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The Kidnap Club #2

Stealing the Heiress

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She was looking for adventure...

Lady Rosamunde Stanley just never expected in the form of a kidnapping.

Well, an almost-kidnapping. The dastardly man only went and took the wrong woman!

But she soon discovers the dark, handsome man is not quite the terrible rogue she thinks him to be and she decides to put his experience to use. Her uncle has gone missing and no one believes her when she says he’s in trouble. Can she persuade Russell to help?

Russell might have kidnapped her, but he has no intention of keeping her. Even if the heat between them is driving him out of his wits and her crazy family makes him long for things a battle-hardened orphan like him should never want.

Their societal divide isn’t the only reason to keep his distance. Rosamunde is a bloody knife-carrying, picklock-wielding madwoman.

A far too appealing madwoman…

He’s not the only one struggling. Rosamunde is finding it just as difficult to fight the attraction, despite knowing it is most likely her over-active imagination leading her down this path. Somehow, she must keep her head around the most exciting man she’s ever met.

286 pages, Paperback

First published May 25, 2020

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About the author

Samantha Holt

207 books691 followers
Samantha Holt resides in Warwickshire, England, with her twin girls, having followed her soldier husband around the UK for nearly 10 years. Growing up in Hampshire, she was inspired by the authors Jane Austen and Elizabeth Gaskell, both of whom lived and wrote only miles from her home town.

Samantha loves the romance genre and has been devouring romantic literature for as long as she can remember. History is another passion of hers and she loves to combine her love for history and romance into exciting and passionate tales.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews
Profile Image for Janet.
4,270 reviews44 followers
May 28, 2020
Lady Rosamunde Stanley is a widow & has always dreamed of adventure but she never expected to be kidnapped. Well, an almost-kidnapping. The dastardly man only went and took the wrong woman!
She soon discovers the dark, handsome man is not quite the terrible rogue she thinks him to be and she decides to put his experience to use. Her uncle Albert has gone missing and no one believes her when she says he’s in trouble. Marcus Russell might have kidnapped her, but he has no intention of keeping her. Even if the heat between them is driving him out of his wits and her crazy family makes him long for things a battle-hardened orphan like him should never want. Their societal divide isn’t the only reason to keep his distance. Rosamunde is a bloody knife-carrying, picklock-wielding madwoman.
He’s not the only one struggling. Rosamunde is finding it just as difficult to fight the attraction, despite knowing it is most likely her over-active imagination leading her down this path.
This is the second book in the series & yes it could be read on its own but I’d recommend reading the first book too as they are both so very good. The author is a must read for me & this is one of her best, a fun entertaining read that has you smiling most of the way through & laughing out loud at times. I loved Rosamunde who downed three pints without batting an eye, stabbed a highwayman & who finds herself strongly attracted to Russell. Russell is the strong silent self made man who believes he hasn’t a heart until he meets Rosamunde & they spend time together searching for her uncle. What an adventure they go on. The chemistry between the pair sizzled. Another well written, page turning read that I devoured in under a day & I loved every page
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
Profile Image for Space Cowgirl.
3,956 reviews128 followers
May 31, 2020
Heroic Deeds With Ease🐺🔪!

ADULT Regency Romantic Comedy💕 with Adventure, Mystery, and an Abduction.
On her way to a tea party, the young Dowager Viscountess of Rothmere, Lady Rosamunde💃💋 Stanley's coach is pulled over by a highwayman🐺🔪🔫 in broad daylight!
Marcus Russell🐺🍆⛲💪🔪🔫, the tall, handsome, masked highwayman, is an orphan and ex soldier who has pulled himself up by his bootstraps and is now part of the Kidnap Club. The club specializes in being paid for "kidnapping" young women to remove them from their unwanted suitors or betrothed. Russell🐺🍆⛲💪🔪🔫 assumes Rosemunde💃💋 knows about the arrangement! OOPS!
He has kidnapped the wrong woman! Miss Heston, the woman he was supposed to "kidnap" is Rosamunde's cousin!

Rosamunde💃💋 coerces the gruff and rough Russell🐺🍆⛲💪🔪🔫 into finding her Uncle Albert👴 in return for remaining quiet about her false kidnapping. Albert👴 has been missing for three months.

