Ensnared

by M.J. Masucci

A marriage of obsession. A family built on secrets. A girl who must learn how to play the game—or be destroyed by it.

He offered her the world.
She asked for something darker.

When Josephine Shaw is chosen to be the bride of a powerful man twice her age, she steps into a life of diamonds, secrets, and deceit. Her name changes. So does her future. But not even wealth can protect her from what waits behind the Ashworth estate’s locked doors.

Her husband is cold. Controlling. Addictive.
His son watches her like a possession.
His daughter would burn her alive if given the chance.
And his youngest? He’s the only one who still sees her for who she was—before the vows, before the lies, before the fall.

In this world, power is everything. And Josephine is about to learn what it costs to belong to a man who owns too much... and reveals too little.

Genres: Dark Romance

261 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 15, 2025

About the author

MJ Masucci is a steamy romance and romantic suspense author. She lives in Southern New York with her husband and two precocious Siamese cats. She began writing short stories in college and putting ideas down on paper for full length novels. She enjoys all types of sports especially football.

Reviews

[Allicia M · Rating 4 out of 5]

This dark romance is told through the FMC first version POV. There is a significant age gap as the MMC is twice the age of the FMC.

The FMC is very confused about what she wants. For the first 30% of the book she goes back and forth between hating what is about to happen, determined to get exactly what she wants, happy when it appears it won’t happen, then hating it as things do happen. Wanted to scream at her through the pages to make up her mind already in how she really felt.

The MMC is completely irredeemable, even by dark romance standards. The brief periods where it is described that he isn’t a horrible person are too few, and they don’t help make him likeable.

The first 30% of the book was a little difficult to get through with how much the FMC was changing her mind on how she felt, but it did improve after that. The last 70% was read in a single day while an 80lb dog demanded constant snuggles.

The end does show the FMC finally knowing what it is she wants and what she will plan for the future. It took a while to get there, but if she continues with her resolve to do what she needs to do, the second book will no doubt be a lot better.

This book does contain one of my personal pet peeves with books, and that is the book ending before getting to the event the entire book had been building towards.

The author has also left it open for the second book, or further into the series if there will be more, to contain a why choose element that would have a lot of tension, danger, and a taboo element to it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[A. Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a marriage, of perceived convience, between Josephine Shaw and Colson Ashworth. I wonder whose convience? Colson is an extremely wealthy man that is about 24 years older than Joey. Colson also uses the fact that he employs everyone in Joey's family against her. Joey actually grew up living in a house on the estate. Colson's 3 chilldren are closer in age to Joey. Out of Colson's children, one is obsessed with Joey, one hates Joey, and the last has a history with Joey.

I'm curious why Colson picked Joey? I do think it was a lot about manipulation, not entirely what he told Joey. Colson's moods switch on a dime and are drastic. Joey never knows what to expect except she isn't in control. Unfortunately, Joey's life will never be the same. Whether that will be good or bad remains to be seen.

What I didn't expect were a few of the twists in the book, especially near the end. I feel like Joey's parents are more a part of the story than the book let on. I was shook. I wonder what Joey's next move will be? How will Colson's children affect the relationship between Colson and Joey? I'm sure it will. Joey could definitely use Colson's children to get what she wants but will Joey risk her family? Definitely looking forward to the plays for power and information in the next book! It can't come soon enough. I know not to take things at face value. Joey will either rise or fall.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Dark Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a dark romance prequel, this was satisfying, but I wanted more. Josephine ("Joey") is convinced to marry a wealthy man named Colson whose estate she's lived on since birth as her parents were employed by him. The reason for the marriage is somewhat elusive - it's somewhat a marriage of convenience, since Joey thinks she must do it to help her family, but it feels like there's more there. Colson is mercurial - sometimes the evil rich man but sometimes caring - and his adult children (who are about Joey's age and grew up around her) are mysterious in their like/dislike of Joey.

The plot changes a bit near the end in a way that I found predictable, but it does create some mystery for the next book. It felt like we went back and forth reiterating the same message - Joey is "forced" into this marriage, the kids don't like it, her family is mysteriously supportive but not there for her at the same time, Colson is a bad man whose motives we don't yet understand, and there are some shady things going on behind the scenes. With more information in the next book, it should be a rewarding read to get into the story line.

Thanks to the ARC team for an advance copy!

