Hostage to Fortune

by L.M. Somerton

Sooner or later, something, or someone, has to break. Tyr Blackstone is a bodyguard for hire assigned to protect the nephew of a wealthy businessman. He’s prepared to babysit a spoiled rich kid but instead finds himself guarding a young man held virtual prisoner. Milo Forbes wants nothing more than to escape his brutal uncle’s clutches but is trapped. If he runs, his uncle will withdraw funding for his brother Matthew’s care. On his twenty-third birthday, Milo will inherit a vast fortune, but his uncle has been plotting for years to prevent that happening. As the date approaches, his uncle sets in motion a set of plans designed to destroy Milo’s mental stability. Tyr, tasked by his mysterious employer with keeping an eye on Milo’s uncle as well as his charge, soon realises that Warren Forbes is evil, concealing his greed for wealth beneath a veneer of concern for Milo’s wellbeing. Forced proximity with a fragile young man means Tyr’s growing feelings for Milo are tempered by guilt. His need for control and Milo’s willingness to submit are thrown into stark relief by their circumstances. Can Milo survive the trauma his uncle has subjected him to, accept his found family and find his happily ever after?

Genres: M M Romance

210 pages, Paperback

Published September 26, 2023

About the author

Lucinda lives in a small village in the English countryside, surrounded by rolling hills, cows and sheep. She started writing to fill time between jobs and is now firmly and unashamedly addicted.

She loves the English weather, especially the rain, and adores a thunderstorm. She loves good food, warm company and a crackling fire. She's fascinated by the psychology of relationships, especially between men, and her stories contain some subtle (and some not so subtle) leanings towards BDSM.

Reviews

[True Loveislovereview · Rating 4 out of 5]

That was a thrilling story.

Milo is kept hostage by his abusive uncle. He controls every aspect of his life.
The blurb tells already Milo is the heir of a fortune when he turns twenty-three.
His uncle threatens to withdraw the care for his brother when Milo doesn’t obey.
He doesn’t have much choice.

Above being held inside closed doors, he also gets a bodyguard to keep him in line,
All is planned by his uncle, who has one goal, inheriting the money and company that belongs to Milo.

Tyr, the bodyguard isn’t who Milo’s uncle thinks he is. Tyr and Milo bond really quickly, and Tyr will do
everything to protect Milo.
Easier said than done.

A lot is happening, a lot of action and scary moments, all thrillingly written.
It was an entertaining story, sometimes a bit too much, but still I enjoyed it all.
The plot is harsh and complicated, well done. I had some question marks here and there, but overall it was a good story!

[Joyffree · Rating 4 out of 5]

Milo is a prisoner in his own life
Tyr is hired to ensure he does not escape it
But things are about to take a turn for both of them

I wanted to reach in and pull Milo out
I don't know how he survived
I firmly believe Tyr's timely placement in his life is what saved him
However, I did question the convenience of the timing
And maybe I was right to be weary of it...

Uncle was a sadistic pile of dog refuse
Mr. Goalam (not his name but an apt description) got his just desserts

Despite all the horrors Milo faced, the greedy leaching sadist who tormented his every breath in the end he was gifted the sweetest romance
Someone to love and protect him for who he was with no ulterior motive
Tyr knew he shouldn't touch the forbidden, but sometimes the heart has more sway than the mind
I'm sure Milo's bratty behavior didn't help deter any
These two fit together seamlessly

My biggest gripe was I would have liked a bit more detail about certain situations, some more background maybe. I just had a lot of questions about how we got where we were, how it ended, and some of the whys. Also, I would have liked to be a witness to some of the "employees" getting their comeuppance

This does come with trig warnings - Hot as hades romance -and a bit of vio lence

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book brings out a gamut of emotions, from frustration to relief to joy. Milo Forbes is a 22 year old man who is due to inherit a large fortune on his 23 birthday. He has no supporter to realize that he is being held in virtual captivity in his uncle's large house with the threat of withholding of Milo's comatose twin brother's medical care. His uncle oversees his care following the death of Milo's parents in a helicopter crash when he was 12 years old. Milo complies with the heavy restrictions and regular canings, slaps, and punches of his sadistic uncle. As Milo nears the date of his inheritance, he experiences various suspicious kidnapping attempts and his uncle uses that to rationalize heavy, armed security. Since Milo came out as gay to his uncle at age 17, his homophobic uncle used even more cruel punishments to try to force Milo to recant his orientation.

Tyr Blackstone, a successful ex-military man, works for the security firm hired by Milo's uncle to provide 24/7 security for Milo. Tyr is actually working for a mysterious benefactor who wants a deeper investigation into Milo's state of being. Tyr expects to find a spoiled rich kid, but instead he finds a kind, submissive man who endures for the safety of his twin. Both men are highly attracted to each other, but at first Tyr is reticent to act on it. Can these two men find their way out of danger to a better future with each other?

This book has a darker tone and some dubcon that might be difficult for some readers. Milo's regular abuse by his uncle extends throughout most of the book and overlays with the growing physical relationship with Tyr. Milo is asked to stay in the situation while Tyr's firm investigates the uncle and Tyr stands by, pretending to side with the uncle. There are various people around Milo, including his trustees, the firm, and others who could have taken action much more quickly despite the uncle's attempts to hide his actions. The relationship between Milo and Tyr is D/s with some light bondage and spanking that Milo requests. The passion and love between Milo and Tyr is strong and progresses through the danger to reach a very satisfying HEA.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 ⭐ A lot of tell, not enough show. This book needed to be longer in order for me to fully buy into the relationship development.

[Michael Joseph · Rating 4 out of 5]

Visit my web site for a complete review of “Hostage to Fortune.”

[Desmond Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was really good. It was like a spicy mm Cinderfella story.