Total Control is book 4 in Laura Griffin's hot Alpha Crew Series! It is a fast paced, enjoyable novella that made you wish it was a full length book. I did not want it to end!! Jake and Alexa (Lexie) have intense chemistry and are so good together. I couldn't wait for their story after reading the first three in this series. It kept you roped in the entire read. I can't wait for her next in this series and hope we will get to "see" how Lexie and Jake are doing.

Total Control by Laura Griffin is the 4th book in her Alpha Crew series. Jake Heath, our hero, is a Navy Seal and after finishing up a tough case, Jake takes a short vacation; and is surprised when he is contacted by Alexa, an FBI agent he has not forgotten since he has not seen her for six months, after she never returned his phones calls.

Alexa Mays, our heroine, is one of the best counterterrorism FBI agents and is in the middle of a major case, and she tells her team that they need someone like Jake to help them, as he is the best at finding people. At first Jake refuses to help, as he already has plans to be with his family. But Jake decides in the last minute to help Alexa, as the stakes are high with finding the persons behind a terrorist attempt. They begin to work together, with Jake using many of his contacts to get them closer to finding the leader of this terrorist group.

Alexa was happy with Jake’s help, but she was determined to work more with her team, keeping some things secret. Jake of course, has his own contacts and manages to be in step with her investigation. They continue to investigate together, trying to be a step ahead of the terrorist and the plot; during the off times, their romance heats up. I loved the chemistry between Jake and Alexa, as they were so good together; but Alexa knew Jake would be leaving in a few days doing what Navy seals do, and was determined not get hurt.

What follows is a sweet and sexy romance between Alexa and Jake, which had us rooting hard that they would find a way to stay together. But the suspense and mystery of the story line remained on the forefront with non-stop action and excitement, keeping me on the edge of my seat. Total Control was a novella, which seemed more like a short story, and amazingly Griffin gave us a bit of everything in this book.

Laura Griffin is an excellent writer, as I love her Tracers series. She has created a great couple, as I really loved the chemistry between Alexa and Jake. This was an exciting action filled story that is a quick read, and sexy. The last half of the book was suspenseful and thrilling as they raced to stop the terrorist. If you enjoy mystery, suspense with romance, then you should be reading Laura Griffin.

3.5 Stars

I really enjoyed this book! It was a light, easy read, the story was interesting and kept the reader engaged, and just the right amount of tension between the two main characters. By a third of the way through the book I knew I wanted to look up others by this author!

The book starts off with a really great SEAL training exercise, and we get a feel for the dynamic between Jake and Alexa (Lexie) early on. They have a bit of history, but for the past six months Lexie has been ignoring Jake until she needs his help on an off-the-books job. They both have really strong personalities and while they knock heads for a bit, there's no doubt that they make a great team. There was a good amount of give and take between them; between who drove, who made contacts with individuals during the investigation, and making sure the other took care of themselves. In the search for an extremist, they have to pool together their resources and get creative to figure out the groups plans before it's too late, as well as push past their personal hesitations towards each other. In the end, the manage to protect the city and their hearts! The ending was realistic and sweet, and I can't wait to see how their relationship continues to develop.

My only real complaint is that this book left me wanting more, in both good and bad ways. I wanted more because I really love the chemistry between Jake and Lexie, but I also felt like we were given little details about things that were just enough to pique our attention, but then never spoken of/brought up again. I kept thinking details were important, but they weren't! It is fairly short, and I feel like a bit closer to a novella than a full novel. The story was very fast paced so it worked, but more details and fleshing everything out a bit more would have made the book really great. I would have liked to see more backstory with Jake's family (and the reactions to him bailing on the weekend trip), more of the dynamic between Lexie and her coworkers (specifically with her ex; I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop with him being involved with the main plot, or why he always dismissed her suggestions), and more of them together! Also, what was in the package at Lexie's front door in chapter 3? I kept waiting for that to have some significance! The secondary characters were very brief in their appearances, so it would be nice to see more from them since they were all interesting! Especially Scout!

While this book is a part of a series, it can definitely be read as a standalone. I will absolutely be going back and reading the others; I want to know more about these characters and their world!

Fast read with Kick ass characters.
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When I hear the name Laura Griffin I immediately think of her awesome stories that always involve romantic suspense in the military and some form of police agency.

This novella was fabulous read. I love Jake and Alexa together. He is so damn perfect of a character; definitely hot and spicy and he will get your temperature rising.

She is a typical female FBI agent that doesn’t want to admit when she needs help but is grateful for it when Jake agrees to help with her latest case.

