Control by Kayla Perrin

Review of Control by Kayla Perrin

To Be Released: September 1, 2010

4 out of 5 smirks

Synopsis: “Their romance was a modern-day fairy tale: handsome older millionaire falls hard for struggling young waitress. Robert swept Elsie off her feet – and into his bed -- put a huge diamond on her finger and spirited her away in his private jet destined for happily-ever-after.

Eight years later, Elsie Kolstadt realizes the clock has finally struck midnight. The five-star restaurants, exclusive address and exotic vacations can no longer make up for Robert's obsessive desire to control everything about their life together. From her hair color to her music playlists, Robert has things just the way he wants them. No matter what.

But's Robert's ultimate, unforgivable manipulation that finally shocks Elsie into action. Though divorce would strip her of everything, she can't live under Robert's roof any longer. Making her decision easier is Dion Carter, a high-school football coach with a heart of gold and a body of sculpted steel. Suddenly Elsie is deep in a steamy affair that could cost her everything – because Robert will stop at nothing to keep Elsie under his thumb.”

Control was a really peculiar book. I felt as though a story about control has been done so many times that this book couldn’t possibly show me a different side, I was wrong. Control showed a side of the controlee and how in this case she did not know she was being controlled until way later in her marriage. Elise is a character who had all this promise when she was younger, so much so she attracted the attention of Robert, an older rich man who opened up her world to an endless supply of anything and everything she could have ever wanted.

Elise was taken away from a living she wasn’t really satisfied with and catapulted into this life of rich opportunity when she married Robert. Until one day she started realizing she wasn’t really living her life, but one her husband thought she should live. Control really allowed readers to see a struggle of a woman who finally figures out her life and what she wants from it. Control shows Elise taking control of her life and finally finding her soul mate.

I gave this book 4 smirks because two of the characters were so genuine (Elise and Dion) I couldn’t help but think they were based on real people. I also loved that this book gives readers hope. Hope to fight another day for a life they may want, hope to stand up for themselves, and hope to finally find that person who completes you. Kayla Perrin really brings to light a struggle for control of the life you want to live and how no matter what you should always fight for it.