Bound by Threads

Bound and Broken Duet #1

by N.E. Stevenson

They pushed me to the edge, and now they think I’m dead because of the things they did.

I thought I was getting a new beginning.

A promise of a new identity.

A new college to finally start my life states away from the people who were set on destroying me.

What do I do when they show up two years later?

And how do I escape when they are determined to make me pay for the pain my disappearance caused them?

-

We never wanted her to die.

We were only doing as we were told to make her parents pay the debts they had made.

Now, we’re not the same boys she knew.

And when we find out that she’s alive... well, we’re determined to make her pay.

This is a why choose contemporary Enemies to Lovers Romance.
This is Book one of the duet.
Series is now complete!

Genres: Why Choose, Enemies To Lovers, Romance, Contemporary, Dark Romance, Dark, College

330 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 25, 2025

Reviews

[Mattie 🦢 · Rating 2 out of 5]

No rating yet!

God I hate half of these characters. WHY DIDNT SHE JUST EXPLAIN IT TO THEM. Roman could do NOTHING to make him likable he’s too far gone, and Elijah is MARRIED. Crew is just pathetic and she only took him back bc of the guilt trip and she’s soft & gullible. The miscommunication made me feel like I got shot instead of Roman. Also not the author about to gas light me into thinking Roman has always loved her. Now will I read the second book? Yes. Yes I will.

2.75 stars!

[Rach · Rating 1 out of 5]

Girl what the hell

[Outchi · Rating 1 out of 5]

lol nope. what a mess.

[Cassandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

The premise had potential, but I found the character motivations somewhat frustrating.

There was this ongoing expectation that Lottie owed the guys an explanation for disappearing out of their lives even though they’d spent over a year bullying her nonstop. I was having a really hard time understanding why they weren’t comprehending her desire to cut ties. I get that they had previously been close, but that relationship had long been severed.

Then there was zero accountability on the guys’ part. They just kept saying that they were told to do it as if that would make it better.

Elijah also had valuable information that could have cleared things up and prevented some very repetitive interactions, but he didn’t feel it was his place to share (I disagree). I spent most of this book wondering if I was finally in the chapter where everything would be revealed. It took an unnecessarily long time to get there.

Despite all this, I still want to know how this ends. Unfortunately, I likely won’t finish this duet due to my intense dislike of Roman.

[rozie · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF im incredibly frustrated. The 3 guys were idiots and acted like scarlett owes them shit. When she doesnt. She has a shit home life, was sexually assaulted by the guys' dads, and they bullied her constantly just to top it off, and they still blame her for dying and "leaving" them behind to wallow in their misery. Im sorry but this aint it. There's no redeeming these characters for me no matter how much they grovel.

[Nimi (Warner's Wife ) · Rating 5 out of 5]

WHAT KIND OF WITCHCRAFT WAS THAT????

😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

O.M.G THE YEARNING ,THE ANGST ,THE GRIEF ,THE GUILT ,THE REGRETS ......THIS BOOK SHATTERED MY HEART .CRASHED MY SOUL AND DIDN’T EVEN PUT IT BACK TOGETHER.............
I’M EMPTY
I’M STUNNED
I’M STILL PROCESSING THE DAMAGE

[Julie Schulz · Rating 1 out of 5]

F*#% those guys! I can’t even consider reading the next one. This one was annoying. Archer and Oscar were the only highlights and even then we didn’t get much.

[Chelsie Lucas · Rating 1 out of 5]

Bully romance are always a hit or a full strike out.
This one I’ll finish but I’ll tell you now.
It’s a miss.

[dyna · Rating 3 out of 5]

sickkk i thought part two was out

[MandaC86 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Suspenseful

This has so much going for it I literally could not put it down this type of book lately is pulling me out of my reading slump this gets you going wanting to know more and see the end and the revenge is even better love it

[St.Peaches · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ARC Review ✨
🌶️:0,5/5
RELEASE DATE: 25/05/25

GUTTED....
LEFT TO BLED OUT..

THAT IS HOW I FEEL ....
The ending was BRUTAL ...
THE WHOLE GODDAMN BOOK WAS BRUTAL ....

If you love a gut wrenching story with a balanced dose of reassuring comfort and a sprinkle of female rage.
THIS ONE IS FOR YOU MASOCHISTIC BYTCHES! (Respectfully)

This book has SO LITTLE SPICE.
Not gonna lie I WAS SURPRISED that i really really enjoyed it!
(Considering i ENJOY my smut, SO THIS IS SAYING ALOT)

A small shout out to Daddy Will 😍😍

⚠️WARNING⚠️
This book is pretty heavy and dark, it has a lot of things on and off page that might be triggering.
SO PLEASE CHECK YOU TRIGGER WARNING BEFORE HAND!

Can't wait for the second book!! 💖💖

Book Contains:
- Why Choose
- Friends x Enemies x Lovers
- MMC Marines
- MMC Deaf Rep
- FMC Mute
- Stripper
- Child SA (off page)
- Bullying
- Drugs & Addiction
- Suicide Attempt
- Violence & Blood
- Found Family
- Hurt & Comfort
- Parental Abuse
- Mention of Parental Death
- Spitting

🍑 HAPPY READING YALL!!!! 🍑

[Angelica Burke · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got 8 chapters in and was bawling my eyes out, god did this book hit hard! The ending……..😭😭😭 cannot wait for the second book!

[M Janee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, first off Roman - you stupid boy 😆 iykyk.

Okay, now that that's out of the way 😅

This story sucks you in immediately. You really feel for Scarlett as she struggles more and more.

Lottie is such a strong fmc and I loved that she got her payback.

Great. Now I need book 2 like yesterday because I loved this.

PS - Oscar, you're my favourite 🤫

[Brittany Cain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. What a freaking masterpiece. It’s taken me several days to try and find the words to use in this review and honestly I don’t think anything I say will do justice to how good this book is. I have read almost 200 books this year already and this one is by far the best. N.E. Stevenson you have outdone yourself with this one. I have read it at least 3 times since I’ve gotten it and it just seems to get better and better each time. No one truly knows how to break me like you do but you do it in such a beautiful way. I connected with this book on such a personal level and I believe so many others will as well. Scarlet/Lottie is such a powerful FMC who really takes what has been thrown at her and comes back stronger for it. She hits rock bottom but still manages to come back and take her life back. She learns what it is like to truly be loved and cherished. That cliffhanger though…. I am not okay. I am in desperate need for book two.

[Montana · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review: My heart breaks at the beginning of this book for how helpless Scarlett feels and how horrible everyone is in her life. But the way she changes everything and becomes such a strong character made me so excited. I found out I love a man on his knees after this book. Thank you for that new knowledge. Oh, and fuck Elijah and his little wife and still pinning over our fmc. We hate an unfaithful man that also keeps his wife hidden.

I have this kindle book preordered and patiently waiting to get the physical book because there were so many lines that made me stop and fully giggle. Oh and those kissing scenes! I went feral over those scenes! Excuse me while I get on my knees and ask N.E. Stevenson to spit in my mouth. She has her pretty little author hands wrapped around my throat and I’m saying thank you.

[Taylor Chitwood · Rating 1 out of 5]

It was going to be a 2 star already, then I got to the ending and it was so bad that it was an immediate 1 star.

[Rose · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is like one of the crazy pay per chapter books where you think “okay, I’m putting this down after this chapter” bc it’s just so ridiculous but then somehow you’re still hooked and keep going. This book is crazy. It’s purely for entertainment. There’s no real development. Nothing makes a lot of sense. There’s no real connection.

There is SO much telling verses showing here. The way that this is executed is doing the story a disservice because these guys are freaking awful and characters this awful really need a solid redemption arc.

I’m not big into revenge arcs but I get why the author made that choice. The h healing through vengeance isn’t working for me though. It feels very out of character for her. The mean Hs being turned on by her new found strength is giving me the ick. How the heck are these nice Hs supposed to ever share her with these a-holes? I cannot see them all cuddled up into bed with each other lol. There’s just too much trauma there. These guys were a big part of why the h attempted suicide and the one H, so we’re told, is still very traumatized by having to rescue and resuscitate her. Like really how is this harem going to work? We’re being told that these characters have all these big feelings but everyone is moving on way too quickly and here I am still very much stuck trying to process the trauma and their emotions alone.

I may continue to see what happens but I don’t think there is any saving this one for me. I’m totally dying to find out what’s going on with the one dudes wife though.