Through it all, Rosamunde💃💋 insists on getting in the way and inserting herself into the search for Uncle Albert👴. The standoffish and rough Russell🐺🍆⛲💪🔪🔫 is deeply attracted💕 to her but afraid of commitment and showing his interest in her because of her social status and his life as an independent man.

ARC Provided by Booksprout 🌱
I also got this ebook from Amazon for $.99
1,368 reviews14 followers
June 27, 2021
Lady Rosamunde is tenacious. She is going to find her missing Uncle. When she is accidently kidnapped, a case of mistaken identity, she finds in the kidnapper the man to help her find her Uncle. Russell, the kidnapper, wouldn't normally get involved with a case like Lady Rosamunde's however he doesn't seem to be able to say no. Whether guilt over the mistaken identity or something about the lady herself, he gets involved.
I found the characters enchanting and fun. The solving of the mystery of the missing uncle is entertaining.
2,059 reviews20 followers
May 24, 2020
Gosh! What wasn’t to enjoy about this book. Two captivating characters in Rosie and Russell. Rosie, a young widow and heiress, was definitely a dreamer with a vivid imagination. After a first marriage to an older man, she longed for adventure. Russell is an orphan who brought himself up on the streets but is now a wealthy man due to his intelligence and energy. He likes to move around and not stay in one place too long. He meets Rosie when he is performing his duties as part of the Kidnap Club. They are attracted to each other but they are unsure of how the other feels. This was a good paced story with plenty of interest, including some steamy moments, to keep you reading until the end. Rosie’s extended family is definitely a one-off! This was a very entertaining read. I received a copy via Booksprout and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Lori D.
3,837 reviews111 followers
June 1, 2020
A delightful, humourous, laugh out loud romance with a little mystery and suspense thrown in that Samantha Holt's magical pen always guarantees!
Rosamunde was a dreamer. She knew one day a swashbuckling pirate would come through the door ready to take her with him... or no, maybe a braw Scotsman who would demand she come to his castle. Little did she know she was about to undertake a ride of a lifetime!
Rosamunde and her aunt Petunia (oh yes!!) were on their way to visit one of her aunt's friends, when the carriage was stopped at gunpoint.
Russell was waiting for the carriage so he could "kidnap" the lady that needed rescuing. The problem was she fought him and almost stabbed him with her knife! I want to tell you the entire scene as he took off with her and got her in is carriage and what happened next. I could not help laughing!!
"The Kidnap Club made a rule. They did not touch the women they took." "And he was not, under any circumstances, going to lust over this woman."
I will leave you with that and urge you to read this wonderful story that I seriously could not put down one I read the first page! Loved it!
Profile Image for Kaye.
7,178 reviews67 followers
May 29, 2020
ONE IMPRESSIVE ADVENTURE!!!
Delightful! Samantha brings this stunning, out of the box, refreshing spin, ratcheting up the exuberance and intensity, wrapping up one killer storyline and gripping plot, binding this baby together seamlessly. Shenanigans, escapades and mayhem rule the roost displaying the drama, turmoil, intrigue, abduction, sizzling suspense and intense situations, along with a double dose of trouble, you have one mind-blowing adventure. Kooky happenstance and startling mishaps showcase the intimidating trials and taxing tribulations, stumbling through the funky twists and shocking turns, testing our characters in ways they never saw coming. Blurring boundaries and leaping lines, exposing the strengths and weaknesses being weighed and balanced, knocking this baby into the eye of the storm, breaking it down, blowing it into a tailspin with a life-changing culmination. Satisfaction is an understatement, this baby comes packing a punch that'll bring you to your knees, keeping you riveted on a razors edge and frozen to your seat. The attraction and chemistry sizzles from the pages and suck you in so deeply until you feel the heat and electricity thrumming through your veins. The characters are complex and authentic with depth and traits that blend and flow, transforming into genuinely relatable personalities. The scenes are strikingly sharp with abundant details and depictions creating a colorful backdrop that makes the storyline pop. Amazing job Samantha, thanks for sharing this little treasure with us.
Profile Image for Winnifred D..
668 reviews22 followers
December 31, 2023
Tropes: sunshine MFC/grumpy MMC; wrong person kidnapped; couple teams up to solve a mystery
Steam level: 3
2nd book of a series but no worries if you haven't read the 1st.

