What do you think?
Rate this book
Liberated #1
Liberated
The perfect boyfriend, a lead role on a Netflix show, a too energetic dog who won’t leave his side… Joshua can’t be happier. He has it all, every little thing a Broadway actor can dream with. He’s even going to be an uncle in a couple of months.
Or not.
Because Rob, the perfect boyfriend whose sister is about to give birth, has to leave. He finds out his sister had lost her job, and when the baby is born, he can’t leave her alone. He’s the only family she has, and Joshua isn’t about to make him choose. Even if it leaves a void in his chest he’s not so sure how to deal with.
He still wraps up the season, because he’s professional if anything. But he can’t stay in New York, pretending nothing is wrong. Something is wrong. And so going to LA and spending the summer with his best friend seems like a good idea.
But then he has to go on tour to promote season two. He doesn’t even consider he can meet Rob. Although they have a panel in Austin, it is a big city.
It’s been months, but it might’ve as well been years. The good thing about being a single parent was Rob didn’t have much time to think about anything else. About Joshua or the life in New York City he’d given up and wasn’t trying to get back to.
But Joshua is back in his life now. It seems he’s back to stay. Intellectually, he knows Joshua isn’t the kind of person to back away. He’s loyal, and he always pours his heart into everything he does.
If only it wasn’t so difficult, to get rid of the uncalled for guilt. To balance his role as Jules’ parent and the one he wanted but couldn’t be for Joshua.
(61000+ words)
Or not.
Because Rob, the perfect boyfriend whose sister is about to give birth, has to leave. He finds out his sister had lost her job, and when the baby is born, he can’t leave her alone. He’s the only family she has, and Joshua isn’t about to make him choose. Even if it leaves a void in his chest he’s not so sure how to deal with.
He still wraps up the season, because he’s professional if anything. But he can’t stay in New York, pretending nothing is wrong. Something is wrong. And so going to LA and spending the summer with his best friend seems like a good idea.
But then he has to go on tour to promote season two. He doesn’t even consider he can meet Rob. Although they have a panel in Austin, it is a big city.
It’s been months, but it might’ve as well been years. The good thing about being a single parent was Rob didn’t have much time to think about anything else. About Joshua or the life in New York City he’d given up and wasn’t trying to get back to.
But Joshua is back in his life now. It seems he’s back to stay. Intellectually, he knows Joshua isn’t the kind of person to back away. He’s loyal, and he always pours his heart into everything he does.
If only it wasn’t so difficult, to get rid of the uncalled for guilt. To balance his role as Jules’ parent and the one he wanted but couldn’t be for Joshua.
(61000+ words)
322 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 30, 2018
2 people are currently reading
12 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
September 23, 2021
NYC love
Angsty story of Joshua, a smaller in stature dancer/singer/actor, and Rob, an online journalist: their budding relationship, the break because of Julia, a road reunion and the inevitable HFN. Much of the book transpires in the between period, as the men struggle to understand. Alter develops the MCs in fine detail, with the supporting cast good for counterpoint. Not a book to give you a feel for LA, Austin or New York, but this reader felt the cramped confines of an apartment with 4 adults, a baby and a dog. The ending, while feeling abrupt, did somewhat feel resolved.
Angsty story of Joshua, a smaller in stature dancer/singer/actor, and Rob, an online journalist: their budding relationship, the break because of Julia, a road reunion and the inevitable HFN. Much of the book transpires in the between period, as the men struggle to understand. Alter develops the MCs in fine detail, with the supporting cast good for counterpoint. Not a book to give you a feel for LA, Austin or New York, but this reader felt the cramped confines of an apartment with 4 adults, a baby and a dog. The ending, while feeling abrupt, did somewhat feel resolved.
April 2, 2018
Good story
I liked the premise of this story, and the characters had some kind of connection with each other. I felt there could be a little more character development, but I liked the story. I read the synopsis after I read the book, and summed up the story pretty well, maybe a little more detail then needed, but it did tell the story. I wanted to care more about the characters, but Joshua grew on me. There were some conflicts, both outward and inward that lent to the story telling, and it added to the plot.
I liked the premise of this story, and the characters had some kind of connection with each other. I felt there could be a little more character development, but I liked the story. I read the synopsis after I read the book, and summed up the story pretty well, maybe a little more detail then needed, but it did tell the story. I wanted to care more about the characters, but Joshua grew on me. There were some conflicts, both outward and inward that lent to the story telling, and it added to the plot.
July 25, 2025
Great read
I enjoyed Rob and Joshua's story. Whilst I sobbed in places, I laughed in others. Emily Alter is a brilliant writer and I look forward to reading more of her books.
I enjoyed Rob and Joshua's story. Whilst I sobbed in places, I laughed in others. Emily Alter is a brilliant writer and I look forward to reading more of her books.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews