Rent a Bank Robber

Renting Love

by Darcy Rose

A hilarious, heart-pounding romp where crime pays… in orgasms.

In the dead-end grind of my bank teller job, my only excitement is choking down accidentally spicy ramen while dodging my sleazy boss’s dinner invites. When a trio of masked robbers bursts in, I don’t scream. I fist-pump. Finally, a way out!

Volunteering as their hostage to escape the sirens, I’m whisked into a getaway car where I’m blindfolded, and fear mingles with the intoxicating scent of my captor. What starts as a quick drop-off detour spirals into a hotel hideout, room service, and my wrists tied to the headboard.

With cops closing in and my V-card on the line, can this Stockholm syndrome spark turn into something real? Or will our dark, twisted meet-cute rob us both blind?

A darkly hilarious, obsessively steamy rom-com where the bank robber falls hardest, the innocent girl gets kidnapped, and happily-ever-after comes with a police chase.

Genres: Dark Romance, Contemporary, Romance, Novella

132 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 8, 2026

About the author

Darcy Rose is a USA Today Bestselling author who writes about shy and innocent heroines, to match them up with dark and intense heroes who have only eyes for one girl.

If you like your books short, taboo, dark, and a bit (or a lot) kinky, then Darcy Rose is perfect for you.

Reviews

[Toni Gorgas · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was so damn cute. Bacon bits?! Lady Honey Ham?! Makes me want to adopt a mini pig stat.

Idk why it would be considered a dark rom com except maybe because there is technically kidnapping? Idk. It’s a quick insta love adorable story with just the right amount of spice.

[Cee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the best of the three-- absolutely adorable. I need like 100 more books with similar plots, please and thank you.

[Liv Young · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had to finish the series but at what cost

[Jan · Rating 2 out of 5]

the speed at which ppl fall in love & then confess it is insane

[LaVette LoVe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I devoured this qwerky little book! It was so funny! The grandma made this book! I would love more in this series!
5🌟
4🌶️

[Chandra Luna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I went into Rent a Bank Robber expecting a little chaos—but I was not prepared for just how funny, off-the-wall, and weirdly swoony this story would be. From the very first scene, it grabs you by the hand and drags you straight into absolute madness… and somehow makes you love every second of it.

Kenna is hands-down one of the most entertaining heroines I’ve read in a while. Stuck in a dull bank teller job with a sleazy boss hovering in the background, she’s already at her limit—so when a group of masked robbers storms in, her reaction isn’t fear… it’s relief. And when she voluntarily signs herself up to be their hostage? I was already laughing.

Enter Ranger.

Raised in a life of crime, used to control, danger, and zero surprises… and then suddenly faced with a chatty, fearless, slightly unhinged woman who is way too excited about being kidnapped. The dynamic between them is pure gold. He’s intense, possessive, and completely thrown off his game, while she’s curious, bold, and somehow turning a hostage situation into a full-blown adventure.

What really makes this book shine is the balance. It’s chaotic and fast-paced, with a cross-country chase, high stakes, and plenty of tension—but layered with humor that had me genuinely laughing out loud. There’s this constant “what is even happening right now?” energy that somehow works perfectly with the growing connection between them.

And that connection? Surprisingly sweet underneath all the madness. Ranger’s obsession builds quickly, but it’s paired with protectiveness and a vulnerability he clearly wasn’t expecting. Meanwhile, Kenna goes from bored and stuck to fully alive, embracing the wild turn her life has taken in a way that feels oddly empowering.

If you love:

Chaotic, laugh-out-loud romance
Possessive, slightly unhinged heroes
Bold heroines who flip every expectation
Fast-paced stories with high stakes and high chemistry
“This should not work… but it absolutely does” vibes

…this book is a must-read.

It’s ridiculous in the best way, wildly entertaining, and unexpectedly heartfelt—a story that proves sometimes the most insane detours lead exactly where you’re meant to be. And honestly? You might never look at a bank robbery the same way again.

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

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Volunteering as a hostage during a bank robbery just so you have an excuse to miss your gross boss's dinner invite is...something. Not something bad, either. It's kinda hilarious. The fact that Kenna was excited when the robbery started because it was better than dinner with her sleazoid boss says A LOT.

