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Low Blow #1
Clinch
Gunnar is one fight away from cruiserweight champion, and one flight of stairs away from true love.
When Gunnar left his ex, the current cruiserweight champion, two years earlier and moved back to his hometown, he knew he was passing up his chance to win the world. The last thing he wants is to meet his ex in the ring while the world dubs it a grudge match. For the most part, he’s content with traveling. Being known as the casino champ isn’t a bad gig. He doesn’t realize he’s missing anything. That is, until Gunnar comes to a stranger’s rescue in the rain.
Liam isn’t a stranger at all. Not only has he been living upstairs from Gunnar for the past two years, they went to high school together. Since Liam’s changed a lot in the past few years, he doesn’t hold it against Gunnar for not recognizing him.
His issue with Gunnar is something else entirely—like that time Gunnar didn’t call.
Liam has no intention of falling victim to Gunnar’s charms twice. Life, on the other hand, has different plans.
241 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 16, 2016
71 people are currently reading
356 people want to read
About the author
Charity Parkerson
316 books1,427 followersCharity Parkerson is an award winning and multi-published author with several companies. Born with no filter from her brain to her mouth, she decided to take this odd quirk and insert it in her characters.
*Eight-time winner of Readers' Favorite Awards
*2014 Golden Ankh nominee
*2013 Readers' Favorite Award Winner
*2013 Reviewers' Choice Award Winner
*2012 ARRA Finalist for Favorite Paranormal Romance
*Five-time winner of The Mistress of the Darkpath
**Connect with her online:
Website: charityparkerson.com
Facebook: facebook.com/authorCharityParkerson
facebook.com/TheMenofSin
Twitter: twitter.com/CharityParkerso
*Eight-time winner of Readers' Favorite Awards
*2014 Golden Ankh nominee
*2013 Readers' Favorite Award Winner
*2013 Reviewers' Choice Award Winner
*2012 ARRA Finalist for Favorite Paranormal Romance
*Five-time winner of The Mistress of the Darkpath
**Connect with her online:
Website: charityparkerson.com
Facebook: facebook.com/authorCharityParkerson
facebook.com/TheMenofSin
Twitter: twitter.com/CharityParkerso
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews
May 23, 2016
This was better than the last book I read by this author. It was good. That's pretty much all I have to say about it. The main thing I will say is that for some reason the thing I remember the most about these books by this author is that they seem under developed. I think that this story has the potential to be a better book if you have time to understand why the characters are the way they are, everything always seems rushed. It's what I disliked about the last book I read from a different series she has. (This one is like a spin off of the Hard Hit series) On the upside it's a cute, quick read with likeable MC's and a decent supporting character.
May 30, 2016
Parkerson's writing is a total guilty pleasure for me, and this one didn't disappoint.
October 29, 2016
Between 2 and 3 mehh stars. Free with Kindle Unlimited.
This story is about two guys that hooked up once in high school and then get together ten years later.
Gunnar is a professional boxer and Liam works as a stripper because it pays great and he's saving for his dream of, one day, having children.
It was an OK, somehow sweet story but there was something missing. I don't know... the whole thing about Gunnar not recognizing Liam but then remembering every single detail from one minute to the other felt kind of weird. Maybe that part would have benefited from more development. The whole story, in fact, felt too two-dimensional to me.
The smexy times where nothing to call home about. They were there, but kind of mehh... so much potential wasted. We have this big and fit boxer and this mega cute, tattooed stripper whose piercings may or may not include a Prince Albert... and I feel cheated... the sex could have been so much hotter.
Boston didn't make much sense to me. There were holes in his purpose, his dialogue was bordering on the absurd... He had to be there because, I guess, the story needed a bad guy and the next book in the series is about Liam's ex, Kaz and him (who's Gunnar's ex).
I haven't read the next one but the author will have to write a hell of a redemption to make him sound less of an idiotic asshole. We'll see....
This story is about two guys that hooked up once in high school and then get together ten years later.
Gunnar is a professional boxer and Liam works as a stripper because it pays great and he's saving for his dream of, one day, having children.
