Keeper

Dark #3

by Robin Lovett

Some men aren’t meant to be found. They weren’t made to get close to. Their homes are off-limits. Touching them is forbidden. Because breaking into the fortress of a man like that can obliterate him.

I always hunt the truth. Ever since my sister disappeared years ago, my insatiable need for answers is never satisfied. It’s what I want most of all. More than men. More than sex. Being a journalist is the only thing that’s been able to get me though each day. To help me survive.

Finding Chase Vandershall will be my biggest challenge yet. They say he’s unreachable. That a man who goes that high up into the mountains doesn’t want to be found. But the hard part isn’t getting to him. It’s making sure I stay sane. Stay away from the power of his eyes and the strength in his hands. Remember who I am and what I came for…even as my desire for my captor swallows me whole.

**

I want this Layla woman gone.

Only a desperate person would seek me out. And only a person with a death wish would actually make it. But this woman—this smoldering, sexy as hell woman—is unlike anyone I’ve ever met, even before I holed myself up on top of this cold, lonely mountain.

She’s learning things about me I don’t want her to know. Things that if the rest of society knew, would put me in prison and leave me there to rot. And even though she’s forced her way into my solitary fortress, I can’t let her expose me. Can’t let her tell the world the dark details of my past she’s uncovered.

But the longer I keep her here, the more I don’t want to let her go. And the more I don’t want to let her go, the more she destroys me.

Genres: Dark Romance, Contemporary, Dark, Romance

240 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 15, 2017

About the author

ROBIN LOVETT enjoys writing romance to avoid the more unsavory things in life, like day jobs, housework, and personal demons. To feed her coffee and chocolate addictions, she can frequently be found overdosing on mochas. When not writing with her cat, she’s busy embracing untamable curly hair and adventuring in the outdoors with her husband.

Her newest sci-fi romance series on KU is ALIEN QUARANTINE RESCUE. Her other sci-fi series, PLANET OF DESIRE series features a sex planet, kick-ass heroines and, of course, ultra hot aliens.

Her dark romance thrillers STRANGER, DECEIVER, and KEEPER feature heroines who know what they want and sexy anti-heroes who know how to give it to them.

Check out her extra free stories available through her email list http://www.romancelovett.com/contact/
Find her on Twitter and Facebook @LovettRomance

For the writers, check out her weekly posts on #RWChat, a Twitter chat for romance writers every Sunday evening. She also writers a monthly romance writing column on diyMFA.com. She is represented by Rachel Brooks of BookEnds Literary Agency.

Reviews

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars - 3 Flames

Please tell me this isn't the end!!! I've been enjoying these characters so much,  and now there may be new ones? Yes please!!!!!!!

Layla is on a mission. A mission to solve a mystery. Well, at least that's the "reason" she's using considering she's dumb enough to trek solo into the mountains, searching for a half brother no one knew about. Yep, totally sane and safe. Oh, did I mention it's a remote mountain, and snow is in the forecast? Mmm hmmm.

Chase likes his solitude. He likes being alone on his mountain, skiing and reading without the city noise. At least he thought he did until Layla shows up. Now? Now he can't seem to think of anything BUT her. And it doesn't help that she keeps asking him questions about the life he didn't want any part of. Too bad he can't seem to let her go either.

The author does not disappoint with this third installment. The anticipation, the lust, the secrets...it's just as powerful in this one as in the other two. Layla's need to ask questions, without answering her own, only solidifies what drives her. Chase's need to hide from the world because of who he "thinks" he is, is heartbreaking. I'm pretty sure he's my new book boyfriend.

These two are perfect for each other. But as I mentioned earlier, we're introduced to a few new characters. I'm hoping they get their own story too. I mean, I'll beg if I have to....hint hint...

*I received this book from The Jeep Diva in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Heather andrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chase is one sexy man, he has no problem showing his alpha side, "a low growl emanates from his chest and his breath comes heavy and fast in my ear . “Tell me again how you don’t think I want you.” I really liked this book, Chase could be intense at times.

[Sissy's Romance Book Review · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Keeper' by Robin Lovett is book Three in The "Dark" series. This is the story of Chase and Layla. I have read the other books and I do think you can make this a standalone book if you choose to do so. But with that said I really think you would enjoy the book more if you do read all the books. It's been a great Dark Romance Series from the start.
Layla is looking to get Chase's story on what happened a few years back..to get the answers that they need. Layla is also a friend of Chase's half-sister. To get to Chase she had to go into the mountains where few go.
Chase has isolated himself into the mountains and likes it that way. Him and a neighbor make sure to scare off any people or tourist who try to come up their mountain. When he see Layla trying to make it up he first feels a protective desire for her but knows he needs to scare her off. But she isn't going anywhere she tells him.
It was fun watching these to come together and the story-line drama was good too.
"My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read."
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Merged review:

Book Review For: 'Keeper' by Robin Lovett 'Keeper' by Robin Lovett is book Three in The "Dark" series. This is the story of Chase and Layla. I have read the other books and I do think you can make this a standalone book if you choose to do so. But with that said I really think you would enjoy the book more if you do read all the books. It's been a great Dark Romance Series from the start. Layla is looking to get Chase's story on what happened a few years back..to get the answers that they need. Layla is also a friend of Chase's half-sister. To get to Chase she had to go into the mountains where few go. Chase has isolated himself into the mountains and likes it that way. Him and a neighbor make sure to scare off any people or tourist who try to come up their mountain. When he see Layla trying to make it up he first feels a protective desire for her but knows he needs to scare her off. But she isn't going anywhere she tells him. It was fun watching these to come together and the story-line drama was good too. "My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read."https://www.amazon.com/gp/profile/A2H... https://twitter.com/soapsrus68 https://www.facebook.com/RomanceBookR... http://booklikes.com/bloghttps://roma... https://www.tumblr.com/blog/romancebo...

[Bette Hansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very intriguing story and one I enjoyed very much. Layla is searching for Chase Vandershall and determined to find out his story. Why does he stay hidden away. Why doesn't he want to get to know his half siblings?? When she stumbles her way to his doorstep he's not exactly happy to see her but he can't leave her out in the cold to freeze. The last thing Chase wants is a nosy writer on his mountain but what can he do? These two dance around for a while but why start something that can never be finished. Can they resist each other in the secluded cabin? Will truths come out or will Chase keep everything buried??

Definitely a book I recommend.

[Courtney · Rating 1 out of 5]

*Received this ARC for Honest Review from Netgalley*
Thank you Publisher and Author
I Give This Book 1 Star
I Won't Give Any Severe Spoilers.

The Cover and Synopsis Are Misleading!!!!!

Ive Decided to write this review while reading.
Does this mean I Have an issue with this book? Obviously or I wouldn't be writing this so early.

Again I Love Dark Romances, and in some cases Darker the Better.

This is Not Dark, not in the slightest.

Let's start at the beginning shall we?
I Loved the beginning, the mysteriousness was interesting and you gotta love the thought of searching for a 'missing' guy in the middle of the wilderness, I'm a sucker for Wild Men.
But honestly I thought it was very convenient that Chase and his bud happen to be where they were, when they saw her. I thought..wouldn't you think they would be near their cabins, because of the incoming Snow Storm?
At the beginning I was really into how she reacted to Chase and stood up to him to get what she wanted, halfway-ish through the book being at 35% it's already getting heavily annoying, didn't realize she was gonna go 'psycho'.
When they got snowed in, she was acting like a MAD WOMAN, for goodness sakes she went apeshit over closed curtains, even though like Chase said 'keeping the curtains closed kept the heat in was logical' she wouldn't have it AND she went crazy when she didn't have her laptop or phone (even going so far as to risk her own life to get them from a truck that was a long ways away) heck she went crazy when she realized being in the middle of nowhere meant GUESS WHAT? no social media access, I was waiting for her to pull her hair out honestly.
She is rude, whiny and greedy for her 'book' even going so far as to force/pressure (both terms) sex on him to get what she wanted for the story even unprotected, has no shame being in his space and eating his food and severely selfish.
You'd think it was the guy who would act like the 'horndog' because he lives in the middle of the wilderness with no real contact with outside world, but it was all her from the start. She would get him highly aroused, several times, then she backs off and storm out. Because 'HE' is putting pressure on her, despite he was constantly pushing her away. If this is a "Dark Romance" I'm not seeing the appeal yet....
40% He cares for her? There's Affection?! Where was I when this happened?!! I don't think this girl is capable of affection, she's so greedy for her story that's it.
She walks his property like she owns the place and invades everything.
For a guy who doesn't talk/socialize and supposedly in the middle of nowhere...there's a lot of people within the vicinity....
It's been 3 (THREE DAYS!) and she's losing her shit, she going mad. She's saying she's a prisoner, when she's not.

*******
Layla:
“Oh, save it. I drove out here, but I didn’t sign up to be isolated from everyone and everything for a week.”
Chase:
“It’s been three days.”
Layla:
“It feels like a fucking lifetime!” Her eyes flare with anger, but her lip shakes and her breath is ragged.
*******

She is Way Over Dramatic, I this is a DNF.

She's not a prisoner!
He has a snowmobile, it has a tank of gas but it's only used for emergencies.
She it NOT an emergency just a PITA Brat. For me she is not worth wasting precious gas, if this was a real life situation.

I tried, but I cannot be forced to finish a book when it's not even good from the start.

[Book Loving Fairy-Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received Keeper by Robin Lovett in an ARC in exchanged for an honest review. I am giving this book 5 stars because the writer did an amazing job with this series with keeping up the forbidden love. It's like these characters weren't looking for love and they especially weren't looking for it in the one person who trying to bring them down. And that's what happen in this book, but it's a little different it's a little more hotter because in this book he kidnappers her, but in aways she asked for it she wanted a story the only problem is she about to get more than a story. She about to get a hot sexy man who will do anything to keep her. Chase is a man who just wants to forget about his past he wants to live in solitude away from noise and people who know him by his last name. His father was not a good man and he hated him for it, but there was also family secrets that he was trying to escape, but when a journalist comes knocking on his door his mad because she starts bring up things he just wants to forget about. Chase knows one thing that Layla is a very determined woman to come to the middle of nowhere just to get her story. But the there is a problem he's starting to fall for her and she starting to learn the truth about him the secrets he's so desperately been trying to hide because when they come out that means prison time for him. So of course the only thing he can do is keep her with him so she can't tell her story or anyone what she knows. But Chase knows deep down he just doesn't want her so she won't talk he wants to keep her for himself. Because she a sexy intelligent woman who is like no other woman he's ever met. Layla is a woman on a mission she stops at nothing to get what she wants but things are about to change when she meets Chase. She looked at him as her job getting the truth but what she gets is his heart. These two are so much alike and they are perfect for each other. I fell in love with this couple because right away they had such chemistry that you couldn't help but love them. I am hoping this is not the last book. If you have not read this book you should check it out, but you should read the other to books to understand this on better.

[Resting Book Face · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another enjoyable book in the series. This is the third book in the Vandershall series and tells the story of Chase and Layla. I found the storyline riveting and was on edge waiting to see how things would be resolved. I liked both Chase and Layla, as well as the secondary characters of Keegan and Meg; I'm wondering now if they'll get a story. This author has a real talent for creating chemistry between her characters that oozes off the page. I will admit, however, that even though I found the story itself intriguing, I also felt like it really dragged at times, especially at the beginning of the story. Both characters spent a lot of time self-reflecting on their feelings, and I found myself skimming those passages to get back to their interactions. Once they were interacting, I devoured every word. Overall, this was an enjoyable read, and I would recommend it to others.

I received an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Lisa Aiello · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review.
An enjoyable read, but I was expecting more "dark" and more "captive". Layla, our heroine, is a bit over the top and reckless. She is a reporter on a mission to get some answers about the reclusive Chase. She treks out in the wilderness and finds herself "captive" to Chase, but only because they are in the middle of the frozen tundra and weather keeps her there - not because he is truly holding her there. There is an incredible chemistry between these two, which Chase fights, but Layla relentlessly explores. As I stated, his was enjoyable, but I just wanted more from the storytelling itself.

[Linda Rea · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Layla set off to the mountain to meet the half brother of her friends Penny and Blake and he wants nothing to do with people. Layla refuses to take no for an answer and ends up stuck in a hole and a storm is coming, Chase can't very well let her freeze to death. When he takes her to where he lives the sexual tension between them is off the charts but he refuses to go there because she would get his secrets out of him and they are beyond evil. As the days go by he realizes he doesn't want her to leave so he sabotages her truck and when she realizes it she sets out on her own in the freezing cold. If Chase saves her does that mean he wants another human being around? I loved Layla's character she was so determined and also has some issues of her own. Great story lots of twists.
Reviewed on behalf of Once upon an Alpha

[Terry Hammoutene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Layla want her story even if it means being stuck in the wilderness with this brooding man.
Chase doesn't want to be found his secrets are too deep, however something pulls him to Layla and he doesn't want her to leave. He brings her into his house and tells her there is no way out until the weather changes.
Eventually they become one and she feels she can start trusting him, until his lies all come apart and she runs.
I was sucked in from the first page and couldn't put it down. it was an interesting take on a dark matter and all is happy and light in the end.

** i received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**

[Brandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Layla had one mission and it was to find the last Vandershall. she was determined to find the last Vandershall sibling. With her keen intellect and investigating she found him in the attic wilderness. She thought she had every contingency planned out until she met Chase. He doesn't seem willing to share his family history wth her or the secrets he holds. Alone in a cabin together they don't seem willing to act civil to one another. Arguments ensue and ignite their hidden feelings.

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was hooked from beginning to end. The story is fast paced with loads of suspense and drama. Chase and Layla are great characters and their chemistry is amazing. I loved it!

[Alexa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting concept and storyline. New author to me but I enjoyed the book a lot once I got into it. Mystery and romance combined!

[Valeen Robertson (Live Thru Books Blog) · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the third installment in a so far dreary, but NOT truly dark, series. This time it's Layla's turn to fall into a rather twisted, strange relationship. And it's with Penny and Blake's brother, Chase. Layla is the determined, persistent (wack a doodle do) reporter friend who uncovered all the information about Penny and Blake's evil father. And she's also found information about the half-brother they never knew existed. So she's set off into the wilds to find him and confront him. She's prepared for him to be a loner, after all, he lives in the middle of nowhere in isolation. But she's not prepared for how attracted she ends up being to him, or how the animal she senses in him calls to the same in her.

I had a little bit higher hopes for this one than I did for the last two (Stranger: A Dark Stalker Romance, Deceiver: A Dark Revenge Romance), because so far the series has gotten a tiny bit better each time. But, unfortunately, Keeper isn't any better than Deceiver. It's a little better than Stranger, but it's as uncomfortable and strange as the first 2. One of the objections I have to this entire series is that it's not dark as is stated in the title. In fact, it's nowhere near dark. Dreary, gray, drab, sure, but not dark. Uncomfortable because the characters are weird (especially Layla), but not dark by any sense of the word. In fact, the only good thing I could find about Keeper is Chase. He's more interesting than his brother and sister, and he deserved far better than a crazy person like Layla.

If you want dark, I suggest you read A. Zavarelli, her Boston Underworld series (Crow, Reaper, Ghost, Saint) is truly dark and twisted. If you want gray with mostly unlikable characters, this series should be your thing.

I received an ARC through NetGalley for an honest review.

[2OCC Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was pack full of push and pull, fighting what you want because you think you should, and an unbelievable attraction between the main characters. It was also a kind of stranded survival type story. I really hope she writes some more because I really want to see more about Keegan.

I loved Chase. He was rude and confusing, but maybe that was apart of the appeal, he was a mountain man and didn’t make apologies for it. Total anti-hero for the first half of the book.

The plot wasn’t much. I mean, yes it was complex, yes it moved along, yes it had a good ending but I think my main focus was watching these two characters fight with their feelings for each other and at the same time Layla was trying to get information and get off the mountain.

It was pretty fast-paced and beautifully written. I wondered what was going to happen and how it was going to end, and that in its self kept me reading. I won’t say it’s my favorite in the series because that would have to be number one, Stranger. But this one did have me nervous to see what was gonna happen.

The 2 things that makes this a 3.5 stars is the fact that when the POV changed, there wasn’t a name header to let me know. It got very confusing at the start of the books eventually I got use to it but it would have been simple to add name headers. Also the fact that the ending was way to fast. I wanted to see him really interact with Penny and Blake and it didn’t give me that closure. #2OCCJD