Review: Kept by Shawntelle Madison

Kept
Author: Shawntelle Madison
Release Date: November 27, 2012
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Coveted Book #2
ISBN:   0345529170
ISBN13: 9780345529176
Genre: Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Romance
Review Copy Source: Edelweiss

Fresh from defending her pack in battle, Natalya Stravinsky, a whip-smart werewolf with a lovable neurotic streak, wants a little rest and relaxation. Once an outcast, she’s now eager to rejoin the ranks of her New Jersey pack, and has even gotten a handle on her obsessive urge to hoard holiday ornaments. Yet Nat barely has time to revel in her progress before the next crisis comes howling at her door.

Nat’s father has suddenly gone missing, captured by the Russian werewolf mafia. And as Nat steps up to save her dad from a mob boss’s deadly game, two men step in to play another round for her heart: her gorgeous alpha ex-boyfriend, Thorn, and her new flame, the sweetly sensitive wizard Nick. With her life growing more harried by the minute, Nat must stay cool, calm, and collected . . . or else risk losing everything.

Natalya really is working to become more than the scared, hoarding, outcast wolf we met in the beginning of COVETED. A good part of the book Nat is on a mission to save her father from a debt he owes. I have seen quite a few reviews that state that you can read KEPT as a standalone but I liked COVETED and I enjoyed having the full story so I will say, yes you can but you should read COVETED anyways. 

KEPT was nicely paced, full of action, suspense, growth and I was hooked to the story from a few pages in. I liked how Natalya had to deal with situations on her own for a bit. She proved to herself she can hold her own when needed. There were some neat characters introduced and some nice twists. The romance was pretty good. I really do like Nick but I wasn't rooting for him in KEPT. He comes to Natalya's aid when no one else does and helps her complete her mission but I really only see him as a really good friend to her. Thorn has had Natalya's heart for a while and he really redeemed himself in KEPT. I wasn't totally sure of him for Nat in COVETED but I love him now and couldn't imagine a better mate for her. I am glad to have the love triangle cleared up and cant wait to see the reactions decisions and events from KEPT will bring. I enjoyed learning more about Nat's family and what they have been through. Nat's OCD is still very much present but it seems to be getting better.

KEPT was the best of of the two books so far in the series in my opinion for the ending alone. WOW that rocked by socks off. I was on the edge of my seat with suspense. Can not wait to see what will happen next, the ending surely changed the game dramatically. AHHH when will book 3 be out? Someone mentioned in another review that it might not feature Natalya? PLEASE tell me that isn't true, her story is FAR from over in my opinion and I can't say that I would be satisfied if her story ended here.

I gave it 4/5 stars