My Control (Inside Out, #4.5) in Lisa Renee Jones's INSIDERS BOOK GROUP

Sep 03, 2014 Stacey rated it it was amazing

this is a ARC review .. Mark and Crystal are back they are still trying to find Rebecca's killer whom we read in the last book to be Ava but she restated that she never did kill Rebecca so question is who did ? or was it really Ava and Ryan whom wants Amanda who works at ALLURE .. and will Mark ever let his defenses down to let Crystal in .. and at the tail end there is a thought on a contract so does Crystal give up control or will Mark or will they both give up control to each other to find th ...more

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Aug 25, 2014 Susan Staudinger rated it it was amazing

MARK COMPTON IS A COMPLICATED, INTRIGUING MAN… ONE THAT I BOTH LOVE & HATE!

Starting at the time of Ava’s release and just prior to her escape, “My Control” is yet another glimpse into the sexy, domineering man that is Mark Compton. Only Mark Compton is no longer in control. Mark is broken… he’s becoming undone. The events surrounding Rebecca’s death has shattered Mark to his core. He’s unraveling… spiraling out of control… and Mark doesn’t like losing control!

Beginning with “The Master Undone,” MARK COMPTON IS A COMPLICATED, INTRIGUING MAN… ONE THAT I BOTH LOVE & HATE!

Starting at the time of Ava’s release and just prior to her escape, “My Control” is yet another glimpse into the sexy, domineering man that is Mark Compton. Only Mark Compton is no longer in control. Mark is broken… he’s becoming undone. The events surrounding Rebecca’s death has shattered Mark to his core. He’s unraveling… spiraling out of control… and Mark doesn’t like losing control!

Beginning with “The Master Undone,” then continuing with “My Hunger,” and now, “My Control,” each Mark Compton novella is slowly leading us on a journey certain to expose the real man—the man who, for years, has been hiding behind the dominant persona that is Mark Compton.

“My Control” is a prelude to Mark’s real story… a prelude to the full-length novel, “I Belong To You.” It’s a story that will (hopefully) reveal the past that Mark’s so determined to run from--a past that keeps him in control at all times… that keeps other people at arms’ length… that kept him from truly loving Rebecca.

Riddled with guilt over Rebecca's death, and tormented by his mother’s illness, Mark is living each day in his own personal hell. It’s hard not to feel sympathy towards Mark, since he seems truly repentant over his actions with Rebecca. He doubts himself and his actions. He questions every aspect of their relationship.

With the beach search and new evidence discovered, Mark gives into the pain and allows himself to grieve Rebecca’s loss. The realization that Rebecca is lost to him forever--that she died never knowing how he really felt about her… that he’ll never have the chance to tell her that he loved her—further fuels Mark’s sorrow. The subsequent guilt he feels is all consuming. Rebecca returned to San Francisco because of him. His actions were the catalyst to her death. In the end, when she needed him the most, he wasn’t there to protect her.

“I told her love was a façade. I told her it’s a cruel destructive monster that will destroy you. And it did. She loved me and I destroyed her. Why the fuck did I let her fall in love?”

As “My Control” unfolds, we see Mark confront Ryan, certain that he is somehow involved in Rebecca’s death. While Ryan denies any involvement, Mark is resolute in his decision to destroy Ryan. We watch as Mark struggles to push Crystal away, despite his confusing need to keep her close.

Crystal, like Rebecca, sees past Mark’s façade. She sees the softer, gentler, caring side of Mark. Despite her own guilt of being with Mark when Rebecca should be the one by his side, Crystal refuses to watch him self-destruct. She’s certain that Rebecca wouldn’t want Mark to be left alone to drown in a sea of guilt. Rebecca loved him too much to want that for him. The diary entry Crystal inadvertently read was proof of that. Not only did that entry give her insight into Rebecca, but it gave her some much needed insight into Mark. Mark made Rebecca feel vulnerable when HE felt vulnerable. Mark repeatedly pushed Rebecca away in order to maintain distance… and that’s exactly what he was doing with her.

By the end of “My Control,” Ava has escaped, and Mark is hell-bent on getting Crystal out of town—to keep her safe (like he should have done for Rebecca). But Mark also has a new plan… a new resolve. He’s going to take back control and make Crystal an offer that is certain to infuriate her and push her away for good. Knowing Crystal, however, she’s sure to push back. Crystal isn’t easily intimidated—especially not by Mark Compton!

Throughout the 3 novella’s, the reader has been given clues as to Mark’s mysterious past, and I, for one, am eager for those answers. I’m anxiously waiting to get my hands on the next installment of Mark’s story—to FINALLY discover the truth!! I CAN. NOT. WAIT.

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Jun 08, 2014 Tess Bibliophile rated it it was amazing

6 out of 5 SENSATIONAL stars!!!

Lisa Renee Jones nails it again and will leave you wanting more!

"Because, sometimes what someone is going through speaks to you on a level you can't ignore. And because of that, people who're completely wrong for each other are completely right in a certain moment in time. Like us right now."

My Control is an amazing 6-star addition to my favorite Inside Out series! It is a sizzling, suspenseful and emotional novella told in Mark and Crystal's POV. Mark's world ...more

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Feb 01, 2014 Barbara rated it it was amazing

Shelves: adult-read

I am so freaking happy now. I absolutely love Mark. I am so happy that Crystal gets under his skin and gives him shit right back. Way to go! She rocks, she knows when to give and when to stand up for herself. I want to see Mark (in the next book) try to be the "old Master" he used to be, but he won't be able to because he cares about her so much and can't stop himself. There is something that really gets me about a man who is normally so in control of himself and can't control himself around her ...more

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Dec 13, 2013 Lindsay rated it it was amazing

Mark is unraveling with all the chaos of the Rebecca situation and his mother's illness. He's grasping for any ounce of control he can possibly get a hold of...But slowly he's losing it...changing...

This novella gives great insight into his regrets with Rebecca and how they have changed him, and to his displeasure, have him loosing the one thing he relies on, control. He's losing it in every aspect of his life, including relationships...That's where Crystal comes in. She affects him in a way th ...more

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Jul 09, 2014 Connie rated it it was amazing

I loved this book about Mark. You get a behind the scenes of the Master himself, coming undone no less.
Mark is so different in this book and the reader really gets to see behind his mask of control. He has no doubt a lot of guilt because of Rebecca and because of this he is also allowing Crystal into his life. Crystal is preset to watch the Master come undone and they are each completely drawn to each other. This is a MUST READ! Love the series!

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Jun 11, 2014 Cheryl Graham-Petit rated it it was amazing

My Control is unique, raw, edgy and a little on the dark side. Gripping from the very beginning, My Control has an awesome mix of emotions... tension, guilt, anger, fear, sadness, tension, heartache, pain, pleasure, with a whole lot of lust thrown in.

Lisa Renee Jones has the ability to grab the attention of her readers from the first page and lets them experience the journey of her characters right along with them. She writes stories that make you feel every emotion that the characters go throu ...more

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Jun 09, 2014 Tiffany rated it it was amazing

My Control is another novella in the Inside Out Series. I love getting to know more about Mark Compton and seeing his inner struggles for control. I absolutely love Crystal and how he can't control himself around her. She is so different from what he's used to, but I think they are going to end up being perfect together. I love the mystery that surrounds this story and this series. It always leaves me wanting more. I can not wait for the final book, I Belong to You. I know LRJ will give us the g ...more

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Jan 06, 2014 Erika rated it really liked it

Shelves: kindle-read, series-cont, under-5, ng, own, own-full-series

This story makes you see a slightly different side to Mark. We don't see the arrogant hard ass guy that you see through out the series. This novella start to show a bit of a different side, a side that really cared about Rebecca and is trying to figure out how to move on. This is only the beginning. I am looking forward to where this will lead Mark's story in I Belong to You. I really like Crystal and hope that they will make it.

Received from NetGalley for honest review. ...more

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Sep 02, 2014 Sara rated it it was amazing

I love getting Mark's view of the story in the Inside Out series! I can't wait for more of his story with Crystal! ...more

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Nov 11, 2013 Christi Lofton rated it it was amazing

Another great installment of this series from Lisa Renee Jones. I love getting more of Mark's story. This novella also brought us more information on Rebecca. This novella left me wanting more and I can't wait for "I Belong To You"! ...more

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