Savior

by Sierra Riley

“Can’t you see I need help?” “What the hell is wrong with me?” Detective Steven Mason was in his prime. From the Army to the NYPD, he gave it his all, until a stray bullet from a rookie cop put his whole life on hold. After all the surgeries to patch his shoulder back together, Steve’s only chance at holding a gun and a shield again lie with his physiotherapist – the guy Steve bailed on back in college "You did this, and you're going to have to be the one to fix it." Adam Little lives the perfect life. New York’s best physiotherapist, he runs a private practice and rents a fancy new apartment overlooking the Hudson river. He gets what he needs from hook-ups and goes right back to work the next day. Except today. Today hurts. Today is the day Steve Mason walks back into his life, and Adam isn’t ready to forgive him. “I am your best hope.” Parted by fear, bound together by need, both men must overcome their pain if they’re to find a better future. But can they work together to truly heal the scars of the past, or will their deep-seated wounds tear them apart forever? Savior is a steamy, standalone gay romance novel with a HEA and no cliffhangers.

Genres: M M Romance, Contemporary, LGBT, Friends To Lovers, Enemies To Lovers, Adult, M M Contemporary

274 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2016

About the author

Sierra Riley was born and raised in a small town where she spent all her time reading under trees before she moved to the Bay area to pursue her own love story.

She writes the kinds of books she loves to read: rollercoaster rides with happily-ever-afters. She's rarely at a loss for ideas, and credits her wonderfully supportive friends with helping her stories actually make it onto the page, as well as her husband and kids for giving her the chance to follow her dreams.

When Sierra isn't busy writing, she enjoys knitting, traveling, listening to the Pet Shop Boys, or just curling up with her dogs and cats and devouring a good book.

Reviews

[Denise H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Savior, Sierra Riley
a free copy given for an honest review...

*** They were in love, learning about their wants and needs, but hiding it all.
Then Steve entered the military.

Now, as a cop, Steve needs physical therapy to recover from a gunshot.

Adam is now a doctor and each man is afraid the other

has the power to hurt them all over again.

Steve is afraid, because he knows he needs to be able to save people, to be the hero, to be the bad-ass, which has been his life. What if that injury takes it away? We have super hot flashbacks and dream sequences as to what might happen now, and what had happened before. Being in a doc/patient situation, Adam and Steve fight hard to keep it professional. It's tough, brutal therapy, to regain use of his arm and hand. There are other circumstances occurring where we see Adam's fellow doctor being a bully and threatening, plus Steve's fears of losing his job, entering psych therapy and his PTSD. His mind screams "weak" - if he asks for help.
Their personal emotions and passion are emerging


as if no time has passed. They see each other as grown-ups, with need and desire. This GFY, "gay for you" theme, is well written and interesting. Can Steve keep his need for Adam hidden like he always had?
These lovers need to sort out the past, the fumblings, the lone kiss they shared back then, and deal with "now."
When they finally get together, it is explosive and sexy.
You will like the end and epilogue.
ENJOY !
=============
free on KU

[Elithanathile · Rating 1 out of 5]

Minus stars!! Holy smokes was this ever horrible, absolutely horrible :-/. I assure you I WILL be posting some thoughts on this later tonight!! Stay tuned.


I'll be KUing this.
I feel like something light and fluffy. I need to cleanse the reading palate. This one seems like it'll do, before I continue on with my queue.
Since discovering 'Sierra Riley' is in fact a group of friends who author/write together, I've decided to give SR books that sound promising, a shot. It's kind of like playing Russian Book-Roulette. Let's hope this one is a good one.

[Alexis Woods · Rating 2 out of 5]

An ARC of this book was provided free from the author in return for an honest review.
2.5 stars.

I was so hopeful considering I finally held a Sierra Riley story in my hands with NO PROLOGUE. Super excited, I even flipped forward several pages just to make sure. Alas, the story itself failed to garner any real endearment.

Adam is a physical therapist in NYC. I got excited thinking this was another book in the Someday series because of Adam's profession, and then was sadly mistaken when this book held none of the fun and love of that series. No, this book was overwrought, emotional (not in a tear-jerker way, mind you) and dull. The man Adam fell in love with in college comes back into his life, but doctor/patient ethics force him to keep his distance.

Steve is a veteran of the armed forces. He returned home after two tours and became a cop, then a detective. Misfortune finds him taking a bullet to the shoulder. He walks into physical therapy, and comes face to face with the man he walked out on when the friends with benefits becomes overwhelming. Steve is straight!

Okay, so now reader, suspend all disbelief that a man in his thirties can't figure out he's bisexual. Damn, he even admits he's practically jerked off to the memory of Adam giving him blow jobs his whole life. Sigh. I just don't get it. A detective, no less, can't figure out if he likes a boy, but also likes girls then he is bi. This was so over the top gay for you, mixed with some sort of twisted enemies/friends to lovers, I don't even know where to tell you it all went wrong. I got fed up with Steve and lost all interest in reading, but powered through, hoping for a great ending. Yeah, no, didn’t get that either.

On top of all the draining emotional denial, there's a bit of mystery, which isn't really a mystery at all. Perhaps the story could have been saved with a couple of awesome sex scenes, but all we got was one bizarre sixty-nine session.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book blurb does a much better job of describing this book than I ever
could........
*****************************************************************************
We have two MC's: Adam, a successful physical therapist/doctor, and Steve, a
cop, wounded, not injured in the line of duty, but as a civilian coming out
of a restaurant which caused a misdiagnosed PTSD.It turns out they have a
history together. I could not tell if they met as during childhood or during
high school. It mentions sharing an apartment during the first year of
college. Adam and Steve did things together, always while buzzed, in the
sauna. Adam was in love and thought Steve, felt the same. He finally kissed
Steve. Steve, horrified and disgusted, ran and made his friends clean out his
stuff of the apartment. This was told in flashbacks. Steve, then enlisted
army for eight years, two years a cop and then five years as detective. I
disliked Steve and his mantra " I am not gay". I wanted to slap him and slay
"go for it". and "get a grip". Did the thought of "bisexual" ever dinged his
bell? It was told with both points of view which I have come to enjoy. They
slowly get to know each, doing things together: such as the debate
tournament; where Steve lets go and enjoys Adam's company. Then the evil
devil on Steve's shoulder kept insisting he is not gay. I am not going to say
any more. I enjoy Sierra 's writing: the sentence structure, word usage and
her imagination. Her books are very enjoyable and this one was no exception.
This one for me, I liked it but it was not one of her best, I thought.
However, I would recommend it to any one wanting an entertaining read. I have
read many of Sierra's books and I know "Savior" will appeal to many readers.

[Shannon · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one was a giant miss for me. Steve is in denial for most of the book and when they finally do get together (other than a blowjob), it's all off page. How annoying and dare I say it, lazy? I know, I'm not a writer so how do I know how hard a love scene is to write? And one that everyone is waiting for, you know the man-sex virgin kind? Double hard. The rest of the story was all on the surface so there were really no redeeming qualities. Bummer.

[Jenny Wood · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hmmm, Steve and Adam....

First, I have to say that Sierra Riley's books are hit and miss with me; I either really love them, or I just kind of like them.
In this one, my heart broke for Adam; physiotherapist who gets a new patient who happens to be his ex highschool friend, college roommate and secret lover who happens to be the only man he's ever loved. Unfortunately, he's the same guy who hurt him by running away, cutting him out of his life completely and he never saw again because "he wasn't gay".

Steve; war hero, police detective, newly injured from a stray bullet after being in the wrong place at the wrong time brings him back to Adam for help.
Now, I think Steve is a giant douche; blaming Adam for things that happened and up and leaving him, hurting him so much because he was just convinced that he wasn't gay....Everything was at Adam's expense because he was the one that got hurt. I didn't like the way he treated Adam, I didn't like the way he regarded him because he didn't wanna be gay or whatever.
I understand being confused and not understanding lables and all that, but... until about 70 percent, he never even apologized because he never thought he'd done wrong.
And Adam just sucked it up and took whatever he could get from Steve, because something was better than nothin, right?
Ughhhh, maybe its just my mood and I've been in an unrequited thing before and I hated that I felt led on and all that. So, maybe this is a great story and I'm happy that it all worked out in the end, I just can't help feeling a little bit bitter because I think Adam, even though it worked out amazing in the end, I still think he deserved to be treated better.

