A Bond of Trust

Shifter City Fated Mates #4

by Jaymin Eve, Michelle Sparks (Narrator), Aaron Shedlock (Narrator)

*This is the final book in a why choose romance with very dominant and possessive male main characters. The female main character will not choose between the love interests. It's a full length romantasy and contains adult themes and descriptions that are suitable for 18+.

Genres: Fantasy, Paranormal, Why Choose, Paranormal Romance, Shapeshifters, Omegaverse, Dragons

15 pages, Audible Audio

First published January 23, 2026

About the author

Jaymin Eve is the Wall Street Journal and USA Today Bestselling author of paranormal romance, urban fantasy, and sci-fi novels filled with epic love stories, great adventures, and plenty of laughs. She lives in Australia with her husband, two beautiful daughters, and a couple of crazy pets. To date, she has sold over three million ebooks, and still can't believe that she gets to create fantasy worlds as a job. 

For action, adventure, romance, and a guaranteed HEA, start one of her series today.

Reading order:

Secret Keepers series (Paranormal Romance) House of Darken. House of Imperial. House of Leights. House of Royale.

Storm Princess Saga (PNR/Fantasy)
The Princess Must Die. The Princess Must Strike. The Princess Must Reign.

Curse of the Gods (Reverse Harem Fantasy Romance series) UpperYA/NA
Trickery. Persuasion. Seduction. Strength. Neutral. Pain.

Supernatural Prison (UF/PNR romance -shifter, vampire, fae, magic user) Upper YA/NA
Dragon Marked. Dragon Mystics. Dragon Mated. Broken Compass. Magical Compass.

NYC Mecca Series (UF/PNR Romance - shifters) Upper YA
Queen Heir. Queen Alpha. Queen Fae. Queen Mecca.

Hive Trilogy (UF/PNR Romance - vampires) Upper YA
Ash. Anarchy. Annihilate.

Walker Saga (Fantasy/adventure/romance - gods, mermaids, dragons) YA
First World. Spurn. Crais. Regali. Nephilius. Dronish. Earth.

Stay updated:

http://www.jaymineve.com

https://www.facebook.com/JayminEve.Au...

Reviews

[Ghouliana Darkana · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF 35% in right at chapter 20. PLEASE understand I have eagerly been waiting for this book to come out. I have been snatching up every single book as it comes out since #1. I do recommend books 1-3, but I genuinely believe this series should have ended at #3. This would have been cool if this book had come out only as a cutesy novella of their after the drama life together. This series was funny, sexy, and interesting. By chapter 20 all that has happened so far is sex, summarizing the other books in different ways, and very extremely too cute makes-you-want-to-gag-after-so-many-scenes-per chapter moments. I love all of these characters, the magic, the found family, their kinks (except the blood play in this one. This type is my ick, but unrelated to my DNF I just skimmed that part.) and I did love the plot. However, how can this be the final book in the series and you’re just going to create a whole new drama problem with new magics and conspiracies after THREE whole books dedicated to getting to one bad guy. Then the end of the 3rd book ends with a totally random (MAYBE barely hinted at through other books) bomb that creates a whole new barrel of apples rotten can of worms type of situation that has seemingly had nothing to do with the other books until now?? On top of a new bad guy? Insane. I was willing to get past that, but oh my goddddd stop summarizing everything especially this deep into the book. It has been SO repetitive!!! WE KNOW. If we made it to book freaking 4 you can bet your ass we remember simple details like traumas and backstories. Not to mention the book literally starts with severalllll pages dedicated to summarizing each book??? I loved that this series started with troubled and traumatized individuals. I loved that they went through character growths. I loved that they all seemed to be truly healing, but I started this series because I like stuff to be dark. I really just do not want to read non stop cutesy cringey lovey dovey stuff. Hence why books 1-3 is good for me. I feel like the HEA already happened, and if book 3 had been barely a little longer it could have included the rest of the bonds before finally being done. I love that they are happy, and that they are comfortable together. To me that is the best way to end a series not start a book. I just don’t feel interested in continuing to read this final book right now when it genuinely feels like this could be a totally different series. Maybe I’m just too mentally unwell for so much cutesy love in a book LOL. Maybe I’ll try again another day. For now I’m going to pretend the first few chapters were actually the last chapters of book 3, and this book isn’t a thing. :-)

[Pam · Rating 2 out of 5]

This pains me because I genuinely loved this series… but this book did not need to exist.

