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Unbound
An all-new novel from the author of After Hours.
She set out to find herself, and discovered the darker side of desire.
Merry’s lost a lot recently - first her mother, then close to a hundred pounds. Feeling adrift, she strikes out in search of perspective. A three-week hike through the Scottish Highlands was supposed to challenge her new body and refocus her priorities, but when disaster strikes, she’s forced to seek refuge in the remote home of a brooding, handsome stranger…
Rob exiled himself to the Highlands years ago, desperate to escape his own self-destruction. Haunted by regrets, he avoids human contact at all costs…but when Merry turns up injured, he can’t very well run her off. And as he nurses her back to health, Rob can’t resist his guest’s sweet demeanor—or her flirtatious advances. The igniting passion between them rouses a secret appetite Rob has long struggled to keep hidden. But Merry craves nothing more than to help Rob surrender to his desires, and the journey draws the lovers into an entirely different kind of wilderness.
She set out to find herself, and discovered the darker side of desire.
Merry’s lost a lot recently - first her mother, then close to a hundred pounds. Feeling adrift, she strikes out in search of perspective. A three-week hike through the Scottish Highlands was supposed to challenge her new body and refocus her priorities, but when disaster strikes, she’s forced to seek refuge in the remote home of a brooding, handsome stranger…
Rob exiled himself to the Highlands years ago, desperate to escape his own self-destruction. Haunted by regrets, he avoids human contact at all costs…but when Merry turns up injured, he can’t very well run her off. And as he nurses her back to health, Rob can’t resist his guest’s sweet demeanor—or her flirtatious advances. The igniting passion between them rouses a secret appetite Rob has long struggled to keep hidden. But Merry craves nothing more than to help Rob surrender to his desires, and the journey draws the lovers into an entirely different kind of wilderness.
268 pages, ebook
First published October 15, 2013
About the author
Cara McKenna
41 books2,203 followersSince she began writing in 2008, Cara McKenna has published nearly forty romances and erotic novels with a variety of publishers, sometimes under the pen names Meg Maguire and C.M. McKenna. Her stories have been acclaimed for their smart, modern voice and defiance of convention. She was a 2015 RITA Award finalist, a 2014 RT Reviewers’ Choice Award winner, a 2012 and 2011 RT Reviewers’ Choice Award nominee, and a 2010 Golden Heart Award finalist. She lives with her husband and baby son in the Pacific Northwest, though she’ll always be a Boston girl at heart.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 543 reviews
August 28, 2015
3.75 stars.****Review completed October 20, 2013
After losing almost 100 pounds, Merry decides to go on a trip across her mother's homeland Scotland. She's determined to hike through the Scottish Highlands to arrive in Inverness within a timeframe of three weeks. Unfortunately though, the perfect idyll is getting disturbed when she starts feeling nauseous. Merry needs help and ends up on the threshold of Rob's cottage. Rob acts anything but cheery, yet he can't deny her the help she needs. Rob is a man who screwed up his life completely, and he's living a secluded life as a hermit by his own choice. Merry isn't privy to his past yet and only sees Rob's exterior. What she's absorbing, however, is appealing enough. A man with gruff looks who features too long, untamed hair and a beard and a strong body. Overall he's a very attractive package, albeit not overly welcoming.
I liked Unbound a lot but it's not Cara McKenna's best work to date. My ranking:
After Hours 4.5 stars
Willing Victim 4 stars
Unbound 3.75 stars
I gotta dedicate that gif to Rob. It's so darn apt.
What didn't work for me
That's me after reading the anticlimactic ending…
Maybe it's silly to say this but I feel kinda cheated. Granted, I get it but…but…this…? I mean…really? Seriously? It doesn't get any more abrupt and I'm sorry that I didn't like it.
I just couldn't warm up to their weird names. Rob and Merry are BEYOND ridiculous.
The second half of the story did stagnate a bit, IMO, and fell somewhat flat, i.e. their That was flat out boring. Before as well as in the aftermath of Rob being revealed as a lot fizzled out. Besides, I was so irritated because I wanted them to have that specific talk rather sooner than later. In fact, I really didn't get it why we had to wait almost till the end.
To be honest, I’ve had a hard time getting used to the image of Merry Sure, she is a rather outspoken and chatty woman but on the other hand, she was kinda shy and reluctant with quite a bit of insecurities. came as a surprise to me and was contradictory to her character.
The heroine got somewhat on my nerves with her need for reassurance. "Do you think I'm beautiful?" For God's sake, stand in front of a mirror, look at you and then tell yourself you like what you see. If anyone doesn't appreciate you, then it's their loss. You have to love yourself before anyone else can love you.
Merry telling me one too many times how beautiful Rob is, made me almost roll my eyes.
The positive summary
This was yet again different. The author’s voice sucked me in, although not quite from the beginning but I’d say I was really hooked when my suspicions were confirmed that As I see it, it was a rather crucial moment when they started to get more personal. I really liked how Cara told the story. In fact, I felt enveloped by Rob's stillness and the gorgeous landscape. Rob and the remote and ascetic cabin fused perfectly with the fabulous setting. On the other hand, the chatty Merry was the counterpoint to the lonely and taciturn Rob and brightened the somber spirit.
While I didn't really fell for the characters, I enjoyed the book as a whole. What made Unbound so worthwhile was the beautiful setting, the not so common hero with his secretive past, the different atmosphere and 'tone' of the story, the really good writing as well as the kinky sex. Call me shallow but I'm always looking forward to immersing myself in Cara's eroticism. While enough authors write amateurish and awkward sex scenes, the sex à la Cara happens to be a panty melter on a regular basis. Also, what I very much enjoyed about Unbound was the transition from kinkery to reticence, tenderness and care. It was well done. Overall the good outweighed the not so good easily, and I think I gave you more than enough incentive to read Unbound. And last but not least I must give the author some well deserved credit for writing different stories and characters.
Recommended read.
Warning
If you don't feel comfortable reading stories that provide a certain degree of kink and , then do not read Unbound. On the other hand, Unbound is not a BDSM book.
http://baba.booklikes.com
"May I hold your hand?"
(…)
He unlinked his fingers and offered his hand. Merry took it in her own, on the edge of the cushion. She let her body's awareness swim in the warm, strong weight of him, the softness of his palm, the roughness of his knuckles, the heat where his fingertips had touched his mug.
"Here, when I'm alone, there's nothing in there. Just silence, and a sense of what my next task is, based on the simplest human needs. It's very peaceful. Very Zen."
"Don't be offended if I don't invite you to come deer-stalking, then."
"Fine. I'll stick to tree-stalking. Easier to chase."
"The chase is the best part."
That gave her pause.
Merry watched his face as he fiddled with the straps, thinking he was the rarest kind of handsome, the sort of male beauty that could too easily be overlooked, hiding behind his beard and untamed hair. But when he smiled, there was no mistaking it. Like the way shadows fled behind the trees and buildings when the sun burst through the clouds.
After losing almost 100 pounds, Merry decides to go on a trip across her mother's homeland Scotland. She's determined to hike through the Scottish Highlands to arrive in Inverness within a timeframe of three weeks. Unfortunately though, the perfect idyll is getting disturbed when she starts feeling nauseous. Merry needs help and ends up on the threshold of Rob's cottage. Rob acts anything but cheery, yet he can't deny her the help she needs. Rob is a man who screwed up his life completely, and he's living a secluded life as a hermit by his own choice. Merry isn't privy to his past yet and only sees Rob's exterior. What she's absorbing, however, is appealing enough. A man with gruff looks who features too long, untamed hair and a beard and a strong body. Overall he's a very attractive package, albeit not overly welcoming.
I liked Unbound a lot but it's not Cara McKenna's best work to date. My ranking:
After Hours 4.5 stars
Willing Victim 4 stars
Unbound 3.75 stars
I gotta dedicate that gif to Rob. It's so darn apt.
What didn't work for me
That's me after reading the anticlimactic ending…
Maybe it's silly to say this but I feel kinda cheated. Granted, I get it but…but…this…? I mean…really? Seriously? It doesn't get any more abrupt and I'm sorry that I didn't like it.
I just couldn't warm up to their weird names. Rob and Merry are BEYOND ridiculous.
The second half of the story did stagnate a bit, IMO, and fell somewhat flat, i.e. their That was flat out boring. Before as well as in the aftermath of Rob being revealed as a lot fizzled out. Besides, I was so irritated because I wanted them to have that specific talk rather sooner than later. In fact, I really didn't get it why we had to wait almost till the end.
To be honest, I’ve had a hard time getting used to the image of Merry Sure, she is a rather outspoken and chatty woman but on the other hand, she was kinda shy and reluctant with quite a bit of insecurities. came as a surprise to me and was contradictory to her character.
The heroine got somewhat on my nerves with her need for reassurance. "Do you think I'm beautiful?" For God's sake, stand in front of a mirror, look at you and then tell yourself you like what you see. If anyone doesn't appreciate you, then it's their loss. You have to love yourself before anyone else can love you.
Merry telling me one too many times how beautiful Rob is, made me almost roll my eyes.
The positive summary
This was yet again different. The author’s voice sucked me in, although not quite from the beginning but I’d say I was really hooked when my suspicions were confirmed that As I see it, it was a rather crucial moment when they started to get more personal. I really liked how Cara told the story. In fact, I felt enveloped by Rob's stillness and the gorgeous landscape. Rob and the remote and ascetic cabin fused perfectly with the fabulous setting. On the other hand, the chatty Merry was the counterpoint to the lonely and taciturn Rob and brightened the somber spirit.
While I didn't really fell for the characters, I enjoyed the book as a whole. What made Unbound so worthwhile was the beautiful setting, the not so common hero with his secretive past, the different atmosphere and 'tone' of the story, the really good writing as well as the kinky sex. Call me shallow but I'm always looking forward to immersing myself in Cara's eroticism. While enough authors write amateurish and awkward sex scenes, the sex à la Cara happens to be a panty melter on a regular basis. Also, what I very much enjoyed about Unbound was the transition from kinkery to reticence, tenderness and care. It was well done. Overall the good outweighed the not so good easily, and I think I gave you more than enough incentive to read Unbound. And last but not least I must give the author some well deserved credit for writing different stories and characters.
Recommended read.
Warning
If you don't feel comfortable reading stories that provide a certain degree of kink and , then do not read Unbound. On the other hand, Unbound is not a BDSM book.
http://baba.booklikes.com
January 21, 2021
4.7 stars
I read this for the # TBRChallenge, previous updates with my full thoughts, comments, and quotes can be found:
Reading Update: 10%
Reading Update: 30%
Reading Update: 50%
Reading Update: 70%
Reading Update: 100%
In it's outline, this is a grumpy + sunshine (with a life saving doggo!) with a heroine taking a trip to Scotland to find herself. She comes upon a hermit (who's hot!) and ends up having to stay with him when she gets sick.
In author McKenna's hands it becomes so much more with characters who have layers and layers. Rob our hero is an alcoholic which is partly caused by his personal kink of needing to be tied up and wanting to be submissive and feel used in the bedroom. This ends up fitting perfectly with our heroine Merry as she is in the process of discovering who she really is and wanting to exert her power. Notice those dynamics, a big strong manly man who is submissive in the bedroom and our less physically powerful heroine alone but wanting to feel powerful? Brilliant.
Along with the character layers there is depth and emotion. I had endless lines, quotes, and scenes to highlight and discuss in my reading updates. I did think Rob held back from telling Merry he was an alcoholic for too long as it gave a little bit of a rushed feeling to the end. I was disappointed we didn't get to "see" Merry and her friends have a moment or Rob with his brother.
Overall, though, this hit me in the feels and if you can handle some sexy SEXY times, Unbound is a book you need to read, then come talk to me about it :)
I read this for the # TBRChallenge, previous updates with my full thoughts, comments, and quotes can be found:
Reading Update: 10%
Reading Update: 30%
Reading Update: 50%
Reading Update: 70%
Reading Update: 100%
In it's outline, this is a grumpy + sunshine (with a life saving doggo!) with a heroine taking a trip to Scotland to find herself. She comes upon a hermit (who's hot!) and ends up having to stay with him when she gets sick.
In author McKenna's hands it becomes so much more with characters who have layers and layers. Rob our hero is an alcoholic which is partly caused by his personal kink of needing to be tied up and wanting to be submissive and feel used in the bedroom. This ends up fitting perfectly with our heroine Merry as she is in the process of discovering who she really is and wanting to exert her power. Notice those dynamics, a big strong manly man who is submissive in the bedroom and our less physically powerful heroine alone but wanting to feel powerful? Brilliant.
Along with the character layers there is depth and emotion. I had endless lines, quotes, and scenes to highlight and discuss in my reading updates. I did think Rob held back from telling Merry he was an alcoholic for too long as it gave a little bit of a rushed feeling to the end. I was disappointed we didn't get to "see" Merry and her friends have a moment or Rob with his brother.
Overall, though, this hit me in the feels and if you can handle some sexy SEXY times, Unbound is a book you need to read, then come talk to me about it :)
May 6, 2015
4.5 Unbinding Stars!!
Well then!! I have a sudden yet overwhelming urge to go backpacking through Scotland!!!
Cara McKenna has yet to disappoint me. Anytime I pick up one of her books, I know I am guaranteed to find some hot and steamy deliciousness. Unbound was no different, but it was sooo much more! So much emotion and all the feels! This was probably my most emotional read of hers. Loved it! My fave of hers to date!
You know what kinda man I like? MEN!!! Like, real men that aren't afraid to get dirty, that know how to fix shit, and who are good with their...hands!! ;) And I swear on everything Scottish, that is what our boy Rob is here.
Is this what is going on in all those highlander historicals that I haven't gotten to read yet? Well, if it is, I need to get on it!!
Rob is self-exiled from modern society, living all by his lonesome in the Scottish highlands. He's a modern day highlander (this book is not a historical). Merry is going through a time of change in her life, having recently lost almost 100 pounds AND lost her mother. She is on a journey of self exploration and self discovery. She's backpacking/hiking through Scotland when an injury leads her to the doorstep of a certain reclusive highlander. But Rob is less than a gracious host. Having spent the last several years on his own, his people skills aren't that great.
But for all the awkwardness and brooding that's going on, there's a definite interest. He just doesn't know how to act on it.
"“Fuck it,” he said aloud, and whacked the ax into the stump. He collected the wood strewn at his feet, steeling himself.
He’d make tea.
He’d make conversation.
And though he’d likely make an arse of himself, he’d bloody well make a fucking effort.”
I really loved this book. The beginning was a little slow but once it got going, I couldn't put it down. Don't read too many reviews on it!! There are a couple of pretty big twists that you just need to experience so don't ruin them for yourself. Oh, and in typical Cara McKenna fashion, the book is SCORCHING hot and quite unique in that department. It was very romantic too. Not cheezy, sappy romantic but...grand romantic Sleepless in Seattle type acts that just made me sigh big and smile even bigger like a loon!
All in all, my thoughts on this one...
I highly recommend it if you are looking for a solid, erotica read that still brings a ton of story and emotion to the table.
Oh, a word on the ending that is worth mentioning.
"You're perfect," he said. "These last few days with you have meant more to me than years with any other woman ever could."
Well then!! I have a sudden yet overwhelming urge to go backpacking through Scotland!!!
Cara McKenna has yet to disappoint me. Anytime I pick up one of her books, I know I am guaranteed to find some hot and steamy deliciousness. Unbound was no different, but it was sooo much more! So much emotion and all the feels! This was probably my most emotional read of hers. Loved it! My fave of hers to date!
You know what kinda man I like? MEN!!! Like, real men that aren't afraid to get dirty, that know how to fix shit, and who are good with their...hands!! ;) And I swear on everything Scottish, that is what our boy Rob is here.
Is this what is going on in all those highlander historicals that I haven't gotten to read yet? Well, if it is, I need to get on it!!
Rob is self-exiled from modern society, living all by his lonesome in the Scottish highlands. He's a modern day highlander (this book is not a historical). Merry is going through a time of change in her life, having recently lost almost 100 pounds AND lost her mother. She is on a journey of self exploration and self discovery. She's backpacking/hiking through Scotland when an injury leads her to the doorstep of a certain reclusive highlander. But Rob is less than a gracious host. Having spent the last several years on his own, his people skills aren't that great.
But for all the awkwardness and brooding that's going on, there's a definite interest. He just doesn't know how to act on it.
"“Fuck it,” he said aloud, and whacked the ax into the stump. He collected the wood strewn at his feet, steeling himself.
He’d make tea.
He’d make conversation.
And though he’d likely make an arse of himself, he’d bloody well make a fucking effort.”
I really loved this book. The beginning was a little slow but once it got going, I couldn't put it down. Don't read too many reviews on it!! There are a couple of pretty big twists that you just need to experience so don't ruin them for yourself. Oh, and in typical Cara McKenna fashion, the book is SCORCHING hot and quite unique in that department. It was very romantic too. Not cheezy, sappy romantic but...grand romantic Sleepless in Seattle type acts that just made me sigh big and smile even bigger like a loon!
All in all, my thoughts on this one...
I highly recommend it if you are looking for a solid, erotica read that still brings a ton of story and emotion to the table.
Oh, a word on the ending that is worth mentioning.
"You're perfect," he said. "These last few days with you have meant more to me than years with any other woman ever could."
October 21, 2013
So this is one of those books that you don't want to read too much about or it will ruin all of the the amazing surprises awaiting you in this book.
I'll tell you a few things-
Merry has just lost 100lbs and is looking for new perspective.
Rob is an Alpha Male. For sure. But he has some surprises in the bedroom.
This is so not the usual canned fare that we are getting in romance novels today.
There's dysfunction we get to watch individuals screw up and work through.
I couldn't put it down. I loved it for it's uniqueness. It's bravery. It's exploration. There's such emotional depth and exploration.
I would have LOVED a full on epilogue, but I'm good with the ending.
Do yourself a favor and read this standalone.
I'll tell you a few things-
Merry has just lost 100lbs and is looking for new perspective.
Rob is an Alpha Male. For sure. But he has some surprises in the bedroom.
This is so not the usual canned fare that we are getting in romance novels today.
There's dysfunction we get to watch individuals screw up and work through.
I couldn't put it down. I loved it for it's uniqueness. It's bravery. It's exploration. There's such emotional depth and exploration.
I would have LOVED a full on epilogue, but I'm good with the ending.
Do yourself a favor and read this standalone.
February 8, 2017
**** 4 grinning stars ****
HOLY CRAP! See that huge grin on the star? Well, that was me in during the kinky part of this book!
Thank you, Momo! For pointing me to this book or at least uttered the words "male characters likes to be tied up".
What the fuck happened! I read a MF book!
And I fucking loved it!
---------------------------
She’d picked up the end of an old rope that had been tangled by the side of the cottage. As she toyed with the fray, she looked pensive. She said something, but Rob didn’t hear. His entire world had shrunk small enough to fit in her fist— the same fist clasping that length of coarse hemp. She drew it through her hands, meter by meter, working out the knots.
“. . . free will,” she was saying, the words reaching Rob’s brain through a dreamlike fog, thin and watery.
(...)
“True,” he said, at a loss for anything else. All the blood had left his head, surging southward. Thank goodness he was kneeling— his cock was hard, pounding hot and angry.
Fuck.
Merry kept talking, but he lost the thread. She wandered closer. With the knots banished, she gripped the tail of the rope in her fist, making an L of her arm and winding the length around her elbow in uniform loops. Rough, rasping rope against that smooth, perfect skin. And Rob on his knees (...) watching as she coiled, coiled, coiled.
Put it away, put it away. If she didn’t, he’d be stuck kneeling here, scouring until he scrubbed straight through the basin. He fidgeted, the hard ground punishing his sore knees. And that rope in her hands, spooling.
