Review: Under Control by B.B. Hamel

Plot Summary

I showed up at the wrong house wearing nothing but a fuzzy robe.

And I ended up stripping in front of a stranger.

I agreed to pose nude for a talented artist friend of mine since I could really use the extra money, but it went all wrong.

Now the most gorgeous man I’ve ever seen is staring right at me like he’s about to claim a prize.

Turns out, this handsome stranger is the dangerous head of a Russian Bratva, and his arranged fiancee ran out on him at the last minute.

And I’m apparently good enough to take her place.

Valentin Zeitsev is brutally dangerous and horribly scarred, and I shouldn’t let a little accidental nudity lead directly into marriage.

But my family’s deep in debt and harboring some dark secrets, and I need Valentin’s help if I’m going to get through this nightmare.

Only when I say I do, what else is he going to take from me?

My Review

Rating: ★★★☆ ☆(3/5)

Under Control by B.B. Hamel is an intense and steamy dark mafia romance, blending dangerous alliances with a slow-burn love story that builds tension both inside and outside the bedroom. The novel begins with a twist of fate: Karine, a struggling bartender, stumbles into the wrong house to pose for an artist and finds herself face-to-face with Valentin Zeitsev, the powerful head of the Russian Bratva. Seizing the opportunity, Valentin proposes a marriage of convenience, setting off a chain of events that binds their futures—and their hearts—together.

The romance between Karine and Valentin grows from reluctant partnership to undeniable passion. What begins as a transactional arrangement steadily evolves into a deeper, emotionally charged connection. Karine’s initial vulnerability is met with Valentin’s unyielding protectiveness, creating a magnetic push and pull between them. As the walls around them come down, their bond deepens into a love built on trust, loyalty, and undeniable chemistry.

The mafia world is richly drawn, adding layers of danger and intrigue to every interaction. Valentin’s life is ruled by power struggles, rival families, and brutal codes of honor, all of which heighten the stakes for Karine as she’s pulled further into his violent world. As secrets about her own family’s ties to the Armenian Brotherhood surface, the story gains even greater complexity, tying personal loyalties to criminal alliances in a way that feels organic and gripping.

B.B. Hamel expertly balances high-stakes action with raw emotion, creating a story that feels both thrilling and intimate. Under Control is a compelling read for those who love their romance wrapped in danger, heat, and just the right amount of emotional vulnerability.