This cover is gorgeous. The audiobook did save me from not finishing the book though. I just find there wasn't enough plot/worldbuilding moving through the entire book. The few beginning scenes did suck me in because of what happened with Evaline and her dad.

Narrated by Tor Thom; Auri Alden did a fantastic job for their characters.

I received this audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this unbiased review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

I loved this book and desperately need book 2! Every moment of Maddox and Evaline's time together was written so well and you get both perspectives. It's a toe curling slow burn building up to everything you could wish for until the cliffhanger! This book deserves more hype and the audio actors were superb!

I received an audiobook version from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Oh my goodness, this was good! This book had me hooked from the beginning. I love a good badass FMC and an MMC that falls first and harder ❤️❤️ cannot wait for the next one!!

Damn.

DAMN.

There are three things I didn't enjoy about this book. The first: Evaline cries too much. Everything makes her want to cry, which kind of takes away the depth of her tears. She sheds them too often. For someone describes as cold and unfeeling, you would expect her to stop showing her emotions to people.

Two: the whole "misunderstanding" trope. I understand that she would have been upset and untrusting after everything, but he honestly thought it was better to play games? Come on. I understand why she was more mad after she found out. He handled that poorly.

Third: I felt blue-balled by how long it took them to have sex. I mean, damn. It was good. It was worth it.

Overall, though, this book was exceptional. The narrative was amazing, the narrators were perfect for their characters. It was wonderful. I have never been so angry about the ending of a book before in the most desperate way.

Thank you so much for the opportunity.

Bound and Barbed was a fated mates story that had me hooked and wanting to know more! I found myself unable to stop listening, which was a struggle because I had no choice but to take more than one session to listen to it!!!

Very minor spoilers ahead.

Content warnings for this book:
Sexual Content, Sexual Violence, Blood, Gore, Murder, Death of a Parent, Death, Misogynism, Panic Attacks/Disorder, Alcohol, Memory Loss

Evaline Manor is a young woman who is struggling to exist within a world that is not set up to encourage the growth and goals that she has for her life. In a world where it is illegal for a woman to carry a weapon, Evaline finds herself squirreling away money in order to get a weapon and run away. A feat that we can safely assume is not easy.

Turns out, one big barrier is her aunt and uncle.... who rule over the kingdom of Kembertus. Working hard to marry her off, they are not keen on the idea that Evaline wants to have more rights and knowledge than they would prefer for women to have.

This brings us to Maddox Vicor, a man who is not quite a man, looking for a mate and finding himself put in the path of Evaline. Traveling with his childhood friend Wyott while the two of them are sent on a task by his father. Hiding in plain sight among humans who are unaware of the existence of Kova we are shown more of how this world works through his experience.

I gotta say, I truly did enjoy this book. I often am not one for a slow-burn so I was happy when this book started that way but then shifted. And while I was not prepared for how detailed the scenes would be, I am not someone who struggles with explicit content.

The story gave me enough intrigue and curiosity, feeding me information in a way that felt natural and not forced. While highlighting the faults of the world and our characters.

I liked that the characters were not all carbon copies of each other, sure, we get a big guy who is going to be mated to the small woman... the man who loves romance and cares about her consent and existence as a human to make choices for herself. Something that I think far too many people write off simply because they want the big guy who pushes his way into her life for her benefit. I sooooo preferred that he wanted to be there but wanted to do it on her terms. He won't push himself on her or into her life.

I appreciated soooo much that there is a realistic portrayal of anxiety and panic attacks in the story. That we can know everything we need to survive a situation or to fight back, but our brains can work against us. We never know when our traumas and fears will override everything else that we have fought so hard to learn to protect us in hard moments.

The only thing I didn't like is the miscommunication trope being used. I *hate* when people just won't say what they are thinking or what they mean. Moments when tension and strife could be solved by one person simply saying something rather than hoping the other will understand or ask the right questions. It always feels like playing with someone's emotions for the sake of it to me.

The audio was good, I liked that they switched up narrators for the different perspectives and both narrators managed to get the same kind of wit and personality in the common characters of the perspectives.
I can't recall any intense moments of breathing or hitching that caused me to be drawn out of the story.

I loved the moments we got that highlighted racial features. "Her hair was hanging in protective braids." If I was better at bookmarks on audio, I would have descriptions about Maddox as well, but it made it clear fairly easily and fast that he was not a white character.

Overall, I really like this book and was upset when I realized that it was ending and I didn't have the next one. I will def be talking to friends about it and seeing what they think if they read it.

***I was provided a copy of this book via NetGalley. This review is my honest opinion and thoughts about what I read.***

Ohh where to start with this one, really it's like bits and pieces of my favorite young adult books were woven together with some delicious spice and the final product was this insanely addictive book.

Let me start with I'm a sucker for any book with a masquerade scene and this one blew my mind, taking me right back to the masquerade scene from Labyrinth, the costumes, the masks, I could see all of it in my mind and I loved it.

Evaline has lived through horrors that could easily have left her broken, and in some ways it did, but it also left her angry, and strong, vowing no one would ever hurt her that way again.

Maddox is an immortal that has the heart of a savior and knows the moment he sees Eva that she's his mate, now he just has to figure out how to tell her.

Through ups and downs, moments of lust, love, despair, and vengeance Eva and Maddox find themselves fighting for more than their love, they're fighting for their very existance.

In a story where Eva has gotten used to not needing anyone for anything, how will she adjust to being an immortals mate? This book is just the beginning of what I'm sure will become a phenomenal series.

Speaking of phenomenal, since I had the opportunity to listen to the audiobook version of Bound and Barbed let's talk about the narrators for just a moment,
Tor Thom and Auri Alden are astounding, the depth they give our characters is second to none and I enjoyed every moment of listening to this audiobook.

Thank you to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for providing an advance copy of this Audiobook, I have voluntarily listened to and reviewed it and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Evaline is not at all living the life she imagined. Having lost her mom at a young age and then witnessing her dad being killed, she assumed the worst of her life was over. But now, she's in the custody of her aunt and uncle, the rulers of the kingdom they live in... and their plan is to marry her off to get her out of their lives. What her guardians don't know, is that Evaline's father trained her in combat and she's planning an escape to another kingdom.

When her aunt and uncle decide to throw a ball in Kembertus, there are many travelers that enter the city... including Maddox. Maddox appears to be mortal to any human that is unaware of his kind's existence. But Evaline is familiar with the Kova and what sets them apart from humans and their counter species - the Vasi. When she tries to pick pocket a dagger off his person, she's shocked at how quickly his reflexes work. Then she gets a look at his eyes and realizes why. And in that moment, Maddox realizes that he's found his mate.

When her arranged marriage is proposed, Evaline knows she's on a timeline to plan her escape and the only one who could possibly help her is the beautiful, gray-eyed immortal that drinks blood....

I loved this book. Loved it. Finished it in 24 hours because I stayed up until 3 am reading/listening to it. The narration was amazing - both on the male and female perspective.

I adored Maddox. He was so incredibly sweet and caring but also rough and tumble when he needed to be. Eva was amazing! I always love a great badass FMC! Now I just need book 2 to come out because man does this one wrap on a cliffhanger!

Thank you to NetGalley, Dreamscape Media and Samantha R. Good for this ALC in exchange for my honest review!

I absolutely love Eva! She’s incredibly strong mc and when she meets the other mc her world just makes sense with him! I’d happily read this again

This book is fantastic! Once I started, I couldn't stop listening. Auri Alden's narration and Tor Thom's captivating voice made the characters come alive. Evaline is a relatable and realistic heroine, while Maddox is a swoon-worthy male lead. The chemistry between them had me constantly smiling and gasping. Although there were some frustrations with the protagonist's actions, the storyline kept me engaged. I'm eagerly looking forward to the next book in the series. I highly recommend this audiobook, especially with the incredible narration by Tor Thom and Auri Alden.

Holy heck! How is this one not talked about more? To think that this was Goode’s New Adult debut novel. It’s giving Black Dagger Brotherhood meets Graceling vibes and I’m so here for it.

Goode had me from page one. There is romance, action, loss and a kick-ass female lead. Goode built a fantastic world with its own political intrigue and religious views, then sprinkled in just enough spicy to not take away from the plot line but definitely enough to leave you fanning your beet red face at work. 🥵🪭I highly recommend the audiobook to everyone and anyone. Tor Thom and Auri Alden are amazing. They perfectly portrayed the angst and slow-burn chemistry between Evaline and Maddox. I felt every bit of turmoil, pain, anger and compassion that these characters went through.

