Review: Taking Control by Jen Frederick (Kerr Chronicles #2)

Note: This ARC was provided by Montlake Romance via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Victoria "Tiny" Corielli and Ian Kerr are very much in love but their relationship is, by no means, perfect. Tiny's still trying to adjust to her new life with Ian, especially when it comes to accepting his oftentimes extravagant generosity. On the other hand, Ian is used to answering to no one, but having Tiny in his life has made him more circumspect. As they try to create a life together, Ian's enemies intend to show him that he isn't as invincible as he may seem, even if it requires getting to him through the woman who means the world to him. To survive all the incoming threats, Ian and Tiny will need to take back control together.

Taking Control is the second novel in the Jen Frederick-penned Kerr Chronicles series and is an expanded and revised re-release of the original edition that come out in August 2014. This book takes place right after the events of its predecessor, Losing Control, with Tiny Corielli and Ian Kerr even more committed to each other. They've both experienced the loss of their parents, but now they need to have a united front when they go up against those who want to put Ian in his place and try to wrangle power away from him, both personally and professionally. There are also new characters that are introduced in this second book.

The most obvious difference between the two books is that the first book was told from the point of view of Tiny and this second one is told mostly from Ian's point of view but still including a few from Tiny's. I must admit that I did like reading the story through Ian's eyes because he was somewhat of a mystery for most of Losing Control. Here, we see just how deep his love for Tiny is and that he also has his own moments of insecurity when it comes to their still fairly new relationship. The guy's possessiveness is, at times, funny because he is constantly tempted to knock out whoever shows interest in Tiny but reins it in.

This book still has the same levels of romance and sex that I've come to expect from this series but there's also more of a suspense thriller feel to it compared to the first one. Someone's threatening both Tiny and Ian and there's certainly no shortage of potential suspects, so trying to figure out who the guilty party adds to the excitement factor. Also, Ian's business gets more attention here and it's a business that's always been lucrative for him and has given him a great deal of wealth and power, both of which he uses to control whomever he chooses to and that becomes a potential trigger for those at the receiving end of it.

The Kerr Chronicles has an interesting cast of characters and there are a few select individuals that you can't help but want to learn more about. Personally, I would love to read more of Jake Tanner, Tadashubu Kaga, and Steve (whose last name I don't recall being mentioned in either book). Jake's story will be told in Revealed to Him, which I'm not sure is still part of this series or is part of a spin-off series or is purely a standalone spin-off. Whatever the case may be, it's definitely on my TBR list because I'm hoping it'll be as good as the first two books. I loved reading Ian and Tiny's love story and give Taking Control 4.5 stars. ♥

Release Date: 04 August 2015

Date Read: 20 August 2015

Learn more about Jen Frederick here.

Purchase Taking Control on Amazon.