Obedience (Ties That Bind Book 1) by Liza Snow – Review by Shea Gilkerson 6/1/23

Obedience by Liza Snow
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I didn’t really know what to expect out of this book, considering I have nearly zero knowledge of aerialists, silks, tricks, circus performers, etc. However, I know I didn’t expect two separately voiced POV scenarios that clearly gave a view of each different personality and the people in their lives, beautiful imagery, such great story and relationship building with such a wonderfully fleshed out array of characters…I really loved it!

Chandler is a world class silks aerialist in his family’s circus, as well as helps teach and mentor at the college they run to train the best of the best. The first half of the book is really how he’s losing it as his life falls apart. He just finalized his divorce after 20 years with his wife – who almost immediately married his best friend. Aging has him struggling to feel like he’s still “got it”, he feels numb, underwhelmed, or angry all the time, has been drinking too much, is nursing a repetitive knee injury, is struggling to focus and keep his partner safe in their silks act, and now his father has roped him into both sitting in for an auditioning process he doesn’t want to be a part of, and 6 months later, being forced to take over his ex wife’s classes suddenly at the college. He is constantly on edge and upon meeting Cassandra, becomes consumed with her. He drives himself mad trying to avoid her and not being able to stand being away from her. Will she turn out to be his saving grace? The one who learns all his secrets and still is by his side?

Cassandra is the daughter of performers herself, and upon seeing Chandler in one of his acts when she was a child, she immediately knew she wanted to do what he did. It consumed her life, practicing, reading up on his family and their circus, learning his routines, taking steps forward to end up exactly where she wanted to be – performing with Chandler in the silks under the big top. After a decade of struggling, she finally made it through college and to the audition process for Dreams Academy. Luckily, it happened to be the set of auditions that Chandler was forced to attend, and she wowed him with her abilities. Once she was accepted to the Academy, she was also hired as a TA and ended up being the TA to Chandler. She is constantly enamored with him, drawn to him, inspired by his talents while being either irritated with his surliness or very confused after feeling she was getting closer to him. Chandler obviously has some secrets, but she has her own and intent on protecting them. Will she be able to protect her heart from Chandler?

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