Review: Taken by the CEO by Lacy Jane

                  

Print Length: 69 pages

Publisher: Lacy Jane (June 3, 2023)

From Goodreads.com: Julian

From the moment I see her, I know that Zoe is the one. After a perfect night together, she disappears, only to finally turn up a month later as my new assistant. Now that I've found her again, I'll do whatever is necessary to keep her; even kidnapping. I'll show her that she is mine, and I'm never letting her go.

Zoe
When I decided I was going to lose my virginity to a stranger, I never would have guessed that it would be with the sexiest man I've ever seen. I walked away, assuming it was just a one night stand. Little did I know, this alpha was already obsessed with me. My parents want me to marry their business partner. Do I make my parents happy or follow my heart?

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My Rating: 1 star out of 5

If you like books with absolutely no plot, just lots and lots of repetitive sex, then this is the book for you! Seriously, it can be read in around an hour or less, so I suppose it is a good way to kill time if you're into that sort of thing. 

Sadly, I am not. 

What I wanted from this novel? A steamy one-night stand to kick things off. But then I wanted to see him actually try and win her over. I wanted to see a relationship develop over the course of time where they actually get to know each other. What their favorite food is, what their pet peeves are, what they are like when they are stressed, etc. With Zoe's parents wanting her to marry their business partner (and seriously, how old is he supposed to be)? I at least expected there to be some conflict from that corner. Perhaps some pushback from the other man threatening to cut business ties with her parents or something. 

What I got? Sixty-nine pages of two people who seemingly know nothing about one another other than they have some really great bedroom compatibility. There is very little dialogue other than him telling her she belongs to him (while having sexy time), her begging him to be harder, faster, Oh GOD YES, and the like. Oh, and let's not forget the very brief scene where his mother pops in on them excited about their news when she knows nothing about the woman her billionaire son claims to be in love with. I'm sorry, but if my son called me infatuated with a one-night stand, I would definitely want to know more about this girl. Is she actually a good person who loves him, or did she take one look at my son and see dollar signs?

Another thing that kills this for me is just how fast this entire story takes place. They have their one-night stand. Then they don't see each other for a month until she just happens to show up as his new assistant. He immediately feels compelled to have sex with her right there in his office, then throws her over his shoulder and carries her out and back to his place. Where they proceed to spend the next week or so banging everywhere and proclaiming their undying love for each other. 

The story itself had the potential to be really good, but this just felt like a highlights reel that someone put together, cutting out everything of substance and just leaving the steamy parts. And again, if you're into that sort of thing, then, by all means, give this one a shot. You might like it more than I did. 

DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.

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                                           Taken by the CEO  is available on Amazon.com

                                                   (for free if you have Kindle Unlimited)