Bended Loyalty

Bended Duet #1

by Kat Caldwell

Things are looking up for The Seethers—a promising rock band on the brink of stardom. But just as fame comes within reach, Tristen Levisay’s world shatters when his twin brother and the band’s charismatic frontman, Talon, abruptly quits. Plunged into chaos, Tristen finds himself back in his hometown, navigating the shadows of debts and disappointments. His mother, a fading specter to addiction and reckless escapism, leans on him in a way that threatens to suffocate his ambitions.

Struggling with odd jobs to make ends meet while juggling a high-maintenance girlfriend, Tristen grapples with loyalty and betrayal. But fate offers a glimmer of hope in the form of underground boxing— a dangerous game that may save his family and will force him to confront his own demons. Torn between his responsibility and the ringing of the boxing bell, Tristen must decide how far he’s willing to go to redeem what’s lost and protect the ones he loves.

Bended Loyalty, the gripping first installment of the Bended Duet series by Kat Caldwell, is a heart-wrenching tale of resilience, addiction, and the tangled ties of family. As Tristen fights both in and out of the ring, readers will be captivated by his journey of self-discovery, inspired by his tenacity to rise above despair, and immersed in the raw emotional currents that bind him to his brother—a bond that straddles love and rivalry.

Join Tristen as he navigates the fine line between sacrifice and self-preservation, and witness a comeback story that will leave you breathless. Will he reclaim his dreams, or will the weight of family loyalty crush him? Dive into Bended Loyalty and feel the pulse of a story that resonates with anyone who has ever fought for their hope amidst the turmoil of life.

Genres: Amazon

297 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 23, 2024

About the author

Kat is a novelist and short story writer. She writes everyday and can’t seem to stick to a genre, having dabbled in historical fiction, contemporary family drama and romance, as well as speculative fiction. Kat is the creator of the Pencils&Lipstick podcast, a podcast for writers with author interviews, craft talk and insight into the publishing world. She is also an accredited Author Accelerator fiction book coach. In between conducting interviews for her podcast and writing, you can find Kat traveling the world, reading, or volunteering with her church—always with a cup of cold brew close by.

Reviews

[Laura]

I won this book through a Goodreads giveaway in exchange for an honest review. Thanks for choosing me.

Meegan is awful, judgmental, and unsupportive. Let's not forget she was probably a cheater as well. I couldn't stand her. Beyond happy when Tristen finally left her.

Talon is despicable and traitorous. Thank goodness he's gone, Tristen is better off away from his shadow.

Tristen is stumbling, trying to find his way through life, and I know he'll find his footing soon enough. He's got a good heart and deserves to realize his dreams. I hope he gets it all in the next book. 🤞

[READER VIEWS]

Things seem to be going better than ever for The Seethers, a rock band from a small town in Kentucky, and Tristen Levisay couldn’t be happier. After finishing a mini tour with another well-known band and more on the horizon, it feels like The Seethers finally have a chance of making it. That is until their frontman, Talon (Tristen’s twin brother), blindsides his bandmates by quitting The Seethers, leaving Tristen reeling.

Back in Pelton, Kentucky, Tristen begrudgingly stays with his mother, who spends her days drinking, smoking, and running away from debt collectors. Tristen picks up odd jobs around town, trying to make ends meet while figuring out the fate of his band and attempting to keep his high-maintenance girlfriend happy. But his mother’s debts are far worse than he could have imagined, and when the opportunity comes up to do some underground boxing, Tristen is torn. He swore he’d never set foot in the ring again, but his mother could lose everything if he didn’t.

“Bended Loyalty,” the first installment in the Bended Duet series by Kat Caldwell, is an absorbing story about a down-on-his-luck aspiring musician. Despite his relentless pursuit of fame, the prospect quickly slips through his fingers as Tristen faces one obstacle after another. Themes of family, addiction, and perseverance bolster the immersive plot as readers watch Tristen fall down and get back up both in and out of the boxing ring.

Kat Caldwell has done an excellent job of highlighting how poverty and addiction are often multi-generational within families. Regardless of Tristen’s grit and determination, his mother’s shortcomings bleed into his life, leaving him scrambling to keep a roof over their head and inevitably forcing him to cast his dreams aside. Readers will be emotionally invested as he grapples with guilt over his sister’s death, his mother’s wavering sobriety, and his own temptations to numb the pain.

