Control

by Stephanie Guerilus

Reesa Jenkins can be the balm or the blade. Choose wisely because she cuts deep when necessary. Control, whose title is lifted from the iconic Janet Jackson song, embodies its name. Theresa Marie Jenkins is a 17-year-old who thinks she knows it all. As the saying goes, a hard head makes for a soft behind. Reesa wants to be the next pop diva on the charts. For that to happen, she will have to be packaged; smile and wave as though she’s at a beauty pageant. She’ll have to give control to advisers who want her to sing on cue, tap dance on command, no throwing shoes at parties and keeping her mouth shut on the culture. But no Control formed shall ever prosper.

307 pages, Paperback

Published October 2, 2018

Reviews

[Paula Phillips · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wasn't 100% sure what this book was about when I started reading it, I just knew it had something to do with the Black culture and that scene judging from the cover. Often books with a strong African-American feel have the same sort of book covers. Reading this book, it was again in the same vein as Angie Thomas's THUG and Our Friendship Matters by Kimberley B. Jones, unlike those books, however, the language used in Control was very much that of the black culture and the majority of the characters were black characters. In Control, we meet Reesa whose half-black and half-white and lives with her black mother while her white dad is a politician with a new all-white family. Currently which made this book more relevant now than in 2018 when it was published in the Black Lives Matter protesting and wanting justice for innocent lives being taken by police. We read as Reesa is targeted by a white neighborhood kid for standing up for what she believes in and having to live her life with both influences of white and black culture. Control also has aspects of romance, juggling life, and finding her way in the world and also shows readers why it is never a good idea to meet your idol and inspiration as they may hate us just like Rooney experienced in Devyn Forrest's series, so did Reesa in Control. If you are wanting a fiction book to read that explores more into the worlds and thoughts of those involved with the BLM movement, then check out Stephanie Guerilus "Control". Perfect for those aged 15-18 years.

[Kri Wood · Rating 4 out of 5]

First off Thank you Guerillus and Rockstar Book Tours for the ARC in exchange for an honest review of my own thoughts.

The language in Control is very much Black Culture with majority of clack characters as well. It was refreshing to see their culture shown in such a good light. However, In control we have Reese whom is mixed, Half-white and Half-black, whom lives with her mother while her father whom is white is a politician with a new all-white family. in 2018 when it was published the Black Lives Matter protesting along with wanting justice for innocent lives being taken by police is more to today's news than 2018. But this is something that has not been a normal thing for police brutality but lately its become a world wide movement that is absolutely lovely to see and support.

This book is perfect for anyone wanting to explore more of the world and thoughts of those who are involved with the Black Lives Matter movement then pick up Guerilus 'Control' today. This is defiantly a great middle-school to young adult read that is fast passed and filled with entertainment. Get yours today!

See my full review at http://pineenshrined.com starting Oct. 13th

[lovestoread2004 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good read! I liked that the plot offered a different setting (music industry) and Reesa is a strong chick that doesn't take crap from anyone! Strong characters and a great plot!