Galen’s Redemption

First of all, if you haven’t read book 1, Lincoln’s Park, you need to. They coincide and the characters are all associated with each other in some form or other. In this instance, two are brothers. If you remember from 1, we get introduced to Galen, Lincoln’s brother. And it’s not a good thing. This is Galen’s side of the story now, and it’s not an easy story.

Galen kept going to Lincoln’s diner to see him. He wanted to make a connection with his brother but nothing ever came out right. Especially when their father got mentioned. Galen was put through hell. He would never be good enough, according to their father. Their father always threw it in Galen’s face, that he would never measure up. Lincoln was the special child. Until he left. Now Galen is really seeing more of how his father really is. He tried to set up Lincoln’s boyfriend with money. But Noel turned it around on him and donated it to a homeless shelter of his friend Robert. And now Galen has to go get the check. When he meets Robert, it’s nothing like he expects. He’s attracted to Robert but what he’s having to do for his father makes it impossible to act on. But Galen starts to see things around him. And what’s really going on in the shelter. He and Robert start talking. Galen starts helping at the shelter to get Robert what he needs. Now that he no longer works for his father, he’s free at the moment to help. And help is what he wants to do. The more he gets to know Robert, the more Robert shows Galen pieces of himself. Even pieces to make up with his brother. Yeah, none of it will be easy, but he finds out how depraved their father really is. And it’s time to fix that as well. And just maybe, Galen can get the redemption he so desperately needs.

I didn’t think I could loathe someone as much as I do Lincoln’s and Galen’s father. He needs a beat down badly. The sheer torment he has put these boys through. Pitting them against each other, making them both feel the other is better and they will never measure up. Fortunately, Lincoln got out. But it didn’t mean he was away from it. When I really got into this book, it tore me apart at how Galen feels. He has no self worth, so insecure, he doesn’t believe in himself. He doesn’t even really value himself as a lover, because he had to hide. But his father ruined that for him too. When Robert started showing interest, Galen often got defensive, because he didn’t understand what Robert saw in him. To Galen, he was nothing. A nobody. Someone beaten down and broken by his father. And my heart cried for him. Because underneath everything, Galen is a very soft-hearted man. He loves, has passions, is extremely intelligent as well. He deserves someone who sees past the bluster and attitude, to who he really is.

Thankfully, Robert wants that role. Galen has set him on edge from the beginning. Something about the man called to him. When he started learning of what was happening as far as Galen’s father and the drama, he never more wanted to protect someone. But he’s lost someone before. And the homeless shelter takes most of his time. He feels he doesn’t have much to offer Galen. But Galen gives him an offer he can’t refuse. The relationship they have is not easy. At all. With all of the past stuff and the present, obstacles pop up in every direction. But Robert feels Galen is worth everything and Galen is learning to let go and finally find love.

This is kind of a rough story at times. The father of Lincoln and Galen is a bastard. And that’s a nice word. He has done a number on these boys they are still trying to recover from, but they are learning on day at a time. It’s grueling some days, but they are learning to move on and be free. It’s a really great story.

Third time a charm, hoping this time my review posts.

I’m was so ready for this book. Wanted to see Galen eat crow and for Robert get his life back.

Seeing Galen finally come back to the land of reality was perfect. This was a sweet sorts of coming home for Galen and Robert. I really loved how Robert was trying to show Galen what a true family should be.

I so wanted to hurt Galen dad. But a total jerk that man was. I’m glad Lincoln and Galen found themselves great men that will love them and have their backs no matter what.

I can’t wait to see where Parker takes us to next.

Reviewed by Sammy for Diverse Reader

Galen has spent his life pursuing his father’s approval. He has become a person that deep down revolts him nearly as much as his father’s behavior. But after years of having his brother being held up as the ideal and perfect son despite his being gay, Galen is not prepared for the day his father crosses a line he cannot stomach and his threat of resignation is met with nasty glee by the father he cannot please. Now with all he owns tied up by his father’s lawyers and his estranged brother rightfully hating him for the things he has done in the past, Galen finds himself unable to get a job and constantly tormented by the last deed he did at his father’s request—retrieve a check that could have meant the world to one man and the faltering homeless shelter he runs. But how does one make amends for so much wrongdoing? Galen sets out to discover the answer and, in doing so, opens up the closet he had been tied to and finds that he is not only a good man but one that can be loved if he will only give himself a chance.



Galen’s Redemption by Parker Williams is a very tender and sweet finding of self novel. I say finding of self primarily because that is what Galen actually does—he finds the man inside himself who has been begging to be free from the nastiness his father has immersed him in over the years. Dealing with a viciously callous parent is never easy but doing so while hiding your true self and always having to be better than the sibling who somehow managed to break free is a huge job. My heart just bled for Galen, who wore his guilt and anger like a second skin. When he felt someone--namely Robert, the owner of the shelter, really see him for who he was it frightened Galen even though it was something he yearned for secretly.



To be seen—to have someone recognize there was goodness inside him made Galen feel even more worthless while also giving him hope—and that terrified him. It’s easier to live with the notion that you are worthless so that the pain of someone you’ve come to love figuring it out and leaving you doesn’t have the ability to tear you apart. The problem is Galen is really a good guy, he’s just never been shown he can be compassionate in business and still succeed. Instead he has been raised by callous and cruel parents who use others like disposable chattel—is it any wonder Galen has anger issues?