And also, we see all this crap with Mitch... all the trouble he caused and we don't get the satisfaction of knowing what happened to him? That sucked too! I wanted that karmatic justice!

Overall, it was a decent story it just didn't hit me like the other ones that I love so much by this author did.
Oh well, still a good read.
3,5 for me

[Cee Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

ღ✿•*¨•´¸.•*´¨)Second Chances.¸.•*¨)ღ✿•*

Another real and raw look at humanity from Sierra Riley.

How do you recover from an accidental shooting that has ripped your life and career to tatters. How do you continue to be strong and efficient when life throws you a curve ball? And how do you survive when you savior just happens to be your ex...er...buddy, roommate, first male experiment.

Adam was solid. He could lean on Adam while the world spun, his North Pole.

Steve was a former veteran turned NYC cop who met misfortune. Having Adam, the exclusive Doctor as his physiotherapist just threw him into all sorts of wonder. Adam was still gay... And Steve... Well, those old feelings were back, but there was no way he was falling for that again. It’s a shame I'm straight… Adam's a good catch. A really good catch.

"I can't be so stupid anymore, not about him! Not this time!" -- Adam

Yet Adam was just so available. So tempting. So....so, Adam! And soon Steve was forgetting to be straight and following his wants and needs. I know he’s a great guy… but he's not my guy and he never will be. I would go there if I could, but I can’t. It’s not my fault I’m straight! But how could he ever step out and be proud like Adam when he was a man's man. And how could Adam accept the hurt and torture all over again?

If you like a little second chance love, gay for you, coming out story, one click and then tell your side of the story. Was it all that you thought? Did it meet your expectations?

I voluntarily and honestly reviewed this book without bias or persuasion from the author.

[Isabella ~Mikku-chan~ · Rating 5 out of 5]

*~~*ARC kindly provided by the author to me in exchange for an honest review *~~*

It seems people have a divided opinion of the books written by the colaboration team Sierra Riley (it is no secret anymore ;)). I can say: again a great book by Sierra Riley.

I enjoyed this very much, and I wasn’t disappointed. :3 The blurb sounded intriguing and it was thrilling. It was great to see a reunion of the character, two former friends who’s friendship was crashed because of stupid actions in the past – or at least one of them call them “stupid”. It is thrilling – and funny – to see how Steve is trying to surpress his feelings for Adam, but sometimes also very heart clenching.

Adam is really sure right from the start and he never doubted his feelings for his former best buddy. The revealing later in the book are great and it is heart warming how Adam helps Steve to overcome his problems.

Of course there is steamy sex in this book, it is hot as hell to see Steve exploring a few things for the first time, other things aren’t so new for him. :D Fact is the pressure is constantly rising.

There is also drama in this book, not only according the events but also within the character development.

Great read and awesome as a lot of Sierra books. :3 They hit a nerve with me. :)

5 out of 5 stars. This can fully be read as a stand alone. :)

Review originally posted on my blog with added content Mikku-chan / A world full of words

[Kendra T · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm voluntarily reviewing a free advance reader copy I received from the author.

Adam and Steve were best friends/lovers many years prior, and get reunited by chance after Steve gets shot and needs therapy. Adam is a doctor assigned to help him with his physical therapy. Steve is closed off, in denial, and wanting very much to fight and hide the feelings he has (and has always had) for Adam, but as a cop, he doesn't think being bi or gay fits into his world. Eventually, the guys build their friendship again, and their relationship becomes more romantic. Steve finally lets go of his denial, and goes in full force to a relationship. Adam was patient and kind. Steve was traumatized and scared. They made it through together, which was a great thing.

Overall, this is a tough one for me to rate. On one hand, the book seemed slow and frustrating. I don't mind slow burn, but this one had most of the real action and connection (of them getting together) happen off page. I wanted to see them make those big steps forward together, not get a cursory view of it from the outside. On the other hand, however, I thought Steve's PTSD was written well. His denial seemed very in character for him (from what we see), and it was nice to watch him grow to be more confident.

[Rachel Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the last third of this story a lot more than the first two thirds, and I think that was mostly due to Steve and his "I'M STRAIGHT" mentality through it all, as if it was his only option of sexuality. I don't think the idea that he might be bisexual came up until 80% into the story. His mindset was "I only like women, I'm NOT gay, I don't kiss men, I can't want to kiss Adam."

I actually was worried I wouldn't be able to like his character at all when I started reading this, but he did settle down and start to question his past with Adam (which I almost wish we got to see rather than just have snippets mentioned in thought from the two) and finally come to the realization that he had genuine feelings for Adam. I wish things like Steve's PTSD was explored more fully, rather than given a mention and then one chapter really towards the end of the story. That seemed to come up out of nowhere when it was first mentioned, also possibly due to the fact that there wasn't a whole lot of detail given to his backstory of being military.

That's not to say that there weren't some great moments between Steve and Adam as they rekindle their friendship and it becomes more. I did enjoy them once they started talking and becoming friends. This story overall was sweet, low on steam, and does have a HEA. Honestly, not my favorite story from this author (go read the Delicious series!) but I still look forward to the next one!

I received an ARC copy of this in exchange for an honest review.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Will Steve be able to overcome his internalized homophobia?
Will Adam really be able to trust Steve?

This is a slow burn that never really becomes an inferno, but it is great to watch as Steve and Adam are able to re-kindle first a friendship that spanned their childhood through college years. Their past isn't explicitly spelled out, but it is heart-breaking to imagine two people who were best friends for so long completely lose each other because Steve was so terrified to admit his attraction to Adam.
I am glad I read this. Both men have good arcs, as work to get over their past hurts and fears.

[Staphysagria · Rating 5 out of 5]

After expecting the worst heaving read the previous reviews I was pleasantly surprised.
The struggles of a man in a perceived typically male profession to accept his different sexuality were pretty realistic. Both male leads were amicable characters, and for good measure you get a real bad guy thrown in, too, to spice up the plot. So apart from their overcoming old grudges you get a bit of crime story to keep you on your toes. Once that is out of the way the story winds down. Okay, if you 're really picky you could argue that the happy end drags a bit, but who would begrudge those two adorable guys a little bit of happiness?

[Cadiva · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet story about a second chance romance

This is a nicely done romance between two former lovers who reconnect after one is injured by a fellow cop in a shooting accident and needs physiotherapy from the other.

It's been 15 years since Steve ran out on Adam after their friendship went a step too far from their college fooling around days and he's been struggling with his feelings ever since.

When he has to spend time with Adam again, all the feelings come back with a vengeance.

This is a well paced romance with believable characters and a sweet epilogue.

[Donna Wagner · Rating 4 out of 5]

A journey to get right with love.

Some love stories take time and patience. Adam and Steve are both committed to their occupations. And they were friends in their teens or so. They get to know each other again as patient and physical therapist. But there are a few complications. And some great fun times. Loved the guys and the work they put in to their relationship. You will hopefully be as entertained as I was. Good book!

[Laura Carden · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love the story line!

Love the story line...but the grammatical, verbal, and spelling errors took away from the story. By the end of the story I felt like the author was just rushing to get the story to print. A good editor would have been a great tool to have.

[Valerie ❈M/M Romance Junkie❈ · Rating 2 out of 5]

It started out promising, but it went downhill fast. I truly had a problem with the fact that at 70%, Steve was still struggling with his attraction to Adam. How can I believe any HEA if the freaking MC doesn't believe it this far into the book?

[Leticia Bushong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet romance

This was a nice second chance romance. I like how things outed out for them even with a meddling co-worker trying to get Adam fired due to jealously that was work related.

[Tom Jewell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great fast read

Nothing too intellectual here. Just a great story with a happy ending . Perfect for anybody who just wants to space out.

[Marguerite Long · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was cute. But very predictable.

[Pontiki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Romance and reignited love are Sierra Riley's forte. I love how Adam kicks Steve's butt when he's so angry with world after he gets shot. The PTSD is depicted somewhat accurately, with Steve dissociating, but not too much is said after that.

Also, if Adam is a physiotherapist, he's not likely a doctor, although I do not know how things work in the states.

Similarly, the situation where Mitch looks into another patient's file is a breach of confidentiality, but not illegal, to my knowledge.

Anyway, aside from these technical details, the story was a lovely one, with both characters needing each other and coming together as adults, not school buddies messing around. Very nice.

[Rhonda Caston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Attention grabbing

The thing I liked Best about this Wonderful story was that they each recognized the strengths and weakness of each other and wanted to do better for them. I was slightly disappointed at the end; there was no big finish.

[Lissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Steve Mason, NYPD detective, is shot when he was an innocent bystander, and now his right arm is all sorts of messed up and requires therapy. And the therapist he's assigned to is none other than Adam, his former roommate in college - and also the guy that he had fooled around with more than once, the guy that Steve cut completely out of his life because he wasn't gay.

Steve spends a lot of the book trying to rationalize his attraction to Adam, even though he keeps telling himself that he's not gay. I don't find it so difficult to believe that a grown man can't accept the fact that he is bisexual, especially one who has always prided himself in being super alpha and "manly." I know that there are a lot of bisexual and lesbian women who do not come out and/or embrace their sexuality until later in life, often after a failed heterosexual marriage or two; I'm not exactly sure if it's the same for gay or bisexual men, but I'm sure there are plenty of guys out there who try to "force" themselves to be 100% heterosexual and may not even realize that they are, indeed, bisexual or even gay, until later in life because they cannot define themselves as "that way." So I can understand Steve's struggle; I've seen similar struggles play out in a few friends' lives.

And if the book had focused mostly on Steve's struggle to accept his sexuality, I probably would have liked the book more. Instead, we had some half-assed filler thrown into the mix (belligerent co-workers morphing into HIPAA-breaking stalkers and Steve's battle with PTSD - neither of which, I felt, were developed well enough). So I felt like these aspects of the stories felt rather tacked-on, and I would have been okay with their entire omission from the story - there was enough going on to carry the story, I think, without their addition.

Also, there was a bit of strange terminology - Adam was a doctor of physiotherpay, which made me wonder if the author is originally from Britain or Australia, because Adam's job in the United States, at least, is a physical therapist (and they don't have to be doctors). So it was a little jarring, since the story was set in New York City. And for being set in NYC, I didn't get much of a vibe from the city. Maybe it's because I have been to NYC several times, but the city just has so much character, and it didn't really make it to the page, even though the author did try to throw in some asides about the setting. This story didn't feel distinctively NYC; I feel like it could have taken place in any city.

The story also required a bit of suspension of reality, because I am sure that most of us, had we been left in a way similar to Adam's, would have told our "Steves" to kiss our asses. Or, at least, I know that I would (most likely) tell my "Steve" that. Having had my heart broken by someone who cheated on me and then left me because she didn't "want to be gay," I felt Adam's pain quite well - and I wanted him to just get pissed. I wanted him to yell and scream and let Steve have it for being such a jackass so long ago. And that confrontation, I am sorry to say, never happened - even towards the end of the book, Adam was apologizing to Steve for just beginning to call him on the carpet for his past idiocy.

This book just left me wanting more of...something, and whatever it was, I didn't get it. :(

[Norma Banzi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet love story of a policeman, who can not stand up, that he loves his youthful friend.

xxx

Als Steve auf dem College von seinem Zimmerkameraden Adam das erste Mal geküsst wird, flüchtet er panisch, obwohl es vorher schon Intimitäten zwischen den M��nnern gab. Damit bricht er Adam das Herz. Steve geht zur Armee und danach wird er Polizist. Eine verirrte Kugel durchschlägt seine Schulter und er benötigt mehrere Operationen. Nach dem Krankenhausaufenthalt folgt die ambulante Physiotherapie. Steve erschrickt, als er in dem Arzt, der ihn behandeln soll, Adam erkennt. Adam ist der beste seines Fachs in der ganzen Stadt und so lässt sich Steve widerwillig auf die Behandlung ein.