A word broke through. “Rob?”
He stared at her face, avoiding her hands, willing her features and words into focus. “Sorry. What?”
(...)
As she hung up the rope and dusted her palms on her trousers, the spell broke.
Jesus fucking Christ. He gulped a breath.
----------------------------------
Awesome awesome awesome!
I liked the writing. I loved that it was alternate POV between Merry and Rob. Getting to know Rob's thoughts and desires, and Merry's response to them.
Some of the book was a bit blah-blah-blah, but the kink was sooo good!
Cue happy dance:
~UNF~
I'm actually a bit flabbergasted for actually liking a MF book. It's been ages since I've actually enjoyed one, and I stopped reading them because it was all the same-the same-the same.
Well, this wasn't "the same as the rest of them". The setting and the characters were very different from a lot of MF books I've read before. Scottish highland and bit of bondage?
I'll have mine double, please.
I want my own Rob. Can I have a Rob on my own, please?
I want to be Merry. Can I be Merry? I am Merry. Kind of. Or want to be.
Don't judge. 'Cus
*snickers*
Whaaat? ;)
April 11, 2021
I might review this. And also, I might not.
October 10, 2013
In my last interview with Charlotte Stein, she mentioned being excitement about Cara McKenna’s newest book. Now after having read UNBOUND, I can totally understand where Charlotte was coming from. Fans of Stein will LOVE UNBOUND. McKenna pens such a beautifully erotic storyline for two lost characters trying to find their way through life.
After the loss of her mother and losing 100 pounds, Merry has decided to take a three-week hike through the Scottish Highlands. This is where she falls ill and stumbles upon Rob’s secluded home hidden in the Highlands. At first, it’s a little awkward. Rob is a total stranger to Merry yet there is something intriguing and undeniable that makes her want to stay.
There is a slow build in the first half of the book. However, I find that it is necessary for both characters. Merry is overcoming her losses and is in a way trying to find her true self. Rob, on the other hand, is the opposite. He is hiding from the world, hoping to go on by without being noticed. He tries to deny himself the privilege to being with other people because he thinks himself to be a bad man. As you read, you will get more of his backstory and I think it definitely makes up for the slower start. Merry and Rob must learn to trust each other before they have any grounds on which to grow their relationship from.
Once there, readers are in for a BIG TREAT. I know why Stein was rejoicing about this book. Rob Rush has to be one of the most intriguing heroes I’ve read. I don’t want to spoil it for anyone, but the title does give readers some idea of what his kink is. I found him fascinating, although I’m not sure how his character will be received by others readers. I do know that there are some people who will find this book so erotically charged that it will be a highlight for them as much as it has been for me.
As the story progresses, McKenna delves even deeper into her characters, wrenching out more emotion and passion in this pair. I became entranced by every word and found myself falling more and more in love with these characters.
For some of the hottest sex scenes you will read, UNBOUND has everything I want in a romance. Unexpectedly charming characters with a heady dose of kink makes this story one of my favorites this year.
*ARC provided by publisher
June 12, 2016
Why? Why haven’t I read something like this before? It’s like the opposite of what made me turn my back on m/f a few years back.
This is fucking great!
No fucking gender stereotypes!
I really, really loved that, and I needed to read something like this, something relatable.
A confident woman, or even better, a woman that hasn’t always been confident but is now.
I understood both Merry’s and Rob’s fears and struggles. I think what happened between them felt natural and real, although we still have this fairy-tail feel to the story as well.
This book is scorching hot. Also totally my kink, I found out. Not only can I relate to Rob’s sexuality because I do relate to it on a mere fantastical level, but moreover, I could see myself in Merry’s dominant role. I especially loved how the wish to submit and be humiliated arose from Rob’s side and not the other way around. Merry indulged him and realised how much she was into it herself, without losing her own sexual identity. That was really well done.
Did I mention this was hot?
I loved the pacing, the advance and retreat in the beginning. I liked the secluded Scottish setting. I think I liked everything. Recommended!
____________________________________
Genre: contemporary romance
Tags: f/m, Scotland, eremit, submission, addiction, weight loss, hiking, new beginnings
Rating: 4.5 stars
This is fucking great!
No fucking gender stereotypes!
I really, really loved that, and I needed to read something like this, something relatable.
A confident woman, or even better, a woman that hasn’t always been confident but is now.
I understood both Merry’s and Rob’s fears and struggles. I think what happened between them felt natural and real, although we still have this fairy-tail feel to the story as well.
This book is scorching hot. Also totally my kink, I found out. Not only can I relate to Rob’s sexuality because I do relate to it on a mere fantastical level, but moreover, I could see myself in Merry’s dominant role. I especially loved how the wish to submit and be humiliated arose from Rob’s side and not the other way around. Merry indulged him and realised how much she was into it herself, without losing her own sexual identity. That was really well done.
Did I mention this was hot?
I loved the pacing, the advance and retreat in the beginning. I liked the secluded Scottish setting. I think I liked everything. Recommended!
____________________________________
Genre: contemporary romance
Tags: f/m, Scotland, eremit, submission, addiction, weight loss, hiking, new beginnings
Rating: 4.5 stars
November 20, 2018
Nuestra reseña en A la cama con... un libro
Una lectura que no ha sido para nada lo que esperaba de un libro BDSM. Me ha gustado mucho cómo está escrito.
Una lectura que no ha sido para nada lo que esperaba de un libro BDSM. Me ha gustado mucho cómo está escrito.
June 19, 2017
It had taken the wilderness to make a civilized man of him.
I kinda felt it was inevitable that I would eventually give McKenna a five star rating.
Rob stole a couple glances at her, and she let him. His admiration felt like sunshine on her naked skin, and her heart broke for the woman she'd been for so long, always running for the shadows.
I mean, the woman writes smart books. Smart romances. Smart erotica. She gives us real characters, real situations, real connections, and always adds in an effortless bit of diversity. So, yeah, inevitable. But maybe it's the fact that I could identity with this one the most; with the fat girl who has shed the weight she's hidden behind for so long and yet still clings to all her insecurities and hangups. Maybe it's because it's set in Scotland and I recently lost my heart to those wild Highlands. Maybe it's because it has a self-exiled and self-sufficient grump with a fleet of baggage -- and a deaf nameless dog, that's right, there's a dog -- but who is genuinely kind and lovely instead of a grumpy asshole for no reason. Maybe because he's not an alphamale.
"You.. you know I'm terrifically fucked-up, right?"
"Yes. I've come to like that about you."
Maybe it's just because I've been hard up for a really good read lately. Or, more likely, it's just a damn good fucking book.
Yes, you caught me. It's all those things.
"I can't wait to meet you all over again, Merry. And to let you meet me."
Read it.
4.75 "it felt as though he were submitting to a psychiatric session, led by a doctor with questionable boundaries" stars
I kinda felt it was inevitable that I would eventually give McKenna a five star rating.
Rob stole a couple glances at her, and she let him. His admiration felt like sunshine on her naked skin, and her heart broke for the woman she'd been for so long, always running for the shadows.
I mean, the woman writes smart books. Smart romances. Smart erotica. She gives us real characters, real situations, real connections, and always adds in an effortless bit of diversity. So, yeah, inevitable. But maybe it's the fact that I could identity with this one the most; with the fat girl who has shed the weight she's hidden behind for so long and yet still clings to all her insecurities and hangups. Maybe it's because it's set in Scotland and I recently lost my heart to those wild Highlands. Maybe it's because it has a self-exiled and self-sufficient grump with a fleet of baggage -- and a deaf nameless dog, that's right, there's a dog -- but who is genuinely kind and lovely instead of a grumpy asshole for no reason. Maybe because he's not an alphamale.
"You.. you know I'm terrifically fucked-up, right?"
"Yes. I've come to like that about you."
Maybe it's just because I've been hard up for a really good read lately. Or, more likely, it's just a damn good fucking book.
Yes, you caught me. It's all those things.
"I can't wait to meet you all over again, Merry. And to let you meet me."
Read it.
4.75 "it felt as though he were submitting to a psychiatric session, led by a doctor with questionable boundaries" stars
February 15, 2014
This is my second book by Cara McKenna and I think I'm in love. McKenna has a way of taking an unusual hero and making him swoon-worthy. It was Kelly, the middle-class orderly from After Hours and now it's Rob, the recovering alcoholic and hermit whose secret sexual fetish causes him shame. Not your average Alpha-romance-erotic-novel heroes here. No Sir. It's a refreshing change, though I have to admit if the synopsis available for this book had mentioned Rob's particular fetish I may have put off reading this thinking it wouldn't be to my taste.
I'm a die-hard fan of a good BBW and though this isn't really a BBW, I loved that the heroine was fresh from a 100lb weight loss and was still carrying around the emotional and mental baggage that comes with being heavy. Add to that a hot guy living in seclusion in Scotland---well, I thought this book had to be the recipe for erotic literary perfection.
It delivered but in a way I didn't expect. I've read romances where the hero struggled with alcohol or drugs, and while it doesn't make for the strongest Alpha male, it makes for a realistic and emotional struggle. In this book Rob is struggling. He's living a spartan and secluded, simple life to keep himself away from any and all temptation to succumb to drinking himself to death. But his problems aren't so simple as alcoholism. His alcoholism began as a way to numb himself from the shame of his sexual desires.
When it became clear what Rob's proclivities were exactly, I found myself astounded that I could be so attracted to and emotionally invested in Rob and his budding love for Merry. And I was. Merry seemed to be a perfect fit for Rob and vice versa.
Merry had always been the nice, people-pleaser. Molding herself to fit what others around her wanted her to be. She was demure and unassertive. All of that she was able to shed and destroy when she found Rob. It was strangely beautiful the way they fit each other. Her instant and total acceptance of him along with her adeptness at their bedroom activities won Merry Rob's eternal adoration. Rob saw in Merry the beautiful facets of her personality. She was warm and kind and trusting, but she also had a new-found assertiveness that he loved. She knew him and he wanted to know her, the real her, not what she thought people expected her to be.
