Bound: Sinners and Saints, Book 3

by Kathy Lockheart, Lance Greenfield (Narrator), Erin Mallon (Narrator)

AN AMAZON TOP 100 BESTSELLER

"Marry me or watch your company burn." That's how Axel Pierce—my biggest rival and brother's best friend—proposed our fake engagement.

Some call him a corporate shark. I call him the devil in a three-piece suit. Too bad he kisses like an angel and touches me like he means it.

Now every staged dinner feels like foreplay. Every public appearance tests our control. And every night I'm left Is this elaborate charade really about saving our companies... Or is there something else he's trying to claim?

From International & Amazon Top 25 Bestselling Author Kathy Lockheart, BOUND is a fake engagement billionaire brother’s best friend romance with enemies-to-lovers banter, a prank war, and a dangerously possessive alpha hero.

Perfect for listeners who love hearing a romance

Fake Engagement with Forbidden Chemistry

“Who Hurt You?” Vibes

“Touch Her and Die” Energy

Jealous, Obsessive, Protective Billionaire Hero

Forced Proximity Tension, Banter & Spice

Standalone. Binge-worthy HEA.

Trigger Please visit the author’s website for the full list.

AUDIOBOOK EXCLUSIVE Includes a Bonus Scene available only in the audiobook.

Audible Audio

Published September 17, 2026

About the author

Kathy Lockheart is an international and multiple Amazon Charts bestselling author with more than one million books sold and read worldwide. Best known for her Sinners and Saints series, she writes romance with a dash of danger: morally gray heroes, the strong heroines who bring them to their knees, and stories readers call unputdownable and addicting.

Her books have reached the Amazon Top 25, landed multiple titles in the Amazon Top 100, and hit #1 in Romantic Suspense, Billionaires & Millionaires Romance, and Medical Romance. Deadly Illusion was also named a Best of BookTok pick.

A former financial analyst, Kathy now lives in Wisconsin with her husband and two children, fueled by coffee, Diet Pepsi, and far too much chocolate.

New to Kathy's world? Start with CRASH.

KathyLockheart.com
Instagram: @kathy_lockheart
TikTok: @kathylockheart_author

Reviews

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enemies to lovers is at its best for me when I actually believe these people cannot stand each other at first, and Dakota and Axel absolutely delivered that energy. Their banter, fighting, and constant attempts to get under each other’s skin were so much fun. The prank war was especially hilarious, and I loved how the guys’ group chat got involved and basically treated tormenting Axel like a team sport.

All that antagonism also made the eventual payoff so satisfying. These two have a ton of chemistry, and once all that fighting finally turns into something else, this gets sexy, spicy, and intense. Axel’s protective streak worked really well for me, especially as the suspense and danger ramped up later in the story.

I also really enjoyed the audiobook. Erin Mallon is forever one of my narrator queens, and there’s something about the emotion she brings to a performance that always gets me. There was plenty here for her to sink her teeth into, and she was fantastic. Lance Greenfield was brand new to me, but I thought he was great as Axel. He really captured that commanding presence while still bringing out the fiercely protective side of his character.

This was such a fun installment in the Sinners and Saints series. Between the enemies to lovers tension, fake engagement, hilarious pranks, spice, and genuinely exciting suspense, there was a lot happening—and it all worked together really well for me.

Perfect for Readers Who Love

* True enemies to lovers tension
* Fake engagements
* Brother’s best friend romances
* Protective, possessive heroes
* Sharp banter and bickering
* Prank wars
* Steamy romance
* Romance with danger and suspense

[Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely Amazing edition to the Sinners and Saints series by Kathy Lockheart,and another compelling story I certainly can't get enough of these men and their ladies.
Axel Pierce and Dakota Blackwood have been enemies for years and we got a taste of that in book 2 Power.This is were we first experience their animosity towards eachother.We discover then there is history between them so I have been eagerly awaiting to listen to this audiobook...and it did not disappoint.
First of all the ideal Narrators were chosen to read this book,Lance Greenfield and Erin Mallon are just perfection telling this story.I loved listening to them,both voice actors are not new to me I have enjoyed their storytelling before and it always strikes me just how wonderfully talented they both are.
The emotional outburst,the comedy,the fun and laughter,the serious moments and the spicy scenes were all projected perfectly by Lance and Erin,It will always be a delight to listen to them.
Bound is a brothers best friend,enemies to lovers romance with alot of drama involved.
Dakota's brother is Knox who is in prison for murder and who is Axel's best friend...So Axel has been kind of secretly looking out for Dakota while Knox is unable to.
They become entangled in eachothers lives when Dakota posts a photo of Axel flirting with a woman unbeknownst to him the woman was the senators wife and they were an "IT" couple.
It goes viral causing bad press and they are both in trouble and their buisnesses are in jeopardy,so they have to play at being fake engaged so the press won't think Axel is sleeping with the senators wife,as Axel as a reputation of being a playboy.
So now they have to get to know eachother properly without any barriers.
Dakota is a content influencer so she reluctantly has to do it, otherwise she will lose followers and she needs the money to help her parents who are in financial trouble.
The sexual tension between these two is Hot and electric and the banter between them is so funny they are always trying to outdo one another in mean jibes and pranks.
But it's not as simple as just being fake fiance's when true feelings get involved..Plus an EX Boyfriend back to cause trouble,and connections with the mob,putting them in danger,along with death threats, prank wars, and wanting to jump eachothers bones,there is so much to unpack.
It all may sound confusing but I promise it all makes sense when you listen or read the book.
OMG I LOVE The Sinners and Saints group chats the banter between Axel,Jace,Blake and Ryker it is so amusing.The way they love and support one another but also make fun of eachother it is BRILLIANT.
The way Lance Greenfield delivers the group chats is Hilarious,his voice is perfect for the sarcasm.
But Axel has issues with his past and being fake is triggering those fears and Dakota plays being Fake for her job,she puts on a different perfect persona online to the one she lets her family and friend know.
We all do it though don't we.?..wear masks in public and to strangers and then wear a different mask away from the public,and with family etc..
Dakota believes that people will only love you if you are perfect and have a perfect life..Axel shows her that its not true because he loves her when she is messy,and real and has flaws.
This is a slow burn at first but once they do cross the line they are insatiable for eachother and its so sweet.
It also made me cry especially when Dakota realiases she is beautiful even with all her flaws..I guarantee that you will relate to Dakota and what she say in chapter 47 and the way Axel worships her in chapter 48 it was both Hot and beautiful,Axel is so freeaking Amazing the way he loves Dakota and sees her is just swoony.
I am Loving KATHY LOCKHEARTS writing and her imagination and I am excited for book 4 to be released into Audiobook.
I thoroughly enjoyed every action packed, exciting and spicy romantic moment in this book.
I loved listening to it.
5 stars.

[canadian_girlreadfeastrepeat Basra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bound: Sinners and Saints, Book 3
By: Kathy Lockheart
Narrated by Lance Greenfields & Erin Mallon

I’ve been waiting for **Axel Pierce’s story** since book one, and it absolutely did NOT disappoint! 😍🔥

From the beginning, Axel’s funny, sassy personality and perfectly timed sarcasm made it obvious he was hiding something deeper behind all those jokes. I knew there had to be more to him, and I couldn’t wait to find out what it was.

We first got a taste of the animosity between **Axel Pierce and Dakota Blackwood** in book two, *Power*, during that very uncomfortable hospital interaction. 👀 There was clearly history between them, and I had SO many questions going into this book. Thankfully, I got my answers—and it was everything I hoped for!

Now throw in a **fake relationship with your brother’s best friend who is completely off-limits**… what could possibly go wrong? 😂

After a disastrous Instagram post, Axel and Dakota are forced into a fake relationship to protect their reputations, their businesses, and ultimately themselves from an unexpected enemy—or two. But of course, nothing about this fake relationship is simple!

You’ve got a possible crime family, an ex who wants Dakota back, a major business deal at risk, influencers chasing likes and posting every bit of the drama, and a PR team desperately trying to keep everything under control. 😂 Add in Axel and Dakota’s history, tension, and endless banter, and you have one seriously entertaining ride!

And let’s talk about the **Sinners & Saints group chat**. 😂 With all the name changes, I honestly lost track! The banter was brilliant, the prank war had me grinning, and this group chat continues to be one of my favourite parts of the series.

Give me a bunch of **morally questionable men behaving like complete idiots in a group chat**, and I’m ALL IN. 😂🔥 I also loved watching new friendships and relationships develop and that wonderful found-family feeling that makes you feel like you’re part of the group.

The **Sinners & Saints series** continues to deliver, and Axel and Dakota’s story was absolutely worth the wait! ❤️

🎧 **Lance Greenfield & Erin Mallon** were fantastic! They completely nailed these characters and brought Axel and Dakota to life. Their performances captured the chemistry, banter, tension, and energy between them perfectly, making this such a fun and entertaining audiobook experience.

**Fake dating ✔️ Brother’s best friend ✔️ Enemies-to-lovers vibes ✔️ Banter ✔️ Chaos ✔️ Group chat shenanigans ✔️ Spice ✔️**

Thank you, **Kathy Lockheart**, for another fantastic addition to this series! ❤️🔥

[Perla Garcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omgosh, Lance Greenfield as Axel and Erin Mallon as Dakota were fire!! The chemistry they had together in this duet narration was absolutely chef’s kiss.

Lance brought the perfect mix of protectiveness, confidence, and vulnerability to Axel’s character. He really captured all the different sides of him, and I loved every second of it.

The same goes for Erin, who is one of my favorite female narrators. I will literally listen to anything she narrates, and she was PERFECT as Dakota. She brought just the right amount of fierceness, vulnerability, and sass to her character.

I’ve been looking forward to Axel’s story since he was introduced in the first book. The guys’ group chat is always one of my favorite parts, and Axel was always the funniest one, so getting his story and seeing him finally get his was SO satisfying.

The banter and bickering between Axel and Dakota were seriously so good!! And the pranks!!! Gosh, I wish I could see that car in person because I KNOW it was a sight.

But what I loved most was the growth they both experienced once they actually took the time to get to know each other. Watching them slowly let their walls down, accept that they wanted each other, and finally stop pretending their feelings weren’t there was so fulfilling. And when they finally stopped being fake and gave in to those feelings… CHEF’S KISS. That mirror scene was EVERYTHING.

My only wish is that we had gotten a little more of Knox in this one. Since he’s Dakota’s brother and Axel’s best friend, I would have loved to see more of him, especially with having read his book before this one. It definitely just made me want MORE Knox!

Another amazing audiobook! I truly love experiencing this series through audio, and I’m so glad that’s how I’m experiencing these characters and their stories.

Thank you, Kathy Lockheart and Valentine PR, for the ALC! ❤️

[Novellaworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

🎧🔥 BOUND — Kathy Lockheart 🔥🎧

Well… I’m officially bingeing my way through the Sinners & Saints and apparently these morally grey men have decided I’m not leaving anytime soon. 😂

And Bound?

OH, I HAD FUN. 👀

Axel and Dakota have the kind of enemies-to-lovers chemistry where you can practically hear the mutual irritation crackling through the headphones… and then Kathy adds a fake engagement, brother’s best friend, forced proximity, prank wars and a ridiculously possessive billionaire.

Because apparently “I hate you” is just romance language for “come here.” 😏🔥

The banter was brilliant, the prank war had me grinning, and that Sinners & Saints group chat continues to be one of my favourite parts of this series. Give me a bunch of morally questionable men behaving like idiots in a group chat and I’m invested. 😂

But let’s talk about the AUDIO.

Erin Mallon?

Still one of my top-tier favourites. She could probably narrate my shopping list and I’d give it five stars. 😂

But Lance Greenfield…

Sir.

WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN HIDING? 👀🥵

Because you have officially coloured my headphones impressed and earned yourself a place on my ever-growing narrator list.

That voice + Erin Mallon + Axel and Dakota’s tension?

My headphones have filed a complaint. I have ignored it. 🎧🔥

And that audiobook-exclusive bonus scene?

Kathy knew exactly what she was doing. 😉

Three books in and I’m still happily following these Sinners & Saints wherever they decide to drag me next.

Apparently I’m part of the found family now. Nobody asked. I’m staying. 😂🖤

[INeedABookBreak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bound was an amazing! After seeing the uncomfortable interaction between Dakota and Axel at the hospital, I had to know everything about their backstory! I could not stop listening and devoured the audiobook in 2 days!

Dakota and Axel used to get along pretty well as he is her brother’s best friend. But something changed between them, and now they are enemies. However, they are the type of enemies that are so attracted to the other that it infuriates them. After a social media scandal forces them into a fake relationship, the tension between them is so thick that I wasn’t sure if they were ready to fight or fuck at any given moment.

There was so much delicious tension between them and I couldn’t stop cracking up over their prank war. They loved to get a rise out of each other. However, they were the first one there when either was actually in trouble.

Bound is narrated in duet by Lance Greenfield and Erin Mallon. I loved both performances and thought the narrators did a great job bringing their characters to life. I especially loved Lance’s narration of the spicy scenes and Erin’s performance of Dakota’s big reveal on social media.

I am loving this series soo much and I can’t wait to start listening to Doubt, which is the fourth book in the Sinners and Saints series.

