Review: Taken by HelenKay Dimon

Publisher: Intermix Penguin
Where did you get the book: e-ARC from publisher
Release date: 21st April

Known for her “emotional, sexy and smart”* stories, now, HelenKay Dimon presents a bold new novella that takes readers to the edge…

takenWade Royer and Elijah Sterling are on shaky ground. While initially reluctant Eli is finally ready to take things to the next level, Wade is hesitant. He senses trouble coming and he’s right. Still, they know their fiercely undeniable connection—both in and out of the bedroom—is worth saving.

Then a man from Eli’s past reappears and the CIA comes calling—and they both want Eli back. With their relationship in jeopardy of falling apart and Eli in danger of a different kind, both men will have to decide what they really want—and then take it…

*blurb taken from Goodreads*

Being a big fan of HelenKay’s Holton Wood series, I was super excited finding out Eli and Wade were having a novella of their own. Wade and Eli’s rocky relationship played out in the previous two books as a secondary storyline. Taken follows on with Eli and Wade as an established couple and I couldn’t get enough of them.

Eli’s past history as a CIA agent causes problems with him and Wade. A mysterious man known as Jennings, who trained Eli, wants Eli working for him again. Wade and Eli madly love one another but they still have issues between them because of Eli’s past history and Wade’s fear that Eli can’t leave his dangerous past behind and the fear of what might happen to Eli.

Taken is a quick novella but it manages to pack in some scorching sex and tension between the two heroes. Wade and Eli have never had an easy ride and Taken irons out some of those issues. Eli is always feeling defensive because of the painful time Wade broke up with him but he pushes it down because he knows that he can’t let his past mistakes drive a wedge between them again. But Wade is pushing Eli away because of his fears. At times I did find their arguments a little repetitive, especially with Wade hurting Eli but these guys are so strong-headed that I also understood it would take time for them to understand and get each other without hurting one another. Wade had to deal with some jealousy issues but Dimon never pushed it to the point where it came off as childish.

Eli’s character journey has gone through such a change. I loved seeing him open his heart and mind fully to Wade. It was so damn romantic because here are these two big guys with such rough pasts but together they bring out the best in each other. I loved seeing Becca and Jarret play matchmaker as a team, considering how they had their own issues to deal with before they found their HEA. It was very humorous.

I loved seeing more of Gabe, though I’m still on the fence about Natalie so their upcoming book should be very, very interesting.

Despite some of the repetitive issues between Wade and Eli, I lurved Taken. It was very enjoyable novella with one of my favourite m/m couples and even now I selfishly want to read more about them.

I give Taken a B+

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