Cara McKenna took a subject and a character that could have easily missed the mark, but, as it turned out this story was beautiful. Yes, it was erotic, yes, the fetish was something I don't seek out to read or even want in a hero, but it felt real and heart-wrenching. Both characters were complex, both were so worthy of someone to love them for who they really were.
I really loved that Unbound was told with both POV's. In After Hours we weren't in Kelly's head at all. But with a tortured person like Rob, this could not have been told only from Merry's perspective. We needed to really know Rob to love him.
What I didn't love was that--like After Hours-- there was no epilogue. Now, in After Hours, I wished there was one, but I was okay with the fact that there wasn't one. Oh, well--I can go on faith that they live Happily Ever After. But in Unbound---wow...there could have been such a satisfying epilogue there. I imagine Merry running that shop in Inverness, closing up for lunch to go upstairs and indulge herself and Rob, unashamedly, in sexual bliss, all of Rob's demons a thing of the past thanks to Merry's openness and understanding and love. ***SIGH*** But we didn't get that. I have to use my imagination, I guess. Despite the lack of a sorely-needed epilogue, Unbound gets a 5-star rating from me. And makes Cara McKenna one of my new favorite authors.
I'm a die-hard fan of a good BBW and though this isn't really a BBW, I loved that the heroine was fresh from a 100lb weight loss and was still carrying around the emotional and mental baggage that comes with being heavy. Add to that a hot guy living in seclusion in Scotland---well, I thought this book had to be the recipe for erotic literary perfection.
It delivered but in a way I didn't expect. I've read romances where the hero struggled with alcohol or drugs, and while it doesn't make for the strongest Alpha male, it makes for a realistic and emotional struggle. In this book Rob is struggling. He's living a spartan and secluded, simple life to keep himself away from any and all temptation to succumb to drinking himself to death. But his problems aren't so simple as alcoholism. His alcoholism began as a way to numb himself from the shame of his sexual desires.
When it became clear what Rob's proclivities were exactly, I found myself astounded that I could be so attracted to and emotionally invested in Rob and his budding love for Merry. And I was. Merry seemed to be a perfect fit for Rob and vice versa.
Merry had always been the nice, people-pleaser. Molding herself to fit what others around her wanted her to be. She was demure and unassertive. All of that she was able to shed and destroy when she found Rob. It was strangely beautiful the way they fit each other. Her instant and total acceptance of him along with her adeptness at their bedroom activities won Merry Rob's eternal adoration. Rob saw in Merry the beautiful facets of her personality. She was warm and kind and trusting, but she also had a new-found assertiveness that he loved. She knew him and he wanted to know her, the real her, not what she thought people expected her to be.
Cara McKenna took a subject and a character that could have easily missed the mark, but, as it turned out this story was beautiful. Yes, it was erotic, yes, the fetish was something I don't seek out to read or even want in a hero, but it felt real and heart-wrenching. Both characters were complex, both were so worthy of someone to love them for who they really were.
I really loved that Unbound was told with both POV's. In After Hours we weren't in Kelly's head at all. But with a tortured person like Rob, this could not have been told only from Merry's perspective. We needed to really know Rob to love him.
What I didn't love was that--like After Hours-- there was no epilogue. Now, in After Hours, I wished there was one, but I was okay with the fact that there wasn't one. Oh, well--I can go on faith that they live Happily Ever After. But in Unbound---wow...there could have been such a satisfying epilogue there. I imagine Merry running that shop in Inverness, closing up for lunch to go upstairs and indulge herself and Rob, unashamedly, in sexual bliss, all of Rob's demons a thing of the past thanks to Merry's openness and understanding and love. ***SIGH*** But we didn't get that. I have to use my imagination, I guess. Despite the lack of a sorely-needed epilogue, Unbound gets a 5-star rating from me. And makes Cara McKenna one of my new favorite authors.
October 16, 2013
I’ve said this countless times on this blog but I love Cara McKenna’s voice. She always gives me something different in her stories, and many times they are filled with characters who are not super rich or have wealthy backgrounds or families. They are just people, usually one of them struggling with something quite dark, and we get to see them fall in love and realize what they are not alone to struggle with their issues.
In Unbound we meet Merry, a woman who has recently lost almost 100 pounds, and while that puts a huge smile on her face, she still feels fat on the inside. Those feelings don’t just magically go away. After the recent death of her mother, Merry decides to do something just for herself, and off she goes to trek miles and miles across Scotland. She finds peace and enjoys the solitude, until she becomes violently ill. Weak, with horrible cramping and nausea, she hikes to a reclusive, small cottage she sees in the distance.
Rob is owner of said cabin. He has banished himself to this place with no electricity or indoor plumbing for over two years. He is (was) a severe alcoholic, and after treating his now ex-wife cruelly, and having pushed away all friends and family, he resides alone. The temptation of a bigger city, of alcohol or just people in general is too much for him to bear.
With no other humans about, he was nothing more than an anonymous mammal – breathing and eating and living. But in the company of other people, he couldn’t help feeling he was the worst his species had to offer.
Gluttonous, weak, spiteful.
It had taken the wilderness to make a civilized man of him, and he longed for this place every second he was away from it. Even more than he longed for a drink.
Then Merry shows up.
At first I didn’t like Merry. She shows up at this stranger’s cottage and is so darn forward. She felt pushy and she pried into his life and never stopped talking. I felt embarrassed for her in a sense. But then something happened. I started to realize Rob needed this force in his life. Rob starts very quiet, very awkward. He is so used to solitude it’s hard for him to fake smile or keep a conversation going. But three days of them together, and he starts to open up. Merry practically forces him, but as the reader you can see it is what he wants. Rob has certain sexual proclivities that he feels shame for (being tied up – or the feeling of rough rope against his skin). He actually can’t get aroused very much without this. He has such shame over this and over his alcoholism and just the shitty way he has treated people – but he opens up to Merry. He spills all of his sexual fantasies – and Merry embraces it. She says – fuck yes! Let’s tie you up and role play. She likes it, and he likes it and their relationship takes a very sweet (and kinky!) turn. Rob is so vulnerable and kind of shy and Merry who I thought would give me a headache turns out to be perfect for him. Who knew!
The end unfolds with some drama and conflict and I really enjoyed how it all plays out. After a little bit of a rocky start, this one worked quite well for me.
In Unbound we meet Merry, a woman who has recently lost almost 100 pounds, and while that puts a huge smile on her face, she still feels fat on the inside. Those feelings don’t just magically go away. After the recent death of her mother, Merry decides to do something just for herself, and off she goes to trek miles and miles across Scotland. She finds peace and enjoys the solitude, until she becomes violently ill. Weak, with horrible cramping and nausea, she hikes to a reclusive, small cottage she sees in the distance.
Rob is owner of said cabin. He has banished himself to this place with no electricity or indoor plumbing for over two years. He is (was) a severe alcoholic, and after treating his now ex-wife cruelly, and having pushed away all friends and family, he resides alone. The temptation of a bigger city, of alcohol or just people in general is too much for him to bear.
With no other humans about, he was nothing more than an anonymous mammal – breathing and eating and living. But in the company of other people, he couldn’t help feeling he was the worst his species had to offer.
Gluttonous, weak, spiteful.
It had taken the wilderness to make a civilized man of him, and he longed for this place every second he was away from it. Even more than he longed for a drink.
Then Merry shows up.
At first I didn’t like Merry. She shows up at this stranger’s cottage and is so darn forward. She felt pushy and she pried into his life and never stopped talking. I felt embarrassed for her in a sense. But then something happened. I started to realize Rob needed this force in his life. Rob starts very quiet, very awkward. He is so used to solitude it’s hard for him to fake smile or keep a conversation going. But three days of them together, and he starts to open up. Merry practically forces him, but as the reader you can see it is what he wants. Rob has certain sexual proclivities that he feels shame for (being tied up – or the feeling of rough rope against his skin). He actually can’t get aroused very much without this. He has such shame over this and over his alcoholism and just the shitty way he has treated people – but he opens up to Merry. He spills all of his sexual fantasies – and Merry embraces it. She says – fuck yes! Let’s tie you up and role play. She likes it, and he likes it and their relationship takes a very sweet (and kinky!) turn. Rob is so vulnerable and kind of shy and Merry who I thought would give me a headache turns out to be perfect for him. Who knew!
The end unfolds with some drama and conflict and I really enjoyed how it all plays out. After a little bit of a rocky start, this one worked quite well for me.
February 7, 2020
At this point, I feel like you can you pretty much cue my reaction upon finishing a Cara McKenna novel. It goes a little something like ‘Wowza! Wowza! Wowza!’ I have to be honest, I had my doubts about Unbound. And while there were parts of the book that made me feel like maybe I wasn’t the intended audience, I have listened to it four times now. I figure it’s time I review the book.
Unbound is a beautifully woven story about acceptance and finding yourself in the unlikeliest of places. What makes this story so remarkable is Merry. She’s determined to visit her mother’s birthplace, and after shedding a hundred pounds, she heads to Scotland and embarks on a trek through the highlands. This is just one of things about Merry I loved – she doesn’t rely on her weight loss to change her life. She takes the initiative to start living, and she does this in a big way. Once her journey is underway, however, she falls ill and seeks refuge at the only cottage she’s seen for miles. It’s there she meets Rob, a gruff, somewhat socially challenged man who seems anything but pleased to find her on his doorstep. Rob’s been battling his demons for years the only way he knows how – by running away from them. But Merry’s cheerful demeanor and easy acceptance soon have him wishing for things he never thought he’d have. But Rob keeps his cards close to his vest, and he’s afraid to share his past with Merry.
Unbound is sexy with a side of poignancy, and while those scenes aren’t scarce, they don’t overwhelm the story. It’s clear every scene serves a purpose. This book is packed with emotion, and as we slowly get to know these characters and watch them get to know each other, it’s impossible not to root for them. There were hardly any secondary characters, and I think that served the story well. It was about finding yourself on your own terms and learning that sometimes, the hardest person to gain acceptance from is yourself. I loved every moment of this book; it was another perfect example of Cara McKenna taking ordinary, everyday people, and making them extraordinary. Even if it’s only to one person.
Unbound is a beautifully woven story about acceptance and finding yourself in the unlikeliest of places. What makes this story so remarkable is Merry. She’s determined to visit her mother’s birthplace, and after shedding a hundred pounds, she heads to Scotland and embarks on a trek through the highlands. This is just one of things about Merry I loved – she doesn’t rely on her weight loss to change her life. She takes the initiative to start living, and she does this in a big way. Once her journey is underway, however, she falls ill and seeks refuge at the only cottage she’s seen for miles. It’s there she meets Rob, a gruff, somewhat socially challenged man who seems anything but pleased to find her on his doorstep. Rob’s been battling his demons for years the only way he knows how – by running away from them. But Merry’s cheerful demeanor and easy acceptance soon have him wishing for things he never thought he’d have. But Rob keeps his cards close to his vest, and he’s afraid to share his past with Merry.
Unbound is sexy with a side of poignancy, and while those scenes aren’t scarce, they don’t overwhelm the story. It’s clear every scene serves a purpose. This book is packed with emotion, and as we slowly get to know these characters and watch them get to know each other, it’s impossible not to root for them. There were hardly any secondary characters, and I think that served the story well. It was about finding yourself on your own terms and learning that sometimes, the hardest person to gain acceptance from is yourself. I loved every moment of this book; it was another perfect example of Cara McKenna taking ordinary, everyday people, and making them extraordinary. Even if it’s only to one person.
November 11, 2016
Struggled to finish this one as I just found it........boring! To be fair it had some good bits but this just wasn't my cuppa!
October 21, 2013
Slick‘s review posted on Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews
Review copy provided for an honest review
5 STARS
Sometimes you read a book and it’s so much more than you expected it to be. It surprises you, it intrigues you, and it’s so masterfully written that you can’t put it down because you have to know what happens next. Such is the case with Cara McKenna’s Unbound. The cover caught my eye, the synopsis was enough to peak my interest but wow, after reading it I’m just completely floored and I have another author I’ll add to my ever growing “must read” list.
After losing over one hundred pounds and taking control of her life Merry sets off to walk from Glasgow to Inverness, Scotland over two weeks time. A trek through her mother’s homeland, something she’s still not clear why she’s doing when she is taken seriously ill. She backtracks to a small cabin she saw hoping someone there can help her and encounter Rob, a man who has basically shut himself off from the world.
I can’t even begin to describe the complexities of the relationship between Merry and Rob. Rob is unnerved having Merry in his home. Merry is attracted to him from the start but she’s also ill and concussed. They come to an understanding that leads to a friendship that leads to more. The more however includes Merry’s hang-ups about her body and Rob’s sexual proclivities that he’s never truly shared with another person but Merry figures out and confronts him about. Rob has other issues which become their issues as time goes on.
This is a book with basically two people in it yet the story is full and the path they take so intricate that they are all you need. I was absorbed into this book, their lives prior to meeting, and their lives after. I knew they were walking in a mine field but you couldn’t help wanting them to get through to the happiness on the other side because of everything they’ve been through. Rarely does a book touch my heart like this one, I felt for these characters and their pain became mine.
I would love to say more about this book, but I want you to be as surprised and caught up in it as much as I was so I’m going to stop and say, visit your favorite bookseller and pick this one up. I think you’ll be amazed by the storytelling, enthralled by these characters, and completely fascinated as they travel their very winding road into their future.
Review copy provided for an honest review
5 STARS
Sometimes you read a book and it’s so much more than you expected it to be. It surprises you, it intrigues you, and it’s so masterfully written that you can’t put it down because you have to know what happens next. Such is the case with Cara McKenna’s Unbound. The cover caught my eye, the synopsis was enough to peak my interest but wow, after reading it I’m just completely floored and I have another author I’ll add to my ever growing “must read” list.
After losing over one hundred pounds and taking control of her life Merry sets off to walk from Glasgow to Inverness, Scotland over two weeks time. A trek through her mother’s homeland, something she’s still not clear why she’s doing when she is taken seriously ill. She backtracks to a small cabin she saw hoping someone there can help her and encounter Rob, a man who has basically shut himself off from the world.
I can’t even begin to describe the complexities of the relationship between Merry and Rob. Rob is unnerved having Merry in his home. Merry is attracted to him from the start but she’s also ill and concussed. They come to an understanding that leads to a friendship that leads to more. The more however includes Merry’s hang-ups about her body and Rob’s sexual proclivities that he’s never truly shared with another person but Merry figures out and confronts him about. Rob has other issues which become their issues as time goes on.
This is a book with basically two people in it yet the story is full and the path they take so intricate that they are all you need. I was absorbed into this book, their lives prior to meeting, and their lives after. I knew they were walking in a mine field but you couldn’t help wanting them to get through to the happiness on the other side because of everything they’ve been through. Rarely does a book touch my heart like this one, I felt for these characters and their pain became mine.
I would love to say more about this book, but I want you to be as surprised and caught up in it as much as I was so I’m going to stop and say, visit your favorite bookseller and pick this one up. I think you’ll be amazed by the storytelling, enthralled by these characters, and completely fascinated as they travel their very winding road into their future.
October 15, 2013
4 stars, and its all pretty much after the 40% mark. I was just feeling kind of
about it, but after the 40% mark, it was so right.
I didn't particularly love Merry at first, but she grew on me, she was a good fit for Rob and I think personality-wise, they had this good balance thing going on.
Basically, Rob used to be kind of a bastard.
Holed up the last two years in a little cottage in the middle of nowhere (with no electricity), he has settled into his routine. He likes the silence, no one around for him to disappoint, he can hide from his issues. He's socially awkward and generally doesn't open the door for stragglers (except the deaf dog).
But then Merry shows up, sick, bleeding, and in need of help.
He lets her in, but keeps her at arms length. I thought Merry was a bit obnoxious at first honestly. She slowly draws Rob out of his shell, which was interesting, he was struggling with a lot of demons and she was...just kind of perfect about the whole thing. Well, at least with what he let her have.
Once he opened up
I pretty much wanted to camp out in his imagination for like...well, forever. Their scenes were pretty intense.
Though they haven't known each other long, I really felt the connection between them and found myself hoping for all sorts of ridiculous things to happen.
I was glad that things weren't all sunshine and roses and that there were issues and it wasn't one of these, oh, i found the perfect person and now I'm free of my issues, no, it deeper than that, and I really appreciated the struggle and the realistic portion of this beautiful fantasy. I wasn't disappointed with the ending, it wasn't exactly what I had hoped for, but I think there could be no better ending. Love Cara McKenna so of course I will read more from this author and would recommend to others, though I may warn them to push themselves to through the beginning, because I did struggle with it a bit.
about it, but after the 40% mark, it was so right.I didn't particularly love Merry at first, but she grew on me, she was a good fit for Rob and I think personality-wise, they had this good balance thing going on.
Basically, Rob used to be kind of a bastard.
Holed up the last two years in a little cottage in the middle of nowhere (with no electricity), he has settled into his routine. He likes the silence, no one around for him to disappoint, he can hide from his issues. He's socially awkward and generally doesn't open the door for stragglers (except the deaf dog).
But then Merry shows up, sick, bleeding, and in need of help.
He lets her in, but keeps her at arms length. I thought Merry was a bit obnoxious at first honestly. She slowly draws Rob out of his shell, which was interesting, he was struggling with a lot of demons and she was...just kind of perfect about the whole thing. Well, at least with what he let her have.
Once he opened up
I pretty much wanted to camp out in his imagination for like...well, forever. Their scenes were pretty intense.
Though they haven't known each other long, I really felt the connection between them and found myself hoping for all sorts of ridiculous things to happen.
I was glad that things weren't all sunshine and roses and that there were issues and it wasn't one of these, oh, i found the perfect person and now I'm free of my issues, no, it deeper than that, and I really appreciated the struggle and the realistic portion of this beautiful fantasy. I wasn't disappointed with the ending, it wasn't exactly what I had hoped for, but I think there could be no better ending. Love Cara McKenna so of course I will read more from this author and would recommend to others, though I may warn them to push themselves to through the beginning, because I did struggle with it a bit.
October 16, 2013
Sweet Jesus, I loved this book.
My girl, Andrea (http://thebookishbabes.blogspot.ca/), was raving about this yesterday and when she's raving, I listen. I started it yesterday at lunchtime, at my desk...I couldn't put it down, was mad that I had to do actual work and then take a total reading break to drive home from work.
Rob Rush. I don't even want to get into why I was completely taken by surprise at how hard I fell for this beautifully broken man...I don't want to spoil anybody...if I'd have been spoiled I'm not certain I would've read it because I'm sure I would've thought "nah, that's not my thing"...I would've been completely wrong.
I really liked Merry too...there are a lot of things about her that I can relate to. Her relationships with her girlfriends and realizations about those friends are things that I think we all go through at some point and I envy her courage to go out on her own to figure out what SHE really wants...to really put herself first in a fun and challenging way.
My only complaint is that it ended too soon for me. Abruptly. I want more of Merry & Rob. An epilogue...an angst free novella...SOMEthing.
This was amazing.
My girl, Andrea (http://thebookishbabes.blogspot.ca/), was raving about this yesterday and when she's raving, I listen. I started it yesterday at lunchtime, at my desk...I couldn't put it down, was mad that I had to do actual work and then take a total reading break to drive home from work.
Rob Rush. I don't even want to get into why I was completely taken by surprise at how hard I fell for this beautifully broken man...I don't want to spoil anybody...if I'd have been spoiled I'm not certain I would've read it because I'm sure I would've thought "nah, that's not my thing"...I would've been completely wrong.
I really liked Merry too...there are a lot of things about her that I can relate to. Her relationships with her girlfriends and realizations about those friends are things that I think we all go through at some point and I envy her courage to go out on her own to figure out what SHE really wants...to really put herself first in a fun and challenging way.
My only complaint is that it ended too soon for me. Abruptly. I want more of Merry & Rob. An epilogue...an angst free novella...SOMEthing.
This was amazing.
May 3, 2015
4.5 Stars
This book was such a nice surprise!
I was expecting lots of hot, kinky sex
I got it ..
And a whole lot more!
This book speaks to all your inner demons (whatever they may be) & gives reassurance that all can be redeemed - even when you think you're beyond redemption.
There was so much more depth to this story than what I was ever hoping for. The characters are incredible - and their chemisrty is seriously off the charts. But the very best part was that, underneath all the kink & all the hangups is a wonderfully beautiful sweetness.
And it all takes place in one of the most beautiful landscapes imaginable ...
What a great read. Thanks to Lisa who's wonderful review prompted this read!
Her review is way better than mine too. read for yourself ... https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
This book was such a nice surprise!
I was expecting lots of hot, kinky sex
I got it ..
And a whole lot more!
This book speaks to all your inner demons (whatever they may be) & gives reassurance that all can be redeemed - even when you think you're beyond redemption.
There was so much more depth to this story than what I was ever hoping for. The characters are incredible - and their chemisrty is seriously off the charts. But the very best part was that, underneath all the kink & all the hangups is a wonderfully beautiful sweetness.
And it all takes place in one of the most beautiful landscapes imaginable ...
What a great read. Thanks to Lisa who's wonderful review prompted this read!
Her review is way better than mine too. read for yourself ... https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
September 23, 2018
Not my favorite Cara McKenna book, but it was still good. A little bit of a departure from my usual romance story, because the hero is not an alpha. It was an adjustment and I almost didn’t finish the book. Other than that, it’s a great story that had an additional depth. The hero and heroine were both battling personal demons that were very real world. That’s what makes Cara McKenna books so great. They are super sexy, but with everyday characters with everyday problems. No super hot billionaires or rockstars.
September 2, 2014
I'm too worn out to write a full review at the moment, but I will share a few of my thoughts & observations regarding Cara McKenna's Unbound.
1) This novel is NOT a "page-turner." Rather, it is a profound exploration into the psyches of two individuals who each had his/her own reasons for self-isolation & shame. The heroine used to be 100 lb. overweight, & her past PHYSICAL imperfections took an acute EMOTIONAL toll. By the time she meets the novel's hero while hiking through Scotland on a lone soul-searching mission, she is still grappling to reconcile her new physique with a lifetime of deeply embedded feelings of unworthiness & insecurity.... The hero, on the other hand, has always been physically attractive by society's standards. However, he possesses PHYSICAL & PSYCHOLOGICAL needs that fall "outside" the norms of society. His needs cause him immense shame, thereby prompting him to withdraw from society for 3 long years, Although these characters may seem very different at a cursory glance, there IS one thing that they share in common: Each character is tormented when his/her emotional self fails to harmoniously coexist with his/her physical self. Needless to say, this book is more character-driven than it is plot-driven, & the reader is required to engage in profound character analyses & reflection. If you don't enjoy these types of novels, then this book is definitely NOT for you.
2) I've read synopses of Cara McKenna's other novels & TONS of reviews from her fans. However, Unbound is actually the first novel that I've read by this particular author. I respect McKenna for undertaking such an AMBITIOUS project. Psychophysiological manifestations/conditions were one of my major areas of research while I was in school, so I know from firsthand experience how difficult it is to write about such complex issues. IMO, McKenna is a brave & gutsy author to attempt such a feat. As I mentioned before, this book is NOT a "page turner." And I doubt that this novel will satisfy a certain subset of fans who enjoy Erotic storytelling without having to delve into deep psychological & critical analyses in order to understand both the characters & the storyline. Because of my educational background, because the novel features issues that are of particular academic interest to me, & because I enjoy reading character-driven storylines, I rather liked Unbound. However, I can totally understand if others feel differently. This book is definitely NOT for everyone.
3) The character development & the author's attention to detail are some of the things that impressed me the most about this novel. The two main characters— Rob & Merry— are SO well-crafted... and the first HALF of the novel thoroughly describes each character's personality, idiosyncrasies, & past traumas. The author also provides a lot of background information— enough history for the reader to get a very strong sense of who Merry is, but perhaps NOT quite enough history for the reader to completely understand Rob. However, no great work of fiction spells out EVERY single thing for the reader... and certain aspects of a novel should be left open to interpretation. For example, The Great Gatsby would have been a much lesser novel if Fitzgerald had explicitly explained the recurring motif of the "green light" and what it symbolized.... Therefore, I can understand why McKenna made the artistic decision to leave out elements of Rob's past & why she chose not to discuss the formative years that shaped his sexuality.
4) The one thing that I love THE MOST about this novel is its HONESTY. This novel is a breath of fresh air in a genre overflowing with manipulative characters who lie & cheat, who play mind games & who fail to properly communicate. Don't get me wrong: Merry & Rob DO "play games," but not the kinds of games meant to trick or damage others. ;) I really love Merry, & I think that she serves as a wonderful example of a modern-day woman who is honest & upfront... and who goes after what she wants. And Rob is a very lovable character, in spite of his demons & the sins of his past. Rob is aware of his past mistakes, & he makes no excuses for them. In my opinion, there is nothing more appealing about a flawed character than the ability & willingness to admit & own one's shortcomings.
In summation, I would describe this novel as: A psychophysiological study of two individuals whose "physical" needs are at war with their "emotional" needs. When each tries to resolve his/her respective issues alone, each is unsuccessful. Together, however, they are able to reach acceptance, understanding & a healthy balance. Their relationship also serves as the impetus needed for each to make the difficult but requisite changes towards self-improvement.
*4.5/5 stars*
Merged review:
This novel was even better the 2nd time around...
Cara McKenna: YOU OWN ME.
BTW, I'm sure that I'm in the minority here... but I hate this book's cover. A photo of a shirtless guy sporting washboard abs gives this novel the appearance of 95% of the other novels in this particular genre... and I don't think that it's a fair representation of this author's work. Cara McKenna's writing is so complex, & her books encompass such a vast range of themes. Her writing is also very versatile, & she shouldn't be pigeonholed into just one particular genre. The novel Unbound, in particular, could probably be cross-listed across at least 5 genres or sub-genres. Cara McKenna is truly THAT talented.
Here's a link to my full review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
*5/5 stars*
1) This novel is NOT a "page-turner." Rather, it is a profound exploration into the psyches of two individuals who each had his/her own reasons for self-isolation & shame. The heroine used to be 100 lb. overweight, & her past PHYSICAL imperfections took an acute EMOTIONAL toll. By the time she meets the novel's hero while hiking through Scotland on a lone soul-searching mission, she is still grappling to reconcile her new physique with a lifetime of deeply embedded feelings of unworthiness & insecurity.... The hero, on the other hand, has always been physically attractive by society's standards. However, he possesses PHYSICAL & PSYCHOLOGICAL needs that fall "outside" the norms of society. His needs cause him immense shame, thereby prompting him to withdraw from society for 3 long years, Although these characters may seem very different at a cursory glance, there IS one thing that they share in common: Each character is tormented when his/her emotional self fails to harmoniously coexist with his/her physical self. Needless to say, this book is more character-driven than it is plot-driven, & the reader is required to engage in profound character analyses & reflection. If you don't enjoy these types of novels, then this book is definitely NOT for you.
2) I've read synopses of Cara McKenna's other novels & TONS of reviews from her fans. However, Unbound is actually the first novel that I've read by this particular author. I respect McKenna for undertaking such an AMBITIOUS project. Psychophysiological manifestations/conditions were one of my major areas of research while I was in school, so I know from firsthand experience how difficult it is to write about such complex issues. IMO, McKenna is a brave & gutsy author to attempt such a feat. As I mentioned before, this book is NOT a "page turner." And I doubt that this novel will satisfy a certain subset of fans who enjoy Erotic storytelling without having to delve into deep psychological & critical analyses in order to understand both the characters & the storyline. Because of my educational background, because the novel features issues that are of particular academic interest to me, & because I enjoy reading character-driven storylines, I rather liked Unbound. However, I can totally understand if others feel differently. This book is definitely NOT for everyone.
3) The character development & the author's attention to detail are some of the things that impressed me the most about this novel. The two main characters— Rob & Merry— are SO well-crafted... and the first HALF of the novel thoroughly describes each character's personality, idiosyncrasies, & past traumas. The author also provides a lot of background information— enough history for the reader to get a very strong sense of who Merry is, but perhaps NOT quite enough history for the reader to completely understand Rob. However, no great work of fiction spells out EVERY single thing for the reader... and certain aspects of a novel should be left open to interpretation. For example, The Great Gatsby would have been a much lesser novel if Fitzgerald had explicitly explained the recurring motif of the "green light" and what it symbolized.... Therefore, I can understand why McKenna made the artistic decision to leave out elements of Rob's past & why she chose not to discuss the formative years that shaped his sexuality.
4) The one thing that I love THE MOST about this novel is its HONESTY. This novel is a breath of fresh air in a genre overflowing with manipulative characters who lie & cheat, who play mind games & who fail to properly communicate. Don't get me wrong: Merry & Rob DO "play games," but not the kinds of games meant to trick or damage others. ;) I really love Merry, & I think that she serves as a wonderful example of a modern-day woman who is honest & upfront... and who goes after what she wants. And Rob is a very lovable character, in spite of his demons & the sins of his past. Rob is aware of his past mistakes, & he makes no excuses for them. In my opinion, there is nothing more appealing about a flawed character than the ability & willingness to admit & own one's shortcomings.
In summation, I would describe this novel as: A psychophysiological study of two individuals whose "physical" needs are at war with their "emotional" needs. When each tries to resolve his/her respective issues alone, each is unsuccessful. Together, however, they are able to reach acceptance, understanding & a healthy balance. Their relationship also serves as the impetus needed for each to make the difficult but requisite changes towards self-improvement.
*4.5/5 stars*
Merged review:
This novel was even better the 2nd time around...
Cara McKenna: YOU OWN ME.
BTW, I'm sure that I'm in the minority here... but I hate this book's cover. A photo of a shirtless guy sporting washboard abs gives this novel the appearance of 95% of the other novels in this particular genre... and I don't think that it's a fair representation of this author's work. Cara McKenna's writing is so complex, & her books encompass such a vast range of themes. Her writing is also very versatile, & she shouldn't be pigeonholed into just one particular genre. The novel Unbound, in particular, could probably be cross-listed across at least 5 genres or sub-genres. Cara McKenna is truly THAT talented.
Here's a link to my full review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
*5/5 stars*
February 24, 2022
3.5
If not for the open ending this would have been a strong 4☆☆☆☆.
I have to confess reading this book strictly for how well the characters were written, I'm not at all into the kinky stuff here, but boy it didn't matter, the story was worth it.
If not for the open ending this would have been a strong 4☆☆☆☆.
I have to confess reading this book strictly for how well the characters were written, I'm not at all into the kinky stuff here, but boy it didn't matter, the story was worth it.
August 28, 2024
Damaged, rugged, reclusive hero ✅ The Hero being the submissive was a refreshing angle. The major con was that I hated the heroine’s constant body talk. She CONSTANTLY mentions losing a bunch of weight before meeting the H and it really put me off. It honestly felt like the author was projecting her own fatphobia. Fat people deserve love/affection too and the heroine would have been just as deserving had she met the H while in a larger body. The ending was also super unsatisfying.
August 25, 2020
After a significant weight loss journey, Merry Murray decides to continue her self-discovery with a hike across her mother’s native Scotland. But when she gets sick and is forced to take shelter in an isolated cottage with its handsome, grumpy inhabitant, Merry finds more than she bargained for.
Rob Rush has been hiding out in the Highlands for the past three years, avoiding the self-destructive alcoholism triggered by city life. He hates nearly everything about himself and avoids contact with people as much as he can. But even Rob can’t turn away an injured Merry and as she heals, he also finds himself unable to resist her flirting, even if he can’t quite believe it’s real. The connection that arises between them leads to the revelation of all of Rob’s most secret fantasies and inadequacies, but somehow Merry is eager to help him explore them, leading them both on an unexpected journey of growth and discovery.
I listened to this on audio just as a refresher, something different from my usual fare. And boy was it different. I was not a fan of the narration at all (someone please tell me if this weird pronunciation of the word ‘cashew’ drove you nuts too!), but maybe that’s just me. This book was incredibly steamy, in fact the majority of it was sex scenes, yet those scenes were very emotional and gave these characters depth and a connection that otherwise wouldn’t have been believable over such a short time. Both Rob and Merry had issues, especially Rob, but the way they both eventually acknowledged and tackled them was lovely, raw, and real. My only complaint was the happy for now ending, although it was perhaps the most believable way for things to end, but I would’ve liked an epilogue of a bit later on in their relationship. Either way, this was an enjoyable enough change of pace for me and I’ll check out more from this author.
Rob Rush has been hiding out in the Highlands for the past three years, avoiding the self-destructive alcoholism triggered by city life. He hates nearly everything about himself and avoids contact with people as much as he can. But even Rob can’t turn away an injured Merry and as she heals, he also finds himself unable to resist her flirting, even if he can’t quite believe it’s real. The connection that arises between them leads to the revelation of all of Rob’s most secret fantasies and inadequacies, but somehow Merry is eager to help him explore them, leading them both on an unexpected journey of growth and discovery.
I listened to this on audio just as a refresher, something different from my usual fare. And boy was it different. I was not a fan of the narration at all (someone please tell me if this weird pronunciation of the word ‘cashew’ drove you nuts too!), but maybe that’s just me. This book was incredibly steamy, in fact the majority of it was sex scenes, yet those scenes were very emotional and gave these characters depth and a connection that otherwise wouldn’t have been believable over such a short time. Both Rob and Merry had issues, especially Rob, but the way they both eventually acknowledged and tackled them was lovely, raw, and real. My only complaint was the happy for now ending, although it was perhaps the most believable way for things to end, but I would’ve liked an epilogue of a bit later on in their relationship. Either way, this was an enjoyable enough change of pace for me and I’ll check out more from this author.
September 11, 2016
4.5 stars -Amazing emotional read! McKenna never fails to manipulate my feelings when it comes to gruff, abrasive, damaged alpha males who are self-exiled from life, family, & love. Rob escaped his demons by homesteading in the vast wilderness of Scotland. Hoping to leave his guilt and regrets behind, he is now living in isolation, spurning all human contact. Merry sets out on a three week hike across the Scottish Highlands to celebrate her new, slimmer body - and to define the priorities and purpose in her life. Two weeks into her personal journey, she collapses and seeks help and shelter from Rob after stumbling across his cabin. Rob usually ignores the hikers who dare to venture into his space, but something compels him to offer Merry shelter while she heals. Two lonely souls bearing secrets recognize each other and bond. Dark secrets, forbidden desires, and fragile hearts tangle and twist, threatening to unravel and destroy them both. Unbound is another Page Burner by McKenna. She is truly a master at these dark, twisted reads. A Must Read!
January 25, 2016
I really liked this book. At first, Merry really got on my nerves but I ended up really liking her. I adored Rob. This was really unique - unlike any other book I have read. I really wish this one would've had an epilogue but I was happy with the ending.
July 1, 2015
A lot was drawn out, could've been much shorter and still got the point across. But I enjoyed the story. 3.5 stars.
August 31, 2021
I loved reading this book
I am always on a lookout for a different hero and boy was this kinky different!
Review coming up!
I am always on a lookout for a different hero and boy was this kinky different!
Review coming up!
September 23, 2022
It’s been almost two weeks since I started this book, and admittedly, I don’t recall everything about it. Here’s what I do remember, though:
👍 The smut was good
👍 I liked the fact that both the h and the H didn’t fit the usual molds of MF romance
👍 The plot was original — whatever plot there was in this book, anyway
👎 The insta-love was not fun, as per usual
👎 The whole thing felt preachy? Rob’s kink — oops, sorry, fetish, and what is McKenna’s fascination with that word, anyway? So clinical — was just about 'cured' by Merry’s cooch. ‘Magic vagina’ trope alert. And Merry’s extreme weight loss… well, that could’ve been handled better, too
All in all, this wasn’t bad, and I’ll probably check out CM’s other work if I’m in the mood for MF romance again.
👍 The smut was good
👍 I liked the fact that both the h and the H didn’t fit the usual molds of MF romance
👍 The plot was original — whatever plot there was in this book, anyway
👎 The insta-love was not fun, as per usual
👎 The whole thing felt preachy? Rob’s kink — oops, sorry, fetish, and what is McKenna’s fascination with that word, anyway? So clinical — was just about 'cured' by Merry’s cooch. ‘Magic vagina’ trope alert. And Merry’s extreme weight loss… well, that could’ve been handled better, too
All in all, this wasn’t bad, and I’ll probably check out CM’s other work if I’m in the mood for MF romance again.
October 21, 2013
Rob and Merry
Very different than what I normally read from McKenna. Not different in a bad way though. Rob is a complex, intriguing dude. Full review on Fiction Vixen Book Reviews
It is a very happy day for me when I get to read a new Cara McKenna novel. Since Amy first introduced her books to me last year, I have read her entire backlist and now grab up any new releases. One of my favorite thing about her writing is the heroes. They are dirty, alpha men that grab you by the hair and don’t let go. Heh. When I first heard about Unbound I also heard that the hero might be submissive and have a certain kink I don’t normally associate with the man. But what Ms. McKenna writes, I read, so with only a bit of trepidation, I turned the first pages of Unbound.
Over the past year, Merry has had a lot of changes in her life. Her mother has passed away and she has lost a hundred pounds. With that hundred pounds she also lost a bit of herself or the knowing where she fits in life. She decides to take a three-week hike in the Scottish Highlands with the hope of finding that missing part. Two weeks into the trip she falls ill and looks for help. She finds help in the form of grumpy, antisocial Rob.
Rob lives in the wilderness of Scotland by choice. He has been there for several years and feels more in control of his life in the barren place where only he and his dog Nameless exist.
For days at a time, Rob could forget who he was. When the weather stayed fair, he moved like an animal along known paths, meeting the most basic of physical needs, his thoughts no more than sensory feedback.
Now Merry has blasted into that existence and changed everything. At first, he just wants her to get well and then be on her way. But things slowly begin to change. Rob opens up to her in a way that he never has with a woman before. He doesn’t know though if he can be what she wants or if he is permanently broken.
I have given a general plot outline because there are some small spoilers to the story that I feel like are better read in context. They aer things the reader learns pretty quickly however they are more authentic if you read them from Rob’s thoughts and not from me telling them to you. Rob is a very complex and haunted man, running from something that he never took the time and care to fix while at the same time being ashamed of certain desires. Rob is generally not my type of man however Ms. McKenna pours so much feeling and heartbreak into him that I couldn’t help but fall for him.
The first 20% of the book is slower than normal because of the setup. Once it gets going though, oh wow, it is dirty and mesmerizing. Ms. McKenna gives us a book without any outside interruptions. It is pretty amazing to sit down and read just about the two main characters and nothing else. There are no distractions to pull you away from focusing on them and only them so it allows the reader to get to know this couple in a way that is deeper than normal because that is all we have on these pages.
Unbound is a very emotional, tug at your heartstrings type of book. Ms. McKenna has a gift for making the angst jump off the page here. Rob is such a challenging character that at times, I almost felt that Merry was not going to be enough for him. I had some minor heart palpitations when even Merry questions her ability to be what Rob needs. The end of the story was only as it could be. It was thoughtful and hopeful. I am not sure if there are more plans for this couple but I would sure love to read more.
While this wasn’t the type of book I have come to expect from this author it was still so very good. It reminded me a bit of The Reluctant Nude (Meg Maguire) in the way it was written only around our main characters. I think fans of Ms. McKenna and all romance lovers will fall in love with this couple, just as I did. Final grade- A-
Favorite Quote:
“You’re lovely, and warm, and the most beautiful person I’ve ever met. In every sense.” Her lips pursed and quivered. “And I want to make you feel those things you need. I know….I know I’m not quite right. But I’ll do the best I can.” Until a more deserving man comes along and sees everything I do in you. I’ll suffice, if you’ll let me.
Very different than what I normally read from McKenna. Not different in a bad way though. Rob is a complex, intriguing dude. Full review on Fiction Vixen Book Reviews
It is a very happy day for me when I get to read a new Cara McKenna novel. Since Amy first introduced her books to me last year, I have read her entire backlist and now grab up any new releases. One of my favorite thing about her writing is the heroes. They are dirty, alpha men that grab you by the hair and don’t let go. Heh. When I first heard about Unbound I also heard that the hero might be submissive and have a certain kink I don’t normally associate with the man. But what Ms. McKenna writes, I read, so with only a bit of trepidation, I turned the first pages of Unbound.
Over the past year, Merry has had a lot of changes in her life. Her mother has passed away and she has lost a hundred pounds. With that hundred pounds she also lost a bit of herself or the knowing where she fits in life. She decides to take a three-week hike in the Scottish Highlands with the hope of finding that missing part. Two weeks into the trip she falls ill and looks for help. She finds help in the form of grumpy, antisocial Rob.
Rob lives in the wilderness of Scotland by choice. He has been there for several years and feels more in control of his life in the barren place where only he and his dog Nameless exist.
For days at a time, Rob could forget who he was. When the weather stayed fair, he moved like an animal along known paths, meeting the most basic of physical needs, his thoughts no more than sensory feedback.
Now Merry has blasted into that existence and changed everything. At first, he just wants her to get well and then be on her way. But things slowly begin to change. Rob opens up to her in a way that he never has with a woman before. He doesn’t know though if he can be what she wants or if he is permanently broken.
I have given a general plot outline because there are some small spoilers to the story that I feel like are better read in context. They aer things the reader learns pretty quickly however they are more authentic if you read them from Rob’s thoughts and not from me telling them to you. Rob is a very complex and haunted man, running from something that he never took the time and care to fix while at the same time being ashamed of certain desires. Rob is generally not my type of man however Ms. McKenna pours so much feeling and heartbreak into him that I couldn’t help but fall for him.
The first 20% of the book is slower than normal because of the setup. Once it gets going though, oh wow, it is dirty and mesmerizing. Ms. McKenna gives us a book without any outside interruptions. It is pretty amazing to sit down and read just about the two main characters and nothing else. There are no distractions to pull you away from focusing on them and only them so it allows the reader to get to know this couple in a way that is deeper than normal because that is all we have on these pages.
Unbound is a very emotional, tug at your heartstrings type of book. Ms. McKenna has a gift for making the angst jump off the page here. Rob is such a challenging character that at times, I almost felt that Merry was not going to be enough for him. I had some minor heart palpitations when even Merry questions her ability to be what Rob needs. The end of the story was only as it could be. It was thoughtful and hopeful. I am not sure if there are more plans for this couple but I would sure love to read more.
While this wasn’t the type of book I have come to expect from this author it was still so very good. It reminded me a bit of The Reluctant Nude (Meg Maguire) in the way it was written only around our main characters. I think fans of Ms. McKenna and all romance lovers will fall in love with this couple, just as I did. Final grade- A-
Favorite Quote:
“You’re lovely, and warm, and the most beautiful person I’ve ever met. In every sense.” Her lips pursed and quivered. “And I want to make you feel those things you need. I know….I know I’m not quite right. But I’ll do the best I can.” Until a more deserving man comes along and sees everything I do in you. I’ll suffice, if you’ll let me.
February 8, 2016
Reviewed for: Where the Night Kind Roam
So I read my very first Cara McKenna book when I read After Hours and I am still in love with that book, it’s been about 6 months and I am completely smitten with both After Hour and have fallen into new girl crush on Cara McKenna. When I saw Unbound in NetGalley, I HAD to have it and read it as soon as I got it. I was hoping against hope that it wouldn’t let me down and I am ecstatic that she did not.
Unbound is a story of acceptance, new beginnings, love and of course kink. Merry, recently lost her mother and subsequently almost 100 ibs. She decides to backpack across the highlands. She is almost at literal crossroads both mentally and physically when she falls ill in front of Rob’s door. Rob has spent years living in solitude, in shame, hiding from his past and his secret. He has barely spoken to a single person in years, when Merry collapses at his door. He finds that he cannot leave her when she is sick.
Merry is a wonderful character, she quite lives up to her name. With some other books I have read where there was weight loss the character is almost obnoxious with their weight loss and it kind of takes over the book and she would tend to be super self-conscious and low self-esteem. With Merry while it was a part of the book and her it didn’t take over the book, and while at times she didn’t seem 100% comfortable in her new body which is to be expected for the most part she had a self-worth and a healthy self-esteem. Part of her journey is to make peace with her body and her mind set, she knows that a lot of her weight gain and then lose was about mind set which I actually found a bit inspiring. With Rob she is super cute. I don’t want to give away their roles, because part of the fun is discovering it yourself. But she really comes into herself in her role with Rob, giving into his needs almost helps her find out more about herself. Merry is probably one of the most accepting characters I have ever read about. Her father is gay and her mother unconventional so they raised a pretty accepting and adapted child, that understands that not everyone fits into a cookie cutter mold. In her acceptance she finds not only herself but Rob is able to find himself.
Rob is absolutely tragic, he about breaks your heart. He is just so damaged by his past and all the guilt he carries around with him. His 20’s and early 30’s were not lived well and he hurt a lot of people. He carried the shame of his desires and could not learn to accept himself. When Merry enters his life he has basically put himself on hold. He has isolated himself so that he can no longer hurt anyone or himself but he has not healed, not really. Merry quickly learns one of his deepest secrets, and his shame and desire to hide kicks in but he finds that she accepts who he is, kink and all. Rob has the most growing to do in this book. At the beginning he is this lost man, who is hiding from the world and himself, by the end if he wants to keep Merry he has to find himself and come to terms with his past and his future. There are times when he does about break your heart and may bring you to tears. I know I was close.
I loved this freak’n book! I mean loved it, its one of my favorites of the year. It gripped me from the beginning and weeks later I am still thinking about it. I have so many thoughts swirling around and its actually taken me days to write this damn review. I mean what else can I really say except I adored it. It was all I was hoping for in this book. My only issue with this book was the ending. It was left more open ended then I would have liked unless and I hope this is the case Ms. McKenna has plans to revisit this couple. I would LOVE a sequel to this couple. The ending has no real solid conclusion so with no real knowledge of if there is going to be a sequel, I am not satisfied with the ending.
Rating:
4.5
*This book was provided through NetGalley for an honest review, no other compensation was provided.
So I read my very first Cara McKenna book when I read After Hours and I am still in love with that book, it’s been about 6 months and I am completely smitten with both After Hour and have fallen into new girl crush on Cara McKenna. When I saw Unbound in NetGalley, I HAD to have it and read it as soon as I got it. I was hoping against hope that it wouldn’t let me down and I am ecstatic that she did not.
Unbound is a story of acceptance, new beginnings, love and of course kink. Merry, recently lost her mother and subsequently almost 100 ibs. She decides to backpack across the highlands. She is almost at literal crossroads both mentally and physically when she falls ill in front of Rob’s door. Rob has spent years living in solitude, in shame, hiding from his past and his secret. He has barely spoken to a single person in years, when Merry collapses at his door. He finds that he cannot leave her when she is sick.
Merry is a wonderful character, she quite lives up to her name. With some other books I have read where there was weight loss the character is almost obnoxious with their weight loss and it kind of takes over the book and she would tend to be super self-conscious and low self-esteem. With Merry while it was a part of the book and her it didn’t take over the book, and while at times she didn’t seem 100% comfortable in her new body which is to be expected for the most part she had a self-worth and a healthy self-esteem. Part of her journey is to make peace with her body and her mind set, she knows that a lot of her weight gain and then lose was about mind set which I actually found a bit inspiring. With Rob she is super cute. I don’t want to give away their roles, because part of the fun is discovering it yourself. But she really comes into herself in her role with Rob, giving into his needs almost helps her find out more about herself. Merry is probably one of the most accepting characters I have ever read about. Her father is gay and her mother unconventional so they raised a pretty accepting and adapted child, that understands that not everyone fits into a cookie cutter mold. In her acceptance she finds not only herself but Rob is able to find himself.
Rob is absolutely tragic, he about breaks your heart. He is just so damaged by his past and all the guilt he carries around with him. His 20’s and early 30’s were not lived well and he hurt a lot of people. He carried the shame of his desires and could not learn to accept himself. When Merry enters his life he has basically put himself on hold. He has isolated himself so that he can no longer hurt anyone or himself but he has not healed, not really. Merry quickly learns one of his deepest secrets, and his shame and desire to hide kicks in but he finds that she accepts who he is, kink and all. Rob has the most growing to do in this book. At the beginning he is this lost man, who is hiding from the world and himself, by the end if he wants to keep Merry he has to find himself and come to terms with his past and his future. There are times when he does about break your heart and may bring you to tears. I know I was close.
I loved this freak’n book! I mean loved it, its one of my favorites of the year. It gripped me from the beginning and weeks later I am still thinking about it. I have so many thoughts swirling around and its actually taken me days to write this damn review. I mean what else can I really say except I adored it. It was all I was hoping for in this book. My only issue with this book was the ending. It was left more open ended then I would have liked unless and I hope this is the case Ms. McKenna has plans to revisit this couple. I would LOVE a sequel to this couple. The ending has no real solid conclusion so with no real knowledge of if there is going to be a sequel, I am not satisfied with the ending.
Rating:
4.5
*This book was provided through NetGalley for an honest review, no other compensation was provided.
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