when he pushes back because you're hiding things from him. Give the man the courtesy of treating him like an adult and be responsible and aware for his own safety.
This whole Gary debacle just colored this story for me and it just felt like there was a cloud hanging over the events ready to burst into the massive thunderstorm when all the truths were revealed.
I didn't mind the secret bodyguard action that went on here and the build of the romance between Ryan and Samuel was slow burn and quite sweet and sexy. Where the story lost me was when Ryan crossed the line. Ryan should have revealed his occupation to Samuel when they slept together. That he didn't was a huge breach of trust that I don't know that I could have forgiven.
Moving beyond that, I enjoyed the characters and the writing. They were well developed and I found the writing smooth but the stalker reveal was sad. It actually upset me to see who it turned to be. The ending was quite nice and I like that I left the story feeling lighter.
**Copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review**
June 8, 2015
Not much to say about this one. An unobjectionable read.
April 7, 2015
Hm. I actually liked this quite a bit. I like the author's style, as well. I'm not a huge fan of books with famous musicians because there's always the nose-dive to corny in the end where they suddenly not only have fairy tale romance, but they're even more famous than they were before and win tons of awards all because they came out--meanwhile the rest of the story had been so realistic it hurt at times. So I tend to avoid them. But this one, she really didn't get into that part of their HEA, which i was totally okay with, though I'd probably accept it a bit better in this book seeing as Sam was a 20 y/o pop star, not a 40 yr old closeted country singer. But I digress.
My biggest problem was when THE BIG REVELATION occurred, Sam, who'd been fairly mature for his age up to that point, became a petulant 5 yr old. I get being hurt, it did suck. But from what he'd come to know of Ryan, it seemed he'd have been a bit more understanding, even if it was hard to forgive at first. But it made me really pull back from his character in the end.
All in all i liked the story, though. Probably more a 3.5 star read.
My biggest problem was when THE BIG REVELATION occurred, Sam, who'd been fairly mature for his age up to that point, became a petulant 5 yr old. I get being hurt, it did suck. But from what he'd come to know of Ryan, it seemed he'd have been a bit more understanding, even if it was hard to forgive at first. But it made me really pull back from his character in the end.
All in all i liked the story, though. Probably more a 3.5 star read.
April 21, 2015
This was another one of books with a rating around 3 stars for me. Stuff I liked, stuff I didn't like, an epilogue that wasn't one, and then the author page - well, I don't read it very often I have to confess, but here I did and honestly? Instead of that stuff I would have preferred to read nothing about the author.
2.5 stars
2.5 stars
July 12, 2016
Šis bija labi. Sižets - ne tas pats satriecošākais, bet par Ryan un Samuel jau no pirmās tikšanās rūpēja un vēlāk jau bija tā, ka viņiem nebija bijis pat kiss, bet es jau biju iekš ''i will go down with this ship'' mood :D
Man šovakar īpaši patīk bildītes, tāpēc.... me and this book, in gifs :D
So, they haven't even kissed, but me(about Ryan and Sam):
And then...aaaaawwwww....chapter 5 :)
And then....truth...and Samm was on this mood:
Me:
Ooohhh, and the stalker thing....negaidīju tādu patiesību:
And...end... :)
Man šovakar īpaši patīk bildītes, tāpēc.... me and this book, in gifs :D
So, they haven't even kissed, but me(about Ryan and Sam):
And then...aaaaawwwww....chapter 5 :)
And then....truth...and Samm was on this mood:
Me:
Ooohhh, and the stalker thing....negaidīju tādu patiesību:
And...end... :)
May 20, 2016
Ya know, this isn't a bad book, but nothing about it captivated me. It's utterly forgettable, not one I'd ever be tempted to peek at again. The characters are basic and kinda boring, the premise has been done before (and more engagingly), and Ryan's behavior at the end was infuriating.
Removed from Kindle
Removed from Kindle
July 18, 2016
So, I love Ms. Detand's writing style. Quirky, funny and just smile-inducing. Her first book (ex-fanfic) - put this author completely on my radar.
