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Captive #3
Pretty Hostage
"She's yours now."
With those three words, my boss gives me a gift: permission to kidnap and keep the woman I've wanted for years.
Ever since we were teenagers, I've denied my desire for Sofia. Despite her father's involvement in running our cocaine empire, Caesar Hernández has carefully sheltered her from the brutal realities of our world. She's always been far too innocent and pure for me to drag her out of her charmed life and into my depravities.
But Caesar chose to betray my ruthless boss. He'll have to prove his loyalty once again if he doesn't want any harm to come to his beloved daughter. I have her now, and he's well aware of my sadistic proclivities.
I tried to save her from this, but I can't fight my savage nature when Sofia is in my home and under my command. She'll learn to obey me unquestioningly if she wants to earn any of her freedoms back. Sofia's going to be my good girl, fulfilling all the dark fantasies I've suppressed for years.
I'll do whatever it takes to keep my pretty hostage. If anyone tries to steal her from me, I'll start a war to protect my most precious possession.
Sofia is mine, and I'll never let her go.
With those three words, my boss gives me a gift: permission to kidnap and keep the woman I've wanted for years.
Ever since we were teenagers, I've denied my desire for Sofia. Despite her father's involvement in running our cocaine empire, Caesar Hernández has carefully sheltered her from the brutal realities of our world. She's always been far too innocent and pure for me to drag her out of her charmed life and into my depravities.
But Caesar chose to betray my ruthless boss. He'll have to prove his loyalty once again if he doesn't want any harm to come to his beloved daughter. I have her now, and he's well aware of my sadistic proclivities.
I tried to save her from this, but I can't fight my savage nature when Sofia is in my home and under my command. She'll learn to obey me unquestioningly if she wants to earn any of her freedoms back. Sofia's going to be my good girl, fulfilling all the dark fantasies I've suppressed for years.
I'll do whatever it takes to keep my pretty hostage. If anyone tries to steal her from me, I'll start a war to protect my most precious possession.
Sofia is mine, and I'll never let her go.
Unknown Binding
First published November 12, 2019
1245 people are currently reading
1796 people want to read
About the author
Julia Sykes
137 books2,012 followersJulia 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.
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.
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November 16, 2019
• (¸.•´ (¸.•`
❤~🌟~❤ 5 MESMERIZED BY MATEO STARS! ❤~🌟~❤
“She was mine now.”
Oh. My. Freaking. God. I knew after reading STOLEN BEAUTY, the previous book in the Captive Series, that Mateo and Sofia’s story was going to be magnificent. But this deliciously dark mafia romance left me COMPLETELY AND UTTERLY ENRAPTURED!
THE PREMISE:
Sofia’s nefarious father , Caesar Hernandez, has kept his little princess sheltered for years but life as she knows it changes forever after Caesar crosses merciless crime boss Adrian Rodriguez in the worst possible way. Acting on Adrian’s orders, his brutal enforcer/persona bodyguard, Mateo Ignazio, is ordered to abduct Sofia and do with her as he sees fit. But Mateo has been obsessed with sweet Sofia for years and while he would never hurt a shiny mahogany curl on her head, he salivates at the thought of owning and possessing the delicate, fragile flower in every conceivable way.
But what began as him using her as pawn in a dangerous power play between ruthless, amoral men becomes so much more. For to his surprise and delight, after some necessary lessons in obedience, Sofia proves to be the most compliant prisoner. A natural born submissive, she has always secretly pined for her father’s big, hulking “business” associate and when she discovers Caesar’s nefarious deeds, being held hostage by the primally possessive Mateo seems the lesser of two evils. But despite outward appearances, she has lived a far from a charmed existence. Starved for love and affection, she bares shameful scars that only Mateo can soothe. But with danger looming and a mob war brewing, can this criminal captor and his pretty hostage claim their happily ever after?
MY MUSINGS:
Julia Sykes penned another darkly intoxicating masterpiece that consumed me from start to finish! PRETTY HOSTAGE is Scorching Hot. Violent. Visceral. Heart shattering. Wickedly wanton. And oh so wildly addictive! While this book works fine as a standalone, I do highly recommend you read the previous books in the Captive Series, especially STEALING BEAUTY, which sets the stage for this novel and provides rich backstory on all the key players.
Gah where to BEGIN to try to convey how thoroughly transfixed I was by this book? Chock full of heat, passion, danger, chilling suspense and panty melting erotic interludes, it will make you SHIVER IN ECSTASY and wrench EVERY SINGLE EMOTION out of you!
Well, for starters, let’s begin with Mateo. While he does not possess the cruel, sadistic predisposition of his boss Adrian Rodriguez, Mateo is 100 PERCENT CAVEMAN ALPHA in his own right! Big and intimidating, brutishly sexy and devilishly dominant, he has both a scary, savage intensity and an exquisite gentle heartedness that made me melt. And NO ONE brings out the beastly protector and tender doting lover in him like his precious “florecita.” As soon as he claimed Sofia as his hostage, her fate had been sealed…and ahhhh what a glorious fate it was!
After years of coveting her from afar, of “self-imposed tormented denial,” Mateo finally had her thoroughly under his control. She was ALL HIS, completely at his mercy. But even though “seeing her bound and trembling” was his most “fevered fantasy come to life,” he also wanted to preserve her sweet innocence. And, sure, he unquestionably had a dark, deviant side, but Sofia’s safety and care and overall happiness was ALWAYS his top priority. What I FLOOOOOVED about this gentle giant was that he craved more than just his “dulzura’s” sweet surrender. He wanted her heart. Her soul. And to heal all her broken pieces and make her whole. I also adored how in tune he was with her, instinctively sensing what she needed and moved heaven and earth to make her happy. She was the “beauty and light” in his “ugly, dark world” and he would protect her with his life while of course hungering to defiling her at the same time!
“I wanted to take my time with her, to savor her. To worship her, even as I craved to see her kneeling at my feet and worshipping me.”
And Matteo’s precious flower, Sofia, completely captivated my heart! With her luminous green eyes, sweet, sassy disposition, bubbly spirit and deep-seated emotional fragility, I found her utterly endearing and so delightfully charming that is it any wonder that her ferociously territorial captor would do anything to keep her? She’d been drawn to Mateo since she was fifteen years old and while he’d always had a dangerous aura about him, a “tattooed bad boy” vibe, she had no clue what she’d gotten herself into when she found herself bound to this unapologetically possessive man. While at first she was horrified to discover that she’d been dragged out of her “fairytale” life to into the cruel harsh reality of Mateo’s world, she eventually came to see she was living a farce and that being with Mateo just might be the best thing that ever happened to her. More than anything, she wanted to be his “good girl.” To please him. To find sweet solace and exquisite pleasure in his arms. But she had an aching vulnerability that belied her breathtaking beauty.
“I was damaged. Unworthy. Unwanted.”
This is a heroine who is truly good to the core but deep down she is really a lost, love-starved little girl who is riddled with insecurities and feelings of self-loathing. She craved praise and attention, adoration and affection. Things that Mateo was honored to lavish on her. He would protect her with his life, cosset and cherish her, and in return, she eagerly gave him her submission, devotion and trust. But was her trust given too freely? Gotta read to find out! Suffice it to say, this duo definitely had some internal and external obstacles to overcome but watching them grow and flourish and become the best versions of themselves together was such a SPLENDID thing to behold!
It goes without saying, that their chemistry was HYPNOTIC! The emotional, magnetic pull between Sofia and Mateo touched me to the core and the D/S power exchanges were so titillating I found myself writhing and squirming throughout many of their erotic encounters. Via Ms. Sykes, gorgeous, lushly descriptive prose, emotionally charged tone, engaging voice and highly sensual imagery, she really transports us into the hearts and minds of these beloved, multi-faceted characters and portrays the dom/sub dynamic with sensitivity, tenderness, depth and spellbinding beauty. And rest assured, there’s plenty of edge of your seat danger and mafia cartel mayhem and gory bloodshed to keep your pulse racing and your adrenaline pumping!
BOTTOM LINE:
PRETTY HOSTAGE stole my heart and I could not be more thrilled with how Mateo and Sofia’s book unfolded! In fact, it’s now my new TOP FAVE book in the Captive Series! Now I shall wait with bated breath for Stephano and Carmen’s enemies to loves story, KINGPIN’S PROPERTY, coming in January!
A MUST READ!
❤~🌟~❤ 5 MESMERIZED BY MATEO STARS! ❤~🌟~❤
“She was mine now.”
Oh. My. Freaking. God. I knew after reading STOLEN BEAUTY, the previous book in the Captive Series, that Mateo and Sofia’s story was going to be magnificent. But this deliciously dark mafia romance left me COMPLETELY AND UTTERLY ENRAPTURED!
THE PREMISE:
Sofia’s nefarious father , Caesar Hernandez, has kept his little princess sheltered for years but life as she knows it changes forever after Caesar crosses merciless crime boss Adrian Rodriguez in the worst possible way. Acting on Adrian’s orders, his brutal enforcer/persona bodyguard, Mateo Ignazio, is ordered to abduct Sofia and do with her as he sees fit. But Mateo has been obsessed with sweet Sofia for years and while he would never hurt a shiny mahogany curl on her head, he salivates at the thought of owning and possessing the delicate, fragile flower in every conceivable way.
But what began as him using her as pawn in a dangerous power play between ruthless, amoral men becomes so much more. For to his surprise and delight, after some necessary lessons in obedience, Sofia proves to be the most compliant prisoner. A natural born submissive, she has always secretly pined for her father’s big, hulking “business” associate and when she discovers Caesar’s nefarious deeds, being held hostage by the primally possessive Mateo seems the lesser of two evils. But despite outward appearances, she has lived a far from a charmed existence. Starved for love and affection, she bares shameful scars that only Mateo can soothe. But with danger looming and a mob war brewing, can this criminal captor and his pretty hostage claim their happily ever after?
MY MUSINGS:
Julia Sykes penned another darkly intoxicating masterpiece that consumed me from start to finish! PRETTY HOSTAGE is Scorching Hot. Violent. Visceral. Heart shattering. Wickedly wanton. And oh so wildly addictive! While this book works fine as a standalone, I do highly recommend you read the previous books in the Captive Series, especially STEALING BEAUTY, which sets the stage for this novel and provides rich backstory on all the key players.
Gah where to BEGIN to try to convey how thoroughly transfixed I was by this book? Chock full of heat, passion, danger, chilling suspense and panty melting erotic interludes, it will make you SHIVER IN ECSTASY and wrench EVERY SINGLE EMOTION out of you!
Well, for starters, let’s begin with Mateo. While he does not possess the cruel, sadistic predisposition of his boss Adrian Rodriguez, Mateo is 100 PERCENT CAVEMAN ALPHA in his own right! Big and intimidating, brutishly sexy and devilishly dominant, he has both a scary, savage intensity and an exquisite gentle heartedness that made me melt. And NO ONE brings out the beastly protector and tender doting lover in him like his precious “florecita.” As soon as he claimed Sofia as his hostage, her fate had been sealed…and ahhhh what a glorious fate it was!
After years of coveting her from afar, of “self-imposed tormented denial,” Mateo finally had her thoroughly under his control. She was ALL HIS, completely at his mercy. But even though “seeing her bound and trembling” was his most “fevered fantasy come to life,” he also wanted to preserve her sweet innocence. And, sure, he unquestionably had a dark, deviant side, but Sofia’s safety and care and overall happiness was ALWAYS his top priority. What I FLOOOOOVED about this gentle giant was that he craved more than just his “dulzura’s” sweet surrender. He wanted her heart. Her soul. And to heal all her broken pieces and make her whole. I also adored how in tune he was with her, instinctively sensing what she needed and moved heaven and earth to make her happy. She was the “beauty and light” in his “ugly, dark world” and he would protect her with his life while of course hungering to defiling her at the same time!
“I wanted to take my time with her, to savor her. To worship her, even as I craved to see her kneeling at my feet and worshipping me.”
And Matteo’s precious flower, Sofia, completely captivated my heart! With her luminous green eyes, sweet, sassy disposition, bubbly spirit and deep-seated emotional fragility, I found her utterly endearing and so delightfully charming that is it any wonder that her ferociously territorial captor would do anything to keep her? She’d been drawn to Mateo since she was fifteen years old and while he’d always had a dangerous aura about him, a “tattooed bad boy” vibe, she had no clue what she’d gotten herself into when she found herself bound to this unapologetically possessive man. While at first she was horrified to discover that she’d been dragged out of her “fairytale” life to into the cruel harsh reality of Mateo’s world, she eventually came to see she was living a farce and that being with Mateo just might be the best thing that ever happened to her. More than anything, she wanted to be his “good girl.” To please him. To find sweet solace and exquisite pleasure in his arms. But she had an aching vulnerability that belied her breathtaking beauty.
“I was damaged. Unworthy. Unwanted.”
This is a heroine who is truly good to the core but deep down she is really a lost, love-starved little girl who is riddled with insecurities and feelings of self-loathing. She craved praise and attention, adoration and affection. Things that Mateo was honored to lavish on her. He would protect her with his life, cosset and cherish her, and in return, she eagerly gave him her submission, devotion and trust. But was her trust given too freely? Gotta read to find out! Suffice it to say, this duo definitely had some internal and external obstacles to overcome but watching them grow and flourish and become the best versions of themselves together was such a SPLENDID thing to behold!
