Review: Captive In the Dark by CJ Roberts

Guys.
This book… 
I can’t even… 
Where do I even… 

*sigh* 









Before I get started on this review, here’s a little insight as to how I pictured my personal Caleb ♥ 

 I don’t know what I was expecting when I started this book. A lot of sex? Definitely. Cruelty and torture? Absolutely. Dominance and submissiveness? You bet. I was actually scared to even start it, and put it off for quite a while because a book filled with nothing but sex is something I stay far far far away from. Not because I’m opposed to it… but too much of it just completely bores me. It’s one reason I avoid the erotica genre- sex being used as a constant filler in books is a huge down-fall for me. I think that’s why you can say I was so iffy going into this story. I mean, c’mon… a book revolving around pleasure slaves? That just screamed book pornography to me. But after seeing so many of my GR friends ranting and raving about this novel, I decided to just throw caution to the wind, and give it a try- and boy, was I in for a complete surprise…

I need to get this out, first hand: Don’t let the fact that this is a dark story throw you off. Initially, I was a little scared to even buy this book because so many of the reviews that I read continuously said how dark this story was… (And I’m a HUGE fan of dark romances, so the fact that this even made me hesitate says a lot.) …I guess some sick and twisted part of me just assumed this book was going to be full of sadistic bedroom play or something. Now don’t get me wrong… this book was dark… but it was a different dark than I was expecting- and believe it or not, there is love and romance in this story. Maybe not the fairytale “fell in love at first sight” Cinderella kind of story… but a romance just the same- just much different than the type of romance that we’re all used to reading about.

Caleb Caleb Caleb… *sigh* …He was such a dark and tortured hero. He had his own personal demons in which only one person in the world knew about. His past may not justify his actions, but they certainly give you insight as to why he does the things that he does. The man isn’t as cold and calculating as you’re probably thinking. He just knew nothing about love long term. For him, Olivia was just his instrument for revenge. Her rebellious nature was something he admired, but wouldn’t tolerate- and he made it his ultimate goal to bring out the submissive that he knew was inside of her. But Livvie had looked at Caleb in ways no one ever has- she looked at him like her life was insignificant without him… but whatever her thoughts were of him… whatever her feelings… it was a concept that he just couldn’t grasp. I’ll be honest ladies, the man was complete perfection. (Minus the whole kidnapping women for pleasure slaves thing.) He was a force not to be reckoned with when it came to getting what he wanted. And he most certainly had that protective streak that makes us turn into swooning school-girls. 

Livvie on the other hand, has been branded a “whore” nearly her entire life- she, herself has her own personal demons that she fought against every day, but never once did that get in the way of her brave and fighting spirit. 


“Where is all your bravery now pet? No clawing, no hissing? Where’s my tough girl?”  -Caleb


However, the one thing that gave her the most struggle during her capture, was Caleb. And I don’t just mean in the physical sense… but mentally as well. Gone were the images she had when she had initially first met him- in her mind, the prince charming that was supposed to come and save her was no longer there. Instead she tried to recognize this entire situation for what it was: Rape… not seduction, and not the fantasy that she’s always had in her mind. Olivia didn’t know what to make of Caleb- at times he was so kind and gentle, and at others, she feared him down to her soul. He was her own personal contradiction- he seemed so capable at times, of something like caring… He could hold her and make her feel safe one minute… but could make her cry and scream and shake with fear not even a split second later. 

It was hard for her to grasp these feelings she had of him- she knew that everything he had done to her had been to manipulate her into doing what he wanted… every kiss… every touch… him telling her how beautiful she was… but she knew it was all a lie. She knew that in the end, she was nothing but a means to an end for him… or so she thought…

I can’t give anything more away to you guys… you just have to dive into this story without any expectations, and enjoy the ride. I honest to God just want to keep ranting and raving to you all about this book- to consistently spend this entire review telling you how much I truly LOVED this story, and convince you all to read it. It’s a book that I can promise you that you don’t want to miss out on- it’s officially added under my “favorites” shelf, and trust me... books don’t make it there that often for me.


So what did I like about this book? EVERYTHING.

What didn’t I like about this book? ABSOLUTELY NOTHING.


This story was so believable to me. The characters were believable. The situations were believable. Everything just felt so darn real… as if I was actually in Livvie’s shoes myself. Kidnapped… bounded… and completely in the dark about what my life had in store for me next. I absolutely CAN’T WAIT to start  Seduced in the Dark! It was bought and downloaded on my kindle before I had even finished this story. I haven’t felt this way about a book in a long time… last night was the first night that I actually woke up in the middle of a dead sleep craving more- and don’t think for one second that I didn’t stay up and read page after page of this delicious goodness. I just couldn't get enough... of this story... of these characters… of EVERYTHING. C.J. Roberts is absolutely brilliant, and so was this book. The question I have now is… will Livvie and Caleb ever get there happily-ever-after?


"…Did you think that you could fix me? What’s more, that I could fix you? Well sorry pet, I don’t want to be fixed. Whatever your little school-girl brain told you about men is absurdly wrong. This isn’t a romance. You’re not a damsel in distress and I’m not the handsome prince come to save you. You ran. I went to collect my property. End of story.” -Caleb


*sigh* I can’t wait to find out what’s in store for these two! I haven’t been this giddy and excited for a book in… well… forever EVER. …I’ll definitely be rooting for Livvie and Caleb every step of the way throughout my next journey in Seduced in the Dark. All I can pray and hope for is that they finally find that happily-ever-after together, that they both truly deserve.