Taken by Selena Kitt

Just how much does one experiment in college? And is Taken really about youthful experimentation, or what we all go through in life?

Lizzy's friendship with her older boss, Sarah, turns into something deeper and much more exciting one rainy day after work, and Lizzy finds herself drawn into a world she never knew existed. Sarah has a dominant streak, and as she leads Lizzy into the role of a submissive, the two women become closer than they ever thought possible. But while Sarah, hurt too many times, wears a ring, and tells guys she's "taken," Lizzy knows she secretly longs for a man. Determined to find one for them both to share, Lizzy is just about to give up when a dark, handsome, virile answer shows up right under her nose. Lizzy may think she and Sarah are going to seduce David--but she underestimates their handsome co-worker, and David turns the tables on them both. But will he be able to tame the untameable Sarah?

Lizzy, 22, is works as a telemarketer one summer before going back to college in the fall. Her longtime boyfriend, Tim, isn’t very exciting but loyal. She is friends with her older boss, Sarah, but mainly around the office. She has been teasing Sarah about a co-worker, David, who obviously has the hots for Sarah. When David asks Sarah out (again?), Sarah claims she and Lizzy are doing a “girls night,” then asks Lizzy over for a movie. That night, Sarah makes a pass, and they end up in bed together. This leads the girls to starting a relationship.

Over the summer, Lizzy and Sarah’s relationship takes on a more dominant/submissive roll. Sarah’s hope chest of toys is brought out, and even kinky fantasies are imagined. All this time, Lizzy has continued to see Tim, but he does not know about her seeing Sarah as more than a friend even though he makes comments about her being a “bad influence” and such. Lizzy has talked to Sarah about wanting more/a continued relationship, but Sarah pushes her away, puts her off claiming college as an excuse.

Toward the end of the summer, both girls are looking to act out the fantasy of bringing in a man for a night of pleasure. And somehow it ends up being David. But none of them expect how things work out.

Taken was much different that the blurb led me to expect. For me, it really felt like Sarah was taking advantage of Lizzy at some points. And I really felt like Lizzy was using Tim, who we never really meet, just hear about second hand (and many college guys would have loved to be taken advantage of for sex, so who knows there??). And David seems like he wants to care about Sarah (you have to get to know someone first, really), yet ends up going with both girls, thus makes me wonder about him in the end. Really have to question everyone in this story.

Taken is not a romance, not a love story at all. It is a sex story, even different kinds of sex. It can be seen as a life story, though. Or part of a life story, since we just get the summer, and then Lizzy is off to college. Taken does not have a bad ending, but those looking for the HEA will be let down. I was not upset with the ending, just surprised with how unsettled it was, which does reminded me of college! And again, it was not what I expected after reading the blurb. But from what I can tell, Selena Kitt does like to keep us on our toes with the unexpected.