It goes without saying, that their chemistry was HYPNOTIC! The emotional, magnetic pull between Sofia and Mateo touched me to the core and the D/S power exchanges were so titillating I found myself writhing and squirming throughout many of their erotic encounters. Via Ms. Sykes, gorgeous, lushly descriptive prose, emotionally charged tone, engaging voice and highly sensual imagery, she really transports us into the hearts and minds of these beloved, multi-faceted characters and portrays the dom/sub dynamic with sensitivity, tenderness, depth and spellbinding beauty. And rest assured, there’s plenty of edge of your seat danger and mafia cartel mayhem and gory bloodshed to keep your pulse racing and your adrenaline pumping!
BOTTOM LINE:
PRETTY HOSTAGE stole my heart and I could not be more thrilled with how Mateo and Sofia’s book unfolded! In fact, it’s now my new TOP FAVE book in the Captive Series! Now I shall wait with bated breath for Stephano and Carmen’s enemies to loves story, KINGPIN’S PROPERTY, coming in January!
A MUST READ!
November 12, 2019
Woah...
This is my first book by this author. I had heard of her before... So many great things too, and I have a couple of her other books on my kindle... But she's been that "Oh I will read her next" kind of authors and when you finally make it through half the ones you needed to, there is more added to the forever growing pile. So to finally read one of her books, and as expected... LOVE IT, I am kicking myself for not reading them sooner.
This book had me by the balls... I was at this authors' mercy. The suspense, the thrill, the mystery and of course the love, heat, and passion was intense, to say the least, and had me completely consumed from page one.
I can say now, I think there is more to read before this book to get more of an understanding of the couple that is featured, but in saying that... This was just as amazing as a standalone. I believe the series that connects to this one is called Captive series and is most definitely my next read by her!
How to review this without any spoilers... Ekkk..
In this book, we have Mateo and Sofia. Sofia is nothing but a pawn in her fathers' world and game and after her father tries to get Mateos boss out of the way for a new boss, it did not go to plan and Sofia ends up being the pawn in this sick game. Mateo's boss kidnaps Sopfia and asks him to keep her hidden and not take care of her... He does just that. The thing is, Mateo has longed for Sofia for so long... But he's no prince charming, and though he may love this woman, and he is trying to keep her safe, and though he may be ruling and dominant but he's always got her best interest at heart and he is willing to l0oking after her and keep her there with him. He also has a dark side... One he's not sure Sofia can accept.
So much happened... And I would love to dive in deeper, but I will leave it at that. This is one crazy love story, and it had me on the edge of my seat throughout the entire book.
Can we please just talk about Mateo?.... Holy shit balls. I am in love. Alpha. So fucking Alpha. Can I keep him? Please?
Sofia and Mateo together? The chemistry was off the charts... The tension, the dominance and submission elements. It was perfect. I am a sucker for these romances. They are my go-to's, forever favorites and this author has gained herself another fan.
6/5 Stars!
This is my first book by this author. I had heard of her before... So many great things too, and I have a couple of her other books on my kindle... But she's been that "Oh I will read her next" kind of authors and when you finally make it through half the ones you needed to, there is more added to the forever growing pile. So to finally read one of her books, and as expected... LOVE IT, I am kicking myself for not reading them sooner.
This book had me by the balls... I was at this authors' mercy. The suspense, the thrill, the mystery and of course the love, heat, and passion was intense, to say the least, and had me completely consumed from page one.
I can say now, I think there is more to read before this book to get more of an understanding of the couple that is featured, but in saying that... This was just as amazing as a standalone. I believe the series that connects to this one is called Captive series and is most definitely my next read by her!
How to review this without any spoilers... Ekkk..
In this book, we have Mateo and Sofia. Sofia is nothing but a pawn in her fathers' world and game and after her father tries to get Mateos boss out of the way for a new boss, it did not go to plan and Sofia ends up being the pawn in this sick game. Mateo's boss kidnaps Sopfia and asks him to keep her hidden and not take care of her... He does just that. The thing is, Mateo has longed for Sofia for so long... But he's no prince charming, and though he may love this woman, and he is trying to keep her safe, and though he may be ruling and dominant but he's always got her best interest at heart and he is willing to l0oking after her and keep her there with him. He also has a dark side... One he's not sure Sofia can accept.
So much happened... And I would love to dive in deeper, but I will leave it at that. This is one crazy love story, and it had me on the edge of my seat throughout the entire book.
Can we please just talk about Mateo?.... Holy shit balls. I am in love. Alpha. So fucking Alpha. Can I keep him? Please?
Sofia and Mateo together? The chemistry was off the charts... The tension, the dominance and submission elements. It was perfect. I am a sucker for these romances. They are my go-to's, forever favorites and this author has gained herself another fan.
6/5 Stars!
November 12, 2019
Unfortunately, I couldn't finish this book... 😭
I wanted to read it because of it's intriguing blurb. If there's something I really like - it's a tough, big, dangerous alpha man - who has intense feelings for the heroine from the start. 😍🔥❤
And although Mateo was a hot Alpha, just the way I like them - he was a bit (too much) of a creeper... 😂
📚 "𝐇𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐞, 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐚 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐩𝐞𝐭.
𝐈 𝐝𝐢𝐝𝐧’𝐭 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐢𝐭.
𝐈 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝𝐧’𝐭 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐢𝐭.
𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐲, 𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐲 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐬." 📚
Mateo works for a dangerous man and does his dirty work. He hurts and kills... but not with Sofia - he was always attracted to her innocence. ❤❤❤
When Sofia's father gets in trouble with Mateo's boss, they kidnap her to teach her father a lesson, but instead of letting her go, his boss tells him to keep her... 🔥
The woman he wanted so much became his, and there was no way he would ever let her go. 😱
📚 “𝐊𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐡𝐞𝐫. 𝐒𝐡𝐞’𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐰.” 📚
And from there, everything was just messy and full of contrasts;
He brings her drugged to his house (but snuggles behind her in bed while she was unconscious)... He declares he will do as he pleases with her (but doesn't want to ruin her innocence, so he's nice and gentle with her)... He wants her under him, above him, all over him (but only when she consent)... He wants her to feel comfortable with him (but informs her that from now on, she has no privacy)... 😫😫😫
📚 "𝐈 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐟𝐮𝐜𝐤 𝐒𝐨𝐟𝐢𝐚 𝐬𝐨𝐨𝐧, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐛𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐟𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐨𝐧 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐚𝐬 𝐦𝐲 𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞." 📚
Wait, WHAT THE F...?! 😂
📚 “𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐞𝐠𝐠𝐬,” 𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝, 𝐭𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐦𝐲 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐥𝐲-𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐭𝐲 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞.
“𝐈’𝐦 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥,” 𝐈 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐝. “𝐈 𝐝𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐮𝐬𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐦𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐟𝐚𝐬𝐭. 𝐈’𝐦 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐚 𝐦𝐨𝐜𝐡𝐚 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐭𝐨-𝐠𝐨 𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐠𝐢𝐫𝐥.”
“𝐓𝐰𝐨 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐛𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐬.” 📚
Gee, I was scared to turn the page and find out he was feeding her like a toddler!!! 😂🍳😱
After I stopped reading, I realized that it is a stand-alone, but there was also a previous book, about Mateo's boss, which probably gives essential information about this story. 😬
So even though I didn't like it, the writing was good, so I'll definitely read another one by this author, soon. ❤
*** 𝕀 𝕣𝕖𝕔𝕖𝕚𝕧𝕖𝕕 𝕒𝕟 𝔸ℝℂ 𝕗𝕣𝕠𝕞 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕒𝕦𝕥𝕙𝕠𝕣 𝕗𝕠𝕣 𝕒𝕟 𝕙𝕠𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕥 𝕣𝕖𝕧𝕚𝕖𝕨 ***
📖 ᖴOᒪᒪOᗯ ᗰE Oᑎ IᑎᔕTᗩGᖇᗩᗰ: 🎉 https://www.instagram.com/the_romanti...
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I wanted to read it because of it's intriguing blurb. If there's something I really like - it's a tough, big, dangerous alpha man - who has intense feelings for the heroine from the start. 😍🔥❤
And although Mateo was a hot Alpha, just the way I like them - he was a bit (too much) of a creeper... 😂
📚 "𝐇𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐞, 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐚 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐩𝐞𝐭.
𝐈 𝐝𝐢𝐝𝐧’𝐭 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐢𝐭.
𝐈 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝𝐧’𝐭 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐢𝐭.
𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐲, 𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐲 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐬." 📚
Mateo works for a dangerous man and does his dirty work. He hurts and kills... but not with Sofia - he was always attracted to her innocence. ❤❤❤
When Sofia's father gets in trouble with Mateo's boss, they kidnap her to teach her father a lesson, but instead of letting her go, his boss tells him to keep her... 🔥
The woman he wanted so much became his, and there was no way he would ever let her go. 😱
📚 “𝐊𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐡𝐞𝐫. 𝐒𝐡𝐞’𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐰.” 📚
And from there, everything was just messy and full of contrasts;
He brings her drugged to his house (but snuggles behind her in bed while she was unconscious)... He declares he will do as he pleases with her (but doesn't want to ruin her innocence, so he's nice and gentle with her)... He wants her under him, above him, all over him (but only when she consent)... He wants her to feel comfortable with him (but informs her that from now on, she has no privacy)... 😫😫😫
📚 "𝐈 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐟𝐮𝐜𝐤 𝐒𝐨𝐟𝐢𝐚 𝐬𝐨𝐨𝐧, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐛𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐟𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐨𝐧 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐚𝐬 𝐦𝐲 𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞." 📚
Wait, WHAT THE F...?! 😂
📚 “𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐞𝐠𝐠𝐬,” 𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝, 𝐭𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐦𝐲 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐥𝐲-𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐭𝐲 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞.
“𝐈’𝐦 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥,” 𝐈 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐝. “𝐈 𝐝𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐮𝐬𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐦𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐟𝐚𝐬𝐭. 𝐈’𝐦 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐚 𝐦𝐨𝐜𝐡𝐚 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐭𝐨-𝐠𝐨 𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐠𝐢𝐫𝐥.”
“𝐓𝐰𝐨 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐛𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐬.” 📚
Gee, I was scared to turn the page and find out he was feeding her like a toddler!!! 😂🍳😱
After I stopped reading, I realized that it is a stand-alone, but there was also a previous book, about Mateo's boss, which probably gives essential information about this story. 😬
So even though I didn't like it, the writing was good, so I'll definitely read another one by this author, soon. ❤
*** 𝕀 𝕣𝕖𝕔𝕖𝕚𝕧𝕖𝕕 𝕒𝕟 𝔸ℝℂ 𝕗𝕣𝕠𝕞 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕒𝕦𝕥𝕙𝕠𝕣 𝕗𝕠𝕣 𝕒𝕟 𝕙𝕠𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕥 𝕣𝕖𝕧𝕚𝕖𝕨 ***
📖 ᖴOᒪᒪOᗯ ᗰE Oᑎ IᑎᔕTᗩGᖇᗩᗰ: 🎉 https://www.instagram.com/the_romanti...
📖 Download your copy today 💋 → https://amzn.to/2Kaz52s
December 1, 2019
3ish STARS
I've been eyeing this series for a while. I've loved some of the older Julia Sykes books I've read, so I let my one-clicker loose on this series and in my usual back-asswards ways, started with book 3 firs. I'm sure my 'must read everything in order' book friends are having heart palpitations right now. But you know what?
Sadly, this one didn't quite hit the spot as nicely as I was hoping. The blurb did all sorts of things for me. But when I started reading? Mostly a whole lot of meh feelings were floating up all around.
This felt like the non-darkiest dark romance I've read. Yes, I know darkiest isn't a word, but just go with me here. The set up is delicious. Mateo is a ruthless enforcer for his even more ruthless crime boss. He's been silently lusting after his boss's business associate's (Caesar) innocent daughter for years. And when that business associate makes the grave error of crossing Adrián and sets the wheels in motion for his woman to be taken by a rival, it's an eye for an eye. Mateo has orders to kidnap and hold Caesar's daughter, Sofia.
Sofia is beyond innocent and naive. In full disclosure, this tends to be my kryptonite in books. I typically can't with the sweet and innocent daughters of ruthless crime lords that are completely blind to their father's doings. She also has no idea that her beloved father has secretly promised her hand to a cartel boss in order to firm an alliance. Fortunately (or unfortunately) for her, Mateo has no intention of letting this happen.
Honestly, the dynamic of their relationship played a big hand in my meh feelings towards this romance. Mateo is much older and treats Sofia more like a disobedient toddler at times than a woman he lusts after. Yes, I get that he wants to protect her, but it's just weird. Or at least it was to me. Here you have this ruthless badass that surpasses his baser urges and treats a woman he wants with kid gloves. I suppose it could have been romantic, but it did nothing for me.
Dude.
Seriously?
I still binge read this in one sitting, so it wasn't all bad. It just didn't hit the spot for me as much as I'd hoped it would after reading that blurb. Luckily it did the trick in hooking me on the series (I already read and loved the second book and salivating for the 4th).
Find me on:
By the time I was finished with her, she would beg to be mine.
I've been eyeing this series for a while. I've loved some of the older Julia Sykes books I've read, so I let my one-clicker loose on this series and in my usual back-asswards ways, started with book 3 firs. I'm sure my 'must read everything in order' book friends are having heart palpitations right now. But you know what?
