She’s the cause of James North’s worst suffering, but Colette Fisher is also a victim of sorts. After years of oppression, she’s a prisoner of her own making, denying her innermost desires until she’s driven to her breaking point. It’s then, during her lowest low, when she meets the one man who could give her the strength to accept the woman she’s meant to be.Michael Peterson enjoyed ten short … ten short years with the love of his life before tragedy took her from him too soon. Lonely and grieving, uncertain how to move forward, he meets Colette, a broken spirit also in need of comfort. Their smoldering attraction ignites the first sparks of love—fragile embers that Colette’s cruel family is determined to snuff out.
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Heres where my jumping into the series at book 4 bites my reader butt and subsequent review, but I’m rolling with it from a standalone reader POV.
When you’ve been controlled and conditioned to believe and act a particular way for so long and suddenly those restrictions are lifted theres uncertainty, confusion and more importantly in this case, curiosity.
I enjoyed the story alot, I thought that the backstory gave alot to the character and our understanding of how her mind works.
I liked the sort of childlike mentality of Colette, she was eager to explore, learn and grow into herself. “It looks funny in the condom.” So true haha, but it also gives insight into her sexual naivety.
I wouldnt say I truly connected with her but I definitely enjoyed her story and admored her strength to slowly face and move on from her past.
Some of this story was composed in the form of written correspondence which I loved, it was a different way to get to know the Colette and Michael, and see their relationship build from tentative and shy to friendly and more open.
Overall I enjoyed this short story, the writing was fluid and the story flowed really well. Time to go read the first 3 books in this series and looking forward to more from Anna Edwards.
I enjoyed hearing more about Colette. I disliked her tremendously for what happened to James because of her. She was also very rude and short with Amy. After hearing more of her story my heart broke for her. Michael saved her from mental abuse caused by her “fake” parents. He taught her that what she felt was “normal”
This is one of my favorite series and I will be so sad to see it end. Love The Control Series.
Controlling Disgrace by Anna Edwards is a must read! I think that her books get better with everyone that I have read. Her writing style is easy flowing and creative. She can make the book come alive like no other that I have read. I read this book in one sitting, I couldn’t put it down. Her characters took me on a journey of twists and turns that left me needing ice water to cool off one minute and asking what was they thinking in the next. This story is about a man who doesn’t know how to move on from loss until someone walks into it that will change everything. Colette is a woman who has been carrying around a burden and is afraid to show her sexual side. What will happen when she meets Michael? Will he be able to open her up? Michael is suffering from the loss of a loved one and feels there is no hope. Then he meets Colette and everything seems to change for him. Will these two heal each other? Will fate allow them to have a happy ever after? These two have such great chemistry together. They are both very strong characters that know what they want out of life but they have been through somethings. I loved watching them grow throughout the story. They certainly will heat up the sheets and leave you wanting more. I highly recommend this story. Find out if Michael and Colette find a happy ending by lefting themselves heal.
I have been an avid reader of the Control Series and I was a little worried when I saw that Anna Edwards was doing a novella on the character, Colette. We get to know Colette in books one and two, Surrendered Control and Divided Control, and she was honestly not a character you fall in love with. I will say that Edwards did a great job of allowing readers to get to know Colette in this novella. She provides a heartbreaking backstory into her life, which shows readers why she did the things she did in the previous books. I was definitely pulling for Colette and Michael in this one. She showed a lot of strength and perseverance in her character and overcame so much to become the woman she truly wanted to be. Michael had a lot of patience and understanding. He too had suffered, so I believe he was the perfect man for Colette. I am excited to see there is more to come in this series and I hope to see a book for Jasper eventually! I love this secondary character and think he would make a great main character!
Like always another hit by Anna Edwards !
After reading the whole series so far I was a little worried about how I would find this book but I must admit to being sucked in to another wonderfully written book by Anna….
I have only two warnings
One, definitely has triggers in this book please don’t read this whole series if u have triggers that involve violence …
Two, u really need to read these books in order to understand the back stories…
Now I have to wait months for the next book in this awesome panty melting alpha male wanting series ! Gggrrrrr time better go quick lol
First let me say I am always hesitant with novellas. I never think they can fully develop characters and I was concerned because Colette seemed like a character that had so much to say that I worried a novella would not do her justice. I should never doubt Anna Edwards ability to create a masterpiece.
