Name: Control Freak
ISBN: 9781072301868

Brianna Hale

Total control. I need it in every aspect of my life. Some would say that makes me an asshole. A freak. But as long as everything's exactly how I want it, I'm completely flexible. I'm kidding.Okay, I'm not kidding.Lacey needs someone in her life who's bigger and scarier than her demons, and she wants that man to be me. Her boss. The Viking in a suit.I hope she understands what she's getting into. This daddy isn't going to pat her on the head and tell her she's a good girl for nothing. Especially not when she's spinning out of control.

Control Freak

Krystyna 

Thank you to NetGalley for letting me read this in exchange for an honest review. 

This book deals with the relationship between Lacey and Stian. I felt that there wasn't enough background on either character. I thought that it was very insta-lovey. Although, I enjoyed some aspects of their relationship, I found that parts of it were not realistic. I enjoyed his caring and protectiveness of Lacey. But, the story felt rushed and not as well-developed as I would have liked. 

This also deals a lot with Lacey on the journey to recovery with the eating disorder that she suffers from and how their relationship affects that. It shows how there were beneficial aspects for Lacey, concerning the type of relationship they shared.

Overall, this story was okay. I liked some aspects of the story, but I found some areas to be lacking for me, in my opinion.

Sven Test

Life for Lacey is not easy. Every single day, in every moment of her life, she has this voice in her head shaming her. She can't stop it at all. Because of this voice, she's restricted herself to so much in life. Then she meets Stian, her new boss. With him, she ventures into a world she had no idea existed or could help shut down that voice. But the voice is always there, lurking in the shadows, waiting to strike.

I have so many conflicting feelings towards this novel. As I have mentioned before, I have friends who are basically experts at BDSM from what they share of their experiences. But I have never really read a novel that features BDSM in its entirety and it's why I'm so conflicted. One of the reasons why I'm so conflicted is that, in my brain, this act degrades women so much, and I saw that happening with Lacey and Stian. It wasn't something intentional. Stian just loves the control, loves the feeling of owning someone, owning Lacey. I know there's a fifteen-year difference in age, but at times, Lacey would feel so much more younger than that and it's why it was tough to understand what was going on between them. Overall, though, Stian did treat Lacey like a growing plant, giving her love, dedication, attention, which I loved to see. It was simply the other part that would put me off, especially with the kneeling aspect that comes with BDSM.

"You showed me the most vulnerable parts of yourself, and I thought she was beautiful every single time."

Then there's the part where Lacey loves these acts because that nasty Anorexia voice is contained in her brain and doesn't come out so easily. I was glad to see that the author didn't let Lacey being with Stian "fix" her Anorexia. I think I would have been mad if that had happened. I was also glad to see just how supportive Stian was in every single moment. He would ask Lacey about what was going on in her head, gave her space when she needed it, especially when it came to eating.

Every day is a constant battle between what I know is good for me and what my anorexia wants. She’s always with me, spitting insults and cruelty and telling me I’m unlovable, fat and greedy.

Guys, this book was kind of tough to read when it came to the Mental Health aspect. I've never suffered from Anorexia, but I have suffered from Major Depression Disorder, and there's always that voice in my head, telling me that going down the dark path is the best, to just end things. And I sympathized/empathized with Lacey so much. The Anorexia voice that was in Lacey's head has been in my head, shaming me, putting me down, telling me I'll never be good enough. Lacey's experience felt so real and I'm so happy the author did not shy away when it came to this aspect of Anorexia.

Overall, I was glad to read something so serious as this topic of Mental Health is and seeing it a new light I hadn't seen before. I enjoyed so much the emotional aspects of the story. I'm just not entirely sure if the dom/sub was needed? I understand, in a way, why and how it would work, but I think I could have been fine without that part in the story.

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Monri

Review/Reseña en Español/English 


  Español


Este libro no fue para nada lo que esperaba, trata de una relación BDSM, pero no se lleva de manera común como en otros libros, para comenzar la protagonista Lacey sufre de un desorden alimenticio y está en recuperación, mientras que el protagonista Stian un hombre obsesionado con el control quien es su jefe temporal, terminan formando una relación corta de “trabajo”, pero todo cambia cuando comienzan a conocerse y se enfrentan a problemas respecto al futuro. 
La verdad fue increíble, tratan el tema de anorexia de una manera realista y vemos como Lacey intenta ganar el control de su vida, lo cual no es fácil, Stian es muy comprensivo y sobretodo paciente. En general me gustó mucho el libro, la autora supo combinar dos temas que no pensé que pudieran ir de la mano, pero funciono, se lo recomiendo a cualquiera pero léanlo a discreción, ya que el tema de desórdenes alimenticios puede ser muy sensible para unas personas. 


  English


This book was not at all what I expected, it is about a BDSM relationship, but it is not carried out in a common way as in other books, to begin with the protagonist Lacey suffers from an eating disorder and is in recovery, while the protagonist Stian a man obsessed with control, who is her temporary boss, they somehow end up forming a short "work" relationship, but everything changes when they begins to know each other and start to face problems regarding the future.
Okay, it was incredible, it treats the subject of anorexia in a realistic way and we see how Lacey tries to gain control of her life, which is not easy, Stian is very understanding and above all patient. In general I really liked the book, the author knew how to combine two topics that I did not think could go hand in hand, but it worked, I recommend it to anyone but be careful, since the topic of eating disorders can be very sensitive for some persons.

