Stealing Beauty

Captive #2

by Julia Sykes

Valentina hates me. That doesn't stop me from kidnapping her, stealing her away for myself.She was brought into my home when we were teenagers, her virgin body sold to my father to pay a debt.She became the only light in my dark criminal underworld, and I couldn't help loving her.Now, ten years have separated us, and I've established my reputation as the most notorious, sadistic drug lord on the west coast.I don't care if she's grown to hate me. I'm finally powerful enough to claim Valentina for myself, and no one can stop me.A decade hasn't dulled my obsessive need for her. I'll kill anyone who tries to take her from me.Valentina was always meant to be mine.Nothing will stop me from possessing her, body and soul.One-click this dark romance for a possessive antihero, a defiant heroine, second-chance romance, enemies-to-lovers vibes, kidnapping, capture fantasy, and deliciously deviant steamy scenes!

Genres: Dark, Dark Romance, Romance, BDSM, Erotica, Mafia Romance, Second Chance

193 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 15, 2019

About the author

Julia Sykes is a USA Today bestselling author of edgy, emotional romance. When she's not writing, she's usually reading.

Other than reading, her obsessions include iced coffee, unicorns, charcuterie, aged Manchego cheese (or any cheese, really), and fancy dresses.

An American expat, Julia now lives in her adopted, beloved home of York, England. Most days, you can find her wandering the cobbled streets and daydreaming about her next novel.

Reviews

[The Sassy Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this one for the most part. It was a relatively quick read that had me hooked right from the start. The writing was great. It was well paced. It was told in a dual POV format. The plot was engaging. The sex scenes were smokin' hot and leaned towards some BDSM action. Neither were virgins. There wasn't any OW drama. There was some OM drama in the form of her husband. There was only one secondary character of note, and that was Mateo. I can't wait to read his and Sofia's book.



Both the main characters were likable. I loved Valentina. She had been dealt a sh!t hand, but she still had some strength inside her. I liked Adrián as well, but I had a bit of an issue with his hatred for Valentina. It annoyed me a bit that it never ONCE crossed this dude's mind that MAYBE, just MAYBE Valentina was being forced to pretend to be in love with her husband? He knew first hand how evil Hugo was, not to mention his father, yet it never occurs to him to maybe...I don't know...have a conversation with her instead of just ASSuming??!! Ya...Ya...I know, it would have been a short book if they worked it out right off the bat, but I still found it annoying! (lol) Last, it was all wrapped up in a happy for now ending.

So that is about all I have to say. I enjoyed it, and I am looking forward to the next book.

[Starr (AKA Starrfish) Rivers · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three stars.

I'm trying new things, every once in a while I feel a slight curiosity over what all the hubub around this type of book is all about.

Plus, I was a sucker for the cover.

It was...OK.

Nothing special. Didn't irritate me in any way. Didn't really titilate me either. So, 3.

Also, some inconsistencies in behavior. H "saved" or "stole" however you want to look at it, the h from her husband while the bastard was forcing his dick down her throat. Now, if the H was riled enough to save her in that scenario, shouldn't he have a clue that she DOESN'T LOVE HER HUSBAND AND HE'S ABUSING HER???? Instead, the H finally realizes the truth about 70% way in after they've spent some time in hostility and she finally blurts out how it really is.

Seriously, the H didn't have a clue??? And the h didn't have a clue why he stole her and why he won't let her go????

It just wasn't very convincing as plotlines went.

Not reading the next one by this author. Just not interesting enough to engage my attention.

[Lana ❇✾DG Romance❇✾ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 STARS

I could be sadistic, but that didn’t mean I loved her any less. If anything, my love for her was so obsessive that it drove me to the brink of madness.

Oh, this was so deliciously dark and captivating. I'll admit that I really read this series backasswards, like I normally do. I started with Pretty Hostage (book 3) and then dove into this one. And everything that I felt was missing for me in book three, this book had in spades.

Adrián was EVERYTHING. He was intense, brimming with barely restrained violence, and positively oozing sex. I loved everything about this man. His possessiveness and protectiveness that goes right along with his rough edges and anger. Adrián and Valentina have a history of love and betrayal, but he knows just one small piece of everything that Valentina has been through and survived at the hands of her "husband".

Valnetina has lived through hell over the last few years. Given as payment for a debt to a violent and brutal man, the only peace she knew was in the company of handsome boy. But then that boy was gone and she was left with a monster. Now Adrián is back, he's kidnapped her from her captor, but he's determined to make her pay for sins that she hasn't committed.

I really loved the way that this story played out. I loved watching Adrián fall harder and harder for Valentina. I loved that Valentina is still a warrior and survivor even after everything she's been through. I loved the two of them together. And I loved the dark edges of this story. Everything weaved together perfectly to make this an absolute page turner. It was dark and dangerous, sexy and turbulent. It was everything I enjoy in a dark romance and I can't wait for the fourth book in this sinfully addictive series!

Find me on:

[EpicRomanceReviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

¸.•´¸.•⭐´¨) ¸.•⭐'¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•`
❤~🌟~❤ 5 INTOXICATING STARS! ❤~🌟~❤

“You’ve always been mine.”

