Series Review: Controlling Interest by Amelia Wilde

Series Review: Is this series worth your time? Does it get better as the novels progress? Or does it get worse? Find out below:

Synopsis for Blackmail (from Goodreads):

Bristol Anderson will do anything to protect her younger siblings. Even if it means embezzling from the company where she’s a temp. No one will find out. And the wealthy owner of the venture capitalist firm will never notice.

Except Will LeBlanc doesn’t miss a thing.

He could call the police, but he has more interesting plans for her. In the copy room. On the conference table. Under his desk.

The coldhearted capitalist will make her pay back every last cent.

Author: Amelia Wilde
Series: Controlling Interest | Midnight Dynasty Series
# of Books: 3 (Full Reading Order Here)
Book Order: Chronological
Complete?: Yes
Genre: Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Erotica
Heat Rating: Smokin’ (Kink: minor)
Point of View: First Person, Alternating
Publication Dates: August 2022 – January 2023
Source & Format: Kindle Unlimited–eBook

Why I Picked it Up / My Expectations:

While the Midnight Dynasty Universe is all about the Constantines and the Morellis, the LeBlancs have grabbed a piece of my heart and I couldn’t wait to get Will’s story after his appearances in The Collector Trilogy and Hughes Trilogy.

The Concept – Midnight Dynasty:

The Midnight Dynasty Universe is a collection of books (series and standalones) by different authors but feature the characters from a collective world. They’re intended to be read in any order because each series focuses on two characters at a time but there are chronological events and character interactions throughout the universe.

The Plot:

Like a few trilogies in this universe, I think this series would have been stronger as a duology or at the very least, had some of the dramatic plots in Coercion (#3) been put in Extortion (#2) to balance out that book. It just made the pacing of this series seem weird.

The plot is rather melodramatic at times. I mean, the whole premise of Blackmail (#1) had me scratching my head a bit because it could have been executed much better I think. And the plot in the sequels is more suspense and action rather than straight up romantic drama.

But there are these great character moments along the way too that help bring heart back to the story which is what I was drawn to as the reader.

The Characters:

From the start of the series to the end, Will’s character evolution is the focus. I really loved watching him break out of this hard shell that he has encased himself in. Learning why he is the way he is and watching him navigate his feelings for Bristol and her family melted my heart.

While Bristol has some character arcs to overcome too, I think she is really just the catalyst for the change in Will and as a result can come across as one-dimensional.

The Romance:

I liked the chemistry these two had. I could see why they would be drawn together in such a short amount of time. And in the sequels, I liked how their pasts and presents collided to strengthen and make that bond something deeper.

Sinclair’s Book?:

Will’s brother Emerson is the lead in The Collector Trilogy and their other brother, Sinclair, was supposed to get his own book but it was cancelled. It’s just a bummer because I feel like it was teased enough throughout the Midnight Dynasty Universe that I know we are missing out on one thrilling story!

Midnight Dynasty’s Reading Order:

Here is my suggested order for this universe based on my own reading experience:

Cinderella Trilogy (K Webster)
Starcrossed Lovers (Jade West)
Beast of Bishop’s Landing (Amelia Wilde)
Hearts Trilogy (M O’Keefe)
The Collector Trilogy (Amelia Wilde)
Wicked Idol [Hellfire Series #1] (Becker Gray)
Lessons in Sin (Pam Goodwin)
Dark Dream Duet (Giana Darling)
The Arranged Marriage Trilogy (Monica Murphy)
Deception Duet (K Webster)
Wonderland Trilogy (Alta Hensley)
Hughes Trilogy (Skye Warren)
Controlling Interest (Amelia Wilde)
Desert Island Trilogy (Skye Warren & Amelia Wilde)

Series Rating: 3/5

Blackmail 3.5/5 | Extortion 3/5 | Coercion 3/5

If you want a binge-able series with lots of heat and slightly darker edge to it, this might be worth your time. Amelia Wilde‘s writing style will be happy with this new series by her. It’s a nice little branch-out from the Morelli/Constantine battle for fans of the Midnight Dynasty Universe.

Read if You Like: office romance, romantic suspense
Avoid if You: dislike erotica