Hot for Hostage

By: Maggie Evans

Narrated by: Lance Greenfield, Cassandra King

A hilarious, sexy, and action-packed rom-com about a sunshine heroine who kidnaps the son of the local mafia don to help get back a dog stolen from the shelter where she volunteers, perfect for fans of Meghan Quinn and Vanessa Vale.

Sadie Morris is a force of nature, a ray of sunshine wrapped in short pink overalls, with pockets full of homemade dog treats and a fierce determination for justice. Her idea of fun includes volunteering at a dilapidated dog shelter, a place she cherishes despite its challenges. When a gang of vandals targets the shelter and steals one of its beloved dogs, Sadie refuses to stand by. Desperate to recover the furry friend, she turns to the last person she should ask for help: Davian Reed.

Born into the ruthless world of organized crime, Davian is cold, calculating, and destined to inherit the criminal empire that controls their city. Known for his brutal efficiency, he’s the one good girls instinctively avoid. But Sadie doesn’t follow those rules. When her plea for help is met with indifference, she shocks everyone—including Davian himself—by grabbing a gun and declaring him her hostage until he helps her track down the lost dog.

What begins as an outrageous demand quickly escalates into a partnership neither expected. While Davian is drawn to Sadie’s fiery resilience and her unwavering sense of justice, she begins to see past his icy exterior to the man beneath. Together, they must navigate their clash of worlds, confronting danger, unlikely alliances, and a spark of connection neither one saw coming.

Great love story

It’s a must read. Not your typical love story. Funny and romantic at the same time.

Weirdly disappointing

I wanted to like this story so bad. The story had promise but the FMC ruins it. She’s so ditzy and naive that it’s painful. She could have been really cool as a feisty woman but instead, she comes across as a girl with the personality of a middle schooler. I DNF’d this. I got it based on reviews—I honestly don’t normally review but felt like I needed to give something honest for a future reader. It wasn’t bad, just flat, disappointing and cringey

Fun story

I had a few laugh out loud moments. And as a German Shepherd owner, I really enjoyed Bear and all the ups and downs of owning a dog.

Reverse Kidnapping Gone Wrong

⭐️ Story: 2.5/5
🎭 Entertainment: 4/5
🔥 Spice: 1/5
🎧 Narration: 5/5

Reverse kidnapping—a mafia don gets taken by the heroine? Sign me up. Except… he’s a hostage for all of five minutes, and then the whole premise fizzles.

This one leans hard into comedy, with most of the laughs coming from the MFC’s ditzy, naïve antics. The problem? Zero character growth. Sure, the whole story happens over just a few days, but I kept waiting for her to wise up. She never does.

Was she funny? Yes. Was she frustratingly stupid to the point I nearly DNF’d? Also yes. The only way I made it through was by lowering my expectations—this isn’t the badass-mafia-romance I thought it would be, it’s a silly, lighthearted romp. If that’s what you’re after, it works. If not, skip it.

The MFC often spoke, acted, and thought like a 5-year-old, which was equal parts annoying and mildly entertaining. I kept hoping her “ditzy” was a manipulation tactic to add depth—but nope, just genuine cluelessness. I seriously hope no one is this dumb in real life.

It’s a unique, playful take on a light mafia romance, but ultimately too childish for my taste. Fun as a one-time read, not something I’d revisit.

Loved It

FMC is crazy fun. MMC sounds sexy. I love the puppy too. Voice actors good.