Frayed Bond

The Evelyn Maynard Trilogy #3.5

by Kaydence Snow

You can’t help who you love, but the ones we love can hurt us the most… In my last year at exclusive Bradford Hills Institute, I was focused on my future - despite the fact I was a Vital without a Bond. The Light - the pure power that fuelled the supernatural abilities of Variants - had yet to reveal who was fated for me. Until I met Leon Livingston and Mason Shaw. I fell hard and fast for them both. My connection with Leon was undeniable; my attraction to Mason irresistible. There was just one problem - Mason and Leon hated each other. For every sweet kiss, they had nasty things to say about each other. For every loving caress, a hateful glare for the other man. For every declaration of devotion to me , a condemnation of him . We should’ve been building a life together, but all they wanted to do was destroy each other. We could’ve been a beautiful thing, the three of us. But how could they be meant for me when all we seemed to do was cause one another pain?
From the world of best-selling hit series, The Evelyn Maynard Trilogy , Frayed Bond is a brand new story of epic love and searing hurt - with appearances from a few fan-favorite characters!

Genres: Fantasy, Paranormal, Novella, Menage, Why Choose, M F M, Dark Romance

136 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 14, 2023

Reviews

[Namera [The Literary Invertebrate] · Rating 1 out of 5]

I picked this one up because, many moons ago, Kaydence Snow was one of the first RH authors I can remember reading (after the Curse of the Gods series, C.M. Owens and Raven Kennedy). Unfortunately, it just comes across as incredibly juvenile.

The heroine falls into insta-love with some guy she meets, the two have some incredibly forced banter, then they start dating in milliseconds. She goes to a party and - despite having a boyfriend and having some nominal guilt - falls into insta-love with some OTHER guy she meets. They end up being mortal enemies.

And... zzzzz. The heroine had no personality, to the point where I don't even recall her name. The heroes were barely better. I don't know if I've changed that much, or Snow's writing has - could be both - but the tone felt so young that I can't believe I ever got through a whole trilogy of characters who thought and acted like this. Probably the dearth of RH books at the time made me less discerning and more desperate...

[Rose · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was so excited to be back in this world but this didn’t really work for me. The h is doing all of the work here and that’s not a dynamic I like. She asked Leon out, she instigates like all of the sex and affection, she is constantly begging them to stop fighting. Really what did these guys bring to the table? Why did she even want to be with them other than she’s their vital?

The constant fighting really wore on me. Mason is supposed to be older and acknowledges that he was a “dumb teenager” when the stuff first went down with Leon but can’t see that he is being the same way again? And he’s an adult now!! 😵‍💫😵‍💫
There was no considerate for the h through basically the whole book.

I didn’t like the h either because she’s just complaining and whining the whole time about them and then bitching and nagging them. Ugh. Not my thing. I like the h to suffer in silence and the men to see what they’re doing it her and then want to fix it, not be ultimatumed into it. It’s all okay in the end though because they’re going to therapy 🙄. I was disappointed that I didn’t get to see any relationship growth.

I was also disappointed with the amount of magic that we got, very little. What we got was the best parts of this book and the only reason why I didn’t DNF.

[Wicked Fox ✨️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was wonderful to be able to dive back into this world again! 🥰 The Evelyn Maynard Trilogy was my first ever why choose romance and I haven't looked back since! I love that we got a few character cameos in the trilogy in this novella! I really enjoyed getting to know these new characters and for Leon and Mason to sort out their differences by the end!

[Lita Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Frayed Bond (The Evelyn Maynard Trilogy #3.5) by Kaydence Snow. First, let me start with the other 3 books that do not need to be read before reading this book. This book is a total stand-alone. I just so happened to have decided to read the previous 3 books first. I really loved the story and the characters. If you haven't read them, please do. This book was an introduction into the world of Variants, Vitals and Bonds.
Oriana is a student at Bradford Hills Institute. When trying to get her class straight, she comes across Leon. She has an instant attraction to him, and she quickly comes to realize he is her Variant. At a party, she ends up meeting Mason, who she also has an instant attraction to, only to discover he too is her Variant as well. Nothing shocking here, 2 Variants to 1 Vital is not uncommon. What the issue is is that Mason and Leon have a past and not a good one. Their contentious relationship puts a strain on Oriana. This is their story. It is hard to build a positive relationship when your bond is with 2 guys who hate each other and are resistant to fixing their problems. With no other recourse, Oriana will have to step away before the guys animosity destroys them all. The journey was definitely rocky, and at times, I wanted to slap some sense into the guys. 4 stars for me.

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed coming back to the world, but the relationship left me reeling a little. The two men acted like immature children fighting and ignoring each other instead of figuring out how to make it work properly with their fated Vital. They weren't even college-aged and had already graduated and were working full time jobs.

Romance: 21-year-old Vital college student FMC with...
1. marketing department college admin Variant MMC
2. construction worker Variant MMC

[Renée · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again we’ve drawn back into the Bradford Hills world that Kaydence Snow created in The Evelyn Maynard Trilogy, however this novella focuses on Oriana and her story.

