Controlling Interests

by Luna Kayne

When Jayne takes a new job, she has her eyes on one prize but her two dominant bosses have decided they want something of their own—her—and it could cost her everything. Jayne Michaels According to my father’s will, I take possession of our family beach house on my 25th birthday. Until then, it sits in a trust, managed by my mother who dangles it in front of me every time she needs something from me. For the past five years, she’s used me as her puppet, but that’s about to end. I have six short weeks to toe the line then the only thing I’ve ever wanted becomes mine and I’m free. Then they come into the picture; two men—brothers—my new sexy and controlling bosses, offering me a life I never imagined I could have, but at what cost? Declan and Lucas Hale Our father is living with a narcissistic gold digger and her daughter just came to work for us. She doesn’t know who we are, but we know who she is and we’ll use her to find out what we need to know about her mother. Our plans change when she walks into our office. She’s everything we want and we’re more than willing to share. Her little straight and narrow life is about to take a detour because we’re in the driver’s seat and we’re taking control. She thinks she knows where her comfort zone ends...she’s about to find out how very wrong she is.

Genres: Reverse Harem, Menage, Romance, Erotica, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Amazon

405 pages, ebook

Published November 11, 2017

About the author

Follow Luna on BookBub for the latest on sales and new releases: bookbub.com/profile/luna-kayne

Luna Kayne is a multi-genre romance author located in Canada. She writes dark romantic suspense with a hint of humor and a heaping dose of angst. Her men are dominant and often stubborn, and her women are often underestimated.

Luna enjoys gardening, dislikes long winters, and she doesn’t understand how commas work (thankfully, her editor does).

Reviews

[tinyteaplots · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was pretty good. I like all three main characters. I hated the mother. Bitches, man 🙄.
I knew going into the story that I have a problem with siblings sharing a partner. It always wigs me out. I figured I'd give it a shot anyways. I know I would have enjoyed it more if Declan and Lucas hadn't been brothers.

[Lamar · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an Advance Reader Copy that I had agreed to do an honest postive review.

This was one excitingly hot erotic story and this left me wanting more! Not a bad debut from Luna Kayne! This is one book you have read it to believe it and to be experienced with amazing characters and incredibly great sex scenes!

Thank you, Luna for give me a chance to read this and to recommending this to others!

Update: 12/30: This gets even much better the second time and enjoying this much more that I'm madly in love with Luna's writing that I didn't want to stop reading and the subject matter the second was really interesting. The sex scenes are still really good after two reading and only this time, read this in two hours due to being a very fast reader! The menage scenes was intriguing! I still do recommend everyone to try this out and support the amazingly and lovely, Luna Kanye and for her to create a second book cause I want to be the first in line to read it! It is seriously one of the most naughtiest stories I have ever read and it was worth every second of reading! 😘

[Chelon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the way this is written. Is it sexy yes, are the characters likable yes, and it's a great story. But what got me was how it was written, immediately I felt like a part of the story, as if standing in the room. It was as if Jayne was speaking directly to the reader, recapping events and feelings. It's a very comfortable read even though it gets a very sexy at times.

[Renee · Rating 2 out of 5]

NIgerian Princed

-MMF
-Two brothers (hints of a stepbrother relationship with FMC that didn't happen)
-Dom/Sub
-Ours

This just wasn't for me.

[Rebecca Hefner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fans of romantic erotica are in for a treat with this one! If you love a good steamy book, with a side dose of intrigue, you'll love this story. Lucas and Declan are brothers who run a large company. Their father, Howard, is taking a new wife, Evelyn. Evelyn is just awful and the brothers suspect that her daughter, Jayne, might be as well. When Howard secures Jayne a position at their company, the brothers wonder if she has nefarious motives to help her mother.

However, when they meet her, they realize she's nothing like the terrible woman who's about to wed their father. Wanting to help her escape her mother's grip, and also feeling intense emotion and desire for her, they enter into a steamy relationship. It's all new for Jayne, loving two men, but seeing the relationship unfold was poignant and steamy. Very steamy! If you like this type of erotic romance, add this one to your TBR shelf right away!

[HaleyJo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story grips onto you and doesn't let go until the last page is turned! You can feel the deep emotions radiating from these characters. The connection, the heat, the drama...100% fantastic! I literally sobbed real tears at one point in this book and felt just as much rage toward Evelyn as every other character did in the turning point of this story. This is a must read!

[Sarah Deveau · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t usually read smutty novels, but I enjoyed this one! I thought the dialogue was witty and the sex scenes incredibly hot. Looking forward to more from this author.

[lisa mullis · Rating 5 out of 5]

2 Hott

OMG I would rate this 10 if I could. Get ready to have an exotic assault on you're imagination !

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you want a book that’s all sex then this is the book for you. There was a story line but to me it fell a little flat. I wanted more chemistry between the characters.

[Beth Pierce · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some decent spicy moments but just too corny and unrealistic. I couldn’t even finish it.

[Lexi Leseherz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Controlling Interests ist ein fesselnder Roman, der mich mit authentischen Protagonisten und einem faszinierenden Schreibstil begeistert hat. Jayne Michaels ist eine vielschichtige Hauptfigur, deren Kampf gegen die Kontrolle ihrer Mutter und der Wunsch nach Freiheit sofort mitreißen. Ihre Entwicklung im Laufe der Geschichte ist nachvollziehbar und emotional berührend.

Die Handlung ist spannend und voller überraschenden Wendungen. Die Dynamik zwischen Jayne und ihren neuen Chefs, Declan und Lukas, schafft eine interessante Spannung, die mich dazu gebracht hat, mehr über ihre Geheimnisse erfahren zu wollen. Die Entfaltung der Beziehung zwischen den Charakteren ist sowohl romantisch als auch komplex, was dem Buch eine zusätzliche Tiefe verleiht.

Das Setting ist lebendig und gut beschrieben, wodurch man sich leicht in die Welt der Charaktere hineinversetzen kann. Die Mischung aus Büroalltag und persönlichen Konflikten sorgt dafür, dass die Geschichte stets interessant bleibt.

Für mich war es die erste Geschichte der Autorin und ich muss sagen, es ist ein gelungener Roman, der Fans von Büro-Romantik und komplexen Beziehungen ansprechen wird. Die Kombination aus packender Handlung, bemerkenswerten Charakteren und einem einnehmenden Schreibstil macht es zu einem absoluten Lesevergnügen.

[Devika Fernando · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first book by this author - and it certainly won't be my last.
I loved the male MCs and how they worked together to claim their love interest. Declan and Lucas seemed like genuinely caring Doms. I also liked Jayne, anything but 'plain'. The dynamics in this menage were interesting and seemed natural, and the steamy scenes were HOT. Add in the suspenseful twist and the Christmassy encore, and this was a real treat to read.

[Mrs K Bartholomew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Worth a read

A good story however felt a smidge to long. The sex scenes at times felt put in for the sake of it as once they got together every few chapters a sex scene seemed to take the whole chapter with very little dialogue so didn't really add to the story. That aside the characters were well written and you couldn't help but hate Jaynes mum, the sign of a well written evil character. Would read more from the author.

[Sherease Riley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Steamy sex, a villainous mother, and Jayne

This was a well written story. The plot was simple but the twists and turns were interesting. The sex was well detailed and the only thing that wouldve been better wouldve been for Jaynes psycho b#@$h of a mother to get hit by a bus... no epilogue but it was still a decent ending. Everyone loves a hea!

[Sparty · Rating 3 out of 5]

3some

Starts out thinking Jayne is the enemy but it’s really just her mom that is nasty. The brothers called for Jayne and have to make it up to her what they did when they thought she was bad. Happy ending.

[Inga · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book.
A bit to long for me, don’t believe I’m even saying this, but to much sex.
Made it shallow for me.
Don’t like when 2 brothers team up.
And I don’t like men who keep going on and on about trust and not return it.
And the mother got away to easy.

[Rachel Hogya · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sorry, but a giant part of the plot, something that majorly guides the decisions of the main character, is such a giant hole the size of Godzilla, that I couldn't continue enjoying the book. It pulled me out of my immersion in the story and I couldn't get back into it properly because no amount of creative license, plot armor or suspension of disbelief was sufficient! It was the literary equivalent of that moment in a TV show or movie where something so ridiculously unbelievable happens that you find yourself saying outloud, "Oh, come on!"

Evelyn goes to Declan and Lucas to have their company sell Jayne's dad's cabin, but she wants it listed for it's original purchase price of $25,000 despite the land alone being worth at least ten times that! Supposedly, her motives are to show her insanely wealthy fiance that she's not a good digger (she totally is). The problem is, it absolutely doesn't demonstrate that because as the trustee of the trust this property is part of, she wouldn't be the recipient of the money from the sale! So, the author using this to show Evelyn trying to con her wealthy fiance and passing herself off as not materialistic and money hungry is a total fail!

Declan and Lucas, supposedly real estate experts who own a real estate holdings company, would most definitely know that as the trustee for this property, Evelyn is legally obligated to act in the best interest of the beneficiary (Jayne), and that selling the property at grossly under market value is most definitely not acting in her benefit! By not halving Declan and Lucas immediately correct Evelyn and letting her know what she's doing isn't legal, the author has ended up making them look dumb and calling into question their ability to have cultivated their company into a multi-million dollar success when they lack basic knowledge in their field of expertise.

We're also supposed to be stupid enough to believe that the lawyer for the trust would risk disbarment to sign a legal document for Evelyn stating she has the right to break her fiduciary duty and sell this property so insanely cheaply! He would also, hopefully, aprise Evelyn of the fact that she would absolutely get sued for breaking her fuduciary duty and would personally be responsible to pay the benificiary the difference of what the property sold for and what it's actual market value is. No competent lawyer who cared about their career and reputation would ever do this!

This is simply too many things to ask the reader to just gloss over in the name of creative license! There's too many characters apparently ignorant or dumb enough particpating in something very illegal for me to swallow! Is the author trying to make her characters look like total idiots? Your plot and the actions of the characters still have to make sense and be believable! Maybe Luna Kane should have done some basic research before making this such a major plot point and character defining issue and chosen something that didn't require some seriously ridiculous mental gymnastics for her readers to have to do to accept this stuff as no big deal and stay immersed in this story.

[Nancy Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Luna Kayne creates a compelling and refreshing story by placing the emphasis on the romance and not on the kink in this well-paced and excellently written book.

The story focuses on the relationship between Jayne, Declan, and Lucas as they discover each other. Declan and Lucas are brothers who like to share and have a kinky bent. Jayne is just trying to survive a few more weeks so that she can be free of her over-controlling mother.

This is pretty much where the 'standard BDSM romance' trope goes out the window. While the story does have several erotic and graphic scenes, the BDSM element is not overdone or forced. Nor is it the focus of the story. The characters take a more natural approach to the romance and the kinky parts come later as the characters develop.

The character development is in-depth and provides several more layers of interest to the story. Even the side characters have a backstory and feel like their role in the story was integral, not just 'the protagonist's friend' or 'co-worker number 4'. I am left wanting to know what happens with Howard, Tina, and even Lauren. It's rare that an author makes a point to develop the sideline characters to this extent. I can even forgive the 'evil mother' trope as the backstory was so well developed that it didn't feel like a trope.

The story itself is well thought out and had some twists I didn't see coming. As soon as I thought I knew what would happen the story would take a left turn. There is a true plot and it is captivating. I finished the book in a day, mostly because I literally couldn't stand to put it down. When I did have to set it aside all I could think of was getting back to it.

As much praise as I am giving this book, it is not without its faults. There are some minor grammar/spellcheck issues like 'read' instead of 'red' which I could overlook as there were only 2 that I saw which tells me the author made an effort to have it edited properly. My bigger issue is the end of the story. It ends on an HEA, but it also has this sense that there was more that could have been written to provide full closure. After so much detail being put into the rest of the story, the ending was left me wondering about the emotional state of the relationship. I know that some will disagree with me on this point, and that is their prerogative.

Despite the lackluster ending, the story is a great read and I would recommend it to anyone who is looking for a romance with some kinky elements - as opposed to someone who is looking for smut disguised as a book.

[Rozzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Jayne Michaels hears that her mother has found a new love. Jayne is apprehensive and knows the reason her mom is with the guy is because of his money. Still Jayne can’t prove it luckily the guy is wonderful and even will help Jayne out by getting her a job at both his son’s company, Hale Property Management. Monday morning when Jayne arrives at the office, she helps someone who fell. Jayne meets Lucas one CEO who is entranced by her. Lucas’s plan to take her immediately to his brother, Declan instead of leaving her to the miserable HR pool. Sweet unsuspecting Jayne doesn’t know Lucas or Declan’s plan but that fateful meeting drive both brothers to want her desperately. Jayne is attracted to them both. Of course, Jayne doesn’t know the half of it that Lucas and Declan are Howard’s sons or the plans that they have for Jayne’s mom or to make Jayne theirs.
What an amazing contemporary love story! Yes, it is told in 3 different point of views: Jayne, Lucas and Declan, but it is told wonderfully with no problems differentiating differing attitudes or viewpoints. The story moves effortlessly with enough plot twists to keep you interested and engaged in the story. Ms. Luna Kayne even writes fantastically making not only places, situations, but most of the characters stand out. Jayne the wholesome, loving compassionate woman is just a terrific heroine. Yes, she has an awful mother but manages to be charming and friendly so nothing like her mother. Lucas and Declan are just remarkable heroes; not only are they great guys but are quite extraordinary. Of course, they are both magnificent book boyfriends swoon-worthy and utterly perfect! What’s not to like? Ms. Kayne is definitely an author to watch out for and definitely a great new favorite! This book is one that will be a reread and a keeper!

[Cheryl T · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so invested in this story right from the start. I don’t think I’ve ever read a story this intense.

The sex scenes were hot, hot, hot.

I really enjoyed Jayne, Declan and Lucas. I thought they were good together. Her sweet innocence combined with their animalistic ferocity (their “inner beasts”, as they were referred to) was enjoyable to read. I really liked Jayne’s ability to switch from a strong take care of herself attitude to submissive. And the way Declan and Lucas could be domineering but then switch to attentive caregivers also showed they weren’t just out there to boss Jayne around and take advantage of her. The three of them really cared about each other. I mean, those boys would have gone to the ends of the earth to be with her. It was quite romantic.

I’m so glad things worked out for Howard. He was a good dad. And a good father figure to Jayne.

The only thing I didn’t enjoy was that Declan and Lucas kept saying “you are ours” and “you belong to us” and all that jazz. We got it the first few times they said it. I’m not sure it was necessary for them to repeat it so much.

In the acknowledgments, Luna Kayne mentions this is her first published book and this booked struck me as being written by a seasoned romance author. I would definitely not hesitate to read more of her books or recommend this book to others.

[Lauren Schnoebelen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was absolutely amazing and I loved the relationship that formed between them all. I loved how having them both introduce Jayne to this whole dom and sub life style really allowed you to connect with them as characters. They cared so much to respect her boundaries and feeling and constantly pushed for the need for communication and trust. I like that there were moments where neither of them were perfect and apologized for letting her down during this journey. Additionally, the whole plot with the mom was great and created such a unique source of tension in the relationship, especially with the NDA. Howard was amazing and we all deserve a dad like him. I also appreciated that at the end when we see the couple months down the line, we weren’t stuck with just a handful of pages to leave us on. We got a whole chunk of this book where they’re just happy together and I loved it all. Definitely going to read more from this author.

