Losing Control

by R.L. Williams

Arianna Fleming has spent her life believing that control is earned.

As one of Chicago's most successful corporate attorneys, she's built an impeccable reputation by trusting facts over feelings. But when billionaire Caleb Strauss enters her life, attraction is the least dangerous thing between them.

As Ari investigates a series of suspicious corporate transactions, she uncovers a hidden network of powerful families manipulating marriages, inheritances, reputations, and lives for generations.

Suddenly, the betrayal of her ex-fiancé is only the beginning.

Now Ari and Caleb are running from enemies who have spent decades protecting their secrets, and the closer they get to the truth, the harder it becomes to know whom they can trust.

Some conspiracies destroy companies.

This one was built to control entire bloodlines.

Losing Control is a gripping romantic suspense novel filled with unforgettable characters, explosive twists, family secrets, and a slow-burn romance that will leave readers desperate for Book Two.

Content advisory: Intended for adult readers. Contains strong language, explicit sexual content (very spicy content), threats and violence, attempted abduction, manipulation, controlling behavior, family betrayal, and discussions of mental illness, including schizophrenia. Reader discretion is advised.

325 pages, ebook

About the author

R.L. Williams is that woman you label as quiet upon first observation; that is until you get close to her and begin to find out all the wild and exciting things about her and her life----she's a firecracker with a sassiness to match, but has a humble sweetness that does not go unnoticed. R.L. lives in Chicago with her daughter, and spends her days working full time and her spare time writing make-believe stories. When she needs a break from the daily chaos of her life, you can most likely find her enjoying family or wide awake with her nose buried in a good book.

R.L. writes sexy contemporary romance novels filled with heat, and drama that are sure to take you on an emotional roller coaster. Her debut novel is anticipated to be released in early 2015.

Reviews

[Taylor Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

i can say that this book blends steamy romance with corporate intrigue and a family conspiracy built on secrets, inherited power, and carefully managed lives. with Arianna Fleming, a brilliant lawyer who has built her identity around discipline and self-reliance. After her father asks her to investigate a suspicious acquisition linked to the mysterious Legacy Group, Ari discovers that the corruption reaches into her own family history. Her growing connection with Caleb, a compelling but deeply secretive businessman, pulls her further into a web of hidden identities, manipulated relationships, and a succession system that treats people as assets...... very interesting
Ari and her professional instincts genuinely shape the investigation rather than serving as a decorative detail. Her habit of questioning every explanation makes sense for someone whose entire life has been built around staying one step ahead of disappointment. Caleb is an intriguing counterpart, particularly when his actions show that protecting Ari does not have to mean making decisions for her. Their chemistry is immediate, and the exchanges between them and Ari’s sharp, funny friend Charlotte bring welcome energy to the heavier plot. The idea that families can disguise control as protection is also really compelling i must say, giving the story more substance than a straightforward romance or secret-society thriller...... great work

[Alma Moreno · Rating 5 out of 5]

Losing Control is a story about what happens when family, power, and secrets become dangerously intertwined. Arianna Fleming finds herself caught in a system where people have spent generations manipulating the truth, controlling others, and protecting a legacy at any cost.

One of the things I appreciated most was the way the story explored control—not just as a form of power, but as a means of survival. Arianna's journey is about learning that protecting herself doesn't mean surrendering her independence, and that reclaiming her life sometimes means challenging the very system she was raised to navigate.

The family dynamics add another layer of intrigue, with betrayals, hidden connections, and carefully constructed arrangements that make you question who can truly be trusted. I also enjoyed the legal and financial intrigue woven into the story, which gives the conflicts a larger scope beyond personal relationships. The stakes feel bigger than one person or one family; they're about an entire legacy beginning to unravel.

I especially liked the underlying message that freedom isn't simply about escaping someone else's control. It's about choosing your own future, even when the people who claim to know what's best for you have spent years deciding it on your behalf.

Overall, Losing Control delivers family drama, secrets, power struggles, and a heroine determined to take back her life. It's a compelling start to The Legacy Series, leaving plenty of room for the consequences of these revelations to unfold in the books to come.

Sometimes, the greatest betrayal isn't what your family hides from you—it's the life they've decided you must live.

[Williams Cristian]

This book was an interesting read, especially because of the secrets surrounding Arianna and her family. I liked how the story gradually revealed that things were not as simple as they first appeared. The more Arianna discovered, the more I wanted to understand what was really happening and who she could trust.
Arianna was my favorite part of the story. She is intelligent and determined, and I liked that she did not simply accept everything other people told her. As she uncovered more about her family's legacy, she had to question the people around her and decide what she truly wanted for herself. I found her struggle to take control of her own life relatable.
The book also explores trust, betrayal, love, and the influence that powerful people can have over others. I enjoyed these themes because they gave the story more to think about than just the mystery surrounding the family. I especially liked the idea that having control over your life sometimes means facing uncomfortable truths and making difficult choices.
Overall, I enjoyed reading Losing Control. The family secrets and the questions surrounding Arianna's future kept me interested, and I appreciated the message about making your own decisions rather than allowing others to choose your path for you. I would recommend it to readers who enjoy stories involving mystery, complicated relationships, and hidden family truths. I'm interested in seeing where the series goes next.

[Leah Rigotti · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a wonderful book. I loved the story, the characters and the anticipation for what was to come. I did find a few page repeats throughout the book. But that would not change my favor of this book. "Losing Control" honestly kept me on my toes more than any book I have read recently.

[Chinemerem Igweaka · Rating 5 out of 5]

A conspiracy that looks like a merger and a heroine who refuses to be a clause in it. Sharp, funny, romantic and genuinely original: “marriage language wearing a navy suit.” Ari and Charlotte’s banter alone is worth the price, and the consent-driven love story gave me chills. The family confrontations hit hard and the ending demands Book Two. If you love romantic suspense with brains, buy it. (Read as an advance copy.)

[Aliza Villanueva · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had such a good time reading this! The dynamic between Ari and Caleb, their chemistry is undeniable, but it’s a true slow burn, so the tension builds up deliciously before anything actually happens. It’s not just a standard romance; the plot goes deep into secret bloodlines and family manipulations, which kept me turning the pages to see what was around the next corner. I loved the Chicago legal setting and Arianna’s absolute boss energy before her world gets turned upside down. By the time I hit the end, I was low key mad there wasn't a Book Two ready to read immediately. But can't wait to pick it up when it comes out!