I loved this spicy retelling the chemistry between Jafar and Jasmine was electric! Definitely recommend this for fans of enemies to lovers and spice, I thought the ending was great!

In Desperate Measures, Katee Robert spins a sizzling tale where fairytale dreams get a dark, delicious makeover.

This retelling flips the script on Aladdin as Jasmine, our fierce heroine, finds herself in the grip of a dangerous bargain with the ruthless Jafar.

After one fateful night burns her former life to ashes, Jafar offers Jasmine a twisted choice: walk away with nothing or play his game and risk everything for a chance at freedom. Spoiler alert: it doesn't quite go as she plans!

Jasmine is no damsel here, she's fiery, defiant, and as intrigued by Jafar’s punishments as she is desperate to escape his cage. But as the line between control and surrender blurs, Jasmine finds herself questioning everything, even her plans to break free.

Robert brings major heat to every page, blending power plays, steamy tension, and a slow-burn romance that’s as addicting as it is dangerous.

If you're a fan of reimagined fairytales that are a bit darker and a lot spicier, Desperate Measures is a wickedly fun ride that'll have you rooting for both the villain and the vixen. Not for the faint of heart, but perfect for anyone ready for a steamy twist on a classic tale!

Let me start with the character art…it was perfect I loved it! Overall I thought this was an interesting spin on the villain. The spice was spicy but it didn’t reel me in like I wanted it to. Some parts felt slow and not cohesive. Definitely a lot of overshadowing themes that it just fell flat. If you want to see the villain Jafar get his HAE then you should read this book! Modern take on fairytales. Mafia, dark romance, forced proximity.

I had no idea what I was getting into when I read this book and wow was I surprised!!! And in the best way possible!! Like I didn't know I needed this smutty retelling of Jafar and Jasmine but goddamn I am so happy for it!! And how the rest of well beloved characters are involved!!!

As a huge Katee Robert fan, this one just didn't hit for me. I know that Robert can build amazing characters and work so much plot into a novella, so this one was a bit of a let down. Now, this does appear to be earlier work, and I am not sure the plot was really the point here, so it is interesting to see the growth as a writer over times.

As for the good stuff-the spice is spicy. This author doesn't disappoint on that and here even dabbles in darker romance/kink in ways that still center consent and romance. The world building is interesting and does make me want to read more in the series to see how all the stories connect. The seeds planted for Dark Olympus are also a fun treat.

My critiques-even by novella/short story standards, not much happens. The conflict is resolved in a few quick strokes of our-of-character actions. The "plot? what plot?" aspects are also slow moving most of the times, then a little incongruous at others. I think all this results from being very spoiled by the artistry of Robert's current works though, so YMMV.

I will still happily read this author and despite this not being a five star read for me, I do already have the rest of the series on hold at the library.

I read this series when it was first published and I really.enjoy them. This series is what really introduced me to Katee Robert's writing. While Desperate Measures isn't my favorite of the Wicked Villians Series, I still enjoy it as an introduction to Robert's world.
I like the added artwork to the story. They are very nice and add a cool touch to help visualize some of the scenes.
I also enjoy the added footnotes. I love getting more context or the authors insight of the story.

I had trouble deciding what to rate this book because I love Katee Robert’s work. Neon Gods is a favorite. But I had one hang up with this book. The start of the book comes off very aggressive. In the first pages Jafar and Yasmina have started their game and in the second chapter he’s pinning her down to take her virginity in the hallway of her father’s palace. To the authors credit she does put a footnote explaining that the first two chapters are a lot but it’s works because of the history between Jafar and Yasmina. However we don’t get to see any of that prior so it’s just being thrown into an aggressive CNC chase game that Yasmina can’t decide if she likes or not. I just found it somewhat jarring.
However this is a great book. It has a great cover. The pictures inside I loved. I love to see how the author think what they have written looks like. I just wish they were more. The footnotes added some great insight to the book. I’d be thinking someone and the author would then address it in the footnotes. Or it would be added explanation on what something happened. I am always here for the daddy kink trope and it’s done so well here. Yasmina is so strong and feisty. You spend the whole book rooting for her. And I was worried I wouldn’t be able to see the character of Jafar as sexy because of the old Jafar we all grew up with in the Disney movie but that wasn’t a problem. This Jafar is sleek, savue and in charge.

This author’s books have me in an absolute chokehold. I’ve read so many of them at this point, but this was my first one in the kind of Disney villain area. The book focuses on Jafar and kind of gives him this interesting mafia story background that has him falling in love with his boss’s daughter, and trying to figure out a way to control her. Much like all of this author’s books it is a fast read, and engaging read, and The spiciness is on point, but also the plot is engaging.

This is an absolutely beautiful edition. I loved the addition of the annotations and the pictures. These small things take an already smoldering story to the next level. Definitely worth a re-read if you have read before!

