Taken is a short story in the Deep Ops series and it doesn't affect the plotline of the main (aka full length) books. It can be read as stand-alone, but I loved Taken, so I would recommend to also read that book.

If the author had been clear on whether or not the main characters had been celibate or not for the past five years or not. The mentioned dating but not if they had slept with other people. Also, both said that they were clean, but didn't say that they hadn't been with anyone else, so is it safe to assume that both had partners? Hunter and Faye seemed so in love with each other still, so I don't know what to assume. The lack of confirmation is the only thing that bugged me. I loved the rest of the story and I would have given it 5 stars otherwise.

The two main characters are two completely new people in the series, which threw me off in the beginning. Later on, we find out that they are Raider's family and he along with some other familiar faces make an appearance which made everything better since I love the guys. Hunter and Faye are chasing a madwoman who has convinced a foster kid that he is in love with her. I liked the story, the fact that the villain wasn't a man since I had too many of that and how Hunter and Faye found their way back into each other. The book is a novella, but I didn't feel as if Ι was missing something or that the story was incomplete. It was very well written and a fulfilling read. The series so far has been great and has kept me at the edge of my seat. I hope that the author will continue to write with this quality.

I loved this second chance romance. You can always count on Rebecca Zanetti to write a heart pounding romance mixed with a great suspense story.
Hunter Holt and Faye Smith have known each other since they were young teenagers. Raised by the same foster mother they knew from the start they belonged to each other. Youthful misunderstanding and a friends death sent them their separate ways. When their foster mother needs their help with a runaway they are thrown back together. Needing each other help and trust. If they survive this threat they just might find themselves!

This is a novella length book, but it's packed full of full story. Title can be read as a stand alone.
Faye Smith has only loved one man in her life and she walked away five years ago. Now she's determined to get her life back on track. First step, claim what's hers.
Hunter Holt is a decorated Marine whose looking for a simpler life after tragedy struck. When faced with the past he can't forget how well they fit together. Yet timing couldn't be worse as they search for an endangered teen.

I am a sucker for a second chance romance with a side of kick-ass road trip!
Still, I was thinking that a novella might not be the best format to fully develop a solid back story that not only makes me feel their former love, longing about being apart (thank you, dear author, for not making the separation period the magical "10 year," LOL), along with a fresh reason why our former lovers even see each other again, and still find a believably way back to each other in and around 100 pages.
I was so intrigued by book one, Hidden, that I really wanted to read more about those bad boys and girls in "Requisitions." While Hunter, Faye, and Jackson are all new-to-me characters, their journey was well worth my read. Not only is there an angel in a Volkswagen like Miss Angelina, but Raider, Wolfe, and Roscoe bring Deep Ops to the deep South ;)
Oh, and there is that wee stop in Realm country! Woo-hoo!!
A satisfying addition to the Deep Ops series, indeed.
Looking forward to Raider and Brigid in Vegas, baby.

Family is everything. This book can be read alone or part of the series. I warm you, if you read it by itself you will want to read the entire series. Hunter learns that a youth had been kidnapped. This case brings his family back into his life, the woman who broke his heart, the brother he has missed, the brother he did not know he had and the father who made his life a nightmare. Can he save the young man? Can he save his family? Can he save himself? Very exciting. Love Rebecca Zanetti. You will too.

Hunter and Faye are interesting characters with rich back stories for such a short story. This book packs quite a bit into 100 pages but it does it well and never feels rushed or light on details and character development. It's a second chance romance with secondary characters from the Deep Ops series. It has suspense, romance and a cameo from a couple of characters from The Dark Protector series which was just fun for fans of that series.

I enjoyed this short book and a little more information on some of the team members of Deep Ops and look forward to book 2 in the series.

A copy of this book was provided to me by Net Galley and the publisher with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book and my comments here are my honest opinion.

When a book is good enough to read again it gets five stars from me every single time. This is one of those you absolutely cannot put down and you completely fall in love with the characters. In case I didn't say it, I love this book!!

I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Taken is a short story in the new Deep Ops series--about Hunter and Faye and their second chance at love. They were foster kids together, and went their separate ways years ago. Now, their once foster mother needs help finding one of her kids who has runaway, so they team up to help find him. This was a quick but good read, and while you don't need to have read the previous book in the series, I recommend it. It also nicely sets up the second book.

This was the first book I have read of Rebecca’s and it won’t be the last. It was so good and I couldn’t put it down. When a foster child goes missing Hunter is all in helping Faye find him. They might have a past but there’s nothing they wouldn’t do for each other. When trying to find the most boy is there a possibility of a second chance? Or can they even stop arguing enough to work it out? This was so good and I can’t wait for the next one. Book given to me by author on netgalley.

Taken is a great addition to the series. I enjoyed Hunter and Faye's story. It was fast paced short novella and it a good plot with true to life characters. I love a second chance romance and I wanted these two to get back together. I enjoyed the suspense of the story also.

When Hunter Holt is called on to help find a lost foster kid, he jumps into action even though it means working with Faye Smith, the woman who broke his heart. She’s been trying to get her life back on track, but Faye knows that she should’ve turned toward Hunter not away. Since they have to work together, maybe they’ll get another chance, but first they have to actually stop arguing long enough to trust the Deeps Ops team and find the kid.

This Deep Ops novella is an emotionally gripping and moving story that holds readers hostage with lots of suspense and wonderfully, strong characters that have some scorching chemistry going on. Their chemistry is quite volatile however, so there are lots of sparks flying as they clash together which just punches the passion up hotter than ever. This second chance relationship is chock full of emotions that flows from the pages and ensures that the readers understand exactly where Hunter and Faye stand.

The plot is fast paced and while on the short side packs quite a thrilling punch as Hunter and Faye try not only track but save this young man from a bad person, the law and himself. The story has all the elements of a great romantic suspense so while it is a novella, it keeps readers turning the pages until they have read every last word. And the story also holds a few surprises throughout and a delightful one that tickles readers if they have read other books by this author.

4.5 stars-- TAKEN is instalment 1.5 in Rebecca Zanetti’s contemporary, adult DEEP OPS romantic suspense series focusing on a new Homeland Defense Department (HDD) unit known as the Requisition Force headed by FBI profiler and Special Agent Angus Force. This is ex-solider Hunter Holt, and former psychologist Faye Smith’s story line. TAKEN can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous instalment is revealed where necessary but I recommend reading the series in order for history and backstory of the secondary characters. For fans and followers of Rebecca Zanetti, there is a slight cross-over with another of the author’s series-see if you can spot the ‘Easter Egg’ ;) .

Told from several third person points of view including Hunter and Faye TAKEN follows the search for a kidnapper, turned robber turned serial killer, whose willing captive is a sixteen-year old boy unaware of the truth. When Faye gets a call from her former foster mother Miss Angelina that her latest charge is missing, Faye seeks out the only man capable of finding the missing boy but a man whose history with Faye is heartbreaking and dark. Enter ex-soldier turned river-tour guide Hunter Holt, and the man Faye hasn’t stopped loving. What ensues is the rekindling romance between Faye and Hunter, as they join the Requisition Force in the search for a killer whose numbers are increasing on a daily basis.

Faye and Hunter’s history is filled with abuse and addiction. From dysfunctional family dynamics to drugs and abuse, Faye and Hunter would find peace and solace, along with Raider Tanaka, in the arms of their foster mother Miss Angelina. But life, and everything it had to offer tore Faye and Hunter apart, and in the ensuing time neither forgot about their history and their past.

The relationship between Faye and Hunter is one of second chances; a rekindling romance between two people whose earlier lives were filled with neglect and abuse at the hands of people sworn to love and protect. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.


There is a large ensemble cast of colorful secondary and supporting characters including Miss Angelina, Jackson Holt and Louise Stockley. We are re-introduced to the Requisition Force leader Angus Force, and team members: former Lieutenant Commander Clarence Wolfe who carries a kitten (aka Kat) in his pocket, and Angus Force’s quirky whiskey guzzling, lipstick eating, high heel wearing German shepherd Roscoe; and Raider Tanaka-Hunter and Faye’s childhood friend, now a member of the Requisition Force Team.

TAKEN is a story of murder, madness and revenge; of suspense and mystery; of second chances and love. The premise is intriguing and exciting; the romance is fated; the characters are energetic, sexy and spirited. TAKEN is a spirited, character driven story that is sure to catch your attention.

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**3.5 Stars**

Ah, the curse of the short novella. I adore Rebecca Zanetti. ADORE. The first book in this series was a whole-hearted five star read. HIDDEN was actually one of my very favorite books of 2018. So I had high expectations going into TAKEN, especially because I have read, and loved, many of RZ’s novellas in the past.

For the most part, I enjoyed this quick, intense, and sometimes heartwrenching novella. Hunter and Faye are two soulmates who were separated because of unsaid hurts in their past. It was a quick second chance romance with an action plot that made my stomach hurt. For RZ fans, there is one part that will make you gasp in joy! Totally worth the read just for that one scene.

This novella was a tad underdeveloped. I think the purpose of this story was to invest the reader more into Raider’s future book, and that objective was entirely successful. I am ready for it! But as a romance, Hunter and Faye needed to have a little more conflict and page time to completely satisfy me. Their reunion was a bit too seamless and I didn’t really understand why they broke up in the first place.

Overall, this was a good novella. Rebecca Zanetti is my queen and that will never change. I wanted and expected a little bit more, but I think fans of the series will enjoy it.