Secretly she’s has a mad crush on him and he on her. He’s been by biding his time for months and when they finally meet over this suspect, their sparks do more than fly. They explode.

Another great addition to her Alpha Crew series with this fast-paced novella. My only regret is that Griffin chose not to make it full length. I just wanted more of them together. Explosive characters. Attention grabbing and an overall exciting read.

Full review to be published online in mid September.

TOTAL CONTROL is the fourth book in Laura Griffin's ‘Alpha Crew’ series. As with the other books in the series, this is a very quick read, barely novella length passing itself off as a full length book. Basically, FBI agent Alexa Mays needs some help on US soil so she seeks out her favorite SEAL in the Alpha Crew, Jake Heath. Jake is reluctant to get involved with her case, but comes through in the end. As always, there is a lot of action. Some of the backstory is a bit confusing if you are not keeping up with the series. It can be read standalone; but the series is definitely better read in order.

Laura Griffin is one of my go-to authors for an action-packed read; but I think I’ll stick with ‘Tracers’. They are full length books with more well rounded plotlines and characters.

Thank you netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was a short military romance. Alexa and Jake have an undeniable attraction to each other but her fears of getting hurt and damaging her career as an agent makes it difficult for them to be together. She asks for his help on a recon mission and he helps her while showing her that he can be trusted with her heart. It was a decent novel if it weren't for the fact that Alexa took the backseat on this recon mission and I felt he played the protective hero a little too much as is typical in this genre. Hopefully the next book will be better.

It was okay. I really had a hard time he into it and it kept my attention some. Not sure why that was. Like nothing I could definitely say that’s what turned me off.

Total Control – Laura Griffin

I was fortunate to receive this book as an Advance Reader Copy from Netgalley, in exchange for an objective review. This review will also publish to my blog, tropicaldelusions.blog, a few days before publication.

Several months ago, Navy SEAL Jake Heath & FBI Special Agent Alexa Mays chanced to meet when their respective agencies worked together on a counterterrorism mission. Jake, entranced by Alexa, left her some messages hoping to see her again, but they were never returned. As members of his SEAL team gather to celebrate a training victory, Alexa appears – and she’s hoping for Jake’s help on a case she’s currently running. Fearful of an attraction to a soldier who will be away on missions, Alexa tried to keep it all business.

Jake, surprised by Alexa’s sudden appearance after months of no contact, initially says no, and sends Alexa on her way. But he cannot deny the attraction that still sizzles between them, so he changes his mind, arrives at her apartment, only to scare off an apparent intruder. Alexa also has noticed a possible tail in the past several days – a black truck.

As they join forces to stop a would-be terrorist who’s running free in California, they try and fail to fight the growing attraction between them…but can they find and stop the terrorist in time?? And what will happen to Alexa’s heart when the mission is over?

This was a suspenseful, action-packed read that sucked me in immediately, and I read it easily in one sitting. Filled with the fast-paced drama and colorful characters that we’ve come to expect from Laura Griffin, this book will not disappoint!! Even better, it is the 4th in a series, but silt read as a stand-alone too! Happy reading!!

Suspenseful, sweet and sexy, I liked everything about this book. My main complaint is that I wanted more of it. Total Control is essentially novella-length, so it gets right into the action and doesn’t let up until the very end. This fast-paced adventure follows Jake, a Navy SEAL who has been crushing on an FBI agent for months, though she doesn’t give him the time of day. When Alexa reaches out to Jake for assistance with an unofficial case, he sees it as an opportunity to spend real time with her before he’s due back on a mission. What follows is the two teaming up to gather information, and growing closer as time flies by.

True romantic suspense, this has a fully developed task for the couple to accomplish together. There’s plenty of action, but mixed in with that are great moments that draw Jake and Alexa together. I really loved Jake’s steadfast determination to make it work with Alexa, and he definitely brought down some of her walls. The only downside is the length of the book. It would’ve been unrealistic to try to fit a full relationship into the span of a few days, but things feel decidedly unfinished at the end of the book. I would’ve loved a little more time for the relationship to develop, more details about who they are as individuals, or an epilogue to get an update on how things are going. It’s a realistic book with great writing that never has a dull moment. I received an ARC from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review about this suspenseful and romantic read.

ARC received for review

I wanted to love this book, because I loved Jake and Alexa's chemistry in the first books. I had to put it down and walk away for a day cause it was boring me. I did finish, and it got better, but I just didn't love it.

