Bonded Nightmare

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this ARC! Here is my honest review:

Bonded Nightmare was a spicy romance with just the right amount of warm and fuzzy on top!
I enjoyed the main characters, and their banter. The pacing of the romance was perfect. And the side characters were a perfect addition of funny best friend energy.
The story and plot is heavy on the romance, with only small elements of magic and world building, but I enjoyed the magic and even would have liked more. However, there is nothing wrong with a romance driven plot, if that's what you're looking for! There's nothing crazy new about the romance in this story, but I liked the different take on bonds and mates in a world of multiple supernaturals.
If you're looking for a romance heavy story, with steamy scenes, a panty dropping "protect her at all costs" male protagonist, and a sassy female protagonist - you will love this book!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

Thank you to NetGalley and to the author for the ARC of this book - the following thoughts are my own.

One of the things I liked the most about this book is that we get a very good backstory of the world it takes place in. Sometimes I find myself losing interest in fantasy novels because there’s:

1. not enough information about the fantasy world created/backstory so I feel lost for the majority of the story
2. The explanation is too complicated and I end up forgetting most of it a few pages in

This was not the case for this book. The backstory was explained well and in detail, without being so overwhelming that you forget after a few minutes. At no point did I feel like I had no idea what was going on.

The enemies to friends to lovers trope is a guilty pleasure of mine so imagine my delight when I got a full book of it while also dealing with the aspect of bonds/soulmates. The relationship between the two main characters was built up well without feeling rushed and I felt I was provided with enough time to get to know the characters and understand where they’re coming from. All my questions throughout the book were answered and I was not left disappointed by the ending. The smut scenes were also very well executed so if you’re looking for some sexy scenes with a well thought out plot, this is the book for you.

So why didn’t I give it 5 stars? Mostly due to the number of times I wanted to get into the book to shake some sense into Kai (and not always in a good way). He’s loyal, protective and in love but oh boy does he go about showing it completely wrong sometimes.

This was a fun, slow burn but steamy book with fated mates, shadow daddy (yes please) and enemies to lovers.

Eryn has grown up fleeing from anyone who becomes aware of what she is. Trust is defintely not a thing for her. Kaiden's is a sweet, protective and all he wants is Eryn. His self talk had me laughing so hard. You just have to fall in love with their journey with Kai trying to get Eryn to trust him enough to give their bond a shot. There are some very swoon worthy moments!

Even SC Rani and Ezra were characters who you loved and wanted to see more of, thankfully they will be book 2 - I am waiting for that one.

This was so close to 5 stars. I know Eryn had a rough life and doesn't trust but the amount of running away instead of facing things, locking herself in the bedroom, sulking or pouting kind of threw me off. It felt a bit repetitive.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving my honest review voluntarily. Thank you E.M. Rinaldi for allowing me to read this book early!

I was completely enamoured by the cover and just had to check this book out! And let me tell you, I was not disappointed. Far from it actually!
The plot, the main characters, the side characters, the spice! Everything was incredible!
I stayed up late to finish this book, couldn't put it down!
If you love a book with an overprotective MMC who will stand behind his woman and let her burn the world to ashes, this one is for you.
Kai was the perfect book boyfriend and while Eryn's lack of self-preservation and stubbornness got on my nerves quite a bit, in the end she realised her own power and took charge, and I like her for it.

You MUST read this book.

Hear me out, first of all the cover is gorgeous, and perfect. It's exactly how I pictured Eryn!

Second, if you love fated mates, supernatural enemies to lovers, a feisty FMC, and, let's face it, a cinnamon roll of an MMC, this is definitely a book you should read andkeep in your bookcase!

This book hooked me from the beginning, especially because it's set in the real world. I get a bit frustrated when I start a new fantasy, while learning about the magic, the world, the particularities, which don't get me wrong, are great. But reading about Kai putting on a Fast and Furious film while trying to cuddle Eryn is next level.

What I have loved most about Kai and Eryn's relationship is that, even though Eryn rejected the bond at first - which is something great if you think about it, I mean, a woman who doesn't want to be known as the bond of someone, like a property of whomever, and to keep on living her life the way she wanted - and Kai's consequent distress over it, he didn't push himself on to her. He seeks her out of course, but he was willing to give her time and space for her to figure out if and what she really wanted out of the bond.
Not just take it, as he was expected - and told of by his mom - and also what Eryn feared he would do. Kai is just so taken with Eryn, he'll do everything for her, to protect her, and he's not just words, he actually shows her that he doesn't care if he has to wait years for their bond to snap into place - or if it wouldn't happen at all - he would always be there to protect her. He knows she's strong and that she can take care of herself, but he just wants to be there for her. Which is what any one would want and need with a partner.

The banter these two have is golden, the smutty scenes are everything you expect, while fidgeting and waiting for the eventual bonding that we know is going to happen sooner or later.

Ezra, Kai's cousin, is an extremely interesting character and I'm really curious to find out what happens next between him and Rani, after what went down at the end of Bonded Nightmare. If Kai and Eryn's banter was golden, Ezra and Rani's will be so much better, I know.

Thank you so much for this eARC!

