The Bonds Between Us

I thoroughly enjoyed this! The writer has a knack for flowing descriptions, and I thoroughly enjoyed the humor here. I love Norse mythology, and I enjoyed the references to it here

For future books - I'd love to see the author include more scenes that show us about her world + character relationships as opposed to just telling as much regarding these.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a free copy of this novel for my honest review!

I plan on adding this review to Goodreads after it's back from regular maintenance

The Bonds Between Us is a beautiful story about soulmates and dealing with those bonds and the strengths and weaknesses that come with them. I also love how easy this is to read, its short and quick and I read this in one sitting however I do wish there was more world-building in this as I was a bit lost in parts especially with the magical system. However overall I really enjoyed this and can't wait for the next instalment.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atmosphere Press for providing me with a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

3.5/5⭐

Emily Ruhl’s debut novel, "The Bonds Between Us," follows Katya Anders, a woman who believes she is cursed to endure eternal solitude due to her inherent nature. However, her life takes an unexpected turn when she stumbles upon Matteo, a captivating man who happens to be her soulmate. Although Katya is immediately infatuated with him, she can't shake the feeling of being undeserving of such a connection. As she grapples with her emotions, a Venetian folktale comes to life, compelling her to join forces with Matteo in a race against time to save the enchanting city of Venice.

While the book's promising premise held much potential, it fell short in certain areas, most notably in the initial pages where an abundance of exposition overwhelmed the reader, leaving a desire for a more immersive experience. The author missed an opportunity to employ a show-don't-tell approach, allowing readers to organically discover and comprehend the main character's background and her purpose in Venice. Unfortunately, this lack of detailed exploration hindered my ability to fully invest in the characters, preventing me from truly immersing myself in their journey.

While the book had its shortcomings, I found overall enjoyment in its fast-paced and thrilling fantasy narrative, complemented by a heartwarming romance. One aspect that resonated with me was Katya's relatable inner struggles, which added depth to her character. The book's exploration of the idea that our identities are shaped not by predestined roles but by the choices we make was particularly compelling, offering a thought-provoking perspective on personal growth and self-discovery. Despite the initial flaws, these aspects managed to capture my interest and allowed me to appreciate the story on a deeper level.

While the initial flaws prevented me from becoming fully engrossed in the story, the book managed to capture my interest through its dynamic elements, leaving a lasting impression. I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a fast-paced fantasy romance with high stakes.

Vikings meet italian folklore and supernatural! It's a cute cozy fantasy set in Venice.
Katya and Matteo are couple goals. Yes, they have misunderstandings but they solved them, maybe they took their sweet time, but they could solve it.
All the secondary characters are as adorable as the main couple. I would be happy if they had their own book.

This book left me with a few questions. It has a great magic system, potential for a great plot and you can feel the beauty of Venice coming through the pages.

Unfortunately the relationships between the characters felt rushed and sudden. Timing from one event to the next was a little off too.

I think there is a good balance between the romance and the plot, I just wish we had more substance in the development and description of the relationship.

It felt more like a YA than NA book which is not a problem for me. I am interested in seeing how the story continues.

Thank you NetGalley and Atmosphere press for the ARC.

This book was epic, the unique magic system an the intriguing plot and the relationship between the main characters were adorable with their matching tatoos to show they are soulmates. It was packed full of adventure and action and it was a really fun enjoyable read.

I loved this book! At first I was a littler worried as it seemed to progress kind of slower and I struggle keeping my attention on it. But after the first few chapters I was hooked. Great characters and great storyline. I loved the fact it had an Air Benders vibe to it with all the different elements as well. I hope there is another coming soon,

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was a fast paced enjoyable read. I would have enjoyed some more in-depth exploration, but overall it’s a good story.

I feel like this book is better suited for a younger reader, the writing was simple and very descriptive. There was an abundance of characters right off the bat that slightly confused me. I enjoyed the setting in Venice and the magic system because it was different from anything I had ever read. It’s a short, light, easy read to check out if you want a romantic fantasy quick read. Thank you to Netgalley and Atmosphere Press for providing this book in exchange for my honest review.

Wow, this was so good! Incredibly heartfelt and with two endearing leads that I just didn't want the story to end. Ruhl's worldbuilding was such a treat and I felt like I was right there in the action and in the sweetness because this was just a good read.

I received a copy of this book for a fair and honest review. The story takes place in Venice where Kayta finally feels like she belongs and she living with her friend Nina. She belongs to the lowest class of the Vaettir society. There are things she believed to be true but one little mark on her wrist changes that. Her and her soulmate seems to be so different. She does the best she can to stay away from him thinking that love is a bad idea, but they most band together when trouble come to the city and they need to change a deal/contract that was believe to have been broken. Hell is on its way and will they come out one top? This is only the first book in the trilogy. I can't wait to see what happens next.