Captive Shadows

by Emily Klepp

For twenty-five years, all I have known is pain. I’ve endured the worst that someone could do to another human. One day I took a leap of faith, only to be caught and cared for. I thought the jump was the hardest part until family secrets threaten my freedom and newfound happiness. When enemies become family and friends become lovers, anything can go wrong. Love, growth, and new connections will only get me so close to freedom before I have to crawl out alone. Will I survive the collapse of an empire or will I burn in the rubble of my family's affairs?

This is a DARK romance novel with MASSIVE triggers. Maya endures major trauma but does get her HEA. Her story is not for the faint of heart and caution is highly advised. Please read the trigger warnings before proceeding with her story.

229 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 20, 2024

About the author

Visit my Linktree here -> https://linktr.ee/emilykleppnovels

Emily Klepp is a Western North Carolina native residing in eastern Tennessee with her loving husband and two beautiful children. She has been writing since she was fourteen years old as a way to cope with her anxiety. She hopes to help others be able to speak their truth by writing about topics that are considered too taboo for societal norms.

Reviews

[Felicia Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely a rollercoaster of emotions in this book but it is worth it ... READ YOUR TRIGGER WARNINGS! Emily and her team done amazing on this book!

[Luralyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The dedication : "To all those who find it in themselves to forgive the unforgivable and irredeemable." This held no meaning to me until I read the last chapter. Then I got it. Maya didn't have to, and for those who have read this, are reading this, it will be a hard pill to swallow with that realization. I had a hard time forgiving this person; at what point do we give in and find forgiveness to those who have blatantly wronged us for their own enjoyment and malicious intent? I had mixed feelings. With that said, Emily wrote another great Traumance. It's called traumance for a reason because the FMC, Maya, went through it all, it seems, from DV between her parents growing up to trusting a boyfriend who also inflicted years of torturous physical and mental abuse. This book is heavy on CNC, SA , DV and even had my hand in my mouth end of book shocking scene that even had me shook, and I have ZERO TRIGGERS. Don't take this book lightly if you are sensitive to these issues please. I enjoyed this book nonetheless, and I look forward to reading more from Emily.

[Melissa Chan · Rating 4 out of 5]

First let me say that this was an absolute rollercoaster for my emotions!! I loved the story that it told and the harsh realities that were put out on the table. Sometimes it was hard to read as it gets pretty dark but in the end it ended up in a good place for my liking. This was a great and easy read I feel. The only criticism I have is sometimes the story felt rushed where it should have been a little more drawn out, but overall enjoyed reading it.

[Tenessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG! This book was RUTHLESS! (In a good way) So many twists an turns. A plot twist like no other I've read so far! Fantastic storyline! Amazing spice! Over all 10/10 recomend!!!

[Sauieh Noushin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay... wow that was one of the ones that gets you even though you prepared yourself.
Maya has not had an easy life but when she finally gets the courage to leave with the help of Elliott, things change for the better and worse. She finds love and support from Elliott and his life long friend Daniel and his wife Lana. They all have each other and what starts as friendship leads to way more!!!
Nikolia... I don't know where to start. First that afterword hit me hard after reading the letter he left for Maya. His journey was not a good or nice one, but the sacrifices he made to try and redeem himself and do better for Maya and her daughter was truly amazing. Honestly, I liked Nikolia as soon as he started to piece things together and how he didn't give up on trying to redeem himself with Maya. I think if given time their relationship would have been something unique and strong.
Amazing story that shows that strength is not only in surviving and perseverance but in forgiveness, because as so eloquently put forgiveness doesn't mean you forgot!!
A must read!!!

[Sammy Standing · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captive Shadows is a dark romance novel that delves heavily into the topic of DV and SA. Please make sure to check your triggers on this one, this is a very heavy book.

I loved this story from the first page, and the way the relationship blossoms between our four main characters. The majority of Maya’s story in this book is absolutely heartbreaking, and it really can make for a tough read experiencing everything that she has to endure, her journey is difficult but it is very much worth it.

