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Stronghold Doms #5

Bound to the Past

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They have a second chance at love, but the path could also lead to ultimate heartbreak...

They were young. They were in love. And in a single instant they were over. Andrew never fully recovered from how they ended. After years apart, Kate has suddenly returned, and Andrew is determined to get the closure he needs to finally put their bittersweet past behind him.

But spending time together proves to be more complicated than this duo expects. Their friends are worried, Kate's sister is still working against them, and they've both grown into entirely different people.

When Kate decides to take the plunge and scene with Andrew again, a second chance seems all but guaranteed, but the messiness of their breakup won't be settled without a fight. This time, will Kate and Andrew choose to battle for each other?

This is part of the Stronghold series and can be read on its own, although is more satisfying when read as part of the series.
1. Stronghold
2. Taming the Tease
2.5 On His Knees
3. Mastering Lexie
3.5 Pieces of Stronghold
4. Breaking the Chain
5. Bound to the Past
6. Stripping the Sub
7. Tempting the Domme
8. Hardcore Vanilla
8.5 Steamy Stocking Stuffers - A Stronghold Doms Christmas Collection

258 pages, Paperback

First published October 13, 2016

214 people are currently reading
474 people want to read

About the author

Golden Angel

172 books2,033 followers
Golden Angel is a USA Today best-selling author of heart and bottom warming romance.

She is happily married, old enough to know better but still too young to care, and a big fan of happily-ever-afters, strong heroes and heroines, and sizzling chemistry.

When not in front of her computer writing, she can be found sewing her next project, hanging out with friends, or wandering the grounds of the Maryland Renaissance Festival.

Newsletter with free books - https://subscribepage.io/goldenangelr...

BookBub: http://bit.ly/2G68e3O
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Website: http://www.goldenangelromance.com

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5 stars
406 (57%)
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229 (32%)
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62 (8%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
Profile Image for Louise H's Book Thoughts.
2,042 reviews316 followers
May 22, 2022
It took me a little while to get into this one, in part it may have been due to the length of time since I read the previous books. This felt as though it focused more on the main couple this time, we do see the wide cast of friends who all have their own books but it didn't overwhelm the story of Andrew and Kate.


This is a second-chance romance, where the original break-up was caused by a lack of communication along with a well-meaning but very interfering and misguided sister. Thankfully the author didn't drag out the misunderstanding too long, allowing the couple to put the matter behind them. We spend a good amount of time seeing Kate and Andrew working on rebuilding those bridges, relearning about one another, and finding a better way to reconnect via their kinky dynamic.


Steam levels are pretty high in this one with some awesome play scenes between this sadist/masochist pairing. Due to the dynamic involved, the kink is quite extreme in terms of pain levels. It is all fully consensual and leads to some very hot but also very beautiful moments.
Profile Image for Carol Delmornay.
Author 20 books46 followers
February 15, 2019
Book 5 in the Stronghold Doms Series, Bound to the Past, focuses on Kate and Dom Andrew – omg – I can’t read this series fast enough – now, I’m tossing up whether Patrick and Lexi’s story, or this one, is my favorite.

Andrew – ‘crusty c**k’ as Kate’s best friend, Sharon, has dubbed him (aka the man-whore), is a sadist. We have had a few hints here and there throughout the previous books from the group what could have happened between him and his former submissive/girlfriend, Kathy (aka Kate), but when Olivia instructs her class of ‘baby Doms’ (newbies to the club) through their paces and ousts one bad apple from the bunch, Roland, he attacks Leigh in the carpark upon leaving – which is the exact moment Kate (formerly Kathy) intervenes, trying to help.

She receives some injuries to her face for her trouble after Roland punches her, but that gives Leigh the chance to use what she’s learned in Angel’s self-defense classes to dispenses of Roland, before going to Kate’s aid. Then, of course, everyone’s jaws drop when they realize Kate has returned after cutting off all contact with all of them when her and Andrew originally split up.

