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Tangled Hearts Trilogy #1
Theirs to Keep
When Cade Walker and Merrick Sullivan find Elle hiding in the cabinet of a gun store, they know they can’t just walk away from the fragile woman with no memory of who she is or who tried to kill her. Merrick is training for the title shot in the heavyweight division as a mixed martial artist and can’t afford distractions, but neither can he turn his back on the woman who tugs at his heartstrings.
Elle feels safe with her two protectors, and the longer she spends with them, the more she realizes that she has no desire to remember her past. Not when it could compromise her future with Cade and Merrick.
Cade has his own set of issues when it comes to Elle, and it quickly becomes clear to the two men that for the first time in their friendship, a woman is coming between them. But what if they just kept her there? Between them. Where she belongs.
Elle feels safe with her two protectors, and the longer she spends with them, the more she realizes that she has no desire to remember her past. Not when it could compromise her future with Cade and Merrick.
Cade has his own set of issues when it comes to Elle, and it quickly becomes clear to the two men that for the first time in their friendship, a woman is coming between them. But what if they just kept her there? Between them. Where she belongs.
360 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 19, 2012
351 people are currently reading
1,606 people want to read
About the author
Maya Banks
357books21.3kfollowersMaya Banks is the #1 New York Times, #1 USA Today and international bestselling author of over 50 novels. A wife and mother of three, she lives in Texas.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 463 reviews
October 24, 2013
I love Maya Banks and have ready all of her books. In fact she is one of my all-time favorite authors. But unfortunately this book was just ok for me. I felt like I had already read this story from her a number of times before. I also didn't like the fact that it felt like the story only really focused on Merrick and Elle while Cade was just an afterthought. The things I always enjoy most with her menage books is that each character has their own voice in the story, but that just wasn't the case this time. If you're new to Maya Banks I would suggest her earlier books like "Be With Me" and "Colter's Woman."
December 13, 2016
I am extremely disturbed about the way things are dealt with in this book and that is why, my rating reflects my opinions about the situation rather than the value of the book in terms of writing etc...
A woman undergoes immense trauma and abuse
*beaten, raped and shot all at the same time, left in mud to die,
* then some time later has to endure another attack in which bullets and grenades flying over her,
* and lastly another assault resulting in her being beaten the hell out of her again
Then, the scenes of éԲ...
Seriously? Sorry but not hot at all - it was just too much for me to process. Not convincing, either...
I was shouting at them, yelling "Take the girl to a therapist for God's sake, not to your bed!"
Ergo, low rating from me...
A woman undergoes immense trauma and abuse
*beaten, raped and shot all at the same time, left in mud to die,
* then some time later has to endure another attack in which bullets and grenades flying over her,
* and lastly another assault resulting in her being beaten the hell out of her again
Then, the scenes of éԲ...
Seriously? Sorry but not hot at all - it was just too much for me to process. Not convincing, either...
I was shouting at them, yelling "Take the girl to a therapist for God's sake, not to your bed!"
Ergo, low rating from me...
October 23, 2013
Review posted at:
Story Rating ~ 4.5 Stars
Hero # 1 Merrick ~ 4.5 Stars
Hero # 2 Cade ~ 4.5 Stars
Heroine Elle ~ 4 Stars
Romance Rating ~ 5 Stars
Heat Rating ~ 4 Stars
Action Rating ~ 4 Stars
Ending ~ 4 Stars and to be continued
Overall Rating ~ 4.5 Stars
The beginning of this story starts off CRAZY good. Elle is literally crawling through an alleyway, she is wet, freezing and scared out of her mind. She can’t remember who she is and what had happened, except that she must hide, because someone is trying to kill her. She decides to break a window to get inside a building to hide, get warm and some sleep. She manages to break the window but in doing so she cuts her hands badly on the glass.
Cade and Merrick own a security business, when the alarm rings, they jump into action. They get to the gun shop, one of the businesses that they monitor. Once there they cautiously enter, nothing seems to be out of place until they see a trail of blood leading to a closet. When they open the closet door, the last thing they thought they would find was a woman who was beaten, bleeding, cloths all torn up and scared out of her mind. She pleads with them not to call the police or take her to the hospital. Right away Merrick is drawn to her, he picks her up and carries her to their SUV and gets into the backseat settling her onto his lap. For some reason having this huge scary looking man cradling her makes her feel safe. Cade jumps in the front seat and they discuss what to do. They find out that Elle has no idea who she is and just exactly what has happened to her. She is afraid of the police and therefore does not want to go to the hospital. Merrick and Cade end up taking her to their friend Dallas, who is a doctor and runs a clinic. While Dallas is examining Elle, Merrick and Cade are infuriated with what has been done to her, they can’t believe anyone would do this to a woman. Merrick also tells Cade that he wants to bring her home to take care of her. Cade is not convinced that is what they should do. When Dallas comes out of the examining room he informs them that she has been badly beaten, shot twice, once in the shoulder and a graze to her head, and if that’s not bad enough, she was also brutally raped. When Cade enters the room all it takes is just one look at Elle and he knows Merrick is right, she will be going home with them.
As the story moves along, Cade and Merrick take such gentle care of her. They both seem to be drawn to her in ways they never would have imagined. They go about assuring her that she will be safe with them and in no way do they want her to leave.
As things progress Cade and Merrick talk about how each of them wants her and how neither of them want to give her up. In order for their friendship to continue, they decide that they are willing to share her, this is something they had never done before, but they feel it's the right decision. They discuss this with Elle, telling her how they feel and ensuring her that they will be patient with her until she is ready for the next step. Elle agrees with the men, because she herself could not pick between the two of them and was in fact in love with both of them. It was a bit of a wait for these three to finally make love, but when they do, the heat was definitely on!
Elle joins them in their day to day life, helping out with the security business, but also with Merrick’s training for a professional fight and if he wins it will give him a shot of fighting for the Heavyweight Champion of the World. Their everyday life was very interesting and added a fantastic touch.
Things get out of hand quite a few times, landing Elle in danger once again. Cade and Merrick are front and center trying their hardest to keep her safe. This story was fast paced with lots of action, there was never a dull moment.
This story is drawn out over the course of a year. At the end, they finally find some happiness, but they still don't know exactly what happened to Elle. Elle, at this point, remembers something and they are all going to check into this in book 2, Always Mine. I’m very much looking forward to finding out just what happened to Elle and where this story will take the 3 of them next.
*A copy of this book was provided by the author via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
Story Rating ~ 4.5 Stars
Hero # 1 Merrick ~ 4.5 Stars
Hero # 2 Cade ~ 4.5 Stars
Heroine Elle ~ 4 Stars
Romance Rating ~ 5 Stars
Heat Rating ~ 4 Stars
Action Rating ~ 4 Stars
Ending ~ 4 Stars and to be continued
Overall Rating ~ 4.5 Stars
The beginning of this story starts off CRAZY good. Elle is literally crawling through an alleyway, she is wet, freezing and scared out of her mind. She can’t remember who she is and what had happened, except that she must hide, because someone is trying to kill her. She decides to break a window to get inside a building to hide, get warm and some sleep. She manages to break the window but in doing so she cuts her hands badly on the glass.
Cade and Merrick own a security business, when the alarm rings, they jump into action. They get to the gun shop, one of the businesses that they monitor. Once there they cautiously enter, nothing seems to be out of place until they see a trail of blood leading to a closet. When they open the closet door, the last thing they thought they would find was a woman who was beaten, bleeding, cloths all torn up and scared out of her mind. She pleads with them not to call the police or take her to the hospital. Right away Merrick is drawn to her, he picks her up and carries her to their SUV and gets into the backseat settling her onto his lap. For some reason having this huge scary looking man cradling her makes her feel safe. Cade jumps in the front seat and they discuss what to do. They find out that Elle has no idea who she is and just exactly what has happened to her. She is afraid of the police and therefore does not want to go to the hospital. Merrick and Cade end up taking her to their friend Dallas, who is a doctor and runs a clinic. While Dallas is examining Elle, Merrick and Cade are infuriated with what has been done to her, they can’t believe anyone would do this to a woman. Merrick also tells Cade that he wants to bring her home to take care of her. Cade is not convinced that is what they should do. When Dallas comes out of the examining room he informs them that she has been badly beaten, shot twice, once in the shoulder and a graze to her head, and if that’s not bad enough, she was also brutally raped. When Cade enters the room all it takes is just one look at Elle and he knows Merrick is right, she will be going home with them.
As the story moves along, Cade and Merrick take such gentle care of her. They both seem to be drawn to her in ways they never would have imagined. They go about assuring her that she will be safe with them and in no way do they want her to leave.
As things progress Cade and Merrick talk about how each of them wants her and how neither of them want to give her up. In order for their friendship to continue, they decide that they are willing to share her, this is something they had never done before, but they feel it's the right decision. They discuss this with Elle, telling her how they feel and ensuring her that they will be patient with her until she is ready for the next step. Elle agrees with the men, because she herself could not pick between the two of them and was in fact in love with both of them. It was a bit of a wait for these three to finally make love, but when they do, the heat was definitely on!
Elle joins them in their day to day life, helping out with the security business, but also with Merrick’s training for a professional fight and if he wins it will give him a shot of fighting for the Heavyweight Champion of the World. Their everyday life was very interesting and added a fantastic touch.
Things get out of hand quite a few times, landing Elle in danger once again. Cade and Merrick are front and center trying their hardest to keep her safe. This story was fast paced with lots of action, there was never a dull moment.
This story is drawn out over the course of a year. At the end, they finally find some happiness, but they still don't know exactly what happened to Elle. Elle, at this point, remembers something and they are all going to check into this in book 2, Always Mine. I’m very much looking forward to finding out just what happened to Elle and where this story will take the 3 of them next.
*A copy of this book was provided by the author via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
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September 22, 2014DNF at 43%
Even though the book started out very promising, I lost interest after the first couple of chapters. I had a hard time connecting with Elle. While I understand that she went through something very traumatic that she can't remember, it is frustrating that she continues to live in denial and refuses to come to terms with her past. Seeing as how the first 40% of the book covers a time span of at least six months, I was really hoping to see more growth from her character.
Cade and Merrick, on the other hand, were really sexy <333 I loved that they own a security company, one is a professional fighter, and that they are so focused on protecting and taking care of Elle.
One of my biggest issues with Theirs to Keep was the relationship between Cade, Merrick, and Elle. Since time in this book moves pretty quickly, meaning time jumped several times, I had a hard time understanding how their feelings for one another evolved. It was like I was given a recap of how their lives had changed over time rather than experiencing it along with them.
