Taken

The Dark Necessities #1

by Felicity Brandon

One obsessed fan. One captive author.

Lost on the streets of a foreign city, Molly Clary is attacked after a book signing. An unknown hero steps in to protect her, but her relief turns to terror when her savior's true intentions are revealed.

Connor Reilly doesn't just want to save her. He wants to take her for himself.

Now Molly's fighting, not just for her life, but for the essence of who she truly is. If she's going to survive in Connor's dark new world, she'll have to learn to play his games. But if Molly plays, what will it cost her? Can a monster ever really learn to love, or will his need to dominate destroy them both?

If you enjoyed the debauched desire of the Twist Me series, then you'll devour Felicity Brandon's edgy new trilogy.

Buy Taken to begin this hauntingly addictive set.

Taken is an edgy, fast-paced, dark romance and is the first book in The Dark Necessities trilogy. Molly and Connor's story continues in Tamed, and concludes in Entwined.

Genres: Dark, Dark Romance, BDSM, Erotica, Romance, Abuse, Adult

ebook

First published November 22, 2018

About the author

USA Today bestselling writer of dark, suspenseful romance.

Find Felicity here:
Website: https://felicitybrandonwrites.com/
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Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/felicitybran...
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FelicityBrandon

Reviews

[Bex (Beckie Bookworm) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hard one to rate this one I enjoyed myself but at times this did make hard reading.
This is almost felt at times like an erotic version of the King book Misery.
Where an erotic author is taken captive by an obsessed super fan and this time she gets to play the leading role from her own warped imagination.
This was heavy on the Pet-Play and humiliation is the definite kink here.
Taken itself is a very stockholmy type dark romance dealing with themes of complete power exchange so please do be aware of this fact.
Connor himself is also a really hard one to stomach and he doesn't always come across in the best of lights.
He's good looking and charming but with a completely psychopathic personality that he keeps underwraps and at times the lines are really blurred here.
This is hard-core dark romance definitely not shades of grey and this so won't be for everyone.
I'm in the fence slightly: I will be continuing as I want to know where this is heading after that finale.
So, This was well-written dark and disturbing I myself would have rated this higher if I could have taken to Connor but I really just couldn't.
It will be interesting to see where this goes in regards to the romantic aspect of things because at the moment I am a tad sceptical of these finer feelings from Connors camp.
I voluntary reviewed an Arc of Taken (Book one in The Dark Necessities trilogy).
All opinions expressed are entirely my own.



Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
https://www.facebook.com/beckiebookworm/
www.beckiebookworm.com

[Heather · Rating 1 out of 5]

While I didn't hate this story, I just barely finished it. And although I'm curious as to whether Molly ever gets free, I can't see myself reading two more books in the series to find out! Honestly I think the whole story could have been done in one book rather than continuing to drag it out.

[Niki {Still a Widow but reading more} · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't even know what to say...

I don't even know how to rate this. I've read a lot of Dark romance but this is a whole other level of depraved. This is the darkest psychological mind f*ck I've ever read. I actually cried twice during a torture scene....CRIED. Connor was so cruel and even when Molly was trying so hard he made up reasons to punish and torture her more. I felt Molly's conflicted emotions. Her shame and despair tearing up my own guts; literally I got so anxious my stomach got upset. I don't know where the heck it goes from here because there was not a single iota of redeeming quality to be had by Connor. Of course the first book ends on a massive cliff hanger until book 2. I want to know what happens but I don't know if I can handle it, honestly. Do I rate it 5 stars because I couldn't put it down and it definitely made me feel something, or do I rate it 1 star because it was so horrific it made me sick to my stomach? I will give it 4 stars because Ms. Brandon set out to write a dark novel and she did. I just don't think psychological torture coercion rape is romance even if the victim got aroused and off.

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,5. Degradante, cenas longamente narradas. Muito boring!!!!!
Não gostei!

[Rachel Campbell · Rating 1 out of 5]

Sorry...I couldn’t finish it

The blurb should really mention that this is HEAVY on pet play...which I do not like at all. No place in the description does it mention this...I went back and checked. In addition, this should be classified as horror instead of romance. There is nothing at all redeeming or romantic about Connor. He’s a predator and I strongly disliked his character. I got to 40% and had to stop. The fact that Molly had any sort of conflict in her feelings towards Connor was just too unrealistic. I actually love dark reads, but this was not for me.

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!! In this first book we get the beginning of Molly and Connor's story. Oh the dark, twisted and super intense turns we get taken through. I'm not really one to read dark romance but this story just hooked me from the start and now I can't wait to get the other books to complete this story!! Well done, Felicity Brandon, well done!!

[FlewB'DoobeyDoo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, I am truly struggling to find the words to properly sum up this bad boy.
I will inevitably find my way stumbling through this, much like I found myself stumbling through this book. (Also, as usual I am going to try and give as few spoilers as possible, so don't mind the ramble.)
Now , I think it's absolutely in my best interest to make it well known that I tend to think of myself as an open minded individual . The world is full of kinks and a wide array of freaky deakey stuff, a lot of which I've had the chance to explore through the magical world of smutty reads. Chances are, if it's weird, bizarre, scary, strange, or outright nasty, ya girls read it.
I like to live by great words of wisdom I received from a college buddy of mine:
DO YOU, BOOBOO.
That being said, having read a lot (and that A lot is capital A) of darker romance/erotica, it's fair to say that you become somewhat desensitized to most of what makes those books so dang addicting. Some authors even turn it into a personal challenge and tell their readers to: Beware! If you are easily offended put this book down, and go for a stroll in the sunshine, star child. Only freaks past this point. (About half of This book was somewhat of a hit, and somewhat of a miss for me. And I think what it all boils down to is the main characters and the dilemmas they face, and how they were handled.

It is at the point of finishing my review where future me has gone back, re-read, and decided I have no choice but to put the spoiler tag. I suck. This sucks. Past me writing this review sucks. And Connor SUCKS. Carry on past Flewbedoo.

Molly: From the get go, we know that this book entails, what theme? Kidnapping. Ah yes, welcome to the dark twisted world of dubious consent and dark twisted stalker fantasies. Or, so you think. Molly is an author who is kidnapped after a book signing event. And from the get go, it's really tough to get an overall read on her. We don't really know a lot about her other than she writes steamy, raunchy, BDSM books, hails from the land of Pennsylvania, and has an open relationship with some nobody who actually doesn't ever come up again. Now, I'll be fair and tell you, I really tried to stick in there for Molly. One of the main things that really draws me into stories with themes of Kidnapping, is the thought process and emotions of the kidnappee. With Molly though, I felt like the struggle was described, but not necessarily acted on.
Let me tell you what I mean: she constantly is talking about how all of the things Connor is doing to her is wrong and degrading, and that she doesn't know him and she's scared. She’s frightened to act out, because she’s fearful of repercussions. BUT. and it's a BIG Frickin BUT here..She is CONSTANTLY becoming aroused by said wrong and degrading things, to the point where the thought of being punished in such disturbing ways ‘gets here motor boat afloat’.

And this is where one of my hard conflicts comes into play.
-Molly has the fantasy to be treated this way and have these things done to her: Okay so like I said before, DO YOU BOOBOO. But she wants those things, WITH CONSENT. With someone she knows and trusts. You were literally chloroformed and suddenly you're in heat for mister psychopath? Her overall head space was just bizarre, and I found myself trying to pep talk her.
Molly. Sweetheart. Angel. You know nothing about this gentleman. You are in a foreign country, have been kidnapped, are being treated...less than human (COUGHCOUGHWEEZE), and yet.....you fight for like point five seconds?
I'll be real. I hope that, not only myself, but also you guys out there will never be in a scenario where you are taken. I could never dream the real fear of such a situation, but I feel like this book really didn't process any of the fear. We constantly hear her saying she's Scared, but then is instantly aroused. She quivers and shakes, doesn’t dare speak out, but then wants his spanks and wants him to degrade her.

Real talk here. You don't know if this guy has other girls in his basement, if he's going to make a skin suit out of you, you don’t know! I just found it really tough to get with Molly's overall thought process because she jumped from "I’m terrified, this isn't consented, I don’t know you!" to "Yes Master, I want it, I'm your pet sir." < and essentially how fast she jumped to it. She talks BRIEFLY about how she wants to punch him at one point, and I honestly agreed whole-heartedly and would have liked to pull the guys testicles out through his ear hole. BUT then she went on to describe how hot and bothered she was by it.
Quote: " She wanted to pull back from his grasp and get as far away from him as she could, yet at the same time she wanted that orgasm he's promised her. She needed it."
I at a couple points cried on behalf of Molly, because there she wasn't giving any recognition of some of the really wrong things happening to her; it was all overpowered with her lust for the treatment. I think it mainly came down to, I just honestly couldn't relate.


Connor : Real Talk? F*ck this guy. I'm open minded, as I've reiterated I think like fifty times before, and will go into these dark romances expecting the worst from the H. But seriously. I didn't find anything I liked about this guy. And honestly, the only thoughts we got from him about Molly were primarily lust. I can usually forgive this (lookin at you Ker Dukey) but I just couldn't find anything redeeming about him. He really is, I think, a true story villain. He's degrading, does everything to belittle Molly past the point of humanity, treats her like an object he wants to break, but then says he doesn't want to get rid of her fire, and couldn't stand it if he actually hurt her.

UM way past that point dude. I think the only quality he had was that he's: a.) attractive, and b.) british. Cause who hasn't secretly fantasized and being kidnapped by Tom Hardy.

GIMME SOME OF THAT BOY AND I'LL DO WHATEVER HE WANTS

But Connor, he is NOT a fantasy TH man. His constant smirk and smug comments made me loathe his very being. Which sucks because I always tend to fall for the twisted, demented psycho’s
The building of the dynamic between the two just felt completely stunted. Mainly because Connor genuinely could give less a shit about how Molly felt or what she wanted. And there was no building of that connection. It was Wam Bam Chloroform Ma’am, and jumped right to the.....damn I can’t get into it too much cause I'm still trying to not give a ton away, but I'll call it ‘the unsavory, humiliating, cracked-off headspace bits’.

I think the really reason I didn't jam with this 'dark romance' is maybe just the fact that the kink of this book wasn't my jazz. And that kind of bums me out, because I've read other books with that type of play and overall themes, that put out a really enthralling story. It just felt way to positioned-then forgiven-then looked over, to really want me to find any more substance in the 'romance' from these two characters. What I really want is for Molly to slug the shizz out of Connor and to show him some of that humble pie. I think it's just safe for me to say that degradation is definitely NOT a kink for me, and will be delt with in the future in a swift and befitting matter.
I just think I'm completely in a strange place with this book (as if my long as all hell review didn't already prove that). I've read way more disturbing and way more graphically dark books, but I just don't really know what to feel about this book except angry and confused. I didn't come here expecting a walk in the park and a happily ever after. You don’t come to these books for that. I suppose one of the good things about this book: It REALLY made me feel something. I was constantly pissed or furious, embarrassed and hateful the entire thing. Which hey, shows that it definitely has the fortitude to be a good book. But still, left on the ledge of unsureness here. I didn’t outright hate it, but it was not a favorite.
Now comes the tough part...Do I dare venture on to the other two books in the series...
The only reason right now I'm going to continue is because: 1.) F*CK that cliffhanger, and 2.) Momma didn't raise no quitter.
3.00 lost-confused-and-angry-as-hell stars

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crazy Train!

