Taken is a thriller mixed with romance. It is a thrillmance. Hunter and Faye are former lovers who connect again because of a maybe kidnapping of someone close. 2nd chance romances are always fun to read, but add in some pretty odd characters a cute kitty and a somewhat alcoholic dog and that just makes for a fun read all around.

This book is a novella, but it sure packs a punch. It always amazes me how much an author can put into a shorter story. Hunter and Faye grew up together in a foster home, and they became a couple. But the trauma from their pasts and their inability to share their pain fully drove them apart. Now they have to look beyond themselves to work together to save Hunter’s brother, that he did not even know existed.

You can thoroughly feel their anger and hurt, and share in their frustration with each other. And from the beginning you can tell that they love each other, but they let their other issues get in the way. There is a lot of action, with interesting secondary characters helping Hunter and Faye track down Jackson.

I quite enjoyed reading this book, and it’s a great little filler while waiting for the second book in the series to come out.

I received an advanced copy of the book from Netgalley to review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

My favorite part of this series is the fact that the characters are all flawed. They aren’t machines. They don’t just kill enemies and move on unscathed. They have experienced bad things and now have to deal with that and move on. This gives them depth. This makes them human and much more enjoyable characters.

Taken is a novella in the world of the Deep Ops series which features friends of Raider Tanaka, who we met in Book 1 and who is a part of the HDD group. Raider, Hunter and Faye all grew up together in a foster home run by Miss A, after being removed from abusive homes. Their tragic childhoods created a bond between them and made them a family by choice, and when one needs help, they are all ready to step up and help.

In Taken, Hunter finds out he has a half-brother, who is only a teenager and who has been seduced by his married teacher. They are currently on the run and the teacher not only has a thing for young men but she also likes to rob convenience stores. Hunter needs to get to young Jackson before this kid is killed by a trigger-happy sheriff or bounty hunter.

Usually the problem with novellas is that they are trying to give you a romance as well as an exciting story. Here, we already have the romance as Faye and Hunter were each other’s first loves but split five years ago when their own personal traumas became too much and instead of leaning on each other, they ran away. There is no question that there are still strong feelings between them and now that they have had a chance to deal with their own issues, they both realize that they handled their relationship badly. This way we can deal with tracking the missing teen and we are not having insta-love shoved at us.

We do have guest appearance/crossover in this story which was fun, and we get a little more time with both Raider and Wolfe from our original series so we get to know them just a little bit better. But, even if you haven’t read Hidden, you can read and enjoy Taken as just as exciting action story.

This novella is a spin-off to the Deep Ops series, but can easily be read as a standalone. If you have not entered into Zanetti’s other worlds I would strongly recommend you do.

Hunter, Faye and Raider formed a strong bonded under the care of their foster mother Miss Angelina. Hunter and Faye have always had a strong attraction to one another but they had so many other issues to work through that they never really had a chance. That changes when they work together to find Hunter’s half brother who is on the run with a killer. There was even a small cameo from Roscoe, the Deep Ops German Shepherd, who has a “thing” for high heels. This is a roller coaster of emotion and sexual chemistry. I just love everyone of Rebecca Zanetti’s masterpieces.

I received this ARC from NetGalley for an honest review. All views are my own.

Jackson, Fay and Raider lived in foster car with Miss Angelina, after surviving abusive parenting. One of Miss Angelina’s new charges, Jackson’s unknown half-brother, is taken over state lines by his teacher, who is on a crime spree. Miss Angelina seeks help from the trio to recover the boy before he is harmed or gets a criminal history. The dynamics between Jackson, Fay and Raider are a familial blend of teamwork. Jackson and Fay have a romantic past that brings a delightful tension to the reunion. I loved this book and look forward to reading more of this series. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This is a voluntary review of an advanced copy.

After reading a couple chapters, it finally hit me that this was part of the deep ops series and that is why some of the names were so familiar.While this book had several of the Deep ops characters, this was more about Raider's childhood friends, Hunter and Faye.

Throughout the book, we learn that they have been apart for five years, and the reason for their separation. They are brought together by Miss Angelina who informs Hunter that his half-brother, Jackson, has been taken from her care and ran off with his teacher.

Hunter was not aware that he even had a brother and he and his team go search for Jackson and try to stop the crazy teacher who is on a killing spree.

Lots of action as they chase the two across the country and try to stop more murders, and get Jackson away from the crazy teacher. The romance takes a backseat to the hunt but Faye and Hunter both realize that they made a mistake not to fight for their relationship and they should not have walked away.

Really can't wait for Raider's story and get to see Wolfe and his cat, again!

While this might not be the story of one of the main group of characters it is part of the Deep Ops world... In this we meet Hunter (foster brother to Raider FBI minder in the first in the series and star of the next book) an ex-soldier who's being a little reclusive since coming back from war...

Hunter and former foster sister/girlfriend/love of his life have to work together to save the 16.y.o. half-brother he never knew he had... and you can imagine how that ends up.

As I said this is a part of the Deep Ops world (and I guess the foster sibs may turn up in Raider's book which is why we got this teaser) but they do make a cameo appearance... even the high-heel wearing drunken dog and the cat Kat that lives in a hoodie pocket (because why not)

This was an entertaining read... that makes me wonder what will happen in the next one

4 stars

This novella is a spin-off to the Deep Ops series, but it can also easily standalone as a romantic mystery suspense. It’s fast-paced and intriguing with a second-chance-romance, and I loved it!

Hunter and Faye are the foster siblings of Raider – who is part of the Deep Ops crew. They have a bond as strong as any true siblings, though Hunter and Faye took it further and fell in mad, all-consuming love. But five years ago they were torn apart by loss and tragedy, and though their feelings for each other still burn strong, neither of them have been able to find their way back to each other.

But that’s about to change as Faye tracks Hunter down to ask for help. Another foster child from their old home has gone missing – and he just happens to be the younger brother that Hunter never knew he had. Of course he’s on board to help track the teenager down, with Faye by his side, and some help from the Deep Ops boys.

The mystery and suspense is exciting as the crew go searching for Hunter’s brother as he unwittingly becomes entangled in a crime spree across the country, and along the way it gives Hunter and Faye the opportunity to hash out their issues once and for all.

From the moment Hunter and Faye are together, you can feel the chemistry between them, and Hunter holds nothing back in sharing his feelings after all of their time apart.

“I’m the type of guy who only loves ones, and you walked away.”

It’s intense, and they have a lot of demons to overcome as they finally deal with everything that tore them apart. The sexual tension is insane, as is the sexy time, but it’s more about the emotion, and I loved seeing them open up and fight their way back to each other.

All she had to give him, no matter what happened next, was herself. He had to know that before the next day arrived, in case it was a bad one.
… “I trust you, Hunter. Completely.”
His head jerked just enough to show the impact she’d had. “Don’t trust me.”
“I do.” She reached up and dug her hands through his hair. “I’m not asking for anything from you. Not a thing. But I trust you and I love you. No matter what you do or don’t do. No matter what happens ever. You have me for as long as you want me.”

As always, Zanetti has blended the two parts of the story together beautifully, and I was glued to my kindle as it all played out. I loved the involvement of Raider and Wolfe, who both brought so much to the story, and Zanetti fangirls such as myself will love another surprise cameo that had me squeeing in delight. It all combines to brings us a great read with a beautiful love story, and I loved it!

He looked down at her, so strong and male, so intense. Possessive and real. “This is forever. You and me. I’m not letting you go again.”

*dreamy sigh*

4 stars.

I LOVED this novella – great action, suspense, drama, and romance. Even though it is not a full-length novel, do not discount it. Once you get wrapped up in the story, you will not even notice the length…it still packs a punch and will grab you and hold on. I have not read any of the other books in the Deep Ops series yet but I could easily follow along with the characters and events here.

The characters are likeable and engaging and the storyline is intense and well-written. There is witty interaction, plenty of drama and suspense, pulse-pounding action and steamy romance to keep you entertained, including a brief appearance of a tiny kitten kept in a pocket and an alcoholic, cross-dressing dog. Hunter and Faye are great together once they get past all their inner demons and stubbornness and their second chance romance is perfectly flawed with intense chemistry and a deep bond of love. I really enjoyed the way their story played out and I am looking forward to reading the other books in the series.

*Thank you to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the advanced copy of this novella. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review.

This novella is a lovely interim stopping place for Rebecca Zanetti's new series 'Deep Ops'. This short gives us the opportunity to get to know one of the Deep Ops team a bit better. Although not directly about Raider, we meet his 'family' and get the opportunity to have an understanding of his back story before reading about him in Fallen.

However, this in no way detracts from the story of Hunter and Faye. Their HEA has been a long time in the making. I love second chance romance!

A quick read packed full of action, second chance at love, and suspense. This was a great read. You definitely feel the love between Hunter and Faye and hold out hope they end up together again. I look forward to the next book.

Taken is a great second chance romance set amidst a race to find a teenaged boy in a bad situation that I read in one sitting!

Hunter, Faye and Raider bonded under the care of a wonderful foster mother Miss Angelina, and they became family in all the ways that mattered. Hunter and Faye were an item for several years, but as the blurb notes, they had a few too many personal demons to slay and they went their separate ways five years ago. Now Hunter has been honorably discharged from the Marines and making a living as a fishing guide, Faye is still looking for her path in life, and Raider is assigned to the Deep Ops team which Faye and Hunter know very little about. When one of Miss Angelina's newest foster kids runs away, she sends Faye to Hunter with the request they work together to find him.

It is immediately apparent Hunter and Faye still have feelings for each other, and the UST is thick as they work together with Raider to track down the boy who turns out to be Hunter's half-brother that he never knew existed. The clock is ticking as law enforcement and bounty hunters join the hunt when the woman Jackson is with goes on a killing spree, and Raider and Wolfe from the Deep Ops team arrive to help. We even get a little bit of Roscoe, the Deep Ops German Shepherd with some quirks of his own, and a cameo crossover appearance from some of the author's most beloved characters from another series! If you haven't read the first book in the series, you can absolutely read Taken without worry- but be prepared to want to know more about the team after you finish this one! Now, back to eagerly awaiting Raider's story in Fallen which comes out in a few months...

I have always been an absolute fan of Rebecca Zanetti. Her 'Dark Protectors' series is one of my all time favorites.
This book was different genre than what I am use to her writing. I did enjoy this story, I like that her main female character is strong and can stand up to her male counterpart. These characters have a past and yet they need to combine forces with others to find the younger brother of out main character Hunter.
I also liked that they supporting characters are as strong and funny as they are. 3.5 stars for this one.
Speaking of Dark Protectors, some of my favorite character make a cameo in this one!

So Good!! I just wish it was longer! This was a really great quick read and I really hope there is more from the secondary characters. Hunter and Faye were awesome but now I want to read about Raider and his group.

Faye hasn’t seen Hunter in 5 years but when their foster mother calls and says she needs help Faye goes to Hunter. Hunter has demons from his past as does Faye but when they find out that Hunter has a half brother in trouble they put aside their troubled past. As they are looking for Jackson Hunter and Faye try to forget the past. Can they find Jackson and the love they once had for each other. Thank you Netgalley and Ms. Zanetti for the ARC copy.

WOW! What a solid and intriguing storyline. I was so excited to read "Taken" and it was worth the wait. A+ suspense.

5 Stupendous, Marvelous, Fantastic stars*****This is a short but in-depth story about Hunter and Faye, brother and sister to one Raider Tanaka! Yep, you read that right. Our straight laced FBI handler has a brother and a sister and is called in to help them on a different case. In this story we have Faye and Hunter who have a past and very obvious feelings for each other that a strong wind could not knock over. Together the 3 of them are tasked in finding a killer and another family member that needs their help right away. I loved Wolfe and Kat! Then there was Roscoe! I love that dog, Lol. I loved that we got a glimpse of Raider's past! Annnnnddddd the piece de resistance? Ms. Zanetti threw in a HUGE SURPRISE! I saw what you did there and I screamed, literally screamed, when I read that scene! It was genius, ABSOLUTELY POSITIVELY one of the best!!! I am never, ever disappointed with your books Ms. Zanetti! You totally rock! Loved it! And I cannot wait for Fallen!!!!

Loved this novella! Faye Smith is headed to a secluded cabin to help her ex, Hunter Holt about his missing half brother, Jackson, who has gone on a crime spree with his teacher turned serial killer. They pair up with Raider, their foster brother, and Wolfe, from the Deep Ops team. Wolfe, of course, has his Kat with him. Also there is a brief cameo of Roscoe, alcoholic German Shepherd extraordinaire and do not forget the high heels 👠. Loved Hunter and Faye! 5 stars

This novella is the first book I've read by Rebecca Zanetti and I enjoyed it a lot. As it had humour, a touch of romance and suspense. Not to mention great characters and the story moved along nicely. And I was left intrigued by a lot of the characters, particularly Wolfe, Raider and Angus. So I would, definitely read more from this author in the future and would happily recommend this story to others.

Okay can I just say I really loved this book. RZ really took this book to the next level, and i absolutely loved that cameo she threw in there. If you are someone that loves suspense then this writer is for you. Not just this book, all the book. I have had the pleasure of reading most of RZ books and let me tell you she is in the top of the class when it come to writing suspense. Look into her other books, you will be glad you did. I highly recommend this book to everyone, it was gripping and intense. Best book I've read this year.