"It never had to be this way, Nick. You know that, right?"
A girl with a go bag and a getaway plan A guardian obsessed with controlling her A boyfriend determined to upend everything
Olivia is determined to escape her legal guardian, Nick. The first step in her getaway plan: transfer to an out-of-state college. The first obstacle to her plan: Jake, a grad student she runs into on the new campus. He makes her laugh. He makes her happy. He makes her feel normal. Things she hasn't felt in a longtime. Now, she's second-guessing her plan to leave everything behind.
Jake never met a girl like Olivia. And now he can't imagine his life without her. Yet, he's not certain she feels the same way about him. She doesn't seem concerned whether they last beyond a night, a month. Or forever. This is unfamiliar territory for a former playboy turned willing boyfriend. He wants a future with Olivia. But he feels like there's something holding her back from him. Something she's not telling him...
Nick has waited long enough. It's time for Olivia to grow up and be the woman--the wife--that he deserves. He saved her life ten years ago when they both lost everything, and he's not going to lose her now, too. In fact, he's hell-bent on salvaging what remains of their shared tragedy, hell-bent on making her face him and their past. But most of all, he's hell-bent on keeping her where she belongs.
With him.
AUTHOR NOTE: Book 1 ends with unanswered questions and a cliffhanger. Book 2 contains the answers and a cliffhanger. Book 3 is the resolution and HEA.
"Life is not a rehearsal. Ditch the script." -Robyn Roze
Robyn published the Keeper Series in 2013, a new-adult romantic suspense story with an independent heroine determined to set her own course. That same year, Robyn shifted gears and wrote a novel with a seasoned cast: Chain of Title. Readers were loud in their demand for a sequel to the romantic suspense story, and Shayna and Sean’s unconventional love story continued in 2020 with Unchained. In between those two stories, HellKat launched in 2015 with another older, feisty female lead: Kat James, a woman with a head for business and a family that could cost her everything. HellKat has ranked in the top 20 on Amazon in the Romance/Mystery category and in the top 100 in the Romance/Suspense category.
If you enjoy compelling stories with memorable characters, check out Robyn's books.
I thought this was a fantastic story from beginning to end. Reader beware the sex scenes are extremely steamy. I don't want to ruin this for another reader so I won't go into in depth detail, but there were certainly more mysteries than answers. I was actually surprised by the ending (which doesn't happen often) and am seriously hoping for a sequel.
I have enjoyed this book very much but i have loads of questions about things related to the book but the Author did make it very clear when purchasing the book it is a cliff hanger. I have already downloaded book 2 & 3 & I am looking forward to reading them
Torture! You know who does that? The character Nick (to a degree), but also author Robyn Roze. That's sort of a compliment... because this Suspense Mistress has left me wanting to know about Olivia's past even more than Jake desires to know about it. And also, what exactly her future plan is.
The erotic scenes were good. Nice level of foreplay new-adult-courting. But it's the suspense between those scenes that held my attention.
I also like that Olivia wasn't an outright "Tomboy," didn't feel like part of that cliche. She is a "hot girl" who has varied interests, including ones that older generations consider masculine. Cars, air hockey, fishing, etc. I really enjoyed the character, and how she was revealed throughout the book. She could have been more of a victim, or more childlike, but she isn't and that serves to make her more entertaining and unique as a character. And she has well-defined internal and external goals.
I believe the theme of the book is about standing on your own, being brave enough to do what it takes to turn your life around, but while also leaving room for opportunities, like love, to come in.
I enjoyed Jake's character. I'm dying to find out if his car has the connection I'm thinking it might have to another character. Jake reminded me of my own characters and some of my favorite actual people. He could have been more of a rich hot boy cliche, but he wasn't, and for that I'm glad. Romance seems to be his biggest goal, which is useful to this book. I have a feeling that Jake is a favorite character of the author, based on how he is described. (Though I suspect his brother might have pulled a few writer heartstrings as well.)
Nick needs therapy. Twenty minus six is fourteen last I checked. That's a pedophile trigger alert. His goals make him the villain of the story, even if he doesn't see it.
Keeper (Keeper Series, #1) by Robyn Roze was well edited. I read this book cover to cover because the suspense was fantastic. I rarely read "Women's Fiction," which is one genre this book is listed under. There are fun sports metaphors, a good amount of car talk for motorheads, and a description of air hockey-- I don't know how often such things appear in "Women's Fiction," but for me, it made the book more gender neutral and enjoyable. It's also listed as "New Adult," which I do read and enjoy, "Romance," which I occasionally read and feel mostly neutral about, and "Suspense," which I enjoy reading. The cover is okay-- the characters could be Olivia and Jake. I feel the book could probably stand alone, except the unanswered questions about Olivia's "Greek-like tragedy" past make reading more of the series imperative. What I liked most about the setting was the lake at Jake's parents' house mirroring the other mentioned lake.
There is some underage drinking. There's also a line which suggests that dogs do not mind being kicked around in a physically violent way, and that bothered me. There was some minor head hopping/ point of view shifts; such as in the scene in Chapter 16 when Jake meets Kyle, or in Chapter 21 when Olivia wakes up as they're headed to Jake's parents' place. The title works for the book. I bought a free copy of this book on Amazon. I only set the book down a few times to attend to other life-matters. The plot flow of the book was very well done. I enjoyed this book and plan to read the next in the series.
It's risky business reading an author for the first time. You don't know whether you're going to be entertained or bored, or somewhere in between. But that's part of the excitement; not knowing, but still there's that risk. But after checking out Robyn Roze's blog, social media sites, and reading the preview pages of her book, Keeper, I took the risk.
I'm delighted to say my "reading blind date" with Keeper by Robyn Roze turned out to be an exciting entertaining read with only one downside; Keeper kept me reading deep into the night. Lost sleep over this edgy book. Roze does a masterful job blending and balancing all those behind-the-scenes details that go into a novel. You know, things like setting, plot, character development, word choice and other details.
The story is tightly woven with twists and turns that leaves the reader in a state of anticipation wondering, What's next? Even though Keeper has a very challenging backdrop, the author has developed characters that appear equal in strength to what’s ahead of them, however there are two volumes remaining in this trilogy. But the author maintains a splendid balance to keep the reader suspended, wondering where this exciting romantic suspense is headed.
The author chose the right combination to create a story world of entertainment. Even those sometimes controversial elements of intimacy between characters is handled with precision balance, yet fully descriptive to keep the reader's feelings on edge. For me, as a reader, that's entertainment. A sizzling romantic suspense. Five Stars for you, Ms. Roze, for Five-Star entertainment in Keeper.
Soooo, will I read Roze's second book in the trilogy? Is it possible to take one-third of a roller-coaster ride? Didn't think so. I'm getting ready to download volume #2, Keep Her. Well done, Ms. Roze! I'll catch up with you if and when the roller coaster stops. Whew!
I encourage you to visit Robyn Roze’s Amazon Author Page, and her Twitter, Facebook, and Blog. Make her one of your favorite authors.
163p Olivia Marshall's life was idyllic until it all came crashing down. Literally. Now she must save herself from the man who pulled her from the wreckage a decade ago, before he destroys her, dragging her down into his dark, tormented world. She's taken the first steps toward gaining her freedom, and has mapped out a plan for the future. However, when a near accident places Jake McCloud squarely in her path, Olivia decides that delaying her plan may be just what she needs. With Jake's playboy lifestyle, Olivia doesn't view him as an obstacle to achieving her ultimate goal. He's just an easy, fun detour along the way. However, when Jake tells Olivia he thinks she's a keeper, she believes his sentiment won't last if her past comes to light. Yet, when she finds herself falling for the former college lacrosse star, she begins to dream of the possibility of a different outcome, a different life. Can she have that future, and her first love, without acknowledging the past? What started as an easy diversion, until she could escape the man and the past that imprisoned her, may now be her downfall. Olivia Marshall is about to discover that sometimes the easy way, is the hardest way out.
(Adult material for ages 18+) AUTHOR NOTE: Keeper, Book 1 is meant to lay the foundation for the three main characters and intentionally leaves many questions which are answered in Keep Her, Book 2. Find Her Free Her, Book 3 is the resulting reckoning and resolution long due Olivia Marshall.
Oh this book frustrated me. I'm not sure if I will read the next one or not. I understand the writer wanting to keep you in suspense but we never get some major things disclosed.
Like, who is Nick to Olivia, why is he her guardian, why did she used to call him brother, etc... Like, what exactly happened with "the accident" was it a fire? A car accident? And where the heck are they? Are they in canada? USA? Where does she go home to? Where is Jake's home?...
I don't believe that if any of this information had been given would it have taken away from the suspense. I think it only would have added to the intensity. I know reveal in pieces is usually the norm, but there was only very small crumbs given.
Some parts of the book drag on, for being a very short book it sure felt like it took me a long time to read it. I got bored with some of the sex scenes between Olivia and Jake. And I think I would dislike Nick more if the writer would have gone into more detail with his treatment and abuse.
All in all the story/plot is great. The writer has great potential. The editing could be a little better but I've seen worse.
I finished reading Keeper very quickly. A lot of steamy romance, and well, yes... sex. The story of Olivia Marshall's life has barely been touched on, giving just enough information to catch your interest and make you want to read the next book to learn more. I look forward to the rest of her story and finding out if she and Jake are going to last or if Nick will change her mind and her plans. I definitely can't wait to find out what the tragic event was that drew Nick and Olivia together. So far, I recommend you start reading this series.
This is a nice romance story, it has a great storyline a nice flow with unexpected twists. The characters agrees are great and well defined. It has a nice and very interesting plot. The story is "fun", it's a romance story indeed, and the languish is easy on you. Read it with your significant other.
Really easy to read, but I was interested in an actual story. Not sex every five minutes. Plus, we didn't find anything out about the main characters past, which was the most interesting part of the story! So that bugged me. I won't be reading the rest of the series.
I enjoyed reading very much. I really like Robyn Roze style of writing. I liked Olivia and Jake and learning little tidbits throughout the book. I can't wait to find out more.