Love always comes with a price. I realized that the moment I was kicked out of my parents' house.
For years I've made my living servicing the physical and emotional needs of my clients. My body, my rules, my choice. Helping Caldwell Investigations is my choice, too, and I'd be lying if I said I didn't show up to that office just to get under a certain someone's skin.
Cam McCabe is sexy, sweet, and really bad for business. I've wanted him for years, but he's the type of guy who has to have me all to himself, and I don't do exclusivity. When an old client starts threatening me, Cam's whole white knight thing might just make me reconsider.
No one's ever cared about me as intensely as he does, and as much as it scares me... I think I'm starting to like it. I might even need it.
Cam
Losing the man I loved in Afghanistan pretty much destroyed any hope I had of finding my happily ever after.
Since I got back, I've focused on my work with only one major distraction. Noah Blair is the worst tease, and he's completely off limits. As much as I'd like to make him scream my name, I refuse to be just another one of his johns.
But when some assh*le starts stalking Noah, my protective instincts kick into overdrive. I'm supposed to be working a case to find a senator's runaway daughter, but all I can think about is keeping Noah safe, no matter the cost.
And maybe once this is all over, I'll make him mine once and for all.
Join the Caldwell Investigations team as they fight for justice--and for love. Savior is a steamy standalone that includes an overprotective grump who's secretly a sweetheart and the mouthy informant he can't resist.
This is book 2 in the Caldwell Investigations series, but it can easily be read as a stand alone.
***This review is slightly spoilerish.***
I didn't like Cam in the brief flash we got of him in the previous book. But I did warm up to him more in this one. Noah I loved. Just adored the feisty, funny, caring, flamboyant, independent guy.
His choice of profession, sex worker, was presented with care and respect. He wasn't victimized into the work. It was a choice he made and worked hard to become successful at it. The dangers of the job were not downplayed but neither were the workers belittled. In fact, I felt like they were empowered both through Noah and through a side character. I enjoyed this fresh look at this trope.
Cam and Noah as a couple shouldn't have worked. Cam is ex-military with PTSD and an overriding need to protect his friends which unfortunately translates into possessiveness. With Noah's line of work and his independent nature this was a major obstacle.
They spent years lighty flirting and eyeing each other but knowing that a relationship between them was not a good idea. Then, a threat to Noah's life throws them together. Spending a lot of time one on one leads to boundaries being crossed and feelings brought to the surface.
There's a crime mystery running alongside the romance plot. A case the PI agency has taken on involving a missing senator's daughter. I had a few issues with this part of the plot.
Now that I'm finished with the whole book I can say the Liz/Kimmie plotline did not work for me at all. Her age, her reason for being in the position she's in, the supposed danger to her from Brett, Cam and Noah worried but not really protecting her...none of it worked for me. :-( Even the resolution fell really flat for me.
As for Cam and Noah. They're probably never going to be my favorite couple. I wanted more depth to go along with the chemistry. But it was a sweet sort of romance with an HEA.
I find myself agreeing with Hendrick's writing -- have read all of her books and enjoyed most of them. This one is no exception... well, I have some complaints but in the end, I liked both Cam and Noah to think this one was good.
Even from the first book, I knew there was some sparks between Cam -- one of the PIs at Caldwell Investigations -- and Noah, the 'confidential informant' who also works as a prostitute. This time Cam and Noah have to work together, trying to help the daughter of a senator who runs away because of her father's stance towards LGBT, while at the same time trying to protect Noah's from a possessive and dangerous client.
Okay, complaints first ... Noah kept saying that he could protect himself, but I found the evidence to be contrary. I was frustrated that he was dismissing how dangerous Brett's was, and sort of rejecting Cam's attempt because Noah thought he didn't need a white knight. Well, Noah, sometimes people NEED help! *hmph*
As for Cam, I appreciated that he TRIED to understand Noah's choice, even if he didn't understand in the beginning, and made his own assumption based on general knowledge of why people become prostitutes.
In the case of the senator's daughter, I kinda liked the 'twist' with the father, ALTHOUGH it also happened a bit too fast.
Other than that, yes, I thought Cam and Noah were a good couple. Wish the book ended with that that Noah waited for Cam to do though *lol*
I wanted to like this more but the whole Liz/Kimmie thing just didn't work. The whole time I kept wondering why in the world she jumped from such a privileged life to working on the street and when we finally get an answer it just didn't feel authentic; it felt forced as a way to have Noah, a sex-worker, have some ground to connect with her rather than an organic element to the plot.
Also, there was a scene where Noah, Cam and Liz/Kimmie have to go through an always on guard security booth and gates had to be opened for them (not an automatic opener like some gated communities for those with access) and then it was like...a forgotten element as the bad guy gets in not once but twice, and gets out both times without being noticed. Just, how did that happen? I'll buy it if he'd bribed the guard, or jumped the fence somehow (for the first time as dragging someone with him would have been difficult) but there was no mention of how he got in. That bugged me. Don't introduce a barrier like that and then neglect to comment on how someone got around it.
That said, I really liked the rest of the story. Cam was a tough nut to crack and if he was going to open up it really would have only been with Noah. I don't believe for one moment that he'd have been okay with Noah continuing sex-work, but I like that he was willing to try...even if it didn't work out like that in the end.
Also, for some reason Noah reminded me, just a little, of Holden from the Infected series (sex-worker moonlighting a bit with a private detective firm) but I like Holden so it was all good.
I actually liked the first book better. This one did nothing for me. I needed more from both Noah and Cam. Like depth? I mean, we learned basically nothing about these two except for a few snippets. I needed more.
I hated that Noah dismissed Cam's help, because he wasn't a damsel in distress. Use your forkin' brain! Cam and the rest of Caldwell Investigations is equipped to handle situations like Noah had. He just made me so mad.
I didn't see/feel anything from these two, except maybe physical attraction. That alone does nothing for me. I didn't believe in this couple at all.
This is book 2 in the Caldwell Investigations series, but I can easily say that it can be read as a stand alone.
Cam and Noah have been circling each other for years now, hiding behind a routine of flirting and insults towards one another. Cam hates that he wants Noah, he knows it can never go anywhere with the man. Between his own baggage and the fact that Noah sleeps with men for money, there’s no way Cam could ever jump into any kind of relationship with him. But when danger comes knocking on Noah’s door, Cam is right there to protect him.
I knew I was going to love Cam right away. Something about his grumpy and brooding personality grasped me. I truly felt like he’d be someone I’d like to befriend in real life. It was easy to connect with him. I was slightly torn with Noah, however. While I adored his big heart, feistiness and his sense of humor. I was not as sold on his love of his career as a sex worker. I just never felt comfortable with that part of him.
Cam and Noah worked as a couple even with their huge differences. Cam may have been a bit overprotective which rankled on Noah but, in the end, it was more endearing than anything else. It was definitely a point of contention with the men but they had such great chemistry, that it was almost sexy how much Cam felt the need to protect Noah.
The mystery surrounding Liz, a runaway they help and her Senator father felt a little flat. I thought instead of focusing on the crazy obsessed ex-client, there could’ve been more with this particular subplot. It didn’t feel fleshed out and I, truthfully, found myself wondering why it was even put in the story at all.
Overall, I enjoyed Savior, Cam and Noah. However, after getting the few glimpses of Grizz that we got, I cannot wait for his story.
**Copy provided to Me by the author for my reading pleasure in hopes of an unbiased opinion, a review was not a requirement.**
A very classical romance with the same ingredients as usual, a princess who need to be saved, a good and protective fairy, the bad guy and the prince in shining armor. But this cocktail without magic don't work well. I'm sorry because I really enjoy these author usually, I will continue to read her books anyway.
4.5 big stars for this well written engaging read. the attraction between Noah and Cam was undeniable. They knew each other for years, but resisted each other until they could not. loved the dynamic in the process of them being together.
Received an ARC for an honest review. unfortunately could not do a review on Amazon for some reason.
I really enjoyed this latest book, Savior, by Alison Hendricks.
Noah and Cam have been skirting around each other for a few years. Noah is currently helping Caldwell Investigations with a case. As a result, he and Cam start spending time together. As far as their mutual attraction goes, neither are interested in having things go anywhere.
Noah does not want to be exclusive. He is a sex worker and he is devoted to his clients. And Cam is still reeling from the loss of someone he loved. Noah wants to focus on his clients, and Cam on his work.
But, when Noah finds himself in danger, Cam steps in to keep him safe. This causes them to reconsider a relationship.
