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Hold #1
Hold
Find the strongest man there. Give yourself to him in return for protection. It’s the only way you’ll ever survive.
Convicted of a minor crime, Riana is sentenced to a prison planet—a dark primitive hold filled with convicts vying for power. Her only chance of survival is with Cain, a mysterious loner who has won his territory in the prison through intelligence and brute strength. Sex is all she has to offer, so she uses it. She’s under no delusions here. No one is ever released, and no one ever escapes. Survival is all she can hope for—until Cain.
An earlier version of this book was published under the same title and a different penname by Ellora’s Cave. It has since been substantially revised and expanded.
Convicted of a minor crime, Riana is sentenced to a prison planet—a dark primitive hold filled with convicts vying for power. Her only chance of survival is with Cain, a mysterious loner who has won his territory in the prison through intelligence and brute strength. Sex is all she has to offer, so she uses it. She’s under no delusions here. No one is ever released, and no one ever escapes. Survival is all she can hope for—until Cain.
An earlier version of this book was published under the same title and a different penname by Ellora’s Cave. It has since been substantially revised and expanded.
184 pages, Paperback
First published November 2, 2007
1047 people are currently reading
8401 people want to read
About the author
Claire Kent
40 books2,119 followersClaire has been writing romance novels since she was twelve years old. After teaching English at the university level for several years, she started writing full-time under two different pen names. She lives in Virginia.
Her early books are sexy contemporary romances filled with heat and real emotion, but with the Hold series she transitioned to science fiction romance. Her current books are steamy post-apocalyptic romance set in the near future after a global catastrophe. They feature smart, resilient women trying to survive in a new chaotic world and falling in love with strong, gruff, taciturn men.
Claire also writes softer contemporary romances as Noelle Adams,
Her early books are sexy contemporary romances filled with heat and real emotion, but with the Hold series she transitioned to science fiction romance. Her current books are steamy post-apocalyptic romance set in the near future after a global catastrophe. They feature smart, resilient women trying to survive in a new chaotic world and falling in love with strong, gruff, taciturn men.
Claire also writes softer contemporary romances as Noelle Adams,
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,323 reviews
April 11, 2015
4/11/15: Still awesome with just a few changes/additions - namely a new character.
Bottom line though, if you are happy with the first original edition, I don't know if this really added anything to that experience. I don't regret buying it though as there is supposed to be a new story with the new character.
4/8/15: Re-reading this 2012 read because word on the street is that it's a revised and EXPANDED edition!!!!
Bottom line though, if you are happy with the first original edition, I don't know if this really added anything to that experience. I don't regret buying it though as there is supposed to be a new story with the new character.
4/8/15: Re-reading this 2012 read because word on the street is that it's a revised and EXPANDED edition!!!!
December 7, 2020
3 Prison Planet 🌟
𝙁𝙞𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙢𝙖𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚. 𝙂𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙛 𝙩𝙤 𝙝𝙞𝙢 𝙞𝙣 𝙧𝙚𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙣 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙩𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣. 𝙄𝙩’𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙤𝙣𝙡𝙮 𝙬𝙖𝙮 𝙮𝙤𝙪’𝙡𝙡 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙨𝙪𝙧𝙫𝙞𝙫𝙚.
Song : Miley Cyrus ft Dua Lipa - Prisoner
I had to take a pause from NCIS because while daddy Gibbs could definitelyy get it, the islamophobia was really putting a damper on my enjoyment. Don’t even get me started on the weird ass supposedly Middle Eastern music they play every time a muslim/Arab character appears.
really…why?
Aight, back to the book. Thank you, Bee, for buddy reading this with me. 💘
Setting
This book takes place on a prison planet. Yes, you heard that right. A planet where they ship off prisoners, no matter the severity of lack thereof of the charges, for life. No separating the genders, no separating the worst offenders from the general population, just one big compound full to the brim with good ol’ prisoners. No rules. No help. Survival of the fittest. You fight to eat. You fight to not be violated and you sure as fuck fight to stay alive.
Now, can you imagine being there? Can you imagine surviving there?
Because I can’t.
No way.
I wouldn’t even have to kill myself because this girl would drop dead from a heart attack the second she gets sentenced.
Well, ma’am, I’m glad you asked
And yes, okay, I’m weak. Whatever. Anyway, Riana gets sentenced to the prison planet Genus 6 after unknowingly trespassing on government property, and homegirl needs to find a manly man to protect her from the monsters lurking in The Hold. Enter Cain,
❞𝙒𝙝𝙮 𝙢𝙚❓❞
❞𝙔𝙤𝙪’𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚.❞
a mysterious prisoner with a cell that has a mini bathroom AND a lock. I mean, ✨the luxury✨
This setting was such a refreshing and intriguing one. I was fascinated, a little horrified and on the edge of my seat (read: not really bc my bed and I are one at this point) for more. I admit I wanted more of the atrocities that happened in the hold, since the author touched on them, but too briefly for my liking. But still A+ for the originality.
Pace
This is where I tell you the author is, sadly, dabbling in witchcraft.
I know, just hear me out. This book is 5 chapters long. ⁵ ᶜᴴᴬᴾᵀᴱᴿᔆ long. And for a 5 chapters long book, it had :
1. No insta- love
2. Character development
3. Romantic development
4. Action
5. It was even exhausting
6. I feel like I read a full-length novel
7. Did I mention it was exhausting
8. It’s called witchcraft. ᴸᵒᵒᵏ ⁱᵗ ᵘᵖ‧
Honestly, I’m really impressed with the way the author managed to pack so much into, yes, you guessed it, 5 chapters.
Characters
— Riana
I liked her just fine. She was not stupid and her actions/reactions were very relatable. She had a good head on her shoulders and tried to make the best of the shitty hand she was dealt.
hear me out, I know he’s hot and all but ever since I watched him as Captain America (super boring morally righteous character), I find him boring now too. 👉🏻👈🏻
So, why didn’t I rate this higher, you might ask? (Please don’t be one of those who whisper “ⁿᵒ ᵒⁿᵉ ᵃˢᵏᵉᵈ”)
— Cain
At the beginning of the book, he was this mysterious badass person, protecting Riana and saving her from horrible things.
