Claimed

Claimed #1

by Lena Little

Literally left holding the bag after a botched underworld deal, I know I’m gonna do time.

Two years as it turns out.

But spotting her moments before I’m grabbed. As we slam into each other for what I hope won’t be the last time…I see our future in her eyes, and in her belly.

The babies I instantly know we have to have together.

And if she can keep this bag I’m carrying.

Keep it safe. Keep it a secret.

Then our future is gonna be golden.

But there’s more at stake than just the loot.

I crossed a line that night. Pissing off the wrong people by helping myself to their cash, and falling so hard for a younger, heavy-set girl so hot I think I just passed the earth’s core.

Two years apart is an eternity. And I only learn just how much danger I’ve put her in the day I make parole.

I should’ve claimed her on the spot, should’ve done things a thousand different ways.

But I’m out now. And I’m coming for what’s rightfully mine.

I just hope I can get to her, and the bag before they do.

Genres: Novella, Romance, Contemporary, Crime, Second Chance

128 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 29, 2022

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Reviews

[Alaina]

rtc

[april ♡ probably reading smut - safety reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four stars ☆☆☆☆

Stacey just happened to be at the right place at the right time to meet her soulmate. She runs into Carter in an alleyway and he demands that she keep his duffel bag full of unknown items with her. He had just gotten set up and knew he was more than likely about to be arrested. Which he was. Two years later, he's out and goes after his woman with everything he has.

I enjoyed this book!! It's insta-everything and so sweet.

safety:
dual virgins
age gap
no OM/OW
no cheating/sharing
HEA

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lisa Bing · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really fun and steamy read that takes a guy literally running for his life from a botched deal and crashing into a gal that lived on the fringe of society. He felt such an instant connection to her that he knew she was his one. She had the same shocking feeling and waited for him to find her again. Obviously, he did find her, and their romance came together beautifully. I loved their acceptance of each other and how their romance unfolded :D

[hottie men · Rating 3 out of 5]

Claimed is the story of Stacey and Carter who’s name is also Stacey.

Tropes:
Age gap
Hot sexy, possessive and over protective former prisoner hero.
Cute pretty, innocent and plus size heroine
Man has a breeding kink
HEA and kids
Insta love
Touch her and you die trope
Man’s is obsessed w her

So he is working for a man or smth to give money to someone in exchange for a cell phone that has some pretty criminal information that can end someone’s life. The transaction goes haywire and he has to run but he runs into the love of his life instead and gives her the money and tells her that she’s his and to make her vow that she’s his and to run away with it. He gets captured by police and for 2 years he’s in prison. He gets out, goes to the bank and gets his security deposit and the clerk was actually there the night of the crime and gives him information about her and her whereabouts due to her being a member of the same bank. He’s like put it in my car and then he gets the keys and he takes it instead. Stewart is stupid. But good job on him getting sober and having a good job. He finds her and then for a couple of days he watches her every move. Then one day he picks her up from work while she’s working and takes her to a motel and he finally claims her. Then he sees her son of a bitch stepdad who was in the same motel about to get killed by someone who knew about the phone. The dad’s an alright person. Carter searches her dads room and sees the cell phone and cash and he leaves saying to him that he never saw him and that he never will again. She leaves her stepdad with him and they move to another country I think South America. Man’s already hinting at marriage. She’s pregnant in the epilogue and this man loves her like always complimenting her like you can see it and she had surgery on her eyes and then he’s like you look cute with glasses and she got mad but she wasn’t, she jus wanted him to say it again and then it’s time to have babies and she has twins a boy and a girl. Zak is the only name mentioned.

Solid 3.75/5

[Rebecca Grove · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carter was given a very important and mysterious job. He and his colleagues were offered 2 million to deliver a phone to a certain address. When he arrived, he quickly figures out that it was a set up. He is able to run away on foot with the bag of money. He runs into a girl with glasses in an alley and knows instantly that they are meant to be together. He is about to kiss her when he hears sirens coming their way. He gives Stacy the bag of money and tells her, he will be back for both her and the bag. He is then arrested and spends two years in jail. When he is released for good behavior, he is ready to hunt down Stacey and claim her for his own. They problem is people might be following him to get the missing phone.