Oriana is a Vital in the Variant world and one who’s unbonded, but that all changes with two Variants - Leon and Mason. The moment Oriana meets each man, her world becomes a little brighter and the attraction is undeniable.

Unfortunately it’s complicated. The tension and history between Leon and Mason shakes up Oriana’s thoughts for a happy relationship with both men. There’s things that they need to work through and we do get a HFN.

The addition of this book to the series has me hopeful for more in Bradford Hills world - fingers crossed.

Frayed Bond is a standalone novella, but I would suggest reading The Evelyn Maynard Trilogy either before or after reading Frayed Bond (if you haven’t already)

[Deborah Daken · Rating 4 out of 5]

So let me start by saying I have not read any other books in this series, and didn’t even know there were others until I got to the end of the book, so it would appear they are all freestanding novels within a series which is great to see!!
A well told story about young romance and “why choose” between two boys. Lovely characters, very relatable (other than the VARIANT part and I’ll definitely be diving into some of the others in the series

[Kay Daniels (Kay Daniels Romance) · Rating 5 out of 5]

The light burns bright in this brand new novella from the Evelyn Maynard trilogy.

I loved diving back into this world with Variants and Vitals. Oriana is in her final year of school and has yet to make a bond connection. While she knows it doesn't happen for everyone, she's always held out hope that it would happen for her. Attending the school where the majority of the highly gifted Variants attend make those odds even greater, so knowing her time is running out, or more like lessening the odds once she leaves, brings a melancholy over her, that is until she meets Leon.

Leon is sweet, caring, and becomes the perfect boyfriend, but could he be her Bond? While her light flows easily into him, she doesn't have that overwhelming sense that he's hers. But they did decide to take their relationship slow, perhaps her light has that sense too?

Then Oriana meets Mason and their connection is almost instantaneous. As much as Oriana tries to shut it down, she has a boyfriend afterall, she is drawn to him as her light calls to him. Their passion is hot and bright. She can no longer deny that she's found her bonded mate after just one night, but what about Leon? How will she tell him she's bonded to someone else?

Just when I thought the story was getting good, it got even better....

This novella packs so much emotion, passion, and angsty push and pull between all of them, I wasn’t sure who to root for or what outcome I wanted to see happen. It was a great dip back into this magical world with totally different characters and now that I've had a small taste, I'd love to have even more.

[Alyssa W · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5 ⭐️’s
🌶️🌶️🌶️

Frayed Bonds brings you back into the Evelyn Maynard world. Oriana is going about her final year when she first meets Leon, followed by Mason. She quickly realizes these two men are her Bonded but things go horribly awry when the two men meet. They can barely stand one another for reasons they refuse to share with their Vital. The angst Oriana feels at being torn apart is palpable. It takes a major event for the men to realize they have the most important choice of their life to make - their hatred for one another or Oriana.

I enjoyed the fast pace of the novella as well as getting a glimpse back into the world Kaydence built for the Evelyn Maynard trilogy. I highly recommend reading this novella!

[Tara Von Doodlebug · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved being back in this world of Varients, and this novella was a brilliant dip back into the amazing world the author has created!

[Kay Haus · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so much fun. It’s fast paced with instalove. It gives all the right feels in all the right places.

I loved how Oriana knew her worth and didn’t let anyone, even her two men, change that!

Want something warm, fuzzy, and spicy with just a little bit of tention. This books is for you!

[Booklovingmummy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved getting another wee snippet from the Variant world!
These characters are intense and move quickly but they have issues and struggles and it’s good to see that not every relationship can be smooth sailing and be perfect despite being made for one another. This book is fast paced, intense, spicy and a great wee read.
🌟🌟🌟🌟

[Tamara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fray

This was yet another great group of characters I do miss my original group but its fun to see them mingle in

[Bailey (Myveinsbleedink) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked this book. I loved the idea of a bond and a variant and how they complete each other. It’s a great concept. I didn’t realize that this was a novella to the Evelyn Maynard Trilogy, which i definitely plan on reading now!
I loved the dynamic with Oriana and each of her guys. Leon and Mason separately are Wow! and I did like the extra dynamic with them having a history they needed to work through. All in all really liked the characters and the story it was a good read!

[Mrs A · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the fourth book in the Evelyn Maynard world but can be read as a standalone. Saying that, you’d enjoy it more if you read the trilogy first. Loved getting back to this world as the first three books were my first RH read and I was excited to read more. I wasn’t disappointed.

The world building is detailed and we get to learn more about vitals and variants. Oriana is a new character who is introduced. She is smarty and witty and has a tricky time when she discovers her two new bonds. Loved their chemistry and interactions. Definitely recommend

[Jens_Book_Cubby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Frayed Bond is a new Novella in The Evelyn Maynard Trilogy and features Mason, Leon, and Oriana. It is a ménage, steamy, intriguing, paranormal romance that can be read as a standalone.

I absolutely loved The Evelyn Maynard Trilogy and was super excited to step back into that world with this Novella, and let me just say, I was definitely not disappointed. This is a fabulous story with terrific characters.

I don’t want to give away any secrets, but I do consider this a Must Read and would highly recommend it. I do hope that there will be more stories set in this incredible world.

