Unwound (The Mastered Series)

Bravo! When I read the first one of this series I was a little took back that it ended the way it did, leaving me hanging. But oh so very worth it! From telling cowboy hot and sexy stories to the world of MMA she rocks it all!!

Lorelei James writes a great book full of hot lovin and passion. I couldn't put it down. The story continues where 'Bound' left off. I highly recommend this book after you've read the first book in the series 'Bound'.

Ronin and Amery were 2 of my most favorite characters. Right up there with Christian/Anna and Gideon/Eva. I hope there is a third book. I would like to see them go back to Japan. Thank you Ms. James. Really love it!

Great read to follow book one Bound about Ronin and Amery. Sex, lies, family issues, crazy ex's and ropes what more could you need. I would recommend this book to my friends to read because it has a great ending.

this is the second book and it is one that I find I cannot put down and cannot stop turning the page. great subjects and characters and story line continues and flows well. will be reading more books of ms james

Love Ronin and Amery. Lorelei James did a great job telling their story. Amery standing up to her parents was one of the best parts of the book. Although I did want to slap Amery for not telling Ronin she loved him. Would love a third book or a novella.

Great follow up to Bound. Such a great story with great character development and detail. Secondary characters also well developed without taking over the story. Overall I LOVED this book and will probably be reading it over and over.

This second book in the master's series is amazing!! Lorelei James writes incredible books and Unwound is one of her best. So hot and steamy!! And I love the characters in this book. This is a must read. I promise you'll love it!

What a great second book! Ronin and Amery have a ton of issues to work through before they can find true happiness. Ms. James weaves a wonderful tale of and leaves me wanting more. I love how these two characters come together to overcome the obstacles. Love the rope play and you can picture it with the awesome descriptions that are given. This is my favorite series from this author hands down! Hope we find out what happens with some of the other characters in future books.

This series has been the best of Lorelei's works. Book One,a necessary introduction, but the finale here can not be beaten. The steamy scenes, of which there are many, are some of the most erotic I've ever read and the romance extremely satisfying.

Lorelei James is a favorite of mine (Rough Riders, Blacktop Cowboys), but I was more than a bit annoyed that she's going the route of truncating her story line at the end of one book in order to hook you into buying the next book that will finish the story line. Having said that, I also had a hard time caring about the characters in this one. Neither one grabbed my sympathies. Ronin was so secretive about important stuff throughout the book that I wanted to shout at Amery to wake up, smell the coffee and run for her life. As for the BDSM, it was obviously well researched, but way too much detail in knot tying already! C'mon, Lorelei, you can do way better!

Just as I expected, Lorelei James delivered an amazing ending to this series. The only thing I have to complain about is that the series ended here. Such a well written, descriptive book centered around amazing characters and plots. I loved Lorelei James' Rough Riders series and this just cemented the fact that she made a fan of me for life! Will definitely read her other books!

This series has been the best of Lorelei's works. Book One,a necessary introduction, but the finale here can not be beaten. The steamy scenes, of which there are many, are some of the most erotic I've ever read and the romance extremely satisfying.

Lorelei James is a favorite of mine (Rough Riders, Blacktop Cowboys), but I was more than a bit annoyed that she's going the route of truncating her story line at the end of one book in order to hook you into buying the next book that will finish the story line. Having said that, I also had a hard time caring about the characters in this one. Neither one grabbed my sympathies. Ronin was so secretive about important stuff throughout the book that I wanted to shout at Amery to wake up, smell the coffee and run for her life. As for the BDSM, it was obviously well researched, but way too much detail in knot tying already! C'mon, Lorelei, you can do way better!

Just as I expected, Lorelei James delivered an amazing ending to this series. The only thing I have to complain about is that the series ended here. Such a well written, descriptive book centered around amazing characters and plots. I loved Lorelei James' Rough Riders series and this just cemented the fact that she made a fan of me for life! Will definitely read her other books!

I found this book to be a disappointment after reading the first book, Bound. I felt the author was in a hurry to finish and lost the punch I was expecting. This was the first time I have read this author and will continue buying her books.

Secret is out! Amery and Ronin have several hurdles to overcome in order to be together-FINALLY! But several changes happen regarding their careers , personal relationship and family and friends. We get to know more of the other characters. Amery & Ronin pissed me off at times...stubborn! Stubborn!
I hope we will see more of Amery&Ronin. It also looks like their is a few more storylines developing here!
Enjoyable read!

I read a lot. This is one of the best, most intense books I have read I a. While. I judge a 5 star book by if it is something I enjoyed enough to reward again. I would read this again. The characters are written with such depth that I feel like I know them. The book is worth the price.

I didn't care too much for the first book Bound, but Unwound is exactly the opposite. It kept my interest all the way through. I couldn't wait to finish it, and I hope that Ms. James has more books in this series.

I am usually a fan of Ms. James works and liked Bound that first introduced the characters Ronin and Amery. I'm not a fan of cliffhangers but I knew before I read Bound, that it was the first of 2 books. After finishing that book, I was eagerly looking forward to its conclusion in Unwound.

I was very disappointed. The story seemed to drag on a lot with the characters rehashing the same ground over and over. I agree with other reviewers that there was too much about the rope tying and I must also add, too much about martial arts. Who exactly was she writing for when she provided all that detail? I guess LJ needed to let readers know she did her research. Ok, we got it.

(I must admit that in Bound probably had as much references to rope and martial arts, but it was all new and interesting. The growing relationship between the characters also balanced the book out. By book 2, not enough was happening plot wise so the book lost its balance and my interest. IMHO the number of intimate scenes, seemed a bit heavy handed and did not help the progression of the plot or the building of R&A's relationship.)

I think LJ needed to add about 100 additional pages to the original book and it would have been enough to end R&A's story. Not an entire book.

I only give 3 stars to books I enjoy so I could not give that rating here. However I must admit that a 2 star book from LJ is a lot better than most books out there.

I love books about BDSM, especially bondage and submission. This book is the conclusion to Bound. In the previous book Amery has walked out on Ronin because he just wasn’t being open and honest about himself, his family and his past. Ronin is devastated that Amery has left him and sinks himself into MMA bouts. He lets himself get beat up just to numb the pain of losing her. Avery finds him at her doorstep one night bloody, bruised and broken. As Ronin recovers from his injuries so does their relationship. But there are other forces that still test their relationship. We get to see what kind of nasty people Amery’s parents are.

Amery becomes involved in the promotion of Ronin’s new business venture and continues working with the Okada Corporation. I loved that we got to see more from Ronin’s POV. We got to know more about his family dynamic. I kind of wish that Ronin had interests besides martial arts. It what he eats, sleeps and breathes. Even his interest in art is very singular. If I were to meet him in real life I would probably find him very boring after one evening of talking to him. When the sex drive dies down and the body doesn’t operate like it used to, what will be left for Amery and Ronin to talk about? Hopefully they will develop different interests together.

A few new characters are introduced in this book and I can see that this series should go on for a while however, the last book published in this series was in 2015. I do believe that another one is overdue. I wish the book series that Amery is doing the cover art for was real. Just based on the cover art alone I would read Cherry Starr’s novels. Too bad she isn’t real either. This book was not as fast paced as the previous book. It still held my attention and had plenty of sexy times in it.

