The Hostage Bargain by Annika Martin
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Note: I read this as part of an anthology- it is not my normal cup of tea.
A fun, breezy read. It doesn’t have a huge amount of substance to it- if it were a film it would be an adult video (perhaps made by women). A late-night Cinemax feature, maybe. Still, if that’s what you are in the mood for, it’s fun. I read a review that described this series as “campy,” and I think that hits the nail on the head. It isn’t serious. It isn’t dark. It isn’t going to have you in nail-biting suspense.
I rated this based on what it IS, not what it isn’t. I personally prefer a dark romance with suspense elements every day of the week, and this isn’t that, but that isn’t the book’s fault. It’s my fault for going to the hardware store to buy milk, as it were.
I liked the writing, and the snappy heroine. I think good differentiation was established between the male characters. You should be able to tell which character is in a conversation even if they aren’t named, and the author did that here.
It is a light and breezy read, perfect for the beach.
That said, it isn’t my normal kind of read as I generally prefer darker heroes/storylines (kidnapping, arranged marriage, and coercion, oh my!), and a good bit of suspense. As such I don’t plan to continue with this series.
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Sure, I’d always dreamed of escaping my life, but I was thinking Greyhound bus – not getaway vehicle!
Then I started asking questions, and I found out about their rules.
These guys have more rules than a grammar class. Except their rules are shockingly dirty. And way more fun to memorize.
They’re letting me stay for now, but I’m never supposed to ask their real names. Or where they’re from, or why they lead this life.
And we can never, ever think about tomorrow.
Here’s a secret: I’m starting to suspect my tough-as-nails outlaws might have tender-as-taffy hearts.
And every night I go to sleep wishing this didn’t have to end.
