DISCLAIMERS: Part 2 of The Ties That Bind 3 is filled with twists, turns, heartache, and everything in between. It contains mature love scenes and some violence.
IF YOU ARE NOT A FAN OF MULTILAYERED SUBPLOTS AND MULTI-CHARACTERS, THIS MAY NOT BE THE SERIES FOR YOU. MUST BE 18+ TO READ.
SERIES MUST BE READ IN ORDER.
Loyalties and priorities are put to the test for star-crossed lovers Willamina “Billy” Stanton and Ransom Lawson once more. When dueling lifestyles and family obligations threaten the happiness, they’ve worked tirelessly to build since the day they met, the end appears inevitable.
Tough choices have a trickledown effect, sending Billy and Ransom into a tailspin that will forever alter life as they currently know it.
The sprawling saga of The Ties That Bind, spanning over two decades, concludes but not before all of your burning questions are answered.
Do second chances truly exist? Does life really go on after tragedy? Can the past actually remain in the past, and most important, will true love prevail?
D. A. Young is a best-selling author and lover of multilayered adventures. Food, traveling, and music are her passions. You can often find all three in the contemporary escapades she creates.
I don’t like how it took them so long to reconnect. It occurred too late for me! Plus it seemed like it was drama after drama after drama for me! It went (the book and the multiple story lines) too long for my taste! I would’ve preferred to stick to the main couple. Ransom was/is a good guy which was the best part of the story for me! Billy was/is a strong woman who can hold her own and it is admirable!
The first three books in this series take place from 1994 through 1995. This fourth and final book of the series, starts off in 1995. Nearly the first quarter of this book is set in 1995. The remainder of the book speeds through the years and end in 2018/2019. The time jumps was only the beginning of my issue with this book.
Book three ended with Ransom being followed by two MC racists intent on shooting him as he rode his motorcycle. This book picks up from there and then we follow the tragic and exciting developments that develop. After all of that is resolved, the story takes some very surprising turns.
This was a well written book. D.A. Young clearly put a lot of time, research and effort into this series. This final installment wrapped up some loose threads from the other books in the series.
One of the biggest problems with this book is that too much time was spent on other characters- Marcus and Claudia, Kenton and Angela, etc. As a reader and fan of the series, I only barely cared about these characters.
There were also several characters introduced that neither added to the story nor moved the story along. It came to a point where I began to scan through large sections of pages, instead of actually reading them. There were Way too many words and storylines that I didn’t care about.
Ransom and Billy were so in love. They were soulmates. And yet??
It took twenty years, marriages to other people, lucrative careers, and distant families, for Ransom and Billy to get their happy ending. I recognize that the choice to tell the story this way was the authors prerogative, which is well earned. But it took far too long and got uninteresting along the way.
Why rush the ending? It took us four full books to get there...why rush it? You could’ve saved 70% of the Marcus and Claudia story, and given us an actual Ransom and Billy courtship (which was not a part of any of the books). I would’ve loved that. I was just so disappointed at how they finally got back together. There was no build up, tension, real discussion...nothing.
The wrap up of Nick and Billy's story was also rushed and unsatisfying. I may not have been the biggest fan of Nick, but he deserved better.
Shortchanged is how I felt when I got to the final pages of this book. I appreciate the time and talent that went into this series. I wish that I could say that it’s one I could recommend to others.
I liked the series for Billy and Ransom and slowly as it progressed it became filled with other characters and an absolute ridiculous amount of obstacles. The main characters are barely in the same room the entire book and so many pages are dedicated to other people. I feel like I wasted my time waiting and reading over the years for utter disappointment.
The last book of the series wasn't what I expected. I expected it to have conflict but not at the expense of Ransom and Billy.I couldn't understand how Billy had all this compassion for other people but couldn't have it for Ransom the man she claimed to love. I know she was in college but I felt they would have had help from the family to raise his brother kids.I couldn't figure out why Nick mother didn't like Billy that was a question that was never answered. I hated the fact that it took them over twenty years to get back together they lost so much time.
I was a little disappointed not to give the story away but after all the adventures twist turns and heart ache I saw this going a thousand different ways. This was nesscerary drug out. I feel like the main characters were cheated in their love story. Kara is a bit and Murphy's Law is a MF'er but dang is all I have to say. It's worth the read but I'm sad that Billy and Ransom story full circle was only allowed the last few pages of this book. They deserved a better after all they went through.
It took entirely too long to get to a HEA for me....too many years passed before this couple found their HEA.....such a callosal waste of time for me and it made me sad because I was definitely cheering for them....for Billy to married Ransom's enemy totally disgusted me.... Ransom was suppose to be "the love of her life".....This just didn't sit well with me. It actually took this couple 20 years to find their way back to one another...just dumb!
This was a very welcoming "coming home" ending to a great series. I loved all the characters The only missing HEA is\was money's story. But I think she'll win in the end and have a family as well. Can't wait to see what D A comes up with next
This was a hard one. Now, don't get me wrong, I know all romance novels aren't always smooth sailing, and rainbows, puppies and walking hand-in-hand through fields of daisies. I don't even mind when there's a little chaos and confusion, but maaaannnnn, this story here.... I want to blame it on PMS or something 2020 related, but no, D.A. had my behind full out crying. More than once. I don't know how I feel about that, except to say the writing was excellent. If it wasn't, I wouldn't be setting here wanting to cry again. Or wanting to crawl into these pages, and kick Billy in her upper thigh or neck area. Yes, they were young when they met, but the love they had was ridiculously beautiful and awe inspiring. The years that followed them though... Great writing ladies and gentlemen, but fair warning, you're about to go through it.
DNF@ 30%!!!! Why take a couple on a journey like this ONLY to separate them SMH I may read the rest. May. Not on audio though. I'll read it on kindle. I refuse to do so right now, though.
I am always wary of separation plots. And this one consisted of some hard limits for me, especially when I am enthralled with the love between the couple.
I just don't want to see special moments in life be experienced separately because the couple separated over something I felt was not worth separating over. The separation also made me dislike the heroine.
If you read this series, I know you'll like, especially the first 2 books (good romance, biker-club drama, suspense, and character building, but my advice? Stop at book 2.
Nuff said. (D.A. Young couldn't get me to feel enthused about finishing this story. I would rather keep the meeting and explosive love of Billy & Ransom on a forever loop, and forget the other whoopla, no matter how interesting other characters are. I can only tolerate separation plot from KA, apparently; see Walk Through Fire/My review).["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>
I have to agree with many others here. I ADORED the first 3 installments of this series and recently wrote a gushing review.
Sadly, the author screwed the pooch on this ending. "Bigly". Don't give me a hero whose absolutely worthy of the title, does nothing wrong perse, a heroine whose the same and then basically spend the bulk of the story with them leading separate lives. The readers just deserved better.
While I absolutely understand Billy's perspective, it does feel a bit like something that just couldn't be helped and she should have bucked up. THATS RIDICULOUS for some women these days, and I get that. But its a personal thing for me. But perhaps its because to me, I just took them to both be in a place where they considered themselves as married in all ways but the paper, for her to walk about this seemed a slap in the face of that. Yes-he absolutely should have spoken to her first. It should have been a discussion. But thats it. If he was going to do it, Claudia should have signed on as well and even taken the biggest portion of the load. It also bothers me that nobody saw this coming. Like, both he and Claudia were just going to stand by and not even mention the idea before it was too late. And that he dismisses Claudia as an option. To me, she's the logical choice actually. She had a hand in creating the mess they're all in just because of her choice to stay with Slade who ultimately ruined Harley and made him what he was. This was a do over opportunity, so its stupid they didn't both embrace that and she so quickly gave the reigns to her son allowing him to lose his love. She treated this VERY young man as though it was his job to be a fixer in between demanding he treat her as queen mother. His "But you're starting over, too" crap was nonsense. HE hadn't had a chance to live his life and make his own mistakes free of his father-she did.
So yeah, I DNF'd it. I may return to it just for the wrap up, but from what I'm seeing in reviews that may just bother me more. Just wow. How disappointing.
Ransom and Billie's life and love takes you through a series of events that span over 20 years. Unexpected detours, decisions and not anticipated actions halt their reunion. I didn't see the course and path Ransom and Billie's life would take moving in different directions. Billie's decision concerning the children took me by surprise. Billie loved family, but past advice played a huge role in her decision. Ransom's, sense of family and loyalty was no surprise. The couple faced many hurdles, dealing with people and situations that derailed their love. So many things worked against them to keep them apart. A relationship fraught with disruption. If that was D. A. Young's intent, job well done. A descriptive plot, diverse characters and I must say a story I didn't expect. Both are fiercely independent and confident in who they are as individuals. I loved Ransom and Billie together. I was glad to see the dissolution of Nick and Billie's relationship. When Billie learned about his involvement in her and Ransom's devastating chain of events. Through their separation and disappointments, love remained for each other. A long journey ended with Ransom and Billie getting their forever love.
This is the type of book that stays on your mind, in your soul and resides in your heart without ceasing. It's soul searching and rendered this reader to examine the dept that a man and woman could love each other. I felt the heartbreak of Ransom and Billy as they parted from each other. It was difficult to read the direction their separate lives went in, cause I've been their (Ransom and Billy) number one cheerleader from the day they met on the side of the road. Even with the twists and turns, I would have preferred for the storyline to go in a different direction - yet coming to the same conclusion in a much shorter time span. A definite page turner and tear jerker! Read it for yourself, it won't disappoint.
Woo! What a long, devastating and beautiful journey their love story has been! I knew a HEA was coming but boy did they have to go through alot to get it and so did we as we took the ride with them. The ups and downs of love and life and loss to go full circle to love again. This time around their dream deferred finally came true, and their love was birth into a living expression that they will be able to watch grow lovingly together.
“Mine, forever..,” “In every lifetime, my love,”.
It took us time to finally get here, but overall what a wonderful story to read!
I have felt so many different emotions in this book. Oh my I was so angry when they split, so much so that I had to put the book down for a few hours. It kept calling me, though! Thank you for sending me to the lowest of lows and the highest of highs, this has been my favorite journey of all time. I 🙇🏾♀️to you. Thank you for making me relive some of the most difficult times in my life and giving me the courage to reopen old wounds. If you are looking to go though all the emotions imaginable.....I recommend this series to ALL!!!
I've loved this story from the beginning to end. The characters were so captivating and the twists and turns of the story was so intriguing I could not wait for each instalment. It was definitely worth the wait to read such a fantastic story, I'm literally floored by the ending and the tears are running down my face with joy and sadness that the journey has come to an end. I highly recommend you read this entire story, you will be so thrilled with it. I loved it!!!!
**Spoiler** I went through all the emotions with this book. I was so angry at Billy for not choosing to remain with Ransom. Then I was in the deepest of grief over the breakup and then more anger and sadness when they marry others. I wasn't even sure I could continue. I couldn'twouldn't allow myself to even like these other spouses. In one cases it was justified. The children were characters in their own right; possible spinoffs? Loved this series and hope it continues.
I binged on this entire series in a weekend and am emotionally exhausted but in the best way possible. The writing style was phenomenal and the cast of characters had such a magnetic pull I couldn't help but fall in love (or viciously hate) them. I give this book 10 stars out of five because it was just that good. The storyline and journey of the main characters was so engaging that I couldn't stop reading. I'm a little sad to let Ransom and Billy "wild thing" go. Great story, I highly recommend it.
I feel like experienced their breakup. Didn't blame neither one for it, due to the circumstances it was inevitable. What I wasn't pleased with was Billy's union with Nick. Never ever did I like the creeper as I referred to him as. But life had to go on and each had their own level of success. Fast forward several years and its like they never separated. So delighted things came full circle with Ransom and Billy and Claudia and Marcus too. As previously stated, it was long awaited but so worth the wait.
D.A Young proved once again why she’s one of my favorite authors. I laughed and cried with this book. I cannot believe that Billie and Ransom lived whole separate lives without each other and were able to come full circle. To see the other characters also continue to play pivotal roles in their lives was so heartwarming. I loved everything about this series.
From the first book, it grabs you. It was ups, downs,love,hate and broken hearts. Truly a wonderful series. Ransom and Billy were just everything. They have you routing for them and mad at the same time. The things the had to go through was tough 😪. I was upset when they had to find who they were apart and what really drove them apart. I was happy that they were able to have a happily ever after. One thing,Dominique and Ethan. Just a suggestion lol 😆.
This is a masterful series by D. A. Young. I read all 4 books consecutively. What a ride. What a LOVE story. I'm glad that I completed this series so that I can get things dune during the day and sleep at night. It was difficult to put these books down. Just when you think that you know what's going to happen next. It doesn't and you HAVE to keep reading. I highly recommend this and any series written by D. A. Young
Still don’t like Billy. She is self-righteous and entitled. OK Kent! Overall, predictable I will say that I was surprised that Emily wasn’t hired to play the role. Skipped chapters 5, 13, the 1st half of 14, 2nd half of 21, most of 22. I feel cheated. I went through the highs and lows of Billy and Ransom’s relationship in the first 3 books of the series just for her to tap out over the twins and then 20 years of whatever that was. The last part of the book felt so rushed. I’m so glad I read the Men of Whiskey Row first because if I would have read this series 1st, I would not have read anything else by the author. Which is really sad because I LOVE Whiskey Row and I like Baymoor.
I read quite a few romantic novels so far, and I got hooked on D.A.Young. But this trilogy (4books) is exceptional. There are so many treads. When you start to be boarded, something unexpected happens... It follows ups all the threads. I love the energy and the great storytelling. Kudos D.A.Young.
What can I say D A did it again mean was this a bumpy ride but well worth it 20 years to really grow and learn just to come back to where it all started is real love and what we all look for. If it's meant to be it will always come back
This couple had to survive everything but the great flood and the Egyptian plagues. The commitment to the relationship keeps you hanging in there with them until they catch their break and we’ll earned happy ending. But whew!
I have no words on how this book took me on a roller coaster ride. I laughed and cried. I couldn’t believe the journey Billy and Ransom took. I highly recommend this series! I will miss all of them. Thank you Ms. Young.
D.A Young is so good at writing known by millions of adoring fans. I have read this book with such excitement as i was hanging on the edge wondering where is Ransom and Billy going .
Greatly and we'll put together novel. Loved how it broke down in stages with the couple and years passed by With all kinds of tribulations going that helped them find each other again. Very good ending to a great series.