Bound by Family by Ryan Michele Review

Ryan Michele - Bound by Family - cover image

4.5 Smooches!

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Synopsis

Cooper Cruz knows what it means to be surrounded and bound by family. Loyalty, brotherhood, and protection are all learned, earned, and respected by him and the Ravage Motorcycle Club family he grew up in. At the same, he’s a man, having fun and living the life he has always envisioned, until a trip to Florida changes everything.

Bristyl Daniels knows what it means to be smothered and bound by family. Bonds run deep with her father and all the members of the Sinister Sons Motorcycle Club she has grown up in. But now she’s all woman and wishes they would see she isn’t a little girl anymore. Then one phone call gives her a chance meeting with a hunk of a man she can’t get off her mind.

When her favorite band comes to play at a motorcycle rally in her hometown, Bristyl decides it’s worth the risk to sneak off for a little fun. When a situation gets heated, though, Cooper and the Ravage MC step in, setting off a chain of events, both good and bad in both their lives.

As the dust settles, Bristyl will have to come to some very hard decisions. Meanwhile, Cooper knows exactly what he wants. To hell with the consequences.

** Bound by Family (Ravage MC Bound Series #1) is a standalone full-length novel. You do not have to read the Ravage MC series to follow this book, but if you’d like to see where it all started, you really should. **

Review

This was my first time reading one of Ryan Michele’s MC romances, and I’m very impressed. My only other experience with this author’s work was her novella, Branded, which I thoroughly enjoyed. Considering my love of MC romances, I have no idea where the heck I have been or how on earth her Ravage MC series slipped past me, but man, I’ve seriously been missing out. If they’re anything at all like Bound by Family, I can’t wait to dive into them!

For anyone else like me who hasn’t read Ryan Michele’s Ravage MC series, rest assured the author’s claim in the synopsis is true. Bound by Family is a completely standalone novel in a new, spin-off series of the Ravage MC franchise. You do not have to read that series to read this book. I followed right along with this story, without ever missing a beat, and I never once felt as if I was lost or missing something. I’d also like to mention that the author’s next statement in the synopsis—”if you’d like to see where it all started, you really should”—is also true, because I do want to see where this all started, and I will be reading that series.

Cooper Cruz was born and bred a biker. Having been raised in the club, it’s the only life he knows. With no plans to settle down with an old lady, he was enjoying the single life of a handsome and sexy biker in a notorious and powerful MC. Bristyl Daniels was also well acquainted with the MC life, having been born to it herself. Her father and brothers are members of another MC, and she was raised in that club. A chance meeting leaves a lasting impression on both of them, but it’s Cooper who rides in to rescue Bristyl at a rally. Little did they know that that was just the beginning of the danger they would face together.

Cooper was every bit the rough and alpha biker, but when it came to Bristyl, he had a soft, sweet side. He fell hard and fast for Bristyl, and in her, he found something he didn’t know he needed. Bristyl was independent, whip-smart and fiercely loyal. She was also gorgeous and sexy and had an air of almost innocence to her that was uncommon in Cooper’s world. They had an immediate connection, and the chemistry sizzling between them was impossible to ignore. They took things slow at first, really taking the time to actually get to know each other, but when they did make it to the bedroom, they were explosive together. Practically from the start, this couple was in sync everywhere and that was what was so special about them. As it turned out, it was also a smart move to build that trust first, because when Bristyl’s world crumbles and danger finds them, they needed that to get through it.

I really enjoyed this book. It was exciting, interesting and suspenseful, and it was that portion of the plot that really kept me on the edge of my seat. This couple’s love story made my heart race as they fought for their happily ever after. Bound by Family was everything I want in my MC romances: a deep and genuine love story between a strong, passionate alpha male who adores his sassy woman amidst a dangerous, gritty background story and punctuated with some smoking hot sexiness. Ryan Michele’s Bound by Family gets 4.5 smooches from me!

~ Danielle Palumbo

 

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