“Taken” (Book 1 of The Dark Necessities Trilogy) is a dark, twisted, highly emotional psychological chiller/thriller and one seriously crazy ride! Professionally written and extremely fast-paced… I had difficulty putting this one down. The plot centers around an American erotic romance author and her abduction by an obsessed male fan, while on a book signing tour in London. Along with physical punishment, the antihero uses dehumanizing forms of objectification to “train” the heroine to his will. What is most disconcerting, is his need to dehumanize her, the sexual arousal he receives in both her physical as well as emotional pain. He feeds off her abject emotional distress, expresses joy at her humiliation and dehumanization, laughing as well as taking pictures to savor the moment later. At this juncture in the story-line, the antihero is depicted as sadistic and cruel, exhibiting psychopathic traits due to his aberrant emotional responses. Psychopaths may appear empathetic but when empathy is demonstrated by a psychopath, the cognitive process behind it is simply self-serving and predatory in nature. He displays very few redeeming qualities (if any) and subjects his victim to inhumane psychological as well as physical treatment. The heroine is completely identifiable, smart resilient and not necessarily resigned to her fate. However, she does appear masochistic, experiencing sexual arousal when treated sadistically. Perhaps they are a perfect match or perhaps the heroine is merely suffering from Stockholm Syndrome. Unfortunately, we must wait for the series completion to find out.

This is a story that sticks with you long after you have finished reading it and I’ll be anxiously awaiting the release of book 2… while thinking wtf did I just read!?

The story concludes on a major cliffhanger and would normally reduce my overall rating but not this time. “Taken” is completely riveting, evoking a range of strong emotions from fear and anger, to trepidation as well as hope for Conner’s potential redemption.

Disclaimer: No Kindles were seriously harmed while reading this novel. Children 18 and over only due to noncom/dubcon, sexually explicit content, physical punishment, extreme humiliation, dehumanization and objectification within a noncon power exchange.

Disclaimer for the Disclaimer… The term “seriously harmed” is not intended to include: overheating, scorch marks, minor melting or inconsequential fire that can be put out with an extinguisher. Fire retardant gloves highly recommended while reading. Reviewer is not responsible for run-on sentences, questionable grammar or misplaced commas.

RATING DETAILS (Based on 1 to 5 Gold Stars):
STEAM FACTOR: 5 Totally Twisted Stars
WRITING STYLE: 5 Professional Stars
PLOT: 5 Riveting Stars
ENGAGING CHARACTERS: 5 Crazy Train Stars
CONCLUSION: 5 Wait and See Cliffhanger Stars

[Louise H's Book Thoughts · Rating 4 out of 5]

A deliciously dark start to this captive erotic romance

This is the author's first foray into the world of dark erotica, and what a good job she's done. I'd put it somewhere around/just past middle of the dark spectrum, its not horrific, violent or out-and-out abusive. However it is very much a book of dubious-consent, humiliation and psychological mind play. The story is well written, had good pace and is extremely hot!

Molly has spent years expressing her dark, kinky fantasies through the pages of her novels. Connor is the fan who has decided to fulfil those deeply buried desires, whether Molly wants him to or not. What results is a tale of spankings, punishments, depravity, Stockholm syndrome, extreme pet play and a woman in turmoil. I loved the battle between Molly's mind and her body, how she struggled to accept her reactions to Connor's treatment.

Written third person, from both main characters POV, I did feel we got to know both Connor and Molly. It was easier to really engage with and connect to Molly, I felt her emotions, thought processes and instinctual reactions felt believable. Whilst I'm not sure in reality that anyone would enjoy the non-consensual actions of Connor, this is a dark erotic romance and I loved how Molly had to fight her desires. Not surprisingly, though I felt I knew Connor, I didn't feel quite so much of a connection to him. I did love the hints that there is much more to learn about him.

If dubious consent, strong punishments etc bother you then this perhaps isn't the book for you. I would recommend it to those who love dark romance in all it's forms, as well as those who are new and want to try 'dipping' their toes in the black waters. I really enjoyed this and am very much looking forward to the next instalment of the story.

