REVIEW: Demanding Ransom

Demanding Ransom, by Megan Squires
Published April 30, 2013
Publisher:  CreateSpace
Format: e-copy, obtained from Kismet Book Tours and Megan Squires in exchange for an honest review
Genre:  new adult contemporary romance
To Buy:  Amazon 

Rating:  4 STARS

(From Goodreads) Sometimes life takes things away from you.

In nineteen-year-old Maggie Carson’s case, it’s taken more than its fair share.

Determined to move forward, Maggie embarks on her first year of college, hoping to finally put her past behind her, exactly where it belongs.

But that’s hard to do when the present is just as difficult. And even harder when someone like Ran, the gorgeous paramedic that keeps crossing Maggie’s path, challenges her to face things head on, rather than bury them like she always does.

Ran hasn’t had a perfect life either. But there’s something different about him, and something different about the way he makes Maggie feel. Maybe meeting Ran is life’s little gift for Maggie—a sort of consolation prize for enduring everything she's had to go through.

But things don’t come easy for Maggie. Why should love be the exception? And just when everything starts to settle, it’s all turned on its head once again.

If there is one thing Ran has taught Maggie, it’s that you can’t sit on the sidelines of your own existence. When life takes something that’s yours, you have every right to demand it back.

Only for Maggie, that is easier said than done.

Demanding Ransom was such a compelling read. From the opening explosive scene until the close, I was very nearly on the edge of my seat. Megan Squires' first book is definitely going to put her on the map.

Maggie's awful relationship with her mother has really messed her up. She's definitely not ready to love and trust anyone besides her brother and her father. But, she wasn't prepared for Ran, who saved her life and then kept showing up and having the nerve to tell her that she could be someone better. Maybe he feels that, if he keeps telling her how wonderful she is, she will eventually believe it.

Demanding Ransom is what I would classify as a "sweet" new adult book. There was almost no bad language, and no sex. There was one really sexy scene toward the end, but other than that, just a lot of sexual tension. It was a really nice change of pace.

Ran was pretty wonderful and a little curious. He was unbelievably patient and kind and loving toward Maggie. He wasn't full of himself. He wasn't a "bad boy." Honestly, I'm not quite sure why he was so enraptured with Maggie, but he was, and he made good on that by constantly trying to take care of her. 

I have to say that, for awhile, I wasn't a big fan of Maggie. She was really quite mean, especially to Ran, and for no good reason whatsoever. I know that the author was trying to show us the damage that had been done to her by her witch of a mother, but sometimes that can go a bit too far. Instead of me feeling badly for her and her situation, I sort of hated her and didn't want her together with such a nice guy as Ran.

But, once she got her head screwed on straight (thanks to Ran, I might add), she was much more likeable, and the story picked up even more speed. And, then that big twist at the end - whoa baby. I didn't see that coming. And, it was one of those moments where my Kindle should be glad to be alive today, because I very nearly pitched it across the room. (Luckily, I love my Kindle too much for that.)

The last 10% of the book was frustrating and maddening! And, that all made the last 1% that much sweeter. If you're looking for a different kind of NA book, You should check out Demanding Ransom. You won't be sorry.