Even though the book started out very promising, I lost interest after the first couple of chapters. I had a hard time connecting with Elle. While I understand that she went through something very traumatic that she can't remember, it is frustrating that she continues to live in denial and refuses to come to terms with her past. Seeing as how the first 40% of the book covers a time span of at least six months, I was really hoping to see more growth from her character.
Cade and Merrick, on the other hand, were really sexy <333 I loved that they own a security company, one is a professional fighter, and that they are so focused on protecting and taking care of Elle.
One of my biggest issues with Theirs to Keep was the relationship between Cade, Merrick, and Elle. Since time in this book moves pretty quickly, meaning time jumped several times, I had a hard time understanding how their feelings for one another evolved. It was like I was given a recap of how their lives had changed over time rather than experiencing it along with them.
October 23, 2013
5 AMAZING STARS
Theirs To Keep is the first book in the Tangled Hearts Trilogy from the amazing Maya Banks and i LOVED it, LOVED it, LOVED it.
In my opinion Maya Banks is the best author when comes down to menage books, and i can tell you the reason why as well. She has the ability to give life to every single character, to have his own individuality and make them blend with each other and create a beautiful love story.
It's the story of
Full review to be posted
Today is
Theirs To Keep it available to download on
Update 15.10.13
With only 7 days to go till release date our group The World Of Maya Banks are holding a buddy read for this book. Who ever is interested to join us can do it by following this link: /topic/show/...
We will be delighted if you gone joined our discussion and tell us your thoughts towards this book.
Cover reveal 20.09.2013
With just over a month to go MB just reveal on Facebook the cover for this book. And i have to say it's fucking fantastic. I love it!!!
Theirs To Keep is the first book in the Tangled Hearts Trilogy from the amazing Maya Banks and i LOVED it, LOVED it, LOVED it.
In my opinion Maya Banks is the best author when comes down to menage books, and i can tell you the reason why as well. She has the ability to give life to every single character, to have his own individuality and make them blend with each other and create a beautiful love story.
It's the story of
Full review to be posted
Today is
Theirs To Keep it available to download on
Update 15.10.13
With only 7 days to go till release date our group The World Of Maya Banks are holding a buddy read for this book. Who ever is interested to join us can do it by following this link: /topic/show/...
We will be delighted if you gone joined our discussion and tell us your thoughts towards this book.
Cover reveal 20.09.2013
With just over a month to go MB just reveal on Facebook the cover for this book. And i have to say it's fucking fantastic. I love it!!!
October 24, 2013
Rating: B- ... Heat: Hot
-- A Review.
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When Theirs to Keep begins, Elle has been beaten so badly that she’s bruised and bloody. She’s also cold and lost and has absolutely no memory beyond waking up on a riverbank. All she wants—all she knows—is that she needs shelter, someplace warm, even if it means she has to commit breaking and entering to get it. That and she can’t let him find her, whoever he is.
Cade Walker, owner of a private security firm, responds to an alarm at one of his locations. Merrick Sullivan, his best friend, roommate, and a MMA fighter, always goes with him to possible break-ins. Though they expect to find a homeless person or kids up to no good, what they actually find is beautiful Elle. And both men know immediately that they want—no, need—to protect her. No matter what.
These two men are rough and tough and protective to the n'th degree. From the moment they take Elle home with them, they’re goners. They both see something special in Elle and they both want to call her their own. Knowing it could ruin their friendship if only one of them gets her, they decide to both love her. If Elle will let them.
And why wouldn’t Elle let them? Cade and Merrick are prime examples of grade A, quality man meat. Mmmhmm. Though Elle falls for them both, I’m a bit partial to Merrick. He is one sexy, muscled warrior with a heart of gold. I loved how they both cherish her and insulate her as Elle tries to figure out what happened to her. Tries to recover some of her missing memories.
Their to Keep was sensual and suspenseful. Though majority of the story focuses on Elle and her recovery, it is riddled with plenty of sexual tension. How can it not with two sexy men like Cade and Merrick? I do wish there had been more depth to their characters, as well as to Elle’s, in this installment but I think that may come in the next book. It would help to form the strong connection to them that sometimes felt missing. Overall, this is another wonderful and sexy book by Maya Banks. After the preview of the next book, Always Mine, at the end, I am definitely looking forward to it and all of the complicated drama it will bring.
-- A Review.
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Want to read
October 22, 2013 Sooo, I'm not usually a fan of love triangles or menage but I have to admit this one looks good!!
When Cade Winslow and Merrick Sullivan find Elle hiding in the cabinet of a gun store, they know they can’t just walk away from the fragile woman with no memory of who she is or who tried to kill her. Merrick is training for the title shot in the heavyweight division as a mixed martial artist and can’t afford distractions, but neither can he turn his back on the woman who tugs at his heartstrings.
Elle feels safe with her two protectors, and the longer she spends with them, the more she realizes that she has no desire to remember her past. Not when it could compromise her future with Cade and Merrick.
Cade has his own set of concerns when it comes to Elle, and it quickly becomes clear to the two men that for the first time in their friendship, a woman is coming between them. But what if they just kept her there? Between them. Where she belongs
When Cade Winslow and Merrick Sullivan find Elle hiding in the cabinet of a gun store, they know they can’t just walk away from the fragile woman with no memory of who she is or who tried to kill her. Merrick is training for the title shot in the heavyweight division as a mixed martial artist and can’t afford distractions, but neither can he turn his back on the woman who tugs at his heartstrings.