Sweetly written with a lush fantasy. Worth reading if you want a mix of romance and finding oneself. If you like strong women heroines, here is the author to satisfy you.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review:

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Lets start off with the story, this book is a fantasy romance (with lots of spice), it's mostly romance based but does still have a good plot to go along with the romance. I do generally prefer a book that has at least a half/half romance-story ratio but I'd say this leans more to the romance side, the author does explain that so if that is not your jam this book is probably not for you.

HOWEVER I will say even if you're unsure you should give this book a go, because I LOVED this book and it kept me up all night reading to finish it..never any dull moments, the story was intriguing and I loved the magic system.

The world has humans (who are none the wiser to the magicks of the world) and magick factions (different types of magical beings who all want to be the strongest faction) using any magick can be traced by any magical being and so the stronger magick you have/use the bigger target you put on your back. The FMC is of a more rare/stronger type of Nightmare magick and because of this other magical beings are trying to track her to kill her.

The story obviously delves more into all this then what I can in a review but I will also say the relationship between the 2 main characters is amazinggg 🔥 sooo much chemistry and their banter is on point!

You might love this story like I do, if you like:
✨️MMC with shadow magic
✨️FMC with nightmare magic
✨️Touch her and die vibes
✨️Banter
✨️Fated mates
✨️He falls first and harder (a bit unhinged with his overprotectiveness of FMC lol)
✨️Spice 🌶 🌶 🌶 🌶

I LOVED IT!!!!

Bonded Nightmare is the perfect paranormal romance. I absolutely loved the world building and found it so easy to follow along. I also love anything with fated mates/bonds and enemies to lovers, so this was a no brainer for a book I’d enjoy reading. I loved seeing Eryn’s journey throughout her life, but also as she discovers what she likes and wants in life. The slow burn and chemistry between her and Kai is perfect and I love how much romance drives the plot of this book.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and E.M. Rinaldi for the chance to read an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion!

Power of nightmares and shadow daddy

What a cute read. This was recommended in multiple social media platforms and the cover alone is stunning so of course I needed to read the arc xD

I say this a lot but fated mates is just not my thing UNLESS there is actual story and development instead of instant attraction. While there is a little bit of instant attraction Eryn wants nothing to do with Kai so you get to see some formation of their relationship with a bunch of push & pull.

Kai is such a cocky sweetheart and we love him for that.

Even the side characters in this book were great. I'm excited to get their story in book 2.

Oooh this book was GOOD!! Shadow daddy, spice, fantasy. I can’t wait to check out for from this author and recommend this to all my bookstagram friends to read!

When I received this arc I didn't expect to be so interested that I would spend 7 hours reading this book in a single sitting. The story was good and although I found the world building to be lacking just a smidgen I was unable to put it down. This book had the right amount of spice and was fast paced once you got around 30ish percent into the book. I enjoyed it and can't wait for the next one.

I absolutely fell in love with this book!

Was full of different mythical creatures like vampires,sirens, witches & warlocks.
The ending was so exciting for me and I’m so happy there is another book coming out based on my 2 favourite characters Rani & Ezra…loved them both from the second they met each other!

Was so fast paced and the chapters were so long & intimidating but they keep you so gripped that you don’t even notice how long they are!
Can’t wait to see what future books bring, for this book to be the beginning of their journey I’m already excited to read more!

If you are looking for spice, you have come to the right place. I was hooked within the first two pages—college, magic, bonds/mates all rolled into one.

The intro page says it is for readers who know that sometimes romance IS the plot, and this book came through on that promise. Bonded Nightmare is a playful game of cat and mouse. It has witty banter and teasing, the kind that makes you actually squeal a little bit (or was that just me?).

Eryn is a compassionate, animal loving, stubborn as all hell magic spitfire of a “nightmare,” in denial of her absolute attraction to shadow daddy Kai, aka her bond.

The spice was great—ultimately I gave it 4 stars because I do wish the action plot line was a little stronger or more woven in with the romance plot line. However, this fact is stated early on so the book doesn’t claim to be anything it’s not; I just prefer a tiny bit more substance. I think it would have been helpful to learn a bit more about their magic world, the differences between the factions, and have more background on the tribunal.

A girl on the run, trying to separate herself from a world against her, finds herself settling into the most normal life she has ever had, just for it to be turned upside down by a guy she rejected years ago. Except he is beautiful and kind and possessive and everywhere. And rejecting him again is harder than she imagined it would be. Can she let go of the life she imagined for the life he is promising her?

You guys. This book is PERFECTION.

If you are fan of fantasy like The Cruel Prince, ACOTAR, and Fourth Wing, you will love this! It is enemies to lovers, fated mates, and a shadow wielder all rolled up into a perfect book!
The characters are so easy to love and deeply complex in the issues that they are facing. The world is the perfect balance of known and mysterious for the reader and the ending leave you begging for the next book!

If you like...
-Fated Mates
-Forced Proximity
-"Touch her and die"
-Shadow Wielders
-Supernatural Beings
-Found Family
...then this book is made for you.

May can't come soon enough!!

