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Bound to You #1
Begin Again
Things are going well for Meredith and her husband, Paolo—until a terrible car accident leaves him disabled. As he distances himself from her emotionally, Meredith finds herself increasingly seeking consolation in her fantasy world. Escaping into her erotic romance books helps keep the loneliness at bay, and awakens in her a curiosity about the Dominant/submissive lifestyle.
The day she stumbles across a website forum for real-life submissives and Dominants, her life is forever changed. These are not characters created by authors. They are real people, who are both familiar with and willing to discuss the D/s lifestyle with her. As Meredith's knowledge and understanding increase, she realizes that there is one question only she can answer—is she truly submissive, or is the fantasy better left in the pages of books?
In a last ditch attempt to discover who she really is, she agrees to pledge her obedience to an anonymous, online Dom. After all, it can't really be considered cheating if he is just a faceless entity in cyberspace, surely? The first time she's given an order, however, the scenario becomes all too real, leaving her with some serious thinking to do. Will her devotion to her online Dominant take precedence over her real, flesh and blood husband?
Will Meredith's journey of self-discovery destroy her marriage, or will she and Paolo somehow find a way to begin again?
The day she stumbles across a website forum for real-life submissives and Dominants, her life is forever changed. These are not characters created by authors. They are real people, who are both familiar with and willing to discuss the D/s lifestyle with her. As Meredith's knowledge and understanding increase, she realizes that there is one question only she can answer—is she truly submissive, or is the fantasy better left in the pages of books?
In a last ditch attempt to discover who she really is, she agrees to pledge her obedience to an anonymous, online Dom. After all, it can't really be considered cheating if he is just a faceless entity in cyberspace, surely? The first time she's given an order, however, the scenario becomes all too real, leaving her with some serious thinking to do. Will her devotion to her online Dominant take precedence over her real, flesh and blood husband?
Will Meredith's journey of self-discovery destroy her marriage, or will she and Paolo somehow find a way to begin again?
203 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 15, 2016
62 people are currently reading
125 people want to read
About the author
Jane Henry
130 books2,704 followersFueled by dark chocolate and even darker coffee, USA Today bestselling author Jane Henry writes what she loves to read – character-driven, unputdownable romance featuring dominant alpha males and the powerful heroines who bring them to their knees. She’s believed in the power of love and romance since Belle won over the beast, and finally decided to write love stories of her own.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
March 2, 2016
I BELONG TO MY BELOVED, AND HIS DESIRE IS FOR ME
I enjoyed this story and was drawn into the scenario, the characters and the slippery slope they were riding. A car crash that has left Paolo injured, in a wheelchair and bitter, his wife, Meredith feeling alone, lost and rejected. From her reading of erotic romance, allowing it to taking her mind to another place, then exploring more on the internet and into a D/s forum and chat room. What can start out as curious thoughts and innocent, can slowly lead to crossing a line. Power, implicit trust, eroticism, and vulnerability, where will they lead? The plot kept me captivated, and I could feel and relate to Meredith and her feelings of despair and rejection from the one person that she loves more than anything. The dialog is raw, open, honest, even when it was built on lies and deception; it came from deep down inside. This is the beginning of a serious and I look forward to the next book. This message of this story resonated not only for me, but I am sure for others.
I enjoyed this story and was drawn into the scenario, the characters and the slippery slope they were riding. A car crash that has left Paolo injured, in a wheelchair and bitter, his wife, Meredith feeling alone, lost and rejected. From her reading of erotic romance, allowing it to taking her mind to another place, then exploring more on the internet and into a D/s forum and chat room. What can start out as curious thoughts and innocent, can slowly lead to crossing a line. Power, implicit trust, eroticism, and vulnerability, where will they lead? The plot kept me captivated, and I could feel and relate to Meredith and her feelings of despair and rejection from the one person that she loves more than anything. The dialog is raw, open, honest, even when it was built on lies and deception; it came from deep down inside. This is the beginning of a serious and I look forward to the next book. This message of this story resonated not only for me, but I am sure for others.
February 24, 2016
This is my first book by Jane Henry but it won't be my last. How do you reclaim a passion that has been taken away from a marriage? How do you make someone love you again when they are so wrapped up in misery they can't see beyond their own pain? This is what Meredith is dealing with in response to her husband Paolo's injury. She misses his touch and their intimate moments-but even more the sweet considerate man she used to know. The shell of the man living in her house is only an angry, sedentary person so she retreats into her romance novels. As a married woman myself, I understand that very well. Long term relationships take work and Meredith is at her wits end. She learns about the lifestyle of domestic discipline through one of her books, and her journey begins, leading her to a chat room and some decisions that will impact her life and her marriage. Be prepared for some surprises. I loved this book!
February 22, 2016
I am adding Jane Henry to my favorite author list. This was a wonderful story. The characters were so real I felt myself being pulled in. I loved that the characters were middle aged instead of 20 something billionaires and that they had their ups and downs as they were working things out. I look forward to reading more from this author.
February 21, 2017
Well, well, well... this has been an interesting book. The constant drifting between the main narrative idea, flashback, frame story, and make belief is entertaining and literally makes the reader enter the main female character's mind with ease.
Facing a new life after a car accident, Meredith struggles to adapt to her husband being incapacitated, and all sorts of changes around the house. It soon becomes overwhelming, mainly because her life-long partner seems to no longer be around. His depression is contagious, his ill-temper pushes her away, leaving her no option but to find a method to escape her gloomy reality: books.
Reading helps her discover a need in her she had no idea about. As women of the 21st century, we are taught to be strong and independent. Then, how come that some of us crave a stronger hand, a dominant man to lead us? Perhaps there is more to it. Little by little, the book lifts the corner to a different kind of relationship, one in which trust is the main driving force.
I really liked this book. It answered some of my own questions, and it raised some new ones. It is simple to imagine a female character submitting to the tall, dark, and handsome alpha billionaire; after all, when money is not a problem, neither are expensive sex toys, dungeons, sophisticated outfits, gifts, or trips. But submission in real life, as I see it, is harder. We are all human, having good days and bad days, feeling better or worse. And, in spite of all the legends, dominants are also real men, with their own troubles. I think submitting to a man who is far from perfect is a real test of your trust in your partner.
And I believe that in her sweet, shy way which only hints certain activities, but never explicitly states them, Jane Henry, rather than telling us a linear story, manages to draw the reader’s attention to the inside struggle in the mind of her characters, and to encourages the reader to step in the characters’ shoes and live their lives. And that is why this book is a joy to read.
Facing a new life after a car accident, Meredith struggles to adapt to her husband being incapacitated, and all sorts of changes around the house. It soon becomes overwhelming, mainly because her life-long partner seems to no longer be around. His depression is contagious, his ill-temper pushes her away, leaving her no option but to find a method to escape her gloomy reality: books.
Reading helps her discover a need in her she had no idea about. As women of the 21st century, we are taught to be strong and independent. Then, how come that some of us crave a stronger hand, a dominant man to lead us? Perhaps there is more to it. Little by little, the book lifts the corner to a different kind of relationship, one in which trust is the main driving force.
I really liked this book. It answered some of my own questions, and it raised some new ones. It is simple to imagine a female character submitting to the tall, dark, and handsome alpha billionaire; after all, when money is not a problem, neither are expensive sex toys, dungeons, sophisticated outfits, gifts, or trips. But submission in real life, as I see it, is harder. We are all human, having good days and bad days, feeling better or worse. And, in spite of all the legends, dominants are also real men, with their own troubles. I think submitting to a man who is far from perfect is a real test of your trust in your partner.
And I believe that in her sweet, shy way which only hints certain activities, but never explicitly states them, Jane Henry, rather than telling us a linear story, manages to draw the reader’s attention to the inside struggle in the mind of her characters, and to encourages the reader to step in the characters’ shoes and live their lives. And that is why this book is a joy to read.
February 18, 2016
This is the story of Paola and Meredith, a happily married couple until an accident leaves Paola crippled. As Paola adjusts to life in a wheel chair he becomes emotionally detached, leaving Meredith feeling rejected and alone. To escape the pain, Meredith descends into a world of fictional fantasy with a BDSM romance. Confused by her longing for submission and discipline she finds an online BDSM forum to answer her questions. As her pain and isolation grows so does her dependence on the online community until she finds herself agreeing to an online D/s relationship.
I really liked this story. I think the author did a really good job of capturing the feelings of a marriage slowly failing. I could feel Meredith’s sense of loss as her husband slowly pulled away. The online group provided a really nice group of supporting characters, particularly Meredith’s mentors Little Lady and Master Winston. I am really hoping for a sequel dedicated to their relationship. So much of the BDSM fiction out there involves 20 year old billionaires playing at exclusive clubs. It is nice to read a story about a normal married couple trying to figure things out for themselves. It is hard to say much about the ending without giving it away, so I’ll just say that I loved it. I am really looking forward to reading more from this author.
ARC provided by Blushing Books.
I really liked this story. I think the author did a really good job of capturing the feelings of a marriage slowly failing. I could feel Meredith’s sense of loss as her husband slowly pulled away. The online group provided a really nice group of supporting characters, particularly Meredith’s mentors Little Lady and Master Winston. I am really hoping for a sequel dedicated to their relationship. So much of the BDSM fiction out there involves 20 year old billionaires playing at exclusive clubs. It is nice to read a story about a normal married couple trying to figure things out for themselves. It is hard to say much about the ending without giving it away, so I’ll just say that I loved it. I am really looking forward to reading more from this author.
ARC provided by Blushing Books.
February 25, 2016
No billionaires, vampires, MCs, rock stars, or any of the 1001 other fantastical tropes that are so common these days! Instead, this author has taken a very real married couple dealing with a very real (and incredibly painful) personal tragedy, and made one of the freshest stories I've read in a long time.
The heroine, Meredith, is a strong, competent woman who finds an escape from her disconnected marriage in romance novels. We get to witness her awakening as she explores her attraction to the D/s stories she's read, and separate the fantasy from the reality.
The heroine is totally engaging and the story is so relatable, I could totally sense Meredith's despair and desperation at the beginning of the book, and was excited to see her being brought back to life through her journey.
No tropes, just honest emotions and an engaging story. I can't wait to read more!
The heroine, Meredith, is a strong, competent woman who finds an escape from her disconnected marriage in romance novels. We get to witness her awakening as she explores her attraction to the D/s stories she's read, and separate the fantasy from the reality.
The heroine is totally engaging and the story is so relatable, I could totally sense Meredith's despair and desperation at the beginning of the book, and was excited to see her being brought back to life through her journey.
No tropes, just honest emotions and an engaging story. I can't wait to read more!
May 9, 2016
Drifting apart from her husband, Paolo, Meredith is drawn into the online world of D/s. What starts out as curiosity becomes increasing real as she submits to the man she's yet to meet. A romantic awakening ensues and it's a delight to read. A well written reminder that relationships aren't always what they seem.
May 15, 2018
The D/s book I've been waiting for.
Going from a vanilla marriage to D/s, especially when one individual knows they to explore the lifestyle but the other really isn't interested, can be very tricky. "Begin Again" handles it beautifully.
Going from a vanilla marriage to D/s, especially when one individual knows they to explore the lifestyle but the other really isn't interested, can be very tricky. "Begin Again" handles it beautifully.
October 16, 2017
Beautiful
The story of Paolo and Meredith is so beautiful. Husband and wife lost to each other because of a tragedy. Brought back together by a desire to commit to one another....this is the beauty of a Dominant/submissive relationship people don't seem to want to learn about.
The story of Paolo and Meredith is so beautiful. Husband and wife lost to each other because of a tragedy. Brought back together by a desire to commit to one another....this is the beauty of a Dominant/submissive relationship people don't seem to want to learn about.
April 16, 2018
Excellent read
This is an excellent read about a couple who've been married for a while and find themselves at a place of distance and restlessness in their relationship. Very well done.
This is an excellent read about a couple who've been married for a while and find themselves at a place of distance and restlessness in their relationship. Very well done.
July 6, 2018
OMG This book hit me at very core!! It has imbedded itself inside me so deep, it's rocked my entire foundation!! Tragically beautiful, I had tears in my eyes by the time I was half way through the book! This may be both the ending and the beginning of their story, but it is sure going to be one hell of a journey!!
November 22, 2022
Bound to you
Oh wow begin again is the first book of this series and I was so pleased when I found out that Brownstone was how I thought it was, won't say and more than that as I don't want to give anything away. This is such a great book highly recommend it.
Oh wow begin again is the first book of this series and I was so pleased when I found out that Brownstone was how I thought it was, won't say and more than that as I don't want to give anything away. This is such a great book highly recommend it.
February 7, 2017
Marriage's growth is better than starting anew. Life can throw curve balls sometimes and impact a well established relationship. As they say, it is in difficulties that you show your true strength. Because of Paolo's illness, Meredith can't find a way to communicate with his crushed spirit and slowly drifts away into her bdsm romances. She finds herself attracted by this lifestyle and will find mentors on an internet forum. The story allows us to witness how a loving couple can suddenly lose contact because of bad communication and a (sudden) stressful domestic life; but it will also show us how the best can result from being honest about one's griefs and needs because love and trust are the main ingredients to (re) built a strong marriage.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews