Forbidden Games by Katee Robert is two books in one! Make Me Want and Make Me Crave

Make Me Want:
- We meet Lucy an attorney hoping for partner at her law firm. She had a really sh!tty break up that has left her with insecurity and little desire to re-enter the dating world. However, it's unlikely she'll make partner unless she's married. Enter, Gideon, a head hunter - oh and her ex's best friend. In desperation she asks him to help find her a husband... oh and to ensure she's better in bed...

Make Me Crave

We meet Allie, a struggling nonprofit and women's gym owner, as she embarks on a week's vacation in the caribbean with her friend, Becca (Becca is Lucy's sister from book 1). Enter Roman, he follows Allie on her trip to convince her to sell her company to his private client. They have one steamy night before they realize who each other are - can they set aside their feelings?

Both books are 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ spicy!
I think book one flowed better and the storyline just flew by. I liked their chemistry. Book two was decent overall but I didn't vibe as much with the characters - they had a bit of insta love.

Averaging out my ratings for each book gets me 3.6 which I'll round up to 4 stars.

I so badly wanted to adore this. I mean, it's Katee Robert! Her Neon Gods series was like crack to me when I read it. After not loving the last one I read from her though and now this one, I'm thinking that maybe she isn't for me anymore. Hopefully its just a fluke though! I've never been HUGE on short stories, anyways - and a short story romance especially because everything just moves so fast (obviously) and I don't get the tension and yearning that I devour every single time. I'm excited to give Katee another go with a full length book hopefully soon!

Hot, spicy, just what I needed. I am fan of this author and looked forward to this read. The characters, plot were all *chef kiss*. Another one to add to my favs!

Tropes: enemies to lovers

Make Me Want - Lucy Baudin’s ex did a number on her self-esteem, but she’s about to make partner at her law firm and it’s time to get her groove back. So she hires Gideon Novak, cutthroat headhunter and her ex’s best friend, to give her lessons in control. Gideon has pined for her for years, and now, teaching her about touch, trust and letting go is opening up a world of risks. Is this a mistake for them both? Or will they each find something they never knew they wanted?

Make Me Crave - Of all the private islands in all the world, he kayaked into hers. Allie Landers just enjoyed the best vacation sex with an irresistible stranger—only to find out he’s no stranger. Dealmaker Roman Bassani has been pressuring Allie into taking on investors for her women-focused fitness company. After that accidental encounter, they agree to put business aside for one week. Then it’s back to the real world—and their real rivalry. What happens to their opposing interests when they return from paradise?

Call the fire department! 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

I love the characters. I love the stories. Robert is a masterful storyteller. Chef's kiss perfect. 5⭐

I received an advanced complimentary digital copy of this book from Netgalley. Opinions expressed are my own.

Forbidden Games offers a steamy and engaging collection of contemporary romances that dive into the complexities of desire, trust, and the risks of falling for the wrong person. In the first story, Make Me Want, Lucy Baudin hires Gideon Novak, her ex’s best friend, to help her reclaim control of her life and her self-esteem. The chemistry between them is undeniable, and Robert excels at building tension as Lucy learns to navigate vulnerability while Gideon deals with his own long-buried feelings. In Make Me Crave, the second novella, the sparks fly even hotter when Allie Landers, a fitness entrepreneur, unknowingly hooks up with Roman Bassani, the very dealmaker who's been pressuring her into a business deal. Their rivalry, combined with an unexpected island encounter, makes for a sizzling backdrop of passion and conflict.

While the two novellas are fast-paced and undeniably steamy, the character development occasionally takes a backseat to the chemistry and drama. The conflicts and romantic arcs are fairly predictable, and the emotional depth of the characters could have been explored more deeply, especially given the intensity of their relationships. Still, Robert's skill in creating tension, both emotional and physical, ensures that readers will be hooked. Fans of high-stakes romance with plenty of heat will enjoy the dynamic between the couples, even if the resolutions feel a bit too tidy. Overall, Forbidden Games delivers the romance and steam fans of Katee Robert’s work expect, with enough tension and passion to keep things exciting.

Forbidden Games was previously published as two separate titles: Make Me Want and Make Me Crave, but now they're released in one volume. Katee Robert is spicy, and this is no exception. Levels of spiciness are subjective, of course, but we're talking explicit language and deeds here. So if you don't want to read dirty names and actions, this is not the book for you. It was fine for me. lol I think Lucy and Gideon are my favorite pair, but I enjoyed Allie and Roman too. If you need a little heat this winter, check out Forbidden Games.

Katee Robert never misses! As always, this was a deliciously smutty pair of stories that challenged some harder themes in relationships while still keeping it light and fun.