The bonds between siblings can be strong but also a source of contention, especially when your twin has been handed the life of your dreams. In Tristen’s case, he feels utterly betrayed by Talon, and the author deftly channels Tristen’s animosity through his boxing. Given the hand Tristen was dealt, most people would fold their cards. Still, Tristen dusts himself off and perseveres, believing that if he strives for more, it’ll all pay off in the end. He is a protagonist you can’t help but root for.

“Bended Loyalty” will appeal to readers who love novels about self-discovery and resilience. Everyone loves a comeback story; Tristen’s story is one worth sticking around for. The book is brimming with familial drama, sibling rivalry, and intriguing character evolution, and readers will be engrossed in the trials and tribulations of Tristen Levisay. Stay tuned for the second installment!

[Ally Doby (Schleicher)]

*4.75 stars*

This is book one of this duet and told in third person POV. This book shows the dark side of family loyalty, trust, betrayal and favoritism. Simultaneously, it shows the growth of an individual and how he is able to overcome all the trauma and hardships that were thrown at him while learning how to get out of his twin brother’s shadow.

Kat Caldwell has woven a story that will suck you in and have you rooting for the underdog. Normally I’m not a fan of third person POV books, as I don’t feel like I truly connect with the characters and experience their true feelings. While I did feel like Tristen was relatable, I would’ve liked to see Tallon’s side of the events that took place. I’m definitely rooting for Tristen to finally get a HEA, get out of Tallon’s shadow and be able to have the life he wants.

I can’t wait to read the second book to see how Kat Caldwell will weave the rest of this story. I’m hoping that Tallon gets knocked off his high horse and served a dose of reality. I’m also hoping that Tristen finally gets his chance to shine. I received an advanced readers copy via BookSirens. These thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Cath]

4 1/2 stars

This is book one of the BENDED Duet series and the main characters are twins Tristen and Talon Levisay, who are in a band called The Seethers with their friends. Tristan is the guitarist, whilst Talon is the lead singer. They are just on the brink of stardom hopefully, as they get a set of six gigs being the opening act for a popular rock group, Art of Rendering (AOR). His own girlfriend, Megan, is starting her journey as a professional musician, and persuaded him to give up his other jobs to do the same along her. The brothers and their friends come from a small town, Pelton, Kentucky, where the opioid crisis was booming. Their childhood had not been great, with an addict for a mother and a revolving door of boyfriends who acted as their fathers in some form or another, often not in any positive manner! They finish their sixth gig and start packing up, but Talon hasn’t joined them and they soon find out he has accepted a role as replacement singer for AOR, all without a word to any of them! That leaves The Seethers falling apart and no way of going forward without him, as Tristen quickly finds out when they play their last contracted gig without him.

Tristen is forced to come up with a way to make money again, starting over and having given up any hope of a getting the band back together, as they all go in separate directions. This doesn’t do down well with Megan and her father insists on meeting him and tells him he can’t live in the apartment he bought his daughter unless he has a full time job, worried he is only with her for her money! He has nowhere else to go except his childhood home, only to find out his mother is about to lose her home. He needs to make money and fast, so approaches his birth father, Owen, who owns a nearby gym and lots of other not quite so legal opportunities, and signs up for three fights in his old life of underground boxing. In their late teens, they had regularly competed and were known as the Pelton Vikings, and Tristen’s role was to always be the loser. Something he grew to hate! He is forced to take a sound job on his girlfriend’s insistence, which could open him up to future opportunities. Tristen was the one who first went into music, singing alone with his guitar in Lexington, until someone saw them as a novelty twin act and it turned out Talon had a good voice!

Tristen thinks his life is falling apart and has practically given up on his dreams of playing music again, as well as feeling betrayed by his twin and made to feel like a loser yet again. He can’t even tell him much this has hurt him, finding it too difficult. Talon is married and now having a baby with his wife Sandra, and has already started showing off his recent good fortune with a flashy car as he visits their mum for her birthday. Memories of the past keep surfacing, as well as secrets about his family. He blames himself for their sister Aimee dying and sees Talon being treated as the favoured one in all they have done together. They may have played up their identical looks whilst at school and for exams, but it seems Talon has taken it even further whilst messing around with another woman, whilst on a break from his wife, which has serious consequences. He finds out about all of this just as Megan starts spending loads of time with a fancy and very handsome agent, whom is a little more hands on than Tristen likes! So much is going on in Tristen’s life and he is trying to save his mum and her home, whilst working for someone Meehan pushed him into and fighting illegally, all hoping he won’t get caught out. Only for another betrayal to happen and Tristen to be given some sound advice about new opportunities opening new doors and to take his future into his own hands, not keep tying himself to his twin. He needs to do things for himself, to stop believing he can’t do anything without him!

A complicated tale of an almost chance at a dream future, only for a close betrayal to ruin it all. He has to go back to his past life to make ends meet and try to keep his rich girlfriend, who is too busy with her own music career to pay him much attention. At least his mother makes a proper attempt to clean up her own life and he finally gets to know her as a mother rather than just an addict. Talon’s actions after Tristen’s third fight were absolutely abysmal and could have affected Tristen’s life and future badly! Each set back should be seen as a new opportunity and a new chance to change directions, which I loved. I received an ARC copy of this book from BookSprout, and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.

[Rebel]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – Gritty, emotional, and punches you right in the heart
Look, I went into Bended Loyalty by Kat Caldwell thinking I was signing up for a rockstar redemption arc with maybe some sibling drama and broody vibes. What I got was a gut-wrenching, raw, and beautifully told story about what happens when the lights go out and you’re left with nothing but your fists, your ghosts, and your heart barely holding on.

Tristen Levisay? He wrecked me in the best way. He’s not just a struggling guitarist whose world collapses when his twin brother bails on their band—he’s the kind of broken that feels real. His pain doesn’t scream for attention; it simmers, bottled up beneath the ink on his skin and the way he carries the weight of everything and everyone. You feel his loyalty bleed through every single page, and it’s messy and complicated and so, so human.

When he ends up back home? Oh, it’s brutal. You’ve got addiction, poverty, a mother spiraling, and family secrets that slice deep. And just when you think you’ve got a grip on the emotional whirlwind, Tristen throws himself back into underground boxing—not for glory, but for survival. And I’ll tell you right now: the fight scenes? They’re not just physical. They’re emotional war zones. Every blow in the ring carries weight from his past.

What makes this book hit (besides the uppercuts)? The way it balances rage and tenderness. Betrayal and resilience. Tristen’s heartbreak over his brother isn’t a simple “you left me” kind of pain—it’s rooted in shared trauma, tangled dreams, and the ache of never quite being enough. I felt every punch, every unsaid word, every attempt to rebuild something from the ashes.

Kat Caldwell writes with such an honest, aching voice. There’s grit, yes—but there’s also hope flickering in the darkest places. It’s a survival story, but it’s also about reclaiming your voice when everything around you has tried to silence it.

If you’re into emotionally charged, character-driven stories with messy family dynamics, found strength, and that perfect blend of bruised masculinity and deep vulnerability—Bended Loyalty is your book. I’m still thinking about Tristen. Still rooting for him. And absolutely diving headfirst into Book 2.

[Susan]

This contemporary small-town romance is page-turning with exceptional world-building and characters. Their journey is enthralling with bended loyalty, a powerful story of betrayal, resilience the mendable bonds of family, Tristen navigates the shadows of the boxing world, he learns the age-old adage that true loyalty comes with a price, will he find the strength to forge a new path, or will the weight of this brother's betrayal knock him down for good?, Tristen Levisay, guitarist of The Seethers, life is finally coming together, the band is on the brink of stardom, soon he'll be a rock star, instead of the poor, small-town but from Kentucky, his twin brother Talon, the band's frontman, abruptly leaves to join another band, Tristen's life quickly falls apart, forced to start again, Tristen returns home where he discovers his former addict mother is on the verge of losing her house, to save her, and himself, he returns to his old life of underground boxing, just a few fights to save some money, then he's out, returns home inevitably and revisits old family secrets and memories, he soon finds himself fighting both in and out of the ring to salvage his family and reclaim his future, drama, heartfelt emtions, action, adventure, and more. I recommend reading this book by an extraordinary author who knows how to captivate her readers' hearts and attention with bended loyalty in this contemporary romance that is sure to transport readers into a world that is of self-discovery, redemption, and unforgettable moments.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tracy Snell]