STEALING BEAUTY by Julia Sykes was ABSOLUTELY BREATHTAKING! I have been coveting Valentina's story for a long time and this exhilarating tale exceeded every expectation!

THE STORY:
First, some backstory from the prequel, STOLEN INNOCENCE, which I highly recommend reading beforehand:

At the tender age of 14, Valentina Moreno was brutally ripped away from her home when she was sold to Colombian drug lord Vicente Rodríguez by her evil half-brother, Cristian, to pay off outstanding family debts. In the blink of an eye, all her youthful innocence was shattered. Trapped like prey in Vicente’s luxurious estate, Valentina was scared and alone, petrified of what lay ahead as her sadistic owner waited for the virginal beauty to come of age so he could savagely claim her as his.

But there was an oasis in her storm of chaos. Adrián. Although she and Vicente’s teenage son got off on the wrong foot and he initially resented her presence, the achingly innocent and painfully naïve young girl aroused sinfully lustful thoughts and predatory desires within him. He soon became her fiercest protector, and closest companion, and awakened dark forbidden feelings inside of Valentina as well.

But as her body ripened into womanhood, time was running out. Her brashly handsome young savior vowed to find a way to keep his father’s filthy hands off her. However, in a cruel twist of fate, Adrián and Valentina were viciously ripped apart after they were caught in a compromising position. Adrián was banished to the United States, and as punishment, a "defiled" Valentina was forced into marriage to Vicente’s vile goon, Hugo. She prayed that Adrián would rescue her one day, but he was warned that if ever set foot in Columbia again, his precious “conejita” would die .

This brings us to the present story, STOLEN BEAUTY, which begins 10 years later. Adrián is now a powerful and ruthless drug lord in California and when he returns for his father’s wedding he steals back the woman that was always his . But this abduction is no act of undying love. It's PAYBACK pure and simple , to sic it to his father and Hugo …and exact sweet retribution on Valentino as well. Seething with hatred, he vows to never again open his heart to his newly acquired prize who he assumes willingly betrayed him with his worst enemy. And the animosity is mutual. Valentina loathes this cold, unfeeling man who she believes abandoned her to build his empire in America, leaving her at her cruel tormentor’s mercy.

However, there is a fine line between love and hate.

The spark of depravity that always lingers inside of Adrián as a troubled young man has festered over the years and Valentina arouses the beastly cravings inside of him like none other. And as he spirits his her away on a treacherous journey from Columbia to California, can his beautifully broken captive submit to his rough, possessive dominance…and unlock the steel bars around her menacing master’s heart ? Or will old enemies destroy them both first?

MY MUSINGS:
Wow! STOLEN BEAUTY was everything I could have dreamed of for Adrián and Valentina's sumptuous love story. It was HEARTBREAKINGLY EMOTIONAL. RAW AND GRITTY. DARK AND TWISTED. LUSHLY ROMANTIC AND RAPTUROUSLY SEXY. And teeming with so much PULSE-POUNDING DANGER, THRILLING ADVENTURE AND EDGE OF YOUR SEAT SUSPENSE, it stole my breath!

I loved the blistering intensity and explosive chemistry of this romance, stemming from Valentina and Adrián’s rich, tumultuous history, and there is the perfect blend of dark brutality and torrid BDSM exchanges throughout to satiate my wicked cravings.

To say this book is SCORCHING HOT is an understatement and I would willing submit to Master Adrián’s dark pleasures any day! Sighhh. He is so powerful and predatory, devilishly sexy and darkly menacing, he made me quake whenever he stalked into a room. And the devious punishments he meted out MELTED MY PANTIES and left me PANTING!!

But when he's not prowling or subjugating his sweet prey, there is also another side to him that equally intoxicating. A gentler, softer side, where rare glimmers of the adoring boy Valentina once loved shine through. And when danger strikes, and her formidable captor becomes her dark avenging angel, it becomes abundantly clear that he will go to the ends of the earth to possess and protect his “conejita”! I thought the author did an exceptional job depicting the warring feelings Valentina sparks inside of him and how he wants to hurt her and cherish her at the same time. So effing scintillating!

“I craved him, even the darkest parts of his soul.”

Gah! My heart broke for what poor Valentina suffered through! But while she may APPEAR meek and submissive, a furious fire rages within her…and there is much more to her than meets the eye. Adrián believes she sold her soul to the devil for her own gain but playing the role of devoted wife to Hugo Sánchez, the second most powerful man in Bogotá, took an unbearable toll. However, she did what she had to in order to survive and despite all the torture and degradations she endured, she was “done being a pawn. Done being an object to be traded and stolen in power exchanges between cruel men.” And would fight for freedom no matter what it took!

I savored the evolution of this action-packed and achingly bittersweet enemies to lovers romance which starts out so hostile and antagonistic, but as past hurts and tragic misunderstandings bubble to the surface, raging hot passion reignites, scorching away the darkness that had blackened Adrián and Valentina's hearts during their long, agonizing years apart ..

“Our ravaged souls fit together: two halves of a whole.”

But the battle between them is just part of their story as dangerous enemies must be defeated at all costs!

