The plan is simple. Break into the club and steal the money I need to save my father. The ex-military bouncer isn’t going to stop me, even if he is hot as hell.
If only in my dreams…
Except he has a curious knack for knowing my next step.
And there’s something dark underneath his desire, something dangerous. If he catches me, he might not let me go.
Skye Warren has written the perfect holiday book. If you are looking for some spice in your sweetness, then look no further. This book is for you. Bianca is young and beautiful. She works at the Grand as a dancer and has always noticed West, the dark and handsome bouncer. When her mother comes to her with news of her father's capture she doesn't think it twice. She has to find the money to pay his debt and set him free. One attempt to steal from the Grand goes terribly wrong and she will be left at the mercy of the man she has always admired. West's involvement will set in motion a series of revelations that will altered Bianca's life forever. Fast paced and sexy, this book will entertain you! The romance will melt your heart and Warren's skill will have you craving for more of this series. Do not miss it.
5 Stars
ARC kindly provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
4 - "I'm not done with you... I haven't even started." Stars!
It has been a while since I have had the chance to read anything by Skye Warren so when the opportunity arose to read and review Caught for Christmas, I jumped at the chance, and I am glad that I did.
This is the world I’m living in now.
This novella was a quick and sexy read, and as part of the Stripped series, can easily be read as a standalone.
”Don’t change I like who you are.”
First thing that came back to me was the author’s style of writing and how she manages to pull you into the story and empathize with the characters from the get-go. I liked West, and Bianca was well on the ball for an eighteen year old woman. You could feel the chemistry bubbling between them and the sexy-times are quick to get started.
”When you come for me, it won’t be because you want to distract me. And it sure as hell won’t be because I’m paying you.”
I think the author pitched this couples story about right with it being a novella, there was potential for Bianca’s familial drama to get annoying and drawn out, but due to the length it happens and is dealt with quickly.
”We’re done waiting.”
Caught for Christmas, is a great way to introduce yourself to this authors writing style and story-telling, it’s also an excellent little Christmas interlude if you are looking for a couple of hours reading, and in my case it was a really good way to refresh my memory as to why I should be putting more of Skye Warren's books onto my TBR!
ARC generously provided via ARdentProse PR, and it was a pleasure to provide the above honest review.
I'm not sure Bianca (or West for the matter) will be on Santa's naughty or nice list...
Bianca is a dancer at The Grand. She struggles to have a dime to her name- not because of lack of pay but from paying off a debt to the mafia...a debt her parents accrued. When suddenly a $50,000 ransom is on her father's head, Bee finds herself planning the unthinkable. She'll have to rob her employer- steal from the safe. It goes against everything she believes and the people she works for are her friends but what is she to do?
West is a veteran and a bouncer at The Grand. He's had a lustful eye on Bianca since she started working there. But over time something just doesn't add up. She lives well yet is losing weight and appears to have zero money to her name. Drugs? Gambling? And she's nervous around him like she's hiding something. What's her secret? He'll find out.
This was a short but steamy novella. West has a fascination with Bianca and he appears to be just what she needs at this poor choices juncture in her life. Though it's a Christmas novella, the holiday aspect of it takes a backseat to the suspense and steam that takes place throughout the book. A quick and enjoyable read from the Stripped series- one I've pretty much devoured. If you're in the market for something quick but will keep the pages turning, Skye Warren will surely warm you on a cold winter's night with Caught for Christmas!
Happy Holidays!
Advanced copy received by author in exchange for my honest review.
This was actually a pretty nice steamy hawt little number with an actual credible plot that functions within the short literary form of novella. Nice work!
A nice quick short read. Love the brooding West but his protectiveness of Bianca was so fierce and even more sweeter. After being so betrayed by her parents, she finally let her guards down and gets her HEA.
♥ (Stripped, #0.5) Tough Love ♥ (Stripped, #1) Love the Way You Lie ♥ (Stripped, #2) Better When It Hurts ♥ (Stripped, #2.5) Even Better ♥ (Stripped, #3) Pretty When You Cry ♥ (Stripped, #3.5) Caught for Christmas
*Each book can be read as a STANDALONE*
***full review to come***
AS AMAZING AS ALICE'S DREAMS:
*PS: I was given an ARC of this book. But I do solemnly swear that I am up to...good. ;) This is a fair and honest review of this book, pinky promise.*
A pesar de su corta extensión, se percibe cierta química entre los protagonistas. En poco más de 100 páginas, West y Bianca vivirán una situación de tensión que les llevará a sincerarse de un modo que ninguno esperaba.
Bianca tiene 18 años y proviene de una familia que siempre ha estado metida en asuntos delictivos. Para diferenciarse de sus padres, ella intenta salir adelante sin hacer nada ilegal. No sueña con una vida modélica, pero sí que aspira a conseguir cierta estabilidad. Trabaja como stripper en un club en el que la protegen, ha hecho amigas y gana un sueldo con el que puede afrontar bien el día a día. Sin embargo, un imprevisto hará que se plantee robar en el club, y será West, uno de los guardias de seguridad, el que altere sus planes...
West es un hombre parco en palabras, pero no tiene ninguna timidez a la hora de actuar. Sin necesidad de decir mucho, logra generar atracción y creo que logra hacer creíbles sus sentimientos por Bianca. Me gustó su atrevimiento y su manera de tratar a Bianca. Incluso cuando las cosas se ponen complicadas, intenta que ella se sienta segura con él.
En cuanto a Bianca, su mayor punto débil es su ingenuidad. Para tener un pasado complicado, la verdad es que se asusta con demasiada facilidad ante determinados acontecimientos. Tuvo instantes buenos con West, pero me quedó la sensación de que él representaba simplemente la comodidad para ella, es decir, era como una apuesta segura de cara a que alguien la quisiera proteger.
Las escenas eróticas son de alto voltaje sin necesidad de ser vulgares o excesivamente largas. Además, y ese es otro punto a favor, más allá de la atracción física también hay una subtrama con un secuestro y un chantaje de por medio. Y, sinceramente, no puedo negar que tuve curiosidad por saber cómo acabaría todo.
Como pasa con muchos relatos, la brevedad de la historia es lo que hace que muchos hechos se den de modo apresurado, y eso le resta credibilidad a algunas decisiones. Aun así, no está nada mal si queréis una lectura entretenida en inglés, ya que no es necesario tener un nivel muy alto de ese idioma para comprender lo que se narra. Eso sí, no os dejéis engañar por el título y la portada, pues lo de que todo transcurra en Navidad es una anécdota, no se hace demasiado hincapié en esa festividad.
A quick and sexy read that is offered in the Kisses for Christmas boxset, but that is also a novella from the Stripped world, although it can be read as a standalone.
When I realized that I was way behind on the Skye Warren backlist, I decided to devour some novellas that she had up for free and found that once I started it was just impossible to stop.
In Caught for Christmas, Bianca is forced to make a hard choice to save her con-artist parents who have gotten themselves into trouble. But to save them, she must betray her boss and a man who she has grown to care for. West might be known for being a good guy, but he’s not as pure as everyone thinks. Watching Bianca at the club, he knows something is wrong and catching her trying to steal from the club forces them both to face their attraction and her situation.
Skye Warren is able to completely captivate you as a reader and draw you into the story. In such a short period of time you are wrapped up in the characters of this story. Knowing that this is a small part of a bigger series, makes me want to move that up to the top of my TBR list. Hell, 2018 might just be the year of Warren.
So after I read the book, I didn't find something new. It feels like the boos so much alike with the others.
So now we followed Bianca and West. I have seen West besfore and I don't have a feeling for him. And Bianca ... well, she didn't get my attention either. Even though I like the idea about what she is. I mean she's a kinda professional thief. 😂
Everything in this book just so so for me. Nothing new and I think all the woman character in this stories are the sama with different names.
It's kinda funny coz I love the characters from the first three books, but I just realize by now, that every female characters are similar to each other.
Perfect balance of gritty rawness and aching sweetness. Bianca aka Bee has a problem, a big one. Her dad is in trouble with the mob and she has to come up with a lot of money to save him. She is planning on robbing The Grand, the burlesque club she works at, to get the money. Only problem with that? West. She is attracted to not just his looks, but his boy scout goodness. West knows she is in trouble and tries to help her. West knows she is up to something, but he bides his time, waiting, watching. Will their attraction get a chance to grow into something more? Will Bee regret walking away from West after the job is done? Will West still want her when he finds out the truth? Read and see!
Bianca and West are so beautiful together, this is just a sweet love story. There is some angst, and it's dark and delicious as always, but it's the sweetness that really stands out. West will give you cavities! We get a little cameo by our man Blue as well, and that is always a good thing. OH, and I love that Bee is a knitter! I'm a crocheter myself and I could relate! LOL
Skye Warren really has a knack for showing the human side to even the most troubled characters. I always find myself relating to these people and their stories, and they feel real to me. I have loved this series so much, it's has become one of my favorites, I can't wait for the next book!
A saucy little novella addition to this great series. It takes place around Christmas, but isn't super Christmas-y. No schmaltz. No super cheesiness. Just the same solid writing and dark undertones we can always count on from Skye Warren. She has definitely become one of my safe go-to authors when I land in a book slump. I know one of her books can winch me out of it. I enjoyed this short story about West and Bianca. Although there weren't a huge number of pages here the author managed to establish angst and steam, probably because we'd already been introduced to these characters, and knew that West was struggling within himself over feelings he was developing for one of the women (although we didn't know which one). I love the little breadcrumbs the author left in previous stories to get me all riled up for the upcoming books/novellas. It definitely worked. Skye Warren, you sly minx! More goodness from this author, as usual. I really am.enjoying this series. It isn't my favorite from her, but that's only because she has some really great stuff out there that I happened to fall all over myself for. I definitely recommend this series to Skye Warren fans.
I’m going to say it. This is one of my favorite novellas evah. I could live in Skye Warren’s World of Darkness forever.
Aw, yeah, gimme some West. Ever since I met West, I was so intrigued by him. We meet West in the Stripped Series. He is a bouncer and takes care of the girls. A perfect gentleman….on the outside. Thankfully, he gets dirty dirty in this novella. He is my dark chocolate yumminess. Bianca is in a pickle. She needs money for her Mom and Dad (who are constantly asking her for money). When they come to her to tell her they are in danger, requesting a large sum, she knows she has to go to extremes to get the money. Bianca decides to steal the money from the club, but of course, West catches her. I can't tell you what happens. You just have to read it.
I loved loved loved these two. West & Bianca are everything. When West catches her in the act, and what is done afterward, was so hot I could barely stand it. And it wasn't even that dirty. Lol. I don't know how Skye Warren makes the simple acts of life dirty, but she does.
Bianca´s tried to keep herself on the straight and narrow, but when family comes begging for help, she has to do it. Even if it means she´ll have to leave the best thing she´s had going for herself, and the gorgeous bouncer West. West knows something is up, and when he catches Bianca in the act, he won´t be gentle. To her family, that is. Contemporary romance, suspense and smutty fluff in a great, quick combo.
Premise: the FMC is a dancer who needs to steal from her employer to save her father, and the MMC is a bouncer/works security at the club.
I listened to the audiobook, and found the story to be super tense (that could be narrator’s performance) and well-paced for a novella. I didn’t fully connect with the characters even though a sacrificing FMC and protective MMC is usually catnip for me (maybe the narrator’s performance was too tense?), but I still enjoyed the book. Good for a quick listen/read.
Ok, so this is not the average christmas romance. It is short, steamy and fast paced but also dark.
Both, Bianca, an 18-year-old dancer, who was raised by criminals who only use her and West, ex marine and bouncer at the club, taking care, are interesting characters. With an interesting setting, good writing and intriguing characters this makes me want to read the whole series.
I like Skye Warren and the dark romance of Tanglewood. This story was good, but just felt underdeveloped. Which is to be expected I suppose with a 82 page book.
This sexy-with-an-edge- Christmas novella isn't mistletoe and Christmas carols. Instead, it's an 18 year old woman, Bianca, stuck with an impossible choice - help out her derelict parents by stealing money from her boss or risk death or worse by the mafia kingpin they owe money to. Luckily, the bouncer at the club she works at, West, has been keeping an eye on her and catches her in the act before any real damage is done. In fact, this might just be the Christmas gift that Bianca never knew she wanted.
This novella is part of the Stripped series, but easily read as a standalone, though some of the other characters make an appearance. It's told in Bianca's first person point of view, and right away you know that she's lived a tough life up to now, and had to make choices to survive. You also know that her parents are rotten to the core, but she still is loyal to them, to the point where she puts their well-being above her own. In comes West, the man she's secretly lusted after but kept her distance from, believing that he'd never want to know the real her. But in this she's mistaken, as West has been waiting for his chance to let her know his true feelings. Catching her before she can do any real damage to Ivan's club, he proceeds to show her just what kind of dirty thoughts he's had about her. The scenes between them are raw and sexy, and at the same time, have a sweet edge as it's quickly shown that West is appointing himself her protector against any who might cause her harm. (awww! He's a sweetheart in disguise). We get a happy for now ending, one that Bianca definitely deserves after the rough life she's had to date. It's not your typical Christmas romance, but it's definitely got the right spirit. 4 stars.
This is a quick read that was a great addition to the Stripped series, though it can be read as a standalone. Bianca is a dancer at the Grand, former strip club, now burlesque club. Her parents have gotten themselves into debt with the mob and have asked her to rob The Grand in order to help them pay of their debt. However, the former owner of The Grand, Ivan, who gave it to the love of his life Candy, is dangerous in his own right.
West is a bouncer at The Grand and has always liked Bianca, but never made a move on her. He is a former marine and known as "the boy scout" because he never bends the rules. He starts to notice that Bianca is acting different. He also notices that she has lost a lot of weight. He is aware the amount of money that the girls of the Grand make, so he knows that she should have the money to afford to feed herself.
When Bianca goes to break into The Grand, West is waiting for her. He has a very interesting punishment for her. He also has every intention of protecting her, not only from the mob, but also from herself and her con artist parents.
Ms. Warren has done another terrific job of telling this story. I love the characters that she writes. They are full of emotion and very well developed, even in the shorter stories like this one. This is still a dark romance, but more dark for the aspects outside of the romance, than the aspects within the romance. This is Christmas novella, but it really takes a backseat to the main part of the story. If you've never tried this series or Ms. Warren, this is a great story to dip your toe into her world, which I love.