What do you think?
Rate this book
Redwood Kings #4
The Forbidden Note
This reckless king won’t stop until he ruins me.
It started with one night. No names. No clothes. No plans to meet again.
Except we did.
He wore a Redwood Prep uniform and the same grin from the bar.
Zane Cross. Lead drummer of The Kings.
My student.
My step-brother.
My darkest secret.
If anyone finds out what we did, all hell will break loose.
But the more I try to bury our connection, the more the arrogant beast drags me closer.
It’s a twisted game I’m sure to lose, especially when a scandal from the past brings danger to Redwood Prep.
And yet Zane won’t take no for an answer.
He’s chaos wrapped in a chiseled jawline and screaming blue eyes.
Tempting me to taste the forbidden.
Luring me to the edge of the cliff.
I won’t allow myself to surrender.
The problem is… Zane Cross has made it clear he wants me.
And that monster? He doesn’t lose.
*** This is a forbidden romance between a student and teacher. Characters are of legal age.***
It started with one night. No names. No clothes. No plans to meet again.
Except we did.
He wore a Redwood Prep uniform and the same grin from the bar.
Zane Cross. Lead drummer of The Kings.
My student.
My step-brother.
My darkest secret.
If anyone finds out what we did, all hell will break loose.
But the more I try to bury our connection, the more the arrogant beast drags me closer.
It’s a twisted game I’m sure to lose, especially when a scandal from the past brings danger to Redwood Prep.
And yet Zane won’t take no for an answer.
He’s chaos wrapped in a chiseled jawline and screaming blue eyes.
Tempting me to taste the forbidden.
Luring me to the edge of the cliff.
I won’t allow myself to surrender.
The problem is… Zane Cross has made it clear he wants me.
And that monster? He doesn’t lose.
*** This is a forbidden romance between a student and teacher. Characters are of legal age.***
437 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 21, 2023
2104 people are currently reading
8293 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 242 reviews
July 5, 2023
CLIFFHANGER???? THE AUDACITY.
i want books from finn and jinx’s pov.
i want books from finn and jinx’s pov.
June 16, 2023
3.5⭐️ Was nowhere near as good as the first 3 in the series buttttt I did still like it! The main couple honestly had no chemistry and their love was extremely unconvincing however the story line was good so I chose to overlook it😌 would still definitely recommend the series though!
May 24, 2023
not every couple needs 3 books FFS actually NO couple needs 3 books
August 22, 2023
Completely DNF I spent 3 books invested in Candace and Dutch just to not have a proper ending and then get put into Zane and his teacher. Yeah no thanks.
August 31, 2023
are you shitting me there’s another fucking book to this couple i thought this was gonna be a one and done simple story but no the author is dragging this out for too long and tbh i have no idea what’s going on in this book bc the conflict is so messy and not in a fun way. also fully realizing the shit w the last couple of how this high school girly who barely turned 18 is already married and trying to get pregnant is fucking crazy how did the author come up w these plot lines. like i was reading this book hoping that it gets better and that it’s gonna be all done by the end but no the ending is another cliffhanger like idk if i’ll be reading this bc i feel like i need to be in a support group after reading this series. also i really don’t know how i feel about the main couple and their age difference bc it’s a big ass ick that i just can’t get over and when the mom called the main girl out on it it just made me not want the couple even more bc really ew it’s the fact that he’s 18 that makes it weird if he was older and the had the same age gap like he was 21 i wouldn’t have mind bc he’s been an adult for a bit to know but nah 18 he’s still in high school and she’s his fucking teacher the power imbalance is ugh. their chemistry is a lot better than the last couples tho i’ll give them that but i just find them to be repetitive w the push and pull and it’s not done in a way that makes me invested it’s done it a way that i’m like can y’all switch it up it’s boring. also her whole backstory w her tryna get vengeance for her bestie that was murdered im so confused w that plot line but that’s bc i’m a lil dumb but like i hate that the last couple’s conflicts are kinda forgotten about like what happened to that girl’s mom and who was the murderer going after her also did the bitch ever get over her stage fright yk just little things that i thought would be intertwined w this book but it’s rarely mentioned so i’m guessing it’s gonna connect in the next books but i won’t be reading them so awks. nah the main girl annoyed me bc why she gonna trust the main guy’s dad knowing that he’s weird and the shit she hears from his own children like i get that he’s helping her but she knows damn well he’s manipulating her and using her to his advantage which isn’t good babes you’re