What follows are intense emotions between Kate and Andrew, and we finally find out exactly why they split up in the first place, and it’s not what the group has assumed. We also have the typical judgemental opinions of the general public in assuming BDSM is abuse, shown by the actions of Kate’s sister and how she meddles. If she was my sister, she would have got more than just not being talked to for a while.

Andrew really appeals to me, on a personal level – just ahead of Patrick. But of course, I can totally understand some comments about the ‘scenes’ being too severe – and admit to grinning when I read one particular description about Andrew and Kate’s story being ‘too pornographic’ – hope that person never reads one of mine!

Again, this book 5 can be read as a stand-alone. But why would you? Honestly, start at book 1 – you’ll be drawn into the folds of the welcoming group as you get to know each and every one of them and the quirks of their diverse personalities. I can’t wait to start book 6!
Profile Image for Rhonda.
3,800 reviews63 followers
October 8, 2020
I love second chance romances and this is a perfect one. Golden Angel's Stronghold series is one of my favorites so I knew I needed to read this one. Andrew and Kate were young, in love and were exploring BDSM together. Through a series of misunderstandings, that happened because of Kate's evil sister, yes, she's evil, they split and Kate leaves town. Andrew never really gets over it and when she comes back to town, years later, he thinks maybe if they scene one more time, he will be over her. I really, really wanted to smack Kate's sister but Andrew and Kate are going to have to work through all the pain of the past to even consider a future together. Will that happen? I loved this book so much. Do yourself a favor and pick it up!!!
71 reviews
October 7, 2020
Andrew has never gotten over the relationship, Kate thinks she has, but they hook up again and it's explosive. What's not to like about second chances? It's a new dance, it's the same dance; it's an intriguing story. Golden Angel is a great storyteller. If you haven't read it yet, you need to read it.
Profile Image for Cécile Smits .
1,493 reviews294 followers
March 11, 2018
This series just keep better and better! Bound to the Past tells the story of Kate and Andrew,who broke up in the past and Kate left town. Now Kate is back and slowly,but surely,they find the way back. Not back to who they were,but back to the way they can be now. Clearing up misunderstandings,finding out who was really responsible for their breakup.....Damn,this was a heartbreaking and breathtaking story! Keeping up with the lives of all the friends that are member of Stronghold is an added bonus,and i love what’s happening to all of them!
1 review
October 7, 2020
This was a fantastic book. I was completely immersed in this book and loved the characters. I really enjoyed that the characters from previous books were also in the story so you don't need to say goodbye to them. I really recommend you read this book.
413 reviews8 followers
October 7, 2020
Love this series! This is one of the best stories in the Stronghold series. It's one of the best second chance romances anywhere. Golden Angel writes excellent stories that draw you in and won't let go until the very end.
1,194 reviews5 followers
October 10, 2020
5 Stars

A really good BDSM novel. Super sexy and very enjoyable watching Kate and Andrew resolve their problems and get together again.
358 reviews1 follower
March 8, 2018
Love Lost Reclaimed

I am really enjoying the Stronghold Dom's series and Andrew and Kate's story, told in Bound to the Past is further reinforcement of this feeling.

Andrew and Kate began seeing each other in college where they both also began experimenting with BDSM. Asit happened that Andrew was a dominant sadist and Kate a submissive masochist this was working quite well. Unfortunately, one of their scenes went too far and resulted in a tsunami of events, unreasonably orchestrated in large part by Kate's older, very rigid and vanilla sister, Eva. The end result of this caused a total break between them with Kate moving to California and Andrew to New York. Andrew returned home to D.C. first and began working at Stronghold (which his college friend, Patrick, owned) and now, a year or so later, Kate returns. Since losing Kate, Andrew has closed himself off from all emotional connection and has developed somewhat of a badboy reputation in the club, as his refusal to do anything beyond scenes has hurt the feelings of several of the submissives. Kate does not like what she perceives Andrew has become, as it is far from the open, generous boy she knew, and calls him out on it, finally causing Andrew to begin breaking down the barriers he built and beginning to open up again.