I have always had a bit of a crush on Aladdin, but this book gave me a bit of a thing for Jafar. I fell for him because he is the definition of morally grey and definitely practiced CNC with Jasmine, but he was always checking in on her every step of the way. When she made her move, he backed her 100%. He protected her when he needed to and he let lead when she needed to and did not walk away. Overall I felt like this book was fairly light and was an interesting fairy tale retelling. The deluxe edition was great, I enjoyed reading Katee's comments throughout the book.
I received this book as an e-ARC and would like to thank Katee Roberts and Sourcebooks Casablanca. I also purchased this book to have a print copy.

ughhh i love them so much.

i was so excited to reread this in its now trad published form and its still just as good! i love when the villain gets the girl and when he's just so down bad and obsessed with her. he would literally do anything for yasmina and the way they are with each other?! perfection. two people couldn't be made more for each other. I can't wait to read the rest of the series!

Thank you, NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was such a fun, spicy read! I've read a few other Katee Robert's novels, but never a Disney villain retelling. The plot was definitely a bit lacking, and I agree with other reviewers who say the ending came a little out of left field. But, we all know what we're here for, and Katee Robert's never disappoints with the spice! I read the deluxe version with additional bonus chapters and footnotes from the author. The footnotes in particular were really interesting to me. Getting insight into the author's thought/writing process was fascinating and this experience will have me reaching for more footnote editions when possible.

I never thought I would like Jafar but here we are… I love “retellings” and this one did not disappoint I can’t wait to read the rest of her works especially the villains.

I loved this villain gets the girl telling of Aladdin! The dual points of view create tension and are lots of fun as you are able to read what the characters are thinking. Can't wait to read the rest of the series!

I love love LOVED Jafar and Yasmina's story! What an interesting take on Aladdin, and enriched by the author's notes throughout on themes and tropes that interest her throughout her writing process. Like other works of Katee Robert, there's an eclectic mix of power, politics, smut, and romance. And the prints inside are gorgeous! I would definitely recommend to anyone who likes dark romance and twisted fairy tales.

Many thanks to NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I previously purchased and read via arc from the author back in 2019 and 2020. I was excited to re-read this and once again this story was just as captivating. I really enjoyed the added bonus of art and authors notes infused in this version.

If you love a retelling this is one you don't want to miss - this isn't the childhood version of Aladdin you remember. It's got an edge and way darker with Inferno level heat along with a twist you won't expect.

For those who always wondered how wicked Jafar was then hold onto your magic carpet because not only is this a man who knows what he wants but he's not one to let anything stand in the way of what he desires. .

Yasmina is tired of being told what to do and ready to take control. Will she finally get what she wants or will she find herself in another guilded cage? If she is strong enough to stand up to the one man who is out for revenge they might find they desire the same thing.

In order to avoid ruining her family she'll need to make a decision but what if its not the one that people expect? Cravings and desire will unleash something that neither of them expected.

When a new world is shown to Yasmina it will awaken desire and rebuild trust. As long as she remembers the one rule before her-everything will be ok.



A tale of Consent as Jafar and Jasmine journey through honesty and passion. Who will submit first? This F/F/M Inferno contains consensual nonconsent, abuse (parental, historical, mostly off-page), violence (briefly on-page), blood, guns, and explicit sex.





I received a copy from the author for a fair and honest review.

couldn't be more excited to see this book hit book stores everywhere. This book and series got me into erotic romance and it holds such a special place in my heart. It's so hot and absolutely addicting. Katee will always be an all time favorite author for me and she never misses.

I absolutely love Katee Robert's writing and she's somewhat of a comfort read author for me when I'm looking for PWP + 80:20 smut to plot ratio. 😂 I'm so happy with the redesign of this cover and the art inside is GORGEOUS. It's super exciting that this whole series will be getting this deluxe edition treatment!! The annotations are really neat to see as well!!

Desperate Measures for me isn't my all-time fave in the series, but it was definitely fun to reread. I enjoyed Jafar and Yasmina's hostility toward one another and their dynamic overall, but feel like I would have preferred a teeny tiny bit more plot that would've bumped this up to a 4 for me. There was just a little oomph missing for me, but that opening few chapters will live in my head rent free. 😊

If you like her Neon Gods series, Disney character, villain mafia romance with spice then you’ll love this series.
Jasmine falls for Jafar trying to get back at her father who uses her, sells her to Aladdin who is the villian of this story.


🔹mafia romance
🔹villain romance
🔹Disney characters

Short on story, long on spice. Sorta a Disney retelling of Jasmine & Jafar. The only thing that saved the book is, incredibly enough, the footnotes. Robert wrote this years ago and now has gone back and commented throughout on how she changed or stayed the same about actions within the story. The footnotes are interesting and witty at times, but the book isn't.