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Hold Me
All Lilith wants is to forget a traumatic breakup and move on, but that’s easier said than done, especially when her ex-boyfriend’s cruel words keep haunting her. Intent on proving her ex wrong, Lilith hires an escort.
Handsome, charming, and attentive, Caleb is everything Lilith ever wished for, and soon she wants to be more than just his client. But Caleb hides a dark secret, and if Lilith wants to save him from the life he’s been forced into, she will have to enter the dangerous world of organized crime and risk everything, including her own life.
This book contains potentially triggering situations, violence, strong language, and sexual content.
Handsome, charming, and attentive, Caleb is everything Lilith ever wished for, and soon she wants to be more than just his client. But Caleb hides a dark secret, and if Lilith wants to save him from the life he’s been forced into, she will have to enter the dangerous world of organized crime and risk everything, including her own life.
This book contains potentially triggering situations, violence, strong language, and sexual content.
Paperback
First published September 12, 2015
41 people are currently reading
657 people want to read
About the author
Talia Ellison
35 books513 followersTalia Ellison is the author of Hold Me, Unfold Me, the Loving Your Enemy series, the Your Love Is Dangerous series, Destroying the Billionaire, The Mafia Proposal series, the My Broken Hitman series, the Her Dark Mafia Heart duet, the Owned by the Mafia Queen series, the Never His duet, the Taking Revenge on Her Bully series, the Varano Mafia series, and Arranged: Cassaro Mafia. She loves to read and write all kinds of romance, and she has a thing for broken, tortured heroes and fierce heroines who aren't afraid to take what they want. When she’s not busy with a book, she likes to watch TV shows and listen to music.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
June 9, 2016
So, I've had this book on my "TBR" list for a while. This book is very dark & sadistic. It remind me of the films; "Eyes Wide Shut" - meets- "Taken!" The author really has a way with words. I'm still in shocked with some of the scenes, I'm not so sure I could have been quiet! But there was a couple of things I didn't like;
Contains: M/F, M/M, Blackmail, Forced Drug Use, Human Trafficking, Murder, Orgy Parties, Rape. Just putting that out there.
Contains: M/F, M/M, Blackmail, Forced Drug Use, Human Trafficking, Murder, Orgy Parties, Rape. Just putting that out there.
no-dnf-zzz-avoid
September 21, 2015DNF
H uses drugs not for me
H uses drugs not for me
September 16, 2015
ARC provided in exchange of an honest review
Review original post:
http://collectorofbookboyfriends.com/...
Wow! That was without doubt one of the most interesting books that I have ever read. And, also, one of the hottest – and I have read lots of them!!!
But let’s start from the beginning so I can give you an idea of how good this book is.
Prologue: Honestly, one of the best ways to start telling a story! It was HOT and informative, without giving a lot away, that you couldn’t help but becoming really intrigued about how it continues. I give Ellison an Oscar on this. She made it impossible to walk away after that.
Rest of the chapters: I was constantly in a Hell yeah, give me more! state. Each chapter had something special and was giving me even more reasons for me to dive deeper into it. Each one of them, was adding a small brick to Lilith and Caleb’s love story, transforming it into a captivating and wonderful world for me to lose myself in.
Characters: Whatever I say about them, it will not be enough. Intense, intriguing, addictive and amazing are just the ones that popped first in my mind. But, as this book is about Lilith and Caleb’s love, I will focus on them. So, here it goes. Lilith is a woman who wants to prove her ex boyfriend’s words wrong. So, she finds herself paying an escort for one night to achieve it. But, as we already know, one night is:
1. never enough and
2. all it takes to be the start of something great.
Now, Caleb is a guy that has been through a lot and he is part of a world that he didn’t choose but forced to live in it. Also, he’s that escort of Lilith’s! So, after he does to her what he was meant to, little did he know that it wouldn’t be the end of it.
And that’s how their story starts! But, neither couldn’t had guessed where this “relationship” would lead and how much it would change their lives.
Talia Ellison created a very sweet story but without leaving out the rough side of life. Through this story, she shows us that one person can be enough of a cause for our life to change direction. Also, you can never know what Life is going to throw in your way, how small or big it will be and how much impact is going to have on you.
Can’t wait to read the next book!!! <3
Review original post:
http://collectorofbookboyfriends.com/...
Wow! That was without doubt one of the most interesting books that I have ever read. And, also, one of the hottest – and I have read lots of them!!!
But let’s start from the beginning so I can give you an idea of how good this book is.
Prologue: Honestly, one of the best ways to start telling a story! It was HOT and informative, without giving a lot away, that you couldn’t help but becoming really intrigued about how it continues. I give Ellison an Oscar on this. She made it impossible to walk away after that.
He’s mine. All mine. At least for the next hour.
Rest of the chapters: I was constantly in a Hell yeah, give me more! state. Each chapter had something special and was giving me even more reasons for me to dive deeper into it. Each one of them, was adding a small brick to Lilith and Caleb’s love story, transforming it into a captivating and wonderful world for me to lose myself in.
“I could hold you like this forever.” “Then don’t let go.”
Characters: Whatever I say about them, it will not be enough. Intense, intriguing, addictive and amazing are just the ones that popped first in my mind. But, as this book is about Lilith and Caleb’s love, I will focus on them. So, here it goes. Lilith is a woman who wants to prove her ex boyfriend’s words wrong. So, she finds herself paying an escort for one night to achieve it. But, as we already know, one night is:
1. never enough and
2. all it takes to be the start of something great.
Now, Caleb is a guy that has been through a lot and he is part of a world that he didn’t choose but forced to live in it. Also, he’s that escort of Lilith’s! So, after he does to her what he was meant to, little did he know that it wouldn’t be the end of it.
“You’re Caleb’s Lilith, aren’t you?”
And that’s how their story starts! But, neither couldn’t had guessed where this “relationship” would lead and how much it would change their lives.
Talia Ellison created a very sweet story but without leaving out the rough side of life. Through this story, she shows us that one person can be enough of a cause for our life to change direction. Also, you can never know what Life is going to throw in your way, how small or big it will be and how much impact is going to have on you.
Can’t wait to read the next book!!! <3
April 7, 2016
⭐️ 3 Stars⭐️
~ S P O I L E R S ~ & ~ W A R N I N G S~
♦️BOOK: #1. Can be read as a Standalone. Kindle loc: 2812
♦️REVIEW: It was an extremely difficult read...and difficult to rate. I liked the premise of the story and it was well written but reality of the H's situation was unexpected and too much for me.
Lilith, the h hires Caleb, the H as a male escort several times...for sex but sometimes just to spend time with him. Caleb is a sex slave forced into prostitution several years ago along with a couple of his friends. They are held prisoner, given drugs, forced to attend hardcore sex parties, abused, tortured, raped by men and women, sold, rented out, some even killed and they fear for their lives. The H enjoys his time with the h and they develop feelings for each other but he fears for her safety if they get too close. The h finds out about the H's situation and tries to save him and take down the bad guy and the entire operation.
There were some very sweet and sexy times between the h & H.
♦️WARNINGS: Very graphic. Disturbing scenes & topics. Several scenes where H is forced to have sex with men.
♦️ENDING: HEA, Epilogue - 10 months later, No cliffhanger. Book #2 UNFOLD ME features secondary characters.
~ S P O I L E R S ~ & ~ W A R N I N G S~
♦️BOOK: #1. Can be read as a Standalone. Kindle loc: 2812
♦️REVIEW: It was an extremely difficult read...and difficult to rate. I liked the premise of the story and it was well written but reality of the H's situation was unexpected and too much for me.
Lilith, the h hires Caleb, the H as a male escort several times...for sex but sometimes just to spend time with him. Caleb is a sex slave forced into prostitution several years ago along with a couple of his friends. They are held prisoner, given drugs, forced to attend hardcore sex parties, abused, tortured, raped by men and women, sold, rented out, some even killed and they fear for their lives. The H enjoys his time with the h and they develop feelings for each other but he fears for her safety if they get too close. The h finds out about the H's situation and tries to save him and take down the bad guy and the entire operation.
There were some very sweet and sexy times between the h & H.
♦️WARNINGS: Very graphic. Disturbing scenes & topics. Several scenes where H is forced to have sex with men.
♦️ENDING: HEA, Epilogue - 10 months later, No cliffhanger. Book #2 UNFOLD ME features secondary characters.
September 19, 2015
3.5 stars. This was a very simple book (writing and story telling wise) about a very deep subject. In fact, some times I wasn't really clear about what was going on. But, one of my prerequisites for rating a book 3.5 stars (or more) is that I liked reading it and didn't put it down until I finished it. And this book met those criteria.
Lilith (our heroine) hires an escort (prostitute) to help her lose her virginity. She tried three times with her former boyfriend and he gave up and left her because it hurt too much for her to continue. Caleb is the escort, makes quick work of our heroine's problem, and quickly finds his way into our heroine's heart. But it seems Caleb is not just any escort, he is owned by a notorious gangster and was groomed to be a sex slave from an early age with the threat of harm coming to his friends and their families if he didn't do what he was told.
Eventually our gutsy Lilith figures out something's wrong and takes it upon herself to go underground and save Caleb and his friends. Some things that happened seemed a little bit OTT, and I'm still not sure how the people who helped Lilith had the in's with the sex ring that they did
but I certainly wasn't disappointed in reading this book.
Lilith (our heroine) hires an escort (prostitute) to help her lose her virginity. She tried three times with her former boyfriend and he gave up and left her because it hurt too much for her to continue. Caleb is the escort, makes quick work of our heroine's problem, and quickly finds his way into our heroine's heart. But it seems Caleb is not just any escort, he is owned by a notorious gangster and was groomed to be a sex slave from an early age with the threat of harm coming to his friends and their families if he didn't do what he was told.
Eventually our gutsy Lilith figures out something's wrong and takes it upon herself to go underground and save Caleb and his friends. Some things that happened seemed a little bit OTT, and I'm still not sure how the people who helped Lilith had the in's with the sex ring that they did
but I certainly wasn't disappointed in reading this book.
December 5, 2022
Ok so I liked both MCs especially Caleb but the first chapter and the last two/three chapters were not good. Like if you have difficulty sleeping with someone you know really well, I can’t imagine hiring someone would go any better for you, it just didn’t make sense to me. And then absolutely nothing at the end made sense, nothing was logical. Her dad’s just going to help her? And let her go? Caleb just gets a job and MORE unrealistically an apartment with no credit after being in captivity for years? Nope. But I did appreciate her realizing the situation and being like “umm this is all kinds of f’d up” and actually doing something about it. I wanted more about their backgrounds and also about that poor man who was killed just for looking into it towards the beginning, we never hear about him again.
October 7, 2017
Didn't make it through second chapter
I need some character build up before a major intimate scene. I lost interest because I knew nothing of these two characters. Just don't like a plot set up like this.
I need some character build up before a major intimate scene. I lost interest because I knew nothing of these two characters. Just don't like a plot set up like this.
August 25, 2018
This had an interesting premise. But seemed to resolve a bit too quickly. But still interesting.
Want to read
August 17, 2018#Erotica #Bargain #99ct #DarkRomance @Talia Ellison
Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2PeVbl8
Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2L1HbrN
Amazon CA: https://amzn.to/2MVixuE
Subscribe for FREE: https://goo.gl/SrUf3e
Merged review:
#Erotica #Bargain #99ct #DarkRomance @Talia Ellison
Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2PeVbl8
Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2L1HbrN
Amazon CA: https://amzn.to/2MVixuE
Subscribe for FREE: https://goo.gl/SrUf3e
Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2PeVbl8
Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2L1HbrN
Amazon CA: https://amzn.to/2MVixuE
Subscribe for FREE: https://goo.gl/SrUf3e
Merged review:
#Erotica #Bargain #99ct #DarkRomance @Talia Ellison
Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2PeVbl8
Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2L1HbrN
Amazon CA: https://amzn.to/2MVixuE
Subscribe for FREE: https://goo.gl/SrUf3e
September 17, 2015
Received a copy of the title in exchange for an honest review.
I'm going to lead with "the bad", but bear with me...
Many, many times in this book, I was reminded of a terrible movie that you realized you've already wasted an hour on, so you may as well finish it. The characterization of Lilith and Caleb fluctuated so often, I couldn't tell if it was going to be a timid mouse and alpha man scene, or super woman and submissive slave scene. I couldn't tell what was pills and what was truth. And where in the world did the scared virgin go ?
The idea of this story was phenomenal. I just felt that it was inconsistent.
The suspense aspect (the last quarter or so of the book) was extremely intriguing, though. I wanted to know more. Heck, from the first non-sexual date and Caleb's confusion over it, I wanted to know more. And now, Kat and Isaac have a story coming and I still want.to.know.more!
So Talia has that going for her -- she writes an intriguing idea; enough so that I can overlook what I thought as flaws, because like I said... I just want to know more.
I'm going to lead with "the bad", but bear with me...
Many, many times in this book, I was reminded of a terrible movie that you realized you've already wasted an hour on, so you may as well finish it. The characterization of Lilith and Caleb fluctuated so often, I couldn't tell if it was going to be a timid mouse and alpha man scene, or super woman and submissive slave scene. I couldn't tell what was pills and what was truth. And where in the world did the scared virgin go ?
The idea of this story was phenomenal. I just felt that it was inconsistent.
The suspense aspect (the last quarter or so of the book) was extremely intriguing, though. I wanted to know more. Heck, from the first non-sexual date and Caleb's confusion over it, I wanted to know more. And now, Kat and Isaac have a story coming and I still want.to.know.more!
So Talia has that going for her -- she writes an intriguing idea; enough so that I can overlook what I thought as flaws, because like I said... I just want to know more.
May 26, 2016
Lilith's ex-boyfriend was not a nice person and he made her feel stupid and broken. She decides to hire an escort to get past her insecurities and hopefully move on. Caleb is gorgeous and he's also patient and gentle. Lilith makes arrangements to see him again just so she can spend time with Caleb. Eventually she learns his secret, that he's not an escort by choice and is being forced against his will. Lilith knows nothing about the criminal underground or how dangerous it is, but she is determined to help Caleb and others like him.
Lilith is a wealthy, strong and likeable character. She has feelings for Caleb from the beginning and genuinely appreciates how kind and understanding he is to her. Caleb is a sweetheart. What's he and his friends Issac and Jade and the other slaves have endured is horrible. Caleb's not accustomed to someone showing him kindness and is afraid to believe that Lilith isn't a test from his owner.
Hold Me has a couple of uncomfortable scenes, but nothing too bad. It ends in a very good place for Lilith and Caleb and sets up the next book Unfold Me which is about Issac and Lilith's best friend Kat.
Lilith is a wealthy, strong and likeable character. She has feelings for Caleb from the beginning and genuinely appreciates how kind and understanding he is to her. Caleb is a sweetheart. What's he and his friends Issac and Jade and the other slaves have endured is horrible. Caleb's not accustomed to someone showing him kindness and is afraid to believe that Lilith isn't a test from his owner.
Hold Me has a couple of uncomfortable scenes, but nothing too bad. It ends in a very good place for Lilith and Caleb and sets up the next book Unfold Me which is about Issac and Lilith's best friend Kat.
September 16, 2015
This story is dark and intense but also has a sweet and innocent side. Lilith is a rich girl and her ex-boyfriend was verbally abusive to the point where she thought she was unable to have sex. She hires Caleb, an escort, through a friend of hers. As Lilith and Caleb grow close she wants to know more about him, which could be dangerous for both of them. Please note there is a warning with this book, so be prepared. The characters are fabulous and the story draws you in, it is dark and emotional but the time Lilith and Caleb spend together is sweet and sexy. A great read! Looking forward to more.
September 29, 2015
I thought the book was pretty good. The description grabbed my attention but once I started reading it was totally different from what I was expecting. I guess I was seeking more content and history about Lilith life and maybe Caleb's as well. I also assumed the characters were older than what they really are as well. Plus, some parts in the book left me a little confused. One minute she's in someone's presence outside and then she's home leaning against a wall. It wasn't bad but it could use a little work.
October 1, 2015
I really wanted to love this book, the synopsis was appealing and the story was good, but it was missing something.
There is hot sex, danger, intrique, mystery and some very dark subjects.
I loved Caleb and I liked Lilith, but her character change during the story was not flowing I expect characters to change in a story especially with the storyline but her transformation was off. I just can't explain, but it was a good read. Thank you netgalley.
There is hot sex, danger, intrique, mystery and some very dark subjects.
I loved Caleb and I liked Lilith, but her character change during the story was not flowing I expect characters to change in a story especially with the storyline but her transformation was off. I just can't explain, but it was a good read. Thank you netgalley.
January 15, 2016
The plot was very intense and caught my attention, but i felt like it was rushed a little, especially when it came to seeing more of the mcs, in terms of their romance and personalities. The GR description warns you for triggering scenes but the actual book doesn't, so I was caught by surprise at some stronger scenes. A very good read overall, i'm looking forward to the next one.
December 23, 2016
This book is difficult to rate and review. The idea of this story is excellent. Some of the execution was as well, however some of the execution was way, way off. There was a lot of suspension of belief in this book. Some storylines you could get away with it, but I think this was too serious a plot to d that with. Many, Many inconsistantcies. It's hard to explain without giving away too much.
October 18, 2015
i am awed...this book is tense and heavy.totally out of the way.what an opposite of the hero..it looks like the guy is the damsel in distress.if you like the heaviness and tense romance read it and see how it totally change your mind about it.
Read
September 22, 2015Excellent love story between Lilith and Caleb, but will he get her killed or passionate love her to death!!?
September 22, 2015
Absolutely loved this book!
I received this copy from the publisher via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
I received this copy from the publisher via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
January 8, 2016
Super dark and sadistic, yet so full of love. This is a book you can't put down.
January 17, 2016
Amazing! Loved this book from beginning to end it kept me enthralled. It has suspense, drama, redemption and love at its best. Looking forward to more from this author.
Read
January 29, 2016Pretty good, not mob related as mentioned
A little dark
A little dark
December 25, 2016
Good story. Hot scenes. Wanted more out of the characters, though.
December 30, 2016
2.5 stars
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews