Scan barcode
pattyfgd's review
5.0
Hostage
By: Skye Warren, Annika Martin
Narrated by: Jacob Morgan, Lauren Sweet
If you could pick the perfect kind of listen for me, this would be it. Skye Warren and Annika Martin's collaborative series has me riveted to my ears, listening to this book. This story features Stone, one of the older boys in our Criminals and Captives series. When I started this listen, I figured it was going to be the typical bad guy captures girl and with a little Stockholm Syndrome, we would have the story. Boy was I wrong. Stone is a very complex man. Experiencing his childhood, what he endured, what he took on as his responsibility would mess anyone up. But somehow, this young man has a tender spot, and Brooke is the one that finds it. A chance meeting I would call it finds these two together, and from that point on, a slight obsession/loving relationship is formed over several years. The story behind them, and how it evolves is a masterpiece of thrilling suspense and had me up listening to the very end. I loved every minute of this story, it's depth, it characters, and the captivating tension all led me through and kept me on the edge. I just hope we see more by these two!
Jacob Morgan and Lauren Sweet are suited perfectly for this story. Morgan has an edginess for book like this, a little dark and a lot of suspense and his voice seems to meld to the characters. Sweet's young sound as Brooke made her. She brought the innocence out, but kept her real. I loved this team and this listen.
By: Skye Warren, Annika Martin
Narrated by: Jacob Morgan, Lauren Sweet
If you could pick the perfect kind of listen for me, this would be it. Skye Warren and Annika Martin's collaborative series has me riveted to my ears, listening to this book. This story features Stone, one of the older boys in our Criminals and Captives series. When I started this listen, I figured it was going to be the typical bad guy captures girl and with a little Stockholm Syndrome, we would have the story. Boy was I wrong. Stone is a very complex man. Experiencing his childhood, what he endured, what he took on as his responsibility would mess anyone up. But somehow, this young man has a tender spot, and Brooke is the one that finds it. A chance meeting I would call it finds these two together, and from that point on, a slight obsession/loving relationship is formed over several years. The story behind them, and how it evolves is a masterpiece of thrilling suspense and had me up listening to the very end. I loved every minute of this story, it's depth, it characters, and the captivating tension all led me through and kept me on the edge. I just hope we see more by these two!
Jacob Morgan and Lauren Sweet are suited perfectly for this story. Morgan has an edginess for book like this, a little dark and a lot of suspense and his voice seems to meld to the characters. Sweet's young sound as Brooke made her. She brought the innocence out, but kept her real. I loved this team and this listen.
myloveoflit's review
4.0
Brooke witnessed a murder. A gruesome one by a dangerous man. She was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Stone had to deal with her now. He told her to get in the van and drive. The plan was to take her somewhere remote and get rid of her so she can’t tell the police. The plan fell through when Stone started to feel sorry for the girl. She wasn’t what he expected and he couldn’t go through with it so he let her go, but not without a threat.
As time passes Stone becomes more and more fixated on Brooke. He shows up when she least expects it and demands they go for another drive. There is no game plan other than spending time together and Brooke is beside her as to why. Who is this mysterious man and just how dangerous is he? Obviously he is a killer, but Stone will not divulge to her his motive. Fear mixes with confusion and lines start to blur. Stone is seeking the one behind a kidnapping ring and Brooke may be just the one to get in the way of his revenge.
As time passes Stone becomes more and more fixated on Brooke. He shows up when she least expects it and demands they go for another drive. There is no game plan other than spending time together and Brooke is beside her as to why. Who is this mysterious man and just how dangerous is he? Obviously he is a killer, but Stone will not divulge to her his motive. Fear mixes with confusion and lines start to blur. Stone is seeking the one behind a kidnapping ring and Brooke may be just the one to get in the way of his revenge.
beckyrendon's review
4.0
4.5 stars
Hostage is nothing and everything you would expect from these two talented and twisted authors. To say I'm biased might be true but only because I've devoured their books. I have yet to read one that didn't have me highly entertained or on the edge of my seat.
Maybe I'm biased because I like the damaged bad boys.
Maybe it's because I look for light in the darkness.
Maybe it's because I'm a hopeless romantic...
Whatever the reason, I loved Hostage. I love the fear, the desperation, and of course the vigilante justice. There are few things in this world that get my blood thirst active...but people that harm kids is my number one. Do I condone certain behaviors...no...but do I understand- Hell yes! Would I have reacted the same...this isn't the time to share my story. ;)
Hostage is a dark trail that runs along side a blackened highway. It's not quite as dark as you might think but it isn't exactly fluffy unicorns.
It's intense. It's raw and it's exactly what you needed to happen. Hostage is second in the series but you can read it first like I did with no problems following at all. You will scramble to read Prisoner though if you haven't already.
Hostage is nothing and everything you would expect from these two talented and twisted authors. To say I'm biased might be true but only because I've devoured their books. I have yet to read one that didn't have me highly entertained or on the edge of my seat.
Maybe I'm biased because I like the damaged bad boys.
Maybe it's because I look for light in the darkness.
Maybe it's because I'm a hopeless romantic...
Whatever the reason, I loved Hostage. I love the fear, the desperation, and of course the vigilante justice. There are few things in this world that get my blood thirst active...but people that harm kids is my number one. Do I condone certain behaviors...no...but do I understand- Hell yes! Would I have reacted the same...this isn't the time to share my story. ;)
Hostage is a dark trail that runs along side a blackened highway. It's not quite as dark as you might think but it isn't exactly fluffy unicorns.
It's intense. It's raw and it's exactly what you needed to happen. Hostage is second in the series but you can read it first like I did with no problems following at all. You will scramble to read Prisoner though if you haven't already.
divapitbull's review
4.0
Hostage is the second installment in the Criminals and Captives series. It isn’t so much a continuation of Prisoner as it takes place at times simultaneously and the timelines overlap. This installment follows Stone Keaton the oldest and the leader of the group of boys that were held in the basement as part of a high society sex trafficking ring. Stone is hardened and doesn’t feel human and only lives for vengeance and to protect his brothers. He tried to get Grayson away from Abby in Prisoner because he said their code was no relationships. He certainly didn’t expect to have a relationship with a 16-year-old girl that he met at her debutante Sweet 16 party. Stone wasn’t there as a guest; he was lying in wait to kill one of the guests. One of the men that was involved in the trafficking ring was at the party as an acquaintance of Brooke’s father.
Brooke didn’t expect to fall in love the night of her Sweet Sixteen party. She was too busy trying to look perfect in her secondhand party dress and act perfect so the circling sharks wouldn’t realize that her Dad’s company was practically belly up and they were on their way to the poor house. She definitely didn’t expect to meet the love of her life when she stepped outside for some air and got a front row seat to one of her guests being beaten to death. Stone didn’t expect the audience either and takes Brooke hostage.
So obviously it’s not insta-love, cause ewww. But Stone can’t bring himself to kill Brooke. Or to stay away from her. Over the next couple of years, they have sporadic contact and Brooke learns about Stone’s background. She also learns she might be closer to it than she thought – which makes for some tension, mild relationship angst and provides Stone a path towards redemption.
Hostage can be read as a standalone, or out of order with Prisoner. Grayson and Abby do make a brief appearance and Hostage does a better job of fleshing out some of the other members of the…gang, crew, family, group of boys that forged lifelong bonds in the basement. I’m more interested now in reading some of the other character’s stories. Both Stone and Brooke are likeable characters. Brooke is young and fairly innocent but not annoyingly so. Stone is messed up but not self-destructive to the point of annoyance. His penchant for calling Brooke “little bird” – that annoyed me; because, seriously?
Hostage is a pretty easy read; the authors have a nice style that flows. There’s no major angst despite the subject matter and no overly convoluted plots. Stone has a deadpan sort of humor at times that tickled my funny bone; “Brooke once said I was still down in that basement, that I never left. Maybe she was onto something. Not that I plan on strapping on a necktie anytime soon – or ever – but maybe I don’t need to go killing everyone I hate. Baby steps”. Not an entirely believable story; but a nice fantasy with a HEA.
Brooke didn’t expect to fall in love the night of her Sweet Sixteen party. She was too busy trying to look perfect in her secondhand party dress and act perfect so the circling sharks wouldn’t realize that her Dad’s company was practically belly up and they were on their way to the poor house. She definitely didn’t expect to meet the love of her life when she stepped outside for some air and got a front row seat to one of her guests being beaten to death. Stone didn’t expect the audience either and takes Brooke hostage.
So obviously it’s not insta-love, cause ewww. But Stone can’t bring himself to kill Brooke. Or to stay away from her. Over the next couple of years, they have sporadic contact and Brooke learns about Stone’s background. She also learns she might be closer to it than she thought – which makes for some tension, mild relationship angst and provides Stone a path towards redemption.
Hostage can be read as a standalone, or out of order with Prisoner. Grayson and Abby do make a brief appearance and Hostage does a better job of fleshing out some of the other members of the…gang, crew, family, group of boys that forged lifelong bonds in the basement. I’m more interested now in reading some of the other character’s stories. Both Stone and Brooke are likeable characters. Brooke is young and fairly innocent but not annoyingly so. Stone is messed up but not self-destructive to the point of annoyance. His penchant for calling Brooke “little bird” – that annoyed me; because, seriously?
Hostage is a pretty easy read; the authors have a nice style that flows. There’s no major angst despite the subject matter and no overly convoluted plots. Stone has a deadpan sort of humor at times that tickled my funny bone; “Brooke once said I was still down in that basement, that I never left. Maybe she was onto something. Not that I plan on strapping on a necktie anytime soon – or ever – but maybe I don’t need to go killing everyone I hate. Baby steps”. Not an entirely believable story; but a nice fantasy with a HEA.
giada_andolfo's review
5.0
This book is awesome, intriguing, thrilling, hot, beautiful and heartwrecking. I recommend it to everyone who loves Dark romance novels!
pamgodwin's review
5.0
It's forbidden, suspenseful, emotionally-charged, thought-provoking, and damn sexy--everything I love in a dark romance. And boy do I love this book. It can be read as a stand-alone, but PRISONER is just as gripping. Do yourself a favor and read both.
littlestqueen's review
2.0
This book will stay at a two.
Not because it wasn’t good. It was beautifully written.
Not because it was too violent. What’s a good dark romance without violence and gore?
And not because it wasn’t steamy. It was.
No, this book will stay a two because Brooke is SIXTEEN for 50% of the book while Stone is in his late twenties (he’s about ten years older according to the book)
This book (and all the raving reviews that come with it) romanticizes and glorifies pedophilia and grooming and you CAN NOT change my mind on that.
You’d think that because Stone had gone through that (and much much more horrifying things) that he would’ve put his foot down and said no. But nah.
I could’ve dealt with it if the sexual things didn’t begin until she was 18. Hell, I could’ve dealt with it if the age gap was like 4 years.
Other info to add here, You’ll definitely want to read the first book before this one for parts to make sense.
Not because it wasn’t good. It was beautifully written.
Not because it was too violent. What’s a good dark romance without violence and gore?
And not because it wasn’t steamy. It was.
No, this book will stay a two because Brooke is SIXTEEN for 50% of the book while Stone is in his late twenties (he’s about ten years older according to the book)
This book (and all the raving reviews that come with it) romanticizes and glorifies pedophilia and grooming and you CAN NOT change my mind on that.
You’d think that because Stone had gone through that (and much much more horrifying things) that he would’ve put his foot down and said no. But nah.
I could’ve dealt with it if the sexual things didn’t begin until she was 18. Hell, I could’ve dealt with it if the age gap was like 4 years.
Other info to add here, You’ll definitely want to read the first book before this one for parts to make sense.
carosi's review
5.0
This book is amazing.
Everybody who likes this genre should read this series. seriously. read it. NOW.
I think I have to marry Stone or maybe Calder? I hope all of the boys get a story of their own.
To the authors, Girls you rock <3
Everybody who likes this genre should read this series. seriously. read it. NOW.
I think I have to marry Stone or maybe Calder? I hope all of the boys get a story of their own.
To the authors, Girls you rock <3
mishalovesandre's review
3.0
um idk I personally didn’t really enjoy it but I don’t like the found family trope so just ignore me
rachelreadsdaily's review
5.0
This story was perfect. I loved that Stone couldn't let Brooke go and kept coming back to her. The end was the perfect way to wrap up such a tragically beautiful story. I loved every word.