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Broken Pieces #3
Losing Control
Length: 6 hrs and 35 mins
On the surface, Ben seems to have it all: money, influence, good looks. He smiles and jokes in all the right places, but it’s all a façade. Inside he’s a wreck, and it’s only getting worse. With his Congressman father using Ben’s recent kidnapping for his own political agenda, and Ben still struggling to get over the only guy he’s ever loved, he feels like he’s losing his grip on reality and he’s quickly spiraling out of control.
Then he meets Dante, an enigma of a man with as much self-hatred as Ben has. In Dante, Ben finds what he didn’t know he needed: Dante’s control, his power, is the only thing that clears the fog in Ben’s brain. For the first time in his life, Ben has a lover who just might need Ben as much as Ben needs him. When they’re together, the demons from their pasts don’t lurk so heavily on their shoulders.
But Dante can’t fix him. Not when a memory from Ben’s past is haunting him in ways he doesn’t understand, waiting for him to put together the missing pieces in his head…and what he discovers just might have the power to break him for good.
On the surface, Ben seems to have it all: money, influence, good looks. He smiles and jokes in all the right places, but it’s all a façade. Inside he’s a wreck, and it’s only getting worse. With his Congressman father using Ben’s recent kidnapping for his own political agenda, and Ben still struggling to get over the only guy he’s ever loved, he feels like he’s losing his grip on reality and he’s quickly spiraling out of control.
Then he meets Dante, an enigma of a man with as much self-hatred as Ben has. In Dante, Ben finds what he didn’t know he needed: Dante’s control, his power, is the only thing that clears the fog in Ben’s brain. For the first time in his life, Ben has a lover who just might need Ben as much as Ben needs him. When they’re together, the demons from their pasts don’t lurk so heavily on their shoulders.
But Dante can’t fix him. Not when a memory from Ben’s past is haunting him in ways he doesn’t understand, waiting for him to put together the missing pieces in his head…and what he discovers just might have the power to break him for good.
7 pages, Audible Audio
First published February 16, 2015
102 people are currently reading
1623 people want to read
About the author
Riley Hart
116 books7,110 followersRiley Hart is the girl who wears her heart on her sleeve. She's a hopeless romantic. A lover of sexy stories, passionate men, and writing about all the trouble they can get into together. If she's not writing, you'll probably find her reading.
Riley lives in California with her awesome family, who she is thankful for everyday.
Riley lives in California with her awesome family, who she is thankful for everyday.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 247 reviews
i-m-a-quitter
March 2, 2015Welp.....this was a DNF for me!!
DNF at 39%
I honestly can't believe I'm DNFing a Riley Hart book but I just wasn't feeling the love.
I felt no love between the MCs.
No romance.
No connection.
No feelings. Lovey dovey type feelings.
I felt lots of drama and anguish and depression.
I'm not going to lie, Dante's POV here may have helped.....a lot! IDK....because we never got it!
Dante was like a robot....
Strip.
Bend over.
Suck.
You. May. Come.
This one just wasn't at all what I was expecting or hoping for.
And I definitely didn't care for the dom/sub/BDSM aspects. Not my cuppa!
I think I personally prefer Riley's Blackcreek series!
DNF at 39%
I honestly can't believe I'm DNFing a Riley Hart book but I just wasn't feeling the love.
I felt no love between the MCs.
No romance.
No connection.
No feelings. Lovey dovey type feelings.
I felt lots of drama and anguish and depression.
I'm not going to lie, Dante's POV here may have helped.....a lot! IDK....because we never got it!
Dante was like a robot....
Strip.
Bend over.
Suck.
You. May. Come.
This one just wasn't at all what I was expecting or hoping for.
And I definitely didn't care for the dom/sub/BDSM aspects. Not my cuppa!
I think I personally prefer Riley's Blackcreek series!
August 3, 2016
4,5 stars
This story made my heart bleed but still I couldn't put it down. Even if it was full of angst, it was extremely well written and full of surprises. I loved the dual POV, both main characters were scarred but they found the strength to fight with their demons!
I thought I was ready for Ben's story. Well, I was definitely not. I thought I had him figured out from the other 2 books in this series. But Ben was so much more and his demons were bigger than I expected.
Ben seemed so sure of himself, a beautiful and successful man. On the inside he was much more broken than I thought. Well, this is another story in the Broken Series after all.
He was beaten, held hostage and saw a murder before his eyes, but nothing did more damage to his soul and mind than losing for good the only man he ever loved - Tristan. He was in so much pain, that not even drinking and one night stands could help him anymore. Nothing could make him forget. Nothing could make the pain go away.
The author did such a great job in describing his thoughts and you could just fell his struggle and his pain.
I am so sorry I can't give it 5 full stars, but I have some things I am not ok with, like: .
But this is a book I would gladly recommend to mm lovers and it is a must read, if angsty stories don't scare you away.
This story made my heart bleed but still I couldn't put it down. Even if it was full of angst, it was extremely well written and full of surprises. I loved the dual POV, both main characters were scarred but they found the strength to fight with their demons!
I thought I was ready for Ben's story. Well, I was definitely not. I thought I had him figured out from the other 2 books in this series. But Ben was so much more and his demons were bigger than I expected.
Ben seemed so sure of himself, a beautiful and successful man. On the inside he was much more broken than I thought. Well, this is another story in the Broken Series after all.
He was beaten, held hostage and saw a murder before his eyes, but nothing did more damage to his soul and mind than losing for good the only man he ever loved - Tristan. He was in so much pain, that not even drinking and one night stands could help him anymore. Nothing could make him forget. Nothing could make the pain go away.
The author did such a great job in describing his thoughts and you could just fell his struggle and his pain.
I am so sorry I can't give it 5 full stars, but I have some things I am not ok with, like: .
But this is a book I would gladly recommend to mm lovers and it is a must read, if angsty stories don't scare you away.
January 25, 2019
Audio – 5 +++ stars
Story – 3.5 stars
You want to know what’s alive and well in the book??? Hardcore angst!! I’m okay with angst but…sheesh angst and bdsm??? It was almost too much for me.
To be fair, the D/s scenes weren’t overly done, but they played too much of a part in the relationship development. So much so, that I had to create a new shelf “strangers to lovers” because Ben and Dante were more like strangers having sex for most of the book.
These guys were broken and dealing with dark pasts. The chemistry between them was hot, but the part of the story where they started to heal and decided to work on being more than lovers was rushed. As much as liked and sympathized for both Ben and Dante, I wasn’t feeling the romance or the love that was supposedly building between them. I wanted too, because these guys so deserved the love and happy ending they eventually got.
Story – 3.5 stars
You want to know what’s alive and well in the book??? Hardcore angst!! I’m okay with angst but…sheesh angst and bdsm??? It was almost too much for me.
To be fair, the D/s scenes weren’t overly done, but they played too much of a part in the relationship development. So much so, that I had to create a new shelf “strangers to lovers” because Ben and Dante were more like strangers having sex for most of the book.
These guys were broken and dealing with dark pasts. The chemistry between them was hot, but the part of the story where they started to heal and decided to work on being more than lovers was rushed. As much as liked and sympathized for both Ben and Dante, I wasn’t feeling the romance or the love that was supposedly building between them. I wanted too, because these guys so deserved the love and happy ending they eventually got.
January 23, 2016
4 Addicted to You Stars
This one was weird for me. I'm not usually a fan of overly dark and angsty books, no matter how hot the sex is. As most of you know, I'm all about the fluff. Still, this book worked for me on plenty of levels. Still. it did have its shortcomings too.
Ben is so fucking messed up! After his kidnapping he is suffering from a serious case of PTSD that he isn't about to acknowledge to anyone or ask help for. He suffers from memories of both his sister's and Javier's death(see first 2 books), he has delusions and hallusinations that he tries to burry with copious amounts of alcohol and sex. Sadly sex isn't something that works for him anymore and that leads Ben to even more sekf-destructive behaviour. He doesn't eat, he doesn't sleep... All he does is drink, work out and visit BDSM clubs looking for the thing that will finally give him the oblivion he is looking for. And when none of these work he goes looking for a fight that will leave him incapable of thinking anything besides the pain.
Insert Dante to the equotion. Dante is a dom in the BDSM club Ben frequents. He is in control, bossy and completely closed off. And he is instantly attracted to Ben and the pain he sees in his eyes because if Dante can't resist one thing, it is the role of the savior. Dante however has already tried that role once before and failed at it. Although he insists he can't save Ben he still tries and the only way Dante knows of nudging Ben out of his self-destructive moods is by taking control away from him in the bedroom. The surprising thing is how much that works for Ben even though he doesn't want it to.
To be honest, Ben's relationship with Dante felt one-dimensional and one-sided but that could have been due to the lack of Dante's POV. It mostly felt like Ben found a new drug of choice in Dante and Dante encouraged his addiction. And it was exactly how it was. Ben hunted after his next dose with the same passion he hunted after his next bottle of alcohol or his next destructive adventure. The fact that Dante was aware of that and still it was months before he made Ben take a step back and get his life in order was something I found a bit disturbing.
I did like how things worked out though. I liked how in the end ben got his shit together not by relying on Dante for it but by taking back control over his life. I also liked Tristan's, Jay's and Teo's interference when it came.
In the end, this book worked well for me...Angst and all.
"I don't deserve that kind of power. I'll fuck it up." He already was. Dante wasn't stupid. He knew what he was doing. He was using Ben.
Ben shook his head and Dante knew his words before Ben spoke them.
"I'm sure I'll fuck it up first."
This one was weird for me. I'm not usually a fan of overly dark and angsty books, no matter how hot the sex is. As most of you know, I'm all about the fluff. Still, this book worked for me on plenty of levels. Still. it did have its shortcomings too.
Ben is so fucking messed up! After his kidnapping he is suffering from a serious case of PTSD that he isn't about to acknowledge to anyone or ask help for. He suffers from memories of both his sister's and Javier's death(see first 2 books), he has delusions and hallusinations that he tries to burry with copious amounts of alcohol and sex. Sadly sex isn't something that works for him anymore and that leads Ben to even more sekf-destructive behaviour. He doesn't eat, he doesn't sleep... All he does is drink, work out and visit BDSM clubs looking for the thing that will finally give him the oblivion he is looking for. And when none of these work he goes looking for a fight that will leave him incapable of thinking anything besides the pain.
Insert Dante to the equotion. Dante is a dom in the BDSM club Ben frequents. He is in control, bossy and completely closed off. And he is instantly attracted to Ben and the pain he sees in his eyes because if Dante can't resist one thing, it is the role of the savior. Dante however has already tried that role once before and failed at it. Although he insists he can't save Ben he still tries and the only way Dante knows of nudging Ben out of his self-destructive moods is by taking control away from him in the bedroom. The surprising thing is how much that works for Ben even though he doesn't want it to.
To be honest, Ben's relationship with Dante felt one-dimensional and one-sided but that could have been due to the lack of Dante's POV. It mostly felt like Ben found a new drug of choice in Dante and Dante encouraged his addiction. And it was exactly how it was. Ben hunted after his next dose with the same passion he hunted after his next bottle of alcohol or his next destructive adventure. The fact that Dante was aware of that and still it was months before he made Ben take a step back and get his life in order was something I found a bit disturbing.
I did like how things worked out though. I liked how in the end ben got his shit together not by relying on Dante for it but by taking back control over his life. I also liked Tristan's, Jay's and Teo's interference when it came.
In the end, this book worked well for me...Angst and all.
"I don’t need you, but I want you."
"I don’t need you, but I want you too."
June 17, 2016
***4 Emotionally Raw Stars***
"Love isn't something you can force. I've learned that. You can't force yourself to love someone, or someone to love you. And you can't force yourself not to love someone either. All you can do is hope like hell it doesn't break you."
Ben's story was so much more than I expected when meeting his character in Broken Pieces. This is a damaged man, broken and scarred deep in the places that others don't see. He carries his sadness, grief and yearning like a heavy burden...weighing him down with every step he takes. Just waking up is a struggle at times.
Dante is a man with his own sad history. Scarred by a past relationship, a past failure, a deep sense of inadequacy.
Can these two men heal each other? Can two lost souls find the light within each other and regain not only their self worth, but find happiness and love?
