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stang_gt3's review against another edition
3.0
This book is a hard one for me to rate. While I liked the main characters a lot, I had a few issues with some of the plot choices. I'm a bit picky about my BDSM and this pushes into the realm of not healthy. I don't qualify this as safe/sane/consensual. Psychologically I can understand why Alex felt he needed things to be the way there were, but Eric's character really bothered me.
There are a lot of unbelievable romantic suspense elements to this one, and the trope has been done before. Author's story is becoming film/tv, things from the book start happening in real life, oh no! The basic plotline wasn't that complicated, the writing style is a little simplistic, but overall not bad. I just kept getting hung up on the use of BDSM in this story.
Look Alexander's past is horrific, and the strength he has to try to become whole again is incredible. I don't even mind the need he had for BDSM as a therapy tool, if that was really all it was and if he had some interest in it as a person. But instead it gets twisted as yet another way to hurt Alexander and the results of what happened with Erik bothered me immensely. From the first he seemed like an out of control Dom and his obsessive nature doesn't work as someone who is supposed to be a hired Dom. This is his job and not some level of emotional detachment is to be expected or the place of business would lose their reputation. I also didn't like that as much as Alex's therapist was supportive of what the therapy did for Alex she didn't understand it. Melanie had no background in BDSM to help Alex deal with his feelings or to know that it wasn't really something he wanted. He was forced into that type of relationship after his abduction into the cult and didn't know how to process without it. That's something Melanie should have been working with him on dealing with.
I just found so many of the elements of this story to be unbelievable. But I did like the bond between Alexander and Sage. Sage is a little perfect, but his moods gave a little bit of balance back to someone being so understanding of the incomprehensible situation his boyfriend was dealing with. I'll let the film elements go as first it's in another country and I don't know British film the way I do American, and second nothing here got too detailed so I could let the little irksome things go.
All in all this falls into the middle of the road for me. I liked elements, but didn't like some big ones too.
There are a lot of unbelievable romantic suspense elements to this one, and the trope has been done before. Author's story is becoming film/tv, things from the book start happening in real life, oh no! The basic plotline wasn't that complicated, the writing style is a little simplistic, but overall not bad. I just kept getting hung up on the use of BDSM in this story.
Look Alexander's past is horrific, and the strength he has to try to become whole again is incredible. I don't even mind the need he had for BDSM as a therapy tool, if that was really all it was and if he had some interest in it as a person. But instead it gets twisted as yet another way to hurt Alexander and the results of what happened with Erik bothered me immensely. From the first he seemed like an out of control Dom
Spoiler
that kind of blood play made no sense especially with out careful Alex was with condoms and being carefulI just found so many of the elements of this story to be unbelievable. But I did like the bond between Alexander and Sage. Sage is a little perfect, but his moods gave a little bit of balance back to someone being so understanding of the incomprehensible situation his boyfriend was dealing with. I'll let the film elements go as first it's in another country and I don't know British film the way I do American, and second nothing here got too detailed so I could let the little irksome things go.
All in all this falls into the middle of the road for me. I liked elements, but didn't like some big ones too.
smjwilliams2004's review against another edition
3.0
The blurb looked really good for this book. I really tried to get into the story line, but could not.
I always enjoy a good book were one of the MCs has a troubled past, and second guesses their worth (More often than not, we've ll been here). Yet they manage to find a great partner, learn to love themselves and that happily ever after that works for them.
When I feel the need to force myself to the very end and not be fully engaged naturally, I know a story is not for me.
This author has written many great books but this one does not mesh with my reader's personality.
**I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.**
I always enjoy a good book were one of the MCs has a troubled past, and second guesses their worth (More often than not, we've ll been here). Yet they manage to find a great partner, learn to love themselves and that happily ever after that works for them.
When I feel the need to force myself to the very end and not be fully engaged naturally, I know a story is not for me.
This author has written many great books but this one does not mesh with my reader's personality.
**I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.**
faysmmbooks's review against another edition
5.0
Okay first up I gotta say the book tittle and blurb kept niggling on my mind to buy and read. So I just gave in, I'm so glad I did. Alexander has been through so much in life, as the author said Alex needs to be loved and I'd completely agree after reading this..
Alexander is in a B/S relationship with Eric at a club to give him what he needs once a week, but Alex still feels the hole within himself.
Christopher Sage aka Sage just got news he's got a part in a production of a TV series which has him excited about. Especially when he's the main lead roll, made is day. Sage meets Alex when they were introduced at his agents office, Alex being the author of the fabulous book being made into film.
My heart cried for Alexander, I prayed he would be alright.. Things don't go smoothly especially when theirs someone out there plotting to hurt them. This is a must read book..I loved it..
Alexander is in a B/S relationship with Eric at a club to give him what he needs once a week, but Alex still feels the hole within himself.
Christopher Sage aka Sage just got news he's got a part in a production of a TV series which has him excited about. Especially when he's the main lead roll, made is day. Sage meets Alex when they were introduced at his agents office, Alex being the author of the fabulous book being made into film.
My heart cried for Alexander, I prayed he would be alright.. Things don't go smoothly especially when theirs someone out there plotting to hurt them. This is a must read book..I loved it..
nicola949's review against another edition
5.0
It feels a little strange to be saying how much I loved a book about a man punishing himself for the sins of others but I so much enjoyed this story! Susan Mac Nicol tells a wonderful tale as she pairs a very broken man with the one man who can deliver him a future.