Wow! This was kind of an intense story, portraying two identical twins whose lifepaths are taking diametrically opposite paths. The story centers on Tristen, who seems to have everything going for him: a successful band, a beautiful and talented girlfriend. The reality of Tristen's life becomes clear when both his twin brother Talon and his girlfriend get the big break that all three have been working for and Tristen is left behind.

I thought the writing was excellent. I really felt the bleakness of Tristen's situation, so much so that it made it hard to read at times. Tristen was like that character in soap operas: the nice guy who just can't seem to catch a break. He persists and perseveres, and just when everything is looking like it will finally be resolved and he has put all the obstacles behin him, up pops another impediment.

Despite the sometimes depressing tone, I really did like this book. I think this was a modern story that included a lot of classic literary themes: appearance vs. reality, persevering in the face of adversity, the battle of good vs. evil, maturation and moral growth, etc. The use of identical twins to juxtapose these antagonistic forces was really clever.

I would highly recommend this book. If you're looking for a happy-go-lucky read, I would recommend that you defer reading it; but definitely keep it on your list and pick it up when you are ready for a serious read.

[Vivian]

Do you behave just like your twin, do you both have the same feelings and empathy for other people, are you supposed to be as successful as your twin if both of you are doing the same thing or one of you is always the successful one and the other the loser one?

Themes of these questions come up time and time again in the book when telling the story of twins Talon and Tristen, both are singers in the band that the formed and on the verge of making it when Talon quits the band, without telling his twin, and the band breaks up, leaving Tristen jobless, broke and full of debt, his and his mom. While Talon's star keeps rising and rising.

The only solution Tristen have is to go back to a life he never wanted again, underground boxing, something he used to do as a teenager, where he was forced to lose and let Talon win.

While his brother and his girlfriend gain more and more success he keeps spiraling more and more down.

I was hooked to the book and kept reading to know what happens, until I got to the end of the book, This felt rushed and inconclusive, there is no resolution to the story, the only thing I can think of is that this is Book 1 of a series and that's why the book ends this way, but even so the ending, at least for me, doesn't have a wow factor or a great hook that makes you eagerly wait the following book.

[Victoria Marie Lees]

Bended Loyalty is part of a duet collection by Kat Caldwell. The novel is a gritty family saga showing how loyalty to one’s family can sometimes seem misguided.

Tristen Levisay has always lived under his identical twin Talon’s shadow. Talon was always that much quicker. That much better at things than Tristen. Sports. Boxing. Singing. Or so Tristen believes. What Tristen needs to learn is to listen to those who believe in him, in his talent, and start believing in himself as well.

The author knows how to add tension to a story right from the start. Tristen’s rock band, The Seethers, his dream of performing music, falls apart once his brother leaves for a rival band. With no income and kicked out of his rich girlfriend Meegan’s apartment, Tristen returns home to troubled memories and his mother, Ivy.

Caldwell provides a complicated backstory for Tristen and his brother. Family secrets come out as Tristen deals with his jealousy of both his girlfriend’s and Talon’s music careers taking off as his seems to dissolve before his eyes. But there’s a deeper side to Tristen.

Ivy is about to lose her home due to financial problems. Because of Tristen’s love for his mother, he turns to the world of illegal boxing in rural Kentucky for fast money to help both his mother and himself get out of debt. There is boxing violence depicted in this novel. I needed to skim some of it as I do not care for graphic violence.

But the story is solid. Caldwell’s attention to detail helps the reader experience Tristin’s problems and understand his actions. This come-to-realize story has the reader rooting for Tristin all the way. The story continues in part two of the duet collection.

If you’re looking for a high-tension story, Bended Loyalty by Kat Caldwell is the novel for you.

[Ruffina Os]

Kat Caldwell’s Bended Loyalty is a riveting novel that combines adrenaline-fueled action with profound emotional depth. Tristen Levisay, a talented guitarist on the brink of success, faces a devastating betrayal when his twin brother, Talon, joins a rival band. This act shatters not only their band but also triggers a descent into Tristen’s tumultuous past.

Forced to confront his roots in Kentucky, Tristen resorts to underground boxing to save his family’s home, leading him into a dangerous world of underground boxing, a world he has left behind. Caldwell’s storytelling is exceptional, with vividly drawn characters that evoke genuine empathy.

Tristen’s flaws and grit make him a compelling protagonist, a man caught between personal ambition and saving his family. The author’s skillful use of dialogue enhances the tension and realism of the narrative. Themes of betrayal, sacrifice, and the bonds that tie a family together resonate throughout the story.

[Christian Sia]

In Bended Loyalty, Kat Caldwell delivers a gripping tale of family, loyalty, and struggle that keeps the reader hooked from beginning to end. Tristen Levisay’s life as a rising star in the band The Seethers is suddenly upended when his twin brother, Talon, commits a betrayal that threatens everything Tristen has hoped for. Forced back into the rough life of Kentucky, he turns to underground boxing as a means to save his family’s home, but the fight isn’t just in the ring. He has enemies outside who are after him. Caldwell crafts a story filled with danger, deception, and turmoil, all set against a backdrop of raw human connection. I enjoyed the excellent writing and the snappy dialogue. The characters are fully drawn and resonant.

[Andy Krahling]

3.5 stars, rounded up to 4 stars.

I enjoyed this family drama, focusing on twins from a hard-luck Kentucky town and family on the outskirts of Cincinnati. I particularly enjoyed the chapters which detailed Tristen's experiences with underground boxing, which apparently is a bigger draw than most of of are aware of. The story also includes Tristan's work in the local music industry, both as a musician and in the studio.

I was entertained, and that's what books should do. Will I read more from the author and continue on with the story? Probably. The tale was engaging and I'm a little bit curious ;)

I received a complimentary copy of the book from the publisher and NetGalley, and my review is being left freely.

[Peter]

A gritty fictional story about life in today’s America. I enjoyed it as a holiday read while I actually was in America. I had a thought while there about, as it seemed to me, of two extremes - those searching for wealthy success but many never having enough to feel content against the majority feeling the struggle of daily life and financial pressure. This fictional story seemed to me to deal with these issues. We have two brother musicians - one making it and still not happy with their lot and one feeling left behind struggling with their own, and mother’s, life and financial issues. Thank you to Kat Caldwell and BookSirens for the ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.

[Bec]

Honestly, at first I didn’t like this book. There weren’t any characters I was really rooting for until about half way in when the main character, Tristen, started to grow on me and then right at the end, a few of the others began to show some redeeming qualities.

It did make me feel though, unfortunately those feelings were depression and anger on behalf of the main character. Some of the characters were just awful people, while other characters are caught up in a cycle and find it hard to get out. Having said that, the author did a good job writing this story to make this reader have those strong emotions.

Now, on to read book two to find out how things conclude.

[Steph]

I thought this book Bended Loyalty was an amusing story full of family feuding and drama. It's a book that is pretty straightforward in dealing with two brothers who are twins and don't see eye to eye anymore. One ends up double-crossing the other which makes this story an unpredictable and twisted read. The other characters in this book are just as erratic but entertaining too. If you like books with persistence, then you might like this story as much as I did!

*Thanks to this author for allowing me to read her book in exchange for my honest opinion/review. All thoughts expressed here are my own.

[Sue]

Betrayal, bruises, and a big ol’ guitar solo of EMOTION—this book hits like a knockout punch and a power ballad at the same time! 💥 I devoured Bended Loyalty because Tristen is the kinda guy you want to hug, slap, and cheer for all at once. His world crumbles faster than a hotel room after a rock show, and instead of quitting, he dives back into the ring like a total beast. If you love messy families, underground grit, and a comeback story with HEART, this one’s got your name all over it. 🎶🥊💔

[Abigail L.]

Bended Loyalty is a gritty, emotional journey that follows Tristen Levisay, a rising rock guitarist whose life unravels when his brother walks out on their band. The story really shines in how it balances the intensity of underground boxing with the vulnerability of fractured family bonds. I appreciated how raw and real Tristen’s struggle felt—he’s not just fighting for survival, he’s fighting for something worth believing in again. I got fully pulled into his world and found myself rooting for him the whole way through.

