Illicit Acquiescence: A Forbidden Romance

by G. Elena

Sometimes the most forbidden things are the most rewarding...

Eliana Haros has hit rock bottom. She's had to move back home with her parents and navigate life again at 23. To make matters worse, they give her an ultimatum: either find a job and move out or go back to college and get a different degree at the University they're professors at. With time running out, Eliana has no choice but to enroll and hope she doesn't bump into them.

What she doesn't expect is to bump into a handsome stranger one night and feel sparks. The catch? This handsome stranger is her father's coworker, Professor Estrada.

Completely out of her age range and completely off-limits.

Genres: Romance, Dark Romance, Forbidden Romance, Teachers, Contemporary, Latinx, Adult

304 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 5, 2023

Reviews

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,5.
It’s a pleasure reading with good characters.
It’s worth reading.

[Kaity · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eliana is such a strong woman, going out on her own on a new career path, incredible despite her obstacles. Her strength is so clear while she lacks her own direction. That is, until she meets Julian...

Their meet-cute, rather meet-lust..! It was hot and ever so steamy...! And every single spicy moment just kept getting hotter.. the spice.. holy mama!! 

Julian's ex wife; Laura... woof! She's a handful and a little psychotic or even completely psychotic.. her actions!!! I think she maybe the newest contender for the worst ex I've ever read.. 

Julian and Eliana are so perfect for each other, they are literally made for each other. They are exactly what the other needed.The tender love and care that he has for her... goddamn it!!  The sweet intimacy juxtaposed with the hot as hell spice, so beautiful! Julian is such a swoony book-boyfriend, where can I find him?

Normally this amount of an age-gap would deter me, but this is so perfectly handled and so perfect! 

Thank you GRACE ELENA for a very very very advanced copy!! 

[Claudia · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨ ARC Review ✨

I was intrigued by Julian and Eliana story from the beginning.

Julian is a professor at Yale who also happens to work with Eliana’s Dad. He has an obsessive ex wife who won’t leave him alone. Eliana recently moved back home with her parents after dropping out of med school. Eliana has a very difficult relationship with her mother who was hard to please. Her parents (mostly her mom) end up giving her an ultimatum so she goes back to school to get a degree and here is where she runs into Julian once again and have a steamy interaction 🔥

Both Julian and Eliana have to deal with having someone in their life who are not the best people but through it all they both were there for each other’s sake. After Julian’s nasty divorce Eliana was the perfect distraction he needed from his ex wife. Julian was so sweet, tender, and always looked for Eliana well being. Eliana was a strong person for going up against her mother and choosing to do what makes her happy. I liked how even when Julian had doubts about their relationship Eliana knew what she wanted and communicated that. They were perfect for each other.

If you’re looking to read a book that includes tropes like forbidden romance, age gap and a mmc who can say some filthy things then I recommend you to read this book.

[⌜Linaraxx⌟ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5⭐️
4/5🌶️

I'll start by saying how much I love Julián as a character! He was so sweet and nice! Nothing like the other books I've read with the age gap trope! He had been through so much in his life, I felt so sorry for him!

Eliana was also sympathetic as a character! She wasn't stubborn at all and I want to thank the author so much for creating two characters who could actually communicate with each other by discussing the problem they were facing each time!!!🥹

Definitely a must read! I won't say more because I don't want to give you spoilers but please put it on your tbr list! It's so healthy as a book even though there is this forbidden relationship! I didn't get bored of it for a second! Couldn't wait every time to go home to continue reading it!!

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5! Eliana and Juliàn’s romance and storyline?? COULD NOT PUT DOWN. You really build a connection to the each of the characters, even Eliana’s mom who just makes you aaaahhhh! The chemistry between the two was organic and it just drew you in!

I received this ARC for an honest review, all thoughts/opinions above are completely my own.

[Mysti]

I’m DNF’ing this at 18%. I’m sure this could have been good if the author had more experience, but it’s just not well written, it’s filled with useless info, it’s slow, repetitive, and the MMC has spent most of his time talking about his ex-wife.

Also, the FMC is 23, living at home, dropped out of college, and she’s pissed her parents want her to get a job. WTF?

Writing/content examples:

I nod and reach for the glass sitting on the island and drag it closer to me before picking up the pitcher. There’s a small cup of chopped lemons ready to squeeze. I pour myself a glass before popping a lemon quarter into the cold water. I take a long gulp. I forgot to bring a water bottle on my run, unfortunately.
------
Laura and I got married in the summertime. That might be another reason I love this upcoming season so much. It reminds me of how good my life can actually be if I just do the things I want and not stay with someone who would never want me the way I wanted them.
-----
The dude from the history museum that I snuck off and did things with. Things that felt so fucking good that I couldn’t stop thinking about. The way his deep voice edged me on, commanded me to do things and just⁠—

[Beth Meadows · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just going to be honest

I really didn’t feel the instant attraction between the Julian and Eliana. I did like how fast paced it was at first but then I just found there was no chemistry between the two.

Eliana’s mam is awful and she deserves a punch. Her dad is just as bad for never sticking up for her. Tbh I skipped the last few chapters so don’t know how they resolved their relationship.

Julian was too much at some points and Eliana was annoying as.
“She yelped. She squealed. Oh my gods”
I just couldn’t read anymore of it.

It really lacks story and it was actually anti-climactic. Full of smut though if you like that.

Grateful for the ARC 🤍

[Cassidy Hudspeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5


GRACE HAS DONE IT AGAIN. If she has only one fan, it’s me. IT’S ME. If she has a million fans, I am one of them.


I love Julián and Eliana. This is probably the first time I’ve truly fell in love with both the FMC and MMC. Eliana is one of my favorite main characters, like ever. She’s a queen. And Julián…🤌🏼😮‍💨 has the dirty mouth that we’ve all been looking for. You do not want to miss out on this book.

If you like:
— forbidden romance
— age gap (17 years)
— fastburn
— a MMC who squeezes her hand three times as an ILY 😩

Read this book. 10/10 🤍

[Caitlin Anne · Rating 2 out of 5]

* ARC review *

Firstly I wanna thank Grace Elena for letting me be an arc reader for this book!

Unfortunately it just didn’t hit right for me, I really wanted to love it because hello who doesn’t like

- forbidden
- father's coworker
- age gap (17 years)
- open door romance
- fast burn
- dual pov
- mexican mc's

But the fast burn was too much and I just felt there was no real emotional connection until towards the end of the book. The smut? Very prominent and immediate; while I am all for smut, I found it to take over and distracted from what was supposed to be the plot.

Eliana’s parents annoyed me with how they treated her through out the book and the sudden change in how they felt towards her at the end just felt poorly done :(

Julián’s ex wife just felt unnecessary to the plot and was an overbearing character to read about the entirety of the book. He let her act the way she did for too much of the book and it just became redundant.

I wish I could say I liked Eliana and Julián together but I didn’t feel chemistry with them. I didn’t feel the ‘forbidden’ aspect of the book and I wish I could’ve.


This book may not be for me but I hope that Grace finds all the readers that will appreciate her story and characters in this book.

[meka · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25/5 stars!!

Omg these two are so cute!! I don’t usually read age gap/ forbidden romances but I totally get the hype. I loved how easily the story flowed in my head and I was drawn to Julián & Eliana from the very beginning.

They meet at an Egypt exhibit opening and hit it off straight away, giving no names and allowing themselves an escape for the night. Afterwards, they continue to bump into each other and the rest is history (*smirks at my own pun haha). I really loved how the characters balance each other out. Julián is really attentive and patient & Eliana is sweet and loving and together they create fiery chemistry. The plot is amazing, we get to watch them go from strangers to lovers to a forever type of love and it’s the most satisfying experience.

Yes, there were moments where I wished for a little bit more. Times that were rushed could’ve been expanded a lil more or there were a few questions I had that was left unanswered but this was such a great easy read that I couldn’t complain (especially grateful for no third act break up!!). Beyond grateful to have received a copy of this and am leaving this honest review voluntarily <3

it was a bit annoying having to google translate the things that Julián says in Spanish and the use of italics were a bit much but it's something you get used to :))

[Kristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up!

This was a fun, fast and sexy read!! Definitely insta lust 100% so go into it knowing it's mostly all smut, little plot and super fast paced. Julian is sexy as hell and I loved Eliana's character. I would forsure read more by this author!

[Rai · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.75 ⭐️

the only thing I liked in this book is how there was no third act breakup and miscommunication.

[cloudy · Rating 3 out of 5]

dnf at 35%

i really wanted to like this book, but i think it wasn't for me. i liked the fmc, plus the smut and dirty talk were top tier, but the grown ass man behaving like a tortured, troubled teenager with mommy issues was just too much.

"i need the release she gives me and i don’t fucking care if it becomes a crutch for me. her body and her moans tame me."

he was using a girl 17 years old his junior simply because he had attachment issues with his ex wife, the so called crazy woman who manipulated him. and although i'm not negating that she did, as it's clearly obvious the nature of their past relationship, 1. the crazy ex/other woman is a stereotype that needs to be stopped and 2. he claimed that if she asked sooner, as in before he started "seeing" the fmc, for a sexual relationship he'd gladly go back to it, as it's been stated that after 4 years of divorce he's continued to have sex with the ex he repeatedly faults for everything...

"i know she wants another go, but having another intimate relationship with her is not even on my mind anymore. if she came to me with this proposition sooner, sure, i would’ve obliged— but now i know it wouldn’t have been good for me."

and he has some serious anger issues; if the route this book took would have included a subplot of him going to therapy i'd actually have enjoyed it.

"i say with more force. i can feel the annoyance and the anger bubble up again and it reminds me again why she’s here."

he texted the fmc after having his ex wife over for dinner - which of course ended badly, don't know what he was expecting there -, to make him forget, and has the audacity of acting like a man baby when she asked what was going on. then proceed to have sex with her for the first time...

"fuck. i haven’t smiled like that, even with laura from sex. i brush the idea of my ex away from my mind as i walk back into the kitchen and wipe the towel along her pussy."

and that very same chapter, the one where the 23 year old girl came to the rescue of the 40 year old man throwing a tantrum over his ex, ended with:

"what was once deemed as a way to get a release from the anger i felt, has soon become an addiction. not just to her sex, but to her presence. her aura. the feeling i get when i’m around her."

yet he doesn't know a single thing of substance about her, not even her last name. they've only met 4 times prior to this encounter and 3 out of all the instances ended in sexual gratification (included their first encounter). plus, the forbidden aspect wasn't tangible. the reader knows why their relationship might be deemed forbidden, but up until when i stopped reading at 35% nothing actually come of it. no illicit hiding, nor consequences, the characters themselves weren't even aware of the forbidden ties between them.

*i was sent an arc by the author in exchange for a honest review

[Pia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: 3.5✨
Spice: 3.75🌶️

I would first like to thank the author for the eARC opportunity. Like always, this review will be voluntary & honest.

Okay, this book was a deliciously fun read. The spice in this had me feeling like I could levitate at any moment. One thing I also appreciated about this one is that there was NO third act breakup. So this got all the plus points for that!

This was my first book by this author & I’m looking forward to read more of her work in the future!

This book was a fast burn, Insta lust type of situation. Am I complaining, NOT AT ALL. Because the way there was a progression from instant lust & attraction to emotional development & growth with the book’s couple! Not going to lie, I was fanning myself constantly while also screaming, “when will it be MY TURN?”

Let’s start with Eliana. I feel like she was a character that felt fully & deeply. She was fully connected to her emotions & she’s also a more sensitive kind of character. I felt like I could relate to her struggles with her family when it comes to expectations set on you by family, more specifically parents, when it comes to academics & your life plan, especially in the Hispanic/Latin culture. I kind of wanted to see more individual growth & development on her part though. I didn’t feel like I saw emotional or mental/mindset growth in her character & I felt like that would have made the end of the book feel more complete.

Julian was literally my favorite from this book. This man was emotionally aware & intelligent. You can just tell his love languages are acts of service & physical touch. The moments where he would speak Spanish, I MELTED INTO A PUDDLE. The way this man just loves fully LOVING someone, spoiling them rotten, wrapping them up in bear hugs & giving them the world on a silver platter. I just adored him from beginning to end. And the mouth he has on him! HAVE. MERTHY. Also, the age gap, oof. This man is fully grown & YOU CAN TELL. He’s a MAN MAN. The caretaking and AFTERCARE IN THIS BOOK, is ELITE.

