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In His Cage
Money is power; power is danger
Stay away from rich men.
Aleksandr Pletnev was supposed to be the man who made my dreams come true. Instead, he kidnaps me and locks me in a cage of gold.
Now I exist under his brutal command, trapped and at his mercy.
My captor will do just about anything to assert his ownership and break me into acceptance. But it’s not the whippings or degradations that break me. It’s when his darkness gives way to tender gentleness.
I fight with everything I have, but he keeps insisting that I need the stability of his command, and soon I don’t know if I’m losing or finding myself.
Dark and explicit story full of raw emotions. The MMC is possessive but not afraid to share. Some people may not call this a romance. It depends on your definition! If you’re looking for roses and redemption, you’ve come to the wrong place. This book has some extreme content.
Can be read as a standalone.
Stay away from rich men.
Aleksandr Pletnev was supposed to be the man who made my dreams come true. Instead, he kidnaps me and locks me in a cage of gold.
Now I exist under his brutal command, trapped and at his mercy.
My captor will do just about anything to assert his ownership and break me into acceptance. But it’s not the whippings or degradations that break me. It’s when his darkness gives way to tender gentleness.
I fight with everything I have, but he keeps insisting that I need the stability of his command, and soon I don’t know if I’m losing or finding myself.
Dark and explicit story full of raw emotions. The MMC is possessive but not afraid to share. Some people may not call this a romance. It depends on your definition! If you’re looking for roses and redemption, you’ve come to the wrong place. This book has some extreme content.
Can be read as a standalone.
403 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 25, 2023
621 people are currently reading
1644 people want to read
About the author
Ella Jacobs
12 books417 followersElla Jacobs writes dark and kinky romance. Her books all center around Dom/sub dynamics, ranging from BDSM relationships with light dub con to pitch-black captor/captive stories with Stockholm syndrome and heavy non con.
What all her stories have in common is the emotional depth that makes them feel very raw and real. They will pull at all your heartstrings, maybe gut you and shock you, and take you through the emotional wringer.
Ella lives in Northern Europe, where she has been part of the BDSM community for many years. She lives her own age-gap romance with a stern, loving Dominant, who is always ready for some character analysis and rarely gets jealous when she falls in love with her fictional men.
Besides writing, Ella loves to play music and travel.
What all her stories have in common is the emotional depth that makes them feel very raw and real. They will pull at all your heartstrings, maybe gut you and shock you, and take you through the emotional wringer.
Ella lives in Northern Europe, where she has been part of the BDSM community for many years. She lives her own age-gap romance with a stern, loving Dominant, who is always ready for some character analysis and rarely gets jealous when she falls in love with her fictional men.
Besides writing, Ella loves to play music and travel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 197 reviews
December 4, 2023
This is not a romance. He is not morally grey, the MMC is pure evil and morally black.
Mild spoilers ahead.
He never tells her he loves her, just abuses her and makes her feel useless without him. She is just a pet to him, nothing more, and he treats his pets better than her. She is still living in a cage at the end of the book! He also offers her to other men repeatedly (against her will until she just gave up and accepted it). I would have DNF’d but I’m trying to finish a book challenge by the end of the year. So pushed through. I feel sick, and this is coming from someone who enjoys dark romance. I will stir clear of this author, which is a shame because she can write, but what she considers romance is horrific in my opinion.
Mild spoilers ahead.
He never tells her he loves her, just abuses her and makes her feel useless without him. She is just a pet to him, nothing more, and he treats his pets better than her. She is still living in a cage at the end of the book! He also offers her to other men repeatedly (against her will until she just gave up and accepted it). I would have DNF’d but I’m trying to finish a book challenge by the end of the year. So pushed through. I feel sick, and this is coming from someone who enjoys dark romance. I will stir clear of this author, which is a shame because she can write, but what she considers romance is horrific in my opinion.
June 15, 2024
This book is a HARD NO for me. It pushed limits throughout the book, but the ending took it down to 1 star.
If you don't know by now from my other reviews and books that I have read, I love dark romance, the darker the better most of the time. And I don't necessarily need a traditional HEA. I have loved dark romances with all kinds of endings, many that have broken my heart. But I at least need a bit of light from the morally BLACK MMC, and I need some hope for FMC, whether that is actually written or just implied. You won't get either of those in this book.
This is not a romance. It is also not, in any way, shape or form, a normal or healthy BDSM or Dom/sub relationship. It doens't start that way and it definitely doesn't end that way. It is true and utter ownership and slavery in every aspect. I read the whole book, I watched the progression of how Astrid was broken - the total loss of herself; and I watched the arrogant selfishness of Aleksandr, who has enough money and power to own a slave, so he does, and his brutality and total utter indifference for anything Astrid only continued to grow. I actually had hope for a minute that we would see a speck of light from Aleksandr, but that never happens.
