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Wanted #1
Wanted
Considering she’s a girl who calculates everything, Addie Battes knew the statistical probability of being abducted in her lifetime—too bad she never analyzed the odds of falling in love with her captor.
While stopping at a crowded rest area one summer night, seventeen-year-old Addie accidentally catches a truck hijacking in progress. Desperate to rid the crime of its only witness, one of the thieves kidnaps Addie. Yet surprisingly, when a renegade thief attempts to silence her for good, Addie is saved by the very man who abducted her. Now, forced on board a cargo ship in the middle of the ocean, Addie finds herself surrounded by international smugglers who want nothing more than to throw her overboard.
All except the artistic and intriguing Charlie Hays, whose strange protectiveness convinces Addie to trust him, even when common sense tells her otherwise. Yet, despite her doubt, and his unrelenting temper, their relationship develops into something much more. But, Charlie’s scorned colleague has stowed away, and as he seeks revenge against his coworker, Addie and Charlie are forced to put their new love—and lives—at risk.
While stopping at a crowded rest area one summer night, seventeen-year-old Addie accidentally catches a truck hijacking in progress. Desperate to rid the crime of its only witness, one of the thieves kidnaps Addie. Yet surprisingly, when a renegade thief attempts to silence her for good, Addie is saved by the very man who abducted her. Now, forced on board a cargo ship in the middle of the ocean, Addie finds herself surrounded by international smugglers who want nothing more than to throw her overboard.
All except the artistic and intriguing Charlie Hays, whose strange protectiveness convinces Addie to trust him, even when common sense tells her otherwise. Yet, despite her doubt, and his unrelenting temper, their relationship develops into something much more. But, Charlie’s scorned colleague has stowed away, and as he seeks revenge against his coworker, Addie and Charlie are forced to put their new love—and lives—at risk.
346 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 25, 2013
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3,789 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 192 reviews
August 8, 2021
Re read August 2021
August 20, 2013
Great read. Only wish there was more!
August 25, 2013
98.7% of the time this is me while reading this book...
Now I am usually a sucker for a story of nice girl gets kidnapped by brooding hot kidnapper then after a lot of hard work and angst makes said kidnapper change and HEA ... This book gave me asmart stupid girl that gets kidnapped by hillbilly Bob and falls in love after a second. There was almost no angst, it was like reading a book about Addie on vacation. Sigh....
Amazon freebie 6/29/13
Now I am usually a sucker for a story of nice girl gets kidnapped by brooding hot kidnapper then after a lot of hard work and angst makes said kidnapper change and HEA ... This book gave me a
Amazon freebie 6/29/13
May 3, 2013
This one was well worth the wait!
A swashbuckling romance, this read had me on edge the entire time. I was so engrossed within the first couple of pages that I made myself wait to finish so I could enjoy it longer! The author did a pretty good job staying away from character clichés, and the descriptions made me feel like I was right in the middle of everything. I hope there is a sequel!
A swashbuckling romance, this read had me on edge the entire time. I was so engrossed within the first couple of pages that I made myself wait to finish so I could enjoy it longer! The author did a pretty good job staying away from character clichés, and the descriptions made me feel like I was right in the middle of everything. I hope there is a sequel!
May 3, 2013
This was a fantastic read, a lot different from the usual captive/hostage books out there. I loved the elements of action and adventure mixed in with the romance. It was just what I needed to get ready for the summer!
July 2, 2013
Liked the book overall, but......I don't know, there were places that felt too Twilightish, (depression after she is back home being one example), and others that just seemed wrong. Physical attraction does not equal true love. I am very tired of the whole instant love stories for young adults and so called New Adults. What happens in a year or two? That infatuation doesn't last forever!
Reviewing this story in particular, there is just no way that anyone could fall I love with her captor after such a traumatizing event. I just can't buy it; especially in a few days time. And again, even if we suspend reality and just go with it, what happens in a year or two when this seventeen year old from a privileged family realizes that life with a 29 year old wanted felon has some major drawbacks?
Oh, and the age difference alone should raise some questions. twelve years may not mean much when both are experienced adults, but it certainly means something when the girl is 17! Seventeen may be the age of consent, but that doesn't mean it's normal.
Reviewing this story in particular, there is just no way that anyone could fall I love with her captor after such a traumatizing event. I just can't buy it; especially in a few days time. And again, even if we suspend reality and just go with it, what happens in a year or two when this seventeen year old from a privileged family realizes that life with a 29 year old wanted felon has some major drawbacks?
Oh, and the age difference alone should raise some questions. twelve years may not mean much when both are experienced adults, but it certainly means something when the girl is 17! Seventeen may be the age of consent, but that doesn't mean it's normal.
April 27, 2013
another surprise from 2013!!!
man this year has been a series of surprises in form of exceptional books!!
i honestly dint know what i was getting into when i started the book.
i am not even sure why i picked it up
but man o man! m i not extremely glad i did!
i am not going into the details of the story
just think 'classic Stockholm syndrome' while going in
and i must mention, there is something sooo endearing about Charlie, he almost reminds me of Ian Aberdeen from 'Vain'!
like a hulk version of Dijane! :p
at the end of this book i m torn between hoping for a second book so i get to learn the definite end of their story and praying this does not become a series and ruin for me whatever has been shared so far !!
go figure!
o n did i mention this book was clean! like CLEAN!!! could giv the harry potter series a run for its money!:p
also der was a HUGE age difference which for some reason wasn't stressed upon too much!! 12 years isn't exactly insignificant if ask me
All in all, it is a worthwhile read
give it a shot :)
man this year has been a series of surprises in form of exceptional books!!
i honestly dint know what i was getting into when i started the book.
i am not even sure why i picked it up
but man o man! m i not extremely glad i did!
i am not going into the details of the story
just think 'classic Stockholm syndrome' while going in
and i must mention, there is something sooo endearing about Charlie, he almost reminds me of Ian Aberdeen from 'Vain'!
like a hulk version of Dijane! :p
at the end of this book i m torn between hoping for a second book so i get to learn the definite end of their story and praying this does not become a series and ruin for me whatever has been shared so far !!
go figure!
o n did i mention this book was clean! like CLEAN!!! could giv the harry potter series a run for its money!:p
also der was a HUGE age difference which for some reason wasn't stressed upon too much!! 12 years isn't exactly insignificant if ask me
All in all, it is a worthwhile read
give it a shot :)
Shelved as 'consider-later'
June 29, 2013FREE today on Amazon US (6/28/2013).
May 18, 2013
From Meagan @ ! Come check us out.
There was plenty to like within the pages of this book but, while I really wanted to like it, some areas just fell a little flat for me.
Adeline Battes ("Addie") is a typical young-adult protog. She is quiet, unassuming, and prefers studying and reading books over making friends or playing sports. After her mother passed away she took over the household duties and watching over her dad and older brother. Her relationship with her family was enjoyable - they had a fun banter with each other that they used to mask the pain they had experienced together.
On a road-trip back from dropping off her brother for a tour of duty, Addie talks her dad into stopping at a convenience station. As she is waiting in line for a coffee for her dad, she has what I considered to be the most believable chance encounter with a mysterious stranger. She didn't ogle him from a distance with thoughts of their future children running through her head. They didn't stand there mesmerized in each others eyes as the whole rest of the world fell away. No. She didn't even notice him until he whispered something over her shoulder about the book she was currently immersed in. Like most females (especially me) when given some unexpected attention, she was taken aback. Then quickly flattered when deciding he was, in fact, pretty nice to look at. The whole interaction felt real, not forced or contrived.