This book on the other hand? Meh.
I mean, it was good. After finishing Pull me under I just had to read more of what she'd written, but I stopped halfway. I ended up on-holding it for over half a year, and for some reason decided "Why not?" and picked up again.
Ryan
Bodyguard. In disguise. So, secret bodyguard. Job = protect Samuel... You know, if he stopped staring at his ass, his eyes, his nose, his mouth, his face, his body, his everything... So basically Samuel in his entirety. He's never had feelings like this before for someone he's supposed to protect. He's not supposed to get close. But he is.
Then it all goes to shit, because he's stupid.
And then he's more stupid when a situation arises.
Samuel
Popstar. Ex-boyband member. Musician. Wants to get away from it all. Unaware about stalker. Does not want any body guards. Does not know about secret bodyguard. Sees Ryan, and that face, and those beautiful eyes, and that tight, pert ass and that lean muscular body that moves with such grace... Wait. What was my point again?
Right. He feels something for him, for some reason, and thinks maybe this time things will be different. He'll be different.
Commence - seduction tactics left and right. Up and down. Until target has no resistance left. Whatsoever.
Then stuff happens.
The truth comes out.
Stupid happens.
Angst. Lots of angst.
More stupid. But, mostly Ryan. Because. Stupid.
So, right. There's a HEA, but the immense stupid at the end kind of pissed me off. Miscommunication, misunderstanding, and so much stupid on Ryan's part I was thinking about on-holding again.
*sighs*
Other than that, they're adorable together and what Ryan does to make up for his stupid?
Brilliant.
This book on the other hand? Meh.
I mean, it was good. After finishing Pull me under I just had to read more of what she'd written, but I stopped halfway. I ended up on-holding it for over half a year, and for some reason decided "Why not?" and picked up again.
Ryan
Bodyguard. In disguise. So, secret bodyguard. Job = protect Samuel... You know, if he stopped staring at his ass, his eyes, his nose, his mouth, his face, his body, his everything... So basically Samuel in his entirety. He's never had feelings like this before for someone he's supposed to protect. He's not supposed to get close. But he is.
Then it all goes to shit, because he's stupid.
And then he's more stupid when a situation arises.
Samuel
Popstar. Ex-boyband member. Musician. Wants to get away from it all. Unaware about stalker. Does not want any body guards. Does not know about secret bodyguard. Sees Ryan, and that face, and those beautiful eyes, and that tight, pert ass and that lean muscular body that moves with such grace... Wait. What was my point again?
Right. He feels something for him, for some reason, and thinks maybe this time things will be different. He'll be different.
Commence - seduction tactics left and right. Up and down. Until target has no resistance left. Whatsoever.
Then stuff happens.
The truth comes out.
Stupid happens.
Angst. Lots of angst.
More stupid. But, mostly Ryan. Because. Stupid.
So, right. There's a HEA, but the immense stupid at the end kind of pissed me off. Miscommunication, misunderstanding, and so much stupid on Ryan's part I was thinking about on-holding again.
*sighs*
Other than that, they're adorable together and what Ryan does to make up for his stupid?
Brilliant.
January 14, 2016
This story definitely had some high points and some low points. I loved the relationship between a famous musician and his neighbor. The reader knows that his neighbor is in fact a bodyguard there to protect him if needed. There was a tad too much angst when the truth became revealed. Also, there's a side arc of a stalker (who I figured out, strangely enough) that was done fairly well. It almost felt like a NA story due to the angst. But overall if you enjoy stories about famous people with their bodyguards, then you'll probably like this.
I know that other reviews have pointed to time inconsistencies, which is mostly because the story doesn't address the "when" they are in, but it feels like modern day (ie 2015). However, the dates mentioned in the past combined with the characters' ages all support an earlier time. I looked up the Newcastle to Bergen ferry (cause I wanted to take it someday...lol) and it turns out it closed in 2008. So obviously that explains the timing in the story but definitely it's confusing to the reader.
I know that other reviews have pointed to time inconsistencies, which is mostly because the story doesn't address the "when" they are in, but it feels like modern day (ie 2015). However, the dates mentioned in the past combined with the characters' ages all support an earlier time. I looked up the Newcastle to Bergen ferry (cause I wanted to take it someday...lol) and it turns out it closed in 2008. So obviously that explains the timing in the story but definitely it's confusing to the reader.
May 22, 2015
Samuel meets Ryan and hits on him. Ryan tries to do the right thing and keep his distance (both because he wants to be professional and also because he doesn’t “do” relationships). Eventually Ryan caves in and they begin an affair. When Sam finds out he’s mad and then he makes Ryan work REALLY hard and then he finally forgives him.
I thought this was an ok book. I was never really captivated by any of it. I didn’t really bond well with Samuel, though I loved Ryan. I thought the way Samuel put Ryan through the ringer was a little unbalanced by the mediocre HEA.
It wasn’t a bad book, the writing was nice and the characters were pretty well developed, but it didn’t “wow” me.
3.5 of 5 hearts
I thought this was an ok book. I was never really captivated by any of it. I didn’t really bond well with Samuel, though I loved Ryan. I thought the way Samuel put Ryan through the ringer was a little unbalanced by the mediocre HEA.
It wasn’t a bad book, the writing was nice and the characters were pretty well developed, but it didn’t “wow” me.
3.5 of 5 hearts
February 14, 2020
I've read Zarah's work before and she is really a great author! She writes in a modern and new way (at least to me) and I always fell moved and inspired by her works.
The story feels real and you feel for the characters. I also love how she put a mystery into it, my favorite kind of book! :)
I look forward to what her future brings our way!
I used to be a writer for fun while younger and Zarah actually inspired me to start again so to my she is a true inspiration.
Now I've babbled on long enough, read the book! Support young, wonderful authors!
The story feels real and you feel for the characters. I also love how she put a mystery into it, my favorite kind of book! :)
I look forward to what her future brings our way!
I used to be a writer for fun while younger and Zarah actually inspired me to start again so to my she is a true inspiration.
Now I've babbled on long enough, read the book! Support young, wonderful authors!
March 26, 2015
3.5 stars
November 13, 2021
Another winner from Detand
This author hasn’t yet produced anything I don’t find excellent.
Ryan and Samuel both have a lot of baggage, so I was tense for a lot of the time reading this, even though I knew it would have a HEA. Great book.
This author hasn’t yet produced anything I don’t find excellent.
Ryan and Samuel both have a lot of baggage, so I was tense for a lot of the time reading this, even though I knew it would have a HEA. Great book.
July 19, 2017
Started off great and I really enjoyed the humor and dialogue. But I wound up skimming the last third - it was very repetitive and just not believable.
June 28, 2021
I wasn't expecting much so I put a 3 week time frame to read it. I read it in 4 days.
January 20, 2022
maybe 4.5
February 23, 2024
I enjoyed this one more than I expected
April 5, 2015
Review can be read at It's About The Book
This was another angsty read. I seem to be picking them up more frequently lately. No idea why. I was drawn to the bodyguard and rock star angle of this book. I did enjoy it though there were moments I think the angst became a bit too much for me personally. I understood why it was there and the reasoning behind Ryan wanting to keep the secret but I also wanted to scream at him to just tell him! Samuel was WAY too perceptive to be duped for long.
Samuel needs a break. One without his body guards breathing down his neck. Just a chance at a little normal life. He has no idea that his security team has found notes from a stalker. So they secretly place a hired bodyguard to watch him under the pretense of being his new neighbor. Ryan, the secret bodyguard, likes Samuel. At first he is able to ignore all the flirting Samuel shamelessly does with him but the more time they spend together, the harder it is to resist the attraction. Feelings develop but Samuel has no idea the man he’s falling is being paid to be with him. Ryan falls just as hard but knows their time is limited because Samuel will eventually find out the truth. And Ryan will lose him. Just like everyone else he’s ever cared about.