The development of this second chance romance is extremely well done. Inasmuch as each of the books in this series builds off the previous ones (although each can be read as a stand alone), it's much more effective and appreciated when read in order. You really get to know all the characters and understand their relationships. This book is another great addition.
90 reviews3 followers
October 17, 2016
So Good

Recommend for all GA fans and for those who like BDSM books.
Number 6 in this series is as entertaining as the first 5. Loaded with the people we have come to like so much, their stories past and present and hints and previews of those to come. The book starts with a wedding, to engagements and just gets better from there. The club scenes are hot and steamy and storylines are well thought out with developed , interesting people.
Try this book or any other that GA has written and discover a very talented author.
Profile Image for Blue Moon-Shepherd.
105 reviews
February 23, 2019
Stronghold Dons series is well-written. Andrew and Kate, well, they’re complex, and hot. I recommend it!
Profile Image for Ria Alexander.
2,694 reviews51 followers
January 31, 2019
Finally Golden gives her readers Andrew and Kate's story, and everything is not as it appeared to be.

Originally together in college, Andrew and Kate started experimenting in BDSM, He being a sadist and she a masochist. Unfortunately everything started to unravel one horrible night, and due to a misunderstanding and interference from Kate's older sister Ivy, they broke up. Kate went off to California and Andrew to New York. Andrew soon returned to D.C and began frequenting and working at Stronghold, and now Kate has also returned. But things have changed, Andrew is no longer the happy-go-lucky man he once was, he has built walls around himself, become emotionless and has a bad reputation amongst the subs who frequent Stronghold. Kate, not liking what she is seeing or hearing, confronts him about his attitude after they have scened together. Andrew only then begins to see the error of his ways.

I really enjoyed Andrew and Kate's story. No longer are they the inexperienced college students that they both remember, they have both changed. The attraction and the chemistry still exists between them, but there are hurdles that they both need to overcome before they can be happy once again. Their story was a lot more intense than the others, due to their past and their situation, but it definitely did not lack the sensuality or the heat of the others.

This was another wonderful story from Golden, can't wait to read the rest.
Profile Image for Rhonda Hicks.
4,684 reviews84 followers
May 5, 2019
Golden Angel has created a circle of friends within the world of the Stronghold Club that will pull you in, invite you to stay and make you feel part of their world. This one had me on an emotional rollercoaster even before I started it. We've met Andrew almost from the very beginning and personally, he's always been one of my favorites. Cocky, funny, flirtatious when he wants to be, but never with a permanent partner, always someone new and only on occasion more than once. And definitely never talks about his personal past. Oh, did I forget to mention he's a sadist? Yeah, he is and a very good one. His only flaw, he also rarely gives the after care, leaving that to someone else, usually Jared. Kate is moving back to Maryland. One of her best friends belongs to Stronghold and so in giving Kate all the up to date gossip of her life, Kate has learned the circle of friends, their nicknames her bff has given them, and all the news so she feels like she knows these people, at least some what, when he arrives. What she doesn't realize is her ex also belongs to Stronghold and he's the one her bff has referred to as "Crusty C*ck". These two have had their own personal hell to walk through from the time they were young teenagers. Watching them go through their past and then trying to come to terms with that and their present truly made them the couple closest to my heart. This is a second chance romance you won't want to put down once you start it.
Profile Image for Kelly.
660 reviews15 followers
February 3, 2019
Great characters, with nice amounts of suspense, heat and humor

I’ve been looking forward to getting Andrew and Kate’s story as this author is terrific at dropping hints and teasers throughout the earlier books (note that like the earlier books, this one can be read as a standalone but for an optimal experience is best read as part of the series).

I sometimes have trouble reading about sadist-masochist relationships as they’re outside my comfort zone, but I didn’t really have trouble here (though there was a very intense scene near the end that was definitely pushing it for me), as I was already invested in these characters due to the earlier setup. It also helped that this author uses a lot of humor in her books, which helps balance out some of the more intense scenes.

As a second chance story, part of the suspense here is waiting for Andrew and Kate to figure out what really happened to cause their breakup. I loved how perfect they were for each other and watching them build back up their trust in the face of issues from the past as well as wariness from friends and family. As usual, it was also fun to get glimpses of all their friends at Stronghold and I can’t wait to read Michael and Ellie’s story! 5 stars

B2B Kelly
Profile Image for Katherine.
527 reviews
December 5, 2017
What an emotional roller-coaster.

For the whole series I've been waiting to find out what happened to our bad boy player sadist to make him such a man whore (his words not mine) and the story that we finial get to hear in this story is beyond heart breaking. But to then see these two individuals who have such a tragic past overcome their past and realise that while it wouldn't have happened the way they liked it the past has changed them for the better.

A beautiful story that continues the lives of all the characters we have come to love so much.

And emotion roller-coaster that has you laughing crying and most of all seeking for the vibrator
Profile Image for Jennifer.
819 reviews1 follower
June 29, 2018
Book 5 in Stronghold Doms series. Can be read as stand-alone, but so much better if you read the series in order, and even better if you read the Venus Rising series first. Told in dual POV with HEA for this books couple. With all the books in this series the secondary characters are great. Andrew and Kate have a past but were broken up after a misunderstand and lack of communication. They are both back in their hometown after 5 years away and at the same BDSM club. This story is not insta love but takes time for them to come together and work out their past, present, and future. I enjoyed Andrew and Kate's story and would highly recommend it!
Profile Image for Sherry Wood.
582 reviews5 followers
July 30, 2018
Awesome book

OMG!! This is such an amazing and moving story with so much emotion you won't want to put it down until you finish reading it. A second chance romance with a very happy ending and plenty of steamy sexy BDSM scenes that you will be squirming in your seat.
Profile Image for Dee H.
425 reviews11 followers
October 7, 2020
Absolutely loved this series by Golden Angel and this book just holds your interest and continues the story of Stronghold beautifully.
Profile Image for Amy Reads Romance.
993 reviews11 followers
October 7, 2020
The Stronghold series is honestly one of my favorites. This is the story of Andrew and Kate and finding one another again against the odds. It's a must read!
1,752 reviews9 followers
July 1, 2018
Hard book to like

This was a hard book to like. I really like this series, but this particular kink, to this degree, is way outside my comfort zone, but I liked it anyway. The author does a good job of creating well rounded, thoughtful characters that are more than just their kinks, while still allowing that aspect of their lives to remain front and center. Well done.
Profile Image for Mom2three.
2,032 reviews16 followers
March 16, 2018
I love this book. I love this series. I'm even beginning to think I love Golden Angel, or at least every single thing she writes. This is Andrew and Kate's second chance, and it was everything I had hoped it would be and more. Andrew has spent most of the series being the guy behind the bar, but when he finally comes out to play he plays hard. Very hard. Luckily Kate likes the same kind of play that Andrew does, and even their past history isn't going to stop them from playing together. This story has all the wonderful characters that the rest of the series has, with the same amount of back and forth between all the members of the Stronghold gang. It also has all the emotional/relationship pitfalls that each couple has to overcome to reach their HEA. I love how each couple has different levels of D/s and different kinks. I love the emotional tugs each story includes. I am loving this series so much that I almost resent needing to write a review because it takes me away from time I could be reading the next book, lol. But since I love Golden Angel so much, and I want everyone to get to know her books so they can love her as much as I do, I will take the time to express just how absolutely fantastic this series is. I can't recommend it enough, and I'm starting to worry that she isn't going to be able to write fast enough for me and I will start suffering withdrawls. Seriously, if you haven't picked up this series you should be ashamed of yourself!
Profile Image for Barbara.
1,893 reviews6 followers
July 4, 2020
Past mistakes

Andrew and Kate had a consensual BDSM relationship in college. A scene got out of hand and he made her bleed. It scared Andrew so he suggested a one week break. Kate's sister misunderstood and thought she needed to save Kate from an abusive relationship. She lied to both of them causing a permanent break up and Kate to leave town.

I'm not a fan of books that start with stupid misunderstandings that cause break ups and pain. Especially when those misunderstandings cause more than just break ups. Andrew thought Kate was afraid of him and that changed how he interacted with subs in a big way. Kate thought there was something wrong with her. I don't understand why they would just cave and believe the sister if they had a real relationship. In these books, all I can focus on is when the misunderstanding will be revealed. The story can't really begin until that happens.

I knew Andrew and Kate from previous books in this series and that helped. I'm still not happy with the beginning premise but I enjoyed the other aspects of this story. Their HEA was a long time coming but beautiful.
Profile Image for Isabel Nicholson.
497 reviews9 followers
September 17, 2022
This series is great and this book is possibly one of my favourites. There are stories within the stories. The Stronghold world is a wonderful place to revisit, see familiar characters interact and follow new and evolving story arcs. The stories are all interlinked cleverly and it makes the world more believable and alive.
I’m a big fan of characters making journeys of discovery and seeing how situations affect them and how they grow and change. This book is filled with that and it isn’t a stereotypical second chance. Kate and Andrew have not been on hold while they were apart which makes their journey more meaningful and realistic.
The friendship, support and love that runs throughout this book and the series as a whole makes it moving, engaging and very difficult to put down once you start reading it. I’m also looking forward to seeing more of the Baby Doms and more of Olivia who is a fantastic character.
296 reviews3 followers
February 4, 2019
Although this was a great book this was not my kink but because I was already invested in the characters from previous stories I did enjoy it. The author once again did a great job getting my emotions involved in the story and making me root for both Kate and Andrew. I didn't get why Andrew was so hung up on the last scene with Kate when they were kids. It didn't seem that big of a deal but I guess with emotions so involved a little mix up can cause a lot of emotional pain.

I like how the author brings some humor to her stories. I caught myself laughing a few times. I can't wait for the next book.

Profile Image for Corinne Akers.
1,180 reviews8 followers
November 11, 2020
Bound to the Past

This was my first time reading this author and I really loved this book! I probably shouldn’t have decided to read this book first being that it’s book 5 in a series and now I know that I like it well enough to go back and read the first 4 books and any more that come after this one! This story was about Andrew and Kate and their history from when they first got together as younger adults and what happened to present time! It’s intense, sad, encouraging and hot as hell! This book takes through so many highs and lows, but it’s all worth it in the end! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Profile Image for Sheila.
3,408 reviews59 followers
July 21, 2023
Kate has returned from California. She also returns to Stronghold where Andrew works and scenes. Both are wary of the other because of the past but cannot keep their eyes off each other. They have grown and changed. Can they get back together? What was their past?

I think this is my favorite book in the series, so far. I liked the graphicness of the scenes. I felt like I was in them (but I wasn't Kate.) The two of them are made for each other. They push each other to their limits and beyond. That is what broke them in the past. Andrew thought he had passed her limits. Kate felt as though she had failed to be what he wanted. I loved that Kate laid into Andrew and his actions towards the other subs through the years. She did not let him down easy. I appreciated that Andrew could not finish a scene with Kate because of their past. I liked that everything was not perfect, that Doms fail and need to safe word also. I also felt it was necessary to bring into the story the negative feelings people outside the lifestyle put out towards those in the community and the consequences. Her mother was a hoot though about the lifestyle.

I love this series. I am looking forward to more of it.
Profile Image for Emmah.
1,047 reviews40 followers
September 16, 2023
The books I think are gonna be my favorites, aren't. And then the ones with kinks that aren't really for me (like this book's kinks), are my faves 😅😂

Anyways, Andrew has always been a favorite side character of mine. So, it was nice to spend time "with him" 💙

Also it was nice to finally find out what happened between Andrew and Kate (Kathy back then)!

Taking a lil break from reading the series, because I cannot read two sadist (male) and masochist (female) books in a row.

(I did highlight stuff in this book {and the others}, but it'll show up under the box set for it, since that's how I'm reading the series)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews

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