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lifeinthebooklane's review
3.0
As with the first book in the series, the dominance/submission aspects were weakly portrayed, there is no way I would call this a BDSM romance. It is somewhat of a decent romantic suspense though.
That said, the identity of the "bad guy" was quite easy to guess but was also ridiculous. The idea that an 18-year-old would have been able to hire an assassin, particularly in pre-internet days, was a touch hard to swallow. Nor was there any reason given as to why he suddenly decided to relaunch his murderous intentions when he'd had access to Emery throughout the intervening period.
Thankfully the romance between Finn and Hayden was executed very well. Both characters were likeable and it was easy to both fall for them and to want to see their HEA. It did leave me wanting to read the next book in the series, just not enough to instantly one-click it.
That said, the identity of the "bad guy" was quite easy to guess but was also ridiculous. The idea that an 18-year-old would have been able to hire an assassin, particularly in pre-internet days, was a touch hard to swallow. Nor was there any reason given as to why he suddenly decided to relaunch his murderous intentions when he'd had access to Emery throughout the intervening period.
Thankfully the romance between Finn and Hayden was executed very well. Both characters were likeable and it was easy to both fall for them and to want to see their HEA. It did leave me wanting to read the next book in the series, just not enough to instantly one-click it.
shannon_cocktailsandbooks's review against another edition
3.0
The suspense part of this story had me more intrigued than the romance. Fenn and Hayden probably would have been characters I really like, even together, but I felt as though their character and romantic development took a bit of a backseat to their storyline fitting into the intrigue of the Lockwood kidnapping. I wanted to know more about how Fenn grew up with Lewis, exactly why Hayden's relationship with her parents was the way it was, but we never really got that kind of backstory.
canadianbookaddict's review against another edition
5.0
This book sounded interesting but I had never read the first book in this series so I was a little worried I might be confused but this was not the case because it can be read as a stand alone.
It took me 2 days to read it but that is just because we had company over for a few days so I couldn't do a lot of reading. If I couldn't have read it all in one sitting I would have because I just didn't want to put this book down at all. The Gilded Cage has suspense, mystery and passion. I loved the main characters from as soon they are introduced.
I need to get my hands on the first book (Gilded Cuff) and the third book (Gilded Chain) as soon as I can.
I highly recommend The Gilded Cage by Lauren Smith.
It took me 2 days to read it but that is just because we had company over for a few days so I couldn't do a lot of reading. If I couldn't have read it all in one sitting I would have because I just didn't want to put this book down at all. The Gilded Cage has suspense, mystery and passion. I loved the main characters from as soon they are introduced.
I need to get my hands on the first book (Gilded Cuff) and the third book (Gilded Chain) as soon as I can.
I highly recommend The Gilded Cage by Lauren Smith.
bidpat's review
emotional
funny
tense
slow-paced
4.5
Fen's coming home was extremely emotional after everything happened in the book before. I wish we get more scenes of them together. I loved how they communicated through telepathy in need. For me this two books are what romantic suspense should be.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Rape
syndi3's review against another edition
dark
fast-paced
2.0
Oh well... I have a high hope for The Gilded Cage. After all this is the story of Fenn. The other twin brother who got kidnapped. I was expecting dark, heart wrenching, broken, twisted story. And it could be. The BDSM part does not contributes anything into the story nor the character of Fenn. In fact the BDSM part is so mild (only spanking) and confuses me about Fenn's character. Why he is drawn into BDSM sex? I do not know.
The story is also way too dragging. The push and pull between Fenn and Hayden is just too long. Too dragging. I skipped some part of it. The sex is moderate. I try hard to like this book. Looking for something to give it 3 stars. Toward the end, it becomes more and more confusing. Plot is out of places and lack of focus.
The story is also way too dragging. The push and pull between Fenn and Hayden is just too long. Too dragging. I skipped some part of it. The sex is moderate. I try hard to like this book. Looking for something to give it 3 stars. Toward the end, it becomes more and more confusing. Plot is out of places and lack of focus.
hannas_heas47's review against another edition
5.0
Thanks Netgalley for a copy to read and review.
Lovely read, and the second part of the series. First book in the series is a must read before trying this one. Famous Lockwood kidnapping where two young boys are kidnapped and only one is heard from again. The second book comes about when they find out that Fenn is still alive. Fenn is found at a bull riding rodeo, and Hayden reveals to him that he is the other brother in the Lockwood mystery. Hayden is a pampered rich girl, armed with a MBA, and a seriously cute attitude. A submissive side shows unless she's feeling like topping from the bottom. Feeling lost in her life she hopes that bringing Fenn home will help her find herself again. Truly a great series! Five stars.
Lovely read, and the second part of the series. First book in the series is a must read before trying this one. Famous Lockwood kidnapping where two young boys are kidnapped and only one is heard from again. The second book comes about when they find out that Fenn is still alive. Fenn is found at a bull riding rodeo, and Hayden reveals to him that he is the other brother in the Lockwood mystery. Hayden is a pampered rich girl, armed with a MBA, and a seriously cute attitude. A submissive side shows unless she's feeling like topping from the bottom. Feeling lost in her life she hopes that bringing Fenn home will help her find herself again. Truly a great series! Five stars.
maureensbooks89's review against another edition
5.0
In ‘The Gilded’ Cage we meet Fenn Lockwood, a handsome thirty three year old who lives on a ranch in Colorado, and enjoys bull riding. Hayden Thorne is twenty three and the daughter of one of the richest families on the Long Island Gold Coast. Hayden has come to the little town of Walnut Springs, to save Fenn, tell him the truth about his past and to prove to the outside world that she is more than only a rich girl. But what Hayden didn’t expect was to feel this deep connection to Fenn, from the moment they laid eyes on each other.
