Caught for Christmas (Stripped #3.5)

A saucy little novella addition to this great series. It takes place around Christmas, but isn’t super Christmas-y. No schmaltz. No super cheesiness. Just the same solid writing and dark undertones we can always count on from Skye Warren. She has definitely become one of my safe go-to authors when I land in a book slump. I know one of her books can winch me out of it.
I enjoyed this short story about West and Bianca. Although there weren’t a huge number of pages here the author managed to establish angst and steam, probably because we’d already been introduced to these characters, and knew that West was struggling within himself over feelings he was developing for one of the women (although we didn’t know which one).
I love the little breadcrumbs the author left in previous stories to get me all riled up for the upcoming books/novellas. It definitely worked. Skye Warren, you sly minx!
More goodness from this author, as usual. I really am.enjoying this series. It isn’t my favorite from her, but that’s only because she has some really great stuff out there that I happened to fall all over myself for. I definitely recommend this series to Skye Warren fans.

This wasn’t what I was expecting. From the title of the book I was expecting a lovely Christmas story. But even though its content was harsh and sometimes violent, it did have a surprising satisfying ending. I would recommend this book as a way of showing there is hope and second chances. Also, there comes a time when family no longer deserves your loyalty and sacrifice when you are only a pawn in their game.

This sexy-with-an-edge- Christmas novella isn’t mistletoe and Christmas carols. Instead, it’s an 18 year old woman, Bianca, stuck with an impossible choice – help out her derelict parents by stealing money from her boss or risk death or worse by the mafia kingpin they owe money to. Luckily, the bouncer at the club she works at, West, has been keeping an eye on her and catches her in the act before any real damage is done. In fact, this might just be the Christmas gift that Bianca never knew she wanted.

This novella is part of the Stripped series, but easily read as a standalone, though some of the other characters make an appearance. It’s told in Bianca’s first person point of view, and right away you know that she’s lived a tough life up to now, and had to make choices to survive. You also know that her parents are rotten to the core, but she still is loyal to them, to the point where she puts their well-being above her own. In comes West, the man she’s secretly lusted after but kept her distance from, believing that he’d never want to know the real her. But in this she’s mistaken, as West has been waiting for his chance to let her know his true feelings. Catching her before she can do any real damage to Ivan’s club, he proceeds to show her just what kind of dirty thoughts he’s had about her. The scenes between them are raw and sexy, and at the same time, have a sweet edge as it’s quickly shown that West is appointing himself her protector against any who might cause her harm. (awww! He’s a sweetheart in disguise). We get a happy for now ending, one that Bianca definitely deserves after the rough life she’s had to date. It’s not your typical Christmas romance, but it’s definitely got the right spirit. 4 stars.

This is a quick read that was a great addition to the Stripped series, though it can be read as a standalone. Bianca is a dancer at the Grand, former strip club, now burlesque club. Her parents have gotten themselves into debt with the mob and have asked her to rob The Grand in order to help them pay of their debt. However, the former owner of The Grand, Ivan, who gave it to the love of his life Candy, is dangerous in his own right.

West is a bouncer at The Grand and has always liked Bianca, but never made a move on her. He is a former marine and known as “the boy scout” because he never bends the rules. He starts to notice that Bianca is acting different. He also notices that she has lost a lot of weight. He is aware the amount of money that the girls of the Grand make, so he knows that she should have the money to afford to feed herself.

When Bianca goes to break into The Grand, West is waiting for her. He has a very interesting punishment for her. He also has every intention of protecting her, not only from the mob, but also from herself and her con artist parents.

Ms. Warren has done another terrific job of telling this story. I love the characters that she writes. They are full of emotion and very well developed, even in the shorter stories like this one. This is still a dark romance, but more dark for the aspects outside of the romance, than the aspects within the romance. This is Christmas novella, but it really takes a backseat to the main part of the story. If you’ve never tried this series or Ms. Warren, this is a great story to dip your toe into her world, which I love.

This christmas novella was really great + it was a great addition to one of my favorite series. It wasn’t as dark as some of the other books but with West and Bianca I didn’t mind. I felt really bad for the way Biance was raised and how her parents have been basically only using her. That’s why I’m so glad West was there for her and stepped in to protect her.

The chemistry between West and Biance was hot like I’m used to with a Skye Warren book but the connection between them was strong, which I loved. And also, Blue (who I just loooove) showed up was an extra bonus, even if his visit was rather short.

Caught for Christmas is the perfect holiday read if you’re looking for a short, steamy and yet sweet story. I promise you, you will love West just as much as I did.

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