Adam kann es nicht fassen, als plötzlich der Mann vor ihm steht, der ihm das Herz brach. Da Steve aber eine komplizierte Verletzung hat, ist er praktisch der einzige Arzt, der es schaffen kann, ihn wieder diensttauglich an der Waffe zu therapieren. Das ist Steves größter Wunsch, der sonst nix anderes hat.

In kleinen Schritten nähern sich die Männer wieder aneinander an. Adam erkennt, wie einsam Steve eigentlich ist und verabredet sich schließlich mit ihm zu einem Bier. Das ist der Start zu einer wunderbaren Erneuerung der Freundschaft. Beide Männer sehnen sich nacheinander, Adam voller vorsichtiger Hoffnung, Steve eher verwirrt und immer noch stur darauf beharrend, dass er hetero ist. Dennoch ist Steve nicht mehr der unreife Bengel aus seiner Collegezeit. In ihm beginnt ein Prozess des Denkens, der ihn zu Adam führt.

Dieser Roman war ruhig und dennoch spannend. Wir erleben, wie Steve eine zweite Chance mit Adam erhält und dieses Mal sein Gehirn einschaltet, um über sich und seine Bedürfnisse nachzudenken. Darüber hinaus wird ein Mann beschrieben, der Angst vor der Zukunft hat und mit den psychologischen Folgen seiner Verletzung kämpft.

Adam ist kein Heiliger, aber ein sehr verständnisvoller Arzt, der seine Berufung gefunden hat.

So schön ich die zaghafte Hinwendung der Figuren zueinander auch fand, es nervte mich, dass der Roman recht viele autoerotische Szenen hat, in denen die Männer jeweils für sich alleine fantasieren, wie sie miteinander Sex haben, dann wird aber zum Ende hin ihr wirklicher Sex miteinander absolut stiefmütterlich abgehandelt.

Ich kann es nicht ausstehen, wenn die Autorinnen Liebesszenen in erotischen Fantasien der Figuren vorwegnehmen. Hier hätte ich am liebsten meinen Kindle vor Wut an die Wand geworfen, als mir klar wurde, dass die Autorin den Leserinnen die echte Bettszene zwischen den Figuren vorenthält. Klar, sie beschreibt schon Intimitäten zwischen Steve und Adam, aber den dramaturgischen Höhepunkt, dass sie miteinander schlafen, sucht man vergeblich. Das wird nur kurz erwähnt.

Boah, war ich sauer!

Savior war ein durchaus lesenswertes Buch. Dennoch komme ich nicht ganz über die Verärgerung hinweg, die mich packte, als ich erkannte, wie die Autorin das erotische Pulver zu früh in Fantasien vorwegnahm und schon verschossen hatte, bevor die Figuren seelisch bereit waren, sich wieder aufeinander einzulassen. So wurde der Sex nicht zum Höhepunkt der Geschichte, sondern zur Beliebigkeit.

Wer natürlich auf autoerotische Szenen steht, in dem der eine Chara den anderen als Wixvorlage imaginiert, wird mit diesem Buch bestens bedient.

Rezension von I love Gaybooks

[J · Rating 4 out of 5]

*An ARC was given to me in exchange of unbiased & voluntary review.*

Loving someone requires loving ourselves first.

A story of second chances, accepting one's self & the battles that go along with it.


What I'd really liked in this story is how nurturing the personality of Adam & how patient he was for Steve. He looks like he's weak compared to Steve when in reality he's not. Thinking back of it now, I realized that Adam's the one being pertained to in the title. He's the Savior of their relationship. I loved how he handled the situation upon meeting Steve after years of being apart. Not giving in even if you wanted to, takes a lot of strength to do. Indeed, Adam is stronger than what people gives him credit to. He's also a great PT & an amazing work buddy. I mean, what more could someone like him ask for?

Steve. It's Steve.

Steve, the one who got away. He's the former college roommate of Adam. He & Adam did things that left Steve satisfied & Adam more frustrated than ever. Why? Adam has feelings for Steve only that the latter is STRAIGHT! Or not? A GFY romance, eh? *insert heart emoticons here*. Kidding aside, Steve has been in a rough patch since he was shot by a stray bullet. His work as a cop has been put to danger. He can't work until he get his injured body cured. So, he went to hospital only to face the man he had bailed from years ago. How could he ever accept that the only one who can fill the void in his heart is the one he can't bare to be with?