[Alyse · Rating 2 out of 5]

okay

This book captured me at first- then around 60% through I just couldn’t do it anymore. I don’t love that they don’t really help educate her on bdsm beyond some acknowledgments of the need for aftercare and how they want her submission. They keep talking about how much they know what she wants- but that doesn’t make her a person who doesn’t deserve to understand more fully what’s going on. I also am not here for the whole- she can’t have secrets but we can thing. Maybe I’ll come back to this book but right now, I’m over it. Smut was okay but the inner dialogue was kind of annoying.

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

I need to learn to dnf faster because this was not for me. But then I got invested in the side story and then it was almost over so I just powered through. But nope. This book gave me all kinds of icks. And blazing red flags. Everywhere.

I’m giving it two stars because it wasn’t badly written, I’m just turned way way way off by punishment and the particular brand of control in this book and having to ask/beg for orgasms and like zero aftercare and do as I say not as I do - they want her complete honesty and trust but immediately keep things from her and break that trust. And all the red flags.

[Rachel Stark · Rating 5 out of 5]

A walk on the Hot side

Having decided I needed to start reading again after which felt like forever. Like writers block, I just couldn't get myself to read.
Well Holy Hell, was this the book to drag me in. If a book grabs you from the first paragraph, you know it's going to be an awesome read.
So well written, you can picture the characters in your mind, you become engrossed in their lives. Absolutely beautiful. Thank you for bringing the pleasure of reading back into my life.

[Amy Brunning · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprising

This novel was recommended to me and although it's not my usual choice of genre, I was interested to go on what is a surprising, at times sweet, shocking, and unsettling journey. Well written, bold, Luna Kayne has developed a guilty pleasure of a tale, filled with submission, dominance, and the revealing perspectives of a trio of work colleagues who long to create something special.

[MelissaReads7997 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was a solid 3.5-4 star read. Jayne’s mother was a piece of work! She was so self serving and horrible to Jayne, that it made the book difficult to read at times. Declan, Lucas and Jayne’s chemistry was so great. Declan and Lucas really helped Jayne come out of the shell her mother badgered her into. I did get a bit of an ick factor in some of the more spicy scenes because the guys are brothers. They don’t do anything with each other, but it still was a little off putting.

[Crystal Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jayne, Declan, and Lucas

I absolutely loved Controlling Interests!!!! I however didn’t love Evelyn at all!!!! What a witch!!!!! I absolutely love what Howard did with CDK share holders!!!! He is absolutely amazing!!!! The boys treat Jayne so good and she deserves so much!!!! I can’t believe she gets treated that way by her mom but it honestly doesn’t surprise me because emu mom did the same to me!!!! This author is amazing and I hope she has other books I can read!!!!

[Mara W. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

Very very lovely story. Plot development was great. Character development was great.

There are a few typos. Here are some off the top of my head. The word "waiver" was used at least twice instead of "waver" and "to" was used once instead of "too".

The sex scenes were 10/10. The way subspace was described brought me to tears because I know from experience how it can feel, as well as the drop.

[Emma Border · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read

I have yet to find a book by this author that I can give anything less than five stars to. She does so well with angst, a pinch of humor and banter amongst the characters, and the spice is spicing...the book was no exception, and I'm so glad I finally read it. The fmc was very sweet and still had some sassiness, and the two mmcs really complimented one another.

[Deelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heady and Hot

Jayne does a magnificent job of protecting her future, but still falls for the lure that Declan and Lucas throw out. Can they break through her defenses and get her to submit fully or will they lose her through her vile mother's machinations? Can they survive the cruelty in which her mother relishes?