Although heavy and intense, this was Ben's story just as it should be. He went through a traumatic event at the end of Full Circle and we see how heavily his sacrifice is weighing on him. We also get to see the full impact of his emotions regarding Tristan...how deep those feelings truly run.
Dante was a perfect counterbalance to Ben. He was just as damaged, but he was more resigned to his fate of being alone. Where Ben was floundering with his emotions, Dante exuded a quiet acceptance. And herein lies the genius in Riley's writing. Though the book centers on Ben's journey, Dante's transformation is subtle yet constantly present. He gradually grows into the man he is meant to be.
Though a difficult, and at times heartbreaking journey, you slowly watch these two men find their footing, share their burdens, confess their fears, heal their hearts and ultimately discover their true selves.
***Privileged to have assisted in the beta reading of this book***
January 4, 2016
I kind of struggled with this one. It is a pretty dark an angsty read and this angst comes mostly from the emotional demons both characters carry.
Ben is a mess. After the abduction and the realisation he will never be with Tristan, he's rapidly losing control of himself. He's depressed, he drinks all the time, he fucks around in clubs every night but nothing seems to help him anymore. He's losing his grip on reality, having flashbacks of his painfull childhood and hearing his dead sister's voice. He's spiraling into self destruction when he meets Dante in one of the clubs he goes.
Dante has skeletons in his closet as well. I missed Dante's POV in this book . I never managed to fully connect to his character and he seemed flat, almost one dimentional.We do get some of his thoughts in the bonus chapter and although I was starved for them it felt a little too late.
Ben and Dante form a wierd unhealthy relationship. Dante hates that he's drawn to Ben and that he cares so much. Ben hates that his body and mind submit so easily to Dante, but he needs it to keep him grounded or else he will lose his mind. It's all about mind games, but the chemistry between them is undeniable.
Up until the 80 % this was a 3 star read for me. The angst felt a bit over the top .Ben hearing his sister's voice and seeing blood everywhere started to creep me out at first and then it just became annoying.
But then came a revelation of sorts and Ben hits rock bottom. If Dante and Ben want to have a real chance together they will have to face their demons.
The journey to healing is painful but it's done in the right way and the result is beautiful .I loved how the author gave these two their HEA.It was the hard but real way.
" I don’t need you, but I want you.”
"I don’t need you, but I want you too”
"Come and get me."
Ben is a mess. After the abduction and the realisation he will never be with Tristan, he's rapidly losing control of himself. He's depressed, he drinks all the time, he fucks around in clubs every night but nothing seems to help him anymore. He's losing his grip on reality, having flashbacks of his painfull childhood and hearing his dead sister's voice. He's spiraling into self destruction when he meets Dante in one of the clubs he goes.
Dante has skeletons in his closet as well. I missed Dante's POV in this book . I never managed to fully connect to his character and he seemed flat, almost one dimentional.We do get some of his thoughts in the bonus chapter and although I was starved for them it felt a little too late.
Ben and Dante form a wierd unhealthy relationship. Dante hates that he's drawn to Ben and that he cares so much. Ben hates that his body and mind submit so easily to Dante, but he needs it to keep him grounded or else he will lose his mind. It's all about mind games, but the chemistry between them is undeniable.
Up until the 80 % this was a 3 star read for me. The angst felt a bit over the top .Ben hearing his sister's voice and seeing blood everywhere started to creep me out at first and then it just became annoying.
But then came a revelation of sorts and Ben hits rock bottom. If Dante and Ben want to have a real chance together they will have to face their demons.
The journey to healing is painful but it's done in the right way and the result is beautiful .I loved how the author gave these two their HEA.It was the hard but real way.
" I don’t need you, but I want you.”
"I don’t need you, but I want you too”
"Come and get me."
December 11, 2015
3.5* for mixed feelings about Ben and Dante.
I found Losing Control to be a dark story compared to other romances by Riley Hart. I would not classify this as a romance it was more of a Dom/sub relationship, plenty of sex but no sweet romance and I found the relationship to be cold.
Ben is a broken man and has been using sex and alcohol as a band aid to hide from his memories and nightmares but this no longer works until he sees Dante perform at a club and discovers that he needs Dante to control him in the bedroom.
Dante has his own demons he is battling and he needs the control and power over Ben but he warns Ben that he cannot fix him.
Something happens to Ben and he hits rock bottom, can he make sense of his memories and nightmares and lay old ghosts to rest so he can begin to rebuild his life and have a chance at a normal relationship with Dante?
It was nice having a little more of Tristian, Josiah and Mateo and I loved the epilogue.
I found Losing Control to be a dark story compared to other romances by Riley Hart. I would not classify this as a romance it was more of a Dom/sub relationship, plenty of sex but no sweet romance and I found the relationship to be cold.
Ben is a broken man and has been using sex and alcohol as a band aid to hide from his memories and nightmares but this no longer works until he sees Dante perform at a club and discovers that he needs Dante to control him in the bedroom.
Dante has his own demons he is battling and he needs the control and power over Ben but he warns Ben that he cannot fix him.
Something happens to Ben and he hits rock bottom, can he make sense of his memories and nightmares and lay old ghosts to rest so he can begin to rebuild his life and have a chance at a normal relationship with Dante?
It was nice having a little more of Tristian, Josiah and Mateo and I loved the epilogue.
May 22, 2022
Ben ha vivido su vida segun las espectativas de su padre, pero ya se canso, por fin decidio enfrentar a su familia en cuanto su sexualidad, y se comenzo a sentir seguro, tan seguro que cometio un error enorme al dejarse secuestrar por Javier. La experiencia del secuestro desperto sentimientos que hacia mucho que habia enterrado, comenzo a osentirse desbalanceado, fuera de foco, no podia dormir, no podia comer, ni siquiera podia "joder", estaba perdiendo el sentido de la realidad. Hasta un dia en el club vio de lejos a un hombre, tes oscura, europeo que lo miraba fijamente mientras el estaba con un Sub.
Dante, el hombre del club, sentia que el podia comprenderlo, que el podria ayudarlo a apagar las voces, y se entrego al hombre sin importar nada mas que apagar las voces. Lo que no tuvo en cuenta fue los sentimientos que estaban naciendo, como su dependencia por el sexo con Dante lo iban haciendo cada vez mas desequilibrado, su mente desvariaba con mas frecuencia, y cuando Dante decidio no seguir siendo su "droga", el comenzo a decaer rapidamente. Ahora no solo debera recuperarse fisicamente, sino tambien debe buscar ayuda psicologia y esperar a que Dante pueda y quiera volver con el.
No espere que Ben tuviera traumas tan profundos, y quizas fue lo que mas me llamo la atencion del libro, pero durante toda la lectura senti que faltaba algo, no termino de atraparme como los libros anteriores. Tambien me hubiera gustado leer un poco mas desde el punto de vista de Dante, no solo un par de paginas al final, hubieron muchos momentos que me hubiera gustado saber que pensaba Dante o que ero lo que le llevaba a hacer ciertas cosas, y aunque el autor intento que lo "conversara" con Ben, no tenia el mismo peso.
Lo que tampoco me gusto, fue que volvieron a poner al pobre de Mateo con el "vengador", porque terminar el libro asi? porque si iban a incluir a Mateo de esa forma, no describieron como hizo lo que hizo? Que paso con la mama de Ben? Se suicido? Que paso con la prensa o los otros congresistas? Que paso con el bufete que Ben tenia en New York? Senti que quedaron muchas incognitas, muchas situaciones abiertas sin resolverse, y aunque la relacion si tuvo su "final feliz", se sintio como apurado, quizas si le hubieran agregado un par de capitulos mas, o un epilogo mas largo, no se, pero senti que le falta algo.
Sin embargo, la serie me gusto, los personajes estaban bien manejados, y la trama de los dos primeros libros fue bastante interesante, y si quizas este ultimo hubiera incluido mas detalles no me hubiera sentido tan decepcionada.
En fin, sigue siendo uno de mis autores preferidos, y seguire leyendo lo que escriba.
Dante, el hombre del club, sentia que el podia comprenderlo, que el podria ayudarlo a apagar las voces, y se entrego al hombre sin importar nada mas que apagar las voces. Lo que no tuvo en cuenta fue los sentimientos que estaban naciendo, como su dependencia por el sexo con Dante lo iban haciendo cada vez mas desequilibrado, su mente desvariaba con mas frecuencia, y cuando Dante decidio no seguir siendo su "droga", el comenzo a decaer rapidamente. Ahora no solo debera recuperarse fisicamente, sino tambien debe buscar ayuda psicologia y esperar a que Dante pueda y quiera volver con el.
No espere que Ben tuviera traumas tan profundos, y quizas fue lo que mas me llamo la atencion del libro, pero durante toda la lectura senti que faltaba algo, no termino de atraparme como los libros anteriores. Tambien me hubiera gustado leer un poco mas desde el punto de vista de Dante, no solo un par de paginas al final, hubieron muchos momentos que me hubiera gustado saber que pensaba Dante o que ero lo que le llevaba a hacer ciertas cosas, y aunque el autor intento que lo "conversara" con Ben, no tenia el mismo peso.
Lo que tampoco me gusto, fue que volvieron a poner al pobre de Mateo con el "vengador", porque terminar el libro asi? porque si iban a incluir a Mateo de esa forma, no describieron como hizo lo que hizo? Que paso con la mama de Ben? Se suicido? Que paso con la prensa o los otros congresistas? Que paso con el bufete que Ben tenia en New York? Senti que quedaron muchas incognitas, muchas situaciones abiertas sin resolverse, y aunque la relacion si tuvo su "final feliz", se sintio como apurado, quizas si le hubieran agregado un par de capitulos mas, o un epilogo mas largo, no se, pero senti que le falta algo.
Sin embargo, la serie me gusto, los personajes estaban bien manejados, y la trama de los dos primeros libros fue bastante interesante, y si quizas este ultimo hubiera incluido mas detalles no me hubiera sentido tan decepcionada.
En fin, sigue siendo uno de mis autores preferidos, y seguire leyendo lo que escriba.
January 26, 2017
4.5 stars
October 15, 2022
3.5 stars
This was a good addition to the series… I would say yes this could be a standalone if you don’t wanna read the other two books, but you would get more out of it if you read about the trio.
Dante and Ben, both tortured souls looking to be loved. But they had a lot to work on before they would be good for each other…, while that work didn’t happen until the last parts of the book, I enjoyed seeing how Dante and Ben connected and their journey.
I do think book two of this series is my favorite, but this is a close second!
This was a good addition to the series… I would say yes this could be a standalone if you don’t wanna read the other two books, but you would get more out of it if you read about the trio.
Dante and Ben, both tortured souls looking to be loved. But they had a lot to work on before they would be good for each other…, while that work didn’t happen until the last parts of the book, I enjoyed seeing how Dante and Ben connected and their journey.
I do think book two of this series is my favorite, but this is a close second!
February 27, 2015
*4.5 STARS *
'Losing Control' opens with a prologue that hits you straight away with a heartbreaking, soul searching letter from Ben to Tristan, his ex lover and estranged friend who, in the last book of the series finally found his own peace and true love with Justin and Mateo, the two conflicted men who when they became a committed threesome, mended each other's hearts but left Ben's in pieces. Unable to let go of the unrequited feelings for the friend he's been deeply in love with for years, Ben is floundering badly. Writing those emotions down into an unsent missive shows just how lost and screwed up he really is at this juncture in his life and sets the moving tone for this heart rending novel.
Not just that, he's still reeling from his terrifying ordeal with Javier, the gang leader who was threatening to destroy Tristan, Justin and Mateo's relationship and the fallout from that has also impacted his mental state. Plus on a separate level he's keeping a tragic, family secret from his past, involving his ambitious, unfeeling Congressman father and his deliberately oblivious mother whose misplaced loyalty to her deceitful husband all adds to his current state of mind, which is unravelling fast. As are all the traumatic memories from that time. There's no doubt, Ben has already fallen off the edge...and he's only inches away from hitting rock bottom.
Seen from Ben's POV throughout the book, it's a deeply affecting introduction, so you know from its onset that this is going to be a tale that packs one hell of an emotional punch, and coming from the pen of an author who knows exactly how to push every relatable button in a readers body, it's apparent from the moment a self destructive Ben enters the BDSM club—where to fill the void in his life he's he's been trying to fuck away the pain with submissive strangers—this is not going to be a hearts and flowers romance. Feeling nothing from these encounters to the point where he can't even get it up anymore, the sense that he's so battered emotionally is truly palpable....
For rest of review follow Link: http://bit.ly/1zjIViF
'Losing Control' opens with a prologue that hits you straight away with a heartbreaking, soul searching letter from Ben to Tristan, his ex lover and estranged friend who, in the last book of the series finally found his own peace and true love with Justin and Mateo, the two conflicted men who when they became a committed threesome, mended each other's hearts but left Ben's in pieces. Unable to let go of the unrequited feelings for the friend he's been deeply in love with for years, Ben is floundering badly. Writing those emotions down into an unsent missive shows just how lost and screwed up he really is at this juncture in his life and sets the moving tone for this heart rending novel.
Not just that, he's still reeling from his terrifying ordeal with Javier, the gang leader who was threatening to destroy Tristan, Justin and Mateo's relationship and the fallout from that has also impacted his mental state. Plus on a separate level he's keeping a tragic, family secret from his past, involving his ambitious, unfeeling Congressman father and his deliberately oblivious mother whose misplaced loyalty to her deceitful husband all adds to his current state of mind, which is unravelling fast. As are all the traumatic memories from that time. There's no doubt, Ben has already fallen off the edge...and he's only inches away from hitting rock bottom.
Seen from Ben's POV throughout the book, it's a deeply affecting introduction, so you know from its onset that this is going to be a tale that packs one hell of an emotional punch, and coming from the pen of an author who knows exactly how to push every relatable button in a readers body, it's apparent from the moment a self destructive Ben enters the BDSM club—where to fill the void in his life he's he's been trying to fuck away the pain with submissive strangers—this is not going to be a hearts and flowers romance. Feeling nothing from these encounters to the point where he can't even get it up anymore, the sense that he's so battered emotionally is truly palpable....
For rest of review follow Link: http://bit.ly/1zjIViF
March 3, 2015
I'm giving this 3.5 stars! I liked it, but it wasn't at all what I expected.
I always liked Ben and we get to find out a lot more of why he hates himself and has a somewhat destructive behavior. It started a little slow for me, but it got a lot better after a few chapters and I really got into it.
It took an unexpected turn for me toward the end and something happened that I'm quite conflicted about. I'm actually still thinking about it and that's part of why I liked it I guess.
We get a little glimpse of Jay, Mateo and Tristan as well. I'm glad that Ben had his own book. I absolutely LOVED the first two books and I totally enjoyed this one as well...just not quite as much as the first two. Great series!
I always liked Ben and we get to find out a lot more of why he hates himself and has a somewhat destructive behavior. It started a little slow for me, but it got a lot better after a few chapters and I really got into it.
It took an unexpected turn for me toward the end and something happened that I'm quite conflicted about. I'm actually still thinking about it and that's part of why I liked it I guess.
We get a little glimpse of Jay, Mateo and Tristan as well. I'm glad that Ben had his own book. I absolutely LOVED the first two books and I totally enjoyed this one as well...just not quite as much as the first two. Great series!
January 6, 2023
Heart wrenching tale !! Ben and Dante were very hot together. Deep emotions, thought-filled characters, and tremendous yearnings kept this interesting. It was full of angst, but I kept going, and I'm glad I did.
Beautiful love story, mended souls and true feelings.
It may seem they are all so broken you are wasting your time, but the true tale is worth reading. Hang in there and you will be rewarded. In the third book: Ben and Dante were very hot together.
They find what they need and want. I am still smiling when I think of the last 20% of book three. So great ! There was hot M/M sex scenes and heartwarming anticipation and fulfillment.
I smiled for days with the happiness the ending made me feel.
ENJOY !!!
===
Beautiful love story, mended souls and true feelings.
It may seem they are all so broken you are wasting your time, but the true tale is worth reading. Hang in there and you will be rewarded. In the third book: Ben and Dante were very hot together.
They find what they need and want. I am still smiling when I think of the last 20% of book three. So great ! There was hot M/M sex scenes and heartwarming anticipation and fulfillment.
I smiled for days with the happiness the ending made me feel.
ENJOY !!!
===
September 2, 2015
Loosing control with friends here Monday 18 May
Am I ready? Sure am...
Am I ready? Sure am...
February 14, 2025
Re-Read 22.01.2025
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I Loved it! It was raw and real and I never expected to love Ben's story more than I loved Tristan's but I did. It was GREAT
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I Loved it! It was raw and real and I never expected to love Ben's story more than I loved Tristan's but I did. It was GREAT
June 10, 2017
♥ ♥ ♥ 4 STARS ♥ ♥ ♥
July 29, 2015
*** 4, 5 'BROKEN' STARS ***
Seriously, you need the 'right mood' to read every one of Riley Hart books, especially this one.
I'm curious about Ben since the very beginning.
I honestly got jealous (for Josiah and Mateo) to Ben how close his 'relationship' with Tristan.
On the other side, I also thought what if Ben and Tristan someday can be together.
Answer? 'IMPOSSIBLE'!
And the Prologue made me realized, somehow, how much Tristan was an asshole for so long.
Ben was so broken, loving someone so desperately, and one sided, being rejected in his awful sick family !Grrrr...
I'm seriously agreed to what Mateo did to that man... , 'his way', Mateo's way.
Well, he deserved it.
As for Ben and Dante's relationship, I haven't seen love like Tristan, Mateo and Josiah has...not yet. Dante and Ben's relationship was about 'NEED', and acceptance, and comfort.
Been lonely for too long, Ben found what he was looking for to make him, at least, healed.
I just hope, one day, they can find their true HEA, without their ghosts everywhere they go.
Some day, there's only going to be just Ben and Dante.
For me, this is a HFN, though, this is more realistic for Ben and Dante.
HEA be damned. Enjoy the happy ending. We never know where life will lead us to.
Recommended.
May 4, 2018
Ich hätte es nicht für möglich gehalten, aber »Losing Control« ist für mich persönlich der stärkste Band dieser Trilogie »Broken Pieces« von Riley Hart. Dabei sind Ben und Dante zwei seelisch so gebrochene Charaktere, bei denen ich bis zuletzt nicht sicher war, ob sie es wirklich zu einem Happy End schaffen.
Die Beziehung der beiden begründet sich auf Sex und das in einem mehr als ungesunden Maße. Es wird hier niemand körperlich verletzt, das nicht, dennoch tun sich beide eigentlich gar nicht gut. Psychologisch gesehen. Voneinander lassen können sie trotzdem nicht, denn gerade weil sie so kaputt sind, verstehen sie einander auf eine Art und Weise, wie es nicht mal Tristan kann und der ist seit Jahren Bens bester Freund. Zumindest habe ich das anfangs noch geglaubt, doch je weiter das Buch vorankam, umso mehr wurde mir klar, dass Tristan überhaupt keine Ahnung davon hat, wer Ben wirklich nicht. Und das kann man ihm nicht mal zum Vorwurf machen, denn nicht einmal Ben weiß, wer er selbst überhaupt ist. Er hat so vieles aus seiner Vergangenheit verdrängt und damit lange Zeit gut gelebt, doch seine Entführung im 2. Band hat eine Tür geöffnet. Nicht weit, aber weit genug, um immer mehr und mehr Details von früher an die Oberfläche zu holen, denn Ben hütet ein Geheimnis, das ihn innerlich zerstört, und je mehr er dagegen ankämpft, umso schlimmer wird es.
Dem gegenüber steht Dante, der genau diesen Weg, den Ben gerade geht, schon einmal mit einem Freund gegangen ist, und den dabei verloren hat. Aber Ben will er nicht verlieren. Er hat solche Angst und hasst sich selbst für die Schwäche, nicht das Richtige tun zu können, doch er schafft es nicht, Ben allein zu lassen. Er braucht ihn. Sie brauchen einander, um sich gegenseitig in dieser Abwärtsspirale Halt zu geben, und das Schlimmste bei Lesen für mich war die Tatsache, dass sie das beide wissen.
Ich habe mehrmals mit den Tränen gekämpft, weil die Stimmung im Buch zeitweise wirklich deprimierend und düster ist. Gerade zum Ende hin, als Ben endgültig den Boden unter den Füßen verliert und erkennt, was das Geheimnis ist, das er tief in sich so viele Jahre vergraben hat. Und ich muss gestehen, ich habe keinerlei Problem mit dem Aspekt der Selbstjustiz, die am Ende kurz aufgegriffen wird, denn was dieser **** (sucht euch ein Schimpfwort aus) Ben und Bonnie angetan hat und damit davon gekommen ist, weil Bens Mutter … Ohne Worte. Diese Frau ist nicht weniger schlimm als Bens Vater. Nein, ich habe Null Mitleid mit diesen beiden, denn sie bekommen, was sie verdient haben.
Mein ganzes Mitgefühl gehört Ben und Dante und ich bin heilfroh über das (wenn auch nicht perfekte, dafür haben sie noch einen langen Weg vor sich) Happy End, das sie bekommen. Und ich habe mich sehr gefreut, Tristan, Josiah und Mateo wiederzusehen.
Von mir bekommt das Buch volle Punktzahl und eine dicke Leseempfehlung gibt es obendrauf.
Die Beziehung der beiden begründet sich auf Sex und das in einem mehr als ungesunden Maße. Es wird hier niemand körperlich verletzt, das nicht, dennoch tun sich beide eigentlich gar nicht gut. Psychologisch gesehen. Voneinander lassen können sie trotzdem nicht, denn gerade weil sie so kaputt sind, verstehen sie einander auf eine Art und Weise, wie es nicht mal Tristan kann und der ist seit Jahren Bens bester Freund. Zumindest habe ich das anfangs noch geglaubt, doch je weiter das Buch vorankam, umso mehr wurde mir klar, dass Tristan überhaupt keine Ahnung davon hat, wer Ben wirklich nicht. Und das kann man ihm nicht mal zum Vorwurf machen, denn nicht einmal Ben weiß, wer er selbst überhaupt ist. Er hat so vieles aus seiner Vergangenheit verdrängt und damit lange Zeit gut gelebt, doch seine Entführung im 2. Band hat eine Tür geöffnet. Nicht weit, aber weit genug, um immer mehr und mehr Details von früher an die Oberfläche zu holen, denn Ben hütet ein Geheimnis, das ihn innerlich zerstört, und je mehr er dagegen ankämpft, umso schlimmer wird es.
Dem gegenüber steht Dante, der genau diesen Weg, den Ben gerade geht, schon einmal mit einem Freund gegangen ist, und den dabei verloren hat. Aber Ben will er nicht verlieren. Er hat solche Angst und hasst sich selbst für die Schwäche, nicht das Richtige tun zu können, doch er schafft es nicht, Ben allein zu lassen. Er braucht ihn. Sie brauchen einander, um sich gegenseitig in dieser Abwärtsspirale Halt zu geben, und das Schlimmste bei Lesen für mich war die Tatsache, dass sie das beide wissen.
Ich habe mehrmals mit den Tränen gekämpft, weil die Stimmung im Buch zeitweise wirklich deprimierend und düster ist. Gerade zum Ende hin, als Ben endgültig den Boden unter den Füßen verliert und erkennt, was das Geheimnis ist, das er tief in sich so viele Jahre vergraben hat. Und ich muss gestehen, ich habe keinerlei Problem mit dem Aspekt der Selbstjustiz, die am Ende kurz aufgegriffen wird, denn was dieser **** (sucht euch ein Schimpfwort aus) Ben und Bonnie angetan hat und damit davon gekommen ist, weil Bens Mutter … Ohne Worte. Diese Frau ist nicht weniger schlimm als Bens Vater. Nein, ich habe Null Mitleid mit diesen beiden, denn sie bekommen, was sie verdient haben.
Mein ganzes Mitgefühl gehört Ben und Dante und ich bin heilfroh über das (wenn auch nicht perfekte, dafür haben sie noch einen langen Weg vor sich) Happy End, das sie bekommen. Und ich habe mich sehr gefreut, Tristan, Josiah und Mateo wiederzusehen.
Von mir bekommt das Buch volle Punktzahl und eine dicke Leseempfehlung gibt es obendrauf.
August 8, 2019
4,5 stars!!!
March 5, 2015
This is the 3rd book in the Broken Pieces series and is Ben's story.
Trying to recover from his kidnapping and murder of his kidnapper, Ben is not in a good place. With nightmares of his sister keeping him awake at night and drinking to trying to forget everything, he is a shell of the man he once was. The only thing that is helping him is sex and now, that is not working. He meets a dark mysterious man in a club and is immediately drawn to him. Dante is as broken as Ben, with secrets of his own. Can two men, each battling their own nightmares be in a relationship.
I love this series, but I am little disappointed in this book. Yes, it was heartbreaking and sad, but at times I just think it went over the top in the angst department. I could not connect to either Ben or Dante at all
It was a solid 3.5 star read for me. I would recommend reading it if you want to catch up with Jay, Matteo and Tristian
Trying to recover from his kidnapping and murder of his kidnapper, Ben is not in a good place. With nightmares of his sister keeping him awake at night and drinking to trying to forget everything, he is a shell of the man he once was. The only thing that is helping him is sex and now, that is not working. He meets a dark mysterious man in a club and is immediately drawn to him. Dante is as broken as Ben, with secrets of his own. Can two men, each battling their own nightmares be in a relationship.
I love this series, but I am little disappointed in this book. Yes, it was heartbreaking and sad, but at times I just think it went over the top in the angst department. I could not connect to either Ben or Dante at all
It was a solid 3.5 star read for me. I would recommend reading it if you want to catch up with Jay, Matteo and Tristian
May 14, 2020
Update May 2020
Not in the best frame of mind I have to admit, but this time I couldn't even finish it. Too much sex and really, someone should tell Ben to go visit a shrink RIGHT.NOW. The guy is so messed up in a dangerous way, and I have to accept that giving up control during sex will fix him up or that no friend of his urges him to visit a professional and stick with 'talk to someone'?
This must be the only book that managed to go from 6 stars/keeper to DNF (at 60%) when re-reading it but I'm not going to change my original rating. It IS true that my mood is not forgiving now, and this could be the reason I couldn't finish it.
Original review
The only book that's managed to hook me lately; I really, really enjoyed it:) Riley Hart is a hit or miss for me, but this book is one of her best I believe, if you like angst and drama galore!
Not in the best frame of mind I have to admit, but this time I couldn't even finish it. Too much sex and really, someone should tell Ben to go visit a shrink RIGHT.NOW. The guy is so messed up in a dangerous way, and I have to accept that giving up control during sex will fix him up or that no friend of his urges him to visit a professional and stick with 'talk to someone'?
This must be the only book that managed to go from 6 stars/keeper to DNF (at 60%) when re-reading it but I'm not going to change my original rating. It IS true that my mood is not forgiving now, and this could be the reason I couldn't finish it.
Original review
The only book that's managed to hook me lately; I really, really enjoyed it:) Riley Hart is a hit or miss for me, but this book is one of her best I believe, if you like angst and drama galore!
February 27, 2015
#Live #loved #mustclick http://amzn.to/1G0Ko5L
“Please,” Ben asked.
Dante didn’t move his hand away, as he answered. “You haven’t been sleeping.”
Ben shrugged. “I do what I can.”
“Come home with me. You’ll sleep in my bed.”
“Please,” Ben asked.
Dante didn’t move his hand away, as he answered. “You haven’t been sleeping.”
Ben shrugged. “I do what I can.”
“Come home with me. You’ll sleep in my bed.”
May 27, 2015
This was a solid 4 star for me because I found myself really needing a dual pov. Then I get to the end and there is bonus scenes in Dante's pov and it upped it to 5.
January 5, 2017
4.5 star review by The Blogger Girls.
I was so excited to read Ben’s story. We met Ben in the previous books. He’s Tristan’s bff though they have a somewhat complicated relationship. They have a past sexual relationship, but have been close friends pretty much since then. Unfortunately, Ben wanted more and was, in fact, in love with Tristan. Sadly, Tristan didn’t return those feelings. When Tristan eventually found what he needed with Mateo and Josiah, Ben had a bit of a difficult time coming to terms with it all. But, he remained the good friend, always there when Tristan needed him. Turns out, Ben was a little more screwed up than we thought.
This story opens with a bang, Ben is laying it all out in letters to Tristan that he doesn’t actually plan to ever send. He is in a major downward spiral, especially after the recent events involving his kidnapping. But there is so much more behind his issues. I won’t get into them, but they all explain his current activities of mindless sex to try and lose himself, get over Tristan and to escape and get the memories and voices from his past out of his head. It is during one of these club encounters that he notices and is noticed by Dante.
Dante has a few issues of his own – he’s chasing a few ghosts as well. He thinks he is too broken to help Ben, though he sees exactly what Ben is trying to hide since he feels he was in that same position. When Dante is able to help Ben with a certain performance problem, it is the start of their rocky relationship of give and take, needing each other but not wanting to give in to or accept it. Ben thought he was the one in control and needed to be the one calling the shots, but Dante quickly shows him that is not the case.
While there were some areas of repetitiveness throughout, I did not have nearly the issues with it that I had in Full Circle. Here, we are learning more and more about the cause of Ben’s issues, and the flashbacks show more of his mental instability. This was a fast-paced story that keeps you a bit on the edge of your seat wanting to know the details and see things play out.
I was ready for the one-on-one that this story promised, and I was not disappointed. It was good to see the threesome again, especially when they all come together at the end. While I enjoyed watching Ben and Dante working things out, I really would have liked to have seen more of them after that point. Maybe we will get to see them again. :)
July 27, 2015
This book was just too much. I can't count how many times my heart broke while reading this. Riley Hart is just simply amazing. She just really writes so well. I was not a big fan of the second book but this was a great come back. I mean the story was just magnificent.
The characters were written very well. I felt everything that Ben felt. I was so scared for him throughout the book. I was afraid that he will spiral out of control. His character was just written wonderfully. Riley really knows how to build up a character's story. I felt his reluctance first about losing his control but i really loved how the story progressed. What he experienced life was horrible, everything was just horrible, how he came out amidst all of this was just very inspiring that we may learn from him a lot. Dante's character was same as Ben, they seemed to somehow gave up on life. Even though he didn't admit anything at first, I know that deep inside he loved. Ben in his own way. I view Dante as someone selfless and loving.
This book series was amazing in general. It is sad that this is the last book but I feel good knowing that everything was where it supposed to be. I am so excited for Riley's future works. Thank you Riley for sharing their stories. I hope you continue to write more amazing novels.
The characters were written very well. I felt everything that Ben felt. I was so scared for him throughout the book. I was afraid that he will spiral out of control. His character was just written wonderfully. Riley really knows how to build up a character's story. I felt his reluctance first about losing his control but i really loved how the story progressed. What he experienced life was horrible, everything was just horrible, how he came out amidst all of this was just very inspiring that we may learn from him a lot. Dante's character was same as Ben, they seemed to somehow gave up on life. Even though he didn't admit anything at first, I know that deep inside he loved. Ben in his own way. I view Dante as someone selfless and loving.
This book series was amazing in general. It is sad that this is the last book but I feel good knowing that everything was where it supposed to be. I am so excited for Riley's future works. Thank you Riley for sharing their stories. I hope you continue to write more amazing novels.
March 25, 2015
I loved this series and this was the icing on the cake for me. This series was a who's who of jacked up souls with tons of issues to get through. I really love Dante. I mean seriously this guy flawed but he's an angel too in devils clothing in a sense. I just love how good but tortured he is. He is perfect for Ben in every way. From reading the previous two books I could tell Ben had problems, I don't think I was ready for the extent of how messed up he was but I'm so glad he found someone who understands him. I also liked the ending showing us a glimpse of this little family that has been formed from a group of some of the most different but alike people I have ever seen. Loved it.
March 9, 2015
Lots of dark emotion here, so if you're in the mood for something sweet and fluffy, look elsewhere. If, however, you're in the mood for some serious angst and some seriously intense sex, look no further.
You might want to read the first two books in the series, though. It's not absolutely necessary, but you get more of Ben's background that way. Besides, the first two books are quite good.
You might want to read the first two books in the series, though. It's not absolutely necessary, but you get more of Ben's background that way. Besides, the first two books are quite good.
March 14, 2017
Loved Ben's heart breaking story.
Recommended.
July 6, 2022
Losing Control (Broken Pieces Book 3)
Ben Worthington featured in Book 2 of this series as a College Friend of Tristan. He has always loved Tristan but it was one-sided even though they were Friends with Benefits.
This is his story following his realisation that Tristan has found the loves of his life. Ben has also taken on the responsibility for saving Matteo after the situation with Javier. His family is falling apart, mother is an alcoholic, his Congressman father hates him, and his 14 year old sister killed herself.
All of this has sent Ben off the rails, drinking too much, clubbing, and BDSM. That’s where Ben meets Dante de Marco, he is suffering just like Ben and they can see that in each other. Can they save each other from the downward spiral of their lives?
Losing Control is the final part of the Broken Pieces trilogy, but unlike the characters in the two previous books, all of whom I connected with, I just couldn’t find that connection with Ben and Dante.
Riley Hart really does get down to the nitty gritty of life with her stories and this one was no exception. Drug use, child abuse, alcoholism are issues dealt with here so be aware of triggering issues.
Ben Worthington featured in Book 2 of this series as a College Friend of Tristan. He has always loved Tristan but it was one-sided even though they were Friends with Benefits.
This is his story following his realisation that Tristan has found the loves of his life. Ben has also taken on the responsibility for saving Matteo after the situation with Javier. His family is falling apart, mother is an alcoholic, his Congressman father hates him, and his 14 year old sister killed herself.
All of this has sent Ben off the rails, drinking too much, clubbing, and BDSM. That’s where Ben meets Dante de Marco, he is suffering just like Ben and they can see that in each other. Can they save each other from the downward spiral of their lives?
Losing Control is the final part of the Broken Pieces trilogy, but unlike the characters in the two previous books, all of whom I connected with, I just couldn’t find that connection with Ben and Dante.
Riley Hart really does get down to the nitty gritty of life with her stories and this one was no exception. Drug use, child abuse, alcoholism are issues dealt with here so be aware of triggering issues.
December 24, 2022
This was a heavy book! Very little joy. It was emotionally upsetting at times and even dark.
Ben is completely lost. He was facing the reality that Tristan would never be in love with him and that Tristan found what he always needed with two other people. Ben also had to face the the trauma of his abduction and the murder of Javier. Then his ptsd from his sister’s suicide reared back up. He tried to use sex as a bandaid but ultimately that lost its effectiveness. He was a shel of who’d he had been.
Dante was a bit of an enigma. I still don’t feel like I know who he was. Although the set boundaries with Ben, he didn’t adhere to those for long. His dark past was also wreaking havoc on his mental wellness. Dante was, in many, barely holding on as well. His efforts to help Ben were selfish, even if he had good intentions.
I don’t think I ever truly bought into their romantic feelings. The codependency felt a bit odd. They found comfort in the other but had so much healing to do. I thought their time apart made perfect and sense was necessary. Their passion was kind of sad tho because they were both in so much emotional pain.
The resolution with Ben’s father felt unfair and far too quick and easy. I wanted more punishment and suffering.
Ben is completely lost. He was facing the reality that Tristan would never be in love with him and that Tristan found what he always needed with two other people. Ben also had to face the the trauma of his abduction and the murder of Javier. Then his ptsd from his sister’s suicide reared back up. He tried to use sex as a bandaid but ultimately that lost its effectiveness. He was a shel of who’d he had been.
Dante was a bit of an enigma. I still don’t feel like I know who he was. Although the set boundaries with Ben, he didn’t adhere to those for long. His dark past was also wreaking havoc on his mental wellness. Dante was, in many, barely holding on as well. His efforts to help Ben were selfish, even if he had good intentions.
I don’t think I ever truly bought into their romantic feelings. The codependency felt a bit odd. They found comfort in the other but had so much healing to do. I thought their time apart made perfect and sense was necessary. Their passion was kind of sad tho because they were both in so much emotional pain.
The resolution with Ben’s father felt unfair and far too quick and easy. I wanted more punishment and suffering.
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