Sadly, this one didn't quite hit the spot as nicely as I was hoping. The blurb did all sorts of things for me. But when I started reading? Mostly a whole lot of meh feelings were floating up all around.
This felt like the non-darkiest dark romance I've read. Yes, I know darkiest isn't a word, but just go with me here. The set up is delicious. Mateo is a ruthless enforcer for his even more ruthless crime boss. He's been silently lusting after his boss's business associate's (Caesar) innocent daughter for years. And when that business associate makes the grave error of crossing Adrián and sets the wheels in motion for his woman to be taken by a rival, it's an eye for an eye. Mateo has orders to kidnap and hold Caesar's daughter, Sofia.
Sofia is beyond innocent and naive. In full disclosure, this tends to be my kryptonite in books. I typically can't with the sweet and innocent daughters of ruthless crime lords that are completely blind to their father's doings. She also has no idea that her beloved father has secretly promised her hand to a cartel boss in order to firm an alliance. Fortunately (or unfortunately) for her, Mateo has no intention of letting this happen.
Honestly, the dynamic of their relationship played a big hand in my meh feelings towards this romance. Mateo is much older and treats Sofia more like a disobedient toddler at times than a woman he lusts after. Yes, I get that he wants to protect her, but it's just weird. Or at least it was to me. Here you have this ruthless badass that surpasses his baser urges and treats a woman he wants with kid gloves. I suppose it could have been romantic, but it did nothing for me.
Dude.
Seriously?
I still binge read this in one sitting, so it wasn't all bad. It just didn't hit the spot for me as much as I'd hoped it would after reading that blurb. Luckily it did the trick in hooking me on the series (I already read and loved the second book and salivating for the 4th).
Find me on:
April 1, 2022
This was a surprisingly light hearted read, for a "captive romance." Our hero Mateo is a complete wife slave 😂. Despite being called "dark," it really wasn't all that dark.
This is the story of Mateo, a subordinate and the muscle to his boss, Adrien (hero from previous book in series). Mateo is obsessed with Sofia, the innocent young daughter of an enemy of Adrien. She was raised to be an innocent, naive trophy wife (although she never knew she was to be sold off as a wife). Mateo has wanted Sofia for a long time, but is afraid to taint her innocence with his violence and darkness.
He is someone greatly feared in the crime world. Everything changes when Sofia's father betrays Adrien, and they kidnap Sofia as leverage against her father. Adrien gives Sofia to Mateo, and he's ecstatic he can finally own her.
Our hero, Mateo: this guy was a slave to Sofia. Definition of a simp for his woman 🤣. He completely coddles her and pampers her. His relationship with Sofia reminded me of The Mountain from Game of Thrones with his little pomeranian.
Despite being a scary looking giant, he handles Sofia delicately and finds everything about her adorable. Despite having "dark desires" of BDSM with her, he refrains until she's ready and is very gentle with her. I do wish we were given more insight into the early interactions between them and why Mateo fell for Sofia so hard, other than vague mentions of her being "innocent."
Our heroine, Sofia: she was ridiculously sheltered. Has no sense of self preservation or fear, and innocently trusts everyone. It's understandable, because she was raised to be stupid and useless. She is very honest, and the only thing she really tried to hide was her self harm scars when she acted out against her parents at the age of 13. I know a lot of people might dislike Sofia, as she did act a bit "bratty" and incredibly fearless of Mateo, and didn't show a lot of common sense. I didn't really mind her, though. Mateo didn't discourage her from being honest and voicing her opinions, and in fact encouraged her to be naive and reliant on him. Sofia reminded me of a spoiled cat or dog, where she desperately craved petting and affection, but would blow hot and cold and lash out at Mateo if he teased her too much or tried to deny her things. Mateo reacts the way someone who is a cat slave would, doting on her and adoring her attitude.
It was kind of cute, actually.
In all honesty, Mateo didn't really help Sofia with wising up and maturing to become smarter and make better decisions. In real life, I would say they are not a good match and Mateo is toxic for her. He enables her and makes her completely reliant on him, which is obviously on purpose, since he wants to control her and own her. If anything were to happen to Mateo, Sofia would be dead very fast lol. But in the end, they are happy together, and Sofia likes being kept by him, so whatever works for them!
Safety:
* Heroine is a virgin, has kissed other boys before but never gone further.
* Hero is NOT a virgin, has had rough sex with other women he wasn't serious about.
* No OW, some OM drama where the heroine is engaged to another crime lord, who kidnaps her. It's not made explicit how far the crime lord got with heroine before she's rescued, but it sounds like he didn't actually get to rape her.
* Condoms used
* HEA, no epilogue or babies
This is the story of Mateo, a subordinate and the muscle to his boss, Adrien (hero from previous book in series). Mateo is obsessed with Sofia, the innocent young daughter of an enemy of Adrien. She was raised to be an innocent, naive trophy wife (although she never knew she was to be sold off as a wife). Mateo has wanted Sofia for a long time, but is afraid to taint her innocence with his violence and darkness.
He is someone greatly feared in the crime world. Everything changes when Sofia's father betrays Adrien, and they kidnap Sofia as leverage against her father. Adrien gives Sofia to Mateo, and he's ecstatic he can finally own her.
Our hero, Mateo: this guy was a slave to Sofia. Definition of a simp for his woman 🤣. He completely coddles her and pampers her. His relationship with Sofia reminded me of The Mountain from Game of Thrones with his little pomeranian.
Despite being a scary looking giant, he handles Sofia delicately and finds everything about her adorable. Despite having "dark desires" of BDSM with her, he refrains until she's ready and is very gentle with her. I do wish we were given more insight into the early interactions between them and why Mateo fell for Sofia so hard, other than vague mentions of her being "innocent."
Our heroine, Sofia: she was ridiculously sheltered. Has no sense of self preservation or fear, and innocently trusts everyone. It's understandable, because she was raised to be stupid and useless. She is very honest, and the only thing she really tried to hide was her self harm scars when she acted out against her parents at the age of 13. I know a lot of people might dislike Sofia, as she did act a bit "bratty" and incredibly fearless of Mateo, and didn't show a lot of common sense. I didn't really mind her, though. Mateo didn't discourage her from being honest and voicing her opinions, and in fact encouraged her to be naive and reliant on him. Sofia reminded me of a spoiled cat or dog, where she desperately craved petting and affection, but would blow hot and cold and lash out at Mateo if he teased her too much or tried to deny her things. Mateo reacts the way someone who is a cat slave would, doting on her and adoring her attitude.
It was kind of cute, actually.
In all honesty, Mateo didn't really help Sofia with wising up and maturing to become smarter and make better decisions. In real life, I would say they are not a good match and Mateo is toxic for her. He enables her and makes her completely reliant on him, which is obviously on purpose, since he wants to control her and own her. If anything were to happen to Mateo, Sofia would be dead very fast lol. But in the end, they are happy together, and Sofia likes being kept by him, so whatever works for them!
Safety:
* Heroine is a virgin, has kissed other boys before but never gone further.
* Hero is NOT a virgin, has had rough sex with other women he wasn't serious about.
* No OW, some OM drama where the heroine is engaged to another crime lord, who kidnaps her. It's not made explicit how far the crime lord got with heroine before she's rescued, but it sounds like he didn't actually get to rape her.
* Condoms used
* HEA, no epilogue or babies
November 17, 2020
Recensione in Anteprima sulla mia pagina Bookstagram
https://www.instagram.com/p/CHSWS1pHs...
3,5 stelline
Mateo era la guardia del corpo di Adrián, e aveva giurato che non avrebbe mai toccato la dolce Sofia né l’avrebbe spaventata con i suoi desideri deviati, ma adesso che era stato costretto a rapirla e imprigionarla, non era più certo della propria resistenza.
«Le mie perversioni erano radicate troppo in profondità per negarle. Mi piaceva che lei fosse impotente. Il sangue mi ribolliva nelle vene in un cocktail feroce di desiderio e rabbia».
Era furioso con Adrián per averlo costretto a questa situazione oscura che comunque aveva sempre bramato, ma che aveva fermamente represso per il bene di Sofia, una ragazza tutta luminosità e purezza.
Era stato costretto a recluderla perché la vita di Valentina era in pericolo. Il padre di Sofia, Caesar Hernández, l’aveva rapita in un gioco di potere, al fine di spodestare Adrián dal ruolo di capo, e aveva scelto di allearsi con il suo acerrimo nemico Hugo Sánchez per riuscire ad orchestrare un golpe. Adrián non avrebbe mai permesso a nessuno di prendersi la donna che amava, nemmeno a costo della propria vita. Stava per scatenarsi una guerra all’interno dell’ organizzazione, e Mateo ed Adrián dovevano porvi fine prima che cominciasse.
«Sofia era la chiave per la nostra vittoria. Caesar poteva anche essere un viscido traditore, però stravedeva per la sua unica figlia. Quando avesse saputo che lei era in mano nostra, ero sicuro che avrebbe fatto qualunque cosa pur di riaverla».
Caesar era ben consapevole della natura brutale e delle tendenze perverse di Mateo, il quale faceva leva proprio su questo punto.
Sofia era una ragazza dolce e innocente, ma la sua esistenza non era stata perfetta:
«Fin da quando Mateo mi aveva presa in ostaggio, la mia vita era stata completamente fuori dal mio controllo. Avevo smesso di essere una persona dotata di una volontà propria; ero stata ridotta a una pedina nei giochi di potere tra uomini spietati e amorali».
Sofia ci viene presentata come una giovane donna ingenua e pura. Ma nel corso del libro dimostrerà di avere dei personali bisogni di sottomissione, che accetterà di buon grado ma non senza combattere.
Nella vita nulla le era stato servito su un piatto d’argento: Caesar poteva anche aver provveduto a lei non facendole mancare nulla, ma non era stata amata come avrebbe dovuto.
Non c’era da stupirsi dunque di come si fosse attaccata al suo carceriere, che la colmava di quelle attenzioni che bramava tanto.
«Non avere paura di me, non permetterò mai che ti accada niente di male “florecita”. Sei morbida come il petalo di un fiore, e altrettanto delicata».
Il libro parte lento, la prima parte è incentrata sui bisogni e desideri di Mateo, e solo verso la fine troviamo azione e colpi di scena.
*Ringrazio la CE la copia digitale*
https://www.instagram.com/p/CHSWS1pHs...
3,5 stelline
Mateo era la guardia del corpo di Adrián, e aveva giurato che non avrebbe mai toccato la dolce Sofia né l’avrebbe spaventata con i suoi desideri deviati, ma adesso che era stato costretto a rapirla e imprigionarla, non era più certo della propria resistenza.
«Le mie perversioni erano radicate troppo in profondità per negarle. Mi piaceva che lei fosse impotente. Il sangue mi ribolliva nelle vene in un cocktail feroce di desiderio e rabbia».
Era furioso con Adrián per averlo costretto a questa situazione oscura che comunque aveva sempre bramato, ma che aveva fermamente represso per il bene di Sofia, una ragazza tutta luminosità e purezza.
Era stato costretto a recluderla perché la vita di Valentina era in pericolo. Il padre di Sofia, Caesar Hernández, l’aveva rapita in un gioco di potere, al fine di spodestare Adrián dal ruolo di capo, e aveva scelto di allearsi con il suo acerrimo nemico Hugo Sánchez per riuscire ad orchestrare un golpe. Adrián non avrebbe mai permesso a nessuno di prendersi la donna che amava, nemmeno a costo della propria vita. Stava per scatenarsi una guerra all’interno dell’ organizzazione, e Mateo ed Adrián dovevano porvi fine prima che cominciasse.
«Sofia era la chiave per la nostra vittoria. Caesar poteva anche essere un viscido traditore, però stravedeva per la sua unica figlia. Quando avesse saputo che lei era in mano nostra, ero sicuro che avrebbe fatto qualunque cosa pur di riaverla».
Caesar era ben consapevole della natura brutale e delle tendenze perverse di Mateo, il quale faceva leva proprio su questo punto.
Sofia era una ragazza dolce e innocente, ma la sua esistenza non era stata perfetta:
«Fin da quando Mateo mi aveva presa in ostaggio, la mia vita era stata completamente fuori dal mio controllo. Avevo smesso di essere una persona dotata di una volontà propria; ero stata ridotta a una pedina nei giochi di potere tra uomini spietati e amorali».
Sofia ci viene presentata come una giovane donna ingenua e pura. Ma nel corso del libro dimostrerà di avere dei personali bisogni di sottomissione, che accetterà di buon grado ma non senza combattere.
Nella vita nulla le era stato servito su un piatto d’argento: Caesar poteva anche aver provveduto a lei non facendole mancare nulla, ma non era stata amata come avrebbe dovuto.
Non c’era da stupirsi dunque di come si fosse attaccata al suo carceriere, che la colmava di quelle attenzioni che bramava tanto.
«Non avere paura di me, non permetterò mai che ti accada niente di male “florecita”. Sei morbida come il petalo di un fiore, e altrettanto delicata».
Il libro parte lento, la prima parte è incentrata sui bisogni e desideri di Mateo, e solo verso la fine troviamo azione e colpi di scena.
*Ringrazio la CE la copia digitale*
November 16, 2019
Wow, won't even cover it!!!
Have you ever read a book that kept you up late at night, because all you wanted to do is read one more page?
Well, here you have it.
Perhaps it has to do with me and what I'm looking in a mafia romance, but that book had everything.
