Broken Bonds: The Bonds That Tie, Book 1

Liza

I'm in love ❤️

"It's my first book of this author and she did not disappoint! I loved the book from the first to last page. I really like Oli as a character and I can't wait to see how she will be as the series proceed, as she's only 19 so I'm sure we'll see her growth. I loved Sage from the start and her friendship with Oli. They're the ultimate woman power. They're here for each other and the banter just kills me. Also Atlas. He's supper sweet and I want to give him a hug. There is one scene that he stands up for Oli and oh my god...I want to marry him. Then, there are the other Bonds that we see snippets of their personalities. We see them a lot in the book but they are more closed off emotionally. Some I like more that others. In overall it was an amazing book and I couldn't get it down. ["

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April 19, 2026 Verified Purchase

amy

A really fun series!

"I really enjoyed this series! The characters are well developed, the plot moves quickly and it’s fun to read. While there is a bit of enemies to lovers, it’s not done in an unnecessarily cruel way. I don’t usually like the misunderstanding trope, but this was well done because the situation is complex and not a simple thing that could be resolved by a single conversation. There’s a bit of an age gap, but it’s not excessive or creepy. There’s some spice but it’s not the point of the series. The author strikes a good balance of show and tell, while keeping some secrets to keep you intrigued. As for criticism, it seems like these books weren’t edited. They go from present tense to past tense and back again in ways that don’t always make sense. Also, the books are set in the U.S. and primarily use American English, but the author is Australian so bits of that sneak in. (e.g., tyres, plasters instead of bandages, tonnes, and my least favorite of all -- talking about the FMC’s “cream.”) Lastly, the constant use of “bile creeping up” the characters’ throats. I wish the author could find ways to express being overwhelmed other than being nauseated. ["

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April 4, 2026 Verified Purchase

Amazon Customer

Amazing!! If you are hesitant just start it you will not regret it!

"This book was amazing!!! I have seen this series on BookTok multiple times and decided to give it a try and see what all the hype was about. I can't say that I'm huge into reverse harem books because the only other series I have read was RH was The Ruthless Boys of Zodiac Academy and I loved that so I figured I wouldn't mind the multiple man loving in this book. Although this book does not have much spice in it I was hooked from the very beginning! I love all the characters and the mystery behind what is really happening outside of this college. Oli is such a great MC and I cannot wait to fully learn about her gifts and back story and the real reason she ran from her bonds. You can just tell that she is such a caring person just by how she is with her new bestie Sage and I hate how everyone, including some of her bonds, treat her just because she "ran away". I also can tell that once it fully comes out what she can do she will be a total bad ass especially from what we saw of what she can do so far. So speaking of her bonds.... I love love love the enemies to lovers trope so I enjoy more when the couple fight and have all this banter and like watching them finally fall in love. Not to say that I don't love the instant love and stuff, but I am drawn more to the bad boy types I guess you could say, but like bad boys that are actually softy's at heart as well, which I think secretly all our bonds are secret softy's and are going to worship the ground Oli walks on by the end of this series. So here are my thoughts on all the guys in order of my current favorite down to my least favorite... (possible spoilers to come!) 1. Gryphon: Man oh man do I love this man. He's like all quite and judgey and doesn't really even acknowledge Oli so the first half of the book your just kind of like ok he's there, and then she gets her period and he takes care of her and I just instantly melted for him! And the fact that he comes every night and leaves her clothes that she wears its just so cute! 2. North: Ok so we didn't get much of him in this book with interacting with her, other than just bossing her around, so you don't see him actually showing any interest in her other than him acknowledging her as his bond, but I have a feeling that once their relationship actually begins it is going to be so good! 3. Atlas: Now Atlas instantly was all about Oli and actually accepted her and didn't judge her for running away so he got points with me there. And then he just shows up and is instantly all lovey Dovey to her which is cute, but I still want to see the badass side of him and he is from across the country so I feel there may be some secrets about him we are yet to learn 4. Gabe: Oh Gabe.... I do love him, but he is just a little to boy next door for me. He's the jock yes, but he just doesn't seem like a manly man to me yet so I think I more enjoy seeing his relationship with the other bonds and how they treat him like a kid brother over his and Oli's relationship right now. I especially love his banter with Atlas so I feel a bromance brewing and will probably like that over his actual relationship with his bond. 5. Nox: Ok so right now Nox is just being an immature ass and I think he will end up being moved up the list once Oli and him actually interact more. Right now he just likes to insult her and rub other chicks in her face so I can't get a full read on him yet. Now the ending of this book was amazing! I loved that we got to see some of Oli's powers and that she was able to shut Nox up a little by showing him just how much of a bad ass she really is! ["

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January 30, 2023 Verified Purchase

Victoria

My new obsession!!

"I got this book less than a week ago, and I’ve already read it cover to cover no less than 5 times, a testament to the amazing world building and fantastic plot J Bree has woven together. To be completely honest, there were parts in the book that I struggled to get through on my first read - parts where consent seemed dubious, the bullying from some of the male leads went a tad too far for me (looking at you Nox), and it seemed like Oli was just “taking it” without really standing up for herself. By my second and third read, though, I came to appreciate the emotional depth of the book. The title of the book is literally BROKEN bonds - perhaps Oli didn’t defend herself as strongly as I would’ve liked and Nox really deserved no less than a hundred slaps to the face, but I came to understand their actions better. This is a group of broken people still haunted by traumatic events from their past (which I can’t wait to learn more about because I’m sure Oli had completely justifiable reasons that will just gut us as readers and sucker punch her 5 guys, Gryphon, Atlas, Gabe, North, and Nox) and so their actions were understandably sometimes guided by guilt, anger, and the desire to seek revenge. What I loved about the book was that J Bree dropped nuggets of interactions between Oli and her Bonds that hinted at the guys’ true natures and the fact that they were still looking out for her in their own ways - except for Nox, that boy is still firmly in the dog house and will need to grovel HARD. Outside of her interactions with her Bonds though, I really loved Oli as a character. She is fiercely independent and so very protective of those she loves. One of my favorite things about J Bree’s books is the strong female friendships she writes (I wouldn’t mind a spin off series for Sage, just sayin’ ;)). It’s clear that Oli is super resilient and a total badass, and while we only got a hint of her true powers at the end of book 1, I’m sooo curious what the extent of her powers are! In any case, I can’t wait to see how all the characters heal, grow and transform through the rest of the series - I have no doubt it’ll be an amazing journey to be on. Also just FYI, I hereby stake claim on Gryphon and will gladly fight anyone who challenges me. Besides his total yumminess, I loved how Gryphon wasn’t blinded by anger over Oli leaving and instead made an active effort to understand her reasons for leaving. J Bree, if you’re reading this, I need more of him in the next 5 books, please and thank you :) In case it’s not clear from my essay of a review, ONE CLICK THIS BOOK NOW!! ["

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July 21, 2021 Verified Purchase

Mackinley Heuer

ON MY WAY TO READ THIS WHOLE SERIES

"Book Review:Broken Bonds by J. Bree Broken Bonds is a Dark Fantasy Romance that follows Oleander, a 19 year old who lost her parents when she was 14 and went on the run from her five bonds that lasted for five years till she was captured by the TacTeam that brings her to hers bonds, who believe she was running from them and couldn’t be because something bigger was going on. The story unfolds as Oleander navigates being around her bonds that give off “I hate you because you ran away from us” and rumors of her being powerless at the new college is starting. But what they don’t know is she didn’t run away from them and she is not powerless leading this story to be filled with suspense, found friends/family and crazy men who are always wanting all the answers. What I Liked: • I love Oli! She is a badass female who didn’t let anyone get to her. She is also smart and calculating. I love/ hate that she puts others above her (I definitely see myself in this part of her… so she is Relatable!) • I love how each of the boys are different and how each of them are creating their own relationship with Oli. But my favorite has to be Gryphon and how even though he is silent and gives off the you are not even worth my attention, he is willing to help her when she is in pain. • “Leaving you was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. This pain is nothing compared to that.” What I Didn’t Like: • Without giving too much away I would say chapter 22 was not what I was expecting and the events that take place afterwards rubs me the wrong way. I hated that she doubted herself and that she started to make excuses for Nox like no he doesn’t deserve your excuses. • I love/ hate that throughout the whole book she is going back and forth on if she should stay or run away again. Like girl please make up your mind. Overall Thoughts: J. Bree’s writing is beautifully descriptive, and the characters are multilayered that change and grow throughout the story. The plot is fast-paced and addictive, keeping readers hooked with banter and watching men fall in love with a women they say they hate. Overall,Broken Bonds is a must-read for fans of reverse harems that don’t mind a hate to love slow building romance Rating: ★★★★★ My rating system: ★- DNF ★★- Finished but it was a struggle ★★★- It was a good book but probably would not read again ★★★★- It was good and I would read it again ★★★★★- Brain shattering and I need every copy made if this book ["

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April 10, 2025 Verified Purchase