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kshensley's review
5.0
Jennifer Miller’s The Line That Binds is a story of love and a curse. Miller has created a classic love story with a twist like no other. From the creativity put into her characters to the detail involved in making this story come to life, The Line That Binds is a riveting story. You will not want to put this book down until you find out the truth about LJ and the Stockton Estate. Jennifer Miller is an excellent writer; the Line That Binds is a proof of her imagination and skills as an author.
meloniereads's review
4.0
I thought this was a great YA novel and would have loved to give a 4 star review however the beginning of the book was a little slow for me and it took me a little while to get into it. However once I did get into it I couldn't put it down or quit turning pages. It is greatly written and great read!
LJ makes a great strong female lead in the book. I love how in the beginning she seems like a spoiled little rich girl but you seen realize there is a lot more to her and her past is something a lot of people can relate to. To see the change in her though out the novel is great to read about.
Ben is also a strong lead character and is actually a lot different as far as leading male characters go from other novels that I have read. That to me is a good thing. Its nice to see something different.
TO read about how LJ and Ben grow close it seems almost like something that just happened and wasn't forced. Ben already knows about the supposed curse that is around the Stockton Estate even if he doesn't believe it. When he starts seeing the symptoms in LJ everything becomes real. LJ had no idea about any of it until late in the novel but once she does they join forces to figure out where the curse originated and why.
This novel left me wanting more and I can't wait to read the next book.
LJ makes a great strong female lead in the book. I love how in the beginning she seems like a spoiled little rich girl but you seen realize there is a lot more to her and her past is something a lot of people can relate to. To see the change in her though out the novel is great to read about.
Ben is also a strong lead character and is actually a lot different as far as leading male characters go from other novels that I have read. That to me is a good thing. Its nice to see something different.
TO read about how LJ and Ben grow close it seems almost like something that just happened and wasn't forced. Ben already knows about the supposed curse that is around the Stockton Estate even if he doesn't believe it. When he starts seeing the symptoms in LJ everything becomes real. LJ had no idea about any of it until late in the novel but once she does they join forces to figure out where the curse originated and why.
This novel left me wanting more and I can't wait to read the next book.
apagetoturn's review
5.0
This book took me by surprise - I've not read a lot of books that were self-published but this one really blew me away! I didn't think I'd be a fan of the two person point of views (Jodi Picoult comes to mind), but it's so well written that it flowed so easily and after the first couple of chapters I barely noticed.
Mysteries are a personal favorite of mine and I like a plot that keeps me guessing but doesn't give answers away too early. This particular story about a girl, a boy and a curse literally kept me on the edge of my seat until the very last page...Lila and Ben are two teens that inherit this estate. After making a wish in a well, Lila sets off a chain reaction that correlates to this ancient curse that had been placed on t well long before. She starts to hear voices, wishes from the well, that as she starts to grant them; she begins to lose a piece of herself with each and soon she will be gone forever.
Ben and Lila then work together as a team to uncover the secrets of the well and find a little romance along the way.I recommend this book for mature YA because of language and mild sexual content. I can't wait for the sequel to come out!
Mysteries are a personal favorite of mine and I like a plot that keeps me guessing but doesn't give answers away too early. This particular story about a girl, a boy and a curse literally kept me on the edge of my seat until the very last page...Lila and Ben are two teens that inherit this estate. After making a wish in a well, Lila sets off a chain reaction that correlates to this ancient curse that had been placed on t well long before. She starts to hear voices, wishes from the well, that as she starts to grant them; she begins to lose a piece of herself with each and soon she will be gone forever.
Ben and Lila then work together as a team to uncover the secrets of the well and find a little romance along the way.I recommend this book for mature YA because of language and mild sexual content. I can't wait for the sequel to come out!
ammalek's review
5.0
This is a beautiful romantic story with a hint of paranormal and mystery. LJ has no idea when she is inheriting the Stockton Estate, she inherits the Stockton curse as well. JM Miller does a great job of pulling you immediately into the story and there are several little twists. I loved that we get inside of Ben's head as well. They are both a bit reluctant at first but it's not drawn out. I found myself falling for Ben easily. The very unique storyline keeps you guessing. I wouldn't call it a true cliff hanger but it does leave you wanting more.
bookbriefs's review
4.0
The Line That Binds is an interesting start to what looks to be a creepy and super cool paranormal curse series. The story starts off in the past tense where we meet a man and a jilted woman, who casts a curse on the family and descendants of the man who wronged her. Then, we flash forward to the present where the current owner and family member of the house is losing her mind/memories and dying, supposedly from the curse. She gives the main house and most of the land to some of her estranged relatives. And she gives the other part of the land to the son of her longtime grounds keepers. Her niece, nephew and their father moved in and the story really begins.
The book is told in alternating point of view between the grandson of the grounds keeper- Ben and Aunt Genies Niece LJ. Ben's grandfather is really worried that LJ will be affected by the curse just like her aunt and he wants Ben to look out for her. And to keep her away from this well that somehow is connected to it all. I was super intrigued by the well, just like LJ. How could she not be. She moved into this huge old house and all over the place there are hand painted and number paintings of the same well. It would creep me out and intrigue me as well.
I loved the writing of the story and the concept of it. Even more, I loved Ben and LJ. The little dance that they did around each other, each holding back their feelings was beyond cute. Their flirting made my heart warm and put a smile on my face. What I wanted to see more of was the actual curse. It came up a lot in the beginning of the story, but then we kind of meandered along and we didn't find anything new about it until the end. We saw some effects that it was having on LJ, but other than that the curse plot line felt kind of slow. I want more on that creepy well! We only actually saw it in person once in the whole story! I hope there is more in the next book, because it has completely captured my attention.
The whole story is really well written and makes me long to read the next book to see what is going to happen. The characters will make an impact on you and their romance is very endearing. You will root for these two. The curse is teasing and will leave you wanting for more, but it is such a cool concept that it is just enough to whet your appetite. Bring on the second book!
The book is told in alternating point of view between the grandson of the grounds keeper- Ben and Aunt Genies Niece LJ. Ben's grandfather is really worried that LJ will be affected by the curse just like her aunt and he wants Ben to look out for her. And to keep her away from this well that somehow is connected to it all. I was super intrigued by the well, just like LJ. How could she not be. She moved into this huge old house and all over the place there are hand painted and number paintings of the same well. It would creep me out and intrigue me as well.
I loved the writing of the story and the concept of it. Even more, I loved Ben and LJ. The little dance that they did around each other, each holding back their feelings was beyond cute. Their flirting made my heart warm and put a smile on my face. What I wanted to see more of was the actual curse. It came up a lot in the beginning of the story, but then we kind of meandered along and we didn't find anything new about it until the end. We saw some effects that it was having on LJ, but other than that the curse plot line felt kind of slow. I want more on that creepy well! We only actually saw it in person once in the whole story! I hope there is more in the next book, because it has completely captured my attention.
The whole story is really well written and makes me long to read the next book to see what is going to happen. The characters will make an impact on you and their romance is very endearing. You will root for these two. The curse is teasing and will leave you wanting for more, but it is such a cool concept that it is just enough to whet your appetite. Bring on the second book!
daylafm's review
4.0
Review first appeared on my blog: Book Addict 24-7
I received a copy via Enticing Journey book tours in exchange for an honest review
The Line that Binds by J.M. Miller is a young adult paranormal mystery that features a strong heroine and a very interesting male character. I will admit that when I first jumped into this one, I wasn’t expecting much. I’ve read quite a few paranormal novels that have had lackluster romance and overdramatic situations, but thankfully this wasn’t one of those forgettable reads. Miller’s novel is intriguing, realistic (in how her characters are portrayed), and has just enough romance to make the story swoon-worthy. I for one look forward to the sequel, since this installment has left me craving more!
Lila, the protagonist, has dealt with some pretty nasty stuff in her life, but Ben isn’t a stranger to the darker side of life either. Both of these characters work well together because they offer each other a way to grow past the negative idea of first impressions.
Lila, in my opinion, is the one character who changes the most, and I’m not stating this to be obvious, especially because of what happens in the novel. I think she changes the most regarding the way she views the world and how her life changes so drastically, but most importantly, how well she treats the change. Ben, however, changes in how he judges people (not that big of a deal compared to Lila, in all honesty).
The mystery is like a song that grows steadily as the story progresses, reaching a false crescendo near the conclusion of the novel, leaving us with an impossible need to know more. Miller knows how to create suspense and how to connect everything. The reader should note the instances where Miller throws you a proverbial bone just so you can understand what is exactly happening. This isn’t to say that the reader will be mildly confused—not at all—it’s just pretty neat to watch an author weave a story full of hints so well hidden, that sometimes a reader glimpses right over them without acknowledging them.
The pacing is awesome, which helps a lot for the wary reader. Like I mentioned before, I was a little unsure about this one before I read the first page, but the quick pacing and addicting storytelling pulled me in. I loved the concept of both protagonists having a voice because it leaves no room for doubt, and because it allows us to connect with both characters.
There’s one other thing I want to mention before concluding this review. I want to comment on the very realistic situations that Miller puts her characters in. Ben’s sexual history, and the descriptions of sexuality introduced to the reader via Lila’s unfortunate experience with her boyfriend show us what we already know. The topic of sex in young adult novels is one of those taboos that every author in this age group tends to skirt around. Characters are either very naive and innocent regarding sex, innuendo is assumed with metaphors and allusions to certain situations, while some authors don’t even breach the topic. Miller doesn’t shy away from the fact that sex is very prevalent in today’s teenage culture. Hollywood sells it, parents have become a bit more lax thanks to the inability to monitor everything a child sees/reads/hears, and kids talk about their sexual conquests among friends in school and in social settings.
I’m not saying this is a good thing—the sexualization of kids—but I do approve of an author being realistic and not sugar coating the reality of today’s youth. Plus, with the creation of the New Adult age group, I know there will be more risky young adult novels.
If you like a young adult novel with an interesting premise, teenage love, and if you’re a fan of young adult paranormal stories that feature curses and mystery, then you might enjoy this one.
I received a copy via Enticing Journey book tours in exchange for an honest review
The Line that Binds by J.M. Miller is a young adult paranormal mystery that features a strong heroine and a very interesting male character. I will admit that when I first jumped into this one, I wasn’t expecting much. I’ve read quite a few paranormal novels that have had lackluster romance and overdramatic situations, but thankfully this wasn’t one of those forgettable reads. Miller’s novel is intriguing, realistic (in how her characters are portrayed), and has just enough romance to make the story swoon-worthy. I for one look forward to the sequel, since this installment has left me craving more!
Lila, the protagonist, has dealt with some pretty nasty stuff in her life, but Ben isn’t a stranger to the darker side of life either. Both of these characters work well together because they offer each other a way to grow past the negative idea of first impressions.
Lila, in my opinion, is the one character who changes the most, and I’m not stating this to be obvious, especially because of what happens in the novel. I think she changes the most regarding the way she views the world and how her life changes so drastically, but most importantly, how well she treats the change. Ben, however, changes in how he judges people (not that big of a deal compared to Lila, in all honesty).
The mystery is like a song that grows steadily as the story progresses, reaching a false crescendo near the conclusion of the novel, leaving us with an impossible need to know more. Miller knows how to create suspense and how to connect everything. The reader should note the instances where Miller throws you a proverbial bone just so you can understand what is exactly happening. This isn’t to say that the reader will be mildly confused—not at all—it’s just pretty neat to watch an author weave a story full of hints so well hidden, that sometimes a reader glimpses right over them without acknowledging them.
The pacing is awesome, which helps a lot for the wary reader. Like I mentioned before, I was a little unsure about this one before I read the first page, but the quick pacing and addicting storytelling pulled me in. I loved the concept of both protagonists having a voice because it leaves no room for doubt, and because it allows us to connect with both characters.
There’s one other thing I want to mention before concluding this review. I want to comment on the very realistic situations that Miller puts her characters in. Ben’s sexual history, and the descriptions of sexuality introduced to the reader via Lila’s unfortunate experience with her boyfriend show us what we already know. The topic of sex in young adult novels is one of those taboos that every author in this age group tends to skirt around. Characters are either very naive and innocent regarding sex, innuendo is assumed with metaphors and allusions to certain situations, while some authors don’t even breach the topic. Miller doesn’t shy away from the fact that sex is very prevalent in today’s teenage culture. Hollywood sells it, parents have become a bit more lax thanks to the inability to monitor everything a child sees/reads/hears, and kids talk about their sexual conquests among friends in school and in social settings.
I’m not saying this is a good thing—the sexualization of kids—but I do approve of an author being realistic and not sugar coating the reality of today’s youth. Plus, with the creation of the New Adult age group, I know there will be more risky young adult novels.
If you like a young adult novel with an interesting premise, teenage love, and if you’re a fan of young adult paranormal stories that feature curses and mystery, then you might enjoy this one.
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