Book review

Survival is more than living. It is a desire, a will, something that burns so deep in one’s soul…

Raella is celebrating her fortieth birthday. Her husband, Brian, has decided to take her on a vacation to celebrate the memorable birthday, thus ruining all her birthday plans. She decides to take a solo excursion, only to find herself at the mercy of the Armas Locas, one of the most dangerous and influential Mexican cartels in the area. She becomes the prized possession of their leader, and the prime obsession of their second in command. Can she find a way to survive the emotional entanglement, the physical harassment, and sexual urges of two seriously powerful men and still manage to free herself? If she cannot survive, none of the women taken have a chance at freedom, because they’ve all been lost to the chains of evil.

Segundo is second in the Armas Locas cartel. When Raella is brought in, he knows, deep in his soul, that she has to be his. But everything in the cartel is controlled by the Boss, El Ratón, and Raella is worth money. Can Segundo manipulate his controlling boss so he can keep what is undoubtably his? And convince her to give in to the attraction they both feel, all while protecting her from El Ratón’s violent nature?

Join Raella and Segundo on their spicy, lusty adventure. Is it love or just a fairy tale nightmare? Could she possibly stay—for him? If the Boss finds out—will he kill them both?

This book contains adult content and is meant for people 18+

Trigger warnings can be found in the beginning of the ebook or on the authors website.

#cartel #dark #bookreviewer

2025/4/13 Edited to

... Read moreIn 'Taken, Not Destroyed', S. Von creates a haunting narrative that delves deep into the psyche of survival against overwhelming odds. Raella's fortieth birthday becomes a pivotal moment as she emerges from the shadows of her past, confronting not just her husband’s betrayal but her own strength as a survivor. The portrayal of Segundo showcases a complex interplay of desire and danger as he grapples with his allegiance to El Ratón, the cartel's ruthless leader. This book also explores themes of emotional entanglement, trust, and the haunting traumas of captivity. Readers will appreciate how Raella, amidst chaos, begins to rediscover her identity. Rich in suspense and emotional depth, this story captures the essence of love entangled with fear, challenging the boundaries of personal freedom. The book features trigger warnings for sensitive content, making it a thoughtful choice for mature readers looking for an intense literary experience. Dive into this spicy and suspenseful tale that questions whether love can blossom in the darkest of places, proving that sometimes the fiercest battles are fought within ourselves.

Related posts

Mid Way Through Book Review 📚🩷
So here are my honest thoughts on the book so far: 📚The biggest win for the author is that she easly transitions well between timelines. Throughout the book she jumps timelines often giving us background information on each character she does this seamlessly! I’m also a squirrel and get confused
Deja Emani

Deja Emani

71 likes

Honest Book Review: “Moody B!tches” by Julie l
“Moody Bitches: The Truth About the Drugs You’re Taking, the Sleep You’re Missing, the Sex You’re Not Having, and What’s Really Making You Crazy" by Julie Holland is a bold and insightful look at the emotional and mental health of women. Dr. Holland, a psychiatrist, challenges the conventio
Goddess Luxure

Goddess Luxure

2432 likes

Should you read these? (Booktok review pt.2)
#booktok #books #lemon8bookclub #readingrecommendations
Lupesreads📖🎀

Lupesreads📖🎀

537 likes

Book review you want to read
#selfhelpbooks #lemon8challenge #bookhealing #BookReview #healingjourney #healingvibes #bookwisdom #suchagoodbook #thewilltochoose #inspiration How To Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie This book was published in 1936 and has sold over 30 million copies.
vsinfleurs

vsinfleurs

663 likes

Book Review
#bookwormsoflemon8
NaTasha Aramis

NaTasha Aramis

993 likes

HAUNTED HOUSE 👻 Book Review 📚
⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 Genre: Mild Horror/Thriller This was a very classic haunted house story in my opinion. I appreciated how the book got right into it and didn’t have many slow points. I enjoyed the creepy ghosts and flashbacks to another time very much! I found the FMC, Mara, to be very annoying
DeLaney 🌞

DeLaney 🌞

43 likes

Book Review
The book is called “Five Total Strangers” by Natalie D. Richards. The book is a gripping thriller about a young woman named Mira who is trying to get home for the holidays. When her flight is canceled due to a snowstorm, she accepts a ride from a group of strangers she meets at the airport. As the
BeachyBlueBird

BeachyBlueBird

211 likes

Book Review of Four Found Dead
Book Review Book name: Four Found Dead Author: Natalie D. Richard’s Genre: Thriller My rating: 5/5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ My review: omg WTF just happened!? Like honestly. This book was so damn good. If you enjoy thrillers that has a crazy twist and is a page turner this is the book for you. #Lemon
Jordyn 🎧📚☕🧩🎮

Jordyn 🎧📚☕🧩🎮

101 likes

My Honest Book Review 📖🥹🫶🏻
Book name: A Love Letter To Whiskey 🥃 Author: Kandi Steiner Genre: Romance Good Reads Rating ⭐️: 4.36 My rating⭐️: 5 My review: Where should I even begin???? The main character B? Oh I hated her .. every chapter the hate grew bigger .. and JUST WHEN I THOUGHT I LIKED HER ! Boom .. she di
Martha

Martha

264 likes

BOOK REVIEW: THE CARTEL 1-3
RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 Yall said ima be in the ride for my life with this book…. WHEEWWWWWW BABYYYYY I DID NOT KNOW WHAT I WAS GETTING MYSELF INTOOO OKAYY!!!!! The cartel 1-3 was AMAZING!!!!! Like PAGE AFTER PAGE AFTER PAGE 🔥🔥🔥 I couldn’t put it down I swear I couldn’t I stayed up all night yester
˚ ꕥ Catera ꕥ˚

˚ ꕥ Catera ꕥ˚

150 likes

Book review ‼️
My mom got me this book a few days a go and I was hooked since I picked it up! You will laugh, you will cry it will make you frustrated and proud all at the same time. Definitely felt all the feels but over all the book is beautifully written and I think the target audience will definitely apprecia
Milan Brown

Milan Brown

118 likes

Cursed Book Review
I loved this sequel! Fun end to a retelling of Rumplestiltskin. “Serilda and Gild attempt to break the curses that tether their spirits to Adalheid’s haunted castle before the Endless Moon, when the Erlking means to capture one of the seven gods and make a wish to return his lover, Perchta, from
Danielle

Danielle

238 likes

1st Book Review of 2024 ✨
Frientimacy by Shasta Nelson Genre: self-help Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Review: I started reading Frientimacy after seeing the book discussed on TikTok and feeling like it would help me develop greater intimacy with my female friends. Understanding the frientimacy triangle which includes positivi
Alex Davis

Alex Davis

590 likes

Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A.E. VALDEZ HAS DONE IT AGAIN OMG! This book was amazing (the entire series is 5 stars) but this book in general was amazingly written. This book had me on a 🎢 (because of Reese goofy ASS) 1 minute I was laughing, crying and throwing the book across the room(because of REESE 😂). #unfiltere
Katie May

Katie May

267 likes

Book Review
The girls are never gone by Sarah Glenn Marsh This book was so good! It’s about a girl with a paranormal podcast going to stay at a supposedly haunted estate for a whole month, a girl drowned at the lake many decades ago and it was ruled out as an accident but is that really the truth? It’s u
Kirsten Gibbs

Kirsten Gibbs

117 likes

Book Review | The Feminine Mystique
I don’t rate nonfiction cause how do rate your scale of entertainment when reading facts or life experiences?? 📒Notes: If you’re wondering if this book is still as important as it was when it was first published in 1963, it is. With the resurrection of the “trad wife” and the removal of women’s
RealReaderEm

RealReaderEm

33 likes

book review 📚✨💕
Book name: The Sister-in-Law Author: Pamela Crane Genre: murder/mystery My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 My review: I really enjoyed this book. I found it at dollar tree and it was such a good read. A definite page turner it’ll keep you on your toes. I’m not typically a murder/mystery girl but this was
ilyahsah kawana

ilyahsah kawana

110 likes

WILDFIRE BOOK REVIEW
• WILDFIRE BY HANNAH GRACE this book was sooo good! i LOVED it so much because it was written in a summer camp so every scene was in nature. the guy fell so HARD it was such golden retriever energy 🤌 #book #bookrecommendations #BookReview #wildfire #hannahgrace #booktok #bookworm
Juliette Dawn

Juliette Dawn

81 likes

Book Review: First Lie Wins
To the untrained eye, Evie Porter has a beautiful life: the perfect boyfriend, quaint home, stable job. But to a very small circle, Evie Porter is the job. And her life is a lie. Her boss, whom she has yet to actually meet and knows him only as Mr. Smith, leaves cryptic instructions and com
Dani

Dani

49 likes

🤯 BOOK REVIEW
So I had to take a break from my normal book readings lol, and pick me up a good thriller that I really enjoyed… I been eyeing this one all over KU but kept passing it by until today and it did not disappoint.. pretty much wish i read this sooner 🥴… A must read if you like suspense/ psychologica
💕✨TATIANA✨💕

💕✨TATIANA✨💕

153 likes

Book Review Pt. 10
Book Review Pt. 10 Well girls….as the dedication says…. filthy 😅 #booksummary 📚 Title and Author: A ruin of roses - K. F. Breene 🌟 Genre: Fantasy/Romance 💬 Short Summary: Dark retelling of Beauty and the beast with a side of dragons and dystopian fantasy worlds Key Point 1 : Definitel
Joey Mc

Joey Mc

31 likes

PJO Book review pt. 2!!
I finished PJO Sea of Monsters recently so I wanted to do a review! Overall rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 10/10 Review: Grover gets kidnapped and pretends to be a female cyclops so he doesn’t get eaten. The barrier on Camp Half-Blood got poisoned by an unknown person. Supposedly where Grover is being h
Aisling 🤍

Aisling 🤍

188 likes

Book Review
If you haven’t read a Mel Dau book before, I suggest you start with this one! Terms Of Love is such a great book. Love, childhood trauma, revenge, vindication and a strong bond between the male and female main characters ✅✅✅✅. Mel Dau also has some really good series that I’ll review soon. Bl
Jules J 🌿

Jules J 🌿

56 likes

Black Girl Read: Book Review📚
Babe!! This was one of the BEST books I have read recently! I loved it. This book is about four sisters and how they differ but have more things in common than they realize. Black girl read FOR SURE! Plus a black author. Chefs kiss💋🤌🏽 #blackgirlbookreview #blackgirlsreadbooks #blackgirlsread
Mariah Kristine

Mariah Kristine

93 likes

See more