REVIEW: Captive at her Enemy’s Command by Heidi Rice

In Captive at her Enemy’s Command (The Whittaker Sisters #2) by Heidi Rice, a few years ago Jared Caine rejected her, but now he’s coming to her rescue again when her brother-in-law decides she needs saving again. However, he’s determined to keep his distance while Katie Whittaker is determined to finally get the man she wants. Will Katie be able to convince Jared that he deserves to be happy, or will his past demons keep them apart?

His crystal-blue eyes were like chips of ice in that lean, masculine face. “What kind of a game do you think you’re playing?” The harsh words slashed through the euphoria like a machete.
“I’m sorry,” she blurted out. “I thought…”
“What? That I wanted you to kiss me?” The sharp tone sliced to the bone. “I don’t.”

The way this story started with the prologue had me hooked and determined to know whether Katie would be able to win the hero over, as it’s palpable he’s determined to ignore the strong chemistry that exists between them. However, it was from the moment the hero and heroine come face-to-face again in the first chapter where this story really took off, as the heroine isn’t about to make things easy for the hero. No longer is he going to dictate what she can and can’t do and I liked the challenge the heroine provided him.

From the moment the hero was introduced into this story I absolutely loved him, but it took me a while to warm to the heroine. In the prologue, I thought she was naïve and needed to grow up if she wanted a chance with the hero, but as the story progresses and they meet again, it shows how much she’s matured and isn’t about to let anyone push her around. Moreover, I really enjoyed the hero and heroine’s back stories and couldn’t help but sympathize with both of them, as they’ve been through tough times and survived. Will the hero be able to overcome his past demons to give Katie a chance?

With the main characters, the hero was confident, hard-working and I liked how the heroine challenged him since he’s not used to people challenging him. I also liked that the heroine helped him to realize that he shouldn’t feel guilty about what happened to his mother in the past and liked how Katie helps him realize that some people are cruel and there’s nothing he could have done to stop what happened to him. Will the heroine be able to help Jared heal from his past? While the heroine, she’s not sure what she’s doing with her life in the beginning, but I liked how things start to fall into place for her the more I read in the way she decides what she wants when it comes to both her personal and professional life. I also felt sorry for her when it comes to her brother-in-law and having to fight the fact that he thinks he can rule her life. No way did she seem selfish in trying to sort out her life for herself instead of relying on others to fix her problems.

”You think I’m scared of you and how much I want you? I’m not.” Or not anymore. The arousal surged. “I’m willing to own it. Are you?”
She saw his control snap and he grasped her arm to haul her into the cabin. “Great, let’s own it together,” he said as he dragged her through the living area and up a flight of slatted stairs to a bedroom on a mezzanine platform under the cabin’s slanted roof beams.

Overall, Ms Rice has delivered a good read in this book where the chemistry between this couple was strong; the romance very passionate; the heroine won me over in the end, as she finally goes after what she wants instead of feeling sorry for herself; and the ending had me liking the heroine’s determination to win the hero’s heart because he deserves to be happy after everything he’s been through in his life. Moreover, I liked the surprise the hero had for the heroine because he wants her in his life forever and I also liked the surprise the heroine had for the hero that makes him really happy. I would recommend Captive at her Enemy’s Command by Heidi Rice, if you enjoy the enemy to lovers trope or books by authors Sharon Kendrick, Melanie Milburne, Caitlin Crews and Pippa Roscoe.
 

Book Info:

Publication: March 20th, 2018 | Harlequin Presents | The Whittaker Sisters #2

The man she loves to hate

…is the only man she wants!

Stranded in Italy, Katie Whittaker is horrified when sexy security billionaire Jared Caine rescues her. After humiliatingly rejecting innocent Katie years before, he’s as complicated and brooding as ever. To protect Katie, Jared demands she stay at his luxury villa. But as sexual tension builds, will the temptation to finally succumb to their burning attraction be too much to resist?