This novel has some incredibly tender and moving moments, such as when Robert’s family embraces Galen and shows him what family really can be like. The time spent in the shelter with the various clients also rings with such sincerity that it will make you want to go and volunteer in one as soon as possible. There were times when things felt a little unrealistic in terms of how quickly and easily many seemingly insurmountable problems got solved like the shelter’s nearly going under financially and the rather swift way Galen’s father got his due. However, that can’t take away from the fact that if you are looking for a romance that is hopeful and sweet then Galen’s Redemption will be the one to read.

When Galen first appeared in ‘Lincoln’s Park’ I hated him. The second time he graced the pages of that book, I abhorred him. I was 100 percent positive that Galen was exactly like his father and had zero redeemable qualities. I was wrong on so many levels. The Galen I slowly got to know in this book is so vulnerable and hides such a fragile heart that he brought tears to my eyes more than once. Robert is exactly the man I imagined him to be – strong, stable, calm, patient, nonjudgmental, and very sexy. Inside his chest beats the heart of a warrior and woe to anyone who thinks to cross him, or any of the people he loves.

“Deflection, self-deprecation, quick to anger, a father who says he prefers his brother to him. It was no wonder Galen had self-esteem issues and why he was so driven to get noticed.” ~ Robert

Galen and Lincoln’s father is a monster. Period. Imagine your worst conception of a racist, homophobic, bigot, misogynist, arrogant, evil to the core, waste of protoplasm, and that’s him. Galen, as the younger son, has spent his whole life trying to impress his father only to be constantly reminded that he’s not as good as Lincoln. Even though Lincoln left the company, came out to his dad, and went on his way building a new life, their dad still considers him the better man. My heart broke for the little boy inside of Galen who just wanted love and a family.

“When Robert leaned closer and put his head atop Galen’s, Galen had to bite back a whimper. He understood sex—it was easy, uncomplicated. What Robert was making him feel was anything but. There was a warmth blooming in his chest that he’d never experienced before.” ~ Galen

Robert is the director of a homeless shelter. Talk about a thankless job. Well, except for the people who truly do appreciate the help. To the rest of the world, Robert and the people he cares for are blights upon humanity and should be allowed to die. Robert learned how to be a nurturer and to genuinely care for all people at his parents’ knees but he recognizes how Galen has no understanding of this type of love and compassion based on his cold upbringing. Robert believes in love, the kind of love his parents and his brother and his husband share, and he wants that with Galen. Galen does not comprehend anything other than being rejected and left alone.

“Yes, I felt bad for what I’d done, but until that moment, I retained a disconnect between them and me. I took food from a nebulous them, when what I really did was take food from that girl. It made me realize, there is no them or me—it’s we, and if we don’t help one another, like sharing your meal with a stranger, then I might as well be my father.” ~ Galen

The love story between Robert and Galen is just beautiful and had me smiling more than once. It was slow and reverent with a lot of talking and getting to know one another. The physical desire was there from the beginning but the fact that they waited made the moment so much better than I could have imagined. The clear depiction of families who truly love and care for one another reminded me how lucky I am to have mine.

‘Galen’s Redemption’ is absolutely everything I could have wished for. In my opinion, this is the best book Parker Williams has ever written, and I’ve read them all. He truly found his chops in this one and his words just ring from the pages. The fact that he made Galen and Lincoln’s father suffer in a karma-inspired idea that is truly genius, and a little bloodthirsty, just makes me adore this author even more. I honestly can’t wait for more – not just in this series, but overall. Thank you, Parker, you did great!

More than a romance, Galen’s Redemption is an inspiring story that will make you smile. This second book in Parker Williams’ Links in the Chain series is a heartfelt look at one man’s journey toward a whole and happy life. This novel can stand alone, but with the benefit of the background information in Lincoln’s Park, you’ll have a great appreciation for Galen’s transformation. Just wait till you see how far he’s come!

Raised by a manipulative father to value wealth and power over kindness and compassion, Galen is increasingly unhappy with his life. When he steps back and takes a good, hard look at himself, he realizes he doesn’t like the person he has become. If he wants to improve things, he’s going to have to take a step out of bounds.

When a series of events show Galen how easy it is to become homeless, it’s the wake-up call he needs. After a lifetime of scorning those who need a helping hand, Galen finally finds some compassion. He also discovers that helping others makes him feel great, and by surrounding himself with people who care, he can finally have a true family.

Running the homeless shelter is Robert’s passion but he’s reached the point where keeping it afloat is more than he can handle. Letting go of the control isn’t easy, but Robert knows it’s time to make a change. Help comes in the unlikely form of Galen Merriweather and that’s just fine… the intriguing man shakes up Robert’s life and opens up the possibility of love.

I can’t say there’s an instant connection between Galen and Robert, but the chemistry builds between them and damn, once they come together all bets are off! Robert brings out a playful, bratty side to Galen that I’d never thought was there, and it works so well. This also propels Robert into a more dominant role which definitely suits him. Older and more experienced, both in life and in lovemaking, Robert shows Galen a thing or two, and the way Parker Williams writes it is hot as hell.

I know Robert’s brother Tom’s book, Stained Hearts, is next, but I hope one day we’ll get Andy’s story. His unflinching support of Galen is heartwarming, and after seeing the more intimate moments between them, it’s easy to appreciate the kind of person Andy is. He’s my favorite character from this series and I’d love to see Andy find his happily-ever-after.

The powerful subjects Parker Williams explores in Galen’s Redemption, blend with his ability to get to the core of his characters and give them peace, making reading the books in this series an emotional and truly meaningful experience.