I recommend reading Kathy Davie’s review on Goodreads. Hers is the most complete one I’ve seen about this book though I gave it a higher rating than she did.

4.5 stars. Unwound continues from where Bound left off. Ronin, who is the epitome of cool, calm and collected control, is unravelling at a rapid pace. Everything he tried to keep hidden from Amery has mounted and come to a head where he has to decide if he's better off keeping her at a distance at the cost of losing her or letting her in fully and hanging on to her permanently.

Ronin always seem infallible because of his physical strength and martial arts abilities. But with increasing age, overexertion and being a glutton for punishment, the physical tolls start piling up and Ronin will need Amery at his side whether he wants her help or not. I enjoyed seeing Ronin open up more this time around as vulnerable as it made him, because he needed to and because as much as Amery leaned on him, he could do the same for her.

There's a bit of drama of course as the past demands to be dealt with, but the focus is the on the progression of Amery and Ronin's relationship as it strengthens with open and shared communication. Ronin is still a dominating alpha no matter what. His sister Shiori really grew on me so I look forward to reading more about her in the future. I've been really fascinated by the rope tying aspect because it's super hot and sexy as well as complicated. I also appreciated seeing Amery feel more comfortable in her own skin and make demands on her own terms.

Didn't everybody know that couple in college who were ALWAYS either fighting or f****ng? That is Amery and Ronin. Except that they aren't 20. .... so honestly its kind of annoying. But I still like the characters...neither is overtly bratty.. both are well developed and likable.. But I still could have used more moments of them enjoying each other without being constantly on fire with either anger or lust.

But it is good steamy read... and I enjoy all the details about our hero's jobs.. Also the family dynamics are pretty interesting! I enjoyed the second string characters. Ronin's sister stands out!

Blackraven’s Review:

LOVED IT! Lorelei James has penned a powerful and passionate romance with characters who will resonate with readers for some time to come. I couldn’t wait to read Ronin’s perspective and Ms. James did not disappoint. The complexity of the relationships, and the minefields from the past that both Ronin and Amery must navigate around makes for a tenuous situation. Yet, these two were meant for each other. The passion both in and out of bed is explosive and addictive. As a reader, you can’t help but root for them to find their Happily Ever After.

UNWOUND is a mixture of sweet, sensual, seductive, intense passion with characters who experience raw emotions with the turn of every page. Ronin and Amery have both been hurt, but the question remains, will they be able to make amends? Between a vindictive ex, a sister who’s trying to make amends, a business that’s quickly expanding, and Ronin’s inability to do what he does best, the situations quickly spiral out of control. Yet one thing remains true, Ronin can’t function without the love of his life, Amery, and vice versa. There were times that my heart broke for both of these characters and there were times that I wanted to strangle Ronin for being such a jerk. It took a lot for both of them to learn how to communicate effectively with one another. But more importantly, it took time for them to regain each others’ trust.

The secondary characters continue to be a riot and spice up this series. I can’t wait for Knox and Shiori to unleash all of their pent up sexual tension on one another because it’s guaranteed to be explosive. Not to mention Molly and Deacon. She may be small, but she’s mighty and is probably the only woman who could handle the big man. I love these characters, I love the fighting and training in the dojo and I love the concept. The dialogue is rich, dark, and edgy, the love scenes are sensual, yet raw and uninhibited, and the love is so endearing that it will make your heart swell with joy. Moreover, the characters are well-developed, engaging, and continue to leap off the pages.

Lorelei James’ new series is a testament to her growth as an author. She’s broadened her horizons and it has definitely paid off with The Mastered series in this reader’s humble opinion. The depth of the characters, the complexity of the plot, the descriptive setting, the smoking hot love scenes, the intriguing secondary characters, and the intense drama make for an amazing story and series. Bravo Ms. James because you have another series that’s a smashing hit on your hands. :)

Rated 5 Ravens and a Recommended Read by AJ!

Second in the Mastered romantic erotica series set in Denver and revolving around Ronin and Amery.

Takes place six weeks after Amery dumped him.

My Take
I do love how James can write erotica and include an interesting story along with it; I do wish she had involved more show however.

Whoa. Ronin is really going for the pain, and I gotta agree with him, his sister has no right to beat on him (metaphorically speaking). She screwed things up big time in Bound , 1.

Oh, gimme a break. He was calling Amery sixteen times a day for a week, and she claims she hasn't heard from him? What? No caller ID on her phone? I can sort of see her being annoyed that Ronin didn't leave a message, but…I ain't buyin' the rest of her story, and it is her fault she didn't pick up any time that first week.
"The only strings that should come with a gift are on the outside of the package when you open it."

That said, it is so sweet how much Ronin is sucking up to Amery. He needs her in so many ways and can't stand to be away from her. He's so lucky to have gotten a second chance with her. Now, on the trust side, Ronin expects her to trust him, aaannnd what's good for the gander should be good for the goose. Ronin will have to suck it up and trust Amery. And Amery does take advantage, lol.

James makes the contract negotiations so real, and there are some tough choices in here for Amery, just as there would be in the real world. Another good bit of job news is that Cherry Starr is thrilled with that cover Amery did in Bound , and so are some other writer friends!

Ooh, we get some background information on Ronin's past, um, business endeavors. The ones that are not on the up-and-up. He also gets a few opportunities to reflect on his behavior, especially after a meeting with TP. Then there are Ronin's thoughts about his childhood. Jesus. All kids need to have a childhood and not live out their parents' dreams! I do have to admire him. In spite of his family's money, Ronin was a self-starter and built his business up on his own. Even if I do want to take aspirins as I read about his injuries.

That name Amery comes up with for Ronin and Blue's new promotional company is just great: Black and Blue. Lord knows they both sport the "company" colors often enough.

Life gets funnier when TP foists his ditzy daughter onto Ronin. This self-absorbed, girl has no clue in so many ways, and yet, she does have some surprises in store. I was torn between dumbfounded and laughter when she shows up way too soon without being asked and expects to be head of the business. It's too much like kids getting out of high school and expecting to be VP of the company, lol. On the other hand, even adults aren't very wise as exhibited by Amery's reaction to Katie and we get slapped upside the head. I really hate it when women leap to conclusions and don't give their guy a chance to explain.

I wanna smack Amery about every 20 pages or so. She is so pissy when negative things happen, and she reacts so badly. I think she's worse than Ronin. At least he doesn't run off pouting. He is judgmental about his sister, but considering what she did to him a few years back, I can't blame him. As for Amery's secret…she is being a hypocrite and a weasel.

Amery's concerns about Ronin's not being completely open and forthright are reasonable, but I don't see why she expects him to blather on about everything. People have their pride, misplaced as it might be. When Ronin confesses to the type of favors he did for TP, I'm shocked that Amery accepts it, as uptight as she's been.

The sexual aspects — in bed and in the bindings — are hot. Even though I don't get the excitement about the rope tricks. Nor can I get excited about Naomi. What. A. Bitch. It's well worth reading on to find out how beautifully Ronin's reaction in the past screwed with the "lovely" Naomi, and we gain some fascinating insight into Naomi's motivations. Oh, brother.