It should’ve ended at book three. Spiritually, emotionally, canonically — in my heart.

This wasn’t a slow burn, it was a slow stroll. Nothing happens. And then nothing continues to happen. And then we pause to deeply explain things that absolutely did not require a TED Talk.

By the time the plot finally showed up near the end, I was already emotionally clocked out. Gone.

Still love the series. No regrets reading it.
But in my mind? It wrapped beautifully at book three and I’m choosing that reality. 😂

[Raelyn Caumartin · Rating 2 out of 5]

honest opinion over here

I looooved the first two books, tolerated the third, and am not a fan of this one. I feel like it should have been a novella to tie in the last part of bonding.

I found myself skipping over *scenes* and hating the amount of over explaining, like it’s book 4. We understand everything that’s happened up until this point.

The constant never ending smut scenes and declarations of love and feelings, just felt like it took away so much of the plot.

As readers we understand the MMC’s are possessive, jealous, unalive people, etc. doesn’t have to be explained every chapter in depth. And the moment they should have been badasses, it just fell flat.

Lot of pointless filler chapters, a very predictable *betrayal*, and our FMC having a realization and coming into her own that felt very underwhelming and honestly eye roll worthy.

I love Jaymin and her vibe in her books. But this was just not it for me. A disappointing end to this series.

[Cactus · Rating 1 out of 5]

in a just world kellan and hunter would fuck yet they must remain staunchly heterosexual in order to play their roles in the wish fulfillment fantasy. SAD!

[Elodie Melody · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was expecting this book SO much…..
I dnfed around 36%
It was so anticlimactic !
We are in a kind of war ish, but they still live fucking la la-unicorn land 🫥 I was honestly bored and couldn’t pick the book even after a week.
So I skimmed the end…. With 4/5 epilogues 🫠

Well, it could have been a novel and the main story has ended on book 3 🫠 I still love them a lot though.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

No spoilers as I know so many won’t be able to read this for a while.

I was so lucky to get an advance copy of this book from a signing event with Jaymin.

It was EVERYTHING I’d hoped for in the final book of the series. Although I did worry for while, I should have remembered Jaymin always gives us a HEA.

Loved this book!

[Jeong Sieun Alexandrine · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a finale !
I was literally jumping , screaming and fawning myself at the 🔥
I feel so sad to be done with Emme and her 5 alphas T.T
PLEASE , CAN WE GET KASSIDY STORY ?!?!
I will litteraly beg on my knees ! 🥺🛐
How do I not fall into a reading slump now after this amazing bomb of emotions ? 😭

[H · Rating 3 out of 5]

could have done without this last book. felt forced and got bored. liked overall.

[Jess : Library of Scorpio · Rating 2 out of 5]

It pains me so much to give this book a low rating because I loved the first three books, but this one just wasn’t it.

DONT KEEP READING IF YOU DONT WANT SPOILERS OR IF YOU DONT WANT MY HONEST OPINION ON THIS BOOK.

I’ll be honest, I was so bored trying to read this book. I felt like the majority of the book was awkward dialogue, and hardly anything happened except the final battle. And it was the same thoughts feelings and words over and over again. The chemistry between the characters vanished, to the point where it was just the 5 men babysitting our FMC.

I am a total believer in the theory that some books just don’t hit for the person we are at the time, and maybe this is the case. But I really wanted to DNF, but this was one of my most anticipated reads this year, so I pushed through. Oh well, we got our ending.

[Sentranced Jem · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 ⭐️
Honesty a little disappointed…

[Mursal · Rating 1 out of 5]

never again… yuck.

