Total Control : A Dark Why Choose Romance

by Alicia Darke

In Deadwater Bay, they own everything. Including me.
Kasen wants out.
Bodhi wants more.
River wants what he lost.
Jayden… is gone.
And me, Dove Dawson? I want answers.
When I was fifteen, my mother, the mayor, was murdered, and my life shattered with her. Ten years later, I’m back in Deadwater Bay, chasing the truth.
I just didn’t expect them.
The Deadwater Bay Crew. The boys who once owned my heart… before they destroyed it.
But they’re not boys anymore.
They’re powerful, ruthless, ink-covered, walking wet dreams.
The kind of men who don’t ask. They take.
Who don’t share… except when it comes to me.
This town belongs to them. The cops, the courts, and the shadows in between.
And now?
So do I.
They say I’m hiding secrets. But every look, every touch, every whispered threat tells me the truth. They’re the ones lying through their teeth.
When I start digging into my mother’s cold case, I’m pulled into a game I don’t understand. One that could cost me everything.
Because the closer they get… the harder it is to tell if I’m their prisoner, their lost love, or their weakness.
And if I’m not careful?
I won’t just lose my heart to them again.
I’ll lose my life.

Total Control is Book One in the Deadwater Crew trilogy — a dark, steamy why choose romance where Dove’s search for answers gets her way more than she bargained for including four love interests and eventually a happily ever after.
This series features complex characters, first-person present tense from all main characters POV, why Choose, second chance, enemies to lovers, small town secrets, touch her and die, who hurt you?, murder mystery, stalker and morally gray heroes. It also contains mature and sensitive themes. A full content guide is available on my author website or in the front of the book.

Genres: Dark Romance

399 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 16, 2026

About the author

Alicia Darke is a spicy dark RH romance and romantic suspense author. She lives on the beautiful South Coast of NSW, Australia, with her partner and three teens, a Cocker Spaniel, and a Lovebird. When she's not writing or daydreaming about new story ideas, you can find her playing with flowers at the local flower shop or kicking a soccer ball around with her team.

Her stories transport readers into thrilling escapes from reality, filled with fierce, badass heroines, irresistible anti-heroes, and bad boys who steal hearts as easily as they break rules. With panty-wetting chemistry, delectable plot twists, and edge-of-your-seat suspense, Alicia’s books promise unforgettable adventures that culminate in the kind of happily-ever-afters you never see coming.

Reviews

[Emmy Wong · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book ended the way it started, with a total freaking BANG. I love a good why choose romance, especially when they’ve got a deeply emotional past that comes back to haunt them. This is a second chance in every sense of the word, but it’s not one where they’re trying desperately to earn her back…no. They’re actually kidnapping and manipulating her to stay with them under the guise of (and actual) protection. The plot is great, I do love a good murder mystery with unsolved pasts and intense twists.I also love it when you know one of the guys in the harem is mysterious and doesn’t really appear in the book, but when you get to that big reveal at the end it changes everything. Little hint though, one of them knows and there’s some swords crossing ;) I really liked Dove and her fierce personality but there just wasn’t anything about her that stood out. Now River was my favourite mmc because he’s the sweetest and lies THE LEAST (he still does) to Dove, while Kasen is extremely unhinged and very questionable. One thing that did mix me up was the interchanging of names and last names, particularly of Bohdi Slater. Because for a good half of the book I thought Bohdi and Slater were different people, just because Dove called him Slater and others called him Bohdi. But in general I enjoyed this book and it ended on a crazy cliffhanger that has me excited for the next in this trilogy. I give this a 3.5/5

[The_Book_Brat · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Why Choose
*Contemporary
*Multi-1st-PoV
*Small town return
*Childhood friends
*Enemies to Lovers
*Second Chances
*Who Hurt You
*Murder mystery
*Established Harem (4)
*MM romance
*Fast Burn
*Book 1 / 3?
Intriguing plot and strong characters 😀
This was my first read of this authors so I wasn’t sure what to expect but I really enjoyed it and struggled to put it down as I had to know so many things 😅 the pacing at times was quite varied but the story and characters really drove it…
It’s gripping in that you want to know what happened to Dove’s mum? How are the Deadwater Crew connected to what happened? What is it that her childhood friends are hiding from her now?!
She’s had a dark past but Dove is an absolute fighter, and she’s back home searching for answers, yet it becomes more and complicated as however much she wants to hate her former friends they keep worming their ways back in 😳 each of the three men we interact with in this first book have vastly different personalities from overbearing control freak to puppydog vibes and the blase best friend it creates some real tension 🥵🥵🔥 but also some heartfelt moments 😍 will be interesting to see the difference the fourth brings 😜
As the new Thorne enterprises they rule the town but Dove is persistent yet she might find out more than she ever wants….especially with that out of field cliffhanger!