Hayden has been searching for someone she could trust enough to completely give up control, but she never found him. That is until the day she meets Fenn. Fenn is a hardworking dominating guy with a dark past, and all he wants is to show Hayden what he can make her feel. But although they both are completely compelled by one another, there is someone trying to kill Fenn and soon everyone he cares about is in danger and they are forced to react.
I was really looking forward to reading this book. I was so excited and really wanted to find out how the story of the Lockwood’s continued. So when I started reading, I just couldn’t stop and read it in just one day. This book and the Surrender series in general are just so good. This book is filled with romance and passion, but there’s also a lot of action and there are some really thrilling and terrifying moments. I honestly don’t think you can write this book down under one genre.
The romance in this book is wonderful. The characters Fenn and Hayden are really good and Lauren was able to immediately make me love them. Fenn is this alpha male, but with a lot of kindness. And although he was very dominating, especially in the bedroom I loved his character.
Hayden tries to show the world she is tough and that she can take care of herself, but she also is very vulnerable and just wants to make something of herself.
Just like in the first book of the Surrender series, this book had some BDSM stuff in it, but it is very mellow and even sweeter than in the first book. It really isn’t the main element in this book, and because it is so mellow I found it very romantic.
I honestly can’t find one thing I didn’t like about this book. There are many romantic, fun but also terrifying moments. Lauren Smith makes sure you feel every emotion out there while reading this book. I loved it and can’t wait to read the third book in this series.
Hayden has been searching for someone she could trust enough to completely give up control, but she never found him. That is until the day she meets Fenn. Fenn is a hardworking dominating guy with a dark past, and all he wants is to show Hayden what he can make her feel. But although they both are completely compelled by one another, there is someone trying to kill Fenn and soon everyone he cares about is in danger and they are forced to react.
I was really looking forward to reading this book. I was so excited and really wanted to find out how the story of the Lockwood’s continued. So when I started reading, I just couldn’t stop and read it in just one day. This book and the Surrender series in general are just so good. This book is filled with romance and passion, but there’s also a lot of action and there are some really thrilling and terrifying moments. I honestly don’t think you can write this book down under one genre.
The romance in this book is wonderful. The characters Fenn and Hayden are really good and Lauren was able to immediately make me love them. Fenn is this alpha male, but with a lot of kindness. And although he was very dominating, especially in the bedroom I loved his character.
Hayden tries to show the world she is tough and that she can take care of herself, but she also is very vulnerable and just wants to make something of herself.
Just like in the first book of the Surrender series, this book had some BDSM stuff in it, but it is very mellow and even sweeter than in the first book. It really isn’t the main element in this book, and because it is so mellow I found it very romantic.
I honestly can’t find one thing I didn’t like about this book. There are many romantic, fun but also terrifying moments. Lauren Smith makes sure you feel every emotion out there while reading this book. I loved it and can’t wait to read the third book in this series.
belladonna_loves_to_read's review against another edition
3.0
2.5 Stars
Review to come...
A bit better than the first book. The first half of the story flowed well, albeit predictably. The later half of the story, especially the end, is where I had a ton of issues. Again, it was predictability, plausibility and plot holes that were what brought my rating down.
Review to come...
A bit better than the first book. The first half of the story flowed well, albeit predictably. The later half of the story, especially the end, is where I had a ton of issues. Again, it was predictability, plausibility and plot holes that were what brought my rating down.
charlisbookbox's review against another edition
4.0
It took me a bit to get into this one, but once I did, I was hooked. I admit, I have a BDSM fetish when I read–if the fan fiction I tend to read is any indication–so any book that includes that is generally a winner with me. I have to say though, this is the first time I've actually liked any of the erotica novels I've tried reading.
I usually find romance/erotica novels to be poorly written and laughable with what the characters are trying to do in the bedroom, but I definitely didn't find that issue in this novel. Plus, most romance/erotica novels have little in the way of actual story other than the copious amounts of sex that are featured. This book actually has a story that goes with it and it's an intriguing one at that.
Yes, this is the second in a series, but you don't need to read the first book, The Gilded Cuff, to understand what is going on or enjoy this book. The story line is a great one and it stands on its own very well. I have to say that I do want to read The Gilded Cuff and the story that comes after this one, The Gilded Chain, because if I enjoyed The Gilded Cage this much, I'm sure to enjoy those as well.
**I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. All opinions expressed are 100% my own.
I usually find romance/erotica novels to be poorly written and laughable with what the characters are trying to do in the bedroom, but I definitely didn't find that issue in this novel. Plus, most romance/erotica novels have little in the way of actual story other than the copious amounts of sex that are featured. This book actually has a story that goes with it and it's an intriguing one at that.
Yes, this is the second in a series, but you don't need to read the first book, The Gilded Cuff, to understand what is going on or enjoy this book. The story line is a great one and it stands on its own very well. I have to say that I do want to read The Gilded Cuff and the story that comes after this one, The Gilded Chain, because if I enjoyed The Gilded Cage this much, I'm sure to enjoy those as well.
**I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. All opinions expressed are 100% my own.