2.75 rounded up. If you like this author, you'll probably like this. There's a good premise, anyway. The ultra lighthearted execution is expected--think Tessa Dare watered down for people who don't read HR's. Lots of goofy humor, crazy family, a tiny bit of mystery shoved in there somewhere, and steam in place of mature conversation. No edginess and the writing/editing are a touch on the lazy side. If you prefer strong MFC's you might be disappointed, as the ladies in this series aren't exactly brilliant or tough investigators. Meanwhile, if you're a Regency romance purist, you will likely be turned off due to the modern language and behavior.

I also have to mention that the family members are pretty annoying. I wanted to skip over scenes featuring Mabel and the uncle ends up being a reckless airhead who shows no concern for his niece.

If it sounds like I hated this, I didn't--it's readable, in a sitcom-ish way. There is an interesting twist involving MMC's background toward the end, although the author doesn't spend much time on it.

My biggest issue is I never believed the MC's would end up together irl. A little past the halfway point there was a weirdly edited segue between two key scenes, and what should have been a next-day discussion of their class/social differences issue just skips to consummation. Later MMC is pretty unpleasant toward MFC in a big argument, and she just forgives him. No grovel required.

But, just like the standard sitcom, this book may appeal to you if you just want to turn your brain off for a while.
Profile Image for Carole Burant.
1,196 reviews32 followers
May 22, 2020
This was such a delightful fun story to read and what a hoot the heroine is:) All Rosamunde wants in her life is some adventure and she gets that and more when Russell kidnaps her, although she's not the one he was supposed to kidnap!!! When he admits to her that he works for the Kidnap Club, she decides he owes her so she hires him to find her missing uncle, with her help! Between her curiosity and her daring, he swears she's a complete madwoman!! And when he meets her family....omigosh, I could just picture it all and couldn't stop giggling:)

Russell, having grown up an orphan and on the streets, has now made something of himself and you can't help but be so proud of him. He doesn't believe in love or family and what he feels for Rosie is only lust.....so he tells himself! lol The heat between them is soooo hot and when they finally get together, it will curl your toes!!

All that to say I loved this story:)

I received an ARC of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Profile Image for Merissa (Archaeolibrarian).
3,749 reviews108 followers
December 21, 2020
STEALING THE HEIRESS is the second book in The Kidnap Club series and this time we deal with Marcus. He was the one that had worked for his money and pulled himself up by his bootstraps. He still had a few rough edges and was well aware he wasn't as suave as the other two. Still, when he meets Lady Rosamunde, she doesn't seem to mind - even if he did kidnap the wrong person.

This was a great continuation to the series, and I loved the little cameo from Nash about how he and Grace were getting on. This was a completely different story so it could be read as a standalone but really, why do that?

A great addition to the series that I thoroughly enjoyed and have no hesitation in recommending.

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Profile Image for Gladys.
12k reviews137 followers
May 23, 2020
I really enjoyed this read. Rosamunde and Russell's story was entertaining and filled with plenty of humorous moments. The well written, engaging story is well paired with lovable characters, amazing chemistry, drama, a touch of over-the-top zaniness, heat and heart. All together a very good read. I am freely choosing to post a forthright review.
Profile Image for Tammy.
9,008 reviews43 followers
May 30, 2020
Lady Rosamunde was looking for some adventure but didn’t expect it to be in the form of a kidnapping. Russell grew up living on the street and becomes a very wealthy man, he gets contacted to take part in the Kidnap Club and soon sparks are flying. Fast-paced entertaining historical read with great characters and an entertaining story. Great addition to the series. I liked it.
Profile Image for Jamie Bee.
Author 2 books101 followers
June 17, 2020
What Happens When You “Kidnap” the Wrong “Victim”?