BOTTOM LINE:
I cannot rave enough about STEALING BEAUTY, which now officially has become one of my all-time favorite of Julia Sykes' dark romances! And while I am elated that this long-suffering duo finally get their richly deserved HEA, I am now clamoring for Matteo's and Sofia tale in PRETTY HOSTAGE!

[Jade Violet · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had some problems with this book even though I usually love Julia Sykes. The basic premise is that Valentina is sold at the age of 15 to Colombian crime lord Vincente who comes along to collect her with his right hand man Hugo. As she is not yet a 'woman', neither of the lechers touches her YET. Adrian is Vincente's son and live in the house also. He is older than Valentina but still just a kid himself. Eventually he becomes her only friend and lifeline in the house and there is young love and he swears her he'll get her out.

After being found sleeping in her bed - these two are pretty innocent with one another - his father sends him off to California to learn and head the business there and Valentina is given to the absolutely gross Hugo to be her husband. Hugo goes out of his way to break her and her private life is hell. In public, she seems the perfect adoring wife.

When a family wedding comes up years later, Adrian comes back to Colombia to attend and as much as he loathes Valentina he can't let go and steals her away intent on taking her to California. He's burned some real bridges with his father and Hugo by doing so. These are real Colombian drug lords so the chase is on.

Sounds like it's a pretty good story, right? Well, my problem with it was the reasons Valentina and Adrian hated each other. They were both in that house as teens. They both knew Hugo's nature, they both knew Valentina had been 'sold' to Vincente and yet they seem to disregard common sense and Adrian, especially, seems to take out his grievances on Valentina nearly the whole damn book! At a certain point I just got sick of it. I don't know, there's a lot of 5 star ratings for this book so maybe this is a case of "It's me, not you." I guess this is one where YMMV but seeing so many 5 stars reviews for it this could just be a case of "It's just me, not you".

3.75 stars.

[Vicky Sp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recensione in Anteprima sulla mia pagina Bookstagram
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Valentina era stata venduta al temuto Vicente Rodríguez quando era solo una bambina.

Suo figlio Adriàn, di poco più grande di lei, per un po’ di tempo l’ aveva protetta dalle avances di suo padre e del viscido Hugo.
L’aveva presa per sé e la giovane ragazza era stata sua. Lo aveva amato e lui non aveva potuto evitare di amarla a sua volta. Poi erano stati scoperti e costretti alla separazione.

Per tutti gli anni di lontananza imposti da Vicente, Adriàn aveva creduto che lei fosse tenuta prigioniera. Aveva pianificato e complottato, interamente consumato dall’obbiettivo di salvarla. Invece aveva scoperto, in modo inconfutabile, che Valentina aveva deciso spontaneamente di concedersi a Hugo.
Gli aveva venduto il suo cuore per lo stile di vita agiato che lui le aveva offerto. Così facendo però, aveva distrutto ciò che rimaneva dell’anima di Adriàn, per quanto nera potesse essere, consumata per l’amore di una donna che lo aveva tradito e che non lo voleva più.

Adriàn aveva giurato vendetta.

E poi era arrivato il giorno in cui si sarebbe finalmente preso la sua personale rivincita.
Lo aveva fatto, l’aveva rapita.

Ma la donna che adesso si ritraeva spaventata, sul sedile posteriore dell’auto sulla quale stavano viaggiando a folle velocità, non era la Valentina che ricordava Adriàn.

Questa donna lo aveva tradito. Aveva scelto di amare Hugo, l’uomo che in passato lo aveva picchiato, quando il padre era troppo annoiato per prendersi la briga di disciplinarlo lui stesso.
Adesso che l’aveva presa l’unica cosa che contava era poterli punirli entrambi: se per davvero amava suo marito, Adrien si sarebbe assicurato che non lo avrebbe più rivisto.
Valentina era una sua proprietà ora, il suo trofeo. Doveva semplicemente farla uscire dalla Colombia.

In auto, mentre la donna era ancora tramortita, lui le aveva accarezzato con insistenza i capelli. Non lo aveva più fatto da quando erano adolescenti, e adesso la stava toccando in un modo strano, un misto tra la reverenza e l’ossessione.

«Così perfetta. Sarai la mia rovina, conejita»

Anche Valentina trovava che Adriàn fosse cambiato, un tempo era diverso dal signore della droga intenso e quasi folle che ora la teneva prigioniera.
Quale versione era quella reale? Era sempre stato intenso il suo modo di essere con Valentina, quando erano giovani. A quei tempi l’ aveva tranquillizzata e poi salvata.

Per così tanto tempo negli anni a venire aveva desiderato che il suo salvatore ritornasse da lei. E quanto stava accadendo adesso, tra di loro, era una versione distorta e più oscura di ciò che aveva sempre sperato.

Adriàn, così oscuro e sensuale, ossessionato da Valentina ormai da tanti anni e che ha giurato vendetta nei suoi confronti, riuscirà a superare il suo risentimento e vivere finalmente la storia d’amore che ha sempre sognato con la donna della sua vita?
Tanti i colpi di scena e le nuove alleanze mafiose che si formeranno nel corso della storia.

