Forbidden Fruit

by Saffron Brooks

Blair Miller has always lived life on her own terms.
When her sister announces a whirlwind engagement, Blair returns to Boston from Paris to help plan the wedding. But nothing prepares her for the moment she meets Calvin Stirling— her sister’s fiancé. Older, powerful, intimidating, and far too handsome, Calvin awakens something in Blair she can't afford to feel.

Calvin Sterling thrives on control, discipline, and precision.
His engagement is a business deal, a calculated step toward the future he’s building. But Blair is a complication he didn’t anticipate. She’s young, bold, off-limits, and far too tempting. One look is all it takes to ignite a spark that threatens to burn everything down. He tells himself to stay away, but his self-control begins to crumble the moment she walks into his home.
As forbidden glances turn into lingering touches, and tension threatens to boil over, both Blair and Calvin find themselves caught between duty and desire.

When truths are revealed and loyalties are tested, they’ll have to ask themselves: how far are they willing to go for a love that was never supposed to happen?

Genres: Romance, Forbidden Love, BDSM

474 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 31, 2026

About the author

Saffron Brooks writes contemporary romance full of heart, hope, and the kind of love stories that linger. A lifelong daydreamer who finally decided to put pen to paper, she’s all about crafting swoony plots, heartfelt moments, and characters who feel real; flaws, feelings, and all.
In every story, you’ll find a world that reflects the one we live in: beautifully diverse, rich with different cultures, and always brimming with love in all its forms. And if you notice a little French sprinkled in, consider it her signature.
When she’s not writing, Saffron’s probably spending time with her family, planning her next getaway, or getting lost in a book that makes her laugh, cry, and blush (preferably all at once). She believes the best stories are the ones that make you feel, and she’s just getting started writing hers.

Reviews

[Jennifer Rodriguez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oo wee this was a fantastic ride. Saffron Brooks is a new author to me and Im salivating to grab her first book. I was not expecting to fall in love with this book like I did. Calvin & Blaire's story is so juicy(yes pun intended), from that twist I definitely did NOT see coming. The tension and spice had me coming back for more. Trust me when I say you will not be able to put this book down, once the story started to evolve you just have to know.

[Nicole Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Forbidden Fruit was such an addictive forbidden romance filled with tension, longing, and emotional restraint that slowly unravels into something impossible to ignore. From the moment Blair and Calvin meet, the chemistry between them is immediate, but what really makes the story work is how much of the romance is built on denial, control, and trying not to cross lines they know they shouldn’t.
Calvin was especially compelling because so much of his character revolves around discipline and maintaining control. He’s emotionally reserved, calculating, and deeply committed to the life he’s built for himself, which makes Blair’s presence feel even more disruptive. Watching those carefully maintained walls slowly crack under the weight of his attraction to her created so much tension throughout the story.
Blair balanced him perfectly. She’s confident, emotionally open, and refuses to shrink herself to make things easier for anyone else. I liked that despite the power imbalance and forbidden dynamic, she still maintained a strong sense of agency and emotional honesty throughout the story.
The forbidden aspect of the romance drives nearly every interaction, and the emotional tension stays high because both characters know exactly how dangerous their feelings could become. The lingering glances, restraint, and stolen moments honestly carried just as much intensity as the more explicit scenes.
The pacing leans heavily into emotional and romantic tension rather than external drama, which worked really well for this type of story. If you enjoy forbidden romance centered around longing, restraint, emotional conflict, and impossible choices, this definitely delivers.
Overall, this was angsty, emotional, and deeply addictive with strong chemistry and nonstop forbidden tension.

[Ari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Saffron actually left me speechless here!! I'm not gonna lie I went into this a little hesitant because I am notttt one for cheating tropes.. but I love Saffron's writing and if I'm behind honest... the messiness of a sister's fiance trope kinda intrigued me because I have never heard of it 😂 but I was absolutely unprepared for the emotional rollercoaster of lies and betrayal that this book entails!! Omgggg 😭 it was one thing after anotherrrr!!

The Characters:
Blair: omg the true definition of a brat lmaoo but I loved it because she I get her (minus the cheating part ofc!)
Calvin: 🥵🥵 what a man, what a mannnn omg 😭 the things he was doing in this book... likeee I get it Blair I truly do sis 🤭
Abby: Honestly she was such a great sister! I mean she had her downfalls yes who doesn't, but you could tell her heart was always full for Blair and I loved that dynamic!!

I'm so happy I got to see King and Ines!! I'm sorry to Blair and Calvin, but those two will forever be my faves and I was so happy to see their part in here! Also loved that Blair found friends she could connect with and trust!!

Overall definitely a 4.5 star read!! I'd say pacing was a bit slow in a few minor parts but absolutely worth reading!! I swear Saffron can do no wrong!

Tropes:
🩷 Forbidden Romance
🩷 Sister's Fiancé
🩷 Forced Proximity
🩷 Age Gap (20x30)
🩷 Brat x Dom (BDSM)
🩷 Spice: 3 🌶️

[The Book Ssirren · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great age gap forbidden romance. I loved Blair and Calvin. These two were so hot and spicy. I love mi was immediately pulled into this one and didn’t want to put it down. It was fun and so well written. That plot twist was great. I definitely didn’t see it coming. So glad I got to read this as an arc.

[Toni · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wild ride and I loved every second of it.

This was a MESS. Okay? A hot mess. Hide your boyfriends and your husbands.

Calvin pissed me off at first, not gonna lie. This man was applying PRESSURE. Sir this is your fiancée’s sister!!!
Blair tried her hardest to resist but I guess whatever a Dom wants, he’s gonna get. I would’ve given him anything he asked for. The man bought her a BIRKIN! Who am I to say no?

I thought it was so sweet how he would buy her flowers 😩 and not just ANY bouquet he found okay? The man knew the meanings.

There’s also a plot twist that I don’t think anyone will see coming. My mind is still blown.
There was just so much going on and it’s hard to say more without spoiling it but I had a TIME. I hope you do too if you give this a try.

Thank you to the author and good girls pr for the ARC ✨

[Andréa Nichole · Rating 5 out of 5]

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴:
5 ⭐️
3.75 🌶️

“𝑶𝒉, 𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒚𝒐𝒖’𝒓𝒆 𝒔𝒐𝒓𝒓𝒚? 𝑵𝒐𝒘 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒆𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆? 𝑻𝒐𝒐 𝒇𝒖𝒄𝒌𝒊𝒏’ 𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒆, 𝒃𝒓𝒂𝒕. 𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒚 𝒈𝒂𝒎𝒆𝒔? 𝑳𝒆𝒕’𝒔 𝒇𝒖𝒄𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒚.”

This was one of my 𝐌𝐎𝐒𝐓 anticipated reads of 2026. When I tell you this book had me in a chokehold from beginning to end. 𝚰 𝐌𝐄𝐀𝐍 𝚰𝐓!The 𝘎𝘈𝘚𝘗𝘐𝘕𝘎 for air type of chokehold. I read it in about 14 hours with a small break in between to sleep. 𝚰 𝐂𝐎𝐔𝐋𝐃 𝐍𝐎𝐓 𝐏𝐔𝐓 𝚰𝐓 𝐃𝐎𝐖𝐍!!! The tension from the very beginning from Calvin & Blair was so thick. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘴𝘰 𝘥𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘣𝘢𝘥 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘢𝘣𝘴𝘰𝘭𝘶𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐞𝐫, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐝𝐨 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐞𝐥𝐬𝐞, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐬𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐞𝐫, 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐨𝐮𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐫, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐥. 𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗬𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗡𝗚!! (Just thinking about it has me blushing and screaming.) I’d like one of him please! I loved Blair and I totally understood why she felt the way she did but babe you were literally seeing signs that him & your sister weren’t real. I would have dug a litter deeper to see what those signs were about. I love how she brought a totally different side out of Calvin, it was so cute to see. He helped her in ways she never expected to as well. Which I loved. I just hated how hard she was on herself which I mean I get but babe…do you see how that 𝗠𝗔𝗡 𝗟𝗢𝗢𝗞𝗦 at 𝗬𝗢𝗨! Be so for real. I absolutely loved how much she tried and tested that man. 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘴 𝘮𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘢𝘴 𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘺 𝘮𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘩 𝘰𝘧 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘴, 𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘭. 𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘭𝘺 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘢 𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘱𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘥. 𝘐 𝘤𝘢𝘯’𝘵 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘣𝘭𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘳. They truly were so good for each other and are easily a 𝗧𝗢𝗣 book couple for me. 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘮𝘢𝘺 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴. 👀 What I love about Saffron is she always throws in things you would never expect to happen. Some I caught on to but some had me screaming and at the edge of my seat. 𝘊𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘣𝘢𝘣𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘳𝘢𝘮𝘢, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘺𝘢𝘭𝘴. 𝗔𝗧𝗘 𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗠 𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗨𝗣. Even though there was a ton of trials the good moments were everything. I loved seeing her bound with his family and friends. Her finally getting girlfriends that she could trust. I always love seeing old characters from other books. Plus who doesn’t want more King & Inès? I truly enjoyed every moment of this book. I haven’t felt this giddy after reading in a long time. 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗹𝘆 𝗮 𝗺𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗽𝗶𝗲𝗰𝗲 and I 𝘩𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘐 𝘤𝘢𝘯’𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘪𝘵 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦. 𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘪’𝘮 𝘢𝘭𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘢 𝘳𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥. Because 𝙄 𝙩𝙧𝙪𝙡𝙮 𝙘𝙖𝙣’𝙩 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙥 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙢 and their story. I literally bookmarked 14 pages and highlighted 657 times. 🙈 𝐀𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐬! Saffron 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒎𝒚 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒕 not only with this book but this series. 𝘕𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘱 𝘸𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨. 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴.