Oh, boy. That scene where Amery is photographing some "toys" for a brochure for a client and her parents show up? Well, I can see why she wants nothing to do with them.

The Story
Ronin has been taking on fights, hoping to dull the pain of losing Amery. This latest one? His health is endangered.

As for Shiori, she's eating crow and offering up jobs.

The Characters
Amery Hardwick is a graphics designer with her own company, Hardwick Designs, one that's struggling in today's economy. The shy Molly Calloway is her part-time receptionist pursuing her master's degree. Aiden is Amery's brother, and her parents, Marion and James, are the worst sort of Christians: judgmental and too worried about appearances.

Master Ronin Black is a mixed martial arts champion with a Hachidan status, an instructor, a rope master of the art of shinbari and kinbaku , and has an unwanted interest in the family food business. Shiori "She-Cat" Hirano is his sister and at the Rokudan level. She's also the bitch who introduced Naomi to Ronin, screwed up his relationship with Amery, and is a vice-president with the Okada Food Conglomerate. Jenko, a former Sumo wrestler, is her bodyguard. Grandfather, Nureki Okada, is the CEO of Okada. His daughter is Ronin and Shiori's mother, their okasan. Maggie Arnold runs the Seattle office.

Black Arts dojo
Shihan Knox Lofgren is the dojo general manager, and he has achieved the level of Godan. Sandan Zach. Yondan Deacon McConnell is Ronin' s third-in-command and is called away by complications resulting from his grandfather's death. Jon will be moved up to instructor level. Ito is another instructor. Clint owes Ronin a favor.

ABC is…
…a Brazilian jujitsu dojo owned by Alvares "Blue" Curacao who is supposed to be fighting Deacon. Blue and Ronin are discussing a merger. Sophia, a.k.a., Stinger, is one of his instructors, Blue's sister, and handles the business end. I'm not sure, but I think Terrel is one of Blue's. I think Gil is a student.

Emmylou Simmons rents part of Amery's building for her massage studio but is currently traveling with the Colorado Rockies. Chaz rents the center section for his artistic enterprises which includes illustrating manga.

Naomi is a scheming psycho who needs to be taken out. Hiko Tamagachi is the sick bugger who plays bodyguard for Naomi. Kiki is Naomi's friend.

Thaddeus Pettigrew is a rich man with very shady connections with whom Ronin has done business in the past. Bambi is his latest personal assistant. Katie Pettigrew Gardiner is his daughter and insists on being Black Arts' new promotional manager.

The bulldozing Max Stanislovsky, one of TP's friendly rivals, has a son, Ivan, and needs a similar favor. Ivan wants to train as an MMA fighter. Max runs high-end escort services and keeps a team of Russian construction workers/enforcers on hand.

Cherry Starr writes erotica and loves that cover Amery did for the first book in her trilogy. Merrick McBride runs Twisted, a sex club where Ronin demonstrates his rope mastery.

Masaman was Ronin's sensei in Japan; Shiori is training with him now. Martel is the UPS carrier who delivers to Black Arts. Dr. Dainsworth is Ronin's neurologist. Gigi is Amery's favorite server at the bistro. Inichi Matso works for Satzu, so far.

The Cover and Title
The cover looks like the silk ribbon Amery talks about in one scene, yellows shifting through the color spectrum to deep reds that make her appear to be a living flame. On the cover, that ribbon spans the background diagonally in all its varying shades.

I'm thinking the title is the ease Ronin and Amery finally achieve with each other as they come Unwound.

Title: Unwound

Series: The Mastered Series Book #2

Author: Lorelei James

Genre: Erotic

Blurb: When sensei Ronin Black first encounters Amery Hardwick, the fire in her eyes ignites a sexual spark a thousand times better than the primal rush he used to get from mixed martial arts matches. She accepts his darker edges and admits to him that her desires aren’t as wholesome as he believed. And before long Ronin is grappling with emotions he’s never felt before….Yet despite demanding Amery bare her body and soul to him, Ronin holds a part of himself back. When she learns Ronin’s secret and walks out, his life begins to unravel. To regain her trust he must let go of his pride and prove to her that it’s more than passion binding them together.

Thoughts: After having absolutely fell in love with Bound, the first book in this series - and having it end on such a cliffhanger - I could not wait to read this one!! I definitely recommend reading it before you start this one - not just because of the background and insight you really get to the story and the characters, but because you simply shouldn't miss it! It was that good! But this one does pick up where the other leaves off, so I think it's really crucial to read it. As for this book, in some ways it met my expectations - after all, how could it be anything other than good after the last one? In some ways however it exceeded those expectations- and in others it was a little disappointing. That's not say it wasn't any good - quite the opposite!

This one had a little less build up when it comes to the relationship between Ronin and Amery, but we also get to experience a bit more of Ronin emotionally than we were exposed to in the first one. I was a bit disappointed though, simply because in some ways Amery's character suffered a little bit. To me - if I took it out of context without the background of the first book - she can come across as a little bit of a nag. I loved, loved, LOVED this characters, and it was kind of sad getting that vibe from her, but thinking back to her character in the first book helped - it just made me really wonder if that was the way Ronin felt sometimes. That was really my only fault with the book, and that could be simply a matter of perspective. Regardless, I didn't enjoy this one quite as much as the first - but only slightly.

No matter what though, this series gives you a whole new perspective on bondage. It's fresh, original, scorchingly hot, and passionately emotional. The whole series is awesome, and I definitely recommend both of these books! Even if you are a frequent reader of erotica, you've never read anything like this!

Rate: A-
Review by: Sarah
[...]

NUMBER OF HEARTS: 4
REVIEW:
Unwound is the final book in Ronin & Amery’s story. Yes there was two books in this series. So if you have not read book 1 Bound. You really need to stop here and get book 1. These stories are to interlinked to read out of order.

In Unwound we pick up 6 weeks after we left off in Bound. Ronin and Amery have not spoken to each other until Ronin shows up at her door bloody, injured and talking nonsense.
Amery does the smart thing and call for help. These two have a huge uphill battle to get their relationship back on track. The question is will they be able to weather all the storms that are about to hit them.

I will say that I enjoyed this second book a little more than the first book. I think that I connected with Ronin & Amery more in Unwound then in Bound. It was a great story of love, loss and learning to find one’s self. There were many heart breaking parts of this book but so many good parts.

If you love Bound you will love love love Unwound for sure!!!! If you have not read Bound, again you need to read it before you read Unwound.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley & PENGUIN GROUP Berkley, NAL / Signet Romance, DAW in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

Amery Harwick has fallen hard for sensei master, Ronin Black. The pleasure he brings her drugs her mind and seduces her body, making her his willing slave. There is nothing Ronin wouldn’t do for Amery, except open up his heart and soul to her. When Amery discovers Ronin’s secret, she walks away from the relationship…and him. But Ronin won’t let her go that easily. He needs her in his life and will do anything to keep her there. To regain her trust, Ronin has to let go of his past and welcome his future with open arms.

Though book one of this series, Bound, didn’t blow me away as I had hoped, I was pleasantly surprised by book two. Unwound gives readers what Bound didn’t deliver in my opinion. Told from Ronin’s point of view, we get all the passion, emotions, witty dialogue, character development, and humor I found missing from Bound. I connected with our protagonists and that made all the difference when reading this installment.

Smooth writing with premium character and plot line development had me glued to my e reader till the end. This is the Lorelei James that keeps me coming back for more. Ronin and Amery grew by leaps and bounds (heh) both mentally and emotionally. Ronin’s point of view opens the floodgate that provides readers with the strong connection that was so desperately missing from book one.

Unwound is the second book in Lorelei James' Mastered series, which is a complete departure from the authors normal erotic niche. There are no cowboys to be found in this series as James takes on the urban jungle. James continues the journey of Amery and Ronin that began in the book, Bound. Readers who are looking for an erotic romance that is about more than just BDSM and control, will find this series, sensual and erotic in a different way than they are used to. A fantastic conclusion to the series!

What I liked:

I am a huge fan of Lorelei James, especially after reading her book Bound, which is the first book in the Mastered series. James brought readers a story about a young woman with a religious family, who was dealing with her own desires for something more. She also gave readers a man, who was dominant, yet not controlling. He was an alpha male, but one who actually cared how he used his power. Ronin and Amery's story was emotional and full of sensuality and trust. Ronin, however had a lot of secrets and in the end of the first book, one comes back to haunt him and Amery walks out.

The entire first book was written from Amery's point of view and centered around her journey to become the woman she was meant to be. The second book in the series, Unwound, goes the opposite direction. In this book readers get to see Ronin's point of view. It begins shortly after their breakup and readers are able to see how it affects both of them, but because this book centers on Ronin, it is geared more to his point of view. These two books should not be read separately, as the reader will be left completely in the dark. But I loved the switch up with this one and being able to get inside Ronin's head a little bit.

Ronin still has secrets and he's literally beating himself up about it. He begins doing martial arts competitions again because he wants to not only feel the pain but experience it, see it in the bruises on his body and know what he has done to Amery. It was so completely believable that it was sad. I got very emotional when I realized the depth of Ronin's pain. It played in perfectly into the story when he ended up at Amery's house, injured and unable to take care of himself. It was quite the moment. I loved everything about Ronin, even his secretiveness, that just gave him more personality. He was a very sexy and full of surprises.

As with the first book, I loved the martial arts aspects of this book. It gave an edge to the book that was so different from James' cowboy books. I liked the urban setting and the intense relationship between the characters. Amery was a sweetheart and Ronin was just plain sexy. This book is also not your typical BDSM offering that was the beauty of it. The rope work was so interesting and intriguing. The techniques that Ronin uses showed such creativity and artistry that it was just a beautiful thing and the way James brings that across to reader is also like a fine art. It was a wonderful book and series, you have to read it!

What I didn't like:

No cliffhangers in this one. There are just some stories that require more than one book to tell and that was the case with Ronin and Amery. I appreciated the fact that James divided this tale into two books and gave the reader more time with these characters, so much would have been lost had she done it differently. Yep, that's right I liked everything about it.

Bottom Line:

If you are interested in typical BDSM novels, this probably not for you. James gives readers a book and a couple that don't fit in the BDSM box of tricks. The rope work is amazing and so is the connection between Amery and Ronin. Readers won't know what hit them with this one. One of my favorite books of the year so far.

Unwound: The Mastered Series by Lorelei James
Publication Date: March 25, 2014
Reviewed by: Reading in Pajamas/ Dawn
Rated: 4 Stars
Spotlight, Review & Giveaway: [...]
REVIEW:
Deep. Amery and Ronin's relationship is defined in Unwound and brought to a conclusion. This powerful story moved me as Ronin and Amery explored their love. Amery holds back confessing her love for Ronin because she is scared that if he doesn't open up to her she will have no place in his heart. Ronin knows if he doesn't open up to Amery and share all of himself with her he knows he will lose her and he doesn't think he will survive it if she leaves him again. Amery knows that Ronin's past has turned him into the master he is today. His alternate lifestyle is part of who is he, not just what he likes to do. Amery and Ronin's story is a very powerful journey that they embark on to explore their need to be together. An emotional love story! Unwound is the sequel to Lorelei James Bound and I recommend reading Bound, the first book in the series be for reading Unwound.

*Review copy provided by Berkley/NAL in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed the book, I definitely did. Liked Ronin, liked Amery and all the auxiliary characters. The rope bondage sounded beautiful and not at all trashy of subjugating. But there are a few things in here that seem a little uneven.

Spoiler below

I'm wondering if we are going to see a book 3 in this. We are introduced to alot of really interesting characters and small plot lines that don't seem to go anywhere. Amery's buddy Molly is sorta dating one of the guys from the dojo and there is a little problem... then we don't hear about it again. Knox and Ronin's sister... you know somethings going to happen there eventually, they despise each other too much not to have a hate screw that turns into something more.

Then there is the issue of Amery getting attacked. Where I can perhaps get that Ronin wouldn't have actually called the police, I would think someone, somewhere would have suggested it. Maybe she could've insisted it not happen for the same "involvement issues" that Ronin used when someone tried to mugged them when they were together coming out of the theater in the previous book. On the other hand, how didn't he go batshit crazy when his girlfriend is assaulted someone hired by his ex. Given his proclivity toward violence, I would have thought the next obvious step was to find these guys and give them a taste of their own medicine. Actually I expected it and was surprised that he went to the gym to blow it off, thus making me think the author is saving that for another day.

I also would have liked a little bit more depth in plot involving Amery's parents. Not bothered a bit by them being fundamentalist Christians run a muck, but a few more paragraphs devoted to how badly they behaved prior to her coming to Denver would have rounded that part of the story out better. There has to be some pretty bad pain associated with having a mother and father that are more interested in the world at large that you.

With all this said, I did enjoy the book and would recommend it. There's good potential in this book... just wish there had been a little bit more.

I was lucky enough to be home sick when my copy of Unwound came in the mail a day early!

I was so happy to read it that I stopped reading another book in order to not waste even one minute.

Unwound starts exactly where Bound ended only this time we finally get to read about Ronin POV.

I absolutely loved Unwound and I thought it was a great ending to Ronin and Amery love story.

In Unwound we got to learn more and more about Ronin and his family and what made him the man he is today.

It's very hard for Amery to trust Ronin after everything that happened between them but Ronin is not willing to give her up and he's doing in his power in order to make her trust him and believe that he truly loved her and that they can have a real relationship.

All the secondary charters we met in Bound are a big part of Unwound plus some new characters that have a big influence on both Ronin and Amery.

I was sad when unwound ended and I really really hope Lorelei James will write more books in the series since there are a few secondary characters that I would love to read more about!

Everything about this book was amazing. I loved everything. After finishing book 1, I didn't even think to hesitate before starting book 2. It is sad knowing that there is one short novella left for this couple but I am excited to see what happens with the other characters in this amazing story.

The narration was yet again perfection.

The first book in the series angered me and I wasn't sure if I'd continue with the series. I picked up Unwound and now kind of regret that I spent my time reading it only because I realize with book two I just didn't care. I was not wrapped up in the characters outcome or what might happen. This book focused a lot on MMA fighting and family issues more than the characters relationship. The only reason I might pick up the third book is the focus on Ronin's sister Shiori because I don't care about Ronin and Amery. I didn't like any of the parts with the psycho ex and how Amery's parents were dragged in. This was a 2.5 star read for me.

Lorelei James has definitely upped her game with Bound and Unwound. I love her Westerns and have been reading them for years. With Bound and Unwound, she moves into a strictly urban environment and the world of stylized rope bondage.

Ronin owns a martial arts school and is a master in many forms of fighting. However, it is his expertise in rope bondage that is the center for his soul.

Amery coves from an ultra-religious family and has had problems with accepting her own needs. By submitting to Ronin, she is able to free herself from the restrictions of her upbringing.

SPOILER ALERT

In Bound, Ronin and Amery become lovers and are moving towards more. Amery still has problems with anyone knowing about the bondage aspect of their relationship and Ronin is still keeping secrets from her. At the end of this first book, one of these secrets blows up in his face and Amery walks out on him.

DO NOT READ UNWOUND BEFORE READING BOUND! You will have no clue what is going on.

Unwound begins with the weeks following the breakup. Both of them are in so much pain, but neither know how to reach out to the other. Ronin begins to participate in fight competitions because he wants his outside to hurt as much as he does on the inside.

And that is how he finally reaches out to Amery. After a fight in which he is badly injured, he shows up at her apartment. Amery has no choice but to take care of him. Ronin comes off as the bad guy in the relationship because he continues to keep secrets from her. Even so, I can’t help but like him.

Both Amery and Ronin, although damaged by their pasts, come across as strong characters. Their relationship is out of the ordinary, but still beautiful.

Unwound ties up the loose ends left by Bound, but I would still love more books to explore some of the secondary characters. Maybe I just don’t want to let go of this new world Ms. James has introduced me to.

Ratings:

Overall: 5
Sensuality level: 4 (I would normally give this a 5 because of the bondage, but it is not sexual as much as art.)

*This book was provided to me by Netgalley for review.

A copy of this book was provided by the publisher for an honest review at Seductive Musings.

This review contains spoilers for BOUND, the first book in the Mastered series. You could read UNWOUND as a stand-alone, and I’m not entirely convinced that would be a bad thing. But others might disagree.

UNWOUND, book two in Lorelei James’s Mastered series, continues the story that began in BOUND. I did not love BOUND. I thought it sacrificed both plot and character development for the sake of an absurd cliffhanger ending just to ensure a second book would be needed to supply the rest of the story. Yet the quality of its intimate scenes provided a compelling enough reason for me to want to read UNWOUND. if only to see if it would contain all the pieces missing from the first book. When I started reading UNWOUND, I did something I almost never do: I skipped to the last chapter just to make sure the happy ending was there. That’s how burned I felt by BOUND.

I’m happy to report that UNWOUND more than made up for my mixed feelings about BOUND. It did a great job of showing me exactly why its hero and heroine belonged together, culminating in a happy ending more along the lines of what I’ve come to expect in an erotic romance by Lorelei James.

When we last saw Amery Hardwick, she’d just walked out of Ronin Black’s life after finding out he had never told her about being the heir to a billion dollar multinational corporation. There were so many other secrets about Ronin’s life that he hadn’t shared with Amery, mind you, but that one was the dealbreaker for her. After the loss of Amery, Ronin has resorted to engaging in the type of underground Mixed Martial Arts fighting that he’d given up years before, presumably in an attempt to drown his sorrow with violence. But Ronin isn’t as young as he used to be, and his most recent fight has left him bleeding and semi-conscious, pounding on Amery’s front door at 2am. But why is he at her door when they aren’t together anymore? The story then flashes back to 6 weeks earlier, where we see how unhappy the two of them are apart, and how they were mysteriously brought together again on the night of Ronin’s near-fatal fight.

As Ronin and Amery’s rekindled romance unfolds in UNWOUND, we finally get everything that was withheld before: all the secrets Ronin had kept from Amery (and why), all the triggers from Amery’s past which had exacerbated her feelings of betrayal, and more of their individual experiences and motivations. They have both been guilty of assuming the worst without bothering to ask for the truth, and of letting their mutual lack of trust keep them from a more substantial emotional connection. But even as Ronin and Amery are finally being more honest and open with each other in UNWOUND, there are new betrayals yet to come, and other more dangerous secrets that could damage more than just their second chance at love together.

UNWOUND confirmed my decision that it would still be worth it for me to see Ronin and Amery find their happy ending together, despite how I’d reacted to the book which preceded it. There is a large amount of background and plot packed in this second book, but Lorelei James somehow manages to unveil everything in due time without losing track of the romance. Even the newly revealed threat against Amery fits well into the story and never overshadows the undeniable progress she and Ronin are making in learning to trust each other with more than just their individual sexual needs. I especially enjoyed how Ronin’s sister was believably transformed from a vaguely threatening enigma into a genuine friend and confidante for Amery, and someone who could provide Amery with additional insight into the part of Ronin’s past of which even he was not aware.

I may not have loved BOUND, but I’m so glad I stuck with the Mastered series and read UNWOUND. It restored my trust in Lorelei James as an author I can rely on to provide a well-written erotic romance, and reminded me that you can’t judge a writer (or even a series) by a single book.

Ratings:

Overall: 4.5 stars
Sensuality level: 4 (multiple rope bondage scenes, discussion of past extreme BDSM interactions with other characters)
BDSM Berkley book in series contemporary erotic

BOUND left me wanting for the continuation of their story like right now....it was one of those moments where I was shaking the book hoping for more pages to just magically appear! UNWOUND did not disappoint, at all! It was actually so much more than I expected. While the main focus was on them reconnecting, it also paid homage to the MMA world as well as Ronins changing involvement in that part of his life. I loved Amery and Ronin together (at times it was hard to grasp that he was 38, but that I easily overlooked because the book was so awesome). This was so amazingly good....my favorite series this year for sure.

Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales

Quick & Dirty: Having never read a story featuring MMA fighting before, I was fairly nervous about what was going to be in the pages of Unwound. I didn’t need to worry. While there was (of course) some violent content, the story was first and foremost a contemporary romance. I had some issues with the stiffness of the dialogue and stalkerish male character but found it to be an overall interesting read thanks to its unique bondage elements.

Opening Sentence: Ronin Black had thought his breaking and entering days were behind him.

The Review:

As anyone who reads a lot knows, you can make a fairly accurate assumption about what a story is going to be like based on its genre. I’ve read enough BDSM stories to expect that every BDSM story is going to involve restraints, sexual toys and domineering behavior. It’s rare to find a story that gives me more than this over-generalized expectation, however. Unwound exceeded this assumption with a surprisingly fresh take on the BDSM aspect by incorporating Japanese erotic binding techniques known as Kinbaku and Hojoitsu.Unfortunately, even the novelty of these practices couldn’t overcome the poor characterization, confusing timeline and problematic dialogue.

Ronin Black is probably one of the most contradictory characters I’ve ever come across and THE reason why I didn’t enjoy Unwound. As an accomplished Sensei, he demands respect from his students. As the owner of a highly successful dojo, he’s politically savvy enough to make beneficial business deals in the MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) industry. He’s also one of Denver’s most sought-after Ropes Masters thanks to his extensive knowledge of erotic binding techniques. He should be the perfect example of a desirable alpha male. Problem is Ronin immediately reads as a controlling stalker thanks to how James chooses to introduce him: breaking into Amery’s home because he can’t accept their relationship was over. That might’ve been a forgiveable offense if, when Amery didn’t respond, he didn’t then show up at her door beat to a pulp in order to guilt her into taking him back. These actions don’t produce a weak-kneed response in me. Regardless of the reason why they broke up – which is still unknown at this point – I’d be getting a restraining order and buying a gun.

However, his manipulation seems to work just fine on Amery. She accompanies Ronin to the hospital and agrees to be his nursemaid as he recovers from a serious head injury. It’s only once they’ve returned to his apartment above the dojo that we learn the reason why Amery left him; he didn’t tell her he’s an heir to a multi-million dollar international corporation. So, the girl will accept Ronin manipulating her emotions and commanding her to be in his bed the first night he returns from the hospital. But not telling her he’s rich and has familial connections to a corporation she’s trying to get a freelance contract with…THAT is the deal breaker? Ooookay.

It doesn’t take long for Amery and Ronin to pick back up where things left off – having a lot of sex and binding each other. Despite Ronin’s declaration that things will never be over between them (again, creepy and definitely not sexy to me) and that he’s willing to do whatever it takes to keep her, the secrets begin again. Ronin’s past quickly catches up with them once Amery gets hired by Shiori, Ronin’s estranged sister, to do design work for the family company. There’s lots of unnecessary drama around Ronin’s Rope Master status but Amery is determined that giving Ronin even more sex will make their relationship stronger and solve all their issues.

Odd as it is to say, I would’ve been even more outraged on Amery’s behalf if the dialogue had been better. When Ronin wasn’t spouting creeptastic stalker promises, his dialogue came across as a woman writing what she wants a male character to say. I don’t want to feed in to the stereotype that alpha males can’t be sensitive or sweet. Neither do I want to say that women authors can’t write believable male characters. However, in the case of Unwound, it seems like James overstretched in her effort to create an authentic male character.

There are plenty of readers who have and will enjoy Unwound. As I stated earlier, James knows how to write a sexy scene and the new binding element did keep my interest. Nevertheless I don’t recommend this title for any but the most steadfast readers of BDSM because of it’s emotionally abusive undertones.

Notable Scene:

“I know.” She continued to stroke his hair. “Even if you were one hundred percent healthy, I still wouldn’t be all in for sexcapades.”

Ronin looked at her quizzically. “Why not?”

“Because I’m not ready to resume a sexual relationship with you. We need to reestablish intimacy first.”

“The sexual pull between us hasn’t diminished at all since we’ve been apart, and fulfilling those needs is the ultimate intimacy, Amery.”

“It is in part. Intimacy means sharing. Bodies, minds, thoughts. Parts of the past. Fears for the future.”

He stared at her. “My biggest fear is you don’t believe we have a future.”

She said nothing.

“Your silence is not reassuring.”

“I know.”

“So maybe I need to reassure you first. I swore when I got the chance with you again I wouldn’t hold back. On anything. Thoughts. Feelings. Actions. Words.”

Her heart raced.

“Maybe I need to start with the words and tell you that I lo—”

Amery put her hand over his mouth so fast his teeth connected with her skin. “Don’t.”

Ronin didn’t bother to hide his frustration.

“The only reassurances I need right now are that you’re taking your meds and giving your body time to heal.”

FTC Advisory: NAL /Penguin provided me with a copy of Unwound. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.

This is not a stand-alone book. To understand this book you need to have experience Bound (Mastered #1). If it weren’t for the secondary characters I might have given up on it. Amery has this great guy, true he isn’t perfect but he is bending over backwards to make it up to her and every time he screws up she walks (I didn’t realize this was a hot button for me until this book). There are some incredibly beautiful scenes in this book. This book is sensual and erotic and quite honestly not quite as good as the first but still worth the read.

I grew up in a martial arts family and was excited when I heard the concept of Lorelei James’ The Mastered Series. I have read so many others that disappointed me because they focused solely on the fighting aspect and less on the respect and integrity involved in martial arts. James wrote the perfect balance and I am so grateful!

I love the unique approach James took with Book 1 (Bound) being in Amery’s voice and Book 2 being in Ronin’s. I was a little hesitant at the idea at first and it was different than what is normally available, but it totally worked. Proving once again that there is no limit to James’ talent.

I adored both books separately and together. After completing them, the entire love store came full circle. I love that I got two full length Lorelei James novels out of one story. Sometimes it takes that much to tell a story. That’s a win in my book! (laughs)
In Unwound, Ronin and Amery continue to fight through their own demons as they struggle to find their way together. James takes us on an emotional ride full of heartache, redemption and most important love. This light bdsm story explores the sensuous art of Shibari and Kinbaku. I found this absolutely fascinating and beautifully erotic.

The secondary characters are real and deep and I am in love with all of them. I truly hope that this series continues so I can read what happens to these great characters.

Lorelei James is an extremely talented author who writes beautifully in any genre. I am looking forward to reading about all of the places that James plans to take us and meet all of the kickass characters that will be with us along the way!

A must-read if you have read Bound, the first book of the Mastered Series. If you haven’t, go find it before reading this one. You won’t regret it!

Ronin totally screwed up at the end of Bound by not telling Amery his family secret, leaving her to find out that and quite a bit more from his sister. Realizing this, he spends much of this book making up for that mistake and opening himself up to Amery, a first for Ronin. She accepts his apologies and request to try again, but tries to hold herself back this time, thinking he’s just going to hurt her again.

Both struggle with trust and openness, but as they slowly gain each of these, their relationship strengthens and grows. The beauty of their personal growth and awe of each other exquisitely blends and may even slightly overshadow the erotic touches that continue with the shibari and kinbaku bondage they share. This makes Unwound that much better of a specimen in this genre, in my opinion. I like a good sex book every once in a while, but I enjoy them so much more when the characters have the depth that these do. Although billed as the conclusion to the series, there are quite a few hints at potential storylines between a few of the side characters. I think the author would definitely benefit by exploring some of these! (I can hope, anyway!!)

Received for an honest review.

Rating: 4

HEAT Rating: Wild Ride

Reviewed By: Daysie W.

I am not one to go along with the maddening crowd and love a book just because everyone else does. That said, I really enjoyed this book. I did read it after the concluding novel was published so I could read them in tandem. I do wish authors or the store would tell the readers that a book was part of a series before we begin reading it and then get disappointed because it ends in a cliff hanger. That is why I gave it 4 stars and not 5. That being said, I fell in love with the characters and the plot had enough divergence from the usual that it thoroughly kept my interest. ****Spoiler Alert**** The main character was refreshing in that he seemed more real than most in these type of stories and then through in the international flare of the character (he's part Japanese and was raised there). Some of the mistakes he makes when dealing with her, how he lashes out instead of always being staid make him much more believable. The same can be said of her character. The only thing I would have like better about the story was the end, like more of an epilogue. It's almost like the author ran out of steam. Other than that, I HIGHLY recommend this book.

The two books that tell the tale of two unique individuals was a pleasure to share in. I felt a pull to the characters and their story within. It is nice to read when a man can really relate and even love a woman with strength that can challenge him and his needs as well as fulfill her own. Thanks Lorelei for entertaining me. I plan on reading more of your work.

I think I have loved everything that Lorelei has written but this series is unbelievable. The amount of utter trust and love that Amery and Ronan have for each other is breathtaking. I hope there is more to this series. I look forward to reading about the secondary characters in this book. They all seem to have so much potential. You have to read this series, I swear it is the best I have read in a long time.

I was hesitant to read this series thinking it was going to be a little 'rougher' than it was. This book flowed. I fell in love with Ronin and actually understood where he was coming from. I should of never second guessed Lorelei James as she has NEVER disappointed me with any of her books. I'm actually hoping this series continues.

I'm not sure I even have the words to give this book the justice it requires. Such a brilliant ending to this two book series. As you would expect, it has been written beautifully. Lorelei James is an outstanding author. I thought Bound was brilliant, but she has excelled herself with this book. Congratulations Lorelei!! It's just perfect.

This author never disappoints me. I have read almost all of her books and loved them all. This one is no exception. Hot guys, romance, sex, mystery and a HEA. I try not to spend this much for my books because I read so many, but there are a very few writers that I will make an exception for and L.J. is definitely one of them.

The character were awesome and I fell in love with Ronin. Every girls wet dream lol.. But aside from that, the story behind it was refreshing and New and not just about what I first assumed was kinky bondage but the intimacy and trust between two people..Ronin ans Amery like the ropes are bound together and no matter the obstacles their love will prevail...Great job as always Lorelei!!!!!

Mrs. James is one of my favorite authors. I have read all of her books and I would recommend all of them. Her storytelling style is one that keeps you wanting to know and read more. While these books are definitely for the adult reader, there is way more to her stories than sex. Her characters are very complex and interwoven. They make you respect them, or very much dislike them depending on how you view the characters.

This book is the second of a series and you definitely should read the first. One of the greatest things about this author is that she does not repeat herself to catch you up to the story but dives right in. You will fall in love with these characters and read these books over and over again! I have done this multiple times with many of her books! Enjoy, you won't regret it!

The conclusion to the mastered series is a dramatic romance story that really gives the reader a true Happily Ever After story. I was totally engrossed in this story from beginning to end and was emotionally caught up in the characters as well. I was a little disappointed in the way the situation with the horrible Naomi was handled I found it was sort of anticlimactic after what she had done. Still, the story was a great story with an even better ending and just because I would like to see her strung up by her entrails doesn’t take away from that. Unwound takes up exactly where Bound left off so I definitely recommend they be read in order.

See my full review at: Paranormal Haven .com

A must-read if you have read Bound, the first book of the Mastered Series. If you haven’t, go find it before reading this one. You won’t regret it!

Ronin totally screwed up at the end of Bound by not telling Amery his family secret, leaving her to find out that and quite a bit more from his sister. Realizing this, he spends much of this book making up for that mistake and opening himself up to Amery, a first for Ronin. She accepts his apologies and request to try again, but tries to hold herself back this time, thinking he’s just going to hurt her again.

Both struggle with trust and openness, but as they slowly gain each of these, their relationship strengthens and grows. The beauty of their personal growth and awe of each other exquisitely blends and may even slightly overshadow the erotic touches that continue with the shibari and kinbaku bondage they share. This makes Unwound that much better of a specimen in this genre, in my opinion. I like a good sex book every once in a while, but I enjoy them so much more when the characters have the depth that these do. Although billed as the conclusion to the series, there are quite a few hints at potential storylines between a few of the side characters. I think the author would definitely benefit by exploring some of these! (I can hope, anyway!!)

Received for an honest review.

Rating: 4

HEAT Rating: Wild Ride

Reviewed By: Daysie W.

I am not one to go along with the maddening crowd and love a book just because everyone else does. That said, I really enjoyed this book. I did read it after the concluding novel was published so I could read them in tandem. I do wish authors or the store would tell the readers that a book was part of a series before we begin reading it and then get disappointed because it ends in a cliff hanger. That is why I gave it 4 stars and not 5. That being said, I fell in love with the characters and the plot had enough divergence from the usual that it thoroughly kept my interest. ****Spoiler Alert**** The main character was refreshing in that he seemed more real than most in these type of stories and then through in the international flare of the character (he's part Japanese and was raised there). Some of the mistakes he makes when dealing with her, how he lashes out instead of always being staid make him much more believable. The same can be said of her character. The only thing I would have like better about the story was the end, like more of an epilogue. It's almost like the author ran out of steam. Other than that, I HIGHLY recommend this book.

The two books that tell the tale of two unique individuals was a pleasure to share in. I felt a pull to the characters and their story within. It is nice to read when a man can really relate and even love a woman with strength that can challenge him and his needs as well as fulfill her own. Thanks Lorelei for entertaining me. I plan on reading more of your work.

I think I have loved everything that Lorelei has written but this series is unbelievable. The amount of utter trust and love that Amery and Ronan have for each other is breathtaking. I hope there is more to this series. I look forward to reading about the secondary characters in this book. They all seem to have so much potential. You have to read this series, I swear it is the best I have read in a long time.

I was hesitant to read this series thinking it was going to be a little 'rougher' than it was. This book flowed. I fell in love with Ronin and actually understood where he was coming from. I should of never second guessed Lorelei James as she has NEVER disappointed me with any of her books. I'm actually hoping this series continues.

I'm not sure I even have the words to give this book the justice it requires. Such a brilliant ending to this two book series. As you would expect, it has been written beautifully. Lorelei James is an outstanding author. I thought Bound was brilliant, but she has excelled herself with this book. Congratulations Lorelei!! It's just perfect.

This author never disappoints me. I have read almost all of her books and loved them all. This one is no exception. Hot guys, romance, sex, mystery and a HEA. I try not to spend this much for my books because I read so many, but there are a very few writers that I will make an exception for and L.J. is definitely one of them.

The character were awesome and I fell in love with Ronin. Every girls wet dream lol.. But aside from that, the story behind it was refreshing and New and not just about what I first assumed was kinky bondage but the intimacy and trust between two people..Ronin ans Amery like the ropes are bound together and no matter the obstacles their love will prevail...Great job as always Lorelei!!!!!

Mrs. James is one of my favorite authors. I have read all of her books and I would recommend all of them. Her storytelling style is one that keeps you wanting to know and read more. While these books are definitely for the adult reader, there is way more to her stories than sex. Her characters are very complex and interwoven. They make you respect them, or very much dislike them depending on how you view the characters.

This book is the second of a series and you definitely should read the first. One of the greatest things about this author is that she does not repeat herself to catch you up to the story but dives right in. You will fall in love with these characters and read these books over and over again! I have done this multiple times with many of her books! Enjoy, you won't regret it!

The conclusion to the mastered series is a dramatic romance story that really gives the reader a true Happily Ever After story. I was totally engrossed in this story from beginning to end and was emotionally caught up in the characters as well. I was a little disappointed in the way the situation with the horrible Naomi was handled I found it was sort of anticlimactic after what she had done. Still, the story was a great story with an even better ending and just because I would like to see her strung up by her entrails doesn’t take away from that. Unwound takes up exactly where Bound left off so I definitely recommend they be read in order.

See my full review at: Paranormal Haven .com

This has to be my least favorite L.J. novel ever. I really only read it because the first was somewhat of a cliffy. I needed the closure.

Ms. James does Cowboys beautifully!!! Zen rope Masters...not so much.

I liked Ronin Black enough. Amery was okay but mostly all the characters fell flat. This whole book was missing a lot of everything.

I thought it was just a 2 parter but now it's continuing with Knox and Ronin's sister. I can whole heartedly say, I am out, I will be skipping those.

This was truly one of the best books that I have ever read. I found it to be highly engaging and addictive.
The characters were so real and relatable.
And how they love.... I couldn't put it down and once I was finished I wanted to read MORE.

This book is a continuation of Bound. I enjoyed this book more because there is no cliffhanger ending, but Lorelei James left it open to expand more on their story. There was great supporting character development, making you wonder who else will be getting their own books.

This second book to the Mastered series was a must read for me after reading the first one "Bound". The continuing story of Amery and Ronin was epic. Lorelei digs into the emotional aspect deeper than the first book. Bring in the family from both sides and how they handle the angst of Ronin's ex and her vindictive plot to break them apart. Wow! It makes a awesome read and a ending to this great couple. Thank you Lorelei for being an awesome writer and gracing us with Amery and Ronin.

I was so glad to hear that Ms. James wrote a 2nd book and we didn't have to wait months and months for it to come out. I do think she needs to write a 3rd book because I still have questions. Is Naomi really out of their lives forever? Will Amery's parents wise up and reconcile with her? Will Shiori find a man (Knox maybe?) And will there be little Ronin's running around the dojo?

I read both Bound and Unwound. I fell in love immediately with Ronin. I enjoyed Amery and Ronin's story after I read Bound I couldn't wait to read Unwound. I was so caught up in the bindings and the way the author wrote about them. It was like I could see how seductive it could be. I enjoyed reading both and can't wait for the next books to come out.

Sex, lies, family issues, crazy ex's and ropes. What more could you ask for? This book is better than the 1 ST one, Bound. Love the MMA aspect of the book plus the hot and steamy romance between Ronin and Amery. Would love to read more about Molly, Deacon, Knox, Blue, etc...

Love all of Lorelei James books she makes you fall in love with her books. Man can she write I cant get enough of her cowboys in rough riders and then she writes Bound and now with unwound about Master Ronan HOT HOT HOT, my heart mas in my mouth, I laughed and cried her books have it all, do yourself a favour and read today

Loved this conclusion to the story, really enjoyed the story. I would highly recommend this story, but I pretty much love anything James writes. I would love to see where a series with some of the other characters could go :)

Unwound by Lorelei James 2nd in the Mastered series. (Book Synopsis at the End of Review)

Overall Story: 2.5 Meh Boring Disappointing stars

Narrator: 3 Stars

Heat Level: 3

Type: Erotic Romance, BDSM/Bondage, Fighter

POV: Both main characters Ronin (H) Amery (h)

I had high hopes for this book after reading and loving Bound (it was refreshing and engaging). I was sadly disappointed. The story line was dull as dishwater. Compared to Bound it was just ‘Meh’ to me. What little life Lorelei James tried to breath into the story felt forced and unnatural.

It starts off with Ronin’s spiral after the break-up but we don’t get into Amery’s head until after they get back together. This was a shock for me, I was starting to think it was told only from his POV. Things just spiral down from there into a boring hum drum plot with some hot sex, forced emotions and conflict that wasn’t very well thought out. Oh and absolutely nothing ever got resolved because Amery was a hot mess through the entire book! She was so wishy washy she made me dizzy. I liked her in Bound and couldn't stand her in Unwound.

The only saving grace for the book was the side cast. I was more interested in them than the main characters! Then around the 70% mark life is breathed into the story and the pace picks up only to fall completely on its face. The drama and issues were resolved to quickly leaving the reader unsatisfied. The ending seemed like the author ran out of time and rushed to get it done! Everything is resolved and we all skip off into the sunset, tootles.

In closing; if you've already read Bound and can’t wait to read Unwound, just make up your own ending in your head! It will save you the 1 to 4 days it will take you to read this ho hum book. If you must read it don’t expect an epic knock your socks of read.

Started Reading May 19th 2014 Finished May 24th 2014

I also listened to the book on Audible.com when I didn’t have time to read.
Narrator: 3 stars wasn't terrible but left a little to be desired with the various voices, they were a little over done. The main characters were OK though.

'Mastered' is an amazing set of books and 'Unwound' is just straight up AWESOME! Lorelei James is a great writer and I can't wait for the next books in the series to come out! :)

Be sure you read 'Bound' before you pick this one up though because 'Unwound' is the second book in the series.

I really like this series. Ronin is a total alpha and him being a kinbaku rope master brings a unique twist to the story. I'm hoping this isn't the end of the series. I would love to read Shi's story.

This book was just enough different that one wanted to keep reading. Not the overly rich Boy that goes to the high tech office everyday but in the end with all attractions never the less. I'm waiting for another one Lorelei!

*Sigh*...I'm so disappointed to leave a three star review for this book. I absolutely loved Bound and gave it five stars. The story was both sexy and unique. It was fiction gold. Sadly, Unwound left me feeling quite..."meh". The characters seemed to take on a bit of a cardboard feel to me. Don't get me wrong, Ronin was plenty emotive in this book as was Amery but the emotions felt contrived opposed to natural. The drama created between the couple felt artificial and the Naomi thing just feel flat. There was no resolution about what she did to Ronin. Like none. The story also seemed to contain a whole lot of filler that just didn't benefit the story at all for me. I was expecting Unwound to be a potent follow up to Bound but book it felt a bit anemic in that vein. I still love Lorelei as an author...this just wasn't a favorite book for me.

Just like Bound, I devoured Unwound. I found myself thinking I should slow down because I didn't want it to end! I've read many different erotic romance authors and one thing I love about Lorelei James is that I never think that there are any cheesy parts or phrases in her writing. I look forward to more books coming in this series!

This is book 2 of the Mastered series. I would give the first book 4 stars but this book is just barely ok. It seemed like the main characters had the same fight or issues over and over again. This series have been better if it had just been one book that was a little longer to wrap up the story. I love Lorelei James, but I got really sick of reading about rope bindings. I can tell she did a lot of research but it was just too much to read about.

I disliked Bound, but because I love Lorelei James, I bought the second book in hopes she could redeem the series. The first half was Ronin groveling, more talk of MMA & rope binding, and both characters' business development. The second half was a history lesson in the hero & heroine's family history. BLAH BLAH BLAH

At the end I didn't care about the HEA, either Ronin or Amery, I didn't care if the family business died, I didn't care about the relationship Amery had with her parents, and I dislike MMA, martial arts, zen gardens, and all the other junk filler even more than when I started it.

I have no desire to see what happens to Knox, Molly, Chaz, Deacon, Blue or Ronin's sister.

Ms. James, stick to what your readers love you for....sexy cowboy alpha men.