Surrendering Control

by April Cross

Sometimes you have to give up control to get the ultimate prize.

DINA

Casual sex isn’t cutting it anymore. My life needs direction, and a plan. And the first step in my plan is to find The One. That’s why this is absolutely the only time I’m going to hook up with Sawyer. This sexy dom pushes all of my buttons, but I’m not looking for a playboy.

So what if we steamed up the car windows later that night? And spending the next night at his house doesn’t mean anything either. I’m not looking for a playboy. I need something serious.

But maybe we can come to an agreement to chase away the lonely nights until Mr. Right comes along?

SAWYER

Dina didn’t recognize me at the club. So when the woman I crushed on when I was younger offers herself to me, I take everything she’s willing to give and more.

As wrong as she is for me, I can’t resist the lure of the beautiful siren who loves to challenge me. Even though our chemistry is explosive, I don’t see a future with her. But when she suggests a no-strings-attached submissive arrangement? That’s an idea I can get behind as long as she’s willing to give up control.

So far, I’m not convinced she can.

This 30k ghost-pepper high heat novella has a HFN ending and includes themes of BDSM with all the fun of bondage, spanking, and power play.

Genres: BDSM

157 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 26, 2023

About the author

Writer of spicy stories... okay, I'll be honest, most of my stuff is ghost pepper spicy. I started writing short alien erotic romances and moved into contemporary sharing stories, before branching out with April Cross to give a home for my longer contemporary erotic romances. I prefer to write erotic romances that have an element of power play with guys who like to be in control.

Reviews

[Auj · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fuck, this book was so good. Just what the doctor ordered 😂
Also, I'm so happy that I was finally able to read a book in one day.

I'm so glad I got an email this morning from BookSirens with new ARCs for me, and I decided to take a chance on a book by an author I had never read before bc I already have a lot of library books to read at home. And I'm quite behind on my scheduled reading.

I hadn't read really good sex scenes in days (the last romance book I read I DNF-ed), so this was such a treat to read a really good erotic romance that had other things going on with it than just excessive sex scenes.

I'm looking forward to reading book 2. I think there's still a lot than can be explored in Dina's and Sawyer's budding relationship, and I really hope the author really fleshes out the story in the subsequent book(s?).

The sex scenes were hot. I would love to be Dina, honestly 😂. Not only does she get fantastic sex with a hot guy, but she also doesn't need to work bc she's a trust fund baby.

The plot is very simple, but I was never bored.

Edit: June 15: I still think about this book, that's how good it was.
November 25th Update: Please tell me book 2 is on its way!!!

[Rachel C. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I ate this book up in two sittings, which would have been one sitting if I hadn't absolutely had to stop reading the first time (I admittedly cursed my alarm when it went off). It was fan-your-face hot and was like reading some of my personal fantasies written down. The only thing that keeps me from 5-starring it is the fact that Sawyer is kind of a judgmental *** which made him unattractive at times... and then I'd return to Dina's perspective again and it was pretty easy to pretend he's a stand in for my ideal book boyfriend.

Note: I received a copy via BookSirens in exchange for an honest review.

[Lois Karasek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Miranda, a repeat character in several April/Lacey Cross erotica stories, has a friend named Dina, who has recently returned from a trip around Europe. The two ladies go out to a club and notice two hot guys eyeing them from the bar while they dance together, rather teasingly. Although Miranda is happily married, and she and her husband Jon have a solid, but perhaps slightly unusual, marriage, she wants to help Dina find her HEA, so she encourages Dina to flirt with one of the men when they leave the dance floor.

Sawyer and Chris are brothers, and Chris recognizes Miranda, treating her politely and respectfully. Sawyer also recognizes Dina, although it's been a number of years, and he remembers her as being young, spoiled and thinking she's too good for Sawyer's social class. She apparently doesn't recognize him, so he decides to turn the tables on her.

Dina and Sawyer leave the club together, and Dina seduces him in the back of her little compact car....not a good fit. She took charge of the encounter, and Sawyer obligingly went along with it, although in fact he's the alpha/dom in real life. He decides to give this new budding friendship a chance, but he'll call the shots....much to Dina's surprise and dismay since she's always been in charge of her relationships.

Sawyer makes it clear that if they continue this new relationship that he will be the alpha and she must be his submissive. Dina is intrigued but afraid of this new role for her. Can she submit totally to a man? H-h-m-mmm. She's highly doubtful, but after careful consideration....including how hot Sawyer is along with his heavy-handed personality (pun intended), she goes home with a red bottom but a smile on her face after their next encounter at his place.

Can this budding relationship be anything more than merely friends-with-benefits? Dina is embarking down an entirely new avenue of sexual adventure with Sawyer. We'll have to wait and see how well her "training" goes. And when will Sawyer confess to her who he really is?.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Blade Davies · Rating 3 out of 5]

‘Surrendering Control’ is an Adult Erotica Novella about a BDSM relationship between Dina, a brat, and Sawyer, a dom.

I mostly liked this. Starting with the bad, in the opening scene when the MC and her friend were kissing to get men’s attention…. Yeah that’s so gross and fetishising to sapphic and lesbian relationships, please stop doing that. Sawyer definitely has an inferiority complex with the way he was talking about Dina’s financial situation and her family.. the things he was saying was kinda icky and made me uncomfortable and kinda made it seem like he was gonna use her as a revenge fuck but i’m glad that’s not how it went.

For the good stuff - the smut was great, loved it!! Would’ve liked it more if the scenes were a little longer. I liked that this wasn’t just fully smut, the two main characters had a lot of important discussions about consent, debriefing and after care which was fantastic. Sometimes authors miss these things out and I hate it when they do that because it’s common practice in BDSM relationships to behave this way and have these kinds of talks and it’s incredibly important that these are included in works like this so newer members of the community or people just casually interested in BDSM can understand that they should ask for consent and conduct after care too. Because after all, fiction does influence reality.

So in conclusion, I loved the smut and I really appreciate how the author included those important discussions. Thank you to BookSirens, the publisher, and the author for allowing me an ARC of this book for an honest review.

Rep - Bisexual (MC)

TWs/CWs - BDSM; Bullying (past); Cussing; Sex; Sexual Content

[QuinnReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bratty Sub

I need the next part of this story soon, very soon. These two are entertaining, even when they bug the shit out of me. Seriously entertaining in very, very steamy ways. 🔥🔥🔥

My heart pounds and my skin tingles wherever we touch. My reaction to her makes me uneasy.
-- Sawyer

I like that there's a past connection between Dina and Sawyer, even if she's oblivious. I don't like that he puts so much focus on it, as it was middle school (nearly twenty years ago) and not even for the entire time. I'm curious how it will come out and how Dina will react to it almost as much as I'm hoping that he eases up on his expectations.

I like the crossover with Miranda and Jon (reading their stories is not required).

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

[Douglas Williamson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our heroine knows what she wants, but the right combination of elements is tough to find. So she offers our hero a short term deal with no strings attached. He accepts, but neither of them are convinced it will work. Only time will tell...

This is book one of the series, so al good there.

This is an erotic short story featuring BDSM. The story is well written and easy to read with a fun cast of characters. We get a front row seat on this steamy voyage of discovery which is a lot of fun. I enjoyed watching our hero and heroine grapple with their attraction and the direction of their relationship. and I look forward to seeing what comes next.

Highly recommended.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout for review purposes

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes you cannot control who you are attracted to. Dina and Sawyer may not be who they want forever, but they definitely burn the place down when they meet up.

I loved the contrast of how they feel like two halves coming together and then like people who don't understand each other when they try and have a conversation. both are not looking for long term, but I have a feeling if they can work on their differences that is exactly what they will be hoping for.

The passion between these two is off the charts and makes for some very steamy moments. That is balanced with the "how do we make this work" conversations of a new relationship.

Eager to see what comes next for these two.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the intro to BDSM aspect of this book as well as the fact that it was dual POV so you get to see what's going on in both of their heads. I will say, I wish the sections with the MMC's POV were longer, you typically only get a small paragraph for his thoughts. But I also really enjoyed the discussion of how BDSM relationships are about both parties relinquishing control in certain situations. One piece of critique that I have was that in the beginning of the book, they hint at how the MMC knows the FMC from middle school and it seems like that will be an interesting point of conflict but then nothing comes of it. Kinda wish that would have been explored. But overall great book.

[Kiley]

Did Not Finish reading. I only got so far in the book...perhaps 3-5 chapters, before I became extremely bored with the FMC. She was definitely a Sub trying to come across as a Dom, but didn't know which end was up about any of the BDSM lifestyle. I like a FMC who knows what she wants, but I don't care for the ones who are TOO controlling...and I guess that is the reason for the title of this story. However, I just couldn't get into it...at. all.

Surrendering Control, part of the Standalone Spicy Romance Series, was about 31-year-old Dina (still no last name given by the time I reached chapter 5), a "washed-up trust fund baby", and 35-year-old Sawyer Graham.

[PN_booklover · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dina and Sawyer are so determined to not fall in love with each other and are convinced that they are not good for each other in the long term despite the smoking hot chemistry. Something tells me that their road to their HEA will be filled with turmoil unless they open themselves up to each other fully. I enjoyed reading the beginnings of Dina and Sawyer's relationship and look forward to seeing how this develops.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Princess TJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sawyer is a Dom that believes Dina is a spoiled rich girl. Both characters are wildly attracted to each other and as a result there is a level 10 steamy scene in nearly every chapter. This is a hot and steamy story of a woman’s Awakening to BDSM. It is a standalone erotic romance that ends Happy For Now (HFN). It’s a quick and steamy fun read. The author assures us we’ll be treated to book 2 in the series soon. I received a free ARC copy of this story, through BookSirens, and this review represents my honest assessment.

[Stefanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

April does it again with this fun and sexy romp into the world of BDSM. It focuses around Dina who is looking to settle down with the “one”; what she finds however is a whole lot more than that.
I will admit at times Sawyer is a bit of a jerk making it hard to see him as the ideal book boyfriend or love interest one usually reads these for.

Overall this book as an erotic journey into the world of BDSM.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Destinee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just wasn't into it. I don't know if it's because I read this book immediately after a phenomenal 5-star read, but it was very boring to me. There were some steamy scenes as to be expected but even those failed to excite me. There's nothing particularly complex about the plot and it's a quick read so if you want alright read to just read something you can pick this up.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me laughing at their "first" time in the car - the descriptions are so clear you can easily see it - and even see the older couple in the "other" car. Sawyer is the dom and Dina wants to be - but the real dom let's Dina think she is in control. Dina soon learns what a "brat" is and they start their dom/sub experience together. Great story - great characters - great beginning to the "real" relationship.

[Brina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an entertaining read. I like how Dina has mixed emotions about everything, but always does it because she knows she'll regret it if she doesn't at least try. A HFN ending that will leave your wanting more. I know I do and I can't wait!

I am voluntarily leaving a review after receiving an ARC.

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story that’s a little intro to BDSM for anyone who is dipping toes in, this gives a nice nudge. It’s a great novella and was fun to read. I wish there was like a resolution at the end… but that’s what I get for a HFN book lol.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Kaitlyn · Rating 1 out of 5]

This felt like reading a fan fiction that was finished in a hurry, not a published work of fiction. The plot was very subpar, and the scenes in general were too quick for me. There was very little from Sawyer’s POV, and for me, his view was much more interesting than Dina’s. Honestly, I only finished this book because 1) it was short and 2) I needed to write the review for BookSirens.

[Vesper Lane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book, but no story. Just sex. And in that as well, mechanical. She searches for what Brat is but doesn't understand or is explained in the book to readers. And her friend's role is unclear in this she is just like a prop pushing her to him nothing more.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay story but ends abruptly without a HEA. Dina’s constant inner dialogue of “huh? Why is he asking me that” got REALLY annoying after the third time, and it kept happening.

[Baygirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This is the start of an upcoming series. I'm on the fence in regards to what I think about it, because I was not at all a fan of Dina and the majority of the book is written from her perspective. However, to some degree, that is supposed to be her character, so the writing is well done if it was intended to make the reader dislike her. She seemed very entitled and even somewhat childish. Sawyer was hot, a very clear communicator with good boundaries. In terms of a character, I appreciated him a lot more. Both of them seemed like real people making understandable decisions. The sex scenes were steamy but I didn't think they were over the top. I hope subsequent books have more interesting scenes. I think there was a lot of set up if their relationship is going to continue through other books.

[Joycelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This book was pretty good. It left me wanting more. I would have liked a bit more exposition and plot because the entire book is pretty much just spice. I think if the rest of the series has more of a story this has excellent potential.

I do prefer books that are more in-depth and have more plot even if they're spicy. If this were a standalone it would probably get 2 and a half or three stars simply because there isn't much going on other than spice. It also does feel a bit choppy and rushed because the perspectives switch so often. If it was every chapter I think it would be fine but sometimes it felt completely unnecessary to have Sawyer's perspective because it was so short.

Overall, a good read. I would have preferred if it was a bit longer and had more plot but it does have a lot of spice.

[MN Book Lady · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up as this novella didn’t seem like a complete story.

Dina is looking for Mr. Right, not Mr. Right Now. And meets Sawyer while out with a friend looking for her forever. And one hot ride in her car has Dina wanting more.

Only, Sawyer’s a dominant and wants Dina to relinquish control to him and not be a brat. Only to have her act like a brat and leave.

This novella ends like it was just cut off from the rest of the book after a chapter.

I am all for exploration of what you like. But Sawyer wasn’t clear with Dina when they got together again about his expectations, just that he’s in control. Which, also should have led to questions about what she knew about the world he wanted to bring her into.

It wasn’t until after the ‘epilogue’ that the author states this is an ongoing series. This is sort of frustrating as this book didn’t conclude at all and then will continue through one or more books; possibly in the same manner.

I received an advanced review copy for free from Book Sirens and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Em · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a quick read with some heat and spicy moments. The plot was straightforward and easy to follow. There were points of character development and background that felt out of place in a short story. A few things were left unresolved which made me question their inclusion.

Overall this is a fun and light read and a cool opportunity to explore new themes.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily