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Bound: Two Broken Souls. One Journey
Two souls don’t find each other by simple accident. ~Jorge Luis Borges~
Levi thought he was making this journey alone. But when he meets an eight-year-old girl at the train station, that plan is turned on its head.
Casey is running away and finds out that Levi is too. They decide to journey together and their lives are suddenly bound together in a journey they will not soon forget.
Both children come from abusive situations and are running from the dangers of their previous life. Levi is confident he can handle this on his own, but when Casey is injured on the journey, he must seek help from the first person that comes into his path, or rather people. Mr. and Mrs. Bellworth are simple farm folk with a heart for kids and a passion for serving God. When their unconditional love and gentle care surrounds Levi and Casey, the troubles of their previous lives melt away and they start to flourish. But when Casey is dragged back into the abusive world she came from, the emotional trauma, pain and distrust resurfaces. Will they be forever bound by their past? Or will God answer their prayers?
Levi thought he was making this journey alone. But when he meets an eight-year-old girl at the train station, that plan is turned on its head.
Casey is running away and finds out that Levi is too. They decide to journey together and their lives are suddenly bound together in a journey they will not soon forget.
Both children come from abusive situations and are running from the dangers of their previous life. Levi is confident he can handle this on his own, but when Casey is injured on the journey, he must seek help from the first person that comes into his path, or rather people. Mr. and Mrs. Bellworth are simple farm folk with a heart for kids and a passion for serving God. When their unconditional love and gentle care surrounds Levi and Casey, the troubles of their previous lives melt away and they start to flourish. But when Casey is dragged back into the abusive world she came from, the emotional trauma, pain and distrust resurfaces. Will they be forever bound by their past? Or will God answer their prayers?
201 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2017
12 people are currently reading
342 people want to read
About the author
Victoria Lynn
9 books1,059 followersVictoria Lynn has an insatiable desire for truth, light, and beauty and has always sought to find them in story. Joining the Indie scene at the age of 18 with her debut novel, she has been writing and publishing ever since. She seeks to bring the life-giving words of the Savior to a dark and broken world that desperately needs to know of His sacrifice. A writing and publishing coach, best-selling author, seamstress and creator, she loves spending her spare time traveling deep into the mountains and forests, surfing the ocean waves, spending time with her family, turning her 2 acre plot into a homestead, or sewing gowns fit for a princess. She thinks perhaps she was once a woodland fairy and her current greatest desire is to own a mini-cow.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
February 4, 2019
Oh my goodness, y'all, this book. It ripped my heart out and trampled all over it and even now—nearly 24 hours later, at the time I'm writing this—I've yet to fully recover.
I've unintentionally read four books dealing with foster care in the last couple weeks, but this one hit me the hardest. Levi and Casey's dark backgrounds were shown with such raw depth and vivid pain, all the while being handled with gentleness and grace. <3
I absolutely adored Mr. Abel and Mrs. Mariah—what amazing examples they are for the younger generation! Casey and Levi were sweet and lovable, and I enjoyed Mikayla's character immensely. I quickly "called" the twist that was to come, but I didn't mind knowing where that lil' sideplot was headed. *wink*
Only downfall would be that the writing style confused me at times. Nothing major, but I would have to pause and re-read to grasp the meaning. It could've been due to the speed at which I was reading while dying to know how it all ended... but yeah, minor annoyance compared to the amazingness of this novella.
4.5 stars!
I've unintentionally read four books dealing with foster care in the last couple weeks, but this one hit me the hardest. Levi and Casey's dark backgrounds were shown with such raw depth and vivid pain, all the while being handled with gentleness and grace. <3
I absolutely adored Mr. Abel and Mrs. Mariah—what amazing examples they are for the younger generation! Casey and Levi were sweet and lovable, and I enjoyed Mikayla's character immensely. I quickly "called" the twist that was to come, but I didn't mind knowing where that lil' sideplot was headed. *wink*
Only downfall would be that the writing style confused me at times. Nothing major, but I would have to pause and re-read to grasp the meaning. It could've been due to the speed at which I was reading while dying to know how it all ended... but yeah, minor annoyance compared to the amazingness of this novella.
4.5 stars!
November 8, 2017
It's here, people! It's here!
Bound by Victoria Lynn is one of those books that you don’t just read – you experience it. And it stays with you forever. There is sadness, heartbreak, betrayal, and pain. But there is also hope, love and redemption. Victoria writes a story that addresses some very tough, but relevant issues with tact and grace.
You will find yourself inexplicably drawn to the MCs, Levi and Casey through both their pain and their joys. Mr. Abel and Miz Mariah will charm you with their simple ways and open hearts. And memorable characters such as Mikayla, Kaden, Jason, Miss Portia, and Julia help fill in the supporting cast.
The one word I keep coming back to to describe this story is beautiful. It portrays the beautiful message of God’s love and redemption and keeps you riveted to your seat in the meantime. It’ll make you laugh; it’ll make you cry, and you won’t finish it without being impacted in some way by it.
Lynn’s writing style is a perfect balance of poetry and prose; flowery and beautiful, yet still simplistic enough to not make reading a drag.
And can I just have a fangirl moment here? THAT COVER IS SO GORGEOUS! I just can’t handle it!
All in all, if you’re looking for a book with memorable characters, heartwarming and thought-provoking themes, and an intense storyline that draws you in from page one, then this book is for you.
Go grab a copy! You won’t regret it.
CONTENT NOTE: This book does deal with some pretty heavy issues like drugs, verbal and physical child abuse, as well as semi-graphically detailed injuries. As I said above, Lynn handles these subjects with great tact, but I wouldn’t recommend this to anyone under the age of 15.
Bound by Victoria Lynn is one of those books that you don’t just read – you experience it. And it stays with you forever. There is sadness, heartbreak, betrayal, and pain. But there is also hope, love and redemption. Victoria writes a story that addresses some very tough, but relevant issues with tact and grace.
You will find yourself inexplicably drawn to the MCs, Levi and Casey through both their pain and their joys. Mr. Abel and Miz Mariah will charm you with their simple ways and open hearts. And memorable characters such as Mikayla, Kaden, Jason, Miss Portia, and Julia help fill in the supporting cast.
The one word I keep coming back to to describe this story is beautiful. It portrays the beautiful message of God’s love and redemption and keeps you riveted to your seat in the meantime. It’ll make you laugh; it’ll make you cry, and you won’t finish it without being impacted in some way by it.
Lynn’s writing style is a perfect balance of poetry and prose; flowery and beautiful, yet still simplistic enough to not make reading a drag.
And can I just have a fangirl moment here? THAT COVER IS SO GORGEOUS! I just can’t handle it!
All in all, if you’re looking for a book with memorable characters, heartwarming and thought-provoking themes, and an intense storyline that draws you in from page one, then this book is for you.
Go grab a copy! You won’t regret it.
CONTENT NOTE: This book does deal with some pretty heavy issues like drugs, verbal and physical child abuse, as well as semi-graphically detailed injuries. As I said above, Lynn handles these subjects with great tact, but I wouldn’t recommend this to anyone under the age of 15.
March 30, 2018
I should know better than to start books at midnight. You'd think I would learn.
So I read this book in 3 hours in the middle of the night. I had the intention to just read until I fell asleep, but obviously that didn't happen. And wow, it was really good.
This is a very powerful story. It centers around two children (Levi, fourteen and Casey, eight) who are running from abusive situations. That isn't something I've read a lot about. Child abuse is a touchy subject, one people tend to shy away from, to shove in the corners and pretend it isn't there. But Victoria Lynn takes it on with grace and poise as only someone who was writing for Jesus could do. Not only child abuse, but the effects of substance abuse, lingering guilt, broken families, and faith through it all.
I teared up several times throughout this book, and as someone who doesn't cry while reading, that's saying something. But it struck close to home at several points, as further into the story, a character suffers a heart attack and no one is sure whether they'll survive. That's how my dad died, and I knew exactly what the characters were feeling in that hospital room, and my heart broke for them. The way it was portrayed was perfect. (And yes, this is the second time something relatable to my situation has appeared in one of Victoria's books, and yes, she's written it really well both times. xD)
Overall, this was a beautiful story about forgiveness, the bonds children forge, what family should be, and the power of God working in the lives of His people. 4.5 stars from me!
** I was sent a copy of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review **
So I read this book in 3 hours in the middle of the night. I had the intention to just read until I fell asleep, but obviously that didn't happen. And wow, it was really good.
This is a very powerful story. It centers around two children (Levi, fourteen and Casey, eight) who are running from abusive situations. That isn't something I've read a lot about. Child abuse is a touchy subject, one people tend to shy away from, to shove in the corners and pretend it isn't there. But Victoria Lynn takes it on with grace and poise as only someone who was writing for Jesus could do. Not only child abuse, but the effects of substance abuse, lingering guilt, broken families, and faith through it all.
I teared up several times throughout this book, and as someone who doesn't cry while reading, that's saying something. But it struck close to home at several points, as further into the story, a character suffers a heart attack and no one is sure whether they'll survive. That's how my dad died, and I knew exactly what the characters were feeling in that hospital room, and my heart broke for them. The way it was portrayed was perfect. (And yes, this is the second time something relatable to my situation has appeared in one of Victoria's books, and yes, she's written it really well both times. xD)
Overall, this was a beautiful story about forgiveness, the bonds children forge, what family should be, and the power of God working in the lives of His people. 4.5 stars from me!
** I was sent a copy of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review **
January 29, 2018
OH MY!!! <3 Wow, okay, where do I start?
The Characters:
Levi - Awww, loved him! Loved his protecting spirit over Casey!
Casey - I kept picturing her younger than eight (?), but it was fine! She was so sweet and my heart went out to her!
Mr. Abel and Miz Mariah - YES!! They were so wonderful and nice! Ahhh!!!!!
Mikayla - loved her too!! I loved how Casey kept thinking how pretty she was!
Jason - yes, he was nice too.
Story-line:
It was a deep story, but really good! All the running away parts were pretty exciting - it's not called "Bound" for no reason!
Content:
Lots of mentions of abusive parents and things like that, but not a ton of detail. The author handled it very well!
All-in-all:
LOVED IT! I knew by all the good reviews and ratings, I'd enjoy this, so I'm glad I was able to get a review copy! I really did enjoy every minute of it!!
*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
The Characters:
Levi - Awww, loved him! Loved his protecting spirit over Casey!
Casey - I kept picturing her younger than eight (?), but it was fine! She was so sweet and my heart went out to her!
Mr. Abel and Miz Mariah - YES!! They were so wonderful and nice! Ahhh!!!!!
Mikayla - loved her too!! I loved how Casey kept thinking how pretty she was!
Jason - yes, he was nice too.
Story-line:
It was a deep story, but really good! All the running away parts were pretty exciting - it's not called "Bound" for no reason!
Content:
Lots of mentions of abusive parents and things like that, but not a ton of detail. The author handled it very well!
All-in-all:
LOVED IT! I knew by all the good reviews and ratings, I'd enjoy this, so I'm glad I was able to get a review copy! I really did enjoy every minute of it!!
*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
May 22, 2020
This book is so incredible. I still freak out about it and it's been months since I read it. It's that good.
WHAT I LOVED:
- The characters... were SO REAL. I mean this with every inch of my heart. Sure, we can have good characters who yeah, are relatable, but these characters were REAL. I could see them, feel what they felt, and it was all so accurate... I loved so many of them... and the 'less than like-able' characters were done well, also!
- The writing style. One reason the story was irresistible and the characters were vivid was the amazing writing style. Very catchy and clear.
- The messages/themes. Oh, gosh, I could fangirl but I'll try to stay focused: the message in this book was spectacular. Jesus' Love is Greater than anything else, and family is a huge gift but we have to do our part... have to follow Jesus and love... it isn't always easy but is worth it. I haven't had great personal experience with adoption but this book shined with hope and reminded me that, yes, God can always work things for His Good.
Overall, I loved this book. Every bit of it. I had no problems or issues with it.
WHAT I LOVED:
- The characters... were SO REAL. I mean this with every inch of my heart. Sure, we can have good characters who yeah, are relatable, but these characters were REAL. I could see them, feel what they felt, and it was all so accurate... I loved so many of them... and the 'less than like-able' characters were done well, also!
- The writing style. One reason the story was irresistible and the characters were vivid was the amazing writing style. Very catchy and clear.
- The messages/themes. Oh, gosh, I could fangirl but I'll try to stay focused: the message in this book was spectacular. Jesus' Love is Greater than anything else, and family is a huge gift but we have to do our part... have to follow Jesus and love... it isn't always easy but is worth it. I haven't had great personal experience with adoption but this book shined with hope and reminded me that, yes, God can always work things for His Good.
Overall, I loved this book. Every bit of it. I had no problems or issues with it.
July 13, 2022
Bound by Victoria Lynn is an amazing book that drew me in and riveted me from the very first, although I knew nothing about the book or author when I began. I couldn't put the book down, and it immediately made it onto my favorites list when I first read it – and will always remain there. It was just as wonderful the second time I read it! I highly enjoyed it both times, and I'll definitely be reading it again in the future. With beauty, depth, and lots and lots of heart, it's a quality read that teens and up will greatly enjoy.
Before I go on, let me first say what a gorgeous cover this book has!! It's beautiful in design and aesthetic, and it reflects the story's elements and quality so well. I can't wait until the beautiful paperback sits in a place of honor on my bookshelf at home!
My favorite thing about this book was the characters, and I'm very attached to all of them. The development of each individual character and each of the relationships between the characters were all masterfully portrayed. I loved Levi and Casey from the very first, and my love for and endearment to both of them grew even greater as I shared in their journey and experienced their story alongside them. Their surrogate sibling relationship is just the sweetest ever, and I love how they protect, take care of, and stand by each other. I love the rest of the main characters so much as well, especially Mikayla and each of the Bellworths. It was so sweet to see such wonderful people helping and loving two children who need it so much - and fighting to give Levi and Casey a better life. Also, I'm quite endeared to a certain awesome character I will not name here even with a spoiler tag. But I will say that
The plot is riveting and engaging, and each chapter leaves the reader breathlessly waiting to find out what happens next. The author's trademark cliffhangers abound, making it impossible to put the book down. I loved the skillfully woven subplots, the complex threads of story, and the multiple wonderful character arcs, all of which intertwined and converged perfectly over the course of the story, beautifully colliding, building and coming to a head at the climax. There are so many moments in the book when something horrifying happens, which is horrible to experience while reading . . . and so perfectly written and well-done in the story department, which I enjoy so much. (However, concerning that, see my note at the end of this review.) The major plot points all occurred at exactly the right point, with great pacing.
That brings me to the ending . . . which was so wonderful!! Everything was wrapped up in the best way possible, and no thread or subplot was forgotten. After all the heartbreak the characters endured, the ending meant that much more. The wide-ranging, bittersweet emotions it gave filled my heart to bursting.
As to emotion, this book had so much of it, and it was so perfect. Lighthearted moments and laughter were skillfully interspersed with moments of doubt, fear, pain, tears, and so much more, and I felt each emotion along with the characters. I was moved to involuntarily shed actual tears on Casey's behalf multiple times at the sadness of her plight and that of all children in her situation. And that comes from someone who doesn't usually cry wet tears during books - but I did for this one, which is a rare occurrence. With me, it's usually dry sobs when a book is emotional, and those abounded often throughout, as well. There were countless scenes throughout the book that took me on an emotional roller-coaster of unrelenting intensity.
The themes of this book are portrayed so beautifully, meaningfully, and organically as a natural part of the story. Faith, hope, redemption, healing, trust, and - most of all - unconditional love, as well as others. The characters, themes, and writing tied everything together perfectly. And the symbolism the author used was amazing!! I especially love how the layers of meaning the title holds become more and more apparent as the book goes on, culminating perfectly at the end.
This story felt so realistic and close to home. It opened my eyes afresh to the lives and hardship of so many children living practically next door to me, as well as throughout the nation and even the world. Because of the difficult subjects it deals with, I caution younger, less mature readers against reading it till they are older. However, the author deals with a painful topic with great sensitivity – and never graphically – so it is a wonderful book for all mature teens and adults to read, and I heartily recommend it to all those readers. I believe everyone can and should benefit from reading a book about subjects such as this, and I recommend it strongly for that reason – as well as because it's amazing purely as a wonderful, well-written tale.
Overall, Bound by Victoria Lynn is such a deep, heartwarming, and meaningful story full of vivid characters and riveting scenes. It's a thematic, wonderfully character-centric book with a masterful plot, and it contains every mark of a great story. I don't often read contemporary books, but I loved this one to no end. I recommend it highly to everyone, mature teens and up, regardless of their usual genre of preference. I've been greatly anticipating the release of this book for many months, and I can't wait to have my own copy and especially to share it with my friends and family now that it's published. I've already recommended it and gushed about it to many of them! I encourage everyone else to read it as well. I hope everyone enjoys it as much as I did – I think they will!
Before I go on, let me first say what a gorgeous cover this book has!! It's beautiful in design and aesthetic, and it reflects the story's elements and quality so well. I can't wait until the beautiful paperback sits in a place of honor on my bookshelf at home!
My favorite thing about this book was the characters, and I'm very attached to all of them. The development of each individual character and each of the relationships between the characters were all masterfully portrayed. I loved Levi and Casey from the very first, and my love for and endearment to both of them grew even greater as I shared in their journey and experienced their story alongside them. Their surrogate sibling relationship is just the sweetest ever, and I love how they protect, take care of, and stand by each other. I love the rest of the main characters so much as well, especially Mikayla and each of the Bellworths. It was so sweet to see such wonderful people helping and loving two children who need it so much - and fighting to give Levi and Casey a better life. Also, I'm quite endeared to a certain awesome character I will not name here even with a spoiler tag. But I will say that
The plot is riveting and engaging, and each chapter leaves the reader breathlessly waiting to find out what happens next. The author's trademark cliffhangers abound, making it impossible to put the book down. I loved the skillfully woven subplots, the complex threads of story, and the multiple wonderful character arcs, all of which intertwined and converged perfectly over the course of the story, beautifully colliding, building and coming to a head at the climax. There are so many moments in the book when something horrifying happens, which is horrible to experience while reading . . . and so perfectly written and well-done in the story department, which I enjoy so much. (However, concerning that, see my note at the end of this review.) The major plot points all occurred at exactly the right point, with great pacing.
That brings me to the ending . . . which was so wonderful!! Everything was wrapped up in the best way possible, and no thread or subplot was forgotten. After all the heartbreak the characters endured, the ending meant that much more. The wide-ranging, bittersweet emotions it gave filled my heart to bursting.
As to emotion, this book had so much of it, and it was so perfect. Lighthearted moments and laughter were skillfully interspersed with moments of doubt, fear, pain, tears, and so much more, and I felt each emotion along with the characters. I was moved to involuntarily shed actual tears on Casey's behalf multiple times at the sadness of her plight and that of all children in her situation. And that comes from someone who doesn't usually cry wet tears during books - but I did for this one, which is a rare occurrence. With me, it's usually dry sobs when a book is emotional, and those abounded often throughout, as well. There were countless scenes throughout the book that took me on an emotional roller-coaster of unrelenting intensity.
The themes of this book are portrayed so beautifully, meaningfully, and organically as a natural part of the story. Faith, hope, redemption, healing, trust, and - most of all - unconditional love, as well as others. The characters, themes, and writing tied everything together perfectly. And the symbolism the author used was amazing!! I especially love how the layers of meaning the title holds become more and more apparent as the book goes on, culminating perfectly at the end.
This story felt so realistic and close to home. It opened my eyes afresh to the lives and hardship of so many children living practically next door to me, as well as throughout the nation and even the world. Because of the difficult subjects it deals with, I caution younger, less mature readers against reading it till they are older. However, the author deals with a painful topic with great sensitivity – and never graphically – so it is a wonderful book for all mature teens and adults to read, and I heartily recommend it to all those readers. I believe everyone can and should benefit from reading a book about subjects such as this, and I recommend it strongly for that reason – as well as because it's amazing purely as a wonderful, well-written tale.
Overall, Bound by Victoria Lynn is such a deep, heartwarming, and meaningful story full of vivid characters and riveting scenes. It's a thematic, wonderfully character-centric book with a masterful plot, and it contains every mark of a great story. I don't often read contemporary books, but I loved this one to no end. I recommend it highly to everyone, mature teens and up, regardless of their usual genre of preference. I've been greatly anticipating the release of this book for many months, and I can't wait to have my own copy and especially to share it with my friends and family now that it's published. I've already recommended it and gushed about it to many of them! I encourage everyone else to read it as well. I hope everyone enjoys it as much as I did – I think they will!
March 20, 2018
This story is so sweet! We need more stories like this in our world. It makes me heart ache for all those poor children out there who are abused by their parents, who are blinded by Satan's lies and darkness. We need more people like the Bellworths also. They are such sweet, compassionate people, who love to share about Jesus their savior! This book made me cry, smile, laugh, and sometimes do all three at the same time. All in all, I HIGHLY recommend reading this book. It is a little intense on abuse, but overall an amazing book that deserve recongnition.
November 7, 2017
When I first started reading this book, I wasn't sure if I was going to like it or not. I liked the main characters right away, but there were bits that didn't feel real. Well, I soon forgot about them, or they no longer mattered because the story pulled me in and wouldn't let me go. The message of God's love and forgiveness was well done, the characters were real and the story well told. It's one I'll read again.
June 19, 2018
I really enjoyed Bound, the second book I’ve read by Victoria Lynn. Her specialty seems to be writing stories with a great amount of heart and characters that feel so real it makes you think they could be actual people living somewhere in our world.
Unlike Victoria’s historical mystery book, London in the Dark, Bound is a contemporary, set in the United States and shedding light on a topic that, as the daughter of a social worker, I am very familiar with: child abuse.
It was important to me that the portrayal of social workers and the system be accurate in this book because I have seen so many bad (and annoying) portrayals where social workers are used as the easy (and frumpy) faceless antagonists, snatching up kids from parents who don’t deserve to have their kids taken away. To give an example, I’ll use the Nancy Drew movie from 2007. I mostly like that movie, but there is one part that REALLY annoys me and my mom, in which the woman Nancy was trying to help comes to Nancy’s door in tears because CPS just came and took her daughter away, simply because someone called them and said she was an “unfit mother.” No investigation. No evidence of abuse or neglect. They just snatched the kid up based on an anonymous tip. Unless that particular CPS agency was grossly incompetent or corrupt (neither of which were ever indicated) THAT WOULD NEVER HAPPEN. There is ALWAYS an investigation before any action is taken and the goal is always to keep the child with the parents (and get the parents the help they need to stop doing the harmful things they’re doing) unless it becomes clear that the child’s emotional or physical well-being is at stake. Not to mention all the court hearings and judges’ rulings that also must happen before anything can be done. But I digress.
While there was one social worker in Bound (only on the page briefly) who was annoying with her cold, unkind, frumpiness, she at least turned out to have a reason to be grouchy and was not intended to represent what all social workers are just naturally like. When the nice social worker, Mikayla, got there, I was happy again because I felt that Victoria did a very good job of showing that Mikayla was a kind, compassionate human being who truly cared about what happened to Casey and Levi, had a passion for protecting children in general, and in addition, WAS QUITE FASHIONABLE! WOOHOO!
(In case anyone is wondering why I’m so stuck on the portrayal of the way social workers dress, in addition to social workers frequently being portrayed as dressing in blah, shapeless clothing, it’s because, back when Mariah Carey played a social worker in the movie “Precious” I saw a video clip of her actually saying she had decided to make her character frumpy because she felt that someone in such a stressful job would basically just let themselves go and not put a lot of effort into their appearance. Um. NO. My mother could get extremely stressed in her job, sometimes to the point of calling home to cry to my dad because the clients she’d been trying to work with for so long just would not accept the help being offered them and were not only killing themselves slowly, but damaging their children in the process. But even on the worst days she never stopped taking care of herself and continued dressing in a way that was flattering, but appropriate, as did the majority of her co-workers. But thanks for spreading the stereotype, Mariah. *glare*)
In addition to Mikayla being portrayed as an ACTUAL HUMAN BEING rather than a stereotype, I thought the children, Levi and Casey, were portrayed realistically as well, especially when it came to how, in spite of the fact that his dad beat him to the point he ran away, Levi still loved his dad and was hesitant to tell anyone what was going on out of a desire to protect his father. That is a very common thing with abused children, and it can take some time to help them to understand that they don’t have to suffer in silence and it is NOT their responsibility to try to protect their parents who should be the ones protecting them, and actually need just as much help as their children do.
I also really liked the Bellworths and their loving, giving hearts. It encourages me to know that there really are people like them in the world who are willing to open their homes to children who are not their own and give them the love they need to heal.
I can’t say too much about it without spoilers, but I also loved the little twist in the story and actually didn’t see it coming until it was revealed. Very cool.
Pretty much the only minor issues I noticed were that I spotted a couple very small typos and also felt that Casey occasionally (only occasionally!) spoke in a way that didn’t feel like an 8 year old, if that makes sense? Like, she sometimes just used words that seemed a bit bigger than what a typical 8 year old would use.
Overall, though, these things didn’t bother me and my enjoyment of this book and the quality of the story is definitely worth a sparkly 5 stars.
Content advisory:
Note: None of this affected my rating, I’m simply including it for full disclosure in case anyone wants to know. While every child is different and some are more (or less) mature than others at certain ages, my personal opinion is that this book would be best suited for teens to adults simply due the themes and portrayal of parents abusing their children, an instance of parental loss, and the threat of possibly losing another parental figure.
Violence: Child abuse is a theme throughout. Levi’s deceased sister (not described.) Levi’s father continues to beat any time he does the least thing (never described) and some bruises on his face and soreness of his legs are described.
Bruises on Casey’s face and neck are also described and there are two scenes in which her abuse is shown. One scene is Casey remembering a time when someone actually stood up for her when they witnessed her father get mad at her for hiding and drag her out and hit and choke her with a hand around her throat. The other scene happens in the present day and features Casey’s father dragging her out from under her bed, causing her to hit her knee and head on the bedframe. He then squeezed her shoulder till it hurts and smacks her in the head. When she begs to not have to take the drugs to school tomorrow, he takes her beloved stuffed bear, the only toy she’s ever owned, and threatens to tear it to shreds if she doesn’t do what she’s told.
Casey’s leg is injured by farm equipment at one point. While the wound is not described graphically, blood is mentioned, and later, the smell of infection.
Drug/alcohol: Casey’s parents and Levi’s dad both drink excessively and there is mention of beer cans laying around and the parents having drunk so much they fall asleep. Casey’s parents in particular also sell drugs and force Casey to hide drugs in her backpack, take it to school, and give it to a creepy man who hides behind the school dumpster. No drug use is actually shown/described.
Language: No curse words are ever written out, but it is said that Casey’s parents’ words during an argument are punctuated with swears that make Casey’s ears burn.
Other negatives: Casey hears her parents saying they never wanted her and the only reason they keep her around is because they wouldn’t be able to move the drugs if they didn’t have her to take them to the dumpster at school.
Unlike Victoria’s historical mystery book, London in the Dark, Bound is a contemporary, set in the United States and shedding light on a topic that, as the daughter of a social worker, I am very familiar with: child abuse.
It was important to me that the portrayal of social workers and the system be accurate in this book because I have seen so many bad (and annoying) portrayals where social workers are used as the easy (and frumpy) faceless antagonists, snatching up kids from parents who don’t deserve to have their kids taken away. To give an example, I’ll use the Nancy Drew movie from 2007. I mostly like that movie, but there is one part that REALLY annoys me and my mom, in which the woman Nancy was trying to help comes to Nancy’s door in tears because CPS just came and took her daughter away, simply because someone called them and said she was an “unfit mother.” No investigation. No evidence of abuse or neglect. They just snatched the kid up based on an anonymous tip. Unless that particular CPS agency was grossly incompetent or corrupt (neither of which were ever indicated) THAT WOULD NEVER HAPPEN. There is ALWAYS an investigation before any action is taken and the goal is always to keep the child with the parents (and get the parents the help they need to stop doing the harmful things they’re doing) unless it becomes clear that the child’s emotional or physical well-being is at stake. Not to mention all the court hearings and judges’ rulings that also must happen before anything can be done. But I digress.
While there was one social worker in Bound (only on the page briefly) who was annoying with her cold, unkind, frumpiness, she at least turned out to have a reason to be grouchy and was not intended to represent what all social workers are just naturally like. When the nice social worker, Mikayla, got there, I was happy again because I felt that Victoria did a very good job of showing that Mikayla was a kind, compassionate human being who truly cared about what happened to Casey and Levi, had a passion for protecting children in general, and in addition, WAS QUITE FASHIONABLE! WOOHOO!
(In case anyone is wondering why I’m so stuck on the portrayal of the way social workers dress, in addition to social workers frequently being portrayed as dressing in blah, shapeless clothing, it’s because, back when Mariah Carey played a social worker in the movie “Precious” I saw a video clip of her actually saying she had decided to make her character frumpy because she felt that someone in such a stressful job would basically just let themselves go and not put a lot of effort into their appearance. Um. NO. My mother could get extremely stressed in her job, sometimes to the point of calling home to cry to my dad because the clients she’d been trying to work with for so long just would not accept the help being offered them and were not only killing themselves slowly, but damaging their children in the process. But even on the worst days she never stopped taking care of herself and continued dressing in a way that was flattering, but appropriate, as did the majority of her co-workers. But thanks for spreading the stereotype, Mariah. *glare*)
In addition to Mikayla being portrayed as an ACTUAL HUMAN BEING rather than a stereotype, I thought the children, Levi and Casey, were portrayed realistically as well, especially when it came to how, in spite of the fact that his dad beat him to the point he ran away, Levi still loved his dad and was hesitant to tell anyone what was going on out of a desire to protect his father. That is a very common thing with abused children, and it can take some time to help them to understand that they don’t have to suffer in silence and it is NOT their responsibility to try to protect their parents who should be the ones protecting them, and actually need just as much help as their children do.
I also really liked the Bellworths and their loving, giving hearts. It encourages me to know that there really are people like them in the world who are willing to open their homes to children who are not their own and give them the love they need to heal.
I can’t say too much about it without spoilers, but I also loved the little twist in the story and actually didn’t see it coming until it was revealed. Very cool.
Pretty much the only minor issues I noticed were that I spotted a couple very small typos and also felt that Casey occasionally (only occasionally!) spoke in a way that didn’t feel like an 8 year old, if that makes sense? Like, she sometimes just used words that seemed a bit bigger than what a typical 8 year old would use.
Overall, though, these things didn’t bother me and my enjoyment of this book and the quality of the story is definitely worth a sparkly 5 stars.
Content advisory:
Note: None of this affected my rating, I’m simply including it for full disclosure in case anyone wants to know. While every child is different and some are more (or less) mature than others at certain ages, my personal opinion is that this book would be best suited for teens to adults simply due the themes and portrayal of parents abusing their children, an instance of parental loss, and the threat of possibly losing another parental figure.
Violence: Child abuse is a theme throughout. Levi’s deceased sister (not described.) Levi’s father continues to beat any time he does the least thing (never described) and some bruises on his face and soreness of his legs are described.
Bruises on Casey’s face and neck are also described and there are two scenes in which her abuse is shown. One scene is Casey remembering a time when someone actually stood up for her when they witnessed her father get mad at her for hiding and drag her out and hit and choke her with a hand around her throat. The other scene happens in the present day and features Casey’s father dragging her out from under her bed, causing her to hit her knee and head on the bedframe. He then squeezed her shoulder till it hurts and smacks her in the head. When she begs to not have to take the drugs to school tomorrow, he takes her beloved stuffed bear, the only toy she’s ever owned, and threatens to tear it to shreds if she doesn’t do what she’s told.
Casey’s leg is injured by farm equipment at one point. While the wound is not described graphically, blood is mentioned, and later, the smell of infection.
Drug/alcohol: Casey’s parents and Levi’s dad both drink excessively and there is mention of beer cans laying around and the parents having drunk so much they fall asleep. Casey’s parents in particular also sell drugs and force Casey to hide drugs in her backpack, take it to school, and give it to a creepy man who hides behind the school dumpster. No drug use is actually shown/described.
Language: No curse words are ever written out, but it is said that Casey’s parents’ words during an argument are punctuated with swears that make Casey’s ears burn.
Other negatives: Casey hears her parents saying they never wanted her and the only reason they keep her around is because they wouldn’t be able to move the drugs if they didn’t have her to take them to the dumpster at school.
May 17, 2017
Oh my goodness... This story was so sweet! I read it on her blog. I actually cried twice in the story!
Overall it was a great story, but one thing I noticed was that Casey, one of the main characters, was supposed to be 10 years old. In my opinion she felt more like 7 or 8. Lovely story though!
Overall it was a great story, but one thing I noticed was that Casey, one of the main characters, was supposed to be 10 years old. In my opinion she felt more like 7 or 8. Lovely story though!
April 21, 2019
MY FEELS WERE NOT READY FOR THIS.
THIS BROKE MY HEART INTO A MILLION PIECES AND I JUST CAN'T EVEN.
Just read this. Read it now.
THIS BROKE MY HEART INTO A MILLION PIECES AND I JUST CAN'T EVEN.
Just read this. Read it now.
Read
November 4, 2018It's OVER!!!! :( :( :(
Review pending!
Review pending!
October 26, 2017
I read BOUND as Victoria wrote chapters each week on her blog. I looked out for her new chapters posted each week! Her book started with a picture prompt, which led to a writing prompt to go with the picture, and then turned into a book. I thought that was pretty cool.
I always enjoy books better when I'm holding a physical copy, rather than an ebook, blog post, or PDF file. So I probably would've been more hooked on the story if I had a book to hold. I ALWAYS have trouble getting into a story while looking at a screen. Strange, but true. XD
Victoria did a nice job of tying her story together, and it was a sweet story of second chances, forgiveness, and renewed trust. Both of her young main characters came from troubled homes, and she addressed that really well.
BOUND was a great story that y'all should check out!
I always enjoy books better when I'm holding a physical copy, rather than an ebook, blog post, or PDF file. So I probably would've been more hooked on the story if I had a book to hold. I ALWAYS have trouble getting into a story while looking at a screen. Strange, but true. XD
Victoria did a nice job of tying her story together, and it was a sweet story of second chances, forgiveness, and renewed trust. Both of her young main characters came from troubled homes, and she addressed that really well.
BOUND was a great story that y'all should check out!
November 4, 2018
Review:
When I picked up this book, I was immediately drawn to the gorgeous and descriptive writing style. Bound is a story about two children who ran away from abusive homes and were taken in by a lovely couple. It’s a story about forgiveness, love, mercy, grace, and more, and I absolutely adored the gentle Christian aspect of it. I also love Victoria’s writing style; she had me turning the pages really quickly and guess what? I finished in a little over an hour. Well, that’s a new record. 😀
There are some heavy topics in here, but I thought Victoria addressed them very well in an understanding and humble way that I really appreciated.
Characters:
- Levi. The way God strengthened his faith was so amazing to read about.
- Casey. She’s the most adorable eight year old around, and her struggles with her family made me tear up. ❤
- Mr. Abel, Miz Mariah, and Jason. They’re the sweetest family ever and I love how Victoria shared the gospel + Christ’s love through them.
What I didn't love:
- Some of the events seemed a little strange / unrealistic, but given the situation, I can see why Victoria put them in there.
- I didn’t really dislike this, but I did think it strange that Mr. Abel’s wife is called “Miz” Mariah.
- Levi’s and Casey’s POVs seemed a little advanced for a 14 year old and 8 year old.
Content:
- Drugs are talked about a lot in this book. However,they’re shown in a bad light and I do believe it is necessary for the story.
Overall:
Bound was one of the most brilliant books I’ve read this year. It shows God’s love and redemption in such a special way, and I can’t wait to share it with all of my friends. I also really want to read London in the Dark and Beauty Blooms, Victoria’s other books. ❤ 5 stars.
Recommended to ages 12+ because of drugs mentioned.
When I picked up this book, I was immediately drawn to the gorgeous and descriptive writing style. Bound is a story about two children who ran away from abusive homes and were taken in by a lovely couple. It’s a story about forgiveness, love, mercy, grace, and more, and I absolutely adored the gentle Christian aspect of it. I also love Victoria’s writing style; she had me turning the pages really quickly and guess what? I finished in a little over an hour. Well, that’s a new record. 😀
There are some heavy topics in here, but I thought Victoria addressed them very well in an understanding and humble way that I really appreciated.
Characters:
- Levi. The way God strengthened his faith was so amazing to read about.
- Casey. She’s the most adorable eight year old around, and her struggles with her family made me tear up. ❤
- Mr. Abel, Miz Mariah, and Jason. They’re the sweetest family ever and I love how Victoria shared the gospel + Christ’s love through them.
What I didn't love:
- Some of the events seemed a little strange / unrealistic, but given the situation, I can see why Victoria put them in there.
- I didn’t really dislike this, but I did think it strange that Mr. Abel’s wife is called “Miz” Mariah.
- Levi’s and Casey’s POVs seemed a little advanced for a 14 year old and 8 year old.
Content:
- Drugs are talked about a lot in this book. However,they’re shown in a bad light and I do believe it is necessary for the story.
Overall:
Bound was one of the most brilliant books I’ve read this year. It shows God’s love and redemption in such a special way, and I can’t wait to share it with all of my friends. I also really want to read London in the Dark and Beauty Blooms, Victoria’s other books. ❤ 5 stars.
Recommended to ages 12+ because of drugs mentioned.
November 11, 2017
After reading London in the Dark, I was very excited to read more by Victoria Lynn. I fell in love with the characters so quickly.
Levi I loved just about the first time he came on 'screen.' His love and care for Casey was so enduring. I had to remind myself that he was fourteen a lot, because he acted fairly young, but that didn't take away much from the story.
Casey was such a realistically done girl. She's had a pretty hard life and it show with some issues, and is slightly mature for her age. But she's still a kid with childlike responses to things. That was really refreshing to me after reading so many books where kids act like adults.
The plot was great, and well paced. I loved how the message was woven in pretty naturally.
And there was a character with my name!! *Smiles* I've never read a book with my name in it, so it was pretty awesome!!
I would not recommend this to anyone under 12 because it deals with child abuse and alcohol addiction. It was handled very well though, and I don't think many people would have trouble with it.
Overall, good book. I look forward to reading more by this author in the future.
Levi I loved just about the first time he came on 'screen.' His love and care for Casey was so enduring. I had to remind myself that he was fourteen a lot, because he acted fairly young, but that didn't take away much from the story.
Casey was such a realistically done girl. She's had a pretty hard life and it show with some issues, and is slightly mature for her age. But she's still a kid with childlike responses to things. That was really refreshing to me after reading so many books where kids act like adults.
The plot was great, and well paced. I loved how the message was woven in pretty naturally.
And there was a character with my name!! *Smiles* I've never read a book with my name in it, so it was pretty awesome!!
I would not recommend this to anyone under 12 because it deals with child abuse and alcohol addiction. It was handled very well though, and I don't think many people would have trouble with it.
Overall, good book. I look forward to reading more by this author in the future.
March 27, 2019
4.5 stars
A delightful story of two waifs who are on the run from abusive families and how they find their paths lying in the same direction. It's a deep story and has layers of love and fear to peel back in both children's lives. Excellent for teens but of interest for all ages, including adult.
I received an earlier copy from the author for a review, but being a procrastinator I didn't get around to it, so this review is of the regular kindle version.
A delightful story of two waifs who are on the run from abusive families and how they find their paths lying in the same direction. It's a deep story and has layers of love and fear to peel back in both children's lives. Excellent for teens but of interest for all ages, including adult.
I received an earlier copy from the author for a review, but being a procrastinator I didn't get around to it, so this review is of the regular kindle version.
April 22, 2017
This is probably one of my all time favorites now. I was on the verge of tears within the first chapter. I don't think I've ever read a story quite like this one. It's hard to explain the things this book did to my heart, and that's probably because this is the first time it's ever happened.
March 30, 2018
Wow this was so gooood! Five stars.
First, I'm totally bias towards foster care and foster kid books. I just am. And this was so pretty!
At first, Levi felt a little flat for me, but he evened out and turned out good.
The plot twist with a certain person who's name starts with J was awesome! I lived it!
This book goes on my future shelf. Thank you so much Victoria Lynn for writing this beautiful thing!
Ps. Casey is now my own adopted daughters. Although, in sure I'm not the first.
Oh, also. I really liked the point where to foster parents were portrayed as good, even the ones that it was not centered around. All to often foster families are portrayed as abusive EXCEPT THE ONE that the story is about. And I don't really enjoy that all that much. And since this wasn't from the foster parent's POV that they were portrayed as good was even better.
First, I'm totally bias towards foster care and foster kid books. I just am. And this was so pretty!
At first, Levi felt a little flat for me, but he evened out and turned out good.
The plot twist with a certain person who's name starts with J was awesome! I lived it!
This book goes on my future shelf. Thank you so much Victoria Lynn for writing this beautiful thing!
Ps. Casey is now my own adopted daughters. Although, in sure I'm not the first.
Oh, also. I really liked the point where to foster parents were portrayed as good, even the ones that it was not centered around. All to often foster families are portrayed as abusive EXCEPT THE ONE that the story is about. And I don't really enjoy that all that much. And since this wasn't from the foster parent's POV that they were portrayed as good was even better.
November 8, 2017
Overall Impression
Bound was heartwarming. It tells the story of two sweet kiddos who are lost in more ways than one. I was involved from the first chapter and rooting for the characters all the way. The honest truth is, I wasn’t expecting a story this good. I read Victoria Lynn’s London in the Dark, and had didn’t enjoy it as much as I had hoped. So, when I read Bound, I was rather awestruck.
Bound, in my opinion is so special because of the level of heart behind it. Not only does it surpass London in the Dark, but it surpasses the level of heart you’ll find in many well-known authors. Bound means something. It is STRONG. It is TRUE. It is God’s HEART.
Another thing I especially appreciated was that the story wasn’t whitewashed. Something that really annoys me in Christian fiction is when authors whitewash evil. Victoria didn’t do that with Bound. But, at the same time, she found a graceful balance in the amount of evil she showed. Victoria was able to expose the complete total depravity and hellish conditions many children are sadly living in without over doing it. She kept the truth that the world needs to hear without making it unnecessarily dark.
I would recommend Bound to single readers 12 and up and some families. For a few content reasons (more later), I would recommend parents skimming through before handing to very young children.
Characters:
Levi was a sweetheart. I loved how even though he had been so horribly mistreated and had the people he loved the most horribly treated, he was full of life in his wishes to protect Casey.
What could have made Levi focused on protecting himself only and trying to gain security for himself above all else, instead nurtured a desire to protect someone who was in the same situation as he was. It was beautiful.
Casey. Awww! Poor little thing! I loved Casey so much and felt so bad for her. No child should have to go through
what she did. And, while I understand that Casey isn’t a real child who actually has gone through these awful things, her character is powerful because she puts a face on the thousands of children who have and are living in hell around this country. ‘
Casey was quite a well-balanced character. She had so many God awful things done to and around. She was ‘mature’ in a way that no child should ever be. But, at the same time, her true, un-violated childlike spirit would peek out occasionally. And, by the end of the book, it showed with a true force. Casey was superb.
Mr. and Mrs. Bellworth, (HOW SWEET WERE THEY! ❤ ❤ ❤ ) Mikayla, Jason and the other more minor characters were also done quite well.
Plot:
From the first chapter, I was drawn completely in. I NEEDED to know how Casey and Levi’s journey would end. From the moment at the train station, all the places between, and our lovely ending, I loved it.
Victoria did a wonderful job on the character and story arcs. The POV’s made sense, the reactions to new things happening were on point, it all was very cohesive.
Also, those plot twists with Jason, did NOT see them coming!
The plot and progression was solid and engrossing all the way.
Bravo, Miss Lynn!
Warnings:
Language/Profanity: None
Violence/Frightening Scenes/Gore: Some light descriptions of injuries. Mentions of blood. Children are hit by their parents. Multiple instances of physical abuse-never any sexual abuse. Several intense parts/memories. I would advise for ages 12+.
Sex/Nudity: None
Other: Some of the plot has to do with drugs and drug dealing-it is looked upon as evil.
Bound was heartwarming. It tells the story of two sweet kiddos who are lost in more ways than one. I was involved from the first chapter and rooting for the characters all the way. The honest truth is, I wasn’t expecting a story this good. I read Victoria Lynn’s London in the Dark, and had didn’t enjoy it as much as I had hoped. So, when I read Bound, I was rather awestruck.
Bound, in my opinion is so special because of the level of heart behind it. Not only does it surpass London in the Dark, but it surpasses the level of heart you’ll find in many well-known authors. Bound means something. It is STRONG. It is TRUE. It is God’s HEART.
Another thing I especially appreciated was that the story wasn’t whitewashed. Something that really annoys me in Christian fiction is when authors whitewash evil. Victoria didn’t do that with Bound. But, at the same time, she found a graceful balance in the amount of evil she showed. Victoria was able to expose the complete total depravity and hellish conditions many children are sadly living in without over doing it. She kept the truth that the world needs to hear without making it unnecessarily dark.
I would recommend Bound to single readers 12 and up and some families. For a few content reasons (more later), I would recommend parents skimming through before handing to very young children.
Characters:
Levi was a sweetheart. I loved how even though he had been so horribly mistreated and had the people he loved the most horribly treated, he was full of life in his wishes to protect Casey.
What could have made Levi focused on protecting himself only and trying to gain security for himself above all else, instead nurtured a desire to protect someone who was in the same situation as he was. It was beautiful.
Casey. Awww! Poor little thing! I loved Casey so much and felt so bad for her. No child should have to go through
what she did. And, while I understand that Casey isn’t a real child who actually has gone through these awful things, her character is powerful because she puts a face on the thousands of children who have and are living in hell around this country. ‘
Casey was quite a well-balanced character. She had so many God awful things done to and around. She was ‘mature’ in a way that no child should ever be. But, at the same time, her true, un-violated childlike spirit would peek out occasionally. And, by the end of the book, it showed with a true force. Casey was superb.
Mr. and Mrs. Bellworth, (HOW SWEET WERE THEY! ❤ ❤ ❤ ) Mikayla, Jason and the other more minor characters were also done quite well.
Plot:
From the first chapter, I was drawn completely in. I NEEDED to know how Casey and Levi’s journey would end. From the moment at the train station, all the places between, and our lovely ending, I loved it.
Victoria did a wonderful job on the character and story arcs. The POV’s made sense, the reactions to new things happening were on point, it all was very cohesive.
Also, those plot twists with Jason, did NOT see them coming!
The plot and progression was solid and engrossing all the way.
Bravo, Miss Lynn!
Warnings:
Language/Profanity: None
Violence/Frightening Scenes/Gore: Some light descriptions of injuries. Mentions of blood. Children are hit by their parents. Multiple instances of physical abuse-never any sexual abuse. Several intense parts/memories. I would advise for ages 12+.
Sex/Nudity: None
Other: Some of the plot has to do with drugs and drug dealing-it is looked upon as evil.
March 14, 2017
This was at times a heart-wrenching book, but other times it was so sweet! I really did almost cry at the end because of how sweet it was! ^_^ I just love all of the characters so much! And of course, I would loooove to read a sequel of this book and would not hesitate to buy it if the author ever decided to make one! ;) I am pretty sure I am not alone in this either because I know of at least a couple others who feel the same way I do haha :P
All in all, I’m so glad I decided to read this book on Victoria’s blog. She still has it up there if you are interested in reading it! And I definitely recommend it! You can read it for free here: https://rufflesandgrace.com/2016/11/3... I am not sure how long it will be available for though...so if you want to read it, I would start now! :D
All in all, I’m so glad I decided to read this book on Victoria’s blog. She still has it up there if you are interested in reading it! And I definitely recommend it! You can read it for free here: https://rufflesandgrace.com/2016/11/3... I am not sure how long it will be available for though...so if you want to read it, I would start now! :D
March 27, 2018
Originally posted on Reveries Reviews.
Title: Bound
Author: Victoria Lynn
Genre: Christian Contemporary (MG/YA)
Setting: United States
Publisher: Victoria Lynn
Source: from author (in exchange for honest review)
Overall Rating: 4.5/5 stars
If I had known the book was going to be this good, I would have read it a long time ago. Going into it … I just didn’t think it was my thing. I’m not really a contemporary fiction kinda girl.
But … the author is my friend, so I eventually decided I’d better read it. Boy, am I glad! It was nothing short of God-inspired.
PLOT: 5/5
Excellent! Kept me on edge and longing to know what would happen next all the way through. It’s a shorter novella, so I wasn’t expecting too much in lieu of complexity, but it was very well-done.
The plot made me sad. Sad for all those poor kids, abused by their parents or guardians. Sad for all the kids struggling through the foster system. Yet … it also left me hopeful. We can make a difference, we can bring God into these children’s lives.
CHARACTERS: 5/5
AAAAAH THESE GUYS! Okay, I’m gonna talk about some of my favorites, but it’s not necessarily going to be coherent. THEY WERE REALLY GREAT CHARACTERS, THOUGH!
Levi is an amazing guy! Especially considering his background. I mean, yes, he’s got his problems, definitely … but he’s also a really nice boy! He takes care of Casey, and he’s generally pretty kind. Definitely an impressive character.
Casey, our other star, was so adorable. I really liked her, and she seemed like a realistic, well-done character.
Miz Mariah and Mr. Abel were awesome. I love their faith in God and dedication to their calling. Micayla was a hilarious but amazing character. Loved her clothes! I could just see them in my mind …
WRITING: 4/5
The writing was overall pretty good, but I felt that there were places where it could have been improved. And I’m probably being nit-picky, but that’s how I felt. ;)
CONTENT: 2/5
Language: n/a
Violence: talk about abuse, characters have bruises, a couple instances of Casey being hit by her father and fearing being hit by her parents.
Sexual: n/a
Other: Casey is forced to smuggle drugs for her parents. Levi and Casey’s parents are drunk at times.
About 10+ with parental guidance. 12+ for solo readers.
OVERALL: 4.5/5
THAT WAS SOOO GOOD! The emotions were incredible. It was a great story, and I’d definitely recommend it. Both eye-opening and eye-keeping. 😛
Review by Kellyn Roth of Reveries Reviews
Title: Bound
Author: Victoria Lynn
Genre: Christian Contemporary (MG/YA)
Setting: United States
Publisher: Victoria Lynn
Source: from author (in exchange for honest review)
Overall Rating: 4.5/5 stars
If I had known the book was going to be this good, I would have read it a long time ago. Going into it … I just didn’t think it was my thing. I’m not really a contemporary fiction kinda girl.
But … the author is my friend, so I eventually decided I’d better read it. Boy, am I glad! It was nothing short of God-inspired.
PLOT: 5/5
Excellent! Kept me on edge and longing to know what would happen next all the way through. It’s a shorter novella, so I wasn’t expecting too much in lieu of complexity, but it was very well-done.
The plot made me sad. Sad for all those poor kids, abused by their parents or guardians. Sad for all the kids struggling through the foster system. Yet … it also left me hopeful. We can make a difference, we can bring God into these children’s lives.
CHARACTERS: 5/5
AAAAAH THESE GUYS! Okay, I’m gonna talk about some of my favorites, but it’s not necessarily going to be coherent. THEY WERE REALLY GREAT CHARACTERS, THOUGH!
Levi is an amazing guy! Especially considering his background. I mean, yes, he’s got his problems, definitely … but he’s also a really nice boy! He takes care of Casey, and he’s generally pretty kind. Definitely an impressive character.
Casey, our other star, was so adorable. I really liked her, and she seemed like a realistic, well-done character.
Miz Mariah and Mr. Abel were awesome. I love their faith in God and dedication to their calling. Micayla was a hilarious but amazing character. Loved her clothes! I could just see them in my mind …
WRITING: 4/5
The writing was overall pretty good, but I felt that there were places where it could have been improved. And I’m probably being nit-picky, but that’s how I felt. ;)
CONTENT: 2/5
Language: n/a
Violence: talk about abuse, characters have bruises, a couple instances of Casey being hit by her father and fearing being hit by her parents.
Sexual: n/a
Other: Casey is forced to smuggle drugs for her parents. Levi and Casey’s parents are drunk at times.
About 10+ with parental guidance. 12+ for solo readers.
OVERALL: 4.5/5
THAT WAS SOOO GOOD! The emotions were incredible. It was a great story, and I’d definitely recommend it. Both eye-opening and eye-keeping. 😛
Review by Kellyn Roth of Reveries Reviews
December 13, 2017
I've read a lot of book samples from newer authors recently but usually don't make it beyond the sample to purchase the book. The reason is usually a mis-match with my personal taste in writing style, and when I glanced at this book sample, I thought I was going to have the same kind of problem. I knew this one would be different, though, when I finished the sample and just had to buy the book to find out what happened next!
I did find the style a little awkward in places and a bit simpler than I usually like--but note the four-star rating in spite of it! Any author who can keep me not just reading but fully engaged in a style that's not my usual taste definitely has something going for her. I was drawn immediately to the young characters, and at the end of every chapter, I knew I needed the next one. Even when I could predict the next twist, I had to see it happen, to know everything was okay, or if it wasn't, to see what would happen to make it okay again. Congratulations to Victoria on pulling me in, making me care, and getting me to feel with Levi and Casey, and thanks to the Bookworm Banquet blog for the recommendation. I'm very glad I gave this book a try!
I did find the style a little awkward in places and a bit simpler than I usually like--but note the four-star rating in spite of it! Any author who can keep me not just reading but fully engaged in a style that's not my usual taste definitely has something going for her. I was drawn immediately to the young characters, and at the end of every chapter, I knew I needed the next one. Even when I could predict the next twist, I had to see it happen, to know everything was okay, or if it wasn't, to see what would happen to make it okay again. Congratulations to Victoria on pulling me in, making me care, and getting me to feel with Levi and Casey, and thanks to the Bookworm Banquet blog for the recommendation. I'm very glad I gave this book a try!
April 17, 2025
Am I on a quest to read each and every one of Victoria Lynn's books?
Maaaaybe.
In all fairness, Victoria is an auto-buy author for me. And while I loved her medieval fantasy series, The Chronicles of Elira, I really wanted to try her contemporary work as well.
That was a mistake.
Because now I want MORE contemporary fiction from her!
This novella was so good. There was so much heart put into this story, and you can tell the topics discussed are near and dear to Victoria's heart, which made it all the more inspiring.
Victoria, please. We need more contemporary works from you. 🤎
Maaaaybe.
In all fairness, Victoria is an auto-buy author for me. And while I loved her medieval fantasy series, The Chronicles of Elira, I really wanted to try her contemporary work as well.
That was a mistake.
Because now I want MORE contemporary fiction from her!
This novella was so good. There was so much heart put into this story, and you can tell the topics discussed are near and dear to Victoria's heart, which made it all the more inspiring.
Victoria, please. We need more contemporary works from you. 🤎
November 5, 2017
BOUND is a sweet book full of "awwwww!!!" moments as well as tear-jerker moments. The simplicity and power of the writing style makes this story pack a punch. Casey is absolutely adorable, and I feel like the author did a fantastic job of capturing the emotional trauma of a child in and out of foster care and abusive situations. Levi, also, is soooo sweet and precious. He needs a hug. Something I didn't care for so much was the extreme speed in which Casey was transferred in and out of foster care. Having firsthand experience with foster care, I've seen just how painfully slow the system works, and that aspect didn't seem entirely accurate. Also, the homestudy for Casey's parents would likely not have been conducted in the way it was. However, I understand that these things had to happen for the sake of the story, and I applaud the author for her accuracy in everything else. :) The epilogue at the end of the book was so adorable and sweet and precious and I loved it!!! This book is a fast, sweet read that I think everyone will enjoy.
December 10, 2018
Charming.
November 9, 2017
BOUND is such a sweet story about friendship, forgiveness, love, and redemption. I thought that the author did a great job with addressing some hard topics such as abuse / drug dealing, and there is just so much emotion in this story that made it absolutely beautiful. This book is just so precious.
I absolutely loved all of the characters in this book! Levi and Casey were just so sweet and I love how they connected from the very beginning. They both went through so much, and it was so sweet to see the outcome of it all. Mikayla was another character that I really liked. I loved her personality and I thought that she was a perfect fit to the story!
A quote was shared at the beginning of each chapter which I thought added to the story. I also really enjoyed the spiritual part of the story. A lot of Christian books honestly feel a little preachy to me, but this one didn’t at all.
This is the second book that I’ve read by this author, and I really enjoyed it! I definitely recommend reading this story!
“I received a free copy of this book in exchange of my honest review”
I absolutely loved all of the characters in this book! Levi and Casey were just so sweet and I love how they connected from the very beginning. They both went through so much, and it was so sweet to see the outcome of it all. Mikayla was another character that I really liked. I loved her personality and I thought that she was a perfect fit to the story!
A quote was shared at the beginning of each chapter which I thought added to the story. I also really enjoyed the spiritual part of the story. A lot of Christian books honestly feel a little preachy to me, but this one didn’t at all.
This is the second book that I’ve read by this author, and I really enjoyed it! I definitely recommend reading this story!
“I received a free copy of this book in exchange of my honest review”
June 21, 2024
4.5 stars
I'm realising more and more how much I love books about foster care and found family. Bound was one of the first like this I read, some years ago, and it was no exception. And it was just as good the second time round. Levi and Casey are such sweet, lovable characters, and my heart went out so much to both of them. Their brother-sister relationship was so beautiful. And I loved Mikayla, the Bellworths, the substory with them, and the twist... it was all just so good.
As Christian fiction, there was a lot I didn't agree with/was not well portrayed. But I loved the themes of love, trust, and redemption.
A very sweet story filled with hope, growth, and family. I liked how gentle it was, even though it had darker moments. And the ending made me really happy. Glad to have read this book again!
I'm realising more and more how much I love books about foster care and found family. Bound was one of the first like this I read, some years ago, and it was no exception. And it was just as good the second time round. Levi and Casey are such sweet, lovable characters, and my heart went out so much to both of them. Their brother-sister relationship was so beautiful. And I loved Mikayla, the Bellworths, the substory with them, and the twist... it was all just so good.
As Christian fiction, there was a lot I didn't agree with/was not well portrayed. But I loved the themes of love, trust, and redemption.
A very sweet story filled with hope, growth, and family. I liked how gentle it was, even though it had darker moments. And the ending made me really happy. Glad to have read this book again!
March 9, 2017
A heartwarming story. Definitely worth reading!
August 28, 2020
5 stars & 5/10 hearts. Oh my heart. This book. For one thing, it hits me hard, because the characters and the storyline reminded me of my own books so much. Levi and his story in particular hurt me most--and I know it was supposed to hurt. Casey's story really hurt too, but I related most to Levi in his emotions. They were an awesome pair! Mr. Abel and Miz Mariah were awesome, and I loved Mikayla and Kaden and Jason--and Julia too. ;) There were a handful of euphemisms, and also Levi's salvation story was a little unclear to me. I'm really not sure what else to say... I cried. I hurt. I smiled at the sweetness. I laughed at the sarcastic humour. It touched me deeply. And I really, really think you should read it. <33 It is simply, absolutely heart-tugging and heart-warming.
A Favourite Quote: “We need to trust that everything will be all right.... God hasn’t let us down. He is still with us and He loves us, even if things don’t go the way we think is best. We have to trust that He has a plan. And we can’t let fear get in our way.”
A Favourite Beautiful Quote: “Love like he had never felt before flowed from Miz Mariah into him, mending his broken heart, drawing the pieces together.”
A Favourite Humorous Quote: “'Miss Portia needs to speak with you for a moment. It’s okay; Casey’s asleep. And you can come right back.'
“That wasn’t the only thing that made him hesitate. Miss Portia made a rattlesnake look pleasant, and she was high on his list of least-favorite people in the world.”
A Favourite Quote: “We need to trust that everything will be all right.... God hasn’t let us down. He is still with us and He loves us, even if things don’t go the way we think is best. We have to trust that He has a plan. And we can’t let fear get in our way.”
A Favourite Beautiful Quote: “Love like he had never felt before flowed from Miz Mariah into him, mending his broken heart, drawing the pieces together.”
A Favourite Humorous Quote: “'Miss Portia needs to speak with you for a moment. It’s okay; Casey’s asleep. And you can come right back.'
“That wasn’t the only thing that made him hesitate. Miss Portia made a rattlesnake look pleasant, and she was high on his list of least-favorite people in the world.”
March 4, 2018
Oh.... *sniffles* I thought about halfway through that this wouldn't be my kind of read, but... the characters! the sweetness! I want to hug them all! This book was simple, but it was heartfelt, and I'm glad I picked up an ARC. I meant to finish some other books, but after page 50 I could not stop reading, much to the horror of my schedule.
Hopefully, a longer review may eventually appear!
Hopefully, a longer review may eventually appear!
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