A review by ericas_bookshelf
Threads That Bind Us by

adventurous dark funny hopeful fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

**I was an alpha reader for this, and am friends with the author. The copy I’m reviewing is the finished arc copy however**

That being said, I do genuinely love this book and think it’s a solid debut, and great start to a series. I wouldn’t yap about this book if I didn’t like it y’all. 

Gwen & Charlie have excellent chemistry and truly feel drawn to each other from the beginning. We have mafia adjacent vibes, with some great action scenes and politics that I think will further evolve and get more complicated as this series progresses. Personally, even during my alpha read, I was fully invested in our cast of characters, & I am definitely intrigued by the Costa family (especially Clara, she’s so mean I love it). 

I wouldn’t classify this as a slow burn romance, as it’s very much instant attraction, even though Gwen tries to fight it. But dominant women in dark romance is so rare, I LOVED getting that representation from Gwen. Plus the cast is full of Queer characters, which is also incredible. Rae really knows how to write accurate smut and kink, so truly this wasn’t a surprise that it was done well. 

And Charlie?? Listen. I really love him. 

Charlie literally sees her kill ONE person and goes, “I gotta wife her up asap.” WE LOVE A MAN WHO APPRECIATES HIS STABBY WIFE OK. 

“Every single touch from you is torture I beg for.”