Homebound

Heartbound #1

by Alyssa B. Cole

Abby Doyle is perfectly fine without a soulmate. Her parents have matching soulmate Marks and their marriage definitely isn't great, so she's content living Markless with her boyfriend in New York. Sure, she might have slight self-esteem and anxiety issues, but hey, she's getting by.

Until she receives a Mark, and he doesn't.

After that devastating blow, Abby returns to her hometown of Lake Redwood, Minnesota. There she reconnects with her older sister's best friend, Ethan Perry - who also happens to be Abby's childhood frienemy and middle school crush. He's annoyingly wonderful, and still out of Abby's league. And apparently, he is also Marked.

Can Abby find a place where she belongs and allow herself to be loved?

198 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 8, 2019

About the author

Alyssa B. Cole started writing at an early age and has never quite stopped. She teaches in Minnesota.

Reviews

[Somia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Abby Doyle is perfectly content without a soulmate and doesn't mourn never receiving a soulmate mark, especially as her parents never gained a happy marriage from obtaining theirs. So when she wakes up with a late soulmate mark she isn't bouncing up and down in joy, particularly as it leads to her boyfriend recommending a break. Hurt and peeved she goes home to visit her family, reconnecting with her older sister's best friend, Ethan Perry she's shocked to see he has a matching soulmate mark.

There were some nice moments between Abby and Ethan, but the formation and growth of their friendship/bond was not compelling and I found myself underwhelmed.

The worldbuilding in this tale was seriously lacking and very much needed.

Plus the ending didn't work for me.

Acquired via KU.

[Ashleigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is beautiful story focused on love and a second chance.

I loved how the relationship unfolded so we could see these amazing characters grow in ways they never expected.

It is the type of story that clutches you at once and doesn't release you until you get to the end - then you find yourself pining over the fact that the book has ended.

I received a free copy of this book. This review was posted voluntarily.

[Patty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do you think your soulmate it out there? Abby is happy with her boyfriend, and since neither has received their soulmate mark is thrilled to know she can be with her love. Until one night when the mark appears on her and not on him. Now she is home, as the two come to terms with this, and is able to hang out with her sister, Beth and her sister’s best friend, Ethan. Ethan has recently returned from the military, helping his ailing mother and is the one that Abby has always loved to hate. This enemies to lovers story is beautifully told in an original way. It shows that there is someone for everyone, that what you see as flaws may be what someone finds attractive. Abby and Ethan are regular people, with flaws they find unlovable, but are really the things that make them unique. And the mark may be the push that they need.

Narrated by Em Barger, the story flows. This is my first narration by her, and she has distinguishable voices and brings out the insecurities and true passion the characters have. She includes just the right amount of angst, and adds a thread of familiarity with her voice. I will be looking for other performances by her.

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well this was a twist I did not expect. Imagine it is as easy to find your soulmate as a simple mark. Abby is perfectly content with her boyfriend. But they have not determined if they are soulmates or not because their marks have not appeared. Until Abby returns home and her mark appears suddenly. Not matching with her boyfriend anymore, Abby tried to fight the system, only to struggle with family and friends about it. When Abby discovers who she does match with, the twist of fate adds a turn in the story. I was so engrossed in this story that I could not put it down. I cannot wait for the next installment of the series.

This is my first listen of Em Barger. I enjoyed her narration. She has an easy to listen to voice. Her male and female character voices are smooth. Em brought her characters to life through her narration. I really enjoyed the production of this story.

[Kirsten Carlyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given a free copy of the audiobook version of this story in return for an honest review and here it is! This story was so easy to listen to. I finished it so quickly! It is a sweet story about second chances. The characters were believable and likeable. The narrator did a great job! I would recommend this story and will look out for more by this author.

[Nati · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can Abby return to her hometown to meet her soulmate, the one with the same mark that she just got? she doesn't believe in it after seing their parent's marriage fall apart from the beginning. sweet love story Great audiobook

[Gigi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had some what mix feelings for this audiobook. I really liked the story, but the end part, ended so quickly like it needed more. Unless their story continues to book 2. Overall it’s a good book.

[Diana · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was an okay book, but I can't say that it moved me. It was a good read for a rainy day.

[Lenna Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

Does this series have anything to do with paranormal? Cuz the only this about these Soulmate Marks seems more for shifters then for these humans. Each Mark is different with only two of the same out of all the Marked people. Told from Abby’s POV and she’s already broken inside because of the Mark that showed up very recent and her boyfriend backing off and her moving back to her dysfunctional parents, her older sister Beth and Beth’s best friend Ethan. Ethan is struggling with 2 jobs to make ends meet, his mom who has been dealing with MS all his life and a mark on his arm years that came about years ago. There is a lot broken with Abby her mark, ex, soulmate in Ethan, moving, parents messed up marriage and a sister that’s upset with her, on took of jobs and making money, Abby can’t keep her self in check and has to deal with the truth being the lies...

[Elizabeth McDaniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Soulmates and the Mark...... what a fun and interesting story. Ethan and Constance Abigail were so right for each other but fought it to protect the other one. He was her older sisters best friend. She used to have a crush on him. He had always been protective of her. Then circumstances brought her back home away from her job and now ex boyfriend. Fun read

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

[Heather W · Rating 5 out of 5]

Homebound: A Soulmate Mark Romance is the first book in the Heartbound series. I really enjoyed reading this clean sweet romance. The characters are wonderfully realistic, flawed, and confused about life and love. The idea of humans having a mark to let them know that they have a soul mate is a great idea. The story is well written, with humour, drama, emotions, and romance. I am looking forward to reading more in this series.
I read and reviewed this book with no obligation.

[Janet Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute, Clean and Hilarious
I love the idea of having a mark show up to let you know that you have a soul mate. Fresh idea! The story is cute, the emotions are believable and there are plenty of laughs. This is a new author to me and I will be sure to read more of her work. I received this ARC book for free from Booksprouts and this is my honest review.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first book in the Heartbound series, this is the first time I have read anything from this Author. A well written story with a great storyline. This is Abby Doyle and Ethan Perry's story. I want to read more by this Author. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Dena · Rating 3 out of 5]

Self discovery

I love the premise of the story. A girl who is turned off from soul mates because of her parents. She ends up with a mark and realizes her boyfriend doesn’t have a mark. She ends up going home on this journey of self discovery. I was disappointed in the ending. We go through this journey only to end up with a open end ending.

[C bond · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good clean sweet read. I liked Ethan and Abby/Constance as a couple. They did seem a little young for their ages at times. Wouldn't be funny if Greg and Beth were soulmates.

[Seantheaussie]

2 star DNF at end of uninspiring sample.

[evieo17 · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an ok read. It was hard to get into since I didn’t much care for Abby. She was a pill and made it hard to enjoy the book.