[Alex]

Tristen Levisay: Book 1 of Bended Duet: I recommend reading the prequel, Bended Dream, first. Kat Caldwell did an amazing job developing the characters in the first part of this duet. Betrayal, resilience, and family drama. I was captivated by Tristen and his struggles, and I can’t wait to see what happens in book 2.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Trina]

Not my usual genre but I have read other books by this author which I like so when asked decided to read this one. If I hadn’t been asked to review I would probably have given up after the first few chapters but as I progressed it pulled me in. I had great dislike for some of the characters and felt sorry for others drawing me into the story, only a good writer can do that. I definitely did not like the cliffhanger finish, what a piece of work that twin is!

[Miranda Summerset]

3.5/5 STARS! This was so good on audiobook. I loved the plot & character growth of Tristan. It’s really the tale of toxic relationships and broken families & trying to heal from mistakes. It’s got boxing matches, music, twins, & deals with heavy issues that are relatable to a lot of people in broken families. I was entertained from start to end. The ending definitely left me wanting to read book 2!

[Sherry Crawford]

Good Book

I was a little confused at the beginning, but things started to click as I kept reading. It’s a really good story about family, loyalty, and how two twins who grew up side by side ended up living totally different lives.
I look forward to reading the next book to see how their story goes.

[Paige Turner]

Guitars, Gloves & Grit—Rock Bottom Never Sounded So Good

Bended Loyalty packs an emotional punch harder than Tristen's right hook, slamming you into a gritty, soul-searching journey of family drama, betrayal, and second chances that totally rocked my world.

[Emma]

So powerful. What an amazing story about one young man’s journey to adulthood. Such strong characters and a fascinating dive into both the murky world of underground boxing and the glamour of showbiz.

I really enjoyed this book and was rooting for Tristan and Ivy all the way to the end.

[Mary]

Good book

[Holly Groff]

Tristan is weak and immature. He does seem to grow up and get some reality by the end. Don't plan on reading the sequel.

[Bianca Smith]

Absolutely loved Tristans story! That man works his butt off yet has the worst luck ever.

[Mitsy]

Very well written story about twin brothers, their family and choices. The characters are excellent and so realistic. Highly recommended.

[Nancy Houser-Bluhm]

This is the second book I have ready by Kat Caldwell. She crosses genres superbly. I think most who read Bended Loyalty will identify at some level with the family dysfunction and sibling dynamics that we carry into adulthood. Caldwell's stories are tightly weaved with well developed character's. Tristen and Talon's relation ship drives the story but I definitely rooted for one more than the other. The story line of a musicians and underground boxer's life made me wonder if she had lived both lives or if she was that adept at research. I felt the thrill and angst of both lives. The ending was very satisfying and not what I anticipated. Caldwell is a great writer and you will love the book.

[Coventry]

This story is told in third person POV. It shows the darker side of family. It focuses on one twin brother trying to get out of the other twin brother's shadow and what he must do to obtain that.

This story will draw you in. It will leave you rooting for Tristan to obtain his goals.

It will also leave you hoping Tallon takes some hard knocks at some point.

[Veronica]

"After all, the ending of one thing meant the beginning of another"

This is Tristen's story that begins with a breakup of his future life. The idea of what his life would be, is broken after a concert, when his twin brother leaves the band just began to emerge for another better offer. And from there, Tristen has to rebuild his life and consider a new future, while everything collapses around him .... debts continue to rise, his mother about to lose her house, his relationship with his brother broken ... etc.. and our protagonist will have to fight and survive to get ahead, even returning to what he never thought he would have to do again; get into a ring to fight ...

The writer Kat Caldwell reflects very well the emotions, challenges and confrontations that the protagonist of this Dualogy feels. She has a way of writing and developing the chapters that quickly gets you into the story of his life and day by day, wanting to know how he is going to get out of everything... I read the book in 10 days and that means, for me it has my 5* for catching the story... now waiting for the second part to see what new relationships our protagonist gets into and how they progress...