Okay, woooooow. Oh my god, this story was so hot and such a pleasure to read. DISCLAIMER: there are some really sensitive scenes in this novel that might be triggers for certain readers. Be cautious when choosing this book.

Another modern re-telling of the classic Tarzan, author Clarissa Wild, takes us on a journey of life, love, and uncensored pleasure. If you’re into dark romances as much as I am, you’re going to LOVE this book. Completely raw, over the top drama, with the perfect amount of pain. A truly delectable read.

“Mine…” he growls. There it is again. That one word that unlocks my heart.

Here’s the thing….if you’re not into possessive men, this is definitely not the book for you. Complete and utter domination. I, for one, love to read all types of romance. Unless someone is being physically or mentally hurt against their will, I usually enjoy the story.

We first meet Ella, our heroine, when she was very young. We are there with her as she witnesses the death of her sister and, in turn, loses her voice. She has what’s called Selective Mutism. It’s real, I looked it up. Ella cannot speak unless she trusts someone fully. The only people she trust are her parents until she meets Cage. Cage was born inside the glass cage where his father keeps him and has remained there his entire life. He knows nothing of the outside world, he only knows what his father has taught him. How to fight and have sex. We learn pretty early on in the novel, that Cage “chose” Ella as his prize for winning fights for his father in an illegal underground fighting ring. Cage’s father is pure evil, he abducted Ella, and provided her to Cage as his play thing. He tortures his victims with knockout gas and other weapons that we can’t see. Little does he know, but his son is completely smitten with Ella from the moment he sees her. He will do anything for her, especially after she begins to teach him to read and speaks to him about all he’s missing in the outside world. He will even risk his life to save her from his father.

This story is a whirlwind of delicious love-making and intense, emotional breakthroughs. How do you come to terms with the fact that you’re in love with the man who chose to have you abducted? Ella struggles with so much…there’s definitely some Stockholm Syndrome going on, but it really didn’t bother me. Cage and Ella’s love felt true and real from the get-go.

Allowing us, the reader, to experience Cage’s full character arc was something else. Sincerely. We meet him, and all he knows is kill, eat, fuck, repeat. (Pardon my french). Ella changes his life, teaches him, guides him, makes him better. It’s an incredible transformation that Wild crafted perfectly. Standing ovation for that, Clarissa ❤ you rock. There were so many special little treats throughout the novel that most books don’t take the time to embellish on; it really changes the way the reader experiences the story. Ella’s parents were two, fully developed humans, as well of her friend, Bo (btw that love triangle was brilliant – thanks for that). Friends – take the time to read this. I think it’s worth it.

5 stars goes out to our lovely, brilliant author, Clarissa Wild. Love comes in all shapes and sizes; love comes when you least expect it; you don’t choose who you love. Thank you for sharing your story with us, Clarissa.

“Being free means nothing…without you.”