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Tethered
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
June 8, 2026
Review of Advanced Copy received from Author
Tethered by J.D. Petty pulled me in from the first page and never loosened its grip. This is the perfect blend of psychological suspense, mystery, and dark obsession, wrapped in an atmosphere so unsettling that I found myself constantly looking over my shoulder right alongside Mae.
Mae is a compelling heroine whose fragmented past and instinct for survival make her easy to root for. Watching her unravel the truth about who she is while navigating her growing connection with Jonathan Cross was absolutely captivating. Jonathan is the definition of morally gray. He’s intense, possessive, mysterious, and impossible to figure out. Every scene he appeared in carried an electric tension that kept me turning pages long into the night.
The author masterfully builds suspense, layering secrets upon secrets until the line between protector and predator becomes beautifully blurred. Just when I thought I understood what was happening, another revelation shifted everything.
If you enjoy dark romantic suspense, obsessive heroes, haunting mysteries, and stories that keep you guessing until the very end, Tethered deserves a spot at the top of your TBR.
A chilling, addictive read that proves sometimes the safest place to hide is in the arms of the person who scares you most.
Tethered by J.D. Petty pulled me in from the first page and never loosened its grip. This is the perfect blend of psychological suspense, mystery, and dark obsession, wrapped in an atmosphere so unsettling that I found myself constantly looking over my shoulder right alongside Mae.
Mae is a compelling heroine whose fragmented past and instinct for survival make her easy to root for. Watching her unravel the truth about who she is while navigating her growing connection with Jonathan Cross was absolutely captivating. Jonathan is the definition of morally gray. He’s intense, possessive, mysterious, and impossible to figure out. Every scene he appeared in carried an electric tension that kept me turning pages long into the night.
The author masterfully builds suspense, layering secrets upon secrets until the line between protector and predator becomes beautifully blurred. Just when I thought I understood what was happening, another revelation shifted everything.
If you enjoy dark romantic suspense, obsessive heroes, haunting mysteries, and stories that keep you guessing until the very end, Tethered deserves a spot at the top of your TBR.
A chilling, addictive read that proves sometimes the safest place to hide is in the arms of the person who scares you most.
June 30, 2026
Tethered is an addictive and atmospheric read that masterfully combines psychological suspense, slow-burn romance, and intriguing mystery into a story that is impossible to put down. J.D. Petty creates a world where every chapter uncovers another layer of secrets, keeping readers captivated until the very last page.
Mae is a compelling heroine whose resilience and vulnerability make her easy to invest in. Haunted by a fragmented past and driven by survival instincts, she is a character whose journey is both emotional and suspenseful. As long-buried truths begin to surface, her search for answers becomes increasingly gripping, making every revelation feel significant.
Jonathan Cross is an unforgettable romantic lead. Mysterious, controlled, and impossible to fully understand, he commands attention from the moment he appears. His quiet intensity and protective nature create an irresistible tension that keeps readers questioning his motives while hoping for the best. The chemistry between Jonathan and Mae is magnetic, built on trust, uncertainty, and emotional complexity rather than instant romance.
One of the novel's greatest strengths is its atmosphere. The constant feeling that something isn't quite right, unexplained messages, subtle threats, and lingering uncertainty—creates an edge-of-your-seat reading experience. The suspense builds naturally, with each new clue deepening the mystery and raising the stakes.
Beyond the romance and intrigue, Tethered explores themes of identity, memory, trust, and the choices that define us. The emotional depth woven throughout the story gives the characters substance and makes their struggles feel authentic. J.D. Petty skillfully balances moments of vulnerability with thrilling twists, ensuring the pacing remains engaging from beginning to end.
As the first installment in The Hollow Crown Universe, this novel lays a strong foundation for what promises to be an exciting series. The rich world-building, compelling characters, and unanswered questions leave readers eager to discover what lies ahead.
For fans of dark romance, psychological suspense, and slow-burn mysteries filled with secrets and emotional tension, Tethered is a captivating and memorable read.
A suspenseful, emotionally charged, and brilliantly crafted novel that will keep you turning pages long into the night. Highly recommended!
Mae is a compelling heroine whose resilience and vulnerability make her easy to invest in. Haunted by a fragmented past and driven by survival instincts, she is a character whose journey is both emotional and suspenseful. As long-buried truths begin to surface, her search for answers becomes increasingly gripping, making every revelation feel significant.
Jonathan Cross is an unforgettable romantic lead. Mysterious, controlled, and impossible to fully understand, he commands attention from the moment he appears. His quiet intensity and protective nature create an irresistible tension that keeps readers questioning his motives while hoping for the best. The chemistry between Jonathan and Mae is magnetic, built on trust, uncertainty, and emotional complexity rather than instant romance.
