| Title | : | Bonded with Ezra (Love Unaccounted #3) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Kindle Edition |
| Number of Pages | : | 347 |
| Publication | : | First published April 12, 2016 |
He devised a specific road map of how they’d carry out their covenant—without input from her. She determined she needed to chart a new course in order to stay true to herself.
Perhaps Ezra has been wrong about his gift from above. Maybe Lex has bitten off more than she can chew. At this fork in the road will they continue their detour, or will they find middle ground and a covenant that keeps them bonded for life?
This series is for mature audiences ONLY. There are three installments to the “Love Unaccounted” series. This installment is a full-length novel that contains profanity, erotica, acts of bondage, domination, and violence. If you do not like dark, racy romance between your pages this book is not for you.
Bonded with Ezra (Love Unaccounted #3) Reviews
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“Wherever your address is will always be my home”🥰🥰 Lawd Ezra chased Lexi all through book 3! Sis was not playing with his aśś!! Her Harlem Pride was in full affect! The communication finally improved and although there were still some tough conversations had, they finally got it right! Ezra was a 40 year old possessive baby….Sir get it together!! Men be acting up for no good reason!!! This series took me through it and I’d do it all over again! 🤣🤭
Ms Remah was everything! I loved how her cantankerous self provided both Lexi and Ezra with that maternal presence! My heart went out to her after learning her story!
Nyree deserved wayyyy worse than what she got! Tasche and Lexi should’ve caught her in a back alley somewhere!
Marva and Bishop did not deserve to ride off into the proverbial sunset after the way they did Mary! She deserved so much better and my spirit is unsettled by that whole ordeal! I hope every thing Ezra said to him comes to fruition 10 fold!
Now Precious!!!! Are you forreal?! You’ve upgraded your title from desperate heaux to dramatic heaux!!! Not you falling out in the Bishops lounge because you can’t take what you dish out 🤣🤣🤣 you better hope them eggs ain’t dried up after you wasted your whole life waiting for a man that made it clear he didn’t want you!
In closing 🤣 Ezrajust know I’m ready to lay all my sins BARE on ya alter sir! 😋 -
Sigh.... Well my journey with Ezra and Lex has come to an end... extremely bittersweet! But I won't whine about it.. "much" all great things come to an end and I have truly enjoyed the ride.
On with the review right? Okay!
I found myself giggling in the first 15% of this book, reason being? well simply because I knew I was in for a treat, Love Belvin has a way with words, she really makes you think while reading her book. So let me warn you, if you are under the impression that this book will be "simple or basic" you might want to carry on (As I've stated before.. it's truly a mind fuck) ... Ezra is not a simple or basic character.. hell if we are being honest neither is Lex.
This book had an abundance of growth on both parts, I was excited that the issues were not glossed over but addressed in full.
Ezra... I think this is the first and only pastor I have lusted over and if book spank banks were a thing.. well this dude would be front and center LOL. He is different because he is a man of god but still a man nonetheless... He struggles with things like everyone else, it makes him relatable just the way that he goes about handling things which makes him different. He has a great appeal and of course Love made him irresistible because of not only his physical connection with Lex but his mental and spiritual connection as well.
I could only imagine how amazing it would feel to be connected or I should say bonded with someone on a level that has no ending or beginning... beautiful thing and it was beautiful to read.
Lex.. well I will say I am extremely proud of her, accepting nothing less of what she felt like she deserves... I was literally like "whoot whoot!"- Not all the time, of course I was folding LOL and screaming like PLEASE JUST....well that would be telling now wouldn't it lol ( READ THE BOOKS!)
So in order to make sure I don't spoil anything for anyone I will end my review here.
Thank you Love for giving us Ezra and Lex it has truly been a pleasure (No pun intended lol) I look forward to meeting the next set of characters in the future.
Lata folks!
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Let's get it.
Disclaimer: I love a broken man with redeemable qualities. I am very fascinated with the BDSM community and have been reading books with that vibe for a whiiiiile, so when I talk about this book you must know a few biases I might have. I thought I'd put that disclaimer out there before I carry on with this review.
I was gripped 😂🤣 I know I love a book when the smut is tertiary to the story and the character's development.
Ezra was already my ideal ML because of the type of character he was, now sprinkle in some BDSM and his being a man of God???? Honttteeeeeeeey 😭💕. The way he really had to work for Lex when he saw that he needed to learn to identify his love for her and also love her the way she wishes to be loved! My head just kept screaming "if he wants you enough he will!!"
Love that Lex wasn't a Lil bitch. She stood her ground when push came to shove - kinda had me mad AF when she wasn't telling Ezra about the thing👀👀👀👀👀👀👀 until her dad almost died🤣🤣(Rasul can jump off a cliff too). Lex is probably my favourite FL so far in Loves books, as much as she had her flaws, her redeeming qualities just made it worth reading more about her.
As frustrating as these two were, you could see how much they loved each other - it wasn't as toxic as another couple that shall not be named, but even though they had their toxic moments it didn't eclipse the entire relationship y'know. I think it was enough toxicity for them to gauge it and work on it so it doesn't become a crutch.
We're not even gon get started on the religion here, I think everyone feels differently on it but I enjoyed it.
So yeah, probably my longest review yet. -
Ezra & Lex
It was really a ride with this couple…they both had a lot to learn about themselves as well as about each other….Ezra and Alexis finally found love in one another. -
I loved watching Ezra finally expressing real emotion and feelings toward Lex. He really worked my nerves in books 1&2, but he redeemed himself this time around. I’m proud of my girl for standing up for herself!
Nyree still needs that ass whipping and so does Precious.
Rasul didn’t get enough of what he deserved. Trash ass 🥷🏾, trash ass father. -
The thing about a Love Belvin book is that I know going in this story is going to be something I need time... a lot of uninterrupted time to consume. I started this series when it first came out and I knew instantly that it wasn't going to let me go have a life while I read it or that I'd be able to be patient (I'm tolerant, not patient) while waiting for the next one. So rather than battle with my desires for immediate gratification I put it on my TBR and waited. This was a staycation week for me so I spent a good deal of it with Lex Grier and Ezra Carmichael. Ms. Belvin, starts Book 3 (this book) and the one before it with a scene that includes the author and her characters. It was a unique prologue device and at first I was confused by it but when I finally got it, I was amused and then I was intrigued. Why? Because in reading these unusual and erotic stories about a powerful and intense evangelist pastor's love affair and tumultuous relationship with an independent, street wise, social service rep, and around-the-way woman I wonder where in the heck does the inspiration for a story like this come from? After finishing the series, I've come to the conclusion that Ms. Belvin was obviously anointed to tell it. Her interesting characters and deep comprehension of where they're going in the story, her sophisticated skill in expanding the story over and over again into places that are socially, globally, or politically conscious, and her way of letting a little bit of the story come out at a time for her characters as well as her readers, is all particularly gifted in its conception and makes it much more than a highly dark sexual tale conceived for a mature audience as the blurb suggests. And that's not to say the steamy bits won't open your eyes and your pores too. I guess what the Love Unaccounted Series has above all is something for everyone. Lastly, Ms. Belvin is one of only a very few writers that I find myself often checking my dictionary. I'm a vocabulary geek, which makes the disruption a-ok with me. But in this story for the first time I felt it dovetailed nicely with her main character's voice. Ezra was exactly the kind of guy who would speak that way, as well as in tongues. And Lex, was exactly the kind of girl who would roll her eyes and blow him a kiss while he did it.
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Missing Ezra!
My new favorite couple, Lex and Ezra. A fantastic ride. Love's writing is superb. Great series. Looking forward to more. -
In my opinion this book was all about Ezra. Ezra's humility, his emotions and most importantly, his love for his wife.
I've been saying since book one of this series, we've always experienced Ezra in two parts: Ezra the Pastor vs. Ezra the Man. It was so nice to finally meet Ezra the man! The most astonishing feat was witnessing the merge of the two sides of Ezra so that his wife could finally know and love her husband as one person.