[Terri Trawets · Rating 5 out of 5]

We meet the two main characters on page one. Molly is an author, just finishing up a book signing when Connor introduces himself as a super fan and requests her signature. Not long after, we are bombarded by intensity---first 3 thugs try to attack her, then Connor swoops in to save her! BUT, was Molly being heroically rescued, or…?

The tension, fear and anticipation of a bound and kidnapped woman surges off the pages and grabbed this reader within moments. It boggled my mind to read about an author who writes erotic fantasies (arousing, naughty books) becoming the main character in her next book, orchestrated by her kidnapper. Conner is totally in control, and their interactions are filthy, depraved, demeaning, degrading, humiliating, indecent and at the same time exciting and salacious!

OMG! How can a book containing only simple words elicit such fierce emotions within my entire being? This story brought out feelings of trepidation, fear, anticipation, shock, excitement and a whole lot more, which will remain unnamed.

In my opinion this story is filled with issues of non consent, dubious consent, and freedom through submission, even if the submission was initially coerced. If you have any triggers, DO NOT READ THIS BOOK; if you do not, and you wish to enter upon the most erotic journey I could ever have imagined---READ THIS BOOK!

[Elizabeth Edwards · Rating 4 out of 5]

i think it is made perfectly clear that this is a dark romance, BDSM, dark subject matter ... even says kidnap thriller ... odd. not my go to kind of genre ...but suddenly Amazon keeps recommending these kind of reads ... i can do it for a while ...but i can not imagine reading on a daily. at times hard to read. but curious where it would go? trilogy. what is funny to me is that fact that all the negative (or a whole heck of a lot of them are folks who give no photo and really ram the author a new one ... or at least try to?? what a joke!) these characters are definitely odd or not the normal run of the mill kind of happy go lucky folks ... u r warned, so if you can handle it ... don't ... non-consensual stuff ... if u feel not happy about that ... step away ... and go read another happy one. i would not call this HOT. different. whatever floats your boat, i guess??!

[Kinky Minx · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to the author for ARC in exchange for honest review.

The start of this story has hooked me in from the first page.

An obsessed fan and a pretty author. 

A signing event, one look in the eye.

A story of a prey and hunter, what will happen next? 

Molly went on a signing even in London, she lost her rental car and somehow surround by three men. Two want to abduct her and one wants to save her... or is he actually saving her?

I totally got hooked up with the story although it's a simple plot. I like how the story goes, giving me a bit of excitement. 3.8 stars from me, I think this story did worth my time to read it. Recommend reading if you like the theme of being "saved".

[Sherry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not for the faint of heart, this is a hard dirty read. A very different read I know I have not read anything like this book before. If you are a fan of hard dominance, heavy on pet play this book is for you. While this isn't my kind of kink the story is interesting Conner had to have been planning this for a long time, poor Molly goes thru hell, I can't help bring curious about the next installment in the series.

[Carol (bookish_notes)]

The writing style and story premise is just too ridiculous to take seriously. This is a DNF after skimming the Kindle sample.

[Sheri Lemay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book grabbed me and wouldn’t let me go. If you like dark stories then this is the book for you. Be prepared to be left wanting more. I have book two and I can’t wait to continue Connor and Molly’s story. I know I won’t be able to put it down. I really want to hate Connor, but I can’t.