One of the novel's greatest strengths is its atmosphere. The constant feeling that something isn't quite right, unexplained messages, subtle threats, and lingering uncertainty—creates an edge-of-your-seat reading experience. The suspense builds naturally, with each new clue deepening the mystery and raising the stakes.
Beyond the romance and intrigue, Tethered explores themes of identity, memory, trust, and the choices that define us. The emotional depth woven throughout the story gives the characters substance and makes their struggles feel authentic. J.D. Petty skillfully balances moments of vulnerability with thrilling twists, ensuring the pacing remains engaging from beginning to end.
As the first installment in The Hollow Crown Universe, this novel lays a strong foundation for what promises to be an exciting series. The rich world-building, compelling characters, and unanswered questions leave readers eager to discover what lies ahead.
For fans of dark romance, psychological suspense, and slow-burn mysteries filled with secrets and emotional tension, Tethered is a captivating and memorable read.
A suspenseful, emotionally charged, and brilliantly crafted novel that will keep you turning pages long into the night. Highly recommended!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I apologize in advance…I am not very good at writing reviews haha
I enjoyed the book a lot! It was a quicker read for me, that’s not a bad thing, I was on the edge of my seat throughout a lot of Mae and Jonathon’s “adventures.” There was suspense, drama, action, a little humor, and a bit of love unraveling.
The writing was well done, the suspense of what was happening next was there, the flirtation between the main characters, the waiting to see what this particular item was and where it came from, what is going to be waiting around the next corner, are you choosing to be the hunter..or the hunted…it was definitely a page turner!
I couldn’t NOT fall in love with Mae and Jonathon along the way.
Loved seeing Mae sort of “develop” throughout the book, her realizing just what she’s capable of. And loved that Jonathon let certain things happen without being too pushy or demanding. (considering Mae’s past and what trauma responses can do to a person) The way the 2 of them fed off of one another and the way they connected in specific moments without hesitation. It’s a little hard to explain without giving any spoilers, but when you read the book you will understand lol so just go read the book!
The banter between the 2 was spot on! Jonathon can be quite swoon worthy. Total chaos surrounding them, fight or flight, oh my god what’s lurking in the shadows - and the 2 of them are right there with their quippy flirty one liners! Loved it!
Being labeled a dark romance, I did expect a little more romance and all, given the trigger warnings - but maybe that’s going to unravel in the next books!
I do want to see where Mae’s story goes, where she ends up, maybe a little bit of a deeper dive into some of her past - and just how deep her and Jonathon’s relationship gets..or doesn’t get - who knows!? And just where in the heck did Jonathon come from anyway?! There was some hinting as to what kind of past he had, but I am definitely looking forward to reading the next books in the series and seeing more of the story unfold!
I enjoyed the book a lot! It was a quicker read for me, that’s not a bad thing, I was on the edge of my seat throughout a lot of Mae and Jonathon’s “adventures.” There was suspense, drama, action, a little humor, and a bit of love unraveling.
The writing was well done, the suspense of what was happening next was there, the flirtation between the main characters, the waiting to see what this particular item was and where it came from, what is going to be waiting around the next corner, are you choosing to be the hunter..or the hunted…it was definitely a page turner!
I couldn’t NOT fall in love with Mae and Jonathon along the way.
Loved seeing Mae sort of “develop” throughout the book, her realizing just what she’s capable of. And loved that Jonathon let certain things happen without being too pushy or demanding. (considering Mae’s past and what trauma responses can do to a person) The way the 2 of them fed off of one another and the way they connected in specific moments without hesitation. It’s a little hard to explain without giving any spoilers, but when you read the book you will understand lol so just go read the book!
The banter between the 2 was spot on! Jonathon can be quite swoon worthy. Total chaos surrounding them, fight or flight, oh my god what’s lurking in the shadows - and the 2 of them are right there with their quippy flirty one liners! Loved it!
Being labeled a dark romance, I did expect a little more romance and all, given the trigger warnings - but maybe that’s going to unravel in the next books!
I do want to see where Mae’s story goes, where she ends up, maybe a little bit of a deeper dive into some of her past - and just how deep her and Jonathon’s relationship gets..or doesn’t get - who knows!? And just where in the heck did Jonathon come from anyway?! There was some hinting as to what kind of past he had, but I am definitely looking forward to reading the next books in the series and seeing more of the story unfold!
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC review
**Edit**
Im updating my review. The author took all of the feedback she recieved from her ARC readers and really took it to heart. I got an updated copy and I loved it! She really worked so hard to update this version. The writing style flowed really well, still unique but not so much like reading a poem besides where it fit perfectly. Back stories were better and so were the details. I almost felt like I was reading s different book. Everything that I had issues with in the first copy were fixed. I can't wait to read the next book!
Leaving original review details so you can see just how much it changed ❤️
really wanted to enjoy this book.....but i found it kind of....lackluster. The formatting of the writing was interesting and kind of felt like it built suspense but it got old after awhile. The version I read was 333 pages but if it was written in a normal book formatting it would've been maybe 100 pages. After about halfway through I started to lose interest but I wanted to give it a full chance. The character building was almost non-existent....I still dont really know what the characters look like because there wasn't much detail given. Locations were the same, I caught myself visualizing them in places I personally knew because there wasn't any world building either. The suspense was so-so. The trigger warnings made me feel like this was going to be a really intense book but it wasn't. There were warnings about sexual interactions/tension but there was absolutely none.
The book ended on a cliffhanger leading the reader to the 2nd book but I honestly don't think I will be reading that...I actually skipped over the "sneak peek" at the end.
**Edit**
Im updating my review. The author took all of the feedback she recieved from her ARC readers and really took it to heart. I got an updated copy and I loved it! She really worked so hard to update this version. The writing style flowed really well, still unique but not so much like reading a poem besides where it fit perfectly. Back stories were better and so were the details. I almost felt like I was reading s different book. Everything that I had issues with in the first copy were fixed. I can't wait to read the next book!
Leaving original review details so you can see just how much it changed ❤️
really wanted to enjoy this book.....but i found it kind of....lackluster. The formatting of the writing was interesting and kind of felt like it built suspense but it got old after awhile. The version I read was 333 pages but if it was written in a normal book formatting it would've been maybe 100 pages. After about halfway through I started to lose interest but I wanted to give it a full chance. The character building was almost non-existent....I still dont really know what the characters look like because there wasn't much detail given. Locations were the same, I caught myself visualizing them in places I personally knew because there wasn't any world building either. The suspense was so-so. The trigger warnings made me feel like this was going to be a really intense book but it wasn't. There were warnings about sexual interactions/tension but there was absolutely none.
The book ended on a cliffhanger leading the reader to the 2nd book but I honestly don't think I will be reading that...I actually skipped over the "sneak peek" at the end.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Tethered by J. Petty is a fast-paced, gripping read that kept me hooked from start to finish. Centered around Mae—a girl with a past so deeply buried she can’t even remember it—the story pulls you into a mystery that slowly begins to unravel in the most intriguing way.
When Mae meets Jonathan, a man who always seems to appear exactly where she is, things take an unsettling turn. At first, his presence raises questions, but instead of fear, Mae feels an unexpected sense of safety. As their connection deepens, the real danger emerges—Mae isn’t just being followed… she’s being hunted by her own past.
The pacing is quick, the tension builds beautifully, and the storyline kept me turning pages late into the night. If you enjoy suspense with a touch of danger and an underlying emotional pull, this one is definitely worth the read.
When Mae meets Jonathan, a man who always seems to appear exactly where she is, things take an unsettling turn. At first, his presence raises questions, but instead of fear, Mae feels an unexpected sense of safety. As their connection deepens, the real danger emerges—Mae isn’t just being followed… she’s being hunted by her own past.
The pacing is quick, the tension builds beautifully, and the storyline kept me turning pages late into the night. If you enjoy suspense with a touch of danger and an underlying emotional pull, this one is definitely worth the read.
May 14, 2026
Review of ARC received by author:
I really enjoyed the revised version of Tethered. It was clear that the author took reader feedback seriously and put real effort into strengthening the story, and I think that work absolutely shows. The updated version felt smoother, more engaging, and easier to sink into, while still keeping the suspense, mystery, and tension that made me want to keep reading.
What stood out most to me was the atmosphere and the sense of unease throughout the story. There’s a lot of intrigue here, and the dynamic between the main characters kept me invested. I also appreciated that this felt like a quick, compelling read that kept me curious about what was coming next.
For me, this ended up being a solid 4-star read. I enjoyed the revisions, thought the story was much stronger because of them, and I’m definitely interested in seeing where the series goes next.
I really enjoyed the revised version of Tethered. It was clear that the author took reader feedback seriously and put real effort into strengthening the story, and I think that work absolutely shows. The updated version felt smoother, more engaging, and easier to sink into, while still keeping the suspense, mystery, and tension that made me want to keep reading.
What stood out most to me was the atmosphere and the sense of unease throughout the story. There’s a lot of intrigue here, and the dynamic between the main characters kept me invested. I also appreciated that this felt like a quick, compelling read that kept me curious about what was coming next.
For me, this ended up being a solid 4-star read. I enjoyed the revisions, thought the story was much stronger because of them, and I’m definitely interested in seeing where the series goes next.
May 18, 2026
Captivity and suspenseful
This book had some secrets that I really needed and wanted to know what was going on. It kept my attention till the very end. Mae has a past that she doesn't remember, but it starts to catch up with her. At first I found Mae very plain Jane kind of girl but the way she developed and realizes just wants she's able of really makes her relatable. Jonathan a man of very few words, and seems to always been were she needs him to be. This was filled with so Mich suspense, traumatic, haunting past, mystery and so much it was hard not to enjoy this.
This book had some secrets that I really needed and wanted to know what was going on. It kept my attention till the very end. Mae has a past that she doesn't remember, but it starts to catch up with her. At first I found Mae very plain Jane kind of girl but the way she developed and realizes just wants she's able of really makes her relatable. Jonathan a man of very few words, and seems to always been were she needs him to be. This was filled with so Mich suspense, traumatic, haunting past, mystery and so much it was hard not to enjoy this.
May 17, 2026
This was a really enjoyable read! On the quicker side (247 pages according to book funnel).
The pacing was really solid, and the author listened to the feedback from the ARC readers, which is huge for me personally.
Had great tension between the two MCs, and they were very easy to like and fall in love with.
I do love an included playlist as well. Its a fun little touch.
As with any sort of darker books, check your triggers.
The pacing was really solid, and the author listened to the feedback from the ARC readers, which is huge for me personally.
Had great tension between the two MCs, and they were very easy to like and fall in love with.
I do love an included playlist as well. Its a fun little touch.
As with any sort of darker books, check your triggers.
April 18, 2026
4⭐️
I enjoyed this book, the plot line was great and had me on the tips of my toes the whole time. Very quick read. I liked Johnathan and Mae and their tension. My only downfall is i wish I could have gotten to know them each, what they do, who they are. Definitely enjoyed, cannot wait for the next one!
I enjoyed this book, the plot line was great and had me on the tips of my toes the whole time. Very quick read. I liked Johnathan and Mae and their tension. My only downfall is i wish I could have gotten to know them each, what they do, who they are. Definitely enjoyed, cannot wait for the next one!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This story was intense!
I don't read a lot of psychological thrillers, but this one had me hooked! The tension did nothing but build from page one.
It makes you ask questions, and you don't get all the answers. There is a cliffhanger, and I will absolutely be reading book 2!
I don't read a lot of psychological thrillers, but this one had me hooked! The tension did nothing but build from page one.
It makes you ask questions, and you don't get all the answers. There is a cliffhanger, and I will absolutely be reading book 2!
August 2, 2026
Maybe this just wasnt for me, it just felt like it was repeating the same thing every chapter in a different location. I turned the pages and was reading the same thing. The ending i didnt see coming though so that's a plus. Maybe I will give it a try another time and change my review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC Review‼️
The story had me hooked from the beginning. Mae and Jonathan’s back and forth banter is tension filled and at times funny for the moments they are in. I love that the book is fast paced but still giving all the needed information. Jonathan is SWOON worthy.
The story is a mystery that pulls you in and unravels in a way the makes it more intriguing.
Jonathan is all the mystery to Mae when she begins to notice him and it raises questions she’s not entirely sure she wants answers to.
As they both start to notice the connection between them, Mae’s past starts showing up. The dangers of that starting to emerge is making them both realize that she isn’t necessarily being followed but more specifically hunted.
I enjoyed this ARC so much, if you get the opportunity to read this early you will not be disappointed.
Already ready for book two.
The story had me hooked from the beginning. Mae and Jonathan’s back and forth banter is tension filled and at times funny for the moments they are in. I love that the book is fast paced but still giving all the needed information. Jonathan is SWOON worthy.
The story is a mystery that pulls you in and unravels in a way the makes it more intriguing.
Jonathan is all the mystery to Mae when she begins to notice him and it raises questions she’s not entirely sure she wants answers to.
As they both start to notice the connection between them, Mae’s past starts showing up. The dangers of that starting to emerge is making them both realize that she isn’t necessarily being followed but more specifically hunted.
I enjoyed this ARC so much, if you get the opportunity to read this early you will not be disappointed.
Already ready for book two.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews