The Past That Binds Us: Book 1

by Alexandria Archer

Tiffany has never failed to solve a case,except mystery of her parents’ murders. Since then, she has worked meticulously to move past the dark things she hides in herself. However, Henry, the sexy FBI agent she’s forced to work with, is a bloodhound, and he’s caught her scent. But he has a few secrets of his own. A gruesome murder brought them together and forced her to tolerate his looming presence, but the deeper down the rabbit hole they go, the deeper into their dark pasts they find themselves. The case will be her undoing...that is, if Henry doesn’t finish her first.

338 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 8, 2025

Reviews

[Reyna N · Rating 5 out of 5]

review

Great plot, and main characters!! Keeps you in suspense and wanting more. Can’t wait to read the next one, waiting patiently!!

[Kaila · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. A dark thriller was exactly what I needed. I don't think I have read another book like this one, and I cannot wait for the next one. Both Henry and Tiffany have a tragic past that leads them to working together. Their banter and tension is top notch, you can't help falling in love with them. So if you are looking for a dark romance with thriller aspects, pick this one up, you will not regret it!

[maggie sheldon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Little nightmare?
Cocky Mmc who falls first?
Criminal mind girls need to jump on this book right away!
Everything about this book was absolutely amazing! If you are someone looking for a dark romance crime story and love a good trigger warning list look no further! You will be hooked and won’t want to put it down! I absolutely can’t wait for the next one!

[Wesley Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

WHO ARE YOU??

If you are a lover of the television series CSI and are a person who is fascinated with the legendary and gripping murderer Jack the Ripper like I am, then this is a book for you. This book starts out like just any episode of CSI, where you go head first into a murder that turns into a gripping and suspenseful rollercoaster that keeps you guessing who did it till the very end. The gore, setup, plot, spice, mystery, and the genius behind writing this book wasn't like any other murder mystery dark romance book that I have ever read.

Alexandria Archer weaves a story that is truly leaving the reader biting their nails as the story slowly unravels, where secrets and dark pasts of both main characters begin to entwine. This is truly a murder mystery that I can get behind and would reread again, just to experience the thrill this book takes you on.

For anyone who is reading this book for the first time, I envy you because I was truly left satisfied with this book with every element that makes a murder mystery what it is, with a touch of dark romance. Definitely a series and author to look out for, for this type of genre. WHAT A RIDE THIS BOOK WAS!!

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tiffany is a CSI assigned to a gruesome murder. FBI agent Henry arrives to investigate alongside. They both have dark secrets in their past that start to unravel as they continue to investigate a now string of murders. Together they discover the truth and who the killer is, or so they thought.

This book went from zero to 60 quick. And it didn’t let up. It was either hot AF with the spice or it had you on the edge of your seat with twists. It was a great read, left off on a cliffhanger and it has me begging for the next book!

If you’re looking for a suspenseful romantic thriller, look no further this one covers it all. Check your triggers, it has some dark themes.

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't remember what I thought about this book but I know I enjoyed it. I read it back in May as an ARC reader.

I saved my fav quote from it on a picture so I could share when it finally came to Goodreads.

There is cliffhanger! So be prepared.

"You want to run? I will catch you. You want to hide from me? I will find you. You want to be alone? Too fucking bad. Because you're mine, Little Nightmare."

[LilNuggett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely an amazing read. It’s a psychological thriller that will have you hooked from beginning to end. The MMC Henry is someone who you think just gets brought to help with the case but he becomes the man that you need if you’ve ever really experienced trauma in real life. Both the FMC and the MMC have their own personal battles theyre dealing with but it helps your journey if you’ve been through struggles. This book I couldn’t recommend enough ! Can’t wait for the next one ❤️

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read

I couldn't put it down, it kept you interested as a reader especially if you are into murder mysteries and then the dark romance also happening throughout the book was chefs kiss 💋. So if your a dark romance girly who also loves mystery this is a book for you. I love when a book surprises me at the end and it did, I thought I knew who was killing but I was wrong. Will be keeping up with this author and cant wait for the next one!

[Carol Rowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this as an arc read, and it was FANTASTIC!! I couldn't get enough of Tiffany and Henry! Their banter had me laughing so hard, and they also had me in my feels as well!
If you love crime shows or detective shows; you will love this book!! I was drawn in from Start to finish!!! The story, suspense, and the plot…. You won’t be disappointed!!

[Rachel Lewellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m so glad I ran into this author and my husband convinced me to buy the book. It was so good! The traumatic pasts, the banter, the plot twists were all so good! I did want to know more/ have a resolution for his story but maybe we will see that in the next book. 👀 I can’t wait for book 2! Super good dark romance thriller!

[Kayla Falls · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this. NCIS is one of my go to shows and this definitely had those vibes. Tony and Ziva were my faves and this book has two main characters that give those vibes. You'll be hooked from the first chapter. Cliff hanger leaves you longing for more. Great read. Very nicely done.

[Justice Duncan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Received this as an ARC! The banter between FMC and MMC was great and I really enjoyed the spicy scenes!

I thought there was a lot of dialogue, at times a little too much.

The twists were twisty and left me wanting more.

[Paige Minton · Rating 5 out of 5]

wow!! this book is sooo good!! had me on my toes the whole way. MMC had me sweating and MFC was pretty amazing. they were written very well!!! I will say the end is a big cliff hanger and hope Alexandria makes a book 2.. Great read and would recommend this book to anyone!!!

[Amber Stratton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the character build up and the banter between MMC and FMC.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

a amazing book.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was fantastic!! I loved the characters and how much they grew from their tragic pasts! The plot was amazing and I did not see the end coming. Alexandria's writing is so smooth and flows well that it makes you keep reading.

[Aly 📚 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my one of my all time favorite reads! I could read this book over and over and never get tired of it! Always check trigger warnings, but if you need a good pallet cleanse and love dark romance such as the lords series from Shantel Tessier, this is the book for you! I always try to write reviews based on my opinion and no spoilers. The FMC is a detetivee, what happens when she starts to possibly fall in the love with a co worker and over investigating to keep herself a float?! Pick this up it might just end up being your next favoirte!