I was into him, like, really into him.
And when he told her to take off her clothes???
Y’all know by now that bitches like unhinged, borderline (read: positively) toxic heroes. Add to that some noncon in a prison setting?? Bitches be happy. I’m bitches, btw.
Then my man here started getting soft and mushy…and softer still and
live footage of very confused Bee and Mina
The cover? Dark-ish. The setting? Dark. The hero? NOT.
Even the reason he was sent to the prison is…ridiculous. 😅
It just didn’t fit with the story, or maybe he didn’t fit what I was craving. Same thing, really.
Smut
The sex scenes were hot, until they weren’t. It got a little too repetitive, and really, all of this in the span of 5 chapters.
I clearly can’t get over that.
❞𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙬𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙤𝙣𝙡𝙮 𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙄’𝙙 𝙨𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙬𝙝𝙤𝙡𝙚 𝙙𝙖𝙧𝙠 𝙮𝙚𝙖𝙧. 𝙄 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙞𝙩, 𝙨𝙤 𝙄 𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙩𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙞𝙩.❞
September 9, 2023
4 Purely Practical Reasons Stars ⭐
The way this author manages to write this many hot sex scenes without being repetitive is a gift. I mean Hold takes place in a galactic prison over two months where you could imagine not much happens. And yet I was completely enthralled and turned on by the interaction between Cain and Riana. It's pretty impressive!
Find the strongest man there. Give yourself to him in return for protection. It’s the only way you’ll ever survive.
After being convicted of a minor offence Riana has no idea how she will survive this barbaric prison and it's inmates. When a guard offers some sage advice, Riana knows that she will have to offer her body and services in exchange for her life.
She had no hopes that he’d be kind, gentle, or loving. But looking at him didn’t sicken her like looking at everyone else she’d seen here. If she was going to fuck anyone, it was going to be him.
You can't help but gravitate towards Cain. Apart from being one of the strongest, there is a hint of humanity still beneath the surface. But make no mistake, he is still just a man and he has every intention of taking what is owed. And he is extremely possessive about what he now owns.
“That’s our arrangement. You protect me. I please you. We’ve never said it out loud, but both of us know it. I’m sure as hell not going to displease you.”
I'm a big fan of prison romances and I think this story was an excellent representation of that. It was raw, gritty and confronting. There was nothing glossed over about it. But somehow we got a romance you understood that would withstand the test of time. Where everything is a fight for survival these two had no choice but to be united on all fronts.
The way this author manages to write this many hot sex scenes without being repetitive is a gift. I mean Hold takes place in a galactic prison over two months where you could imagine not much happens. And yet I was completely enthralled and turned on by the interaction between Cain and Riana. It's pretty impressive!
Find the strongest man there. Give yourself to him in return for protection. It’s the only way you’ll ever survive.
After being convicted of a minor offence Riana has no idea how she will survive this barbaric prison and it's inmates. When a guard offers some sage advice, Riana knows that she will have to offer her body and services in exchange for her life.
She had no hopes that he’d be kind, gentle, or loving. But looking at him didn’t sicken her like looking at everyone else she’d seen here. If she was going to fuck anyone, it was going to be him.
You can't help but gravitate towards Cain. Apart from being one of the strongest, there is a hint of humanity still beneath the surface. But make no mistake, he is still just a man and he has every intention of taking what is owed. And he is extremely possessive about what he now owns.
“That’s our arrangement. You protect me. I please you. We’ve never said it out loud, but both of us know it. I’m sure as hell not going to displease you.”
I'm a big fan of prison romances and I think this story was an excellent representation of that. It was raw, gritty and confronting. There was nothing glossed over about it. But somehow we got a romance you understood that would withstand the test of time. Where everything is a fight for survival these two had no choice but to be united on all fronts.
January 4, 2024
Gritty, steamy, sweet and a little bit gross.
This sci-fi futuristic romance is set on an alien prison planet where life is harsh and survival uncertain. Riana gives her body to Cain for protection and discovers that under his stoic facade and taciturn personality he is intelligent and caring and ultimately her salvation. This book was loaded with steamy scenes, lots of public sex and instances of violence. It was dark and gritty, set in a prison without soap - so smelly and dirty too. Very quick read, fast moving with a very nice HEA in the epilogue. If you like gritty sci-fi romance, this is a good quick one.
This sci-fi futuristic romance is set on an alien prison planet where life is harsh and survival uncertain. Riana gives her body to Cain for protection and discovers that under his stoic facade and taciturn personality he is intelligent and caring and ultimately her salvation. This book was loaded with steamy scenes, lots of public sex and instances of violence. It was dark and gritty, set in a prison without soap - so smelly and dirty too. Very quick read, fast moving with a very nice HEA in the epilogue. If you like gritty sci-fi romance, this is a good quick one.
July 11, 2022
On the second reading I've realized it deserves five stars. The simplicity of the story, yet the strength of the characters and basic storytelling is so fun!
Original review *4 stars*
So there is a planet that’s a prison, and the prison is underwater, and that water that surrounds the prison is poisonous. You are sent to this prison for really no reason other than not reading a sign correctly. Everyone is tossed into the same prison, minor crime or mass murderer, men and women. Before dumping you in the hold, the guard takes a little pity on you and tells you to find the biggest and strongest badass and offer yourself up in trade for protection.
Two things: I didn’t know this was a novella, or that it was erotica. Not sure how I missed those things but either way, it was a decent read!
Original review *4 stars*
So there is a planet that’s a prison, and the prison is underwater, and that water that surrounds the prison is poisonous. You are sent to this prison for really no reason other than not reading a sign correctly. Everyone is tossed into the same prison, minor crime or mass murderer, men and women. Before dumping you in the hold, the guard takes a little pity on you and tells you to find the biggest and strongest badass and offer yourself up in trade for protection.
Two things: I didn’t know this was a novella, or that it was erotica. Not sure how I missed those things but either way, it was a decent read!
January 5, 2024
”When I first saw you, I wanted you so much. You were so beautiful and brave and untouched by the grim reality of the Hold. You were the only light I’d seen in that whole dark year.”
i don’t even know what to say about this book.. like it wasn’t bad but it wasn’t that good either. the repetitive writing was getting on my nerves (somebody get the author a dictionary so she can learn new descriptive words to use🙄), but i actually thought the couple were kinda cute together—especially towards the end. the premise of this book was interesting too and I haven’t read any romance with this kind of plot before, so I enjoyed that part. it also felt like it took me forever to read this even though it’s a novella.. so idk if that’s me being slumpy or the book not holding my attention enough. it was just ok.
list of words used 8 million times: growled, snarl, animalistic, primal, silly, masculine, animal, grunt, strong, powerful, self-conscious.
→ heard this one is about a prison planet and the fmc needing protection from the mmc🤭 ..
i don’t even know what to say about this book.. like it wasn’t bad but it wasn’t that good either. the repetitive writing was getting on my nerves (somebody get the author a dictionary so she can learn new descriptive words to use🙄), but i actually thought the couple were kinda cute together—especially towards the end. the premise of this book was interesting too and I haven’t read any romance with this kind of plot before, so I enjoyed that part. it also felt like it took me forever to read this even though it’s a novella.. so idk if that’s me being slumpy or the book not holding my attention enough. it was just ok.
list of words used 8 million times: growled, snarl, animalistic, primal, silly, masculine, animal, grunt, strong, powerful, self-conscious.
→ heard this one is about a prison planet and the fmc needing protection from the mmc🤭 ..
November 17, 2025
I went into this book with ✨Low expectations✨. The average rating was… not exactly inspiring confidence, but somehow I walked out emotionally attached and mildly feral over a broody space convict. Make it make sense 🛸
Early confession: I’m not the biggest Claire Kent fan. I love the ideas behind her books, but I usually dislike her characters. Her heroes often seem bland, a little boring, and somewhat flat to me. So I don’t write reviews of her work, as I know her writing style isn’t generally for me.
However, this book was the glorious exception and I loved it 🙌 Even the hero's broodiness, which can be a pretty big turnoff for me, was everything and more.
Let me set the scene… prison !! But not just any prison. This one was light-years in the future, deep underwater, where men and women were locked up together. Women are treated like commodities, and the survival-of-the-fittest vibe makes everything very dark and gritty (keep that in mind). To survive, Rianna knew she must find the strongest inmate and have him claim her. Archaic? Absolutely. But she got to do what she got to do
Cain was an enigma, broody, stoic, and always full of surprises. His character quietly shifted in ways you never saw coming. The first time he cuddled Rianna felt like a milestone. He knew why they were together, but he still showed he cared, slowly letting himself go. Their relationship didn’t start as real, but they quickly became deeply reliant on each other. Rianna was cautious, but not a wallflower, and they slowly built this comfortable bubble.
Their relationship may have felt transactional at times, but the emotions were real from the start. It was not a dubcon or noncon situation. The spice never got repetitive. Honestly, it was some of the best I have read, not for what happened, but for the emotions and growth it brought out in the characters each time.
I was a little scared prison life might come across as boring, but nope. No day was ever the same. Each day brought new surprises, whether it was a twist with the characters or a brand new face showing up. It never got stale. You actually found yourself excited to see how they would survive another day in their little box inside a bigger box.
The only part I did not really get was the magic. Only one guy, Hall, had it, and no one else did. I just didn’t really understand the point.
Overall, I loved the character development, world-building, and plot twists. I don’t get the low ratings…maybe it was because of how their relationship started, but it was far from black and white. I was hooked the whole way and am excited for the next book. (Update: skip book two and go straight to three. This heroine falls for a caveman and it was weirdly amazing!)
FYI. This was written in third person and I actually read the whole thing. I don’t think this has ever happened before. Look at me maturing @RLbooks 😅. ‘Third person’ usually represents the bitchy girl at school to me, someone I don’t understand and dislike, so I steer clear. Can’t 100% guarantee I’ll read this point of view again….
Thanks for the rec Rain!
Early confession: I’m not the biggest Claire Kent fan. I love the ideas behind her books, but I usually dislike her characters. Her heroes often seem bland, a little boring, and somewhat flat to me. So I don’t write reviews of her work, as I know her writing style isn’t generally for me.
However, this book was the glorious exception and I loved it 🙌 Even the hero's broodiness, which can be a pretty big turnoff for me, was everything and more.
Let me set the scene… prison !! But not just any prison. This one was light-years in the future, deep underwater, where men and women were locked up together. Women are treated like commodities, and the survival-of-the-fittest vibe makes everything very dark and gritty (keep that in mind). To survive, Rianna knew she must find the strongest inmate and have him claim her. Archaic? Absolutely. But she got to do what she got to do
Cain was an enigma, broody, stoic, and always full of surprises. His character quietly shifted in ways you never saw coming. The first time he cuddled Rianna felt like a milestone. He knew why they were together, but he still showed he cared, slowly letting himself go. Their relationship didn’t start as real, but they quickly became deeply reliant on each other. Rianna was cautious, but not a wallflower, and they slowly built this comfortable bubble.
Their relationship may have felt transactional at times, but the emotions were real from the start. It was not a dubcon or noncon situation. The spice never got repetitive. Honestly, it was some of the best I have read, not for what happened, but for the emotions and growth it brought out in the characters each time.
I was a little scared prison life might come across as boring, but nope. No day was ever the same. Each day brought new surprises, whether it was a twist with the characters or a brand new face showing up. It never got stale. You actually found yourself excited to see how they would survive another day in their little box inside a bigger box.
The only part I did not really get was the magic. Only one guy, Hall, had it, and no one else did. I just didn’t really understand the point.
Overall, I loved the character development, world-building, and plot twists. I don’t get the low ratings…maybe it was because of how their relationship started, but it was far from black and white. I was hooked the whole way and am excited for the next book. (Update: skip book two and go straight to three. This heroine falls for a caveman and it was weirdly amazing!)
FYI. This was written in third person and I actually read the whole thing. I don’t think this has ever happened before. Look at me maturing @RLbooks 😅. ‘Third person’ usually represents the bitchy girl at school to me, someone I don’t understand and dislike, so I steer clear. Can’t 100% guarantee I’ll read this point of view again….
Thanks for the rec Rain!
March 18, 2018
Check out this and my other reviews at My Blog
★Book Basics★
Genre : - Futuristic Romance
Series : - Standalone
Love triangle? -
Cheating? -
HEA? -
Would I read more by this author? - Yes
Rating - 5
★Review★
I first read this years ago, when it was published by EC under the Zannie Adams pen name.
It came to my attention it had been re published and substantially revised and expanded so I decided to grab the newer version and see the difference.
The main story between the hero and heroine is the same. Maybe a touch neater and a touch more depth to it, especially at the ending.
The main difference is the addition of a new character, Hall, who it seems may be getting his own book at some point.
However, still loved it.
It is not an overly complicated premise, it pretty much focuses on the 2 main characters, Riana and Cain, with Cain being a pretty mysterious character throughout, but with glimpses of who he was before, and how he is trying to retain his humanity, when all around him have devolved to base animal instinct!
An erotic, hot enjoyable read.
★Book Basics★
Genre : - Futuristic Romance
Series : - Standalone
Love triangle? -
Cheating? -
HEA? -
Would I read more by this author? - Yes
Rating - 5
★Review★
I first read this years ago, when it was published by EC under the Zannie Adams pen name.
It came to my attention it had been re published and substantially revised and expanded so I decided to grab the newer version and see the difference.
The main story between the hero and heroine is the same. Maybe a touch neater and a touch more depth to it, especially at the ending.
The main difference is the addition of a new character, Hall, who it seems may be getting his own book at some point.
However, still loved it.
It is not an overly complicated premise, it pretty much focuses on the 2 main characters, Riana and Cain, with Cain being a pretty mysterious character throughout, but with glimpses of who he was before, and how he is trying to retain his humanity, when all around him have devolved to base animal instinct!
An erotic, hot enjoyable read.
May 15, 2011
Gasp, this steamy novella from EC has a plot!!! Is it the end of the world as we know it? LOL!
From the book blurb:
Convicted by the Coalition of a minor crime, Riana is sentenced to life on a prison planet - no order, no safety, just a primitive hold filled with criminals vying for dominance. The only way Riana can survive is to give herself to the strongest man there in return for protection. By desperate instinct, she chooses a mysterious, handsome loner named Cain. She offers him her body and can only hope he'll be able to protect her from the other inmates who circle her like beasts.
She never dreams she will come to take pleasure in Cain. Or want to offer him her heart as well as her body.
I admit that I started to read this book expecting to find a flimsy plot hidden behind a bunch of scorching sex scenes, so I was more than pleasantly surprised when I realized I'd been way off the mark.
This story was dark and sometimes violent, as life in a prison dominated by dangerous criminals should be, and some events could have been disturbing if I hadn't ditched the rose-tinted glasses I usually wear when reading romance books. Don't let that scare you away from this book, though. Ultimately, it's still a romance book, with a great plot, a sexy and dangerous hero, a likable heroine, a believable love story and, yes, hot sex scenes. It even has an epilogue, even though I think the story would have been better wihtout it. Yeah, I know I complain when a romance book doesn't have an epilogue, but in this case, the epilogue doesn't fit the story. Does that make sense? No? Well, you'll have to read the book to understand what I mean. ;)
"My" Cain - dark, dangerous and delicious:
From the book blurb:
Convicted by the Coalition of a minor crime, Riana is sentenced to life on a prison planet - no order, no safety, just a primitive hold filled with criminals vying for dominance. The only way Riana can survive is to give herself to the strongest man there in return for protection. By desperate instinct, she chooses a mysterious, handsome loner named Cain. She offers him her body and can only hope he'll be able to protect her from the other inmates who circle her like beasts.
She never dreams she will come to take pleasure in Cain. Or want to offer him her heart as well as her body.
I admit that I started to read this book expecting to find a flimsy plot hidden behind a bunch of scorching sex scenes, so I was more than pleasantly surprised when I realized I'd been way off the mark.
This story was dark and sometimes violent, as life in a prison dominated by dangerous criminals should be, and some events could have been disturbing if I hadn't ditched the rose-tinted glasses I usually wear when reading romance books. Don't let that scare you away from this book, though. Ultimately, it's still a romance book, with a great plot, a sexy and dangerous hero, a likable heroine, a believable love story and, yes, hot sex scenes. It even has an epilogue, even though I think the story would have been better wihtout it. Yeah, I know I complain when a romance book doesn't have an epilogue, but in this case, the epilogue doesn't fit the story. Does that make sense? No? Well, you'll have to read the book to understand what I mean. ;)
"My" Cain - dark, dangerous and delicious:
August 10, 2017
4.5 Hot Stars!
This was a very pleasant surprise!
A love story, between two people in the most unlikely place, a prison planet, and under extremely violent circumstances...
Cain & Riana need each other for protection for sanity, and the physical &
Emotional connection that develops between these two...
Wow...
lets just say the sex scenes scorching hot, sensual, erotic and panty melting...engaging plot, well developed characters, can be read as a standalone!
Smokin HOT read... ;)
"Oh and it was a Freebie! "
M/F
This was a very pleasant surprise!
A love story, between two people in the most unlikely place, a prison planet, and under extremely violent circumstances...
Cain & Riana need each other for protection for sanity, and the physical &
Emotional connection that develops between these two...
Wow...
lets just say the sex scenes scorching hot, sensual, erotic and panty melting...engaging plot, well developed characters, can be read as a standalone!
Smokin HOT read... ;)
"Oh and it was a Freebie! "
M/F
June 18, 2025
2.5 ☆ i know its stankin like 10 pounds of bounce that ass on that prison planet
extra shout out to him for mowing her pussy grass
extra shout out to him for mowing her pussy grass
May 14, 2017
5 stars!
Well this book was a pleasant surprise I was looking for something different and I sure found it with this one.
"Hold" is a set somewhere in the future where we have more than one planet earth where humans live. One of those planets is just for criminals where they are isolated, and the prison is located under a poisoned ocean, in other words no way to escape. No matter your crime from murder to petty theft everyone is sent there, and for life.
Riana, is sent to that prison, which is filled with violent murders, pure chaos and everything is survival of the fittest. She's scared doesn't know what she going to do till someone whispers in her ear "find the strongest man there give your self to him in return for protection" those words save her life. Enter Caine, tall, strong, a loner but one she knows will protect her.
Like I said this book was a pleasant surprise the whole plot was interesting. Riana/Caine find themselves in a world of violence where you have to fight for everything. The relationship between the MC is sexual right from the start no lovey dovey or poetic love here. Sex for protection, that's the deal but oh man the sexy times between these two were scorching hot. Even though they do develop feelings for each other it was never a sweet kinda love it was a more raw and intense relationship, one that was perfect for this story.
Really enjoyed this book, with a unique plot and two great characters who are not just trying to survive but escape a planet that seems impossible. We are also introduced to Hall, the next character in book two. I'm looking forward to reading his story and finding more about him and his special abilities.❤
Well this book was a pleasant surprise I was looking for something different and I sure found it with this one.
"Hold" is a set somewhere in the future where we have more than one planet earth where humans live. One of those planets is just for criminals where they are isolated, and the prison is located under a poisoned ocean, in other words no way to escape. No matter your crime from murder to petty theft everyone is sent there, and for life.
Riana, is sent to that prison, which is filled with violent murders, pure chaos and everything is survival of the fittest. She's scared doesn't know what she going to do till someone whispers in her ear "find the strongest man there give your self to him in return for protection" those words save her life. Enter Caine, tall, strong, a loner but one she knows will protect her.
Like I said this book was a pleasant surprise the whole plot was interesting. Riana/Caine find themselves in a world of violence where you have to fight for everything. The relationship between the MC is sexual right from the start no lovey dovey or poetic love here. Sex for protection, that's the deal but oh man the sexy times between these two were scorching hot. Even though they do develop feelings for each other it was never a sweet kinda love it was a more raw and intense relationship, one that was perfect for this story.
Really enjoyed this book, with a unique plot and two great characters who are not just trying to survive but escape a planet that seems impossible. We are also introduced to Hall, the next character in book two. I'm looking forward to reading his story and finding more about him and his special abilities.❤
Read
March 14, 2022You wouldn’t know this because of my immaculate and excellent taste in smut. But apparently I’m a whore for sex trading in a far away prison planet with poisonous waters.
I didn’t know that either until today.
I didn’t know that either until today.
September 24, 2017
DNF. Silly het smut. Heroine comes three times on the cock of a stranger. No hands. Repeat chorus.
Best line:
"Come for me hard."
She came. Hard.
Best line:
"Come for me hard."
She came. Hard.
October 24, 2022
4 (maybe even 4.5) stars. I really liked this book - which is surprising because I wasn’t expecting much. It was briefly mentioned as “super hot” by a podcast, so I was naturally very curious. 😉 I was not let down... although I really didn’t find the sex as hot as many others clearly have. I guess I’m just not that into voyerism (we all have our faults). I really liked the story though, which I wasn’t expecting. There is a lot more to this story then just the sex, it’s very well done and well developed and the ending was sweet as hell.
Safe; Hero & heroine have no other partners after they get together and neither are virgins. Heroine is nearly raped by OM, and there’s a good bit of talk about rape and coercion. TW: violence, death, gore
Safe; Hero & heroine have no other partners after they get together and neither are virgins. Heroine is nearly raped by OM, and there’s a good bit of talk about rape and coercion. TW: violence, death, gore
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 18, 2025
This was awesomely intense..
🥵🤯😭
Wasn't sure what to expect here but I loved it. Erotic, sexy, loving, sweet & adrenaline pumping moments in this one.
Cain, baby.. I LOVE YOU!❤
You're beautiful. You're capable. You're simply the sh^t!🙌
Riana, baby girl.. I'm so proud of you! My heart hurts to know that you ended up in this lawless place sent there BY THE LAW, no less, through no fault of your own!
But yours and Cain's outcome was definitely worth this frightening journey.💯
Can I just say that my heart ♥ was in my 🍑 the whole time I was reading this!🤯😱😱
I absolutely love the way this one ended as well as the Epilogue given.💖
I would recommend this read.
#Hot&Heartfelt
🥵🤯😭
Wasn't sure what to expect here but I loved it. Erotic, sexy, loving, sweet & adrenaline pumping moments in this one.
Cain, baby.. I LOVE YOU!❤
You're beautiful. You're capable. You're simply the sh^t!🙌
Riana, baby girl.. I'm so proud of you! My heart hurts to know that you ended up in this lawless place sent there BY THE LAW, no less, through no fault of your own!
But yours and Cain's outcome was definitely worth this frightening journey.💯
Can I just say that my heart ♥ was in my 🍑 the whole time I was reading this!🤯😱😱
I absolutely love the way this one ended as well as the Epilogue given.💖
I would recommend this read.
#Hot&Heartfelt
July 14, 2024
What does it say about me that this man is literally doing the barest minimum and I'm like, "Awww, it's so much more than I expected."
Intentional or not, this book comes across as a very incisive commentary on the patriarchy, the prison system, and late-stage capitalism.
Compared to what I was expecting after hearing this book was "all the trigger warnings," Hold was downright cozy. Not that I need it to be all the trigger warnings, just my expectations didn't match my experience and that always leaves you feeling kind of off balance.
My main criticism is that, even though this is a romance novella, the author really toes the line when it comes to how much ambiguity and 'talking around' you can reasonably get away with when describing scifi components.
Intentional or not, this book comes across as a very incisive commentary on the patriarchy, the prison system, and late-stage capitalism.
Compared to what I was expecting after hearing this book was "all the trigger warnings," Hold was downright cozy. Not that I need it to be all the trigger warnings, just my expectations didn't match my experience and that always leaves you feeling kind of off balance.
My main criticism is that, even though this is a romance novella, the author really toes the line when it comes to how much ambiguity and 'talking around' you can reasonably get away with when describing scifi components.
December 28, 2025
She TRADES HER body-yadi for protection to the strongest man IN PRISON! Gritty but surprisingly sweet DYSTOPIAN smut that makes me *checks notes* want to go to prison…
✨🪐 ⛓️🩶🤍⛓️ 🪐✨
Riana just got sentenced to an inescapable underwater prison on an uninhabitable planet….your girl is COOKED! Her best chance of survival is to find a strong man & trade her yadi for protection. In comes the rough and silent loner with a cell & bathroom of his own 👀
From apprehensive intimacy to friendly orgasms & a desperate romance!
🩶 loner prisoner desperate for female companionship
🩶 she chooses him
🩶 NO PRIVACY! The other prisoners are watching…
🩶 he wants her to enjoy it
This is the holy grail of dystopian romance dynamic! The delicate line of non con is balanced with Riana enjoying the couplings & Cain being incredibly considerate. Let me just say this MAN IS HUNGRY 👅 The plot is smut on smut but it totally works because…what else are they going to do in a cell together.
Amazing writing because how can you make prison romance so sweet?! Admittedly a little gross because no showers & food scraps are unthinkable to me but it creates an atmosphere of desperation.
Perfect and honestly kind of a dreamy outer space ending…
dystopian/space romance
protective mmc
forced proximity
one bed
exhibitionism/voyeurism
touch her & die
prison savagery
HEA
✨🪐 ⛓️🩶🤍⛓️ 🪐✨
Riana just got sentenced to an inescapable underwater prison on an uninhabitable planet….your girl is COOKED! Her best chance of survival is to find a strong man & trade her yadi for protection. In comes the rough and silent loner with a cell & bathroom of his own 👀
From apprehensive intimacy to friendly orgasms & a desperate romance!
🩶 loner prisoner desperate for female companionship
🩶 she chooses him
🩶 NO PRIVACY! The other prisoners are watching…
🩶 he wants her to enjoy it
This is the holy grail of dystopian romance dynamic! The delicate line of non con is balanced with Riana enjoying the couplings & Cain being incredibly considerate. Let me just say this MAN IS HUNGRY 👅 The plot is smut on smut but it totally works because…what else are they going to do in a cell together.
Amazing writing because how can you make prison romance so sweet?! Admittedly a little gross because no showers & food scraps are unthinkable to me but it creates an atmosphere of desperation.
Perfect and honestly kind of a dreamy outer space ending…
dystopian/space romance
protective mmc
forced proximity
one bed
exhibitionism/voyeurism
touch her & die
prison savagery
HEA
March 29, 2022
3.5 stars
WHICH ONE OF YOU RA**EDY A** SN*WFL*AKE A** B*TCHES REPORTED THIS BOOK'S INNOCENT ONE LINER REVIEW WITH A GTA GIF FOR VIOLENCE🤣🤣🤣🤣
^Try and delete it off my shelves now with that expert sensorship<3
WHICH ONE OF YOU RA**EDY A** SN*WFL*AKE A** B*TCHES REPORTED THIS BOOK'S INNOCENT ONE LINER REVIEW WITH A GTA GIF FOR VIOLENCE🤣🤣🤣🤣
^Try and delete it off my shelves now with that expert sensorship<3
July 30, 2021
Wow! I had forgotten how unique this story was! I read this years ago and immediately fell in love with not only these characters, but this style of writing. Now, in response to a challenge, I’ve had the opportunity to reread this one and realize why it left such an impact on me.
This is a story that I’m not sure what sub-genre of romance it would be labeled under. It’s not post-apocalyptic, I don't think. It’s definitely spicy and has an amazing romance. I guess it’s a Sci-fi erotic romance? Wherever it falls, it fell straight into my heart as it captivated me with it’s original backdrop and storyline.
Riana was one tough girl, but she was also smart enough to know that she was going to need more than just her own abilities to survive in this new life she had been sentenced to. I loved that with one look shared between her and Cain had them both recognizing that they needed or wanted each other.
Cain was one scary, awesome hero. He was alpha without ever thumping his chest to prove it to the world. His ability to control a situation came from simply stepping in and handling it in any way that was required, with the least violence he could manage. I loved how his adjustment and acceptance of Riana went from hot and steamy to sweet and caring without ever losing the sizzle and heat.
I never had the opportunity to read the next book in this series, which is a different couple, so I’ll be digging into that next!
Heroine POV
Safe
Triggers
This is a story that I’m not sure what sub-genre of romance it would be labeled under. It’s not post-apocalyptic, I don't think. It’s definitely spicy and has an amazing romance. I guess it’s a Sci-fi erotic romance? Wherever it falls, it fell straight into my heart as it captivated me with it’s original backdrop and storyline.
Riana was one tough girl, but she was also smart enough to know that she was going to need more than just her own abilities to survive in this new life she had been sentenced to. I loved that with one look shared between her and Cain had them both recognizing that they needed or wanted each other.
Cain was one scary, awesome hero. He was alpha without ever thumping his chest to prove it to the world. His ability to control a situation came from simply stepping in and handling it in any way that was required, with the least violence he could manage. I loved how his adjustment and acceptance of Riana went from hot and steamy to sweet and caring without ever losing the sizzle and heat.
I never had the opportunity to read the next book in this series, which is a different couple, so I’ll be digging into that next!
Heroine POV
Safe
Triggers
May 28, 2025
Reread because it’s my favorite. The prison sex=protection trope perfection I needed. Absolutely loved everything about this. Exactly what I hoped it would be. By far the best version of this trope I’ve read.
May 8, 2023
Reread for the heck of it.
4 stars
3 on the spice scale
4 stars
3 on the spice scale
September 20, 2021
9/19/22
5 stars
It's been many years since I last read this book but I decided to do a reread because I wanted to finish the series. Unfortunately after reading reviews I've decided to only read book 3. Now back to Hold, I loved it just as much as the first time I read it so I decided to up my rating to 5 stars.
Original review 4/10/15
4.5 stars
What an awesome surprise. I loved this book from beginning to end. My only complaint is I wish it was longer. I will definitely read Hall's book.
5 stars
It's been many years since I last read this book but I decided to do a reread because I wanted to finish the series. Unfortunately after reading reviews I've decided to only read book 3. Now back to Hold, I loved it just as much as the first time I read it so I decided to up my rating to 5 stars.
Original review 4/10/15
4.5 stars
What an awesome surprise. I loved this book from beginning to end. My only complaint is I wish it was longer. I will definitely read Hall's book.
December 5, 2020
3.5 STARS
Buddy read with Mina <3
Well... This was actually such a surprising read. And entertaining. And hot. And so short yet so long? And also, very misleading.
I mean, looking at the cover and the blurb, I was expecting something dark and pretty fucked up, and what I got instead was mushiness and sugary sweet love. Not to say there's anything wrong with that, because despite everything I really did enjoy this, but it just wasn't what I was expecting to get, so I was thrown a little off-kilter for pretty much the whole entirety of the book.
The whole vibe was so primitive, and so... entertaining. I've noticed that I really enjoy books that have this sort of setting. Ones without societal rules, books that are all about survival. They're just so fun to read about! And this book definitely delivered on that accord.
My biggest issue here honestly was the hero. He was just so... soft. I mean, in the beginning I really liked him, my man had some good fights and scenes but with every page he just kept getting softer and softer until I felt like I was reading a hero that just didn't fit into the book: he started feeling all wrong for this story. In essence, he wasn't what I needed nor craved. And his backstory was so underwhelming I took a star alone from that.
The heroine was rational and sweet and smart, and I really liked her a lot. She was very relatable, and I can say had I been in her position, I would have probably done everything she did.
Now to the most interesting part... This book has only five chapters and me and Mina finished it in like an hour or two. The thing is, after I finished, I felt like I'd read a full-length novel. Every chapter was packed with action and development, and you could see that the author took advantage of every single page. I was and still am really impressed. I think this is actually the first time I've ever read a book this short with no insta-love and one that actually had a pretty decent romance development.
All in all, this was a really entertaining read!
Buddy read with Mina <3
Well... This was actually such a surprising read. And entertaining. And hot. And so short yet so long? And also, very misleading.
I mean, looking at the cover and the blurb, I was expecting something dark and pretty fucked up, and what I got instead was mushiness and sugary sweet love. Not to say there's anything wrong with that, because despite everything I really did enjoy this, but it just wasn't what I was expecting to get, so I was thrown a little off-kilter for pretty much the whole entirety of the book.
The whole vibe was so primitive, and so... entertaining. I've noticed that I really enjoy books that have this sort of setting. Ones without societal rules, books that are all about survival. They're just so fun to read about! And this book definitely delivered on that accord.
My biggest issue here honestly was the hero. He was just so... soft. I mean, in the beginning I really liked him, my man had some good fights and scenes but with every page he just kept getting softer and softer until I felt like I was reading a hero that just didn't fit into the book: he started feeling all wrong for this story. In essence, he wasn't what I needed nor craved. And his backstory was so underwhelming I took a star alone from that.
The heroine was rational and sweet and smart, and I really liked her a lot. She was very relatable, and I can say had I been in her position, I would have probably done everything she did.
Now to the most interesting part... This book has only five chapters and me and Mina finished it in like an hour or two. The thing is, after I finished, I felt like I'd read a full-length novel. Every chapter was packed with action and development, and you could see that the author took advantage of every single page. I was and still am really impressed. I think this is actually the first time I've ever read a book this short with no insta-love and one that actually had a pretty decent romance development.
All in all, this was a really entertaining read!
July 9, 2018
4 Prison Planet Stars
I didn’t know Noelle Adams and Claire Kent were the same people! I read one Noelle Adams book a long time ago, but I really enjoyed it. I’m not sure where all the negative reviews about this book is about because I really enjoyed Hold.
This was more of an erotic book than a NA book, but I liked that even more. I just finished Guardian by Emmy Chandler which has the same theme as this one so I’ve been on a prison planet binge. So if you enjoy those kinds of books, you need to read that one too.
In this world Riana is sent to a prison planet where is co-ed so men and women live there. Riana finds her strongest man to team up with and that’s Cain. Cain is a loner but he’s a lonely loner.
I like the concept of this one. I would have liked more women interaction, but I liked how Cain took to Riana and he basically protected her. I liked the world building and reading how the prison was conducted. And of course the book was wicked hot.
There is no privacy and it seems like dangerous men lurk everywhere, but somehow Riana keeps sane with Cain.
Overall it was an enjoyable fast and easy read.
I didn’t know Noelle Adams and Claire Kent were the same people! I read one Noelle Adams book a long time ago, but I really enjoyed it. I’m not sure where all the negative reviews about this book is about because I really enjoyed Hold.
This was more of an erotic book than a NA book, but I liked that even more. I just finished Guardian by Emmy Chandler which has the same theme as this one so I’ve been on a prison planet binge. So if you enjoy those kinds of books, you need to read that one too.
In this world Riana is sent to a prison planet where is co-ed so men and women live there. Riana finds her strongest man to team up with and that’s Cain. Cain is a loner but he’s a lonely loner.
I like the concept of this one. I would have liked more women interaction, but I liked how Cain took to Riana and he basically protected her. I liked the world building and reading how the prison was conducted. And of course the book was wicked hot.
There is no privacy and it seems like dangerous men lurk everywhere, but somehow Riana keeps sane with Cain.
Overall it was an enjoyable fast and easy read.
April 18, 2022
Okay, first of all— that was the best epilogue I’ve ever read in my life. A perfect, cozy, hopeful conclusion to our previously dystopian story. I could picture it like a movie scene:
Our couple, Cain and Riana, laying together, in the middle of the night, on the crest of a grassy hill, watching the clear, starry night sky and recalling everything they had to endure in order to arrive at this very moment— at peace and in love— raising hybrid cattle on their ranch located on a quiet, sparsely-populated agricultural planet on the outskirts of Coalition Space.
To whom this may concern (all authors),
This is how you write an epilogue. I know the ‘five year time jump featuring a pregnant heroine and a houseful of kids’ epilogue template has y’all in an absolute chokehold, but maybe take a pointer or two from Claire Kent for next time.
—
Back to the beginning.
We’re introduced to our heroine, Riana, as she arrives at The Hold— a barbaric, lawless prison located on an isolated, inescapable planet. She receives this lovely piece of advice from her intake officer:
🥰😍When the Meet Cute is the heroine trading her body for protection from an incarcerated stranger on a hellish prison planet 😍🥰
I actually really liked that our couple met under these horrendous circumstances and still managed to cultivate a meaningful and sincere relationship. I think that’s more meaningful and interesting and realistic than if they were both inexplicably in love at first sight. There was something really refreshingly realistic about the portrayal of their time in The Hold. Real, but not depressing. The tone was interesting. I think the author did a really good job.
—
🚨Lastly. I’m sorry but you can’t name your heroine Riana (Rihanna) without pulling me out of the story every time I read her name and making me think bad gyal Rih herself is up in this bitch. Rihanna would never obey a white man, I can’t suspend disbelief.🚨
Our couple, Cain and Riana, laying together, in the middle of the night, on the crest of a grassy hill, watching the clear, starry night sky and recalling everything they had to endure in order to arrive at this very moment— at peace and in love— raising hybrid cattle on their ranch located on a quiet, sparsely-populated agricultural planet on the outskirts of Coalition Space.
To whom this may concern (all authors),
This is how you write an epilogue. I know the ‘five year time jump featuring a pregnant heroine and a houseful of kids’ epilogue template has y’all in an absolute chokehold, but maybe take a pointer or two from Claire Kent for next time.
—
Back to the beginning.
We’re introduced to our heroine, Riana, as she arrives at The Hold— a barbaric, lawless prison located on an isolated, inescapable planet. She receives this lovely piece of advice from her intake officer:
”Find the strongest man there,” Davis said. “Give yourself to him in return for protection. It’s the only way you’ll ever survive.”
🥰😍When the Meet Cute is the heroine trading her body for protection from an incarcerated stranger on a hellish prison planet 😍🥰
I actually really liked that our couple met under these horrendous circumstances and still managed to cultivate a meaningful and sincere relationship. I think that’s more meaningful and interesting and realistic than if they were both inexplicably in love at first sight. There was something really refreshingly realistic about the portrayal of their time in The Hold. Real, but not depressing. The tone was interesting. I think the author did a really good job.
—
🚨Lastly. I’m sorry but you can’t name your heroine Riana (Rihanna) without pulling me out of the story every time I read her name and making me think bad gyal Rih herself is up in this bitch. Rihanna would never obey a white man, I can’t suspend disbelief.🚨
July 2, 2019
I, who have enough of romances too much stuffed with sexual scenes, I loved this one, although I'd say that at least sixty percent of it is just that: sex. I must say, however, that the author created a context (a narrow cell in a jail full of feral and rambunctious prisoners) in which they didn't have a whole lot to do besides f*ck and nap. Riana's reactions to her situation felt true to me. What the author reveled to us about her MCs (Riana and Cain) made us believe that they couldn't behave differently. Moreover, Ms. Kent ensured that each new sex scene added something in connection with what happened between─or to─the two protagonists (in conformity with their emotions and feelings) or into the jail. Nothing is too far-fetched; the author didn't seek to make her two MCs achieve erotic exploits. She just showed an ever-greater degree of intimacy and affection, if not of love.
What I also appreciated in this novel is that Ms. Kent didn't use the sordid background to create unnecessary scenes of torture or cruelty. Davis, the only guard we know, does everything by the book and seemed to be a decent guy. Even when Cain came back from his "medical examination" in an unstable physical and mental state, she made him say, "this is not torture.” So I appreciated the fact that the author understood that the context was already hard enough without needing to press the issue.
I was hoping for a sequel that would show Cain and Riana trying to find out why Riana had been arrested for so little and to put some fairness into the justice system and their society in general; but no, the next book is about a secondary character of this novel, Hall.
Since I got this novel for free last summer, I'm happy to get something as good as this short novel for zero cent. So I give it 4 stars.
What I also appreciated in this novel is that Ms. Kent didn't use the sordid background to create unnecessary scenes of torture or cruelty. Davis, the only guard we know, does everything by the book and seemed to be a decent guy. Even when Cain came back from his "medical examination" in an unstable physical and mental state, she made him say, "this is not torture.” So I appreciated the fact that the author understood that the context was already hard enough without needing to press the issue.
I was hoping for a sequel that would show Cain and Riana trying to find out why Riana had been arrested for so little and to put some fairness into the justice system and their society in general; but no, the next book is about a secondary character of this novel, Hall.
Since I got this novel for free last summer, I'm happy to get something as good as this short novel for zero cent. So I give it 4 stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 28, 2019
I am such a sucker for these types of stories. It is almost like the forced proximity trope but in a twisted sci-fi setting.
As you already know by the description, Riana gets sentenced to a prison planet for committing a crime. It becomes clear that she isn't the typical prisoner this planet is used to receiving. The guard starts to give her advice - such as shacking up with a powerful male to take care of her. She chooses the unlikely alpha, Cain, and offers herself to him for his protection. He accepts graciously. A bunch of sexy times follows until Cain decides to trust Riana and let's her in on a secret. Now, they are working as a team to overcome this hellish planet.
I was really betting on getting Prison Planet Barbarian vibes, and I totally did. If you really enjoyed that book, then you should like this one as well.
I am still uncertain if I will continue this series, but at least it will always be there if I want to pursue it further.
This review was originally posted on Sincerely, Whitney
As you already know by the description, Riana gets sentenced to a prison planet for committing a crime. It becomes clear that she isn't the typical prisoner this planet is used to receiving. The guard starts to give her advice - such as shacking up with a powerful male to take care of her. She chooses the unlikely alpha, Cain, and offers herself to him for his protection. He accepts graciously. A bunch of sexy times follows until Cain decides to trust Riana and let's her in on a secret. Now, they are working as a team to overcome this hellish planet.
I was really betting on getting Prison Planet Barbarian vibes, and I totally did. If you really enjoyed that book, then you should like this one as well.
I am still uncertain if I will continue this series, but at least it will always be there if I want to pursue it further.
This review was originally posted on Sincerely, Whitney
April 18, 2011
Bleepin loved it. Now Im having dirty fantasies about Vin Diesel from Chonicles of Riddick. Thank you, Zannie Adams. :D
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