Elle feels safe with her two protectors, and the longer she spends with them, the more she realizes that she has no desire to remember her past. Not when it could compromise her future with Cade and Merrick.
Cade has his own set of concerns when it comes to Elle, and it quickly becomes clear to the two men that for the first time in their friendship, a woman is coming between them. But what if they just kept her there? Between them. Where she belongs
October 20, 2013
I honestly don’t know where to start this review because I loved the book that much. I feel like I should just tell you to buy it and be done with it. I even feel like I should track down some annoying gifs to punctuate the utter adoration I had for Theirs To Keep�.and Maya Banks in general. There aren’t many authors who can continually crank out books I can find no fault with . Maya Banks is one of the very few who can consume me with her writing to the point of oblivion to things that happen around me. I lose blocks of time. Seriously.
Theirs To Keep opens with Elle stumbling into a locked gun shop with no memory, bleeding, raped and beaten within an inch of her life. Cade and Merrick are shocked to find her huddled in a gun cabinet instead of the punk kids they were expecting when the shops silent alarm is triggered. Unable to turn their backs on such a scared and scarred woman they take her home and nurse her back to health. She thinks her name is Elle, she knows she’s deathly afraid of cops and the slightest thing sends her into a panic attack that leaves her gasping for breath. Over the course of several months she comes to realize that she deeply cares for these two men but is afraid to takes the next step with either of them based on her past.
Merrick and Cade only know they want Elle with a fierce passion unlike anything either of them has felt before. They agree to both enter into a relationship with her as long as she is agreeable to the situation. Which of course she is. Each man is hot in his own way and honestly�.I just love it when threesomes work in books. Merrick is the down and dirty cage fighter who is trying to make his way in that world regardless of his late start and subsequent age. Cade is the gentle, quiet man, always there when Elle needs a place to lay her head down and cry. Both men are fiercely protective of Elle and determined to make their unconventional relationship work.
I really liked how Elle tried so hard to control her panic attacks but eventually had to learn that her mind had its reasons for protecting her. She goes through so much, not only with her prior attack but also new threats to her because of her association with Cade and Merrick.
It was just so wonderfully written ya’ll…I mean, so erotically sexy and suspenseful and full of yummy goodness. Banks is my freaking hero. I cannot wait for book two…CAN’T WAIT. Elle’s past has been lurking on the edge of her memory and the reemergence of those memories is bound to make her crash. She’s stronger than she thinks though and so even if it brings her to her knees I have complete faith that she will overcome her horrific past and with the love of Cade and Merrick begin to move on.
I give Theirs To Keep by Maya Banks 5 stars!
Theirs To Keep opens with Elle stumbling into a locked gun shop with no memory, bleeding, raped and beaten within an inch of her life. Cade and Merrick are shocked to find her huddled in a gun cabinet instead of the punk kids they were expecting when the shops silent alarm is triggered. Unable to turn their backs on such a scared and scarred woman they take her home and nurse her back to health. She thinks her name is Elle, she knows she’s deathly afraid of cops and the slightest thing sends her into a panic attack that leaves her gasping for breath. Over the course of several months she comes to realize that she deeply cares for these two men but is afraid to takes the next step with either of them based on her past.
Merrick and Cade only know they want Elle with a fierce passion unlike anything either of them has felt before. They agree to both enter into a relationship with her as long as she is agreeable to the situation. Which of course she is. Each man is hot in his own way and honestly�.I just love it when threesomes work in books. Merrick is the down and dirty cage fighter who is trying to make his way in that world regardless of his late start and subsequent age. Cade is the gentle, quiet man, always there when Elle needs a place to lay her head down and cry. Both men are fiercely protective of Elle and determined to make their unconventional relationship work.
I really liked how Elle tried so hard to control her panic attacks but eventually had to learn that her mind had its reasons for protecting her. She goes through so much, not only with her prior attack but also new threats to her because of her association with Cade and Merrick.
It was just so wonderfully written ya’ll…I mean, so erotically sexy and suspenseful and full of yummy goodness. Banks is my freaking hero. I cannot wait for book two…CAN’T WAIT. Elle’s past has been lurking on the edge of her memory and the reemergence of those memories is bound to make her crash. She’s stronger than she thinks though and so even if it brings her to her knees I have complete faith that she will overcome her horrific past and with the love of Cade and Merrick begin to move on.
I give Theirs To Keep by Maya Banks 5 stars!
May 12, 2016
What the hell did I just read? This was a clusterfuck of a book. I just couldn't get into it. I thought that Elle had no character or personality at all and just relied on Merrick and Cade for everything. Look, I feel for her, she went through a traumatic experience that she can hardly remember. I mean she lost all of her memories of her life and who she is, but she remembers bits and pieces of who attacked her? Not buying it. Doesn't make sense!! And how many times does this woman have to get attacked or be a target throughout the book? This was really unrealistic to me.
Cade and Merrick are best friends since childhood and find Elle and rescue her and all of a sudden they are both in love with her in like a day of knowing or shall I say not knowing who she is. Oh here's the solution to that, let's both have her only if she agrees to it. Well, Elle definitely agreed to that with no hesitation.
