I was really surprised by Captive. I sort of worried it would be like a lot of Kindle Unlimited novels, but it's well-written, sexy, and easy to read. I ate it up and wished for seconds!

Arc Review:
Overall Rating: 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice Rating: 3 🔥🔥🔥

‘Captive’ is a 2-in-1 book with two connected stories about two ruthless brothers Angel and Omar Castillo, sons of the current leader of the Castillo cartel and their two stubborn captives Emma and Lyse. ‘Captive’ was originally released as two separate books the first book in the series was ‘Vicious Heir’ and the second book was ‘Brutal Enforcer’ from the ‘Castillo Cartel’ series, both books are dark mafia romances with strong and well written plots that are packed with emotions, spice, engaging characters, and some twist and turns.

‘Vicious Heir’
Tropes:
- Dark Mafia Romance
- Message Courier x Mafia Heir
- A Life Debt
- Kidnapping
- Forced Marriage
- Enemies To Lovers
- Controlling Alpha Male
- Spicy
- Dual POV
When Emma thought she was hired for a simple delivery of giving an envelope to a man named Angel, she has no idea that she is actually walking in on an attempt on his life. When shots are suddenly being fired at the club she’s supposed to make her delivery at she spots a gun aimed at this stranger and pushes him aside therefore saving the mafia heir, Angel Castillos life and now he owes her a life debt. Emma didn’t want to be anyone’s saviour she just wanted to heal after her mothers passing, but she atleast thought the man would be thankful she saved his life but he seems more mad at her then anything and how does he repay her by kidnapping her. Emma is now imprisoned while they do a background check to make sure she isn’t working for the enemy, when Emma’s background check comes back clean she thinks she’s free to go but now she’s a target. Angel is now forced to honour the life debt by his father, his father is forcing him to marry Emma this way she’s safe because no one would go after his wife or else it would be war plus it doubles as a punishment for Angel because he allowed a woman to save his life.
Emma learns very quickly that the man she saved is a very dangerous man, he threatens her life but yet she’s forced to marry him. Emma and Angel can’t deny their chemistry and as much as Angel tries to fight it he develops feelings for Emma all while Emma is trying her best to be a good wife as future matriarch of the family. As they both find themselves getting along and with their connection growing along with Emma getting pregnant some people aren’t so happy about their new found closeness and now danger is approaching. Can Emma and Angel survive? This story ends with a cliff hanger and picks back up in ‘Brutal Enforcer’.

‘Brutal Enforcer’
Tropes:
- Dark Mafia Romance
- Enforcer x Mafia Princess
- Rival Families
- Enemies To Lovers
- Arranged Marriage
- Kidnapping (Captive x Captor)
- Forced Proximity
- Innocent Fiery FMC x Brutal MMC Who’s Heart Awakens Only For Her
- Spicy
- Dual POV
Two mafia families have been battling with each other for years now and it’s resulted in the head of the Castillo family, Angel Castillo fighting for his life after an ambush. Angels wife Emma is pregnant and is not taking the news of her husband conditions well, Angel and Omar’s sister Lily is also concerned about Emma her blood pressure is unstable and that could seriously harm the baby. Omar is Angel’s brother, he’s also the enforcer of the family and is known as “The Beast”. Omar is looking for revenge on Angel’s behalf, and is now on a war path of chaos and destruction and Omar’s got one main target the Roja family. Omar makes his attack during the head of the Roja family’s daughter engagement party. The attack leaves a few members of the Roja family dead and if that wasn’t enough seeing he’s got the opportunity standing right in front of him, he kidnaps the head of the Roja family’s daughter, Lyse. Lyse has never had a choice in her own life, so when she was told her father had arranged a marriage for her with a man who was way older, she begged instead to become a nun and her father nearly killed her only reason she is still alive is because of her mothers begging. Now Omar has her locked up on his family’s island while he tries to negotiate with Lyses family and fiancé. Omar tells Lyse and her fiancé that if he doesn’t clean up the mess with the police in seven days then Lyse is as good as dead and to make sure everyone gets the message Omar ends up taking Lyse to the edge of the water we’re he drops her in he watches as she fights the water and tries not to drown but it’s no use Lyse can’t swim Omar is debating on whether or he’s going to save her but he can’t leave her he ends up rescuing her and then he takes her back to the house we’re he takes care of her. Omar’s feelings about Lyse start to change and he realizes that he actually feels a great lot for Lyse but she’s the enemies daughter how will he ever tell his brother Angel. But Omar’s not the only one who is having a change of heart. After Lyse discovers that her father is not bothered about his daughter being returned, and her fiancé also lost all interest in getting her back she comes to realize that she has been treated way better by Omar, his family and his staff then she’s ever been treated in her life then it hits her she thinks she could actually be in love with Omar. But the tension is still high between Lyse and Omar’s families, will these two ever get their happily ever after? You’ll just have to read this book and find out.

