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3.45 AVERAGE
3.45 AVERAGE
DNF
When I previewed this from the library, I thought it was going to be a dystopian romance that was a bit dirty and raunchy at times judging by the first couple chapters. Nope. Misjudged by quite a long shot. Far too erotic for my senses.
When I previewed this from the library, I thought it was going to be a dystopian romance that was a bit dirty and raunchy at times judging by the first couple chapters. Nope. Misjudged by quite a long shot. Far too erotic for my senses.
LOVED this book. Elle Kennedy has created an amazing dystopian world that was super fun and sexy to dive into! Really looking forward to book 2!
Dystopian action erotica with flawed hero and kick-arse heroine? Yes, please!
3.25 stars.
While I read through this fairly quickly whenever I had the chance to pick it up, I had some problems with it that kept it from being great for me.
First off I love Elle Kennedy, I will read anything she writes whether it's alone or with a partner I will buy it and read it. But this is the first (and hopefully only) book where I didn't feel a strong connection to the characters or the story.
Going into Claimed, I knew there would be a lot of sex, both from reviews and the back blurb. I was ready for it and wanting it. However I think I was also expecting that it would just be Connor and Hudson, but there were one or two scenes where other people in the Outlaw group were being watched and then Rylan (who I loved) would also occasionally get together with Connor and Hudson. I'm not a huge fan of threesomes/moresomes. Sometimes I do seek them out but it's rare, so that threw me off a bit.
I didn't love Connor, he was alright but I definitely wasn't swooning over him. There were two incidents that annoyed me and turned me off toward him. The first And the second incident
So the first half of this book for me was between a 2.5 stars and 3 stars. The second half was better at a solid 4 stars.
I will continue with the series, since I now know what to expect from it but I'll only reach for it when I won't mind if there's a threesome/moresome somewhere in it.
While I read through this fairly quickly whenever I had the chance to pick it up, I had some problems with it that kept it from being great for me.
First off I love Elle Kennedy, I will read anything she writes whether it's alone or with a partner I will buy it and read it. But this is the first (and hopefully only) book where I didn't feel a strong connection to the characters or the story.
Going into Claimed, I knew there would be a lot of sex, both from reviews and the back blurb. I was ready for it and wanting it. However I think I was also expecting that it would just be Connor and Hudson, but there were one or two scenes where other people in the Outlaw group were being watched and then Rylan (who I loved) would also occasionally get together with Connor and Hudson. I'm not a huge fan of threesomes/moresomes. Sometimes I do seek them out but it's rare, so that threw me off a bit.
I didn't love Connor, he was alright but I definitely wasn't swooning over him. There were two incidents that annoyed me and turned me off toward him. The first
Spoiler
even though at this point Hudson and Connor are not together, there was clear attraction between them, and they were in each other's orbit enough for me to form the idea of "they are almost together" and at almost 100 pages in, after he dirty talked her into coming in front of a room full of people he leaves her and goes has sex with Nell. While he wasn't in a relationship with Hudson, it still left a bad taste in my mouth and I wasn't rooting for Connor and Hudson to get together anymore.Spoiler
was after he exiled her from the group, while I understand the groups reaction to it, I didn't mind that Connor sent her away, however what I did mind was that there was sufficient graveling on his part.So the first half of this book for me was between a 2.5 stars and 3 stars. The second half was better at a solid 4 stars.
I will continue with the series, since I now know what to expect from it but I'll only reach for it when I won't mind if there's a threesome/moresome somewhere in it.
CLAIMED is my first book by Elle Kennedy and while I liked the writing style, I did not enjoy the story as much. This book started out well, I was really enjoying it but then it went from "that's great" to "meh" and I was just happy to be done with it.
I don't usually read ménage, it's just not my thing, I much prefer exclusive sex between the main characters but it actually didn't bother me in CLAIMED, like I said, I was enjoying it and the sex scenes were hot but the H/h began to be annoying and I think too much sex can kill a book and CLAIMED got murdered.
Hudson was a strong heroine and I did like her at first, she was determined, smart, but then she became annoying, maybe even a bit childish at times and I just got tired of her.
Connor was a good male lead too, he made quite the impression on me, the guy he's a strong leader, he's good at guiding people and he cares about his men. But what a control freak, the way he was during sex was hot but then it wasn't. Even when another man was with them he told him what to do and I thought this was just not sexy, he was super controlling all the time and the sex became awkward. Apart from that, he too began to annoy me. Both of them had their "I-m-an-adult-acting-like-a-six-year-old" moment and I got over him.
I just think the author didn't develop them enough, it's a shame because this book had potential. The dystopian world was very interesting and I liked that aspect of the book but the sex overshadowed everything and not one thing had the opportunity to be developed correctly. I didn't feel any connection toward Hudson or Connor, I didn't like them as a couple, they worked when they had sex but that's all. Even the sex became too much.
Like I said, I liked the world that Elle Kennedy created, I think it could really work but the characters weren't for me and the sex killed the book, really. The secondary characters weren't well developed either, I just had zero feelings toward any of them and that, for me, is not a good thing. When I read a book I want to feel involved, I want to love or hate the characters, I want to FEEL and I didn't feel anything while reading CLAIMED.
The ending was rushed, everything happened at the same time, no suspense, no big twists, just exactly what I was expecting, even Dominik, Hudson's brother, who was supposed to be the big bad wolf in the story became this sappy little thing and it was ridiculous.
Anyway, the story started out well but it didn't last. Unfortunately, because I had big hopes for this one. That said, it doesn't mean I won't give the next installment a chance because I liked Elle's writing style and I truly enjoyed the dystopian aspect of the book.
I don't usually read ménage, it's just not my thing, I much prefer exclusive sex between the main characters but it actually didn't bother me in CLAIMED, like I said, I was enjoying it and the sex scenes were hot but the H/h began to be annoying and I think too much sex can kill a book and CLAIMED got murdered.
Hudson was a strong heroine and I did like her at first, she was determined, smart, but then she became annoying, maybe even a bit childish at times and I just got tired of her.
Connor was a good male lead too, he made quite the impression on me, the guy he's a strong leader, he's good at guiding people and he cares about his men. But what a control freak, the way he was during sex was hot but then it wasn't. Even when another man was with them he told him what to do and I thought this was just not sexy, he was super controlling all the time and the sex became awkward. Apart from that, he too began to annoy me. Both of them had their "I-m-an-adult-acting-like-a-six-year-old" moment and I got over him.
I just think the author didn't develop them enough, it's a shame because this book had potential. The dystopian world was very interesting and I liked that aspect of the book but the sex overshadowed everything and not one thing had the opportunity to be developed correctly. I didn't feel any connection toward Hudson or Connor, I didn't like them as a couple, they worked when they had sex but that's all. Even the sex became too much.
Like I said, I liked the world that Elle Kennedy created, I think it could really work but the characters weren't for me and the sex killed the book, really. The secondary characters weren't well developed either, I just had zero feelings toward any of them and that, for me, is not a good thing. When I read a book I want to feel involved, I want to love or hate the characters, I want to FEEL and I didn't feel anything while reading CLAIMED.
The ending was rushed, everything happened at the same time, no suspense, no big twists, just exactly what I was expecting, even Dominik, Hudson's brother, who was supposed to be the big bad wolf in the story became this sappy little thing and it was ridiculous.
Anyway, the story started out well but it didn't last. Unfortunately, because I had big hopes for this one. That said, it doesn't mean I won't give the next installment a chance because I liked Elle's writing style and I truly enjoyed the dystopian aspect of the book.
This review was originally posted on Cocktails and Books
Claimed is a dystopian setting where war has devastated most of the planet. Basically Utah is the western end of the United States caused by a massive earthquake. The people who survived either live inside of walled cities or are nomads who live in the wasteland. The world is run by a Global Council who sends out Enforcers to keep the nomads in check. Hudson has escaped the city and escaped from a precarious situation. I can't say more b/c it spoils the plot. She is a survivor, a fighter and definitely not a wimpy female. She recognizes Connor and his band of men as exactly what she needs. She needs protection, a place to stay and some back up.
Hudson and Connor had a lot of chemistry and passion, but I am not sure how I feel about their relationship. Connor is extremely controlling almost to the point that I didn't like him. I understand being protective and I also understand where it comes from once you get his backstory but at times it was too much. Hudson started out exactly how I like my female MC: stubborn, tough, smart and plenty of backbone. Once sex with Connor was involved, I felt like she changed too much and maybe a little too weak for my liking.
This is an erotic novel so I can't complain. However, I loved where this storyline was going. I thought it had a ton of potential and it still may in the rest of the series. The sex overwhelmed the storyline at times and I wanted more plot, less sex. I really enjoy Elle Kennedy, but I was a bit disappointed in Outlawed. I do hold out that the rest of the series with expand the storyline. I loved the concept and just wanted more meat to the story.
What I enjoyed about this book was the action, the dystopian society, and the suspense. I say this is a decent start to a series and I have faith in Elle Kennedy for the next book. If you enjoy an erotic suspense set in a post apocalyptic world, pick this one up!
Reviewer information can be found under the Tags section of the post on our site.
Claimed is a dystopian setting where war has devastated most of the planet. Basically Utah is the western end of the United States caused by a massive earthquake. The people who survived either live inside of walled cities or are nomads who live in the wasteland. The world is run by a Global Council who sends out Enforcers to keep the nomads in check. Hudson has escaped the city and escaped from a precarious situation. I can't say more b/c it spoils the plot. She is a survivor, a fighter and definitely not a wimpy female. She recognizes Connor and his band of men as exactly what she needs. She needs protection, a place to stay and some back up.
Hudson and Connor had a lot of chemistry and passion, but I am not sure how I feel about their relationship. Connor is extremely controlling almost to the point that I didn't like him. I understand being protective and I also understand where it comes from once you get his backstory but at times it was too much. Hudson started out exactly how I like my female MC: stubborn, tough, smart and plenty of backbone. Once sex with Connor was involved, I felt like she changed too much and maybe a little too weak for my liking.
This is an erotic novel so I can't complain. However, I loved where this storyline was going. I thought it had a ton of potential and it still may in the rest of the series. The sex overwhelmed the storyline at times and I wanted more plot, less sex. I really enjoy Elle Kennedy, but I was a bit disappointed in Outlawed. I do hold out that the rest of the series with expand the storyline. I loved the concept and just wanted more meat to the story.
What I enjoyed about this book was the action, the dystopian society, and the suspense. I say this is a decent start to a series and I have faith in Elle Kennedy for the next book. If you enjoy an erotic suspense set in a post apocalyptic world, pick this one up!
Reviewer information can be found under the Tags section of the post on our site.
This is the third book I read by Elle. I read Midnight Rescue (Romantic Suspense), The Deal (New Adult)and now I can add Claimed to the list which was a mix of dystopian and erotic romance. I didn't expect there to be such scorching hot sex scenes. I personally LOVE dystopian books, especially books where people live in a semi-primitive world. So this book really piqued my interest when I read the blurb, and it did not disappoint.
This book is about an outlaw group that consists of Connor, Rylan, Pike, Xander and Kade. They are a brotherhood and have each others backs. These guys are so hot and Connor was such a controlling (in a good way) alpha male. Hudson had run away from her priviliged life and is looking for protection in the outlaw world. She finds that with Connor. He isn't really open to adding another member to his group, but eventually agrees. The chemistry and attraction between Hudson and Connor was off the chain. Connor started teaching Hudson how to let go and live a free life. They start a sexual relationship, and Connor tells Hudson not to fall in love. Of course both of them start having feelings for one another, but Hudson is hiding something... When she finally tells Connor the secret he.... YOU WILL HAVE TO READ AND FIND OUT YOURSELF!
I loved every character in this book, they were all very different from each other. Rylan is this funny and free spirited guy who doesn't have a care in the world (but don't judge a book by it's cover). Pike is very angry and definitely didn't accept Hudson in the beginning, but she gained his trust towards the end. Xander and Kade are two peas in a pod, and do everything together (if you know what I mean!!). I can't wait to read more about these guys and getting to know them even better.
Claimed had a lot of good in it, but it also had so much sex I started skimming in places... which is not what I usually do.
FRC
FRC
I think the next books in the series will be good.
I started on Claimed because I love Elle Kennedy, but this book didn't provide enough thrills or on-page chemistry to keep me interested. I almost DNF'd it but I'm intrigued by the secondary characters.
In summary, this is a BDSM-lite, Post-apocalyptic, futuristic thriller. The sex was...not as hot. And I wonder why. Everything was there, but I think I just couldn't get into it because the plot was very similar to Megan Crane's Edge of Obsession but somehow the other book had me squirming and smiling while this one didn't.
I think I just didn't feel the hero. The heroine was great, but the hero was... Confused about a lot, I think.
I started on Claimed because I love Elle Kennedy, but this book didn't provide enough thrills or on-page chemistry to keep me interested. I almost DNF'd it but I'm intrigued by the secondary characters.
In summary, this is a BDSM-lite, Post-apocalyptic, futuristic thriller. The sex was...not as hot. And I wonder why. Everything was there, but I think I just couldn't get into it because the plot was very similar to Megan Crane's Edge of Obsession but somehow the other book had me squirming and smiling while this one didn't.
I think I just didn't feel the hero. The heroine was great, but the hero was... Confused about a lot, I think.