[Jasmin · Rating 5 out of 5]

**ALC REVIEW**
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

WOW… Bound absolutely hit even better for me on audio! I had such a fun time listening to this story, and I completely understand why I had to give the audiobook 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Lance Greenfield and Erin Mallon were absolutely fantastic! They completely nailed these characters and brought Dakota and Axel to life in a way that made the audiobook such an entertaining experience. Their performances captured the chemistry, banter, and energy between these two perfectly, and I was hooked!

I especially loved the prank wars between Axel and Dakota and the group chats between Axel and his friends. They were clever, funny, and definitely highlights—and so much fun to listen to!

Sometimes great narration can take an already fun book and make it even better, and that was definitely the case here. Hearing these characters come to life made the experience hit differently—in the best way! 🎧🔥

If you’re planning to read Bound, I highly recommend listening to the audiobook. Lance Greenfield and Erin Mallon absolutely crushed it! 🎧🔥

Thank you to Kathy Lockheart and Valentine PR for the ALC! 💕

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟💫/🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧
Format: Audiobook - Duet narration by Erin Mallon and Lance Greenfield
Page/Time: 12 hrs 54 mins
Series / Standalone: Interconnected Standalone (Sinners and Saints, Book 3)
Tropes: Enemies to Lovers, Friend’s Sister, Fake Engagement, Forced Proximity, Protective MMC, Slow Burn

Thanks to Valentine PR and the author for this gifted audiobook - all opinions are my own

Dakota and Axel

📚I love this world and the found family vibes between this friend group. This story follows Dakota, the infamous Knox’s sister, and Axel. We get true enemies to lovers vibes in the beginning which was great for a fake relationship storyline and added a layer of angst that I crave. But it was the suspense that really held my attention. And oh my, is Axel a protector! Somehow, through all the romance and suspense, the author was still able to deliver a beautiful message.

🎧They cast the perfect narrators for these characters! The vulnerability of Dakota’s personality came through so well in Erin Mallon’s performance. Likewise, Lance Greenfield brought so much passion when it came to Axel’s protective nature. Love the duet style production as well.

[Felecia Rodney · Rating 5 out of 5]

ALC Review:
Duet Narration by Erin Mallon and Lance Greenfield

Tropes:
Forbidden Romance
Rivals to Lovers
Brother’s Best Friend
Fake Engagement
Forced Proximity
Prank Wars
Found Family
Touch Her and...

When Dakota enters a fake engagement with Axel, her brother’s best friend and longtime rival, chaos immediately ensues. Their childish pranks and banter had me cackling (the Sinners group chat is unmissable!), but the underlying tension is scorching. Navigating a pushy publicist and an ex revealing his true colors only forces them closer together. Chapter 47 offers a powerful, relatable look at Dakota stripping away the social media facade of perfection to love herself as she is. Kathy Lockheart delivers a wild plot twist near the end that will leave you gasping for air!

Erin Mallon captures Dakota’s strength, humor, and emotional vulnerability with precision. Lance Greenfield is the ultimate Axel—capturing his deep, protective tone and arrogant charm effortlessly.

This book was an absolute blast, and I’m desperate for Ryker and Faith’s book next!

[Kay Burrows · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t know what it is about the audio but I loved this book even more on audio!

Knowing what was going to happen didn’t take away at all from the experience of reliving Axel and Dakota’s story. If anything I think it hit even more because of the audio.

I absolutely love Kathy’s writing and characters. Add in the duet audio narration by Lance Greenfield and Erin Mallon this book was another read.

I loved Erin as Dakota. I felt like she did an incredible job bringing Dakota to life. Her fierce exterior and her soft and vulnerable interior. She really brought all the emotion that’s captured in the book and honestly I couldn’t get enough.

While I didn’t immediately feel like Lance was the voice of Axel I was picturing, by the end of the book, I loved him as Axel. He did a phenomenal job bringing the fun playboy side of Axel to life while also capturing the Axel beneath the mask that others don’t see.

The romantic suspense aspect of this book hit even harder on audio.

This whole series has been incredible and I highly recommend grabbing these audios immediately! The more you read the more you can’t help but get even deeper into the characters and their story. I am completely addicted to this group of morally grey friends and it’s getting harder and harder to pick a favorite. The group chats alone absolutely make these books and keep me wanting more.

If you haven’t started the Saints & Sinners series yet by Kathy Lockheart, do yourself a favor and get started now. You won’t regret it.

Thank you Kathy Lockheart and Valentine PR for the opportunity to receive an alc in exchange for an honest review.

[All You Read is Love · Rating 5 out of 5]

Axel Pierce is a man you do not want to cross, especially when it comes to Dakota!

I LOVED this book so much (as I have the whole series lol). Axel's possessive MMC characteristics were perfection. What started as "fake" was so much more.
Dakota's online influencer status was great because it shed so much light into the battles that she had to deal with.
So this book was just so good, full of suspense. I knew pretty early on who behind everything happening but waiting for that confirmation had me wanting to listen non stop.
The high stakes, tension and also the banter in this book was top notch!
Both narrators Lance Greenfield and Erin Mallon did excellent with their characters. Both brought so much tension, empathy, all the emotions throughout the entire book.

I cant wait for book 4, that final bit at the end already has me counting down to that book!

Thank you to the author and @valentine_pr_ for the ALC. All opinions are my own.

[Nicole Sapriken · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one was intense. The animosity between Axel and Dakota is palpable. It’s crazy the depth of hatred that is shown between them. The sexual tension in this one is through the roof. And then, after the slow burn, the spice 🌶️🌶️ was so hot.

Matthew is a ridiculous level of red flags, and this is not a dark romance.

The Sinners and Saints group chat is absolutely on point and hilarious to listen to! This found family is the best!

Everyone needs to hear chapter 47. Everyone.

Lance Greenfield and Erin Mallon did absolute perfect voice acting for this one. Loved it so much.

Tropes:
💍 Fake Engagement
🔥 Enemies to Lovers
👫 Brother’s Best Friend
🚫 Forbidden Romance
🏠 Forced Proximity
💚 Jealous & Protective MMC
👀 “Who Hurt You?”
🔪 Touch Her and 💀
🐌 Slow Burn
🎀 Prank War
🖤 Tragic Past
🚨 Romantic Suspense

[Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

🎧Audiobook🎧 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spicy 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Narrated by Lance Greenfield and Erin Mallon and they did an amazing job telling this story as they worked amazingly well together. This is a fun and snarky read with amazing banter between the characters make this a fun read that has spicy and alpha vibes.

"Marry me or watch your company burn." That's how Axel Pierce—my biggest rival and brother's best friend—proposed our fake engagement.

Some call him a corporate shark. I call him the devil in a three-piece suit. Too bad he kisses like an angel and touches me like he means it.

Fake Engagement with Forbidden Chemistry
“Who Hurt You?” Vibes
“Touch Her and Die” Energy
Jealous, Obsessive, Protective Billionaire Hero
Forced Proximity Tension, Banter & Spice
Standalone. Binge-worthy HEA.

Trigger Please visit the author’s website for the full list.

[Melissa Reed-Olszewski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bound by Kathy Lockheart
Sinners and Saints Book Three
Narration performed in Duet by Lance Greenfield and Erin Mallon
Great performances and perfect timing and pacing.

This book follows Axel and Dakota. Frenemies who are thrown together in a fake engagement situation due to unfortunate events. This book really had all the things. I found myself laughing out loud with the texting banter between guys. On the edge of my seat with all the mystery and suspense shrouded in this story. And of course blushing from that mouth of Axels.
I definitely recommend this book for those who love the following tropes:
❤️Who Hurt You
☀️Forced Proximity
❤️Fake Engagement
☀️Found Family
❤️Touch and ☠️
☀️Protective Billionaire Hero
Thank you for this Alc to VPR Audio and Kathy Lockheart

[Taryn Eskra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been so excited for this one in to be on audio and it didn’t disappoint!! Hearing the banter between Axel & Dakota come to life was PERFECTION!!! 👏🏼👏🏼 I mean I wow just wow I couldn’t stop, didn’t want to!! I Loved it!! The narrators did a good job bringing these 2 to life!! One of my favorite parts in this series is the group chats and hearing them is even better! 😂😂 I laughed so much listening to this!! The plot was great! The twists were on point! But I will say it one more time… the thing that made this one AMAZING was the BANTER and not just between Axel & Dakota but Axel and everyone! I enjoyed it so much!! Definitely listen to this one!!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bound by @kathy_lockheart
5⭐️ 2🌶️ 5🎧

As you know, I’m a huuuge Kathy Lockheart fan! The Sinners and Saints series is so good!👌🏼 I love that we are now getting audiobooks for this series!!

I listened to this entire book in one day. Axel and Dakota are HILARIOUS, and Lance Greenfield & Erin Mallon were the perfect castings for these characters. You can’t help but laugh out loud throughout the entire book… but when it’s serious — it’s serious!! Lance and Erin brought so much emotion to the story which added icing to the already amazing cake.