[Casi McLaughlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay how to begin- I enjoyed this series, however I felt there wasn’t enough reason for the FMC to even begin forgiving what she went through with Roman, Elijah, and Crew. Like there wasn’t really a good reason or even a sufficient freaking excuse for the way all 3 of them treated her and the ways it affected her after the fact. Like it all just seemed so pointless and the ways she started to get back at them was, without a better way to put it, pathetic. It was just messed up all around.

However I still give 3 stars bc I enjoyed the story and how the FMC came into her own through the love and respect and adoration from the 2 men she founds and ofc in so many ways saved her, Oscar and Archer were fantastic. I’m glad Scarlet was able to find happiness with them and how all 3 of their issues feels to real and personal, it makes it relatable and I think that was well done.

As for the rest I don’t like it and as such didn’t want to go onto book 2, I get the cliffhanger at the end will probably act as a catalyst finally showing “how much they care” but this screams more bully and disgusting behavior rather than like a simple enemy or hate, I just think there’s some things that are a bit too messed up to come back from esp bc it feels like so much of what Scar went through was just glossed over.

But like I say, make up your minds for yourselves, though it’s not my favorite it very well could be someone else’s.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

** Beta Review






Before I even get to the book, N, I’ve told you before your growth as an author has blown me away from Whispers to this. I’m in awe and love watching you flourish even while you simultaneously rip my heart out.

Lottie, hands down one of my favorite FMCs to exist. She took her trauma, swallowed it whole and spit it back out and she’s not done yet. She went from a beaten down 18 year old running for her life to holding her own and getting back what she deserves.

Crew and Elijah I will die on the hill with them. They deserve every single thing coming their way but they are fighting to get their girl back now that they are learning all the pieces no matter how far they’ve fallen. But like Piglet gotta go or Crew will never be redeemed. Roman, Roman, literally halfway through reading it I asked her to off him in the next one and then literally the last second he decides to redeem himself and made me eat my words.

Oscar and Archer I literally have nothing but love for no questions asked pieced Lottie back together and will die protecting her. Will and Claire hands down best book parents ever written. I love them. They added the perfect bit of laughter when it got heavy.

Now girl, get to work on book two because I am going to hound you about what’s going to happen and see where Lottie goes in her revenge.

[Sasa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This had a lot of potential.

Unfortunately the execution wasn’t quite as good. The characters were kind of…flat? And we could have used some peeks into their lives before they stopped being friends, because I’m convinced they never really cared.

And look, I get that the FMC has gone through some shit. But she was a perpetual victim that relied on everyone else to save her. I’m not sure Archer would be interested in her if he didn’t clearly have a savior complex.

In fact, there didn’t seem to be any chemistry between any of them aside for a bit with Oscar.

There’s no real need to add the others to her harem. They absolutely don’t deserve it. Forgive them, fine. But she has Archer and Oscar.

Crew was pathetic. Elijah didn’t really do anything but feel bad for himself and continue holding on to a secret that he should have told them YEARS ago to absolve her. He just let Roman continue to bully her even in death.

ATP, the best thing Roman can do for the story is die. Like seriously, just die. You’ll never convince me that this entitled piece of shit EVER loved her.

All this to say, I will still certainly be reading the next book

[Kattikuss · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one of those books that didn’t let up with the grief of a shitty life. Even if Lottie left the disaster that was her life behind, it ended up catching up to her. Now she needs to face her demons, literally and figuratively.

There we so many men in this book that it doesn’t end up making sense that Lottie would ever include her heinous bullies into her harem, and let’s face it, everyone has to agree that Roman is basically unforgivable. What a prick!

Archer and Oscar are wonderful. That’s all you need babe.

The cliffhanger was good if a bit predictable. The plot was unbelievable and light in details in parts, but let’s overlook them, this was a book about emotional trauma. Onto the next one!

[Shay · Rating 3 out of 5]

I waited a long time for this one to come out because I wanted the complete story before picking up this first book. It does deliver on the traumatic angle. Lottie goes through so much, and we see them struggle all throughout the book. We finally get to a good place before it tries to pull her back in. I love Archer and Oscar. This trio is amazing. I really just want them to be these three together only, so I don't get how any of the guys from her past are going to get back into her life. I just don't know where we go from here and how they are to end in the next book. It just feels like it is on the slower side of pacing. I hope the next book picks up and they start facing some real consequences along with big-time groveling.

[Susan Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book worth the read

This book had me in a choke hold for most of it. The emotions felt real and raw throughout the entire book. Scarlett/Lottie was an amazing, strong fmc who went through so in her short life. Lottie had dark hidden secrets who didn't trust easily. But her growth and finding her voice again was powerful strong. Archer was her saving grace and gave her a reason to live. Oscar was her protector and always saw her for who she was. Crew,Elijah, and Roman were just broken people but needed a good slapping for all the harm they caused Lottie. This book will put you through an emotional roller-coaster but so worth it.

[Chele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok...I didn't think you would top Whispers of Salvation, but you certainly have! This book is amazing. Lottie/Scarlet has been through so much that it took her voice. Silence was how she survived. Her friends became her tormentors. Her parents sold her for their addiction. Archer saved her, Oscar sees her, she has fabulous friends. There were tears (from me, whilst I read). There was a gasp and me almost throwing my tablet at the ending! I am already ready for Book 2 and re-reading Book 1, even having just finished. You know how to dig deep, tell a story, and make us feel all the feels! Dive in people and just hit pre-order. You're going to want this duet!

[J.L. Cres · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book overall and found the main character likable. I have a deep respect for someone so strong and I felt the author did a good job of highlighting her inner strength. Good character development. I’m def a fan of this author and her style of writing. I however—did not want to read about her getting involved with her bullies again. I loved Archer and Oscar. The fact that the FmC would even have any feelings for the men in her past when she has those 2 amazing BFs is unbelievable to me. I get the revenge but then let them go. I had mixed feelings on whether I wanted to read the next book but in the end I didn’t continue…

[Sarah Reilly · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing book!

Wow, just wow! This was so unexpected (in a good way) not your typical enemies to lovers that's for sure.

Scarlett/Lottie's story is so heartbreaking, hard to read at times but N.E wrote it so well.

I have to say though I don't think I've hated a character as much as I hate Roman, I just want to bash his head against a brick wall 🤦‍♀️ if the cliffhanger isn't as bad as it seems, maybe there'll be a chance he can redeem himself 🤞

This is the first book I've read by N.E and after book 2 you better believe I'll be going through her backlist.

This was outstanding!

[x.o-St3fani3-o.x · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bound and Broken

I devoured this book and I can’t wait for book 2 ending threw me for a loop.

Scarlett/Lottie has a very troubled and abusive life. Her best friends turn on her, her parents are more concerned with drinking and drugs. After the unthinkable happens she losses her voice.

While trying to end it all she is saved and runs away to another place with the man.

I was so enamored with Oscar and Archer. I was totally annoyed with Crew, Roman and Elijah and wouldn’t be upset if they sat on a cactus.

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow I loved this! I went in basically blind and I’m shook. That ending!!! So many emotions. This book hooked me right away and it didn’t let me go till the last word of the last page. I loved these characters as flawed and cracked as they all are. Each one had so much depth and I really felt for each of them even when I wanted to talk sense into them. This book has romance, friendship, steam, family love, betrayal, groveling, grief, and so much more. I can’t wait for the next one and see where they all end up. I highly recommend this one!

[Morgan]

DNF… I can’t finish this book. The bullies push the main character to try to kill herself. Then when they find out she’s alive they get mad at her, because after they found out she killed herself they were “grieving”. They all used to be friends and then one of their dads raped her, and so she stopped talking to them. They get their feelings hurt and they start bullying her because their dads tell them too, but they also like it because she “iced them out”. Give me a freaking break! I don’t usually like bully books, but this one took the cake. I hated it.

[Simply Stina]

Ehhh, how could they not know??

I dont know if this is valid or feasible. We're they truly that disconnected that they didn't know their father's were frickin evil? I just find that so hard to believe.
Anyway, the pacing was odd in some parts and I dont like how Scarlett/Lottie refused to tell them what happened to her out of concern for THEM.! That blew my mind! Like, excuse me?! So she resorted to childish pranks. I truly don't know how to feel about this book. It wasn't great but it wasn't horrible either. 🤷🏽‍♀️