This is what you get as an ending. Don't read this if you are going to read the book because this is how the book ends:
If this is what you think of as willing submission and protective dominance or a happy, healthy BDSM relationship, then you will love this story. I, for one, do not. This one only left me with discust and no hope. And what's more, it was written by an author that admits to being in what she calls a healthy BDSM relationship. I hope that relationship isn't like the one she wrote about in this story, for her sake. I could have stomached the ending if I thought Aleksandr could, at some point, love Astrid, and if he would stop sharing her, showing her a tiny bit of respect, and if he could have treated her better than a dog, maybe. This one will stick with me for a long time, but not in a good way.
If you don't know by now from my other reviews and books that I have read, I love dark romance, the darker the better most of the time. And I don't necessarily need a traditional HEA. I have loved dark romances with all kinds of endings, many that have broken my heart. But I at least need a bit of light from the morally BLACK MMC, and I need some hope for FMC, whether that is actually written or just implied. You won't get either of those in this book.
This is not a romance. It is also not, in any way, shape or form, a normal or healthy BDSM or Dom/sub relationship. It doens't start that way and it definitely doesn't end that way. It is true and utter ownership and slavery in every aspect. I read the whole book, I watched the progression of how Astrid was broken - the total loss of herself; and I watched the arrogant selfishness of Aleksandr, who has enough money and power to own a slave, so he does, and his brutality and total utter indifference for anything Astrid only continued to grow. I actually had hope for a minute that we would see a speck of light from Aleksandr, but that never happens.
This is what you get as an ending. Don't read this if you are going to read the book because this is how the book ends:
If this is what you think of as willing submission and protective dominance or a happy, healthy BDSM relationship, then you will love this story. I, for one, do not. This one only left me with discust and no hope. And what's more, it was written by an author that admits to being in what she calls a healthy BDSM relationship. I hope that relationship isn't like the one she wrote about in this story, for her sake. I could have stomached the ending if I thought Aleksandr could, at some point, love Astrid, and if he would stop sharing her, showing her a tiny bit of respect, and if he could have treated her better than a dog, maybe. This one will stick with me for a long time, but not in a good way.
September 20, 2023
Ella Jacobs has a new series,Russian Alphas,and In His Cage is the first story.
The blurb sounded intriguing and i found myself curious as to how this would turn out.
Luckily,Ella was kind enough to send me the ARC,so i could satisfy my curiosity.
What i got was a story that may have made me uncomfortable,but not for the reasons you might think…..
How could i like what Aleksandr did to Astrid?
It was wrong on so many levels,and yet…..
Astrid loves to play the piano,and moved from Norway to Russia to study at the conservatory of St. Petersburg.
She,her bestie Anna,and other students are hoping to get chosen to perform at the White Nights Festival in the famous Mariinsky concert hall by its biggest patron,businessman Aleksandr Pletnev.
What happens after she plays her chosen piece is not what she expected,though…..
It seems like he picked her,but why isn’t he saying it?
She decides to forget about the whole thing,and continues her studies.
Until Christmas arrives,and after spending time with Anna’s parents,she’s travelling back to St. Petersburg alone…..
There,on that train,she sees him again.
And what happens after she gets off,stops all her plans and hopes for the future.
From that moment on,her world shrinks to the cage he puts her in….
What Aleksandr wants from her,is not a simple submission.
It’s her total surrender,her heart and soul.
To admit she is his,to do with and to whatever he wants.
He is a patient man,and he knows he’ll get her there,even if she doesn’t see it yet.
Even if she thinks he’s sick,wanting what he told her.
He saw it in her eyes at that performance,and he knows he’s right.
The journey may be painful for her,but he’ll get what he wants,his own little slave….
This story had me in knots,how could i like the things he wanted from her?
Aleksandr started out as the villain,but as the story progressed,he grew on me.
I even ended up loving him for giving Astrid what she needed,a safe haven and showing her who she really was.
At first,i was convinced it was a matter of Stockholm Syndrome,but in the end i knew she was exactly where she needed to be.
Ella took me that along journey in all it’s painful glory,and i loved every second of it!
So much so,that i can’t wait to hear more of this world!
The blurb sounded intriguing and i found myself curious as to how this would turn out.
Luckily,Ella was kind enough to send me the ARC,so i could satisfy my curiosity.
What i got was a story that may have made me uncomfortable,but not for the reasons you might think…..
How could i like what Aleksandr did to Astrid?
It was wrong on so many levels,and yet…..
Astrid loves to play the piano,and moved from Norway to Russia to study at the conservatory of St. Petersburg.
She,her bestie Anna,and other students are hoping to get chosen to perform at the White Nights Festival in the famous Mariinsky concert hall by its biggest patron,businessman Aleksandr Pletnev.
What happens after she plays her chosen piece is not what she expected,though…..
It seems like he picked her,but why isn’t he saying it?
She decides to forget about the whole thing,and continues her studies.
Until Christmas arrives,and after spending time with Anna’s parents,she’s travelling back to St. Petersburg alone…..
There,on that train,she sees him again.
And what happens after she gets off,stops all her plans and hopes for the future.
From that moment on,her world shrinks to the cage he puts her in….
What Aleksandr wants from her,is not a simple submission.
It’s her total surrender,her heart and soul.
To admit she is his,to do with and to whatever he wants.
He is a patient man,and he knows he’ll get her there,even if she doesn’t see it yet.
Even if she thinks he’s sick,wanting what he told her.
He saw it in her eyes at that performance,and he knows he’s right.
The journey may be painful for her,but he’ll get what he wants,his own little slave….
This story had me in knots,how could i like the things he wanted from her?
Aleksandr started out as the villain,but as the story progressed,he grew on me.
I even ended up loving him for giving Astrid what she needed,a safe haven and showing her who she really was.
At first,i was convinced it was a matter of Stockholm Syndrome,but in the end i knew she was exactly where she needed to be.
Ella took me that along journey in all it’s painful glory,and i loved every second of it!
So much so,that i can’t wait to hear more of this world!
November 20, 2024
Did I enjoy this book? I'm not sure. But I do know that I was riveted and went through all kinds of emotions while reading it. On the surface, this is a dark kinky kidnapping story. But, to me, it had a lot more psychological undertones and seemed to really make me think rather than titillate. The narrative felt uncomfortable and raw. I was watching a woman be taken from everything she knew and broken until she knew nothing but her master. But is that what really happened? Or did Aleksander rescue Astrid form her restless existence and gave her exactly what she needed? Or maybe I, along with Astrid, was totally Stockholmed by him? I have no idea. What I do know is that I totally understand how this book got such polarizing ratings. At the end, I'm left with more questions than answers, but not necessarily in a bad way. I would love for the author to continue the series and maybe give us a glimpse of this couple in the future.
October 8, 2023
DNF. this was terrible, it was really boring and just kinda meh until the half way mark where the MC's did something that i cant stand it books some people might be okay with it but thats not how i like my book heres to be. spoilers, safety i just couldn't keep reading after that. i was hoping this would be like Celia Crowns books but this was nothing like those, some of her earlier work has a lot of gramical errors and are a little hard to read but her later work is much better if your looking for dark dark romance books i recommend her books. not this at all.>:(
September 26, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“When it’s his humiliation, his pain, I want it. I crave it. It’s nourishment for my soul.”
Fair warning, In His Cage is not a romance. At least, not in any traditional sense. This is not a love story. This is a story about obsession—dark, brutal, and all consuming.
This book is DARK. The trigger warnings are heavy. The content is emotionally scourging. You’d have to be depraved to enjoy this book. That being said, I enjoyed it immensely. Ella is not afraid to take you into the darkness where few dare venture. There are scenes that shocked me. There are scenes that gutted me. There are scenes that had me questioning my sanity because I should NOT be finding a complete psycho like Aleksandr sexy. And if you’re a lover of dark romance, you’ll know that means Ella Jacobs did a stellar job.
🖤 Dark Romance
🖤 Captor X Captive
🖤 Russian Billionaire
🖤 Master/slave
🖤 BD$M
🖤 Non Con
🖤 Praise/Degradation
Astrid is shy piano student who’s always felt lost and out of place in the normal world.
Aleksandr is a terrifying lord of the Russian underworld who isn’t afraid to show Astrid exactly where she belongs: in his gilded cage.
Aleksandr kidnaps Astrid, locks her in a golden cage custom made for her, and trains her to be his perfect little slave. Astrid tries to fight his power, but the harder she pushes, the harder Aleksandr pushes back. Aleksandr is brutal and cruel, to the point where any normal person would hate him. But Astrid is broken in a way only Aleksandr can fix, and she soon starts to crave his control and his cruelty.
This book challenged my idea of an HEA, and to be honest, I’m still not sure that it has one in the usual sense. Aleksandr and Astrid have an intense relationship/dependency that is well within the bounds of toxic. I enjoy some good toxicity and angst, but the romantic in me would like more than a dash of love to go with all the unhinged possessiveness.
In His Cage was an emotionally searing read. It was delightfully dark, super twisted, and the kink—which is Ella’s specialty—was sinfully good. I can’t wait to see what Ella’s Russian Alphas have in store for us next!
“When it’s his humiliation, his pain, I want it. I crave it. It’s nourishment for my soul.”
Fair warning, In His Cage is not a romance. At least, not in any traditional sense. This is not a love story. This is a story about obsession—dark, brutal, and all consuming.
This book is DARK. The trigger warnings are heavy. The content is emotionally scourging. You’d have to be depraved to enjoy this book. That being said, I enjoyed it immensely. Ella is not afraid to take you into the darkness where few dare venture. There are scenes that shocked me. There are scenes that gutted me. There are scenes that had me questioning my sanity because I should NOT be finding a complete psycho like Aleksandr sexy. And if you’re a lover of dark romance, you’ll know that means Ella Jacobs did a stellar job.
🖤 Dark Romance
🖤 Captor X Captive
🖤 Russian Billionaire
🖤 Master/slave
🖤 BD$M
🖤 Non Con
🖤 Praise/Degradation
Astrid is shy piano student who’s always felt lost and out of place in the normal world.
Aleksandr is a terrifying lord of the Russian underworld who isn’t afraid to show Astrid exactly where she belongs: in his gilded cage.
Aleksandr kidnaps Astrid, locks her in a golden cage custom made for her, and trains her to be his perfect little slave. Astrid tries to fight his power, but the harder she pushes, the harder Aleksandr pushes back. Aleksandr is brutal and cruel, to the point where any normal person would hate him. But Astrid is broken in a way only Aleksandr can fix, and she soon starts to crave his control and his cruelty.
This book challenged my idea of an HEA, and to be honest, I’m still not sure that it has one in the usual sense. Aleksandr and Astrid have an intense relationship/dependency that is well within the bounds of toxic. I enjoy some good toxicity and angst, but the romantic in me would like more than a dash of love to go with all the unhinged possessiveness.
In His Cage was an emotionally searing read. It was delightfully dark, super twisted, and the kink—which is Ella’s specialty—was sinfully good. I can’t wait to see what Ella’s Russian Alphas have in store for us next!
April 27, 2024
I'm not typically into cage books, but I decided to give it a try. My DNF is based on book pacing issues and romance issues. I skipped around from 80% to 97% and still couldn't finish the story.
👎🏾 this was a slow burn. I understood the rules of the book, but honestly, I just had no idea or insight into the MMC. He had no voice, really. It wasn't just slow but lacked real heat and passion.
👎🏾the MMC was so detached and cold. There was no interesting give. There was just a repeat over and over of "you're mine" or "who do you belong to" but never any explanations or exploration into his character. The whole book is in the FMCs head
👎🏾nothing is more boring than not seeing any real progression of the story and romantic elements. This at times felt like a Dark Women's Lit about the use of degradation for sexual liberation, but there isn't enough there there in the story.
👎🏾you see zero real affection and love build up with the MMC before he loans her to a subordinate she didn't want to really sleep with or a grossly described prostitute with a strap on. The steam and heat wasn't there. We are at 60% and it still feels like the beginning of a romance. Just droll and boring indeed. Who are these people and their deeper darker motivations? Don't find out at 60%. What do we have to hold on to the story. There's more loaning her out scenes than we get with the MF love interests, and it's startling how much that impacts the story. He won't touch her, but he lets others do it because it's what she needs 😒.
There is no real tease or buildup. Just weird degradation scenes lacking the heat of romance. By 64%, I wanted her to shut down on him forever because he seriously deserved it. Unfortunately, the story limps along.
👎🏾 this was a slow burn. I understood the rules of the book, but honestly, I just had no idea or insight into the MMC. He had no voice, really. It wasn't just slow but lacked real heat and passion.
👎🏾the MMC was so detached and cold. There was no interesting give. There was just a repeat over and over of "you're mine" or "who do you belong to" but never any explanations or exploration into his character. The whole book is in the FMCs head
👎🏾nothing is more boring than not seeing any real progression of the story and romantic elements. This at times felt like a Dark Women's Lit about the use of degradation for sexual liberation, but there isn't enough there there in the story.
👎🏾you see zero real affection and love build up with the MMC before he loans her to a subordinate she didn't want to really sleep with or a grossly described prostitute with a strap on. The steam and heat wasn't there. We are at 60% and it still feels like the beginning of a romance. Just droll and boring indeed. Who are these people and their deeper darker motivations? Don't find out at 60%. What do we have to hold on to the story. There's more loaning her out scenes than we get with the MF love interests, and it's startling how much that impacts the story. He won't touch her, but he lets others do it because it's what she needs 😒.
There is no real tease or buildup. Just weird degradation scenes lacking the heat of romance. By 64%, I wanted her to shut down on him forever because he seriously deserved it. Unfortunately, the story limps along.
March 28, 2025
I hate myself for reading this - don't do it.
WHO EVER GIVES THIS A GOOD RATING, WAS PAID TO DO SO AND ARE LIARS.
So, it's not a BDSM, story or a "I was kidnapped but it was by my long lost lover so happy ending...
No no. NOT A ROMANCE, at all....
Kidnapped by a control freak psycho; he locks her in a cage, tattoos her like property, allows her to be " R worded," he repeatedly whips her bloody, she escapes but is so conditioned to him she goes back - to the cage and wants to be his possession. that's the book.
I hate myself for for thinking there'd because happy ending.
I need to watch Sponge bob or something to palette cleanse.
(I'm sure the author is lovely but I hate it so much)
WHO EVER GIVES THIS A GOOD RATING, WAS PAID TO DO SO AND ARE LIARS.
So, it's not a BDSM, story or a "I was kidnapped but it was by my long lost lover so happy ending...
No no. NOT A ROMANCE, at all....
Kidnapped by a control freak psycho; he locks her in a cage, tattoos her like property, allows her to be " R worded," he repeatedly whips her bloody, she escapes but is so conditioned to him she goes back - to the cage and wants to be his possession. that's the book.
I hate myself for for thinking there'd because happy ending.
I need to watch Sponge bob or something to palette cleanse.
(I'm sure the author is lovely but I hate it so much)
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September 2, 2024Note to self: sharing
September 26, 2023
3.5☆
𝘋𝘢𝘳𝘬 𝘢𝘣𝘥𝘹𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘴𝘭𝘰𝘸 𝘣𝘶𝘳𝘯, 𝘭𝘰𝘵𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘴𝘦𝘹𝘶𝘢𝘭 𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘵 𝘥𝘦𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘥𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯. 𝘍𝘶𝘭𝘭 𝘰𝘧 𝘳𝘢𝘸 𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴. 𝘈𝘭𝘦𝘬𝘴𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘳 𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘴 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘴 𝘩𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘤𝘳𝘶𝘦𝘭, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘵, 𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘭—𝘪𝘯 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘢𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘢𝘴 𝘸𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘢𝘴 𝘈𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘥’𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦.
This book is raw, emotional and heavy and exactly what I've learned to expect from Ella. She doesn't shy away from the realistic and sometimes graphic side of kink and bdsm and doesn't romanticise or glamourise it. Her writing of the scenes, the aftercare and the conflicting emotions involved is done with with such confidence based on her real life experience within the lifestyle and that adds a deeper layer to her work. Please check the TW before diving in, this book deals with some potentially triggering topics.
Aleksandr and Astrid's story is not your typical romance story. Even in other captor x captive dark romances I have read, the MMC has some sort of redemption ARC or redeeming qualities but Aleksandr gives apologies for being who he is and giving Astrid what he decides she needs. The things he does to her are beyond morally questionable but his care for her is also very evident. He harms and degrades her because he owns her but doesn't allow anybody else to. Astrid has either been needing someone to bring this complete submission from her or succumbed hard to Stockholm Syndrome (maybe a little bit of both) but either way she finds comfort and peace in the lifestyle Aleksandr provides her and who are we to question that.
Whilst I did enjoy this story, found myself wrapped up in the emotional rollercoaster of Ella's writing and was rooting for this couple, I just didn't quite connect with Astrid or Aleksandr as characters. I'm still v intrigued what else her Russian Billionaires series is going to bring and can't wait for Anna's story.
𝘋𝘢𝘳𝘬 𝘢𝘣𝘥𝘹𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘴𝘭𝘰𝘸 𝘣𝘶𝘳𝘯, 𝘭𝘰𝘵𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘴𝘦𝘹𝘶𝘢𝘭 𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘵 𝘥𝘦𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘥𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯. 𝘍𝘶𝘭𝘭 𝘰𝘧 𝘳𝘢𝘸 𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴. 𝘈𝘭𝘦𝘬𝘴𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘳 𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘴 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘴 𝘩𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘤𝘳𝘶𝘦𝘭, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘵, 𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘭—𝘪𝘯 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘢𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘢𝘴 𝘸𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘢𝘴 𝘈𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘥’𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦.
This book is raw, emotional and heavy and exactly what I've learned to expect from Ella. She doesn't shy away from the realistic and sometimes graphic side of kink and bdsm and doesn't romanticise or glamourise it. Her writing of the scenes, the aftercare and the conflicting emotions involved is done with with such confidence based on her real life experience within the lifestyle and that adds a deeper layer to her work. Please check the TW before diving in, this book deals with some potentially triggering topics.
Aleksandr and Astrid's story is not your typical romance story. Even in other captor x captive dark romances I have read, the MMC has some sort of redemption ARC or redeeming qualities but Aleksandr gives apologies for being who he is and giving Astrid what he decides she needs. The things he does to her are beyond morally questionable but his care for her is also very evident. He harms and degrades her because he owns her but doesn't allow anybody else to. Astrid has either been needing someone to bring this complete submission from her or succumbed hard to Stockholm Syndrome (maybe a little bit of both) but either way she finds comfort and peace in the lifestyle Aleksandr provides her and who are we to question that.
Whilst I did enjoy this story, found myself wrapped up in the emotional rollercoaster of Ella's writing and was rooting for this couple, I just didn't quite connect with Astrid or Aleksandr as characters. I'm still v intrigued what else her Russian Billionaires series is going to bring and can't wait for Anna's story.
July 5, 2024
Rating this book was very difficult for me. I’ve never read something so dark and captivating. There’s no redemption in Aleksander however I adore Astrid’s strength. There’s no romance here. Simply ownership.
September 18, 2023
Wow. Finished this story last night and I’m still in an emotional fog. Aleksandr was such an interesting character, all aspects of him had me reeling. His darkness and the way he was with Astrid and seeing how those actions and feelings transformed. Gosh such a raw emotional story, but absolutely loved it. Not for the faint of heart! So definitely go in open and CW
🖤Russian Billionaire
🖤Raw & Emotional
🖤Praise & Degradation
🖤Captor x Captive
🖤Abduction
🖤Stockholm Syndrome
🖤Non-Con
🖤Russian Billionaire
🖤Raw & Emotional
🖤Praise & Degradation
🖤Captor x Captive
🖤Abduction
🖤Stockholm Syndrome
🖤Non-Con
October 1, 2023
pathetic
At first I found dark romances interesting, but this book cured me. Abused mentally, physically and sexually and some how still falls in love and signs her life away. Wtf. Pathetic
At first I found dark romances interesting, but this book cured me. Abused mentally, physically and sexually and some how still falls in love and signs her life away. Wtf. Pathetic
November 23, 2023
DNF !!!
Is not the first dark romance I have ever read but I can honestly say is one of the worst .
It’s not the first kidnapping book I have ever read also .
I couldn’t understand the mmc . The absence of his pov didn’t help at all .
The hot and cold treatment over her and the fact that she felt “safe” in his arms from the first day of being his prisoner was a major NO for me .
I really hope she got to her senses and killed him in the end .
I’m rambling now because I honestly feel this book doesn’t make sense .
It got so boring at times with her screaming at the top of her lungs and then he will pat her like a dog and she will instantly feel “better” , “safer” , “calmer” …
HE REGISTERED HER AS A PET!!! Implanted a chip in her and tattooed a number behind her ear !!!
She was almost r¥ped in his “care” and when she lost it after the events he thought a good whipping will do the job ..
the list goes on and on and I haven’t even reach the half of the book .
If someone who finished the book sees this, please tell me they did not stayed together!!!
Is not the first dark romance I have ever read but I can honestly say is one of the worst .
It’s not the first kidnapping book I have ever read also .
I couldn’t understand the mmc . The absence of his pov didn’t help at all .
The hot and cold treatment over her and the fact that she felt “safe” in his arms from the first day of being his prisoner was a major NO for me .
I really hope she got to her senses and killed him in the end .
I’m rambling now because I honestly feel this book doesn’t make sense .
It got so boring at times with her screaming at the top of her lungs and then he will pat her like a dog and she will instantly feel “better” , “safer” , “calmer” …
HE REGISTERED HER AS A PET!!! Implanted a chip in her and tattooed a number behind her ear !!!
She was almost r¥ped in his “care” and when she lost it after the events he thought a good whipping will do the job ..
the list goes on and on and I haven’t even reach the half of the book .
If someone who finished the book sees this, please tell me they did not stayed together!!!
September 21, 2023
This is my third time ARC reading for Ella Jacobs, dark romance author. This is definitely the darkest of hers I read, it’s not for the faint of heart, and please check TW’s before reading. But just like her previous two books, even though the themes of the book bothered me a great deal at some parts, it still captivates me to no end. Ellas writing is so on point, and truly makes the reader feel for the characters of the book. Both the protagonist and the antagonist (as well as the side characters, Ivan is my favourite ❤️). The book truly explore the deepest parts of your pshyche, and brings forth all kinds of emotions. This was truly an experience and if you love dark romance, this is definitely for you.
March 25, 2024
rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
spice: 🌶️🌶️
i’ve never read a book like this and it was a wild ride! astrid is a pianist who is kidnapped by a rich and powerful man, aleksandr.
aleksandr wants astrid to submit to him fully by keeping her in a cage, wh!pping her, and letting other people have s3x with her.
she slowly finds that she wants all of this and that she wants to stay with aleksandr, and that this brings her comfort.
if you’re into…
stockholm syndrome
bd$m community
fmc finding herself
unusual love
captör x captïve
…then this book is for you!
spice: 🌶️🌶️
i’ve never read a book like this and it was a wild ride! astrid is a pianist who is kidnapped by a rich and powerful man, aleksandr.
aleksandr wants astrid to submit to him fully by keeping her in a cage, wh!pping her, and letting other people have s3x with her.
she slowly finds that she wants all of this and that she wants to stay with aleksandr, and that this brings her comfort.
if you’re into…
stockholm syndrome
bd$m community
fmc finding herself
unusual love
captör x captïve
…then this book is for you!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 4, 2023
wow!
I don't know how to write this, but I will start by saying I've never read a book like this. Alek and Astrid's story is not a romance, and at the same time, it's so powerful; how strong is the power of the mind?
I can say that I couldn't put it down, and I'm happy that I put it through.
I recommend, well, YES BUT PLEASE READ THE TRIGGERS WARNINGS
I don't know how to write this, but I will start by saying I've never read a book like this. Alek and Astrid's story is not a romance, and at the same time, it's so powerful; how strong is the power of the mind?
I can say that I couldn't put it down, and I'm happy that I put it through.
I recommend, well, YES BUT PLEASE READ THE TRIGGERS WARNINGS
August 9, 2024
The things I have to say about this book are not pretty words.
November 28, 2024
a mental trek
This book has you on the edge of your seat the entire time. The beautiful depravity that is intertwined between both the main characters. This is not a love story that follows the norm if you would even call this a love story. It’s captivating and heartbreaking all at once. I definitely shed silent tears with Astrid during certain parts. Especially when I was waiting for the break to happen and when it finally came time it left me shocked and sad. The writer had a beautiful ability of taking a scene that’s anticipated and still manage to guessing wrong on what’s going to happen next. The ability to not only captivate your audience but to have them so engrossed in the story that you feel and express the emotions that the characters feel. Bravo. This book is obviously filled with triggers so I would say word to the wise. Check out the tw in the beginning of the book because the list is long and this book isn’t meant for the faint of hearted. Such a beautiful story and truly unlike anything I’ve read in this style/trope.
Spice: 🌶️/5
Storyline: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Overall recommendations 📖📖📖📖📖/5
If you can handle the triggers and are looking for a book that is going to grab your soul and hold onto it every page. Highly recommend this dark “romance” book. It’s hard to classify it as a hea because I personally don’t classify this as a love story. But it does have a happy ending depending on your perspective on the story.
I can’t wait to read Anna’s story and I would buy a physical copy to add to my collection. Chefs kiss.
This book has you on the edge of your seat the entire time. The beautiful depravity that is intertwined between both the main characters. This is not a love story that follows the norm if you would even call this a love story. It’s captivating and heartbreaking all at once. I definitely shed silent tears with Astrid during certain parts. Especially when I was waiting for the break to happen and when it finally came time it left me shocked and sad. The writer had a beautiful ability of taking a scene that’s anticipated and still manage to guessing wrong on what’s going to happen next. The ability to not only captivate your audience but to have them so engrossed in the story that you feel and express the emotions that the characters feel. Bravo. This book is obviously filled with triggers so I would say word to the wise. Check out the tw in the beginning of the book because the list is long and this book isn’t meant for the faint of hearted. Such a beautiful story and truly unlike anything I’ve read in this style/trope.
Spice: 🌶️/5
Storyline: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Overall recommendations 📖📖📖📖📖/5
If you can handle the triggers and are looking for a book that is going to grab your soul and hold onto it every page. Highly recommend this dark “romance” book. It’s hard to classify it as a hea because I personally don’t classify this as a love story. But it does have a happy ending depending on your perspective on the story.
I can’t wait to read Anna’s story and I would buy a physical copy to add to my collection. Chefs kiss.
January 3, 2024
BDSM and the intense emotional and psycho- sexual factors intrinsic in a Dom sub relationship are the focus of this Intriguing ,and oddly touching intimately crafted dark captive romance . All made more compelling by the fact that the author herself is a sub with a Dom of her own! I look forward to Anna's story which hopefully includes updates on Astrid and Aleksandr!
FYI,potential triggers H although possessive as part of his power play and self control issues related to his own sexuality does share h with trusted companions\friends.Additionally he does whip her to achieve emotional release.
FYI,potential triggers H although possessive as part of his power play and self control issues related to his own sexuality does share h with trusted companions\friends.Additionally he does whip her to achieve emotional release.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 7, 2025
3.5 ⭐️. Im having a TOUGH time rating this book. It was horrible and dark but also made me happy at some parts. I’ve truly never had a book make me feel so many conflicting emotions all at once. I don’t even know if I have the right words to make a coherent review. Good on the author for making me pretty much speechless. This isn’t romance at all it’s mostly all dark and twisted and confusing.
