Review: Forbidden Games by Katee Robert

Thank you to NetGalley for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Katee Robert delivers yet another irresistible romance with Forbidden Games, a story that effortlessly blends sharp wit, sizzling chemistry, and heartfelt emotion. The novel unfolds in two compelling halves, each following a pair of characters whose lives become entangled in ways they never expected.

The first half introduces Lucy, a fiercely ambitious lawyer determined to secure a husband who can help her make partner at her firm. Enter Gideon—charming, disarming, and the last person she anticipated would become part of her carefully constructed plan. What begins as a strategic arrangement soon evolves into something far more genuine, as Gideon proves himself to be the partner Lucy didn’t know she needed. Their banter is electric, their connection undeniable, and their journey from convenience to real affection is both swoon-worthy and deeply satisfying.

The second half shifts focus to Roman and Allie, whose professional ambitions collide with their growing attraction in a high-stakes game of power and desire. The tension between them is palpable, and Robert masterfully balances their personal and professional conflicts, making their eventual resolution all the more rewarding.

True to Katee Robert’s signature style, Forbidden Games delivers plenty of spice without ever sacrificing emotional depth. The dialogue crackles with wit, the relationships feel authentic, and the pacing ensures you’ll be flipping pages well past bedtime. Whether you’re drawn to fake relationships, workplace tension, or simply a love story that feels as real as it is romantic, this book has something to offer.

Rating: 4/5 stars
Recommendation: A must-read for fans of contemporary romance that’s equal parts steamy and heartfelt. Katee Robert continues to prove why she’s a standout in the genre, and Forbidden Games is no exception. Clear your schedule—you’ll want to devour this in one sitting.

Forbidden Games offers a fresh twist on contemporary romance with an engaging blend of humor and sharp banter that kept me hooked throughout. The book is a collection of two previously released romance books by author Katee Robert. Originally part of the "Make Me" series, the two stories both focus on characters who are missing a little something extra in their lives and find it in the most unexpected ways, delivering original premises that feel both fun and inventive.

What I really enjoyed about this book was the lively interaction between all the characters — their witty exchanges added a lightheartedness that balanced the tension well. The stories are just the right length, moving at a pace that feels satisfying without dragging.

While it wasn’t a perfect read for me, and some elements could have been deeper, the overall experience was entertaining and unique. Fans of clever dialogue and fresh romance setups will likely appreciate what Forbidden Games brings to the table.

I will forever be a Katee fan! Her books are so fun and spicy! I have yet to read anything by Katee that I didn’t like. This one was fast and steamy and I would t expect anything less!

Two more winners from Katee. Spice is off the charts and plot is fantastic! Would recommend for serious smut readers.

Katee Robert is a must-read author for me. I always go in blind. She is a master of spice, but does not compromise on plot. This is actually two books in one, but you won't want to stop once you start.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and Katee Robert for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Forbidden Games brings double the steam and double the fun in two quick, spicy reads that are perfect for when you want romance with heat and a dash of drama.

In Make Me Want, Lucy is ready to shake off her insecurities and claim the confidence she lost post-breakup—starting with a little help from her ex’s best friend, Gideon. He’s all business…until she asks for lessons in letting go. Now the lines between professional and personal are definitely blurred.

In Make Me Crave, Allie and Roman go from steamy island fling to real-world rivals in a flash. She’s trying to grow her fitness brand without selling out, and he’s the investor who just won’t quit. They’ve agreed to keep their chemistry separate from business, but neither of them plays fair.

These two novellas deliver all the tension, banter, and heat you could want—with confident, take-charge heroes and women who give them a run for their money. Quick, fun, and packed with sparks!


Thank you to @harlequinbooks and @netgalley for #gifted ebook arc. All opinions expressed are my own.

True to Katee Robert's style, Forbidden Games is full of sexy romance galore. Containing two loosely linked novellas, this Robert's displays her skill at creating fun contemporary romcoms here.

Book 1, "Make Me Want," focuses on a woman name Lucy who is determined to find herself a husband in order to achieve her hard earned promotion at her law firm. She enlists Gideon, he ex-fiance's ex best friend, to find her the perfect man AND teach her how to be a freak in the sheets. Complicated feelings and unintentional pining ensues, of course.

Book 2, "Make Me Crave," is all about Roman, a business hot shot , looking to make a deal between a mysterious investor and Lucy, the owner of a woman's shelter/women's gym, who is quickly running out of money to support her non-profit. Lucy refuses to give Gideon the time of day, so he makes the bold decision to follow her to a an all-inclusive resort vacation to try and get a meeting. Unfortunately, before they can exchange names they meet at a bar and share a passionate night. Things get messy the next morning when they realize exactly who the other is.

These books include:
- friends to lovers
- how to lose a man in 10 days energy
- one night stand turned more
- sexy trists
- mistakes and miscommunication
- falling in love

Katee Robert always delivers. While I think her fantasy work may be my favorite (contemporary romance can be a bit predictable), Forbidden Games hits the spot. I recommend these books to anyone looking for a short, sexy contemporary romance. I will continue to be a fan of her books and will always look forward to her newest releases.

I received this eBook as an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley, Katee Robert, and Harlequin - Romance for the opportunity to review this book. This review has been posted across my socials under the username @tinynightingales, check out my GoodReads profile https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/62314863
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Forbidden Games by Katee Robert is a fast-paced, steamy rollercoaster that brings all the heat and danger you’d expect from her O’Malley series. This one is all about hidden agendas, forbidden chemistry, and the kind of tension that has you flipping pages like your life depends on it. Dmitri and Keira are such a chaotic, intense match—he's broody and dangerous, she's stubborn and sharp—and their push-and-pull had me hooked from the start.

What I love about Katee Robert is that she never skimps on the emotional layers, even when the plot is thick with mafia drama and political maneuvering. You can feel the weight of their choices and the consequences looming over every stolen moment. It’s sexy, angsty, and gives just the right amount of danger to keep things deliciously complicated. If you like your romance with bite, betrayal, and a whole lot of heat, Forbidden Games is a solid pick.

Both stories in this book are fun and hot, perfect for romance fans looking for a quick read. There is enough character development for the length of the stories but readers looking for an deep story may be disappointed.

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

Simple and spicy, Forbidden Games almost reads like two separate books tied together and, while it was enjoyable, it was just a bit dull for my liking.

These books were just exactly what I needed when traveling and a little under the weather. They are short and fast and steamy and were easy to get into and enjoy. These short stories are about a group of friends each finding their love story. They aren't super plot heavy based on length but were just enough to keep me engaged and bingeing while busy!

The stories were fun to read, not nearly as dark and kinky as other works by this author. They were both enjoyable and spicy and I would absolutely recommend them to anyone looking to get out of a reading slump.

I just finished reading Forbidden Games by Katee Robert, and it was a fun, spicy read! The book includes two interconnected romances, Make Me Want and Make Me Crave. The chemistry between the characters was off the charts, and the stories were quick and enjoyable.

Lucy and Gideon's relationship in Make Me Want was really engaging, and I loved how Lucy knew exactly what she wanted. Make Me Crave had a great vacation romance vibe with Allie and Roman, and the tension kept things exciting.

Overall, if you're in the mood for some steamy, quick reads, this book definitely delivers.

It's a Katee Robert, of course I loved it. I loved the dynamic between the characters and the spice. I'd definitely recommend it

Very quick interconnected romances from Katee Robert. I didn't super love any of the characters but was still happy they found their HEAs.

Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for providing me with an arc for an honest review.

Katee cannot do wrong when it comes to spice and to setting up worlds that you just want more of. I will devour anything that she puts out. Overall, this was a solid book, it felt a little slow, but got there in the end.

Make Me Want ⭐️⭐️⭐️
I really liked the relationship between Gideon and Lucy. I loved that Lucy knew exactly what she wanted and didn’t apologize for it. Gideon’s ability to show his vulnerability and honesty to Lucy was very attractive.
The third act conflict was a bit predictable but resolved quickly. Readers don’t have to wait long for the spice to hit and in true Katee Robert fashion it definitely delivers on heat.

Make Me Crave ⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was a steamy read with plenty of chemistry between the leads—Katee Robert definitely knows how to bring the heat! The tension keeps things exciting, and the fast pace makes it easy to devour in one sitting. I did wish there was a little more time to dig into the characters and their relationship.

Overall, Forbidden Games definitely brings the spice and intrigue. If you’re in the mood for two quick, sizzling romances, this compilation duet delivers!

Thank you to NetGalley, Katee Robert and Harlequin Romance for an early review copy. These are my honest thoughts.

This includes Make Me Want & Make Me Crave. Both are exceptional short steamy contemporary romances. Interconnected stand alones follow up with Illicit Temptations. Katee is an auto buy/read author for me. I’ve not read anything by her I haven’t liked yet.

Two stories. One spicy, sizzling read. 🔥
Make Me Want kicks off with Lucy, a successful but insecure lawyer, who hires her ex’s best friend, Gideon, to teach her some confidence—in the bedroom. The chemistry? Off the charts. But the tension between their past and present feelings makes things... complicated. A classic friends-to-lovers vibe, and while it didn’t reinvent the genre, it was so enjoyable.

Make Me Crave is a vacation romance with a twist. Allie, a gym owner, meets Roman, a man with ulterior motives. After a hot fling on a private island, they return to the real world and find themselves at odds. The lack of communication was so frustrating (I was yelling at them, tbh), but the tension and spice kept me hooked!

Both stories are easy, steamy reads where the guy knows exactly what he wants: her. If you love romance with heat and a bit of drama, this one’s for you!