Scan barcode
A review by mastersal
Control Freak by Brianna Hale
4.0
This was a surprising romance - thankfully in a good way. Based on the cover, I was expecting erotica which was light but ultimately superficial. A good way to pass the time as it were.
This book turned out to play into its control and BDSM trope but for a purpose I was not expecting.
The relationship dynamic was great - even though the dom/sub and cover was a bit of a red herring. It matters but not in the direct way I was expecting. Perhaps that will be a problem but it worked for me.
This is the second book by the author where, despite the simple story promised by the blurb, there is an unexpected POV and plot thrust which is serious. Since I was more prepared this time it worked for me.
This book turned out to play into its control and BDSM trope but for a purpose I was not expecting.
Spoiler
The heroine suffers from an eating disorder and that, more than any control freak / BDSM issue, is the central issue of the novel. The disorder creates a challenge for the h and something she has to work through. The hero is definitely into control and a dom but his arc is not to push into something which is not for him to solve. I really liked that - he doesn't "fix" our heroine through the power of magic sex. He needs to step aside where appropriate and support where needed.The relationship dynamic was great - even though the dom/sub and cover was a bit of a red herring. It matters but not in the direct way I was expecting. Perhaps that will be a problem but it worked for me.
This is the second book by the author where, despite the simple story promised by the blurb, there is an unexpected POV and plot thrust which is serious. Since I was more prepared this time it worked for me.