As this is the second book in the series, we start off a bit more familiar with the characters and world building by now. This is Jaces tale; a snarky shapeshifter who's mouth puts the back up of those who know him, but he is well loved anyways. At the start of the story which is a carryover from the ending of v. 1, he is captured and given over as a guinea pig to the man who aided his capture, but who also is one hot MoFo; Link. And let me just say as an aside, this picture is not representative of either character from what I read! Who the heck decided this cover fit?!?Anyhow, Jace and Link accidently bond during some hot sex. Too bad Link tricked Jace with sex to get what he wanted. Jace no longer trusts him, but unfortunetly even after he's rescued (fairly early on in the book) he begins sulking, not realizing he's suffering from being separated from his mate. Luckily Sol, the head of their pride, is there to save the day. He forces Jace to go back and confront Link to get the lovin he needs. But Jace, being Jace, instead pays Link back for what he did. Too bad he shot himself in the foot though, because Link is the only one that can give Jace the release he so desperately needs. The relationship finally gets a kick start when Sol intervenes yet again to help out Jace, and gets Link into the compound to help Jace. Jace fears he's mated to a 'bad guy' who's in league with evil vamps, but discovers he may not have any choice in the matter.The story progresses and gets a little predictable, but again if you go into this expecting a formulaic story, you can enjoy this for what it is. I liked it, Jace was funny and sarcastic, though Link was a little hard to get a bead on personality wise-one minute he was the tough guy the next he was a big ole bottom. I got my HEA though, so all's well that ends well.On to the next! I did enjoy this book. That being said....Would have liked to find out how, WHY, Link got started with the drug business with Mika to begin with. It's implied that his hand was forced but no real answer as to how that happened and what he was basically being blackmailed for was provided.Jace's Third form sex scenes were.... awkward! Didn't really care for them. He was awkward with his mate AND it came across as more of a power fuck. The rest where Link is the dominating force were played in much better form, though at the beginning and even the first book, I wouldn't have guessed that Jace was much of a bottom boy so to find his mate to be the more dominating personality seemed a bit off at times. Then out of left field, we're told Link has an ex AND kids.. and for another loop the kids are actually more like teenagers. Link became more of a stand up guy in that he refused to hide his mating to another man from his kids even if it makes them uncomfortable.This will not stop me from continuing the series though.
What do You think about The Link That Binds (2011)?
Great read would definitely recommend reading this book.
—Vanbeekjr
