**** This is a stand-alone novel with a HEA ending and NO cliffhanger ****
London Tanner's day just went from bad to worse.
She's fresh off the weekend and shows up to the job that she loves, and has dedicated herself to for the past 12 years. In the middle of checking emails, and preparing to begin her day, Carter Hampton enters her office space and requests her presence in his office. Once there, she soon hears the words, "Today is your last day," pour from his mouth.
Defeated and broken and with nowhere else to turn, she heads to the arms of the only person she knows can love her past the devastation of the moment.
It's no secret that London's boyfriend Brandon wants her to move to Southern California to begin a life with him, and now that she has no job to return to, she can do just that. However, as London prepares to leave the old life behind and enter a new phase, the unexpected occurs...
Carter Hampton reenters her life. It's not like she didn't notice before, but now even more so...He's charismatic, attractive, and extremely wealthy.
London tries to hold on to the contempt she feels for Carter, but it isn't long before she finds that it isn't an emotional hold she can separate herself from. As he settles deeper and deeper into her heart, the feelings can no longer be denied. She has to face the fact, and stop running from what she has been fighting to believe for so long...that she is Captivated by the very thought of him.
I had up my previous bio for years! It was nice and all, and gave details of my life. But it was so structured! And I’m kinda not. Because of that, I’ve decided to change it to something that really gives you a glimpse into who I am. Is that cool? K, good. So, here goes:
I’m a Bay Area girl. Cali is in my blood! I moved to Vegas in 2017 (No, I wasn’t following the Raiders!) to see how another way of life would be, after my only kid . . . the love of my life . . . decided he was joining the Marines. Can you believe that?! Sigh. Wait, deep sigh! I know some parents await the day for their kids to leave, not this Mama. That was my ace, my bestie in male form. I had to hit the reset button. But here I am. He’s thriving. I’m ‘trying’ to thrive. Lol! No, but really. This relocation was good because I’ve never lived away from home. So, I needed to grow, cultivate a little. It’s working for now.
I consider myself a novelist. And that’s because a novelist doesn’t just write in one genre. For the most part, I write #InterracialRomance, with a primary focus on #BWWM, as my leads. However, I have written a few novels that fell comfortably in the #AfricanAmericanFiction realm, showcasing some #BlackLove. In short, I love building stories. I like to say that I “spin #Sexy and #Suspense into a single web.” The two dynamics have to co-exist in my stories, or I’m bored. And you know if the author is bored with their own work, there’s a problem! Trust me, I’ve done plenty of rewrites when that’s happened.
On my literary journey, I just hope to always write the stories that women find relatable. Characters who are strong, but vulnerable when they need to be. Family-focused, and intelligent. Basically, mirror images of myself. Ironically, writing these characters, have helped me discover things about myself along the way. I think that’s why I write as often as I do. It’s almost like peeling back layers of me as I go. And to stop that process, kind of hits the pause button on me . . . my life . . . my existence. I have to be a moving machine at all times. Does that get stressful? Absolutely. But is it rewarding and are there many teachable moments? Absolutely!
Ever need me, reach out. Ever got questions, I’m never too busy to respond.
Because there is such a limited set of bwwm, I always find myself trying to like those that are not up to par but this one wasn't doing it for me. I felt it was all over the place, the character Carter to me did a 180 so quickly, he went from a player one chapter to being so soft, needy and deeply in love the next. I felt the transition was to fast.
This is my second story by this author and I was completely captivated. The story starts off pretty much with a bang. London our She-ro has been steadily climbing the ranks at her job. Suddenly she gets some unfavorable news that happens to be a lie about her and her performance at work She loses her job just as she was about to break through that glass ceiling To make matters worst. She's mildly attracted to the guy who fired her. Plus her boyfriend of several years has given her an ultimatum her sister can't stand her guts. girlfriend has a lot on her plate. But love finds you in the most unlikely places and with the most unlikely person. Enter stage left Carter Hampton the boss that fired her. Carter wants her back not only at the job but he wants her for himself. He is totally and completely captivated by London. There's some twist and turns in the story I'm sure you're going to love it I highly recommend this book to you. Definitely five stars. :-)
I thought the book was well written and an interesting read about the life of London, her family, her career and the men in her life. The book is mainly written from London's prospective.
However, I would not call this a love story because to be a love story it would have to be about London and one man and how they fell in love. With a title like Captivated I expected the story to be hot and intense about London and Carter's feelings for each other. So I was very disappointed on that score. At 60% into the book Carter and London had only met 4 times and two of those occasions were nothing to do with the relationship in a romantic way.
This story, in my opinion is about London's journey of finding a man that she could truly give herself to, heart, body and soul and being true to herself and the steps it took for her to arrive at that place.
To quote Lil Wayne, this book made me want to Tap Out.
This book had zero chemistry and I don't think I can take someone seriously who plans their vacations around the House of Blues and being as close as they can to Disneyland. Did I mention that she freaks out at Crunch Berry cereal? I can't tell if she's 10 or 30, and this is coming from someone who loves Cartoon Network. No girl, no. STAHP. I can't stand a silly heroine. I mean, who uses the term "strictly dickly" anymore?
Ok let me first say that I'm pissed!!! I'm pissed because I wanted more Carter time. I guess that's just me being selfish. But I did like the story, I just felt that Carter was neglected, and he really didn't come in until the end. I felt as though to much dialogue was wasted on Todd. I wanted more of London and Carter story. And I didn't get that. Really good story line, I just expected more from the "main characters".
I found this to be a pleasant romance with interesting, complex, characters. A story of perseverance, strength and forgiveness. I loved the main female character who stood up for herself when she was unjustly fired from her job, who moved on when her boyfriend of four years decided to move on.
I've never seen so many exclamation marks in a book before.... This books was extremely confusing and the main Character, well, she was just.... There was nothing there... Smh. Poorly written.
London Tanner found herself in a quandary when she was set up and fired from her job of twelve years for fraud by a jealous co-worker. What she did not know was that it would start the beginning of a downward spiral in her long distance relationship with her boyfriend of four years, Brandon. Her mind became a mess so far as relationships were concerned after that. I did not like how she easily fell in bed with Tod and then again with Carter confusing her mind even more.
Carter Hampton was a successful business man who was responsible for London's firing and re-hiring. He was also attracted to London and was at a time in his life where he was ready to settle down and wanted to see where a relationship with London would lead. But London still needed closure with Brandon which she got. With the answers she needed, she was ready to let Carter in her life.
I was not too keen on London's character. Even though she appeared intelligent and hard working, her personal life was a mess. Especially with her sister Aja. I was glad to see that her sister's animosity towards her was cleared up so they could really go about their business as family. Even though Carter seemed to be a wild and wooly playboy, he wanted London and was willing to make sure he got his HEA with her.
I have mixed emotions about this book. I gave it four stars because Perri did an awesome job with delivering the story! But I just couldn't find any love for the heroine! I have to admit this is the second book I've read where I truly don't like the heroine! London tries to come off as the victim and innocent but she's not! She knows exactly what she's doing! Yes she got a raw deal when she was fired. But WTH?! She goes back to the jerks that humiliated her because she wants to break some damn "glass ceiling" at a job she's worked at since she graduated high school! Bullshit! Every damn job has a "glass ceiling"! She could've proved herself at any company if she such a good employee! She leaves a good man for a damn job! I agree with Brandon, she may have loved him but she wasn't in love with him. If she were she would've never gone back! Then she gets mad when Brandon doesn't reach out to her like she thinks he should've if he really loved her! Really?! She broke the man's heart after he laid all his cards on the table and told her he wanted for ever with her! Then she goes back and just can't seem to make up her mind on who she wants and she has this attraction to a man that treated her like crap and now all of a sudden she's head over heels in love! Carter didn't impress me at all! He was a jerk as for as I was concerned. Poor Todd might as well not have stepped up to bat! She just used him! I'm sorry but I can't continue because it just upsets me! This heroine was so weak and immature! I'm glad she and her sister reconciled but if you ask me she doesn't deserve a HEA! Brandon needs his own story with Jada! Glad she told London off! She sounds like she knows a good man when she sees one!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Talk about a kick butt story! I was instantly drawn in. From the onset, the rise of emotion took me on an unbelievable journey of love and sheer determination. London Tanner is a remarkable heroine that knows her worth. But when her dreams appear to be temporarily crushed, she's thrown into uncertainty. But due to a turn of events, she ends up back on top. I love reading about strong characters that aren't afraid to take control. Enter the delectable Carter Hampton. Although he initially comes across as very condescending, he is much like London. I would say they are quite simply the perfect match. I am not one to give spoilers, and won't start now; however, Captivated is a captivating read!
There are writers and there are storytellers. Perri Forrest knows how to use her skills to serenade readers in just the right way, forcing them to fiend off of her splendid tales. When I say that I am a fan of her work, that is no exaggeration because I am pulling out the pom poms and jumping up and down. Keep doing exactly what you are doing Perri Forrest! Highly recommended reading!
The author tried to fit too many story lines and subplots into one book. The result is a completely watered down story of the hero and heroine. All of London's family drama? Didn't need it. That one guy she dates at some point? Basically useless.
If the author had spent less time describing every detail of the party London's mother threw and spent more time actually developing the hero and heroine's relationship, this book would've improved drastically.
2.7 Well....it wasn't horrible however there was much missing from this story. In particular romance. I didn't understand what she was captivated by. To be honest London seemed to be more into her career then any of the men that showed her interest. It seemed to me that we're just a means to end. The conflict between her and her sister was lacking. For most of their lives they don't have a connection then after the big secret is revealed they are best friends? Also I can't stress enough the importance of a good editor.
Okay I had a feeling London and Carter would end up together, but how could Brandon do her like that. Hello yes she worked my nerves at time, but she had to make that mistake right or her name coulda been nothing. The whole need to found myself thing she was going through is what missed me off at times. Then her sis Aja really had me ready to cuss, but I did enjoy the storyline and all.
I really wanted to like this story but just as I was being drawn back in, a plot twist randomly jumped in the way. Out of nowhere. I looked past most of the corny exchanges, wondered why there was such a detailed description of the parent's home but had to stop at how quickly Carter flipped the script. So he just suddenly halted his consistently delivered treat from Annie? Not quite convinced on that.
I choose this rating because I was so into this book, I could not put it down. Perri Forrest pulls you in and doesn't let go. This is my first book I read from her and I can truly say it will not be the last. I really enjoyed London's story and I would to see what else and where Carter and her go. Thank you
Completely detestable people who managed to be dramatic yet not entertaining, and the plot development could not get more unrealistic if the author tried. I wish there was a distinct button for '0' stars. The only thing--and I mean the ONLY thing--this book had going for it was that it was relatively short: roughly 200 pages.
What a massive waste of my time, energy and money.
Great story for the most part, didn't understand London's ex, and what was up with the "new" chick? I mean really! ...but that goes to show communication is vital and you can't wait, handle your business and move on. Girlfriend was quite fortunate that it all worked out and Carter was truly in love because that could have really gone sideways for her.
I was all into this story from the beginning. When the story started I was rooting for London but at times I wanted to strangle her. Captivated had personal drama, relationship drama, family drama,professional drama but never once do you feel overwhelmed, you find yourself caring about the characters.
If I had to critique this book I'd say it was long in some places and not enough explanation in others. Like it never explain why she broke up with the 1st guy after Brandon. But all in all I enjoyed it
London should have cold cocked Carter on page 6. Well, I suppose if she had, we wouldn't have been able to enjoy this great story. London fought hard against her feelings for Carter, despite the lousy way he initially perceived her. Great read!
This book was very captivating. London and Carter are a hot couple with amazing chemistry that made them unable to resist each other. This author never seem to disappoint.
This book was a good read...boring at moments. I think London's character was all over the place with having sex and choosing a man and didn't understand the reasoning...if all she wanted was Carter...overall this book was pretty good