I truly adore both Noah and Cam. Despite what we think about Noah at the beginning, he is likable. You can tell he is a good guy who wants to help others. Later on, we find out just how helpful he really is. He is a completely sweet guy. Cam, meanwhile is suffering. He thinks he isn't good enough for Noah, despite being confused by Noah's profession of being an escort. He is definitely more elusive and closed off, but does open up to Noah.
Their chemistry is great. The suspense in the book is well written. Overall, it's another good job by Alison Hendricks and I recommend it.
This was a nice enough story. It had a little twist included but no major surprises. Touched briefly on the main characters issues - the main characters were okay!
I loved this book. It's full of suspense, action, but also will pull at your heart strings and will steam up your kindle,or hands. This is by far my favorite book by this author and that's saying allot because I love her books, but this is defiantly one of this books you never want to end. Cam is an investigator at Caldwell Investigations. He's a veteran and still struggles with his past. Noah is a prostitute,high end,but he also helps the guys at the investigation company. Which is how the two meet. They have known each other for a long time and they have always had a back and forth thing going on,with much more brewing under the surface. This book is about fighting your demons and also fighting for those who can't fight for themselves. It's about doing what you have to do to get by. This book is not all about prostitution. It is a part of this story but not in a way that makes you feel like it's all about that. It's about finding the place you belong and the love everyone should have.
I have been a fan of Alison Hendricks for a while, having read all the Eastshore Tigers and ECS Mavericks stories, as well as the Glen Springs series. This new series is freaking awesome!!! The characters are dynamic and flawed, mysterious and sexy. I am loving it and can't wait to read more!!
I loved Noah, who seemed to be that classic prostitute who sells his body because he loves sex and it gives him control, but there is so much more to him, as we learn throughout the story. And then there is Cam, who seems like such a cold-hearted bastard, but is struggling with secrets of his own. The sexual tension between them was almost a character itself! Wow!
The secondary characters are all amazing, but I can't wait to read Grizz's story because I know he's a powderkeg, waiting to go off. The glimpses we get of him are so intriguing I need to know more!!
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.
I didn't like this story, or the characters, as well as the first book. Neither Noah nor Cam really clicked for me and their reactions always felt a little off. Perhaps because of this, I found myself skimming much of this book as it just didn't hold my attention.
Most of the interactions with Brett felt forced and merely tangential, as if they were written separately and then inserted periodically into the story to interrupt the flow. Also, if he was smart enough to capture Noah, why would he leave all of the tools that Noah needed in order to escape?
This is a somber look at life on the streets as a “rent boy” which Noah had navigated with success, working his way up to high priced clients. Gruff Cam is an ex-military man with a tragic past who tries to save people in his life and is well suited in his career. They both are immensely attracted to each other but will not act on it until a Senator’s daughter is involved and one of Noah’s clients becomes possessive of Noah. This is is a story that shows that most of us wear a public persona which protects our vulnerable parts. Noah and Cam are very hot together!
A solid read. Nothing out of joint, smooth writing; I just got bored with the story and found the main characters too perfectly constructed/ cliched-ish? Maybe I am just reading too many stories with the characters like this and couldn't appreciate it fully but this is my current take on it.
I think I definitely liked the first book in the series better, it was nice to read something from a different author but these 2 books were really similar. There was just a different background and more angst in the 2nd one.
I am really enjoying this new series from Alison. Like I said of book one, this is a different book than I was used to from her, but, in a way, it is so much better. You get angst, mystery, love and lust all wrapped up into a package that is just wonderful. I adored Noah and Cam. And, honestly, I was not sure how I would feel about Cam actually, from book one, but...his love, attention and care for those in his circle is wonderful. A definite must read!
Caldwell Investigations series continues with Savior. I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Cam and Noah and the acceptance and understanding they found in each other. New tidbits about other characters and the glimpses of Avery and Warren from Salvation Book 1 was good.
I did a lot of scanning after a bit. The question I ask myself is why. I didn’t really get attached to the characters and the storyline didn’t ring true are the closest answers I can come up with.
Cam and Noah. Better than book 1, but again, the plot line would benefit from more depth and direction. Cam and Noah have decent chemistry, but seem to be more engaging as separate characters than as a couple. Overall okay. Will read book 3. C+, no reread