While I sometimes have problems with this author's books, I absolutely loved the first book in this series and was looking forward to the next. I'm happy to say that I was not disappointed. The series has a fun concept. The heroes are all part of the Kidnap Club; they help women escape from bad circumstances, typically an unwanted marriage or a damaged reputation. But this one goes horribly wrong when the hero grabs the wrong woman! Her cousin was the one who hired them. This first scene of the kidnap attempt was so well done that I read it through more than once because it was so enjoyable and I wanted to pick up on the nuances of it.

Before that, though, we met the heroine, whom I absolutely adored. She's a young widowed bluestocking dreamer. She was married at a young age to a much older man. The marriage was fine, but it had no spark. Now that she is some years past his death, her mother and aunts are making pests of themselves, trying to wed her to another ancient, wealthy man. She's not even certain if she wants to remarry, but she certainly knows she doesn't want a repeat of her first marriage. I love how the author made it so that she came across as both intelligent and a daydreamer. Her life is so constricted and mundane that she escapes into books, both fiction and nonfiction, and is apt to daydream about grand adventures (with pirates, archaeologists, and Highlanders, LOL!) while hearing the same-old, same-old from her mother and aunts.

We see the kidnapping from the hero's perspective, and he is expecting a willing and complicit “victim.” He doesn't expect her to violently resist, going so far as to attempt to stab him with a pen knife she had hidden in her garter or leap out of a moving carriage. Only when she comes to at a wayside inn he brought her to after her injury (hitting her head during that leap) does it all become clear. But it certainly gets more fascinating when this incorrect “victim” decides that she might want to go along with what was her cousin's scheme. As you can tell, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the previous one in the series. If you like your Regency romance to be a little different, this book and the previous one may very well fill the bill.

I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.

My book blog: https://www.readingfanaticreviews.com
Profile Image for Carma.
455 reviews7 followers
May 30, 2020
Rosemunde Stanley Rothmere was tired of people trying to marry her off yet again. When her older husband passed after a short marriage, she wasn’t in a hurry to get back into a relationship. She wanted excitement, mystery, something to liven up her boring life. Her dreams have become her saving grace, filled with brawny highlanders and roguish pirates. Taking her cousin’s place on a weekend outing with her aunt leaves her life in peril, or does it?

Marcus Russell has been working for the kidnap club for a while and this latest job should be pretty standard. What he doesn’t expect though, is the spitfire he grabs for this mission. She doesn’t seem to want to follow through on her kidnapping arrangement at all. He finds out why soon after their escape, he’s grabbed the wrong woman.

Rosemunde was intrigued by the kidnap club and also with Russell. She convinced him to help her locate her wayward Uncle Albert. She was convinced, though no one else in her family seemed to be, that her dear uncle was missing and not simply on holiday. And while she was spending time with Russell, she could pepper him with questions. She was curious to know more about what the men did, and the women that asked for their help. Russell agreed to help her, much to his own dismay, but was that really what he wanted? Make no attachments was his motto, but Rosemunde made him stop and rethink those words often.

When Rosemunde finds out a secret about Russell, will she share it in hopes it brings him great happiness? Or hide it from him to spare him possible pain? I voluntarily read an advance copy without expectation for review. All opinions expressed are my own. Another wonderful read by the author. I loved revisiting old characters and seeing what they are up to now.

Profile Image for Mary Lou Hoffman.
1,943 reviews31 followers
June 8, 2020
STEALING THE HEIRESS is the second book in The Kidnap Club series. Each will stand on its own, but I recommend reading them all and in the order of release.

Spending time with Lady Rosamunde’s family is its own unique three-ringed circus, but that’s not enough adventure for her. She daydreams of pirates and Egyptian archeologists whisking her away on fanciful escapades.

Luckily, she is accidentally the unintended victim of a Kidnap Club quest when her cousin accepts the right proposal and fails to cancel the orders in time. Now, doesn’t that sound like the foolishness that would happen to me (or you) if we tried to set ourselves up for a kidnapping?

I loved the banter between Rosie and Russell. I loved the playful blackmail to get him to do what she wanted. I loved that Rosie loved her Uncle Albert so much – even if the rest of the family didn’t understand it was obvious that she and Uncle Albert were two peas from one pod.

I loved that Rosamunde wasn’t a simpering innocent. She is a widow with no time for foolish innocence or games, though she is still a proper and respectable lady. Not an easy line to hold even in modern times (maybe harder now).

The story was fun… capital F, Fun. There are only three men in The Kidnap Club. Two have fallen. The third is a duke. I can’t wait! The bigger they are…. And the other two have already fallen hard, so this should be really good!

Note: While I received this book as a gifted ARC via Booksprout, my opinions are my own and are given freely.

Title: STEALING THE HEIRESS
Series: The Kidnap Club #2
Category /Genre: Historical Romance
Recommended for: 18+ due to sexual content
Grammar/editing: received as an unedited ARC / errors excused
Received from: Samantha Holt
Profile Image for Lana Birky.
1,416 reviews16 followers
May 27, 2020
I am loving this series! Samantha Holt can write a great story & the characters she creates are always so much fun, honorable, kind & you feel like part of the family by the time you are done reading.

Lady Rosamunde Stanley "Rosie" is not the typical heroine - she's so hilarious and is an outspoken, knife wielding, beautiful young rich widow. After marrying a much older viscount when she was 18 years old & having a very boring marriage, Rosie wants adventure & is always dreaming of a pirate, braw Scotsman or a prince would come steal her away to foreign lands & pledge his never dying love to her. The adventure she experienced in real life was more than she expected as she was kidnapped by a highwayman.

Marcus Russell grew up on the streets and clawed his way through life. He never gave up on the fact he wanted to some day the things he didn't have growing up and because of his intelligence and strong work ethics, he is now a very wealthy man. He is contacted to be part of the Kidnap Club that helps ladies escape abusive or forced relationships, unwanted marriages or other problems. He and Rosie meet when he is summoned to kidnap her from an upcoming forced marriage that she does not want.

The kidnapping goes wrong from the beginning and that is where all the hilarious antics begin. You will love Rosie & Russell!
I highly recommend this book to all historical romance readers who want some entertainment with good laughs, a lovely friendship, a little spicy romance and a HEA.

I was gifted the Advanced Reader Copy of this book & all opinions are my own & have been voluntarily given.
789 reviews4 followers
June 3, 2020
Rosamunde is a daydreamer, a girl who dared, when she was younger to learn to use a knlfe, swordfight, and climb trees. A widow she spends time with her loud, and rambunctious family (and dogs). She craves adventure. A carriage ride ends abruptly when it is held up and she is kidnapped. Russell is part of the Kidnap Club. He is quiet, withdrawn, a former soldier and an orphan who grew up on the streets of London. He kidnaps the girl in the carriage, she is slightly older than he thought but the description fits. He didn't expect the playacting to be so real! It's only when they reach a safe place that her identity is revealed. He kidnapped the wrong woman. Bloody hell!

I really enjoyed reading this engaging story. There are so many twists and turns as Rosamunde hires Russell to find her Uncle Albert. The characters are likeable and relatable as the story is told from their POVs. Rosamunde and Russell are complete opposites in personality, family, and life experiences; and they fight their attraction to each other. Stolen kisses, adventure, solving mystery will bring them together.... eventually! The mystery, suspense and dead ends in their investigation is well written and fast paced. I was captivated by the story and I laughed and cried in parts of the story, as a reader I felt pulled into their world.

This is a standalone, and references are made to Grace and Nash. Which was fun to read as obviously Grace has had an impact on Nash. Reading this snippet was like catching up with friends!

I'm hoping that there is another story featuring another member of the Kidnap Club!!!!! Recommended don't miss this one!!
Profile Image for Pam.
193 reviews
September 24, 2020
In the second book about the men of the Kidnap Club, which for a fee helps women out of difficult circumstance, the kidnapper grabs the wrong woman!

Eligible widow Lady Rosamunde Stanley, Dowager Vicountess Rothmere, fought valiantly against her abduction! She feared the worst until she discovered the intended victim to be her cousin, not herself. However, a crafty, inquisitive, not too criminally-minded man seems just what she needs to help her track down Uncle Albert who has not been seen or heard from for over three months.

Oh, no, Marcus Russell, self-made man from London street orphan, does not do attachments, relationships, or partnering with a deliciously put together society woman to find a roaming relative. But he must so that she will keep the Kidnap Club secrets. Marcus and Rosamunde venture into scandalous and dangerous places around London, then Bath, and then beyond. Although Marcus considers himself unsuitable to be with Rosamunde, he cannot keep his mind off her voluptuous curves and the knife in her garter.

I liked both main characters very much as different aspects of their personalities and backgrounds unfolded throughout the romping plot. Scenes with Rosamunde's large quirky family entertained and amused, as did the unraveling of our hero's "no attachment" code of conduct. The initial kidnapping incident was very well written as was the search of Uncle Albert's house and the dockside tavern visit.

I recommend this book to historical romance readers who enjoy intelligent, adventurous women and the strong, unusual men who think to resist and control them. I look forward to the third story of the man who created the Kidnap Club.
329 reviews1 follower
May 29, 2020
She was looking for adventure...
Lady Rosamunde Stanley just never expected in the form of a kidnapping.
Well, an almost-kidnapping. The dastardly man only went and took the wrong woman!
But she soon discovers the dark, handsome man is not quite the terrible rogue she thinks him to be and she decides to put his experience to use. Her uncle has gone missing and no one believes her when she says he's in trouble. Can she persuade Russell to help?
Russell might have kidnapped her, but he has no intention of keeping her. Even if the heat between them is driving him out of his wits and her crazy family makes him long for things a battle-hardened orphan like him should never want.
Their societal divide isn't the only reason to keep his distance. Rosamunde is a bloody knife-carrying, picklock-wielding madwoman.
A far too appealing madwoman...
He's not the only one struggling. Rosamunde is finding it just as difficult to fight the attraction, despite knowing it is most likely her over-active imagination leading her down this path. Somehow, she must keep her head around the most exciting man she's ever met.
Samantha Holt has done it again. She has created a cast of dynamic characters who are witty, passionate, and provocative. Russell accidently kidnaps the wrong woman and the adventure just begins. Rosamunde leads him on a merry chase in the search for her uncle. This is definitely a must-read book! You just can't put it down once you pick it up.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Kaye.
7,178 reviews67 followers
May 29, 2020
ONE IMPRESSIVE ADVENTURE!!!
Delightful! Samantha brings this stunning, out of the box, refreshing spin, ratcheting up the exuberance and intensity, wrapping up one killer storyline and gripping plot, binding this baby together seamlessly. Shenanigans, escapades and mayhem rule the roost displaying the drama, turmoil, intrigue, abduction, sizzling suspense and intense situations, along with a double dose of trouble, you have one mind-blowing adventure. Kooky happenstance and startling mishaps showcase the intimidating trials and taxing tribulations, stumbling through the funky twists and shocking turns, testing our characters in ways they never saw coming. Blurring boundaries and leaping lines, exposing the strengths and weaknesses being weighed and balanced, knocking this baby into the eye of the storm, breaking it down, blowing it into a tailspin with a life-changing culmination. Satisfaction is an understatement, this baby comes packing a punch that'll bring you to your knees, keeping you riveted on a razors edge and frozen to your seat. The attraction and chemistry sizzles from the pages and suck you in so deeply until you feel the heat and electricity thrumming through your veins. The characters are complex and authentic with depth and traits that blend and flow, transforming into genuinely relatable personalities. The scenes are strikingly sharp with abundant details and depictions creating a colorful backdrop that makes the storyline pop. Amazing job Samantha, thanks for sharing this little treasure with us.
1,228 reviews12 followers
June 2, 2020
Loved the banter and carefree attitude of the H/h. Our h is not one to do needlepoint or play an instrument, she seeks adventure as her beloved Uncle does. She has a closeness with this uncle and knows something is wrong because he has not written her. Of course, her family are not concerned because he has a wondering soul.

Our H meets up with her when he thinks she is someone else and kidnaps her by mistake and then the fun begins. I can't tell you how many times I laughed over their exchanges and how she always seems to have a knife handy to save herself.

There is some sad aspects related to our H and a major discovery that was a twist I didn't see coming - in a good way. I enjoyed when an author leads us down a path and we think - I know what is around the bend - BUT OH NO, you'd be incorrect - lol. Certainly kept the story interesting!