[Jennifer Pierson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Taken is definitely not a story for the faint hearted, because I'm dark & twisty deep down, and there were moments that I even a hard time with to be honest. See, Molly is an author who has written books about her dark, kinky fantasies, that Connor, a super fan has devoured. And now, he's taken it to the next level by kidnapping her, to fulfill those fantasies whether she wants to or not. This is where it becomes an extreme psychological thriller, as Molly is struggling between her mind & bodies reactions to Connor's type of play and/or punishments. And trust me, he's completely abhorrent to me, so all I want to do is hurt him badly. There is dual POVs, so we get Connor's inner monologue, but it doesn't make me like him any better, but I really do feel Molly's pain, as I'm seeing some severe Stockholm Syndrome becoming a problem for her. Did the talented Felicity Brandon keep me turning the pages with her dark & twisty story? Absolutely. Am I ready to read the next part of said Trilogy? Oh completely because I'm invested in this situation, at least to see if Connor has more layers, or if Molly can take him out. So yeah, I'm going to HIGHLY RECOMMEND TO ALL who can handle the darkness of Taken!

[Lindarhc · Rating 5 out of 5]

Taken A twisted romance

Felicity has done it again by giving us another gripping book. Molly is at her book signing packing up for the night when Connor asks if she will sign his book. When she goes out to find her car Molly gets lost then is molested by three men. A man dressed all in black saves her then takes her to his car and then puts a cloth over her face. This is the start of Mollys nightmares I cannot wait to read the next book. I received this copy for an honest review which I have given.

[Valentina · Rating 2 out of 5]

There seemed to be no point to the story, no progression of a plot, just consecutive acts of punishment, humiliation, reward. The reader does not really get to know the hero or his motives other than green-eyed and tall, power and subjugation. The book did not project real attraction between the hero and heroine. This story was was rendered as a stream of consecutive "BDSM" episodes. Very slow, overly lengthy read. Did not hold my interest.

[Coco.V]

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[EducatedBookFreak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Connor meets Molly at her author signing. (she writes deep and dark romance). Molly gets lost and can’t find her car. She gets attacked and her hero comes and saves the day (or so she thinks). He has an alternate plan in place already because he has read her books. She is then “Taken” somewhere and endures mindless pleasure/torture for what seems like forever (which in all reality is 3-4 days). She is expected to obey no matter what. If she hesitates, she is punished. Needless to say, her mind can’t decide if she likes it or not (remember, she writes dark romance so obviously deep down she craves it). She ends up craving it and begging by the end. Connor, who becomes a little too trusting, decides to give her freedom she hasn’t had in 3-4 days. She makes a decision that will forever change where she is and who she is. Spoiler: this book cannot be read alone (the sequel to it comes out in January!!)

When reading this book, I never could’ve guessed what was going to happen. It was a total mind mess up. It’s one of those books you feel like you shouldn’t like because it so dark, but seriously could not stop turning pages. It’s definitely a dark BDSM\Power Exchange. Felicity Brandon brings the big guns in this book. She keeps your attention with all the different twists and turns. Whatever happens is never what you anticipated. The control and power Connor had made me jealous of Molly. He is a true alpha who knows what he wants (which is super sexy!!). If you’re not into dark or BDSM themes, you won’t like this book. It has many dark elements and no happy feelings (from Molly, which she truly has but is afraid to admit them). I was very impressed with her writing and how in depth she went into with each scene. You felt like you were in the book experiencing it. This is a definite read for dark romance or BDSM lovers.

It was an amazing book that was well written. She was very detailed and in depth through out the whole entire book. It a total power exchange throughout the whole story. It’s is unpredictable because you never know how what he’s going to do next. This book has to be read (and finished) with Entwined (coming out in January 2019). It’s an amazing cliffhanger that leaves you begging for more!!

[Tee loves Kyle Jacobson · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love Dark Romance stories this is the one for you! This is the first book in this trilogy and it started off with a BANG! I mean I could not put this book down. I was like a crazy woman reading cooking and cleaning all at once because I could not put this book down. Man Felicity brought her A game to this story and I need more.

Molly is attacked by some men when a man comes to her rescue. She is glad someone has come to her rescue because she is in a foreign city doing a book signing. After being rescued by a mysterious man she soon finds out that one attack turns into something more and she is wondering why it has happened to her.

