A review by cakt1991
Desperate Measures by Katee Robert

adventurous emotional 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

4.0

 Recently, after a prolonged period of dragging my feet, I bought all the Wicked Villains books, seeking at least vague readalikes to the Dark Olympus. And while I was initially hesitant about some of the tropes, I started with the first book, Desperate Measures, right after finishing Cruel Seduction, hoping it would satiate the longing for more of Robert’s style. And sure enough, I found myself satisfied. 

While I’m not in the camp that finds Jafar particularly sexy, Robert makes him dangerously appealing. He’s dangerous and villainous, yet there’s self-awareness to him that keeps him from being truly terrible for me. 

Jasmine is definitely the star here though. She’s been treated as a possession all her life by everyone: her father, the Aladdin equivalent Ali, who makes a truly awful asshole bad guy, and even Jafar, although their dynamic changes throughout the book. It was beautiful to see her come into her own and assert herself as a badass and worthy partner for Jafar…in the streets, that is; in the sheets, things are a different story. 

The Daddy kink and consensual non-consent were things I was nervous about going in, but they weren’t as bad as I thought they would be. They’re not my favorite elements, but Robert makes them work in context. 

I enjoyed the subtle world building at play here, in a similar vein to what she would later do in Dark Olympus, with Carver City. The cameo appearances from other reimagined Disney characters who eventually get their own books are great teasers for what’s to come. 

This is a fun, sexy short read, and I’d recommend it to readers of erotic romance, especially if you also love fairy tales and/or Disney.