Of course you know it’s all going to blow up at some point because romances don’t have big unresolved lies and the couple get their HEA. It would just feel wrong. Luckily for us the guys work it all out because I really liked the couple together. They were fun and sexy. I liked how they found something more with each other. Samuel found somebody to do everyday things with. Cook dinner and then watch movies cuddled up on the couch. Someone to be himself with. To give all of himself to. Ryan has a pretty dark history. He’s never really had a home. He lost his parents when he was young and moved around a lot. Being with Samuel is his first glimpse at something stable and constant. Someone to care for and who will care for him.
I couldn’t help but question Ryan being a young but capable merc bodyguard for hire because of the amount of screw ups he had in regards to his “job” protecting Samuel. There is a lot of history and confusion for Ryan and his feelings for Samuel so it mostly works. I just didn’t EVER see him as competent in his profession as a bodyguard. So the fact he’s guarding Samuel undercover worked in the forbidden love aspect of the story because it gave Ryan a reason to resist the attraction creating some good tension. I just couldn’t wrap my head around why Ryan would be the one chosen to guard a big rock star with a creepy stalker. His actions just didn’t fit the part.
This was a pretty good book. The love story was engaging. I definitely felt the chemistry and love building between Ryan and Samuel. In fact I enjoyed it enough the parts that weren’t so great for me didn’t matter much. I liked the stalker plot line even if it relied on a lot of questionable decisions made by characters. There’s some fun flirty banter between the MCs. I’ll definitely be checking out more from this author.
This was another angsty read. I seem to be picking them up more frequently lately. No idea why. I was drawn to the bodyguard and rock star angle of this book. I did enjoy it though there were moments I think the angst became a bit too much for me personally. I understood why it was there and the reasoning behind Ryan wanting to keep the secret but I also wanted to scream at him to just tell him! Samuel was WAY too perceptive to be duped for long.
Samuel needs a break. One without his body guards breathing down his neck. Just a chance at a little normal life. He has no idea that his security team has found notes from a stalker. So they secretly place a hired bodyguard to watch him under the pretense of being his new neighbor. Ryan, the secret bodyguard, likes Samuel. At first he is able to ignore all the flirting Samuel shamelessly does with him but the more time they spend together, the harder it is to resist the attraction. Feelings develop but Samuel has no idea the man he’s falling is being paid to be with him. Ryan falls just as hard but knows their time is limited because Samuel will eventually find out the truth. And Ryan will lose him. Just like everyone else he’s ever cared about.
Of course you know it’s all going to blow up at some point because romances don’t have big unresolved lies and the couple get their HEA. It would just feel wrong. Luckily for us the guys work it all out because I really liked the couple together. They were fun and sexy. I liked how they found something more with each other. Samuel found somebody to do everyday things with. Cook dinner and then watch movies cuddled up on the couch. Someone to be himself with. To give all of himself to. Ryan has a pretty dark history. He’s never really had a home. He lost his parents when he was young and moved around a lot. Being with Samuel is his first glimpse at something stable and constant. Someone to care for and who will care for him.
I couldn’t help but question Ryan being a young but capable merc bodyguard for hire because of the amount of screw ups he had in regards to his “job” protecting Samuel. There is a lot of history and confusion for Ryan and his feelings for Samuel so it mostly works. I just didn’t EVER see him as competent in his profession as a bodyguard. So the fact he’s guarding Samuel undercover worked in the forbidden love aspect of the story because it gave Ryan a reason to resist the attraction creating some good tension. I just couldn’t wrap my head around why Ryan would be the one chosen to guard a big rock star with a creepy stalker. His actions just didn’t fit the part.
This was a pretty good book. The love story was engaging. I definitely felt the chemistry and love building between Ryan and Samuel. In fact I enjoyed it enough the parts that weren’t so great for me didn’t matter much. I liked the stalker plot line even if it relied on a lot of questionable decisions made by characters. There’s some fun flirty banter between the MCs. I’ll definitely be checking out more from this author.