[books_know_rh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I absolutely devoured this series!
And honestly, I’m so glad I waited until it was complete, because those cliffhangerswould have been painful to sit with while waiting for the next book.
What I loved most was the journey and growth of all the characters, especially Emme.
You can really feel how gradual and well-paced the emotional development is across the entire series.
Relationships don’t happen all at once,they deepen slowly, layer by layer, as thecharacters get to know each other more honestly and vulnerably.
Emme is such a compelling protagonist. She’s strong and resilient, but also deeply human.
Her insecurities, fears, and hesitation to fully let the alphas in make so much sense given her past trauma and the pain she’s endured. I really appreciated her inner conflict: wanting the alphas, driven by her omega nature, while simultaneously pushing them away out of fear of being hurt again or hurting them.
Hunter, Kellan, Slade, Finley, and Talon are all distinct, each with their own personality and dynamic within the group. Even the twins, despite their similarities, feel clearly different from one another.
What truly stood out to me was their devotion to Emme, the love, protectiveness, and passion they show her. Sure, some of them take a little longer to get there (looking at you, Finley), but once they do? Let’s just say my book-boyfriend standards are officially ruined.
The overall plot and storyline were also incredibly engaging, full of twists, intrigue, tension, and emotional stakes that kept me hooked from start to finish. Add in well-written, passionate intimate scenes that never feel disconnected from the story, and this series became impossible to put down. All in all, this was such a satisfying, emotional, and addictive read.

[KayTheBookLover · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished A Bond Of Trust by @jaymineve and this was Perfection!!!!

I loved Emme and her guys so much! Does anyone else have the problem with the last book of a series that you're so excited to read it but you're also kind of heartbroken that it's over?

I love knowing they got their happily ever after but also I don't want to leave the world yet.

Emme was so cute and sweet! I adore her! Slade and Talon *melts into a puddle* Holy twin dragons! Hunter.our ever steady alpha! Kellen our golden retriever and Finely our grumpy yet sweet for her bear! OMG I loved them all!

I love this series so much and I'm still not over it.

*note on the audiobook*
If you are someone who likes semi-graphic audios these audios have a little bit of graphic to them but not as much full-blown graphic audio.
Overall I didn't mind it but I did find it was hard for me to fall asleep to it so it was great to listen to during the day while adulting.

Overall ☆☆☆☆☆/5
Spice ☆☆☆.5/5
Audio ☆☆☆☆/5 the full cast was phenomenal! @michellesparksvoice , Aaron Shedlock, Gregory Salinas, Noel Harrison and Jake Bordeaux

[Brooke · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF at 18%. Disappointing.

[Pam Malloy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Disappointed

I rated all the previous books in this series 4 ⭐️ but I cannot even finish this one. I read all the others within a day. But I’m at 34% and am DNFing. It’s not holding my attention in the slightest. I liked Emme is the previous books but she’s insufferable this book. Her mates aren’t much better. I think it’s the pace of this book as well, I’m 34% through and only two days have passed. Nothing with the plot has progressed at all. We meet her father at the end of the last book who is half witch/half shifter and yet we haven’t had a single scene between father and daughter after 100 pages. He’s just mentioned a lot. Anyways I’m disappointing because I liked the series but i won’t be finishing it.

[Mellissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m so sad.

This was a highly anticipated read for me. I absolutely loved the first 3 books of the series. I’m not sure what happened here.

Still recommend reading it because it hit the good feelings spot, but the plot fell by the wayside, and was more of a love cuddle with many sweet nothings whispered in the pack.

[Christine Menees · Rating 5 out of 5]

So excited!!!!!

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. I was so disappointed at this book. I'd been waiting for it since I finished the third book 5 months ago and while I wasn't expecting it to be masterpiece, I had expected it to be on the same level as the last two books.

The book started out strong with chapter one that made me emotional over Em's trauma and not believing she could be happy. And the anticipation and tension of her bonding with Slade and Talon was so fun but the actual smut was kinda vanilla and short. A bit disappointed but not a big deal. Then the rest of the book was filled with grand gestures, smut, and wild declarations in every single dialogue that lacked emotional impact and depth. Like it got old real quick and considering they were at war or whatever, they did little to actually prepare or to find the enemy lol, mostly just hung out lol. I used to enjoy the slice of life parts but now they feel bland and boring and fake. I was busy this week but I dreaded going back to this book but wanted to finish it anyways for the sake of book 1 being one of my fav books ever.

I also didn't really like Em in this book, she was trying too hard to be trendy and funny which just made her cliche and I didn't like her pov. And a lot of it felt like the author trying to make sure we didn't forget stuff so she was naming and explaining stuff again, like oh this is who and who and also doing a lot of telling instead of showing. I really didn't think the author needed to write this book at all. She should have cut out the fluff in book 2 and this book and made it a better paced trilogy and added more emotional impact to the characters. This book needed to be a novella of like 60 pages, not 400 pages of fluff.

To say I am disappointed is an understatement given how the series before this was my top 2 fav series of all time. I am convinced authors don't know how to properly write the final book in a series because Bonds that Tie also had a week last book and many series have weak sequels. I will maybe still read Jaymin's future RH books but only when they have finished not because I can't wait or bc of cliffhangers, just because I want to see how people liked the last book / ending.

[BookBunny · Rating 2 out of 5]

"Blah blah, whatever." - That's a quote from this book which perfectly sums up my reading experience.

I want to emphasize, that I enjoyed the first three books in this series a lot. I gave them all 4 stars and I was really looking forward to this last book.

Book 3 ends on a cliff-hanger with Jewels posing an immediate threat against all shifters. So you'd think that a big part of this book would be reading about them figuring things out and trying their everything to escape this impending fate of enslavement. However, what you get is literally ANYTHING but that. You get fluff, fluff and more fluff, mixed with 5x ice skating, spice and setting the premise for the next quintet story. Which isn't something bad per se, but it is bad when there is this huge threat and you just get no real info about the progress on it. I got so annoyed and I just DIDN'T CARE about the cute scenes!! I wanted to read about them figuring this problem out and not merely getting a sentence once in a while like "X is doing research" or "Y is checking this place out". I mean their entire freedom is on the line, yet their mentality is "we deserve to treat ourselves" and therefore that's all you, as a reader, get to read about.

Also, her father being in the picture is not really addressed. They don't have a real conversation until like 40% of the book (maybe even later I can't remember anymore). Because the plot dragged so much I started to skim most of the book and even skipped the spice scenes after the 3rd one or so because I just wanted some TINY scrap of plot progression.

I agree with other reviews that this book would have been perfect as a novella. The story should have wrapped up in book 3 and then I would have absolutely loved all that fluff. I really adore the characters in this series, so I sure as hell would have read it even if it "only" would have been a novella. Seeing it as a novella, it would be a 4-star-read for me. But as this was a "normal" book, the lack of plot progression and the pacing really bothered me so 2 stars it sadly is.

[Morgan | bookish_morgano · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️ 2.5 🌶️

Audiobook narration was 5/5, Duet like the other books and with sound effects so it really feels like you're listening to a movie but not as dramatic as a Graphic Audio.

We start off right where Book 3 ends, with some normalcy before the chaos of facing Jewels and the final battle/ curse shenanigans.

TLDR: I laughed, I predicted (almost all) the twists, I gasped and scared my husband (oops) and had the best of times. What a phenomenal way to end a series.

There are a couple lose threads left open that I HOPE Jaymin decides to write either a standalone (duology? I will read whatever you give us Queen) as a spinoff.
(Just read it to know what I am talking about...)

The epilogue having 4 parts as well as the bonus scene, all just had me kicking my legs at how cute it was. I was hoping for more insight to see if they will end up choosing to have kids or not, so again... SPIN OFF, SPIN OFF!!!! We need more shifter cities in our lives.

Add to your TBR if you like:
- shifters
- fated mates
- omegaverse (no knotting)
- He (They) Fall First (all at different times)
- why choose

[carli · Rating 2 out of 5]

I honestly don’t know what to say. The FMC is supposed to be the oh so great and powerful chosen one with FIVE scent matches. This makes you think- this girl must be special. But really, aside from her interesting heritage, she’s nothing. Except for her very random obsession with vehicles (Which I am sure the author only added to make her seem more interesting and unique), she’s basic, boring and unoriginal. Nothing about her makes you wanna learn more about her. When I read a story about a powerful FMC who is one of a kind, I want to know what is her story, what has she endured, why HER? In Emme’s case, I don’t know. She hasn’t endured anything and cries every single time someone shows her some sort of a affection. Makes me roll my eyes every single time she bursts out crying because someone hugs her. Her personality- again, basic! Would have been so much better if she was a badass who had a crazy backstory but the author wanted her to be submissive, weak, shivering kitten.

[ROMEOISNOTFUNNY · Rating 5 out of 5]

While the series took a while for me to get into, the characters captured my heart and I was suddenly invested in their outcome. The plot centering around shifters vs. witches, father vs. sons, Jules vs. the world of shifters!

The last book kept me engrossed, there were twists, betrayal, emotional relationship family development, and a lot of hot smutty smex which somehow had elements of love and cosiness intertwined...oh and there were just lovely moments.

