What Binds Us

By: Larry Benjamin

Narrated by: Richard Magnus

Thomas Edward is only a teenager when he escapes his working class neighborhood. He's ready for anything—except the arrival of Donovan Whyte in his life. Sophisticated and dazzlingly handsome, Dondi quickly becomes the center of Thomas Edward's universe, introducing him to a world full of drama, passion and feuding families.

When their relationship fizzles, they remain uneasy friends until Dondi invites Thomas Edward to his family's summer house. Thomas Edward is immediately attracted to Dondi's mysterious brother, Matthew—and finds himself hopelessly drawn to both men.

As time passes, Thomas Edward develops a unique bond with both brothers as they orbit around each other, although he knows only one of them can be his lifelong love. Will the three of them be able to find a way to hold on to each other? Or will love, its loss, and the threat of death destroy their connection once and for all?

©2012 Larry Benjamin (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

What a great surprise!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I was expecting another light read, something that I'd fly through quickly. But what I got was a beautifully written engaging story involving complex characters who touched my heart. I can't wait for Larry Benjamin to publish another book. This was a real find, and it will stay with me for a long time.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Thomas Edward, the narrator, shows the reader a world much different from his own. He is kind and loving, and these traits make him credible and finally someone the reader cares a lot about.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I loved it. The story is unique and dynamic, populated with richly drawn complicated characters. I was very moved.

Breathtaking

As I have just finished this book. I am sitting here feeling raw and overwhelmed. Tears are pouring down my cheeks. This is one of the best books I have ever listened to/read. Very powerful! Pulls at your every heart string. I don’t think I can adequately put into words how amazing this book is. Very well written. Narration was also on point. I would recommend this book to everyone.

Worth the Lost Sleep

This is easily the best book I've listened to in a very, very long time. I'm very into erotica and romance. This was not purely romance and definitely not erotica. But it was about love, both romantic and familial and primarily centered around males. I'm a female, but I absolutely, unquestionably loved it. The story was great. But beyond that, it's the language, the terminology used by the author. He has a finesse for stating things in such beautiful ways that every word resonated with me deeply. It's not a feel good book, but still, through my tears, I was both happy and sad. It was moving in both positive and sad ways, which few books manage to accomplish. I could go on, but I think you get the message. I don't think I've ever given any book 5 stars across the board. But I couldn't identify anything negative about my experience with this book. I'm writing this shortly after I finished the book, so my rating may be based on my continual afterglow. Whatever the cause, this book is worth a listen.

Far beyond the average MM romance

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Definitely. It was a very satisfying, very emotional book. It is way beyond the standard of the usual MM romance fiction.

What other book might you compare What Binds Us to and why?

It has some of the feel of the Great Gatsby and even Brideshead Revisited. The glamorous but dangerous and self-destructive scion of a wealthy family is a sort of modern American equivalent of Lord Sebastian Flyte. But it is a much more modern novel than either of those.

What does Richard Magnus bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Nothing particularly unexpected, but he did a very good job.

If you could rename What Binds Us, what would you call it?

Don't know

Amazing story,wonderful listen, worth the credit

I cant say enough about the book,I laughed, I cried, I was angry, and overjoyed. amazing writing

Masterpiece!! Fabulous narration.

What made the experience of listening to What Binds Us the most enjoyable?

Everything. The characters, the story and definitely the narrator. He made the characters come alive. This is one of those books that stays with you for years after and you smile about it.

What other book might you compare What Binds Us to and why?

The Great Gatsby. The author is a master of the English language.

Which character – as performed by Richard Magnus – was your favorite?

Dondi,but all are great.

Who was the most memorable character of What Binds Us and why?

Dondi. Although the story is not told from his POV, it is mostly his story as seen by his best friend Thomas Edward. Thomas' romance is also beautiful but it mostly a historical memoir about Dondi's experience.

Any additional comments?

This is one of the best books I've ever listened to and one of the best books period.

Beautiful

At first I was loving the book, it seemed to move quickly but in the end I was in tears. Beautiful yet heart breaking story.

Romance? Yes and No - A Rich Full Novel

This was a novel. An incredible novel. The story, Gatsby-esque if you will, was filled with interesting characters, each with their own story and brought to life with the narrators (Richard Magnus) telling. I found myself mesmerized by his voices and hypnotized by the words. Larry Benjamin has a praiseworthy novel here and it should not be simply classified as a romance piece. Too be sure it is romantic, it is also funny, sad, and full of rich full-bodied characters whose lives you find yourself involved. It is not filled with the steamy sexual frivolity one expects in a romance novel - the sexual scenarios are a necessary subject for the characters but it is written with the same rich description as the rest of the story scenes. This is a beautiful story beautifully written. I’m glad I listened and hope you don’t pass this book by as a mere romance novel. This is a book in which you will want to fully invest yourself.

Love lasts forevrr

Would you listen to What Binds Us again? Why?

Absolutely. The premise of the love story is more than two people and more than just romantic love. It is about making a family.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Edward Thomas. He started as a young college student in love/lust and became a man that understood the different forms of love and built a family on that foundation.

Which character – as performed by Richard Magnus – was your favorite?

Dondi

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

In sickness and in health love blossoms

A book that should be recommended

Mr Benjamin has a way with the language like that of a poet when referring to the emotional aspects of the characters yet his storytelling style is direct and to the point.
Even though the audible says it was a Harlequin romance, this book is a piece of literature. I never thought I would stay up till 4am to finish the book and I never thought it would make me cry. Only it has reminded me that what binds us all together is love, and through all the loss we go through and all the exhaustion in helping your loved ones fight through, the one thing that keeps us fighting and going is love.