Unbound is one of those books I'm glad I experienced but I don't think I'll ever be able to read it again.

CW: Fatphobia throughout, alcoholism, parental death (off page)

Merry is on a long hiking trip in Scotland to celebrate the fact she's lost over 100 pounds and to discover the homeland of her mother, who recently passed away. On the hike she contracts a GI virus and ends up whacking her head when she passes out from the pain and fever. She makes it to a small cabin inhabited by a man who's been hiding from the world and who isn't too keen on having a visitor. He takes her in to help her out, soon discovering he's found someone who is willing to explore the fetish he blames his alcoholism on.

This story is super emotional and I loved how McKenna explored these difficult topics. I just wish the fatphobia parts were left out. Rob's fetish, with the rope, wanting to be humiliated and used, and being made to feel shame is also not something I'm personally in to, but the emotional journey of the characters made it a compelling listen nonetheless. I wouldn't recommend this to just anyone, but worth it if you can handle the content.