That Which Binds Us

by Amanda Richardson

My captor is a force to be reckoned with, a relentless enigma hell-bent on my rescue…

One look–and my world changes forever. Stumbling upon a chilling murder in progress, I unintentionally lock eyes with the killer before fleeing. But he’s a predator, and he pursues me as though I’m his ultimate prey. My fate now sealed, he confines me to a private island. ’ve hatched my daring escape plan, yet an unsettling feeling gnaws at me with each passing moment. It’s those eyes–those piercing, icy blue eyes–that tug at the fringes of a long-forgotten memory. And then, in a breathtaking revelation, I uncover the shocking truth. About him. About us. The fiery, undeniable connection that binds us is the very last thing we need. On the unpredictable shores of Isla Culebrita, where deception reigns and the dead refuse to rest, our past and present collide in a whirlwind of danger and desire.Gilded Lies is a captive romantic suspense novel with darker themes. It was previously titled The Island.

Genres: Romance

251 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 18, 2016

About the author

I write love stories with badass heroines and mysterious, brooding heroes. I survive on coffee and live in Yorkshire, England with my family.

Reviews

[Antonella · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the idea of the story and the plot line but somehow the connection with the characters totally missed me. That is the reason why I couldn't enjoy in the book more.

[Vinessa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read about the intense feelings in this book, fear, shock, anger. I welcomed the trials, the emotional drama and the unexpected passion. The chemistry between the H and h is undeniable and unexpected. The  misunderstandings lead to a bit of  wasted time. Connecting with the characters may come easy in this story, following the plot might not be

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Simone · Rating 3 out of 5]

not the one for me

This just wasn’t the book for me. I found it giving me memories of Does it Hurt and just kind of repetitive of the same story line. The back and forth in the timeline was pretty cool but I just can’t imagine tweens being so absolutely in love with each other that years later after being completely apart, they are together again and in love again.

[Nate · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed Ben & Nina's book. It was an entertaining read. I received a free copy of the book. And am voluntarily leaving my honest opinion.

[Cranky - The Book Curmudgeon · Rating 4 out of 5]

**** 4 Cranky Stars ****

They say we are bound to our soulmates by a string and that eventually we will find them. This is one such story. A story of a girl with a past full of death and a boy who had to leave it all behind to save his own life.



Nina lead a relatively normal life. It was just her and her dad and it was all she known yet she was loved tremendously. She had a best friend named Ben who was her everything even at 9 years old when they meet. One day tragedy strikes and not once but twice Nina is left adrift. She rebels she acts out she does everything opposite of good. Flash forward to her current life in Puerto Rico where she feels that missing piece of her soul daily but life is good in a sense.



Ben has had the worst childhood imaginable. The only bright spot in his bleak existence is Nina and he carries her light with him. He now has a highly dangerous job and is trained to never feel. When his past comes back to haunt him and a botched job go south quick he finds himself on a tiny private island with Nina. He wants to hate her because that's what he's trained to do but she breaks down his defenses.



I got this book on a whim. I was pleasantly surprised. I was like does she have Stockholm Syndrome but you learn their connection runs deep. There was some sudden action toward the end but all in all it's a love story with some very profound words. I liked Nina and Ben together. I will certainly read more by this author.

[Michelle Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amanda Richardson has a brilliant mind. A mind I’d love to dive into with a 6-pack and chill for awhile. This is the second book I’ve had the pleasure of reading by her (The Realm Of You being the first) and I was equally blown away by this welcomed ride jam packed with twists, curves, and unexpected surprises.

Amanda LIKES to tell complicated stories- and who am I to judge, she’s pretty fucking good at it. She’s created two characters in this story that you want to love and loathe simultaneously. The characters’ emotions were all over the place as more of the truth unravelled and so were mine. The back-and-forth decision making, the hesitation, the need, the longing, the love- every single emotion you could image throughout this type of situation was covered.

“I’ve lived a whole life between our time together. I’ve seen some amazing things, met some amazing people... but you’re my favorite part of my history.”

[Brandi-Lynn Weiser · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved Nina and Ben’s story! I’m a sucker for romances that involve childhood friends who later fall in love. And this story was perfect. I loved the storyline and flow of everything, the setting was perfect (kidnapped and taken to a deserted island by a hot CIA/Navy trained guy, yep sign me up!), the characters were written so you loved them, and I enjoyed the little bit of suspense at the end. Oh! I really enjoyed the spicy and sexy scenes between Ben and Nina. My only complaint (and it’s not really a complaint) would be that I kept asking myself why he never looked her up and told her he was still alive over the years. At that point they were much older, his dad was in prison, he obviously had the training and resources to protect her, so why Ben?!!
But all in all I really enjoyed this story and would definitely recommend it!

[Jennifer Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

As kids, Nina and Benny were best friends. They were inseparable. Benny would escape to Ninas house in order to escape his awful home life. But then, trying to escape his father, he dies. Nina is devastated. And only two weeks later she loses her father.
As an adult, Nina works in paradise. But then she witnesses a murder, and is kidnapped my the murderer. She’s scared, but she sees something in the kidnappers eyes. Something familiar.

I enjoyed this story. It had is humor, and at times it made me tear up. Nina has spent most of her life missing Benny and her father. She didn’t realize how much it affected her until she’s kidnapped. This was a quit read, and I was dry into the story right from the start. Definitely worth a read if you enjoy a good love story with a bit of suspense.

[Elizabeth McDaniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this romantic thriller Nina and Ben are childhood best friends with a special bond of love. His father is an abusive man on the wrong side of the law and hers is a loving one in the CIA. As mysterious circumstances happen and tear them apart Nina is left all alone. Years later Nina witnesses a murder and is kidnapped you the murderer. Later realizing the life of her and that of her kidnapper were interwoven. As the two move on they face danger while trying to face a future together in love and overcome a past that was thrust upon them and all but destroyed them but for the love for the other. Good read

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[LovelyLady · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good but I wanted Great

So many things about this book were really good! Nina and Ben are really well formed characters with rich history and traumatic pasts. Their time on the island was my favorite. The plot moves well and kept me engaged and turning pages.

Where this book falters for me is in the rough transitions, way too much telling over showing, and overall lack of depth with the action scenes. There's so much potential for this to be a great book! But it's lost in choppy prose that go from a full color motion picture to a stick figure flip book. Which I honestly didn't expect. Probably why it disappointed me so much.

I'd give it 5 stars for characters, and 3 stars for overall plot, and 2 stars for execution.

[Emily Pennington · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nina Cosway witnessed something she should not have seen on the beach. But she was kidnapped by the murderer and taken as captive to a deserted island where she finally realized who her captor was.

Nina and Ben had been childhood best friends until something terrible separates them. Ben has always been in love with Nina who made his lonely childhood something he could survive. He kept an eye on her and would always protect her. So when a murder takes place with Nina as the only witness, it is time for Nina and Ben to meet again. When everything becomes clear to Nina, what will she choose to do? Were they always meant to be together?

[Cathylynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nina and Ben were best friends until circumstances put an end to their friendship. Fast forward she is working at a resort after rebelling in college. At the resort she witnesses a murder and is taken, thinking she is going to die she is not your quiet prisoner. Eventually she realizes who kidnapped her. Ben has always loved Nina. I really liked Ben and felt a little bad for him. Nina was a bit annoying but even she got better. The plot was solid the characters worked well together. I was hooked and could not put it down. I thought it was written well and it was very entertaining.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Vicki Stephens · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Island is an action packed romantic suspense novel which features Nina and Ben who had once been childhood friends who loved each other until they were traumatically separated. Years later, Nina is a witness to a murder and is kidnapped by a man who seems familiar to her. This book has mystery, suspense, deep emotions, and an interesting journey to love.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Melissa Breese Palmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me guessing on where it was going a few times. I was very sad for Nina and Ben for different reasons at different times through the book. They definitely didn’t have the easiest of lives. I’m very glad they found each other again even if some messed up things happened to force them together. I love how Amanda Richardson writes. Her epilogue was truly beauty written. I’m here for her darkness!!

[Angelica Larsson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well-written book with a action-packed and intriguing storyline and captivating characters. Enjoyed it a lot.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

I took a chance on this book and I thought it was definitely worth reading. The story has suspense, intrigue and drama. It also has a beautifully crafted love story which I thought was the best part.

I requested a copy of this book so I could provide an honest review.

[Trina Santiago · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don’t forget to Breathe. ‘The Island’ might just take it away.

The Island is suspenseful and heartwarming. On the edge of your seat one minute and laughing the next. Definitely worth your reading time!

[Elle Caldwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of things I enjoy most about Amanda’s books, are how the fated characters come together. Every book is an enjoyable read.

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

random

This is just so far out there that I had to keep going. It’s well written but the story line is just way out there to be even close to believable.
Good read though.

[Beachbaby]

**** Also Titled**** //// --- "The Island" ---

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (3/31/2022)! 🎁

[fanissss · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am crying like a baby. I want to experience Ben and Nina's love 😢.

[Brandi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nina and Ben are childhood best friends until tragedy separates them and life moves on. For Nina she goes on with her life and rebels while in college like some do and then goes on to work at a fancy resort in Puerto Rico. It's there her life takes a crazy turn and she's left with so many questions and few answers. Ben has always loved Nina. She was his bright spot in a sad childhood. He's always watched from afar. When a murder takes place and Nina is a witness they come face to face.

I got this book on a whim. I'm a cover girl that's the one thing that draws me in every time. Sometimes I win sometimes I lose and this time was a winner. You start to think maybe Nina has Stockholm Syndrome until you delve deeper into their past. This was a good book with mystery and drama and that wonderful HEA. I'd certainly read more by this author

[sassysistersreadings · Rating 5 out of 5]

That Which Binds Us
By: Amanda Richardson

That Which Binds Us, by Amanda Richardson is an incredible story of two lost souls that against all odds find each other again. Amanda perfectly weaved together the past and the present creating the memorable characters of Nina and Ben. Their story is an unbelievable journey of forgiveness, love, and the reclaiming of lost time. A lifetime may have passed between them, but when something is meant to be, no amount of pain, deceit, or heartache can come between destiny. This book has the perfect mix of suspense and romance that you will be on the edge of your seat, and have you constantly questioning what will come next. Amanda definitely did it again. I loved That Which Binds Us, and I highly recommend you read it, you won’t be disappointed. The story was powerful, emotional and the imagery was wonderful. I love reading a book and feeling like I am encompassed in the pages, (Now, if only I actually had a Puerto Rican tan).

[Tamara · Rating 5 out of 5]

That Which Binds Us is the story of Nina and Ben who were the best friends as children but due to unexpected and terrible circumstances lost their "together". Once reunited, they have to face the past, present and future. I loved how the author gives us the story in the present, and the flashbacks of Nina and Ben as children blended perfectly into the story and gave us more insight into the connection and friendship they once had, which made me root for them even more.

With a perfect mix of romance and suspense, Amanda Richardson confirms once again she knows how to write and keep a reader engaged and enthralled from the very first page.

If you haven't read a book by this author yet, don't wait any longer and pick up either she has published. I promise you won't stop reading until you've read them all.

[Stephanie Alba · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amanda went for something a little different here and it worked brilliantly for her. By listening to the characters in her head, it allowed for an unconventional story of love that reminds us of the ties we can't cut. I loved the suspense in this story, and I loved the unique quality of the relationship between these two characters. What a breath of fresh air! Make sure you pick this one up asap, it's amazing and hooks you in quickly.

[Andrea Wainwright · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to say I had never heard of this author but I bought the book because she shares the same name as my sister, which may seem silly but I thought why not. This book captured me with the first chapter I thought it was wonderful I'm glad I found it!

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5. Definitely one of the more unique ways to get to a second chance romance.