Bound to the Naga - Ivy Sparks

 

I didn’t know I needed an overly possessive snake guy who wraps his tail around me in my life, but I guess I do. 

Bound to the Naga is a standalone novel in The Monster Mates collection by author Ivy Sparks and honestly, it’s quite charming.

Desperate for money, our main character, Aubrey, goes to a strange pawn shop owned by the naga Sundar to trade in her grandmother’s bracelet. After she fails to meet Sundar’s financial demands, she agrees to work for him for 5 weeks to pay off the loan and get her bracelet back. While Sundar is instantly smitten the moment Aubrey walks through the door, Aubrey is very curious about the massive snake man, mutual attraction is inevitably sparked. 

Characterisation is done well in this book. Aubrey is your classic whirlwind mess of a gal. Gold of heart, hurt by people in her past and you know she has like 5 pizza boxes and an overdue library book from high school hidden under her bed.. Sundar is your classic academic type nerdy guy. He loves everything in his pawn shop, from the magical to the mundane and is fussy and precise. While Aubrey has that fiery spark, Sundar is nervous, shy and awkward. Until they get it on. 

Whiplash. Who knew that behind his little shirts and vests Sundar becomes a literal beast, commanding, dominating and strong, the exact kind of guy you’d say “Yes Sir” to with no irony whatsoever.  The transition alone is hot as hell, and once you learn what his snake-like movements actually mean, he’s been claiming Aubrey as his the whole time. I will say this is where Aubrey gets left behind a little as a character. All the attention seems to be placed on what Sundar is doing and for self insertion is absolutely a-ok in my book. As long as Aubrey is enjoying herself which she really, really is. 

Plotwise, it’s light but enjoyable. There's miscommunication, evil exes to stand up to, a ride or die bestie and a splattering of myth and magic. We go more into Sundar’s past as a temple guardian, and where his fascination with artifacts comes from. The “road trip” scene was a lot of fun and I don’t know whether I’ll be able to look at a gummy worm again without remembering this book.

It’s satisfying to see Aubrey grow in confidence while working and falling in love with Sundar. She gets her own passion for the antiquities and realises her self-worth. 

My only complaint is the imbalance of content between our two main characters. There is so much more about Sundar, even during the spicy scenes. Aubrey is present and important but lacking somehow. She doesn’t have her own dreams, her own goals, but then that oppressive need to just survive would justify that. Sundar steps in and solves all her problems, like he himself is the answer to her prayers. I mean, I guess I would be screaming god’s name with him too, so fair game. 

Definitely would bother with “Bound to the Naga”, it’s well written, the spice is mild-to moderate but enough to bite that bottom lip and at the end of it all, a satisfying conclusion.