Control Freak: Foster Bro Code, Book 3

I love this author’s writing, and I especially enjoy this series, The Foster Bro Code, the stories of four foster brothers that have created their own found family, then move on to find the loves of their lives to grow and complete the original family group. The first book has Grey finding his love Emory, book two has Alex finding Dalton, and book three has Holden finding his love Shiloh. Holden is the oldest, badly abused as a child, living his life as touch averse since, craving the comfort of touch but unable to fight the memories and trust the touch of anyone, even the family he loves. Looking for a way to meet needs he can’t get in the usual way, he develops a relationship with a camboy, Shiloh, first through online purchases, then moving to private showings that develop into a friendship where the two share information about themselves, their dreams, thoughts and desires. When Shiloh is threatened by neighborhood thugs, Holden comes to his rescue, driving hours away to bring Shiloh back to the family home for safety. As Shiloh settles in, Holden must deal with his desires to be able to touch Shiloh, to hold him and comfort him, to find a way to conquer this crippling fear and let the one person he trusts — Shiloh — into his life, his heart and his arms. The developing relationship between the two, the care Holden shows Shiloh, the support and understanding Shiloh shows Holden as he is willing to do whatever he can, and as slowly as needed, to help Holden overcome his…

4.25 stars. Oh my GOSH, this book (⸝⸝ ♡﹏♡⸝⸝) These characters own my soul, I love them all so much. I love the brothers, I loved getting to see Emory and Dalton (づᴗ _ᴗ)づ♡, I KNEW Holden's story would be my favorite so far, and it absolutely was! His story was so heartbreaking, I wondered how he and Shiloh would get around his trauma, and it was done even more beautifully than I could've imagined (っ-ᯅ-ς)՞°·. My one complaint is all the therapy talk. I just feel like there are always more interesting ways to show healing without sitting through sessions and endless conversations and repeated assurances, and I was just bored and sighing my way through those. Luckily, they're not often, and the story stays very fun outside of those moments. I love Holden's relationship with Bailey, his cute bond with Banshee, and his love for Shiloh most of all. Shiloh broke my heart and I just wanted all the good things for him, HE DESERVES ALL THE GOOD THINGS AND I'M SO GLAD HOLDEN CAN GIVE HIM THAT (˚ ˃̣̣̥⌓˂̣̣̥ )づ♡ Words cannot express how psyched I am for Bailey's story. I was eating up every crumb of Bailey and Flynn that we got, Bailey's crush is the cutest thing in the world, and I absolutely can't wait for their book (♡ˊ͈ ꒳ ˋ͈) As usual, this was just such a fun time. I sobbed, I laughed, I just got to enjoy being with the foster bros again and I always love getting to do that (ꈍᴗꈍ)♡ I wish it wasn't ending soon, I wish we could get 10 more books with all of them, but I will be here…

This book was incredible. It was so hard to put down and adult. The story between Holden and Shiloh was done so well. The patience, the love, the trust, the care, the brothers, the found family, it all came together in this incredibly beautiful story. It was like watching a dance and it filled me with so many emotions. It has left me with a full heart and I’m so glad I found this series. I can’t wait for Bailey’s story!

One of the things I love about this series is the author drops hints during the previous book about the next relationship. What we got was some vague instances when Holden disappeared to the privacy of his room. And of course the big hint when Axel saw the screen. This was an emotional book that had me engrossed from the first page. Holden has such trauma with such an initial situation that seemed impossible to overcome, including years and years of therapy. I was so frustrated FOR him. Shiloh's situation also seemed hopeless. These two were just destined for each other and their journey, filled with ups and downs was gratifying to follow. We of course, get all the brothers and their businesses re- visited, some new faces and Bailey's book to look forward to read. The tatoo scene was amazing, as well as each wall Holden, with Shy's help, was able to breakdown.

*CW: Holden suffers from haphephobia (touch aversion) due to ābuse as a young child.* “This touch wasn’t one I’d been forced to tolerate. It was more emotional, more comforting.” I wondered how DJ was going to write about Holden's touch aversion in a romance. I thought the subject was approached with such care, thanks to a sensitivity reader. When Holden’s camboy connection, Shiloh, finds himself in trouble Holden rushes to help him hide out at the Foster brothers house in Riverton. Sloooowly the two men form a more intimate connection, the emotions first and then even touch that makes Holden crave more. Together they discover touches that don’t trigger Holden’s panic attacks and he wonders if this is a real chance at a relationship. He wants one so bad after watching 2 of his brothers find love in the most unlikely of places. Shiloh wants to be more to Holden than just a connection through a computer. His patience and understanding (and his friendship with the bros and especially Emory, Gray’s boyfriend) and acceptance of Holden’s limitations are sweet to see. He wants to belong somewhere, with a family. This was a great addition to what is quickly becoming a favourite series. Highly recommend.