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The Controllers #0.5
The Awakening
Omega Awakening, a dark Cinderella Omegaverse romance...
All things must end.
I learned that lesson the day my mother died.
My step-mother was wicked.
My step-sister, spiteful.
It was a relief when I revealed as an Omega because it was a chance to escape.
But it wasn’t the end of my troubles.
What happens to Omegas is a secret.
And my troubles had just begun.
“I can save you from one monster, Verity,” Lilly had said when she accepted me into the program. “But I cannot save you from them all.”
True to her word, she saved me from my step-mother.
Then Woodrow entered my life.
And I realized he was the other monster Lilly had warned me about.
All things must end.
I learned that lesson the day my mother died.
My step-mother was wicked.
My step-sister, spiteful.
It was a relief when I revealed as an Omega because it was a chance to escape.
But it wasn’t the end of my troubles.
What happens to Omegas is a secret.
And my troubles had just begun.
“I can save you from one monster, Verity,” Lilly had said when she accepted me into the program. “But I cannot save you from them all.”
True to her word, she saved me from my step-mother.
Then Woodrow entered my life.
And I realized he was the other monster Lilly had warned me about.
242 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 2020
815 people are currently reading
1154 people want to read
About the author
L.V. Lane
74 books1,776 followersIn a secret garden hidden behind a wall of shrubs and trees amid a tiny English village, you'll find L.V. Lane's writing den, where she crafts spicy adventures...Magical and mythical creatures, wolf shifters, and alphas of every flavor give our sweet, sometimes willful omegas and heroines a guaranteed HEA.
If you like my books, you might also like my contemporary pen name, Verity Arden!
Content Advice can be found on my author website below and usually against the book description and or author review on Goodreads.
Where to find me:
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For Free short stories see my website under Books|FREE READS
If you like my books, you might also like my contemporary pen name, Verity Arden!
Content Advice can be found on my author website below and usually against the book description and or author review on Goodreads.
Where to find me:
Patron
Website
Mailing list
Bookbub
Facebook Page
Facebook Reader Group
Amazon
For Free short stories see my website under Books|FREE READS
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 220 reviews
August 30, 2025
A dark-ish twist on Cinderella set in an omegaverse world, with morally gray characters.
He humiliated me.
He manipulated me.
He cherished me.
Verity’s story is pretty bleak, filled with cruelty, control, and the kind of rescue that only lands her in a different type of cage. The elements of the Disney fairytale are here, the wicked stepmother, bratty stepsister, and absent father.
Tropes/themes:
Smutty omegaverse (like only Lane can write)
Age-gap
M/f romance
Innocent fmc
Manipulative mmc
Spanking/discipline
HFN ending
“It was the only choice I’ve ever had, and you took it away from me,” I said quietly as my tears began to spill.
“I couldn’t help myself,” he said, voice soft and hands gentling where he held me.
He humiliated me.
He manipulated me.
He cherished me.
Verity’s story is pretty bleak, filled with cruelty, control, and the kind of rescue that only lands her in a different type of cage. The elements of the Disney fairytale are here, the wicked stepmother, bratty stepsister, and absent father.
Tropes/themes:
Smutty omegaverse (like only Lane can write)
Age-gap
M/f romance
Innocent fmc
Manipulative mmc
Spanking/discipline
HFN ending
“It was the only choice I’ve ever had, and you took it away from me,” I said quietly as my tears began to spill.
“I couldn’t help myself,” he said, voice soft and hands gentling where he held me.
December 18, 2020
FTC (maybe) but for now Nicki Minaj wise words. “I’m the alpha the omega and everything in between”.
May 26, 2020
Oh...my...goddess!!
I am such a huuuuge fan of the Controller series - and this "prequel" type of edition didn't disappoint!
This book had all my favourite things in this series, it had parts I recognized from Lily's first book, making them slightly interlink - and I thought that was brilliant!
The book has a very good flow, I really loved the setting and how Verity's experiences are taken as "lessons in life" throughout the book. She's very young (18) and therefore has lived a very sheltered life - through her experiences in the hands of her stepmother and stepsister - has made her need to sort of "grow up" a lot earlier, she's a sweet young girl, but again she is only 18 and I thought the author managed to portray this very good in several scenes where I, as a much older adult, could see "hey...wait...that's OK, we all have a past", but Verity being so young - sticks to a first conclusion sort of almost "over-reaction" at times - which I found very fitting.
I loved her as a person, I loved her powers and how Ms. Lane manages to show us how difficult it must be - to have this spesific gift that Verity has. It's mentally very exhausting, and though some times very positive - we are also shown the dangers of it when you are pushed to your breaking point.
I loved Lily in this book and our "first peek" of her right before her own Book 1, and as I said it was slightly interlinked with Lily's first book, so we do recognize things from Lilly's book, just from a different perspective.
Now...Woodrow...
He was a breath of fresh air to be honest. He's not an "alpha-hole" in the ways that we are used to in the other books - or Alpha's in general.
He did remind me slightly of Lilly's father actually, in some of his mannerisms.
Woodrow is far older than Verity, he's in his early 40s, he's been in the army (forced conscription for 10 years is the norm for any Alpha in this series) - but he was also a Controller whilst there, and he also continued being a military man type afterwards, he for example was very familiar with our dear Ethan Black - because Black used to be one of his operators. :)
So again we get this interlink with Lilly's books.
I really loved Woodrow. He is very kind to Verity - his ultimate goal is to love her, show her love and give her and him a very happy, successful relationship.
But he's also not something you wanna mess with - we do see him in some good ole action and the way he treats and conditions Verity is also familiar to the other books, though ofc they are not in the army or in the war - but their own home etc.
All in all, I thought this was a super sweet addition to the series, and I hope this isn't the last we see of Woodrow and Verity.
Def. 5* from me!
