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Chastain Castle #2
Controlled
357 pages, Paperback
Published July 10, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
July 12, 2026
4.5 ⭐️
I was absolutely foaming at the mouth to get into this one after how much I loved the first book. From the prologue alone, I was already on the edge of my seat.
I'm just as obsessed with these characters as I was the last book. Atticus is the most perfect dom. He has such a strong commanding presence even from the first book, and he is so protective of Cameron. All he wants is to give Cameron the best life possible. And Camerons backstory gives him so much complexity and you can't help but feel for him and root for him to get everything he deserves. The spice and chemistry between these two? Absolutely 🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵
Once the mysterious and unexplainable occurrences started happening, this book gave me genuine anxiety. I can't say too much without spoiling anything, but I knew I was in for it again and I couldn't stop flipping pages to figure out what was going on.
Hunter Bailey's writing never drags. It pulls you in completely from cover to cover. I don't know what she's putting in these books, but I am fully addicted.
I was absolutely foaming at the mouth to get into this one after how much I loved the first book. From the prologue alone, I was already on the edge of my seat.
I'm just as obsessed with these characters as I was the last book. Atticus is the most perfect dom. He has such a strong commanding presence even from the first book, and he is so protective of Cameron. All he wants is to give Cameron the best life possible. And Camerons backstory gives him so much complexity and you can't help but feel for him and root for him to get everything he deserves. The spice and chemistry between these two? Absolutely 🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵
Once the mysterious and unexplainable occurrences started happening, this book gave me genuine anxiety. I can't say too much without spoiling anything, but I knew I was in for it again and I couldn't stop flipping pages to figure out what was going on.
Hunter Bailey's writing never drags. It pulls you in completely from cover to cover. I don't know what she's putting in these books, but I am fully addicted.
July 15, 2026
This is a RIDE and I don’t think I’m stopping because Hunter Bailey Has been teasing us with Barfred’s story for 2 whole books and I just need to know!!!! 🤯
Atticus and Cameron are the unexpected duo of this world and I really did enjoy their story 🩵
We get to see a very nice soft dom dynamics, it is fast-paced, and the chemistry is top notch 🤌
I have my remarks here, because I genuinely HATE miscommunication, and all the great problem really could be solved with literally correct PHRASING.
But other than that, it was captivating and made me fly through pages, because the intrigue of WHAT THE HELL IS HAPPENING was still there!
This series is something new indeed, and I love it 🩵
Atticus and Cameron are the unexpected duo of this world and I really did enjoy their story 🩵
We get to see a very nice soft dom dynamics, it is fast-paced, and the chemistry is top notch 🤌
I have my remarks here, because I genuinely HATE miscommunication, and all the great problem really could be solved with literally correct PHRASING.
But other than that, it was captivating and made me fly through pages, because the intrigue of WHAT THE HELL IS HAPPENING was still there!
This series is something new indeed, and I love it 🩵
August 10, 2026
2.5⭐️
Let me just preface this by saying I was really excited to get into this book because I really liked the first book. But this book just felt like a complete letdown for me personally. 😭 I’m honestly so sad because I really wanted to love this book.
This story follows Atticus, Atlas’ brother from book one. We know at the beginning:
1) Atticus and Cam have some kind of past that makes them now have a strained relationship
2) Atticus sold some of himself to a devil in order to try and save his brother
This book explores what happened in the past between Cameron and Atticus, as well as how they deal with this demon and ultimately get back together.
Similar to the first book, this story explores:
-demon (this time possession)
-religious themes
-a mysterious setting
But this also has:
-miscommunication
-a time skip
-D/S vibes in the relationship
I’m still giving this book a 2.5 rounded up because I think the ideas behind it are cool, and because this narrative has SO MUCH potential to be great.
That being said, the execution of this book just missed the mark so much for me in terms of plot, pacing, character likability and overall satisfaction. I’m so sad because I reallllly wanted to love this book!
