Bound to You

March 1, 2018

When alpha werewolf Megan meets her one true mate, alpha warrior James, she inherits more than she anticipates-his dysfunctional pack, moodiness, and dangerous secrets. Megan, though an alpha and the daughter of her pack leader, often falls into the shadow of her younger siblings, and she longs for someone to love and respect her. Although handsome James, an alpha from Quebec, has long avoided his mate-bond, he succumbs to his fate and whisks Megan away to his home. However, he vows never to love again. Betrayed by a past lover, James is afraid of meeting the same fate as his father, who was driven mad by the death of his wife. Megan's wry voice makes her likable in spite of her angst and pining for romance at the story's opening. Although the book starts a little slow, the gothic setting and the suspense bring the pacing up to speed. The rules of this fictional world are easy to assimilate, and the characters are realistic and credible, except perhaps for James, who may seem too emo and not heroic enough to be the best match for wisecracking Megan. Nevertheless, the writing will draw teens into this quick, enjoyable read. VERDICT Recommended for collections where paranormal romance is still popular.-Sandi Jones, Wynne High School, Wynne, AR

Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

June 4, 2018
Too many unanswered questions lead to an uneven debut in Brandon’s story of fated love. Eighteen-year-old alpha werewolf Megan Ross is eager to find her mate. To help, her father throws a party and invites numerous packs along the East Coast. When Megan meets James Sandleholm, a warrior alpha from Canada, it is clear that the two of them are destined to form a life bond as mates. Though James immediately brings her home to his pack, he has no intention of fulfilling the bond. His reluctance stems from painful past associations of the toll that his mother’s death took on his father (if a warrior alpha loses his mate, he begins to lose his grip on reality). As Megan tries to break through James’s armor, she discovers that warrior wolves are dealing with a dangerous threat long thought to be extinct. Brandon presents a promising story of how past pain and future expectations can cloud the present, but inconsistent worldbuilding and development of characters’ motivations lessens the story’s authenticity and impact. Ages 13–18.