I received this book as an ARC in return for an honest review.
I am such a huuuuge fan of the Controller series - and this "prequel" type of edition didn't disappoint!
This book had all my favourite things in this series, it had parts I recognized from Lily's first book, making them slightly interlink - and I thought that was brilliant!
The book has a very good flow, I really loved the setting and how Verity's experiences are taken as "lessons in life" throughout the book. She's very young (18) and therefore has lived a very sheltered life - through her experiences in the hands of her stepmother and stepsister - has made her need to sort of "grow up" a lot earlier, she's a sweet young girl, but again she is only 18 and I thought the author managed to portray this very good in several scenes where I, as a much older adult, could see "hey...wait...that's OK, we all have a past", but Verity being so young - sticks to a first conclusion sort of almost "over-reaction" at times - which I found very fitting.
I loved her as a person, I loved her powers and how Ms. Lane manages to show us how difficult it must be - to have this spesific gift that Verity has. It's mentally very exhausting, and though some times very positive - we are also shown the dangers of it when you are pushed to your breaking point.
I loved Lily in this book and our "first peek" of her right before her own Book 1, and as I said it was slightly interlinked with Lily's first book, so we do recognize things from Lilly's book, just from a different perspective.
Now...Woodrow...
He was a breath of fresh air to be honest. He's not an "alpha-hole" in the ways that we are used to in the other books - or Alpha's in general.
He did remind me slightly of Lilly's father actually, in some of his mannerisms.
Woodrow is far older than Verity, he's in his early 40s, he's been in the army (forced conscription for 10 years is the norm for any Alpha in this series) - but he was also a Controller whilst there, and he also continued being a military man type afterwards, he for example was very familiar with our dear Ethan Black - because Black used to be one of his operators. :)
So again we get this interlink with Lilly's books.
I really loved Woodrow. He is very kind to Verity - his ultimate goal is to love her, show her love and give her and him a very happy, successful relationship.
But he's also not something you wanna mess with - we do see him in some good ole action and the way he treats and conditions Verity is also familiar to the other books, though ofc they are not in the army or in the war - but their own home etc.
All in all, I thought this was a super sweet addition to the series, and I hope this isn't the last we see of Woodrow and Verity.
Def. 5* from me!
I received this book as an ARC in return for an honest review.
June 8, 2021
I want to advise potential readers that the below contains spoilers; usually, I'm careful about using the spoiler function, but this book so upset me that I can't summon up enough energy to care.
This is an early entry in the author's Omegaverse The Controllers series. It details the relationship between Verity (an abused Cinderella-type sent to a facility that induces an Omega's dynamic) and Woodrow (the much older high-ranking government official determined to make her his). Although this is a standalone in terms of the MC, several lines of action are left open to be continued in subsequent books. Side Note: The h does have sex with someone other than the H before they meet; I know this isn't to all tastes
Before I get to the specific reasons for why this was almost a DNF, I want to comment on the pitfalls of writing Omegaverse that many authors can't seem to avoid. You cannot ask your readers to believe that your characters share a deep emotional connection if all you offer is some Alpha whose idea of caring and concern is screaming "Mine" and f*ing his Omega whenever she expresses unhappiness. If you want to do that, then write straight-up erotica. If you want to write a romance, then it's not enough to tell us that he loves her: we have to see it. And at no time ever in this book did I see Woodrow do one single thing for Verity that wasn't about him using her as his living, breathing blow-up sex doll.
I had other problems:
1) The normalization of child abuse: Verity has been physically and emotionally abused by her step-mother for most of her childhood and her father did nothing. He asks for his daughter's forgiveness and she...grants it instantly. This may be the most nausea-inducing scene I've read in any of these generic books.
2) The narrative raises plot points and then drops them: Woodrow says that he'll punish the step-mother for her abuse and then never does. TBH, I never understood all the space given to this abuse since A) Verity never displays any evidence of trauma, and B) No one -- including her supposed lover -- evinces the slightest concern that she might.
3) The narrative incites conflicts, only to resolve them with little fanfare: Woodrow twice betrays Verity's trust and she...forgives him instantly.
4) The prose is riddled with typos. While none were glaring, cumulatively, they were akin to a thousand paper cuts.
2 stars. Really this is a 1 star, but I liked Lily, the description of the Omega Facility, Verity, and the fact that she ultimately found her true "gift." Too bad she didn't use it to end the creepy middle-aged dude who decided togroom "condition" an eighteen-year-old girl, grind her down until she had no sense of self left, and call that "love." YMMV.
This is an early entry in the author's Omegaverse The Controllers series. It details the relationship between Verity (an abused Cinderella-type sent to a facility that induces an Omega's dynamic) and Woodrow (the much older high-ranking government official determined to make her his). Although this is a standalone in terms of the MC, several lines of action are left open to be continued in subsequent books. Side Note: The h does have sex with someone other than the H before they meet; I know this isn't to all tastes
Before I get to the specific reasons for why this was almost a DNF, I want to comment on the pitfalls of writing Omegaverse that many authors can't seem to avoid. You cannot ask your readers to believe that your characters share a deep emotional connection if all you offer is some Alpha whose idea of caring and concern is screaming "Mine" and f*ing his Omega whenever she expresses unhappiness. If you want to do that, then write straight-up erotica. If you want to write a romance, then it's not enough to tell us that he loves her: we have to see it. And at no time ever in this book did I see Woodrow do one single thing for Verity that wasn't about him using her as his living, breathing blow-up sex doll.
I had other problems:
1) The normalization of child abuse: Verity has been physically and emotionally abused by her step-mother for most of her childhood and her father did nothing. He asks for his daughter's forgiveness and she...grants it instantly. This may be the most nausea-inducing scene I've read in any of these generic books.
2) The narrative raises plot points and then drops them: Woodrow says that he'll punish the step-mother for her abuse and then never does. TBH, I never understood all the space given to this abuse since A) Verity never displays any evidence of trauma, and B) No one -- including her supposed lover -- evinces the slightest concern that she might.
3) The narrative incites conflicts, only to resolve them with little fanfare: Woodrow twice betrays Verity's trust and she...forgives him instantly.
4) The prose is riddled with typos. While none were glaring, cumulatively, they were akin to a thousand paper cuts.
2 stars. Really this is a 1 star, but I liked Lily, the description of the Omega Facility, Verity, and the fact that she ultimately found her true "gift." Too bad she didn't use it to end the creepy middle-aged dude who decided to
April 1, 2022
L.V. Lane has been on my wanted list for so long,and the first i found on Apple Books was Omega Awakening.
The reason i waited this long to read it,is simply because i was hoping more books of this series would follow,but it took a while…..
In the end i found some more and decided to read this delicious story.
It may be dark,but it’s worth it,trust me….because this Alpha is a real one,his behaviour unapologetic and his physique large and strong.
The Omega may be sweet,but she’s got a spine,she needs love and she’s ready to fight for it.
A touch of Cinderella is added with a spiteful stepmother and halfsister,who i’m very happy to say got what they deserved!
Verity’s father lost his wife when she was still a child and he took in a Beta to take care of her. Mistake number one,and mistake number two was marrying the b*tch…i’m glad he saw the light,but it was a little late….
While the Alpha,Woodrow, deceived Verity,to make her choose him,he did it for a good reason.
He was smitten with her from the moment he saw her,and he did everything he could to make her happy.
After finding out his deception,she needed time to accept why he did it.
Finding out his first love died was hard for her too,being an empath.
And then the enemy attacked…..seperating them!
This is the kind of Omegaverse i love!
This story grabbed me from the first page and didn’t let go until the last.
Shame that L.V. Lane took her books from Apple Books,though…..
The reason i waited this long to read it,is simply because i was hoping more books of this series would follow,but it took a while…..
In the end i found some more and decided to read this delicious story.
It may be dark,but it’s worth it,trust me….because this Alpha is a real one,his behaviour unapologetic and his physique large and strong.
The Omega may be sweet,but she’s got a spine,she needs love and she’s ready to fight for it.
A touch of Cinderella is added with a spiteful stepmother and halfsister,who i’m very happy to say got what they deserved!
Verity’s father lost his wife when she was still a child and he took in a Beta to take care of her. Mistake number one,and mistake number two was marrying the b*tch…i’m glad he saw the light,but it was a little late….
While the Alpha,Woodrow, deceived Verity,to make her choose him,he did it for a good reason.
He was smitten with her from the moment he saw her,and he did everything he could to make her happy.
After finding out his deception,she needed time to accept why he did it.
Finding out his first love died was hard for her too,being an empath.
And then the enemy attacked…..seperating them!
This is the kind of Omegaverse i love!
This story grabbed me from the first page and didn’t let go until the last.
Shame that L.V. Lane took her books from Apple Books,though…..
May 22, 2020
It was a good read but I think maybe not for me. Whilst I love dark omega verse M/f books I do prefer certain things in them and certain things not. I didn’t also realise this had a heavy D/s type of theme and to be honest that’s not for me. Nevertheless I do think this author has talent because even with certain things I didn’t like the storytelling was interesting. I can’t say the male lead was my cup of tea to be honest but I’m sure others will think differently.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 26, 2021
I DNF'd this at chapter 19. I liked the world-building, but I can't stand that the guys in the book took every opportunity they had to put women down. Either they were sexist pigs or they were pushovers that didn't stand up for themselves or anyone else (her dad). It's disgusting. And yeah, I get that is part of the world-building, but when the MMC was like this and had no character development by 60% through the book I couldn't take it anymore. The only character that I liked was the one Omega dud that was super nice to her in the beginning (I think his name was Dorian). Also, the entire book was literally just a creepy old guy abusing his power and grooming a young, barely legal girl. He manipulated her into a relationship, repeatedly rapes her as she screams and cries, and begs him to stop, all the while he laughs and tells her that it is for her own good. These scenes made me sick. Then when she tried to escape because she realized that she had been manipulated into a relationship, he proceeds to beat her while she screams and cries and begs him to stop, then rapes her again. If she had been into role play, and this had been a non-con scene, that would have been fine. But she did not consent at any time during this book. She repeatedly said, 'no' and 'stop', and he laughed at her and kept going. I'm done with my rant now. This book was disgusting.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 26, 2020
Hummm as the year ends I just want some mindless full of sex story. I got it and I guess I am reading the next.
Don’t judge me on my choices. LOL
Don’t judge me on my choices. LOL
avoid
December 1, 2021Self note pet peeve
- beloved dead ex, his other omega love.
he was obsessed in love with before h.
The h probably looked like the ow 🙄
Nope, not my jam
- beloved dead ex, his other omega love.
he was obsessed in love with before h.
The h probably looked like the ow 🙄
Nope, not my jam
June 2, 2020
So, it took me a while to get into this series, namely because I didn't wanted to get started on another series, because, well...Then I get no work done. But I'm glad I started on The Controllers. This prequel is a fabulous read.
Verity...Our poor, unprepared Omega. So sweet, so vulnerable, so broken.
Woodrow... Now, this is my kind of Alpha. I get so tired of these Omegaverse Alpha's who have nothing in their toolbox but a hammer. Woodrow is different. He has more skills than some. Woodrow is calculating and sneaky, and uses other means to get what he wants when he knows brute force won't do it.
I should have been appalled, but I wasn't. Instead, I found myself chuckling at the clever perverseness of it.
Verity has rough go of it, poor little lamb. But despite the underhanded way Woodrow went about getting his Omega, it becomes very clear very early that he truly cares for the sweet girl. He's a bit brutish, as most Alphas are, but he really, really loves that girl, and that's nice to see.
The hints of history and tie-in's for the other stories are nicely done.
Overall. Loved it.
Verity...Our poor, unprepared Omega. So sweet, so vulnerable, so broken.
Woodrow... Now, this is my kind of Alpha. I get so tired of these Omegaverse Alpha's who have nothing in their toolbox but a hammer. Woodrow is different. He has more skills than some. Woodrow is calculating and sneaky, and uses other means to get what he wants when he knows brute force won't do it.
I should have been appalled, but I wasn't. Instead, I found myself chuckling at the clever perverseness of it.
Verity has rough go of it, poor little lamb. But despite the underhanded way Woodrow went about getting his Omega, it becomes very clear very early that he truly cares for the sweet girl. He's a bit brutish, as most Alphas are, but he really, really loves that girl, and that's nice to see.
The hints of history and tie-in's for the other stories are nicely done.
Overall. Loved it.
June 2, 2020
Adored this Omegaverse/Cinderella retelling!
There was so much to like here. I loved seeing the events of the Controllers series from a very different perspective, particularly Woodrow's view of Lily, who has always been one of my favorite characters (even if she isn't Woodrow's!). I loved the relationship between Woodrow and Verity, which felt very much like a DD/lg relationship in that Woodrow protects and nurtures Verity as she explores her omega nature. They also have a ton of natural chemistry and the steamy scenes between them are something to savour.
Knowing from the three Deviant books what's coming at the "ball," adds an insane amount of tension and foreboding to this story. I had to restrain myself from flipping ahead to find out what happened.
And the way the author has woven the Cinderella story into this tale is tremendously clever.
This story is enjoyable from start to finish and is absolutely the prequel this wonderful series deserves. Highly recommended.
There was so much to like here. I loved seeing the events of the Controllers series from a very different perspective, particularly Woodrow's view of Lily, who has always been one of my favorite characters (even if she isn't Woodrow's!). I loved the relationship between Woodrow and Verity, which felt very much like a DD/lg relationship in that Woodrow protects and nurtures Verity as she explores her omega nature. They also have a ton of natural chemistry and the steamy scenes between them are something to savour.
Knowing from the three Deviant books what's coming at the "ball," adds an insane amount of tension and foreboding to this story. I had to restrain myself from flipping ahead to find out what happened.
And the way the author has woven the Cinderella story into this tale is tremendously clever.
This story is enjoyable from start to finish and is absolutely the prequel this wonderful series deserves. Highly recommended.
July 22, 2021
** spoiler alert ** So, this book had all the trappings to be something that I'll love, but never *quite* got there.
Positives:
- innocent vulnerable h who is escaping a bad home life
- manipulative aloof protective alpha H - he is eventually kinda jealous and possessive
- we get the full Omega/Alpha set up here - she's submissive, he's in control - knotting, "slick", spanking, daddy-ish kink (although that word is never uttered), dubcon... all the good stuff - it's very smexxy in all the ways
- a little angst
- some OM/OW drama - nothing too crazy, but enough for a little emotional conflict
- dual POV
Negatives:
- I was not feeling the connection here. The H went from seeing her one time, via camera, to LOVING her in a nanosecond. It was weird and jarring and made no sense whatsoever. He was completely obsessed from word "go"... I'm not sure why we didn't get some relationship building... the book had plenty of room for it. I never felt like these 2 truly loved each other. Smexxy time: 10
Actual connection: 2
- the h's virginity is claimed by a dildo in front of a pervy audience. She just barely remembers it. Killing me with the romance, man.
- the h is "trained" by another Omega man... so she has a puppy love relationship with someone else (before meeting the H) and has on-page detailed sex with that man. Multiple times. Like they are going at it like rabbits. She fancies herself in love with him, and she's devastated when the H takes her away. I am NOT wild about any part of this scenario. In fact, I almost stopped reading all together, when I could see where it was headed.
- that relationship the h had with the OM? the H knew about it. Even watched them having sex via hidden camera. He was fine with it. That is not my idea of good hero. I thought he'd be enraged and demand it stop immediately... but no. I was hoping it would at least get us a good jealous freak out... but no. It was just *there*. I've never seen an Omegaverse setup where the h needed to be sexually trained, by anyone other than the H(s), or with an H who would tolerate their mate being with someone else, in that way, so it just felt unnecessary and gave me all the *icks*.
- there's a surprise dead OW - we find out that this isn't the first time the H has been obsessed/in love with an Omega. Been there, done that. I'd like to burn the t-shirt, thankyouverymuch.
Bottom line? I liked the ideas here, but the connection and lack of true emotion held it back for me. 3-star. I'd like to try another by this author that is more my flavor.
FOR THE SAFETY SQUAD
- no cheating or sharing once the h and H are together
- The H has a dead Omega in his past who he loved, and the h finds out about it and is upset
- the h has an on-page physical and emotional relationship with OM before she meets the H... the H knows about it and approves while it's happening.
- dubcon is inherent in the Omegaverse dynamic
Positives:
- innocent vulnerable h who is escaping a bad home life
- manipulative aloof protective alpha H - he is eventually kinda jealous and possessive
- we get the full Omega/Alpha set up here - she's submissive, he's in control - knotting, "slick", spanking, daddy-ish kink (although that word is never uttered), dubcon... all the good stuff - it's very smexxy in all the ways
- a little angst
- some OM/OW drama - nothing too crazy, but enough for a little emotional conflict
- dual POV
Negatives:
- I was not feeling the connection here. The H went from seeing her one time, via camera, to LOVING her in a nanosecond. It was weird and jarring and made no sense whatsoever. He was completely obsessed from word "go"... I'm not sure why we didn't get some relationship building... the book had plenty of room for it. I never felt like these 2 truly loved each other. Smexxy time: 10
Actual connection: 2
- the h's virginity is claimed by a dildo in front of a pervy audience. She just barely remembers it. Killing me with the romance, man.
- the h is "trained" by another Omega man... so she has a puppy love relationship with someone else (before meeting the H) and has on-page detailed sex with that man. Multiple times. Like they are going at it like rabbits. She fancies herself in love with him, and she's devastated when the H takes her away. I am NOT wild about any part of this scenario. In fact, I almost stopped reading all together, when I could see where it was headed.
- that relationship the h had with the OM? the H knew about it. Even watched them having sex via hidden camera. He was fine with it. That is not my idea of good hero. I thought he'd be enraged and demand it stop immediately... but no. I was hoping it would at least get us a good jealous freak out... but no. It was just *there*. I've never seen an Omegaverse setup where the h needed to be sexually trained, by anyone other than the H(s), or with an H who would tolerate their mate being with someone else, in that way, so it just felt unnecessary and gave me all the *icks*.
- there's a surprise dead OW - we find out that this isn't the first time the H has been obsessed/in love with an Omega. Been there, done that. I'd like to burn the t-shirt, thankyouverymuch.
Bottom line? I liked the ideas here, but the connection and lack of true emotion held it back for me. 3-star. I'd like to try another by this author that is more my flavor.
FOR THE SAFETY SQUAD
- no cheating or sharing once the h and H are together
- The H has a dead Omega in his past who he loved, and the h finds out about it and is upset
- the h has an on-page physical and emotional relationship with OM before she meets the H... the H knows about it and approves while it's happening.
- dubcon is inherent in the Omegaverse dynamic
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 30, 2020
I absolutely LOVED this book, my first foray into the work of L.V. Lane. A prequel to the authors Controllers series, it is a twist on the Cinderella trope but set in a dystopian Omegaverse, where the anti-hero Woodrow bears little resemblance to a Disney Prince! This alpha male is one who is utterly single-handed in his pursuit of the heroine Verity - he will make her his whatever it takes and he does not play fair. Having served his time in the military, he is now a Special Ops Director, who wants an Omega of his own and Verity becomes his obsession.
Verity is an innocent who has been physically and emotionally abused by her stepmother and stepsister, her father having become increasingly withdrawn since her mother’s death. She welcomes entering the Omega program as she views it as an escape from her unhappy home life. There she enters her training, overseen by Lilly, a fellow Omega. I enjoyed how the author introduced Verity and the reader to the politics and lives of Alphas, Omegas and the other dynamics in the universe she has created.
Verity, an empath, is sensitive and her time in the facility is not always an easy one. Once Woodrow enters her life her world once again spirals out of control as he strives to continue her training to prepare her for their future mating bond. There are numerous scenes of uber-smexy dominance and submission, where Woodrow exerts his control, tolerating no nonsense from his young Omega; control which she cannot prevent her body from craving. Verity is conflicted. Can her fragile heart come to love and trust this older dominant man who she knows so very little about?
This is a must read if you like sizzling reads, featuring strong alpha males and gifted but fragile females who are destined for each other. I am a huge fan of Omegaverse themed books and I found this to be a fresh and exciting take on the genre and I am looking forward to reading other books in the series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Verity is an innocent who has been physically and emotionally abused by her stepmother and stepsister, her father having become increasingly withdrawn since her mother’s death. She welcomes entering the Omega program as she views it as an escape from her unhappy home life. There she enters her training, overseen by Lilly, a fellow Omega. I enjoyed how the author introduced Verity and the reader to the politics and lives of Alphas, Omegas and the other dynamics in the universe she has created.
Verity, an empath, is sensitive and her time in the facility is not always an easy one. Once Woodrow enters her life her world once again spirals out of control as he strives to continue her training to prepare her for their future mating bond. There are numerous scenes of uber-smexy dominance and submission, where Woodrow exerts his control, tolerating no nonsense from his young Omega; control which she cannot prevent her body from craving. Verity is conflicted. Can her fragile heart come to love and trust this older dominant man who she knows so very little about?
This is a must read if you like sizzling reads, featuring strong alpha males and gifted but fragile females who are destined for each other. I am a huge fan of Omegaverse themed books and I found this to be a fresh and exciting take on the genre and I am looking forward to reading other books in the series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 22, 2020
I am completely new to L.V. Lane and boy was this a wonderful way to pop that cherry! I could not put it down, read it in one long sitting (the other type of sleepless night- the bookworm type!) I went through a roller coaster of emotions, from feeling sorry and scared that Verity would face horrors worse than those of her evil stepmother and useless father, to wanting her to get her groove on and get all the action she deserves. I felt like I walked along Verity in her personal growth and her sexual explorations. LV does a fantastic job in wrapping you into the story, forgetting your preconceived notions from the start of the book, and reprogramming yourself to accept and even crave the depravity that Woodrow offers. One moment you want to hurl something at him and wish he met his maker, the next moment you want him intertwined in all things Verity. I had my handful of heated moments.... and I cant wait to have some more fun with the amazing characters LV brings to life.
November 29, 2020
I read half this book and had to stop. There is no Cinderella story. There is a older man who preys on a barely legal woman, then rapes her as he swears he just wants to give her the best.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 6, 2022
Wish there had been a trigger warning at the beginning of this book, the dub con/ rape was not my thing at all.
May 22, 2020
I absolutely adore the amazing world that L.V. Lane has built in The Controllers series. Omega Awakening is another installment in the series which works sort of as a prequel. This story is somewhat different from the other books in the series, while at the same time retaining all the elements that make the series a must read. Omega Awakening is an omegaverse take on Cinderella, except instead of a glass slipper we get an alpha knot! The relationship is at the center of this story and it doesn't have all the sci-fi war action present in the other books. I felt that this worked really well and created an emotional and poignant tale of loss, love and redemption. I loved Verity. In the world where omegas only have an illusion of choice, she has even less than that. Verity is so broken yet has a core of quiet strength. She appears much older than her 18 years and that's what maker her a good counterpart for Woodrow. Woodrow is alpha to his very core, willing and able to do whatever it takes, not matter how corrupt and underhanded, to get what he wants. He schemes and manipulates, but I somehow just couldn't hold any of that against him. The love, caring and patience he shows Verity more than makes up for the methods he may have used to get her by his side. In Omega Awakening we get a bit more insight into Lilly (who is my absolute favorite character in the series) and behind the scenes workings of the viral program. Of course, we get all the naughty steamy bits that make omegaverse so much fun! While Omega Awakening can be read as a standalone, reading the rest of the series will give a richer background to the setting and the characters (plus, if you haven't read it, you are missing out!). Overall, this was another amazing story by L.V. Lane and I can't wait for more from this talented author!
June 1, 2020
I received an ARC copy of this book. Upon reading the opening page, I knew it was going to be a book I would get lost in and couldn’t put down!
This book is very different from what I normally read and that’s what definitely drew me in. I often felt like I wouldn’t be able to keep up, but OMG it was very easy to piece everything together and keep up.
The story flowed very nicely together, you were given a reference guide in the beginning should you find yourself not understanding words used in the book, the characters were all entwined together to create a very intriguing plot!
This is your modern day Cinderella mixed with something more (I don’t wanna spoil it)! Verity and Woodrows story is hot as hell and so very loving that I need more (just as Verity needed more).
Verity experienced loss at a very young age. It seemed that everything continued to go downhill from that day on. Having an evil stepmother and sister didn’t help in her journey. Her father didn’t know how to help her so she turned to the one thing that could get her away from it all.
Woodrow knew from the moment he laid eyes on her that she would be his in every way. As an Alpha, he knew what she needed and felt he was the only one that could deliver!
Their relationship started out brutal but turned into something so much more! Situations arose and they often grew apart but always found their way back to each other.
The events leading up to the ending would suggest that this is not the end but only the beginning and I will be there for the ride!
Do yourself a favor and GET THIS BOOK! Trust me you have not read a grown up version of Cinderella until you’ve read THIS one!
This book is very different from what I normally read and that’s what definitely drew me in. I often felt like I wouldn’t be able to keep up, but OMG it was very easy to piece everything together and keep up.
The story flowed very nicely together, you were given a reference guide in the beginning should you find yourself not understanding words used in the book, the characters were all entwined together to create a very intriguing plot!
This is your modern day Cinderella mixed with something more (I don’t wanna spoil it)! Verity and Woodrows story is hot as hell and so very loving that I need more (just as Verity needed more).
Verity experienced loss at a very young age. It seemed that everything continued to go downhill from that day on. Having an evil stepmother and sister didn’t help in her journey. Her father didn’t know how to help her so she turned to the one thing that could get her away from it all.
Woodrow knew from the moment he laid eyes on her that she would be his in every way. As an Alpha, he knew what she needed and felt he was the only one that could deliver!
Their relationship started out brutal but turned into something so much more! Situations arose and they often grew apart but always found their way back to each other.
The events leading up to the ending would suggest that this is not the end but only the beginning and I will be there for the ride!
Do yourself a favor and GET THIS BOOK! Trust me you have not read a grown up version of Cinderella until you’ve read THIS one!
May 21, 2020
If you have meet Lily, Ethan and Ryker, Omega Awakening happened only shy couple of months from their story started.
Now about this book.
The characters feels slightly different. One of the thing I love from Lane, she bring to life a dominant Alpha that can be very annoying with their agresif nature. And omega who's naturally submissive but make no mistake of how strong and sassy they can be.
In Omega Awakening, Woodrow is that domineering Alpha. He's smart bodering cunning and deceptive. He'd do anything to have his omega. But one thing that I can't remember other Alpha do is how Woodrow won't force the heat on his omega. That's one consideration I love about this Alpha.
That and the fact he's a silver fox😘😂
And Verity.
She's abuse child. Abandon by her father who grieved after his wife died, he put blinders for step-mom and step sis abuse to Verity.
At first I feel she's bit Meek and too naive as new omega. And so sensitive as an empath omega. Her fragility doesn't move me.
But then I realise her silent is her strength. She feel so much. She absorbed so much, her calm is her strength. Until all she bottled up come to its limit. Then her power show them self.
A Cinderella omega and a alpha silver fox whose not really charming, Omega Awakening is another book I love from this author! 😘
Now about this book.
The characters feels slightly different. One of the thing I love from Lane, she bring to life a dominant Alpha that can be very annoying with their agresif nature. And omega who's naturally submissive but make no mistake of how strong and sassy they can be.
In Omega Awakening, Woodrow is that domineering Alpha. He's smart bodering cunning and deceptive. He'd do anything to have his omega. But one thing that I can't remember other Alpha do is how Woodrow won't force the heat on his omega. That's one consideration I love about this Alpha.
That and the fact he's a silver fox😘😂
And Verity.
She's abuse child. Abandon by her father who grieved after his wife died, he put blinders for step-mom and step sis abuse to Verity.
At first I feel she's bit Meek and too naive as new omega. And so sensitive as an empath omega. Her fragility doesn't move me.
But then I realise her silent is her strength. She feel so much. She absorbed so much, her calm is her strength. Until all she bottled up come to its limit. Then her power show them self.
A Cinderella omega and a alpha silver fox whose not really charming, Omega Awakening is another book I love from this author! 😘
May 23, 2020
I love this authors writing. I've visited this world before with the controllers series, so I was happy to return to Tolis and Chimera and the people we had met there before.
This book can be read as a stand alone or along with the Controllers Series.
Our tale begins like a Cinderella story.
Verity is our omega, she's an empath. She has been abused physically and emotionally by her step mother and step sister. Her fathers grief over losing her mother leads to his emotional abandonment.
Woodrow is our Alpha, a funky Silver Fox!! We see his cunning and resourcefulness when he decides that Verity is his mate. Nothing is going g to stop him.
The story itself centers more around how the couple interact with each other than any outside story line. It takes Verity a while to realize how much Woodrow loves her and wants to protect, pamper, and care for her.
I definitely recommend this book and will reread it myself.
I received an ARC copy of Omega Awakening in return for my honest review.
This book can be read as a stand alone or along with the Controllers Series.
Our tale begins like a Cinderella story.
Verity is our omega, she's an empath. She has been abused physically and emotionally by her step mother and step sister. Her fathers grief over losing her mother leads to his emotional abandonment.
Woodrow is our Alpha, a funky Silver Fox!! We see his cunning and resourcefulness when he decides that Verity is his mate. Nothing is going g to stop him.
The story itself centers more around how the couple interact with each other than any outside story line. It takes Verity a while to realize how much Woodrow loves her and wants to protect, pamper, and care for her.
I definitely recommend this book and will reread it myself.
I received an ARC copy of Omega Awakening in return for my honest review.
May 23, 2020
Omega Awakening might be my favorite book in L.V. Lane’s Alpha Control series. A few of the characters from the books made an appearance in this story, and I loved how more of the overall back story and character personalities were fleshed out. Our new Omega, Verity, has lived a tragic life after the death of her mother: absent father, cruel step mother and sister, crippling self doubt and no self worth. Add to that her awakening to her Omega dynamic by the hands of the sadistic Errison Tsing. Enter Woodrow Brock, Alpha anti-hero, former Controller and Special Ops director. The Alpha that stopped at nothing to get what he wanted, and he REALLY wanted Verity. Cue smexy times. I highly recommend!
June 3, 2020
Omegaverse Cinderella
I know I say this all the time; however, it bears repeating! I love this author and all of the controller series and every other book that has been written; however, this new Cinderella twist is fantastic! I especially loved the fact that Woodrow is an older Alpha and Verity is so much younger. I enjoyed their relationship back and forth and so much hotness and also everything he did to make sure she was his.
As she comes into her dynamic she will blossom and have a power yet to be discovered. HEA guaranteed!
In closing, there were also characters from other books incorporated into this story and it was like revisiting old friends.
I definitely can’t wait for my next fix! Keep up the fantastic writing!
I know I say this all the time; however, it bears repeating! I love this author and all of the controller series and every other book that has been written; however, this new Cinderella twist is fantastic! I especially loved the fact that Woodrow is an older Alpha and Verity is so much younger. I enjoyed their relationship back and forth and so much hotness and also everything he did to make sure she was his.
As she comes into her dynamic she will blossom and have a power yet to be discovered. HEA guaranteed!
In closing, there were also characters from other books incorporated into this story and it was like revisiting old friends.
I definitely can’t wait for my next fix! Keep up the fantastic writing!
December 31, 2023
I have such mixed feelings about this story and it’s made this review very hard to write.
I have had Lane’s books recommend to me many times so I finally dove into this prequel with high expectations.
I am a fan of omegaverse stories, I’ve even written one myself, but I had a lot of problems with this book.
My main issue was the romance. The love interest in this book was a borderline pedophile and a rapist. I know many omegaverse books have dub-con but this crossed the line for me. Woodrow conditioned and abused Verity and her love for him was basically Stockholm Syndrome in my opinion.
But I did finish the book, mostly because I did like Verity as a character and the world Lane has created. Even so I am not sure if I’ll be continuing this series.
I have had Lane’s books recommend to me many times so I finally dove into this prequel with high expectations.
I am a fan of omegaverse stories, I’ve even written one myself, but I had a lot of problems with this book.
My main issue was the romance. The love interest in this book was a borderline pedophile and a rapist. I know many omegaverse books have dub-con but this crossed the line for me. Woodrow conditioned and abused Verity and her love for him was basically Stockholm Syndrome in my opinion.
But I did finish the book, mostly because I did like Verity as a character and the world Lane has created. Even so I am not sure if I’ll be continuing this series.
October 20, 2020
Alpha and omega
This is an omega verse story at it’s very core - conditioning, almost violent coupling, heat, pheromones, knots, all of it. I only marked it a 3, however, because I really couldn’t like Woodrow’s actions. That said, this book will be very suitable for some adult readers.
This is an omega verse story at it’s very core - conditioning, almost violent coupling, heat, pheromones, knots, all of it. I only marked it a 3, however, because I really couldn’t like Woodrow’s actions. That said, this book will be very suitable for some adult readers.
June 2, 2020
Verity's journey is like a glass shoe: dangerous, but dazzling. Woodrow as Prince Charming is as brutal as the first stroke of midnight, ripping through Verity's peace with shocking ruthlessness.
I love L.V. Lane's ability to weave such terrible things into a magical fairy tale.
I love L.V. Lane's ability to weave such terrible things into a magical fairy tale.
October 16, 2020
Omega Awakening (The Controllers #0) - L V Lane
A Cinderella story with an Omegaverse twist!
This is a dark and gritty romance. If you love Omegaverse then you are going to love this ‘in the beginning’ telling.
Verity lives with her father, stepmother and stepsister. They live in a world where Omegas are a prize to be controlled and bred by Alpha’s alone. Verity’s 18th birthday is upon her and her horrid stepmother who treats her with distain is about to change Verity’s life forever.
Without the knowledge of her hapless father, Verity’s stepmother takes her to be admitted into the programme that will reveal her true nature as an Omega and her sheltered life will be forever a memory of the past.
Woodrow is an advisor to the ruling council. He is an older Alpha (early 40’s) looking to settle down and breed with an Omega mate after a stellar career in the armed forces. He is actually very kind to Verity but, like any Alpha has a will of iron once he has made a decision.
As Cinderella stories go, this one is quite good and has the usual evil stepmother, only one evil stepsister. The prerequisite ineffectual father and of course, our Cinderella in the form of Verity who does in fact find her HEA with her Alpha Woodrow. Is that not why we are all reading this story?
OK. Warnings for discipline (spankings) sexual awakening, animal instincts taking precedent over human sensibilities (Omegaverse) and explicit steamy, gritty sex scenes that will make your toes curl. Definitely makes this an 18+ read. I loved it and I will now continue on to read the Controller series. Yes, that good! Five Stars!
A Cinderella story with an Omegaverse twist!
This is a dark and gritty romance. If you love Omegaverse then you are going to love this ‘in the beginning’ telling.
Verity lives with her father, stepmother and stepsister. They live in a world where Omegas are a prize to be controlled and bred by Alpha’s alone. Verity’s 18th birthday is upon her and her horrid stepmother who treats her with distain is about to change Verity’s life forever.
Without the knowledge of her hapless father, Verity’s stepmother takes her to be admitted into the programme that will reveal her true nature as an Omega and her sheltered life will be forever a memory of the past.
Woodrow is an advisor to the ruling council. He is an older Alpha (early 40’s) looking to settle down and breed with an Omega mate after a stellar career in the armed forces. He is actually very kind to Verity but, like any Alpha has a will of iron once he has made a decision.
As Cinderella stories go, this one is quite good and has the usual evil stepmother, only one evil stepsister. The prerequisite ineffectual father and of course, our Cinderella in the form of Verity who does in fact find her HEA with her Alpha Woodrow. Is that not why we are all reading this story?
OK. Warnings for discipline (spankings) sexual awakening, animal instincts taking precedent over human sensibilities (Omegaverse) and explicit steamy, gritty sex scenes that will make your toes curl. Definitely makes this an 18+ read. I loved it and I will now continue on to read the Controller series. Yes, that good! Five Stars!
January 9, 2021
Not expected.
This book was really disappointing. The typos, the lack of proper explanation for some things, and the constant back and forth drama made this book difficult to enjoy.
I personally think the relationship between Verity and Woodrow was weirdly toxic.
I’m all for some dark romances and have enjoyed some seriously twisted books, but this was none of that.
This was a creepy old man that was in totally denial. Speaking of love, getting angry about how she was treated, yet he didn’t treat her any better.
Lying to someone, hiding something serious from them, then making them cry and sob hysterically while they beg you not to take them in their rear end isn’t love.
He claims to hate seeing her cry and that her hurting tears him up, yet he hurts her and repeatedly takes her anally when she sobs and begs him not to.
I had expected something great and was thoroughly disappointed.
This book was really disappointing. The typos, the lack of proper explanation for some things, and the constant back and forth drama made this book difficult to enjoy.
I personally think the relationship between Verity and Woodrow was weirdly toxic.
I’m all for some dark romances and have enjoyed some seriously twisted books, but this was none of that.
This was a creepy old man that was in totally denial. Speaking of love, getting angry about how she was treated, yet he didn’t treat her any better.
Lying to someone, hiding something serious from them, then making them cry and sob hysterically while they beg you not to take them in their rear end isn’t love.
He claims to hate seeing her cry and that her hurting tears him up, yet he hurts her and repeatedly takes her anally when she sobs and begs him not to.
I had expected something great and was thoroughly disappointed.
June 2, 2020
Verity is a young woman about to become an Omega. There are many types, but think Verity is an empath. There is a powerful Alpha that wants Verity and nothing Will keep him from getting what he wants. I LOVED Woodrow! Although Woodrow was ruthless with no limits to what he would do to make Verity his, he was patient, caring, understanding and actually used empathy himself when dealing with his young future mate. There were punishments but that was just part of Verity's training and something she learns she also likes and needs. I loved how Woodrow made sure to provide all his young Omega needed to help complete their bonding and her need for nesting. This was one of the most gentle Alpha/Omega pairings I have read and it made me feel good that Verity was given everything she needed even though it wasn't always what she wanted. I hope to read about Lilly's Alphas in the near future.
February 10, 2021
47%
I have always had issues when it takes forever for the two main characters to meet up in a book. In the case of this book, it was at the 47% completion mark when the two actually laid eyes on each other. Woodrow had seen Verity early on, but she didn’t even know he existed.
Eventually, everything comes to light that Woodrow had done, and Verity is understandably upset. It’s a good thing I knew this book had a HEA waiting for me at the end, or I might not have made it all the way there because it became frustrating and tedious when every single time Verity finally became happy, her happiness was almost immediately ripped away. It just seemed so unnecessary to keep on dumping on the poor girl.
I have always had issues when it takes forever for the two main characters to meet up in a book. In the case of this book, it was at the 47% completion mark when the two actually laid eyes on each other. Woodrow had seen Verity early on, but she didn’t even know he existed.
Eventually, everything comes to light that Woodrow had done, and Verity is understandably upset. It’s a good thing I knew this book had a HEA waiting for me at the end, or I might not have made it all the way there because it became frustrating and tedious when every single time Verity finally became happy, her happiness was almost immediately ripped away. It just seemed so unnecessary to keep on dumping on the poor girl.
Read
October 29, 2021Triggers and warning:
Mind games / manipulation
Spanking with hand and with paddle
Non-con/ dub con
dark explicit content
HEA
Mind games / manipulation
Spanking with hand and with paddle
Non-con/ dub con
dark explicit content
HEA
Displaying 1 - 30 of 220 reviews