ARC Review: CAPTIVE BEAUTY by Natasha Knight

Cilla

The Beast had Belle.
Killian Black has me.

How I got here doesn’t matter, even though he says it does. Says it was my choice. He doesn’t get it, though. It wasn’t ever a choice for me.

And now, he’s changing the rules.

The agreement was one month. For thirty days, I’d be his. He’s no longer satisfied with my body alone, though. He wants my soul, too. Wants every part of me. And even though I can pretend I’m safe when I lie beneath him, this man does something to me. Something wicked.

A thing that will break me.

Killian

People suck at consequences.

Cilla made the choice. She offered the deal. I just took her up on it. So what if I changed the rules half-way in? I’m not apologizing for it.

See, Cilla and me, we’re the same. She’s dark. As dark as me. Something happened to her. Something bad. It damaged her.

But it’s not a hero she seeks. It’s an avenging angel. A dark knight. That, I can do. I’ll slay her dragons, but it’ll cost her, because in return, I want everything. And I’ll take it.

She’s mine.

Author’s note: Captive Beauty is a standalone romance. Think Beauty and the Beast, but twisted and dark in the best, dirtiest ways.

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2G8XfH6

REVIEW

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Well… wasn’t this a wonderfully delightful surprise? I already had a few of this author’s books under my belt so I knew going in to expect an intense thrill, but I wasn’t expecting it to be so freaking filthy too!

We meet (Pris)Cilla, who is subsequently blindfolded and taken, along with her big brother, to some basement where her future is yet to be determined. Her brother owes some money and she willingly puts herself on the line to save him from being hurt. Her fear was my fear and I had absolutely no clue what was going to happen beyond her being held captive somehow as the title of this book suggests. Along comes Kill(ian), who is the master of the unknown. He likes to keep people guessing at his motives and he definitely kept Cilla on her toes. Beyond the intriguing interplay between Kill and Cilla, there’s a dark and terrifying secret that Cilla is keeping, which makes her appear damaged, and Kill will stop at nothing to discover what it is.

See, Cilla and me, we’re the same. She’s dark. As dark as me. Something happened to her. Something bad. It damaged her.

I loved everything about this book, from its complex plot to its deep and disturbed characters. While Kill and Cilla were almost impossible to relate to, they were very easy to become invested in. I was on the sidelines cheering them on. I wanted them to find hope, justice, love and salvation, especially with each other. Kill was just the kind of alpha I like to find in an anti-hero. He was lethal, crude, dominant, dark and brooding. However, with Cilla, he was so much more. I got more than a little glimpse of his vulnerability and I loved how he found an equal in her. She gave him back his humanity. And what did he give her? Everything. He gave her the opportunity to be submissive, the freedom to feel, and the ability to finally get past her tragic past. And the sex… HOLY HECK!!

I really couldn’t get enough of the interaction between these two. There was a lot of push and pull and for some reason, rather than annoying me, it kept things interesting. I loved their fights, Cilla’s reluctance, Kill’s arrogance, and every one of their combustible encounters.

This story was about pain, loss, strength, perseverance, vengeance, love and redemption. The road Kill and Cilla traveled on wasn’t an easy one, but I sure did love their journey.

Release: Jan. 24, 2018 | Genre: Dark Romance | POV: Dual - 1st person | Heat: 4.5 out of 5 | Standalone