Ranger thought so too. Which is why he took Kenna up on her offer to be a hostage. A beautiful woman who pushed all the right buttons for him and who was volunteering to stick around a little longer? HE WAS IN. He was also a gentleman in that he didn't take advantage of the situation. Well, I mean, he got her consent before he took advantage. And he was very giving.

Kenna thought so. After being delivered to her doorstep, none the worse for wear, she couldn't stop thinking about the man with the sexy voice who smelled nice and gave her everything she didn't know she was missing. So when the opportunity came to reconnect, she took it. She took and ran with it and Ranger was everything she thought he would be.

I must say I liked this one. Ranger was a professional thief who found the thing his life was missing when one sassy teller offered to help them escape. He, in turn, was able to give Kenna what she wanted most. Plus, PIG! *thumbs up

-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short but addictive slightly different so hang on you won’t put it down until the last page has been turned. Kenna is a little tired of doing the same thing day in, day out working as a bank teller but the worst is having to deal with a HR boss who commits a crime daily committing a crime because he was the head of HR who was she going to report him to but she had bills to pay, and dealing with it seemed to be her only choice thus far until she crossed paths with bank robbers offering herself up as a hostage just for excitement not sure what she is getting herself into. Now this is where we tell you to buckle up, hang on because the fun begins here😊. Three masked men raised in a life of crime, they control it like life itself, thrive on danger, plan like every detail down to the last thing that could go wrong and throw into that mix the one thing they couldn’t plan a crazy cute girl who insisted on being kidnapped throwing them for a loop now that they didn’t plan on but they knew to role with it. The magnetic pull between them was there from the start of all the craziness but where are they headed is the question, what are they after, will her boss get what he deserves, will her men get away with their robbery, and can they find their own form of happiness?

[Ebc_readsmut · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved everything about this! 😍 I wouldn’t change a thing except maybe ask for more! 💖

This really surprised me! It’s short so I wasn’t expecting to fall in love with the characters as much as I have. I adore the MMC, his dark sexy outward appearance but inside he’s basically a golden retriever. The FMC is sweet & funny as well with her rambling and big heart. They go very well together.

💖The BANTER WAS BANTERING 👏🏼 I laughed so much reading this I wanted to highlight so many conversations!
🥺 This was surprisingly sweet and emotional as well! For such a quick read I didn’t think I’d be invested but the author does a great job bringing these characters to life, their backgrounds, their hopes and dreams, their hardships. I found myself shedding tears a couple times.
🖊️ I really enjoyed this authors writing style, attention to detail & the grammar. It was very well written!
👵 The grandma deserves her own memoir! Probably one of my fave side characters to date!
🐷 Pet mini pigs! No explanation needed.
🥵 Open door spice that was well timed, had a thrilling aspect to it & was hot! The whole not knowing his identity…girl was brave & reckless! 😂

👍🏼Virgin FMC
👍🏼Professional thief
👍🏼secret identity
👍🏼He falls first & hard
👍🏼Big gestures of love
👍🏼He’s obsessed

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book hovers on the edge of absurd. It is not in the least realistic. The notion of a woman and man falling in love under these circumstances stretches believability past breaking.

But does that make this a bad book? Nope.

The title alone should clue most readers in. “Rent A Bank Robber” is one of those books read for the pure joy of it. It’s a fun bit of escapism. Most women wouldn’t fall for a career criminal, but the fun is in letting go and going with the story.

Kenna is in a serious rut. A boss straight from the HR manual’s sexual harassment pages, a boring job, bills piling up. You get the gist. Then along come three bank robbers to add some much needed excitement to her day. In the rush of the moment, Kenna offers herself up as a hostage.

And the craziness begins. This book isn’t remotely believable, but it was a fun, engaging story that gave me a break from all the insanity in the world. And sometimes we need that. Kenna and Ranger (and Bacon Bits) were a nice little distraction, and I enjoyed that distraction quite a bit. Recommended.

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

[Nicole Deanne Veracruz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kenna works at a bank. She tried to avoid the unwanted advances from her boss. He cornered her in the break room and tried to coerce her into going to dinner with him after work. She prays for a miracle. That Miracle comes in the form of a bank robbery. Her boss trips a silent alarm and 1 of the 3 Robbers decide they need a hostage. She volunteers. Shaken Up and unsure of what's going to happen she can't deny that she has an instant attraction to the ghost face mask robber. Ranger blindfolds her before him and his siblings removed their mask. He can't deny that he finds this quirky overly talkative woman attractive. He holds her overnight then they drop her off at home the next morning but he can't get her off of his mind and begins to stalk her pigs Instagram account. Although some points in this book were completely off the wall that's what made it so pleasurable for me because it gave me an escape from reality. I absolutely loved Ranger but most of all I loved Kenna's grandma.

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

[Lyndi (mibookobsession) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who knew that being kidnapped by a bank robber would turn out to be a better option than dinner with her sleazy boss? But when they bust through the doors to the back she nearly cheers in relief.
Ranger has lived a life of crime since he was a child, raised by career criminals. He's gotten used to a life on the move and nothing surprises him anymore... until Kenna. He's never been cheered in a holdup before, then she excitedly volunteers to be his hostage. And was she seriously sniffing his cologne in the getaway car?? In one night she becomes his obsession and has him questioning everything he's ever known.
This is the third book in a series of novellas. Not the most spicy or suspenseful, but probably the most charming and funny. I'm loving this series more with every book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. The views and opinions expressed in this review are completely my own

[Brenda · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC review

This slightly dark, steamy rom-com follows Kenna. Kenna is a bored bank teller who volunteers as a hostage during a bank robbery to escape her sleazy boss's unwanted advances. She only didn't know yet that her impulsive decision leads her to Ranger, one of the bank robbers, who takes her on a wild ride.
The book is written in a fast paced and engaging way. It keeps the reader interested from the first page. The book is filled with banter and humor.
The romance between Kenna and Ranger is wonderfully done with slow-burn tension. Their connection is instant and intense, but their journey from hostage and captor to lovers is fraught with obstacles and humor. The steamy scenes are hot and emotionally charged.
The first part of the book is the most gripping part. In the second halve there are a couple of scenes that feel repetitive. A couple more high stake moments would have benefited this part.
Rent a Bank Robber is a fun, fast paced rom-com that delivers on humor, heat and heart. I had fun reading this.

[Teri Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am only a little ways into this story and I’m laughing out loud so hard. One of the characters in this read is the kind of funny where most things they say are funny, they just don’t know it. I love this kind of humor. I think this book might be funnier than the first book. In one part, I laughed so hard tears were streaming. I love the way their first “encounter” comes about. This would also be a great audiobook. I obviously think it was hilarious but it was also sweet, tender and kind and you could see their fondness for each other grow. I loved the two main characters, and the secondary characters as well. Oh, more books like this please! I would definitely recommend this short book and the series.

[Charlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rent a Bank Robber, part of the Renting Love series follows bank teller Kenna Roberts and bank robber Ranger Lane. Kenna’s life is boring, and apart from choosing the wrong ramen, it’s anything but spicy, so when a trio robs her bank, something goes wrong and she volunteers to go with them as a hostage. Ranger and his siblings Mara and Carson grew up robbing banks, and have never taken a hostage, it’s always been a quick “grab and flee” situation, but with Kenna, something is different, even blindfolded, she somehow manages to work her way under his skin, and, even after they drop her off, he finds that he can’t let her go.. so when Kenna asks his help, he does everything he can to get back into her life.

[Dorrita Winch]

“Rent A Bank Robber” by Darcy Rose is a standalone series. Part of: Renting Love (3books).
Kenna and Ranger are our main characters in this wild bank robbery adventure story that starts with kidnapping and end in finding their new love of their lives. An innocent, board, sassy, bank teller heroine and a big, possessive, protective and obsessive hero. A fast paced, fairly short read. With humor spots and spicy as well.
Their life is unusual but the teller and the robber eventually makes it work getting a happy ever after.

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

[JP18267 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unhinged

I knew this book was going to be good, but it blew me away! I was seriously laughing from the very first page. Kenna, the overly talkative teller, volunteers herself to be hostage to the mysterious bank robber, Ranger. There was the perfect balance between chaotic tension and outrageous humor—there were several one-liners that had me dying. Part of me was questioning, 'What did I just read?!' while the other part was begging for more! I definitely have to check out the other books in the Renting Love series.

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

[Good Booking Girl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novella was absolute chaos in the best way 😂 Between the bank robbery, the ridiculous tension, and the “why is this kidnapping kind of hot?” energy, I was hooked from page one. It’s darkly funny, wildly spicy, and somehow still weirdly sweet underneath all the criminal activity and questionable decisions.

The banter had me laughing, the chemistry was off the charts, and the whole thing felt like it was fueled by adrenaline, room service, and bad choices. If you like your rom-coms unhinged, steamy, and a little morally questionable, this one delivers.

I received an advanced copy of the book and am leaving an honest review,

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am enjoying this series and this one had me lmao. Kenna and Ranger meet under circumstances that aren’t usually used. Ranger and his two companions rob a bank. That bank is where Kenna works. Kenna ends up volunteering to be their hostage. This is a fast paced read and so good. Kenna’s grandma is a hoot. She is hilarious. Ranger just can’t stop thinking about Kenna when she’s gone. They have an instant attraction and Ranger falls hard and fast for Kenna in the very short amount of time they were together. Kenna wishes she knew who he was and what he looks like. Get ready for some laughs and some steam.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ranger comes from a family of criminals, and Kenna works as a bank teller in the bank that Ranger robs. This is a laugh out loud fun read with quirky characters that have intense chemistry, an entertaining storyline, fun banter, and a great ending. Rent a Bank Robber is book three and a wonderful addition to the Renting Love series. I recommend this book, this series, and this author to everyone who loves to read rom-coms. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.

[Madison Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was a fun- they shouldn’t work but do, Romance

Dear author, I laughed, this book was so fun and I totally have nothing wrong to say about any of it.
The will they, won’t they- and how are they going to. Was exciting and yet made me nervous:
If you want a good book that has alittle suspense- a great romance, and that’s a lot more heartfelt then you’d think- this is for you!

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the sweetest “dark” rom-com ever. The reddest flag about Ranger is how he and Kenna meet. He is the bad boy who longs to be good and live a life with a girl and her pig who he can take cosmic bowling on Friday nights. They are tooth rooting sweet and the humor in this is top notch. I was smiling or giggling the entire time. I will definitely be checking out the other two books in this series.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

⚠️ARC REVIEW⚠️

OMG, thats all I can say. Lol!

Such a fun, cute and quick read.

🩷Bacon Bits and Lady Honey Ham have my heart.❤️

🤣Grandma was the best ever!

This whole series is such a fun and fast read.

Release Date: May 8, 2026

📌If you arent already, make sure you are following the author across all platforms. Go show her some love & support!!!

[Vanessa (bookfairy.reads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg, I already loved the second book in the series so much, but this one tops it again!! Definitely my favourite book in this dark rom com short story collection, with a little bit of kidnapping, some ghostface and a man who gives up everything to be with the FMC. I loved everything about this!!! 😍😍😍

[The Book Ssirren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg Kenna did me in 😂 she was too much. I mean her boss had to have been something else if she’s asking to be held hostage on purpose. This book had me rolling. I don’t think I barely got a breath in before I was laughing again. The mix of humor and spice was off the wall. I devoured this and will probably read it again a few times over lol.

[Debbie Benson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. I liked the twist and am voluntarily leaving a review. I liked the twist that ends in a happy ending for Ranger and Kenna. The bonus of his brother and sister leaving the life of crime as well with Kenna getting her dream.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun!

This is a fun, humorous and spicy treat! Great for an afternoon read when you need a fun fantasy with a bit of humor as well as something spicy.

Darcy Rose has a great writing style that is easy to read as well as enjoyable. This series has been great so far. I look forward to more books!

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

[ajscenic · Rating 5 out of 5]

As with the earlier books the FMCs are quirky and the MMCs mysterious and sexy. Kenna made me laugh so much, with her sense of humour and situations she finds herself involved in. Ranger is sweet and sexy and so into Kenna. It made my smile so much reading their scenes. However, the best character is Bacon Bits. That miniature pig is the best! This is a fun story with a lovely ending!

[kirsten ❀ · Rating 3 out of 5]

★ ★ ★.5 / 5

I‘m so glad this was a good time! The characters were fun, the storyline was enjoyable. The pet chosen for this book was cool and the fact that Ranger also got one as well. SO fun. Kenna’s grandmother was a vibe as well.

This was my favourite of the 3. Glad it was more like the 1st book with the humour and good times.

[Jenni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kenna is a bank teller, living a boring life until
The bank gets robbed and she gives herself over to Ranger as hostage but it turns very quickly into a cross country police chase!
Well written fast paced steamy rom com romance