Clean Control

by Alyssa Cross

He was never supposed to be her salvation.
And she was never meant to become his weakness.

Lily knows Dante is dangerous. Possessive. Unpredictable. A man who can destroy as easily as he protects.
But beneath his violence lives something fractured—something that pulls her closer even when every instinct tells her to run.

In Sunflower Valley, nothing stays hidden forever. Not the family secrets buried beneath the surface. Not the violence behind closed doors. And not the reason The Cleaners are really there.

As old truths begin to surface, their toxic bond is pushed into darker territory. Trust turns volatile. Desire becomes a weapon. And love—if that’s what this is—may cost them everything.

Caught between obsession and betrayal, Lily and Dante must decide whether they can survive the truth…
or whether some wounds were always meant to bleed.

284 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 6, 2026

About the author

Alyssa Cross writes dark, sizzling stories where desire and danger collide. Her debut, Clean Conscience, launches The Cleaners Series – a gripping saga that pulls readers into a world of hot, dangerous motorcyclists who also happen to be criminals, tangled in forbidden desires and moral dilemmas.

Her books are laced with tension, emotion, and spice, unafraid to explore the shadows and push boundaries. Alyssa believes that stories are the most powerful way to break silence, challenge limits, and remind readers they are never truly alone.

When she’s not writing, you’ll likely find her with a Penelope Douglas book in hand, snackies within reach, and battling writer’s block like it’s her sworn enemy.

Follow Alyssa for exclusive updates, sneak peeks, and news on upcoming releases – and step into the world of The Cleaners, if you dare.

Reviews

[Lili🖤 · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️.5
I’ve been waiting a year for this book and it was so worth the wait! I laughed, I giggled, I cried and sobbed, I loved and got heartbroken.

Characters: the FMC Lily is presented as a ray of sunshine girly in book 1 as a side character, but in book 2 very quickly you realise how much trauma and emotional depth she has. I loved her character, she was funny, fiesty, stood her ground but she was also very vulnerable, carried A LOT of grief and trauma and my heart broke for her.
The MMC Dante was a character I really looked forward to reading about. Well he didn’t disappoint! He was dominant, obsessive, a gentleman - yet so hot and cold. His emotional depth and his fight for control was presented really well through this book.

Story line/Plot: the plot of this book was amazing, there were MANY unexpected twists and turns that I still haven’t recovered from. I love that there wasn’t a moment of boredom in this book, it was full of action and spice- spread across the book to a good ratio. There was toxicity, love, heartbreak and everything in between. The plot nicely carries on from book 1 where it was left off, in the same underworld and I loved that.
Spice: the spice was spicyyyy. I loved their undeniable chemistry, the lust and their dominant/submissive characteristics too. I especially loved the balcony scene and the mountain scene for spice.

Writing/impact: I think this book was extremely impactful for me personally. As Dante is dealing with his mum slowly dying from cancer and Lily was grieving her mum who she lost at age 18. I related to these topics way too much and it really broke something in me - I SOBBED so much. The way that the grief and suffering was presented from both characters were extremely accurate to how I deal with grief in real life and it shows that the author put her heart and soul into these characters to make them raw and realistic.
The theme of control is intertwined with the whole story really well, there’s different aspects/forms of control in the characters lives that they’re either struggling to let go of, or trying to get back.

I felt that the author has made an incredible amount of improvement since book 1, in the way the book was structured, the way the detail/description of general scenes and especially action scenes were incredible. The emotions felt so much deeper and heart wrenching.
I do still need a moment or two to recover from the ending, but it was morally right and it further underlines the themes of control.
Overall, I had an absolutely amazing time reading this book and I cannot wait for book 3, Alyssa my darling, get writing ;)

[zsoo.books · Rating 5 out of 5]

4,5 stars

Okay… I was NOT prepared for this.🫠

I loved the first book, but Clean Control absolutely destroyed me. It’s the kind of book that slowly pulls you in and then completely wrecks you emotionally by the end. And honestly? That’s exactly why I loved it.😭

The story centers around Lily and Dante, whose relationship is incredibly intense, toxic, and completely addictive. It’s the ultimate can’t-live-with-you-can’t-live-without-you dynamic, filled with manipulation, passion, secrets, and so much tension that I constantly felt like I was about to explode.🥹 At the same time, there are multiple plotlines unfolding that connect perfectly, making this impossible to put down.

Dante? Walking red flag.🚩
Did I love him anyway? Unfortunately yes.🙂‍↕️

I also really loved Lily, and it was so nice to “see” Lucio and Alaïa again. I love this universe so much that it physically hurt turning the pages because I knew I was getting closer to the end.🙈

BUT THAT ENDING?!?!?!?!🤯

Alyssa Cross literally took my nervous system and destroyed it. I just sat there in complete shock after the last pages because it’s been a long time since a cliffhanger hit me this hard. Brutal. But also genius.

I need the sequel IMMEDIATELY.😭🏆

[Katie-lou · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet jesus, this was fantastic, brilliant. A true work of art! The cleaners series just keeps getting better and better! Dante is beautifully broken and pair him with Lilly, who is just as broken as him, and you have some extreme toxic heat 🥵 in all the beat ways. This book is full of super hot smut and just a hint of trauma 😅 i consumed this book in a matter of days. I couldn't put it down. Alyssa never disappoints and keeps you on your toes with her books. Give me beautiful friends' book a chance. i promise you will not be disappointed 😍 Prepare for one crazy rollercoaster of a ride 🖤📚

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

🚨POTENTIAL SPOILERS🚨
I was very kindly given Clean Control as an ARC after reading the first book. You’re introduced to the characters in the first book, and I was sooo excited for Lily and Dante’s story 😍.

First of all, let me start by saying this book DELIVERED. It tore me apart in the best possible way, and made me feel everything😭. I was so invested from start to finish.

In book 1, Lily is so bubbly, confident, and outgoing. This book delves into her trauma and struggles, and my heart honestly broke for her sooo much 😢.

Dante is the man everyone needs, he’s possessive and controlling, but he’s also emotionally aware and a lover boy at heart. His own trauma is HEAVYYY, and I just wanted to give him a huge hug 🥺.

Both MC’s carry so much with them, and so to watch their story unfold with a shared & mutual understanding was honestly beautiful. I laughed, cried, gasped, and had to break the fourth wall a few times. The writing style is amazing, it honestly keeps you hooked & wanting more, and I couldn’t get enough. It’s one of the things I loved in book 1, so I’m so glad book 2 was executed in a similar way 🥳.

Also, Lucio still doesn’t play about his girl, and I love him for it 🤭.

Overall, this book will tear you apart, and put you back together again. Found family, touch her and 💀, toxic in the best possible way 🔥

I’m super excited for book 3, if you could please give it to me ASAP, Alyssa girl 🤭🖤

[S. S. Royal · Rating 5 out of 5]

When meeting Dante and Lily in the second book, they were defiantly different from when I briefly met them in the first book. It was hate at first sight that turned into a toxic love that spiraled in and out of control. Which for Dante, who hated to be out of control. They are both suffering in their lives and seeking comfort in each other, which is of course bound to explode. Something that actually happened, quite literally. It is a good book, and I’ll be rating Dante just a little above a morally gray book boyfriend who you should definitely meet. Even though the cliffhanger at the end of the book emotionally scarred me. Actually, I believe everyone should read the book and suffer with me. Even before I read the second one, I was going to read the rest, but now you have me as a reader for life.

[Nilda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book impressed me in two ways: the way the author built the tension and the storyline.

I loved the characters and how they were written. The MMC's struggles and emotions were explained really well, which helped me understand him and the people around him better.

I did have a little trouble at the start because I read this book right after the first one, so I mixed up some of the characters. After a few chapters, though, they started to feel like their own people and I didn't have that problem anymore.

I would recommend this book to people who enjoy books that deal with difficult topics, with some spice mixed in.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. The characters go through a lot but keep pushing forward, and the story kept me wanting to read the next page.