That is where the problem starts. Steve sucks on accepting things. Accepting help from someone, accepting that he has groveling to do, even accepting that he's falling for a man! But don't get me wrong, the man isn't exactly an a**hole. He's actually a man worth fighting for. A man who has a soft heart for his loved ones. A man who would do anything for someone he holds dear. That's why I love this man. There's more to him than what others see on the surface. He's the exact epitome of "a guy that will always have your back". You'll just get that vibe from him. 'Cause I did. :)

I'll give this novel 4 stars for the feel-good factor alone. A truly heartwarming novel that will make you up for hours. An anti-gravity book. One that you can't simply put down. I loved the theme and plot. Truly entertaining.

Thanks, Miss Riley. It was a really great book. <3

[Sheri (Tangled Up In Books) · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a bit of struggle to decide how to rate this one. Obviously you're not going to win every single time when you pick up a book by one of your favorite authors. Sometimes you just don't mesh well with the story or one or more of the characters. Which is the position I find myself in with Savior. The storyline was great, my issues came with Steve.

While by the end of the book I had eventually fallen in love with him...it took me about 70-75% of it to get there. Before that it was a tremendous struggle and he annoyed the ever loving heck out of me. His constant inner monologue (and sometimes actual out loud arguments with himself) about how "he's straight! He's not gay! Blah blah blah" got really old really fast. And he was always so angry about it especially within his thoughts towards Adam from their past. Always with the blame game. Adam's fault for being gay. Adam's fault they messed around and he was confused. Then mad at himself for "not being a man/being weak" It was constant. Like every scene he was in! I mean luckily it never got to the point where I wanted to stop reading but I just wanted to scream early him and say enough already! You're in love with a dude get the heck over it!

Sigh.

On a brighter note ... Adam was the best. He really saved this book for me until Steve finally got over himself and I felt good rooting for the two of them. He was constant, he was a rock, he was sweet and steadfast. Just adored him to pieces.

It was definitely a slow burn. I didn't even feel much sexual tension between them through most of the book. It was more so lots of insecurities and doubts and fears. From both sides because they both had a lot to work through. Though once things did start to sizzle things got steamy!

I'll just wrap this up real quick by saying that this was a hard one to figure out how I feel. On the one hand by the end I was so freaking loving it and just in that blissful HEA state of mind. Yet in the other hand it's hard to forget just how long it took me to get there.

[L Cam · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a freely given arc review

I usually like most of Sierra Riley's writing. I can't say that her writing is spectacular or one of my all time favorites. A lot of her stories read the same and have very simple plots, but they have likable characters that makes them at the very least 3 stars. This is no exception.

In Savior we meet Steven, a man of extensive military/law enforcement background. We meet him after he'd been shot while off-duty and finally getting out of the hospital. The story leaves everything of his previous experiences out. We know he's a cop, but we don't see any of that in his life in the story. It's more a circumstance and used as contextual support. When he meets Adam, he's surprised because they knew each other once upon a time, but their relationship ended on poor terms.

Adam is a successful physical therapist/doctor and is charged with helping Steven get back to where he was before. There is the obvious sexual tension and attraction. Most of their encounters happen at the office and someone's apartment. The subplot with Adam involves a co-worker named Mitch. He could have been left out completely because he only is there to push Adam and Steven closer. Due to a work related jealousy Mitch stalks Adam to sabotage his career out of context .

The relationship between Adam and Steven is sweet, but the story as a whole is shallow and doesn't have a lot of depth to it. We don't get much in the way of setting either. I would have preferred if the drama also happened while Steven was still active in law enforcement, not sidelined. It would have made for a much more dramatic story and a better story overall.

[Tj · Rating 2 out of 5]

A lover who walked out of your life is back. He has been hurt and is need of therapy. You are highly rated in your field and can help provide that help. Sounds interesting.... well it was a good idea but this little train jumped the track in several places.

Steve and Adam have known each other since childhood and were college roommates. Adam has always been open about his sexuality. Steve is very adamant that he is STRAIGHT even when Adam is giving him a blow job. It all becomes too much for him when Adam tries to kiss him. Steve punches the wall and leaves. To add insult to injury, he sends someone else to the apartment for his things.

