Keeping My Captive: A Dark Mafia Enemies to Lovers Captive Romance (Keeping What's Mine Book 3)

This is the first book I’ve read from this author & from this series. I went in a bit blind after seeing this was a captive mafia romance I was intrigued, and decided to apply for a ARC through Booksprout.Reading as a stand-alone from the series I didn’t feel as if I needed to have read the previous book, so you have the option to dive into the whole series or just this one, I will say after finishing I’m curious about the other characters.The journey between Mateo & Aria I’d say was a slow build, I was waiting for that moment and I wish it happened earlier so that I got to experience more of them together, overall I’d say this was 3.5 stars for me, but because of the “good girl” praise (which I can’t resist) I’ve rounded up to 4 stars ;)

I was really excited about Aria and Mateo's book.In the last book, Aria is kidnapped and her family is looking for her.Aria is a survivor and intelligent, just like her Mum and Dad (the first book). Aria is no damsel, she is a Mafia Princess and will not bow down to anyone.Mateo "found" Aria when he was tricked into going to auction. He fell for her hard and then kept on falling for her. I love that he would do anything for her and never saw her as less than anyone. Like all male leads, he was confused about his attraction but he made sure that she was taken care of.I enjoyed the book and liked it.I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

A fantastic and gripping dark captive romance book! These characters gave me all the right feels, their chemistry was smoking hot, the tension between them had me on the edge of my seat and the overall plot was a little predictable but it still kept me captivated. The highlight of the book was most definitely the characters. Angela is becoming a firm favourite for me! I thoroughly enjoyed this book!.I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

I absolutely love Captivity stories and forced proximity tropes and this book didn't disappoint.Aria initially comes across as a bit of a spoilt princess, sneaking out and evading her security detail to get into trouble, which is exactly what she does when she ends up getting kidnapped and taken to a place called The Island where her virginity is put up for auction. Luckily for her Mateo has been taken to The Island by an acquaintance who misunderstands him and thinks it will be his thing, attracted by Aria's fire and hearing about the kind of things that will happen to her by the person who is currently the highest bidder he purchases her.What follows is a brilliant story as the author uses dual POV to breakdown both characters walls and show us different sides to them. We learn about Mateo's past and see him become a protector and whilst he's a strong mafia man he is able to show his softer, caring side thanks to the authors brilliant writing. Aria also has a lot of character growth as she see's a new side to Mateo and the bratty side that was a defence mechanism begins to slip away and they really do create a brilliant couple whose chemistry is fantastic and the spice content in this book when they do hook up is sizzling!As with most books this isn't all plain sailing, there are plenty of dangers and betrayals along the way and everytime Mateo steps up to the plate, I must admit that I expected some sideline characters to cause issues but was pleasantly surprised when they didn't. It showed their loyalty to Mateo which not everybody had.I appreciated that the author built up the romance and the feelings rather than it being a case of become a captive, fight for a moment, oh we are in love. By using gestures and communication it really made it seem like a more wholesome and true relationship rather than a case of stockholm syndrome.

Fascinating story, it is the third in the series but from not reading the others I don’t think you will get lost with what is happening as it really does revolve around the two of them once Mateo gets Aria back to his home. Having said that I think I’m going to need to check our the others in the series now. Dark romance mafia read knowing just what buttons to press.Addictive reading right from the start. Had me hooked so fast, drawing me into this dark and twisty world that Aria has found herself taken into, quite literally. She needs a saviour in her time of need and it looks like our captive girl might have found him in Mateo.Mateo might have a dark side - not a good guy by any means - but he does have limits to what he deems evil. Finding out about his past is heartbreaking but helps click everything into place with what his limits are. He would literally do anything to keep Aria safe and out of the hands of those that would cause her harm. His hands might be those at times but he is wanting to change the more time he spends with his little captive. With him speaking Spanish to her at times without her - and us - having any clue as to what he was saying I have to say that I got a translator app out. I just needed to know what was really being said even though you could get a feel for what it was by how he was acting.Chemistry between Aria and Mateo is crazy high. She may hate him at the beginning for keeping her captive but as she slowly starts to learn more about his world, and what he is willing to do to protect her in it, she sees another side to him, one that calls to her on a base level. He craves her but will never cross that line by force, she must ask for it, and boy oh boy does she get more than she bargained for when she does. Volcanoes erupting wouldn’t compare to the heat that comes off them.Read someone else’s review about feeling like this had a dark feel of a Beauty and the Beast retelling to it while I was still reading and it just clicked right into place. Might have been deliberate on the authors part but it definitely works with how the characters act around each other.Will he keep her to locked in his fortress forever or let her go? Given the option will she really want to leave without the man she is slowly falling for?
Finding light in the darkest of places, a way to truly see who you are and what you are willing to risk to keep those you care for safe. It is a dark romance and might not be for everyone. Could be triggering for some so be advised and read warnings.I received an ARC from Booksprout for my honest review.