Her rescuer Connor saves Molly only to take her as his own. He has deep dark desires that he wants Molly to fulfill and he will teach her everything she needs to know but Molly just wants to go home. She is not sure she can live in this dark world Connor lives in and she will have to fight for her life in order to survive this new dark world Connor has brought her into. But does Molly really want to play with Connor? Does she want to play his dark games?

This is one dark and twisted beginning to Molly and Connor's story. I need book two right now because that ending damn that ending was amazing it had me yelling at my kindle no...no....no....

[Badh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my sweet and fluffy lord. What has Felicity Brandon done to us? Because, I mean, yeah, just...

Molly is a successful author of kinky romance stories. She's out and about at a signing when Connor comes up to her and asks her to sign a book for him. He tells her that he's a super fan. He's read all her books.

When Molly leaves the signing, she gets attacked by some guys who are up to no good, and in rushes Connor, to save her. Well, to sort of save her. He has plans for her, and none of them are good, at least not for her.

I think that this is seriously meta. I mean, an author who likes to write kinky stories gets kidnapped and is forced to write the story that she's now a character in. Seriously, I loved that. It's such an interesting spin on things.

I love sometimes Connor and Molly's POVs are separate and distinct, but sometimes, for me at least, they seem to seamlessly meld together and you are getting to see what's going on in both of their heads at the same time.

I love seeing what's going on as Molly is trying to process her feelings and what Connor is doing. I wish that we could read what she writes because I think it would give us a better look at she's processing and what's going on with her.

I can't wait for the next one in the series. It's going to be so good.

[Everything Bookish Blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

Molly is an author on an International Book Tour. She writes dark erotica and she sells enough books to warrant a trek overseas. Her writing has caught the eye of Connor, a handsome fan she meets at her most recent stop. A chance encounter that might not be a complete coincidence changes both their lives forever.

She becomes his captive and Connor wants her to bend to his every whim as he brings her darkest desires to the surface. He needs her to see the great pleasure found in pain and humiliation to mold her into the perfect docile plaything. He is obsessed with her words, but will anything she writes satisfy his hunger to make her his or will she beg for every breath under his rough touch.

I absolutely loved that the main character is an author. It’s not the focus but adds a bit of fun to the storyline. Their chemistry is heavy and ready to burst with each panted breath. He takes her on a journey of self exploration in the depravity she buries deep down, and I was glad to be along for the ride. It was fast paced and I was held captive by their passion and how far he pushed her limits. I can’t wait for the next book.

**ARC provided for an honest review**

[Coral · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will start this review by saying that it is a dark book with a lot of dubcon and some non consensual stuff. If any of that offends you do not get this book. If your okay with that then do get it. It’s a great story with many details. I was surprised to find that the whole story takes place during only a few days after Molly is adducted. You get both points of view and some third person throughout the book. I loved how it switch back and forth between the two characters and how they felt in each situation. Also the main characters are pretty much the only characters in the book which is unusual for me but I liked how it was focused solely on them. I found it captivating and kept picking my kindle back up to read more. It is a long story so don’t expect to read it all in one setting unless you have a lot of time to do so. Nothing was predictable in this book and I’m so happy that the next installment in this series will be out soon because I need to know more of Molly and Conner’s story!

[Donna Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

5.0 out of 5 starsHis Pet
November 28, 2018
Format: Kindle Edition
This trilogy certainly starts with a bang,its dark,twisted and utterly addictive.
I was consumed with the complexity and raw emotions that Molly was often
subjected to with her journey with Connor.This book brought out feelings that
at times were difficult to acknowledge.I felt the fear,despair and pain as Molly
cowed time and time again into subjugation at Connors Hands.The hero that
saved Molly from being attacked turned out to be her worst nightmare.She
never thought that she would be living like a scene from her own books.She
was his pet,his dream and he planned to keep her.Despite his treatment a
small part of her relished the experience and heightened her arousal.This
story includes saditic sex,harsh and cruel punishments and imprisonment.
The writing,plot and character development are masterful.This book lifts
the dark veil which covers the life of a criminal and his victim.The subject
is controversial but the execution keeps the pages turning.

