Captive - David     Ellis 2 - 2 1/2 Hearts

Review written for MM Good Book Reviews

WARNING: Some readers may find some scenes disturbing, Kidnapping, Rape, Murder.

Ben and Hugo are looking forward to their wedding and honeymoon, with only one or two niggles bothering them. Enjoying their honeymoon to the fullest the pair have a great time until the last day, when both men succumb to temptation but one of them lands in great danger. Hugo’s world is turned upside-down as Ben’s predicament becomes known. Someone from Ben’s past is pulling the strings for their own amusement and monetary gain and he has no plans on letting Ben slip through his long reaching grasp. As Hugo searches for husband and prays for his safe return he meets new friends. As the journey is continued love and loss are discovered.

Okay this story shows the dark side of BDSM, it shows people who prey on others and it shows, that sometimes, love just isn’t enough. Even though Ben loves Hugo he is very much led around by his dick, Hugo isn’t happy with Ben’s promiscuous behaviour but he loves the man so lets it go. On their honeymoon Hugo gives into temptation when Ben is sunning himself by the pool, but Ben is far from innocent as he slinks off for a tryst only to find himself bound and gagged. As Hugo frantically searches for his husband he makes new friends who help and support him, but as Ben’s captivity unfolds Hugo has to wonder if he will ever get his man back. Ben is used, abused and drugged and his recovery is far from over but the psychological effect are what everyone worries about and they are right to be concerned when his unconscious actions lead to tragedy.

I will be the first to admit that this story wasn’t for me, I don’t like cheating so it started on the wrong note for me when Hugo is thinking of Ben’s indiscretion with his best man before the wedding, it doesn’t get much better when Ben is openly suggesting threesomes and sleeping with other people. I also couldn’t understand what a man like Hugo was doing with such a self-centred prick but each to his own. The story got better as it delved into the psychological effects of the kidnapping and abuse and the glimpse it gave us of Ben and his actions after.

The writing was a bit stilted so it didn’t quite drag us into the horror of what is happening. The storyline left a distinct bad taste in my mouth for how all the men wanted to sleep with others and how they fell in love at the drop of the hat, I also found the last parts of the book harder to swallow and hated Ben for his lack of compassion and grief. I will also warn you that the loving couple at the beginning isn’t the same loving couple we find at the end. I will admit that the story premise was a good one but there were too many things that I personally found distasteful, especially the characters who had the emotional commitment of a gnat.

I will recommend this to those who love dark BDSM, kidnapping and sexual abuse, an interesting story premise and a happy for now ending.