Liam has it all, including a successful drag fashion business and a ride or die best friend.
However, he is entirely unlucky in love.
He wakes up in the beds of strangers far too often in a bid to feel the validation his past so cruelly left him without.
That is until a starry-eyed man sweeps him off his feet leaving Liam powerless and wanting more.
Liam fights to overcome his insecurities and those of his one true love, but when they start to get in the way, he quickly realises that love is more complicated than he expected.
Can Liam still have all he dreams of, or is life just too unfair?
D J Cook, or Danny, lives in Cheshire with his annoying yet lovable partner, and even more annoying siblings. He has a Special Guardianship Order for his sister since his mum lost her fight with cancer in 2013. Danny uses books as an escape from reality, because who wouldn't want to be in House Tyrell, sipping wine and watching The Hunger Games unfold before their very eyes? When he isn't consumed by a world full of books, he binge watches TV series and plays Xbox. If he disappears, you'll either find him at IKEA or in the bath.
Simply perfection. Liam's story was an emotional read. He took me on a journey filled with turmoil, angst and newly found hope. I cried in anguish at times yet also sighed in romantic bliss at the love and tantalizing heat shared. It will hold a piece of my heart for always.
I read the first book of this series (Tamsin) and was ecstatic when I found out Liam was getting his own book, he was by far my favourite character! And this book just makes me love him more.
This book is very real, it shows the true beauty of this crazy world we live in, but also the dark and ugly parts of this world that some people forget far too often. It gives some harsh truths into how life can be torn apart just because of small minded, cruel people, who dislike others because they simply do not understand or respect that we as humans are beautiful no matter who we are.
Now… Did I wish for a Disney happily ever after, love conquers all finish? Absolutely! And I was beyond devastated that this was not the case. However, there still was a happily ever after, of self love, self validation.
I cried, laughed and fell in love in this book, I commend the author for being so real, and telling a story that some may shy away from. So thank you!!
Most of the time you find that sequels never match up to the originals of anything! Well, let me tell you - with Liam, you have absolutely no worries! DJ Cook nails it and hits it out of the park once again with this amazing novel; real with relatable story arcs.
The heartbreak you feel when reading this book is truly gut-wrenching, and is perfectly juxtaposed with Liam's highs and happiness.
DJ Cook once again shows his uncanny ability to write in a very real, raw and relatable way - even if you've never experienced the tragedies of his characters.
Wow what a book. After reading Tamsin I was unsure that it could be beaten but I think DJ Cook has definitely done it with Liam. Liam doesn't give his heart to many but has an instant connection to Matt. Life isn't plain sailing for them and then tragedy strikes. Can Liam get through it. I would definitely recommend reading this one but also have tissues ready. Well done , proud to have read this xxx
I loved Liam while reading Tamsin so I was really excited to get more of him! Liam's story is so heartfelt and so painfully relevant to the times we're living in. I cried my heart out reading it and I've have no regrets!!
Wow,wow, wow!!! I absolutely LOVED reading Liam. I KNEW I would after loving his character so much in Tamsin. He is such a big character and soft hearted at the same time. I still wish I had my very own Liam in my life.
I won't lie and say I wasn't heartbroken for him at times BUT our struggles make us who we are. Liam's struggles just so happened to help make him stronger and gave him a voice for so many others.
I personally cried for Matt and Liam but I feel that their heartbreak needed to be written and D.J. Cook did it so wonderfully. Some of.ylu might disagree with me but unfortunately our world can be cruel and very harsh.. tragedies need to be written/told to open our eyes and help change/better our world for the future.
Another stunning novel from DJ Cook. Liam’s book is a stark reminder that, although we’ve made huge progress when it comes to equality and diversity, we still have a long way to go. It’s a painful truth that, for many in our society, simply loving another person can be a dangerous act, and bigotry and hatred are still dangerously pervasive in our society. This book pulls no punches in delivering that message and delivering it hard.
The characters are real and engaging, to the point where it felt a bit like losing a group of friends when I closed the last page. The writing flows smoothly and kept me turning the pages until I finished. I had to know what happened.
It wasn't what I was expecting. If I'd have known there was no HEA I wouldn't have read it.
Also Matt struggles with drag/femme/ men who like make up and feminine things. He makes comments alluding to why things like that need to be obvious in public and he worries about other people's perceptions (he is still coming to terms with his sexuality and newly out as bi).
Then the ONE time he wears make up he gets stabbed and killed? So what's the authors message here?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Loved this book! Liam had been one of my favourite characters in 'Tamsin', and so I loved reading his story. DJ Cook has done very well in making the sequel as good as, if not better than, his first book. Can't wait to read more from this author!
Liam was so good and emotional that I write this review with tears still fresh on my cheeks. After reading Tamsin and learning a lot about Liam in her book I did wonder where his book could take us. I have to admit Liam grabbed you in to tell us his story and what a story it is. Dj cook took us on a road of, I think turned out to be self discovery. In a world where acceptance of LGBTQ+ should be a given right, DJ shows us how its not freely given by everyone. He tells us the challenges of true to life issues on any given day can change a persons perspective at the click of a finger, not always in a good way. validation to be you is a constant battle with some people and the author brings all this to the forefront of the story. It was hard hitting read that is raw, real, emotional, heavy and light. I truly had goose bumps reading this story and I can't wait for the next instalment from this talented new author. This is a story that you most definitely will need a box of kleenex. It highly emotional and guaranteed to have you in floods of tears.
Well, this book had me sobbing into my pillow late into the night whilst I was reading it. My heart broke for Liam. This book had all the raw emotions and feelings flowing through it. It was certainly a page turner, I wanted to know more about Liam, I wanted him to find who he was and get his HEA. I was rooting for him 💙🩵 His journey in life had so many bumps and things thrown his way, but he persevered and fought. Liam hadn't had it easy growing up but I loved his relationship with his BFF Tamsin. She was his rock. Both books in this series have been really good. Heartbreaking and emotional. Also both covers are absolutely stunning 🩵💙💜💜
This book is beautifully written, well done DJ Cook! 👏🏻👏🏻
Wow what a read this is! After meeting Liam in book 1 (Tamsin) I really was looking forward to his story and expected hilarity laughter and carry on.. we got this in his story but we also got so much more than that in this rollercoaster read. The book takes you back to Liams school days and shows you how this has shaped him to be the man he is today and the struggles coming out as a gay man and how you can suffer from others. I devoured this book in 1 sitting as didn't want to put it down. *Read as part of KU*