Stacey has been living alone with her dad for a long time. Her dad is a little paranoid and keeps them moving from place to place. He also never tells her what his job really is. One night Stacey is determined to discover the truth and follows her dad on her scooter. She runs out of gas in a very bad part of town and loses her father. She does run into a very big and sexy guy. To her big surprise, he seems very interested in her even if she is overweight and wears glasses. They are about to kiss when sirens get closer. The sexy guy tells her to run and hide his bag. He will be back for both of them. When she finally makes it home, she hides the bag. Then her dad comes home panicked and they are forced to leave again. Stacey can't forget the guy she met and hopes he will be able to find her even with all their moves. She is thrilled when Carter finally comes to claim her.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes I think people do things they don’t really think about doing no matter how tempting they sound which is where Carter sexy as all get out but not to bright finds himself the star of given a job without any information in fact one part of his brain warned him but of course he ignored it for two million dollars to deliver a phone to an address and upon arriving they knew it was a set up so running was the logical thing but he didn’t count on running into the girl of his dreams. Stacey intelligent a little on the lonely side due to her father’s paranoia so determined to know what her father does that makes him so paranoid she decides to follow him on her scooter (they say curiosity killed the cat) she runs out of gas in a not so good part of town that is where a very large sexy man runs into her gives her a bag pleads with her to wait for him and whatever she do keep the bag don’t get rid of it or give it away and he will be back for her he promises with instructions to run and hide his bag. By the time she gets home her father in one of his panic decides it is time for them to move she doesn’t want to just in case Carter come looking but she can’t worry about it due to her father moving them all she can do at this point is hope he can find her and keep his promise but will she wait for him, will she look in the bag, will she keep it safe like he asked, will he come for her as promised since two years has passed with no communication, and can their be happiness for something that started out strange?.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Anna M_82 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything you love in an over the top obsession romance is in this book. Instant connection when they meet. Separated by his time in jail but thinking of her every minute he’s away. Danger lurking around the corner for them both. An intense and scorching hot connection begging to be followed through.

Carter and Stacey are obsession perfection. When a job goes wrong and Carter is on the run, he literally runs into his future. He does his time and the first thing he does when he gets out is look for his curvy soulmate. Stacey isn’t sure what to think when the beast of a man asks her to hide his stuff and wait for him. She does know she’ll never feel for another man what she felt for him in seconds. Will he actually come looking for her? When he does will danger follow behind? Or has danger been lurking in the shadows the whole time? I loved Carter and Stacey and couldn’t get enough of their story.

I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

I kind of liked this over the top instalove story. It was entertaining and enjoyable although there was some violence. The characters were interesting and likable for the most part. Carter hadn’t been expecting for anything to go down the way it did, including meeting his “one”. Stacey hadn’t planned on things going down the way they did but they led her to her “one”. Although Carter and Stacey have only moments to share their bond, it’s very strong. The separation that they had to deal with was longer than Stacey thought it would be but shorter than Carter thought it would be. I loved Carter’s name. The way that Carter found Stacey was amazing (and a little scary!). I loved their happily ever after. I recommend reading this book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Danee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ms Little has written another beautiful story and I hope the first book of a new series. This story is full of suspense, action and danger as well as romance. When Carter and Stacey meet while he is on the run from law enforcement, he meets Stacey and gives her a bag to keep for him. In the end he is caught anyway and has to go to jail. After a few years he is released on parole and then goes looking for the one who betrayed him and looking for Stacey because once he finds her he will never let her go and will always protect her. You will be glued to the book from start to finish and it is definitely worth reading.

I received a Advance Reader copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sam&Dean · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh. Lena Little was my number one favorite author when I first started reading her books. As time has gone on, I’ve found them to be hit or miss, usually more miss. It could be a ‘me’ thing because I can’t totally say why they’re not as good, but in any case this one fell into the mostly miss/ kinda just ok category.
Her tendency to write double virgins can be unbelievable when your dealing with a super horny 30/40-something male. Like I can’t help think ‘what’s wrong with this guy’😂. We don’t need detailed history of his prior sexual exploits. In fact, they don’t need to be mentioned at all (why is this even a thing in almost every romance book?). But I find the 40-year-old-Virgin thing a bit ‘ugh/ c’mon, really’ Ridiculous….

[Shawna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Claimed: Book 1 of Claimed. I love anything with stalker, alpha males and this definitely fits the bill. Carter literally ran into Stacey that rainy night after a job gone wrong. He knew in an instant she was meant for him and left her with an important bad letting her know he’d be back for her and the bag. It’s been 2 years but Stacey is still waiting for her mystery man to return and claim what he said was his. When Carter does return what will happen? Will he really want her? A great storyline and lovable characters. I really enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kristine L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stacey is in a dark alley when Carter happens to run right into her escaping from the police. He is knock sideways as she's the "one" and he knows that he will be going to prison. Stacey knows that Carter is for her. He hands her a black bag and tells her he'll be back to get her and the bag. She's never looked into the bag and when Carter gets out he finds Stacey right away. It doesn't take Carter long to "CLAIM"her. Love the insta love, sweet, steam and their family life. Thanks for the epiloges. Love the story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Nicole Potter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Did Stacey wait for Carter?

What a fantastic read. I loved Carter & Stacey's story. Their start is unconventional to say the least as they meet just before he gets sent to prison for 2 years. Their story is intense, steamy, erotic with a little bit of drama/danger thrown in. After 2 years in prison & being released on parole will Carter come & claim Stacey. She is his forever & he hopes that she feels the same way.
I feel that this series will be awesome. Worth more than 5 stars.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lisa Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carter delivers odd items for money, this one job will keep him set for a while. When the deal goes south and the cops are closing in he grabs the cash and makes a run for it. He runs right into her, she is his future. He hands her the bag and tells her to keep it safe, he will come for her.

Two years have past and he is getting out of the jail and time to find his girl. When people come looking for item and the money, he will need to keep her safe.

I received an Advance Readers Copy of this book with no obligation to write a review.

[Jenni · Rating 5 out of 5]

After being set up Carters on the run with a bag full of cash, when he literally runs into Stacy. One look and he knew she was his and she would keep his secrets safe before he gets taken away. Now 2 years on he's out and on the hunt for his Stacy.
Well written curvy, possesive, fast paced desires steamy and more!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[kymagirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carter (H) is betrayed in a botched underworld deal and tumbles into Stacey (h) in a dark alley as he tries to evade law enforcement. The two are instantly drawn to one another in the brief time that Carter is able to pass a bag to Stacey for safekeeping. Paroled after two years, Carter comes looking for what's his, Stacey, and when he finds her, he'll never let her go. Hot and steamy OTT quickie!

[Syd Springer · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars
This was a great book. I really liked Stacy and Carter together. These two had a brief moment when Carter is trying to elude law enforcement but that one moment was all it took for these two to know that they found the other half. After two years of waiting, Carter is out and is ready to go get his woman.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Oriana Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carter meets Stacey one fateful night two years ago. He sees her and just knows that she is his One. On the run he gives her the stolen money with the order to wait for him.... And vanishes for two years. Stacey felt the connection and waited.... And now Carter is back and nobody can stop him from claiming his woman and his HEA 🥰🥰 Insta-love , steamy, OTT, J/P alpha male, sweet, romantic and totally safe (oh yes-double virgins 😏) with a great HEA and a bit action too😍😍😍😍

[La'Jacinth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bag Girl, hhmm??

I have always enjoyed Lena Little's stories, although very very farfetched, they are always deeply possessive and smutty and with the best HEAs around.

Funny how they were more connected than either of them realized.

Interesting....check
Farfetched....check
Possessive....check
Perfect read.....priceless!!

I will always read Lena Little's books to dream of the love these men possess.

[Lise · Rating 1 out of 5]

I actually found this book painful to read and I almost dnf it several times. I had to force myself to finish it.
There was no depth, it felt juvenile and shallow….
Though I can appreciate a “real” girl, the overuse of the word “thick” and the constant need to remind us that she is fat (up to 3x on the same page) helped to kill the story even more than the underdeveloped plot.
I don’t recommend this book to anyone :/

[CJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author has given us a heart pounding older man/younger woman story that pulls us into the lives of Carter and Stacey and does not let go. The story keeps us turning the pages with danger, instant connection and determination.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Timma · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was different and intense. I loved the story line of Carter and Stacey. Ms. Little included some intense steamed up love scenes. It was very good over the top romance. I recommend this book as a quick enjoyable read for OTT lovers.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[casvec · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an over-the-top romance that keeps you turning the pages. Carter runs into Stacey in an alleyway and hands her a bag. Two years later, he goes to find what he left behind.

Good fast story with the right twists and turns.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sabrina Flachsmann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, quick, dirty read. Carter is left holding the bag after a job gone wrong. He hands it over to Stacey to keep while he is in jail. He gets out and comes to claim his woman. Lots of action, both in the storyline and between these two!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Readiculous 📚🖤👱🏼‍♀️ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hmmm, not really my cup of tea. It was totally OTT (which I often don’t mind!) and just too far fetched somehow. Plus I didn’t like how the h kept talking down to herself. So much focus on how big and chubby she was. The H was growly and intense. Dual virgins, only one spicy scene. Writing felt a bit choppy, didn’t flow right. Quick read ⭐️⭐️⭐️

[BookFox · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars the reason I rated it so low is because the writing style. It was mainly all inner dialogue hardly any actual conversation to see them grow and connect. And come on! The bag! And chest? And her stepdad? I wanted to see that played out!

Safe
Dual pov
Dual virgins
No ow/om drama
Epilogues good.

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

The cover was amazing, totally wanted to read it when I saw it. So crazy how they meet and that they picked up right where they left off. The name thing was really freaking funny. But you’ll have to read that for your self…

[Misty Schott · Rating 5 out of 5]

He claimed her the first time they met.

Carter was on the run about to be caught when he runs into Stacey, literally. He asks her to hold on to something for him, says he'll be back for her and it when he can. Will Carter come back to claim Stacey?

[Ivelisse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast paced spicy read!

Super fast paced… needless to say, Stacey and Carter waste no time whatsoever. Run into a guy in the alley one day, hands you a bag of cash and says wait for him. You do and now you’re rich and in love without even really meeting the guy.

[Day · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stacey and Carter ;)

I've been meaning to read this novella since I stumbled upon it a few months ago and now that I've read it, I can say that it's a fast-paced, steamy and quirky novella. I enjoyed reading it and feel that readers who love these kinds of tropes would love it.