Fast forward to the present, Steve is now a police officer and is shot while leaving a restaurant. If he is to regain use of his arm and his career, he needs therapy and a good doctor. He is surprised when that person turns out to be Adam.

Adam is way to forgiving. Ok... he is an idiot. Most of us would have said hell no and referred Steve to another doctor. Not Adam. At first he keeps it professional. Soon the two are spending time together outside of the office.

Adam keeps telling himself he could loose his license but in the next sentence is trying to work up the courage to hold Steve's hand. Steve is still a mess wanting Adam but still screaming to himself and reminding Adam that he is not gay.

All this should be enough but... we amp the drama including a jealous colleague, Adam almost loosing his job and Steve being diagnosed with PTSD. I found myself not liking either character.

[Sara MacRae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Savior is another well-written and satisfying read from author Sierra Riley. Adam and Steve seemed to be more reserved with expressing their emotions and pushing their relationship forward than Riley’s couples usually are. The connection between these two is pure and genuine, even though their history and memories could very easily cloud the potential for achieving future happiness. Fortunately, Adam’s professional sensibilities, training, and strict ethics lead him to continue serving as Steve’s physiotherapist, and it effectively sets the stage for these two star-crossed lovers and former best friends to reconnect as friends and eventually pick up where they left off more than a decade ago.

Riley tosses in a few realistic sub-plots to help sew the story together – the jealous colleague, the PTSD resulting from Steve’s shooting, and the debate tournament (something scholarly for a nice change of pace!) – and Riley does a masterful job of threading together the steps Steve has to take on his healing journey. It’s easy for the reader to dismiss Steve as an emotionless, cold, and heartless type of guy, especially considering how opposite he seems to Adam (opposites do attract!), but the truth is, Steve is lost and needs an anchor, needs a northern star. He has always had that – in Adam.

What sells this story is the dual POV, and it’s the type of story you’re not convinced you like or even enjoy until it’s over…and that’s when you realize the author has pulled you in, hook, line, and sinker to a realistic love – and life – story.

[ButtonsMom2003 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one has lots of feels!

Steve and Adam had a relationship of sorts back in college and they were best friends until Adam took their relationship farther than Steve was comfortable with.

Steve has always identified himself as straight, even when he and Adam were fooling around back in college. Adam was in love with his best friend and when he tried to take their “fooling around” to the next level Steve bolted. They haven’t seen each other for years but now Adam has been assigned as Steve’s physical therapist to help him recover from a gunshot wound.

This book really tugged on my emotions. Steve doesn’t want to admit that he’s got real feelings for Steve; he’s having trouble accepting the fact that he’s bi-sexual. Adam has never really gotten over the heartbreak of losing Steve’s friendship; he’s reluctant to start anything up again but just can’t seem to help himself. I felt for both characters, the connection between them seemed real. This story also has some very interesting plot twists involving one of Steve’s co-workers and I enjoyed that a lot.

I love second chance stories whether they are M/F, M/M or some other combination. Savior was just the kind of book I like to read.

I received an advanced copy of this book but my review was voluntary and not influenced by the author.

[Joseph]

I finished reading this 2 days ago, and still the characters linger in my mind. What can I say reading a Sierra Riley book is like a always being transported into the lives are some amazing men. Steve and Adams story was one of my favorites, Steve who is a Detective on a day off, suddenly has his world shatter when he is shot in the shoulder by a stray bullet.Seriously damaging tendons, nerves and muscle that could end all he knows to be and his meaning to exist. When he is discharged with instructions to start PT, his world again gets turned upside down when his therapist is his best friend Adam that he ran away from yrs ago after a kiss drove him away out of fear and closeted oppression. What starts out very tense and fragile eventually through healing and understanding and focus unfolds into one of the best love stories to be written. There was plenty of personal reflection and baby steps to come to trust again, and regain the friendship that meant the world to them both at one time, and blossom to full on heat and attraction that is hot and intense. Savior was so exciting and fun to read and NYC as the backdrop made for some very beautiful imagery and great moments. You will love Savior!