[Kim Aalbers · Rating 5 out of 5]

5🌟 (ARC Review)

First of all I want to thank Alicia Darke & team for sending me this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I LOVED this book! The (sexual) tension, the suspense, the spice. This was soooo good and so well written.

This book has it all, childhood friends, touch her and die, who did this to you, forced proximity and more! It had me on the edge of my seat the whole time I was reading it.

The ending really confused me and I can’t wait for the next book of this trilogy. ❤️

If you read this review, YOU HAVE TO PICK UP THIS BOOK!!😍😍

[🖤 alyssa 🩶 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Total Control was a dark, interesting, spicy read that grabs your attention right from the freaking insane beginning, all the way until the freaking insane ending!! 🩷 This book had twists that I would never have seen coming, and everything was given in delicious little crumbs that kept me hungrily eating them up! Dove, Kasen, River, Bodhi, and Jayden have a dark and mysterious story, with a bit of yummy spice and lots of suspense and turns 🤍 It is going to be an absolute tortuous wait to read the next book and find out what happens next to Dove and the Deadwater guys!

Dove is strong, bold, feisty, and such a fighter 🩷 She makes the decision to come back to Deadwater for answers, which lands her under River, Bodhi, Kasen, and Jayden’s watchful and protective eyes, and eventually she starts to think that maybe Bodhi really was right when he told her that she might not like the answers that she finds! What she uncovers was shocking, and I loved the suspense and mystery that surrounded her and her past 🤍 Even though she fights them, she has an undeniable connection to each of the Deadwater men, and the times she gave into them were oh so spicy 🔥 Coming back however, just like she wasn’t the same girl, they were not the same boys, and she quickly learned that! Watching her banter with River, chat with Bodhi, fight with Kasen, wonder about Jayden, it was all entertaining and loaded with secrets, suspense, and a touch of spice—everything nice! 🩷

River was my favorite mmc, and I loved his sweet, flirty, and caring personality, his bets, and how he was willing to help Dove and give her some of her own control 🩷 Him and Bodhi with Dove was mm-mmm good, and I was veeery pleasantly surprised when it came to him and Jayden’s lil moment 😍 And Jayden, who is the mysterious character, all I wanted was to know more about him, get so much more of him, breadcrumbs are simply not enough! Bodhi was standoffish, but it was clear that he still had a connection to Dove and wanted to protect her. Kasen was cold and commanding, and he was the one mmc I wasn’t the biggest fan of because of how he treated Dove a lot of the time.. He had my heart breaking chapter one and I really felt for him and what he is struggling with, and I did throughout the whole book. But it was just hard to overlook some of his actions and the way he treated Dove for me 😕

This was a really engaging, mysterious read that kept me hooked from start to finish and was hard to put down 🤍 The plot is loaded with secrets, mystery, tension, and darkness and spice, and it flows at a nice pace as well! Dove, Kasen, River, Bodhi, and Jayden all have lots of history and a clear bond, but things sure do get complicated when things start to come out and unravel! The buildup was well written and I kept flipping the pages, desperate to find out what was going to happen next 🩷 After the way things ended my jaw was on the floor, and I need answers and more like yesterday!! I am looking forward to finding out what’s going to happen to Dove 🫢

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Total Control, the first book in the Deadwater Crew trilogy, follows Dove Dawson as she returns to Deadwater Bay ten years after her mother’s murder, determined to finally uncover the truth but only finds herself with more questions and instead of answers, she comes face-to-face with the Crew. The childhood friends she left behind have grown into the powerful men who now run the town, and everyone answers to them.

The Crew were all brilliantly distinct. River came across as the golden retriever of the group, but even the friendliest dog has teeth when it comes to protecting what’s his. Kasen was deliciously unhinged, Bodhi was blunt and unapologetic, never hesitated to tell it like it was and then there was the man of mystery Jaden the enigmatic wildcard of the group, only appearing at the last minute but making a definite impact. There’s still so much we don’t know about him, but he already feels like the most dangerous member of the Crew. Despite their differences, they all shared one thing: an all-consuming obsession with Dove. The chemistry between them was scorching, and the love/hate dynamic only made the tension even more addictive. Every interaction screamed ‘touch her and die,’ and now that she’s back, they’re clearly not planning on letting her go any time soon, even if they’re still figuring out whether they want to kiss her or kill her. The tension between them was addictive, and the spice definitely didn’t disappoint. What is obvious, though, is how fiercely loyal the Crew are to one another. The question is, what secrets are they hiding from Dove?

A dark why choose romance with tattooed, morally grey antiheroes and a gripping murder mystery woven throughout? That was always going to be my kind of book. This was a seriously addictive introduction to Alicia Darke, fast-paced, dark and packed with twists, the story rarely lets up and kept me hooked from the very first chapter. The gritty atmosphere even gave me slight dystopian vibes, making Deadwater Bay feel like a place where danger lurks around every corner. My only one niggle would possibly be with the pacing. At times, the story moves so quickly that there were a few moments where I found myself going back to reread sections because I’d missed something or events felt a little rushed. I’m hoping that’s simply because this is the first book in the trilogy and the bigger picture will come together as the series unfolds. That ending, though… absolutely savage. The cliffhanger was brutal, and I need the next instalment immediately. I already know I’ll be counting down the days until the next book releases.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dove ends up in her hometown, running from the Southern Breakers. She gets help from an unexpected source.

Kasen is in a dark place; there is a lot on his mind. He can't believe who has turned up; has fate intervened? A person he and his 'brothers' have been searching for, the one good thing that was in his life a decade ago.

Bodhi acts standoffish towards Dove, but that couldn't be further from the truth. This girl, who had all their hearts, has turned into a beautiful, broken woman, one who still calls out to him.

River was always close to Dove; he let his feelings show in every gesture towards her, and he hasn't changed. She has him back to that lovesick puppy the moment he puts his eyes on her again.

But Jayden, Kasen's true brother, is not here; he left, but why? Why has he wanted to stay away? Why did he walk away from his family?

Dove is fighting her feelings for the boys she knew and loved. But she can't believe anything they say, as she knows they aren't telling her the full story. They say she is withholding information and can't be trusted, but that is a two-way street. She knows there is something off with the town, with the power these men now have. Can she get the answers she wants, then make her escape from their clutches? But her heart, mind, and body seem to be separate entities, betraying her at every corner. Her body craves their contact; her mind rebels, knowing they're lying; and her heart can't bear losing them again. But with an unknown stalker threatening, Dove sends the men into overdrive, trying to keep her safe, tightening the net around her until she feels she can't breathe.

The book is action-packed, fast-paced, steamy, with lies, deceit, intrigue, and corruption; the life Dove lived as a child may not all be what it seemed. The book ends on a cliffhanger, leaving us with more questions than answers.

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

[A. Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a dark why choose romance. There are 4 men total involved, Kasen, Bodhi, River, and Jayden. These men are like brothers and 2 actually are brothers. Dove left Deadwater Bay 10 years ago after her mother, the town mayor, was murdered. The murder remains unsolved. The whole book hinges on what happened all those years ago still being played on in present time. The men try to convince Dove she didn't really know her mother at all.

Dove did not enjoy Kasen's displays of ownership and power plays. Dove doesn't want anyone to control her. Eventually, Kasen is going to push too far. Kasen might lose Dove for good. The major problem these guys were having with Dove is that they wanted her to be like her old self. You can't rewrite the past, only move forward.

The guys are all very different. Kasen is essentially the leader of the Deadwater Bay Crew. Kasen and Dove love to hate each other. One of the men is only briefly mentioned. I feel live River was used in a major way to manipulate Dove. I just don't know why all the manipulation, yet. Kasen is definitely OTT and unhinged. Bohdi and Jayden are not featured enough. I don’t quite know how I really feel about these men because everything is so secretive and manipulative. Honestly, who is not hiding something in this book?

So far, I don't see any reason why these men should be mad at Dove. I would find it hard to believe any of these characters would be celibate for the 10 years apart. I do think the men are hippocrites. At the end of the book I still couldn't say what's really going on. I do have more reasons to worry. The next book needs to focus more and start giving some answers. Until I know the truth I can't side with the men. Who can be trusted when everyone is lying and keeping secrets?

Thank you to, Alicia Darke and Grey's Promotions, for the opportunity to read this ARC. The opinions expressed are my own.

[Nickie Sale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Total Control by Alicia Darke is the first book in the Deadwater Crew trilogy. It’s a brutal murder mystery, second chance romance four morally grey men, and Dove Dawson walking straight into the jaws of the monsters she once loved.

Ten years ago, Dove’s life shatters when her mother, the mayor of Deadwater Bay, is murdered, Dove is sent away and, her relationship with the four boys she loved, Kasen, Bodhi, River, and Jayden implodes. Dove returns to Deadwater Bay determined to reopen her mother’s cold case, expose the corruption, find out who killed her and get out again. She doesn’t account for coming face to face with “The Deadwater Crew”, the boys she once loved, now grown men who effectively own Deadwater. The Deadwater Crew, Kasen, Bodhi, River and Jayden four men, four very different personalities, all want Dove, they don’t ask - they take, they don’t share – except Dove.

Now she’s back, the crew (except Jayden who only appears at the end of this book) aren’t going to let her go again and they pull Dove into their world, they “protect” her. The chemistry between them is feral, Kasen’s cold dominance, Bodhi’s seductive danger, River’s quiet, aching devotion and they shadow her every move, insert themselves into her investigation, making it clear she belongs to them. But, they claim she’s hiding secrets whilst Dove knows they’re lying, and they know more about her mother’s murder than they admit.

Total Control is dark, messy, obsessive, small town power game chaos with a murder mystery woven in. Throw in a mystery stalker and the Crew become her guards, her shadows, her hunters, her obsession and touch her and die becomes literal. There are plenty of twists along the way leading to a huge cliffy at the end – I can’t wait to see where this trilogy goes.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I need more people to pick up "Total Control" by Alicia Darke because this book had me completely hooked with the secrets, the tension, and the absolute chaos surrounding these characters.

Dove returns to Deadwater Bay ten years after her mother’s murder looking for answers, but coming home means facing the four guys she left behind. Kasen, Bodhi, River, and Jayden all have their own complicated history with Dove, and from the very beginning it’s obvious there are a LOT of secrets being kept from her.

I really loved the dark small-town mystery vibe of this book. You know that feeling when everyone seems to know something except the main character? That was this entire story. I was constantly trying to figure out who Dove could trust, what was actually happening, and what everyone was hiding.

The guys were definitely a huge highlight for me. They’re protective, possessive, complicated, and very much morally gray. The tension between them and Dove was so good because you can tell there’s so much history there, even when things are messy.

I also really liked Dove as an FMC. She wasn’t just waiting around for someone else to save her or hand her answers. She was determined to uncover the truth, even when everyone around her wanted her to stop digging.

This book definitely leaves you with questions and I am already needing more because I need answers immediately. If you love dark romances with secrets, tension, and a group of morally questionable men who would burn the world down for their girl, definitely add this one to your TBR.

Tropes:
✨ Why Choose
✨ Small Town Secrets
✨ Murder Mystery
✨ Morally Gray MMCs
✨ Protective/Possessive MMCs
✨ Touch Her and Die
✨ Slow Burn Tension

* you so much to Grey's Promotions for this ARC*

[Avid Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is full of intrigue. Dove’s life has been a nightmare since the night her mother died. She returns to her hometown looking for answers in relation to her mother’s murder, hoping to sneak in and back out without being seen.
Instead she’s rescued from a nasty situation, people die, by Kasen and just like that her life is tangled up with three of her four friends from when she left, only they’re no longer boys but powerful men, each with their own attraction, and they all want her.

There’s River the fun one,who is desperate to please and care for her. Then there’s Bodhi who says it as he sees it, harsh and cruel at times but no less obsessed, and finally Kasen who’s unyielding and tormented, the boy she fell in love with at 15 and who, as a man, is still full of pent up love for her and desperately wants to protect her.

They’ve lived similar lives in a lot of ways. All had to sell themselves in one way or another in order to survive that last night of their childhood and on into adulthood. The choices they made sitting heavily at times. The difference was the boys had each other but, once she and her father ran, she had no one. Now she doesn’t know which way to turn unable to decide whether she’s their captive or whether they just want to keep her safe and love her, or whether it’s something else. Peripheral characters cross her path, stirring up further mistrust leading to the cliffhanger, the implications of which leave you guessing, wanting more.…

A strong start to the Deadwater Crew trilogy.

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

[Little monster · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deadwater Bay is toxic, twisted, and completely addictive... and I loved every minute of it.

Total Control throws you straight into a world where obsession wears the mask of love, secrets are buried as deep as bodies, and four morally gray men are more than willing to ruin anyone who gets between them and Dove.

The chemistry is absolutely feral. Every interaction is loaded with tension, possessiveness, unresolved feelings, and the kind of "touch her and die" energy that dark romance fans crave. Kasen, Bodhi, River, and even the ghost of Jayden all bring something different to the table, and I was happily eating up every deliciously messy moment.


But this isn't all spice. The murder mystery surrounding Dove's mother kept me hooked, and I loved trying to piece together who was telling the truth. Just when I thought I had it figured out, another secret came crashing down. Be warned—this is only the beginning. The slow burn is painfully good, the emotional angst is through the roof, and the cliffhanger left me staring at my Kindle wondering how I'm supposed to wait for answers.


If you like your romance dark, your heroes possessive and morally questionable, your chemistry scorching hot, and your stories packed with obsession, mystery, and "we'll burn the world for her" vibes, then Total Control absolutely delivers.

[Enelyae Is Reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

What just happened? I don’t even know where to begin right now. First of all, can they all just actually talk to each other? Like no one wants to say shit to anyone, and they are all keeping sooooooo many secrets from one another. Like I pretty sure there are things the boys don’t even know about each other fully. But fuck, they certainly are something. Obviously, I love River because he’s so golden retriever coded and actually tried to listen to Dove as much as he can anyway. Also, Bohdi, 😮‍💨😮‍💨, I like Bohdi…..I feel like he also sees Dove for who she is now and can read her at least a little unlike Kasen. That man needs to learn a few things about his little Dove if he knows what’s good for him.

Dove….. I will say you maybe gotta take some time to examine things. Stop running instantly and think about what may be really going on. I do like her, and I hope that she works things out with her boys. They’re possessive and obsessive and scream all the red flags, but that’s why we love them. And after that ending, I realllllly need to know what the hell is going on? Thank you, Alicia and Greys Promo for the early read! 🫶

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 🌶️🌶️🌶️

[Alexandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book kept me guessing in so many ways. I don’t know who to trust, I have so many questions, and the one thing I know for sure is that there are four men who will protect Dove at all costs, even if it means keeping things from her.

Is Kasen actually one of the good guys? What about Bodhi? River seems trustworthy, but even he has his own secrets. And Jayden? I still don’t know enough about him to decide. With all of them being best friends and working together, the odds definitely don’t seem to be in Dove’s favor.

Dove returns to her hometown hoping to figure out the truth about what happened to her mom. The last thing she expects is to run into Kasen while trying to escape a dangerous situation. Before she knows it, she’s caught up in their world, unable to tell what’s real, who she can trust, or what the truth actually is. The only thing she knows for sure is that the attraction between them is impossible to ignore, no matter how hard she tries to hold onto the hatred she’s felt for so long.

The cliffhanger left me with so many questions, and I already need the next book to find out what happens next!

[Emily Beer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I pretty much knew from chapter 1 that I was going to love this book.

You know those books that have you hiding your phone under your desk, stretching out your lunch break and reading every spare second you get? Yep. This was that book.

Now… CAN WE TALK ABOUT THAT ENDING?!

HOW DO YOU END A BOOK ON A CLIFFHANGER LIKE THAT?! Seriously. I finished the book and just stared at it in disbelief. I need book two like yesterday because there is absolutely no way I can be left hanging after that.

One of my favourite things was Dove. She gives as much as she gets and never lets the guys walk all over her. She stands her ground, has plenty of attitude and definitely isn’t a pushover, which made me love her even more.

And of course… River has completely stolen my heart. He’s my favourite guy so far and I cannot wait to see more of him in the next book especially with that plot twist!

This book had me completely hooked from start to finish and now I’m counting down until I can dive into book two because I need answers after that ending.

[Wendy Livingstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first in a new series, and what an amazing beginning this story is!
Dove left town after her life was shattered when her mom was murdered, and now 10 years later, she is back in town determined to get answers. Dove comes face to face with the Crew, Kasen, Bodhi, River, and Jayden, her childhood friends, who are now grown ruthless men who rule the town, and everyone answers to them.
This is a well written action-packed story, with friendships, emotions, tension, mystery, intrigue, secrets, suspense, complex characters, kidnapping, enemies / lovers, why choose, trust, touch her an die, revelation, morally gray, determination, combustible chemistry, and love, which leads to an entertaining, twisted, haunting, and unpredictable, dark romance.
I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

🖤 I Was Completely Obsessed! 🖤

Total Control had me hooked from the first page! 😍 Between the dark mystery, the nonstop suspense, and MULTIPLE fiercely protective, morally gray heroes, I couldn’t read fast enough.

Dove’s journey to uncover the truth behind her mother’s murder had me constantly questioning who to trust, and every twist left me needing just one more chapter. Add in the second-chance tension, possessive “she’s ours” energy, and chemistry that absolutely sizzles, and I was all in! ❤️‍🔥

I loved how the romance and suspense balanced each other so well. Just when I thought I had everything figured out, another secret came to light and pulled me in even deeper.

If you love dark romance with obsessed heroes, a heroine who refuses to give up, murder mystery, and enough spice to keep your Kindle smoking, don’t let this one pass you by! 🖤🔥

This book had me guessing, swooning, and completely invested from beginning to end—and now I can’t wait for more!

[SJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alcia Darke never fails to hook me completely from beginning to end. This is the 3rd series I'm reading by this author, and I love the characters and world she creates. This reverse harem is hard to put down and completely held me captive with these sexy possessive protective men and the BA women they are completely obsessed with. Their childhood connection and time apart create the perfect storm for a heartacheing second chance. She's the one that got away, and they couldn't find until now, and they'll stop at nothing to keep her this time and never let her go. The mystery and suspense had me on the edge-of-my-seat. That cliffhanger has me hungry and eager for book 2.

Tropes:
Why choose
FMMMM
Small-town
Mafia
Morally-gray MMCs
Touch her and ☠️
Slow-burn
Stalker
Second chance
Childhood friends
Enemies-to-lovers
Who hurt you?
Kidnapping
Multiple POV

Check TW

[Charlotte Battersby · Rating 5 out of 5]

The thing I love about Alicia Drake's books is that she can do dark romance really well and leaves you wanting more! Loved the thin line between love and hate that Dove had going on with Kasen, Bohdi and slightly River. The tension between Kasen and Dove was hot, I loved the few moments she gave in. Bohdi's and River's double scene with her, made me fan myself! River's relationship with Dove was much more easy going though she still fought it all the way.

The plot also kept me invested! The truth is a lot more tangled than first thought and I can't wait to see it unfold! Plus the ending has me excited for the next book. I never skip a new Alicia Drake book! Can't recommend this enough if you haven't started any of her previous series yet!

[Johanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 1 of Deadwater Crew. And a FANtastic start it is! Look forward to more from this world.

'When I start digging into my mother’s cold case, I’m pulled into a game I don’t understand. One that could cost me everything.
Because the closer they get… the harder it is to tell if I’m their prisoner, their lost love, or their weakness.
And if I’m not careful?
I won’t just lose my heart to them again.
I’ll lose my life.'

The characters were very complex and compelling and dark and obsessive and complicated. Plot was intriguing and intense and well paced. World building was excellent and expertly drawn. Thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend!

Grab a copy, kick back and enjoy the read!.

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

[Margaret Hejmanowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have never read anything by Alicia Darke before, OMG this was fantastic!! This is book one , in The Deadwater Bay Crew trilogy. While in her teens, Dove Dawson hung out with the Deadwater Bay Crew; Kasen, Bodhi, and River. At age fifteen, Dove's mother the Mayor was murdered; and the case was never solved. Now ten years later, Dove is back in Deadwater Bay, to try to solve her mother's murder. The Crew are no longer boys, but I didn't expect Them!! They are the boys who owned her heart! Can they help her find out what happened to her mother; good or bad? Their is a lot of suspense, spice, sexual tension and sex. Love the plot, great setting, and strong intense interesting characters. I can't wait for the next book in the series!!!

[Jasmine · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐ Overall Rating: 5/5
🔥 Burn Level: 4.5/5
🌶️ Spice Level: 4/5
💧 Emotional: 4/5

This book was SO good!

Total Control starts on a high and ends on that exact same note. It was so unique because it genuinely felt like the story started with a BAM and finished with a BANG.

The plot was perfect for me. Between the mystery, secrets, danger, dark romance, and why choose dynamic, I was completely hooked. There was always something happening that made me want to keep reading and find out what would happen next.

This was such a strong start to the Deadwater Crew trilogy, and I’m definitely ready for more!

Thank you to Greys Promotions and Alicia Darke for the opportunity to read and review this book.

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Stars for Total Control by Alicia Darke and it is oh so good ! This is Book 1 of Deadwater Crew.

Lies , betrayal , deceit , stalking , a crime leads Dove back to Deadwater Bay to Kasen, Bodhi , River & Jayden the boys who broke her heart - better known as the Deadwater Crew.

Dove has done what she needed to survive and now finds herself again needing their help for their protection as well as help in solving her Mom’s murder 10 yrs ago - a lot has happened to them all !

Excellent can’t wait to see where the story leads us next !.

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

[Andrea Freeland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow what a rush...I dont even know how to describe this book. The story was dark..all Dove wanted to do was find out who murdered her mother..well then the boys she use to hang out with decided not to really let that happen. River didn't seem like such a bad guy..but Bodhi seemed kinda iffy and Jayden..he wasnt really around..Kasen though he had a few screws loose lol. The whole story was gripping and I devoured the book wanting and needing to know more...and that cliffhanger was intense and I absolutely will be making sure I read the next book. I need to know what happens..next!
I recieved an advance reader copy of this book for an honest voluntary review.

[Victoria · Rating 3 out of 5]

AEC REVIEW

3.5 STARS

Tropes:

FMC on the run
Touch her and die
Why choose
Second chance Vibe
Childhood friends to lovers sorta?


This is my first time reading this author! The story immediately pulled me in. The suspense and the past all the characters hold was so intriguing. You can tell there is a lot of love and hurt from them all. Dove is just wanting answers and the men she left behind are just trying to protect her. It’s difficult watching their push and pull relationship. It definitely puts you on a roller coaster and you just don’t know when it will end. Overall, really enjoyed book one and can’t wait to see what is to come

[Ginna Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

My mind is completely blown, confused, flustered, mad (for her), and stunned with that ending and I have no idea what to even think right now. When you have all your theories and you're absolutely certain you've guessed the next plot twist, trust me, you have NO idea!!!! This is EXACTLY how a dark why choose should end. With even more questions than answers and I immediately need more. This has big "bully" aspects, which isn't always my favorite trope in the beginning of books, but I end up loving the ending so I always read them anyway.

[The Book Ssirren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Buckle up because this one was a wild ride. There was so much going on in this it gave me whiplash. While the story itself was good, the characters were getting under my skin. So many secrets and so much being hidden throughout. The way the gods wanted Dove to be her old self, but couldn’t understand why she wasn’t. They all had serious love/hate relationships. There were so many twists and turns. That I loved. But I feel like some parts really needed more depth, more explanation. But overall, this was a really good read.

[Debbie Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this second chance romance. Dove comes back into their lives after ten years and everything changes for the Deadwater Crew. She wants answers and seeks the truth about her mother’s murder. I love the RH romance, the sexual tension between them is smoldering, the passion is undeniable in this “touch her and you die”. A captivating story filled with passion, mystery and a twists and turns that end with a cliffhanger. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Rachelclune88 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first book of Alicia and i really enjoyed it, Dove is a fighter she is bold and feisty and i love her. She wants answers and her path makes her meet River, Bodhi, Kasen, and Jayden. They warn her she might not like the answers she finds but she is willing to risk it all for the answers she seeks.

The different dynamic between her and the lads where great i love a why choose if you like:

Why Choose
Multi-1st-PoV
Small town return
Childhood friends
Enemies to Lovers
Second Chances
Who Hurt You
Murder mystery
MM romance
Fast Burn

Then this is for you.

[Lynsey Kendrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this epic I can’t stop thinking about read, we’ve got Whose choose, 4 morally grey men, touch her and die, forced proximity and I ate it up. Every bit of is with tension, possessiveness, and unresolved feelings. Dove comes back home after her mom’s murder to find out the truth, and that’s just the start. Then she’s rescued by an old friend, and little does she realize, he is not a young boy anymore he’s a full grown morally grey men. And there are 4 of them in their group.. I am not choosing, I loved each of them in their own way.

[Berta Greenleaf Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one dark intriguing love story with mystery and danger thrown in for good measure. It starts out slow and a bit confusing. Little by little pieces are brought to light which helps you understand the anger and distrust Dove feels towards the boys. However, both the boys and Dove are all keeping secrets, secrets that can kill. There is a cliffhanger at the end of this book and I can not wait for the second book. I highly recommend this book to all dark romance readers.

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