Taken

A Killer’s Love #3

by Jennifer Ivy

Everyone wants to be a family, but what happens when it’s a serial killer that loves you?
Join Lulu as she’s taken by someone that wants nothing more than to make her his and give her the family that she’s always craved.
But he’s not a good man, this isn’t how she images her life going. He saved her, then stole her.
How can something so wrong feel so right?

Lulu

I stayed in Cromwell because I have nowhere else to go. Being barely tolerated by my mom and step dad was better than being alone . . . Until it wasn’t.
Terrified and alone, Ajax saved me when I needed help the most. He was brutal and unforgiving in his attack and then he turned his attention to me. . . And I’ve never enjoyed anything more.
He’s a killer, evil, and has zero ounce of remorse.
Yet he loves me like no one else ever has.
Who in their right mind would say no to that?


Ajax

I knew the minute that I saw her with my daughter, Lulu is our missing piece.
In saving her I made a mess, one that means that we need to leave Cromwell Town quickly. But she’s coming with us. I’m not asking.
We’re headed back to the I-90 where we can disappear into the traffic.
No one will find us, and no one will find her.
After all I’m the I-90 killer. They’ve been tracking me for years, I’m not about to get caught now.


This book has mature adult content and is intended for 18+ years.
Please read The Content Warning Page, inside the book first before reading as some topics may not be suitable for everyone.

Genres: Dark Romance, Crime, Forced Proximity, Serial Killer, Dark, Smut, Horror

236 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 3, 2024

About the author

I am a self published author, dark romance being my go to.

I love writing MMC’s that make you fall for them even though you shouldn’t.

A Killer’s Love series is now complete.

4 books will be releasing in 2026 from a new series, Killing for Love.
Protected, Darkness, Captive, and Basement

I can be found on both Instagram and Tiktok under the handle jenniferivy_author.

Reviews

[PJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Taken skips over the 3rd brother and tells the story of Ajax, The I-90 killer who is briefly mentioned in Claim. Very similar to the first two of the series this is a he falls in insta-love and takes the girl. No masked men this time but a dark serial killer single dad romance, murder, and lots of smut. I can't wait to read the 3rd brothers story in August.

[BinnaReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

:: “Taken” by Jennifer Ivy🚀
—♡—
Favorite line : “Some men don’t deserve their families, but it’s okay because I’m about to take his.”
—♡—
🚨None spoiler but be aware of emojis for the spoiler rant section🚨
Lulu’s is a 21 year old lady who was previously mention (briefly) in the past two books in this standalone series. She’s the Cromwell Town’s only daughter Sam Cromwell’s close friend since childhood. Taking her stepfather Andrew Clarke’s last name, Lulu Clarke has been dealing with a negl3¢tful mother and a raging alc0hol!c stepfather who has with a short fuse who likes to kn0¢k around the two ladies in his life.

One day she bumps into a beautiful little five year old girl and comforts her as she cries. The little girl’s name is Mary Lou but her daddy calls her Piglet. And speaking of Daddies, once her daddy Ajax spots the two and sees Lulu try to protect his little girl who she just met from him he knew she was the one. And the rest is history he’s gonna take what he claims is rightfully theirs (him and Piglet) and I love that for him.

In true, Jennifer Ivy fashion the male MC’s in her books fall first and fall hard and I eat it up every time watching my delulu kings fight to win over their women. This book is a wild ride from following their journey to them doing their best to escape town because like this serial’s title; Ajax is a $erial k!ller, the I-90 K!ller to be exact and it looks like Lulu’s parents were at the top of his list.

🚨🚨SPOILERS ! YOU’VE BEEN WARNED 🚨🚨

I love Daniel and Michael but my gosh did I love this story. A amazing wild ride. I will say, I do wish that this book touched on a few topics though. Like Mary Lou’s bio-parents and the story behind them. I know Ajax unalived them but I want the story and how he fall in love with wanting to keep Mary Lou. Other tan the snippet Ivy shared. I was Ted to know who the man under the RV was.

But despite those missing details I really enjoyed this book. Since this new family started off with only them three we didn’t need to have a storyline with more members nor did we have to have a deep police storyline either like the first two did which I liked because we / I was able to focus on the two MC’s relationship more. I loved it a lot actually.

It was amazing seeing Lulu being a rose that grew from the concrete she grew more comfortable with I her, with Ajax and even with Mary Lou. It was just so adorable able and heart warming seeing her relationship with Mary Lou I felt like it was healing her inner child loving a child her mother should have down her. But also seeing Ajax being such a caring, gentle, and encouraging papa bear. Proving the her stepfather and mother were just the bad apples in a sea of people.

The sm*t was good! The “Take me” threw me over than edge because I love a dominant man, especially with a br33ding kink. I will say I didn’t appreciate him hiding her when a uninvited guest came knocking. Lulu’s better than me because I would have showed him a piece of my mind and he would’ve been the one g@gged and b0und. Because after the guest you just leave her there, see Lulu’s stronger than me because I was ticked.

The way the book ended to me personally, I felt like this was giving the last we will be seeing of Lulu maybe because of the giant time jump that it had compared to the last two books. Regardless if this is a goodbye with these character or not I was happy to see them off and I’m so happy with their Epilogue.

Overall, I highly recommend this book, this series. It’s currently OUT NOW. You wont regret it and please enjoy the crazy ride.

Also, a huge thank you to Jennifer Ivy for allowing to once again be part of the ARC Team. I’m always so extremely grateful. I can’t wait for book four (Kaleb’s and maybe Sam story) and book five (Shelby’s story). Shelby is who I believe we were teased with in this book. So I’m super super excited.
—♡—
Genre/Type: Dark $erial K!ller Romance
APK: E-book 
Page: 236
Received: ARC TEAM
Returning reader: Yes
—♡—
Tier Rating: B
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Steam Rating: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Uh-Oh Scenes: 10,11,12,16,17,19,21,23,24,26,29,31, Epilogue
Stand Alone: A K!ller’s Love Series Book 3
—♡—
Tropes or Themes: dark romance, age gap (15 years, enemies to lovers, fOrced prOxim!ty, insta-love, he falls first and hard, hurt/comfort, pregnancy, br33ding, single dad, found family, bondage, exhib!tioni$m-ish, dub-con, praiSe kink, bd$m, Spanking, virgin heroine, tOrtured heroine, sweet and gentle heroine, alpha male. Bad boys, po$$essive hero, single father, dual pov, first person pov, small town, RV van life, Run, hunter, loves to hunt, bOund and g@gged, delulu, prim@l, chaling, hunting, yes Sir, good girl, Submissive heroine, training, dOm!nate hero, HEA, no cheating, no third act break up, love at first sight, single father, saves her, horror romance, darker morally grey, Suspense, working heroine,
—♡—
Check for Tr!ggers ⚠️: "Dub!Ous con$ent (DubcOn), B|00d Gore, Kldn@ppng, FOrced Proximity,
§panking, Br33ding KInk, BOndag3 Orga$m COntrol/D3nial, Graphic descriptions of VIO|ence, TOrtur3, and Murd4r" (7). $tOckholm $yndrome, @exh!bitiOni$m-ish, pun!$hments, mean step-father and mother, intended child abu$3 (FMC and step-father), Child n3glect (fmc parents), mentions of parental dath, pOlice, g@gged, hunting, prIm@l, run, chase,forced pregn@ncy, bullying (not between mcs), age gap
(15), etc
—♡—
BinnaReads 
Tiktok ♡ Instagram (two s’) ♡ YouTube ♡ Amazon ♡ GoodReads ♡ BookBub 

[TheReaderVert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok, what do you do when a serial murker sets his sites on you? 😬

☺️ let him spank you?
☺️ let him wipe his fingers between your legs to taste y'alls juices?
☺️ let him fill you with his c♡m?
☺️ let him smear the 🩸of some problematic ppl in your clothes
☺️ let him tie you with rope?
☺️ let him force you to he a mom to his daughter (well....her mom and dad were😵🫥)?
☺️ sit around when he keeps trying to murk ppl who want to take you away?
☺️ have hot smex in the woods after murking someone chasing you?
☺️ let him fill you with his baby batter so you are trapped to him 4ever?

[lovelettersandbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another incredible book in Jennifer Ivy's "A Killer's Love" series!

If you are looking for a wild ride of insta-love set against the backdrop of an 80's summer camp slasher film, where you are actively rooting for the serial killer to get his girl, this is the book for you!

We met our MMC briefly in an intense scene in the previous book, Claim, and the opening of this book picks up right where we left off with him and his daughter.

He's a complicated man, our MMC. He's a road tripper, a hunter, a business owner, a daddy, a savior, and, oh, a prolific serial killer who will kill anyone who lays a finger on you. He's obsessive, possessive, protective, over-the-top, and doesn't miss a single detail. And he has a nasty little breeding kink. What a family man! Who knew?

Our FMC is sweet, a survivor, and desperate for a loving family. Lucky (unlucky?) for her, she crosses paths with a killer willing to do anything to protect his future wife and his super cute daughter, whom she instantly bonds with. But can she really live, laugh, and love with a serial killer?

This book is scary, spicy, and sweet, with a morally black anti-hero you can't get enough of. I love this series and cannot wait for the next two books!

[Dark Book Girlie · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading Claim I was super exited to see where the story would take us with the I-90 killer that we briefly meet during Claim.
Ajax and Mary-Lou are just beyond cute together. That was one of my highlights of this book, Ajax as a dad was just such a joy to read. The nickname Piglet was just freaking adorable.
Lulu broke my heart with her situation. Also I had no issue with what Ajax did to her mom. My only issue is that it wasn't worse. She was worse than Andrew in my opinion. That was her daughter and not only did she not help her when things got bad but she blamed her daughter knowing full well that Andrew would be like that no matter what, so I think Ajax went easy on her and that annoyed me to be honest.
The characters in this and their story was great to see. My only critique would be that I found the plot to be lacking in the middle. It started off great then it dipped in the middle then kind of ramped up at the end. Lulu's character arc felt like it was a straight line till the end then it shot up. There was no graduation in her character development. I still loved this book and the characters and I cant wait to see them again in Protected!!
Also the ending with Mary-Lou's birthday party was PERFECT!!

[Katie (Katie's Corner Blog) · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5🍁 | 1.5🌶️

When i read about Ajax (we didn’t know his name then) in Claim (2nd book) i knew i would enjoy his book! Jennifer did it again and maybe even did it even better, because Ajax is bad, we know it, he knows it, Lulu knows it, but he’s still an amazing MMC. I mean he’s a great father and partner (okay, we may need to overlook the way he acquired both his wife and child, but hey! He takes great care of them unless his wife misbehaves), does he have some urges? Yes, but we’ll forgive him because he’s good to Lulu and Mary.

I enjoyed this book way too much and can’t wait what Jennifer will bring out next! (There might have been some weird plot inconsistencies - like why take time to tie up Lulu to stuff her in the box when there’s police knowing on your door, granted it had its purpose but still. And i was just a bit confused with the names of the kids later there are too many Louises in that family).

Overall great book to start or continue your spooky season!

[Nikki B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 3rd book in the series but could be read as a standalone. This book did not disappoint. I love how dominant and scary these men are. They take whatever they want and kill anyone who dares to stop them, but they are so soft for their woman and the need for a family. I enjoyed Ajax's story. Even though he wanted Lulu for himself, he was taking her out of a horrible situation that he was in. He is an amazing father, though.. I don't know about leaving your kid alone at night. Ajax and Lulu's relationship worked because she was amazing with his daughter Mary. She was exactly what Ajax and Mary needed. All he wanted to do was protect her and all she wanted was to feel safe. This was a great thriller. It was had some good spice. I look forward to book 4.

[Elise Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loving these books!

This book is about a monster saving a woman from two monsters. Ajax is a complex man but also a very focused one. Lulu is the woman he instantly falls for. He's not going to ask her out because he wants her forever. Lulu is a broken woman and from a very abusive mother and step father. So, Ajax is her rescuer, which is a turn on for me because his saving her is not in a traditional way but the look at her and unalive you way. He's a very bad man but loves her and his dtr Piglet. The scenes between these two are so hot steamy that I want a man like Ajax to take me! It's a twisted romance with a HEA that is perfect for this couple! Well written I recommend it highly!

[Gwen Shafer · Rating 5 out of 5]

When you want a solid family, you will do whatever it takes to get it? But how easy can it be when you are a serial killer? This was an intense quick read. Jennifer knows how to build up the thrill quickly.
Lulu wants a real family. But she be able to find one? Will the one she finds bring her to her knees or build her up? I love the interaction between Lulu and Piglet (Mary). These two are amazing together. Ajax is an alpha male but a great father. He knows exactly what he wants and will do whatever it takes to make Lulu apart of his family.
But will it be enough? Will Lulu give in and let Ajax love her even knowing what he does?
Amazing page turning thriller.

[Tiffany Lyon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was so good, but I felt not as good as the first 2. I loved Ajax and how he was 100% protecting what was his. Lulu was not my favorite, but I love how she bonded with Mary and how close they became.
Ajax was a good MMC and getting to know him was good. He was my favorite character in this book. The way he made sure that he got what he needed, but also how he made sure that Lulu got what she needed.
Lulu was just pretty bland to me. I did not like her at all. She did fight for what she wanted in the beginning, then it seemed she gave up. In the end she got what she wanted.

[Sarah Bennett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great book! So I love how this one starts right at the grocery store from book two claim. So you actually get Ajax POV on how he saw stuff during that time. Which I actually loved, because it was so much different then what was in book 2.

But man I still loved this one. Serial killer falling in love and punishing Lulu to stay. Lol, mine not be everyone cup of tea but I loved it. It's a short read but honestly the author does it so well that you can't even tell. Everything flows so good and your just hooked. Plus you get a HEA at the end! I loved it. I honestly can't wait for book 4!

[Snow]

DNF @ 49%.

not my thing.
i like reading romance with dubcon/noncon elements, when the hero knows what he's doing is wrong and doesn't put the blame on the heroine.
we don't get that in this one. here, the hero notices the heroine's body is aroused and goes "oh okay, she wants it". that's not what i personally enjoy reading. i need to know the hero in some way values and cares about preserving the heroine's mental wellbeing. that's within the "romance" scope of romance novels.

[Jess_feelzinsane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ohh I couldn't put this book down! I mean a serial killer that uses his dominant side to teach lulu the rules in the family after he takes her! And the way he throws it down in the bedroom..spicy and sexy! Lulu fights within herself because she actually finds a family that she feels at home with, but should she feel like this? Because after all..she was taken by him!!

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC review
This was amazing. I may have gotten secondhand Stockholm syndrome because I love Ajax. Granted, I think I have felt that way towards all of the mmc in this series.

It's an instant love type of story where Ajax will do anything for Lulu except for letting her go. Don't expect this to become something where he changes for her because this man 💯 is about his favorite hobby.

[Nadia Nguyen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️: This book was intriguing and definitely a dark romance! Definitely a lot of dubcon and good to check trigger warnings before reading this book. I wouldn’t say there is too much character development but think that’s fine with how the storyline is written. It’s also part of a series and makes me want to read the other books to this series. Short read and enjoyed it for what it was.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This author does it every time. You know going in the MMC isn't a good guy but she makes you fall for him anyway. Ajax was an amazing man in this book. He helps Lulu and makes her see what life can be even with a monster like him.

[Lola Jansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very intriguing and addicting storyline, loved the little twists and turns, the character development was very realistic, but I did expect a little more spice given the trigger warnings.
Still a very good read!

[Kellie Ferris · Rating 3 out of 5]

This takes us away from our main serial killing family and follows the I-90 serial killer after he leaves town taking Lulu with him........this is the ending Lulu deserves away from her asshole family......Ajax obsessively loves her and fills her life with a family of their own 💕

[Cheyanne Haskell · Rating 5 out of 5]

she did not disappoint 👏🏼👏🏼🤭 i’ve been waiting for this book since being able to read mine & claim 😫 such a long wait but was soooo worth it. i could never get tired of these books 🥹

[love,care and self - ashlea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh how I love this series.

Its intense, it’s savage, it’s spicy, it’s found family and love that has no limits.

I can not wait for the rest of this series to drop!

[Rachael Thiele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great story

This is the 3rd book in the series and I love each one. I love that Lulu got the family she deserved Patiently waiting for the next book

[LaRae · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a cross between horror and romance. It was actually quite a nice horror story, lol! Ajax is very dominant and lulu is mostly willing to go along with it. Love Piglet!

[Nicole BHam · Rating 5 out of 5]

good

This was a little more intense for n the kidnapping or realistic a bit more than the others. Smexy times were good but overall it was a good story for a quicker read.

[Cristi · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't get past the first few chapters; not interested in the characters and therefore the story.

[Janine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the characters I was expecting but the author has a talent of making serial killers look all mushy and cute. Warms me cockles.

[Reader]

didn't like it one bit

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

nothing like the cover picture

Yes, the hero is a serial killer but putting that aside this is very romantic and has a super HEA. The trope is not worn out in this story.

[spicy_book_nook · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m a sucker for a punishment trope

Thoughts: heavy on the punishment trope. Ajax loves a good spanking. Poor Lulu though… he @$$ stays red 😳😳

Overall Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot / Storyline 👩🏻‍💻: 📑📑📑📑
Heat / Burn (slow / fast): 🐢🐢🐇🐇🐇
Darkness: 🖤🖤🖤
Red Flags: 🚩🚩🚩🚩
Kinks: 🫦🫦🫦
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Range of Emotions: 🥺🫣🥵🥵🫠🫶🏻
Ending: 👩🏻‍❤️‍👨🏻 {HEA}
POV: 👫🏻 {Dual}

***spoilers - whole story***
Lulu is 21 and stuck in an @bu$ive family. Her mother and step father, Andrew, treat her like g@rb@ge. Andrew mainly verbally @bu$es her but sometimes he puts his h@nd$ on her. The whole town sees it but no one intervenes. Some offer help but she refuses it.
Ajax is the I-90 k![[€r and he has a daughter, Mary (which he took, literally from her womb - but he alludes to her being a bad person).
Mary runs into Lulu in the store. Andrew grabs Lulu and drags her away. Mary is upset by that and Ajax knows instantly that Lulu is his.
Ajax goes to her house and un@lives her mom and goes after Andrew, who is already running after Lulu in the woods.
Ajax un@lives him also. Ajax t@kes Lulu in the woods right next to Andrew’s b0d¥.
Lulu doesn’t know how to feel as Ajax makes her feel more loved and cherished in 10 minutes that her family has her whole life.
Ajax cleans up and makes her pack a bag and write a note so everyone thinks she ran away.
The FBI comes around after her parents are found. Lulu fights her feelings but eventually she gives in. Her heart grows with Mary’s love. Ajax shows her how much he wants and loves her.

[✿ Deanna Lea ✿ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Omg wow. This Was amazing. So sweet , dark, funny and sexy

Loved the story and the characters

Can't wait to read the others

Thank you Jennifer for allowing me to ARC Read ♥️♥️

[elsie ۵ · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Omg, wow. I really enjoyed this.