[Betül · Rating 4 out of 5]

**ARC provided in exchange for an honest review**



3.5 stars

"He awakened things in me that I thought were long dead. He brought me back to life, just so he could decimate what was left of me."

You don't have to but I still I recommend you read the prologue Stolen Innocence before you start this book, because I think the background information will help you tremendously in understanding the dynamics between the main characters Valentina and Adrián. After reading the prologue I was looking forward to reading what would happen when these two characters would be reunited again. Both are angry and disappointing with the other. They were expecting certain things from each other that they both couldn't be able to fulfill in the current situation they were in. I could feel the strong connection between them, but they just had to explain why they acted and behaved the way they did.

"He'd surrendered his black heart to me years ago, and I offered my tattered heart in return. Our ravaged souls fit together: two halves of a whole."

There were a couple of incidents were in my opinion the characters made stupid decisions, which resulted in dangerous situations that could've totally been avoided. I can blame some of it to the stress they were all in, and the author wanting to add a bit more suspense to the story. But it annoyed me a bit, and that is why I rated this book 3.5 stars instead of 4. The anger that they both felt towards each other, was a bit out of place sometimes, but further down the story I understood better why they acted the way they did. The sex had some BDSM elements to it, which is normally not my cup of tea, but I was glad it wasn't over the top. These scenes were extremely hot and erotic. Stealing Beauty was a fast-paced dark romance, with a great flow. I just thought the ending was a bit rushed, and it left me wanting more.

[Hannah · Rating 1 out of 5]

Valentina, girl, RUN. Just run the hell away. The men in your life have never seen you as anything but a pawn. I don't think that's going to change. So stop being a fucking doormat and get your life together. Don't let that kinky man squirt a baby up you. Don't marry him. Go to college. Find something you love and enjoy and go for it. Be free, for the first time in your life. Find a man who isn't a murderer, a drug king, an abuser, or a kidnapper. F R E E D O M. Go get some.

This whole plot could have worked if the feelings had been raw or felt real. It was just so....blegh. I was promised angst, damnit! But what I got was awful drama instigated by a bunch of man babies who kept using a woman as their bargaining chip. Laaaaame.

[Romanticamente Fantasy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maria Antoniettaa - per RFS
.
Buongiorno fenici, vi ho già parlato di Innocenza rubata di Julia Sykes, Bellezza rapita è il seguito che vi racconto oggi insieme alle mie impressioni dopo la lettura.

Se non avete letto il prequel, vi avviso che è inserito nella prima parte del libro, quindi la seconda parte è quella di cui vi parlerò.

Ci ritroviamo esattamente dieci anni dopo l’allontanamento forzato di Adrian da Valentina e da Bogotà. Adesso è un uomo potente e spietato che detiene il potere del cartello di suo padre, Vicente Rodríguez negli Stati Uniti, in California. L’occasione è il matrimonio di Vicente con una ragazzina di soli diciotto anni incinta del suo secondo erede. Valentina è presente con suo marito, il viscido Hugo Sánchez, il secondo uomo più potente di Bogotá, dopo Vicente.

Ad Adrian, quando la rivede, sembra una bambolina senz’anima perfettamente tirata a lucido, con un abito rosso indecente e i tacchi a spillo. Lui la crede follemente innamorata di suo marito e felice, per questo la odia moltissimo ma è anche ossessionato da lei e la desidera al punto che organizza il suo rapimento durante la cerimonia.

Con l’aiuto del suo fedele braccio destro Mateo, di soli ventitré anni ma freddo come il ghiaccio, inizia questo viaggio in fuga per raggiungere gli Stati Uniti e portare via per sempre Valentina al suo acerrimo nemico Hugo Sáncez. Adrián vuole vendicarsi di quest’uomo che lo ha sempre maltrattato da piccolo e a cui suo padre ha affidato la sua crudele educazione, inoltre aveva sposato Valentina portandogliela via.

Quest’ultima è terrorizzata, non sa cosa aspettarsi da quest’uomo che non riconosce più e che odia profondamente. Lui l’ha abbandonata al suo destino tanti anni prima e l’amore che provava e la speranza di essere liberata sono un lontano ricordo. Le umiliazioni subite da suo marito sono state innumerevoli e adesso è soltanto un guscio vuoto senza emozioni, un burattino nelle mani di uomini senza cuore.

Tu sei mia. Quelle parole, che erano sembrate romantiche da giovani, ora mi facevano rivoltare lo stomaco. Non ero sua da amare e proteggere. Ero sua da possedere e comandare. (Tratto dal libro)

Durante il viaggio Valentina tenterà varie volte la fuga ma non per tornare a Bogotá bensì per raggiungere i suoi fratelli che vivono e controllano il mercato malavitoso di Chicago, che non vede dal giorno in cui è stata venduta a Vicente. La sua paura è di passare da una prigione all’altra ed essere plasmata al volere del suo nuovo padrone.

Ma i due ragazzi, che hanno un ricordo lontano del loro amore e sono entrambi disillusi dalla vita, in realtà si amano ancora e vicini fanno scintille nonostante non si fidino uno dell’altra.