May 5, 2015
Talented Author
(Spoiler Level Low)
Zarah Detand did a marvelous job with No Place Left To Run. The style of writing, the mechanics, was at first too abrupt for me, with characters receiving little to no clarification as to who they were before the plot picked up and made me forget about pesky things like back story. I'll be honest, at first I was put off by this, but I pushed through the first two chapters and found myself very happy I kept reading. The plot keeps moving, the characters and the two MC's are never stagnant, and the way Detand keeps the internal monologues and personalities of Samuel and Ryan distinct and separate was masterful. Eventually, as the MC's get to know each other, the reader is let in on the private lives and pasts of our two lovers, at nearly the same pace as they learn about each other. A great idea, as it kept the story moving, and helped to avoid the stereotypical bodyguard trope that is so overplayed in romance novels today. In fact, there is little to be called stereotypical about No Place Left To Run once you get past the surface, especially in regards to the Main Characters. Detand pulled a fast one with her boys, and it was well played.
For the story itself, it does start out fairly standard for a bodyguard novel. Famous singer in danger, wants a normal life, doesn't want guards, etc. Yet here is where it deviates: instead of feeling safe that the protection detail is there, even undercover, the sense of impending danger doesn't abate...in fact, the creep factor foes up. Fast. Standard stalker fair predictions went out the window fast after the first few scary instances, and I was left wondering just what was going on...and who the hell can the boys trust? Usually I can spot the clues left in place for who the villain is by the 2/3 mark of a book, but NOPE, I was shocked. *applause*
I won't spoil the ending, or any of the major plot points. Just take my heartfelt advice on this book-- READ IT. Loved it. In fact, I plan on rereading it again after I hit submit on this review.
I received a free copy of this book for an honest review, and I'm really glad I got a chance to read it. This is going on my Reread pile for sure.
(Spoiler Level Low)
Zarah Detand did a marvelous job with No Place Left To Run. The style of writing, the mechanics, was at first too abrupt for me, with characters receiving little to no clarification as to who they were before the plot picked up and made me forget about pesky things like back story. I'll be honest, at first I was put off by this, but I pushed through the first two chapters and found myself very happy I kept reading. The plot keeps moving, the characters and the two MC's are never stagnant, and the way Detand keeps the internal monologues and personalities of Samuel and Ryan distinct and separate was masterful. Eventually, as the MC's get to know each other, the reader is let in on the private lives and pasts of our two lovers, at nearly the same pace as they learn about each other. A great idea, as it kept the story moving, and helped to avoid the stereotypical bodyguard trope that is so overplayed in romance novels today. In fact, there is little to be called stereotypical about No Place Left To Run once you get past the surface, especially in regards to the Main Characters. Detand pulled a fast one with her boys, and it was well played.
For the story itself, it does start out fairly standard for a bodyguard novel. Famous singer in danger, wants a normal life, doesn't want guards, etc. Yet here is where it deviates: instead of feeling safe that the protection detail is there, even undercover, the sense of impending danger doesn't abate...in fact, the creep factor foes up. Fast. Standard stalker fair predictions went out the window fast after the first few scary instances, and I was left wondering just what was going on...and who the hell can the boys trust? Usually I can spot the clues left in place for who the villain is by the 2/3 mark of a book, but NOPE, I was shocked. *applause*
I won't spoil the ending, or any of the major plot points. Just take my heartfelt advice on this book-- READ IT. Loved it. In fact, I plan on rereading it again after I hit submit on this review.
I received a free copy of this book for an honest review, and I'm really glad I got a chance to read it. This is going on my Reread pile for sure.
May 11, 2015
3.5 Hearts Reviewed by Dennis
Pop star Samuel Gibbs has been on a world tour and is ready to start a break from his pop star world of bodyguards and tiring schedule and just live as much of normal life as he can. Gary, his manager, is not very keen on letting Samuel on break without a bodyguard, which Samuel is refusing because he doesn’t want to have to explain why he’s being followed; he wants to be as normal as possible.