There is lovemaking, outside of marriage, heat level 4 out of 5. I realized this is so different for everyone because I didn't find it erotic or vulgar but others may. It doesn't last for chapter's, but is mildly descriptive. The Lord's name is used in vain several times.

We are treated to suspense, mild violence, get dialogue, wonderful main and secondary character's and surprises. There is a secret the h discovers and leads the H to run away because she kept it from him. Thank goodness this doesn't last long,

No cheating, no cliffhanger, HEA, romance and spice. I recommend this story and author. I own 36 stories by her so she is a favorite writer of mine. (ljb)
Profile Image for Deb Rohla.
76 reviews1 follower
June 6, 2020
A kidnapping gone wrong. Or did it?
This is book two in The Kidnap Club series by Samantha Holt.
Rosamunde "Rosie" Stanley is a young widow that has always wanted an adventure. Little did she know that she was about to get the adventure of her life by being kidnapped. Rosie has been trying to convince her family that her eccentric uncle is missing. After the debacle of her kidnapping, she convinces her kidnapper to help her find him as repayment for the scare she went through.
Marcus Russell is a member of The Kidnap Club. He's been hired to kidnap a young woman. He did not find out until it was too late that the woman he took was the wrong one. She tried escaping and hurt herself. Since he feels responsible he agrees to help her find her missing uncle.
The two of them set off to find her uncle and have an adventure of their own.
Marcus is an orphan and ex-military man who has made his own way through life and became rich through investments. He doesn't think he's good enough for a viscountess. Rosie just wants to find her uncle and have adventures for now.
This is a well written engaging story with lovable characters, witty exchanges that'll make you laugh, a woman with a penchant for carrying knives, lots of dogs and a loud, boisturess family.
I truly enjoyed this book and look forward to the next one in the series.
I received a complimentary book from Booksprout and this is my voluntary review.
Profile Image for Sandra.
539 reviews7 followers
September 18, 2020
A wild adventure packed with strong characters, heart & brooding charm!!

Rosamunde is a breath of fresh air. She is intelligent, witty, prone to fantasise and above all desirous of an adventure to lull her boredom - though never once dreamed of being kidnapped by mistake. Russell a member of The Kidnap Club, is mysterious in his allure, an exsoldier, street orphan and an elusive lonier who would really like it to remain that way, so why then does the firey Rosamunde seep so far under his skin?
It was one whirlwind ride, both entertaining and touching in it's charm, as Rosamunde slowly crumbles down Russell's walls and lights a burning desire, admiration and simmering passion between them, as she (and her endearingly madcap family) make him yearn for the unexpected - family, home and maybe, just possibly, a new life with her.
Unlike Russell whose smiles are hard won and elusively rusty, I was brimming with them throughout this tale. Not to mention, glued and eagerly anticipating the the next unexpected scenario, mishap, threat or sensually, sensationally tension fuelled, clinch.
Fun, full to exploding with highjinks, witty repartee and yearning passion, vulnerabilities and an abundance of captivating surprises as the pair embark on an adventure to hunt out her missing adventurer Uncle, Albert.
I have rarely enjoyed a tale so much! Wonderful!!
409 reviews14 followers
May 29, 2020
I enjoyed reading Stealing the Heiress. It was an easy book to read and had an enjoyable storyline. Rosamunde, the heiress, was a young widow who craved adventures but who’s family were determined to arrange a second marriage for her. Russell, the hero, was a man who was orphaned at a young age and had to take care of himself in a hostile world. He didn’t have any family and was determined to avoid relationships at all cost. Though his own determination, he managed to become a wealthy man. Being easily bored, he joins a few others to become a “Kidnap Club,” which was several men who arranged kidnapping for women who were trapped in or about to be trapped into dangerous or untenable marriages. Russell accidentally kidnapped the wrong woman, one who craved an adventure and she hired him to assist her in finding her favorite uncle. They had multiple misadventures along the way with Russell kicking and screaming to their happily ever after. Sometimes the story made me laugh out loud and was always entertaining, though a little predictable. The hero and heroine were both believable characters with depth, and I would happily read more books by this author in the future.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
295 reviews2 followers
March 14, 2021
She was looking for adventure...

Lady Rosamunde Stanley just never expected in the form of a kidnapping.

Well, an almost-kidnapping. The dastardly man only went and took the wrong woman!

But she soon discovers the dark, handsome man is not quite the terrible rogue she thinks him to be and she decides to put his experience to use. Her uncle has gone missing and no one believes her when she says he’s in trouble. Can she persuade Russell to help?

Russell might have kidnapped her, but he has no intention of keeping her. Even if the heat between them is driving him out of his wits and her crazy family makes him long for things a battle-hardened orphan like him should never want.

Their societal divide isn’t the only reason to keep his distance. Rosamunde is a bloody knife-carrying, picklock-wielding madwoman.

A far too appealing madwoman…

He’s not the only one struggling. Rosamunde is finding it just as difficult to fight the attraction, despite knowing it is most likely her over-active imagination leading her down this path. Somehow, she must keep her head around the most exciting man she’s ever met. "I received this book from eBook discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review"
Profile Image for Emma.
2,866 reviews34 followers
May 29, 2020
What a hysterical, witty story of an unusual woman, Rosamunde and her counterpart the mysterious Russell. They come from diverse backgrounds, different as night to day and yet they worked. I loved how the story intertwined the romance with the kidnapping and the subsequent looking for a missing person. I loved how Rosie and Russell interacted with each other. Russell had a chip on his shoulder that he felt people looked down on him. But what he did not know was the origin of his birth and who his real father was. Russell had a very hard life growing up an orphan. His mother died and her husband absconded leaving him at a young tender age of five all alone to fend for himself in the dirty streets of London. Rosamunde was a lady but she was quite eccentric in the area of her imagination. She has always dreamed of adventure. When her beloved uncle goes silent for months without a word, she fears the worse. She coerces Russell into helping her find him. When you read the story, you will laugh as to why she was able to get away with coercing him. A quick read and a page turner. You will not be bored.
Profile Image for Sam.
61 reviews1 follower
February 28, 2024
I really wanted to like this for so many reasons, not least that the author is a Brit like me and claims to be inspired by two seminal authors I adore; Jane Austen and Elizabeth Gaskell.

Unfortunately it didn't hit the mark for me. The Kidnap Club and getting the wrong girl premise was great and I liked the spunky FMC to an extent. But I didn't feel any chemistry between the two main characters, the 'suspense' plot involving her uncle was bizarre and played out in a very rushed manner in only the last handful of pages. The MMC interested me to begin with but became a repetitive flat cardboard cutout of himself pretty swiftly. And the moment where they reunited and declared their love was so sudden I thought I'd skipped some pages by accident. All this compounded by some editing and proofing errors which just knocked me out of the story, and odd language choices which made this seem like it had been written by an American - strange for a book set in England written by someone who I believe is a British author.

Overall, it was unfortunately reasonably enjoyable but forgettable.
3,118 reviews16 followers
June 7, 2020
This is the second book in The Kidnap Club series. I loved the first book and this one is just as good, if not better! Rosie is a young widow and an heiress, and she is yearning for adventure. Russell is a self-made success, growing up as an orphan and using his intelligence and energy to make himself quite a wealthy man. He is a member of the Kidnap Club and while performing his duties, he meets Rosie. He soon discovers Rosie is quite a force to be reckoned with. This book is filled with so much adventure, action, and romance that I was captivated and engaged right from the beginning till the very end. Both Rosie and Russell were such charismatic characters and had amazing chemistry. The storyline was entertaining and flowed very nicely. This is a really well-written book and I am looking forward to reading more of this series!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
1,405 reviews4 followers
May 30, 2020
I love Samantha Holt and the books that she writes! Her books are always so engaging and with original storylines! Marcus Russell has joined a unique set of gentlemen that kidnap women and spirit them away from unwanted and untenable situations and get them to a place where they can safely start a new life. He has been contracted to kidnap Lady Rosamunde Stanley for just such a purpose. At least that is whom he thought he was to kidnap! Oops! Did he grab the wrong woman because the spitfire he now has in his charge most definitely does not want to be there! Now, what does he do? Come along on a wild and wonderful journey of adventure and love with Marcus and Rosamunde as they discover the HEA neither one thought that they had wanted!!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
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