Bound, by Amelia Bishop

[Ulysses]

“Bound” is a novella with a straightforward storyline. Its trajectory is evident from the beginning, and for readers like me, that’s fine. What matters is that Bishop deals with character, detail, nuance of language and mood, so as to create a unique work of romantic fiction out of the ingredients of everyday life.

Adrian wakes up in a hospital room, and gradually learns that he has lost the use of his legs forever. He is angry and withdraws and pushes his loving, supportive family away. Only his tough, determined physical therapist Jim keeps him moving forward and teaches him to live independently.

Nate is a physical therapist who happens to see Adrian one day a year later when he’s switched hours with one of his co-workers. He doesn’t see a crippled guy in a wheelchair; he sees a handsome man.

All of us can tell where we want this to go, and Bishop takes us there, but oh, so gently and beautifully. At the same time she takes us into the minds of these two men, exposing their damaged selves to each other and to the reader.

As the title suggests, there is a surprise BDSM thread in this story that becomes important. This is one of those books where the sex scenes are integral to the blossoming of the relationship, and handled with such loving tact (rather than leering voyeurism) that it becomes an emotional experience as much as anything. I’m not remotely into BDSM, but this was just…beautiful.

I’m a jaded reviewer, and it’s always nice to be surprised by well-crafted simplicity.