Then the action starts. Addie, being a curious creature, decides to investigate a strange noise in a poorly lit back parking area - um, excuse me? Why? - and gets herself kidnapped by....Yep, mysterious guy from the waiting line. Otherwise known as Charles ("Charlie") Hayes, wanted felon and known murderer.
I have to pause for a moment and discuss one thing that had me on edge through the whole story. In several places throughout the story, the things Addie is seeing or feeling are described but not really spelled out. I had a really hard time figuring out what was going on in these places. For instance...
This is taken from the part in the story when Addie has been bound and gagged in the cargo area of the kidnappers SUV. Who was breathing? What was the button? It has taken me up until this very moment that the deep inhalation of breath was one of the guys probably lighting a cigarette (they all smoke profusely), the button clicking must be the power windows, and her chest stopped hurting because of the fresh air from the window expelling some of the smoke from the vehicle. Whew....
Huh...what was it?!?! I don't get it! Grrr.....frustrating.
Despite my confusion at some of the story, I was drawn in by the relationship forming between Addie and Charles. I know! I know! He is her kidnapper! I had a hard time getting from the one extreme to the other too. But once I let go of the reality of the situation I was able to just enjoy the wrongness of it. Who hasn't fantasized about a forbidden love? What could be more forbidden than falling in love with your captor. And come on - there are like a hundred movies depicting this very situation!
Once I was finally allowing myself to believe that this type of relationship was possible, I completely fell in love for Charlie. He is the kid from the wrong side of the tracks, the one that had no choice but a life of crime due to his troubled upbringing and sordid past. After meeting Addie, he has the desire to become a better man. If for nothing else, just to be the kind of man that she deserves. Awwwww - come on! My heart is all a flutter!
So while I had some issues with this book and thought there were parts that could have been better, the story and the forbidden love were enough to keep me interested until the very end. There was just the right amount of mystery, romance and, my favorite, "love to hate" characters. Definitely worth picking up for a quick fun read.
There was plenty to like within the pages of this book but, while I really wanted to like it, some areas just fell a little flat for me.
Adeline Battes ("Addie") is a typical young-adult protog. She is quiet, unassuming, and prefers studying and reading books over making friends or playing sports. After her mother passed away she took over the household duties and watching over her dad and older brother. Her relationship with her family was enjoyable - they had a fun banter with each other that they used to mask the pain they had experienced together.
On a road-trip back from dropping off her brother for a tour of duty, Addie talks her dad into stopping at a convenience station. As she is waiting in line for a coffee for her dad, she has what I considered to be the most believable chance encounter with a mysterious stranger. She didn't ogle him from a distance with thoughts of their future children running through her head. They didn't stand there mesmerized in each others eyes as the whole rest of the world fell away. No. She didn't even notice him until he whispered something over her shoulder about the book she was currently immersed in. Like most females (especially me) when given some unexpected attention, she was taken aback. Then quickly flattered when deciding he was, in fact, pretty nice to look at. The whole interaction felt real, not forced or contrived.
Then the action starts. Addie, being a curious creature, decides to investigate a strange noise in a poorly lit back parking area - um, excuse me? Why? - and gets herself kidnapped by....Yep, mysterious guy from the waiting line. Otherwise known as Charles ("Charlie") Hayes, wanted felon and known murderer.
I have to pause for a moment and discuss one thing that had me on edge through the whole story. In several places throughout the story, the things Addie is seeing or feeling are described but not really spelled out. I had a really hard time figuring out what was going on in these places. For instance...
I heard a deep inhalation of breath, then a button clicked, and I felt an eruption of wind blast my neck and shoulder. Within a minute or two, my chest stopped hurting so much and my heartbeat somewhat returned.
This is taken from the part in the story when Addie has been bound and gagged in the cargo area of the kidnappers SUV. Who was breathing? What was the button? It has taken me up until this very moment that the deep inhalation of breath was one of the guys probably lighting a cigarette (they all smoke profusely), the button clicking must be the power windows, and her chest stopped hurting because of the fresh air from the window expelling some of the smoke from the vehicle. Whew....
I pulled myself closer and examined the deformity in an attempt to figure out what it was. Strangely enough, it was misshapen in its center and squared at it's ends. I hadn't noticed it my first time here. As I squinted, I thought I saw smeared red blotches in the center of its core. When I realized what the red was, I was almost in a full-on run to get to the platform.
Huh...what was it?!?! I don't get it! Grrr.....frustrating.
Despite my confusion at some of the story, I was drawn in by the relationship forming between Addie and Charles. I know! I know! He is her kidnapper! I had a hard time getting from the one extreme to the other too. But once I let go of the reality of the situation I was able to just enjoy the wrongness of it. Who hasn't fantasized about a forbidden love? What could be more forbidden than falling in love with your captor. And come on - there are like a hundred movies depicting this very situation!
Once I was finally allowing myself to believe that this type of relationship was possible, I completely fell in love for Charlie. He is the kid from the wrong side of the tracks, the one that had no choice but a life of crime due to his troubled upbringing and sordid past. After meeting Addie, he has the desire to become a better man. If for nothing else, just to be the kind of man that she deserves. Awwwww - come on! My heart is all a flutter!
So while I had some issues with this book and thought there were parts that could have been better, the story and the forbidden love were enough to keep me interested until the very end. There was just the right amount of mystery, romance and, my favorite, "love to hate" characters. Definitely worth picking up for a quick fun read.
April 30, 2013
I've read quite a few 'captive' books but I have to say this is the first one I've read that had no sex in it whatsoever and to be honest it was really refreshing and totally worked on the tame level, it didn't need any steam to keep you captivated. And that surprised me. I was surprised to be so drawn into the story and was cross I read it on my work days so I couldn't devour it in one day, I didn't want to put it down but I had too and that in itself says its a good read. I am actually fluctuating between 4 and 4.5 stars.
Yes there was some little oddities going on in the time line like the name of the captors was apparent before she knew their names, some of it may have been me trying to cram the pages in quick before work called, but I honestly didn't care at the oddities, I was enjoying the story.
I was picturing Charlie and Ben, dear ole Polo and even Reid played his part and he wasn't very endearing. I was in the warehouse, on the ship and on their journey wherever it took them and I really enjoyed the ride. I loved Polo and his completely adolescent ways and his laughter, I was picturing the galley and the haphazard way Polo was feeding them and burning everything, his slightly manical behaviour towards living was fun to watch play out. I found myself endeared towards Charlie, with his character and his speech he was brought to life extremely well, as was Addie, sometimes I forgot she was only 17 but then with her IQ you could understand why.
If I have one gripe about this book I would say I read enough books to find some books a little over descriptive and this sometimes did just that, sometimes the same point was being questioned over and over but with different words and that kinda gets frustrating, so I would ask the author to maybe try and curb a little bit of that if she can, I may very well have been up there with awarding 5 stars if she had in this book.
I wonder at how it was left if there is going to be a book 2 as the story could develop further quite easily and it did end a little suddenly, so maybe that is in Amanda's mind. It certainly wouldn't surprise me if there was a book 2, it's one of those that could go either way, satisfied at one or extend into a second. It's not one of those books that you feel the complete loss of finishing it but it is going to remain with me because of the characters and I will be re-reading this book at some point in the future to refresh myself with them.
Yes there was some little oddities going on in the time line like the name of the captors was apparent before she knew their names, some of it may have been me trying to cram the pages in quick before work called, but I honestly didn't care at the oddities, I was enjoying the story.
I was picturing Charlie and Ben, dear ole Polo and even Reid played his part and he wasn't very endearing. I was in the warehouse, on the ship and on their journey wherever it took them and I really enjoyed the ride. I loved Polo and his completely adolescent ways and his laughter, I was picturing the galley and the haphazard way Polo was feeding them and burning everything, his slightly manical behaviour towards living was fun to watch play out. I found myself endeared towards Charlie, with his character and his speech he was brought to life extremely well, as was Addie, sometimes I forgot she was only 17 but then with her IQ you could understand why.
If I have one gripe about this book I would say I read enough books to find some books a little over descriptive and this sometimes did just that, sometimes the same point was being questioned over and over but with different words and that kinda gets frustrating, so I would ask the author to maybe try and curb a little bit of that if she can, I may very well have been up there with awarding 5 stars if she had in this book.
I wonder at how it was left if there is going to be a book 2 as the story could develop further quite easily and it did end a little suddenly, so maybe that is in Amanda's mind. It certainly wouldn't surprise me if there was a book 2, it's one of those that could go either way, satisfied at one or extend into a second. It's not one of those books that you feel the complete loss of finishing it but it is going to remain with me because of the characters and I will be re-reading this book at some point in the future to refresh myself with them.
May 14, 2013
Wanted is one of those stories that when taken at face value, is hard to imagine oneself liking.
I mean...
1. Sweet sheltered girl gets kidnapped and nearly killed by hardened criminals.
2. The one that she finds herself attracted to is 29 to her 17.
3. His temper is legend, even among his criminal circle.
4. She has never had a boyfriend her own age.
I could go on, but...
There is the intense emotion that these two share, that like love, overwhelms all common sense.
The sheer intensity with which Charlie and Addie cling to the slivers of golden light that their relationship allows to pierce the ever present storm clouds looming over their world; is enough to tickle the fancy of any bad boy loving reader.
They are truly two wounded souls who find solace in each other.
As if that is not enough of an incentive to keep the pages turning. There is the thrill of the chase, both by the cops and a baddie bent on revenge. The uncertainty of Addie's fate when things are over and the question of whether the relationship can and will continue.
The author does such an exemplary job of humanizing the criminal element of this story, that it is difficult as a reader to dislike them.(Wallace being an exception.)
The humanizing effect can also be seen in the fact that Charlie, though clearly flawed and unpolished is extremely intelligent. He quietly demonstrates his ability to match wits with the book-smart Addie time after time.
Addie proves on more than one occasion that she can hold her own in some pretty tough situations.
She actually shows herself to be quite the "Bonnie" to Charlie's "Clide".
Though this book appears to be a stand-alone; here's hoping that there will be further adventures.
June 12, 2013
Its great to take in a new adult read where things actually happen! From the first chapter to the last, I was in love with the characters and their realistic flaws. The action was also a lot of fun! I have high hopes for the next book in the series!
May 16, 2013
I wasn't sure what to expect when I started reading this book. I was worried I'd end up with a weird and unrealistic Stockholm Syndrome relationship. But, I ended up with a great romance that surpassed all constraints. Wanted was a great New Adult read.
I loved the depth to the characters in this book. Not just Addie and Charlie, but the other members of Charlie's smuggling gang.
Addie came off as a bit naive at times, but since she was homeschooled and hadn't had a lot of social experience, it was understandable. She dealt with her odd situation well. I liked her strength in facing the danger she was put in. And I liked that she didn't turn up her nose at Charlie and his friends because of their profession. Her mind works very logically and that allowed her to understand that circumstances are different in the situation Charlie was raised in. I loved that she didn't let anyone run all over her, even when being kidnapped, and that, when she was determined, nothing would stop her. Overall, I liked her character.
Charlie was a complex character. Let's be honest. He's a thief and he's done some terrible things. But, he's not a bad guy. After being pushed around from foster home to foster home, he grew up in a bad area and had to join a gang for his own safety. He ended up in a smuggling business and adapted as best he could. But, essentially, he's a sweet guy. And having Addie around brought out the best in him. I really liked his character.
The romance was okay. It occasionally required some suspension of belief. Though the author did a great job of making sure that it wasn't a Stockholm Syndrome relationship, it went a little to fast to be realistic. For example, as soon as Addie found out that she wasn't going to be hurt, she immediately warmed up to Charlie and acted like they were friends. That probably wouldn't have happened so fast. But, then again, books aren't real so they don't need to mirror reality. So, it was only a minor issue with me, though I know that others might not be as gracious. As for me, other than that one issue, I liked how the romance was done. Charlie and Addie were a sweet couple and I was hoping that they would get a happy ending.
I liked that the other guys in Charlie's gang were complex character. They weren't just a bunch of thieves. They had their own motives and personalities. Like Charlie, they had redeeming qualities that made them likable and I was fond of them regardless of their many illegal activities.
The plot was very fast-paced. I was kept interested the entire way through. There were thrills of danger that kept me on the edge of my seat. And the ending was great. Thought all the loose ends were tied, I still wonder if there will be a sequel, since I felt like there was a lot more to the story. But, we'll see.
Wanted was a wonderful New Adult read. I would be cautious in recommending it to people who are sticklers for realistic romance and totally anti-Stockholm Syndrome situations-you know who you are. But, if you like reading a great romance like I do, you should give this book a read.
*I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review
I loved the depth to the characters in this book. Not just Addie and Charlie, but the other members of Charlie's smuggling gang.
Addie came off as a bit naive at times, but since she was homeschooled and hadn't had a lot of social experience, it was understandable. She dealt with her odd situation well. I liked her strength in facing the danger she was put in. And I liked that she didn't turn up her nose at Charlie and his friends because of their profession. Her mind works very logically and that allowed her to understand that circumstances are different in the situation Charlie was raised in. I loved that she didn't let anyone run all over her, even when being kidnapped, and that, when she was determined, nothing would stop her. Overall, I liked her character.
Charlie was a complex character. Let's be honest. He's a thief and he's done some terrible things. But, he's not a bad guy. After being pushed around from foster home to foster home, he grew up in a bad area and had to join a gang for his own safety. He ended up in a smuggling business and adapted as best he could. But, essentially, he's a sweet guy. And having Addie around brought out the best in him. I really liked his character.
The romance was okay. It occasionally required some suspension of belief. Though the author did a great job of making sure that it wasn't a Stockholm Syndrome relationship, it went a little to fast to be realistic. For example, as soon as Addie found out that she wasn't going to be hurt, she immediately warmed up to Charlie and acted like they were friends. That probably wouldn't have happened so fast. But, then again, books aren't real so they don't need to mirror reality. So, it was only a minor issue with me, though I know that others might not be as gracious. As for me, other than that one issue, I liked how the romance was done. Charlie and Addie were a sweet couple and I was hoping that they would get a happy ending.
I liked that the other guys in Charlie's gang were complex character. They weren't just a bunch of thieves. They had their own motives and personalities. Like Charlie, they had redeeming qualities that made them likable and I was fond of them regardless of their many illegal activities.
The plot was very fast-paced. I was kept interested the entire way through. There were thrills of danger that kept me on the edge of my seat. And the ending was great. Thought all the loose ends were tied, I still wonder if there will be a sequel, since I felt like there was a lot more to the story. But, we'll see.
Wanted was a wonderful New Adult read. I would be cautious in recommending it to people who are sticklers for realistic romance and totally anti-Stockholm Syndrome situations-you know who you are. But, if you like reading a great romance like I do, you should give this book a read.
*I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review
July 2, 2013
"Wanted" is an easy 5 star rating. There's no sex, some kissing, lots of sexual tension and a great story.
Addie is a high IQ, homeschooled 17 year old on her way home with her father from taking her brother back to his base for him to start his second tour of duty. They stop at a rest top and she witnesses a cargo hijacking out of a semi and the hijackers see her. She's kidnapped by them until they can figure out what to do with her, which is probably kill her.
Charlie is one of the hijackers. A foster kid and former inmate found on the streets (where he was an enforcer) by the leader of the hijacking gang, Charlie is now 29 years old, an uneducated southern boy, street smart but with lots of anger and self destructive behaviors taking over his life. Charlie is the one that kidnaps Addie.
For some reason he starts to become very protective of Addie, trying to convince his fellow hijackers to spare her life. Part of this protective strategy ends up with Addie on the container ship taking what was hijacked over to Singapore. While on the container ship Addie and Charlie's tentative relationship when he kidnaps her develops into something more when they are on the ship.
Make no mistake about it. This is a bad gang, they have killed in the past and aren't good guys. They do bad things and have no intention of stopping. Charlie isn't a good guy and he knows it. He hates himself, hates the things he's done, doesn't see anyway out for himself being uneducated and a felon. But he does know he cares very much for Addie.
Addie gets herself into a lot of situations; beatup, almost murdered, lied to, heart broken but she's a smart cookie and figures out what she wants in life even if she is only 17.
A great read that I easily finished in a day.
Addie is a high IQ, homeschooled 17 year old on her way home with her father from taking her brother back to his base for him to start his second tour of duty. They stop at a rest top and she witnesses a cargo hijacking out of a semi and the hijackers see her. She's kidnapped by them until they can figure out what to do with her, which is probably kill her.
Charlie is one of the hijackers. A foster kid and former inmate found on the streets (where he was an enforcer) by the leader of the hijacking gang, Charlie is now 29 years old, an uneducated southern boy, street smart but with lots of anger and self destructive behaviors taking over his life. Charlie is the one that kidnaps Addie.
For some reason he starts to become very protective of Addie, trying to convince his fellow hijackers to spare her life. Part of this protective strategy ends up with Addie on the container ship taking what was hijacked over to Singapore. While on the container ship Addie and Charlie's tentative relationship when he kidnaps her develops into something more when they are on the ship.
Make no mistake about it. This is a bad gang, they have killed in the past and aren't good guys. They do bad things and have no intention of stopping. Charlie isn't a good guy and he knows it. He hates himself, hates the things he's done, doesn't see anyway out for himself being uneducated and a felon. But he does know he cares very much for Addie.
Addie gets herself into a lot of situations; beatup, almost murdered, lied to, heart broken but she's a smart cookie and figures out what she wants in life even if she is only 17.
A great read that I easily finished in a day.
June 29, 2013
FREE on Amazon!
I really enjoy kidnapping books. This one was a little similar to The Breakaway. The cover is a bit wrong for this book though. There is no sex and the cover made me think this would be mature YA or new adult but it is pretty tame. Just kisses. Addie witnesses a crime so Charlie and his gang grab her. They take her on a boat and claim they will let her go at the end of the trip. Charlie protects her and Addie fights it for awhile knowing that they might just be manipulating her. But as she spends more time with Charlie she begins feeling more for him.
I really enjoy kidnapping books. This one was a little similar to The Breakaway. The cover is a bit wrong for this book though. There is no sex and the cover made me think this would be mature YA or new adult but it is pretty tame. Just kisses. Addie witnesses a crime so Charlie and his gang grab her. They take her on a boat and claim they will let her go at the end of the trip. Charlie protects her and Addie fights it for awhile knowing that they might just be manipulating her. But as she spends more time with Charlie she begins feeling more for him.
August 3, 2013
Stockholm Syndrome...or love?
A novel that explores the eternal question: Can you love someone who is bad for you?
As the attraction between Addie and Charlie grows, so does the risk, the danger, the thrill. Is a happy ending possible when the odds are stacked against you?
Abduction.
Corruption.
Seduction.
Like a thief, this novel will steal your attention...and your heart.
A novel that explores the eternal question: Can you love someone who is bad for you?
As the attraction between Addie and Charlie grows, so does the risk, the danger, the thrill. Is a happy ending possible when the odds are stacked against you?
Abduction.
Corruption.
Seduction.
Like a thief, this novel will steal your attention...and your heart.
February 19, 2015
First and foremost, I want to thank Sarah for recommending this book to me! I was in a reading slump, which everyone knows are the absolute worst, and every book that I would try to pick up and read just didn't do it for me. Well, Wanted has cured me of my reading slump as well as introduced me to one of my favorite male characters!
My Rating: 4.95 stars
I had a few problems with this book, but the good definitely outweighs the bad!
REVIEW WILL CONTAIN MILDlabeled SPOILERS!!!
So, we have our characters. Addie. *sighs deeply* I like Addie, but I have to say at times she bugged me. She came across very immature at times. As the story progressed the more I began to really like her. But, right off the bat I adored her relationship with Charlie. Though I would've liked her to have been more resistant towards him at first, it all worked out for the best. I absolutely love them!
And we have Charlie. He's so bad but he's so good at the same time. I just loved him! He's the perfect example of a tortured "hero".
How he's tortured:
And where the hero part comes in:
With all of the bad things he's done, he's very protective of one girl. That same girl who's made him feel things he's never felt before and whom he will stop at nothing to make sure that she's out of harm's way.
What I liked about Charlie is how protective he was of Addie, and how well they got along. They were always smiling and laughing with one another. I loved watching their relationship progress. This was my first captor-captive novel and I had no idea that I would actually be rooting for the kidnapper and the victim to be together.
They're just so good together, regardless of the age difference. I hope they can make their relationship work in the next book.
And last but not least we have Polo and Ben. I absolutely freaking adored Polo! He was always happy-go-lucky and such a positive person to be around. In all honesty, I felt bad by the way he was treated. Sure he's messed up a lot of times(burning food and losing things easily) but he's such a good person. He treated Addie better than all of them. I can't wait to read more about him in the next book.
And Ben. I didn't like him and I really didn't trust him during the majority of them book. But I will say, near the end of the book, he seemed to have some redeeming qualities. I think I will like him a lot better in the next book.
Yuri, Wallace, and Reid don't matter. I have nothing but negative thoughts towards them, so they aren't worth mentioning.
The Plot:
Like I said in the beginning, I wished Addie would've been more uncooperative with Charlie. I felt that she gave in too easily; I wanted her to fight for her freedom more. But other than that, I thought this story had an interesting plot. The story did have some slow paced moments, but what really made this book for me was the interactions between Charlie and Addie. MINI SPOILER!! Charlie's
an artist, and I loved how he would sketch these pictures of her. She felt that the sketchings weren't accurate and made her look better than she actually did, but he told her that was the way he saw her.(END) He made her feel beautiful when she felt like an average girl. She didn't see anything special about her but he did. She would sometimes cover her face or turn to look away whenever he'd do something to make her blush, and one day while she was looking away, he told her how it was the most beautiful thing he's ever seen.
Plus, Charlie has a southern accent, and the more he gets upset the more it comes out. I'm sorry but that just sounds like the cutest thing ever!
Overall: I loved this story and these two as a couple. I'm going to start the next book tomorrow because I need more of them! :)
My Rating: 4.95 stars
I had a few problems with this book, but the good definitely outweighs the bad!
REVIEW WILL CONTAIN MILD
So, we have our characters. Addie. *sighs deeply* I like Addie, but I have to say at times she bugged me. She came across very immature at times. As the story progressed the more I began to really like her. But, right off the bat I adored her relationship with Charlie. Though I would've liked her to have been more resistant towards him at first, it all worked out for the best. I absolutely love them!
And we have Charlie. He's so bad but he's so good at the same time. I just loved him! He's the perfect example of a tortured "hero".
How he's tortured:
And where the hero part comes in:
With all of the bad things he's done, he's very protective of one girl. That same girl who's made him feel things he's never felt before and whom he will stop at nothing to make sure that she's out of harm's way.
