Review: Kept by Maya Banks

Posted October 23, 2016 by Cocktails and Books in Reviews / 0 Comments

Review: Kept by Maya BanksKept by Maya Banks
Series: The Enforcers, #3
Published by Berkley Publication Date: October 25th 2016
Pages: 368
Also in this series: Mastered, Dominated
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four-stars

From the author of Mastered and Dominated comes the third Enforcers novel—the searing story of a woman who finds sanctuary in surrender...
He can’t change who he is...
A horrific childhood has made Silas the man he is today: dangerous, distrustful, and demanding. He’s lived in self-imposed solitude, convinced that no woman could ever accept his need for absolute control—in business and pleasure. That is, until a young violinist walks into one of his buildings and into his life.
She can’t change what she wants...
Haley has been struggling to fulfill her father’s dying wish: to attend a prestigious music school in New York City. But even working two jobs, she can’t afford the tiniest of apartments. Seeing her hopeless and near tears, Silas vows to help and protect her, no matter the cost to himself. But when Haley meets his every demand with unwavering acceptance and love, he is overwhelmed by her goodness and gentle spirit. He knows that the dark stain on his soul can never be erased—and rather than risk destroying the most beautiful thing he's ever experienced, he knows he'll have to do the hardest thing he's ever had to face. Let her go. But he's totally unprepared for the lengths Haley will go to fight for his love and a future brighter than the sun...

Cocktails and Books received this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect our opinion of the book or the content of our review.

I have to say that out of all the books I have read by Maya Banks – this one by far is my favorite.

Silas is an enforcer who has been protecting Drake and his brothers all his life and he has been happy with what that has been.  When he sees Haley in the lobby of his apartment building desperate and beautiful he knows that she can change his life.  Silas has never thought he was good enough for anything light and fresh which is why he has chosen to stay in the dark alone.  Though after spending time with Drake and his beautiful wife Evangeline he is wondering if he could have a chance to experience love and happiness but how can he ask Haley to step into his dark life.

Haley came to New York as a promise to her father and to get her music degree.  Now she is alone and virtually homeless she needs a place to live sooner rather than later.  When she steps into an apartment building and is given an apartment that is too good to be true and then she meets the owner.   Silas is unlike anyone she has met before and she falls for him quickly and easily but when she starts to understand how dangerous and secretive his life is can she stay with him.

What works for me is the characters not only Silas and Haley but the other brothers who we get to see more of in this story.  The dialog between them is quick, witty and really good.  The story moves very quickly which I appreciated.  What didn’t work for me was how formulaic the story feels – a young innocent girl falls for an older man who feels that his unworthy of her love.  There is a lot of the story where the author writes about just how young Haley is and how unworthy Silas feels.  It was similar to the previous 2 books – though I will say I did think Haley has more of a backbone as the heroine then what we say in the first 2 books.  What really put this over the edge for me was the writing and story of Maddox, Justice, Thane and the other brothers – they seem to be the voice of reason during the books.  I am just hoping when/if they get their own stories they continue to be.