First off, Michaels does a fantastic job of crafting complex characters that feel incredibly real. Their struggles and triumphs are relatable, making it easy to get invested in their journey.

The plot is filled with twists and turns that will leave you on the edge of your seat, but there were moments when it felt like too much chaos and not enough control. I found myself wishing for a bit more clarity amidst the whirlwind of events.

That being said, the pacing is spot-on, keeping the story moving at a brisk pace. And while the ending tied up most loose ends, there were a few lingering questions that left me wanting more closure.

Overall, "Controlled Chaos" is a gripping read that will tug at your heartstrings and keep you entertained from start to finish. It may not be perfect, but it's definitely worth the ride.

Controlled Chaos is the sixth book in the McCullough Mountain series from Lydia Michaels, and it’s certainly worth the read for those who have been curious about Braydon since the start of the series. It is finally time to see his story, and it’s one that is sure to have you hooked.

There’s parts of the book that were slow moving.

If you like the series. You’ll love this book.

Becca is the newly divorced mother who is out celebrating with friends when she meets Brayden and their attraction is immediate and intense. Each character is well written in this story and you feel the control and the chaos with each one. Becca is selfless and exhausted and can’t imagine letting someone else in. She has a neurodivergent son and a manipulative ex-husband. Brayden is a perfectionist and a visionary who can dominate and give up control. Their relationship meets a few complications and the resolutions are in true McCoullough fashion. It was great to read of siblings we’ve met before and some relationships come full circle. The narration was great and I look forward to hearing other books read by Salenha de Kai.

I love this family and adore the way these men love their women. I never expected to fall so far with this author and series.

Becca is a wonderful mom and very devoted to her family. I was very disappointed in how she treated Braydon but loved the end.

This series was my first taste of Lydia Michaels and I'm impressed!! I've loved every couple in this series, but I truly think this is my new favorite. I loved Braydon finally getting his story and Sam still being his friend.

My first time reading by this author and in this series. Read it as a stand alone, as I didnt realize each one was about all of the different siblings! You will immediatley fall in love with and feel as if you are a part of the huge McCullough family after reading this, or most likely any in this series!

The book gives a look into life as a single mom, and even more, into the world of autism. Becca is very passionate and educated on her son's needs and will do absolutely anything to protect him, even if it means sacrificing her own strength and happiness. That is until she meets Braydon, where a one night stand turns into so much more. Braydon will do absolutely anything for Becca and completely takes her and her son under his wing. He wants to help in any way he can and educate himself as well, doing anything and everything in his power to make Becca see herself for the strong, powerful woman that she is, but also to give her what she needs most. Love and her sense of sanity. With that, he goes way over the top in trying to succeed at winning Becca's heart (and hand) through her son and in having to deal with the complications that come with blended families.

This book will make you smile, laugh, get angry, worried, then cry and smile some more! It gives all the feel good emotions and even has a little twist about three quarters. You will feel for every character involved, not just Becca and Braydon, as they each are dealing with something life has thrown at them. It really shows the struggle that single parents face, even with just trying to get through each day but also with sharing custody, and taking on all parts of it inlcuding personal relationships. It also shows what a difference family can make. I really enjoyed reading this and would love to continue the series amd more books by this author!!

Thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this book for an honest review.

Can you fall in love with a character from a book?? Braydon will ruin all future male characters I think. Becca is a little annoying with her going backwards and forwards and I actually yelled out loud at her at one point! Loved catching up with the McCullough family!

One of the aspects I enjoy about the books in this series is how the author brings attention to an "issue or situation" we find in society and shows what beauty and strength there is in something that tends to be viewed through a negative lens. It guides and enhances the romance side of the story and the romance side demonstrates that love is a factor that can ground, inspire hope and elevate challenges into triumphs.
The only flaw I can find in this book is that Braydon seems too perfect. And yet - Michaels managed to make it completely believable.

I start this review with the preface that I prefer fantasy YA books. I found the pace of the book a bit slow and repetitive at times. No real plot point other than being your own worse enemy kind of thing. I have to admit, I did not enjoy most of the book and found myself checking to see how much was left. If you’re in the mood for a light hearted fluff story, this is the book for you. I did chuckle at some parts at the end. Personally, it just wasn’t spicy enough for me. If I had to sum it up, I’d describe a single mother with a kid that’s autistic that’s afraid to love again.

One of my favorite books in the series, this story detailed the love between Bray and Becca. Overall, the love story was well done although a bit of forced discontent was a little too unbelievable. That said, the way the author weaves in the beautiful story about Hunter, Becca’s son with autism, and had all the characters interacting within this world, really drew me into the story. She made it an important plot point, not just a gratuitous mention and Becca’s responses and actions were very believable from that standpoint. An absolutely beautiful compelling story.

Thank you so much NetGalley and Valentine PR & Literary Management for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

I wanna start off with saying wow Lydia Michaels has done it again.

This one is the 7th book in the McCullough Mountain series and it is really good. It shares first place with the 4th one, British Professor, one being my favourite book in this series.

As her other books even this one highlight something important. This book contains awareness of autism and in my experience with autism I feel like Michaels has done a good job with the highlighting.

Controlled Chaos doesn't only contains something important it also contains some spicy scenes just like the other books and a bit more.

The writing was to my liking but if you aren't a fan of raw language and a bit of dominance then this might not be for you.

When it comes to the characters I really liked Braydon McCullough and was happy to finally get to know him since I was curious about him while reading the first book, Almost Priest. The female character Becca was also to my liking especially when reading how she take care of her son who is on the Spectrum and her journey during the read.

I recommend this to the readers who have read the first 7 books and if the description makes you curious of the book I really recommend you to read the others first especially Almost Priest to get the whole picture first.

Now I am looking forward to read the last two books in this series.

This was too much uncontrolled chaos. Ugh I really wanted to love it and tried to stick it out but it got never ending with Becca’s issues. How many times does Brayden need to prove himself through actions and words that he loves her and wants her and Hunter. It got to a point I just couldn’t take the constant insecurities and back and forth. I loved the representation of autism and wished that some of the plot issues were dealt with better because I would have loved it. The spice was amazing.

Miss Michaels continues to explore sensitive and emotive topics with a levity that does not detract from the seriousness of the issues,joviality and earnestness are sprinkled into the fabric of the story line. In this case we see some evidence of the research done to make this book as close to reality as possible when it relates to cognitive illness.Presenting this information from the point of view of not only the adults but from the perception of the child was enlightening and a real eye-opener for me. Braydon McCullough is drawn to Becca who parents a special needs child ,unknown to him initially,but later he has to face the challenges that this little family presents if he wants a relationship with Becca. Every time Braydon loses out on a perfect love is heart breaking but he quickly learns that love can be messy and unpredictable but perfect for him. Becca however needs to learn to let an unsatisfying, messy love go completely and open up her heart again to the possibilities.There were some tear-jerker moments but there were also some shining ones.I could not bear to put this book down so I was bleary eyed for work the following day.This series has not disappointed at all.

Braydon meets Becca one night at a bar after Becca had been pushed by her friend Nikki to go over and meet him. Nikki was now a single mother after the finalization of her divorce. Being a mother of an autistic child, she felt like she had been doing everything for years without her husband's help. Now meeting Braydon she wanted just a one-night stand and he agreed to that as well. Both felt something more but she was sticking by what she said. When they meet later at a business meeting this gives Braydon the opening for him, not what Becca wants but he puts himself into her and Hunter’s life which the ex-husband does not care for.
This book has many layers to it Becca is scared to move forward and wants to do what is best for her son, and her ex still trying to control her life after seeing her happy. You wonder at times if Braydon is pushing too hard, yet he tells he things and helps Hunter improve which only confuses her. This is really a good story very emotional at times. The author also uses what parents go through with children with special needs having to do an IEP and other meetings which for me added to the story. You still get some of the characters from the other books and overall a very good book.

An interesting premise with blended family representation and a child with special needs. It managed to be an intense, engaging read while being spicy and romantic. The third act conflict was engaging. Overall a solid HEA was well executed. Not your typical romance.

Absolutely fire. This book will take you out of a book slump and bring you on the rollercoaster that is "Controlled Chaos".

𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗟𝗟𝗘𝗗 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗢𝗦 is another great addition to Lydia Michaels McCullough Mountain Series and is Braydon’s story and what a roller coaster of a ride it is.

Braydon is a book boyfriend you’ll love to hate. At times he made me angry and at times he made me smile. He’s a complicated man and I liked that about him. Becca was a strong woman with a lot on her plate. A single mom with an autistic child doing the best she can day after day.

Their story was not an easy one but isn’t that the best kind of read? I’m giving 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗟𝗟𝗘𝗗 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗢𝗦 the judy.ann.loves.books stamp of approval, TBR and Enjoy!

Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher. This reminded me a lot of Jennifer Gracen’s seasons of love series. I really appreciated how the author wrote about Becca’s son. The whole love story was a little too quick for me, but Braydon seemed like a really good guy. Thanks for this sweet read!

This is hands down my favorite of this series. A terrific story full of so many emotions that I didn’t want to put it down. This author does such a great job of weaving in realistic issues and situations that you can relate to. I have been waiting for Brayden’s happily ever after and Becca is perfect for him. But these two have so much work to do to get there. Will they make it? Grab this one to find out.

I enjoyed this easy to read romance. But what I really enjoyed was the attention to detail of having an autistic child and what work goes into it and how things need to be in order to get through every day life.

When Becca Stevens decides to celebrate her recent divorce with a one night stand with Braydon McCullough, she does not realise how what this interlude will lead to. Braydon is obviously flattered by the attention of the beautiful Becca and when she vanishes without a trace, he is absolutely bewildered. When they meet again through work, they soon begin a passionate romance which will see Becca questioning whether she can bring her autistic son, into this new world that she so desires to have.
Lydia Michaels has again revealed the strength of the McCullough family, through Braydon, who does all that he can to surround Becca and her son, Hunter with the love they deserve. Their relationship is intense, with all the complications that come with divorce and the struggles that Becca has to do the best for her son. I found this book dealt with all the complexities with sensitivity and realism. A great read.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.