Under Control

Club Caliber #1

by Lyla Andrews

As someone who’s been burdened all her life with responsibility and control, the vulnerability he allows me to have feels a lot like freedom.

And that’s f**king terrifying.

Dani

I’ve always been the “responsible one,” the woman who takes care of everyone else. So when my recently divorced sister asks me to spend my summer in the city babysitting her son, I happily accept. What I don’t expect is to meet a handsome, charismatic stranger who makes me question everything about who I thought I was. He sees right through my mask in a way no one else ever has.

I know I need a change in my life, so when Shane asks me to be his submissive, it’s equally as alluring as it is worrisome. Accepting his offer means doing the one thing I’m not sure I’m capable of–giving up control.

Shane

I had all but given up on finding a submissive after my last relationship ended in heartbreak; I’ve always needed more control than my partners were willing to give. So when I meet a beautiful, witty, but reserved woman on a night out, I know I shouldn’t pursue her.

But there’s something about Dani that keeps drawing me in. She’s a challenge, hiding behind who she thinks she should be rather than showing people who she really is. When she agrees to be my submissive, everything seems to fall into place. And even though she’s only here for the summer, I want to show her what it means to let go, to willingly surrender that control she so desperately clings to.

I want her to be mine.

Genres: BDSM, Erotica, Romance, Dark, Dark Romance, Spicy, Audiobook

308 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 4, 2024

About the author

Lyla is a steamy romance author and loves to write stories involving characters with realistic and complex problems, whether familial, romantic, mental health-related, or otherwise.

She is obsessed with everything cozy: rainy days, candles, blankets, watching the Twilight series on repeat (🐀), and--of course--curling up with a good book.

Raised in the semi-rural Midwest, she spent a few years hopping around after college before settling in North Carolina with her soon-to-be husband and their feisty black cat.

Lyla can be found on all social media platforms @lylaandrewsauthor.

Reviews

[Cassie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The emotional roller coaster! This book was beautiful and heartbreaking and spicy. The only negative thing i have to say is that I was so emotional i couldn't stop reading this book.

[Taylin Ashlee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed it and I am so thankful to Lyla for sending it my way! Definitely my fave bdsm I have read so far and I feel like I resonated a lot with Dani's struggles throughout the book and seeing the relationship grow was great

[Lexi Sears · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Under Control” by Lyla Andrews is a beautifully crafted story of self-discovery, passion, and a deep emotional connection between two complex characters. The FMC’s journey of self-discovery is both empowering and relatable, as she explores not only her desires but her own strength and worth. I loved watching her grow throughout the story, gaining confidence in herself and her choices.

The dynamic between the FMC and the MMC is where this book truly shines. The love and passion the MMC has for the FMC are palpable, and their dom/sub relationship is portrayed with such care and respect. It’s not just about control or power—it’s about trust, understanding, and a deep, mutual connection. The way their relationship evolves feels natural and authentic, and the intensity of their bond makes for some incredibly moving moments.

If you’re looking for a romance that blends heart, heat, and a beautiful power dynamic, “Under Control” is an absolute must-read.

[Erin Yoakum · Rating 2 out of 5]

i’m not even sure where to start. 2 stars is pushing it.
This book constantly reminded me that I was reading, and it felt like a chore. It was very cliche. The boyfriend wasn’t doing his part in the relationship and then she finds this one in a million guy in the city that she ends up falling in love with within like 2 months.
Spice Level 🌶️
Cringe Level 🥴🥴🥴🥴🥴
I got the ick so bad for majority of the book. The verbiage they used with each other was such a turn off, it made me visibly cringe. I only finished the book because it was a shorter one.
I recommend this book to anyone that wants an extremely boring and cliche read.
Don’t read this Sarah.

[Michelle Pizarro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honestly, if you’re new to BDSM books this is a great intro. If you’re an experienced reader, still a great story. Gearing up for a great series. I look forward to the next book.

[Cody · Rating 5 out of 5]

This hit really close to home not in the BDSm aspect but in the way Dani felt with her relationship with Jason. It took me way too long to,Amy years to end a relationship where I was more the caregiver than a partner.

Will finish review later this weekend

[Jackie Perrone · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 ⭐️

This book started slow and then it stayed slow but also wasn’t a slow burn. I enjoyed the spicy scenes and their relationship was okay although very whirlwind. it still felt very anticlimactic and predictable to me. It is a very beginner, ease into a D/s relationship if that is a concern for anyone.

[Monae Doyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book 1️⃣ of the Club Caliber series. This is a billionaire BDSM romance. This book is spicy 🌶️ 🌶️🌶️.

This story is about a woman named Dani. She has always been the…responsible one. She is the woman who takes care of everyone else before herself. Her recently divorced sister asks her to spend the Summer with her in the city babysitting her son. She happily accepts. What she doesn’t expect to happen is to meet a charismatic stranger who makes her question everything that she knew about herself.

She meets Shane who needs a change in his life. Shane meets Dani in a bar. Shane has given up on finding a submissive. He ends up telling her that he is a Dominant and that he goes to a BDSM club called Club Caliber. Shane asks her if she will be his submissive. It’s enticing but he knows that he shouldn’t pursue her. I liked that Shane was told to be careful . I liked how Shane discussed BDSM with Dani and she is a sweet person. Their communication was great in this story as they explored BDSM together.

[M W · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cinnamon roll dom/sub insta love

First time reading this author. I love dom/sub book especially when a dom wants a 24/7 lifestyle. The fmc is complete eldest Daughter, type a and always taking care of 3beryone else. Her relationships even feels like she just takes care of him. Shane is looking for someone that wants him and his lifestyle so a chance meeting at a bar has him immediately falling for Dani. I will say this had alot of 50 shades like references that I was like aww come on be original. Also apparently I need my doms a little bit more intense. Shane was so calm and ooey gooey puzzle loving spanker. I wanted more from this book it started well be sort of came redundant and the ending was a little rushed and predictable. I would say if you getting into dom sub trop books this is very beginner and good for your but a season pro like me this was a little too soft.

[IgnoringReality · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dani is a teacher who is taking the summer to help care for her nephew in another town. She lives with her boyfriend who is more like a child and can’t clean up after himself. Homegirl is tired of being the caretaker, thinker, decision maker. Dani meets Shane in a bar/restaurant where he comes to shoo away another suitor who is not taking no for an answer. Shane ends up leaving his number with Dani but she doesn’t pursue anything after that since she’s in a committed relationship.

After a drunken night out, they reconnect. Dani is starting to see that there’s more and better things out there. Shane invites Dani to test the waters of the BDSM world.

The story progresses from there. This story had good spice and the MMC was patient and understanding and not an entire a-hole as some of these alpha male characters can be.

I CAN NOT WAIT FOR MARK’S STORY….

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book perfectly captures what it feels like to be the woman that everyone else relies on, and it hit close to home as someone who's felt the same way as Dani. While I enjoyed the plot, what really got me was how real these characters felt and how much I could relate to Dani on a personal level. Additionally, the BDSM element was portrayed in a realistic way, with clear consent and a Dom/sub dynamic that was as hot as it was endearing. I actually read the 2nd book in this series first for an ARC, and had to go back to read this one afterward because of how much I loved the writing style. I can't wait for the next book!

[Vic · Rating 4 out of 5]

For all it's explicit BDSM bits, this book feels gentle and emotional. I think lots of people will relate to Dani and her struggles with if this is really all there is and feeling like a parent in a relationship.

But. The billionaire bit felt a bit odd and the casual way he drops it in with no reaction. And she's so naturally submissive that she just does all the stuff and reacts perfectly to everything first time with no yellows or worries. For someone used to control, I feel like she would've wobbled a bit more and been a bit more worried about impact play for example. Which is why it's not 5 stars.

But this is a good intro to bdsm books and will written.

[Jeanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, really enjoyed this one!! Loved the story with the school and that she tried so hard to make things work with Jason, despite it taking a toll on her wellbeing. I loved her and shane's dynamic, and as always, just a total friggen sucker for D/s relationships and spice. It could have definitely been more intense on the spice scale for me. I'm sad we didn't get to see more of the sisters development with everything and their relationship she was nasty about. It felt a tad repetitive too so it lost a bit of points.

[Kjayne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not your traditional romance, but there is a strong emphasis on self discovery, vulnerability (from both partners), and shared intimacy. It’s decidedly less smutty than other kink club tropes, but it still has spice… except there are a lot more examples of non-sexual Ds dynamic, which is a nice change tbh. This book is a little different in the sense that the MMC is portrayed as a real person with his own hang ups and insecurities, and the scenes are built upon communication instead of the fantasy that men can read minds and know exactly what his partner wants.

[Lynn R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written story

Can a young woman shed her need to be in control at all times and submit herself to the control of one man? This is the question that continually bumps against her need to fix everything and take care of everyone else. That is until she meets the man who shows her how to be strong enough to surrender.

[Ruxandra Barbu · Rating 3 out of 5]

📌Romance Erotica

- BDSM
- kink club
- break up
- age gap
- rich daddy
- Dom/ Sub

Spice 🌶🌶🌶/5
The scenes were spicy but they were too few.
I need more dirty scenes.


Overall it is a good smutty book, quick and enjoyable.
It actually had a storyline which I appreciate.
The characters actually developed feelings and had a little romance going on.

[Eve · Rating 2 out of 5]

They just kept repeating the same things over and over again ? ‘Oh I keep doing parallels between X and Z when I shouldn’t be..’ and this sentence is then repeated in a slightly different way 4 times in like 1/2 chapters
The story was ok but the small moments where there were these repetitions got me a bit frustrated

[Jonna VanDeWalker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not your typical smut.

Even with the Dom/sub theme there was less sex than might be expected. Instead it was a book that captured your attention and presented some real life advice for someone not in an ideal relationship. I found myself hoping they could find a way to make it work.

[Anna Downing · Rating 2 out of 5]

She spent too long in the book with her ex in my opinion and how quickly she got into the BDSM stuff seems off to me. She was whiney to me and he wasn’t much better.

[2TNWalkers · Rating 2 out of 5]

Long winded super slow…

[Mandy]

Dnf at 21%
Sloooooowwww
Long winded.
She's still with another guy this far in and she's not very interesting.

[Jyah · Rating 3 out of 5]

ngl, I ate this up 🫡

[Tiana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it

I loved the storyline. Decent smut. No triggers needed. It's light. But well written. I enjoyed the book will read book 2

[Brook McKay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I related to this so much it’s insane!

[Cherie Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so incredible. Very intense and oh so amazing.
Loved it.
📚✨🔥❤️✨🔥✨🔥📚

[Veronica Yankanich · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just didn’t care about anything that happened in this book or what came next. So ehhh. Nothing awful but a disappointment for sure

[sophie · Rating 2 out of 5]

uhhhh, it was very cliche, none of it was interesting, and the main characters had no personality.

[Joke Jacobs · Rating 4 out of 5]

The pace was a little weird here and there but overall I really enjoyed it. Be aware of the fact that this is instalovey so definitely not for everyone.
A fun spicy read.

[Ellie Karl · Rating 2 out of 5]

in a reading slump i don’t want to talk ab it

[alena · Rating 4 out of 5]

sweet but dramatic towards the end for me?