The Binding

Unexpected Magic #1

by Samantha Jacobey

One cursed diary will change two strangers forever....

Merideth Monroe was born to a wealthy politician; luxury was her middle name. The happiest childhood, the finest schools, and landing her dream career; her future couldn’t have been brighter. She didn’t care that her mother wanted a different path for her; but when her mother is murdered and she appears to be next, nothing in her flawless life will matter.

Rider Bradshaw lived a carefree existence. Ex-military, he only wanted out of his family’s shaded history and chose to leave the sins of their past behind. However, when a girl he’s never heard of is placed in his charge by his father, protecting her becomes his obsession and keeping her safe his only reality.

Can Meri and Rider use her mother’s old book to figure out why someone is after them? Or will the guilty party succeed, ripping the tome away before killing them and then slithering back into the darkness?

Genres: Novella

Audible Audio

Published March 22, 2019

About the author

Samantha Jacobey is a middle aged woman who earned a BS in Business Management and has worked in half a dozen fields. With a relentless zest for life, she enjoys action and adventure, as well as all the love and romance it has to offer. Creating stories in her mind for many years, she has put some of them into print for the world to share, and hopes you will enjoy reading them as much as she did creating them. What drives her most is the love of a good story and is confident you will enjoy her latest creation.

Reviews

[Coco.V]

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[Cheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Binding kept me wondering. Merideth and Ryder meet at her mother's funeral. She's feeling guilty for not spending more time with her mother and the way their last visit ended. Ryder didn't know her mother but his father did and was a close friend, or so he said. No one had ever seen them together and she hadn't spoken of him. When the man and her own father agreed that her mother's death may be foul play Ryder was assigned to protect her.

Who was after her and how did they seem only a half step behind them as the two flee?

There is an attraction between these two never-gonna-get-in-another-serious-relationship people. Neither wants to admit it even though they come close a few times.

While I did enjoy the book, I was unable to care about Merideth. Her better-than-you attitude was off-putting. Ryder was easier to like, however, with the mystery not allowing us to delve into their personalities too closely it wasn't easy to be on their side. I did enjoy the story and if you are looking for an interesting mystery with a couple and little steam this will fit the bill.
Reviewed for Words Turn Me On

[Fizza · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a very thrilling story and I loved how unexpected the ending was. A very well-written novel that I enjoyed reading a lot.
Rider and his father are attending the funeral of someone his father knew a long time ago. He doesn't understand why his father has brought him here when he didn't even know these people. Apparently the deceased was someone special to his father and now his father wants to help the family uncover secrets that are better forgotten.
Meri has just lost her mother. She is still in shock and grieving when she meets Rider. Suddenly, two youngsters are thrown together due to unexpected circumstances. It seems that Meri is in danger and for some reason Rider is appointed as her bodyguard. On the run, as they spend time together not only they learn more about their past but also pave a path to their future, a future that neither of them had anticipated.
It's a fast-paced novel. I liked the flow of it and the characters too. I think that it is a very good start to a promising series. Also, it is a bonus that the book can be read as stand alone.
P.S. I received a complimentary copy of this book.

[Brianna Belbin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was pretty interesting, but the characters weren’t. It was full of suspense, mystery, and drama. I feel like it would have been more enjoyable if Meredith was more likeable and less self-centered, but she’s definitely realistic because there are people out there like her. I liked Ryder’s personality and enjoyed his role in the book. I wouldn’t mind seeing where the next book goes, but I do hope for more character development and growth for their relationship.
Johnny did a pretty good job with this narration. I liked that he did different voices for each character and it was always easy to tell who was talking. His male voices for the characters were perfect, but the female voices were shrill and not that easy to listen to. Overall I did enjoy the performance and I wouldn’t mind listening to more work from him if they were mainly in a male POV.
*I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

[Ashley Hedden · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Binding was a good read by Samantha Jacobey. Merideth is that daughter of a wealthy politician. Her mother is murdered and she finds out that she is next. Rider is ex-military who is placed in charge of protecting Meri. Meri and Rider find her mother's old book to find out who is after her and why. I enjoyed reading Meri and Rider's story and can't wait to read more by Samantha Jacobey.

[Alisa Jenkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Its different, and quite interesting. It was like I have to know what is going to happen next.
This is also the first of her work I have read."