If there was ever a time where you were searching for a book that speaks your emotional, spiritual and romantic self, BwE and the entire Love Unaccounted Series is it! The author, Love Belvin, has this ability to show us through Ezra and Lex what it means to believe you're doing the right thing and to actually make yourself vulnerable enough to hear and accept that, "you ain't all that." She is extremely talented and only a gifted author can present a man as spiritual, religious, broken, sexual and strong as Ezra in the manner that she has.
Now Lex .... That woman has already shown us that she's worth it all! And in BwE, her husband finally noticed what most of us knew all along, that she's stronger than she looks! What I loved the most about Alexis is that through working on her relationship with her husband, she realized that it wasn't her that was broken, that instead her husband needed to be loved so hard so that his broken pieces began to stick together. And the less broken Ezra became, the more he openly loved his wife.
The Carmichael's felt like a real couple and I'm going to miss them. Their story gives us hope, that although sometimes life is literally not fair, and bad things happen to good people all the time, our unfortunate circumstances can turn into blessings and we can live happily, even after! -
The Carmicheals
Love Belvin picks up where In Love with Ezra leaves off and we continue on Ezra's and Lex's emotional journey. Lex leaves Ezra because she wants to put herself first for once. Ezra stubbornly believes that he can get easily get Lex back. Lex lets him know otherwise. I loved the growth that they shared as they bonded. I really hate that their story has ended for now, but all good things must come to an end. Amazing read Love! -
Amazing!
The growth that Ezra made from the first book to the third was amazing. He was so eccentric that he couldn’t connect to emotions. Lex was truly his good everything. She also grew so much and became so secure in herself but it reflected her security in her relationship with Ezra. I’m so glad Precious finally got out in her place. I wish old meddling harlot Marva could have gotten it good, too. And Nyree, she got everything she deserved and I still feel like she needed that beat down. -
She's done it again!
Speechless! I hated to see it end but loved that I got to experience their world again. .. Love Belvin you are the best. -
Sooo...wow. I have to say, Love Belvin is one impressive writer. I'm still finding it SO hard to believe that my first experience with one of her projects, wasn't a good one. Like...I almost want to go back and re-read it to see if I was buggin' or something the first time around.
I thought Lex and Ezra were going to break my heart more than they did in this book, but I'm glad they didn't! I'm glad this book was more about them getting to know one another and fall for each other (again on Ezra's end, because homeboy was in DENIAL about his feeling for Lex before we even got to this book).
Bonded with Ezra was exciting to read. Even though it's about these two characters who you've followed for 600+ pages by the time you get to this installment, even though you're following a relationship that has been in place for almost all of those 600+ pages, it still felt like a fresh story, a fresh journey, a fresh start. And essentially that's what this was. Lex decided at the end of book 2 that she was no longer going to put the needs of those she cared for above her own...she decided she needed an OS upgrade; she was going to become Lex 2.0 if you will. And by design, because Lex decided she was going to upgrade, that she wasn't going to take the same shit anymore, Ezra had to evolve and become a new version of himself as well. And watching those evolutions of not only the characters but their dynamic, interactions and relationship as well, was so much fun. Even though they DEFINITELY stressed me out multiple times throughout the book.
To be 100% transparent though, the most baffling thing to me is how much I really enjoyed this series. If you're reading this review, then it's not a spoiler at this point for me to say that this book is heavily saturated, with not just sex, but BDSM–something I'm not really into at all. Hell, I don't even really like it when books have copious amounts of regular, degular, schmegular sex. But the way LB wrote this story and weaved those elements all up and throughout this series. ABSOLUTELY AMAZING. Lex and Ezra's sexual chemistry and antics added so much depth and intensity to their stories. It was truly difficult not to get sucked in.
THESE TWO!! I just...I juuuuuust. I could honestly read another book about them right now. I would actually LIKE to read another book about them right now. I want to see how their relationship has progressed. I love how even though Ezra is this super devout man of God, deeply steeped in his ministry–the perfect woman for him was this down for anything, real, raw, and authentic chick from Harlem. What I love even more is how Lex STAYED real, raw, authentic and all the way Harlem. So I would love nothing more than to see where they are now; how Lex is adjusting to supporting Ezra's ministry, how they're adjusting to their growing family, and how real Lex is still being. Not for nothing, if we can't get another complete novel, I'll just take a novella, that features whatever fight Tasche mentioned to Bilan in the Sadik series, and of course Ezra's reaction and the aftermath of that fight.
Bravo LB...Bra.Vo. -
I couldn't have asked for a better conclusion to a series.
After reading book one, I was really disappointed because I felt like there was a lot of hype around the series, and there were so many fans who highly recommended the series and said that it was so amazing, and that I would LOVE Ezra... Then I read it, and hated him!
I was like come on now! But then I kept going, and I couldn't stop and I fell helplessly in love with Ezra and his growth and I am officially on the Love Unaccounted/Ezra love train.
Love Belvin is such a great writer because her character development is really off the charts, with phenomenal writing.
Lex and Sir Ezra have been through a ton of stuff since they entered into their covenant. Things are still hectic, they are still trying to figure things out when it comes to their marriage, but one thing for sure, is that they love each other! They may be struggling with some things, but they are trying.
In this book we get all of our questions answered, and we finally get to see sides of both Lex and Ezra that we have not gotten to see before and see them actually come together and meet in the middle.
My favorite part of this series was all of the "fuck you's" so many of the people that were against them got. They didn't actually say that, but it was just as satisfying for me lol.
There isn't a whole lot to say about this book without giving too much away.
I loved this series despite the rough start and I recommend it to anyone who is loves drama, and steamy sex.
Great series! -
What can be said to properly articulate how Love delivered on the last book in this "Love Unaccounted" series!? Well for starters, since I first encountered Ezra in Love's "Waiting to Breathe" series, I'd hoped he would be featured as the hero in his own story and was ecstatic when Love announced the planned release of this series.
Ezra and Alexis' love story was the first of Love's series that I experienced in real time. It was during the summer of last year that I stumbled across one of Love's books on Goodreads and have been hooked ever since. Upon my initial discovery in mid 2015, I wasted no time and devoured her 7 previously published books in record time to get caught up. Almost instantly, I fell in love with Love's ability to, (as my former pastor would say) "help rebuild broken walls in people's lives" via the characters in her novels. Her characters are flawed but real. To many they may have weird and sometimes unloveable tendencies but they are almost always redeemable.
Ezra's story is no different and as Love states in the acknowledgments of Bonded with Ezra, he's "flawed but holy". This last installment brought everything full circle for the often misunderstood but beloved Pastor Ezra Travois Carmichael. Many of the issues that frustrated readers about Ezra (and even Alexis) in the two previous installments were addressed.
I can usually finish one of Love's books in 24 hours and for those who are familiar with her work, ya'll know that's not a small feat because our girl is long winded--which I love :) But for this closing book in the series, I wanted it to last a bit longer so I gave myself a few more days so I could let it soak in and savor the story.
As always, Love brings the drama, romance, comedy and everything in between. On several occasions I laughed, slapped my forehead in shock, my heart skipped a beat and my eyes threatened to water. When I tell y'all that she delivered--she DELIVERED!!
There are several scenes in Bonded that moved me SO much and there were many different statements by the characters that made me reflect on my life. I swear I have more notes and highlights in this book than probably any other romance novel I've EVER read. It's just that rich and awe inspiring.
To avoid giving out any spoilers, I'll move to end my review. This series is THE BEST romance series I've read and Love Belvin's work is truly remarkable. With every book she releases, Love continues to solidify her place as my favorite romance author. And let's be clear, the word "favorite" is NOT being used lightly from my mouth (or digital keyboard) in the same way that I don't throw around "best friend". I say all that to note for those who don't know, Love's the real deal!
Now that the series is finished (tears) I look forward to the group discussions to be organized by #TeamLove on this piece of art, Bonded with Ezra.
Even more so, I look forward to continue growing in my appreciation of Love's work as she uses her God given gift of storytelling! She has done it again and I couldn't be more excited to have discovered her work. Well done and bravo, Ms. Love! -
Love Belvin is the truth! This is the completion of the series and if I could rate the entire series as a whole it would be off the charts. I'm not going to go into how she has created something for a specific group of readers as I have before in my other reviews of 1 and 2. Well, yeah.. I kinda am. I think it's important to note that in some books this is a very dangerous series, which is the way Ezra felt about his attraction and unrevealed love for Lex. I say dangerous because Love appeals to the erotic Christian if there is such a thing... Christians who can deal with reading a greatly in depth story that has some extremely raw, sensual, and kinky love scenes. This is not for everyone but darned if she hasn't opened the door to something I've never seen/read before with characters that are palpable.
So this particular installment wrapped up the series in a very layer peeling type of way. Ezra was peeled open so to speak and he became less rigid. People complained about his rigidity, but it was always attractive to me. Lex, of course needed something more from Ezra and this book details that journey. I did feel a bit sorry for him though. He really had tried as best he could but not enough to appease Lex at times and so I found myself frustrated with her at moments especially during her extended hotel stay. But don't get me wrong. I liked Lex. I did. She just had a very difficult time getting what she needed and I felt her. It's just that Ezra was a different breed... I digress. Ezra was just everything to me. I don't care what other reviewers say. I was disappointed he was trinitarian in doctrine lol! But most of Christendom is. I would've ran hollering if he would've Acts 2:38ted Lex at her baptism and also had her to honestly repent before he took her under but it's not my story! I heard Ms. Belvin loud and clear in the beginning and that in itself was genius. I love how she started out with Ezra barging into her office.
I will miss Ms. Remah. Can I say how much I was endeared to that lady?! A freaking fictional character. I will just miss thie uniqueness that this series offered. I read some street fiction and deuces to those who don't respect it, but Love adds an element of street in her writing and then she couples it with intelligence that I find in some of my favorites like EJD. Then there are humorous aspects. I don't care what nobody says, Ezra had me laughing.
I'm not sure what to do now after this Love Unaccounted series...I mean these characters have been like house mates for me and I'm sad to see the journey end! I think I will cry now. But since I bought all of this author's materials I will just go open up another one of her adventures which I'm sure won't disappoint. Anybody got any ideas how a sista gets into the therapy room?? IJS -
Love is very patient and kind, never jealous or envious, never boastful or proud, 5 never haughty or selfish or rude. Love does not demand its own way. It is not irritable or touchy. It does not hold grudges and will hardly even notice when others do it wrong. 6 It is never glad about injustice, but rejoices whenever truth wins out. 7 If you love someone, you will be loyal to him no matter what the cost. You will always believe in him, always expect the best of him, and always stand your ground in defending him.....1 Corinthians 13:4 Living Bible (TLB)...
Ezra showed himself Approved..... so much so I want my own personal Ezra.... (more specifically the Lounge Ezra and the Art Gallery Ezra... lol) First I will say this has become my favorite series by the incomparable Love Belvin. I loved that Ezra was unexplainably Man.. And unwaveringly Godly.... He knew himself in the latter but became anew in the former. Growth is about change and there can be no growth without it.. Ezra and Lex both changed in this last point in their Trinity, because they were open to the growing process. I love the display of relationship verses religion. Once again we are taken on an emotional journey that may or may not comport with your views on the direction you wanted them to take in their Love walk, but I feel it was all worth each bump, pebble and stone along the way. “Ecclesiastes 4:12Living Bible (TLB) .. And one standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer; three is even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken”. We saw this unfold before our eyes with each part of their story, ending with the final cord. Ezra and Lex’s love is not ordinary, nor simplistic. It is fire meets fire and baby lets burn... The beast was tamed and tempered by the only thing that can tame a beast LOVE.... Lex discovered that removing the veil does not mean you become less of who you were before the reveal, she is still Harlem Pride...just better. You get answers to questions from some characters ( I know I did) and I was not surprised. If you are already a fan you already know.. And if you are not a fan... become one with the quickness....
I have told Love Belvin on more than one occasion that God is using her Pen for a real purpose... Her gift has made room and I can’t wait to see the fruits of its increase -
A Beautiful Evolution
First let me just say that this story was beautifully written and NO ONE else could pull off such an amazing task. Reading this book made me think of Lauryn Hill's "Everything Is Everything because the lyrics are very fitting when I think of Ezra and Lex. I say that because like the song says, "what is meant to be will be." Not only those lyrics but the song itself reminded me of their lives, you know when the "world" meshes with the church ( Where hip hop meets scripture, develop a negative into a positive picture) and the push and pull that results because of the struggle to fit in while fighting for normalcy. From the moment I turn the first page I was pulled into their world, their covenant. This book was a beautiful description of two imperfect people with a jaded past who have that type of love for one another that hurts. Sometimes it's undetected because you don't know how to describe what you're feeling while it can also be what you're receiving but because you haven't heard the words you don't realize it's there. The push and pull Ezra and Lex experience pulled out all of my emotions. Marriage is work but loving someone is a bigger job and Ezra is determined to try while Lex is not totally convinced it's possible. All of these emotions on top of a few bombshells will definitely test your covenant and hopefully it's strong enough to survive. This finally installment of the Love Unaccounted Series was everything a reader could ask for. No stone was left unturned and every situation you may have ponder from the previous books were answered. I hate to see it end but I look forward to the next project from Ms. Love.... You are truly going to make us love you...nah scratch that we already do!! -
And this is why I've always loved Ezra
Love delivers again in this thoughtfully paced and thorough closure to the story of Ezra and Lex.
I have never wavered in my affinity for Ezra because while he may have flaws he truly is a perfect character that goes through realistic transformation for the love of a woman. You can feel his growth and the torment he goes through as he incorporates mainstream ideas of love into his unconventional ideas of covenant. The articulation of the bond between him and Lex was a true depiction of what it really feels like to be in true love even when it is imperfect.
I like that the characters experienced moments of self awareness that required them to humble themselves in order to right their relationship and that they demonstrated how you can still love someone even though you may not like them in the moment, or appreciate their behavior.
The evolution of the characters makes you feel more connected to them because you feel them making adaptations for the success of their relationship. Seeing and feeling in the moment with Ezra as he showed his vulnerabilities was needed so readers could finally understand that this man definitely had a heart and was capable of demonstrating love.
It was great to see Ezra lose control even if it was just for a moment dealing with Rasul and to see wavering but fleeting moments of doubt related to his hope and faith. You get a back story to his ties in Kamagu which was great though Lex was slightly too controlled but again that's her growth.
Lex wins in the end with the perfect mix of sin and saint with Ezra. The story was well rounded out and will remain my favorite for a long time coming.
Thanks Love! -
I'm truly loving this author. You have to have a lot of patience for this series because the main characters are real and flawed. I kept screaming at Lex to leave Ezra for the first two books, he was such an ass...But boy does the last book blow you away. This whole series is a build up and shows the growth of these two characters. You can see the spiritual growth of Lex and the emotional growth of Ezra. These are real people with real issues and the author does a great job of illustrating to the reader that religious leaders are flawed and not super human. By the end of the series I loved Ezra myself and Lex truly grew on me. I actually liked Lex more than Rayna from the Love Impossibility series because Lex spoke her mind with no filters and went out of her way to make her relationship work. Once again this author has hit it out of the park.
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FANTABULOUS!!!
I patiently that's a lie I IMPATIENTLY waited for BwE for months. I honestly felt a little stalkerish while waiting then finally I got the email that BwE was released early I literally yelled and ran to my computer to download I was so excited. I felt like a kid in a candy store. I can honestly say I took my time and savored every moment with Lex and Ezra on there journey! We all know how hard it is to put a good book down and it's sad to see this series ending I must say Love Belvin Is a remarkable author her penmanship Awesome and the way she makes her readers LOVE her is ........ Out of this world!!! I will end by saying I'm looking forward in your next book this series you hit it out of the park great job! -
If you are not reading Love's books you are extremely missing out on life! Well developed characters, steamy romance, and wonderful story arcs! Get hip people! Oh, and that Ezra. YUMMY! ☺️ Jesus be a fence!
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You have done it again and I truly believe your the best.
I can't express my feelings for how your flow with the words open up the minds and hearts. Continue to grow because I'm growing with you, and never stop doing what you've been called to do.