"You gotta be the greatest thing I ever stole." (...) "I wish I could keep you."
What I liked about Charlie is how protective he was of Addie, and how well they got along. They were always smiling and laughing with one another. I loved watching their relationship progress. This was my first captor-captive novel and I had no idea that I would actually be rooting for the kidnapper and the victim to be together.
They're just so good together, regardless of the age difference. I hope they can make their relationship work in the next book.
And last but not least we have Polo and Ben. I absolutely freaking adored Polo! He was always happy-go-lucky and such a positive person to be around. In all honesty, I felt bad by the way he was treated. Sure he's messed up a lot of times(burning food and losing things easily) but he's such a good person. He treated Addie better than all of them. I can't wait to read more about him in the next book.
And Ben. I didn't like him and I really didn't trust him during the majority of them book. But I will say, near the end of the book, he seemed to have some redeeming qualities. I think I will like him a lot better in the next book.
Yuri, Wallace, and Reid don't matter. I have nothing but negative thoughts towards them, so they aren't worth mentioning.
The Plot:
Like I said in the beginning, I wished Addie would've been more uncooperative with Charlie. I felt that she gave in too easily; I wanted her to fight for her freedom more. But other than that, I thought this story had an interesting plot. The story did have some slow paced moments, but what really made this book for me was the interactions between Charlie and Addie. MINI SPOILER!! Charlie's
an artist, and I loved how he would sketch these pictures of her. She felt that the sketchings weren't accurate and made her look better than she actually did, but he told her that was the way he saw her.(END) He made her feel beautiful when she felt like an average girl. She didn't see anything special about her but he did. She would sometimes cover her face or turn to look away whenever he'd do something to make her blush, and one day while she was looking away, he told her how it was the most beautiful thing he's ever seen.
Plus, Charlie has a southern accent, and the more he gets upset the more it comes out. I'm sorry but that just sounds like the cutest thing ever!
Overall: I loved this story and these two as a couple. I'm going to start the next book tomorrow because I need more of them! :)
May 20, 2013
- Review from
The first time I ever read the blurb for a book about a kidnapped victim falling for her captor i was a little shocked and very apprehensive, I literally had no idea how that could work but I am a person who is willing to give everything a try at least once and you know what? I actually found that this story line could work and not only that but it could be amazing! So if you are reading the blurb of this book and feeling a little unsure then give it a shot.
"I wanted to look away, I couldn't manage it. Briefly, I was reminded of the eyes of road kill or frogs that get dissected in science labs. Like them, his glare towards me was indifferent and empty. I'm not embarrassed to say the lack of human acknowledgement in the moment frightened me more than anything else so far."
This is a story about Addie Battes who is the witness to a hijacking and subsequently taken to keep her silent - alone, scared and frightened the last thing she expected was for one of the captors to silence her forever and another to come to her rescue. Enter Charlie Hayes, unsure as to why this man is trying to help her Addie begins to trust him and that only increases as they find themselves on the run and aboard a cargo ship.
"I was overwhelmed with Charlie's open fondness for me. It caused a feeling of warmth in me. While I had always been a member of a loving family, it had never been an expressive one, and now someone who I cared for immensely brought no hesitation to the table to show those same emotions toward me.
What would you do if you started to fall for someone you shouldn't? What would you do if that person was someone you should be afraid of? Can you really fall in love with someone who has taken you against your will - or is Stockholm as powerful as they say.
"Once more our lips collided and sent me gliding across the surf. It started out simple and tender, but the current took us both within a matter of seconds and we became like two desperate swimmers, reaching out for more."
You want to hate Charlie for what he has done, but instead you will find yourself taking into consideration what he has been through and getting to know him as a person which changed your outlook on the situation.
This is a very fast paced book that will require your full attention and by the end of the book you will see that the attention is well deserved. There is a lot of character growth and personally I love seeing that in a book, being able to watch someone evolve into a new person captivates me and will also make a story even better.
This is not your conventional love story and it goes against social normality but it is written in a daring a thought provoking plot that is designed to challenge your every day conceptions of normality. This is a story unlike most books but it is worth giving it a shot and seeing what conclusion you come to.
Rating: 4/5 Stars
I received Wanted as part of the YA Bound Blog Tour.
The first time I ever read the blurb for a book about a kidnapped victim falling for her captor i was a little shocked and very apprehensive, I literally had no idea how that could work but I am a person who is willing to give everything a try at least once and you know what? I actually found that this story line could work and not only that but it could be amazing! So if you are reading the blurb of this book and feeling a little unsure then give it a shot.
"I wanted to look away, I couldn't manage it. Briefly, I was reminded of the eyes of road kill or frogs that get dissected in science labs. Like them, his glare towards me was indifferent and empty. I'm not embarrassed to say the lack of human acknowledgement in the moment frightened me more than anything else so far."
This is a story about Addie Battes who is the witness to a hijacking and subsequently taken to keep her silent - alone, scared and frightened the last thing she expected was for one of the captors to silence her forever and another to come to her rescue. Enter Charlie Hayes, unsure as to why this man is trying to help her Addie begins to trust him and that only increases as they find themselves on the run and aboard a cargo ship.
"I was overwhelmed with Charlie's open fondness for me. It caused a feeling of warmth in me. While I had always been a member of a loving family, it had never been an expressive one, and now someone who I cared for immensely brought no hesitation to the table to show those same emotions toward me.
What would you do if you started to fall for someone you shouldn't? What would you do if that person was someone you should be afraid of? Can you really fall in love with someone who has taken you against your will - or is Stockholm as powerful as they say.
"Once more our lips collided and sent me gliding across the surf. It started out simple and tender, but the current took us both within a matter of seconds and we became like two desperate swimmers, reaching out for more."
You want to hate Charlie for what he has done, but instead you will find yourself taking into consideration what he has been through and getting to know him as a person which changed your outlook on the situation.
This is a very fast paced book that will require your full attention and by the end of the book you will see that the attention is well deserved. There is a lot of character growth and personally I love seeing that in a book, being able to watch someone evolve into a new person captivates me and will also make a story even better.
This is not your conventional love story and it goes against social normality but it is written in a daring a thought provoking plot that is designed to challenge your every day conceptions of normality. This is a story unlike most books but it is worth giving it a shot and seeing what conclusion you come to.
Rating: 4/5 Stars
I received Wanted as part of the YA Bound Blog Tour.
January 16, 2016
This author is new to me as such I had no idea what I would be getting myself into. I was intrigued by the premise of the story, hence my decision to read this title. This was my first time reading a captive/hostage story and I was eager to see the angle that the author would take. I was hoping to like this story; however there were moments when I found the story dull in some areas. Basically, it was not the exciting and gripping read I was expecting.
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Wanted centres on Charles Hays and Adeline Battes. Adeline aka Addie and her father on a return home stopped at a convenience store to get some coffee. While there, Addie unwittingly walked in on a crime in progress. This led to her being kidnapped and held hostage by a gang of criminals. Charles aka Charlie, who is responsible for Addie being kidnapped is determined to keep her safe. I found his actions a bit strange; however, as the story progressed his need to protect her became clear.
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Initially, Addie is wary of Charlie, however, when she realizes that his desire to protect her was genuine she let her guard down and began to trust him. I had difficulty wrapping my head around the idea of her falling in love with a known criminal in such a short space of time. It is evident that she is conflicted about her feelings and not sure how to deal with them.
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She is a 17 year old who has been home schooled most of her life and never had much social interaction. She has no experience when it came to relationships, hence her struggle with her feelings. She may be book smart, but she was not street smart.
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Charley was drawn to Addie before the kidnapping so it was understandable why he is determined to keep her safe. However, his desire to protect her would lead to conflict between him and his partners. He did not have an easy life growing up. He was abandoned by his parents and spent most of his life in foster care. He has deep rooted issues that are likely to be the reason why he has embarked on a life of crime.
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These two are complete opposites, but they are able to find a common ground in their love for each other.
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Based on the cover one would expect that this story would have some steamy love scenes. This however was not the case. This book is squeaky clean. Personally for me this was not an issue. My disappointment with this story stemmed from the author’s decision to take a long winded route to get her point across. This led to the story dragging in some areas.
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In spite of this I kept reading because I wanted to find out if it was possible for these two to have a future together. While I may not have gotten the story I was hoping for I liked it enough to recommend it to readers who may find this type of story engaging and entertaining.
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Wanted centres on Charles Hays and Adeline Battes. Adeline aka Addie and her father on a return home stopped at a convenience store to get some coffee. While there, Addie unwittingly walked in on a crime in progress. This led to her being kidnapped and held hostage by a gang of criminals. Charles aka Charlie, who is responsible for Addie being kidnapped is determined to keep her safe. I found his actions a bit strange; however, as the story progressed his need to protect her became clear.
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Initially, Addie is wary of Charlie, however, when she realizes that his desire to protect her was genuine she let her guard down and began to trust him. I had difficulty wrapping my head around the idea of her falling in love with a known criminal in such a short space of time. It is evident that she is conflicted about her feelings and not sure how to deal with them.
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She is a 17 year old who has been home schooled most of her life and never had much social interaction. She has no experience when it came to relationships, hence her struggle with her feelings. She may be book smart, but she was not street smart.
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Charley was drawn to Addie before the kidnapping so it was understandable why he is determined to keep her safe. However, his desire to protect her would lead to conflict between him and his partners. He did not have an easy life growing up. He was abandoned by his parents and spent most of his life in foster care. He has deep rooted issues that are likely to be the reason why he has embarked on a life of crime.
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These two are complete opposites, but they are able to find a common ground in their love for each other.
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Based on the cover one would expect that this story would have some steamy love scenes. This however was not the case. This book is squeaky clean. Personally for me this was not an issue. My disappointment with this story stemmed from the author’s decision to take a long winded route to get her point across. This led to the story dragging in some areas.
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In spite of this I kept reading because I wanted to find out if it was possible for these two to have a future together. While I may not have gotten the story I was hoping for I liked it enough to recommend it to readers who may find this type of story engaging and entertaining.
July 1, 2013
Due to the age of the girl, this book being a clean read, and a select few curse words, I would have to say this book was in the Mature YA genre.
I was pleasantly surprised with this story as it was nothing like I had expected it to be. I quite enjoyed it.
What I loved about this book:
1. Fast paced
2. Reid, Ben, Polo and Charlie. They made up a brotherhood, a family. They grew on me a lot.
3. The relationship that grows between Addie and Charlie.
4. Clean love story
5. This book held my attention very well.
6. The loving, protective, gentle side of Charlie's character.
Charlie was much older than I had anticipated. (I'm not one for age differences, however, it worked and I was quickly sucked in and forgetting all about their age difference.)
He wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed, but boy could this man draw beautiful photos. He's talented, has a sense of humor, and sometimes appeared to be on the immature side. He was also very protective, caring and gentle with Addie.
Addie was very young but very wise and seemed much older for her age. She was a very smart girl who was home schooled, graduated early and is a college freshman. She's a tad immature herself at times however, she was also at time the voice of reason.
Addie and Charlie fall for each other quickly and build a relationship of trust in the beginning. They first meet at a rest/gas station stop. Later she hears something then decides to investigate which leads her to see something that ultimately puts her in the harmful situation she ends up in. Charlie is smitten with her from the start however, not everyone is happy she's there. She finds her self out to sea with these men for about a week as they need to make a delivery drop off. This is where Charlie and Addie get to really know each other. They also are unaware of the danger that's lurking on board until it strikes them closer to port. Addie finds her self in a few almost death situations through out the week, and Charlie is the one to always save the day until he truly needs Addie to save him.
These two ultimately save each other in other ways. But can they truly be together? With their age difference, his criminal career, and the FBI on their tale...can they find happily ever after?
I'm seriously looking forward to the sequel for this book.
I was pleasantly surprised with this story as it was nothing like I had expected it to be. I quite enjoyed it.
What I loved about this book:
1. Fast paced
2. Reid, Ben, Polo and Charlie. They made up a brotherhood, a family. They grew on me a lot.
3. The relationship that grows between Addie and Charlie.
4. Clean love story
5. This book held my attention very well.
6. The loving, protective, gentle side of Charlie's character.
Charlie was much older than I had anticipated. (I'm not one for age differences, however, it worked and I was quickly sucked in and forgetting all about their age difference.)
He wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed, but boy could this man draw beautiful photos. He's talented, has a sense of humor, and sometimes appeared to be on the immature side. He was also very protective, caring and gentle with Addie.
Addie was very young but very wise and seemed much older for her age. She was a very smart girl who was home schooled, graduated early and is a college freshman. She's a tad immature herself at times however, she was also at time the voice of reason.
Addie and Charlie fall for each other quickly and build a relationship of trust in the beginning. They first meet at a rest/gas station stop. Later she hears something then decides to investigate which leads her to see something that ultimately puts her in the harmful situation she ends up in. Charlie is smitten with her from the start however, not everyone is happy she's there. She finds her self out to sea with these men for about a week as they need to make a delivery drop off. This is where Charlie and Addie get to really know each other. They also are unaware of the danger that's lurking on board until it strikes them closer to port. Addie finds her self in a few almost death situations through out the week, and Charlie is the one to always save the day until he truly needs Addie to save him.
These two ultimately save each other in other ways. But can they truly be together? With their age difference, his criminal career, and the FBI on their tale...can they find happily ever after?
I'm seriously looking forward to the sequel for this book.
May 15, 2013
Can I just say AMAZING simply Amazing story that had me on the edge of my seat! Action packed and emotionally raw this book left me breathless and left my head with book fuzzies. Lord you read about cases where the someone has been kidnapped and they fall in love with the kidnapper but Wanted is so much more of a story.It is about two broken souls who find each other in the midst of some bad things and fall in love and no it is not instant love but something that develops over time for them. They get to know one another even though he has kidnapped her but there is something to be said about her kidnapper because another guy the kidnapper enemy tries to kill Addie and Charlie saves her.
Addie is your average 17 year old hanging out doing nothing when she goes to a rest area and sees a hijacking taking place.One of the hijackers sees her and decides he wants no witnesses left so he kidnaps her and takes her on the cargo ship carrying the merchandise they just stole. If things could not get worse for poor Addie her kidnapper's enemy tries to kill her and Charlie her kidnapper saves her from him. That is when Addie realizes that Charlie may not be the bad guy after all. Her feelings are conflicted but she feels safe strangely enough with Charlies protection.
Charlie is an angry man and has a bad bad temper but when it comes to Addie something happened to him and his protection instincts kicked off and he had to protect her. In the process of protecting her he starts to feel for her and he is not sure why he feels for her. He doesn't do relationships he does himself but something about Addie is changing him. But as things heat up between him and Addie things also get heated between another one of the kidnappers and that kidnapper wants to hurt Charlie so he figures he will take out Addie and exact his revenge on Charlie.
What the Charlie's enemy forgot was that love is a very strong emotion and it will make you do crazy things and Charlie will do anything to keep Addie safe and in his arms. This is a must read for the summer time. Lord you will not be able to put it down once you start reading it. Kudos to Amanda for writing a clean book. I love my twisted books but this story is on my top 5 books for 2013!
Addie is your average 17 year old hanging out doing nothing when she goes to a rest area and sees a hijacking taking place.One of the hijackers sees her and decides he wants no witnesses left so he kidnaps her and takes her on the cargo ship carrying the merchandise they just stole. If things could not get worse for poor Addie her kidnapper's enemy tries to kill her and Charlie her kidnapper saves her from him. That is when Addie realizes that Charlie may not be the bad guy after all. Her feelings are conflicted but she feels safe strangely enough with Charlies protection.
Charlie is an angry man and has a bad bad temper but when it comes to Addie something happened to him and his protection instincts kicked off and he had to protect her. In the process of protecting her he starts to feel for her and he is not sure why he feels for her. He doesn't do relationships he does himself but something about Addie is changing him. But as things heat up between him and Addie things also get heated between another one of the kidnappers and that kidnapper wants to hurt Charlie so he figures he will take out Addie and exact his revenge on Charlie.
What the Charlie's enemy forgot was that love is a very strong emotion and it will make you do crazy things and Charlie will do anything to keep Addie safe and in his arms. This is a must read for the summer time. Lord you will not be able to put it down once you start reading it. Kudos to Amanda for writing a clean book. I love my twisted books but this story is on my top 5 books for 2013!
May 9, 2013
First off I say read it! This was a great read, I loved the characters and everything about this book. I feel the song Home by Mumford & Sons felt like this book. I thought of this one verse in particular. “Wrap up your questions, keep them down Let the water lead us home. And I was sorry for what I'd done. And you were young I was not old, but our story was not told, torn apart by greedy hand�.
This book saved me from a melt down with finals, so that alone should give it 4 stars. It was a really good read, the only reason I didn’t finish it in a day was for studying. Otherwise I would have read this book in one sitting. I love those kind of books, that just takes your mind off of everything and you can escape into them. I was able to completely get away and be in a different word.
This book was like a good song, I keep replaying it over and over in my head. I have read stories similar before, and while worry about the relationship with the victim and the captor I just really liked this one. There is a lot of things this book leaves you feeling and wondering, and hoping. I really enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. While there were little things about this book that bugged me like the fact that Addie was pretty smitten with Charlie right away, it still ended up being worth it. Addie knew it was wrong and was fighting her attraction to Charlie. In the beginning I think she would have been more afraid of Charlie then she was, however we soon learn that she isn’t wrong and her gut was right about trusting Charlie. This is a book that will keep you hooked until there is no more and you need more! I only wish I didn’t read this so soon, because I will be wanted more�. Like NOW.
My advice, Read it!
This book saved me from a melt down with finals, so that alone should give it 4 stars. It was a really good read, the only reason I didn’t finish it in a day was for studying. Otherwise I would have read this book in one sitting. I love those kind of books, that just takes your mind off of everything and you can escape into them. I was able to completely get away and be in a different word.
This book was like a good song, I keep replaying it over and over in my head. I have read stories similar before, and while worry about the relationship with the victim and the captor I just really liked this one. There is a lot of things this book leaves you feeling and wondering, and hoping. I really enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. While there were little things about this book that bugged me like the fact that Addie was pretty smitten with Charlie right away, it still ended up being worth it. Addie knew it was wrong and was fighting her attraction to Charlie. In the beginning I think she would have been more afraid of Charlie then she was, however we soon learn that she isn’t wrong and her gut was right about trusting Charlie. This is a book that will keep you hooked until there is no more and you need more! I only wish I didn’t read this so soon, because I will be wanted more�. Like NOW.
My advice, Read it!
May 10, 2013
Wanted was an entertaining and engrossing read about a captive that falls in love with her captor. I thought a few things were a little odd about the development of the romance, but I think the characterizations were strong enough that I was able to buy into it.
There was a lot of action in Wanted and I loved the fast pace of the book. Addie is taken by a group of men at a truck stop after she witnesses an armed robbery. During her initial captivity, one of the men tries to off her and she finds an unlikely savior in one of the kidnappers. The action continues as Addie is smuggled onto a ship and taken across international waters by the criminals.
Addie and Charlie were very well developed characters. The story is told from the POV of Addie and although I couldn’t completely understand her actions, I could empathize. Addie is pretty sheltered and naïve at the beginning of her ordeal and it was good to see her grow as a character. Charlie was damaged and something about him appealed to Addie’s need to be a caretaker.
The romance was hard for me to wrap my head around. I always have a tough time with these captive/captor love stories and Wanted was no exception. I just didn’t expect Addie’s feelings to develop as quickly as they did and I didn’t really see what she found so attractive about Charlie initially. He’s violent, arrogant and a chain-smoker and I just didn’t see what would make her so hot for him before she got to know him as a person.
All in all, the action was what I really loved about Wanted and I couldn’t wait to see how the story was resolved. I highly recommend this to fans of New Adult romances with a twist.
Rating: 4/5 Stars
I received Wanted as part of the YA Bound Blog Tour.
There was a lot of action in Wanted and I loved the fast pace of the book. Addie is taken by a group of men at a truck stop after she witnesses an armed robbery. During her initial captivity, one of the men tries to off her and she finds an unlikely savior in one of the kidnappers. The action continues as Addie is smuggled onto a ship and taken across international waters by the criminals.
Addie and Charlie were very well developed characters. The story is told from the POV of Addie and although I couldn’t completely understand her actions, I could empathize. Addie is pretty sheltered and naïve at the beginning of her ordeal and it was good to see her grow as a character. Charlie was damaged and something about him appealed to Addie’s need to be a caretaker.
The romance was hard for me to wrap my head around. I always have a tough time with these captive/captor love stories and Wanted was no exception. I just didn’t expect Addie’s feelings to develop as quickly as they did and I didn’t really see what she found so attractive about Charlie initially. He’s violent, arrogant and a chain-smoker and I just didn’t see what would make her so hot for him before she got to know him as a person.
All in all, the action was what I really loved about Wanted and I couldn’t wait to see how the story was resolved. I highly recommend this to fans of New Adult romances with a twist.
Rating: 4/5 Stars
I received Wanted as part of the YA Bound Blog Tour.
July 1, 2013
2.5-3*** I really was hoping to love this, but it just was a little flat for me. I had high hopes based on the cover, and the story idea was intriguing to me, but I found myself kind if unsettled.
Addie Bates is abducted from a rest stop when she walks into the middle of a crime. she is held hostage by a group of criminals who don't know what to do with her...but Charlie, one of the thieves, seems to have a need to protect her. thus begins her journey as a "prisoner" only to be a stow-away on a ship who becomes friendly with her captors. at 17 she even falls for the 29 yr old Charlie, who is equally taken with her.
there were parts of this read that would suck me in, then just fizzle out. I felt as if Addie and Charlie could be so much more, but it was just a little too sweet...he's an admitted killer, yet he's a pansy around her, lol! also, i still do not understand what exactly was being stolen, or who exactly the theives were...and when it seemed as if I was about to get some answers, it was over, and not really concluded in my mind. overall I just thought it was lacking something.
Addie Bates is abducted from a rest stop when she walks into the middle of a crime. she is held hostage by a group of criminals who don't know what to do with her...but Charlie, one of the thieves, seems to have a need to protect her. thus begins her journey as a "prisoner" only to be a stow-away on a ship who becomes friendly with her captors. at 17 she even falls for the 29 yr old Charlie, who is equally taken with her.
there were parts of this read that would suck me in, then just fizzle out. I felt as if Addie and Charlie could be so much more, but it was just a little too sweet...he's an admitted killer, yet he's a pansy around her, lol! also, i still do not understand what exactly was being stolen, or who exactly the theives were...and when it seemed as if I was about to get some answers, it was over, and not really concluded in my mind. overall I just thought it was lacking something.
September 5, 2013
The book was totally unlikeable, I mean, the knapping, the sexy thief who is dark and also cute, the ‘genius� who never had a romantic relationship before falling in love with her abductor, but put together they somehow worked.
I was a little put off that Addie didn`t seem particularly concerned about Charlie`s violence and 'career'. It`s not as if I wouldn`t be able to forgive someone who commit what he did in the past and now redeemed oneself because of it. It`s really that, although Charlie seemed to suffer from his past, he was still a convicted felon, he would do all he did in the past again if need be and Abbie wasn`t much disturbed by it since she didn`t want to see Charlie in jail,so yeah, low point...
The age difference some might comment but to me it didn`t make a big difference. Abbie was 17, which is young, but she`s very mature for her age while Charlie is 29 but he never really struck me at being this age...
Anyway, the characters and the story were very nice, if not a little unbelievable, and I can see a lot of people liking this book (I was one of them) and equally a lot of people not. So... read at your own risk.
I was a little put off that Addie didn`t seem particularly concerned about Charlie`s violence and 'career'. It`s not as if I wouldn`t be able to forgive someone who commit what he did in the past and now redeemed oneself because of it. It`s really that, although Charlie seemed to suffer from his past, he was still a convicted felon, he would do all he did in the past again if need be and Abbie wasn`t much disturbed by it since she didn`t want to see Charlie in jail,so yeah, low point...
The age difference some might comment but to me it didn`t make a big difference. Abbie was 17, which is young, but she`s very mature for her age while Charlie is 29 but he never really struck me at being this age...
Anyway, the characters and the story were very nice, if not a little unbelievable, and I can see a lot of people liking this book (I was one of them) and equally a lot of people not. So... read at your own risk.
May 5, 2013
Yelp..This Read took me ToTaly by Surprise!! Loved the Whole Story!! More than just a Romance Book!! Charlie and Addie were such Great Characters!! Charlie is My New BOOK BOYFRIEND!! Addie wasnt a Slouch Either!! Loved her TOO!! The Secondary Characters were well Rounded also , and they all Deserve another BOOK!! Hoping Amanda continues this Book with a Sequel ...Wishing for it!! 5 Stars for me for SURE!!
May 26, 2014
I liked the fact that this book had a very strong start. Even though Addie explains the details of her past,she tells just enough for the readers to understand her life and at the same time not get bored. The action doesn't take long to start and the story keeps evolving with fast pace throughout the book. There is of course a few lovely moments when the main character slow down for a bit and the reader has the chance to enjoy the romance between Addie and Charlie when that happens.
July 8, 2013
I feel much better about this book knowing there will be a sequel. If not I think I would have been pretty mad about it. The writing was great and the story line was unique. At first I was a little disgusted with Charlie and I could not understand what Addie was thinking?!? I'm not sure how a future will possibly work for these two but I can't wait to read the next one and find out.
October 4, 2013
This book was an emotional roller-coaster, and I loved every minute of it! I can't wait for the sequel!
May 14, 2013
Wanted, by Amanda Lance was a thrill ride of a story. It held my attention from start to finish, and was such an action-packed, fast-past story, full of surprises! The main character, Addie, was abducted at a gas station stop, when she was in the wrong place, at the wrong time! She ends up getting to know her captors well, and falls in love with the man that actually took her, Charlie. This was the first story I've ever read where a victim falls in love with her captor. Therefore, my curiosity was piqued, and I was interested to see how the story would play out, and if it would be believable. Addie, was a well-adjusted person, who came from a loving environment, and a tight-knit family. Her mother died recently of cancer, her brother was being deployed for the second time with the army, and that just left Addie, who took care of her dad. She was mature for her age, took care of the cooking, cleaning, laundry, and shouldered a great deal of responsibility. Therefore, at the beginning, I couldn't see how she could possibly fall for her captor, (being of sound body and mind.) However, as the story progressed, I was able to see how Addie, and Charlie fell for one another. For one thing, there was a lot more to Charlie than him just being a criminal. He also became her biggest protector, and defender. Addie brought out a softer, more caring, compassionate, and nurturing side to Charlie.
Wanted was filled with so much action, and suspense, that there was never a dull moment. I easily pictured all of the characters from the sadistic Wallace, to the angry Reid, to the fun-loving, and developmentally slow Polo, to the well dressed, and controlled Ben. All of the characters took on a life of their own, and they were like a family, (with the exception of Wallace.) I was able to picture them from the excellent physical descriptions, and there personalities really came to life for me. Charlie was a really complex character. I enjoyed the fact that the author did not make him all bad, or all good. I was really able to see him for who he really was, as Addie did. I did think that Addie was a bit naive, gullible, and foolish. However, she was young, (17) had no experience with guys, and had never been in love before.
I recommend Wanted, by Amanda Lance for a fast paced, action packed, suspense filled, thrill ride of a story! I enjoyed reading this book, and think it is a great pick for reader's that are looking for a unique, and unconventional, contemporary romance. I give this story 4 on the edge of your seat, adventurous, non-stop action-packed Stars!
My Favorite Quotes:
"I wanted to look away, I couldn't manage it. Briefly, I was reminded of the eyes of road kill or frogs that get dissected in science labs. Like them, his glare towards me was indifferent and empty. I'm not embarrassed to say the lack of human acknowledgement in the moment frightened me more than anything else so far." (EARC, 23)
"Once more our lips collided and sent me gliding across the surf. It started out simple and tender, but the current took us both within a matter of seconds and we became like two desperate swimmers, reaching out for more." (EARC, 121)
"I was overwhelmed with Charlie's open fondness for me. It caused a feeling of warmth in me. While I had always been a member of a loving family, it had never been an expressive one, and now someone who I cared for immensely brought no hesitation to the table to show those same emotions toward me. (EARC, 161)
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Wanted was filled with so much action, and suspense, that there was never a dull moment. I easily pictured all of the characters from the sadistic Wallace, to the angry Reid, to the fun-loving, and developmentally slow Polo, to the well dressed, and controlled Ben. All of the characters took on a life of their own, and they were like a family, (with the exception of Wallace.) I was able to picture them from the excellent physical descriptions, and there personalities really came to life for me. Charlie was a really complex character. I enjoyed the fact that the author did not make him all bad, or all good. I was really able to see him for who he really was, as Addie did. I did think that Addie was a bit naive, gullible, and foolish. However, she was young, (17) had no experience with guys, and had never been in love before.
I recommend Wanted, by Amanda Lance for a fast paced, action packed, suspense filled, thrill ride of a story! I enjoyed reading this book, and think it is a great pick for reader's that are looking for a unique, and unconventional, contemporary romance. I give this story 4 on the edge of your seat, adventurous, non-stop action-packed Stars!
My Favorite Quotes:
"I wanted to look away, I couldn't manage it. Briefly, I was reminded of the eyes of road kill or frogs that get dissected in science labs. Like them, his glare towards me was indifferent and empty. I'm not embarrassed to say the lack of human acknowledgement in the moment frightened me more than anything else so far." (EARC, 23)
"Once more our lips collided and sent me gliding across the surf. It started out simple and tender, but the current took us both within a matter of seconds and we became like two desperate swimmers, reaching out for more." (EARC, 121)
"I was overwhelmed with Charlie's open fondness for me. It caused a feeling of warmth in me. While I had always been a member of a loving family, it had never been an expressive one, and now someone who I cared for immensely brought no hesitation to the table to show those same emotions toward me. (EARC, 161)
For more Book Reviews, Visit A Bookish Escape at
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