Burned & Bound

Burned and Bound By A. Winchester This book must’ve been a work of true love for A. It is not a simple book, nor is it an easy read. It deals with the difficulties of CA and SA and the repercussions of what happens to the man afterwards. It’s a painful look at what it does to a soul, a heart, the mind. West McNamara and Jackson Myles grew up as next door neighbors and best friends. On the last day of school, they kiss in their special place, a field untouched by anything else on their commingled ranches. The next day, West is gone. Jackson grows up bitter at being left with no information whatsoever by his first love. Seventeen years later (yes, 17!) West resurfaces because his abusive father Harrison has died and he inherits his half of the ranch. West of course doesn’t want it, left with only horrific nightmares of his past. But there’s a catch. He can’t just sell it to Jackson, he’s got to work it a year or else forfeit any monies for it. When Jackson and West see each other again, it’s pure loathing. West must work the ranch. Jackson knows nothing of the abuse, nor what has happened in the last seventeen years of West’s life. And West is an abrasive, ornery, alcoholic. But that’s only what’s on the surface. And it isn’t until Jackson’s mother finally breaks down and tells him that he understands West’s need for that armor. West never had a chance to tap into all the potential he could be since during the most important years of his life he suffered at cruel hands and…

Gods, I don't know where to start with Burned & Bound. It was deeply emotional. So touching. So... everything. Words cannot encompass this gem of a book. Trying to condense my chaotic thoughts into a coherent review is an impossible task. West was such a good character. He was so strong and so brave. And he tried *so so* hard. His courage and his inner strength moved me to tears. It was hard—and at the same time exhilarating—to read about his struggles. About his efforts. His pain was my pain. His wins were my wins. He kept falling, but he always *always* got back up. Every page, every chapter was impactful. And Jackson. An immovable grumpy rock. He made me so mad. And then so warm. He was there through everything. He did his best even when it wasn't enough. Their romance was a low hum in the background. Always there, steady and comforting. Love was a moving force for both characters, but not the focus of the story. It didn't magically cure or erase the pain. The story was about trauma and healing from it. About moving forward. It was about surviving and, gods, was West a survivor. His recovery was not linear. There was bad and good. Backs and forths. But, at the same time, the book *was* about loving fiercely and wholeheartedly. And these two were... everything for each other. This was not only a book for West. Jackson also had his own journey ahead of him. It was beautiful to read—a difficult journey full of bumps for both characters. It was sad and heartwarming.…

4.5⭐️ Burned and Bound had me in tears before I even hit the 20% mark. From the very beginning, I knew this was going to be a heavy, emotional read—and it didn’t disappoint. While I did feel the last portion of the book dragged slightly (hence the half-star off), I also recognized that the pacing reflected the necessary emotional journey for the characters. Jackson and West’s story is raw, painful, and ultimately redemptive. Jackson’s patience and unwavering love for West is the kind of steady devotion that breaks and rebuilds you. There were moments I wanted to reach into the pages and shake West, begging him to see that he was already worthy of love—but given his past, every moment of hesitation made sense. Despite the heavy themes, there were light moments that made me smile—some banter, a few laughs—and in the end, I was so grateful they found their happily ever after. It’s a hard-earned one, and it stays with you. This book demands that you check the trigger warnings and take care of yourself as you read. It’s not an easy journey—but it’s a beautiful one. Tropes / Topics: • Small town MM romance • Cowboy/bull rider & bad boy • Best friends to enemies to lovers • PTSD • Childhood abuse by a parent • Alcoholism • Sexual abuse • Family trauma • Homophobia • Healing • “Don’t touch me” trope • 3🌶️ spice • Pierced MMC (West)

This book is my favorite book I’ve ever read. I related to this story a little too much. As a pansexual female who has experienced SA, abusive parent and watching a parent die this story was everything to me. I also had a bisexual best friend who was a SA victim that ended up taking his life too young. This story was something that needed to be told and heard. West had such an emotional upbringing and deserved so much more from everybody. Having so much happen to you while everyone around you knows and does nothing is heartbreaking. West was so strong after everything he went through to still keep going and wanting to be a better person not only for himself but for Jackson. I love Jackson for always being there for West and trying to be the thing that West needed. Jackson admiring that he would have left with him and then giving up everything in the end for West was among and beautiful. Sometimes it’s hard to do things for yourself specially if it means hurting someone you love in the process. Their relationship was beautiful and tragic. I have never cried, laughed or yelled because of a book before. I recommended this book to a friend and we texted back and forth because he as well as a gay man experienced similar situations and was as emotionally I’m love with the story as I was. If you haven’t read this book yet please add it to your TBR and read it. This book is a perfect example of men’s mental health and how important it is and how it needs to be talked about more.…

Jackson and West have an extremely complicated history, growing up together as part of two families that are bound by a generational contract between their ranches. Although they were always best friends, with mutual crushes, they grew up differently, and Jackson was unaware of the darkness West lived through. To me, that was one of the aspects that made this story great. The time jump in the beginning, and everything that ultimately takes place during those years, sets the tone for a truly emotional story. I have not read a book that felt more realistic when it comes to the trauma and healing West endures. This is easily one of the hardest fought HEAs I’ve read, and I read hundreds of books a year. I am so glad I got to experience this on audio. Both narrators did an amazing job with the dual narration and differentiating between characters. Evan Parker, as West, blew my mind. You could hear every emotion come through with the smallest nuances, trembles and tears. Likewise, Jonathan Lake really encapsulates Jackson’s character. He has such a unique tone that just works well with the grumpy rancher’s personality. I highly recommend the audio to really elevate the emotional aspect of this romance.