Bound To You

Speakeasy Secrets #1

by Liam Kingsley

Will love conquer all for these fated mates?

Josh never wanted Tristan to leave for war. Their tumultuous, on-and-off relationship lasted three decades before Josh threatened to shoot Tristan, driving him out of town for good. Or so he thought...

After tragedy destroys Tristan’s loyalty to the military, he goes AWOL, and runs home to Texas. Omega Josh is tired of being told he has to settle down, but he wants a baby. When the fated mates are reunited, a perilous manhunt threatens their dream of a peaceful home.

Will Tristan survive long enough to earn back his best friend’s trust?

Join these heartsick wolf shifters for a lifetime of steamy, conflicted passion in this 50,000 word adults-only mpreg romance.

Genres: M M Romance

189 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 31, 2018

Reviews

[J1B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Here's the 'speakeasy secret:' You can choose to leave your fated mate behind and follow your own dreams while "finding yourself" for 13(!) years, and your fated mate, like a good little doormat, will both pine away and remain chaste for your eventual return (if you feel like returning). You can continuously break his heart over those 13(!) years but never face any repercussions or consequences for your extremely selfish actions. Here's another secret: That is complete bull-puckey.

Also, here's yet another rejected fated mates wherein the rejecting mate is able to smooth over his incredible and intimate betrayal by using the tried and true method of The Speech(TM). Folks, has this method ever worked in real life? I was once kinda halfway cheated, and it took me weeks and many, many The Speeches(TM) from my boyfriend before I started to move past it. You know what else it took? Acts of contrition, which so many of these authors just seem to totally ignore. And proposing to your spurned lover after having betrayed him for 13(!) years is a good way to have a ring thrown in your face, NOT to get engaged. Oh lordy, I'm getting all hot and bothered aren't I?

2 Stars for this novel plus 1 Star for being consistently gay. I'm pretty sure there were some passing references to female omegas (which I think is ridiculous since the omega conceit exists to allow a mechanism for male birth, thus female omegas defeats the purpose), but thankfully it wasn't plot relevant.

[Anne Farrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Josh first met Tristan when his family moved to a new family home, he was four years old and Tristan was only a baby and from that first moment Josh knew their friendship would be something special. With Josh being older he always looked out and cared for Tristan always taking care of him if he got hurt out playing or was sick or scared. They stuck by each other through thick and thin each others rock and best friend and loved each other. As they developed and got older and behaviors changed it became obvious now that Tristan was going to be the Alpha and Josh the Omega. Tristan becomes doubtful and confused with himself because his role is going to be reversed , it was always Josh who he looked up to, who looked after them both he's not sure he knows how to be an Alpha and he's scared he won't be strong enough or smart enough. When Tristan hits 18 and Josh is 21 they decide it's time they claim each other as mates where Josh declares his feelings while they make love only for Tristan to drop a bombshell afterwards that he's enlisted in the army and is leaving in a week claiming he needs freedom and adventure first before they settle down but he's really just running away because he's scared. Josh is heartbroken. We get flashbacks throughout the story of Tristans time deployed overseas and Joshs life while he's left to himself and working in his family's bar and some really sweet moments from their childhood which I had a few tears at. Tristan is a bit of a selfish pig as when he's on leave he promises the earth to Josh only to go back to active duty and does this time and time again crushing Josh, he knows he needs to cut Tristan loose but they have too much history and love. Whilst out on duty overseas clearing a town with his fellow troops and Captain a soul shattering event occurs totally destroying Tristans faith in serving with his fellow brothers but this is not the first time that the Captain has done something that's sickened him to his core. After some hiding and dodging and smuggling himself Tristan goes AWOL and makes his way back to Josh but things don't go as planned, emotions explode and everything goes wrong when other forces come into play and Josh now has an extra worry. Can everything be salvaged ? has everything finally gone too far ? Some people want Tristan dealt with and gone. They have a battle on their hands to try and finally get the HEA they should of had over 12 years ago. Some really emotional moments in this book had a few tears in a couple of places. I wasn't quite sure of these two at first I thought Tristan had no redeeming qualities and Josh was just a doormat but as the story unfolds you become invested in this pair trying to make it to the finish line. Good book. I received a free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Marcella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Josh and Tristan grew up together. Even though there is 4 years difference between them, they were the best of friends. Omega Josh being older than Alpha Tristan took care of him and always looked out for Tristan. When Tristan turned 18 he decided he wanted to go into the military. He wanted out of the small town and knew in order for him to be the Alpha Josh deserved he had to do it. Josh never wanted Tristan to leave. He had his heart set on them being mated and starting a family when Tristan graduated high school.

For over two decades Josh was faced with Tristan coming in and out of his life and making promises that Josh never thought Tristan would keep. All he wanted was to start his family with Tristan but Josh was losing hope that it would ever happen. After a tragedy during his current deployment, Tristan can no longer handle being in the military so we goes AWOL and heads home to Texas to see Josh one last time. He knows he will be hunted down by the military for leaving before his time was up but he just couldn't be there after what he saw. It shook him to his core.

This story broke my heart and frustrated me a little. Josh and Logan's love story was so beautiful and tragic at the same time. Not once did I see that Tristan mentions to Josh the reason why he joined the military. I think if Tristan had told Josh he wanted to be the Alpha Josh deserved and that is why he felt he had to do what he was doing, that would have made the pain of him leaving easier for Josh to bare. I think in some ways Josh felt he wasn't good enough or something was wrong with him because he couldn't make Tristan stay. I think Tristan's confession would have made so much of that doubt disappear. In any event, their story was beautiful to read and I loved being on the journey with them when they rediscovered themselves.

I voluntarily reviewed an advance copy of this book.

[Caroline Doig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tristan and Josh were childhood friends growing up next door to each other, Tristan was the alpha and Josh was the omega.mtristan joined the military and after what some soldier had done he had enough and went AWOL, making his way back home to Josh before the military catch up to him. Josh’s family own a bar and he and his father run it together. It’s one rowdy bar and Josh overhears an alpha talking about Josh getting married, Josh gets so angry he pulls out a shotgun and points it towards the alpha then Josh’s father takes it away from him all the while he’s thinking about Tristan. Josh goes outside of the bar and he thinks that he hears Tristan’s voice and Lo and behold he’s standing right in front of him. Josh isn’t happy to see Tristan because the last time that Tristan left he told him not to come back but there he is! That’s all I’m giving you guys and if you want to know what happens then your going to have to get this book. This is a wonderful sexy romance with plenty of drama and suspense it’s just a fantastic read. I highly recommend this book it’s definitely well worth the read.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ah, another story by favorite author Liam Kingsley. He started off with a bang in another series "Bound To You". He writes in the mpreg universe with his own take of the omega and alpha. The title is very apt in this story of Tristan and Josh. Tristan, the alpha, is 4 years younger than Josh, his omega. They have been friends all their lives and Josh new Tristan was his mate way before Tristan realized. However, it was not to be. Tristan, somehow insecure in his belief he could be the strong Alpha for Josh; joined the military. Josh waited and waited. Every time Tristan came home on leave; then left and reenlisted, Josh died a little. Fated mates or True mates are in fact bound to their partner until death.I am not going to say much more. It is a good book; you have to read the past and the present to get a good feel for the book. It is hard to follow but once you get into the swing of it; it is easier to read.
This book hit all my buttons: angst, doubts, insecurities, and all the obstacles they are forced to go through before they reach their HEA. Liam is a favorite author of mine. He has some excellent books out there that shine brighter than this one. I would recommend reading anything by him. You will not be disappointed. I like the way Liam writes: his sentence structure, word usage, and his imagination. A good start to a new series.!!
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"I read a complimentary Advanced Reader Copy of this book & am voluntarily leaving an honest and unbiased review"

[Lacrymosa Quiñones · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much to say about this book, the feels were real and the characters likeable. The first page to the very last had my undivided attention. I usually am not a fan of back and forth memories in books, but I loved reading about young Tristan and Josh.

Character breakdown;

Josh: there's only such a man can do to love the one that keeps running away. But Josh held so much love for Tristan it was inspiring to see that even in the hardest of trials love can still exist and persist.

Tristan: why is it that every alpha believes that being the braver one? The stronger one etc is what their omegas need? It's not and because of this Tristan missed out years with his omega. But I also saw the need which is why I'll cut him some slack.

I loved how the relationship between these two grew, I loved how everything they did they did for each other even if it might have hurt the other. I also loved the John Lennon song as a lullaby for a baby.

"You may say I'm a dreamer But I'm not the only one I hope someday you'll join us And the world will live as one"

[Florence · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really good book!
The author really nailed this one!
The author has a great writing style and I loved how he used flashbacks from their lives. It really gives the characters depth and you can see how they think and why they act the way they do. It was one of my favorite things because it allowed me to follow the characters both in the present and in the past, you really get a connection with the book.

*spoiler alert*

I liked the military angle in the book and when they caught Tristan for going AWOL I thought that they wouldn't get the happy ending they got. It was also very nice when Tristan got to meet the little girl who he thought had been killed (and made him go AWOL), and I think it created some much needed closure for Tristan.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

[Karen Boozer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story between Josh and Tristian takes you through a gamut of emotions…they were best friends and fated mates. Tristian was not sure that he could be the mate that Josh needed so he made choices thinking he needed to become more “alpha”. Because of the on again off again nature of their relationship Josh pushes Tristian away in order to try to move on with his life.
The book was a little hard for me to follow with the continual change between present and past tense. It was a good book but I felt like it could have been better. I was offered an advance copy of this book for an honest review.

[Dixiecowgirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love and heartache, dreams and despair make this a very engaging story. I really liked both men in this story, however their lack of communication on important things drove me crazy. So much of Josh's hurt would have been handled if Tristan had been honest about his reason for joining the military.

Josh and Tristan will burrow into your heart and you hurt and celebrate with them. We got to see different points of view in different time periods and that added to the story but it was also challenging for me.

This is a new to me author and i will definitely be reading more of his work in the future.

[Coral Mitchell · Rating 3 out of 5]

MM. Shifters. Josh and Tristan have known they were mates for years. Tristan does not feel like a strong enough alpha because Josh is older than him. The separation is quite long for things to smoother so quickly. Some of the military information was incorrect. The jumps present to past worked most of the time, but many at the end made no sense and did not add to the story. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.

[MzBond · Rating 2 out of 5]

I would have given this book a better rating if not for the constant back and forth between the past and present. No thanks to the temporal whiplash. I don’t mind more than one flashback, but it can’t be every other scene. I’m not exaggerating here. Literally (in the true definition of literally) every other scene was a flashback. It took away from the story and only achieved next level aggravation, on my part.

[Laila Viking · Rating 3 out of 5]

Likeable characters that are well described. I like it is written in dual POV, which gives the reader both the thoughts and feelings of the main characters. That makes the story even more emotional and captivating. The twists and turns are unexpected.
The story has a lot of changes in past and present. Those confused me a lot and spoiled the storyline. Apart from that I think 13 years is a bit too long to be loyal to your mate.
Nice read of good length.

[MaryAnne · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF.

It's probably more of a me thing, I do not like books that go back and forth in timelines. There are 10,000 flashback scenes that add nothing to the plot, IMO. And it's not always clear what timeline it is when it starts until you read into it a bit. Frankly a prologue would have sufficed. It's honestly such a disappointment, I feel like this could've been a good book without all the interruptions to the plot line

[Sheila Schwartz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story will bring all your emotions front and center! You will feel the warmth of their caring, the sassy-ness of their relationship, the pain of their separation and the fear and aggravation that they may not have what it takes to stay together. It's a beautiful story and one you will stay up far past your bedtime to complete. Josh and Tristan will own your heart by the last page!!

[Gerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed it.

As usual it kept me going till the end. Now wondering what direction the series will take me? Good characters, really enjoyed the age flip. Actually quite well done. Did have abit around timing of the story. Was not sure what time frame we were at. Read.more or back track. Once the brain caught up all was fine. lol.

[Kaila · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was very interesting. it had a different dynamic of a second chance story.. it was fun.. it was emotional and it was well rounded.. the writing as always is wonderful. i liked it and am glad i read it

[Jolene · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. It was awesome the author was able to successfully jump from last to present in regards to Josh and Tristan's relationship without completely confusing you.

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.

[lorikayhorsfall · Rating 3 out of 5]

Confusing

While I normally enjoy each and every one of Liam's books . I'll not lie ,this one was just confusing . Past , present and back again and again over and over . Too much so , almost forgot what I was reading it .

[Zee♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

On a positive note, I actually liked the many flashbacks in this book. I enjoyed the changing dynamics of the relationship between Josh and Tristan as they grew up. Unfortunately, the fact that Tristan left his fated mate alone for 13 years for such a self-absorbed, immature reason just bothered me for the entire book. And the fact that he kept re inlisting even when his fated mate begged him to stay was sad and frustrating to read. Tristan going AWOL was also him running away from his feelings. He should have stayed, talked to somebody in charge and then gotten his discharge. The ending, of course, was sweet and at least Josh finally got his family.

[Melissa Galo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first solo Liam Kingsley book

I enjoyed the story but in the beginning I got confused until I realized that it's the present then flashbacks to the MCs' past then the next chapter. Overall, get story and I fell in love with the MCs, I can't wait for the next book.

[Niah_1388 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think it was a great book but what made me take one star was the character Tristan and his stupidity. Honestly I almost stopped reading but Josh made me stay. Tristan made me hate him for a while and I still don't think I can stand him. This was the first book to actually make me hate a character so much I would have slapped the ever loving sense back into him and made him stay with Josh in the begining. One problem I had however was the back and forth with the past and present, although it was written that way to show their past I still wanted and bit more of the constant presence of well the present.
I voluntarily reviewed an advance copy of this book.