**SPOILERS**This book gets 2.5 stars, mainly because it could have been much more. The main flaws happen to be some of my pet peeves, so my scoring is a bit harsh.Strike one: Editing. Holy homophones, batman! "Site" and "sight", "course" and "coarse", etc. There is also a lack of continuity in scenes; positions change abruptly, and body parts appear in anatomically and spatially improbable places.Strike two: Why set up characters and a scenario that could be really interesting (divorced, unfulfilled mom dipping her toe into the BDSM world, guy with baggage leading her) and then solve some of the biggest challenges with deus ex machina? Cali is supposedly 44 with 2 grown kids, yet she has the face and figure of an attractive woman in her early 30s or even 20s. What a cop-out! Why not have her come to grips with a body that is older and has borne children, instead of completely ignoring what most women would have some insecurities about? Also, the first person she encounters (Jake) ends up being her one true love, perfect fit, happily-ever-after guy. Really? Why not explore the anxiety and thrill of meeting new people after a long marriage? Insta-lust is a pet peeve of mine.Strike three: **SPOILER** The whole Big Misunderstanding is badly and unrealistically handled. Supposedly Jake, an experienced Dom, lets Cali just leave after she freaks out and safewords. No real attempt at aftercare. His buddy takes her home, asks her once if she's OK, chides her for hurting Jake's feelings, and then leaves her by herself. Again, no aftercare for a sub who just said "red, red, red" in front of a room full of people. All I know about BDSM I learned from romance novels, and even I know this is a huge no-no. Are we supposed to believe that an experienced Dom would act this way? Nope. Have another strike.Some parts were handled well; Peter, the ex, was just barely sketched out as a character, and I found this effective. No need to go into the gritty details. (The idea of two subs married to each other, both unable to give the other what they want, is another interesting idea.) The BDSM elements were pretty tame and, I thought, unlikely to cause much pearl-clutching. I wish this book had gone to the real, honest, juicy places that were suggested by the character set-up. I can't help comparing this to The Siren by Tiffany Reisz, much to the detriment of Bonds of Trust. It could have been more. This story about Jake and Cali is Hot!! Here is a women who is divorced and is looking for something to take care of her needs. Jake is a Dom and he is asked to do an extra interview to make sure Cali is the right client for The Den. Jake makes it his personal mission to take care of Cali. How will this story end? Will Cali's friends understand her choices? Will Jake be everything Cali wants? Is Cali finally changing the Dom in Jake? You will have to read and find out. :)
What do You think about Bonds Of Trust (2012)?
Left a review on Amazon. So good. It's nice to know a mature woman and man can find love.
—Poti
