Bonded for Life

by Sharon Buchbinder

Lola Getz and Webster Bond felt an instant spark when they met as high school students in Victory Shores. But their budding romance was cut short when Lola’s parents died in a plane crash and she had to return to Mexico. There, she became a famous artist and married a man who turned out to be a fraud. Webster, meanwhile, joined the army, earned medals of honor, and came back to his hometown as a cop.

Years later, Lola’s life is in danger when armed men break into her house. She flees to the only place she feels safe: her twenty-fifth high school reunion. Webster is surprised and thrilled to see her again—and vows to keep her safe. But is she his long-lost love or a deadly temptation?

Genres: Romance

170 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 15, 2023

About the author

Sharon Buchbinder is an award-winning author who has been writing stories since she could hold a pen. The paranormal romance genre is her writing home, a place where the impossible is simply the beginning, where women find their power in the most extraordinary circumstances, and where love is always worth the danger of seeking it.

A Maryland-based author with a background in healthcare and higher education that has informed her vivid, grounded storytelling, Sharon is drawn to heroines who have been underestimated — women who carry something extraordinary inside them and spend the whole book learning to trust it. Sharon believes passionately that readers deserve stories where the heroine doesn’t just survive — she transforms. When she’s not writing, Sharon can usually be found unplugging in her garden, obsessing over cryptid mythology, and convincing her pets they are not, in fact, supernatural.

Reviews

[N.N. Heaven · Rating 5 out of 5]

A high school reunion brings together Lola and Webster for a second chance at love. With Lola’s life on the line, can Webster keep her safe? Bonded for Life is a scintillating romantic suspense with descriptive narration, hot romance, and suspense. It’s seductive, intriguing, and I couldn’t put it down.

Let’s start with the characters. I met Lola in a previous Sharon Buchbinder book. She embodies sensuality but I knew there was a story behind it. This is a continuation of that story. Sharon Buchbinder takes great care in writing all the facets to Lola. She’s not just a hot lay…she has depth and a heart. The chemistry between her and Webster may be surprising to some but not me. Hearts are meant to beat as one, no matter the circumstances. Webster also had a troubling high school experience, but he turned into quite the virile man. He is the perfect hero and I know readers will swoon over him.

The setting for this romance is a high school reunion. I love reunion romances. There’s something special about second chances romance. Sharon Buchbinder writes with passion, something I adore whenever I read her books. She uses her talent to weave a story of love, passion, regret, second chances, and redemption. The emotions are high in Bonded for Life but not overwhelming. Sharon Buchbinder’s latest release will have you falling head over heels in love along with these characters.

A brilliant romantic suspense from start to finish, Bonded for Life is a romantic’s dream read.

My Rating: 5+ stars

Reviewed by: Nancy

This review first appeared: https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/po...

[Cat · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable story by Sharon Buchbinder and my first read by this author.
I listened to the audiobook and was impressed by the narration by Rebecca Winder,she was able to portray ALL the characters in this story and do accents which were great.
Webster and Lola met in High school briefly she is an exchange student and they meet accidently and remain friends..But Lola is taken back to Mexico with her father.
So it is only when a school reunion is organised back in the small town Webster is from,that they meet again years later.
Lola is a widow she lost her husband to an accident but there is more to her husbands death than we are led to believe...Lola discovers many things about her husband and her father when she is the target of a cartel,who wants her dead.
Lola ends up on the run back to the smal town she spent her high school years in,and meeting up with Webster again was such a pleasant surprise.
Gone is the scrawny boy she once knew and in its place is a tall well built gorgeous man who is now working in law enforcement.
Webster never forgot Lola and held a crush for her all these years later,sparks fly between them and they start something special with eachother.
But with Lola shrouded in mystery and secrets could Webster keep her safe.
This was an intriguing story and I did like it alot...but the name of a character really distracted me,I think it was supposed to be an amusing name but I just didn't like it.I feel horrible saying that maybe its my frame of mind at the moment that I am not amused.
a very good audiobook.
4 Stars.

[PelicanFreak · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is going to be a tricky one to review …

Overall, I’d say it was ‘okay / pretty good’. I got into it right away, it was suspense-y for a bit, with a hint of a budding romance … Eventually the budding romance became a bigger focus and the ‘suspense’ aspect dissolved. Not truly cozy since actual police are involved, but it had the vibe of a cozy.
For most of the book, I was very interested—to the point that I finished it in one sitting. So I’d call that ‘good’. Though, as motives were unveiled, and we got a closer look at the antagonists, it became implausible at times (at least for me).

Ultimately, I liked it. As for whether I’d be open to more from this author … maybe.

3 stars.

🎧 Audio:
The narrator was very good in tone, delivery and accents.There were just a few instances where she’d use one character’s voice/accent on another and it’d briefly confuse or take me out of the story. 4 stars.

[Karen Voborny · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story line for this book is unique but at the same time has some universal aspects. I do enjoy a book that explores either a different theme or setting. In her book, Sharon Buchbinder does use some of the same old tired themes such as famous artist, Mexican Cartel, high school attractions and missed opportunities. Mixed in with this is a back theme of foreign exchange student, which I do not recall ever being part of a story I have read. How the main characters meet back up after all the years apart is also maybe not unique but has a fun twist. Her play on words and names is also very refreshing. I particularly liked how she named the police chief Richard Head. Even the name of the book is a play on the last name of a main character. I look forward to reading more books by the author.

[BookAddict ✒ La Crimson Femme · Rating 3 out of 5]

High school reunions can be great things or they could be the worst nightmare for those who were outcast. For Webster Bond, he never thought he'd be stuck in Victory Shores and with the upcoming high school reunion, he isn't that interested. For Lola Getz who spent time as a foreign exchange student, the last thing she wants is to return to time where the worst year of her life occured. Intrigued with the set up and because I am a fan of this author, I picked up the book to read more.

To read the rest of my review, click on the image below to see it on my website.



* I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audiobook: This was my first experience with Sharon Buchbinder's work, and it was entertaining. Lola decided to hide at her high school twenty-fifth reunion while running from a Mexican cartel. While driving to Victory Shores, she was pulled over by Webster, who was a local cop, who had never forgotten Lola from their high school days. Their love story was romantic. There was some descriptive steam. Rebecca Winder's narration was great. Her performance which included a Spanish accent for Lola was pleasing to the ear and added a touch of realism to the character's voice. I was given a free copy of the audiobook, and I have voluntarily posted this review.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lola was sent to the US while in school, to be protected from their family business. Later she goes back to Mexico. Life goes on, and she finds out her father and (now dead husband) worked for the cartel. Needing to get away, she goes back to her high school reunion. Lola encounters Webster, a boy she knew from school, however he is no longer that skinny kid. The two have chemistry and the sparks fly. This was a good story, and a pleasure to listen to. The narration was well done. I received a free copy of this audiobook and am voluntarily leaving my review.

[Hanny Carmel · Rating 2 out of 5]

okay, where to begin?
when reading the book's summary it sounded like it would be an exciting, thrilling, and sexy read.
it was hectic, not organized in a coherent order and it seemed as if a huge chunk of the story was missing. I actually doubled back to check, but - no...
The narrator was okay. a bit annoying at times, but okay.
I received a free review copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautifully written story once again. Lola and Webster know each other since school. Unfortunately life happened and they didn’t see each other for a long time. Now they meet again and who knows what life will give them. Enjoyable.

[Siobhan D · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the narration of Rebecca Winder, who brings the characters to life in your ears.

A twenty five high school reunion gives Lola and Webster a second chance of love. This is a story of love, passion, regret, second chances, and redemption ohh lets not forget hot romance, and suspense.

[Janet Smith McHardy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a sweet listen. Lola Getz and Webster attended the same school as seniors. Now twenty five years later are they finally going to get a second chance at love. But Lola is on the run and can she trust Webster with all her secrets. This is a great listen with excellent narration.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this action-packed, fast-paced audiobook. I liked the flow and characters. I liked how Webster and Lola found each other after tweny-five years. Rebecca Winder voiced different accents very well.

[B. Erickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a great romantic suspense and definitely a 5+ story. I enjoyed this book very much and will look for more reads from Ms. Buchbinder.

[My Humble Thoughts · Rating 5 out of 5]

As I delved into Bonded for Life's gripping narrative, I was captivated by the rekindling of Lola and Webster's romance at the high school reunion.

[Kirsty Barrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet little story. Was a pleasure to read. A high school crush, and then danger wrap around a reunion. Shows how 25 years on is not too late to make a move. Delightful.

[Mandy Sawyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has an exciting story with a dangerous present that this leading lady is trying to escape. Luckily her saviour is her high school love interest. A brilliant performance.

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good mystery and romance had some definite twists.

[Carla · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. The characters are well developed and the pacing is great. The story kept me turning the pages to see what happened next. I highly recommend it.