“Obsession, addiction, love—it’s all the same.” — Julian Esguerra, probably while sharpening a knife and whispering sweet nothings.
Anna Zaires doesn’t write romance. She writes psychological warfare disguised as love stories, and Hold Me is no exception. This sequel to Keep Me continues the saga of Nora Leston and Julian Esguerra, a pairing so morally grey they make Christian Grey look like a choirboy. If you’re here for soft kisses and gentle courtship, turn back. If you’re here for “My captive. My wife. My entire world. I will love her to the end of time, and I will never, ever let her go”—then buckle up, buttercup.
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🖤 Plot Summary: Love in the Time of War Crimes
Hold Me picks up after the events of Keep Me, with Nora now married to Julian, her former captor turned obsessive husband. The novel plunges us deeper into their volatile relationship, set against a backdrop of international espionage, cartel warfare, and emotional trauma. Julian is still running his criminal empire, and Nora is trying to reconcile her love for him with the fact that he once kidnapped her. You know, casual honeymoon problems.
The plot thickens when Julian’s enemies begin targeting Nora, forcing her deeper into his world. There are shootouts, betrayals, and one particularly disturbing dream sequence where Nora imagines Majid—the villain from book one—cutting out Julian’s eyes. “It was you this time. Majid was cutting out your eyes, and I couldn’t stop him…” she says, and Julian, ever the romantic, responds by spiraling into PTSD flashbacks.
This book isn’t just about surviving trauma—it’s about weaponizing it. Every chapter is a tug-of-war between love and madness, and Zaires makes sure you feel every inch of the rope burn.
💀 Trigger Warnings (aka: Proceed With Caution)
This book is not for the faint of heart. Here’s a rundown of the major content warnings:
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Non-consensual sexual situations / dubious consent
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Kidnapping and captivity
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Graphic violence and torture
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PTSD and psychological trauma
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Power imbalance / coercion
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Death and murder
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Emotional manipulation
If you’re sensitive to any of these themes, Hold Me might feel more like a horror novel than a romance. But if you’re into dark romance that doesn’t flinch, this is your playground.
🔥 Tropes That Hit Like a Bullet to the Heart
Zaires is a master of dark romance tropes, and Hold Me delivers them in spades:
Trope - How It Plays Out Captive Romance Nora was kidnapped in book one. Now she’s married to her captor. Possessive Alpha Male Julian makes Christian Grey look like a golden retriever. Morally Grey Hero Julian runs a criminal empire and has zero chill. Trauma Bonding Their love is forged in blood, fear, and Stockholm Syndrome. Protective Obsession Julian will kill anyone who looks at Nora wrong. Literally. Enemies to Lovers (ish) More like “abductor to lover,” but semantics. Forced Proximity Nora can’t escape Julian, even when she wants to.
💋 Character Deep Dive: Lovers or Lunatics?
Julian Esguerra
Julian is the kind of man who says “Apparently, a conscience is a useful thing to lack” and means it. He’s brilliant, brutal, and emotionally stunted. His love for Nora is obsessive, bordering on pathological. He’s not trying to be good—he’s trying to be hers. And that makes him terrifyingly compelling.
Julian’s internal monologue is a mix of tactical genius and emotional chaos. He’s haunted by his past, especially the torture he endured at Majid’s hands, and his trauma bleeds into every decision he makes. He’s not just dangerous—he’s damaged, and Zaires makes sure we never forget it.
Nora Leston
Nora is no damsel. She’s smart, sarcastic, and emotionally resilient. But she’s also deeply conflicted. Her love for Julian is real, but so is her fear. She’s constantly questioning her sanity, her morality, and her future. “My moral compass has been gradually tilting off-course, and I’ve been letting it happen,” she admits, and it’s one of the most honest moments in the book.
Nora’s strength lies in her ability to adapt. She doesn’t just survive Julian—she challenges him. She’s the only person who can make him pause, reflect, and occasionally act like a human being. Their dynamic is toxic, yes, but it’s also electric.
📚 Quotes That Slap Harder Than Julian’s Enemies
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“Apparently, a conscience is a useful thing to lack.” — Julian
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“My moral compass has been gradually tilting off-course, and I’ve been letting it happen.” — Nora
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“My captive. My wife. My entire world. I will love her to the end of time, and I will never, ever let her go.” — Julian
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“Treasure it. Don't let your fears spoil it for you. Don't let your soul get tarnished by what you can't change.” — Nora
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“The insanity of my life has reached a whole new level.” — Nora
These lines aren’t just dramatic—they’re devastating. Zaires knows how to write emotional gut punches, and she delivers them with sniper precision.
😂 Humor? In This Economy?
Surprisingly, yes. Zaires sprinkles in moments of levity, usually through Nora’s dry wit. Her sarcasm is a coping mechanism, and it adds texture to the otherwise grim narrative. Whether she’s teasing Julian or internally roasting her own trauma, Nora’s voice keeps the story from collapsing under its own darkness.
🧠 Final Thoughts: Is This Love or Lunacy?
Hold Me is not a traditional romance. It’s a psychological thriller with a love story at its core—a love story that’s messy, violent, and morally compromised. But it’s also intensely emotional. Zaires doesn’t ask you to approve of Julian and Nora. She asks you to understand them. And somehow, you do.
This book is for readers who crave intensity, who want their romance served with a side of existential dread. It’s not safe, it’s not sweet, and it’s definitely not sane. But it’s unforgettable.
Verdict: 4.5 out of 5 blood-stained roses. Would let Julian ruin my life.
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