Thank you NetGalley, the publisher and the author for letting me read an advanced readers copy of this book I really enjoyed my time reading it.

The violent world of cartels - violence, torture, murder, betrayals, between and within your own family. Two steamy related tales that build on each other, forced marriage and enemies to lovers just make it all the more fun. Strong storyline, action, and a lot of sizzle - what more could you want

I loved this book!

This book, Captive, tells the story of two brothers in two parts.

i thought that the storyline was great, it was well planned out and the story was addictive.

There were Cartel relates struggles, love, romance, understanding, and it was a sexy read too!

It is 5 stars from me for this one - very highly recommended - a great book!

Two great stories rolled into one book.
I loved these characters from the get go and was so invested in their stories.
Watching the Emma/Angel relationship bloom was lovely but I actually really loved the Omar/Lyse story a little more because Lyse was such a closet badass.
I really hope we get Lili’s story in this series because I adored her.

This is a bundle of two books about the Castillo family. Both stories have similar plots, kidnapping, falling in love, going against the family
VICIOUS HEIR
The heir Angelo is forced to marry his kidnapped saviour Emma. Angel is ruthless and I don't like his character Emma makes him a little bit approachable. Emma is ok. The story revolves around the mafia business, and in the end, love wins.
BRUTAL ENFORCER
An enforcer of the Castillo family decides to avenge an attack on his brother by kidnapping Lyse the daughter of the enemy. They spend more time on an isolated island and fall in love, there are a few attempts to end their lives and quarrel with the family, and in the end, love wins. I liked Omar more than his brother although more ruthless he was more sensitive.
I volunteered to review an ARC of this book for Netgalley

This book was a really interesting and good read I didn’t feel that it was my favourite at all but it’s really good! It was a book that filled a great hole if you need a book in between a reading slump!

I liked this one a lot. It is a dark romance, mafia. Which is some of my faves. It was a good plot and I actually enjoyed all the characters. Check your trigger warnings. It is a dark mafia romance.
I very much enjoyed the MMC;'s as this is 2 books in 1.
Can't wait to see what else Bella Ash writes.

For some reason I never thought that mafia/cartel books would be my vibe, even though I love a dark romance. Well, Bella Ash just proved to me that I need to explore some different genres because I LOVED 'Captive'.

Book 1: Emma and Angel
- Forced Marriage
- Wrong place wrong time x Cartel Heir
- Fast burn

Book 2: Lyse and Omar
- Kidnapping
- Rival's daughter x Cartel Enforcer
- Fast burn

As there often is with books that have kidnapping or forced marriage tropes, there's a heavy dose of Stockholm Syndrome and at times I was questioning how quick things were happening, but honestly we read these types of books because it's fiction and therefore I can get with the fast paced relationships.

Overall I really enjoyed it and I'm off to search for more mafia/cartel books!

I'm a sucker for mafia/organized crime romances and really enjoyed this duet. I went into this book blind, not having read any thing by Bella Ash before and I wasn't disappointed. Both books were face paced and engaging and I really liked that Omar's story picked up right where Angel's left off. My only issue (and very minor) was I thought Omar was unnecessarily rough to Lyse in the beginning. Yes, I know it's dark romance, but it felt forced in some ways. Otherwise, great book and would definitely recommend to others to read!

Angel is in hospital it's not good. Emma is heavily pregnant. his brother Omar wants revenge as he very hot headed. He goes to where the Rojas family are holding their daughter's engagement party. Lyse hates the man she is going to have to marry. . but Omar turns up and it becomes a blood bath. he kidnaps Lyse .and takes her to their island and starts making demands to her fiancé. Lyse dad will do anything to tarnish Omar s family. but then Omar and Lyse fall in love it's so good can't wait for book 3

This is a two-part story which does what it says on the tin: mafia, bad boys, enemies to lovers, and some steam.

VICIOUS HEIR: Enemies to lovers. Force marriage.

This Angel and Emma' story. Emma saves Angel's life and as a 'mob thank you', she's made Angels captive.

BRUTAL ENFORCER: Revenge turns to mutual love.

This is Omar and Lyce's story. Lyce is the daughter of the rivalling family and their union is less than applauded by their families.

I wasn’t sure what to expect going into this, I had never read a Bella Ash book before but I can’t believe now that it’s taken me this long to read them! This was so easy to read, fast paced and hooked me from the first page! I loved that both were condensed into the same book made it so easy to cruise straight into Omar. I’m obsessed with mafia romance and this is now at the top of one of my favorites! Angel and Emma were so hot together, spicy and they just can’t stay away from each other even though they were forced to be together. Omar and Lyse were so unexpected. Omar is in a rampage and takes Lyse from her engagement party as retribution for his brother. But forced proximity makes them see each other in a different light. I was immediately obsessed with these. I can’t wait for more! I’m hoping next for Lili and Matteo! But wonderful job on these Bella! An easy 5 stars!

