TAKEN

by J.C. Valentine
Publication Date: April 18, 2017
Genres: Adult, Romantic Suspense, Contemporary, Romance, Standalone, Novella

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SYNOPSIS:

*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review for Stephanie’s Book Reports.

**Carla’s Three Star Review

Poor Elise is all alone. She doesn’t have any friends or family, and she is lacking a boyfriend as well. In her own words she is “Terminally single. Forever alone. Cursed.” It is Easter Sunday, and she is leaving the grocery store when someone grabs her. Most of us would freak out the moment we were thrown into a van as a deep voice says “go, go, go!” But not Elise. She is so desperate for any kind of excitement and human contact that her response is “yes, yes, yes!” Elise is one funny lady. I mean, who nicknames their kidnappers? Elise, that’s who! In her head, she calls one Driver and one Manhandler. Driver is evil and wants to harm her, but Manhandler has a conscience and seems to really care about her well being. As the story progresses, Elise begins to feel somewhat comfortable and safe around Manhandler whose real name is Marcus. However, events transpire that leave Elise without a clue as to how this situation will play out. Will she be forced to fight and escape on her own, or will she be rescued?

This was an okay read for me. The writing was good, and the story flowed nicely. I just wish there would have been more information provided about the characters and their backgrounds. With that said, Taken is a quick read that I would have no trouble recommending to a friend.

 

Renee’s 4 Star Review:

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review for Stephanie’s Book Reports.

Elise has come to the conclusion that a dull lonely life was all she would ever have until a routine shopping trip turns into a deadly affair. Taken by two men. One a brute and the other an enigma. Blindfolded and held captive, Elise’s mundane existence just got a whole lot more interesting. Suddenly facing the unknown, and held prisoner by a man with rough hands and a gentle voice. Elise is fighting against the growing desire for her captor. Will Elise make it out alive and with her heart intact?

I went into this book fully expecting it to be dark and filled with stockholm syndrome. What I got was a fun to read book that flew by and had the perfect ending. Elise is so alone. Like all alone in the world. She has absolutely no one. I can’t even imagine how it would feel to be all alone in the world. When she is kidnapped she has the complete opposite reaction to what I think I would have. While scared she soon connected with the nicer of the two captors and looked at it all as an adventure. However the other captor was not so nice. Like down right evil actually so she had to keep on her toes around that one. Her names for these guys are hilarious and I laughed quiet a few times in this book. I also felt for Elise. Bless that girls heart. No one should be that alone and lonely in the world so to say I was rooting for her to have a happily ever after is an understatement.

J.C. Valentine took what could have been a super dark book and made it more. I liked it. I enjoyed reading it and I was sad to see it end. However after a couple of heart failures I love love loved the ending so it’s certainly not all fun and games.