⭐️⭐️Keeper

This book was pack full of push and pull, fighting what you want because you think you should, and an unbelievable attraction between the main characters. It was also a kind of stranded survival type story. I really hope she writes some more because I really want to see more about Keegan.

I loved Chase. He was rude and confusing, but maybe that was apart of the appeal, he was a mountain man and didn’t make apologies for it. Total anti-hero for the first half of the book.

The plot wasn’t much. I mean, yes it was complex, yes it moved along, yes it had a good ending but I think my main focus was watching these two characters fight with their feelings for each other and at the same time Layla was trying to get information and get off the mountain.

It was pretty fast-paced and beautifully written. I wondered what was going to happen and how it was going to end, and that in its self kept me reading. I won’t say it’s my favorite in the series because that would have to be number one, Stranger. But this one did have me nervous to see what was gonna happen.

The 2 things that makes this a 3.5 stars is the fact that when the POV changed, there wasn’t a name header to let me know. It got very confusing at the start of the books eventually I got use to it but it would have been simple to add name headers. Also the fact that the ending was way to fast. I wanted to see him really interact with Penny and Blake and it didn’t give me that closure. #2OCCJD

The Vandershall family has led us down some wicked and devastating paths in this series. Finally, we are at the end with Keeper, secrets that have been guarded will be in danger of exposure, hearts that refuse to mend, could finally find peace and salvation could be the very thing that is knocking on the door.

Chase Vandershall is hiding, not only hiding in the sense he lives in the wilderness, isolated and out of touch, he is hiding deep truths that can wreck everything if they are found out. No one comes out of this family without scars and tragedy, but how much of the pain did he cause, or was he the saving grace that helped his half siblings move on from the sins of the father. It doesn’t matter, he wants to stay silent, embrace the isolation and get rid of the sexy nagging reporter who mysteriously showed up at his cabin in the middle of a snow storm.

Layla knows the risk in the journey to find Chase, the winding roads in the mountains with no guard rails, the threat of an impending snow storm, and him greeting her with a gun, yet none of that was enough to make her turn around and leave without answers. For her to complete her book on this family, she needs the final pieces to the puzzle, the admission of guilt, the reality she is looking for. But this goes beyond a book, she is holding secrets of her own. Navigating a way to gather what she needs, while protecting what she must, falling for Chase isn’t in the plan, but what are you going to do when a man who hasn’t been with a woman in a long time takes an interest in you, while stuck in a cabin during a snow storm.

I have loved the uniqueness of this series. You can read each book as a standalone but gain so much more enjoyment if you read in order. The way the author was able to branch off into a new book, while still being able to answer the lingering questions from the prior book was brilliant. The intensity in each plot was off the chart, making a story that will not release the reader’s attention till the final page was read. I will miss this family drama, the deep raw emotions of each member and the reality of how evil dwells in the dark corners.

Review written for Crystal's Many Reviewers.

An enjoyable read, but I was expecting more "dark" and more "captive". Layla, our heroine, is a bit over the top and reckless. She is a reporter on a mission to get some answers about the reclusive Chase. She treks out in the wilderness and finds herself "captive" to Chase, but only because they are in the middle of the frozen tundra and weather keeps her there - not because he is truly holding her there. There is an incredible chemistry between these two, which Chase fights, but Layla relentlessly explores. As I stated, his was enjoyable, but I just wanted more from the storytelling itself.

This is the third installment in a so far dreary, but NOT truly dark, series. This time it's Layla's turn to fall into a rather twisted, strange relationship. And it's with Penny and Blake's brother, Chase. Layla is the determined, persistent (wack a doodle do) reporter friend who uncovered all the information about Penny and Blake's evil father. And she's also found information about the half-brother they never knew existed. So she's set off into the wilds to find him and confront him. She's prepared for him to be a loner, after all, he lives in the middle of nowhere in isolation. But she's not prepared for how attracted she ends up being to him, or how the animal she senses in him calls to the same in her.

I had a little bit higher hopes for this one than I did for the last two (Stranger, Deceiver), because so far the series has gotten a tiny bit better each time. But, unfortunately, Keeper isn't any better than Deceiver. It's a little better than Stranger, but it's as uncomfortable and strange as the first 2. One of the objections I have to this entire series is that it's not dark as is stated in the title. In fact, it's nowhere near dark. Dreary, gray, drab, sure, but not dark. Uncomfortable because the characters are weird (especially Layla), but not dark by any sense of the word. In fact, the only good thing I could find about Keeper is Chase. He's more interesting than his brother and sister, and he deserved far better than a crazy person like Layla.

If you want dark, I suggest you read A. Zavarelli, her Boston Underworld series is truly dark and twisted. If you want gray with mostly unlikable characters, this series should be your thing.

Interesting concept and storyline. New author to me but I enjoyed the book a lot once I got into it. Mystery and romance combined!

I really enjoyed this suspenseful and dramatic dark romance! These character had fantastic chemistry and the story was fast-paced and I couldn't put it down!

I love an anti hero. The complexity of that kind of character is what pulls the reader in. Your attracted and repelled at the same time. Under it all though is a sort of moral code a strand of decency that you can hold onto. This book didn't give me a character like that. There was nothing about him that was redeeming. As for the Layla, I can't think of a character I have disliked more. The intimacy between them fell short because boy I didn't like the characters enough. Instead, there was no romance dark or otherwise, just kind of a dirty feeling about the whole thing.

Layla had one mission and it was to find the last Vandershall. she was determined to find the last Vandershall sibling. With her keen intellect and investigating she found him in the attic wilderness. She thought she had every contingency planned out until she met Chase. He doesn't seem willing to share his family history wth her or the secrets he holds. Alone in a cabin together they don't seem willing to act civil to one another. Arguments ensue and ignite their hidden feelings.

Layla want her story even if it means being stuck in the wilderness with this brooding man.
Chase doesn't want to be found his secrets are too deep, however something pulls him to Layla and he doesn't want her to leave. He brings her into his house and tells her there is no way out until the weather changes.
Eventually they become one and she feels she can start trusting him, until his lies all come apart and she runs.
I was sucked in from the first page and couldn't put it down. it was an interesting take on a dark matter and all is happy and light in the end.

** i received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**

I was hooked from beginning to end. The story is fast paced with loads of suspense and drama. Chase and Layla are great characters and their chemistry is amazing. I loved it!

Please tell me this isn't the end!!! I've been enjoying these characters so ed, and now there may be new ones? Yes please!!!!!!!

Layla is on a mission. A mission to solve a mystery. Well, at least that's the "reason" she's using considering she's dumb enough to trek solo into the mountains, searching for a half brother no one knew about. Yep, totally sane and safe. Oh, did I mention it's a remote mountain, and snow is in the forecast? Mmm hmmm.

Chase likes his solitude. He likes being alone on his mountain, skiing and reading without the city noise. At least he thought he did until Layla shows up. Now? Now he can't seem to think of anything BUT her. And it doesn't help that she keeps asking him questions about the life he didn't want any part of. Too bad he can't seem to let her go either.

The author does not disappoint with this third installment. The anticipation, the lust, the secrets...it's just as powerful in this one as in the other two. Layla's need to ask questions, without answering her own, only solidifies what drives her. Chase's need to hide from the world because of who he "thinks" he is, is heartbreaking. I'm pretty sure he's my new book boyfriend.

These two are perfect for each other. But as I mentioned earlier, we're introduced to a few new characters. I'm hoping they get their own story too. I mean, I'll beg if I have to....hint hint...

reviewed by Chris

'Keeper' by Robin Lovett is book Three in The "Dark" series. This is the story of Chase and Layla. I have read the other books and I do think you can make this a standalone book if you choose to do so. But with that said I really think you would enjoy the book more if you do read all the books. It's been a great Dark Romance Series from the start.
Layla is looking to get Chase's story on what happened a few years back..to get the answers that they need. Layla is also a friend of Chase's half-sister. To get to Chase she had to go into the mountains where few go.
Chase has isolated himself into the mountains and likes it that way. Him and a neighbor make sure to scare off any people or tourist who try to come up their mountain. When he see Layla trying to make it up he first feels a protective desire for her but knows he needs to scare her off. But she isn't going anywhere she tells him.
It was fun watching these to come together and the story-line drama was good too.
"My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read."
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I received an advanced copy. The storyline just did not capture my attention as it was unrealistic to me.

4.5 stars!

Grizzly, growly mountain men. Forced proximity in snowstorm conditions. Ratcheting, raw desires with a possessive bent. All of these things made Keeper a thrilling conclusion to Robin Lovett’s Dark series. And oh, how decadent it was!