This story tugs at the heart. It touches on so much: cults, abuse, mental health issues, the loss of a loved one etc. It takes a character one could judge as broken and reminds a person that broken isn’t the right word. Thankfully Michael saw strength. I will never look at the word disgrace the same ever again.
The most powerful ability the author has is the fact she can weave more that the main characters together, the supporting cast we have come to know and love are right there for the journey. I loved every second of this read. In fact, in some ways it has been my favorite–not an easy feat for a novella and definitely nothing that has happened in the past.
Be prepared for a heartbreaking, grab the tissues, and fall in love story. Know that Anna Edwards can take you on a journey so few authors. I personally am thankful for that.
Highly recommend. 5 stars, very well deserved!
Let me start by saying I love The Control Series and this novella is a great addition. Love the way Michael was with Collette so protective and patient. He’s perfect for her and helps her deal with her past. Anna Edwards is one of my favorite authors and I look forward to reading anything she writes.
This novella was a pleasant surprise. If you have read other books in this series you should be well acquainted with the character of Collette. She was not portrayed as a vey likable character at all. Now with this book though the layers are peeled away and we get are first complete, in-depth look into what makes Collette tick and it is eye opening. You will be moved, horrified and feel great sympathy for her. Michael was just perfect for her. Patient, understanding and carrying his own burden of pain and loss, these two helped heal each other while falling in love. A beautiful, emotional romance.
After what Colette Fisher done in the past to James North, there’s no reason that he should be wanting to help her – but that’s exactly what he does.
Colette has been brought up thinking that everything about sex is bad, that sex is only for procreation, that enjoying sex is wrong. She was ounished for thinking otherwise. She’s always been curious and now she wants to know more.
Michael Peterson has been asked to help. After losing his wife, he thought he’d never find anyone as special again, until he meets Colette. He offers her a job and place to stay to help her feel more normal.
We get to learn more about what happened all that time ago. Colette is so timid and almost child-like, we should hate her but I found myself feeling bad for her after everything that she’s been through. Michael is teaching her that there’s more to her than her past and her scars.
I loved this short novella from the Control Series. Although it’s part of the series it can be read as a standalone. That being said, if you want to know more about the background characters, read the full series – you won’t regret it.
It is a novella in the Control world. I haven’t read the rest of the series. You can read the book as a standalone, but I still had questions while reading.
Poor Colette had been dealt a bad hand of cards until she meets Michael. Michael is dealing with his own pain. He offers Collete a change at a new life where she can free and not feel guilty about her feelings. It was good to see her blossom and explore new things. And become comfortable in her own skin.
This book gave me all the feels. I wasn’t sure how I would feel about Colette but now I understand where she is coming from and just want to hug her. Michael is one yummy man and I am so happy he found another love and HEA.
In this world, nothing is easy, nothing is simple, and things aren’t what you think they are. Anna Edwards has done really well to make you feel what her characters are feeling and what their motivations are. She’s done that really well here, with Collette.
When she was a young woman, Colette and James North were lovers. In a time and place where she didn’t feel loved or valued, he made her feel good about herself and made her feel beautiful. When her evil, evil brothers found out, they did terrible things to her, and beat the horrible crap out of James North.
Now, many years later, her brothers are gone and Colette’s life has changed. Right now she’s trying to figure out what her normal is. Michael is there to help her. At first he just showed up to answer her questions, but he knew that she was his as soon as he saw her.
This story is about a journey and growth. Colette starts out as a caterpillar and turns into a butterfly at the end of it because of her own strength and Michael’s help. More than just a love story between a man and a woman, it’s a love story about a woman coming to love herself.
Loved it…
I love it when an author creates a world and populates it with a group of original and believable characters whose lives are intertwined; I love it even more when, whether or not they are the focus of the particular story or simply on the periphery, the reader continues to be given glimpses of these characters’ world and the lives that they continue to lead…The Control series is such a series, following a group of men and women who have connections through family or friendship… Colette and Michael who feature in this short story are two characters who though tenuously connected to the main players are still part of the whole experience…
Both the protagonists are damaged from past events but are brought together by a common acquaintance…this is slightly darker than the rest of the series but sensitively deals with loss and with the subject of abuse at the hands of those who should know and be better…. I loved the premise of this novella and although short in length the plot and character development does not suffer as a consequence..
This book can be read as a standalone…but be warned once you step into this world of control you will want to read more….I received an advanced copy of this novella from the author.