Captive contains the first two books of the Castillo Cartel and should be read together!

I finished this book in one day and could not put it down! The reader is first introduced to Angel and Emma's story in Vicious Heir and later to Omar and Lyse in Brutal Enforcer. Angle and Emma keep each other on their toes and despite their unpredictable and hesitant beginning, Bella Ash creates an intense amount of passion between them that I didn't want to stop reading. Picking up directly after events in Vicious Heir, Omar, and Lyse fall for each other hard and fast. Determined to be together despite the circumstances, Omar and Lyse dedicate everything to being together and are tested multiple times. While the passion is still present, the stakes of their relationship and families are what truly drives the plot in this second book of the Castillo Cartel series. A great read overall, I'm excited to see what else Bella Ash creates!

I received a free copy of this book through NetGalley and I am voluntarily leaving this review.

I finished this book in a day, which says a lot about how much I enjoyed it. Originally two separate novels, combining them into one was a smart move, especially since the first volume ends on a cliffhanger.

The first part follows Angel and Emma's story. Emma saves Angel's life, creating a life debt that leads to an unexpected marriage forced by Angel's father. Their relationship evolves amidst family secrets, though Emma's acceptance of their turbulent dynamic due to Angel's looks sometimes bothered me.

The second volume shifts focus to Angel's brother, Omar, and Lyse, who is engaged to a rival cartel member. Their story explores another scenario where the female main character is captured, turning into an enemies-to-lovers tale complicated by Omar's need to keep Lyse hidden from his family.

Overall, both volumes were well-executed despite some minor issues. The mix of action, secrets, romance, and family dynamics kept me engaged. The narrative's shifts in perspective provided a comprehensive view of the characters and their interconnected stories, although I wish there was more insight into Lili's character. I'm looking forward to diving into more from this series.

I’m a massive mafia romance fan, and this book is definitely one of my favorites. Captive by Bella Ash was a fantastic book that I couldn’t put down. The main character is such an engaging character who is 100% alpha male all the time except when it comes to the FMC. I was also pleasantly surprised that the FMC was a strong, independent woman who, although she’s had a tough life, did not let her circumstances define her and persisted on. I was hooked from the very first chapter. This book delivered exactly what I wanted, and I look forward to reading more from this author. One thing that was a bit confusing for me was that there were two books within the story. At first I was super confused because it was broken into parts and the second part followed different characters from the first story. But nonetheless, it was enjoyable, and I am looking forward to more books within the universe from Bella Ash.

This is book 1 and 2 from the Castillo Cartel series.

The Castillo brothers have something in common apart from the family cartel, their tyrant father and strong sister; kidnapping. Both brothers kidnap and detain a woman against their will and make questionable and unethical decisions along the way, this is dark romance after all. Yes the usual enemies to lovers and forced proximity tropes run riot in this with miscommunication and secrets galore but I actually enjoyed the plot in between. The Castillo cartel's leader is dying and his oldest son Angel is the next in line but daddy dearest would like his second son and enforcer, Omar, to inherit his legacy. Angel is saved from an attempted assassination by a parcel delivery woman and life debts must be paid. In marriage it turns out. Omar will protect his brother at all costs, including kidnapping the competitions daughter to hold for ransom, what could possibly go wrong...

**Vicious Heir (Book 1)** centers on Emma Hudson and Angel Castillo. Emma, working for South Beach Deliveries, saves Angel from being shot at Club Eliseo, leading to a life debt. To protect her, Angel's father, Gustavo Castillo, orders them to marry. Despite initial reluctance, Emma and Angel develop strong feelings for each other amidst a backdrop of action, secrets, and passion. Emma becomes pregnant and contemplates leaving, leading to tension and misunderstandings with Angel.

**Brutal Enforcer (Book 2)** follows Omar Castillo, the enforcer of the Castillo family, and Lyse Rojas. After Angel is attacked, Omar kidnaps Lyse during her engagement party, seeking revenge against her family. Despite initial hostility, Omar and Lyse develop a complex relationship. As they navigate their feelings, they face family conflicts and potential war.

Both books are filled with action, betrayal, and romance, captivating readers with their intense and dramatic storylines. The series hints at future stories involving other characters, maintaining anticipation for more installments.

I totally enjoyed reading this book! Amazing characters with some awesome chemistry between them. A realistic and exciting story with some action, suspense and some hot steamy sexy parts. I totally recommend reading this book!

Typical enemies to lovers. The book takes part in two different parts. Each one centering on the two brothers and their partners. I definitely preferred Angel to Omar. Angel’s story is basically an arranged marriage after a female saves his life. He essentially now owes her a life debt. Omar is falling for the enemies daughter story. You got tension, possessiveness, spice, and mafia related themes. All in all was a nice read but didn’t leave a lasting impression. It didn’t grip me while reading and I don’t have a desire for the second book.