Layla's inquisitive nature has her wanting answers. She's writing a book on the story of the Vandershall's and for the full inner look, she needs the missing link. Chase--the Vandershall's unknown, mysterious half-brother. But the man who greets her is holding a shotgun, and the last thing he wants is company.

Chase doesn’t need someone as persistent as Layla barging into his business and uncovering his secrets. But as the days pass and the snowstorm crescendos, Chase finds that he just might want to keep her after all.

I’m a sucker for having two strangers with mysterious pasts battle it out under intense conditions. A remote cabin in the woods, a snowstorm trapping them together? I simply couldn't pass this read up. There’s this earthy sexual undertone I’ve come to expect in Lovett’s books that I was so happy to see here, but there's also so much to learn and uncover. It all just worked so beautifully here.

Let’s start with Chase. I have a secret, dark space hidden away for a reclusive mountain man! Chase is this survivalist man living high in the mountains, and he’s rugged and closed off. While he can't stand Layla's constant questions and determined grin, there's something about having her in his space—in his lair, almost—that has this darker desires bubbling to the surface. *fans face*

Layla is more than a match for the reticent Chase! She’s got a reporter’s soul for sure, and she can’t let Chase’s secrets—or her book on the Vandershall’s—go. But she's also hiding too, and I loved how everything came about.

Because of how stubborn both of these characters are, it’s this constant snarling (Chase) and circling (both) around each other. A ticking time bomb that’s set to go off that kept me flipping the pages like mad. I got sucked in but good. And as soon as one secret is uncovered, another secret takes it’s place. There’s also beautiful language and imagery in here. Being so isolated, but having this world’s eye view.

Keeper just has the best of both worlds. It’s as soft and romantic as it is hard and lusty. The combination is intoxicating in this story and really keeps with the theme of the previous books in the Dark series. Pushing the envelope, taking us down to our base selves, and seeing what’s there. But also confronting the truth—your inner truth. I think I would have liked an Epilogue to tie things over, but that’s really the only thing I thought was missing.

Keeper can be read as a standalone, but for full enjoyment I recommend reading the series in it’s entirety. Lovett is a new name in darker romance that will continue to be on my auto-read list.

And as a last plea for us curious and desperate souls...*sobs* KEEGAN! Please, we NEED Keegan's story! *shivers*

Don't miss this series!

This is a very intriguing story and one I enjoyed very much. Layla is searching for Chase Vandershall and determined to find out his story. Why does he stay hidden away. Why doesn't he want to get to know his half siblings?? When she stumbles her way to his doorstep he's not exactly happy to see her but he can't leave her out in the cold to freeze. The last thing Chase wants is a nosy writer on his mountain but what can he do? These two dance around for a while but why start something that can never be finished. Can they resist each other in the secluded cabin? Will truths come out or will Chase keep everything buried??

Definitely a book I recommend.

WOW! what a different type of romance. Compelling and unique.

This is the third book in the Dark Captive Romance trilogy and can be read as a standalone with no problem at all since that's how I read this.

I loved everything about this very captivating read and literally couldn't put this one down! Chase is a man with a dark past that doesn't want to be found and lives completely off the grid in order to make sure this doesn't happen. Too bad Layla is as stubborn as they come and refuses to back down for anything or anyone until she gets what she came for.

I loved the intense and instant chemistry between these two and couldn't stop laughing whenever Layla would push all of Chase's buttons and drive him insane! It was hilarious and I couldn't get enough of the two of them together! There's also a bit of a mystery going on that kept me intrigued up until the very end and kept things interesting.

I highly recommend reading this to anyone and I look forward to more from this author in the future.

Another enjoyable book in the series. This is the third book in the Vandershall series and tells the story of Chase and Layla. I found the storyline riveting and was on edge waiting to see how things would be resolved. I liked both Chase and Layla, as well as the secondary characters of Keegan and Meg; I'm wondering now if they'll get a story. This author has a real talent for creating chemistry between her characters that oozes off the page. I will admit, however, that even though I found the story itself intriguing, I also felt like it really dragged at times, especially at the beginning of the story. Both characters spent a lot of time self-reflecting on their feelings, and I found myself skimming those passages to get back to their interactions. Once they were interacting, I devoured every word. Overall, this was an enjoyable read, and I would recommend it to others.

Im quite the fan of dark romance and this one left me thinking, wondering about the future lives of these great characters.

Very solid read..