I’m glad I don’t have to wait an entire year for book two to come out, but the next 3 months already seem to long🤣

For anyone that reads this, I would suggest reading the content warnings before diving in. But other than that. I really hope more people pick this one up!

This review is specifically for the audio book.

I could not get through it. The narrator unfortunately was just not for me. Took me completely out of the story and was unable to follow. I list to about 60-70 audio books a year and there are very few narrators I don't like. I did end up purchasing the kindle edition and I am now reading that instead. My review on socials and goodreads will be from the kindle version to more accurately affect my thoughts.

The first book in The Fated Creations Trilogy puts a unique spin on the vampire cliché. I loved this supernatural romance and new world, although I do wish their was slightly more worldbuilding because at times I was slightly confused and felt like I was missing parts although this may be added in future books. I also wish this was slightly shorter, however overall I loved the plot, characters and especially the romance, I'm a sucker for fated love and this was done perfectly. This is a great start to a series with a strong female lead and male who falls first, and I can't wait to see what comes next especially with that cliff-hanger.

Evaline Manor needs an escape . After watching her father be brutally murdered, nearly escaping a group of bandits trying to do their worst + her aunt trying to marry her off at every chance she gets, Evaline knows she is the only one who can protect herself . With a plan in hand + her time frame narrowing down, Evaline needs the last thing on her list to make her great escape - a dagger . Target in sight + knowing now is her only chance, Evaline makes a move to pickpocket the dagger . But when she is suddenly caught in the act, she finds herself in the hands of her greatest fears .. Kova .

Maddox Vicor is one of the most powerful Kova of all time yet he is missing one thing, his mate . After 200 years he thought for sure by now he would have found his mate but at last the Gods seem to be toying with him . Until one day while on a journey, he finds himself being drawn to a small town’s market + that’s when he sees her . Immediately he knows what this feeling is but he is so taken off guard with the pickpocketing interaction, that he lets her walk away . Knowing there is no place on earth that she could hide from him, Maddox starts to concoct a plan that will make sure she is always in his grasp . The tricky part is convincing her that he’s not the enemy .

Maddox + Evaline are such a magical pair of beings . Everything about them draws you in separately but then once they are together it is down right addictive ! This love story is a slooooooow burn but let me tell you I thought I was going to explode in the best way with how much tension + build up there was between them . Then add in all the danger, secrets + lies mixed in with Wyatt who is an excellent best friend to this duo, and you have yourself a book you will not want to put down . I will admit that there was a time or two where I did feel the story was being drawn out to much with repetitiveness in the details, but maybe we will understand more in the next book .

This is the first book in The Fated Creations Trilogy . It can not be read as a stand alone + it DOES END ON A CLIFFHANGER .

3.75 stars

Bound and Barbed follows Evaline Manor who resides in the kingdom ruled by her uncle and aunt. When she is pushed into an engagement with a man she hates, Evaline accepts the help of two immortals in order to escape.

There were elements of this story that I liked – the fated mates aspect, the slow-burn romance and the respectable love interest. I felt these areas of the narrative were explored well and developed nicely. At the beginning of the novel things were bit wordy, there were multiple flashbacks (this is more of a pet peeve) and info dumps. It felt like the author was trying to jampack all the information at the start and it was a little overwhelming. In the second half of the novel the story flowed a lot better and I found myself enjoying the plot and characters more. There were a few conflicts borne out of miscommunication which annoyed me, and characters acting flimsy or OOC to create some tension, but I could overlook it.

The audiobook was pretty good. It takes me a while to warm up to the voices in general with audiobooks, but after the first few chapters both Tor and Auri’s performance became easy to listen to. At times it did feel a little dramatic. It wasn’t bad or anything, but I just don’t think I knew the characters well enough at that point to care about what was happening to them…thus it felt a little ‘too dramatic’.

Overall I enjoyed it, I think there’s a lot of potential for the series to get better as it goes. It will be interesting to see how Samantha R. Goode develops as a writer overtime - there were a lot of good elements here, I just think they could have been executed a bit better.

6-16-23 This review is based on the Audiobook ARC I received.

5⭐️

The narrators did a fantastic job bringing theses characters to life. The audiobook made for a fantastic reread in preparation for the release of book 2. I loved that there were two narrators one for each POV.

I still absolutely loved this book and the characters the second time around.


11-13-22 This review is based on the ARC I received.

5 ⭐️

This book was sooo good. I fell in love with all of the characters but especially the main characters Evaline, Maddox and Wyott. If you enjoy New Adult Fantasy Romance this book is for you. The plot held my attention throughout and left me wanting more. I can’t wait for book 2, especially after that cliffhanger, I need to know what happens next.

4.5/5

Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscapes Media for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. 

This book pulled me in from the very beginning. Evaline was a strong female protagonist and I loved her! I loved the romance within this book as well. I can't wait to see where their relationship goes in the books to come.

I had mixed feelings about this one but ultimately decided I enjoyed it more than I cringed at it. I think I just hate the fated mates trope, so if that's your thing you'll love it! For me, it just leaned too hard into it. I'm still happy I read it though because I liked Evaline and Maddox's relationship a lot, and the ending of this book set up for a continuation that I'm interested in reading. I'm sure in future books we'll learn more about Kova and Vasi, which I look forward to. Definitely check this one out if you like romantasies with badass FMCs, vampires (or vampire-like characters), and the "who did this to you" trope. Check for content warnings though!

3.75/5

Thank you Netgalley for providing a digital ARC.

Bound and Barbed is a dual-POV fantasy romance following Evaline, a woman determined to escape the misogynistic kingdom she has lived in since witnessing her father's brutal death. The aunt and uncle raising her plan to marry her off, an act Evaline detests even more after learning who they plan to marry her to. Maddox, a Kova (benevolent vampires), finds his fated mate in Evaline, and he swears to protect her and free her from the kingdom of Kembertus.

Overall, this was an enjoyable audiobook, though I found myself rolling my eyes at several aspects of the story. Both narrators were really good, and I do plan to continue the series as they will probably be made available on KU like the first.

What I enjoyed the most: Evaline's past is full of a trauma, and though she has hardened herself and trains to be the warrior she needs to be to survive, her trauma still resurfaces and affects her. The representation of nightmares, PTSD, and anxiety were really well done.

What I liked: Maddox is a sweetheart, and I loved his pining for Evaline and his desire to finally settle down with his mate (though it did get a bit repetitive sometimes). There is also some mystery into who/what Evaline is exactly, and why her bond with Maddox is different than normal Kova mates, which is what has me mostly interested to pick up the sequel. The smutty parts were enjoyable. I did feel an emotional impact from Evaline's storyline, and liked who she was as a person.

What I didn't enjoy: As mentioned above, this book did often get repetitive. I feel the book could have been much shorter if edited down better, and it would have been more enjoyable for it. The vast majority of the middle of the book was focused on the romance, with about zero plot. There are characters planning things, but not actually doing anything. The pacing made for a boring middle section. There was also SO much miscommunication in here, and it mostly infuriated me. One instance of it would have sufficed, but it was pretty constant and it wasn't much fun. One minute Maddox would say he knows she is lying because her heart rate increases, but then she continues to lie to him throughout the entire thing? Seems a bit meh to me. I know Eva had her reasons for trying to hide things, partially because trauma, but it was excessive to say the least.

Overall an enjoyable listen, I found the narrators captivating and engaging. I would recommend this book to someone who likes more of a slow-moving and slow-burn fantasy romance that leaves you hooked in anticipation of answers to many questions.

Not much worldbuilding, there are only a few tidbits here and there that explain the world at large. Little discussion re. the different species and their powers.

My favorite banter was between Evaline and Wyott, but found Maddox's a bit cringy at times. Evaline and Wyott though - top notch.

Very little plot for such a long book. Lots of movement in the last 10% but prior to that it was a bit of a slog.

Overall I did enjoy the book. The writing was good, the characters were relatable, and it left a lot of breadcrumbs for the future books in the series.

Bound & Barbed by Samantha R. Goode
4.5/5 Stars
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

•••Spoiler free review below•••

It is no secret that I love a good vampire book. The first book The Fated Creations Trilogy takes the premise of vampires and gives them a new, exciting spin. Told in dual POV between our two main characters, you will be invested in the plot as much as you are invested in the romance. I highly recommend any NA paranormal lover give this series a try!

Read this book if you like:
- fated mates
- strong female leads willing to fight
- he falls first
- dual POV romance
- TEETH

Bound & Barbed is already released in print but will be newly released in audio format on June 20th. Book 2, Made & Marred, will be released October 31st. If this series is not already on your tbr, it should be!
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Special thanks to Dreamscape Media for sharing a free copy with me in exchange for my honest opinions.