Blurb:

Elle is an innocent college girl who walks into the wrong bar. Alec is a desperate man trying to rescue his wayward sister from her drug dealer. A dealer who happens to be Elle’s respectable doctor father. When their paths cross unexpectedly, Alec kidnaps Elle to use as leverage in a last-ditch attempt to save his sister.What starts out as a hostage situation quickly evolves into something more as both Alec and Elle fall hard for each other, their growing feelings and off-the-charts sexual chemistry impossible to fight. But with both their families on the line, will they choose their blood? Or each other?

My 4* Review:

The Ties That Bind by Piper Rhodes is a dark romance novella with some suspense and family drama involving Alec and Arielle ‘Elle’. I haven’t read this author before and didn’t know what to expect but I was pleasantly surprised and thoroughly enjoyed it. The author has packed so much into this short story and draws the reader in very quickly with her good plot. Her descriptions throughout the book make you feel as if you are there with her characters that I couldn’t wait to see what happened next. It is fast paced with a few steamy and emotional scenes. 

He may have held her hostage, but she had captured his heart.

Elle has agreed to meet her friend Sarah at a dive bar but what was meant to be a bit of an  adventure for the girls, takes a turn for the worse for Elle. She is accosted by a drunk guy but is very relieved when someone rescues her.  Alec is minding his own business, sitting alone in a corner, nursing a hangover. He is desperately trying to figure out a way to save his sister, when  a commotion at the bar makes him look up. He is shocked to see Elle and knowing she is just the person he needs, he goes and saves her. The attraction and chemistry between the couple is instant but Alec’s intentions aren’t all honourable and he kidnaps her. 

His reasons are valid but he begins to think it’s a stupid plan when he realises she is innocent and doesn’t know what her parents are involved in? Elle is confused because she should be scared but her feelings for him override her fear. Is he a bad boy with a heart of gold or a good guy caught up in a horrendous situation? He needs her as leverage for his sister so tries to fights his attraction to her but can’t help being empathetic to what he is putting her through. 

Once he reveals the truth, will she believe him or will she stay loyal to her family?

Is there any chance they could have a happily ever after?

What happens when they blur the lines between captive and kidnapper?

To me the sad part was this deserved to be a full book as the plot was intriguing, the main couple and their backstories were interesting so they deserved more.