It was an OK, somehow sweet story but there was something missing. I don't know... the whole thing about Gunnar not recognizing Liam but then remembering every single detail from one minute to the other felt kind of weird. Maybe that part would have benefited from more development. The whole story, in fact, felt too two-dimensional to me.
The smexy times where nothing to call home about. They were there, but kind of mehh... so much potential wasted. We have this big and fit boxer and this mega cute, tattooed stripper whose piercings may or may not include a Prince Albert... and I feel cheated... the sex could have been so much hotter.
Boston didn't make much sense to me. There were holes in his purpose, his dialogue was bordering on the absurd... He had to be there because, I guess, the story needed a bad guy and the next book in the series is about Liam's ex, Kaz and him (who's Gunnar's ex).
I haven't read the next one but the author will have to write a hell of a redemption to make him sound less of an idiotic asshole. We'll see....
July 16, 2017
If you are looking for something to pass time and have a nice calm afternoon or evening then “Clinch” is a nice choice. The book is not very big and the story doesn’t have much drama compared to other romance stories. The main characters are devoted to each other and their arguments didn’t drag on forever, but instead they were resolved in a timely manner.
Other than that though, the story isn’t a very memorable one. The main characters were lacking development, they didn’t feel real to me and that is probably because in almost every scene of the book they are together.
We didn’t have the chance to see how their everyday life is apart from each other, they only spent a few scenes with other characters and that’s because those were the main characters of the next books in the series and were there to pick the interest of the reader for the other books.
I also didn’t see any chemistry between Gunnar and Liam, the only thing present was the physical aspect of their relationship. I would have liked to see an emotional connection between them, but all I saw is how much they like their partner’s appearance. Almost all of the scenes where they spent time together, were sex scenes.
The reader doesn’t even have the chance to see the boxing match between Gunnar and his ex, even though it is mentioned in the premise of the book and many times throughout the story, in the end, the book ends before the match even begins. I would have liked to see more plot in this story, I felt that it contained a lot of scenes that were there to fill pages instead of showing the progress of Gunnar and Liam’s relationship and their character development.
*2.5 Stars*
I voluntarily reviewed the free copy that i received via Reading Alley.
Other than that though, the story isn’t a very memorable one. The main characters were lacking development, they didn’t feel real to me and that is probably because in almost every scene of the book they are together.
We didn’t have the chance to see how their everyday life is apart from each other, they only spent a few scenes with other characters and that’s because those were the main characters of the next books in the series and were there to pick the interest of the reader for the other books.
I also didn’t see any chemistry between Gunnar and Liam, the only thing present was the physical aspect of their relationship. I would have liked to see an emotional connection between them, but all I saw is how much they like their partner’s appearance. Almost all of the scenes where they spent time together, were sex scenes.
The reader doesn’t even have the chance to see the boxing match between Gunnar and his ex, even though it is mentioned in the premise of the book and many times throughout the story, in the end, the book ends before the match even begins. I would have liked to see more plot in this story, I felt that it contained a lot of scenes that were there to fill pages instead of showing the progress of Gunnar and Liam’s relationship and their character development.
*2.5 Stars*
I voluntarily reviewed the free copy that i received via Reading Alley.
September 5, 2025
This could have rated higher on my cozy quick reads category but it fell short in a few places.
As good as a guy Gunnar was I couldn't really see the depth in him. Liam was a fuller personality, more interesting. Gunnar felt clueless at times. Plus their meeting at Liam's work place brought out the icky in me. That scene was so wrong🤨
Other than that, it had just the right amount of drama and the HEA was good.
As good as a guy Gunnar was I couldn't really see the depth in him. Liam was a fuller personality, more interesting. Gunnar felt clueless at times. Plus their meeting at Liam's work place brought out the icky in me. That scene was so wrong🤨
Other than that, it had just the right amount of drama and the HEA was good.
October 20, 2016
I really enjoyed the first half of this- it was headed to being a 4-4.5 star read for me. You can see a few reasons why from my updates.