I wasn't going to add this as a favourite, but I think I will now.

I read this through audio, it was completely narrative (everyone reads their parts even in the others POVs) and had added drama sounds. Though I think the duel narrative was enough for me, and they did great, too the point I wondered if they were all in one room to do this like a radio drama from back in the day.

Loved it, love them now and loved the ending ❤️
5 stars

[Sidney Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

After waiting for this book to come out, let me just say YASS SEEET BABY SLALON BABY SLALON😭😭

I am so sad to see this end. This book gave me all the cute romance smutty moments and it was just perfect ending to this series. I wish I had more of a glimpse into the packs life without stressed of jewels and the witches but the ending that was given is good enough to satisfy my need.

The story line was a little cliche but I enjoyed the pack interaction in between the series moments. I love that Constantine was there to be a family member for Emme and I am just so tickled about the amount of DP and sandwiches from the pack. Honestly the SLALON moments with emme was amazing but man talon really was stealing the spotlights.
The amount of highlights I have in this book alone is more than usually do. Plus I need a glimpse at kassidys life eith Henderson as well. PELASE.

[Carissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Did I have some complaints with this book? Sure. Am I still giving it 5 stars? Absolutely.

This series was one of those guilty pleasure ones where the writing is sometimes cringe and the behaviors of characters are baseline and dated, but I eat. It. Up. Every. Time. I can already tell this is going in the list of ones I'll likely reread a few times throughout the rest of my life and that's okay!! Because it's for me to enjoy and that's all I'm worried about.

Jaymin, please please please write a book about Kassidy. I'm begging. She has such interesting potential and I fear it would be almost as good as this series.

[Malinda · Rating 1 out of 5]

I wanted to like this, I really did. I liked the characters in the other books but even the heat fizzled out in this one. Yes there were spicy scenes but it just fell flat for me.

What really started to bother me was the Alphas repeatedly talking about how they only care about Emme and how the rest of the world can burn. Now I understand what the author was trying to do, create unhinged MMCs that would sacrifice anything for their mate. For me though, it was talked about so frequently that it became so tone deaf. Especially with today's political climate. One line about Hunter said
"... looking entirety unrepentant that an entire race was dead." And that did not sit well with me. MMCs can be possessive and selfish when it comes to their mates but that's such a horrible line that really makes them unlikable. This was such a disappointment.

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ya this series could have been a trilogy. Theres so much filler in book 3 and 4 I ended up mainly skimming book 4. Why is there literally so many chapters just about going to the hockey game and watching the game and details of the game etc. There’s a literal war coming…And the spice was so much and kinda meh for the last two books I skipped most of it and again got to the point I didn’t even care as much as I should for them to all finally be fully bonded and for Slade and Talon to join properly. And again the filler was enough I barely cared when her dad appeared etc. Emme also started off as such a strong character and ended up with her just being babied and not treated like an adult or equal. It was too much.

Let’s just say the series had a great start and a unique story but the way it ended up over all being written to get to the main plot was so dragged on.

[Moni · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5 ⭐️
Nie była to najlepsza książka z serii. Poprzednie bardziej mi się podobały. Koło połowy musiałam się trochę przymuszać, bo nagle wszystko zaczęło mnie rozpraszać i wydawało się bardziej interesujące, a jednak zależało mi aby ją skończyć jako że jest ostatnią z serii. Aby ją krótko podsumować to przez 3/4 książki jest tak cukierkowo słodko między nimi, że aż mnie mdli, a później jest walka i akcja i koniec.

[Danielle S Sexton · Rating 3 out of 5]

**Spoiler**This was a somewhat predictable ending to the series. I'm glad that they have their HEA, and that she FINALLY grew some balls and became the badass she should have been from the beginning, but I knew what was happening before it happened for most of the book.

[Alyx · Rating 3 out of 5]

The whole series was embarrassingly cheesy in dialogue and inner thoughts. I kept on because the plot was intriguing outside of the cheesy romance. The resolution was FINE but nothing exciting. Was it perfectly fine and quick to read? Yes. Will I remember it long term or recommend it to others? No.

[Emily Blackburn · Rating 5 out of 5]

OKAY! This book was EVERYTHING I wanted in the finale and more! I’m secretly hoping for a spin off book with Kassidy 😬. Loved loved.