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Captive Hearts
TV news reporter Ashley Quick has an eye for a story. So when she hears about a hostage situation, she runs right towards it. Because when Ashley sinks her teeth into a story, nothing can stop her. Not good sense, not the threat of danger, and certainly not her incredibly laid-back, yet annoyingly sexy camerawoman, Gina Tucker.
Gina doesn’t want to jump into danger, and she doesn’t care about chasing the scoop either. She just wants to do her job and go the hell home. If only the ambitious (yet irritatingly hot) reporter she’s been paired up with would stop trying to drag her into disaster for five minutes.
But Ashley and Gina are about to find themselves closer to the action than they’d ever dreamed. And with lives on the line - including their own - they’re going to have to learn how to work as a real team just to stay alive. However, the danger they’re facing together might just bring them closer than simple coworkers…
‘Captive Hearts’ is a witty romantic comedy packed with adventure and thrills, from the internationally bestselling author of ‘Just Married?’ and ‘The Plus One.’
Content note: This story contains a police element, with mentions of implied threat from the police.
Gina doesn’t want to jump into danger, and she doesn’t care about chasing the scoop either. She just wants to do her job and go the hell home. If only the ambitious (yet irritatingly hot) reporter she’s been paired up with would stop trying to drag her into disaster for five minutes.
But Ashley and Gina are about to find themselves closer to the action than they’d ever dreamed. And with lives on the line - including their own - they’re going to have to learn how to work as a real team just to stay alive. However, the danger they’re facing together might just bring them closer than simple coworkers…
‘Captive Hearts’ is a witty romantic comedy packed with adventure and thrills, from the internationally bestselling author of ‘Just Married?’ and ‘The Plus One.’
Content note: This story contains a police element, with mentions of implied threat from the police.
224 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 19, 2020
85 people are currently reading
113 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
June 21, 2020
Unique setting for the start of a romance. In a hostage situation.
Ashley is closed off bitchy tv reporter with a bad attitude. Gina is an easy going fuss free camera woman who goes with the flow and doesn't get too emotionally invested.
Through getting involved in reporting a hostage negotiation, the two discover many things about themselves and eachother.
The entirety of the book is mostly the hostage situation. It's an interesting premise but I definitely would have loved to see and feel more from the two MC's in the aftermath. There is a HEA, but it's mostly done in the epilogue.
Despite the heavy subject matter the tone is light with lots of typical British Humour.
Ashley is closed off bitchy tv reporter with a bad attitude. Gina is an easy going fuss free camera woman who goes with the flow and doesn't get too emotionally invested.
Through getting involved in reporting a hostage negotiation, the two discover many things about themselves and eachother.
The entirety of the book is mostly the hostage situation. It's an interesting premise but I definitely would have loved to see and feel more from the two MC's in the aftermath. There is a HEA, but it's mostly done in the epilogue.
Despite the heavy subject matter the tone is light with lots of typical British Humour.
June 27, 2020
The book had me smiling as I was reading.
Ashley and Gina are so different but Ms. West just makes them work. It's brilliant. The additional characters were funny too, especially Pete... the idiot.
Ashley and Gina are so different but Ms. West just makes them work. It's brilliant. The additional characters were funny too, especially Pete... the idiot.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 19, 2020
This book was a little different than this author's other stuff in that the majority of it took place in over a matter of hours, but there were still elements that are always present in this author's books: humor and love.
Although this story deals with a very real and very scary situation, the author was able to provide the story with levity and a silver lining.
I really enjoyed Ashley's and Gina's personal growth and their banter throughout. I was hooked from beginning to end, and it left me wanting more.
Although this story deals with a very real and very scary situation, the author was able to provide the story with levity and a silver lining.
I really enjoyed Ashley's and Gina's personal growth and their banter throughout. I was hooked from beginning to end, and it left me wanting more.
July 30, 2020
I enjoyed this book a lot, but as a romantic suspense novella rather than as the romantic comedy it purported to be.
'News' reporter Ashley starts out as an unlikeable sort but her camerawoman Gina sees right through her veneer. They get themselves entangled in a tense hostage situation that takes a day to resolve. Most of the story (from the time the two ladies meet) takes place over that day and in that situation. West helps them find some humor in it. It certainly isn't love at first sight but, by helping each other, Ashley learns a few things, Gina does too and they do find their way along to a point where they want to get to know each other better and outside of a crisis.
I'd love to see Natasha West do a follow up romance with these two.
'News' reporter Ashley starts out as an unlikeable sort but her camerawoman Gina sees right through her veneer. They get themselves entangled in a tense hostage situation that takes a day to resolve. Most of the story (from the time the two ladies meet) takes place over that day and in that situation. West helps them find some humor in it. It certainly isn't love at first sight but, by helping each other, Ashley learns a few things, Gina does too and they do find their way along to a point where they want to get to know each other better and outside of a crisis.
I'd love to see Natasha West do a follow up romance with these two.
June 23, 2020
3.25 stars this is a HEA story chock full of British humor. Ashley, is your typical ice queen/ bitch reporter who can't play nice with others. She's super ambitious & doesn't let a small thing like rules get in her way.
Gina is the laid back/ easy going cameraman called into work with Ashley when all others refuse.
They get assigned to interview a vicar on the local church drive, when they overhear multiple police vehicles going to a local pizza place. Ashley hightails it over to the pizza joint & the gets them entangled in the hostage standoff.
Quirky but cute, most of the story is spent going through the standoff. There is no real romance/hookup, & the chemistry could be better.
Gina is the laid back/ easy going cameraman called into work with Ashley when all others refuse.
They get assigned to interview a vicar on the local church drive, when they overhear multiple police vehicles going to a local pizza place. Ashley hightails it over to the pizza joint & the gets them entangled in the hostage standoff.
Quirky but cute, most of the story is spent going through the standoff. There is no real romance/hookup, & the chemistry could be better.
January 11, 2025
Ashley, a reporter who is always chasing a scoop, consequences be damned, and Gina, a rather laid back camera woman, who is called in when Ashley's former camera man quit. Quite a pair, and opposites, too. But perhaps that also makes them a good match, especially when Ashley gets them into a rather difficult situation...
As always, a highly enjoyable rom-com from Natasha West. The setting and premise is a little different from her norm, but it is handled well, and the humour is spot on. It's great seeing the growth of the characters, and the way that they worked together. Fun read, another easy recommendation.
As always, a highly enjoyable rom-com from Natasha West. The setting and premise is a little different from her norm, but it is handled well, and the humour is spot on. It's great seeing the growth of the characters, and the way that they worked together. Fun read, another easy recommendation.
October 22, 2020
More of a hair raising thriller than a romance, well written, but not what I was after.
August 21, 2020
This was an enjoyable short read 3.5 stars. I would have loved more from the story. I felt like there wasn't quite enough of a story on its own and maybe could have ran along side another romance happening on the outside of the hostage situation. I think I'm being greedy and just wanted that little bit more :) still an enjoyable read and a great premise.
September 18, 2020
Captive Hearts [Kindle Unlimited] — Natasha West (29 chapters) July 21-22, 2020
Ashley Quick is a tell-it-like-it-is news reporter stuck in local news but longing to be national. Trouble is no one wants to be her cameraperson. Her foul mood and uncensored tongue made her last cameraman quit. Enter Gina. Gina, a laidback, mellow camerawoman is in between jobs; Ashley’s news editor calls in a favor to her and she takes it. As they head off for their first assignment together, Ashley gets distracted by sirens and they end up heading to the action so that Ashley can get her big break. But nothing ever goes as plan, and soon the two are in a whole heap of trouble, and it doesn’t look good.
Let me start by saying I am a HUGE fan of Ms. West. I have read 9 books before this one and they all have been four or five stars. All. Of. Them. That’s what makes me sad about this one. It was OK. Only OK. There really isn’t any excitement in this story, neither in the sheets nor in the plot. In fact, there really isn’t any buildup in their relationship. The bad guy is supposed to be scary, but it didn’t feel scary.
It was well written, only it didn’t flip my socks like the other stories I have read by the author. Also, this book is really hard to categorize. I wouldn't call it a romance, but it's hard to call it LBGTQ, even though that's where I put it.
Everyone one has a bomb book. And having a bomb book isn't a bad thing: I find myself endeared to this author for that. I only hope this is the last bomb book I read by her.
Two stars.
Ashley Quick is a tell-it-like-it-is news reporter stuck in local news but longing to be national. Trouble is no one wants to be her cameraperson. Her foul mood and uncensored tongue made her last cameraman quit. Enter Gina. Gina, a laidback, mellow camerawoman is in between jobs; Ashley’s news editor calls in a favor to her and she takes it. As they head off for their first assignment together, Ashley gets distracted by sirens and they end up heading to the action so that Ashley can get her big break. But nothing ever goes as plan, and soon the two are in a whole heap of trouble, and it doesn’t look good.
Let me start by saying I am a HUGE fan of Ms. West. I have read 9 books before this one and they all have been four or five stars. All. Of. Them. That’s what makes me sad about this one. It was OK. Only OK. There really isn’t any excitement in this story, neither in the sheets nor in the plot. In fact, there really isn’t any buildup in their relationship. The bad guy is supposed to be scary, but it didn’t feel scary.
It was well written, only it didn’t flip my socks like the other stories I have read by the author. Also, this book is really hard to categorize. I wouldn't call it a romance, but it's hard to call it LBGTQ, even though that's where I put it.
Everyone one has a bomb book. And having a bomb book isn't a bad thing: I find myself endeared to this author for that. I only hope this is the last bomb book I read by her.
Two stars.
July 12, 2020
Interesting Story......
I am a big fan of Natasha West. However there was something so off from her previous books. This was like a bad Dog Day Afternoon movie. It had sarcastic, humor, fear and humility. I liked Ashley and Gina and how they interacted. There banter sort of kept the story moving. But the story itself comes across as juvenile and the attraction should have been brought to our attention earlier. Maybe then we could have appreciated the story as a whole. There were many good parts to it and it was interesting but definitely not what I am use to with Natasha West.
I am a big fan of Natasha West. However there was something so off from her previous books. This was like a bad Dog Day Afternoon movie. It had sarcastic, humor, fear and humility. I liked Ashley and Gina and how they interacted. There banter sort of kept the story moving. But the story itself comes across as juvenile and the attraction should have been brought to our attention earlier. Maybe then we could have appreciated the story as a whole. There were many good parts to it and it was interesting but definitely not what I am use to with Natasha West.
February 1, 2021
Natasha West is taking baby steps out of her comfort zone with excellent results.
Read the full review @ https://bestlesficreviews.blogspot.co...
Read the full review @ https://bestlesficreviews.blogspot.co...
July 10, 2020
Great
This was an interesting book, it took place within hours. Starting with a "break-in" then going to a hostage situation for the rest of the book. Ashley is but of a hard to work with journalist, so when her cameraman quits on her, along comes the only person who didn't turn down the job at hearing Ashley name, Gina, an easy going, go with the flow camerawoman. When they first met the attraction was there for each of the women but it was way in the backburner. Gina could sense the reason why nobody wanted to work with Ashley was because of her attitude. After they went to what was suppose an easy story to record, Ashley senses something happening when she heard sirens and commands Gina to drive there, from them on out becomes something they didn't want to be apart.
The back and forth between Ashley and Gina was tense in the beginning because Ashley was so closed off and kept everything to herself, so when she eventually allowed herself to open up and talk to Gina about her life, it made her feel like a human being instead of a robot just getting by in life. Watching their relationship grow from co workers to halfway friendship to lovers was a real treat to be witnessed. I've enjoyed reading Natasha's books and they have been getting better with each one.
This was an interesting book, it took place within hours. Starting with a "break-in" then going to a hostage situation for the rest of the book. Ashley is but of a hard to work with journalist, so when her cameraman quits on her, along comes the only person who didn't turn down the job at hearing Ashley name, Gina, an easy going, go with the flow camerawoman. When they first met the attraction was there for each of the women but it was way in the backburner. Gina could sense the reason why nobody wanted to work with Ashley was because of her attitude. After they went to what was suppose an easy story to record, Ashley senses something happening when she heard sirens and commands Gina to drive there, from them on out becomes something they didn't want to be apart.
The back and forth between Ashley and Gina was tense in the beginning because Ashley was so closed off and kept everything to herself, so when she eventually allowed herself to open up and talk to Gina about her life, it made her feel like a human being instead of a robot just getting by in life. Watching their relationship grow from co workers to halfway friendship to lovers was a real treat to be witnessed. I've enjoyed reading Natasha's books and they have been getting better with each one.
September 17, 2024
This book is an absolutely ridiculous story line. It covers only a few hours in time. But it works. It is funny, witty, well written and thought out and I loved it.
Ashley is a journalist who falls out with her camera operators as she likes to think she tells the truth and sometimes it's brutal. When she is in need of a new camera operator Gina is brought in (as no one will work with Ashley).
Ashley manages to get them into a hostage situation when she is trying to report on it - and it is hilarious. They are both frightened but this is a bonding exercise too.
There is no epilogue - but it does tell you how their story ends - self employment beckons for a while.
Ashley is a journalist who falls out with her camera operators as she likes to think she tells the truth and sometimes it's brutal. When she is in need of a new camera operator Gina is brought in (as no one will work with Ashley).
Ashley manages to get them into a hostage situation when she is trying to report on it - and it is hilarious. They are both frightened but this is a bonding exercise too.
There is no epilogue - but it does tell you how their story ends - self employment beckons for a while.
July 26, 2020
Really great.
Trust me when I tell you I have had the day from hell.I thought I will read a couple of pages. I finished the book. Very unusual, great story telling. I laughed out loud. It kicked off in page one and kept running to the end.loved it.This author can really tell a fabulous unusual story. Highly recommend.🌻
Trust me when I tell you I have had the day from hell.I thought I will read a couple of pages. I finished the book. Very unusual, great story telling. I laughed out loud. It kicked off in page one and kept running to the end.loved it.This author can really tell a fabulous unusual story. Highly recommend.🌻
June 24, 2020
Wow you captured my heart
Wow another fantastic book by Natasha West,it captured my heart the storyline was exceptional the main characters were perfectly balanced I couldn't put it down defiantly too 5 must read.
Wow another fantastic book by Natasha West,it captured my heart the storyline was exceptional the main characters were perfectly balanced I couldn't put it down defiantly too 5 must read.
June 26, 2020
Another hit
This had me cracking up from page one. West has a way of keeping you laughing and keeping you on your toes, all while keeping you emotionally invested that I absolutely love. I read everything I can get my hands on of hers, and for good reason!
This had me cracking up from page one. West has a way of keeping you laughing and keeping you on your toes, all while keeping you emotionally invested that I absolutely love. I read everything I can get my hands on of hers, and for good reason!
July 19, 2020
Captive Hearts
Natasha West wrote another awersome story, There is laughs hostage situation, fear,anger,love and more in this book.
This was a awesome read and story definitely one to read again.
Recommend==Yes 5*****stars
Natasha West wrote another awersome story, There is laughs hostage situation, fear,anger,love and more in this book.
This was a awesome read and story definitely one to read again.
Recommend==Yes 5*****stars
July 25, 2020
Really really really really good
The latest in a long line of excellent books by Natasha West. Started out funny (loved the insults and banter at the beginning) and got deeper and realer (not a real word, I know). Great characters, great writing, great story. Thanks.
The latest in a long line of excellent books by Natasha West. Started out funny (loved the insults and banter at the beginning) and got deeper and realer (not a real word, I know). Great characters, great writing, great story. Thanks.
August 10, 2020
This was a fun and light read despite the hostage situation plot. I laughed out loud a few times and breezed through it in a couple of hours. If you are after something to decompress and have a few giggles, this works.
May 14, 2024
2 stars. My least favorite book by West. Which is unfortunate but man I did not like this. It was boring as hell, I didn’t like nor care about any of the characters, and it’s not really a romance. It was strange and didn’t do anything for me. Moving on.
June 28, 2020
3.5 stars
July 4, 2020
Romance and drama
Girl meets girl, they become hostages, they fall in love, save the other hostages, and become famous. A nice read.
Girl meets girl, they become hostages, they fall in love, save the other hostages, and become famous. A nice read.
July 21, 2020
Not one of the better books I have been reading 2.8. Hostage situation not the greatest way to get to know someone. Very English with word use.
April 25, 2024
i hate insta love and i hate books with no angst. what was the point of putting them in a hostage situation if they weren’t actually going to have any angst at all
July 29, 2024
A fun wild ride
The book and characters were great. Love everything thing by this author. Laugh out loud funny from the first page.
The book and characters were great. Love everything thing by this author. Laugh out loud funny from the first page.
September 11, 2024
This was so bad that it's not even worth my time to write a review.
September 21, 2024
Too much fun to read. Really love the chemistry between Ashley and Gina.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews