Under Control by Shannon StaceyOlivia McGovern has a plan for her life and she's going to follow it to a T even if that means that life is all work and no play. But then she gets trapped in an elevator with Derek Gilman. It's not love at first sight by any means but he's not exactly disappointed when he sees her again at a local fundraising group.

Derek is definitely not on Olivia's list. Nor are his two kids and divorced wife who he is somehow still friends with. But she's ready to open herself up to the chance, if only he can do the same.

An okay book and I think most readers of the series will be happy with this story.



Three stars

This book came out August 28

ARC kindly provided by NetGalley

A departure of previous stories from this series with more firefighting action, this was more about that the differences between a couple need not hamper them. With a different economical strata between Derek and Olivia, they were able to make those differences work for them. I felt this was a powerful message to successfully be weaved into an romance story. With a handsome hero and a beautiful, independent and successful woman, this was one story that was hard to put down. I was amused that Cait knocking a firefighter down a set of stairs was worked into the story.

This ARC book was complimentary, provided by the Publisher and NetGalley. I am voluntarily providing my honest review.

I really enjoyed this romance. I have had this series on my radar since it got started and have even collected a couple of the installments but have never had the chance to pick one up. I am so glad that I finally jumped into the series. I am happy to report that this book works perfect fine as a stand alone despite being the fifth book in the Boston Fire series. I had a lot of fun with this really well done novel.

I found that this book felt really authentic. I can't think of single thing that happens in this story that didn't feel like it could happen in the real world. I loved the fact that Derek is divorced with kids that are the center of his universe. Since I was a divorced mother of a 4 year old child when I met my husband, I could completely relate to the way he was trying to find the right balance. I also loved the way that Derek and Olivia met. I was once stuck in an elevator and while I didn't have a firefighter there to rub my feet while we waited for rescue, I did have a whole crowd of firefighters gathered to rescue me so I could totally see their meeting happening.

Derek and Olivia were both great characters. Derek is a firefighter and divorced father of two. He has a great relationship with his ex-wife which did seem to make everything a bit simpler. Olivia is a highly organized and driven business owner. Her life is scheduled down to the last detail and she likes it that way. This pair had some great chemistry and there were plenty of steamy moments. There really wasn't any manufactured drama in this one which their biggest obstacle being trying to figure out how to blend their very different lives with each other.

I would recommend this book to others. I had a great time spending time with Derek and Olivia and my heart may have melted just a bit as they fell in love. I do want to read more from Shannon Stacey very soon and will probably start with the earlier books in the series.

I received a digital review copy of this book from Carina Press via NetGalley.

Ever since I read my first book by Shannon Stacey she has been one of my top favorite authors. She engages my mind with the deep and raw emotions in the realistic, life-like romance stories about regular people with rambunctious yet loving families and all the mess that goes with living and loving fully with no reservations. There is humor, there are tears, there is heat, and there are sweet, swoon-worthy moments that makes me smile and sigh and be glad that I found her books in the first place.
Under Control is an ardent story that I easily related to. The past hurt and disappointments sometimes make us hold on to the little control we can actually have in life. Compromises are not always easy, the risks of trusting and loving with your whole heart can be scary, and veteran firefighter Derek Gilman and businesswoman Olivia McGovern learn their lessons the hard way.
Derek and Olivia live in different worlds, on the opposite sides of the town. But it is not only the physical distance that is a challenge in their relationship, they seem to be the opposite in every possible way. Yet, the attraction between them is a sizzling, tangible force that keeps pulling them together, despite everything that is pulling them apart.
I loved the energy between Olivia and Derek. I loved the honesty they shared, the connection between them had this aura of trust, flirtiness, and adoration that just pulled all the feels to the surface. I loved that Derek was such a loving, caring father and that the relationship between Olivia and his kids took time to develop, like it does in the real world, as well. I loved that while the story is realistic, it has that magical, whimsical wonder of falling in love, utterly, helplessly, and completely out of our control.
Under Control was an unputdownable, emotional, intense, and fervent story that kept me up late at night. It is a story about family, second chances, giving up the tight hold of control we sometimes hang on to too long, learning to make compromises, and risking it all to fall utterly and completely in love.
A wondrously enjoyable tale
~ Five Spoons

This is the fifth book in the series and a great installment. I do love a single dad romance so I knew this was going be a winner for me. Plus I'm huge fan of Shannon Stacey's writing. One chance encounter could lead this couple on the path to forever. Olivia sticks to her plans and schedules for a reason, but the day she meets Derek throws a big wrench in her orderly life. This book has great chemistry between Olivia and Derek. I gobbled this book right up because it has a such an easy flow to it. It has a real life feel to it especially with blended families. This is definitely one you shouldn't pass up on reading.

Olivia owns her own business and is almost obsessive about schedules and planning. Derek is a divorced firefighter with two kids. When they get stuck in an elevator together, the sparks fly. When they are on the same charity committee, Derek sees an opportunity to get to know Olivia better and goes for it.
While trying to find their way through a new relationship, with living on opposite sides of town and her living in fancy, high rise apartment, Derek sometimes feels like she's out of his league. When they try to figure out where their relationship is going, Derek goofs up and loses Olivia but will he be able to win her back and work through the obstacles in their way?
I really didn't know how to write this review without telling the whole story. Not for sure if it even makes sense but it's a good story with firefighters, sex, a goal oriented woman and a little humor thrown in.

* Voluntarily read and reviewed this for Netgalley *

Loved!

Single fathers and firefighters are right up there on my list of reading catnip, so it took me about 1.5 seconds to decide that this was one book I was going to have to read. It did not disappoint! I loved that Derek is "barely still in his thirties" and that he and his ex are not only amicable, but actual friends--so different from the norm, and so refreshing! Derek's can't-really-schedule-too-much life and Olivia's planned-down-to-the-last-second one (I loved when he had her schedule "Have GREAT sex with Derek" in her planner when they set up their first weekend date) at first seemed incompatible, and it definitely is a cause of relationship tension, but Ms. Stacey has them resolve things like heavily invested, very romantic grown-ups, and that was awesome.

It doesn't hurt that Olivia and Derek's trapped-in-an-elevator meet cute is one for the ages either...I'm pretty sure that scene will be on my mind every time I get into an elevator from now on... ;)

I've only read two books from this series so far (both worked well as standalones--though there's some substantial prep work for the next book in the series--Flare Up--here; I'm counting the days!) and absolutely loved them. I can't wait to get my hands on the rest of the Boston Fire series books!

Rating: 4 1/2 stars / A

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

4 1/2 STARS!

With the next book in the beloved Boston Fire series, we get the story of sexy single dad Derek. It's always a lot of fun to revisit the characters from the previous books and get updates on how their lives are going. With this one, the characters were quick to grab and keep my attention . A sexy connection between them, and both with strong attitudes and beliefs that lead to a good bit of strife on the way towards their happily ever after. Really enjoyed their story!

Veteran firefighter Derek Gilman is trying to juggle all the aspects of his life the best way he knows how, so when a change in shift will allow him to still stay in the house that he loves but will afford him with more quality time with his kids, he is all for it. He and his ex might have made their way back to a decent friendship in order to keep life cordial for their kids, but he still wants as much time with them as he can manage.

Executive Olivia McGovern has worked hard to get her consulting firm off the ground and though business is going well, she doesn't have time to sit back on her laurels and let someone else swoop in and snatch her potential clients, so getting stuck in an elevator on the way to a critical meeting is the last thing she needs! Then leave it to her to freak out in front of a sexy firefighter who has the misfortune of being stuck in there with her, and her day is totally shot. On the up-side, wow, what a hunk!

Being a firefighter and a single dad is a lot to juggle, so Derek Gilman is pretty sure adding a gorgeous, wealthy woman to his life is more than he can handle. Olivia McGovern loves plans so getting stuck in an elevator with a sexy firefighter has freaking out. They’re from different sides of the tracks, literally, but chemistry doesn’t allow for plans and love doesn’t bother with logistics.

The blazing hot chemistry that heats up the pages of this enchanting romance will singe readers as they get to know the strong, compelling characters that easily draw them into their story and charm their way into hearts. The relationship is has a few major obstacles likes plans, distance and insecurities which cause quite a bit of emotional turbulence that tugs at the heart but the romance is sweet and readers can’t help but cheer Olivia and Derek on toward their happily ever after because in a way the characters are very different from each other but at the same time they seem fit and complement each other and what romance reader doesn’t like a real romance with lots of opposition.

The smooth flowing plot keeps readers engaged with lots of emotional and compelling events that adds depth and fascination to the story and the steady pace keeps readers glued to the pages as it builds anticipation. The story doesn’t focus on either of the couple’s careers but focuses on the way that those careers and family issues affect their lives and how they must overcome it. This feel good romance will delight readers from beginning to end as they get know the characters from Boston Fire and ensures that want to come back for more.

Business consultant Olivia McGovern and firefighter Derek Gilman find themselves trapped in a stalled elevator. They’d checked each other out right before entering and their attraction was undeniable. They went their separate ways following rescue but days later had an unplanned reunion at a charity meeting. This time they wasted no time in moving forward after having failed to exchange contact information the first time. So what could go wrong?

Olivia’s highly successful and her lifestyle is proof of that. Derek is divorced with two young children and lives modestly. Even though there’s an obvious income disparity, these two have a lot of interests in common and genuinely like and enjoy each other. I liked how Olivia didn’t shy away from the issue, embracing her accomplishments without diminishing Derek and he didn’t fall into that trap of believing his manhood was threatened. They confronted the real issues a single father faces in co-parenting and introducing a new relationship to his children, as well as those fears and concerns a woman would experience walking into the situation. It was refreshing to not see manufactured drama, just the small things that can place strain on a new and developing relationship, figuring out how to communicate and handle them.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story about two people from different socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds (she was from Virginia, he from Boston) who focused on what really matters in a relationship but weren’t unrealistically oblivious to the differences. While both were appealing, they weren’t perfect, had some missteps and behaved maturely and honestly. The narrator seemed to capture their personalities really well and delivered a strong performance. This is one of my favorites in the series.

3 1/2 stars

Under Control by Shannon Stacey is the story of firefighter, Derek, and professional organizer, Olivia, whose meet-cute occurs in a stuck elevator. They have instant attraction and kick themselves later when they realize that they didn't get cell numbers. However, you can't have a romance if the pair doesn't meet up again, so fortuitously, they both volunteer for the same charity, and voila the opportunity presents itself.

Now, I'm going to be upfront with you. This novel has made me decide to take a hiatus from reading most romances. It's not because the novel is bad; it isn't. However, there are some bits that occur that irk me. They aren't major. I suspect many readers probably don't even really see them. For me, to read that the heroine has lost sleep and focus on her job after two meetings with a man, my only reaction can be: thank goodness, she's not a doctor. I don't know about you but when I work, if I need to get stuff done, I don't moon over anybody. I get it. This is supposed to show that Olivia has fallen so much in love (after two meetings) that she's just a bubble of Bazooka bubble gum. Likewise, Derek is obsessing over Olivia so much that he isn't watching a game between the Red Sox and the Yankees even though he's there, in person, with his buddies. Really? These aren't teenagers or new adults, these are older adults with life experiences.

There are a number of these little quirks in the novel that bothered me. However, and this is a big however, I don't believe that they will bother most romance readers and that is not to slight romance readers in the least. I have come to realize that I'm just in a different place now, and perhaps my reading and reviewing should focus elsewhere.

Much of the novel is quite good. Shannon Stacey has given a lot of thought to these characters, for the most part, considered what the impediment would be, and shown that Derek can aptly be a chauvinist if given the opportunity.

They enjoy each other's company and have great sex, but, in retrospect, they have very little in common. She's never seen Die Hard! (Sorry, I couldn't help that.) Beyond opposites attract, hopefully opposites will stay together.

Also, I guess I was expecting more from a firefighter romance, like a little firefighting and drama. Alas, none.

Again, this novel is well-written and intriguing, and a very sincere case of: it's me, not you.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Derek Gilman meets Olivia McGovern in a office building when the elevator breaks down with the two of them in it. There's instant attraction between them but after their rescued Olivia has to run off for an appointment before Derek can talk to her. Fortunately for him they end up together on a charity fundraiser board. Derek and Olivia are from opposite sides of Boston and maybe opposite sides of the tracks as well or so Derek thinks. Olivia doesn't care about money but it's something Derek has trouble getting past. He's dealing with work and parenting two kids with his ex-wife. Olivia is juggling her own career and has her own business. Life has taught her to plan everything so fitting a man into her life is not a easy thing when it's not in her current plan. I enjoyed this book but nothing stands out for me. It was basically just a good read. If you've enjoyed the series so far i think you will enjoy this one as well.



Find out more about this series and Shannon Stacey here www.shannonstacey.com

Derek & Olivia's HEA was a rough road. When they each have their expectations based on past experiences and antiquated thinking, it takes some soul searching to find a way to make things work out for both of them. The chemistry was not under control, it was blazing hot, and I absolutely loved the conclusion! I was a little frustrated with Derek's views on Olivia being "out of his league", but he redeemed himself in the end.

4.25 stars--UNDER CONTROL is the fifth instalment in Shannon Stacey’s contemporary, adult BOSTON FIRE romance series focusing on Boston’s first responders. This is firefighter and single father Derek Gilman, and business consultant Olivia McGovern’s story line. UNDER CONTROL can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.’

Told from dual third person perspectives (Derek and Olivia) UNDER CONTROL follows the building relationship between firefighter and single father Derek Gilman, and business consultant Olivia McGovern. Trapped in an elevator was never in the plans for Olivia McGovern but trapped with firefighter Derek Gilman made Olivia think about the possibilities of something more. Approached to help with a children’s fund-raiser Olivia is shocked to learn that the fireman starring in her fantasies is also a member of the fund-raising board. What ensues is the building relationship and romance between Derekk and Olivia, and the potential fall-out as Olivia struggles to step outside of her comfort zone in an effort to make time for the man, and his family, with whom she is falling in love.

Olivia McGovern is a well-organized and detailed planner; a consultant whose own life is revolves around a schedule of meetings, business appointments, and very little time for personal affairs. Meeting firefighter Derek Gilman throws all of Olivia’s plans into disarray especially where is concerns emergency call-outs, and family considerations. Derek Gilman never again thought he would find love but life proved him wrong falling in love with the woman who stole his heart. Hoping to make Olivia his happily ever after Derek struggles with Olivia’s current life-style, a life-style he believes isn’t conducive to family or a happily ever after.

The relationship between Derek and Olivia is one of immediate attraction; an accidental meeting between two people whose lives go in opposite directions. The $ex scenes are intimate and seductive, without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

Most of the previous story line ‘firefighters’ and their spouses play secondary and supporting roles, We are introduced to Derek’s ex-wife Amber, and her husband Jason, and their children Julia and Isaac, as well as Olivia’s PA Kelsey. Firefighter Grant and Wren’s story line is next in FLARE UP.

The world building focuses on the relationship between Olivia and Derek as they must come to terms with their diverging careers. Olivia battles between head and heart while Derek believes Olivia’s career matters more than his kids. Herein lies the conflict when Derek addresses the elephant in the room, a presumptuous elephant that is about to stomp all over Olivia’s heart.

UNDER CONTROL is a story of family and friendships, heartbreak and misunderstanding. The premise is engaging and real; the characters are colorful and charismatic; the romance is passionate and spirited. UNDER CONTROL is a sexy, sassy and animated look at the reality of life and everything it has to offer.

Copy supplied by the publisher

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Under Control is the second book I have read in the Boston Fire series by Shannon Stacey and each book seems to get better. As a side note, even though these books are part of a series and the books give updates on secondary characters, they can also be read as standalones. Olivia has her single gal life plan on track but that has left no room for distractions AKA a relationship. Single dad Derek is a hot & sexy fireman who puts it all out there to help his friends and family. Aa spotlight shines on Derek & Olivia's differences further when Olivia can't wrap her head around what she remembers of her parents' relationship, or lack there of, after their divorce vs Derek's experience with his divorce & the friendly relationship he maintains with his ex-wife. But as luck would have it, these polar opposites get stuck in an elevator and the flame of desire begins flickering, only the heat is turned up to scorching when their paths later cross. But is all that chemistry enough? When Derek proves to be too much of a distraction for Olivia's plan, does she need a new plan that includes the hot & sexy single dad & his kids? Definitely Recommend One-Clicking to add Under Control to your Kindle library! I am so excited to see Grant's journey is next in January 2019 in Flare Up!
I am voluntarily leaving this voluntary review, but for full disclosure I did receive an review copy, ARC, of this book from the publisher Harlequin Carina Press via NetGalley.

3.75 stars

I can always count on Shannon Stacey to deliver cute romances.

I love how Olivia and Derek met the first time (stuck in the elevator! a classic). I feel like this book has lesser firefighting than its predecessors and more the development of Olivia and Derek's relationship, and I'm not complaining. I love how Olivia and Derek connected, and how they navigated the relationship around Olivia's wealth and Derek's children (no ex drama here, don't worry).

I'm already anticipating Grant's book! My heart broke for him. I'm so looking forward for the angst in his and Wren's book.

This was fun. And sometimes that’s just what a girl needs.

Not that Olivia doesn’t need a bit more – even if she doesn’t know it. And it’s both a surprise and not that she doesn’t – because Olivia is all about knowing what she’s doing, what she’s going to do, what she has to do and what she ought to do to keep her life on the track that she’s set it on.

In other words, Olivia is all about the thinking and planning, and not so much on the living. She’s too much in control of her life to actually enjoy it or even just live it.

Derek is not so much about control. Not at all. But it’s reasonable from where he sits. Or stands. Or runs towards the fire.

Derek is a firefighter, just like all of the heroes (and his friends, neighbors and buddies) in his ladder company and the Boston Fire series. He’s good at his job – very good – but his job is to deal with whatever happens when he’s on shift. As a firefighter he never knows what that will be from one day or even one hour to the next.

And while he believes he’s not very good at planning the other parts of his life, he actually is. Because he’s juggling divorced parenthood with his ex and handling volunteer efforts with a local charity that helps parents and siblings of critically ill children. He also has friends and family and a life that he lives to the fullest.

When Olivia and Derek get stuck in an elevator together, neither of them has any clue that the other is the missing puzzle piece in their life. Even their sizzling chemistry can’t completely disguise the fact that their lives just don’t seem to fit.

They live and work at least an hour apart – in good traffic, which Boston never has. They’re also from, not exactly different sides of the tracks, but different socioeconomic strata. Olivia is clearly somewhere at the upper end of upper middle class. She’s earned every penny of it with hard work on her own business, but she lives a completely different lifestyle from working class firefighter Derek and his friends.

She’s also the scarred survivor of her parents’ acrimonious divorce. Even years later she’s still stuck in the middle playing peacemaker between two people who just can’t seem to let go of the grudges that ended their marriage.

Derek is the very participatory father of his two children. He and his ex are not merely cordial, but actually good friends. His ex and her new husband are still part of the neighborhood and part of Derek’s life.

But Derek’s life is chaotic, both because of his work and because of the other people that he is determined to keep a part of it. Olivia’s life is ordered above all, because that’s her business and because that’s how she took care of herself during her parents marital wars.

Can they meet somewhere in the middle?

Escape Rating B: In a lot of ways, this is a quiet kind of a romance. While the initial meeting between Derek and Olivia qualifies as a “meet cute” and their second meeting feels like a bit of divine providence, most of what happens between them seems both quiet and cautious.

As it should be. They are both grown-ups. Not merely 20 somethings but mid-30-somethings – or perhaps a bit more. They have lives, careers, families and friends. Neither of them has been waiting for their life to happen.

What that means is that they both have a lot invested in their lives before they meet. And while they certainly fall in lust at first sight if not love at first sight, that doesn’t necessarily change the rest of their lives.

So what we see is Olivia and Derek negotiating the steps that could turn their intense chemistry into a whole lot more. But it is a negotiation, and that’s where they realistically almost fail.

We always want to see the hero and heroine, or at least one of them, give up everything for each other. And that’s even possible for people just starting out. But Olivia and Derek aren’t just starting out in life, and in order for any relationship between them to work they have to be able to fit into each other’s worlds.

Derek, on the one hand, has a lot of people. He rightfully wants to be there for his kids. His fire company is more of an extended family than a work crew. Olivia needs to be able to both fit in with those groups and find a way to handle the stress of his job – along with the danger that comes with it.

Olivia is a self-made woman. She seems to have started out in the middle class, but her own drive and determination have made her into a high-powered and highly paid business efficiency consultant. She’s the author of a best-selling book and is working on a second book. She has a plan for her life and that plan has brought her both success and wealth – and she shouldn’t be ashamed of either.

While Olivia needs to make adjustments in her plan and her life in order to fit anyone else in at all, Derek needs to adjust his attitude. He keeps thinking that Olivia is out of his league, without ever asking what she thinks in that regard. If he keeps listening to that voice, he’ll decide it’s right, and lose the second best thing that ever happened to him. (His kids are the first best thing, after all).

It is surprisingly interesting, as well as heartwarming, to watch them take two steps forward and one step back, figuring out how to blend their two very different lives together.

Review by Amanda for Love Romance Books Blog

I was asked by the author for an honest review. I would have liked to give Under Control 4.5 stars.

This is the first book I've read by Shannon Stacey. You do not need to read any other books in the Boston Fire series to enjoy this one. After reading Under Control, I'm interested in reading more in the series.

I really enjoyed the book and appreciated that the relationship conflicts were relatable for single people in their 30s (or older) -- exes, kids, careers, distance, etc.

I adore Shannon Stacey and have been a fan of all her series to date. The Boston Fire series is definitely one of my favorites as she has been able to create this world of family and friendship that intermingles and feels genuine rather than manufactured. In Under Control she introduces a new character, Olivia, to the series who is the opposite of the men in these books due to her need for structure and control when their lives, and Derek's in particular, are more chaos than structure. I enjoyed watching them fall in love but I loved seeing how they combined their lives together with the challenges their personalities and personal lives presented. This was an easy read but still had great character and plot development and I would recommend to anyone who enjoys romance.

Initially I enjoyed the different angle of a divorced father and single heroine plot and was all ready to see how things would work out but it took a long time of rinse and repeat before we got there. There’s not too much dramatic stuff. Okay yeah this is truly the reality of most people’s lives but a little editing and excision of repeated scenes would have moved things along.

Frankly I found myself more interested in the mystery and drama of one of the other firefighters and his girlfriend then one more version of the concerns of Olivia and Derek.

Then finally! these two are ready to admit their deepest feelings. Yay. Then they have one argument – yes, it’s important but … – and suddenly they’re pouring gasoline on the relationship and setting it on fire before walking off forever. What?? Really? That’s it? This is all the effort they’re going to put into compromises? Sheesh. It’s Derek’s ex-wife (and nicely, still friend) who yanks a knot in him and orders him to get back in the game. Then just as quickly he and Olivia are ready to have a rational discussion of (tops) ten minutes and we’re all good here? Sorry but a long book of – admittedly realistic but a little dull – dating followed by quickie argument and it’s over before just as quickly it’s fixed for a HEA just didn’t light my fire. Pardon the pun. C