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A review by heabooknerd
Desperate Measures by Katee Robert
4.0
Ok well I knew what I was getting when I went into DESPERATE MEASURES but oh wow was this a hot and sexy read! This book kicks off the WICKED VILLAINS series which features Disney villains and princesses reimagined in the dirtiest way possible (that’s a huge compliment). In this case we have Jafar who has taken over the territory Jasmine’s father once held and now he wants to possess Jasmine in every way possible. Jasmine might have been sheltered and kept away from the world her whole life but she’s wanted Jafar from the first moment she saw him. Of course that doesn’t mean she’s not going to put up a fight; partly because she loves the fight and partly because she wants to be an equal not just a pet.
I’m always amazed how well Katee Robert handles power dynamics and consent in her books and I feel like DESPERATE MEASURES is a masterclass in showing clear consent for the reader. Jasmine and Jafar like to role play non-consent scenes and fighting and resisting is a big part of what turns them on. But as the reader it’s never in question that these two are enjoying themselves and completely ok with everything going on; even in that first sex scene which dives right into the role play so be prepared if you’re not familiar or comfortable reading about this kind of kink.
Jasmine and Jafar were absolutely on fire together and the scenes where Meg joins them were so hot my Kindle almost scorched my hands. Good lord I would not recommend reading this in public where someone might look over your shoulder, lol. I also loved how obviously queer so many of the characters are and I can already tell that this series is going to only get hotter. There’s some set up for future characters as we meet several in the BDSM club, The Underworld (owned by Hades of course), and I can’t wait to read their stories.
I do wish it was a little clearer what kind of world this was though; things like territories and factions were referenced but I was unclear if the various groups were supposed to be gangs or the mafia or something else all together. But let’s be honest, this is really about the sexual relationship between Jasmine and Jafar so I won’t make a big deal about the unclear world building. The ending was not what I was expecting, but without spoiling anything, it was awesome! It does tie up in a bow neatly but again, this series is clearly about the fantasy of it all and not meant to be perfectly “real life.”
Content Warning: consensual role play of non-consent scenes; abusive parent
I’m always amazed how well Katee Robert handles power dynamics and consent in her books and I feel like DESPERATE MEASURES is a masterclass in showing clear consent for the reader. Jasmine and Jafar like to role play non-consent scenes and fighting and resisting is a big part of what turns them on. But as the reader it’s never in question that these two are enjoying themselves and completely ok with everything going on; even in that first sex scene which dives right into the role play so be prepared if you’re not familiar or comfortable reading about this kind of kink.
Jasmine and Jafar were absolutely on fire together and the scenes where Meg joins them were so hot my Kindle almost scorched my hands. Good lord I would not recommend reading this in public where someone might look over your shoulder, lol. I also loved how obviously queer so many of the characters are and I can already tell that this series is going to only get hotter. There’s some set up for future characters as we meet several in the BDSM club, The Underworld (owned by Hades of course), and I can’t wait to read their stories.
I do wish it was a little clearer what kind of world this was though; things like territories and factions were referenced but I was unclear if the various groups were supposed to be gangs or the mafia or something else all together. But let’s be honest, this is really about the sexual relationship between Jasmine and Jafar so I won’t make a big deal about the unclear world building. The ending was not what I was expecting, but without spoiling anything, it was awesome! It does tie up in a bow neatly but again, this series is clearly about the fantasy of it all and not meant to be perfectly “real life.”
Content Warning: consensual role play of non-consent scenes; abusive parent