Forbidden Games is a collection of two short stories set in the same world. In the First story, Make Me Want, Lucy ropes her ex's former best friend into finding her a husband so she can make partner at her law firm. Gideon feels like he owes her after waiting to tell her about her cheating ex, so he reluctantly agrees, even though he thinks the idea is crazy. It also happens that Gideon is crazy for Lucy, and always has been. The two have "lessons" to teach Lucy to be more confident, but what starts as a way to help Lucy quickly becomes more for both of them.

In Make Me Crave, Allie is dodging Roman because she doesn't want to sell her business. Roman is relentless and follows her to a tropical island - the problem is, they've never seen each other IRL, and are shocked to find that the person they had a one night stand with happens to be the person they are seeking or avoiding. They agree to leave business out of their chemistry for the length of their stay in paradise, But the vacation has to end eventually - will Roman be able to convince Allie that selling her business is in her best interest?

This was a typical Katee Robert adventure - super spicy but with an actual plot. I wasn't super invested in the stories, but they were entertaining enough that I finished the stories. If you already like Katee Robert, or are looking for something short and spicy, I would definitely recommend picking this up!

3.75 ⭐
2 🌶️
Tropes/themes: Insta-lust, vacation fling, beach fling, he falls first + harder
Dual POV 1st person
So I need to start off by saying this book has two stories in one, and I did not read the first story, about Lucy and Gideon. There’s a few names I won’t read as FMCs, and Lucy is one of them. It’s my fault for not checking. Thus, this review is ONLY about the second part which focuses on Allie and Roman.
This is book 2 in the Make Me duology series, and was a quick and satisfying read. Even though it was short I got sucked into the story. I do think this one is better read before the first book, Illicit Temptations, based on the timelines.

I would like to thank NetGalley and Harlequin - Romance for allowing me to read and ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Katee Robert is one author I will literally read anything and everything by, because it's a guilty pleasure. Forbidden Games is a 2-in-1 book featuring the stories Make Me Want and Make Me Crave. Both are super steamy, super romantic and excellent reads with imperfect but loveably sexy male and female leads, strong chemistry, and unspeakably hot and spicy relationships. I really loved this book and couldn't put it down! Even my husband was like "you're reading another dirty book, aren't you"? Lol. Yes; guilty.

Make Me Want follows Lucy, a strong and sassy defense attorney, trying to find a husband after being cheated on in her last relationship. She reaches out to an old friend Gideon for matchmaking help (and sex lessons) but the arrangement gets a little tricky when they each secretly fall for the other. But Lucy doesn't want to risk their friendship and Gideon doesn't want to take advantage of her. Despite being basically perfect for each other with great chemistry, these two make everything awkward and difficult.

I loved watching their relationship develop and fumble and held out hope the whole time that they'd stop being stupid and just get together. I mean, I wish I had a 'friend' like Gideon to 'help' me! Whew!

Make me Crave follows Allie, a strong but struggling businesswoman who takes a vacation to a paradise island with her friend Bekah (Lucy's sister) only to run into Roman, a desperate business consultant who has been trying to get Allie to let an investor help her save her business. Unbeknownst to Allie, Roman had tracked her to the island to talk business. An anonymous one-night stand brings them together for a steamy sexy vacation fling, and once they both realize who the other person actually is, they have instant regrets. However, the sex is so good they put business aside for their week-long fling. But Roman is determined to get Allie to see everything his way, and Allie remains stubborn to his attempts until they return to New York. The push-pull relationship was very frustrating but somehow still satisfying. Finding a sexy, no-strings-attached fling-buddy on vacation in paradise is almost every girl's secret fantasy! but of course there were strings. And feelings. *Sigh*

Fans of Katee Robert and sexy, spicy romances will love this book! It is definitely my Romance Book Club's next read. You don't want to miss this one!

This two in one book was perfect for whenever I couldn't decide on what to read but knew I wanted some good spice that Katee knows how to provide.
I really enjoyed Lucy and Gideons story the most with the friends to lovers but also the forbidden aspect of it.

3.5 - ⭐⭐⭐ 💫

“You don’t believe the words, and I don’t blame you for that. But, if you won’t listen to me when I tell you that you’re a fucking goddess personified, then I’ll show you.”

Forbidden Games consists of two standalone adult contemporary romances following two billionaires as they meet their matches. Both stories are set in the same world and characters do cross over but you can read them separately. This is also a rerelease of older books by the author that I believe were indie published.

The first story follows Lucy and Gideon as Lucy reaches out to her old friend to help matchmake...and for some lessons to spice up her sex life. The second follows Allie and Roman after a holiday hook up that scratches to a halt when it is revealed Roman is a dealmaker looking to strike a bargain for Allie to sell her business to Roman's investor. Can these two couples fight the chemistry to keep things on track or will they find something new they didn't realize they needed?

If you're looking for good spice and a light story these two will do the trick!

They're pretty short stories you can read in a few hours, there is plenty of spice throughout, and a plot that keeps things going. The characters bump heads, challenge each other, and there are third act breakups but the chemistry is on FIRE. I feel, for me, I wished there was a bit more of an extended epilogue to see them after that.

I found I enjoyed Gideon and Lucy's story more with the unrequited love, the bargain, and the jealousy while the trickster element of Roman was a little off putting. I also felt the whole set up about him not being able to reveal the client name to be a pretty easy fix for it being drawn out. That said we get banter, slices of life, and some strong side characters to keep us in line...or shake things up.

The spice is about 4 spicy peppers out of 5 spicy peppers. There is spice pretty early on in each story and continues throughout. There are multiple scenes that are detailed and explicit. There is dominance, dirty talk, and play. I thought the spice was well written.

Overall, I found this to be perfect for someone not looking to invest too hard and is mainly there for the spice!

Thank you Harlequin for this review copy!

Thank you so much for the opportunity to read and review this! Anything by Katee Robert is an auto read for me. Her writing is ~Per-fec-tion~. Then sprinkle in Billionaires and work place romance?! Swooning. This book has two great story's in one. Thank you for the opportunity to read and review!

Perfect for fans
Billionaire & millionaire 💸
Opposites attract ☯️
Workplace romance 💼
No-strings 🧵
Holiday romance 🌴

Make Me Want
Lucy Baudin is full of insecurity after her break up, but she’s about to make partner at her law firm and it’s time for her to regain control. So she hires Gideon Novak, cut-throat headhunter and her ex’s best friend, to give her confidence lessons in the bedroom. Despite their sizzling chemistry, Gideon has always kept his distance, but now, teaching her about touch, trust and letting go is opening up a world of risks. Is this a mistake for them both? Or will they each find something they never knew they wanted?

Make Me Crave
Of all the private islands in all the world, he kayaked into hers. Allie Landers just enjoyed the best holiday sex with an irresistible stranger – only to find out he’s no stranger. Dealmaker Roman Bassani has been pressuring Allie into taking on investors for her women-focused fitness company. After their accidental one-night stand, they agree to put business aside for one week. Then it’s back to the real world – and their real rivalry. What happens to their opposing interests when they return from paradise?

Loved it! Great stories, great romance/connections and lots of great smut! Katee never disappoints! Books one is a friends to lovers while he tried to set her up in an arranged marriage and book two is more of an enemies to lovers where hes trying to buys her failing business as an investor, which a tropical vacation!

This was a delightful short read, perfect for a cozy, snowy day. The pacing and tone made it an easy escape from reality, offering just the right amount of spice to keep me hooked. However, by the end, I found myself hoping for more. While engaging, it felt like it could have benefited from a bit more depth on the MCs. Overall, it was a solid three-star read that I’d recommend for a quick escape.

Received as an ARC, but all opinions are my own.

Wow! I had so much fun reading this book that I did it in two days! The first story is the story of Gideon and Lucy, sort of a second chance, office romance. I didn't quite square with Lucy's desire to get married in the beginning, but it all served a valuable purpose - giving the audience the gift of Lucy and Gideon's chemistry! The story was good, the spice well-written and generous, and a quick read that left me ready to read the next Katee Robert story. Thankfully, there was another one waiting in this book! The second story is Allie and Roman. This story made me into an official Katee Robert fan. I dug the vacation vibes, Allie's reluctance, and the overall story. The spice again is well-written and generous. The author clearly knows what she is doing. I am off to find another one of her books to read!

I just finished Forbidden Games by Katee Robert, and I’m completely obsessed! The characters are so passionate and well-written that they had me hooked right away. From the moment I started reading, I couldn’t put it down. I flew through the entire book in just two days because I had to know how everything would turn out.

I was so excited to get an ARC of this from Harlequin. Make Me Want and Make Me Crave are two of the authors older romance novellas and they were combined to create this book.
I really liked both stories. Even though they were both short and spicy, I was so invested in the relationships and seeing how it would all play out in the end.
I really enjoy a lot of the author’s romance books and I love her writing. There are some books/series of hers that are decidedly not my thing, but I love that she has a large backlist of various subgenres to try! Definitely recommend this one.

Two stories following friends who find love unexpectedly. The spice was 10/10. Quick easy read that was hard to put down.

Katee Robert does no wrong. i read the two short stories in one sitting and I wanted MOREEEE! The tension the both relationships was clear and the smut was too goooooood.