Binding Arbitration [NOOK Book]

This first chapter was a little hard to get into, maybe it was t

This first chapter was a little hard to get into, maybe it was the magical ump in Aidan's head or the fairies, but once I hit the second chapter it was a GO from there. This book is the most emotional book I have read yet. You can find yourself feeling what Aidan and Libby feel in the book. I smiled with them, I cried with them and my heart broke with them. Binding Arbitration is a book that shows you that not only can true love bring two people together but it can bind them deeper then just the heart, it binds their souls. It also shows that love can overcome heartbreak and make miracles happen. If you want to read a love story like no other then be sure to get your copy of Binding Arbitration TODAY! Trust me its well worth it. This is a book I will keep and read again.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

I received a copy of this title from the author for purpose of h

I received a copy of this title from the author for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review, and all conclusions are my own responsibility.

This is the second book in a series about Elizabeth (Libby) Tucker and Banford Aiden Palowski: their brief relationship in college, her removal of Aiden from her life when she decided to keep their child, and the ultimate challenges they faced in rediscovering each other again after their son is diagnosed with leukemia.

I didn’t realize there was a prequel/short to this book before I read this one. The prequel is titled “Cutters vs. Jocks” – and I have read it. I’m glad that I didn’t read the stories in order, however, because the predisposition to want to slap both characters into adulthood and reasonable behaviour would have overridden my ability to give this book a fair shake.

What has been created by the author is a treatise on selfishness: while both parties wholeheartedly believe they have valid reasons for their behaviour, neither is wholly innocent in the result. Libby was pregnant after one night with Aiden. She allows her own self-doubt and fear to deny the night, and the possibility that Aiden finds her worthy. Aiden is a big man on campus, with a list of conquests, and a promising baseball career. He finds Libby fascinating and attractive – but is unable or unwilling to pursue her in a way she finds believable and solid.

The two are brought together 7 years later when their son, Cass, is diagnosed with leukemia, and Libby feels it necessary to contact Aiden to see if he will be tested as a marrow donor. What follows is the slow but steady realization by both parties that they were wrong, and selfish in their choices. While Aiden is thrust into the role of repentance for all mistakes, without seeing much of the same for Libby – we are treated to the development of the characters, their understanding of their own bad behaviours, and their acceptance of their love for each other: even as it begins with a sense of wonder and love for their son, Cass.

The story is told, quite deftly, in two voices: Libby’s is often angry and hurt, with an underlying self-doubt not erased from her accomplishments in the here and now. Aiden’s voice is also riddled with self-doubt and punishment, while attempting to ‘prove’ himself to Libby and working within her often unreasonable expectations. After penning the initial thoughts of this review – I read other impressions on the story. While many people hated Aiden, and found him not receiving enough punishment for abandoning Libby and Cass, they seem to not account for his losses or pain. What I think was more important in it all is that love, combined with a real and honest assessment of where wrongs were committed, can overcome the hurt and doubt.

This story is thrust into the genres of Chick Lit and Romance, but it is far more than those narrowed confines. As I said, it is a catalog of where things go wrong, and the stupid decisions we make when hurt and afraid; and just what consequences those decisions can have far into the future. It alternates with wonder at the proclamations that Cass makes, to anger with his parents for their behavior, to tears and tension.

This is not a book to be taken as a “light read” because no matter where you stand in liking or disliking the characters, you will be thrust into a story crafted to make you feel. While there was some ‘outside’ action that seemed rather gratuitous and unnecessary to the plot, the minor characters and their needs were also integrated into the story in a way that highlighted the many good qualities and character traits of both Libby and Aiden. This story was a daunting task, and the author created a novel that was both memorable and touching. I would suggest that you read this book first, and then see what sort of people both Libby and Aiden were in their college years: by then reading the prequel.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Review of Elizabeth Marx's novel ... a five star winner! Wha

Review of Elizabeth Marx's novel ... a five star winner!




What a heart wrenching as well as heart warming drama in "Binding Arbitration" ... the plot unfolds with so many twist and turns through the lives of two young college lovers who have gone their separate ways only to be joined again by their angelic son, "Cass," who is perhaps the most forgiving, saintly, and prophetic mortal soul the "Windy City" has ever graced.  The baseball images throughout the novel as well as the umpire philosophical statements intermingled into the plot line (at the end of each chapter) keep you reading to see what call this ump will make next.  The backdrop of the Chicago setting brings in the mob, the cuisine, the landmarks, the Cubs,  and the ice cold weather of wind and snow - which are all wrapped neatly and tightly in perhaps one of the most jaw dropping dramas to hit the book presses in a long time.  As Aidan states in a pivotal turning point in his life when he learns he not only has a son, but also a son who has cancer:  " I had never had a reason to look in the rear view mirror of my life.  Now it seemed I needed a major backwards glance."  So this reader looks in her front view mirror after reading "Binding Arbitration" and now wishes for a clear path to have this story unfold on the big screen.  This drama is a perfect fit for a star-studded movie! 

AWESOME!!!

Read Cutter vs Jock prequal first - free nook book. Then read Binding Arbitration. Great story of love and forgiveness with some sass and sadness. Highly reccommed.

Review of Binding Arbitration by Elizabeth Marx 5 Stars "Bi

Review of Binding Arbitration by Elizabeth Marx
5 Stars
"Binding Arbitration" is a gritty contemporary romance dealing with really serious issues (yes, not just intimacy, romance, and love): matters of the heart, familial abandonment (parent of child and parent of parent), terminal illness, workplace harassment, and much more). There's even a sexy Mafia boss (really hot), missing witnesses, and paranormal elements. The heroine is a strong-willed, independent, very admirable individual, a criminal defense attorney who put herself through law school and is heading for partner at a prestigious Chicago law firm. The hero is a major-league baseball player with a lot of celebrity and an empty heart, yearning for he knows not what (but he'll learn soon).
I predict romance fans are going to love "Binding Arbitration." With an intense undercurrent of love and sensuality, plus a really intricate and stunning plot, this one's a winner.

I reviewed a review copy from Full Moon Bites Blog Tours in exchange for my fair and impartial review for the Binding Arbitration Blog Tour Sept. 2012.

My Review: 5 Stars I have not read the prequel to this book. Ho

My Review: 5 Stars I have not read the prequel to this book. However
that didn't take away from Binding Arbitration or BA as I have been
calling it. This book is about loving, compassion, overcoming fear,
pain, loss and more. This book is VERY long but that just made it
better. I tend to find myself starting to skim when I read long books.
But this one I read ever word. I have since gotten a hold of the
prequel so ill be eatting that one up to! "*I received a copy of
this book for free to review, this in no way influenced my review, all
opinions are 100% honest and my own."

This was such a great read! I read the novella and then immedia

This was such a great read! I read the novella and then immediately purchased this one. It started off rocky for me, but it was DEFINITELY worth it. I cried a lot and laughed in many parts. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

:)

GREATGREAT BOOK!! I CRIED LAUGHED AND REALLY THOUGHT OF THE DECISIONS THE CHARACTERS HAD TO MAKE? THIS BOOK IS WORTH READING OVER ANS OVER AGAIN. I HIGHLY REDOMEND THIS BOOK.

I laughed, I cried, and I cried a whole lot more!

I enjoyed reading Elizabeth Marx's Binding Arbitration. I was able to lose myself in this book between the difficult decisions, the witty banter, and the love every character showed. I am anxiously waiting for more books from her!

C.S

Great story!

Lovedit

I loved this book there were laugh out loud moments and the were even some moments that made me cry but it kept me interested the entire time and i couldnt put it down i fell in love with the characters and cant wait to read the prequell

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No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.