The heroes' chemistry was electrifying, Mateo never stopped having all the qualities of a romance hero despite his brutal physique and somewhat forbidding persona, but he was genuine and true throughout the novel.
Sofia on the other hand, a girl sheltered from the ugly truths, manages to find her footing and stand up to everyone that stands in the way of her being with the man who truly cares for her and makes her feel unique.
I think this is the second book in a series, but I didn't find it lacking in anything. On the contrary my interest is piqued so much that I have to pick up Adrian and Valentina's story.
Julia Sykes is a new author to me even though her name rings a bell or twelve, but I'm sure she's going to become one of my favourites.
Have you ever read a book that kept you up late at night, because all you wanted to do is read one more page?
Well, here you have it.
Perhaps it has to do with me and what I'm looking in a mafia romance, but that book had everything.
The heroes' chemistry was electrifying, Mateo never stopped having all the qualities of a romance hero despite his brutal physique and somewhat forbidding persona, but he was genuine and true throughout the novel.
Sofia on the other hand, a girl sheltered from the ugly truths, manages to find her footing and stand up to everyone that stands in the way of her being with the man who truly cares for her and makes her feel unique.
I think this is the second book in a series, but I didn't find it lacking in anything. On the contrary my interest is piqued so much that I have to pick up Adrian and Valentina's story.
Julia Sykes is a new author to me even though her name rings a bell or twelve, but I'm sure she's going to become one of my favourites.
December 16, 2019
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PRETTY HOSTAGE BY JULIA SYKES IS E.V.E.R.Y.T.H.I.N.G.!
5 "HANDS OFF! MATEO IS ALL MINE" STARS!!!!
ೋღ📖ღೋ ═════ ೋღ📖ღೋ═════ ೋღ📖ღೋ
GAH!!! Get ready to get your dark romance book on!!
I apologize in advance. This is one of the longest reviews I’ve ever written but I have tons to say. Kindly bear with me. First, I was so very excited to have received an advanced reader copy and voluntarily reviewed this book.
EEEEP…. Let me start off my review of Pretty Hostage by author Julia Sykes by clearly stating that THIS…… BOOK ……WAS …… EVERYTHING!!!!! E.V.E.R.Y.T.H.I.N.G.!
Imagine if you will, going through life wearing rose colored glasses. Only seeing the best parts of those you loved, ignoring their flaws even if that meant giving up pieces of yourself, your self-esteem and your self-worth.
Then imagine, being home alone and having your world turned upside down with one stick in the neck from a drug filled needle. You wake up to discover that the life you led was a lie, that the people you were closest too are not who you thought they were and the one man you have secretly loved since you were a teenage girl is now your captor. That’s exactly what happened to beautiful and naïve Sophia Hernandez.
Fortunately for Sophia, life as she knew it was over and a new one was just beginning. Unfortunately for those who betrayed Sophia will also find that life as they knew it was over because there was a dangerous, powerful and savage storm brewing and headed right in their direction.
That storm that’s about to roll in has a name. Mateo Ignazio. The swoony but savage bodyguard/enforcer to Adrian Rodriguez, the brutal and equally, if not more savage mafia crime boss we met in the previous book, Stealing Beauty.
Moreover, Mateo has secretly loved Sophia Hernandez for years but has kept his distance because of his kinky sexual proclivities and equally savage nature. He is a Dominant. A man who will settle for nothing less than the woman who was meant to be his. But, the following words by his boss change everything…………
"She's yours now."
With those three words, my boss gives me a gift: permission to kidnap and keep the woman I've wanted for years.
Now Mateo is bound and determined to make Sophia his. Not only that, but he is equally determined to make sure everyone who betrayed her get their just reward. Even if that means blood will drip from his fingers while making that happen. But a promise he made to his boss Adrian and the promises his boss gave to Sophia’s father puts a cinch in his plans to make Sophia his. Her world is shaken to its very core when truths are exposed. Should she remain Mateo’s pretty hostage or be hell bound to the devil himself?
Sophia’s father, Caesar Hernandez lives a secret and corrupt life. A life that he kept away from Sophia her entire life. He made alliances with the wrong people. He made deals with the devil involving his daughter without her knowing it. A deal that in the end could cost him everything. More importantly, a deal that could cost Sophia and Mateo the future they so richly deserve. Sophia is promised to another man. A ruthless evil man.
Ultimatums are made, Promises are broken, a wedding is planned, deals go down and some go up in flames. How will this all play out? Will Mateo get to keep his woman? Will Sophia submit to him in all things? What happens when the powers that be interfere? It’s time to face that evil and the wrath that follows. It’s a race against time to save the woman he loves. A woman he’s waited years for. A woman who was made just for him. A woman he would die for. His Sweet Sophia, his “belleza (beauty).
Through all the darkness and pain they were faced with, a magical, once in a lifetime love like no other is formed. A relationship built on dominance and submission. A love filled with trust and obedience. A life filled with promises for a beautiful future together.
********************************************************************
Now, I’m not going to tell you what happens. I won’t deprive you of the enjoyment of the very best parts of this incredible story. Most of what I just said happens early on so don’t worry, I’m not giving anything away. Just enough to tempt your taste buds.
However, I would like to tell you how the characters in this book made me “FEEL”.
OMG!!!! I lost count of how many times Mateo left me weak in the knees with all his growly, swoony alphalicious ways. He had me daydreaming on more than one occasion wishing “I” was the love of his life. Spankings be damned…. or not (wink wink). I hated having to snap out of my Mateo coma and rejoin society in the real world.
I mean come on…… The way Mateo cherishes, covets, dominates and worships his sweet Sophia, his florecita (little flower), like she's his queen, his personal and most private hidden treasure, a rare precious gemstone, just stole the breath from my lungs.
He fiercely protects Sophia with such ferocity, such possessiveness. To most, he's may seem like a great big scary as hell hulking madman who kills. Well, because he is. When provoked, he becomes a savage beast. His primal outbursts, his roars of pain when someone threatened his sweet Sophia gave me the chills. Unleashing his wrath and fury against those who threatened his woman in any way shape or form. Because if you were one of those people, you would have to sleep with one eye open because blood will spill and lives would be lost. Trust me when I say that his punishments are not swift. He'd make his enemies suffer slowly. I could live with that!
But there's a much softer side to Mateo that is only seen by Sophia. But make no mistake, Mateo is a 100% dominant and demands total control and complete submission from Sophia and she wouldn't have it any other way. His punishments towards Sophia were positively yummy and hot as hell. HOT…… AS…… HELL. Not to mention the sexy time they shared was sizzling hot, enough to wake up every blood cell in my body and I swear that if it wasn’t for the fact that I couldn’t put this book down, I would have gotten busy myself.
Mateo is one of those rare heroes that can ruin you for all others who came before and after him. He is in a league all by himself. He's the kind of hero that you can only read about, dream about and will leave you weak in the knees, chapter after chapter. Sophia is naturally submissive which makes them perfect together. She's so endearing. Her sweet nature as well as her side of sassy makes her adorable. Honestly, I just loved her to pieces. They have a really powerful, electrified connection to one another.
I loved to love Mateo. He's like the best salted caramel that money can buy. So silky smooth like melted butter, sweet like decadent chocolate and just the right amount of salt to remind me just how alphalicious, in control and in charge he really is. I want to hide him under my bed so I don't have to share his super fine self.
This couple managed to ingratiate themselves right smack dab into the crevices of my psyche as well as burrowing deep inside my rapidly beating heart. I couldn't get enough.
Here are some of my favorite parts in this book and there were plenty but these are tops for me.
Mateo's inner dialogue while watching her professor teach the Alexander Technique was so cave man and outrageously funny.
Although he exudes strength and power, times like that really made him more real somehow and that bit of humor helps break through the darkness.
I loved hearing Sophia talk about her love of music and singing and how Mateo embraced that side of her and the gift he gives her later is priceless and left me awestruck.
The ritual that takes place in the epilogue was incredibly intoxicating and I was left wanting more.
The ending was so suspenseful and beautiful.
The writing in the book was incredibly descriptive, exquisite even, in my opinion. The character development was excellent. The author took me on one wild and swoony ride. One filled with a hero that will leave you in a puddle of swoony goo. A heroine that you can't help fall in love with and the evil doers of all shapes and sizes who get what’s coming to them.
Pretty Hostage by author Julia Sykes is one book that is not to be missed believe you me, you DO NOT want to miss out on this highly anticipated, incredibly sexy, super exciting and DARK & DELICIOUS romance. Mateo OWNED me completely right out of the gate and I don't mind saying I've fallen deeply in love with sweet Sophia. These two were made for each other. These two were made for me!!! Yes! It's a match made in dreamy alpha swoony heaven.
Pretty Hostage earns “5 hands off, Mateo is all mine stars.” Do yourself a favor and read this book. As I stated at the beginning, it is EVERYTHING. I promise it is filled with all things dreamy and swoony…… oh, and some spankings!!!!
I look forward to the next book in the series. Kingpin’s Property, Stephano and Carmen’s story. January can’t come fast enough.
PRETTY HOSTAGE BY JULIA SYKES IS E.V.E.R.Y.T.H.I.N.G.!
5 "HANDS OFF! MATEO IS ALL MINE" STARS!!!!
ೋღ📖ღೋ ═════ ೋღ📖ღೋ═════ ೋღ📖ღೋ
GAH!!! Get ready to get your dark romance book on!!
I apologize in advance. This is one of the longest reviews I’ve ever written but I have tons to say. Kindly bear with me. First, I was so very excited to have received an advanced reader copy and voluntarily reviewed this book.
EEEEP…. Let me start off my review of Pretty Hostage by author Julia Sykes by clearly stating that THIS…… BOOK ……WAS …… EVERYTHING!!!!! E.V.E.R.Y.T.H.I.N.G.!
Imagine if you will, going through life wearing rose colored glasses. Only seeing the best parts of those you loved, ignoring their flaws even if that meant giving up pieces of yourself, your self-esteem and your self-worth.
Then imagine, being home alone and having your world turned upside down with one stick in the neck from a drug filled needle. You wake up to discover that the life you led was a lie, that the people you were closest too are not who you thought they were and the one man you have secretly loved since you were a teenage girl is now your captor. That’s exactly what happened to beautiful and naïve Sophia Hernandez.
Fortunately for Sophia, life as she knew it was over and a new one was just beginning. Unfortunately for those who betrayed Sophia will also find that life as they knew it was over because there was a dangerous, powerful and savage storm brewing and headed right in their direction.
That storm that’s about to roll in has a name. Mateo Ignazio. The swoony but savage bodyguard/enforcer to Adrian Rodriguez, the brutal and equally, if not more savage mafia crime boss we met in the previous book, Stealing Beauty.
Moreover, Mateo has secretly loved Sophia Hernandez for years but has kept his distance because of his kinky sexual proclivities and equally savage nature. He is a Dominant. A man who will settle for nothing less than the woman who was meant to be his. But, the following words by his boss change everything…………
"She's yours now."
With those three words, my boss gives me a gift: permission to kidnap and keep the woman I've wanted for years.
Now Mateo is bound and determined to make Sophia his. Not only that, but he is equally determined to make sure everyone who betrayed her get their just reward. Even if that means blood will drip from his fingers while making that happen. But a promise he made to his boss Adrian and the promises his boss gave to Sophia’s father puts a cinch in his plans to make Sophia his. Her world is shaken to its very core when truths are exposed. Should she remain Mateo’s pretty hostage or be hell bound to the devil himself?
Sophia’s father, Caesar Hernandez lives a secret and corrupt life. A life that he kept away from Sophia her entire life. He made alliances with the wrong people. He made deals with the devil involving his daughter without her knowing it. A deal that in the end could cost him everything. More importantly, a deal that could cost Sophia and Mateo the future they so richly deserve. Sophia is promised to another man. A ruthless evil man.
Ultimatums are made, Promises are broken, a wedding is planned, deals go down and some go up in flames. How will this all play out? Will Mateo get to keep his woman? Will Sophia submit to him in all things? What happens when the powers that be interfere? It’s time to face that evil and the wrath that follows. It’s a race against time to save the woman he loves. A woman he’s waited years for. A woman who was made just for him. A woman he would die for. His Sweet Sophia, his “belleza (beauty).
Through all the darkness and pain they were faced with, a magical, once in a lifetime love like no other is formed. A relationship built on dominance and submission. A love filled with trust and obedience. A life filled with promises for a beautiful future together.
********************************************************************
Now, I’m not going to tell you what happens. I won’t deprive you of the enjoyment of the very best parts of this incredible story. Most of what I just said happens early on so don’t worry, I’m not giving anything away. Just enough to tempt your taste buds.
However, I would like to tell you how the characters in this book made me “FEEL”.
OMG!!!! I lost count of how many times Mateo left me weak in the knees with all his growly, swoony alphalicious ways. He had me daydreaming on more than one occasion wishing “I” was the love of his life. Spankings be damned…. or not (wink wink). I hated having to snap out of my Mateo coma and rejoin society in the real world.
I mean come on…… The way Mateo cherishes, covets, dominates and worships his sweet Sophia, his florecita (little flower), like she's his queen, his personal and most private hidden treasure, a rare precious gemstone, just stole the breath from my lungs.
He fiercely protects Sophia with such ferocity, such possessiveness. To most, he's may seem like a great big scary as hell hulking madman who kills. Well, because he is. When provoked, he becomes a savage beast. His primal outbursts, his roars of pain when someone threatened his sweet Sophia gave me the chills. Unleashing his wrath and fury against those who threatened his woman in any way shape or form. Because if you were one of those people, you would have to sleep with one eye open because blood will spill and lives would be lost. Trust me when I say that his punishments are not swift. He'd make his enemies suffer slowly. I could live with that!
But there's a much softer side to Mateo that is only seen by Sophia. But make no mistake, Mateo is a 100% dominant and demands total control and complete submission from Sophia and she wouldn't have it any other way. His punishments towards Sophia were positively yummy and hot as hell. HOT…… AS…… HELL. Not to mention the sexy time they shared was sizzling hot, enough to wake up every blood cell in my body and I swear that if it wasn’t for the fact that I couldn’t put this book down, I would have gotten busy myself.
Mateo is one of those rare heroes that can ruin you for all others who came before and after him. He is in a league all by himself. He's the kind of hero that you can only read about, dream about and will leave you weak in the knees, chapter after chapter. Sophia is naturally submissive which makes them perfect together. She's so endearing. Her sweet nature as well as her side of sassy makes her adorable. Honestly, I just loved her to pieces. They have a really powerful, electrified connection to one another.
I loved to love Mateo. He's like the best salted caramel that money can buy. So silky smooth like melted butter, sweet like decadent chocolate and just the right amount of salt to remind me just how alphalicious, in control and in charge he really is. I want to hide him under my bed so I don't have to share his super fine self.
This couple managed to ingratiate themselves right smack dab into the crevices of my psyche as well as burrowing deep inside my rapidly beating heart. I couldn't get enough.
Here are some of my favorite parts in this book and there were plenty but these are tops for me.
Mateo's inner dialogue while watching her professor teach the Alexander Technique was so cave man and outrageously funny.
Although he exudes strength and power, times like that really made him more real somehow and that bit of humor helps break through the darkness.
I loved hearing Sophia talk about her love of music and singing and how Mateo embraced that side of her and the gift he gives her later is priceless and left me awestruck.
The ritual that takes place in the epilogue was incredibly intoxicating and I was left wanting more.
The ending was so suspenseful and beautiful.
The writing in the book was incredibly descriptive, exquisite even, in my opinion. The character development was excellent. The author took me on one wild and swoony ride. One filled with a hero that will leave you in a puddle of swoony goo. A heroine that you can't help fall in love with and the evil doers of all shapes and sizes who get what’s coming to them.
Pretty Hostage by author Julia Sykes is one book that is not to be missed believe you me, you DO NOT want to miss out on this highly anticipated, incredibly sexy, super exciting and DARK & DELICIOUS romance. Mateo OWNED me completely right out of the gate and I don't mind saying I've fallen deeply in love with sweet Sophia. These two were made for each other. These two were made for me!!! Yes! It's a match made in dreamy alpha swoony heaven.
Pretty Hostage earns “5 hands off, Mateo is all mine stars.” Do yourself a favor and read this book. As I stated at the beginning, it is EVERYTHING. I promise it is filled with all things dreamy and swoony…… oh, and some spankings!!!!
I look forward to the next book in the series. Kingpin’s Property, Stephano and Carmen’s story. January can’t come fast enough.
December 6, 2020
4,5 stars
“È tua adesso.”
Con queste tre parole, il mio capo mi fa un regalo: il permesso di rapire e tenere la donna che bramo da anni.
Eccomi a parlare di Bellissimo Ostaggio di Julia Sykes, una storia passionale, piena di sentimenti e di un pizzico di cattiveria. Mateo è l’uomo più fedele di Adrián Rodríguez, il più temuto dai suoi nemici, tutti lo chiamano solamente l’Animale per riferirsi a lui. Perché quando entra nel vortice della rabbia e della violenza per proteggere i suoi cari, diventa come un animale selvaggio.
È innamorato di Sophia da anni, limitandosi a guardarla da lontano perché conosce quelli che sono i limiti. Lei è, infatti, la figlia di un uomo pericoloso, e né lui né Adrian si fidano di lui dato che ha provato a tradirli più volte. Ma anche se Mateo è un violento, non vuol dire che non abbia un lato tenero e dolce che esce fuori quando finalmente Adrian gli consegna Sofia.
“Volevo prendermi il mio tempo con lei, assaporarla. Venerarla, persino quando bramavo di vederla inginocchiata ai miei piedi a venerare me.”
Lei è stata rapita per ripagare il padre con la stessa moneta e starà con Mateo, finché non dimostrerà la sua lealtà. Anche lei è rimasta colpita da quel giovane tenebroso e enorme. Non sa, però, quali sono i suoi lati più oscuri. Lui tenderà a nasconderli il più possibile, ma a un certo punto i suoi demoni usciranno alla scoperta e sarà lei decidere se amarlo per quello che Mateo è veramente, o scappare.
“Lei era tutta luminosità e purezza, e per quanto io la bramassi, non avevo mai voluto infangare quella dolce innocenza con i miei impulsi depravati.”
Sophia è una ragazza ingenua, la principessa di Papà, che per tutta la vita ha ignorato la vera provenienza della ricchezza di famiglia. Quando si scontra con la realtà, l’impatto non sarà facile. L’unica persona che la tiene incollata alla realtà è proprio Mateo, la persona che l’ha rapita e che l’ha sempre attratta. Per lei Mateo è un rebus da interpretare, perché sembra essere un uomo dolce e comprensivo, ma basta poco per scoprire la sua vena più violenta. Soprattutto quando si tratta di proteggerla.
“Bramavo quella possessività primitiva, quell’intensità selvaggia. La sua presa ossessiva mi rassicurava del fatto che non volesse lasciarmi andare. Non mi avrebbe abbandonata e lasciata sola.”
Bellissimo ostaggio è un dark romance molto particolare, di quelli che promettono una violenza bruta ma che alla fine non trovi. Mateo dentro di sé ha due anime, quella più cruda e quella più dolce che nella sua testa convivono alla perfezione.
Un libro che rientra in quella categoria di dark più dolci e sentimentali, che può leggere anche chi non è amante di questo genere. C’è tanto eros, scritto benissimo, tanta passione e anche un po’ di cattiveria, perché non dimentichiamo che ci troviamo sempre nel mezzo di una guerra tra clan rivali. Ma è come se rimanesse sempre sullo sfondo, perché a prendere tutta la scena è la storia d’amore tra due ragazzi che si sono sempre amati, ma che devono imparare a conoscersi.
Da una parte lui con il suo carattere dominante, dall’altra lei, con i suoi dubbi e le sue insicurezze. Una lettura molto bella che ha catturato tutta la mia attenzione, una di quelle che fatichi a lasciare andare e che ti rimangono dentro.
continua su https://www.vanitiromancebook.com/boo...
“È tua adesso.”
Con queste tre parole, il mio capo mi fa un regalo: il permesso di rapire e tenere la donna che bramo da anni.
Eccomi a parlare di Bellissimo Ostaggio di Julia Sykes, una storia passionale, piena di sentimenti e di un pizzico di cattiveria. Mateo è l’uomo più fedele di Adrián Rodríguez, il più temuto dai suoi nemici, tutti lo chiamano solamente l’Animale per riferirsi a lui. Perché quando entra nel vortice della rabbia e della violenza per proteggere i suoi cari, diventa come un animale selvaggio.
È innamorato di Sophia da anni, limitandosi a guardarla da lontano perché conosce quelli che sono i limiti. Lei è, infatti, la figlia di un uomo pericoloso, e né lui né Adrian si fidano di lui dato che ha provato a tradirli più volte. Ma anche se Mateo è un violento, non vuol dire che non abbia un lato tenero e dolce che esce fuori quando finalmente Adrian gli consegna Sofia.
“Volevo prendermi il mio tempo con lei, assaporarla. Venerarla, persino quando bramavo di vederla inginocchiata ai miei piedi a venerare me.”
Lei è stata rapita per ripagare il padre con la stessa moneta e starà con Mateo, finché non dimostrerà la sua lealtà. Anche lei è rimasta colpita da quel giovane tenebroso e enorme. Non sa, però, quali sono i suoi lati più oscuri. Lui tenderà a nasconderli il più possibile, ma a un certo punto i suoi demoni usciranno alla scoperta e sarà lei decidere se amarlo per quello che Mateo è veramente, o scappare.
“Lei era tutta luminosità e purezza, e per quanto io la bramassi, non avevo mai voluto infangare quella dolce innocenza con i miei impulsi depravati.”
Sophia è una ragazza ingenua, la principessa di Papà, che per tutta la vita ha ignorato la vera provenienza della ricchezza di famiglia. Quando si scontra con la realtà, l’impatto non sarà facile. L’unica persona che la tiene incollata alla realtà è proprio Mateo, la persona che l’ha rapita e che l’ha sempre attratta. Per lei Mateo è un rebus da interpretare, perché sembra essere un uomo dolce e comprensivo, ma basta poco per scoprire la sua vena più violenta. Soprattutto quando si tratta di proteggerla.
“Bramavo quella possessività primitiva, quell’intensità selvaggia. La sua presa ossessiva mi rassicurava del fatto che non volesse lasciarmi andare. Non mi avrebbe abbandonata e lasciata sola.”
Bellissimo ostaggio è un dark romance molto particolare, di quelli che promettono una violenza bruta ma che alla fine non trovi. Mateo dentro di sé ha due anime, quella più cruda e quella più dolce che nella sua testa convivono alla perfezione.
Un libro che rientra in quella categoria di dark più dolci e sentimentali, che può leggere anche chi non è amante di questo genere. C’è tanto eros, scritto benissimo, tanta passione e anche un po’ di cattiveria, perché non dimentichiamo che ci troviamo sempre nel mezzo di una guerra tra clan rivali. Ma è come se rimanesse sempre sullo sfondo, perché a prendere tutta la scena è la storia d’amore tra due ragazzi che si sono sempre amati, ma che devono imparare a conoscersi.
Da una parte lui con il suo carattere dominante, dall’altra lei, con i suoi dubbi e le sue insicurezze. Una lettura molto bella che ha catturato tutta la mia attenzione, una di quelle che fatichi a lasciare andare e che ti rimangono dentro.
continua su https://www.vanitiromancebook.com/boo...
September 29, 2023
4 stars.
This was a lot sweeter than I was expecting.
Mateo is completely obsessed with Sofia, and has been for years.
The growth both of them went through during this book was really satisfying.
I mean, they don’t change all that much, he’s still obsessed and possessive, and she’s still a bit naive and not into the violence, but the way they fall in love and accept each other was really nice.
This was a lot sweeter than I was expecting.
Mateo is completely obsessed with Sofia, and has been for years.
The growth both of them went through during this book was really satisfying.
I mean, they don’t change all that much, he’s still obsessed and possessive, and she’s still a bit naive and not into the violence, but the way they fall in love and accept each other was really nice.
December 5, 2020
DNF at 60%
I like Matteo, he’s such a good character with great potential, and was actually looking forward to his book. But this was just a really boring read for me, nothing happens, it’s not particularly dark or hot or anything. Sadly Sofia is difficult to like and just comes across as a whiny wilfully ignorant twit which is a shame. She’s sheltered from her Dad’s drug dealing ways and doesn’t understand how scary people are. This in itself is ridiculous. No self-respecting parent would ever let their darling daughter out in such a dangerous world without sufficient protection. Not to mention he expects her to marry into another criminal family so why wouldn’t he arm her with knowledge and the means to keep herself safe? That’s not really explained and so makes for a crappy plot and character. Maybe it is explained at the end I don’t know.
I also don’t understand why he can’t take her virginity? He has no intention of letting Sofia marry Ronaldo so as a plot point it makes no sense. Who’s going to tell? How would they know? Are they going to check? So that felt pointless and didn’t seem to serve any purpose? It only made Sofia mad because well her “Daddy” (gross) sucks. The amount of time Sofia says Daddy when talking about her drug lord father is so nauseating I just can’t. It troubles me that Matteo isn’t alarmed by this. Grow up sweet cheeks.
Nothing happens. Matteo takes her as “hostage” which here literally means pampered guest. The first book in this series has a much better hostage situation. Sofia is given some self-harm scars which I guess is supposed to make her likeable and more interesting but sadly doesn’t because she explains it in a really shitty woe is me way when she has been to therapy so just own your shit please woman. What bothers me here is that she talks about the urge to self-harm which shows she hasn’t learned any coping strategies or learnt from her childhood which is unrealistic and lazy if we’re to believe she has had help for this in the past. I’m pretty sure this is due to the lack of love received from her Mum and that’s probably explained further on in the book but I didn’t stick around. Either way it just made her come off worse especially when contrasted with Matteo who seems to have a fuller more fleshed out background story. Adrian and Matteo’s relationship is the only thing I enjoyed in the 60% I read there were some funny exchanges and it was nice.
I hope the next book is better I’d really like a more complex female character that isn’t so ignorant. I’d love a fellow criminal.
I like Matteo, he’s such a good character with great potential, and was actually looking forward to his book. But this was just a really boring read for me, nothing happens, it’s not particularly dark or hot or anything. Sadly Sofia is difficult to like and just comes across as a whiny wilfully ignorant twit which is a shame. She’s sheltered from her Dad’s drug dealing ways and doesn’t understand how scary people are. This in itself is ridiculous. No self-respecting parent would ever let their darling daughter out in such a dangerous world without sufficient protection. Not to mention he expects her to marry into another criminal family so why wouldn’t he arm her with knowledge and the means to keep herself safe? That’s not really explained and so makes for a crappy plot and character. Maybe it is explained at the end I don’t know.
I also don’t understand why he can’t take her virginity? He has no intention of letting Sofia marry Ronaldo so as a plot point it makes no sense. Who’s going to tell? How would they know? Are they going to check? So that felt pointless and didn’t seem to serve any purpose? It only made Sofia mad because well her “Daddy” (gross) sucks. The amount of time Sofia says Daddy when talking about her drug lord father is so nauseating I just can’t. It troubles me that Matteo isn’t alarmed by this. Grow up sweet cheeks.
Nothing happens. Matteo takes her as “hostage” which here literally means pampered guest. The first book in this series has a much better hostage situation. Sofia is given some self-harm scars which I guess is supposed to make her likeable and more interesting but sadly doesn’t because she explains it in a really shitty woe is me way when she has been to therapy so just own your shit please woman. What bothers me here is that she talks about the urge to self-harm which shows she hasn’t learned any coping strategies or learnt from her childhood which is unrealistic and lazy if we’re to believe she has had help for this in the past. I’m pretty sure this is due to the lack of love received from her Mum and that’s probably explained further on in the book but I didn’t stick around. Either way it just made her come off worse especially when contrasted with Matteo who seems to have a fuller more fleshed out background story. Adrian and Matteo’s relationship is the only thing I enjoyed in the 60% I read there were some funny exchanges and it was nice.
I hope the next book is better I’d really like a more complex female character that isn’t so ignorant. I’d love a fellow criminal.
November 21, 2019
Pretty Hostage starts right where Stealing Beauty ends. So you need to read that story if you want to have an idea of what is going on. BUT to get into Pretty Hostage, you don't need to, so it is up to you. Although Stealing Beauty is free right now, so you have nothing to lose. :)
So on to Pretty Hostage. This whole series is a story on strong women and men that have a hard life but will protect them with everything they have. Sofia is young and does not know about her father's dealings. But now she has been kidnapped and put front and center of what her father has done.
Mateo is to keep Sofia safe, NOT touch her, and make sure that she keeps her head on straight. The problem is that Mateo has been in love with Sofia for years. How is he going to keep his hands off her when she is now living in his home?
Pretty Hostage is a beautifully written book. Pretty Hostage will keep you on your toes and in my case, keep you up late at night. Julia Sykes draws you into the world she writes and won't let you out until the last word. I can't wait until the next book!
September 20, 2020
Enjoyable but a bit rushed
Sometimes I crave a dark and twisted read and this seemed like such a story - what I call Stockholm Syndrome Romance. This story is about a naive crime lord princess who has been in love with one of her father’s ruthless business partners.
When Daddy shows his real nature, she’s abducted by the object of her secret affection.
Although this premise sounds great, the execution feels rushed and forced to me.
Not a ‘bad’ book, just not one I loved as much as I hoped for.
Sometimes I crave a dark and twisted read and this seemed like such a story - what I call Stockholm Syndrome Romance. This story is about a naive crime lord princess who has been in love with one of her father’s ruthless business partners.
When Daddy shows his real nature, she’s abducted by the object of her secret affection.
Although this premise sounds great, the execution feels rushed and forced to me.
Not a ‘bad’ book, just not one I loved as much as I hoped for.
November 11, 2019
Pretty Hostage by Julia Sykes is a story between Mateo (a cartel enforcer) and Sophie (a pawn in her fathers’ game) of trying to push out Mateo’s boss and bring in a new boss. It really doesn’t go to plan and Sophie is given to Mateo to look after until her father is made to pay for his indiscretion. Mateo has had feelings for Sophie forever but he has a dark side which he thinks isn’t going to work with the virginial, princess Sophie.
Sophie has been lied to and kidnapped but does have feelings that she doesn’t understand in regards to Mateo and although he is high- handed with her (i.e. making decisions for her), he does seem to have her best interests at heart, which is making sure she is safe.
This was a little slow for me in a story and not a lot happened other than Mateo ruling over Sophie and then showing her his dark urges and wondering how she is going to take it. Mateo is a strong character but I felt he just needed a little bit more of an edge. I found Sophie just a little whiny throughout the whole book which makes sense with her being a princess and virginal which is highlighted throughout the book.
It is definitely an intense romance with splashes of passion and danger thrown in for good measure. If you like the mafia/Cartel romance genre, then this one is the one for you. Sexy scenes are hot and there are some really good, intense scenes throughout the book.
ARC received for a fair and honest review.
More of my reviews can be found on my blog: https://thehotmesslibrary.blogspot.com
Sophie has been lied to and kidnapped but does have feelings that she doesn’t understand in regards to Mateo and although he is high- handed with her (i.e. making decisions for her), he does seem to have her best interests at heart, which is making sure she is safe.
This was a little slow for me in a story and not a lot happened other than Mateo ruling over Sophie and then showing her his dark urges and wondering how she is going to take it. Mateo is a strong character but I felt he just needed a little bit more of an edge. I found Sophie just a little whiny throughout the whole book which makes sense with her being a princess and virginal which is highlighted throughout the book.
It is definitely an intense romance with splashes of passion and danger thrown in for good measure. If you like the mafia/Cartel romance genre, then this one is the one for you. Sexy scenes are hot and there are some really good, intense scenes throughout the book.
ARC received for a fair and honest review.
More of my reviews can be found on my blog: https://thehotmesslibrary.blogspot.com
December 2, 2020
Tienila. È tua adesso.
Con poche parole, Adrian mi aveva dato il permesso di prendere ciò che avevo sempre desiderato.
Care Dame, eccoci giunte al terzo capitolo della serie Captive, con Bellissimo Ostaggio di Julia Sykes. Una serie dark mafia romance dove i vari protagonisti maschili di cui ci ha narrato l’autrice fanno parte a vario titolo di gruppi criminali e presentano, con sfumature diverse, tendenze dominanti.
In Bellissimo Ostaggio viene ripreso il filone narrativo di Bellezza Rapita con il nostro tenebroso Mateo al quale viene data dal suo capo Adrian, come ostaggio da sorvegliare, la bella Sofia vittima inconsapevole delle atroci macchinazioni del padre.
Sofia dovrà restare per un certo periodo di tempo alla mercé di Mateo, in modo che Adrian possa essere certo della lealtà del padre nei suoi confronti.
La dolce, innocente Sofia non meritava niente di tutto questo. L’avevo protetta dai miei impulsi più crudeli per anni.
Ma Mateo e Sofia non sono due sconosciuti; inevitabilmente hanno frequentato gli stessi ambienti anche se in vesti diverse el’uno non era sfuggito all’attenzione dell’altra, ma sempre da lontano.
Mateo, sin dalla prima volta che aveva visto Sofia, ne era rimasto ammaliato, se ne era invaghito e per cinque lunghi anni l’ha desiderata, l’ha bramata, ma non ha mai osato fare un passo o un gesto verso questa giovane ragazza così diversa da lui per estrazione sociale, per origini, per carattere.
Sofia è allegra, solare, ingenua, fiduciosa e pura.
Completamente all’oscuro delle attività illecite del padre all’apparenza ha una vita felice e spensierata. Ma ciò che cela nell’intimo della sua anima sono emozioni così laceranti da alterare il suo stato psicofisico.
La convivenza forzata dà a Mateo quell’occasione insperata di poter avvicinare Sofia, poterla reclamare come desidera da tanto tempo. Ma lui sa chi è, sa da dove proviene, sa come lo chiamanogli altri: l’Animale.
Sono un animale. Sono governato dai miei impulsi primitivi, e mi prendo quello che voglio. E volevo te. Perciò, ti ho manipolata affinché scegliessi di essere mia. Ma non hai mai avuto scelta.
È consapevole del suo lato oscuro, delle sue attitudini alla perversione e si rifiuta categoricamente di sporcare Sofia.
Avevo giurato che non l’avrei profanata con i miei desideri deviati, ma ora che l’avevo intrappolata e vulnerabile… Le mie perversioni erano radicate troppo in profondità per negarle. Mi piaceva che fosse impotente.
Lei era tutta luminosità e purezza, e per quanto io la bramassi, non avevo mai voluto infangare quella dolce innocenza con i miei impulsi depravati.
Ciò non lo frena dal manipolare la ragazza, per piegarla a una sottomissione psicologica che gli faciliterà la sua necessità di legarla a lui e tenerla al sicuro.
Mateo con la mente spazia su ciò che desidererebbe fare e ottenere da Sofia, le sue fantasia e le sue voglie la vedrebbero sofferente e piegata alla sua dominazione, ma ebbra di soddisfazione.
Continua sul blog
https://www.haremsbook.com/bellissimo-ostaggio-di-julia-sykes-recensione/
Con poche parole, Adrian mi aveva dato il permesso di prendere ciò che avevo sempre desiderato.
Care Dame, eccoci giunte al terzo capitolo della serie Captive, con Bellissimo Ostaggio di Julia Sykes. Una serie dark mafia romance dove i vari protagonisti maschili di cui ci ha narrato l’autrice fanno parte a vario titolo di gruppi criminali e presentano, con sfumature diverse, tendenze dominanti.
In Bellissimo Ostaggio viene ripreso il filone narrativo di Bellezza Rapita con il nostro tenebroso Mateo al quale viene data dal suo capo Adrian, come ostaggio da sorvegliare, la bella Sofia vittima inconsapevole delle atroci macchinazioni del padre.
Sofia dovrà restare per un certo periodo di tempo alla mercé di Mateo, in modo che Adrian possa essere certo della lealtà del padre nei suoi confronti.
La dolce, innocente Sofia non meritava niente di tutto questo. L’avevo protetta dai miei impulsi più crudeli per anni.
Ma Mateo e Sofia non sono due sconosciuti; inevitabilmente hanno frequentato gli stessi ambienti anche se in vesti diverse el’uno non era sfuggito all’attenzione dell’altra, ma sempre da lontano.
Mateo, sin dalla prima volta che aveva visto Sofia, ne era rimasto ammaliato, se ne era invaghito e per cinque lunghi anni l’ha desiderata, l’ha bramata, ma non ha mai osato fare un passo o un gesto verso questa giovane ragazza così diversa da lui per estrazione sociale, per origini, per carattere.
Sofia è allegra, solare, ingenua, fiduciosa e pura.
Completamente all’oscuro delle attività illecite del padre all’apparenza ha una vita felice e spensierata. Ma ciò che cela nell’intimo della sua anima sono emozioni così laceranti da alterare il suo stato psicofisico.
La convivenza forzata dà a Mateo quell’occasione insperata di poter avvicinare Sofia, poterla reclamare come desidera da tanto tempo. Ma lui sa chi è, sa da dove proviene, sa come lo chiamanogli altri: l’Animale.
Sono un animale. Sono governato dai miei impulsi primitivi, e mi prendo quello che voglio. E volevo te. Perciò, ti ho manipolata affinché scegliessi di essere mia. Ma non hai mai avuto scelta.
È consapevole del suo lato oscuro, delle sue attitudini alla perversione e si rifiuta categoricamente di sporcare Sofia.
Avevo giurato che non l’avrei profanata con i miei desideri deviati, ma ora che l’avevo intrappolata e vulnerabile… Le mie perversioni erano radicate troppo in profondità per negarle. Mi piaceva che fosse impotente.
Lei era tutta luminosità e purezza, e per quanto io la bramassi, non avevo mai voluto infangare quella dolce innocenza con i miei impulsi depravati.
Ciò non lo frena dal manipolare la ragazza, per piegarla a una sottomissione psicologica che gli faciliterà la sua necessità di legarla a lui e tenerla al sicuro.
Mateo con la mente spazia su ciò che desidererebbe fare e ottenere da Sofia, le sue fantasia e le sue voglie la vedrebbero sofferente e piegata alla sua dominazione, ma ebbra di soddisfazione.
Continua sul blog
https://www.haremsbook.com/bellissimo-ostaggio-di-julia-sykes-recensione/
August 24, 2021
Maria Antonietta - per RFS
.
Care fenici, con Bellissimo ostaggio di Julia Sykes ritroviamo i personaggi e le tresche di Bellezza rapita, in un proseguo che ha come protagonista principale Mateo, sottoposto del boss Adrián Rodríguez.
Il romanzo è autoconclusivo ma si collega alla serie precedente, sia per il coinvolgimento di personaggi già conosciuti, sia per le dinamiche nella trama che collegano i fatti.
Mateo è un uomo mastodontico e brutale, non a caso è la fidata guardia del corpo del signore della droga colombiano.
In una spietata guerra di potere, ritroviamo ancora una volta Adrián e combriccola che devono recuperare Valentina (la donna del boss) che è stata rapita da Caesar Hérnandez.
Per liberarla prendono in ostaggio Sofia, l’unica figlia di Caesar e l’ossessione di Mateo, la donna che ha sempre guardato da lontano e bramato.
La bella gli viene consegnata su un piatto d’argento, sequestrata e condotta nella sua casa e alla sua mercé.
La dolce Sofia è all’oscuro delle attività illecite del padre e ha sempre guardato con desiderio Mateo, che frequentava la sua casa ma a debita distanza da lei.
Per Mateo la ragazza è sempre stata inaccessibile, qualcosa di puro e irraggiungibile che non ha mai osato sfiorare o pensare di avere, perché lui è un uomo perverso, un dominatore che sporcherebbe quella ragazza solo pensandola.
Gli ordini impartiti a Mateo sono chiari, la ragazza dovrà rimanere vergine perché è destinata a un altro boss a cui è stata venduta dal padre.
Da qui in poi le dinamiche tra i protagonisti si svolgono nella prigione dorata a cui viene obbligata la florecita di Mateo.
La poverina è una brava ragazza, una studentessa modello che studia musica e abita da sola, all’apparenza una vita perfetta ma le cicatrici che si porta dentro e fuori dal corpo raccontano un’altra cosa.
Come al solito, Julia Sykes riesce a creare una storia diversa anche se le dinamiche sono quasi le stesse, specialmente quando si parla di mafia romance.
La scrittura è coinvolgente e dinamica, con un POV alternato che aiuta a carpire i pensieri di entrambi i protagonisti. La sensualità è graduale e neanche eccessiva considerando il soggetto. In effetti, da come viene presentato il personaggio, mi sarei aspettata qualche pratica BDSM che invece non è pervenuta, peccato perché dal tipo in questione ci stava.
La trama è interessante e contiene il giusto mix di adrenalina e romance, attenzione a qualche scena di violenza che è bene far notare ai più sensibili.
I protagonisti sono molto diversi: lui è spietato e violento e proviene dai bassifondi, la sua fama lo precede e così tutti lo temono; lei è dolce e delicata ma intenzionata a non essere corrotta da ciò che la circonda e di cui non era a conoscenza. Praticamente sono come il diavolo e l’acqua santa, ma la santarellina a poco a poco riesce ad abbattere tutte le riserve del gigante buono.
Se vi piace il genere ve lo consiglio, vi farete una bella scorpacciata di emozioni.
.
Care fenici, con Bellissimo ostaggio di Julia Sykes ritroviamo i personaggi e le tresche di Bellezza rapita, in un proseguo che ha come protagonista principale Mateo, sottoposto del boss Adrián Rodríguez.
Il romanzo è autoconclusivo ma si collega alla serie precedente, sia per il coinvolgimento di personaggi già conosciuti, sia per le dinamiche nella trama che collegano i fatti.
Mateo è un uomo mastodontico e brutale, non a caso è la fidata guardia del corpo del signore della droga colombiano.
In una spietata guerra di potere, ritroviamo ancora una volta Adrián e combriccola che devono recuperare Valentina (la donna del boss) che è stata rapita da Caesar Hérnandez.
Per liberarla prendono in ostaggio Sofia, l’unica figlia di Caesar e l’ossessione di Mateo, la donna che ha sempre guardato da lontano e bramato.
La bella gli viene consegnata su un piatto d’argento, sequestrata e condotta nella sua casa e alla sua mercé.
La dolce Sofia è all’oscuro delle attività illecite del padre e ha sempre guardato con desiderio Mateo, che frequentava la sua casa ma a debita distanza da lei.
Per Mateo la ragazza è sempre stata inaccessibile, qualcosa di puro e irraggiungibile che non ha mai osato sfiorare o pensare di avere, perché lui è un uomo perverso, un dominatore che sporcherebbe quella ragazza solo pensandola.
Gli ordini impartiti a Mateo sono chiari, la ragazza dovrà rimanere vergine perché è destinata a un altro boss a cui è stata venduta dal padre.
Da qui in poi le dinamiche tra i protagonisti si svolgono nella prigione dorata a cui viene obbligata la florecita di Mateo.
La poverina è una brava ragazza, una studentessa modello che studia musica e abita da sola, all’apparenza una vita perfetta ma le cicatrici che si porta dentro e fuori dal corpo raccontano un’altra cosa.
Come al solito, Julia Sykes riesce a creare una storia diversa anche se le dinamiche sono quasi le stesse, specialmente quando si parla di mafia romance.
La scrittura è coinvolgente e dinamica, con un POV alternato che aiuta a carpire i pensieri di entrambi i protagonisti. La sensualità è graduale e neanche eccessiva considerando il soggetto. In effetti, da come viene presentato il personaggio, mi sarei aspettata qualche pratica BDSM che invece non è pervenuta, peccato perché dal tipo in questione ci stava.
La trama è interessante e contiene il giusto mix di adrenalina e romance, attenzione a qualche scena di violenza che è bene far notare ai più sensibili.
I protagonisti sono molto diversi: lui è spietato e violento e proviene dai bassifondi, la sua fama lo precede e così tutti lo temono; lei è dolce e delicata ma intenzionata a non essere corrotta da ciò che la circonda e di cui non era a conoscenza. Praticamente sono come il diavolo e l’acqua santa, ma la santarellina a poco a poco riesce ad abbattere tutte le riserve del gigante buono.
Se vi piace il genere ve lo consiglio, vi farete una bella scorpacciata di emozioni.
May 3, 2024
I had a feeling I wasn’t going to love Sophia and Mateo’s story. In the end it had a lot of miscommunication, half-truths and manipulation between the couple and I hate all those things. This story wasn’t as steamy as the rest (which was also disappointing) since there was a “deal” to keep Sophia innocent/ virgin. Which in itself is skeevy especially since it was her dad making the deal, but really it’s status-quo for this series. I also hate the “I’m not good enough / I going to push them away on purpose / they deserve someone better than me” trope, which is used heavily in this story in some form, by both MC.
Finally, I want to mention that while it’s very unjust to call mental health a trope, it’s used too often in romance books for it to be called anything else. It would take 2 hands to count the number of books I’ve read where the MC is cutting themselves as a form of control. While this book does a good job talking about this difficult topic, I wish this wasn’t so commonly used as a literary tool to manipulate the story (“I’m too ashamed to show you my body. I know you’re repulsed by me. I’m not worthy of you”).
On a final note, the book did make me smile when Mateo talked about music as a frivolous education for rich kids. I thought it was a bold move by the author (like it’s good these kids have money because they can’t make a living as a music major). In the end, the story does a great job showing how important and life-changing an education in the arts can actually be, both as performer and audience.
Finally, I want to mention that while it’s very unjust to call mental health a trope, it’s used too often in romance books for it to be called anything else. It would take 2 hands to count the number of books I’ve read where the MC is cutting themselves as a form of control. While this book does a good job talking about this difficult topic, I wish this wasn’t so commonly used as a literary tool to manipulate the story (“I’m too ashamed to show you my body. I know you’re repulsed by me. I’m not worthy of you”).
On a final note, the book did make me smile when Mateo talked about music as a frivolous education for rich kids. I thought it was a bold move by the author (like it’s good these kids have money because they can’t make a living as a music major). In the end, the story does a great job showing how important and life-changing an education in the arts can actually be, both as performer and audience.
September 11, 2022
Pretty Hostage - 5 Stars!!!
I loved Andres and Sam, Adrian and Valentina, but
Matteo and Sophia have been my absolute favorite so
far. Sophia was amazing and easily relatable. Matteo
was possessive, obsessive, and gave no f*s. This was
one of those books that kept me distracted till I could
get back to it and while I wanted to find out what
happened I didn't want it to end. The narrators were
spot on and made this story stand out. Can't wait to
see what's next with the Captive series.
I loved Andres and Sam, Adrian and Valentina, but
Matteo and Sophia have been my absolute favorite so
far. Sophia was amazing and easily relatable. Matteo
was possessive, obsessive, and gave no f*s. This was
one of those books that kept me distracted till I could
get back to it and while I wanted to find out what
happened I didn't want it to end. The narrators were
spot on and made this story stand out. Can't wait to
see what's next with the Captive series.
August 21, 2025
This was for sure a slow burn! Had alot of action and the writing was so pretty 😍 I’ll read the next one since the set up at the end of the book had me so intrigued.
Read
November 23, 2024DNF at 19%
Damn, this was boring. So the MMC was supposed to be this big, bad mafia body guard, who had extremely volatile and sadistic thought about the FMC. But he just kept calling the FMC cute…
And the whole “daddy” thing just killed this story for me. When a grown up woman calls her father “daddy”, that itself gives me the ick. So thank you but no thank you!
Damn, this was boring. So the MMC was supposed to be this big, bad mafia body guard, who had extremely volatile and sadistic thought about the FMC. But he just kept calling the FMC cute…
And the whole “daddy” thing just killed this story for me. When a grown up woman calls her father “daddy”, that itself gives me the ick. So thank you but no thank you!
Want to read
April 27, 2020
→ On sale for maybe a limited time. Grab your copy now! ←
→ Submit or subscribe to The DARK Newsletter! ←
Blurb:
"She's yours now."
With those three words, my boss gives me a gift: permission to kidnap and keep the woman I've wanted for years.
Ever since we were teenagers, I've denied my desire for Sofia. Despite her father's involvement in running our cocaine empire, Caesar Hernández has carefully sheltered her from the brutal realities of our world. She's always been far too innocent and pure for me to drag her out of her charmed life and into my depravities.
But Caesar chose to betray my ruthless boss, Adrián Rodríguez. He'll have to prove his loyalty once again if he doesn't want any harm to come to his beloved daughter. I have her now, and he's well aware of my sadistic proclivities.
I tried to save her from this, but I can't fight my savage nature when Sofia is in my home and under my command. She'll learn to obey me unquestioningly if she wants to earn any of her freedoms back. Sofia's going to be my good girl, fulfilling all the dark fantasies I've suppressed for years.
I'll do whatever it takes to keep my pretty hostage. If anyone tries to steal her from me, I'll start a war to protect my most precious possession.
Sofia is mine, and I'll never let her go.
Merged review:
→ On sale for maybe a limited time. Grab your copy now! ←
→ Submit or subscribe to The DARK Newsletter! ←
Blurb:
"She's yours now."
With those three words, my boss gives me a gift: permission to kidnap and keep the woman I've wanted for years.
Ever since we were teenagers, I've denied my desire for Sofia. Despite her father's involvement in running our cocaine empire, Caesar Hernández has carefully sheltered her from the brutal realities of our world. She's always been far too innocent and pure for me to drag her out of her charmed life and into my depravities.
But Caesar chose to betray my ruthless boss, Adrián Rodríguez. He'll have to prove his loyalty once again if he doesn't want any harm to come to his beloved daughter. I have her now, and he's well aware of my sadistic proclivities.
I tried to save her from this, but I can't fight my savage nature when Sofia is in my home and under my command. She'll learn to obey me unquestioningly if she wants to earn any of her freedoms back. Sofia's going to be my good girl, fulfilling all the dark fantasies I've suppressed for years.
I'll do whatever it takes to keep my pretty hostage. If anyone tries to steal her from me, I'll start a war to protect my most precious possession.
Sofia is mine, and I'll never let her go.
November 16, 2019
Ah, Ms Sykes is the Mistress of Heart Wrenching Cartel romances & proves it once again in 'Pretty Hostage' the latest in her 'Captive' series. And while the reader doesn't necessarily need to read the previous books, IMO it is highly recommended. Each subsequent book in this series builds beautifully to the next, the reader tantalized to proceed to find out what happens to secondary characters.
This story focuses on Mateo (Adrian's enforcer/bodyguard) & Sophia (Valentina's college friend). I eagerly awaited Mateo's story, he was a deliciously dark, scary & intensely loyal friend/employee to Adrian in 'Stealing Beauty' (Captive #2) who was gifted with Sophia at the end of 'Stealing Beauty'. And the reader is clued in that Mateo bedroom proclivities match those of Adrian & Andres (from 'Sweet Captivity). But Sophia is a young, naïve, uber sheltered co-ed who simply likes everyone & wants to be liked by everyone.
But both Mateo & Sophia have had their eyes on the other for many, many years . . . .
I genuinely liked this book. A LOT. But I (IMO) did not find this one to be very dark at all. Nor overly sizzling. Which is fine, the writing, the plot, the characters all are excellent. There is angst, danger, violence, betrayal, death, some sizzle, a dominant Alpha & the innocent submissive woman he loves. And although I was definitely invested in Mateo & Sophia's journey & intrigued by the machinations of Adrian, Ceasar (Sophia's father) & Duarte (another cartel drug lord), the story just wasn't dark enough to cause me to worry for either Mateo or Sophia.
Not every story needs to be pitch black & bleak, & this one wasn't (again IMO), but it is a superb example of character development. The reader is privy to both Mateo & Sophia's POV in alternating chapters & gets to deeply understand them both. Both damaged by their past & reacting differently: Mateo with violence, rage & sheer raw determination & Sophia with harmful coping methods, deliberately blind innocence & a mask of perpetual happiness. The reader does come to intimately know these two & we do wish them peace, healing & love.
But outside forces do not care about their happiness & betrayal, danger & death come from multiple & unexpected quarters.
An excellent book I enjoyed very, very much & I eagerly await the next book in the series.
This story focuses on Mateo (Adrian's enforcer/bodyguard) & Sophia (Valentina's college friend). I eagerly awaited Mateo's story, he was a deliciously dark, scary & intensely loyal friend/employee to Adrian in 'Stealing Beauty' (Captive #2) who was gifted with Sophia at the end of 'Stealing Beauty'. And the reader is clued in that Mateo bedroom proclivities match those of Adrian & Andres (from 'Sweet Captivity). But Sophia is a young, naïve, uber sheltered co-ed who simply likes everyone & wants to be liked by everyone.
But both Mateo & Sophia have had their eyes on the other for many, many years . . . .
I genuinely liked this book. A LOT. But I (IMO) did not find this one to be very dark at all. Nor overly sizzling. Which is fine, the writing, the plot, the characters all are excellent. There is angst, danger, violence, betrayal, death, some sizzle, a dominant Alpha & the innocent submissive woman he loves. And although I was definitely invested in Mateo & Sophia's journey & intrigued by the machinations of Adrian, Ceasar (Sophia's father) & Duarte (another cartel drug lord), the story just wasn't dark enough to cause me to worry for either Mateo or Sophia.
Not every story needs to be pitch black & bleak, & this one wasn't (again IMO), but it is a superb example of character development. The reader is privy to both Mateo & Sophia's POV in alternating chapters & gets to deeply understand them both. Both damaged by their past & reacting differently: Mateo with violence, rage & sheer raw determination & Sophia with harmful coping methods, deliberately blind innocence & a mask of perpetual happiness. The reader does come to intimately know these two & we do wish them peace, healing & love.
But outside forces do not care about their happiness & betrayal, danger & death come from multiple & unexpected quarters.
An excellent book I enjoyed very, very much & I eagerly await the next book in the series.
November 12, 2019
Another darkly gripping, violent and sexy read from Julia, this is Mateo and Sofia's story, though it can be read as a standalone it you want more of a back story and understanding of the other characters involved in here you should ideally read the Captive Series, Stolen Innocence and Stealing Beauty before this one.
Mateo has been consumed with Sofia for a long time, and after a power play from his boss Adrián he is given Sofia to keep and watch over to ensure her father, Caesar, is kept in check after Adrian's takeover.
Sofia has lived a sheltered life, never wanting for anything, yet never knowing her father was involved in a major drug cartel. Her mother was emotionally distant, but always wanting Sofia to look and act like a lady to show her off, whilst she hated to disappoint her father and would do anything to win some love and affection from him.
Mateo is the right hand man and best friend to a ruthless cartel boss Adrián, having worked alongside him for years. He is known for his savage and brutal personality and also his dark sexual proclivities. He has fantasised about what he would do if Sofia was his for years, and now she is, and she is about to find out about his dark side and learn to please him and be his good girl.
A brilliant and captivating story line full of danger, drama, fear, lies and a whole range of emotions. I loved the sexual tension between Mateo and Sofia and how possessive he was of her, doing anything and everything to keep her safe and unharmed, even from himself. Watching Sofia grow and flourish under Mateo's attentions was riveting, watching as she learned about the world she grew up in yet knew nothing about.
A dark and gripping captive read, I can't wait for the next one. Highly recommended reading.
Mateo has been consumed with Sofia for a long time, and after a power play from his boss Adrián he is given Sofia to keep and watch over to ensure her father, Caesar, is kept in check after Adrian's takeover.
Sofia has lived a sheltered life, never wanting for anything, yet never knowing her father was involved in a major drug cartel. Her mother was emotionally distant, but always wanting Sofia to look and act like a lady to show her off, whilst she hated to disappoint her father and would do anything to win some love and affection from him.
Mateo is the right hand man and best friend to a ruthless cartel boss Adrián, having worked alongside him for years. He is known for his savage and brutal personality and also his dark sexual proclivities. He has fantasised about what he would do if Sofia was his for years, and now she is, and she is about to find out about his dark side and learn to please him and be his good girl.
A brilliant and captivating story line full of danger, drama, fear, lies and a whole range of emotions. I loved the sexual tension between Mateo and Sofia and how possessive he was of her, doing anything and everything to keep her safe and unharmed, even from himself. Watching Sofia grow and flourish under Mateo's attentions was riveting, watching as she learned about the world she grew up in yet knew nothing about.
A dark and gripping captive read, I can't wait for the next one. Highly recommended reading.
November 11, 2019
PRETTY HOSTAGE by Julia Sykes is the story of Sofia and Mateo and is a part of the Captive Series.
Mateo has had feeling for Sofia from afar. Sofia's father Caesar Hernández has kept her sheltered the life that he leads. In addition she has lived a sheltered protective life that she is about to be taken from. When Caesar does the unforgivable to Mateo's boss Adrián Rodríguez, Caesar is about to pay. Adrián tells Mateo to take Sofia hostage and to keep her. Mateo gets his time to claim Sofia for his, because he wont let her go.
Hot Alpha Read!!
Merged review:
PRETTY HOSTAGE by Julia Sykes is the story of Sofia and Mateo and is a part of the Captive Series.
Mateo has had feeling for Sofia from afar. Sofia's father Caesar Hernández has kept her sheltered the life that he leads. In addition she has lived a sheltered protective life that she is about to be taken from. When Caesar does the unforgivable to Mateo's boss Adrián Rodríguez, Caesar is about to pay. Adrián tells Mateo to take Sofia hostage and to keep her. Mateo gets his time to claim Sofia for his, because he wont let her go.
Hot Alpha Read!!
Mateo has had feeling for Sofia from afar. Sofia's father Caesar Hernández has kept her sheltered the life that he leads. In addition she has lived a sheltered protective life that she is about to be taken from. When Caesar does the unforgivable to Mateo's boss Adrián Rodríguez, Caesar is about to pay. Adrián tells Mateo to take Sofia hostage and to keep her. Mateo gets his time to claim Sofia for his, because he wont let her go.
Hot Alpha Read!!
Merged review:
PRETTY HOSTAGE by Julia Sykes is the story of Sofia and Mateo and is a part of the Captive Series.
Mateo has had feeling for Sofia from afar. Sofia's father Caesar Hernández has kept her sheltered the life that he leads. In addition she has lived a sheltered protective life that she is about to be taken from. When Caesar does the unforgivable to Mateo's boss Adrián Rodríguez, Caesar is about to pay. Adrián tells Mateo to take Sofia hostage and to keep her. Mateo gets his time to claim Sofia for his, because he wont let her go.
Hot Alpha Read!!
November 12, 2019
I highly recommend reading the Captive Series as well as Stolen Innocence and Stealing Beauty before reading this book. Of course, it can be read as a standalone, but I much prefer to read the characters in order so you can better understand their journey.
The main characters of Pretty Hostage are Sofia and Mateo. Sofia’s father, Caesar Hernández, isn’t quite who he appears to be, and when he makes a move to take more control of the cartel from Adrián Rodríguez, Adrián takes his daughter, Sofia as leverage. He lets Mateo keep her which is just what he has always wanted. Once he has her in his life will he be able to let her go?
I truly enjoyed this captive romance. I loved how Mateo was gentle and yet at the same time so perfectly Alpha. I’m so glad that Ms. Sykes has added more stories to this world and I can’t wait to see what comes next in this wonderful series.
Hero (Mateo) 5 | Heroine (Sofia) 5 | Plot 5 | Writing Style 5 | Steam 4 | Romance 5 | Angst-Suspense 3 | Darkness 3 | Humor 1 | Secondary Characters 5 | Drama-Conflict 3 | Mystery 3 | Twists 4 | Action 4 | Pacing Steady | Dual POV | MF | Captive Romance | Twists and Turns | Overall 5 Stars
#MSBB
The main characters of Pretty Hostage are Sofia and Mateo. Sofia’s father, Caesar Hernández, isn’t quite who he appears to be, and when he makes a move to take more control of the cartel from Adrián Rodríguez, Adrián takes his daughter, Sofia as leverage. He lets Mateo keep her which is just what he has always wanted. Once he has her in his life will he be able to let her go?
I truly enjoyed this captive romance. I loved how Mateo was gentle and yet at the same time so perfectly Alpha. I’m so glad that Ms. Sykes has added more stories to this world and I can’t wait to see what comes next in this wonderful series.
Hero (Mateo) 5 | Heroine (Sofia) 5 | Plot 5 | Writing Style 5 | Steam 4 | Romance 5 | Angst-Suspense 3 | Darkness 3 | Humor 1 | Secondary Characters 5 | Drama-Conflict 3 | Mystery 3 | Twists 4 | Action 4 | Pacing Steady | Dual POV | MF | Captive Romance | Twists and Turns | Overall 5 Stars
#MSBB
November 12, 2019
This was a solid 4.5 outta 5 star read! The blurb gives you an idea about what is going to happen and then it throws you straight into the mix. I thought this was an excellent dark romance where the captive might not be a good man, but he will be the best man for the one that he cares about and in this case it is sweet Sofia.
When Mateo gets the one thing that he wants more than anything-Sofia, it is not as easy as he thought it would be. There are rules and structures and she is not as docile as he thought she would be- which he kind of digs as well.
There are a lot of layers to this book. It is not just a mafia-esque book, the characters, the action, the freaking chemistry, the darkness are freaking excellently laid out for the reader to get a great understanding about what is happening. If you like dark romances and the blurb calls to you, read this book, you will enjoy it!
PS: Thank you to Julia Sykes and Candi Kane PR for allowing me an advanced copy of the book to read and review honestly! <3
When Mateo gets the one thing that he wants more than anything-Sofia, it is not as easy as he thought it would be. There are rules and structures and she is not as docile as he thought she would be- which he kind of digs as well.
There are a lot of layers to this book. It is not just a mafia-esque book, the characters, the action, the freaking chemistry, the darkness are freaking excellently laid out for the reader to get a great understanding about what is happening. If you like dark romances and the blurb calls to you, read this book, you will enjoy it!
PS: Thank you to Julia Sykes and Candi Kane PR for allowing me an advanced copy of the book to read and review honestly! <3
Read
November 18, 2019Abandoned as of now. Half way through. This is a well written book and first time reading this writer. I’m impressed and for that alone I might have just given it 5 stars.
I was expecting a typical mafia romance. But this seems to touch other subjects like bdsm etc. I steer clear of those and do not enjoy. For anyone who does, I’d recommend this writer! I couldn’t put it down once i started reading. Mateo was an uber alpha and Sophia seemed sweet. I was falling for Mateo for however much I read of him. I wish he wasn’t a dark hero... he’d have made it to my book-husband list otherwise.
I might just come back to finish this book soon out of curiosity. Because at other times when Mateo wasn’t driven by his other sadistic urges and needs, he was a tender lover to an extent that he’d just grab your heart and hold on to it!
I was expecting a typical mafia romance. But this seems to touch other subjects like bdsm etc. I steer clear of those and do not enjoy. For anyone who does, I’d recommend this writer! I couldn’t put it down once i started reading. Mateo was an uber alpha and Sophia seemed sweet. I was falling for Mateo for however much I read of him. I wish he wasn’t a dark hero... he’d have made it to my book-husband list otherwise.
I might just come back to finish this book soon out of curiosity. Because at other times when Mateo wasn’t driven by his other sadistic urges and needs, he was a tender lover to an extent that he’d just grab your heart and hold on to it!
February 25, 2021
Une romance magnifique, à fleur de peau 🧡🧡🧡🌈
Son patron, Adrián Rodriguez, ordonne à Mateo d’attacher l’otage fermement sur une chaise.
L’otage, c’est Sofia, la fille d’un redoutable mafieux.
Sofia, c’est bien plus encore...
Mateo ne sait pas s’il va pouvoir résister.
Il la tient là tout près...si près...
------------
Enfin ! L’histoire de Mateo et Sofia!
J’ai retrouvé avec plaisir ce couple intriguant, discret, mystérieux, découvert lors d'un précédent roman de l’auteure.
Cette fois-ci, Mateo et Sofia sont les personnages principaux d'une romance magnifique, à fleur de peau.
L’écriture de l’auteure Julia Sykes est incroyablement, émotionnellement addictive et efficace.
Elle vous tient en haleine jusqu'à la dernière page.
J’ai adoré !
Magnifique ❤
Son patron, Adrián Rodriguez, ordonne à Mateo d’attacher l’otage fermement sur une chaise.
L’otage, c’est Sofia, la fille d’un redoutable mafieux.
Sofia, c’est bien plus encore...
Mateo ne sait pas s’il va pouvoir résister.
Il la tient là tout près...si près...
------------
Enfin ! L’histoire de Mateo et Sofia!
J’ai retrouvé avec plaisir ce couple intriguant, discret, mystérieux, découvert lors d'un précédent roman de l’auteure.
Cette fois-ci, Mateo et Sofia sont les personnages principaux d'une romance magnifique, à fleur de peau.
L’écriture de l’auteure Julia Sykes est incroyablement, émotionnellement addictive et efficace.
Elle vous tient en haleine jusqu'à la dernière page.
J’ai adoré !
Magnifique ❤
April 4, 2021
This was an out character read for me. I'm not a huge fan of the kidnapping troupe & I'm not necessarily a fan of mafia reads either. So why did I read this book? The only excuse... I'm in a book slump, I can't seem to find a book that interests me or that even looks like an ok read. I like anti hero books so maybe that's why. Because the main character is definitely an alpha anti hero! I didn't enjoy the dynamics between H/h. I felt sorry for her, but then the next page I wanted to smack some sense into her! Neither characters communicated well with the other and a lot of bs resulted from it.
Definitely read if mafia, anti hero, violence and dark romance is your jam. There are some trigger possibilities in this book so hed my warning! Free book 2.5 stars
Definitely read if mafia, anti hero, violence and dark romance is your jam. There are some trigger possibilities in this book so hed my warning! Free book 2.5 stars
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