Regarding the forbidden age gap aspect, this was more of a fun/smutty kind of forbidden instead of angsty. More like one of the tropes in the book, but not much of the overall conflict. There were also some conflicts that I was confused by once they were “resolved”. Some of the resolutions felt rushed & unexpected, which kind of left me feeling like they weren’t really resolved.

Overall, I had fun reading this one & the spice DELIVERED. It also had a bit of student x teacher which you know I go crazy for. So if this sounds like a book that you’d enjoy reading, definitely give it a shot! 💛

[Holly Whitworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well…. I loved this 🙈

[Chelsea Nailpolishlover · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to love this book. I felt like the plot lacked substance which sometimes I can overlook in romance.
But the spice wasn’t giving what I hoped it would.

It felt clinical, robotic. Even some of the main characters actions were written robotic forward. The descriptions were stale. The whole professor/college student trope is great but I feel like the author didn’t utilize it enough during spicy scenes, and during banter. About 2/3s through it started to pick up more on the forbidden trope.

Unfortunately what had me dnfing at 70% is a cheating trope. Some may not call it cheating under the circumstances but I do. And the fake fleeting anger and subsequent actions of the characters after talking about it annoyed me. You’ll act mad for five seconds about this and then act like it never happened? Mmmmm no. 👎🏻Wasn’t for me. Not to mention the wishie washie nature of their relationship. One minute they want to be together then the next it’s impossible for them to continue then 5 seconds later they decide again they’ll keep going.. like please 🙄.

I would have read the whole book if it hadn’t been for that. It’s not a bad read. It’s your middle of the road age gap forbidden romance with bipoc representation.

I’ve read some that were worse and many that were better. That’s why I’m rating it at 2 stars. Normally I would rate a book 1 star if I dnf it and I find it’s not the best of writing. But because I Dnf’d mostly due to a trope I’m giving 2 stars.

[G. Elena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Illicit Acquiescence is a forbidden romance novel following the lives of Eliana Haros and Julián Estrada. With what felt like a once-in-a-lifetime sparked exchange turns into riveting secret relationship as the two fall for one another in the wrongest of circumstances. Will their secret be revealed? And can they withstand the pressures of the reality of what they're doing? Read to find out!

Read this dark romance debut if you like:
-forbidden
- age gap (17 years)
-father's coworker
-strangers to lovers
-open door
-fast burn
-dual POV
-mexican mc's

content warnings:
age gap (17 years)
sexual acts and kinks (praise, size, choking, spit)
jealousy
manipulation
mention of divorce
drinking and cursing
mental health topics

[Willie Mercedes · Rating 4 out of 5]

🖤🖤🖤

Eliana is a force to be reckoned with as she dives into a fresh career path, knocking down hurdles left and right. But even with her superhero resilience, she's a bit lost until she crosses paths with Julian, a brainy Yale professor who happens to work with Eliana's dad too. Cue the fireworks! The electric connection between Eliana and Julian sizzles from the get-go, blossoming beautifully as their love story unfolds. The book's portrayal of mental health is top-notch for both leads, and the rich tapestry of diversity, especially the vibrant Hispanic culture, is a real showstopper. Keep an eye out, though - the antics of Eliana's mom and Laura might just make you want to jump into the story yourself!

Things to know
explicit sexual scenes, fast burn, mental health topics such as anxiety and panic attacks, age gap by 17 years, forbidden elements of not only age gap but also father’s coworker, positions of power due to age and occupations, mention of divorce and aftermath of divorce, jealousy, manipulation, drinking, cursing, and kinks such as praise, size, spit, and slapping, edging, no 3rd act break up, strangers to lovers, ow drama, mother - daughter conflict

[Aly Ambrose · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing book. I loved every second of it. The spice throughout the book was absolutely amazing. 🥵
Their chemistry seemed so natural yet passionate. The little gestures between them like the three hand squeezes??!! Swoon. Full disclosure, I started to slow down because I didn’t want to let them go. The way these two love each other made my want to hug my kindle. ✨

If you are looking for a forbidden romance, this is THE book.

I was given the opportunity to be an ARC reader in exchange for an honest review.

🖤 Eliana:
She’s absolutely amazing. I found myself relating to her a lot of the time especially being a Latina that also started over in her 20s. There’s a lot of pressures that come with knowing what you want to do for the rest of your life. And I what I really loved about her was her strength and perseverance. She has a heart of gold.

🖤 Julián:
The way I fell in love with this man. Sign me up to be a member of the Julián Simp Club. I appreciated witnessing the moments of vulnerability throughout the novel as he heals and moves on from a closed chapter in his life. This man truly has a way with words. “You’re my sky, my sun, and my moon.”
I screamed in my pillow. Cried.
The nicknames he has for her are just *chef’s kiss* 🤌🏻❤️‍🔥”corazón” & “nena” has to be one of my top favorites.

Tropes:
🖤 Forbidden
🖤 Father’s coworker
🖤 Age gap (17 years)
🖤 Open door romance
🖤 Fast burn
🖤 Dual pov
🖤 Mexican mc’s
*review cw’s*

[Glenda Carrillo · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 rounded to 4

Wham Bam. Thank you Maam…but still around cause I like the banging part?!


This is VERY instalust for me. They meet, they do things and keep running into each other which means let’s do more things. It’s spicy. Very spicy in my opinion. Spicy for me is sex happening throughout the book and often. The story was good. I think it was the insta thing for me. I did round up to 4 because my heart hurt for Elaina and the relationship between her and her mother. Julian? I’m not sure how I feel about him.

Def for you if you like age gaps. Instalust. Father’s employee relationship.

[Anna Kobeleva · Rating 4 out of 5]

got an arc and i'm so happy i had this opportunity. 

i was in a reading slump most of this summer, and i was afraid to start this book because of that, but excuse you!!! 

this book was great!!! i loved it so much and it was so easy to get into it. i liked the connection between the characters and the side characters too. the story was really sweet, and the way they handled the situation. 

damn, i swear this is a great story. 

if you want a short, spicy, and sweet romance, this is for you. 

[Krystal (LeeLovesBooks_) · Rating 3 out of 5]

The word crotch will never be sexy in any sentence but especially during a spicy time 💀💀.
I still pushed along but the ending is where the wheels fell off. The mother was awful and the father spineless, even with the mom apologizing.. The crazy ex wife who wouldn’t let him go suddenly having a complete personality change and being nice to them both didn’t fit.

Spicy scenes were hot (98% of the time.. minus that crotch time lmfao)

[❀ Tayla ❀ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Age gap, forbidden romance 😚👌🏼 chefs kiss

I quite literally couldn’t put this down because I love seeing how these types of books play out!

The way Eliana and Julian met, had my jaw on the floor! Getting fingered in the dark corner of a museum by a handsome older stranger? In real life.. no way. In this book? ABSOLUTELY 😂
And the way he would speak to her in Spanish? Dead 🫠

Although it is quite a fast burn I really enjoyed watching the emotional connection between the two MCs build up, it was really lovely!

I do wish we got to see the drama play out between Julian telling his ex wife about him and Eliana 😂
Also shoutout to Elianas dad for being the sweetest man ever 🥹

3.5 ⭐️

[mybooklibraryy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Illicit Acquiescence
by G. Elena
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Arc season babyyy
Eliana and Julián: Age gap, college scene, yes sir, forbidden love. I loved this book, gives you that piece you’re missing, if you’re in a slump read this! Not only is the title amazing and the cover stunning but the story feels so real. You can picture the emotional connection with this book and it mentions real things people may do or experience. I’m not one for age gap but I was able to get though this no problem. Eliana is such a support character, we have strangers to lovers. 😉😉 get your hands on a copy of this asap, make those books on your shelf get darker

[elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

“You have my soul, my love. You have my whole heart.”

[L · Rating 4 out of 5]

i usually don’t like insta love/lust but in this case, i didn’t mind it at all 🕺🕺 also eliana and julian love each other so much i CANT 😭😭🫶🏼 when is it my turn 🥲🥲

[Elsa Vidal · Rating 4 out of 5]

we love spanish men

[Stephany Gutierrez · Rating 5 out of 5]

julian.. julian.. was just PERFECT ❤️‍🔥 he was down for his girl 🥹🫶🏼

[celeste ˚₊✩‧₊ · Rating 3 out of 5]

https://media1.tenor.com/m/5fZ3ujIk8W...

[Katie ratherbereadinggg · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars