The synopsis:

ABDUCTION.

SEDUCTION.
You’re used to buying whatever you want, but you can’t buy me…how do I resist the magnetism of your body, the longing ache deep inside me? I want you to take me—on my terms.
DESPERATION.
Every attempt you make to love me only hurts me. How can we go on like this?
This is the story of how I was TAKEN.

Rachael DeSalvo cares for those she loves with no regard for what she needs from them in return. When her father dies, her mother’s emotional dependency becomes overbearing. Unable to leave her distressed mother, Rachael turns down her dream job with Rocha Enterprises.

Billionaire real estate mogul, Merrick Rocha, knows what motivates people and what buttons to push to get what he wants. When the perfect project manager candidate turns down his job offer, it drives him mad. Three months of watching Rachael from afar has him more determined than ever to have her—for much, much more than an employee.

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Neda’s review:

Definition of Stockholm syndrome: An extraordinary phenomenon in which a hostage begins to identify with and grow sympathetic to their captor. Named for an episode that occurred in Stockholm in August, 1973 when an armed Swedish robber took some bank workers captive, held them for six days and stole their hearts.

I am going to start by saying I am a sucker for any love story that examines the psyche. “Taken” by Kelli Maine is a voyage of psychological discovery  involving two broken and lost individuals, Rachael and Merrick.   To be honest at first while reading the book I would roll my eyes and just continuously say ” oh come on, really. People are so not going to buy this”. But let me tell you Ms. Maine sold this reader, hook line and sinker.

The story begins for me with these words. ” No more words.   No more lights.  No more sound.  Just like that-I am taken”.   Soon after this point we delve into the beginning of the relationship between these two characters. This is where it becomes interesting for me personally. I tend not to be a fan of crazy men, let’s face it…a man that steals a women and holds her captive because he is romantically interested in her is… well a little unstable. I however developed “Stockholm syndrome ” right along with Rachael.

I Love Merrick, that is right, adore him so much. Yes, I know my  logically real life brain says ummm he is a stalker/kidnapper, but this is a work of fiction and good works of fiction let you have a fantasy. As far as fantasies go Merrick is one sexy leading man.  If you are a fan of Christian Gray, or Gideon Cross  you will develop a fondness for him as well.   Broken, kind, lost, sexy as all get out, and a little dangerous ( what is there not to like?).

One thing I absolutely loved about this book was Ms. Maine’s choice of point of view. It is written in the first person, but in an almost letter style.  It reads as a  letter from Rachel to Merrick, depicting their voyage.   I remember reading another book a few years ago in a similar style and I loved it. It is almost like a love letter.

Here is my “parental advisory”. This book has steam, some uncomfortable moments, some shockers but all on all it was a wonderful journey.  I would recommend this to anyone who has a love for strong yet broken Alpha men. Oh, and did I mention it is the first of a series, because it is. Yup that is right,  more Merrick.

I give Taken 4 stars.