Suspense, Romance, Alpha Hero/Heroine . Yup they are both pretty much Alphas and I think Jake had the more giving soul but they were good together. In and out of bed :) All books in this series can be read as stand alone. But why limit your self, grab and binge read. Seal and FBI win-win. I have to admit, I like that Jake kept popping up and surprising Alexa, getting by her on a stakeout etc. I did flip the page when I got to the end of the book, I was like wait, what? Wasn't a cliff hanger per say but I don't feel there was a conclusion. All in all and enjoyable read. Thank you Berkley and NetGalley for the arc. All thoughts an opinions are my own and were unsolicited.

Even though this e-book is part of a series, it isn't necessary to read the other books first. As usual, Ms Griffin continues to excel with the romantic suspense genre. All I need to see is her name to know that I will always get a superior read. I received an e-book from NetGalley in return for an unbiased review.

Total Recall is a suspense story that will hold you on the edge of your seat. A sexy seal and a FBI agent team up to stop a terrorist and stop fighting their love attaction. A page turner You'll love reading.

The threat of a possible terrorist attack has FBI Agent Alexa Mays on high alert. Although told to concentrate on different case, her “gut instinct” is telling her to continue her pursuit of a wanted extremist. Alexa contacts Navy SEAL and Alpha Crew member Jake Heath to seek his help. Although they had met before and were attracted to each other, Alexa did not respond when Jake tried to reconnect. Now they would be working together as they feel sure that a bomb has been assembled to cause as much death and destruction as possible. Since they are working on their own, without the official backing of her agency or the SEALs, they continue to search for clues. When they finally catch a break, will they find the bomber in time? An exciting adventure as Jake and Alexa fight to capture the bomber and save lives. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (by paytonpuppy)

Good story, it just felt a little rushed and I found the ending very abrupt, that being said I liked both the hero Jake and the heroine Alexa both characters appealed to me, I just really wanted to read more about them and get more background information.

A big thank you to NetGalley and Gallery/Pocket Books for the ARC. I am voluntarily reviewing this book. This is part of a series, but reads well as a stand alone. Make and Lexus obviously have a history and amazing chemistry. This is a short, quick read and very fast paced. Lots of action A smidge confusing about her freedom within the FB I and what's the deal with her boss. Some unanswered questions but overall a fun read. 3.5 stars

Total Control has a smoking hot, Navy Seal and a ballsy, female FBI agent trying to track down a possible terrorist plot. In the midst of all that action, Jake is trying to get a reluctant Alexa to give him a chance.

This went form zero to 60 and didn't stop until the end. For a novella it had a lot going on and felt like a full length book. Jake is a total alpha male, so of course I loved him. While I wanted Alex to stop pushing him away, I liked her character. I'm a big fan of heroines who can kick butt.

Since the suspense was from start to finish, it really made this book easy to completely devour. There is no getting bored in this story.

I've read all the Alpha Crew books and have enjoyed all of them. I hope there will be more!

3 1/2

I have loved the other novels in Laura Griffin’s Alpha Crew Series. They are a great blend of sensuality and action. While Total Control also possesses that combination, I was not as engrossed as I had been with the previous novels.

We briefly met Alexa Mays, the FBI agent in Cover of Night (read my review here). In Total Control she’s our female main character and probably the source of my issue with this novel. She’s pretty much devoid of personality, unlike the women who had been at the center of the previous novels. Perhaps it’s because she’s an FBI agent who is constrained by her job, but her main emotion seems to be “fuming.” We don’t really get to know her, with the exception that she had to be tough to compete in a man’s field.

Jake, however, is sexy and unstoppable, although I wish that more thought had gone into his blowing off his dad’s camping trip. That gave me a real “ugh” moment. I also wish that he had a woman who was his equal.

Much of the first part of the novel is setting up for the action and letting Jake and Alexa get to know each other so it seemed like a slow start for me, especially for a Laura Griffin novel. The last third to quarter more than made up for it.

For readers of this action-packed, steamy series, Total Control is a must read. For others, you might want to start at the beginning and get a taste of the other novels with their sexy SEAL heroes and kickass heroines.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

It felt like I started the book halfway through. Jake and Lexie had a thing but she's been ghosting him for months is how the book started. Other than that I did like, Total Control.

I have been waiting on Alexa and Jake story for a long time. I loved them from the beginning and wanted to see what Laura would with their story. The story was little short for me and no epilogue. Hopefully we get more about them in coming stories. The story was jammed packed with action but we also get a lot of romance between MC. The wait for me was worth it and thank you for lending me an arc because I have been dying to read this story for a long time.