I was rolling my eyes through most of this crap. I was also waiting for Dallas to jump on the bandwagaon of falling in love with Elle. Lets make it a foursome why don't we? Needless to say, I probably won't be picking up the next book to this series.
Cade and Merrick are best friends since childhood and find Elle and rescue her and all of a sudden they are both in love with her in like a day of knowing or shall I say not knowing who she is. Oh here's the solution to that, let's both have her only if she agrees to it. Well, Elle definitely agreed to that with no hesitation.
I was rolling my eyes through most of this crap. I was also waiting for Dallas to jump on the bandwagaon of falling in love with Elle. Lets make it a foursome why don't we? Needless to say, I probably won't be picking up the next book to this series.
October 23, 2013
First I am a long time fan of Mrs. Maya Banks. Love her books.
This story begins with Merrick and Cade.
Merrick is a MMA fighter. But together he and Cade own a security company. They have been friends since grade school. Really you could say they are more like brothers than friends. Cade is part of Merrick MMA support team.
Merrick is training to become MMA Champion.
On night they got a security call from a gun store they monitor. Instead of calling the cops to meet them they decide to investigate it on their own. They never thought they would discover a women hidden in a gun cabinet lost, alone, hiding, beaten almost to death with no memory except that she knows she is in danger and was being hunted by someone.
Elle is so scared they will call the police but after her frantic meltdown Cade and Merrick decide to take her to their house until they can figure everything out. And what choice does she have but to go with these two men.
Feelings gradually develop between the three of them. Cade and Merrick want each other to be happy and they want Elle to be happy and safe. But what and how can they do that when they both have feeling for her and they agree nothing will ever come between their friendship not even a woman.
So they come up with a solution that they think will work out for all of them.
Can they share her without getting jealous?
Will Elle remember what happened to her?
Do they have a future together? Or will her pass ruin things between her, Cade and Merrick?
I loved Cade and Merrick protectiveness and their patience with Elle. She always came first to both of them. They put her needs first, but they also had strong emotionally and physically feeling for her as well as she did for them.
"I don't know what happened to send you and Cade to me, but I thank God for you both every day."
"Ever consider that we thank him for giving us you?"~Merrick
She has danger in her past and they have danger in their present that adds suspense, drama, and tension. The fact that we just get little glimpses into her past just adds mystery and keeps you wondering.
All the characters in the book share deep bonds of friendship, loyalty and love.
You have Dallas who is the doctor and long time friend of Cade and Merrick. Dallas is also part of Merrick support team.
Then you have Cade dad who helps with the security company and considers both men his boy. I loved him!! He has no filter on his mouth..lol
This story is taken place over the course of a year. And Elle still has not clue what happened to her not exactly. Her memory comes back little by little through the whole book. You get bits and pieces but not the full story. I think that will all come out in the next installment.
Now this is not one of my favorites from Maya Banks. It is not a bad read just I had a hard time with some of the book. Still I can not wait to read the next one to find out more of what happened to Elle. Like I said I am a long time fan of Maya Banks.
One more thing this book does not end in a cliffhanger. You just do not get all of her memory in this book is all.
This story begins with Merrick and Cade.
Merrick is a MMA fighter. But together he and Cade own a security company. They have been friends since grade school. Really you could say they are more like brothers than friends. Cade is part of Merrick MMA support team.
Merrick is training to become MMA Champion.
On night they got a security call from a gun store they monitor. Instead of calling the cops to meet them they decide to investigate it on their own. They never thought they would discover a women hidden in a gun cabinet lost, alone, hiding, beaten almost to death with no memory except that she knows she is in danger and was being hunted by someone.
Elle is so scared they will call the police but after her frantic meltdown Cade and Merrick decide to take her to their house until they can figure everything out. And what choice does she have but to go with these two men.
Feelings gradually develop between the three of them. Cade and Merrick want each other to be happy and they want Elle to be happy and safe. But what and how can they do that when they both have feeling for her and they agree nothing will ever come between their friendship not even a woman.
So they come up with a solution that they think will work out for all of them.
Can they share her without getting jealous?
Will Elle remember what happened to her?
Do they have a future together? Or will her pass ruin things between her, Cade and Merrick?
I loved Cade and Merrick protectiveness and their patience with Elle. She always came first to both of them. They put her needs first, but they also had strong emotionally and physically feeling for her as well as she did for them.
"I don't know what happened to send you and Cade to me, but I thank God for you both every day."
"Ever consider that we thank him for giving us you?"~Merrick
She has danger in her past and they have danger in their present that adds suspense, drama, and tension. The fact that we just get little glimpses into her past just adds mystery and keeps you wondering.
All the characters in the book share deep bonds of friendship, loyalty and love.
You have Dallas who is the doctor and long time friend of Cade and Merrick. Dallas is also part of Merrick support team.
Then you have Cade dad who helps with the security company and considers both men his boy. I loved him!! He has no filter on his mouth..lol
This story is taken place over the course of a year. And Elle still has not clue what happened to her not exactly. Her memory comes back little by little through the whole book. You get bits and pieces but not the full story. I think that will all come out in the next installment.
Now this is not one of my favorites from Maya Banks. It is not a bad read just I had a hard time with some of the book. Still I can not wait to read the next one to find out more of what happened to Elle. Like I said I am a long time fan of Maya Banks.