not gonna get what you want you’re just getting played and for someone who’s older than the high school main characters i would’ve thought she would know better but her character is just like reading another teenager i wish there was more of a distinction between her maturity and the other characters bc the choices she makes… come on you’re grown asf. but again i’m a hater fr and i have no predictions on who killed her bestie or any of that shit but i’m so lost and i don’t know why they be doing some of the shit they do also there’s this dumb ass scene where they see this security guard w a gun and they were scared asf and main guy saved the main girl from a bullet but there was no bullet and the guard was the last book’s main girl’s brother and i just thought that was the dumbest scene to add it adds no value or purpose to the story and it just wasted their time on an important mission that would screw them if they get caught i genuinely don’t get why the author wrote that scene it’s just so out of place. yeah i became a hater for this series sorry i had hope that it got better over the books but nah i’m just tired and bored and need a new cutesies fun book this gets a 6/10.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 11, 2023
I swear I’m reading wattpad
February 14, 2025
This is my petition to skip over Zane and write about Finn next instead:
1. He's literally considered the smartest of the lot
2. He somehow secretly knows martial arts and can kick ass
3. He's hot
4. He's adopted
5. He reads historical romance. (I mean, c'mon people, it doesn't get better than that
6. He's OBSESSED with Jinx
1. He's literally considered the smartest of the lot
2. He somehow secretly knows martial arts and can kick ass
3. He's hot
4. He's adopted
5. He reads historical romance. (I mean, c'mon people, it doesn't get better than that
6. He's OBSESSED with Jinx
December 29, 2023
Oh joy just want I wanted. A teacher-student stepsibling romance. How fun!
Actually though this book was ass and I regret reading it
Actually though this book was ass and I regret reading it
July 17, 2023
There is no doubt that Zane feels as strongly as Dutch does for Cadence for Ms. Jamieson, aka Grey. But I didn’t feel as connected to the story as the initial trilogy, but I do want to finish the story. Like I want to find out who Jinx is and how they will deal with their father, and that’s about it. This story was more about plot than romance, with the occasional forbidden spicy scenes, which may be why I didn’t enjoy it as much. But I did enjoy the plot twists and the found family aspect in this book. Hopefully, in the next book, our questions will be answered.
Favorite quotes/scenes:
“Grey is shining like a freaking angel. Eyes on fire. Brown skin glowing hotter than a supernova. Energy radiating like she has a piece of the sun inside her. I swear that woman is supernatural.”
“Touch her and I will burn everything down, even if I have to light myself on fire first.”
“Her soft brown eyes collide with mine and I get this unquestionable feeling of helplessness. It’s the weirdest thing, but I suddenly understand why Romeo drank that poison. This woman… she’s my poison and I’m drowning in the most lethal dose.”
“You think I’m your weakness, but you’re wrong, Grey. Let me be your sword. Your poison. Let me be your revenge. Point me in a direction and I’ll destroy whoever you tell me to. Everything you want, everything you don’t know you want yet, I’ll make it happen for you.”
“I am nothing without her. Damn. She’s my everything.”
Favorite quotes/scenes:
“Grey is shining like a freaking angel. Eyes on fire. Brown skin glowing hotter than a supernova. Energy radiating like she has a piece of the sun inside her. I swear that woman is supernatural.”
“Touch her and I will burn everything down, even if I have to light myself on fire first.”
“Her soft brown eyes collide with mine and I get this unquestionable feeling of helplessness. It’s the weirdest thing, but I suddenly understand why Romeo drank that poison. This woman… she’s my poison and I’m drowning in the most lethal dose.”
“You think I’m your weakness, but you’re wrong, Grey. Let me be your sword. Your poison. Let me be your revenge. Point me in a direction and I’ll destroy whoever you tell me to. Everything you want, everything you don’t know you want yet, I’ll make it happen for you.”
“I am nothing without her. Damn. She’s my everything.”
May 2, 2023
This series has me fying all over the place but in a good way. These Cross men are something else. Sexy, funny and always up to no good. This is Zane's story a duet. Nelia continues to give us a satisfying and at the same time, annoyingly frustrating story. All be it a more than worthy read. Like many others who have read, I am going to try to wait patiently for book two. No, I am not, because I want to kbow how it ends between Zane and his teach, Grey or is it tiger. Either way, Nelia, I lovw this gossip girl, Jinz romance you have written. It is engrossig and has me wiahinf there were more pages to keep me going. Enjoy.
July 19, 2023
God he's annoying like dude that's your teacher
January 3, 2025
Neila Alarcon`s Redwood Kings series are to much to handle for my heart. I mean wow are they addictive!!! I am literally binge reading this series in one go here, a total fever for the plot and its characters that never cease to amaze me! "The Forbidden Note" is the fourth instalment in this highly addictive and razingly sexy series about a elite high school dominated by the three brothers Dutch, Zane and Finn Cross. They are not only highly regarded royal students of the school but are also young rockstars. We have the gossip girl called Jinx who spills all the secrets she needs (and am i the only one who suspects its Serena???!!i MEAN COME ON)
”“Run all you want, tiger, but you’re trapped.”
-Zane Cross
We finally see Zane Cross to fully give in to his obsession with the temptress of his soul, Grey Jamieson, and she is also a teacher at Redwood High. Ah the forbidden quality to their smoking romance was so hot. Zane is equally dangerous to his brothers, especially in his crave for madness and chaos, that is until Grey`s touch soothes the raging beast inside his tortured soul. Grey & Zane totally challenged each other, especially Zane with his seduction and the way he lured her into forbidden corners,ahhh about freaking time. I love them so much, i loveeee watching Cadence & Dutch as a married couple and oh Finn Cross, daym my heart is beating for this cold monster...and his fixation on the social meddler Jinx. MY HEART IS BEATING SO FAST I CANNOT BREATHE!!!
”“Run all you want, tiger, but you’re trapped.”
-Zane Cross
We finally see Zane Cross to fully give in to his obsession with the temptress of his soul, Grey Jamieson, and she is also a teacher at Redwood High. Ah the forbidden quality to their smoking romance was so hot. Zane is equally dangerous to his brothers, especially in his crave for madness and chaos, that is until Grey`s touch soothes the raging beast inside his tortured soul. Grey & Zane totally challenged each other, especially Zane with his seduction and the way he lured her into forbidden corners,ahhh about freaking time. I love them so much, i loveeee watching Cadence & Dutch as a married couple and oh Finn Cross, daym my heart is beating for this cold monster...and his fixation on the social meddler Jinx. MY HEART IS BEATING SO FAST I CANNOT BREATHE!!!
May 28, 2024
I need to know when the next book is coming out! The cliffhanger made my jaw drop, i need the next book.
July 1, 2024
zane cross is my man now and always tyvm 🔒
MISS ALARCON I NEED THAT SECOND BOOK MORE THAN ZANE NEEDS GRACEEEEE
MISS ALARCON I NEED THAT SECOND BOOK MORE THAN ZANE NEEDS GRACEEEEE
May 10, 2025
This one didn't grip measmuch as the previous twobutIdo like Zane and the fact he is always all in. I hope they find out who is running the grateful project and they finally find something to wipe Jarod off the board
August 23, 2023
suddenly more childish?
It feels like the further into the series we get, the more.... Censored it is? Less cussing less sex. Also, less interesting, but I didn't like the series anyway. Just been reading bc I wanna know what happens already...
It feels like the further into the series we get, the more.... Censored it is? Less cussing less sex. Also, less interesting, but I didn't like the series anyway. Just been reading bc I wanna know what happens already...
May 15, 2023
Where is book 5????? I thought there was only 4 books in the series. There isn't even anything online about another book!!
January 21, 2024
Well that was bullshit
February 10, 2024
Damn why did it have to end off with another cliff hanger?!
January 24, 2025
3.5⭐️
Zane and Grey met during one of their nights out at a bar, and immediately, there was an undeniable attraction between them. They might have built something together, at least until they both found out they were attending the same school—him as a student, her as a teacher. Right away, Grey puts an end to what hadn’t even fully started, refusing to go any further with Zane, even though he’s completely crazy about her.
𐙚 age gap (18-24)
𐙚 student x teacher
𐙚 revenge
𐙚 murder investigation
I almost stopped the series when I realized we wouldn’t continue with Cadence and Dutch’s point of view. Even though their romance took three books to fully develop, I really enjoyed reading those books from their perspective—it was great. So, seeing that this book focused on Zane and Grey threw me off a bit. But I kept going, and even though I struggled to get through it, I still enjoyed reading their story.
