Broken Bonds: The Bonds That Tie, Book 1

Can I give this more than 5 stars? I AM OBSESSED. I DEVOURED THIS STORY RAVENOUSLY. It has been a long time since I’ve been so consumed in a new world. Broken Bonds is such a fresh and engaging take on the fated mates concept- we’ve got a little bit of magic, a lot of danger and suspense, scrumptious love-hate chemistry, a harem full of deliciously protective alpha men, a heroine that I’m madly in love with, and a central mystery that kept me on my toes. I AM IN LOVE WITH THIS STORY- my favorite J Bree book to date, and I’m not even a huge PNR person- that’s just how good it is!I can’t say much about the plot without spoiling anything- and to be honest, after book 1 I have more questions than answers. But our story centers on our heroine Oli- a fugitive bonded who has been on the run by herself after a traumatic experience. We quickly learn that that experience triggered Oli’s powers, which she wants to keep under wraps at all costs for reasons we aren’t privy to, a desperation that caused her to flee and hide from her bonded men- mates destined to love her that she’d yet to meet. Now 19, she’s been captured and returned to her bonded community and is now forced to live among her bonded men- and, of course, they’re a bit grumpy that she’s made them look like a fool by refusing them. And, seems everyone has some secrets. Cue all the steamy love-hate sexual tension and secret pining- it is SO delicious!J Bree is such a fantastic world builder- she has such a keen ability to create an entire ecosystem of interesting characters, unique circumstances, and dramatic dynamics that draw you in. So it doesn't surprise me that she excels in a PNR story- one that unleashes even more of her creativity and boldness as a world builder since the humanness of her character is no longer a limit. J Bree beautifully does what so many authors struggle with in book 1 in a PNR story- she gives us the perfect balance of context and background without drowning us in explanations and details that drag the story. In fact, J Bree comes in hot and intentionally keeps the details from us- the story picks up fast and furious well in the mix of some bonded drama, and I was addicted from page one. Along the way, she builds and deepens our understanding of the infrastructure and canon of this world- but only when and if we need it. It keeps the story both engaging and focused while building this larger, super interesting and incredibly original bonded community.J Bree also stays true to what I love most about her writing- her original, flawed, and extremely alluring characters. This is definitely my favorite cast of characters she’s written yet (shh- dont tell Lips or Avery), and I’m enamoured with each and every one. Oli is a fantastic heroine- and I am obsessed with her. Since she’s our only POV, J Bree gives her such dimension- she’s altruistic and humble, persistent and adaptive, incredibly kind and empathetic, and strong willed despite having a bleeding heart vulnerability to her. She’s got some damages, repressed pain and loss and sadness that permeates her character- which makes her such a rich heroine. She’s often at odds with herself, and desperately trying to protect others at tremendous cost to herself. I admire her so fiercely, and I just want her to be loved and be safe. She’s got that bad-a quality that we’ve come to like about J Bree characters, but I found her more nuanced and softer (less Lips, more Avery) than some of the others- and I really appreciated that about her. She’s a more emotionally open character internally, even if she doesn’t express it. I felt myself so connected to her that I found myself crying twice just in the first few chapters- out of sadness she felt and then out of the frustration she felt. And, her 5 bonded mates (North, Nox, Gabe, Gryphon, and Atlas) are the delicious alpha man candy I crave. Each of course has their own particular role and all are mysteries. All have some swoon and some alphahole in them- though in different measures. Be warned that they will frustrate and anger you- these are powerful men set on punishing Oli for what they see as a betrayal, and while they come through for her when it matters, this is not a sweet romance (yet at least). Most of the guys are difficult and stubborn- lots of enemies/bully vibes. But they are all so dreamy in their own way (well minus Nox- I’m still mad at him). Almost all of them have at least one moment where we see the lover they could be- and I can’t wait to get there.The only downside is that this is a SLOW BURN. Prepare for epic lady blue balls. While these men are super alpha protective and clearly desire her, they also have a lot of pent up anger and frustration at her abandonment- and they want to make her suffer. And while Oli finds her men irresistible, she’s resolved to not complete the bond with them because of the danger she thinks it poses- so, basically the result is a story full of sexual tension with no gratification. A lot of chemistry and brewing steam, but the actual steam minus a glimmer at the end isn’t even YA level. We’ll get there- and it will be explosive, but for now prepare to get all hot and bothered and have to wait for it. I also hope we get future stories that include some chapters from the guys’ POV- I appreciated not having them in this story because it built the mystery and emotional tension, but now I’m desperate to get inside their heads.I could NOT put this down- I read it one sitting and literally screamed when it ended. Our ending was not only epically entertaining but a huge game changer for these characters, and I am dying to find out what happens next, to see the dynamics shift as the result of the climatic moment in the finale, for our amazing heroine to hopefully find the love and support she deserves. Brava J Bree- this is a masterclass in engaging and emotive storytelling, and I am obsessed.

This book was amazing!!! I have seen this series on BookTok multiple times and decided to give it a try and see what all the hype was about. I can't say that I'm huge into reverse harem books because the only other series I have read was RH was The Ruthless Boys of Zodiac Academy and I loved that so I figured I wouldn't mind the multiple man loving in this book.Although this book does not have much spice in it I was hooked from the very beginning! I love all the characters and the mystery behind what is really happening outside of this college.Oli is such a great MC and I cannot wait to fully learn about her gifts and back story and the real reason she ran from her bonds. You can just tell that she is such a caring person just by how she is with her new bestie Sage and I hate how everyone, including some of her bonds, treat her just because she "ran away". I also can tell that once it fully comes out what she can do she will be a total bad ass especially from what we saw of what she can do so far.So speaking of her bonds.... I love love love the enemies to lovers trope so I enjoy more when the couple fight and have all this banter and like watching them finally fall in love. Not to say that I don't love the instant love and stuff, but I am drawn more to the bad boy types I guess you could say, but like bad boys that are actually softy's at heart as well, which I think secretly all our bonds are secret softy's and are going to worship the ground Oli walks on by the end of this series. So here are my thoughts on all the guys in order of my current favorite down to my least favorite... (possible spoilers to come!)1. Gryphon: Man oh man do I love this man. He's like all quite and judgey and doesn't really even acknowledge Oli so the first half of the book your just kind of like ok he's there, and then she gets her period and he takes care of her and I just instantly melted for him! And the fact that he comes every night and leaves her clothes that she wears its just so cute!2. North: Ok so we didn't get much of him in this book with interacting with her, other than just bossing her around, so you don't see him actually showing any interest in her other than him acknowledging her as his bond, but I have a feeling that once their relationship actually begins it is going to be so good!3. Atlas: Now Atlas instantly was all about Oli and actually accepted her and didn't judge her for running away so he got points with me there. And then he just shows up and is instantly all lovey Dovey to her which is cute, but I still want to see the badass side of him and he is from across the country so I feel there may be some secrets about him we are yet to learn4. Gabe: Oh Gabe.... I do love him, but he is just a little to boy next door for me. He's the jock yes, but he just doesn't seem like a manly man to me yet so I think I more enjoy seeing his relationship with the other bonds and how they treat him like a kid brother over his and Oli's relationship right now. I especially love his banter with Atlas so I feel a bromance brewing and will probably like that over his actual relationship with his bond.5. Nox: Ok so right now Nox is just being an immature ass and I think he will end up being moved up the list once Oli and him actually interact more. Right now he just likes to insult her and rub other chicks in her face so I can't get a full read on him yet.Now the ending of this book was amazing! I loved that we got to see some of Oli's powers and that she was able to shut Nox up a little by showing him just how much of a bad ass she really is!

Venía de un bloqueo lector y de pronto me encuentro con esta joyita de libros que me ha dejado con 🤯.Honestamente, tenía rato sin leer un buen libro de fantasía que tuviera un plot que te mantiene pegada al libro y tensión entre los personajes.Los voy a comprar en físico de tanto que me gustaron 🤍.No había leído a la autora y me sorprendió bastante porque este libro te atrapa desde el primer capítulo, a pesar de que no hay escenas 🔥, la tensión lo es todo y me gusta como se va construyendo la relación entre los personajes.Obsesionada 😍.

This series that J Bree has created has took over my whole being. Its all I can think about currently and I could not put this down. The plot, the world building, the character and relationship development is just incredible! Trust me when I say that once you start reading this you will not put it down it's that good!I love all five of Oli bonded, each of them unique in their own way but also completes her. I was worried when I started that it would feel more like a love triangle rather than a why choose but I quickly realised that I need not have worried as each relationship is given time to develop and grow and I absolutely loved that about this book. Also Oli is just a great female protagonist like she is been through trauma but she is still very caring and likable honestly she is a queen in her own right. Also I love her friendship with Sage it's so wholesome how they have each others backs.Overall this is a great introduction into this paranormal, fantasy, why choose and Bully romance which will have you wanting more!

Hey y'all,Just done with my lord-knows-what-number reread. I've reread this series so much. It's my go-to comfort place now. Can't recommend this series enough. So yourself a favour and dive deep into the world of Oleander Fallows. You won't regret it one bit.

De los mejores PNR que he leído este año, me encantó el mundo que ha creado la autora además que los personajes son muy interesantes y me gusta como los va creando y dando su personalidad durante el libro. No puedo esperar a leer todos los libros, espero que no nos haga esperar mucho la aurora 🙌

What an absolute delight from beginning to end. It was addictive, brilliant characters and a very easy plotIt was a little Harry potter in places but I absolutely loved it.A mystical, magical experience about a gifted girl who has tried to stay away from her soul mates to protect them from the worst enemy, herself.The magical elements are on the back burner though as this is purely story and character drivenGoing to buy the next book because it would be rude not to.Cracking stuff and pure escapism.