Ryan Halston is a new neighbor across the hall; well at least he’s living in the apartment of Samuels neighbor. Ryan is Samuel’s bodyguard but all on the hush hush. Ryan is there to become friends and watch out for Samuel without Samuel’s knowledge.
When Samuel and Ryan meet in the hallway sparks fly for both of them. Samuel being the forward one starts flirting right away with Ryan, whereas Ryan, knowing that he’s there to do a job, doesn’t flirt back which just intrigues Samuel more. The friendship is fast between them and before they know it they are hanging out together all the time. Feelings between them keep getting harder to hide and fight. Will Ryan be able to hide his feelings for Samuel and keep his secret of who he really is? If Samuel finds out what Ryan is really doing there, will what they have be able to handle the lie?
Zarah Detand’s “No Place Left to Run” isn’t really anything new, but what she has written is a good story nonetheless. She has made the bodyguard/star story all her own and has kept it interesting enough for the reader to want to keep reading and find out what is going to happen between Ryan and Samuel. She does a decent job showing what Samuel has to go through with being a pop star when he’s recognized and how much of his life really isn’t private. Ryan, although he knows the reason he’s there, you can feel the turmoil he’s in. All the while trying to hide and deny the feelings he has for Samuel. I enjoyed the characters interactions with each other and how they got along. I would say all in all it was a good story and that if you’re interested in the bodyguard/star thing then check it out.
A copy of this book was provided in exchange for an honest review. Please visit www.lovebytesreviews.com to see this and many more reviews, author interviews, guestposts and giveaways!
Pop star Samuel Gibbs has been on a world tour and is ready to start a break from his pop star world of bodyguards and tiring schedule and just live as much of normal life as he can. Gary, his manager, is not very keen on letting Samuel on break without a bodyguard, which Samuel is refusing because he doesn’t want to have to explain why he’s being followed; he wants to be as normal as possible.
Ryan Halston is a new neighbor across the hall; well at least he’s living in the apartment of Samuels neighbor. Ryan is Samuel’s bodyguard but all on the hush hush. Ryan is there to become friends and watch out for Samuel without Samuel’s knowledge.
When Samuel and Ryan meet in the hallway sparks fly for both of them. Samuel being the forward one starts flirting right away with Ryan, whereas Ryan, knowing that he’s there to do a job, doesn’t flirt back which just intrigues Samuel more. The friendship is fast between them and before they know it they are hanging out together all the time. Feelings between them keep getting harder to hide and fight. Will Ryan be able to hide his feelings for Samuel and keep his secret of who he really is? If Samuel finds out what Ryan is really doing there, will what they have be able to handle the lie?
Zarah Detand’s “No Place Left to Run” isn’t really anything new, but what she has written is a good story nonetheless. She has made the bodyguard/star story all her own and has kept it interesting enough for the reader to want to keep reading and find out what is going to happen between Ryan and Samuel. She does a decent job showing what Samuel has to go through with being a pop star when he’s recognized and how much of his life really isn’t private. Ryan, although he knows the reason he’s there, you can feel the turmoil he’s in. All the while trying to hide and deny the feelings he has for Samuel. I enjoyed the characters interactions with each other and how they got along. I would say all in all it was a good story and that if you’re interested in the bodyguard/star thing then check it out.
A copy of this book was provided in exchange for an honest review. Please visit www.lovebytesreviews.com to see this and many more reviews, author interviews, guestposts and giveaways!
July 28, 2015
Boy band Pawn in the Game made a star of Samuel Gibbs at the tender age of sixteen. On the cusp of adulthood Samuel is a worldwide megastar in his own right as a solo act and song writer. When it comes to his craft Samuel is mature and serious. The rest of the time he’s a kid at heart who gives his manager imagined heart attacks with the trouble he gets into.
A break during his world tour couldn’t have come sooner because Samuel is exhausted. He’s sworn to be good and stay at or near home the whole time. It might just come true after he meets his new neighbor across the hall, Ryan Halston. They almost instantly click and tentatively begin an intimate relationship. The public believes that Samuel is dating a famous model so it’s a relief that Ryan doesn’t object to the ruse.
Everything is going so well that Samuel begins contemplating a future with his sexy neighbor. What happens when the tender hearted pop star discovers the truth?
Feel good moments are balanced against angst filled drama in this riveting story of love and sorrow. Readers will fall hard for Samuel and Ryan’s twisty romance in No Place Left to Run. One is a sweetly flawed singer, the other an emotionally scarred bodyguard. Surprising depths in the main characters, Samuel’s enthusiasm is contagious, as is Ryan’s steady sense of decency. Knowing the bodyguard’s secret agenda and his feelings of betraying his lover amplifies the plotline tension. Their sexual chemistry can’t be discounted either. No Place Left to Run is deceptively light at first, heartwarming throughout, and has a powerful climax. I Joyfully recommend No Place Left to Run. A true gem.
Link: http://bit.ly/1f3TzrY
Reviewed by Lisa for Joyfully Reviewed
A break during his world tour couldn’t have come sooner because Samuel is exhausted. He’s sworn to be good and stay at or near home the whole time. It might just come true after he meets his new neighbor across the hall, Ryan Halston. They almost instantly click and tentatively begin an intimate relationship. The public believes that Samuel is dating a famous model so it’s a relief that Ryan doesn’t object to the ruse.
Everything is going so well that Samuel begins contemplating a future with his sexy neighbor. What happens when the tender hearted pop star discovers the truth?
Feel good moments are balanced against angst filled drama in this riveting story of love and sorrow. Readers will fall hard for Samuel and Ryan’s twisty romance in No Place Left to Run. One is a sweetly flawed singer, the other an emotionally scarred bodyguard. Surprising depths in the main characters, Samuel’s enthusiasm is contagious, as is Ryan’s steady sense of decency. Knowing the bodyguard’s secret agenda and his feelings of betraying his lover amplifies the plotline tension. Their sexual chemistry can’t be discounted either. No Place Left to Run is deceptively light at first, heartwarming throughout, and has a powerful climax. I Joyfully recommend No Place Left to Run. A true gem.
Link: http://bit.ly/1f3TzrY
Reviewed by Lisa for Joyfully Reviewed
March 27, 2015
First, I wanted to start this review by saying that I saw in a couple of reviews about how they were displeased with the angst; to be honest, for me, that's what this author does well and with balance, and I loved it. You cannot have a whole book with introduction - problem - solving problem. It's boring. Zarah writes in ways that you don't know what to expect next; I command her for that.
Zarah also has a way of building characters and personalities and making you invested in them. During the whole book, I was truly interested in each of their own narratives. They had intricate and greatly flawed human personalities, and I'm not only talking about Ryan and Samuel, the main characters. I really adored the side characters too - Sumi, Mark the bodyguard and even Jeremy.
I’m one of those people who usually can choose between fictional characters, but Samuel’s vulnerability and bluntness made my heart warmer just as much as Ryan’s crumbling walls and protective strikes. Their attraction was there from the start, granting great sexual tense moments, but the falling for each other was gradual and lovely to witness.
In terms of plot, I really liked how things went down; I cannot talk about it otherwise it would spoil who is reading this review, but I can assure it kept me interested from the beginning to end. The ending tied all the loose ends, and that is a very important thing to me when reading a book.
Also a shout out to the author for handling taboo issues still in our society. If you read the book - which I highly recommend to you! - you will understand what I'm talking about. *wink wink*
Zarah also has a way of building characters and personalities and making you invested in them. During the whole book, I was truly interested in each of their own narratives. They had intricate and greatly flawed human personalities, and I'm not only talking about Ryan and Samuel, the main characters. I really adored the side characters too - Sumi, Mark the bodyguard and even Jeremy.