Liam and Gunner had a small 'thing' for each other in high school. Liam eventually turned Gunner down because even though he got bullied at school he was out and wouldn't be anyones secret, and Gunner was not out. Cut to 10 years later and the two guys paths cross again.
I liked these characters. The way they were written was very appealing to me. Gunner is a boxer who's had his heartbroken and He's not a thug or a belligerent alpha male. He's a normal, confident guy.
Liam is a sexy, tattooed and pierced stripper who wants a husband and a white picket fence and he's never vilified or ridiculed for it.
These men have an obvious connection from their short time together in high school but it's not heavy handed. It's a decade later and they don't know each other anymore. Their relationship moves at its own pace and it's nice to read. They talk. They think about each other's feelings. They have fun. They have sweet and not overly descriptive sex. They tell each other they 'care'. It's all good.
But then I felt like the wheels started to fall off. There's a 7 month time jump, which is done very sweetly, but then we get put back into Liam's head and it's like he's a different person. I didn't like him much to be honest. I didn't know why he was doing some things. And when the drama happened he drove me a little crazy.
The ending of this basically work to introduce the characters for the next book in the series. After the beginning being so good I was a bit disappointed at the way it unfolded but there was a definite HEA which brought the book back to how it felt in the beginning.
All in all for a free book this was good, but it's not something I would probably re-read. Also, I didn't really like either of the next books MC 's so this is where it ends for me.
Liam and Gunner had a small 'thing' for each other in high school. Liam eventually turned Gunner down because even though he got bullied at school he was out and wouldn't be anyones secret, and Gunner was not out. Cut to 10 years later and the two guys paths cross again.
I liked these characters. The way they were written was very appealing to me. Gunner is a boxer who's had his heartbroken and He's not a thug or a belligerent alpha male. He's a normal, confident guy.
Liam is a sexy, tattooed and pierced stripper who wants a husband and a white picket fence and he's never vilified or ridiculed for it.
These men have an obvious connection from their short time together in high school but it's not heavy handed. It's a decade later and they don't know each other anymore. Their relationship moves at its own pace and it's nice to read. They talk. They think about each other's feelings. They have fun. They have sweet and not overly descriptive sex. They tell each other they 'care'. It's all good.
“Fuck. I don’t want to move, but there’s cum all over the bed.” A low chuckle brushed Liam’s ear. “See? This is why we can’t have nice things. We’re too gooey together.”
“Don’t ever stop looking at me like you are right now.” Gunnar always said the strangest things. Liam had to know. “How am I looking at you?” Gunnar gaze moved over Liam’s face for a full minute before answering. “Like you’ve been blind your entire life, and I’m the first thing you’ve ever seen.”
But then I felt like the wheels started to fall off. There's a 7 month time jump, which is done very sweetly, but then we get put back into Liam's head and it's like he's a different person. I didn't like him much to be honest. I didn't know why he was doing some things. And when the drama happened he drove me a little crazy.
The ending of this basically work to introduce the characters for the next book in the series. After the beginning being so good I was a bit disappointed at the way it unfolded but there was a definite HEA which brought the book back to how it felt in the beginning.
All in all for a free book this was good, but it's not something I would probably re-read. Also, I didn't really like either of the next books MC 's so this is where it ends for me.
June 11, 2016
Gunnar has lived below Liam for two years. He has always wondered why the man barely acknowledged him and put it off as him being straight or purely disinterest.
Liam had a thing for Gunnar since they were in school but when Gunnar moved below him and didn't remember him at all, he didn't want to get hurt again, so he avoided him. Then one night he locks his cell phone and keys in his car and its pouring rain. Gunnar comes to his rescue. Gunnar is smitten but the attractive man he rescued from the rain and determined to get to know him better. He is shocked when he finds out he is Liam, his high school sweetheart.
So as you see this is a sweet story of second chances, friends to lovers but wait! I didn't give away spoilers. The story is about fighting ( pun intended since Gunnar is a boxer) to get back one you loved years ago and the other fighting to keep him. There are other exes involved and some cute kids.
If you love boxing, make strippers, bouncers, exes, second chances, friends to lovers, cute kids and a sweet romance that you can't put down once you start... You will love this.
I received a copy for an honest review
Liam had a thing for Gunnar since they were in school but when Gunnar moved below him and didn't remember him at all, he didn't want to get hurt again, so he avoided him. Then one night he locks his cell phone and keys in his car and its pouring rain. Gunnar comes to his rescue. Gunnar is smitten but the attractive man he rescued from the rain and determined to get to know him better. He is shocked when he finds out he is Liam, his high school sweetheart.
So as you see this is a sweet story of second chances, friends to lovers but wait! I didn't give away spoilers. The story is about fighting ( pun intended since Gunnar is a boxer) to get back one you loved years ago and the other fighting to keep him. There are other exes involved and some cute kids.
If you love boxing, make strippers, bouncers, exes, second chances, friends to lovers, cute kids and a sweet romance that you can't put down once you start... You will love this.
I received a copy for an honest review
June 15, 2016
Charity Parkerson did it again. She wrote another amazing book that is a great start to another automatic one-click series for me.
Even if you aren't into M/M books, it would be difficult not to enjoy Gunnar and Liam's story. The chemistry between these two is off the charts. You could feel their connection. Charity has such a way with words that you feel like you are there with Gunnar and Liam, experiencing their lives right along with them.
Of course, their story can't be drama free. There were some unexpected twists and turns that kept me turning pages way longer than I should have. I had one heck of a book hangover then next day.
I look forward to reading more in this series.
Even if you aren't into M/M books, it would be difficult not to enjoy Gunnar and Liam's story. The chemistry between these two is off the charts. You could feel their connection. Charity has such a way with words that you feel like you are there with Gunnar and Liam, experiencing their lives right along with them.
Of course, their story can't be drama free. There were some unexpected twists and turns that kept me turning pages way longer than I should have. I had one heck of a book hangover then next day.
I look forward to reading more in this series.
December 11, 2016
Liking this new series
While it's set in the same universe as the other books and contains a lot of the same characters, this one felt much tighter in the story telling and in the pacing and editing.
Loved Gunner's story and Liam was a great partner for him.
Parkerson also has a habit of turning sinners into saints who get their happy endings so I'm looking forward to reading Kaz and Boston's story.
While it's set in the same universe as the other books and contains a lot of the same characters, this one felt much tighter in the story telling and in the pacing and editing.
Loved Gunner's story and Liam was a great partner for him.
Parkerson also has a habit of turning sinners into saints who get their happy endings so I'm looking forward to reading Kaz and Boston's story.
August 24, 2016
Ok from the about the author section - "Born with no filter from her brain to her mouth"? Does she write with her mouth?
I can appreciate that nothing in this book was realistic or believable, but I think it might help if there were at least SOMETHING that's believable. Something to grab onto.
I like when people writing in this genre find one way to describe something and then push ctrl + v all day long. It makes me smile. :)
The writing was promising. But it was a broken promise this time.
I can appreciate that nothing in this book was realistic or believable, but I think it might help if there were at least SOMETHING that's believable. Something to grab onto.
I like when people writing in this genre find one way to describe something and then push ctrl + v all day long. It makes me smile. :)
The writing was promising. But it was a broken promise this time.
October 22, 2016
I started reading Clinch on a whim since I've been in a really bad reading slump for the past few months and next thing I knew I had finished it.
It was a fun and cliche romance and I really did enjoy it the story and characters. I'll definitely be checking out more from this author in the future.
It was a fun and cliche romance and I really did enjoy it the story and characters. I'll definitely be checking out more from this author in the future.
October 26, 2016
I hate when an author uses a shared past as an excuse to fast forward two characters romantic relationship. That's what it felt like was happening here. I never felt a real connection between the two other than the obvious lust and sexual chemistry...and without the emotional connection and character development even that feel flat.
Definitely not for me, but others obviously loved it.
Definitely not for me, but others obviously loved it.
November 10, 2016
I liked this book-- lots of angst and the sex was fun. But I did expect more of a look at the world of boxing from the description. I also thought the author could have made more of the Florida Keys location-- as a South Floridian some of the details didn't quite work.
June 14, 2017
Totally guilty pleasure. Quick, easy read. Gunnar and Liam were way too cute :-)
May 22, 2016
Good.
Whilst I was happy to see Gunnar get his story I did feel that it dragged a little in places while at the same time we were robbed of a great fight. Good read though.
Whilst I was happy to see Gunnar get his story I did feel that it dragged a little in places while at the same time we were robbed of a great fight. Good read though.
May 30, 2016
3.5 ~ Cute quick sexy read of love lost and then found again. Gunnar and Liam are great together.
August 8, 2016
This is my first book by this author and i liked it a lot
April 1, 2017
2.5 stars
I'm glad to have read this author, but I don't know that there is enough meat in the storyline for me to be truly engaged. It's a quick read though with a bit of emotion toward the end.
I'm glad to have read this author, but I don't know that there is enough meat in the storyline for me to be truly engaged. It's a quick read though with a bit of emotion toward the end.
July 20, 2017
Title: Clinch
Author: Charity Parkerson
Series: Low Blow
Publisher: Punk & Sissy Publications
Reviewer: Mollien
Release Date: May 16, 2016
Genre(s): Male/Male Romance
Page Count: 242 pages
Heat Level: 3 flames out of 5
Rating: 4 stars out of 5
Blurb:
Review:
This is the first book in the Low Blow series, and already I can’t wait to read the next book. This story is full of hot athletic men one sexier than the other. The first book of the series is a second chance romance. Gunnar and Liam meet outside of their building. Liam is locked out of his car in the pouring rain. Drenched and stranded until Gunnar comes to his aid with an offer of a place to hang out until help arrives. Although Liam remembers Gunnar from high school, Gunnar is clueless. Granted it has been a long time and Liam has changed from his nerdy high school days, but still not a hint of recognition. It is for the best however he has no plan to get involved with Gunnar and risking his heart again. Gunnar hasn’t felt this attracted to a man since his ex, the cruiser weight champion, but there is something about Liam that makes him want to live again. The chemistry between Gunnar and Liam is so hot. These two belong together but when meddling ex-boyfriends come into the picture it may not be enough to break through the self-doubt. This story moves very quickly. Sometimes I felt that it moved too quickly. Jumping ahead in time detracted from what could have been strong character development. As a reader, I like to see a relationship develop as opposed to being told that it happened. I guess at 242 pages the author had to make some concessions. The story had a really good ending making me want to read more of this series.
PLOT: 5 Stars
CHEMISTRY: 5 Stars
PACING: 3 Stars
ENDING: 5 Stars
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT: 3 Stars
Review Copy of Clinch provided by the Punk & Sissy Publications I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book. Reviewed by Mollien from Alpha Book Club
Author: Charity Parkerson
Series: Low Blow
Publisher: Punk & Sissy Publications
Reviewer: Mollien
Release Date: May 16, 2016
Genre(s): Male/Male Romance
Page Count: 242 pages
Heat Level: 3 flames out of 5
Rating: 4 stars out of 5
Blurb:
Gunnar is one fight away from cruiserweight champion, and one flight of stairs away from true love.
When Gunnar left his ex, the current cruiserweight champion, two years earlier and moved back to his hometown, he knew he was passing up his chance to win the world. The last thing he wants is to meet his ex in the ring while the world dubs it a grudge match. For the most part, he’s content with traveling. Being known as the casino champ isn’t a bad gig. He doesn’t realize he’s missing anything. That is, until Gunnar comes to a stranger’s rescue in the rain.
Liam isn’t a stranger at all. Not only has he been living upstairs from Gunnar for the past two years, they went to high school together. Since Liam’s changed a lot in the past few years, he doesn’t hold it against Gunnar for not recognizing him.
His issue with Gunnar is something else entirely—like that time Gunnar didn’t call.
Liam has no intention of falling victim to Gunnar’s charms twice. Life, on the other hand, has different plans.
Review:
This is the first book in the Low Blow series, and already I can’t wait to read the next book. This story is full of hot athletic men one sexier than the other. The first book of the series is a second chance romance. Gunnar and Liam meet outside of their building. Liam is locked out of his car in the pouring rain. Drenched and stranded until Gunnar comes to his aid with an offer of a place to hang out until help arrives. Although Liam remembers Gunnar from high school, Gunnar is clueless. Granted it has been a long time and Liam has changed from his nerdy high school days, but still not a hint of recognition. It is for the best however he has no plan to get involved with Gunnar and risking his heart again. Gunnar hasn’t felt this attracted to a man since his ex, the cruiser weight champion, but there is something about Liam that makes him want to live again. The chemistry between Gunnar and Liam is so hot. These two belong together but when meddling ex-boyfriends come into the picture it may not be enough to break through the self-doubt. This story moves very quickly. Sometimes I felt that it moved too quickly. Jumping ahead in time detracted from what could have been strong character development. As a reader, I like to see a relationship develop as opposed to being told that it happened. I guess at 242 pages the author had to make some concessions. The story had a really good ending making me want to read more of this series.
PLOT: 5 Stars
CHEMISTRY: 5 Stars
PACING: 3 Stars
ENDING: 5 Stars
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT: 3 Stars
Review Copy of Clinch provided by the Punk & Sissy Publications I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book. Reviewed by Mollien from Alpha Book Club
May 9, 2017
Second Chances <3
4.5 out of 5 stars
A well-paced, well-written love story reuniting two lovers, Gunnar and Liam. Liam is a strong and out young man who came out in high school and works as a stripper because he wanted to save up money fast and spend time with his nieces and one day adopt. He knows what he wants and goes after it. Gunnar is a fragile professional boxer who is still recouping from his prior relationship with another professional boxer, Boston. This reader suspects that Boston will be starring in book 2 which is not appealing after reading about his relationship with Gunnar and his behavior in Clinch. Kaz, Liam’s best friend, is Liam’s recent ex-boyfriend who wasn’t ready to commit which had always been what Liam was looking for.
A free copy of the book was provided to me by the ReadingAlley in exchange for an honest review.
4.5 out of 5 stars
A well-paced, well-written love story reuniting two lovers, Gunnar and Liam. Liam is a strong and out young man who came out in high school and works as a stripper because he wanted to save up money fast and spend time with his nieces and one day adopt. He knows what he wants and goes after it. Gunnar is a fragile professional boxer who is still recouping from his prior relationship with another professional boxer, Boston. This reader suspects that Boston will be starring in book 2 which is not appealing after reading about his relationship with Gunnar and his behavior in Clinch. Kaz, Liam’s best friend, is Liam’s recent ex-boyfriend who wasn’t ready to commit which had always been what Liam was looking for.
A free copy of the book was provided to me by the ReadingAlley in exchange for an honest review.
January 28, 2025
For the most part, I like this. The romance between Gunner and Liam started sweet and built its way to hot. I particularly liked that they did not jump right into bed and there was actually a storyline building their relationship. There wasn’t as much drama as I had anticipated. The real drama didn’t kick in until about the 60% mark when Boston shows up. But then that all fizzled rather quickly. The most disaapointing thing, was that from the beginning, there was this big buildup to a championship fight between Gunner and Boston, and Gunner even told a friendly police officer that the fight would be in three months. A few pages later, the story jumps six months and the fight gets a one sentence mention where we are told the outcome.
The writing was fairy solid, with only a minium of errors and an occassional switched name. We are introduced to a minimum of side characters, which is a freshing change to how many authors start a new series with a character dump. Boston rubbed me the wrong way from the moment he was introduced. Kaz was more likable but I’m still not sure how I feel about him. It’ll be interesting to see how these characters redeem themselves in the next story.
The writing was fairy solid, with only a minium of errors and an occassional switched name. We are introduced to a minimum of side characters, which is a freshing change to how many authors start a new series with a character dump. Boston rubbed me the wrong way from the moment he was introduced. Kaz was more likable but I’m still not sure how I feel about him. It’ll be interesting to see how these characters redeem themselves in the next story.
May 30, 2017
Clinch is at its core a love story. But it also the story of how we handle friendship, betrayal, and the ultimate human condition - insecurity.
Liam was the strong gay boy in high school. He was harassed, picked on, and beaten to a pulp on a regular basis, but he never wavered in being true to himself. Gunnar was strong, popular, and in the closet. The two shared something hot and special.
Ten years later they meet again, as neighbors. Gunnar is a professional boxer and Liam is a stripper. A chance encounter leads them to rediscover the sizzling heat they'd first found when they were just teenagers.
Liam's ex-boyfriend and Gunnar's ex-boyfriend both complicate matters for the pair, not to mention a slew of insecurities and misunderstandings. Love has to find a way to win.
This the first book in a series of three (all stand-alones) and I was hooked. I finished it quickly and started on the second book right away. I was pulled into the story, intrigued by the characters, and invested in the outcome.
Thank you, Ms Parkerson, for this gem!
Liam was the strong gay boy in high school. He was harassed, picked on, and beaten to a pulp on a regular basis, but he never wavered in being true to himself. Gunnar was strong, popular, and in the closet. The two shared something hot and special.
Ten years later they meet again, as neighbors. Gunnar is a professional boxer and Liam is a stripper. A chance encounter leads them to rediscover the sizzling heat they'd first found when they were just teenagers.
Liam's ex-boyfriend and Gunnar's ex-boyfriend both complicate matters for the pair, not to mention a slew of insecurities and misunderstandings. Love has to find a way to win.
This the first book in a series of three (all stand-alones) and I was hooked. I finished it quickly and started on the second book right away. I was pulled into the story, intrigued by the characters, and invested in the outcome.
Thank you, Ms Parkerson, for this gem!
June 15, 2017
**I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book**
When it comes to m/m books I tend to get picky with authors I read. I feel like I've committed a crime having not read anything from Charity Parkerson!
Gunnar and Liam have history beyond being neighbors for the last 2 years.
Liam has a big heart ready to show his man the love he has. He wants everything out of a relationship. The white picket fence, marriage, and kids. After being laughed at by his ex when he expressed these desires he's a bit weary opening his heart back up, especially to someone who's already broken it once before.
Gunnar has made a career out of punching people. But he not only took punches in the ring, his heart took a few punches after his ex cheated on him. A reckless flirt he's determined to show Liam he can and will win his heart.
But to get their happy endings they must confront their pasts and overcome their insecurities to move forward with each other.
When it comes to m/m books I tend to get picky with authors I read. I feel like I've committed a crime having not read anything from Charity Parkerson!
Gunnar and Liam have history beyond being neighbors for the last 2 years.
Liam has a big heart ready to show his man the love he has. He wants everything out of a relationship. The white picket fence, marriage, and kids. After being laughed at by his ex when he expressed these desires he's a bit weary opening his heart back up, especially to someone who's already broken it once before.
Gunnar has made a career out of punching people. But he not only took punches in the ring, his heart took a few punches after his ex cheated on him. A reckless flirt he's determined to show Liam he can and will win his heart.
But to get their happy endings they must confront their pasts and overcome their insecurities to move forward with each other.
June 12, 2017
A heart warming M/M love story!!
I loved this book so much. I have not read many books with just male and male relationships but I felt this was so completely realistic. I feel that if you used a woman and a man with story still could work so if you have an open mind and don't mind same sex action you need to try this book. I feel the author represented the characters and the situation in a real life way that anyone can relate to. Because it's so relatable I think that's one of the things I loved about this book. You have Liam the shy but stong one while Gunner is more of an alpha male but not in the over the top dominate way. They not only go through a lot as a couple but they grow as people too. You really need to read this story you will fall in with both Gunner and Liam!!!
I loved this book so much. I have not read many books with just male and male relationships but I felt this was so completely realistic. I feel that if you used a woman and a man with story still could work so if you have an open mind and don't mind same sex action you need to try this book. I feel the author represented the characters and the situation in a real life way that anyone can relate to. Because it's so relatable I think that's one of the things I loved about this book. You have Liam the shy but stong one while Gunner is more of an alpha male but not in the over the top dominate way. They not only go through a lot as a couple but they grow as people too. You really need to read this story you will fall in with both Gunner and Liam!!!
December 1, 2020
This book was written by my friend Charity Parkerson. She is a tremendous writer of love stories. This particular one is the first in her series Low Blow about a boxer named Gunnar who is trying to find love with Liam, a young man he had known years ago in high school. He doesn't realize that Liam is actually the young man who lives above him, until one day Gunnar comes to his rescue in a pouring rain when Liam has locked both his keys and his phone in his car. It doesn't take long for the sparks to fly and eventually Gunnar discovers who Liam is. The book is in the gay erotica genre and contains strong sexual language. But the story that is told is fascinating. While love is in the air, there are problems to be overcome. Boston, the great antagonist, is quite a character himself. My gay friends will probably identify well with the characters.
June 14, 2017
This was my first Charity Parkerson book and my first M/M book. And I really enjoyed it. I truly can say I loved it. I was pleasantly surprised to find it wasn't so hot and steamy, where it did have some scenes that way, the whole book wasn't that way. It was exactly liking reading a sweet romance between M/F. Gunnar was such a masculine fighter who made me swoon quite a bit throughout the story and Liam was liking listening to the same insecurities that lived in my own head (while they use to before my hubby). Their love was so beautiful, and the story was very well written. I am definitely going to be trying more of this author as well as this genre. I would definitely recommend this story to everyone who enjoys sweet romance with a hot men.
September 24, 2019
Not a favorite
Giant romances dwarf is what it seemed like. Opposites attract. The romance was overdone. It get the.whirlwind concept. That doesn't bother me. It started to trend downhill for me when one of th am TOLD the other they were exclusive. Characters were introduced that had zero impact. All loose ends, even those from the distant past, were tied up. Liam was so extraordinary that people fell for him instantly and were broken in his absence. Gunnar was an overwhelming personality who dominated everyone around him. I wanted to like it but there were too many problems for me to do so.
Giant romances dwarf is what it seemed like. Opposites attract. The romance was overdone. It get the.whirlwind concept. That doesn't bother me. It started to trend downhill for me when one of th am TOLD the other they were exclusive. Characters were introduced that had zero impact. All loose ends, even those from the distant past, were tied up. Liam was so extraordinary that people fell for him instantly and were broken in his absence. Gunnar was an overwhelming personality who dominated everyone around him. I wanted to like it but there were too many problems for me to do so.
May 25, 2017
3.5 stars
I ended up liking this one but I had issues. Why set it in the US? There were dead giveaways it should have been set in the U.K. Or Canada (cruiserweight just being one). They were together 7 months before they exchanged keys? Especially when they literally lived upstairs/downstairs from one another? And then were engaged 2 or 3 days after that? But the MC's were sweet, so...idk. It was ok lol.
I ended up liking this one but I had issues. Why set it in the US? There were dead giveaways it should have been set in the U.K. Or Canada (cruiserweight just being one). They were together 7 months before they exchanged keys? Especially when they literally lived upstairs/downstairs from one another? And then were engaged 2 or 3 days after that? But the MC's were sweet, so...idk. It was ok lol.
June 16, 2017
This is not normally my type of book but I got a chance to read it because it was free on Amazon. This is book one in the low blow series and it is about Liam and Gunner. This is a M/M Book so if that bothers you then don't get it. This is basically a second chance romance that just happens to spark it up again when keys get locked in the car. This is a very well-written book and I enjoyed it very much.
June 14, 2017
this book was really great! it was a first read of yours i read. it could have used more of a plot. its about a fighter. whos ex wants to fight him in the ring. he has been putting if off for awhile now. he meets a old flame of his that he doesnt even remember. will they rekindle there love? read to find out!
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