J.  Bree

With my gift coursing through my veins, the tables have turned on the Draven Campus.

I’m no longer the Giftless reject, no longer the girl who’s fair game to the other students for daring to run away from my Bonds.

But there are bigger problems heading my way.

With destiny pushing me closer and closer to each of my Bonds, I’m fighting tooth and nail against nature to keep my distance.

But they’re fighting harder to keep me in their grasp.

When it becomes clear that the Resistance is closer than we ever thought, I don’t know who I can trust.

Can I finally take control of my gift, or will it take control of me?

The Bonds That Tie #2

Savage Bonds

Anna Stewart

If she were a normal Bond, someone who actually gave a fuck about any of us, then I’d be more forgiving, but she proved how little she thinks of us all a long time ago. There are many names I’ve been called in my life but a blind fool isn’t one of them.

I let the calm and sure mask settle back over my features, the measures I’m forced to take to inhabit this world without being hunted in the night. 

Little do they all know that I’m most comfortable in the dark.

“Any explanation for us yet, Fallows? Anything to say about lying to us all for months about what you can do?” he says, and Gabe turns to glare at him in my defense. 

The eight-pack hottie is really growing on me, dammit.

I accept that I’m going to die here wrapped up in him and I’ll never regret it, not even while I’m rotting six feet under and burning in the pits of hell for all of my sins.

And then he stalks forward with me still securely wrapped around him until he reaches Sage, dropping one arm to offer her some help if she needs it. When she shakes her head, he motions at her to follow him back to the plane, keeping my friend safe without a word from me, because even in the short time he’s known me, he’s figured out just how to reach my ice- wrapped heart.

I see some bonding in there. Go Gabe and Atlas! 

"Don't take another fucking step near my Bond or I'll rip your fucking throat out with my bare teeth." 

I wonder which one of the crew has been stupid enough to try to approach us because he cannot be talking to one of the Dravens like that, but then Nox says, snark dripping down his words, "She's my Bond as well." 

Atlas scoffs. "No, she's your punching bag, your favorite victim. She's the default villain in every one of your stories. You move even an inch closer and I'll take the whole fucking plane out to stop you. No more warnings."

He has a casual way of interacting with me, a complete disregard of whether it’s appropriate to be touching me, which is both refreshing and terrifying. 

“They don’t know half of what I can do, Bond. If they did, they wouldn’t dare call me 

“I feel like we’re at a wake, except it’s just our wills to live that are dead,” Atlas murmurs as the kitchen doors open and the house staff begin to serve us dinner.

He came here after I ran away from him with nothing but acceptance and a willingness to fight for me when I have nothing to offer him. 

If I could do it without risking everything, I’d Bond with him right the hell now. I’d do it without hesitation, ready to commit to him for the rest of our lives, because this is a good man and, fuck, do I need one of those.

"What the hell are you thinking about? Your bond is humming right now." 

I blanch and turn around on the spot, groaning and smacking a hand over my face. "It's your fault! My bond is a whiney, horny little bitch and you're waving a goddamn red flag at it right now. Put a shirt on!"

“They don’t age, they just… are. Why aren’t you afraid of it? Gryphon told me you saw what they did to the Resistance, you know that it isn’t actually a little puppy.” 

Well, that should be obvious. It doesn’t matter what it’s capable of, the puppy has been asking for attention and pets. Why on Earth would I be scared of that? It’s officially the only tolerable part of Nox that I’ve found.

If they all want to talk shit about me being a monster, then they can deal with my teeth when I rip their throats out. 

This scene is funny as hell 😂 (but also kinds sad)

“Get. Her. Off. Of. Me,” Nox says through clenched teeth, and his heartbeat under my temple is so loud, it’s as though his heart is trying to pump right out of his chest. 

He doesn’t want me, he doesn’t want this Bond, he really doesn’t want— 

“Fuck, get her off of him before his nightmares come out. Oli, just let him go.” 

But I don’t want to, I want more. I want him all over me until he’s seeping into my skin and soaking into the very core of me and there’s no chance of anyone ever getting between us. I need to wear him like a warning, a shield, so they all know. They all need to know.

“What do you mean you’re tapped out? Did she pull your power? Knocking people out is a low level ability, you’ve been doing it since you were three,” North murmurs low, but the incredulous tone is clear enough. 

I can just barely hear Gryphon’s reply. “She didn’t pull it but… she’s stronger than she makes out. Whatever level you’ve guessed she’s at… double it. Triple, maybe. It was easier to get into your head than it was for me to knock her out. That’s a lot of fucking power, North.”

“If you burn, I burn with you. You’re not alone, Oli, not for one second. I told you before, I’m not afraid.”

Why didn’t Atlas or Gabe just help me instead? Why did North have to lie to me and let my bond get even more attached to him? It’s easy for them, they just want their powers from me and they don’t have to live with the consequences of being Bonded. 

They don’t have to become the monster that everyone knows I’m going to be.

The door pops open and I’m confronted with the sight of Gryphon in nothing but his boxer shorts again. I’ve seen it all before but, God, it doesn’t get any less breathtaking.

Gryphon’s body is hot and hard against mine in the bed, his leg pushed between mine and his face buried into my neck as if he needs my scent as badly as I need his.

Damn! I didn't know Gabe had it in him, but he made me blush. 😳

“It won’t bite, Bond. I won’t either, unless you ask me to.” 

I want to say something back, just to knock a little of that smug energy out of him, but I can’t. I have nothing left, and all I can croak out is, “Listen, you need to put pants on. The shorts are not enough.” 

He chuckles at me, clearly still high on the adrenaline of the fight because he ducks down until we’re eye to eye. “Are you ready to beg, Bond? I think I’m ready to hear you.”

This series is becoming my guilty pleasure bc the writing/narration is not that good honestly. The plot though?! Very good and interesting. But i even find myself cringing at times; still live them tho.

Tsu 💙

This series isn’t for me I don’t think - will I continue and finish it? Provably because I’m ready to be hurt again I guess 

For those who think this is a spicy book - where? Please tell me where the spice is???? Like 1 open door scene in a book isn’t spice? Is it the banter?? Is that the spice for yall? 

Also I love an RH but she isn’t connecting with any of these “bonds” and it’s bumming me the hell out 

Brittany Peterson

This series isn’t for me I don’t think - will I continue and finish it? Provably because I’m ready to be hurt again I guess 

For those who think this is a spicy book - where? Please tell me where the spice is???? Like 1 open door scene in a book isn’t spice? Is it the banter?? Is that the spice for yall? 

Also I love an RH but she isn’t connecting with any of these “bonds” and it’s bumming me the hell out 

Goodness, this is when I decided this series is addicting and knew there was no stopping me from binge read the whole thing to the point of exhaustion. This particular cliffhanger leaves you with May more questions than answers so of course I had to jump into Book 3. 

Priscilla Stanfield

4/5⭐️ • 2.5/5🌶️

Goodness, this is when I decided this series is addicting and knew there was no stopping me from binge read the whole thing to the point of exhaustion. This particular cliffhanger leaves you with May more questions than answers so of course I had to jump into Book 3. 

Is it hot in here or ? 🥵 J Bree doesn’t disappoint on the spice. You may have to wait a little bit, but it’s so worth it. And also the banter? I love this world and I am all in. Stayed up long past my bedtime and immediately downloaded the third. 

Shelby Caswell

This story and these characters are some of my favorites ever read.

I can’t put these down and as much as a 6 book series has me nervous I don’t think it’ll take long to power through by how hooked I am!

Oli continues to be a mystery - what’s her gift? Why has she been running? Who exactly is she running from??But we get more and more of her story and what she’s hiding.

These guys have me hooked and Gabe is definitely my current favorite. Gryph is a close second 🥹

I’m getting weird vibes from Altas?! Especially upon reading that final page. I audibly gasped and my husband even asked what was wrong 😅

The more they open up and be honest with each other the more invested I am in how this will all play out.