It was heartbreaking to read of Alexander's torment, of his traumatic past and the way he viewed himself due to the actions of others."I'm so scared I'll never be able to have a proper relationship, that I'll always be on my own because no one wants damaged goods." As well as seeing a professional psychologist, he chooses to punish himself physically during regular S&M sessions with Eric. These 'therapy' sessions are violent and savage and provide a direct contrast to the physical relationship that Alex shares with Sage.
Sage is gorgeous. He is also caring and very compassionate. He is so accepting of Alex's situation, seeing the man behind the emotional and physical scars. He does make the perfect saviour.
Jealousy does play a role in the story as Sage battles with Alex's dependency on Eric and there are ramifications as a result of Alex's changing needs.
The plot is unique with the romance between Alex and Sage paralleling Alex's involvement with Eric, while events occur putting lives at risk, all set against a backdrop of a TV series film set.
From my heartbreak for Alex, my pure hatred of Eric and my admiration and respect for Sage, this was an emotional journey. Highly recommended!
Do check out the book trailer!
Saving Alexander book trailer
I publish all my m/m reviews on my blog so if you want to see all my m/m reviews in one place come visit at Because Two Men Are Better Than One!
It was heartbreaking to read of Alexander's torment, of his traumatic past and the way he viewed himself due to the actions of others."I'm so scared I'll never be able to have a proper relationship, that I'll always be on my own because no one wants damaged goods." As well as seeing a professional psychologist, he chooses to punish himself physically during regular S&M sessions with Eric. These 'therapy' sessions are violent and savage and provide a direct contrast to the physical relationship that Alex shares with Sage.
Sage is gorgeous. He is also caring and very compassionate. He is so accepting of Alex's situation, seeing the man behind the emotional and physical scars. He does make the perfect saviour.
Jealousy does play a role in the story as Sage battles with Alex's dependency on Eric and there are ramifications as a result of Alex's changing needs.
The plot is unique with the romance between Alex and Sage paralleling Alex's involvement with Eric, while events occur putting lives at risk, all set against a backdrop of a TV series film set.
From my heartbreak for Alex, my pure hatred of Eric and my admiration and respect for Sage, this was an emotional journey. Highly recommended!
Do check out the book trailer!
Saving Alexander book trailer
I publish all my m/m reviews on my blog so if you want to see all my m/m reviews in one place come visit at Because Two Men Are Better Than One!
ezichinny's review
3.0
This was a very angst-filled, hurt-comfort book featuring an upcoming and coming writer Alexander Montgomery who has turned to S&M to deal with the painful and abuse-filled past. When his series was optioned for a tv show, Alex finds himself infatuated with the lead actor Christopher Sage. I had a harder time decrypting the source of Alex’s agony than I had figuring out the bad guys in this book. But it was so uncomfortable because I wasn’t sure Alex really wanted to live because of the extreme amount of pain he was intentional enduring.
I was so happy that Sage became a source of comfort but I don’t accept Sage’s “black Irish” moods as an excuse for some of his callous behavior and comments concerning the S&M. It was mean and it didn’t show patience after Alex had asked for some time. I just wished that maybe they had sought to see Melanie, Alex’s therapist together to help them navigate this uncharted territory. Melanie was the unsung hero in this novel to me because of her dedication and persistence with helping Alex. Other secondary characters were important too and I enjoyed their inclusion in this couple’s journey.
I like that author tackled such an emotionally heavy subject but this story was painful to read. I was rooting for seriously healing and happiness for two people who have been through such tragic pasts but I felt that Sage could have been more understanding than he was to Alex. I liked this book but I didn’t really connect with Alex and Sage as a couple. I did feel more invested in Alex as a survivor. This book is difficult for me to rate because I liked it but didn’t love it.
I was so happy that Sage became a source of comfort but I don’t accept Sage’s “black Irish” moods as an excuse for some of his callous behavior and comments concerning the S&M. It was mean and it didn’t show patience after Alex had asked for some time. I just wished that maybe they had sought to see Melanie, Alex’s therapist together to help them navigate this uncharted territory. Melanie was the unsung hero in this novel to me because of her dedication and persistence with helping Alex. Other secondary characters were important too and I enjoyed their inclusion in this couple’s journey.
I like that author tackled such an emotionally heavy subject but this story was painful to read. I was rooting for seriously healing and happiness for two people who have been through such tragic pasts but I felt that Sage could have been more understanding than he was to Alex. I liked this book but I didn’t really connect with Alex and Sage as a couple. I did feel more invested in Alex as a survivor. This book is difficult for me to rate because I liked it but didn’t love it.
the_novel_approach's review against another edition
4.0
Working together on a daily basis, Sage and Alex develop a relationship that grows into more than either one of them expected. Susan Mac Nicol does an excellent job of deepening their relationship. She has funny moments, serious share-your-heart’s-deepest-desires moments, angry moments and moments of truth. It is one of these moments of truth that causes the most trouble in Sage and Alex’s relationship.
See the entire review at The Novel Approach: http://thenovelapproachreviews.com/2013/11/14/saving-alexander-is-easier-said-than-done/
See the entire review at The Novel Approach: http://thenovelapproachreviews.com/2013/11/14/saving-alexander-is-easier-said-than-done/
calila's review against another edition
4.0
I was at turns really loving this book, and really rolling my eyes at this book. I enjoyed the characters, their flirting was so great! Some of the circumstances and angst were where my eyes went rolling. There was a LOT. Most of it added to the book and the characters. But some was just a bit much. I figured who the bad guy was instantly, it was pretty well telegraphed. I don't get why some of the ending played out the way it did, I don't buy the reason alluded to. But it was still very enjoyable and I did buy and enjoy the characters together.