**I received an ARC of this book in order to provide an honest review**

A quick and exciting addition to the series!

I really enjoyed Hunter and Faye's story. They were raised in the same foster home together with two others and are a tight-knit family. Hunter and Faye were once together but experienced personal traumas that ultimately separated them. Their chemistry was electric and quite exhausting but it was plain to see how much they loved each other. They were fiercely trying hard to battle back their own demons-and each other.

The suspense was adequate and the story was fast-paced, if not a little emotionally heavy. We had a brief comic relief when Angus Force and his dog Roscoe showed up. Man, that dog is freakin' hilarious! And we are treated to a little crossover action from another Zanetti series!

This is a part of the Deep-Ops series and is a second-chance romance. It is a novella, but didn't feel like one. It didn't feel rushed and felt like I was reading a full-length story.

Hunter and Faye's story starts 5 years earlier when Faye walked away from the love of her life. But now she needs his help. This brings them back together and the chemistry is undeniable. There is action and romance and suspense all in one novella. The writing was solid with a few surprises for the loyal Rebecca Zanetti reader. This can be read as a standalone, but these little details really add to the story if you know what they are.

Good series overall, will definitely be continuing.

I had read many books by Rebecca Zanetti but not the first book in the Deep Ops Team series. Taken is a novella which is part of that series. Many may know this author as a paranormal romance writer but often I have liked her romantic suspense even more. This is an excellent example of that very thing.

Hunter Holt is an ex-soldier who grew up as a child of adversity. When he is asked by a former lover to help find a lost foster child, he knows he must help. There are also other considerations and factors into play that affect Hunter, Faye Smith and the lost child. The past meets the present with a resounding boom. A second chance romance, where Hunter and Faye must work through the past to have a future, all the while trying to find Jackson.

A connection to the main character from book one, a cameo by a surprise character, and some cute animals who also made appearances are added bonuses to this interesting read. Even though I had not read Raider’s story, I completely enjoyed this novella.

An Outstanding Story .
I volunteered to read and review an advanced readers copy thru Netgallery of TAKEN . I really enjoyed reading this story .
It captured my attention from the beginning to the very last page . It is an all out wonderful tale . Hunter and Faye had very sad and abusive childhoods they grew up together and feelings grew between them while they were in foster care living with Miss Angelina. When one of their foster brothers dies they could not help each other cope due to their PTSD from childhood and they separated . Years later Miss Angelina seeks Faye and Hunters help along with their other foster brother Raider , to find a runaway foster care kid that's in danger . The characters are marvelous and some are very interestingly entertaining .
They story kept me flipping the pages it's so intriguing and full of suspense it's emotional and sometimes humourous while still intense . It's a well written and definitely a must read . I highly recommend taking the time to read .

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I really enjoyed this book and can't wait to read more of this authors work. I highly recommend this author to friends and family alike.

TAKEN is a novella length romance a bit away from the characters we’ve met in the first story — but not all that far away as Hunter and Faye spent time in the same foster home as Raider, so not as far distanced as you might think at first. Their foster mother has called them all back together again as she is desperately searching for a boy in her care who has run away with his teacher – that boy also happens to be Hunter’s half-brother who is a complete surprise to Hunter.

At one time Faye and Hunter were in love but their pasts, decisions made unwisely and pure unadulterated stubbornness ended that relationship as Faye walked away. Coming together to search for Jackson will give them a second chance to get it right, hopefully.

I had such a good time with TAKEN on many levels. It’s action-packed, with a mystery to figure out, full of sizzle and second chances, and it brings back some of my favorite non-human characters as well. What’s not to love about all that? Oh, and if you love searching for Easter eggs then you will not be disappointed, so keep looking as you read. I hope we get to catch up with Hunter, Faye and Jackson further on in the series, but if not I enjoyed their romance and adventures very much.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

Taken is a great novella length addition to the Deep Ops series. Zanetti creates a fantastic and fully executed story of second chances.

Faye and Hunter have chemistry, that was never the problem but 5 years ago, there was too many issues in their lives and lots of things left unsaid. They grew up together in the foster system Now, they are pushed together to find a missing boy. A boy who happens to be Hunter’s ½ brother and in the sights of a trigger-happy sheriff.

Zanetti masterfully captures a heartwarming romance with a beautiful story of love, family and reuniting lost loves.

I received this ARC copy of Taken from Kensington Books. This is my honest and voluntary reivew.

My Rating: 4 stars
Written by: Rebecca Zanetti
Series: Deep Ops
Sequence in Series: 1.5
Print Length: 103 pages
Publisher: Zebra
Publication Date: April 30, 2019
Sold by: Penguin Random House Publisher Services
ASIN: B07GMSZMT4
Genre: Romantic Thriller

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