Bonded by Thorns by Elizabeth HelenMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5 stars)
🌶️🌶️🌶️ (3-spice)
Thank you to the author and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book. All opinions are my own and given honestly.
There are truly no words that can fully express how much I loved this book. From the very first page to the last, I was completely captivated—happily lost in the pages of something that felt like magic. I’ll try my best to put my thoughts together, though I already know I’ll be screaming about this book for a long time to come.
From the very beginning, I was pulled in. The opening is fun, engaging, and instantly relatable—especially if, like me, you see reading as your escape from real life. Rosalina immediately felt like me—her love for books, the way she disappears into stories, the magic she seeks in the pages. That connection made everything that followed even more impactful.
The writing style? Smooth as butter. Rich, dreamy, and so easy to read that I devoured the book without even realizing I’d reached the end. It had Beauty and the Beast vibes in all the right ways, but don’t be fooled—this book is so much more than a retelling. It’s its own kind of fairytale. My magical place.
You can always tell when an author truly loves both writing and reading—because that love, that passion, that wonder is woven into every single page. That’s exactly what happened here. You could feel it in the characters, the worldbuilding, and the storytelling. This book made me feel everything—every hurt, every joy, every stolen touch and unspoken longing. 💔✨
What truly blew me away was how this book reveals the beauty in the broken. It shows you how much magic lives in the darkness, the cracks, and the imperfect things—if only you’re brave enough to look for it. This story made me want to cry and laugh and scream all at once.
The pacing was perfect—never too fast to be overwhelming and never too slow to feel draggy. Every chapter pulled you deeper. And the worldbuilding? Chef’s kiss. Intricate, vivid, and layered without ever being overwhelming. I’ve read a lot of fantasy, but this one made me feel like I was right there, breathing it in.
The characters were so well-developed. Normally in books like this, one or two characters shine while the others fade into the background—but not here. Every single character had depth, voice, and presence. They felt real. The dialogue was brilliant—funny, emotional, and yes, sometimes downright hot 🔥. And don’t even get me started on the inner thoughts—some had me giggling out loud or swooning on the spot.
The family dynamics were spot on. The mix of love and pain, the way it captured the complexity of caring deeply for people who sometimes hurt you—that hit me hard. Even when home life is messy, that love can still be real. That truth was beautifully portrayed.
🌶️ The spice? OOF. Let me fan myself. 🔥🔥🔥
It was hot, charged, electric, and so emotionally loaded. But most importantly—it didn’t overpower the story. The spice was woven in with such care that it felt like an extension of the character growth and plot, not just thrown in for shock value. It was steamy and meaningful. The perfect balance.
I usually include a list of things I didn’t love at the end of my reviews, but... I honestly don’t have one. I loved this book. Every single part.
Special shoutout to Marigold, who had me laughing so hard I nearly cried. Comedy queen. 👑😂
Would I recommend this book?
YES! I’d shout it from rooftops. Read it now.
Would I reread it?
Already have. Twice. It’s that good. I finished and immediately flipped back to the beginning.
How would I sum it up?
A magical, dark, emotionally rich fantasy that mixes gritty depth with spark, yearning, and beauty. This isn’t just one of my favorite reads of the year—it’s one of the best books I’ve ever read. 💖
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