Captivated by Her Captor

by A.V. Donaldson

Revenge sits there.

In the back of my mind

But all I really want to do is run.

I want to run and never look back.

I want to forget.

Cheated on by her fiancé, Lillian Graham leaves behind the life she has always known.

A life of luxury. A life of ease.

After starting over in a small town in Maine, and settling into a good routine, Lillian has finally learned to let go and forgive. She has a new job that she loves. An amazing little townhouse of her own with a mountain view. She couldn’t ask for anything more.

Life was perfect.

Six years have passed since she left the past behind, but one devastating phone call has her rushing back to confront her past.

Immediately things begin to fall apart and her life quickly spirals out of control and she’s swept up in a world of betrayal and lies.

Her life is quickly turning into a nightmare, but the one thing she never saw coming, was that she would fall for her captor.

The man who kidnapped her.

85 pages, Unknown Binding

Published January 19, 2025

About the author

Author A.V. Donaldson is a writer of murder and mayhem. She currently resides in Texas with her husband, three teenagers, and a lap full of adorable cats. When she's not writing she's...okay well, she's always writing. She enjoys Halloween and all things spooky, photography, traveling, the mountains, chocolate cake and pizza, but her favorite thing is visiting Salem on Halloween. It's the most magical place on Earth.
She also suffers from a rare brain abnormality called Chiari malformation and hopes to spread more awareness to the disorder. She is a brain surgery survivor and credits her condition for creating the insanity she writes.

Reviews

[Alyssa Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a thrilling novella! No smut with a great plot! Twisty and the ending?! Oh yes, hell yes!

Fast-paced, crafted character development and great writing style makes this a highly enjoyable read.

You have to add this one to your MUST READ list!

[Christine Dempsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Just when I thought I had it figured out—BAM! A twist I never saw coming!

Captivated By Her Captor is an intense and gripping read that kept me hooked from start to finish. From the very first page, the story pulled me in, making it nearly impossible to put down. The suspense, tension, and psychological depth had me constantly thinking, trying to predict what would happen next—but nothing prepared me for the shocking plot twist at the end. I never saw it coming, which made the book even more thrilling and satisfying.

A.V. Donaldson does a fantastic job of building intrigue and keeping readers on edge. The writing is engaging, and the pacing is perfect, with every chapter leaving me wanting more. If you enjoy dark, twisty, and unpredictable stories, this book is definitely worth reading!

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a fun quick read! Did I read it in one sitting? Yes. Any regrets? Not reading it sooner! The best part about being in this killer thrillers group on Facebook is finding new authors that have books on KU already, are indie authors and are so genuine! This was a great thrilling read that kept me itching the whole time! I love it and didn’t want it to end! Go run and grab this!

[Summer morris · Rating 1 out of 5]

This books….was very dumb to be honest. It started out so strong and then became the most boring book I’ve ever read. Lillie, the FMC falls in love 3 times all within one day of seeing the men. She manages to get kidnapped not once….not twice…but 3 whole times all within a week?? And one of the kidnappers is suddenly some dreamy fbi agent that swoops in to save the day. My 10 year old could write a better story than this one.

[Nikki B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great, quick little novella. Lillian catches her fiance cheating on her with none other than her stepmother. Stepmother... she's a real piece of work! After Lillian moves out and moves on with life, she's called back years later because her father is sick. Returning means facing Trevor, the ex fiance' and the stepmother again. Her father decides to throw a banquet and its during this Lillian encounters Blue Eyes. But he is the last thing she remembers when she wakes up later in a basement, beaten. Although he's one of the last people she remembers before being taken, when she sees him again while being held captive, she feels safe with him and almost drawn to him. As he tries to protect her as much as he can, he sneaks her out of the basement and takes her to a safe house, until, she's kidnapped from there again, by a different person.
Lillian went through a lot in this story, but the one thing that seemed consistent with her was that she was just so vulnerable that anyone who showed an inkling of kindness towards her, she developed feelings towards them. The story is great and kept my attention. A.V. Donaldson always keeps me "captivated" with her writing and stories. She's definitely got some talent. I can't wait to see what's next.

[Toxic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well well well. Another Novella by the queen herself.
I was captivated and AV Donaldson is my captor.

We have our FMC - Lillian, Lilly Bell, Lills. Our strong and grown up lady has to face awful situations in the face of her family and horrible stepmother.

I’m not explaining the MMCs in the story but you will like Blue Eyes.

At 75 pages it really is a small story, but don’t let that fool you into thinking you haven’t just read a 500 page novel. I’m not sure how she does it.

Being a Beta reader for AV Donaldson is a blessing and a curse. I get all giddy because I’m one of the first to read her work, and then I’m a jealous wreck when I’m finished because I have to experience the rest of the reading world experience it for the first time. Well done my lovely lady.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
HEA
Novella
Stockholm Syndrome/twist and turns/evil stepmother/kidnap
Spice 🚫

[Carla · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new thriller novella from A.V. Donalsdson promises a departure from the writing you've come to know and love. That being said this was an epic forray into the unknown.

Lillian finds her fiance cheating one day... but not a typical dbag kinda guy hes gotta do it with her stepmom?! Upon returning home years later to deal with family business, Lillian is kidnapped! But before that happened she meets someone who saves her.

I think Lillian has some character flaws and will let just about any body in to her inner bubble if they show enough kindness. But then again, don't we all have flaws?

Overall this was a great first thriller. I can't wait to see what else is to come from the mind of A.V.!

[Michelle Orkline · Rating 5 out of 5]

very captivating

ℂ𝕒𝕡𝕥𝕚𝕧𝕒𝕥𝕖𝕕 𝕓𝕪 𝕙𝕖𝕣 ℂ𝕒𝕡𝕥𝕠𝕣 ℝ𝕖𝕧𝕚𝕖𝕨: 𝕋𝕙𝕚𝕤 𝕨𝕒𝕤 𝕤𝕦𝕔𝕙 𝕒 𝕗𝕦𝕟 𝕢𝕦𝕚𝕔𝕜 𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕕! 𝔻𝕚𝕕 𝕀 𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕕 𝕚𝕥 𝕚𝕟 𝕠𝕟𝕖 𝕤𝕚𝕥𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘? 𝕐𝕖𝕤. 𝔸𝕟𝕪 𝕣𝕖𝕘𝕣𝕖𝕥𝕤? ℕ𝕠𝕥 𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕕𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕚𝕥 𝕤𝕠𝕠𝕟𝕖𝕣! 𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝕓𝕖𝕤𝕥 𝕡𝕒𝕣𝕥 𝕒𝕓𝕠𝕦𝕥 𝕓𝕖𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕚𝕟 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕤 𝕜𝕚𝕝𝕝𝕖𝕣 𝕥𝕙𝕣𝕚𝕝𝕝𝕖𝕣𝕤 𝕘𝕣𝕠𝕦𝕡 𝕠𝕟 𝔽𝕒𝕔𝕖𝕓𝕠𝕠𝕜 𝕚𝕤 𝕗𝕚𝕟𝕕𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕟𝕖𝕨 𝕒𝕦𝕥𝕙𝕠𝕣𝕤 𝕥𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕙𝕒𝕧𝕖 𝕓𝕠𝕠𝕜𝕤 𝕠𝕟 𝕂𝕌 𝕒𝕝𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕕𝕪, 𝕒𝕣𝕖 𝕚𝕟𝕕𝕚𝕖 𝕒𝕦𝕥𝕙𝕠𝕣𝕤 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕒𝕣𝕖 𝕤𝕠 𝕘𝕖𝕟𝕦𝕚𝕟𝕖! 𝕋𝕙𝕚𝕤 𝕨𝕒𝕤 𝕒 𝕘𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕥 𝕥𝕙𝕣𝕚𝕝𝕝𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕕 𝕥𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕜𝕖𝕡𝕥 𝕞𝕖 𝕚𝕥𝕔𝕙𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕨𝕙𝕠𝕝𝕖 𝕥𝕚𝕞𝕖! 𝕀 𝕝𝕠𝕧𝕖 𝕚𝕥 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕕𝕚𝕕𝕟’𝕥 𝕨𝕒𝕟𝕥 𝕚𝕥 𝕥𝕠 𝕖𝕟𝕕! 𝔾𝕠 𝕣𝕦𝕟 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕘𝕣𝕒𝕓 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕤! #𝕜𝕦 #𝕥𝕙𝕣𝕚𝕝𝕝𝕖𝕣 #𝕜𝕚𝕝𝕝𝕖𝕣𝕥𝕙𝕣𝕚𝕝𝕝𝕖𝕣 #𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝𝕝𝕒 #𝕔𝕒𝕡𝕥𝕠𝕣 #𝕚𝕟𝕕𝕚𝕖 #𝕡𝕒𝕤𝕤𝕚𝕠𝕟 #𝕝𝕚𝕖𝕤

[Heather Angeli · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thrilling quick novel that will be sure to keep you on your toes!
The twists and turns that are page by page are exhilarating!
Lillian was dealt a crappy hand after walking in on her fiancé deep in her step mother! She decides to take off and start a new life. 6 years later, she’s called back home.
What she doesn’t realize is her life is about to change!
Not spicy, but ALL PLOT! I was not expecting that ending!!
That revenge is top notch!

[Trish Matter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely quick read. Just what I needed to avoid a slump! The no spice was oddly just what I needed at this moment. It instantly pulled me in. Had me over here like alright, think I figured it out. Will she? Am I right? Wait, is she delusional or am I? There ain't no way...okay Mr. Blue eyes! I see you! Quick. But a crazy ride. Captivated By Her captor is going to look Lovely on my shelf with A's other books!

[JenzBookCorner · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a ride that was

Once again AV Donaldson has got it bang on

This thriller was a quick fast paced rollercoaster of a ride and what a ride it was, the characters were perfection the way I was left thinking yip this is how it’s headed to be thrown a curve ball and left questioning myself. I love how these twits and turns were in there which I think made this the perfect story

Looking for a novella?? Like thrillers this one will keep you guessing

[Amber Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This thriller gave me life, and it had everything I wanted (including no spiciness), I couldn't put it down.

Our FMC is hit with the ultimate betrayal by her partner and family, then calls it quits and leaves. What we've given afterwards is suspense, no trust, the unexpected, and a whole lot of plot for a quick read.

If A.V. keeps it up, I'm going to have an entire shelf just to her.

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a decent story. A lot happened for a novella but there was also a lot missing. One example is that at one point they are having dinner and the next sentence Lillian is in a hammock, why set up the awkward dinner to begin with? The main character I found completely unbelievable, she was kidnapped 3 times and kept falling in love in a day.

[Tiffany(Nightshadowitch) · Rating 5 out of 5]

That was wow. I think I went every direction with trust /no trust on every character in this book.
Who kidnapped her , why and what the hell is going on lol. This is a short story of who is the bad guy and yea everyone and anyone is suspect. Lil for sure has had the worst luck.

[Marci Simmons · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful thriller novella by AV Donaldson. Fast paced and keeps you on your toes! Lillian left home to start fresh only to be dragged back. However, those circumstances dragging her back seemed to have started an avalanche. Unfortunately, she’s not sure if she’ll make it out of this one and if she does will she be the same?

I received an advanced review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Rheanan Gallegos · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who reads anything this author puts out I wasn’t surprised at all that this book was a 10/10.

AV can write any genre she attempts. While most books I’ve read of hers have been thriller/DR/serial unaliver this book was pure thriller. But that didn’t take away from the gripping plot twist, shocks, and the confusion that you encounter in this novella. While the book is a quick hour or so read you get so much thrown at you that you honestly have no clue what direction the book was gonna go. Just when you think you have the plot figured out she comes out of left field and flips it upside down.

If you appreciate a fast paced quick read with a few wtf moments I highly recommend this book!

[Keisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

The PERFECT novella

It has everything you could ask for in a short novella! It's so well written. Lillian is put through the ringer in just a few short pages. I think we all have Stockholm syndrome after reading this 😉

It has twists everywhere, plot and Mr. Blue Eyes. ❤️

[Rowan Tate · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Fear and desire walk a dangerous line… but what happens when you cross it?"

A.V. Donaldson delivers a dark, gripping thriller novella in Captivated By Her Captor, blending psychological tension, unexpected twists, and a complex captor-captive dynamic that keeps you turning the pages.

[Jolene Gelderblom · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really fun quick read , short chapters. Easy to follow no expansive explanations it’s to the point with good twist. Gripping from the start a one sitting read. Well written. I really enjoyed it.

[Megan Russ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poor Lillian survives more than any woman should have to!

Kidnapped, tortured and manipulated not by one but by two men. This Stockholm syndrome thriller will have you on the edge of your seat wanting more.
I look forward to my next Donaldson novel.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh A.V you’ve amazed me yet again girl!

Such a twisty, turning, little thriller of a novella! I did not see that plot twist coming!

It kept me on my toes so much that I absolutely devoured this book!

[Erika Clements · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick read- (a one sitting read for me). The plot moved quickly, the characters were well written. I struggled a little with the rapidly changing feelings that Lillian was experiencing for. It was overall enjoyable & while I had figured out the final twist, I still liked the ending.

[Alisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

The poor fmc is put through the ringer with twist after twist, none being what you think. Mind boggling. I think I might have Stockholm after this one 😆 also blue eyes can we talk about him? Wooowie man. Really well written, I can 110% say I will read anything this author writes

[Jessica Riggle · Rating 4 out of 5]

. Was almost too little lovey dovey for me. I like dark. It was beautifully written. If you love gray romance this book is definitely a good read for you!

[Becka · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story is good. I feel that there are some holes where we could know more about the story. I would recommend this as a good short read!!!!

[Danika · Rating 2 out of 5]

interesting.. but too much is crammed into 133 pages. feels like you have taken too much of the story away just to make it fit in as a novella.

[Samantha Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

[Chelsea · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was an absolute cluster. Poorly organized. Plot lines all over the place. Scenes missing. The FMC was a mess and the idea of her falling for her “captor” was nonexistent.

[Larae Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A.V. Donaldson has done it again and this time with a thriller. This book is so good. I really couldn't put it down. Talk about Twist and Turns. Poor Lillian had her life turned upside down 10 ways from Sunday. But all it takes is a set of blue eyes to save the day!!!!!

[Rachel Stratton · Rating 5 out of 5]

For a novella this hit! I definitely could have enjoyed further detailing, but author got the plot and point across! Love the character aspect of blue eyes. Felt like a Rollercoaster ride than landed at the end of the rainbow 😍 Lots of betrayal and twists uncovered.