Danya <3

3.5 ⭐️ 

• Please check trigger warnings 
• eating disorder, suicide idealism, mature language, graphic sexual scenes, BDSM (power play)
• age gap romance 
• DDLG w/o age regression 

“I’ll always want everything, Lacey”


Technically I finished this in like, 7 hours? It was “good, good”.

I loved Lacey. Her battles with her eating disorder, hurt me so bad, I felt my heart literally clench. She’s so strong and so much braver than she believes and my heart goes out to all those who suffer eating disorders. All of you are so strong, so loved. Her struggles were real, and raw. The fact that I resonate should be worrisome really, but it felt familiar and the familiarity made it easier. Again I have to say that, Lacey is such a strong person. I adore her so very much. 

Stian = gem of a man. He was supportive and managed to take things slow for the sake of Lacey. From personal experience I can say that it’s so much harder for someone who thrives off of control to step back and watch things unfold, especially for those they care for. They want to make sure they control all aspects of it, to ensure that both them and their loved ones don’t face difficulties. Stian managed this, he gave her space and took things slow. I liked that eventually, he understood that space does not help much and he worked out a way to help her, it’s a known fact that nobody else can heal us but ourselves, but love and support definitely goes a long way. 


Overall, I loved the way the struggles of all the characters were depicted. Raw, and real. I’m content with the fact that the truth about BDSM being a catalyst in healing processes , was discussed here. BDSM does more good than harm, truthfully. 

Loved this, and not even surprised. Brianna Hale just comes up with the best books, sexy, incredibly sweet and heart-wrenching.

Dearna Mulvaney

Full review:

"I always want everything."

 Thank you so much to Netgalley for sending a copy my way! ⁣

I picked this up because I have been in the mood for romance books and it looked like it would be a quick, fun read. My god, I was not expecting to love this book as much as I did!⁣

I found the representation and discussion around mental health and anorexia, in particular, respectful and grounded in reality. It didn't feel like just a plot point.

I think I must have a think for broody, gruff blonde love interests. I've adore every book I've read with one and Stien is no different. These two have to be one of my favourite couples I’ve read.

Genesis (@whisperingchapters)

Life for Lacey is not easy. Every single day, in every moment of her life, she has this voice in her head shaming her. She can't stop it at all. Because of this voice, she's restricted herself to so much in life. Then she meets Stian, her new boss. With him, she ventures into a world she had no idea existed or could help shut down that voice. But the voice is always there, lurking in the shadows, waiting to strike.

I have so many conflicting feelings towards this novel. As I have mentioned before, I have friends who are basically experts at BDSM from what they share of their experiences. But I have never really read a novel that features BDSM in its entirety and it's why I'm so conflicted. One of the reasons why I'm so conflicted is that, in my brain, this act degrades women so much, and I saw that happening with Lacey and Stian. It wasn't something intentional. Stian just loves the control, loves the feeling of owning someone, owning Lacey. I know there's a fifteen-year difference in age, but at times, Lacey would feel so much more younger than that and it's why it was tough to understand what was going on between them. Overall, though, Stian did treat Lacey like a growing plant, giving her love, dedication, attention, which I loved to see. It was simply the other part that would put me off, especially with the kneeling aspect that comes with BDSM.

"You showed me the most vulnerable parts of yourself, and I thought she was beautiful every single time."

Then there's the part where Lacey loves these acts because that nasty Anorexia voice is contained in her brain and doesn't come out so easily. I was glad to see that the author didn't let Lacey being with Stian "fix" her Anorexia. I think I would have been mad if that had happened. I was also glad to see just how supportive Stian was in every single moment. He would ask Lacey about what was going on in her head, gave her space when she needed it, especially when it came to eating.

Every day is a constant battle between what I know is good for me and what my anorexia wants. She’s always with me, spitting insults and cruelty and telling me I’m unlovable, fat and greedy.

Guys, this book was kind of tough to read when it came to the Mental Health aspect. I've never suffered from Anorexia, but I have suffered from Major Depression Disorder, and there's always that voice in my head, telling me that going down the dark path is the best, to just end things. And I sympathized/empathized with Lacey so much. The Anorexia voice that was in Lacey's head has been in my head, shaming me, putting me down, telling me I'll never be good enough. Lacey's experience felt so real and I'm so happy the author did not shy away when it came to this aspect of Anorexia.

Overall, I was glad to read something so serious as this topic of Mental Health is and seeing it a new light I hadn't seen before. I enjoyed so much the emotional aspects of the story. I'm just not entirely sure if the dom/sub was needed? I understand, in a way, why and how it would work, but I think I could have been fine without that part in the story.

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Blog ❃ Instagram ❃ Twitter ❃ Bloglovin ❃ Facebook ❃ Goodreads ❃ 
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