If you want to know why, keep reading, but there will be spoilers 👀you’ve been warned.
The pacing — my goodness. It felt like the first 50% of the book could have been reduced to like 50 pages, not almost 200. Seemingly important things are also glossed over, leaving me kind of reeling?
The plot — my goodness. The reasoning behind all of the problems in the plot was agonizingly simple and frustrating. There are so many examples, but the main one being that Atticus decides to cut off his boyfriend for 4 years without hearing him out over an out of context conversation that he overheard. There’s constant “omg what if other MC likes this girl” jealousy from both MCs, which also heightens the animosity. It’s so immature 😭
The characters — oh no I really didn’t like either Atticus or Cam. Both of them gave me the ick. I literally thought the demon was cooler than both of them.
Atticus is so weirdly possessive, and that’s his only character trait. He is also so weirdly possessive of his younger brother, and is mad at his brother’s boyfriend for “stealing” him… ew?
Also, Cam staying with his abusive mom just because he feels sorry that she lost their father and he relates because he lost Atticus … what the heckkkk ugh! Cam has no spine at all and it’s so frustrating. TERRIBLE communication skills. Also… why is he just accepting that some person that’s clearly not Atticus but lowkey is Atticus is breaking into his room to f*ck? HE’S NOT EVEN PHASED?? And doesn’t tell anyone??
The characters were just so wild in this book that I wanted to scream. 🙀
I’m sad to leave a negative review like this, but I needed to vent about it because the potential was THERE!! Like, demon possessing your ex and visiting you at night??? THAT’S GENIUS!
I don’t think I’ll be reading book 3 after this 😭
Let me just preface this by saying I was really excited to get into this book because I really liked the first book. But this book just felt like a complete letdown for me personally. 😭 I’m honestly so sad because I really wanted to love this book.
This story follows Atticus, Atlas’ brother from book one. We know at the beginning:
1) Atticus and Cam have some kind of past that makes them now have a strained relationship
2) Atticus sold some of himself to a devil in order to try and save his brother
This book explores what happened in the past between Cameron and Atticus, as well as how they deal with this demon and ultimately get back together.
Similar to the first book, this story explores:
-demon (this time possession)
-religious themes
-a mysterious setting
But this also has:
-miscommunication
-a time skip
-D/S vibes in the relationship
I’m still giving this book a 2.5 rounded up because I think the ideas behind it are cool, and because this narrative has SO MUCH potential to be great.
That being said, the execution of this book just missed the mark so much for me in terms of plot, pacing, character likability and overall satisfaction. I’m so sad because I reallllly wanted to love this book!
If you want to know why, keep reading, but there will be spoilers 👀you’ve been warned.
The pacing — my goodness. It felt like the first 50% of the book could have been reduced to like 50 pages, not almost 200. Seemingly important things are also glossed over, leaving me kind of reeling?
The plot — my goodness. The reasoning behind all of the problems in the plot was agonizingly simple and frustrating. There are so many examples, but the main one being that Atticus decides to cut off his boyfriend for 4 years without hearing him out over an out of context conversation that he overheard. There’s constant “omg what if other MC likes this girl” jealousy from both MCs, which also heightens the animosity. It’s so immature 😭
The characters — oh no I really didn’t like either Atticus or Cam. Both of them gave me the ick. I literally thought the demon was cooler than both of them.
Atticus is so weirdly possessive, and that’s his only character trait. He is also so weirdly possessive of his younger brother, and is mad at his brother’s boyfriend for “stealing” him… ew?
Also, Cam staying with his abusive mom just because he feels sorry that she lost their father and he relates because he lost Atticus … what the heckkkk ugh! Cam has no spine at all and it’s so frustrating. TERRIBLE communication skills. Also… why is he just accepting that some person that’s clearly not Atticus but lowkey is Atticus is breaking into his room to f*ck? HE’S NOT EVEN PHASED?? And doesn’t tell anyone??