I received this as an ARC, and I couldn't wait to get started with It! Thank you net galley! 😊

From the start i was obsessed with this book and hated when i needed to put it down to get any work done lol. The story starts off with Eryn and a little bit of action and back story into who she is. She goes off to college to pursue veterinary school when a mysterious sexy TA rocks her world meanwhile Eryn refuses to acknowledge the danger she may be in. The story was easy to follow along to and didn’t leave me with too many unanswered questions. Kai is literal perfection 😭 understanding but a little controlling is the perfect mix ugh he’s sexy he’s sweet and he’s the perfect book boyfriend! There was the perfect amount of spice in this book and i loved the tension and slow build up between Kai and Eryn. I also loved Eryn’s best friend Rani! A true ride or die right there i can’t wait for book 2 and learn more about Ezra and Rani 🥹 highly recommend for a good “dark” romance

Eryn Montalli, is the last unbonded nightmare, hunted for her magick and forced to live a life on the run. Her desire for a quiet existence caring for injured animals is shattered when she receives the ominous message: "They found your bond." Fleeing to Moorcroft University, Eryn attempts to carve out a semblance of normalcy among humans, only to find herself entangled with an overprotective witch whose touch ignites unexpected desires within her.

Rinaldi excels in creating a richly detailed world where magickal beings exist alongside humans, seamlessly blending the fantastical with the mundane. The setting of Moorcroft University adds an additional layer of intrigue, providing the perfect backdrop for the unfolding drama.

What sets "Bonded Nightmare" apart is its masterful balance between romance and plot development. While the chemistry between the characters sizzles on the page, Rinaldi never allows it to overshadow the intricacies of the story. Instead, she weaves together a narrative filled with twists and turns, keeping readers guessing until the very end.

As an advance reader copy (ARC) recipient, I was eager to dive into this novel, and I can confidently say that it did not disappoint. From the electrifying romance to the spine-tingling suspense, "Bonded Nightmare" held me captive from start to finish.

This is my first book by E.M. Rinaldi. That said, I thoroughly devoured this book. It was an awesome and thrilling read; I could not put it down. The intricacies of the characters and the world-building were well done. I was hooked from the heart-pounding prologue. I love a good 'fated mates' trope, the push and pull between the characters were deliciously drawn out. And the spice was definitely spicing.

"If you don't run up those stairs right now and lock your door, I'm going to f*ck you all over this room."
-Kai

"I could slide my c*ck so deep inside you, you wouldn't be able to climb off. I could lean you back and slow-f*ck you until your eyes roll back, and your voice goes hoarse from screaming, until your juices drip between us to soak the ground, until our bond snaps into place so hard you'd never even think of leaving me again."
- (Also) Kai

I mean hello shadow daddy. But more than the lust and passion, there's a profound feeling of something deeper. You feel it through the pages and it is just so swoon-worthy.

"You belong to be as much as I do you."
- (You guessed it) Kai

All I can say is, trust me it was a great ride. I highly recommend this book. And I look forward to more of E.M. Rinaldi's works.

To the author: Thank you so much for the advanced copy of your beautiful work.

Okay the first thing I have to say is how dare you?? You’re going to write a book like THAT and then make me wait for the next one? It’s cruel 😭

I was honestly a little hesitant to read this at first because it just sounded so good and I was worried it wouldn’t live up to my hopes. Well it definitely did and then some.

I’ve been chasing the feeling of Bonds That Tie ever since I read it for the first time and this has all of those same feels and vibes. If you liked that you’re gonna love this.

Kai and Eryn
Eryn is a freaking badass. The whole world is basically against her and has knocked her down more times than she can count but she didn’t let it make her weak. It made her a fighter and we LOVE a strong fmc who don’t need no man, especially not her bond. Enter Kai. Her hot as heck bond who has decided that it doesn’t matter she hates him, he’s going to make her fall in love with him anyway 😏. The banter is freaking top notch. You’re gonna laugh, you’re gonna kick your feet and giggle, and you’re definitely gonna blush. They have to work together to save both of their lives and it gets steamy. Literal touch her and die.

The Plot
I was drawn to this book right away because fated mates and he falls first?? It’s a winning freaking combo. The book starts off fast paced and it never lets you down. It maintains the feels and drama all the way through. There’s not a lot of spice but oh my gosh when the spice does come it’s freaking hot. There’s no lulls and it definitely doesn’t drag anywhere.

The back and forth dialogue never feels forced. There’s been so many times where it just doesn’t feel natural to the story and ends up distancing you from the characters and that’s certainly not a problem here. Everything between all of the characters feels real. The side characters are dynamic and integral to the story instead of being an afterthought. You’re gonna fall in love with them too.

Final Thoughts

I genuinely have nothing bad to say about this book, and I’m typically a nitpicky reader. This is definitely in my top five of all time and E.M Rinaldi is now one of my instabuy authors. The slump this book will put me in is going to be massive.

This books had me giggling and kicking my feet 3 chapters in! If you love fated mates, he falls first, forced proximity, and shadow daddies, you'll probably enjoy this modern romantasy. I will admit I was a little unsure about Kai and Ezra at first, but they both made me fall head over heels by the end. I loved seeing Eryn grow in this book - I could see some readers finding her self-doubt and anxiety annoying, but I think the way it was portrayed in this book fit well. And Rani is the best friend anyone could ask for. I can't wait for the second book!

Thank you to E.M. Rinaldi and NetGalley for providing me with a free ARC of this book in exchange for my review.

This was such a fun read! The characters were fun and lovable, and this book had all of my favorite tropes. Sometimes I just want a fantasy book with romance as the plot, and this delivered! Don’t get me wrong, I love some good world building and a plot with twists and turns, but books like this are equally great! The relationship was well written, and I was all but kicking my feet and squealing! I can’t wait to read the next one!

Thank you to E.M. Rinaldi and Netgalley for providing this tantalizing ARC! This book packs a lot in to draw in readers: forced proximity, heavy spice, he openly falls first, strong female friendships, and more, including an intriguing plot that introduces a new world system that includes humans. As a reader who loves fantasy, I found myself wanting to know more about the world building. Eryn, a nightmare, is the last of her kind and is determined to stay hidden from her former magical world. There is a little bit of a backstory, but I was craving more, especially since she resisted her bond with such vehemence. Kai, a warlock royalty, is determined to protect and persuade his bond. His character was written so well, hitting all of the areas of sugar and spice. The forced yet forbidden love pulled me right into the story with glorious tension dripping off of the pages. Not only is Eryn resistant to her expected bond, but things become more complicated when she finds herself attracted to the TA who is off limits. She has to navigate all of her strong feelings while trying to hide from those who hunt her. All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed reading Bonded Nightmare and regretted putting it down to go to work. I gave it 4 stars simply because I had questions about the backstory/magical world. I bet more will information will be shared in book two. Can’t wait!

Eryn is a Nightmare, a supernatural being that feeds her magic by eating human dreams; she can control a person's mind with the touch of her hand and so much more. The problem is that she is the last, except for her parents. The Tribunal of other Supernaturals has hunted their kind because they are feared for their powers. Eryn rebels when the tribunal says her bonded (think fated mate) is the heir of the witch fraction. She doesn't want to be bonded to someone whose faction has helped to destroy her kind, so she denies the bond, or so she thinks.

E.M Rinaldi's novel is the perfect fantasy romance! Eryn is fierce and determined and will not be swayed easily by Kai, good looks or not. The back-and-forth banter, forced proximity, and rebelling against the inevitable made me not want to put this book down. The book was spicy and sweet, and the supporting characters of Rani and Ezra were the perfect comedic relief; I can't wait to read their story in book two. Perfect for lovers of romantasy who like their books just a bit on the spicy side. I loved the books so much that I finished the book within 24 hours. I had to know what would happen between Kai and Eryn!

Disclaimer: While I received a free advanced reader copy of this novel, the thoughts expressed above are my own.

"I never wanted you to be unhappy, Eryn, I only ever wanted a life with you." TOOK ME OUT!!!!

I am so so so thrilled to have received an ARC e-copy of this book! It was my first pre-release book to read and I am so happy it was. It exceeded my expectations & hopes for an early release of a romantacy.

Tropes:
MY FAV, FATED MATES
Shadow DADDY
HE FALLS FIRST!!!
College Girl + TA
Dual POV
Golden retriever bf but only for her

I loved so many things about this book! The banter and sly comical comparisons had me giggling nonstop. When I say this man, excuse me SHADOW DADDY, had me kicking my feet and screeching I mean it. He is so patient and gentle and kind with her and I couldn’t handle it, I wanted to give him a big hug.

This book healed me in a way I didn’t know that I needed. It was the perfect mix of dark romance and contemporary romance mixed with fantasy.

I loved every single character, which is not normal for me. My only complaint is that I feel like the next book could have gone deeper into Eryn and Kai’s relationship and them going back to take over the royal duties rather than continuing into Ezra’s story (I do ADORE him though). So I HOPE the series continues and we get that POV eventually.

Overall a 5 star read!!

✨BONDED NIGHTMARE ✨

Release date: May 27th 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️ 🌶️🌶️.5

🪻Shadow Daddy
✨ Enemies to Lovers
😈 Fated Mates
🪻Forced Proximity
✨He Falls First
😈 Touch her and 💀🪦

“I never wanted you unhappy, Eryn. I only ever wanted a life with you “

Have you ever read something and thought to yourself, DAMN I’m proud of them !? 🥹👏🏼 that’s how I felt after reading this sexy book !!

Thank you so much for trusting me with your MASTERPIECE. It’s an honor to be on your ARC team.

I ate this up in a day and a half. & loveeeeed, LOVEEEED every minute of it. Kai will live rent free in my head along with other book lovers of mine. I love a book that makes me struggle to put it down & when we’re apart I can’t stop thinking about it. Any moment I was away my mind raced back to Eryn and Kai 🫠

Their banter and chemistry was absolutely phenomenal. Eryn showcases independence and wasn’t giving into the bond right away. She rejected it and I admired her for that. She stood on business 🫡🤪 I also admired how Kai didn’t force himself on her, but was patient and waited for her to be ready. Like a true SHADOW DADDDYYY 😛. Gahhh I melt. I love a protective and sweet man. Kaiden did it for me !

“ because you’re absolutely everything I ever wanted and didn’t know I needed “ 🥹🫠

I’m anxiously waiting for book two. & I am floored it’s Ezra’s story!!! GET REALLLLLL. I can’t wait 👏🏼✨😍

Please check this book out!

Having read the synopsis of this book, I came into reading Bonded Nightmares with high hopes. As a lover of paranormal romance, dual perspectives, and the classic tropes of enemies to lovers and he falls first, I knew I would binge this story and fall in love with the characters. Eryn is a Nightmare, not literally but rather a type of witch that had been hunted for so long due, to their immense amount of power, that she is only 1 of 3. The other two Nightmares are her parents, who want nothing more than for their daughter to experience the so-called normal college experience she wants. Kai is the heir to the witch faction, making him very powerful. His bond is out in the world, doing her best to avoid him and be in hiding. The faction history of hunting the Nightmares may have ended a while ago, but Eryn is still afraid; afraid and fearing the bond to someone on the “inside” of the faction rather than being isolated like she is. There is one big different between Kai and Eryn; while Eryn continues to run from her bond, Kai chases it. This book leads the reading into the mind of both these main characters, through dual perspectives, as they meet, experience collage, and journey through attacks from other factions, wanting to keep the bonds apart.

I thought this book was wonderful, I loved the prose, the characters, the delivery of the story. The slow burn was to die for and Eryn was a wonderfully strong, well thought out character. I especially liked the twist at the end and I’m really excited to see what comes next in the story. Loved the idea of the different factions and the way Kai’s mum communicates with him was really fun. The spice was spicing and Kai is such a swoon worthy MMC! Absolutely loved this book, thankyou for giving me the opportunity to read it early!

New to me author and it always makes my heart sing when I find an author I’ve never heard of and fall in love with their writing. I LOVED this book.

It’s my favorite tropes!!

Fated Mates
He Falls First
Push and Pull
Slow Burn
Magic and Powers
Spicy
Amazing Side Characters
Touch Her and Die
Shadow Daddy 🔥

Eryn is a rare breed. She feeds off peoples dreams. Shes a “Nightmare.”
She can manipulate minds. Of course, with that kind of power, others have nearly eradicated her kind.
Her bond ends up being the heir to a powerful witch faction.
He’s a warlock. A hot one. A powerful one. A shadow daddy.

She denied their bond for years. He’s known everything about her.
And loves her fiercely already.

“I never wanted you to be unhappy, Eryn,” he swore.
I only ever wanted a life with you.”

“I didn’t care if she denied the bond for the rest of our lives, I’d still protect her. The very thought of anything happening to her made me sick. I couldn’t imagine a world without her in it, even if it was nowhere near me, not after meeting her. “

This is enemies to lovers in a college setting. It’s filled with action and tension. Full of magic and mystery.
It kept me hooked from beginning to end.
The next story seems like it’s gonna be about a new set of bonds, which were the side characters in this story, which I am very excited about. I hope to see more about the political and magical world of this setting!

4.5⭐️

5/5 ⭐️ THE SPICE WAS GIVING!!!!!!

When I tell you that I could not put this down, I absolutely mean it. I started it around 4:30pm at night and finished at 7am the following morning. THIS. BOOK. WILL. HAVE. YOU. HOOKED. 🪝

I absolutely loved how much of a spitfire/firecracker Eryn was and how utterly irresistible Kai was.

I adored their witty banter, how spicy and steamy their relationship was, and how much love I could feel between the two in the pages.

I cannot wait for the second book! I will definitely be applying for an arc of that and buying the physical books to this series once they are available to purchase!

Obsessed is an understatement. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

🖤 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐰 𝐃𝐚𝐝𝐝𝐲
🖤 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐥 𝐑𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞
🖤 𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐢𝐞
🖤 𝐇𝐞 𝐟𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭
🖤 𝐄𝐧𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬
🖤 𝐅𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬
🖤 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐱𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐲

Whoa, this lit a fire inside of me never saw coming! 🤗 If you're into books like 'The Bonds That Tie,' prepare to be seduced by this one—it's steamier than hell. Imagine a 'shadow daddy' with a mouth so filthy it could make a sailor blush, but beneath that sinful facade beats a heart of pure desire, especially when it comes to his mate and She's determined to keep her distance, striving for a shred of normalcy in a world where she's one of only three of her kind (her parents completing the trio).

Enemies-to-friends-to-lovers? That's just the appetizer. Add in the intoxicating allure of fated mates, and you've got a recipe for pure ecstasy. The chemistry between these characters is scorching, leaving me breathless and craving more with every turn of the page. And let me tell you, when it comes to Kai... well, let's just say he knows how to leave a woman begging for more. Trust me, darling, you won't want to miss out!

ill just leave a little taste of kai for you here - “𝙄 𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙨𝙡𝙞𝙙𝙚 𝙢𝙮 𝙘^𝙘𝙠 𝙨𝙤 𝙙𝙚𝙚𝙥 𝙞𝙣𝙨𝙞𝙙𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪, 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙬𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙𝙣’𝙩 𝙗𝙚 𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙘𝙡𝙞𝙢𝙗 𝙤𝙛𝙛. 𝙄 𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙣 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙗𝙖𝙘𝙠 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙨𝙡𝙤𝙬-𝙛^𝙘𝙠 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙡 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙚𝙮𝙚𝙨 𝙧𝙤𝙡𝙡 𝙗𝙖𝙘𝙠, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙫𝙤𝙞𝙘𝙚 𝙜𝙤𝙚𝙨 𝙝𝙤𝙖𝙧𝙨𝙚 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙨𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙜, 𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙡 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙟𝙪𝙞𝙘𝙚𝙨 𝙙𝙧𝙞𝙥 𝙗𝙚𝙩𝙬𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙪𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙨𝙤𝙖𝙠 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙜𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙, 𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙡 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙗𝙤𝙣𝙙 𝙨𝙣𝙖𝙥𝙨 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙤 𝙥𝙡𝙖𝙘𝙚 𝙨𝙤 𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙙 𝙮𝙤𝙪’𝙙 𝙣𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙠 𝙤𝙛 𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙢𝙚 𝙖𝙜𝙖𝙞𝙣.” 😜😈

Thank you NetGalley and E. M. Rinaldi for this ARC!

The cover and blurb definitely drew me in and I am so glad I applied for the ARC. Will definitely be keeping my eye out for the next books because this was such a good time.

The world building and characterisations weren't that serious or super deep but it was a great time overall because the vibes were immaculate. Quick and fast paced read and the writing was engaging and flows well. I basically read it all in one sitting if I didn't have to go to work.

Initially the main leads bond was quite surface level and I was afraid it would all just rely on spice (which was definitely spicy) but I'm glad to see that they came to truly trust and love one another. The tension was thick, that's for sure. I'm invested to see more of how their relationship developed by the end of the book, though the ending was a bit rushed for me and focused more on the secondary couple.

Would read again and keen on the next in the series.

Overall rating: 4/5

This book was absolutely fantastic! I devoured it in a single day—I just couldn't tear myself away. If you enjoy a captivating dual POV romantasy (with a strong emphasis on romance) featuring enemies-to-lovers, fated mates, rival factions, a charismatic "shadow daddy," and a "he falls first" trope, then this kid a must read!!

The witty banter between the main characters is superb, and I completely fell in love with Kai and Eryn's journey. The slow-burn romance and spicy moments are truly delightful. Additionally, the side characters are phenomenal and greatly enrich the overall storyline and plot.

I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone who loves romantasy novels!

I just reviewed Bonded Nightmare by E.M. Rinaldi. #BondedNightmare #NetGalley

Arc review

Bonded nightmare by E. M. Rinaldi


One of the things that I liked about the books was that it is a dual pov, and I am a sucker for dual POVs 💕
I was skeptical while reading this book at the beginning, the MMC was being a jackass but as I progressed through the story, i fell in love with his character development, this was kinda grumpyXgrumpy trope but I liked it because the chemistry between the two main leads was oozing off, it was a romantic book to the core and I loved the dedication author put on it and agree with it. I couldn’t relate to FMC much but I still liked reading about her, she is a bit reckless but I kinda liked that about her character.
The story was set in a college background which luckily was just what I needed at that time. The spice and plot was well balanced.
Overall the story was easy to read, the writing style was new to me but I enjoyed it. I don’t want to say much to avoid spoiler
But if you like
Enemies to lovers
Shadow daddy
Forced proximity
Dual POV
Fated mates

Then this book is for you.
Thank NetGalley and author E M Rinaldi for giving me this ARC. I thoroughly enjoyed the book.

I ATE THIS UP. I stayed up late to finish this. I could not put it down.

Tropes that we have: Fated Mates, He falls first, touch her and die, shadow daddy, spice spice spicy, paranormal romance, and more! Are these listed tropes some of my favorites? YOU BET.

An unbonded nightmare…the last of their kind…oooooooooo boy, you already know that its about to me a crazy ride.

*Thank you to Net Galley for this ARC. I am leaving an honest and voluntary review*

Thank you to NetGalley, E. M. Rinaldi, and the publishers.

4.5 stars

This was everything that I was hoping that it would be. It has enemies to lovers, dual pov, fated mates, and shadow daddy. Eryn is a strong female character. I loved reading her story. Their story is so interesting and entertaining. It’s definitely not one that you can stop reading. I can’t wait to read more in this duology or series.

I loved this book! I devoured it in 2 days and I could not stop reading!
It has a unique world and magic. Very steaming romance that kept me giggling.
Really enjoyed the book!

This book is EVERYTHING!!! Has allll my favorite tropes rolled into one and THEN had the audacity to be extremely well written TOO!!! I loved every second of this read, from the characters to the plot to the tension you could cut with a knife!

Ok this book surprised me!
From the beginning it’s VERY interesting, I liked the author's writing, it is very light, and quick to read and entertain you.✨

The story is not complicated at all, a girl who runs away from her Bond because she just wants a quiet life, but the tranquility goes away when she meets Kai, not only does she have to deal with him, but with other supernatural beings who want to kill her.👀
It is a paranormal romance, vampires, mermaids, witches, djinn and... nightmares, the truth is it's all very interesting haha.

I liked the whole story, I liked that it was a little slow burn, the chemistry and dynamic of the protagonists was very funny and very good, (and obviously also their hot moments haha ​​omg😮‍💨), Kai and Eryn are very cute, a Who doesn't like boys to fall first?!! I love it!🤍

But I also have to say that the ones that caught my attention the most were Ezra and Rani!! 🤍Omg, I can't wait to read their story!!! That ending omg I NEED THE NEXT BOOK NOW!😍

If you want to read something quick and also light, this is for you!

-Fated mates
-Touch her and die
-Forced proximity
-Dual pov
-He falls first
-Shadow daddy
-Paranormal Romance




Thanks Netgalley for the arc

“To the readers who know that sometimes…romance is the plot”

Seeing this at the beginning I was prepared for less world building and plot and immediately was sucked into the romance and banter. We did get more plot at the end but you really don’t get much.

At times I was wanting more information on the magic system and everyone’s powers but I think it was meant to be this way to write more of a romance spice book and I’m honestly torn between 4 or 5 stars. Some moments I think 4 and others 5 so maybe I’ll for once do a 4.5 rating.

I love Kai so damn much! Him falling first and being all in and willing to wait and be patient and wanting nothing in return was everything I needed. Literally everything that came out of his mouth had me squealing and wanting more. He’s now added to my list of favorite shadow daddy’s.

The spice in this is off the charts and SO good 🥵

Overall I read this book super quick and really enjoyed the love story. I’m interested in the next book because I loved the banter and angst in this one and I see it being just as good in the next but I could also see it being similar.

This was my first book from this author but Im interested in ready others!

If you want plot and a lot of world building this book probably isn’t for you but if you’re looking for a sexy shadow daddy who is sweet and puts your needs before his own and you love good banter and spice then I think you’ll love this!

Thank you NetGalley and E.M. Rinaldi for the ARC!

I came for the cover and stayed for the story! "Bonded Nightmare" is the story of Eryn and Kaiden. Eryn is a nightmare, meaning she feeds on dreams and can exert control over the minds of others. Nightmares are essentially extinct because of the fear of their enormous power potential. Kaiden, or Kai, is a warlock from a family of power. Just after her 18th birthday, Eryn learns Kaiden is her "bond", basically her fated mate. Convinced he is one of those who have hunted her kind, she rejects (or so she thinks) their bond and tries to disappear. Kai, of course, is not going to let this happen.

Their true story begins 2 years later when Eryn begins college level vet studies and Kai is her TA for one of her courses. He hides who he is at first, which does nothing to endear him to Eryn when she eventually learns the truth. Of course, she eventually warms up to him - and his shadows. (Yum!)

E.M. Rinaldi has written an entertaining book filled with spice and banter and fabulous secondary characters. The romance outweighs the fantasy/paranormal aspects of the story and I am admittedly not totally clear on all aspects of the universe Rinaldi is creating. The ending was also a little abrupt, though I can see this being because there is a very interconnected book 2 on the way (and I am here for its main couple!). But Kai is a great combo of sweet and possessive alphahole and Eryn's journey to self-acceptance is lovely.

I definitely recommend this book. 4 strong stars. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a complimentary ARC of this book. These opinions are my own.

This book was my first romantasy and I was not disappointed! I fell hard for this book, I found myself picking up this book everytime I had a free second. There wasn’t a lot of world building which I was fine with. This story mostly took place on a college campus. I really enjoyed getting to know all of the characters. Kaiden was infatuated with his bond Eryn and would do anything for her. He was so patient with her—-which made him swoon worthy! The sidekicks Ezra & Rani had my heart just as much as the main characters. I can’t wait to find out more about them in the next book! Add to your TBR immediately!

The romance between the fmc and mmc was so dang adorable. I don’t always like dual pov, but since he falls first, it was fun seeing it from his perspective too.

Takeaways as an Aspiring Author:
- the mmc had good communication and seemed emotionally well-adjusted
- the banter between the love interests was fun
- good representation of consent
- an engaging cover
- some of the plot is predicated on the idea that “we can’t go to the authorities so we have to do it on our own”. While this is true in some stories, I don’t think so for this one. They could have totally gone to the supernatural authority with all their issues with the djinn. If they had done this, though, there would have been less plot.

Overall, it was an enjoyable read, but the otherwise savvy characters act dumb and don’t get help from the authorities, which doesn’t make sense to me.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the gifted ARC!
I loved this book!! It had very similar vibes to the bonds that tie series while still being unique in its own way. The romance is definitely the main plot in this story—if you prefer more plot than romance, this won’t be your cup of tea. I thoroughly enjoyed this book— it was an easy read and super entertaining. The romance was HOT 🥵 I’ll definitely be reading book 2 when it releases!

"Bonded Nightmare" by E.M Rinaldi is a fast-paced and highly addictive paranormal romance. This story is perfect for readers who love to be on the edge of their seats, coiled with tension and enjoy swooning over fictional love interests.

Eryn has been hunted her whole life for her magic as a nightmare. Some want her for the potential of her power and others just want her dead. It makes trusting people hard and life in general. All Eryn wants is to use her magic to heal animals and attend university like a regular human girl. However, fate has other plans in store. Mainly, her bonded life partner: Kaiden.

Kaiden has been searching for Eryn his whole life and can't understand why she isn't thrilled about having found one another. As he weaves his way into Eryn's life, it becomes clear there is someone, or something, on campus who is trying to keep the two of them apart by any means necessary. Knowing they are stronger together, Kaiden pulls out all the moves he has to convince her they are stronger together before the attempt to split them apart becomes something permanent and irreparable.

Rinaldi has created realistic characters with strange and fascinating supernatural powers that can be used for both good and bad. This makes it difficult for the reader to know who is trustworthy and who has ulterior motives. It adds another layer of tension to the story, especially when it becomes clear that someone or something is trying to keep Eryn and Kaiden apart.

The idea of mixing supernaturals and humans worked well. It emphasized the difficulty of fitting in and trying to make friends when magic and magic politics get in the way. Readers feel for Eryn who is striving for a simple life, but being a nightmare keeps standing in the way of those dreams. And that includes the bonded male whose wit and persistence derail her plans.

Without spoiling too much, a couple of things took away from the story for me. Some places felt too predictable, especially when it became a pattern throughout the story. Nightmares are set up to be the most feared and yet, I felt Eryn's powers were severely unmatched to the other characters. They came through more in the ending and I look forward to seeing her powers develop more in the next book!

If you love paranormal romances, this is the book to be on the lookout for! "Bonded Nightmare" by E.M Rinaldi is expected to be published on May 27, 2024. Add it to your TBR's and be sure to give it a read when it's available for purchase! A big thank you to Netgalley and E.M Rinaldi for the opportunity to read an e-arc of this book and give my honest opinion in this review.

“Bonded Nightmare” is an amazing paranormal romance book by E.M. Rinaldi.

Rating: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Plot: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Characters: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Suspense: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Romance/spice: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

What you’ll find in this book:
⭐️Enemies to Lovers
⭐️Dual POV
⭐️He falls First
⭐️Fated lovers
⭐️Touch Her and die
⭐️Paranormal spice

My Review:
I loved this book so much! A unique paranormal story about a bond between a nightmare and a witch. Eryn is a strong woman who relies to no-one for her survival and Kai is the heir to the witch cast that tries hard to gain his bond’s love. I was amazed by the paranormal world building in the background of their story but I would like a little more of a backstage story about the bonds and all the different paranormal creatures. It reminded me a lot of A Discovery of Witches and I loved all the romance and spice just enough to keep you on your toes. Also, the fact that there is an actual story outside of the romance was a plus for this book. I would definitely recommend it to all lovers of paranormal romance with a bit of spice.

Description:
She can run but she can't hide...
As the last unbonded nightmare in existence, Eryn Montalli has been hunted her entire life for the mere potential of her magick. She's only ever wanted a quiet life tending to the hurt and sick animals that seek her out. Those dreams go to absolute shit with four little words...
They found your bond.
Now she's hiding amongst the humans at Moorcroft University, trying to make a life for herself—if one overprotective witch wasn't so determined to set her carefully laid plans on fire. His arrogance is enough to make her want to punch him in the face...but his touch has her questioning why she's fighting so hard to stay away.
She was supposed to be stronger than this, but would it really be weakness to give in?

Ready or not, princess, here I come...
Kaiden Einar Winmore Alantes, Kai for short, has waited his entire life to find his bond and it didn't go according to plan. She doesn't recognize him and what's worse, someone seems hellbent on preventing their bond by any means necessary.
Eryn is passionate, intelligent, and sexy as fuck. She's the girl of his dreams except...she wants nothing to do with him—undeniable chemistry be damned. It will take all his charm and a touch of fate to make her realize they're meant to be, before it's too late.
What's a guy to do when trying to save his bond might very well be what makes him lose her? Forever.

Writing style:
Fast pace, I couldn’t put it down! The writing style is amazing, so flawless and I enjoyed every single interaction between Eryn and Kai. The only negative in my opinion was the lack of explanation of the different paranormal creatures mentioned in this book. They were introduced without a hind of their powers, casts, or potential which threw me a bit of truck while I was trying to understand the back story of all of it.

Thanks to NetGalley and the author for my early copy. All opinions are mine and sincere.

#BondedNightmare #NetGalley
https://amzn.to/4bTPfYp

I was pleasantly surprised with this book! I honestly didn’t expect too much when I first requested this book. It was more for a fun buddy read - but I ended up reading it on my own and thoroughly enjoyed it! It kept me turning the pages, as I got to know to characters better it made the story more enjoyable. I was hoping the author would share more about the other magical species/factions within this realm but after reaching the end and knowing we will be getting more - I look forward to the next book!

It’s a quick read, with relatable characters, that I think most SMUT fantasy readers will enjoy!

This was a fun easy read. No deep topics covered. The forced proximity of the bond was interesting to read as it developed. The characters could have been a little deeper and more developed, but they were still good. For example, while we know the FMC was kind - there wasn't much demonstration of it. However, how good is the cover?? The cover artist deserves an award! I was quite invested in the side characters so I am looking forward to the next in the series.

😍😍😍😍 (Out of 5)

Big thanks to Netgalley, and EM Rinaldi for this early release copy in exchange for my honest review.

This was a really good read! I really enjoyed learning about the different magic systems and the way that bonds work in this world.

Eryn and Kai were both awesome and watching them grow closer throughout the book was so sweet. The ending was a little predictable, but not in a bad way. My only complain was that I didn't feel like I got a good understanding of Eryn's powers as a Nightmare and what that all meant. It was all a little vague.

4⭐/4🌶️