The world building has been so simple to follow, I loveee a fantasy series with good world building.

4⭐️
3🌶️

What a cliffhanger. The writing is still sub par but I’m so engrossed in the story that it’s fine, lmao.

Cheyenne Willis

Erin Cawthorn

I fear that the story is going to get repetitive by the end of the series but this book was good!

I am sorry... WHAT?! That ending. I am addicted to this series, and it is all 

Katie Avila

I am sorry... WHAT?! That ending. I am addicted to this series, and it is all @shelby_brooks11's fault. 

Faith Kitowski

YOURE KIDDING TELL ME YOURE LYING. THIS IS SO WILD BUT I LOVE THE RIDE. this series is absolutely amazing so far. also, i’m devastatingly in love with gryphon it’s insane. AND THAT CLIFFHANGER WHAT

Ink and Sin

** spoiler alert **
            - Possible Spoilers -

“…let this be a lesson to you that you should never provoke monsters.”

I’m loving this series! Two “characters” that have won my heart are Brutus and August. Brutus- one of Nox’s nightmare, in the form of a puppy, who usually doesn’t leave his side, now he can be found spending his time in Oli’s hair. August, is North’s most terrifying nightmare, a full-grown Doberman. When Oli first meets him, in a scene where he takes off running at her, she gets excited to give him all the pets. I love all things puppies and big dogs- so whenever it mentions Oli loving on these terrifying nightmares- I can totally see myself doing the same! 

Nox is still a dark and mysterious man, which is why I’m so drawn to him. Even though he is still the most intriguing bond to me; However, Atlas is also one I can not get enough of. 

Atlas is an overprotective male, which becomes apparent during the scene when Nox takes Oli home. Atlas tells her: “He touches you, he dies.” Yes please 🥵 Atlas also has this sweet loving side and enjoys public displays of affection. When he told Oli “if you burn, I burn with you” my heart was melting. 

I have to give a shout out to Gryphon….once you read the book, you’ll absolutely know why 🫣

Even though I could go on and on about the sexy bonds, let’s chat about the supporting characters. One of the sweetest scenes, in my opinion, was the one with Oli and Kieran. Everyone is slowly starting to put the pieces together in regards to Oli and while she still has many enemies, she also is forming stronger friendships.

This book does end on a serious cliffhanger! I never saw it coming and immediately started reading book number 3. All in all, this was another great read by J. Bree!

loren

2.5/5 ⭐️

siento que es exactamente igual al primer libro, no avanzó ni hubo nada interesante hasta el final

Allison Freedman

3.5/5 
Ok this series is addicting. So addicting that I can tolerate the cringe and how juvenile this book is🫣 I’ll admit that the writing style is not my cup of tea, but the plot has so much potential that I have to see it through. There’s still A LOT of unanswered questions, more than I’m used to (especially after two books). I need a manual for this bonding business because I’m still just as clueless as I was in the first book. I have to rely on fanart to visualize what the heck any of these characters look like because we are given the smallest of details. Everything is vague af. I feel like every important aspect of this book is only lightly touched on. I’m not completely sold on our main girl Oli, her communication skills are…. Nonexistent. let’s just say I’m continuing on because Gryphon Shore is *chefs kiss*.

Meghan Thompson 

I'm ngl I really enjoyed this book. Oli is quickly one of my favs FMC and her relationship with Sage is genuinely adorable. she cares not only about Sage but legit all of her bonds and friends. I'm really loving this little family she's developing. Also I am not at the point where I can't pick a fav bond. they're all great except Nox kindly fuck him. They’re all slowing opening up to her and I am kinda obsessed. I genuinely cannot wait to learn all about her powers, her family, and her bonding with all of her bonds. 

current bond rankings:
- Gryphon (MY LITERAL BABY I LOVE THIS MAN SO FREAKING MUCH) 
- Atlas (i want to love with all my heart but I'm scared there's something about you that I hesitate to fully love). 
- Gabe (my little jock) 
- North (ngl starting to love you just give me a bit more)

FUCK A BITCH NAMED NOX.

This book gets a half star higher because the one thing J. Bree does really well here is character development and the different relationships Oli navigates with her Bonds. And we finally stop being edged and get some spice here. Other than that, the same problems persist. She hasn’t defined the world for the read AT ALL. We still have no idea who, what, or how the Resistance came to be, nor their motivations for attacking the Gifted. We also no nothing about the Gifted, other than they are different from non-Gifted (aka humans). We don’t know all the power types they can be, what defines receiving a certain type, and how they interact with the real world. And don’t get me started on the Bonds because it’s the same black hole there. No idea why they occur, what the point of them is, or how they exist in the first place. The writing is still a bit of a mess as well, especially grammatically. The story could be good, it’s just executed poorly. 

Katie Allard

Frida-Marie Hagen

Hallie Coleman

Omg. So freaking good and ready to read the third. Big cliff hanger at the end. One of my fav series so far

Megan Lowe

4.5 stars.

Loved this book!
I do wish more time had been spent in book one for world building though, giving us more information on bonds and how they’re formed and more info on the guys themselves.
I also wish more time was spent with oli and her bonds talking and being truthful. There’s so much uncertainty swirling around and half truths and people not knowing what the other’s feeling that it seems unnecessarily complicated.
But I still love atlas, and gabe, and sage and sawyer and Felix and Brutus.
Will devour the next one!

Skye Gordon

obsession. that is all 

I can’t explain how much these books have become my newest obsession. J Bree is insane 🤯 I can’t stay to talk I need to dive into the next book right away

Zoe P

Did I read this book so fast that I forgot to mark it as ‘currently reading’? Yes, yes I did. Was it SO GOOD I COULDN’T PUT IT DOWN. Yes, yes it was.

Amira BEN

Wtf just happened ? I'm not stopping here. Bye.
Hello book 3. I. Just. Can't. Stop.
My reviews are not rational right now. 
But it says everything you need. Fascinating worldbuilding and plot. Flowing writing style.
F*cking memorable and endearing characters. I love them all so much I can't.
I just can't wait for the spice omg 🥺

Franccesca Jimenez 

What.. what just happened? I… what??????

J Bree loves making a mess of me. But this book was amazing! The progress Oli has made, her growth is huge. You can tell she was always a fighter but just hiding it cause, hello, she LOVES AND WANTS TO PROTECT EVERYONE. The guys are… right now, after everything that has happened, my list goes like this: Atlas, Gryphon, Gabe, North and then Nox. They each have their own magic and place in my heart, and obviously Oli’s, but I sense there’s so much more there. We’ve been focusing so much on Oli that I need more backstories to the guys to understand so many things.

Once again, great writing. The characters really show growth in this second book and continually grow on you. They are diverse and loveable, a bit complex but I love it. THANK GOD THERE WAS FINALLY THAT SPICE I WAS WAITING FOR. HELLO ANGST AND BANTER, YOU GUYS ARE MY FRIENDS.

4.75⭐️ and 1🌶

Maya Federman

4.5 stars. Savage Bonds is book 2 in J Bree's new paranormal RH series, and the world-building and general mythos are super interesting and unique. All members of society have particular magical gifts, and the strength/power of said gifts places them hierarchically within their society.

Our MC Oleander has severely powerful gifts, but they're shrouded in mystery as she doesn't want to unleash them fully in order to protect those close to her. Oli's harem (or her Bonded) initially assumes she has no gifts at all and they treat her like shit because of it. They slowly come around, and Oli really gives in to her "take no shit" attitude in this second installment. She's done tolerating their bullshit, and I loved reading her progression into a legit badass.

Spice-wise, this was very slow burn. We don't get full spice until about 80%, but it's pretty damn worth the build-up. I'm hoping we get a lot more spice in subsequent books because I'm not trying to have blue lady balls, generally speaking. Highly recommend!

Savage Bonds The Bonds That Tie #2