Reviews with content warning for Kidnapping - Desperate Measures

This book is hot. I very much enjoyed the scenes and the content (although definitely triggering please check TW before reading this book). That being said, the dub-con early on was very much plainly rapey and even though it later more clearly developed into cnc, some of the earlier moments were slightly hard to read (Although the first hallway scene was incredibly hot and did leave me immediately searching for my boyfriend…). I very much enjoyed the character intros/cross-overs for those who will be stepping into the spotlight for the later books; I thought this was very well done and adds a slight sense of continuity between books despite the shift in main characters that I know is going to hook me and keep me wanting to continue the series. I also thought it was also really cool how the author incorporated various emblemas of Aladdin and character names while also completely changing the story.
I loved the way Jafar emphasized the importance of a safe word and aftercare for those he was with- while there were many questionable parts of this book I always love seeing those things incorporated. The Underworld was also something I wasn’t expecting to find so hot yet very much did. Oh and Meg- more specifically Jasmines attraction to Meg and everyone’s enthusiasm to have a threesome was lovely to see. One of the only real major issues I had that took me out of the book a little bit was the way jasmine calls and jafar requests to be referred to as “Daddy”. Now I loved how he called her “Baby girl” and honorifics aren’t usually a turn off for me by any means but the way they used Daddy was a bit much for me and just seemed odd and a bit out of place.
My absolute favorite thing about this book is how Jasmine is able to finally step into her own power all by herself. As wonderful as it is to have someone search for you and defend you and come to your rescue, I love seeing the character growth and see the woman finally get the power she deserves. Also the fact that she can be so powerful yet also be Jaguars sub was a lovely inclusion :)

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icy_queen's review against another edition

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dark tense

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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kyrstin_p1989's review

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dark emotional hopeful inspiring tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Sexy reimagining of Aladdin, wherein Jasmine and Jafar have a thing for one another and Aladdin is the “bad guy”. I liked the spice. I liked the story. There were several glaring spelling/grammatical errors and a rush to the wrap up at the end that made me drop the rating slightly.

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emminkirjakasa's review

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dark mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Dirty twist on a story everyone knows. I like Disney, but this retelling got this girl to LOVE Disney.

Katee Roberts knows how to write smut. All I wish was that this book was a little longer and we would get a bit more story and background to these characters. Still, 5/5 book with spicy scenes that made for the fans of age gaps and forbidden romances.

Excited to read the next one in the series! 🌶️

Content Warnings

abehler24's review against another edition

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adventurous dark tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

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unicornofthesea's review against another edition

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adventurous dark hopeful tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

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enbyfinley's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

I liked this story, especially the end. Jasmine through started out waffling and simpering at time came into her own and I love it! <spoilers> I didn’t like the daddy kink at all.

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bangiebangs's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I really love Katee Robert's books, but this one didn't really hit the spot for me, even if I would recommend reading it as the start for the Wicked Villains series (which is a completed series afaik, btw).

The world-building is really good (as expected from this author), and I love that the story is extra spicy (4.5/5) and has a good mix of politics/ backstory as well. It's basically a prequel to the Dark Olympus series, which I really love, so I'm eating this up!

That said, this specific book didn't blow me away, and that's likely because of the specific kinks here that just aren't my kind of kink. Not yucking anyone's yum, but the Daddy/ baby girl thing isn't doing anything good for me, and I didn't like the way that consensual non-consent is set up in the story. Somebody here wrote that the last 20 or so pages really pick up - and I can confirm that.

It has very hot scenes though, and Katee Roberts is just fantastic at writing dirty, dirty smut. I really appreciate her knowledge of BDSM, which comes through very clearly here. Also love the queerness throughout, as always.

So I would say, if you liked any of her other books, you will like this series (and probably also this book).

Side note, am already almost finished with #2 (Hades), and that is much more my jive. So I would also recommend reading this to have the basic info for the rest of the books in the series.

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