I’m one of those people who usually can choose between fictional characters, but Samuel’s vulnerability and bluntness made my heart warmer just as much as Ryan’s crumbling walls and protective strikes. Their attraction was there from the start, granting great sexual tense moments, but the falling for each other was gradual and lovely to witness.
In terms of plot, I really liked how things went down; I cannot talk about it otherwise it would spoil who is reading this review, but I can assure it kept me interested from the beginning to end. The ending tied all the loose ends, and that is a very important thing to me when reading a book.
Also a shout out to the author for handling taboo issues still in our society. If you read the book - which I highly recommend to you! - you will understand what I'm talking about. *wink wink*
April 27, 2015
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.25 stars
This book was a fun read. I love delving into books where the main character is rich and famous, yet desires to be normal. Much of Samuel’s life is dictated to him by members of his public relations team, security teams, and agent. Though he has “friends,” most of them want something from him or expect him to act in a certain way. When the band goes on break, he just wants to be ordinary for a little while. Samuel is also in love with the idea of being in love. With many of his bandmates having someone to go home to, Samuel feels like his life is missing something.
When Samuel meets Ryan, the sparks fly as the two engage in bantering back and forth. I found this interaction to be both adorable and sexy as Ryan tries to maintain some degree of professionalism while Samuel takes his bantering as a ‘maybe.’ As the romance heated up, I found myself falling more and more in love with Samuel as he came across as genuine and caring. There’s a scene where he’s at his mother’s house talking to Ryan on the phone that cinched him being a candidate for the best book-boyfriend ever.
Ryan is relatively young to be handling such an important assignment. Yet, as the story unfolds, we find out why he got into the field, and why he takes his job so seriously when his own demons emerge. As the hunt for the stalker heats up, Ryan struggles to separate his feelings for Samuel in order to keep him safe, knowing one mistake can spell disaster.
Read Wendy’s review in its entirety here.
4.25 stars
This book was a fun read. I love delving into books where the main character is rich and famous, yet desires to be normal. Much of Samuel’s life is dictated to him by members of his public relations team, security teams, and agent. Though he has “friends,” most of them want something from him or expect him to act in a certain way. When the band goes on break, he just wants to be ordinary for a little while. Samuel is also in love with the idea of being in love. With many of his bandmates having someone to go home to, Samuel feels like his life is missing something.
When Samuel meets Ryan, the sparks fly as the two engage in bantering back and forth. I found this interaction to be both adorable and sexy as Ryan tries to maintain some degree of professionalism while Samuel takes his bantering as a ‘maybe.’ As the romance heated up, I found myself falling more and more in love with Samuel as he came across as genuine and caring. There’s a scene where he’s at his mother’s house talking to Ryan on the phone that cinched him being a candidate for the best book-boyfriend ever.
Ryan is relatively young to be handling such an important assignment. Yet, as the story unfolds, we find out why he got into the field, and why he takes his job so seriously when his own demons emerge. As the hunt for the stalker heats up, Ryan struggles to separate his feelings for Samuel in order to keep him safe, knowing one mistake can spell disaster.
Read Wendy’s review in its entirety here.
July 19, 2023
Somewhat expecting a Bodyguard-esque, sexy mystery with a delightful twist. I was partially right... guess which part
April 16, 2015
The setting here settled into a slow pace as the readers were acquainted with how Sam feels and experiences his day to day life on his break. The backstory of the obsessed fan wasn’t much focused on at the beginning, just little bits here and there which I think was good since it gave more time for the readers to focus on Sam and Ryan’s building relationship. And that relationship also started in a slow pace. Don’t expect lots of heavy angst here only light ones that were mostly about the past of each MCs. Just be ready for lots of frustration as you go through the push and pull of both characters which was sometimes a little unnecessary. But other than that I think the book really kicked off at the second half where Sam found out that Ryan was his undercover bodyguard (you know that’s the part everyone’s been waiting for). Of course, it wasn’t pretty. As expected, Sam acted betrayed as hell. Very expected from this kind of plot anyway.
Check the full review here.
Check the full review here.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews