Erotic Romance Review: Bound by Lorelei James

Bound by Lorelei James (Mastered #1)

bought
18+ only

Synopsis from Goodreads
FIRST IN A NEW SERIES

In the new Mastered series by New York Times bestselling author Lorelei James, a woman’s desire to shatter her inhibitions leaves her unprepared for where that erotic journey will take her….

Former small-town girl Amery Hardwick is living her dream as a graphic designer in Denver, Colorado. She’s focused on building her business, which leaves little time for dating—not that she needs a romantic entanglement to fulfill her. When her friend signs up for a self-defense class as part of her recovery after an attack, Amery joins her for support. That’s where she meets him.

Ronin Black, owner of the dojo, is so drawn to Amery that he takes over her training—in public and in private. The enigmatic Ronin pushes Amery’s boundaries from the start, and with each new tryst, Amery becomes addicted to the pleasure and to him. But when Amery senses Ronin is hiding something, she questions her total trust in him, despite the undeniable thrill of his possession….
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8.5/10

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Holy hell! That was off the charts hot and a very good book to boot! Bound is my first foray into Lorelei James, and it's definitely not my last, peeps.

I am very, very picky with erotic romance, and this book ticked all my boxes for an exceptional story. Great characters, nice background story, an intricate balance of power on the edge of a razor blade as this was an erotic romance on the side of D and s relationship.



Amery Hardwick is a 28 year-old talented graphic designer, who struggles to keep her business afloat. It's been years since her last serious relationship, but that's about to change when she signs up for a self-defense class out of solidarity with her friend and meets sensei Ronin Black.

Ronin is an enigma. Partly Japanese, a talented martial arts master and a successful businessman he has his hands in a few pots but not many people know exactly what he does or who he is. He is very much Japanese culturally, 10 years older than Amery, and his difference in expressing himself and his feelings  is mostly what creates such a violent clash with Amery.

He is also a celebrated master in shibari and kinbaku - the art of Japanese erotic bondage, and it was extremely interesting to see this aspect of D and s relationship being discussed. Even his name ronin was ironic, considering the origin of this art form.

The relationship was a turmoil, and it ended quite predictably for the first book in the series with a dramatic separation. Separation for many valid reasons, I add. I admired both Ronin and Amery, but at the same time, I could totally side with Amery's healthy instincts of self-preservation which made her draw back from the relationship.

A strong, addictive read with a wonderful insight into a different cultural background. I can't wait to read book #2, and recommend this to you wholeheartedly if you a fan of this genre.

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С огромным удовольствием читала этот эротический роман, несмотря на то, что с творчеством Лорелей Джеймс я соприкасаюсь впервые.

По накалу страстей зашкаливают счётчики, характеры очень интересные и выразительные, построение мира логичное и поведение главных героев совсем не глупое.

Амери Хардвик - 28-летний графический дизайнер. У неё свой бизнес, который с трудом удерживается на плаву во время экономического кризиса. Она уже несколько лет сторонится серьёзных отношений, но всё меняется когда она, чтобы поддержать свою подругу, записывается на класс самообороны и встречает сенсея Ронина.

 Ронин Блэк на 10 лет её старше и совершенно невозмутимая энигма. На четверть японец по крови, культурно он очень часто ведёт себя как чистокровный японец, что доводит Амери, привыкшую к открытости западных отношений до белого каления. Ронин - оченьь талантливый мастер рукопашного боя, бизнесмен, а также известный артист шибари и кинбаку - искусства японского бондажа.

Для Амери его непроницаемость и хладнокровность, его жизнь в теневом мире БДСМ и его непонятно откуда появляющийся доход это то, что её притягивает и одновременно отпугивает, и когда она понимает, что то, что ей известно и мужчине, которого она любит, всего лишь верхушка айсберга, она не выдерживает и драматично и громко ломает с ним отношения.

Классическая для первой книги серии концовка, очень интригующие главные герои и прекрасный стиль пера. Очень рекомендую и жду не дождусь продолжения.