[KittySexy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Estrellas
La protagonista me gusta, pero hay momentos que me desespera cuando sabia desde el principio donde se metia al aceptar casarse con Carson, pero hay momentos parece que sabe que él la esta manipulando y al siguiente cree que no es tan frio como demuestra ser... y no hablemos de como algunas veces la trata
En la familia Ashworth, el unico que se salva siendo una buena persona por ahora es el hijo menor (Easton), pero los otros dos son de lo peor. La hija le hizo la vida imposible en la epoca de instituto y ahora desde que se descubrio el compromiso con su padre esta descontrolada, le hace daño emocionalmente y fisicamente. El hijo mayor tambien es horrible, desde el principio la acosa casi sexualmente y no entiende de que no le interesa y desde el compromiso tiene momentos de hablarle fatal y otros cuidandola y siendo amable con ella
Justo al final del libro la protagonista descubre unos papeles en la oficina de Corson donde se demuestra de que su familia perdio la fortuna por culpa de la familia Ashworth

[SJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, this book was addictive! I was pulled into the story and didn't want to leave this twisted world. It was fast-paced and totally bingeable. I couldn't get enough of this drama.

Dark romance
Age-gap
Arranged marriage
Alpha
Billionare
Enemies to lovers
Forced proximity

Josephine wants to do the right thing for her family. She is intelligent and resilient. She is so conflicted by all that's happening. She is attracted to Colson but is trying to stick to her guns and not give in to him completely. She knows she must guard herself but she's not quite sure against what yet.

Colson is so hot and cold. I didn't know which way was up with him. He starts revealing more and more of his ruthless character as the story progresses. He is a powerful man and is used to getting what he wants.

The end left me wanting more. I can't wait to get my hands on part 2 of this twisted series.

[Abbie Riddle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got so tired of the word "possessive" in all it's forms!! I think this ruined the entire book for me! His hold was possessive, his touch was possessive, his kiss was possessive, his voice was possessive. I was super disappointed in this book as a whole! I didn't think the plot was good at all, there was no real tension. It starts out with her making a decision to ruin her husband because his family ruined hers but there's no real tension between them and suddenly she's all in love and abandons her plan. Just a No...an over all no for me. And normally I enjoy the plot this author writes, the tension. But this - this was more about scenes than plot and that is just not for me.

So - just a no.

[Danee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the romance between Colson and Josephine. It's a dark novel; if you're not into that, this isn't for you. She's forced to marry Colson, who is many years older than her, and she doesn't really have a chance to escape. Colson is a somber man shrouded in secrets and his somber, sometimes dark, mood. There are many lies and secrets surrounding him, and now her as well. A lot happens, and there are steamy and tense scenes between them, doubts, lies, and much more. The writing and the way the characters are portrayed make this a wonderfully dark novel.







I received an Advance Reader copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[SBee Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

★ “There was no escaping this cruel twist of fate.” ★

What choice does Josephine have when the fate of her brother and parents rest solely on her shoulders? When the Ashworth patriarch choses her to become his wife, she cannot say no to the arranged marriage. But the walls soon start to close in on her, and hanging onto what she has agreed to becomes a daily battle and mind game, because almost everyone in this family seems out to make her pay for her decision. Josephine will have to steel her spine to navigate Colson Ashworth’s treacherous family and world. Looking forward to reading the next installment of this dark and twisted story!

[Gimmie A Book · Rating 4 out of 5]

*ARC Review*

Now THIS is an arrange marriege, and as a bonus it has a 20+ age gap (23/47).

I really get why Joey gets confused now and then. This guy is cruel, but kind, but ruthless, but protective... honestly my head is undecided between hating and not hating Colson, yet.

Even when I felt this book was just the introduction of a whole juicy story, I really liked it.

And that ending! It left me intrigued and with so many questions that I'm eager to know the answer in book two.

[Jenni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Josephine finds herself bound to marry Colson a man 20+ years her senior the father to Vaughn a man obssesed with her. But dark lies and secrets hold her captive to Colsons dark moods as his own obsession grows, the marriage must go ahead at any cost. Well written engaging  desires, well developed characters, teasing steamy scenes, deception and more a cliffy ending

[Hollie Senn Bookish Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!! what a start to this dark Billionaire read

What a ride I’m already on! My emotions are all over the place. And just when I’m thinking I know what’s coming next I don’t. The secrets that are already firming. And the choices Joey I fear will have to make in book 2 has me jumping straight into it.

[Irum · Rating 1 out of 5]

Don’t get me wrong I love a good age gap romance but this book was just giving pervy pedo 🤮🤮🤮🤮

Colson was actually so disgusting everytime he was trying to be affection or possesvie all I felt was revulsion

[Nate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed ensnared which was Colson and Josephine’s story. It was a dark, twisty read. I received an early copy of the book. And voluntarily leaving this review.

[Gemjar.Reads]

DNF at 51 pages.
Ciuldnt connect with the MFC and the writing style