TIE ME (One Night With Sole Regret #5) by OLIVIA CUNNING

 Review by Jenny & Gitte

Jenny:  Gitte, we’ve had a soft spot, and let’s face it…much lust for Kellen Jamieson pretty much from the beginning of the series and we have been hanging OUT for Tie Me and have to say it didn’t disappoint one bit.

We always knew this was going to be an emotional read because Kellen was such an enigma. He was torn apart by grief and a held back from moving on following promises he made and intended to keep to the love of his life, his fiancé Sarah after losing her to cancer 5 years earlier.

“I won’t forget you, Sara. I meant it when I said forever.”

He is confused and conflicted over his feelings and behaviour with his best friend Owen.  Trying to interpret his feelings for Owen has Kellen in knots.

“He saved me a thousand times over.”

Gitte: Absolutely, I’ve loved Kellen from the beginning and been waiting impatiently to hear his voice and for him to tell us why he lives and feels the way he does.

He sure has been an enigma and the intensity of his emotions and grief wow, it was powerful stuff. It definitely was a very heart-wrenching read. Especially when he explored his relationship with Sarah, and how he felt after her death as a consequence of promises he made to her.

“Sara’s loss was still as tangible to him as it had been five years ago…”

I was amazed at his resilience to forego such an important part of his life for the love of a woman lost. The past haunting him through every breath. She still has an incredible hold on him and at times I actually ‘strongly disliked’ her for tormenting him after her death when details of their relationship was revealed as the story moved along.

“So fucking alive. In his memory, she would always be alive.”

Kellen was so broken and was trying to live up to demands that were unjustified; trying to work around them in order to not upset Sara and what they had. Yeah, I really felt for him.

“There was little a man could count on in life, but he could count on the tides. And Kellen could count on memories of Sara haunting him.”

Then enter Dawn on one of the most important nights of Kellen’s  life after Sara. He’s ready to try and let go standing at the shore line on a wet stormy night, cuff in hand.

“I won’t forget you, Sara. I meant it when I said forever. I’m so sorry, honey. I just can’t…I can’t center my life around you anymore. But I won’t forget. I’ll never forget.”

Kellen is full of good intentions on this night and follows the sounds of beautiful music only to meet the woman who can help him heal and know true love again.

“You’re Neptune, right?…Lord of the sea who washed up on the beach during the storm? Do you perform miracles? Because I could use a couple of them tonight.” – Dawn

Dawn and Kellen made sense. She was perfect for him in every sense of the word. She didn’t take any nonsense, she understood the importance of music and expression and most importantly of all she saw right through Kellen’s façade and she fell hard for him. She challenged him!

“I feel you, Kellen….Inside my body. Inside my soul. I feel you.” – Dawn

I have to say, for me, the part of the story I LOVED was Owen and Kellen’s journey. Two best friends who watch out for each other, protects and loves the other unreservedly. Their friendship is truly beautiful. These lads have a huge piece of my heart. Their story from childhood brought a tear to my eye and I thought it was truly emotional and poignant as we are let in, and finally understand the bond they have.

So yes, absolutely love this series, LOVE Sole Regret and Olivia Cunning.  Can’t wait for her next story! Oh and as always….the passion is…well you’ll need that freezer handy!

Jenny:  There have been some intimate moments between Owen and Kellen in the past (*fans self*) and they share a friendship that is deep and beautiful with a loyalty to each other that is without question. The friendship is so solid, so beautiful.

“I’d die for him. I don’t say that lightly.”

However their recent trysts cause Kellen to question his feelings for Owen.

One part of Tie Me I especially loved was Kellen’s retelling the story of how he and Owen met. Olivia Cunning really does have a way of sharing a friendship between these two that you feel deep down.  It was such a beautiful telling of two friends meeting who would form a bond forever.

“There’s something in Owen so pure and good that I wanted to preserve it”

Dawn is a successful Grammy winning musician suffering from lack of inspiration for a music score when she spies a half-naked, soaking wet Kellen on the beach in front of her house. Now…that’s what you call inspiration!! They are drawn to one another and Kellen feels a kindred spirit in Dawn the likes of which he hasn’t felt in a long time.

“I’m trying to dazzle you with my impressive skills.”

Hmmmm Kellen certainly has some impressive skills!!!

Kellen can offer Dawn pleasure but not his heart as that belongs to one woman and he has vowed to keep his promise to her at all costs.

“I wish your heart was free, Kellen. I wish that for me, but I wish it for you even more.”

Spending a night together, defences are broken down, secrets are shared and there is a connection. Both feel it and for Kellen this only causes him further conflict and guilt.

“A kiss that touched his heart and soul. Her kiss had always turned him inside out. That’s what love did to him. That’s why Kellen needed it and at the same time never wanted to find it again.”

Dawn was such a beautiful soul and so perfect for Kellen.

“Don’t panic,” he whispered. “I’ve got you.”

I was backing Kellen and Dawn all the way. I found myself becoming annoyed with Sara over the expectation she had placed on Kellen.  He didn’t deserve to be so unhappy and I wanted him to get over her. He deserved it more than anyone.  Dawn was the perfect match for Kellen and pushed him when he needed it yet allowed him the space he required when his emotions took hold.

 “Your life isn’t fucking over, Kellen. Sara’s life ended, not yours.”

This series just keeps getting better. Have to say the “twist” isn’t my favourite thing – I will reserve my judgement on it and see where it goes.  I do love the premise of these naughty sex craved rockers finding their soul mates and I’m dying to read more of this series. You’re right Gitte! You’ll need a fan or freezer – Olivia Cunning never fails to deliver that steam factor and Tie Me is no exception! Yep! We’re hooked on those Sole Regret boys.

 Jenny: 4.5 stars
Gitte: 4.5 stars

Purchase Tie Me Here:
Tie Me (One Night with Sole Regret)

Series Reading Order and Purchase Links

Share Me (#0.05)
Try Me (#1)
Tempt Me (#2)
Take Me (#3)
Touch Me (#4)
Tie Me (#5)
Tell Me (#6) To be released 
Tease (#7) To be released
Treat (#8) To be released