[Del Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet, Very Quick Read!

This was a wonderful little foray back into the Variant/Vital world of the Evelyn Maynard Trilogy! It takes place at about the same time as the first book—but is a much quicker—spicy and relatively low angst. Yes, there is drama between the two men—but they are all about their vital.
It’s sweet and spicy, and all around fun. Exactly the amazing quality you can always depend on from Kaydence Snow!

[Miranda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have not read a lot of fated mates or bonding books but I really enjoyed this one. It was cute little story that had the right amount of plot to spice ratio! Leon and Mason were wonderful and even though they had their little chaos between each other, it was nice to see them finally work out their differences so they did not hurt the person they are both bonded to. Overall, great story and I could not put it down.

[Kaitlyn Gainey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute

Cute little novella and seeing some new people! If you loved the Evelyn Maynard Trilogy you're gonna love this. It's cute and has some tension that they work out for the better.

[Mona Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Frayed Bonds

I really enjoyed reading this
It was so good. It's quick, fast-paced, and so, so good. So much happens that you can't stop reading it. Loved every moment of it

[Darcy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really quick read that was super easy to get into and one that I really enjoyed!

I’m probably in the minority, but I haven’t actually read the Evelyn Maynard trilogy yet 🙈, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. I thought the author did a fantastic job introducing this world to new readers like me! And I absolutely loved this storyline! It was fun and exciting with a bit of danger and drama and I enjoyed everything about it!

After finishing this story and getting a little sneak peak into the world of Variants, Vitals and Bonds, I’m excited to start the Evelyn Maynard trilogy soon! I’ve already heard so many great things about this series, so I think it’s about time I finally read it for myself! And whether or not you’ve read the Evelyn Maynard trilogy, I would definitely recommend this novella if you’re a fan of fantasy, fated mates, and why choose romance!

[Mina Murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 3.5 in the Evelyn Maynard series brings us back to the world of Vitals and Variants. Oriana is attending the Bradford Hills Institute a school for vitals/variants she is hoping to find her variants amongst the students when she finally meets Leon a sweet and caring guy who she thinks is her variant and then along comes Mason and the attraction instant but the issue is Leon and Mason hate each other. Oreo is in the middle of this rivalry and she has to figure out if they can survive this or not. Great book with so many emotions and amazing characters. I did not want the book to end!

[♡Natalie♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this book and I was extremely pleased with it. I absolutely love Kaydence Snows writing style and immediately fell in love with her characters. Mason definitely being my favourite of all! Such a great novella and I highly recommend to anyone who loves a good paranormal read 📚

[Ange Bennetts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Slipping back into this world of variants and vitals is like putting on a comfy hoody. We already know this world and the rules. I really loved this story. What happens when two variants find their one vital separately and then when she introduces them, theyre already enemies? This book is steamy and filled with angst and is unputdownable!

[Valarie Gentry · Rating 5 out of 5]

So Good

I really enjoyed reading Frayed Bonds! This book completely destroyed me and all the best ways. I seriously couldn't stop reading until the very last page.

Reasons I enjoyed this book:

Action-packed

Easy-to-read

Great world building

Happily Ever After

Original

Page-turner

Steamy

Tear-jerker

Unpredictable

Wonderful characters

[Tasha Mcgookin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a standalone book that could be used to segment your way In to the three book series of the Evelyn Maynard trilogy. We meet Orianna amd her loves Mason and Leon and get to follow them through the start of the relationship. As all novella you will feel like you want so much more of the story when it ends but then you can dive straight in to the series like I did.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was happy to delve back into the variant series. No need to read Evelyn Maynard series to get into this book. But I do heavily recommend to read that series if you enjoy this book! Just enough spice in this short fast paced read, 10/10 recommend this book!

[Casey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Variant world

I enjoyed returning to the variant world. It was nice to get a glimpse of old friends. I hope the author has plans to continue writing in this world! Short but sweet.

[Kaija · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a nice novella!
Good way to go back into the world!
It was a fast read (which I appreciate sometimes) and kept my interest from the beginning

While this is a new story I would recommend starting with Variant Lost because we do see some crossover with the characters!

[🌻Jules Reads it all 🌻 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance copy of Frayed Bond by Kaydence Snow, and read it in a matter of an hour. All thoughts are my own and given freeeely! When this ARC showed up in my kindle, I squealed!

I recommend reading The Evelyn Maynard trilogy by Kaydence Snow before reading this.

Okay, first, I have to say, it was so much fun dipping my toes back into the world of Vitals and Variants and Bonds and Bradford Hills. I absolutely love this world, and getting to revisit it was a joy.

What do you do when your a Vital waiting to find your bond, and find you have not one, but two men bonded to you . . . and they hate each other?

After being told that finding your variant and being bonded is the best thing to happen to a Vital since she found out she WAS a vital, Oriana Roy finds herself in a situation she never expected.

Leon and Mason have a history and not a great one. The story takes us through how the three of them are going to make it work.

The author packs in a lot of story and delicious spice in a mere 136 pages. I really enjoyed reading this, and highly recommend!