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The Ties That Bind
“The only book I’ve ever had to stop narrating mid-sentence because I got too choked up. Cozy, bittersweet, and magically haunting — if you loved The House in the Cerulean Sea, this one’s for you.”
— Tawny Platis, audiobook narrator
Everyone wants to be seen for who they really are.
14-year-old Zoey Thompson is no exception. Problem is, no one does. At least, not since the death
of her dad two years ago. Everyone seems convinced she’s either some tragically sad, lost child, or a troubled
kid hurtling down a dark and dangerous path. Whatever the reason, nobody wants her around anymore.
Not even her own mom.
Enter Zoey’s great aunt and uncle. They’ve got a big old Victorian with tons of room, and are happy to take Zoey
off her mother’s hands. It doesn’t matter that Zoey hardly knows them, or that they live three states over.
She doesn’t have a lot of other offers.
Her new life is going as smoothly as can be expected, until strange things start happening around the house.
It would be easy to write them off as quirks of an unfamiliar setting, if not for Aunt Carol’s insistence that there are
spirits all around us.
Is it possible that the only person who can recognize Zoey for her true self is someone that no one else can see?
PRAISE FOR THE TIES THAT
"A refreshing new spin on the struggles of loss. This book is both cozy and warm but also keeps you on the edge of your seat. A heart warming and thrilling story about how far someone goes for love when the limits of possibility are blurred."
— Reader Review
“The emotions and actions of MC Zoey read very real life — a young teen who has already experienced so much — the death of a parent, neglect, uprooting from home — who is still so young, needs guidance, and most of all, LOVE and SUPPORT.”
— ARC Reviewer
“Halliwell captures the kind of connection that we all long for, the kind that binds and forever changes us.”
— Reader Review
— Tawny Platis, audiobook narrator
Everyone wants to be seen for who they really are.
14-year-old Zoey Thompson is no exception. Problem is, no one does. At least, not since the death
of her dad two years ago. Everyone seems convinced she’s either some tragically sad, lost child, or a troubled
kid hurtling down a dark and dangerous path. Whatever the reason, nobody wants her around anymore.
Not even her own mom.
Enter Zoey’s great aunt and uncle. They’ve got a big old Victorian with tons of room, and are happy to take Zoey
off her mother’s hands. It doesn’t matter that Zoey hardly knows them, or that they live three states over.
She doesn’t have a lot of other offers.
Her new life is going as smoothly as can be expected, until strange things start happening around the house.
It would be easy to write them off as quirks of an unfamiliar setting, if not for Aunt Carol’s insistence that there are
spirits all around us.
Is it possible that the only person who can recognize Zoey for her true self is someone that no one else can see?
PRAISE FOR THE TIES THAT
"A refreshing new spin on the struggles of loss. This book is both cozy and warm but also keeps you on the edge of your seat. A heart warming and thrilling story about how far someone goes for love when the limits of possibility are blurred."
— Reader Review
“The emotions and actions of MC Zoey read very real life — a young teen who has already experienced so much — the death of a parent, neglect, uprooting from home — who is still so young, needs guidance, and most of all, LOVE and SUPPORT.”
— ARC Reviewer
“Halliwell captures the kind of connection that we all long for, the kind that binds and forever changes us.”
— Reader Review
- GenresFiction
347 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 1, 2025
10 people are currently reading
140 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
May 10, 2025
An amazing debut novel! This story is a captivating and heartwarming journey of processing incredibly complex emotions regarding death and loss while also battling all of the angst that comes with being a teenager. Highly recommend, and I can’t wait to see what’s next!
July 7, 2025
Such a heartwarming beautiful story !!
May 9, 2025
The audiobook reader was fantastic.
I loved this sweet YA story. The author writes inner dialogue so well. The details were vivid and beautiful. I’m looking forward to more heart warming stories from this Indy author.
I loved this sweet YA story. The author writes inner dialogue so well. The details were vivid and beautiful. I’m looking forward to more heart warming stories from this Indy author.
June 3, 2025
A “hauntingly” beautiful debut novel that explores a coming of age story for a 14 year old girl named Zoey, as she faces the bigger questions of life and death, love and loss, and the ties that bind us in this life and the next. The exploration of grief is such an important topic for young adults, and the author captures and handles the narrative and process in a tender, heartwarming, and supernatural way. The author’s style of writing is comfy and relatable, drawing you in with dialogue, inner and outer, representative of our youth. An absolute delight and positive message for younger readers during a time that loss and grief isn’t always given the sensitivity (and beauty) it deserves.
April 9, 2025
I enjoyed this debut novel from Robert J. Halliwell.
The story and circumstances could be a child/teen we all know. Mixed with elements of fantasy/sci-fi and some suspense/mystery.
It was a fun and easy read, a heart-warming story--especially the found family, the coping responses, and the friendships/relationships with the main female characters...and then Uncle Will, no spoilers.
I very much appreciated the eARC copy from RJ.
Great character development throughout--the two main characters were very fleshed out and resonated with me. Their growth throughout the book was pleasant--even raw/unknown at points--but, never over-the-line or unbelievable (even if their circumstances for meeting were).
The emotions and actions of MC Zoey (14 years old) read very real life--a young teen who has already experienced so much--the death of a parent, neglect, uprooting from home, and more--who is still so young, needs guidance, and most of all LOVE and SUPPORT.
I adored the relationship with Zoey's Great Aunt Carol. Her "kookiness," her arms full of bangles, her scent of patchouli, her penchant for piano to emote her feelings, and, of course, the cookie baking...and counting! Also Carol's heart, her openness with Zoey, and willingness to welcome her into her home, providing care, support, and understanding while Zoey's home life wasn't an ideal/fit for her.
I was on the verge of tears, but held it together!
Appropriate for ages 12 and Up
Look forward to more works from the author, RJ.
The story and circumstances could be a child/teen we all know. Mixed with elements of fantasy/sci-fi and some suspense/mystery.
It was a fun and easy read, a heart-warming story--especially the found family, the coping responses, and the friendships/relationships with the main female characters...and then Uncle Will, no spoilers.
I very much appreciated the eARC copy from RJ.
Great character development throughout--the two main characters were very fleshed out and resonated with me. Their growth throughout the book was pleasant--even raw/unknown at points--but, never over-the-line or unbelievable (even if their circumstances for meeting were).
The emotions and actions of MC Zoey (14 years old) read very real life--a young teen who has already experienced so much--the death of a parent, neglect, uprooting from home, and more--who is still so young, needs guidance, and most of all LOVE and SUPPORT.
I adored the relationship with Zoey's Great Aunt Carol. Her "kookiness," her arms full of bangles, her scent of patchouli, her penchant for piano to emote her feelings, and, of course, the cookie baking...and counting! Also Carol's heart, her openness with Zoey, and willingness to welcome her into her home, providing care, support, and understanding while Zoey's home life wasn't an ideal/fit for her.
I was on the verge of tears, but held it together!
Appropriate for ages 12 and Up
Look forward to more works from the author, RJ.
April 4, 2025
When I heard that this book made the va for the audiobook I came running because those will always be my favourite type of books.
This was a really sweet and simple story that gave a lovely take on grief and its effect on kids and I think it could be really helpful for the right kid to read. It's a complex emotion that wreaks havoc on everyone and it's not easy to deal with, so this story helps to show different support systems and how to learn to process it.
I personally found some parts to be fairly repetitive and to be honest I will never understand how/why food is always so overly detailed in some books, that's definitely a me thing but I don't get it. Also I think I got too focused on the whole magic system of it all and I didn't feel like I got any answers on what exactly was going on. I know it's not the point or necessary to the plot but I would have loved to get more of a history on how the two worlds became connected in the first place.
Not the book for me, sadly didn't sob like I was hoping but it was a charming book.
thanks to the author and book sirens for the arc!
This was a really sweet and simple story that gave a lovely take on grief and its effect on kids and I think it could be really helpful for the right kid to read. It's a complex emotion that wreaks havoc on everyone and it's not easy to deal with, so this story helps to show different support systems and how to learn to process it.
I personally found some parts to be fairly repetitive and to be honest I will never understand how/why food is always so overly detailed in some books, that's definitely a me thing but I don't get it. Also I think I got too focused on the whole magic system of it all and I didn't feel like I got any answers on what exactly was going on. I know it's not the point or necessary to the plot but I would have loved to get more of a history on how the two worlds became connected in the first place.
Not the book for me, sadly didn't sob like I was hoping but it was a charming book.
thanks to the author and book sirens for the arc!
April 6, 2025
The way the family blends together over a supernatural experience in the house is genius. I loved the aunt and her quirkiness so much. The characters were easy to fall in love with.
April 2, 2025
I love this book so much. It is incredibly beautiful. It touched my heart. It is well written, simple and complexly layered. I loved the relationships. I could go on and on. This book is just lovely and I highly recommend it to everyone. Congratulations on a beautiful story.
March 16, 2025
The Ties That Bind is a well-written, engaging work that is equal parts fantasy/mystery and young adult character piece. The author does an excellent job keeping the reader invested in the connection between the two protagonists, and he has a real talent for making his creations likable and sympathetic. The meditation on how grief affects us, especially during our adolescence, gives the work a bittersweet nostalgia, and it is absolutely impossible to read this book without craving a cookie at least once. If you have a young adult in your life working through difficult emotions, or you can remember a time where you were in that position, I would highly recommend this book.
July 14, 2025
This novel is beautifully written.
The characters are so real that they will live inside my soul forever.
This story follows a 14 year old girl who has lost her father in an accident and her mother to grief.
She moves in with her aunt and uncle only to end up connecting with someone she never would have chosen to connect with.
This story is so beautiful. If you have ever lost a loved one, then do not attempt to read without tissues. I sobbed like a baby as I connected with Zoey over our shared pain. I watched her view grief through many lenses as she saw it reflected in her aunt and her new friend. Each at different stages. Each experience helped her to heal a little herself and leave behind some of the raw pain that plagued her.
Don’t miss the chance to experience this one. It’s worth it no matter how old you are.
Because when it comes to loss, we’re all children in the end. No amount of experience can erase how small that pain can make you feel.
Five well earned stars. Thank you for this one Robert J Halliwell. I feel so connected with these characters. So understood in my pain. You have a gift.
The characters are so real that they will live inside my soul forever.
This story follows a 14 year old girl who has lost her father in an accident and her mother to grief.
She moves in with her aunt and uncle only to end up connecting with someone she never would have chosen to connect with.
This story is so beautiful. If you have ever lost a loved one, then do not attempt to read without tissues. I sobbed like a baby as I connected with Zoey over our shared pain. I watched her view grief through many lenses as she saw it reflected in her aunt and her new friend. Each at different stages. Each experience helped her to heal a little herself and leave behind some of the raw pain that plagued her.
Don’t miss the chance to experience this one. It’s worth it no matter how old you are.
Because when it comes to loss, we’re all children in the end. No amount of experience can erase how small that pain can make you feel.
Five well earned stars. Thank you for this one Robert J Halliwell. I feel so connected with these characters. So understood in my pain. You have a gift.
June 3, 2025
Holding onto grief can hold you back from so many things that are happening all around you. But grief doesn't have to start when there is loss. You can grief the inevitable loss you see coming your way. The author did an amazing job setting the stage with these two characters from different walks of life, both revolving around grief or the idea of grief. Coming together at the end to show the importance of the ties that bind each of us together.
March 30, 2025
A refreshing new spin on the struggles of loss. This book is both cozy and warm but also keeps you on the edge of your seat. A heart warming and thrilling story about how far someone goes for love when the limits of possibility are blurred.
August 27, 2025
I was expecting a ghost story, but ended up with a portal fantasy, which is fine because I like portals. Unlike most portal fantasies I've read, the other world was an almost-mirror contemporary world. Overall, a sweat YA story about a teen dealing with grief.
May 20, 2025
I listened to the audiobook. It had me choked up at some points! I loved the friendship between Zoe and Nicole. I also LOVED Aunt Carol. What a sweetie pie (or should I say cookie?)!
Want to read
August 24, 2025Love Tawny Platis’ voice work, will try to find this, preferably not through audible as I’ve heard they’re screwing over authors more than usual lately.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews