Kept: A Captive Forced Proximity Dark Romance

by KJ Crask

She woke up in his cabin. He says someone killed her sister. He says they're coming for her next. He says he's the only thing keeping her alive. He won't tell her his real name.

Mara Castellano was an art professor with a dead sister and a life she was barely holding together. Now she's trapped in a remote mountain cabin with a man built like a weapon and a silence that fills every room he enters. He cooks her eggs. He watches her sleep. He has six loaded guns staged through the house and he's expecting company.

Silas doesn't explain. He protects. With a scarred body, a classified past, and hands steady enough to kill but gentle enough to cup the back of her skull. He loved a woman who looked like Mara. That woman is dead. And the people who killed her are circling closer every night.

Every door in the cabin is unlocked. Every window opens. She can leave whenever she wants. She doesn't want to. And that's the most dangerous thing of all.

KEPT is Book 1 in the Keeping Her in Crimson trilogy.

Captive romance. Forced proximity. Mountain cabin isolation. Morally grey military hero. Possessive/obsessive protector. Touch her and die. Grief-bonded. Dual POV. Explicit content. No fade to black.

Content captivity, graphic intimacy, violence, breath play, chase/primal play, grief, and a hero who will burn the world down for one woman. Reader discretion advised.

298 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 3, 2026

Reviews

[Francine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’d give Kept a solid 4 stars. Overall, it was a really good story that kept me engaged, especially with its dark romance elements and the tension between the characters. The chemistry was compelling, and there were definitely moments that pulled me in and made it hard to put down.

That said, it did drag a little at times. There were sections where the pacing slowed enough that I found myself wanting things to move along a bit quicker. It didn’t take away from the story entirely, but it was noticeable.

As for the “dark” aspect, I’d say it leans more on the lighter side of dark romance compared to others I’ve read. If you’re used to really intense or heavy dark romance, this might not feel as extreme—but it still delivers enough edge to satisfy the genre.

All in all, a good read with strong moments, even if the pacing wasn’t perfect.

[Prsongbird · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did find this book to be very well written for the most part. It is a very descriptive book with minimal dialogue with characters who say very little to each other., but that’s just the way the characters are supposed to be. I think I prefer books with more dialogue and a faster pace. The book often felt repetitive and it is a very slow paced book. There were several parts of the book that dragged for me.

* I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Loreli Jessee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book starts with action and ends with action. It’s full of tension, danger, twists, surprises, and so much more that’ll keep you glued to the pages. I loved all the details and unexpected moments, Mara is so much more than you expect, I loved all she’s capable of. Silas has so much intensity and determination. You won’t be disappointed with this book.

[Shann T · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had me fully engaged. There was some flashbacks to a specific timeline that keeps popping up- relevant to the story. I wanted more I guess towards the end or a bigger explanation that ties up loose ends.
Some parts were weird for me, but overall enjoyed the book.
3.75 stars

[Traylove · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kept is everything I hoped it would be and more. It has the perfect balance of darkness, spice, and suspense. The author tells the tale of Mara and Silas so eloquently, I found myself highlighting bits and pieces that resonated with me long after reading. The descriptive imagery takes you to the cabin… and allows the reader to take up residence there as an observer and a voyeur. Kept often creates a space for the reader to contemplate his or her own response when faced with moral dilemma and unthinkable choices. It is a page turner, not only to see what happens next but also to feel and think and count as Mara and Silas. A great story. My only struggle was the overuse of "architecture" as a descriptor--it tended to be a bit redundant. Overall, that is insignificant and does not take away from this brilliantly written novel. Thank you for the sharing your imagination and craft!

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