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.

This is another amazing work from Katee Robert. This is a reprint with two books in one, and it does not disappoint.

Book one: This follows Lucy and Gideon. They're romance is a rollercoaster, but that makes sense since Gideon is the best friend of Lucy's ex. Talk about messy.
Book Two: What's one night on vacation spent with a stranger? Who may not be a stranger, but about to be a work partner? Yeah...

I'm pretty sure that Katee Robert is the queen at writing messy plots that have you hooked and ready for more.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the Publisher for the ARC.

Forbidden Games ARC
I received an ARC copy of this book and plan on buying a physical copy. I loved this book. This book does contain two shorter stories instead of one long one but they do connect and have overlapping characters. This book is a contemporary romance and not like the darker romances (neon gods/wicked villains) that Katee Robert has written. Short and spicy!

The first story is Make Me Want which covers Lucy and Gideon’s relationship. Lucy is old friends with Gideon and asks him to set her up with someone for her to marry so she can get a promotion at work. He accepts so she asks him for another favor and it’s to teach her things in the bedroom due to some insecurities. It reminded me of Lexi going to Mark’s apartment in Grey’s Anatomy and tells him “Teach me.” Then Gideon has a whole “Pick me, choose me, love me” moment too and it was fantastic.
Tropes: friends to lovers, matchmaking, rekindling relationship, ex boyfriend’s best friend

The next story is Make Me Crave which covers Allie and Roman’s relationship. Roman is trying to buy out Allie’s failing business for an investor so Allie decides to instead ghost him and go on vacation. Roman follows Allie then they have a vaycay hookup. There relationship is very Aphrodite and Adonis (It’s brought up in the book.)
Tropes: enemies to lovers, hookups, he falls first, insta-lust

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin - Romance for giving me early access to this book! All opinions are my own.

This was exactly what I wanted to read. Two spicy romances, low stakes, with impeccable writing. Katee Robert can’t do wrong! 5⭐️

Katee Robert has this wonderful way of allowing her readers to get caught up in the fantasy and just enjoy for a while, and she's done that again here. There were a few continuity errors against the last book (Becka and Lucy's parents being mentioned as being decent people when we know already this is not the case comes to mind), but as of my reading Forbidden Games still isn't out yet so I'm hopeful those get caught before the book hits shelves. Overall it is always a joy to pick up the new Katee Robert. The steam is unmatched, and she doesn't make a habit of using "ick" words, which is so desperately important in romance as a genre. Learning more about Lucy, Gideon, Roman, and Allie was wonderful after loving them through Becka's eyes in the last book. Overall, a hit!