You know, I've got a ton of Brianna Hale books on my TBR so when I saw this one pop up on NetGalley I could not click fast enough. This is a new author for me so I had no idea what to expect, from the blurb alone I'm thinking "Ohhhhh we are going to have some Daddy kink up in here!" and then it just morphed into so. much. more. I really liked both the h/H but wish we would have had more of Stian (I know, I'm selfish like that).

The subject matter may be triggering for some but the author lists it at the end of the blurb and I will always praise a trigger warning.

Looks like the other Brianna Hale books I had sitting on my TBR just moved to the top of the pile!

I have a feeling that the characters in #ControlFreak will stay with me for some time. While the story contains a BDSM plot line, it also focuses on anorexia. Knowing very little about either subject, I found the story fascinating.
I especially appreciated that the author didn't feel the need to solve all her characters problems in order to obtain a happy ending.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Many thanks to the publisher and #NetGalley! (

First of all, this cover is H.O.T.!!!! The author picked the perfect cover for this book. This story was more than the whole broken girl/"daddy" type romance.

Stian and Lacey have that intense chemistry. I liked Stian's character because he didn't really treat her like she had the illness, he wanted her and treated her as normal as can be and not focusing on her anorexia. I enjoyed the story, like I said, it was much more to this story than I initially thought. Ms. Hale did a good job on telling their story and bringing some of today's issues from the real world into their story.

❤️❤️❤️❤️ out of 5
I was excited to read this book until I found out the heroine has anorexia. Let me say this topic hits very close to home and is honestly one of the least pleasant things to think about after having someone very close to me go through this. But I also wanted to push myself to read it, so I did..... and I ended up reading till 2am in the morning to finish it so I think that says something.
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Our hero is a museum curator and in need of a new assistant when a friend recommends his daughter. Enter our heroine- a “recovering” anorexic and now this hot Swedish hero’s personal assistant. She secretly craves being submissive and all she wants is our hero to be her dom- and then her every wish is being fulfilled.
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Now let me just warn you this doesn’t just have a little bit of anorexia in it- it’s full blown and on almost every page and do you know why? Because when you have it it does consume every aspect of your life- that’s what it is. It was handled so well that my hat goes off to BH because I felt the realness and you bet I cried. Apart from this you have an age gap, a hot office romance and some delicious BDSM (which I was totally sceptical about working with the heroine but it did).

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Beyond amazing I enjoyed this book so very much. The characters and storyline were fantastic. The ending I did not see coming Could not put down nor did I want to.

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.

As much as the cover might suggest, this is not just a steamy romance, in fact the main character is not Lacey or Stian/Mr Blomqvist, it’s anorexia. And this was a nice surprise.

I was “slightly” put off at first because of the “daddy” issue. Freak control is about a mild BDSM relation, with 15 year age gap, and while I’m all for “Sir” and spanking or chokers, I just could not deal with “daddy” endearments, especially in Dirty Talk + Daddy.

BUT I have never seen anorexia, especially the aftermath of it, its consequences on relations in a romance before. I might have read things about the control of the body, how starving makes you feel, but I’d never read what it means on all other aspects of life, or in your mind. So, don’t be fooled by the easy cover, this is a dark tough one.

That said, I really liked how Mr Blomqvist fell for the little Lacey, even though I couldn’t really understand why, I LOVED all mythology references, and I LOVED that Lacey was Greek and Mr Blomkvist was basically a Viking from Sweden, I loved how his endearing words were Swedish. You don’t get to see much international/cultural background in US romance, and it’s refreshing and inspiring. So despite the Daddy stuff, I’m going to read Brianna Hale again.

I was super excited because this book felt like Secretary (with Maggie Gyllenhaal and James Spader) except with an eating disorder. For example, James’ character grew orchids, and Stian grows bonsai trees. Even though it was similar to the movie it did not feel trite or overdone in any way. There was a real authenticity of how the author dealt with mental health issues and the joy that can be found in a relationship; regardless of the nature of the relationship. It was my first BDSM read and I enjoyed it. I will say if you find the Daddy/Little Girl kink icky, it will be difficult, but I was able to muster through by changing it to Sir in my head.

It was an interesting book to read. There was a lot happening and it was a bit much for me at times, but I do appreciate the focus on Lacey’s disease and the roll Stian played in her recovery. The use of BDSM was a little odd for my liking, but this may be the perfect tale for someone who can relate a little better. Decently written and I enjoyed the book overall.

I received an advances copy of this book from Netgalley. Here is my honest review...

I have to say...I was kinda disappointed by this book. The idea was good but I felt like the delivery was a little off. Not a big fan of the two main characters. I found myself not really caring what happened. Not my kinda book.

Years ago I used to have a cartoon strip that I had cut out of the paper at school. It was about a girl who walked around on her head and couldn't find love, then she met a man who walked on his head too. I always liked the idea that although you might not be perfect for everyone, there's someone out there that's perfect for you. In many ways, that is the theme of this book.
I do feel as though I need to say a couple of things at the start. Firstly, while this is a book with a heavily sexual element, in fact, a heavy BDSM element (which should be no surprise if you look at the title and the cover) that's not really what it is all about. Often this type of book is pure escapism and fantasy, but that's not really the case here. Our lead female character, Lacey, is anorexic or recovering from anorexia. Much of the storyline focuses on her attempts to deal with the hold that it has over her and the way that it controls her life. Stian offers her a different type of control and structure that helps her to deal with her issues.
I am often quite sceptical about books where there is a huge age difference and seemingly a difference in power between the two characters, but I'm not sure that that is the case here. At the same time, I'm not totally sure that it isn't either. Stian does help Lacey with her demons, but he isn't there to cure her, they just are right for one another in many ways.
For me, much of this book raised as many questions as it answered and while I loved every second of it, I'm left thinking about it long after the close of the last chapter. I found it well written, gripping and ultimately hugely satisfying.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This deep and disturbing romance was well written and emotionally moving.
Combining Lacey’s severe psychological illness of anorexia with Stian’s need for dominance and control was an interesting way to express this couple’s need and love for one another. I liked the way Stian was drawn to Lacey and used BDSM as a way to help Lacey deal with the voices in her head as she placed her trust in him and offered him her submission.
The true mental battle she experienced was not glossed over by the author. This was not the typical romance and had a raw edginess to it. A Very compelling storyline with a satisfying HEA.

Control Freak by Brianna Hale was an emotional and touching story about recovery and love. It is the story about man who controls every aspect of his life who falls in love with a woman who needs control in her life. Stain may be a cold man who may seem distant and uncaring, but he has never met a woman like Lacey.

Lacey has demons that consume her. I do not want to say too much; except she suffers from an eating disorder (which is in the blurb) that she is struggling to overcome. She desires a man who can control her in certain ways and Stain is that man. But with her struggles, can she find a way to truly let him in? This story was emotional, but I loved how determined Stain was to stand by Lacey at all cost.

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

We follow university student and recovering anorexic, Lacey Petrou as she spends her summer working at a museum for the broody boss, Stein Blomqvist. She’s not all that thrilled at having to work with Stein, especially after he saved her from falling down the stairs and yelled at her at the opening night of her father’s art show.

I found the representation and discussion around mental health and anorexia, in particular, respectful and grounded in reality. It didn’t feel as though Lacey’s anorexia was only there for a point plot. I, luckily, haven’t had to battle with an eating disorder but I feel like I have an insight into what it would be like to live with it. It was heartbreaking and exhausting, but there is such strength in Lacey’s character. Every day for her is a fight not to relapse.

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. Stein is known for being controlling and difficult to work with, however, he is kind and patient enough to offer Lacey a Dominant/submissive relationship as an alternative therapy. Nothing ever happens without Lacey’s consent. In fact, this dynamic only starts when Lacey shows interest. Their relationship is formed by mutual trust, care, control and submission.

I found that the difference between this work and other of Hale’s is that there was more of a balance between the character development and smutty times. Even though they don’t have the most traditional relationship and Stein prefers to be called ‘daddy’, you can feel the care and respect he has for her. I feel like the BDSM elements weren’t just there to add sexual tension or heat to this story but they were played out with thought and care for what they needed. Unlike other dominate heroes I’ve read, Stein never crossed a line or pushed the heroine into a dynamic she was never interested in. Which I appreciate so much.

If you cannot tell, I adore this book and I wish there was more to it. These two have to be one of my favourite couples I’ve read. I’m excited to read more from Brianna Hale.

girl what a great job .. I could not put is done thank you for letting me read this ..great sex sense ..I want more from you.

Control Freak by Brianna Hale is the story of Stian and Lacey.
Lacey has a eating disorder that she is trying to bring under control. When her father pushes her to get a job working as Stian assistant for the summer she does as he asked, but what she finds is some peace from her troubled thoughts. Both are attracted to each other but Stian is older and a control freak where Lacey is young but has her food demons. Although this is a steamy read it does show us the emotions that Lacey is fighting inside her head.
I really enjoyed their story and this author touching on a sensitive subject.

Just not my style of book. I am thankful for the ARC for my honest review. I think the book focused too much on the eating disorder and there wasn't much of a conclusion to everything either. Just a few "scenes" here and there of what was going on between the two. A lot of back and forth.

Liked the book alot.
Kinda "fell in love " With both characters and watched them progress with a perfect amout of steamy smut as well.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Thank you NetGalley.

Trigger Warning; Eating disorders are discussed in this book. This may be a trigger for those who struggle/battle with an ED of their own. I do think it was great that it was openly spoken about in the book as many don't realize just how difficult it is to regain control of your life from an eating disorder. I also love that this book explores the safe and amazing lifestyle of BDSM. When done right, BDSM can be an amazingly sexy and fun lifestyle for many.

This was my first book by Brianna Hale, but it definitely won't be my last!

I really enjoyed this book. I do think it should have had more trigger warnings, coming from personal experience some of the issues at hand were hard to read. It was done so in an honest, true, and eye opening way though. I think a lot of it will be good for people who haven't necessarily dealt with an eating disorder to read, and widen their view on it, But for many, it may also be hard to read. I loved the romance, I loved that this book showed the sexy side, the safe side, the trusting side, and the freeing side to BDSM. It was done again, with honesty, and truth. The romance was great, the character build was fantastic. But I did wish I could have gotten to know Stian a little more. The book was very focused on Lacey. And no one likes a one - sided romance. Though the romance was nothing near one - sided.