The characters were just so wild in this book that I wanted to scream. 🙀
I’m sad to leave a negative review like this, but I needed to vent about it because the potential was THERE!! Like, demon possessing your ex and visiting you at night??? THAT’S GENIUS!
I don’t think I’ll be reading book 3 after this 😭
July 13, 2026
2.5 rounding up to 3. Oof this one didn’t hit NEARLY as hard as the first one. Plot didn’t even start until like 50% in. I was just curious enough about the storyline to not DNF. There was so much miscommunication (not a fan of the trope to begin with) that was repeated so many times and could have been solved if the characters weren’t so unnecessarily stubborn. There was just so much back and forth, it drove me crazy. I felt like so many of the characters actions just did not have strong enough justifications at all, felt like a lot of the interactions were almost forced for the plot. I was really excited for this one and was left feeling pretty disappointed, considering I absolutely devoured the first one. I wish the author had gotten into the supernatural aspect a little sooner. The entire first 30% was just backstory which could have been summed up ALOT faster, and then we didn’t even get our first taste of the supernatural until muchhh further into the book I think it was like 70%. There was so little time to explore the dynamic the two MC’s had during that arc (trying to keep this spoiler free but you know the one). The first book focused heavily on the internal feelings of the MC that had the condition, and they were so descriptive and dark but also made a lot of sense. I just don’t feel like either of the MC’s in this book had a ton of development. Atticus, maybe, but Cam? There was just SO MUCH POTENTIAL with this one, once the plot finally hit I was so confused because it was such a good and unique plot line, I was just thinking why is this book only just now starting? Idk I’m gonna read the third book but feeling nervous about it now.
July 22, 2026
Controlled is the second book in the Chastain Castle Trilogy, and Hunter Bailey continues to build this paranormal world with suspense, emotion and unforgettable romance.
At the heart of this story is Atticus' unwavering love for his brother. His devotion drives him to make a dangerous bargain with a demon, one that slowly consumes his soul. That sacrifice becomes the emotional foundation of the novel and influences every decision he makes.
Cameron has loved Atticus for years, but their different social standings always made him feel as though he wasn't enough. Despite those insecurities, the attraction between them is undeniable from the very beginning.
The novel is divided into two timelines, and I loved how that structure allowed us to understand both their past and present.
The first half of the book follows Atticus and Cameron when they first meet.One craves control. The other craves someone to take that control away. Their dynamic felt natural, emotional, and beautifully developed.
Unfortunately, everything falls apart because of one painful misunderstanding.
Thanks to Cassie and Cameron's poorly chosen words while trying to discourage his best friend from pursuing the man he secretly loved their relationship shatters before it truly has a chance to begin.
However, despite living separate lives, they continue yearning for one another.
Atticus is no longer the same man. The bargain he made to save his brother continues to affect him.
Watching them struggle against their feelings was heartbreaking.
Thankfully, time, honesty and the truth eventually allow them to reconcile.
I also loved seeing Cameron finally escape his abusive home and find the happiness he deserved.
Hunter Bailey did an incredible job building suspense throughout the novel. We know something is terribly wrong from the beginning, but the truth is revealed little by little until everything finally makes sense.
The dual timeline makes every reveal even more satisfying. Atticus and Cameron finally get the happy ending they fought so hard to earn.
Another fantastic addition to the Chastain Castle Trilogy.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
At the heart of this story is Atticus' unwavering love for his brother. His devotion drives him to make a dangerous bargain with a demon, one that slowly consumes his soul. That sacrifice becomes the emotional foundation of the novel and influences every decision he makes.
Cameron has loved Atticus for years, but their different social standings always made him feel as though he wasn't enough. Despite those insecurities, the attraction between them is undeniable from the very beginning.
The novel is divided into two timelines, and I loved how that structure allowed us to understand both their past and present.
The first half of the book follows Atticus and Cameron when they first meet.One craves control. The other craves someone to take that control away. Their dynamic felt natural, emotional, and beautifully developed.
Unfortunately, everything falls apart because of one painful misunderstanding.
Thanks to Cassie and Cameron's poorly chosen words while trying to discourage his best friend from pursuing the man he secretly loved their relationship shatters before it truly has a chance to begin.
However, despite living separate lives, they continue yearning for one another.
Atticus is no longer the same man. The bargain he made to save his brother continues to affect him.
Watching them struggle against their feelings was heartbreaking.
Thankfully, time, honesty and the truth eventually allow them to reconcile.
I also loved seeing Cameron finally escape his abusive home and find the happiness he deserved.
Hunter Bailey did an incredible job building suspense throughout the novel. We know something is terribly wrong from the beginning, but the truth is revealed little by little until everything finally makes sense.
The dual timeline makes every reveal even more satisfying. Atticus and Cameron finally get the happy ending they fought so hard to earn.
Another fantastic addition to the Chastain Castle Trilogy.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 13, 2026
4.75/5!
The plot was soooo good, and I loved the characters. Atticus and Cam felt a little surface level at the beginning of the book, I think because their relationship moved fairly quickly, but the depth to their characters was fantastic by the end of the book.
As always, I loved the worldbuilding. The descriptions were great, and I LOVE that we got glimpses of Julian and Atlas enjoying their life after the first book. I was worried that the first book and second book would be too similar because it seemed like it could have had really similar plots, but they were so different. There were moments where I genuinely laughed out loud or gasped in shock.
The plot was soooo good, and I loved the characters. Atticus and Cam felt a little surface level at the beginning of the book, I think because their relationship moved fairly quickly, but the depth to their characters was fantastic by the end of the book.
As always, I loved the worldbuilding. The descriptions were great, and I LOVE that we got glimpses of Julian and Atlas enjoying their life after the first book. I was worried that the first book and second book would be too similar because it seemed like it could have had really similar plots, but they were so different. There were moments where I genuinely laughed out loud or gasped in shock.
August 14, 2026
2.5⭐️
I cant lie, I did enjoy this book more than the first. I actually really liked Atticus. I think the whole demon aspect felt random. Like I know he made a deal but it just wasn't referenced that much for it to be a prominent plot point. Regardless, I do kind of find the way Atticus feels about Atlas a little weird. And tbh the parents are actually useless 😭😭😭 i dont know if im that interested to read the last book in this series.
I cant lie, I did enjoy this book more than the first. I actually really liked Atticus. I think the whole demon aspect felt random. Like I know he made a deal but it just wasn't referenced that much for it to be a prominent plot point. Regardless, I do kind of find the way Atticus feels about Atlas a little weird. And tbh the parents are actually useless 😭😭😭 i dont know if im that interested to read the last book in this series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 20, 2026
3.5 rounded up, I think. Not as good as book 1, but still enjoyable. The book starts with their past first, before catching up to the present of book 1. You definitely need to read in order so far. Glad these men get their HEA & so excited for book 3!
July 22, 2026
4⭐️
3🌶️
Another sweet but dark PNR MM romance!! Atticus and Cameron are frustrating, cute and hot 🔥 This author knows how to write dirty talk well 🥵 On to bk3
MM
PNR
Mild D/s vibe
Dirty Talk 🗣️
Possessive and Jealous MMCs
Rich x Poor
3🌶️
Another sweet but dark PNR MM romance!! Atticus and Cameron are frustrating, cute and hot 🔥 This author knows how to write dirty talk well 🥵 On to bk3
MM
PNR
Mild D/s vibe
Dirty Talk 🗣️
Possessive and Jealous MMCs
Rich x Poor
July 28, 2026
3.5 stars
July 18, 2026
I liked this one a tad better than the first but not enough to increase the rating. I think it might have been a bit better if atticus didn't have such a insta lust approach in the beginning.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews