Hoodwinking Hudson The crush I have on my best friend’s brother Hudson likely borders on being unhealthy. But when he dons a mask at a Halloween party and suddenly notices me, I’m not going to argue. Especially when he goes from my grumpy boss to the growling dominant man of my wildest fantasies.
Hijacking (C)harley My pseudo ex-girlfriend (sort of) breaks up with me days before Halloween, citing my reliable nature as boring and vanilla. Tired of playing it safe, I decide to fulfill her fantasy of being kidnapped by a masked man. The only problem is...I end up abducting the wrong feisty comic book villainess.
Accidental Abduction is a spooky, interconnected stand-alone short novel with a grumpy, filthy mouthed cinnamon roll and his little sister's feisty best friend.
That’s what EL Koslo strives to do in her life every day. She spent her youth with her nose in a book, often conjuring up storylines in a composition notebook she hid under her mattress. Her love of writing continued on through high school as she served on the school paper and wrote poetry for the literary magazine.
At University, she studied Art and Art History where she met her own prince charming after kissing a few frogs, of course.
Her love of reading and writing have been a constant in her life with her nose always buried in a book, tablet, or computer—both writing and reading.
She resides in the Midwest United States with her husband and four rambunctious children. Her days are filled with driving kids to school, activities, and sports; frequently squeezing writing time in while waiting in the carpool line.
Koslo’s characters are often developed while running on the treadmill at the gym, and she has a DVR full of Hallmark movies.
Her debut novel, Foreplay on Words, combines her love of steamy romance, awkward but loveable leading males, and headstrong heroines with a dash of humor and a little bit of kink.
**** Please do not add any freely published works to my account that you have not asked for permission to add. They will be deleted and you will be reported. Draft work on serial reading apps is not fair game for you to add to an author’s goodreads account. ****
I really enjoyed this one. I loved the plot and appreciated that there were no trigger warnings—it’s all consensual, steamy, and fun. The forced proximity and the “stranded together in the middle of nowhere” setup were right up my alley.
That said, it did feel a bit far-fetched that he had been with Viv for four years and somehow didn’t realize it wasn’t her, but Charley, in the woods. Still, suspension of disbelief aside, it didn’t take away too much from my enjoyment.
Overall, it’s an easy, relaxing, and deliciously spicy read. If you enjoy this kind of romance, I definitely recommend it.
‼️ While this book can be read as a standalone, this is book 1 of the Masked Men of Sage Springs series
ℙ𝕆𝕍: first person, dual perspectives
𝕄𝕪 𝕋𝕙𝕠𝕦𝕘𝕙𝕥𝕤: Since I've joined the book community and reacquainted myself with reading, I've noticed that there are truly not that many books that cater towards Halloween. Yes, you will have some dark romance, but I have yet to read a rom-com Halloween book. My girl, E.L., came in clutch for Halloween this year!
Days before Hudson's Halloween party at his bar, his ex breaks up with him because he's too vanilla and not spontaneous enough. Thinking he has a chance to win her back, Hudson dons a mask and "abducts" his Harley Quinn. Only it's not the Harley Quinn he thinks it is... It's his sister's best friend, Charley.
Charley is a ball-busting woman who has had the biggest crush on Hudson for years. Never did she think that he'd initiate something romantic with her. So who would blame her when he accidentally abducts her?!?
The absolute filthy mouth on both of them! This steamy book absolutely made my jaw drop probably 50% of the time. Seriously, I was absolutely astounded with half of the dirty talk!🥵🌶
While this is a Halloween book, we also get a touch of cooler holiday weather. Add in a cabin, a blizzard, and being snowed in, and this book was right up my alleyway! I loved literally everything about it!
E.L., you continue to make me a HUGE fan. Sometimes, I wish I could live in that brain of yours!🤣😘
ARC read. Hudson……. This man I tell ya 🥵🥵 chefs kiss. Grumpy tattooed bar owner with a hidden side. Charlie fierce af , a bad ass with a bit of Harley Quinn in her. 100% Viv deserves that she gets. You’re gonna have to read it to know what I mean.
Duet style narration 5/5🎧 Available on several platforms Story 3,25/5⭐️ Spice 3,5/5🌶️ This one also felt a bit underwhelming… MMC is in a relationship with OW and we get some glimpses into their relationship and the “why” is not functioning. FMC has had multiple ONS and MMC overheard her having smex with OP (several times). MMC breaks it off with OW eventually! He then accidentally kidnapped the FMC (we know she was pining for MMC for some time and we also find out that MMC finds her very attractive!) and a slew of sexy times happens!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
First, readers should not be sleeping on E.L. Koslo’s books. They are indeed a hidden gem. The author writes very steamy, very detailed but not demure scenes in her books. The stories always have solid plots and well-developed characters, even in a novella. “Accidental Abduction” is only 212 pages long, and they checked all the boxes I was looking for age gap, little sister’s best friend, confident FMC, and some fun, steamy surprises.