July 21, 2025
ok
Not sure I liked this. Interesting dynamic but it’s forced and cruel at times. It would be better if we could read his thoughts.
Not sure I liked this. Interesting dynamic but it’s forced and cruel at times. It would be better if we could read his thoughts.
August 27, 2025
Honestly, this was my bad for reading it. I mean, look at the title. I should’ve known
December 4, 2025
Christ this was awful. Only reason I didn’t dnf was bc I have a reading goal to reach
February 19, 2025
This is the second book I've read by Ella Jacobs, the previous one wasn't for me and this one unfortunately isn't a romance either... Aleksandr is morally BLACK, abusive and not redeemable at all... The only reason I'm not going to rate it as low as possible is because the author has a way with words that kept me reading even if I didn't like the characters or their actions.
August 8, 2024
Delightfully Dark
I thoroughly enjoyed this. It isn't what I expected at all but oh how I loved Alexsander. He and Astrid are such a pair and their story was twisted and beautiful.
I thoroughly enjoyed this. It isn't what I expected at all but oh how I loved Alexsander. He and Astrid are such a pair and their story was twisted and beautiful.
May 17, 2025
3 stars (maybe)…
I’m not even sure how I feel about this book.
I’m all for a toxic over the top MMC but this one may have just been too much. He is so over the top and he literally does not change throughout the book. He keeps her in a cage and literally treats her as a pet. He also causes permanent physical harm to her (scarring). I honestly would have been fine if they didn’t end up together in the end.
I’m not even sure how I feel about this book.
I’m all for a toxic over the top MMC but this one may have just been too much. He is so over the top and he literally does not change throughout the book. He keeps her in a cage and literally treats her as a pet. He also causes permanent physical harm to her (scarring). I honestly would have been fine if they didn’t end up together in the end.
September 21, 2023
I have never read a book quite like this one. I didn’t know what to expect when I started it aside from the blurbs here and there. I made up all kinds of situations that I may encounter but I wasn’t really sure where we were heading. I was fairly certain our heroine had Stockholm syndrome but once again Ella Jacobs has delved so deep into the psych of a submissive that we’re not dealing with what a trauma counselor would categorize and put in a box. There are layers of context with healing, grief, coping, understanding, belonging… this is intense and PACKED with red flags and trigger warnings. But most of all, it was so good I couldn’t put it down. There’s also something to be said for beautiful fluid writing technique that Ella has mastered. She writes about beautiful music and romantic composer and imbues so much feeling into what the pianist is experiencing that you feel it as a reader. She is a composer with writing and it’s beautiful. It doesn’t matter how deep these stories go, you feel it and understand. Side note: I really really really hope we get to see more of Vasily and Ivan. I’m a little bit in love with them.
September 25, 2023
Ugh! I love this author… she makes me love and hate her at the same time!
This book was incredible!!!! Astrid, who seems a bit shy and withdrawn only finds her true self when she is kidnapped by a man she has been dying to meet in the effort of having an opportunity of a lifetime! But is that what really wants and needs?
Check your trigger warnings… some things in this story may be sensitive to some people.
Some scenes took me back and I had to put the book down… whether it was what was happening in the story or because I couldn’t wrap my head around my own feelings about the story.
In the end this is an amazing story and Ella Jacobs always delivers!
This book was incredible!!!! Astrid, who seems a bit shy and withdrawn only finds her true self when she is kidnapped by a man she has been dying to meet in the effort of having an opportunity of a lifetime! But is that what really wants and needs?
Check your trigger warnings… some things in this story may be sensitive to some people.
Some scenes took me back and I had to put the book down… whether it was what was happening in the story or because I couldn’t wrap my head around my own feelings about the story.
In the end this is an amazing story and Ella Jacobs always delivers!
September 24, 2023
I'm lost for words.
I was hooked from the start, I wasn't sure where the storyline was going to go. It's not your typical quick fall, dark romance, that I tend to only read. This had non-con, raw emotions and Stockholm syndrome. It was written perfectly with the emotional fight the fmc went through, it really pulled at me. It's definitely something you need to go in with open minded. There were times I struggled, but I was so hooked I kept reading I couldn't put it down and I'm glad I did because this book was fantastic! It's definitely a book that will stay with me.
Please check the trigger warnings ⚠️
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I was hooked from the start, I wasn't sure where the storyline was going to go. It's not your typical quick fall, dark romance, that I tend to only read. This had non-con, raw emotions and Stockholm syndrome. It was written perfectly with the emotional fight the fmc went through, it really pulled at me. It's definitely something you need to go in with open minded. There were times I struggled, but I was so hooked I kept reading I couldn't put it down and I'm glad I did because this book was fantastic! It's definitely a book that will stay with me.
Please check the trigger warnings ⚠️
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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