Overall, I enjoyed the book, but not too much. I had a hard time getting back into the story.
𐙚 quotes
“What’s with the emergency meeting?” Dutch strums on his guitar. The strings spell C-A-D-E-Y.
I swear, my twin is embarrassing.
No matter how in love I am, I’m never painting some girl’s name over my drum set.
February 28, 2025
I liked it but more romance was desperately needed, and less drama/mystery cuz tbh idgaf abt mr. Cross’s “mind games” every other chapter that was low key confusing as well 😭 like I was so confused if he was lying or telling the truth .. and also there was THREE other books on cadence and Dutch why did they keep getting brought up? Let this couple have their own book thank yewww, like I get Dutch and Zain are siblings and even twins but I felt like I needed more of JUST Zain and greyyyy iykwim but I loved the tension between the two in this book despite there being like NO smut, which actually was good because it gave the characters a chance to actually fall in LOVE and not MAINLY LUST so we love that🙏🏾🫦 but to sum it up I felt like I missed the actual couple the book is about
(grey and Zain if you missed it..)
in some chapters.. because there was no chance for them to actually bond without drama or her straight up pushing him away😢 like ugh but they’re both so cute I love their personalities
(grey and Zain if you missed it..)
in some chapters.. because there was no chance for them to actually bond without drama or her straight up pushing him away😢 like ugh but they’re both so cute I love their personalities
January 12, 2026
If I could give a 0 I would. Even if we take out the fact that she’s a 24 year old Teacher!
If you look at other 18 year olds as kids needing to be protected, guided and nurtured, then why in the world would this case be any different. And the fact that she is so aware of that and yet still dresses in short pencil skirts and above all still goes for him is CRAZY.
Crazy disgusting behaviour. ..
And despite all that, Zane is stupid, selfish, boring and immature.
Honestly these last two books should have been about jinx and Finn, by far the most interesting characters in the book. Missed opportunity to be a good series.
If you look at other 18 year olds as kids needing to be protected, guided and nurtured, then why in the world would this case be any different. And the fact that she is so aware of that and yet still dresses in short pencil skirts and above all still goes for him is CRAZY.
Crazy disgusting behaviour. ..
And despite all that, Zane is stupid, selfish, boring and immature.
Honestly these last two books should have been about jinx and Finn, by far the most interesting characters in the book. Missed opportunity to be a good series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 23, 2023
the ending?????
Read
September 24, 2023Se solo si capisse qualcosa dopo 273892010 pagine... Lasciare le cose in sospeso dopo 4 libri e a quanto pare nessun seguito anche no GRAZIE
November 4, 2023
3,5 ☆
This is by far my favorite book in the entire series.
This is by far my favorite book in the entire series.
May 12, 2024
It ends on a cliffhanger and the fifth book isn't out...I hate when this happens
November 5, 2024
3.5 ⭐️
Wasn’t as good as the first 3 books but I still liked it.
Wasn’t as good as the first 3 books but I still liked it.
December 6, 2024
look, I'm gonna be honest and say that this wasn't necessarily BAD bad, but... it's definitely not as good as the first trilogy
I wanna start off by saying that i don't support in any way Zane and Grey's relationship, the teacher-student and stepsiblings tropes are for sure not my cup of tea and all I could think of while reading this was how WRONG this whole things is. but I do love the characters so much, it's just that I don't want them as a couple idk.
plotwise? I think it was pretty good. not much happens to be fair but it was entertaining. it was nice to see glimpses of Cadey and Dutch after their wedding🥹
if it wasn't for me wanting to know more about Finn and his potential love interest i wouldn't have picked up this book, but oh well, the story goes on!(i really really hope it's jinx, whoever she might be) that Finn guy is literally my type fr😋
I wanna start off by saying that i don't support in any way Zane and Grey's relationship, the teacher-student and stepsiblings tropes are for sure not my cup of tea and all I could think of while reading this was how WRONG this whole things is. but I do love the characters so much, it's just that I don't want them as a couple idk.
plotwise? I think it was pretty good. not much happens to be fair but it was entertaining. it was nice to see glimpses of Cadey and Dutch after their wedding🥹
if it wasn't for me wanting to know more about Finn and his potential love interest i wouldn't have picked up this book, but oh well, the story goes on!(i really really hope it's jinx, whoever she might be) that Finn guy is literally my type fr😋
Displaying 1 - 30 of 242 reviews