Una chicca degna di nota sono le preferenza sessuali di Adrián che è un dominatore e possiede nella sua lussuosa casa un Parco giochi sessuale degno di nota.

Che dire adesso tocca a voi scoprire cosa vi riserverà Adrián Rodríguez e soprattutto come finirà la storia di odio e amore con la sua conejta.

Il linguaggio è scorrevole e il punto di vista di entrambi i protagonisti aiuta nella caratterizzazione dei personaggi.

La trama è densa di spunti interessanti e vi assicuro che merita la lettura. Sicuramente è buona l’idea di inserire il prequel nel libro perché personalmente non amo spezzare la lettura, preferendo un racconto più lungo e pieno di colpi di scena.

Buona lettura care fenici!

[Sonia N. · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first book from this gifted author!
Stealing Beauty, what a beautiful and emotional title. Adrian is a gorgeous green eyed heir to a vicious and cruel Colombian drug cartel! Growing up in Adrian watched out for the innocent and beautiful Valentina. This storyline is sooo dysfunctional I couldn’t stop reading this book! Fast paced storyline with, trauma, heartache and misunderstandings.
Lots of steamy 5 levels of 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥! But love wins out in this story. But, my complaint is that I didn’t get enough of Adrian and Valentina, their story ended abruptly and I know I wanted more of them!

[EroticaAfterDark (Lilith)]

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[Leanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was really looking forward to this book after the explosive start that we saw in the prequel, Stolen Innocence.
Unfortunately, for me this felt a little below par. Don't get me wrong, it is fast paced, angsty, dark and generally a really good read but i think i was just expecting so much more.

I was easily irritated by their reactions to each other a lot of the time and although i had already kind of guessed why he felt the way he did i also feel like the guy should have more intelligence than to believe what he sees in a picture, especially one coming from his father.
The ending felt rushed and i was a little disappointed in that too.
It feels like i havent justified my 3 star rating enough during this review, and honestly i am struggling to find the reasons for it being less than brilliant but thats the problem. It was good but nothing noteworthy stands out in my mind.
I will go on to read Mateo's story. He has definitely piqued my interest!

[Sammy ❤️Just Let Me Read Blog ❤️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stealing Beauty by Julia Sykes was a fast-paced and steamy story about two people who were made for each other finding their second chance. Sykes is a great storyteller, and in this book she immerses the reader in the dark and gritty world of drug cartels while giving them a great love story.

"The sadistic drug lord wasn't here to set me free; he'd taken me so he could lock me in a different cage, one where he held the key."

I enjoyed both Valentina and Adrian's characters and thought they were both well-written. We got to see their young love develop in the prequel, Stolen Innocence, and this book picks up ten years after they were torn apart. I thought that Valentina was a great character and admired her strength. She suffered for years, all while believing that Adrian chose to abandon her. Adrian frustrated me at times; I felt like he could have tried harder to find out what was going on beneath the surface of Valentina's marriage. Regardless, he was possessive and protective of her in the best of ways, even through his anger. And I did enjoy the tension and animosity between them when they reunited; it made for some really great scenes. The intimate scenes between them were really well done as well. I am not huge on BDSM but I didn't feel that this theme overwhelmed the storyline. I think that the two characters complimented each other in their needs and desires, and in this case it fit well with the story.

"You gave yourself to me. There's no going back. I can't let you go."

The action and suspense elements were my favorite part of the story, and the author did a great job with the authenticity of these scenes. I loved that there was no unnecessary drama. I enjoyed the way Adrian and Valentina found their way back to each other and the way they finally found their happiness. I really loved Mateo's character and am so pleased that he will be getting his own story soon. I will definitely be looking forward to reading that one.

[Steph_d · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this is my second romance that I have given 3+* but I was just captivated from the beginning that I got to second one straight away.

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

STEALING BEAUTY by Julia Sykes is book One in the Stolen Series, there is a Novella called 'Stolen Innocence' that introduces their characters along with the start of their circumstance. This is the story of Adrián and Valentina. Adrián and Valentina are in the present day have a hate / love feeling towards each other. Each thinks the other betrayed them which leads to the hatred but each can't get past the love and desire they feel. This is a dark romance that does take a dark turn with some abuse the heroine has from a previous relationship and Adrián harsh feelings at first towards her do to him thinking she betrayed him. Overall this was a page turner for me since I like Dark Romances.
I hope to read more from Ms. Sykes.

[Tra Le Braccia Di Un Libro · Rating 4 out of 5]

RECENSIONE DI CINZIA
VOTO: 4

NOTA BENE: La prima parte di questo libro, non è altro che la novella INNOCENZA RUBATA pubblicata il 14 maggio dalla Grey Eagle Publications.
Se l'avete già letta, potete saltarla.
Se la dovete ancora leggere, trovate la recensione QUI

Sono passati dieci lunghi anni dall'ultima volta che Adrìan e Valentina si sono visti.
I loro destini sono stati violentemente recisi e l'amore che nutrivano l'uno per l'altra, distrutto.
Ognuno preso dalle proprie convinzioni, nell'arco di questi anni, hanno incamerato tanto odio da nutrire la loro stessa anima e oggi, di nuovo faccia a faccia, a stento trattengono quelle emozioni così destabilizzanti.

A soli sedici anni, Valentina è stata data in sposa a Hugo, un uomo di mezz'età che l'ha forgiata nella sua bambola personale, sottomessa a ogni suo volere e impossibilitata a fare qualsiasi cosa che il marito non approvasse.
Per dieci anni ha vestito solo ciò che suo marito voleva, ha curato il suo corpo solo in funzione di ciò che Hugo desiderava e ha condiviso il suo letto solo per la paura di ciò che avrebbe subito se si fosse ribellata.
E ci ha provato in ogni modo.
Nel primo anno della sua prigionia ha usato tutte le sue forze per scappare da quel mostro che doveva chiamare marito; ma, ogni volta che lo faceva, le ritorsioni verso di lei diventavano sempre più cruente ed è arrivata al punto di arrendersi per non finire ammazzata.
Agli occhi degli sconosciuti, Valentina e Hugo erano la coppia perfetta: Valentina sfoggiava sguardi adoranti per quel marito che odiava, e fingeva un trasporto che le donava solo una profonda nausea.
Dieci lunghi anni di torture e finzioni nella continua speranza che, un giorno, Adrìan tornasse e la liberasse da quell'inferno perpetuo e, ogni giorno che non accadeva, viveva quell'abbandono trincerando il suo cuore nell'odio e nell'oblio.

Vicente, padre di Adrìan, capo indiscusso della droga di tutta la Colombia, sta per sposare l'ennesima donna/bambina che è riuscita a generargli un erede.
Ed è proprio in concomitanza di quell'evento, che Adrìan ricompare nella vita di Valentina.
Durante tutta la cerimonia, cercano di evitare persino di incrociare i loro sguardi, ma appena Valentina riesce ad allontanarsi da suo marito con una scusa, ecco che Adrìan agisce d'impulso e, prima ancora di rendersene conto, se la carica in spalla e la porta con sé.
Sa che, grazie al suo gesto, scatenerà la furia del padre e di Hugo, ma l'ossessione che nutre verso questa donna è qualcosa che prescinde dalla sua stessa autoconservazione.
Adrìan Rodríguez ha passato i suoi ultimi dieci anni a costruire il suo impero negli Stati Uniti, a fortificare la sua potenza nel mondo della droga e a fomentare il suo odio verso la sua famiglia e la donna che l'ha abbandonato.
Di questo è convinto: che Valentina abbia scelto spontaneamente di donarsi a Hugo, l'uomo da cui l'ha difesa per due anni quando non erano altro che ragazzini.
E Hugo non ha fatto altro che alimentare la sua follia in tutti quegli anni, facendogli credere agli unicorni.
Completamente accecato dalla rabbia, ha preferito nutrire il suo cuore spezzato piuttosto che comprendere la verità.
Ma, appena se la ritrova davanti, in tutta la sua bellezza fiorita negli anni che li hanno visti separati, il suo cuore riprende vita e l'attrazione furibonda che nutre verso di lei gli rende impossibile non toccarla, averla, farla sua.La Sykes ci trascina nuovamente nel suo mondo oscuro e ci travolge con una storia carica di tensione ed emozioni incandescenti.
L'attrazione tra questi due personaggi va molto oltre il sentimentalismo. Il loro rapporto è carnale e, sotto molti aspetti, deviato.
Entrambi crescono con uno specchio molto preciso del sesso, ed entrambi lo vivono con un trasporto quasi animalesco.
Valentina, nonostante le esperienze di violenza subite in tutta la vita, si sente realizzata solo regalando ad Adrìan la sua sottomissione, e Adrìan ha bisogno di creare il dolore per provare e far provare piacere.
Un rapporto sicuramente malato ma per loro appagante solo perché vissuto al limite.
Prima di tutto questo, i ragazzi dovranno imparare a conoscersi nuovamente.
I lunghi anni di separazione li hanno cambiati, sia fisicamente che mentalmente e prima di ritrovarsi il cammino sarà lungo e impervio.
Mi è piaciuto molto il lato introspettivo del personaggio maschile: un ragazzo cresciuto senza amore che fa della violenza il suo pane quotidiano. Assisteremo a scene sanguinarie cruente, ma la devozione che riserva per la sua Valentina rispecchia completamente la natura di quest'uomo fatto di tenebre e oscurità profonde.
Ho apprezzato tantissimo il doppio pov, che lascia intravedere ogni sfaccettatura di ciò che provano questi personaggi e permette alla storia di non lasciare nulla al caso.
Se vi piacciono le storie forti, i personaggi sanguinari e gli amori tormentati, questo libro fa sicuramente per voi.

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[PP's Bookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stealing Beauty is a perfect choice for readers who are addicted to dark, raw and twisted romance. So naturally I loved every moment of it. Love is not always happy or sunny. Love can be violent and tragic. But it is love nonetheless. The story of Valentina and Adrián's story is not your regular fairytale. But if fairytale means your dreams come true if you really want, then Stealing Beauty is certainly a modern day fairy tale. The knight may not wear a shining armour or ride a white horse. The princess may be tortured and broken. But this is romance in the very purest form.

Valentina and Adrián hate each other with the same intensity they love each other. Valentina thinks Adrián didn't come back to save her from his cruel father and his associate Hugo. Hugo is a sick psychopath who enjoys abusing her after marrying her forcefully. And Adrián thinks Valentina betrayed him by marrying and loving Hugo which is nothing but an illusion created by the cruel master minds. So when their paths clash after few years, we get the volatile play of love, emotion, passion and heartbreak. The story has violence in both physical and mental form so this is not for faint hearted. But I love to see the tender moments getting born in middle of all harshness and cruelty. The element of Dominance and Submission plays an important part as Adrián wants full control of Valentina's body and mind. The beginning of his life made him like this.

I loved the lead characters. Who doesn't want a man like Adrián in her life? This man is arrogant, damaged, dangerous and twisted but he is equally protective and caring. And this combination is always lethal. Valentina is such a strong woman who suffered so much and still has the courage to submit to Adrián. She needs it to centre her life. The story has ups and downs with a thriller like feel. I am so intrigued to know what will happen with Matteo and Sophia. The author balanced the crudeness and softness perfectly.

Stealing Beauty is a perfect love story of two imperfect souls. This is raw, dark, twisted and passionate to the point of perfection. Adrián and Valentina will have a place in my heart forever!

(Received an early copy for honest review)

[Felicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was not at all what I was expecting when I started this. I started this book thinking, because of the tags, that it would be filled with smut and bdsm and whatnot. But it actually wasn’t. And I’m not all that upset about it because there was an actual little story to it.

Valentina is the MC of this story. She’s 26 and has been married to a horrific man for the past decade of her life. He’s beaten her, raped her, broken her bones, pretty much brutalized her in every way possible. (You don’t see most of it in the book, it’s only mentioned) Well, when Valentina was a girl she was in love with her husband’s boss’s son, Adrien. Right before Valentina was married off at the age of 16 Adrien’s father sent him away to America.

Well ten years later Adrien is back to take Valentina as his own. But they both loath one another for reasons neither of them know about. Adrien thinks Valentina actually loves her husband. And Valentina thinks Adrien didn’t love her enough to come back for her after he was sent away. Both are ignorant to the truth.

Now, I absolutely hate when characters in books are pissed off for reasons that aren’t true. And all they had to do was attempt to talk it out. And I know that wouldn’t be good for the story. But it pisses me off anyways. And that is exactly what happened in this book.

I feel like the story could’ve gone on for a little longer and it would’ve made for a better story. But hey, this was still pretty good.

[Lita Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stealing Beauty by Julia Sykes. This book picks up 10 years after Stealing Innocence which is the prequel to this book. Valentina has been living a life of hell being the wife of Hugo. She is dead inside and she doesn't know how much more she can take. At Vicente's wedding she comes face to face with Adrian. He didn't keep his promise and come back for her. Adrian has become cold and hard. In America he has made a name for himself. He has embraced the drug trade. Now face to face with Valentina, his young love, he sees happiness on her face. How could she!! Adrian ends up taking Valentina. All he needs to do is get her out of his dad and Hugo's territory in Columbia and back to his territory in California. Their journey to safety is this story. I do say that I liked the first book better. This story was not what I expected and because I had my own ideal of what I wanted the story to tell it didn't live up to it. Regardless to that fact, I still enjoyed this story. Something about Adrian made me swoon. He was protective but extremely savage. His pain/pleasure needs were really sexy. A truly good story. Would love to know where they go after the end of this book. 4 stars.

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

First I have to say that this book is effing amazing just simply amazing! I love a dark romance but I love it when it has other elements in it as well. Let me tell you Julia did her homework because drug lords are ruthless arseholes that will kill you and your family to get what they want. Can I say that Hugo was a total douche bag. He had some serious issues with him and he was a total arse to Valentina. Plus Adrian's father was a mother effer and a ruthless bastard that was willing to do anything he wanted to anyone.

Adrian I have to say that at first I hated him like really hated him because I could not understand why he was so effing mean to Valentina. She did nothing to him all he had to do was ask her what happened and everything would have been okay between them. Yes they still would have some hate and be angry with each other but it wouldn't have been to the extreme like it was. Valentina oh my God did my heart break for her. She was used and abused and treated like a second class citizen if not even that but she stood strong and took it all and finally when she escaped she was able to handle all the craziness that was going on. This is a must read beginning to the series and I need book two like yesterday!

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

So, this is the follow up book to the prequel Stolen Innocence, so make sure to read that first as it sets the stage for Adrian and Valentina’s story.

We pick up with them 10 years after Adrian was sent away and he is determined to have her back even if she belongs to someone else. Now there are some twists in Valentina’s life that are hidden from Adrian although I love them together some of her reactions to Adrian didn’t feel right. I did enjoy their journey, but if they just would have talked so much of the drama could have been avoided. The dark level didn’t bother me as I’m a huge fan of dark reads, so in my opinion most of the darker events were fade to black or told as past events.

Hero (Adrian) 5 | Heroine (Valentina) 5 | Plot 4 | Writing Style 5 | Steam 3 | Romance 3 | Angst-Suspense 3 | Darkness 3 | Humor 1 | Secondary Characters 3 | Drama-Conflict 2 | Mystery 3 | Twists 3 | Action 2 | Pacing Steady | Dual POV | MF | Mafia | Twists and Turns | Non-con | Overall 4.5 Stars
#MSBB

[Tai Nelson-Barnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

So if you read the prequel, you will know that Valentine and Adrian have had a rough start in what little relationship they had. It is now ten years later, and Adrian is in town for his father's wedding to some poor girl.

Neither Adrian nor Valentine knows what happened to each other after they were separated ten years prior all they know is that Adrian and Valentine both were left and they really do hate each other, but Adrian will be damned if he will leave her again. So Valentine gets kidnapped again, but this time from the only man she has ever loved. Will these two be able to figure out whatever happened ten years ago and get over it?

This book brings pain, suffering, misunderstandings, and finally healing to these two people. Julia does a beautiful job with this book. I loved it and couldn't put it down.

[CrazyForRomance · Rating 4 out of 5]

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Come il primo libro anche questo secondo volume viene preceduto da una novella introduttiva, ovvero Innocenza rubata che può essere letta sia separatamente che direttamente acquistando Bellezza rapita. La novella ci conduce negli anni adolescenziali dei due protagonisti Adrian e Valentina. Quest’ultima viene strappata troppo presto dal conforto della sua famiglia, barattata come un oggetto qualsiasi e gettata nella tana dei lupi che altro non è che la famiglia di Adrian. Da qui si da il via a una tensione tra i due che prima ha la forma dell’odio e che pian piano si trasforma in un giovane amore proibito.

Sapete quando fate un dolce e siete li che aspettate con ansia di tirarlo fuori dal forno per gustarvelo ma poi succede che lo tirate fuori prima che sia cotto a dovere e appena aprite l’anta questo si affloscia clamorosamente perché non ancora pronto? Beh l’espressione di delusione che si manifesta davanti a questo avvenimento è stata la stessa che ho provato a un certo punto durante la lettura di questo libro. Ero lì coinvolta appieno dalla storia di Valentina e Adrian che si sono visti strappare la loro promessa di amore eterno, coinvolti in una brutale manifestazione di potere patriarcale che li aveva messi l’uno contro l’altro con l’innescarsi di un gioco di incomprensioni. Due personaggi combattivi, Valentina che non si arrende davanti alla possibilità di riavere la libertà che le era stata portata via e Adrian pronto a riprendersi ciò che crede suo di diritto portandomi con loro in questo viaggio on the road alla scoperta di verità dolorose e vecchie quanto le ferite che ne erano conseguite.
Continua a leggere la recensione su: CrazyForRomance

[Stefania Rispo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bello, mi ha appassionato la storia di qst ragazza venduta dal sadico fratello,appena quattordicenne, ad un vecchio x saldare i debiti del defunto padre. Menomale che c è Adrian a salvarla da mani indecenti. Finché nn vengono scoperti , lui cosi viene allontanato e lei data in sposa al braccio destro del vecchio padre. Passano gli anni la povera Valentina passa anni di violenze e soprusi viene rapita e rivendicata dal suo amore Adrian, venuto a prenderla x farla finalmente sua

[christi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh

Started off pretty good and then halfway through it just fell flat. I skimmed then;set 15% of the book since I lost interest.

[Beeg Panda]

Free 31 October 2023

[Vanessa97 · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5⭐

[Flocharda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Me pareció todo demasiado impulsivo e improvisado. Poco creíble todo. No me creo que ¡2 personas! Logren salir de un país dominado por un drug dealer tan fácilmente y luego de tomar la decisión en dos segundos. Y luego se volvió demasiado cursi con tanto sexo y amor

[Claire Cronin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this, especially after reading the prequel Stolen Innocence, which I recommend you read prior to this, its not essential, but it really does give a good background to the story and the characters, and helps to explain why Adrian and Valentina hate each other so much at the start of this book!

Its a dark and twisted tale, with some quite graphic violent scenes, captor / captive style in its telling. Its fast paced and really holds your attention. Valentina and Adrian hate each other with a passion - she thinks Adrian didn't come back to save her from his father and right hand man Hugo, who she was given to and forced to marry, subjected to all sorts of abuse and violence in order to break her and turn her into the perfect wife. Adrian thinks Valentina married Hugo willingly and adores him - this is part of the story that bothered me a little, if he would just have bothered to find out the truth, then of course the story wouldn't have been as good, but still it bothered me!

Years later and their paths cross, and what ensues is their story of love, passion, emotion, obsession, heartbreak and violence, both mental and physical - its twisted, dark and dangerous, with Adrian being extremely dominant and requiring Valentina's full submission. There are tender moments in the midst of all this darkness, with the sexual chemistry between them off the charts and leaning towards the BDSM side of things.

I enjoyed this and was engrossed in their story, there were a couple stupid decisions made that could have been avoided I think, but overall it was a very enjoyable read and I am looking forward to reading about Mateo and Sofia next.