Readers should expect love to happen quickly in a novella, but understand that in “Accidental Abduction,” Hudson and Char have always felt something between them over the years. But it’s fiction—I accept that. Hudson’s maturity doesn’t match his girlfriend's, and they break up for various reasons. Hudson arrives in costume at a Halloween party where his ex, who is in the same costume as Char, is trying to reconnect unbeknownst to him. Things don’t go as planned for the ex, but they certainly do for Hudson and Char.
Hudson and Char were great together. The writing is fast-paced and has excellent timing, and the side characters are used well. I loved the story.
This has to be the most misogynistic crap I’ve ever read. God forbid a woman matures and wants more from life. Charley & Hudson are awful people and I hope Viv lives a wonderful life without them. And the SA?! Are we just flat out romanticising that now? Because deception IS assault in this case, there was zero consent from Hudson, Charley was aware the whole time and she knew if he realised she wasn’t Viv he’d stop…
Seeing pillow princess used as an insult (and in an MF!) was the final nail in the coffin for this one star. Euw.
Hudson’s been with his girlfriend for years, but when she complains he’s lost his spontaneity, and then breaks up with him. Determined to prove her wrong, Hudson throws on a mask and plans a mysterious, spontaneous night.
Meanwhile, Charley, his sister’s best friend and longtime secret admirer.. also shows up masked. When Hudson mistakes her for his ex and acts out a very spicy “book club fantasy,” things get extremely heated.
By the next morning, masks come off and secrets spill. Hudson realizes the woman he spent the night with wasn’t his ex…but Charley. Instead of pulling away, he leans into their connection, deciding to see where their chemistry leads.
If you’re looking for a Halloween-themed read that’s equal parts naughty and sweet, with a dirty-talking cinnamon-roll, and plenty of spice this one’s worth picking up! 🎃🔥
I also listened to this and can say that the dual narration was pure perfection.
When my friend sent me a post about the ARC sign-up for ‘Accidental Abduction’, she said it sounded like a book I’d love. I checked it out, was immediately pulled in by the plot, filled out the form, and read it. My friend was absolutely right! I had SO MUCH FUN reading this book. It’s incredibly hard not to spoil everything right now, because holy shit it was great. Besides that it was written very well -I read it in one sitting-, I also thought that it was executed well. Since this story had some plot elements and tropes that I absolutely adore, that made me glad. They were written out perfectly! (Combine that all with a masked guy and you have me in a puddle on the floor - I blame Star Wars for that…)
In short: If you're into books with a lot of spice, you need to check this one out. The plot was fun, the writing was great, and the spicy scenes were spot on. I just preordered the ebook and I'm definitely going to reread this! (EDIT: I did.)
I got this book as an arc, but am leaving this review completely voluntarily. I hope everyone who reads this considers checking this book out, since it is great!
Not dark, but if you're thinking of getting into dark romance this might be a good intro!
Hudson's now ex-girlfriend wanted him to mix things up and specifically mentioned a kidnapping thing. So a few days post breakup, he plans to do just that at a halloween party they'll both be attending. Only, she and his little sister's BFF are both dressed up the same!
He accidentally kidnaps Charley, his little sister's roommate and lifelong best friend! Charley doesn't mind at all and the mistake serendipitously turns into an amazing weekend.
Lots of spice, loads of fun. A little cliche and their relationship is kind of immature and fast paced, but the story was fun!
What to Expect: - Halloween themed - primal play - masks - Best friend’s older brother - Forced proximity / snowed-in cabin - Spicy as hell (CNC-adjacent)
Now THIS is how you do a spicy seasonal read!!
E.L. Koslo understood the assignment. Between the Halloween chaos, mistaken identity, and a blizzard that forces Hudson and Charley into close quarters, this book was pure fun from start to finish.
The setup might sound far-fetched (I mean, man accidentally kidnaps the wrong Harley Quinn??) — but somehow it works. The tension, the banter, and the absolute filth that comes out of Hudson’s mouth had me GASPING.
Charley was an absolute firecracker — confident, bold, and very aware of what (and who 👀) she wanted. And Hudson? My man went from “too vanilla” to “oh, so you do have a filthy side.” The dynamic between them was chef’s kiss.
I’ll admit, it toes the line with some CNC vibes since Charley realizes it’s him before he does, but it’s handled with consent and later acknowledgment that clears it up. I appreciated that Koslo didn’t shy away from that nuance.
The audiobook? 10/10. Madison Mitts and Theodore Zephyr made the tension even better — like, how is someone supposed to concentrate on real life when that is playing in your ears? and that growl? I may need to do a re-listen soon....
Ok, I want to throw stars at it ✨️ like multiple hand fulls!! The cover art is awesome and clearly labels the Duet narration style. So the voice actors voice their characters throughout the whole book. While I'm throwing stars around, let me collect a few more hand fulls for Theodore Zephyr and Madison Mitts ✨️ i hope you all never get rid of the shiny goodness I'm dashing around because the book itself and the voice actors were absolutely perfect. Just 🤌🏻.
This story follows Hudson, a workaholic who's relationship has hit a dead end, and in hopes of reviving it, he tries to spice up his shmex life by donning a masked man aesthetic for the party he has planned at his bar. Charlie is his girlfriends doppelganger, co-worker and sisters best friend, who has yearned for Hudson for literally years!! She is a fire cracker who knows how to look out for herself and takes full advantage of a mistaken masked identity moment.
This book will have everyone wanting to try out their favourite spicy book scenes! 🥵 10/10 all the stars 🌟 and highest recommendations! I will be going back to this audio book!
*** The biggest thank you to E.L. Koslo for the ALC. This absolutely made my weekend, The above review is my honest opinion and has not been influenced in any way.
"It felt more like Christmas than Halloween, but I wasn't turning down the gift of dick regardless of the holiday. Especially not from the guy I've had a crush on for a decade."
Oh, this one was so much fun! After his girlfriend breaks up with him for being too vanilla, Hudson attends a Halloween party as a masked man with the intent of trying to show his ex a darker side of him like she wanted. However, in the dark, loud party, Hudson accidentally kidnaps the wrong girl - his little sister's best friend.
This book was a lot of fun. Although the premise seems a bit far-fetched, the story is really well explained where you could see, under the right circumstances, this could happen in real life. This book was a super quick one, and I loved both Hudson and Charley's characters. I will probably read the next book of the series when it comes out.
Accidental Abduction is a fun, quirky, and downright entertaining way to kick off your Halloween reading list - but trust me, go audio for this one!
Hudson runs his family’s bar with pride and determination. Between his sister Hazel and her best friend Charley working as wait staff, it’s a family affair - even if Hudson spends more time behind the bar than anywhere else. His girlfriend, Viv, doesn’t exactly appreciate his hard work. She’s spoiled, impatient, and has even tried to convince him to sell the bar. When Viv suggests they “take a break” right before the annual Halloween bash, Hudson refuses to let go without a fight. Determined to reignite the spark, he plans a spontaneous weekend to prove he can still be exciting and romantic.
Meanwhile, Charley - Hazel’s best friend and Hudson’s employee - has secretly crushed on him for ages. He’s never noticed her as anything but his sister’s friend... until Halloween night, when fate (and some eerily similar costumes) lead to a case of mistaken identity that changes everything.
Koslo weaves an addictive story full of personality and heart. The backstory flows seamlessly into the present, keeping readers hooked with realistic characters, relatable flaws, and sizzling chemistry. It’s a slow burn that builds beautifully until - bam - it ignites into pure FIRE. The pacing is spot-on, and the vivid descriptions make you feel like you’re right there in the middle of the chaos.
Now, as much as I love reading my books, I have to admit - this one was made for audio. The narrators, Zephyr and Mitts, absolutely own these characters. Their voices are smooth, playful, and full of life, turning every scene into a cinematic moment. I honestly don’t think reading it on the page could have delivered the same thrill.
What I am trying to tell you is this…Accidental Abduction is the perfect short, seasonal escape - mischievous, sexy, daring, and pure fun. A solid ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ from me. So what are you still doing here? Go listen to it already! 😜
I would like to thank E.L. Koslo and NetGalley for the opportunity to Alpha/Beta/ARC this audio version of Accidental Abduction. As always, all opinions and reviews are of my own volition. I have not been promised any compensation, current or future, by the author or publisher for a fair and honest review.
This was such a fun audiobook. Great for those who enjoy spicy Halloween romcom vibes. I love the banter and chemistry between the MC’s and the spice left me fanning!!! The overall story kept me throughly entertained. I love Madison Mitts and Theodore Zephyr and they totally brought Charley and Hudson’s story to life. They did such an amazing job and if you are an audiobook lover I definitely recommend this.
This is the perfect fall/halloweeen romance book. Who doesn’t want a masked man chasing them through the woods, right? I was lucky enough to be able to listen to the audio while reading the book and it was amazing. The narrators were perfect! When he growled, let’s just say it did things lol. 🥵 I adored the whole story but that ending was everything.
Accidental Abduction had me blushing & kicking my feet dang near the whole time I was listening. I loved Hudson & Charlie & honestly can’t wait for other books in this series.
If you like a masked man trope with little to no miscommunication, GRAB THIS!!! It was *chefs kiss*
Usually novellas or short stories rush the plot but this one was done so well. The characters all have depth and growth. Appreciated the fast pace, and looking forward to reading the next ones. The "Fake kidnapping" troupe was so fun!
A Spooky, Steamy, and Delightfully Mistaken Identity Romance If you're looking for a quick, spicy, and utterly charming Halloween romance, look no further than Accidental Abduction. This interconnected stand-alone novel delivers a perfect bite-sized story packed with chemistry, humor, and a deliciously grumpy hero. The story is told from two perspectives. On one side, we have Harley, the feisty comic book villainess and best friend's little sister who has been secretly pining for her grumpy boss, Hudson, for years. On the other, we have Hudson himself, a man recently deemed "boring and vanilla" by his ex, who decides to take a reckless, spontaneous risk to shake up his life. A case of mistaken identity at a Halloween party leads to a "kidnapping" that turns both of their worlds upside down. What makes this story so engaging is the dual narrative. Getting inside both Harley's and Hudson's heads is crucial. We experience Harley's long-held crush and her thrill at finally being seen by the man of her dreams, while also understanding Hudson's frustration with his "safe" persona and his immediate, visceral attraction to the wrong—but oh-so-right—woman. Their banter is sharp, the tension is electric, and the steam is definitely not vanilla. 10/10 would relisten to it again 🤩
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This was soooo good. I’m a sucker for a siblings best friend story but making it masked?? Holy hell. And the primal?? Excuse me while I go wipe my drool. Throw in a crazy ass ex and, well, the Harley Quinn costume is on point. Narration was amazing! Will def be checking out additional work by all.
Thus is hot, spicy, OMG! This book grabbed me, and I read it all in one night. When I tell you, the spice and the read/listen is amazing! This narrator...🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵hot omgg i love a good chase in the woods book read it now mask kink is the best
This was my first book by E.L. Koslo and what a book to start with!! Hudson accidentally abducts Charley who has had a crush on him for years but maybe it wasn't so accidental after all ..
This is a fun, quirky, very spicy read that I thoroughly enjoyed and definitely recommend 😊 And I'm excited for the rest of the books!! 4.5 stars
If you like lights out, then this read is 10000% for you! 🖤
What to expect 🎃Halloween Parties 🎃Mistaken Identity 🎃 Dirty Talking Cinnamon Roll Hero 🎃Bratty feisty Heroine 🎃Little Sister's Best Friend 🎃Best Friend's Brother 🎃Masked Man 🎃Hunter/Prey 🎃Boss/Employee 🎃forced proximity 🎃k!dnapp!ng
"You have no fucking idea how much you destroyed me, and then helped put me right back together. I don't want this to end. Not now, maybe not ever."
Ever accidentally kidnap your little sister's best friend while trying to spice up your boring ex's Halloween fantasy? No? Well... Hudson did. Hudson is Charley’s boss and best friends brother! She’s had a crush on him forever! But never acted on it. He’s her grumpy boss one day and then on Halloween night he mistaken her for his ex who just broke up with him before Halloween! He chases her through the woods and things get spicy 🥵 She’s tied up emotionally and literally, caught between her years-long crush and the spicy cinnamon roll he's been hiding under his ruff exterior. The dirty talk was on point and his voice and growls!! So absolutely hot!! The voice actors did so amazing I couldn’t stop listening to this, blushing at work!! And Theodore’s voice was so freakin sexy I could just picture him d!rty talking into my ear 🔥🥵 1000% recommend the book AND audio I’m obsessed and had to listen to it again!!!
Duet audio performed by Theodore Zephyr & Madison Mitts @theo_and_madi
This was cute, short, and fun! I liked the characters and even though this was short, I still felt like I knew the characters enough to relate and enjoy them!
Best way to end spooky season ever ! I am literally counting the days till the next book. This Rom-Com had me kicking my feet the whole way through. Definitely a top 10 read this year.
This was such a fun audiobook. Great for those who enjoy spicy Halloween romcom vibes. I love the banter and chemistry between the MC’s and the spice left me fanning!!! The overall story kept me throughly entertained. I love Madison Mitts and Theodore Zephyr and they totally brought Charley and Hudson’s story to life. They did such an amazing job and if you are an audiobook lover I definitely recommend this.
This was such a fun audiobook to listen to, especially during October!
The spice was so good🥵🌶️🌶️🌶️ I enjoyed the banter & masked man chase scene! This book is perfect for fans of masked men books who are looking for a fun, quick book to read!
I loved this book when it first came out and now that it's on audio I knew I just HAD to listen. The narrators were great. I loved the duet style narration. the banter is exceptional. I really enjoy the way Koslo weaves the story and leaves you looking forward to the next book.
It was acute fun read. I think it was juta little to fast, and short I wanted more and for it to drag out a bit more. But for a quick read it wasnt bad.