Bitter Bonds

By: Lex Valentine

Narrated by: Chris Chambers

Length: 3 hrs and 15 mins

Publisher's Summary

Dominant Jake Conrad isn't going to get involved in another relationship with a submissive. Burned by two former submissives, Jake vows never to collar one again. Then his best friend, Ray, brings him a sub like no other. Finn is damaged and bitter, although not as bitter as Jake. The white-haired submissive has secrets and talents Jake never dreamed of, and the lure of Finn's need to submit calls to Jake's soul.

Everyone Finn has ever loved walked away from him. He fears caring for anyone when he knows the outcome will shatter his heart again. When Finn falls for Jake, he gives his lover the ultimate gift, a chance to have the dreams he set aside years before even though he knows that if Jake accepts the gift, he'll walk out of Finn's life forever. A slave to his love for his Dominant, the submissive finds his true strength in easing Jake's bitterness even at the cost of his own happiness.

©2013 Lex Valentine (P)2014 Lex Valentine

Love & Music Soothes Emotional Scars

"Bitter Bonds" is a hurt/comfort age-gap story with a guardian angel element and BDSM club backdrop that links the characters in this series together. With prodding from his friends, Dom Jake hesitantly agrees to take in Finn, a sub and music prodigy who was badly mistreated and recently abandoned by his former master.

Thinking his lifestyle not conducive to having a sub after two failed D/s relationships, Jake is reluctant to forge one with the much younger Finn despite Finn's willingness and their strong mutual attraction. Offering glimpses of their emotional scars and bonding over a shared love of music, their relationship evolves from roommates to "vanilla" lovers to - with some angel intervention - the D/s relationship they both truly long for.

I have listened to several audiobooks narrated by Chris Chambers, and he delivers another very good performance. His narration elevated the story overall, and he even sings (very well)!

Even with some emotional angst in this book, it is a much lighter listen overall than Book 1 ("Broken Bonds") in the "Souls in Bondage" series. Helping in that regard is the loving friendship formed between Finn and fellow subs Micah and Haven, who were featured in Book 1. While the guardian angel aspect and some characters appear in both books in this series, "Bitter Bonds" can easily be read/listened to as a standalone (I listened to them in reverse order and had no issues following along.)

FANTASTIC STORY IS THERE A 3RD BOOK

Very exciting second book, hope to hear more about kanan. I want a guardian angle!

Love everything about this book!

Some short books feel rushed, with scenes ridiculously brief and incomplete. Not this one! This book flowed well, was well written, and had excellent narration. For me, this book was perfect.

Fantastic

More please more please thank you for writing this series 😃 😁 😁 keep
Writing