One more thing this book does not end in a cliffhanger. You just do not get all of her memory in this book is all.
February 14, 2014
Absolute disappointment.
I've never really been a fan of the whole insta-love, but this one was a bit much. When they first lay eyes on her, their in love. Another major disappointment was the éԲ. There was truly no point in it, because the story focused on Merrick and Elle. Cade was just a hanger on with no real purpose to the overall story. That was sad; I felt so bad for him because I didn't feel the love for him from Elle.
There was no true chemistry between any of them, but the author majorly favored Merrick of the two men. The fact that not one of them was even a little bit curious as to who this woman was before trying to rush her down the aisle was totally ludicrous. It never occurred to them that this woman could already be married or could be someone's mother!?! Craziness! It was like they found a lost puppy and claimed it for their own.
I'm a huge Maya Banks fan, as I pre-ordered this book just because it was her, but after reading it, I'm regretting that decision. It was a poor rehash of Colters'. I loved Colters' Woman, but this wasn't the best. With that being said, the characters weren't horrible people, they just had no chemistry between them. And poor Cade, he had no point whatsoever.
I've never really been a fan of the whole insta-love, but this one was a bit much. When they first lay eyes on her, their in love. Another major disappointment was the éԲ. There was truly no point in it, because the story focused on Merrick and Elle. Cade was just a hanger on with no real purpose to the overall story. That was sad; I felt so bad for him because I didn't feel the love for him from Elle.
There was no true chemistry between any of them, but the author majorly favored Merrick of the two men. The fact that not one of them was even a little bit curious as to who this woman was before trying to rush her down the aisle was totally ludicrous. It never occurred to them that this woman could already be married or could be someone's mother!?! Craziness! It was like they found a lost puppy and claimed it for their own.
I'm a huge Maya Banks fan, as I pre-ordered this book just because it was her, but after reading it, I'm regretting that decision. It was a poor rehash of Colters'. I loved Colters' Woman, but this wasn't the best. With that being said, the characters weren't horrible people, they just had no chemistry between them. And poor Cade, he had no point whatsoever.
October 25, 2013
I had a very hard time finishing the book. While I understand this book is laying the groundwork since it is a trilogy, most of the book bored me. Understandably, Merrick and Cade were very protective with Elle but it came across as treating her as if she were their little sister. I never bought into the love story for some reason.
The only thing that saved this book for me was the last 15%. Things were just starting to open up with Elle's back story and it sounds like book 2 will hopefully give some answers. This isn't a series that I am invested enough to continue with unfortunately.
The only thing that saved this book for me was the last 15%. Things were just starting to open up with Elle's back story and it sounds like book 2 will hopefully give some answers. This isn't a series that I am invested enough to continue with unfortunately.
November 21, 2019
Cade and Merrick were best friends with a life already planned, they had their goals and their own agendas until something happened that brought Elle to their lives, forgetting about anything planned, they want to help her find answers as well as keep her and make her theirs.
Elle had a very traumatic experience that she wants to forget about, she doesn't know if she lost her memory or only she was afraid and block everything about that night.. Cade and Merrick don't know what happened to her all they know is that they want to keep her forever.
Theirs to keep has a good plot and is a great story but I felt like something was missing.. I felt like the characters fell hard very fast for one another and didn't give the reader a chance to fall in love with them.. everything was good, the control, the dominance, The love they had for Elle but I felt like there was so much more that we were missing. I wish we could get all our answers to solve but I was left with so many things unsolve..
overall was good.
Elle had a very traumatic experience that she wants to forget about, she doesn't know if she lost her memory or only she was afraid and block everything about that night.. Cade and Merrick don't know what happened to her all they know is that they want to keep her forever.
Theirs to keep has a good plot and is a great story but I felt like something was missing.. I felt like the characters fell hard very fast for one another and didn't give the reader a chance to fall in love with them.. everything was good, the control, the dominance, The love they had for Elle but I felt like there was so much more that we were missing. I wish we could get all our answers to solve but I was left with so many things unsolve..
overall was good.
May 5, 2024
I'm trying to catch up on all my ŷ Giveaways wins. I won this one quite a few years ago. I read a few pages then stopped, and it probably should have stayed that way. It felt superficial, shallow, and amateurish. I usually try to find something constructive to say but I have nothing except the names of the characters were kind of cool.
August 12, 2015
***Slight Details ***
I love Maya Banks. I would read dirt if that’s what she wished to publish. THEIRS TO KEEP was wonderful. That’s not to say I didn’t have a few faults with it, but overall, I can’t wait for the rest. I could even say I’m even more excited now.
Elle has only a sense of her past and it’s telling her to avoid detection at all cost because He is after her.
When Cade and Merrick come into her life, they instantly want to protect her after all she’s been through, but in the back of their mind is that feeling that there’s more between them. I enjoyed the fact that there isn’t any evidence that Merrick and Cade had ever even thought about sharing a woman, yet with Elle, they knew if they wanted their friendship to survive, they had to make it work.
I was more of a Cade fan, myself, but both men were great with Elle. I felt at times things were laid on thick, but hey, how can you complain about that? However, there were times where I felt the story drag as if it was because the story is being put into three books. Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m glad a lot of time was spent on Elle’s recovery. She went through some major traumas and in a way, I think she recovered quicker than expected.
So this book pretty much just set up the story. Elle is with both men and they have avoided looking into her past, each afraid for their own reason, of what they might find.
The end sets up book two with Elle finally getting a sense of where she’s from and she’s determined to go there and find answers.
I love Maya Banks. I would read dirt if that’s what she wished to publish. THEIRS TO KEEP was wonderful. That’s not to say I didn’t have a few faults with it, but overall, I can’t wait for the rest. I could even say I’m even more excited now.
Elle has only a sense of her past and it’s telling her to avoid detection at all cost because He is after her.
When Cade and Merrick come into her life, they instantly want to protect her after all she’s been through, but in the back of their mind is that feeling that there’s more between them. I enjoyed the fact that there isn’t any evidence that Merrick and Cade had ever even thought about sharing a woman, yet with Elle, they knew if they wanted their friendship to survive, they had to make it work.
I was more of a Cade fan, myself, but both men were great with Elle. I felt at times things were laid on thick, but hey, how can you complain about that? However, there were times where I felt the story drag as if it was because the story is being put into three books. Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m glad a lot of time was spent on Elle’s recovery. She went through some major traumas and in a way, I think she recovered quicker than expected.
So this book pretty much just set up the story. Elle is with both men and they have avoided looking into her past, each afraid for their own reason, of what they might find.
The end sets up book two with Elle finally getting a sense of where she’s from and she’s determined to go there and find answers.
January 3, 2014
Love Maya Banks!! Best author ever! Ok, fangirling over. Now on to the review:
Hot. Hot. Hot.
Steamy.
LOVE!
They saved her. They BOTH want her. What are they supposed to do?
Duh! If 2 is better than 1, then of course 3 is better than 2!!
But... and there is a but... She has no idea who the flip she is. I understand that she is traumatized. Who wouldn't be? But having some PTSD moment every chapter got pretty old.
It was so intense!! Every bit! The suspense! The training! The... *cough* *cough* steamy scenes...
I got concerned towards the end that we weren't going to figure out everything that happened to her. GOOD NEWS! There is a book continuing the story due out in March.
Hot. Hot. Hot.
Steamy.
LOVE!
They saved her. They BOTH want her. What are they supposed to do?
Duh! If 2 is better than 1, then of course 3 is better than 2!!
But... and there is a but... She has no idea who the flip she is. I understand that she is traumatized. Who wouldn't be? But having some PTSD moment every chapter got pretty old.
It was so intense!! Every bit! The suspense! The training! The... *cough* *cough* steamy scenes...
I got concerned towards the end that we weren't going to figure out everything that happened to her. GOOD NEWS! There is a book continuing the story due out in March.
October 28, 2013
Was it really necessary to make this woman go through such violence 3 times in less than a year? First she was beaten, raped, shot and left for dead. When she was trying to rebuild her life, which was considerably difficult because she had amnesia, the office where she works gets vandalized and torched with her inside. And because that wasn't enough...a guy attacks when she gets home a couple days later. More bruises and broken ribs. Really?
I did like the way she tried to overcome all this though. Cade and Merrick really gave her a great support group for her to lean on and it made a huge difference in her recovery. They really loved her and it showed every day in every way.
I am wondering now who this Morgan is and how he'll fit. Seems like he loved her when she disappeared and although I'm sorry for him...I don't really like to imagine him interfering with the happiness the three of them have now. They struggled a lot to get there and I think he'll just mess up the balance. Plus I fear Elle can't deal with much more. Although I do agree that she needs to deal with her past soon.
I did like the way she tried to overcome all this though. Cade and Merrick really gave her a great support group for her to lean on and it made a huge difference in her recovery. They really loved her and it showed every day in every way.
I am wondering now who this Morgan is and how he'll fit. Seems like he loved her when she disappeared and although I'm sorry for him...I don't really like to imagine him interfering with the happiness the three of them have now. They struggled a lot to get there and I think he'll just mess up the balance. Plus I fear Elle can't deal with much more. Although I do agree that she needs to deal with her past soon.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 19, 2018
I can't even with this book dude. Like seriously can't even.
I honestly don't even care enough about it to write a real review like I normally do. This book was just so bad. The story wasn't there. There was no character development. There wasn't anything, like at all.
The boys find her and then all of a sudden it's 6 month later. And they're like all in love and shit. I listened to an audio of this book and it was all over the damn place. Wtf happened with the person who hurt her? What in the actual fuck was that random ass attack on her? And this random storyline with that car break in that the boys stopped? Like WHAT?! So much more planning needed to go into this book. It was so half-fasted. -.-
The only reason this isn't a one star review is because the few and far between smut scenes were pretty good. But if they weren't in there this would definitely be a one star review. And I don't just hand out one stars all willy nilly.
And what pisses me off even more is that I will never be able to find out wtf is going on in this book because THE SERIES WAS NEVER FINISHED! Like really!? Kay, cool.
I honestly don't even care enough about it to write a real review like I normally do. This book was just so bad. The story wasn't there. There was no character development. There wasn't anything, like at all.
The boys find her and then all of a sudden it's 6 month later. And they're like all in love and shit. I listened to an audio of this book and it was all over the damn place. Wtf happened with the person who hurt her? What in the actual fuck was that random ass attack on her? And this random storyline with that car break in that the boys stopped? Like WHAT?! So much more planning needed to go into this book. It was so half-fasted. -.-
The only reason this isn't a one star review is because the few and far between smut scenes were pretty good. But if they weren't in there this would definitely be a one star review. And I don't just hand out one stars all willy nilly.
And what pisses me off even more is that I will never be able to find out wtf is going on in this book because THE SERIES WAS NEVER FINISHED! Like really!? Kay, cool.
October 23, 2013
I was really into menage erotica awhile back and I decided this would be a great time to explore my previous obsession. Plus, it's Maya Banks so I'm pretty much guaranteed a steamy read.
This was an okay read for me. I'm all for damsel-in-distress stories but Elle really bothered me in this one. I understand she feels like a charity case, but do something to change that if you feel like you're such a burden. Even when she makes some progress in her life, she'll have a memory of her past and become all weak and insecure again. I liked Cade and Merrick enough to finish reading the book for them but the story was just okay for me. She gets better towards the end but I don't think it made up for the first 70% of the book.
I realized this book was a trilogy but I thought they were going to be stand-alones like her Breathless trilogy. There isn't a cliffhanger but obviously the story just started. I probably will check it out because Elle is starting to redeem herself as a character. Plus, I'm curious about her past because nothing was really revealed.
This was an okay read for me. I'm all for damsel-in-distress stories but Elle really bothered me in this one. I understand she feels like a charity case, but do something to change that if you feel like you're such a burden. Even when she makes some progress in her life, she'll have a memory of her past and become all weak and insecure again. I liked Cade and Merrick enough to finish reading the book for them but the story was just okay for me. She gets better towards the end but I don't think it made up for the first 70% of the book.
I realized this book was a trilogy but I thought they were going to be stand-alones like her Breathless trilogy. There isn't a cliffhanger but obviously the story just started. I probably will check it out because Elle is starting to redeem herself as a character. Plus, I'm curious about her past because nothing was really revealed.
December 18, 2014
Like Merrick and Cade, I also once came upon a beautiful, obviously traumatized girl who couldn't tell me where she came from. I, too, decided to take her home and keep her. Of course, in my case, I'm talking about a stray dog, not a woman.
There's a lot--and I mean a whole lot--of WTFery here. From Cade and Merrick basically adopting Elle as a pet, to their near-instant, baseless conviction that she is "the one," to the way they never so much as glimpse each other's cocks, much less make any kind of physical contact during sex...it's a long, long list.
And, damnit, despite it all, I have to admit I'm curious about the next book. I don't want to be, but I am.
There's a lot--and I mean a whole lot--of WTFery here. From Cade and Merrick basically adopting Elle as a pet, to their near-instant, baseless conviction that she is "the one," to the way they never so much as glimpse each other's cocks, much less make any kind of physical contact during sex...it's a long, long list.
And, damnit, despite it all, I have to admit I'm curious about the next book. I don't want to be, but I am.
February 18, 2014
Meh. The male characters are wholly unrealistic (and so sappy they're slightly annoying) and the story/dialogue is repetitious. It's also the first of three books so I never got the answers that kept me reading. I saw from other reviewers who like Maya Banks that this wasn't their favorite of hers, but since it was my first, I'm probably done.
October 26, 2013
Dumping this book, I seriously can't read this rubbish. Its got a good story somewhere.. but its lost around the rubbish.
when someone finishes it.. please tell me the ending.. like the suspense bit of this book please! :-)
when someone finishes it.. please tell me the ending.. like the suspense bit of this book please! :-)
October 29, 2013
While I tend to love anything Ms. Banks writes, this fell a little flat for me. Still an intriquing story, however; the characters were not well developed and seemed to be quite repetitive throughout. I am looking forward to the next book to see how things playout though.
March 6, 2018
I’d like to give this book negative stars. I cannot tell you how many times I rolled my eyes, they’re likely stuck looking at my brain. The Female lead was whiny and boring. Cafe and Merrick? Really? They both married her?!? What?!? Don’t waste your time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 3, 2013
I was bored throughout the whole book. I felt like I had been there and done there done that.
July 17, 2016
Normally I love Maya Banks, but this book did nothing for me. I was barely able to finish this one.
February 5, 2017
This book was TRASH. So icky on so many levels.
February 18, 2020
I haven't read any Maya Banks in a while but as soon as I started this book, I recalled that I'm a sucker for safe haven mind candy. So much so, that I've created a new "tag" in my ŷ for safe haven as a genre. I need to find more! And speaking of more, this book had a cliffhanger ending and was published nearly 7 years ago. Books 2 and 3 in the series are MIA which is sad since I'm bonded to characters. Will we ever find out about Elle's past? This book features a menage relationship with Cade and Merrick which is plenty spicy but is based in love. Cade owns a security firm, and Merrick is a rising star in mixed martial arts, so there's plenty of safety for Elle with them. I listened to the audiobook. 4/5
September 6, 2021
I loved this book. And I also really loved both Cade Winslow and Merrick Sullivan . They are real gentlemen who were really patient with Ellie. And waited 7 months to have sex with her and communicate on how they feel for her and each other.
May 22, 2024
This books was actually really good but WHO LET ME START THIS WITHOUT MAKJNG SURE THE REST OF THE TRILOGY HAS BEEN PUBLISHED!!! I’m so mad right now this book was published is 2013!!!! And the next book was never published I’m gonna cry. How they gonna leave the mystery so open ended like that😭😭
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