DONNA L

[Shelly Wolf · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is dark romance from Felicity Brandon, the first in a series,,,,

This author named Molly Cleary is at a book signing and gets a last minute fan, Connor Reilly asks if it's too late for an autograph, and her being the sweet author says, no, not at all,,,, so, she goes to leave and she's lost and looking for her car and is wet from the rain, and these mischievous young men start harassing her and just when she thinks they are going to take her and possibly kill her, this man all in black with a black mask on comes and saves her,,, only to take her and put her in the backseat of a car,,,, and eventually he chloroforms her and takes her back to his place he has already set up for his "pet",,,,, MOLLY,,,,

So, now he has her living in his world of kink,,, just like the books she writes,,, he wants her to live the lifestyle she writes, and with every passing day, she finds that this lifestyle turns her on and he makes her want much more each time and then she finds that she loves the sex that's involved in this lifestyle that she writes so much of,,,,

I enjoyed this book and would recommend this to anyone who is into a dark, erotic type, romance,,,,

I got this ARC voluntarily to leave an honest review,,,,,

[Saskia · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first book in a new trilogy by Felicity Brandon.

If you like Stephen King or ara a fan of Kathy Bates then you might see a parallel to this story. It isn’t as creepy and scary though… or is it?

It is a bit darker then Felicity Brandon other books. There is a lot of focus on pet play and humiliation so if that is not your cup of tea, then this isn’t the book for you. If you love dark then you will enjoy this book a lot.

I loved how the author showed the internal struggles and emotions of Molly. There was so much going on in her mind. Survival, shame, confusion, joy and so much more. That makes the character real and layered. And it also makes you think about what you would do in this situation. How would you react?

Connor is a bit of a enigma. I am not sure how I feel about him yet and what he is. He shows different sides of himself and keeps you guessing about his actions.

I look forward to reading the next book in the series, because I need more.

[Lisa Stanton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, Taken is an amazing read, it was deliciously twisted, dark and erotic and a great start to Connor and Molly’s story, I’m having withdrawals already. I love it when a book brings out all your feels, the fear, excitement, horror and panty melting, hot flushes. Molly and Connors story starts at a book signing in London where Molly meets Connor, an obsessed, super fan, on her way back to her car she is attacked by 3 men and is saved, or so she thought, by Connor, here starts their dark, twisted and highly erotic journey to…… well, what I’m hoping is love. If dubious consent, non consent or BDSM bothers you this is not the book for you, but if your ok with those things in your books, you need to read this, I can’t wait for the next book in this trilogy, Highly recommend for dark, erotic romance lovers.

[Lisa Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my good God this will have your heart racing a mile a minute with extreme intense situations as Connor Captures Author Molly and puts her through the most humiliating scenes that are down right horrifying and scary. Connor is dark as they come and what he wants hes going to get and he wants every single piece of her as the punishments keep coming Im not sure what to think at this point Connor and Molly are a mixture of everything does Molly really like this deep down all I know is Connor is on a mission and its very exciting to see how this is gonna go, I cant wait for more. The writing is beyond perfection and sets the scenes that you have a whole bunch of feeling and I love having feelings like that when reading.

[Rosalie Belle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Taken had me "taken down a road I didn't want to return from". Sorry...corny play on words, haha. Felicity Brandon never fails to entertain me, and this book certainly fit the bill.
Dark, suspenseful reads have NEVER been my type of book. I want, erotic, little bit of dominating, and HEA. Well, Taken definitely ticked most of my boxes, but even THIS DARK read had me hooked from the beginning!!
Molly and Connor are the main characters in this read and early on, Connor is a "hero" (which you wonder about). However, past the dubiousness, I quickly fell in love with the two of them together and their amazingly hot chemistry. I am super excited that this is Book 1 in the series and can't wait for the next one!!!