This book includes the following tropes, if you have no triggers and enjoy the below, be sure to check this book out:
💫 Br33ding
💫 Exhibitionism
💫 Swingers
💫 Mafia
💫 Trauma
💫 Kidnap
💫Stalking
💫 Mental health rep

This was my first read by this author and I was absolutely obsessed with it, I will definitely be diving into her other works as soon as I can.

[Queen Reviews · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't really care for this book. Things escalated so quickly that I was just unprepared for it to go from 0-100. Though I will say that I was hooked simply because what was happening was so INSANE. It was like a car crash that I couldn't help but look at. There really isn't anything else that I can say without spoiling the plot but this was just....a ride. This is a trip and a journey. You're either going to like the ride or you're going to have whiplash and will wonder how the heck you reached Pluto when you were just trying to get to California. As I always say, try out the book! What I might have no liked, you may enjoy!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captive Shadows was an emotional rollercoaster ride. What you get.....
♡Age Gap
♡Polyamorous/MFFM
♡Bi-Awakening
♡Lots of Trauma
♡Healing
♡Instant Love
♡Breeding
♡Brat
♡Pleasure Dom
♡Voyeurism
♡Exhibitionism
♡Mafia
♡Protective Heros
♡Touch her and ☠️
♡Revenge
♡HEA
♡Mental Health Rep
♡Found Family

There's a lot of twists and turns. It gets pretty dark, but I couldn't put it down. I needed to know what happened.
⚠️Please read the trigger warnings before starting this book.⚠️

[Heather McGrath · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was great. From the beginning I had no idea that the mafia would be twisted into this family. The pain and suffering that Maya continued to endure and will always live with is heartbreaking.

I am so happy about the redemption that Nikolai was given and his letter to Maya brought tears to my eyes.

Thank you for an amazing read! I will be back to read more of your work :)

[Athena, the goddess of books · Rating 3 out of 5]

This isn’t a soft, comforting kind of romance. It’s dark, brutal, and often painful. Emily Klepp doesn’t sugarcoat Maya’s trauma. Instead, she lays it bare—with all its complexity, shame, strength and survival.

The ending felt a bit rushed, especially after such a slow, deliberate buildup. There were emotional threads and side characters I wished had just a few more pages of closure.

[Genoveva · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️ please check CW and TW forever starting this one!!! Some pretty heavy and dark stuff in this one. Love seeing Maya’s progression throughout the story. There were twists that I had no idea were coming. Definitely strap in for a wild ride.

[Jenna Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! Yes it has triggers, So make sure to check those out incase. It was both dark and wholesome, at least I thought. It had me tearing up in some parts as well (especially the ending!). I highly recommend this book!

[Coley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have so many thoughts and words. But, nothing would have prepared me for this book.
As always check and recheck the triggers.

This was a WHOLE roll coaster ride.
But, I'm glad it ended with the happily ever after.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the story. The characters where played out very well. Very nice book:)

[Tamarra Lynch · Rating 5 out of 5]

This author is a first for me. However, the genre is not.

Please take note of the content and trigger warnings in this book, your mental health matters.

As a reader, you will never meet an FMC stronger than Maya. Her strength, determination, and resilience to overcome the adversities that she has endured in her life advertise no one should ever have to endure ever.

Her story will have you feeling mixed feelings, the acceptance of forgiveness is not an easy path to follow, despite how heartbreaking it is, the difficulty to absorb, let alone experience through her eyes, is a testament to her self-preservation that will take her on a journey where her relationship will blossom into something she never expected.

If you love br33ding, exhibitionism, swingers, mafia, trauma, kidnapping, stalking and a roller coast full of emotions, then this story is definitely for you.

Highly recommend both the author and the book.

I received an ARC. Therefore, I am submitting a voluntary review.

[ChapterChaser1 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Please please read triggers before starting this book.
It is a very emotional roller coaster, the things the female character goes through is terrible, she is a fighter and gets help for all her trauma, I loved that for her, and her newfound family helping her and loving her.

[Jenni · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story will have you hooked! Mayas been through so much and still comes out the dark tunnel into the light but not without enduring more than anyone ever should at the hands of those who should care and protect her. This story is dark and will have your emotions all over the place!