“𝑫𝒐 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒇𝒆𝒆𝒍 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕? 𝑰𝒕’𝒔 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒔. 𝑨𝒍𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔. 𝑬𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝒃𝒆𝒂𝒕, 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝒃𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒉, 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝒑𝒊𝒆𝒄𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒎𝒆, 𝒊𝒕’𝒔 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒔. 𝑭𝒐𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓, 𝒊𝒇 𝒚𝒐𝒖’𝒍𝒍 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒎𝒆.”

𝗧𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝘀:
🚫 Forbidden Romance
💍 Sister’s Fiancé
⏳ Age Gap (20/30)
🥵 Brat x Dom (BDSM)
😍 Insta Attraction
🤤 Irresistible Tension
😈 Jealous MMC
🔁 Forced Proximity
🤎 Interracial
❤️‍🔥 Open Door Spice


𝗦𝗼𝗻𝗴𝘀:
Six Feet Under- Billie Eilish
Love Me Like You Do- Ellie Goulding
Dangerous Woman- Ariana Grande
I Hate U- SZA

𝙷𝚞𝚐𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚔 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚝𝚘 𝚂𝚊𝚏𝚏𝚛𝚘𝚗 𝙱𝚛𝚘𝚘𝚔𝚜 & 𝚑𝚎𝚛 𝚝𝚎𝚊𝚖 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚘𝚠𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚖𝚎 𝚝𝚘 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚍 𝚊𝚗 𝙰𝚁𝙲 𝚒𝚗 𝚎𝚡𝚌𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚐𝚎 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚊𝚗 𝚑𝚘𝚗𝚎𝚜𝚝 𝚛𝚎𝚟𝚒𝚎𝚠.

[Emily Knaus · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely love forbidden romances.. there’s just something about the feeling you get in your stomach, the flutters, as things are unfolding…the anticipation continues to build until it finally explodes. That’s the feeling that I am addicted to and this book delivers. Cal and Blair circle each other, toe every line until it finally snaps.

This is a deliciously tense, morally messy sister’s fiancé romance with an age gap that only makes the attraction burn hotter. Blair (20) returns home from fashion school in Paris for her sister Abby’s wedding, only to find herself drawn to Cal (30), he’s the man Abby is about to marry. Their connection is immediate, unsettling, and impossible to ignore. The way that Cal couldn’t take his eyes off Blair… swoon… Blair was his long before she actually knows it.

Mt favorite part of the story is the push and pull between Cal and Blair. Cal is controlled, commanding, and deeply rooted in a dominant mindset, while Blair is curious, bold, and more than a little bratty when she wants to be. Their dynamic becomes a quiet, charged exploration of power, trust, and emotional surrender. Cal is the dictionary definition of a Dom and Blair wants to know more about BDSM and the D/s dynamic… who better to teach her than her sister’s fiancé. To me, this was an absolute recipe for a delightful disaster and created the most delicious spice. Cal’s sternness was such a HUGE turn on, not going to lie. I loved the way that Cal and Blair challenge, test, and steady each other. Blair made Cal happy, he worked less and spent more time just enjoying life. Cal is the ultimate care taker the flowers, the meals, and the communication was immaculate. I couldn’t help but swoon hard over the “worry me” it was the absolute sweetest detail that Cal and Blair shared.

The sneaking around, the banter, the constant fighting of an attraction they both know they shouldn’t touch, it’s addictive. There are moments of jealousy and passion that you can’t help but feel the emotions through the pages. Cal’s possessive edge clashes beautifully with Blair’s fire, and watching them try (and fail) to stay away from each other is half the thrill.

And then towards the end a plot twist, or two detonates everything you think you know. Secrets unravel and everything comes crashing down. Blair is fighting to understand basically her whole life, she feels like everyone has lied to her. Cal’s downfall is as dramatic as his groveling is satisfying. His determination to make things right in the most compelling of ways by showing up consistently for Blair allows them to get their much deserved HEA.

I’m all about forbidden tension, complicated choices, and romances that are built on chemistry that refuses to be ignored. Saffron Brooks delivers that and so much more! There are heartfelt moments, humor filled ones, and of course don’t forget heat filled scenes that turn up the temperature! Cal and Blair are completely unforgettable characters and I loved their journey!

A huge thank you to the author Saffron Brooks and Good Girls PR for the early copy!

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you’re into stories where people do the things they know they shouldn’t do… and somehow you’re still rooting for them, this book is going to have you stressed, entertained, and flipping pages like your life depends on it.

Blair comes home from Paris to help plan her sister’s whirlwind wedding, just trying to be supportive and mind her business. And then she meets Calvin — the fiancé. The man she is absolutely not supposed to look at twice.

Now listen… as a big sister, I was fighting for my life reading this. My whole spirit was like, “Girl, absolutely not. We don’t do this.” I had to keep reminding myself, Ashley, it’s a book. Calm down. It’s fiction. But that internal tug‑of‑war actually made the experience even better. Forbidden romance might be my new favorite thing because the whole time I was praying nobody got caught but you know how it goes. Everything done in the dark eventually steps into the light.

Calvin is the definition of control. Structured. Disciplined. Predictable. His engagement to Abigail is a business move, a strategic step toward the future he’s building. Abigail even gives him one rule: don’t touch my sister. And he’s perfectly fine with that… until Blair walks into the room.

Blair is sunshine and chaos in one body ... bold, messy, emotional, unpredictable. She’s everything Calvin isn’t, and the second he meets her, his whole sense of order starts slipping. He hates that he can’t control it. He hates that he wants her. And he really hates that every time she smiles, he forgets why he agreed to this arrangement in the first place.

The tension between them is loud. The glances. The lingering moments. The “we should not be doing this” energy that refuses to sit quietly. Calvin is fighting himself the entire book, and losing. Blair is trying to be loyal, trying to be good, but her heart is doing the absolute most. And when he lets her paint his nails pink? Yeah… that man is finished. He just hasn’t admitted it yet.

This story gives you:
- forbidden romance
- fake relationship
- fiancé’s little sister tension
- Dom/brat dynamic
- secret contract energy
- forced proximity
- sunshine x control


It’s a longer romance — around 460 pages for the digital format— and sure, it could’ve been a bit tighter. But I still flew through it. The tension stays high, the emotions stay messy, and the stakes feel real the whole way through.

My final thoughts:
- Spice: 3.5 chili peppers
- Story: 4 out of 5 stars

I enjoyed it. I’d recommend it. And I think readers who love forbidden tension, emotional stakes, and a little bit of chaos will have a good time with this one.

Shout‑out to Good Girls PR and Saffron Brooks for the advance copy.

[Lauren (lololovesthings) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars.

"Forbidden Fruit" by Saffron Brooks.... woooooooooooow... this book is like a trainwreck you just cannot look away from. Every single person in this book does things they know are wrong, but choose to do them anyway. If you've got any qualms with characters potentially acting immorally, well, this is not the book for you. There is *so much drama* going on in this story. Blair (FMC) is a 20-year-old fashion student studying in Paris. Her older sister, Abigail, who helped raise her, is about to get married to Calvin (MMC) after a quick, whirlwind engagement. Blair returns to America to stay at Calvin and Abigail's penthouse to help plan the wedding and to make Abigail's wedding dress. From the very first instant Blair and Calvin set eyes on each other, there is a chemistry, a pull, a want, a need that they cannot explain. Obviously, nothing can happen since he is engaged to her sister... but she sure wants it to. Calvin is older, more established, and intimidating as h3ll... and he always gets what he wants, including the mouthy, argumentative, playful, sweet Blair. The two of them begin having an affair behind her sister's back, but not all is as it seems. There are quite a few twists and turns and jaw-dropping moments in this book. I saw most of them coming, but that doesn't mean they weren't still shocking! This story is so, so messy... like watching a daytime talk show play out in written form. It's full of lie and lie after lie, deceit after deceit after deceit, punishment after punishment after punishment. Every character has their flaws, and I think that's what I like about the book. No one is perfect, and no one pretends to be. I liked the steamy, utterly addicting dynamic between Calvin and Blair. I honestly think this book is worth reading for those scenes alone... they are insanely well-written and thoroughly well-researched (I think? LOL). Lots of chemistry and unexpected cuteness between the controlled Calvin and the bratty Blair. The age gap is a little questionable... Blair is presented as very, very young despite being 20, and Calvin is in his 30's and definitely lords himself over her in more ways than one. It was a little irksome, but not so creepy that it's unreadable. I wish she had been a few years older! I also liked the sisterly dynamic between Abigail and Blair when Abby was not being so cagey! It was obvious something was going on, so my spidey-senses kept tingling when Abby just abandoned ship to ~*mysteriously~* leave Blair alone at her penthouse. All in all, this is definitely worth a read if you're into heavy-drama romances!

Thank you to Saffron Brooks and Good Girls PR for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.

[Tiffany · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Saffron Brooks and Good Girls PR for the ARC!

Forbidden Fruit follows Blaire and Calvin. Blaire is a fashion student studying in Paris when her life gets turned upside down by a surprise engagement. Her sister Abigail is set to marry Calvin, a man Blaire has never even met, and Blaire is brought to Boston to design the wedding dress. While staying in the same penthouse as the happy couple, the tension between Blaire and Calvin starts building almost immediately.

I went into this one excited, but unfortunately it didn't fully work for me.

I'm usually not bothered by age-gap romances, but Blaire being only 20 made it harder for me to get on board. Calvin is in his thirties, and the dynamic felt uneven in a way that never sat comfortably with me. I kept feeling like Blaire was made to carry the weight of the guilt while Calvin got a pass. There were several moments where she raised valid concerns, only for him to flip the conversation and make her question herself instead.

Another issue for me was Calvin as a character. By the time I finished the book, I still felt like I barely knew him outside of his attraction to Blaire. I wanted more depth, more personality, and more reasons to connect with him.

The pacing was also a struggle. For a longer book, I expected stronger character development across the board. Instead, it felt like the story kept introducing new twists and secrets when I was ready for things to start wrapping up. Some of those reveals would have had a bigger impact if they'd been introduced much earlier.

That said, this wasn't a complete miss for me. The writing kept me engaged, and even when I was frustrated, I was still curious enough to keep turning the pages. The chemistry was definitely there, and the spicy scenes delivered. While the story itself didn't fully win me over, it held my attention from beginning to end.

⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶🌶🌶🌶

[Chanel “Nellie” · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forbidden Fruit was an absolute 5-star read for me — the kind of book that completely consumes you from the very first page. I genuinely don’t know what Saffron puts into her stories, but she never misses. This has officially become my new favorite book.

Calvin and Blair? Obsessed is an understatement. The tension between them was so intense and addictive that I could feel it through every chapter. Calvin was undeniably bad for her in all the most irresistible ways, and somehow Saffron makes you love every second of it. She has such a talent for throwing readers into unexpected twists and emotional moments that leave you completely stunned.

And Blair… I absolutely adored her. I understood her fears, her emotions, and every choice she made, but at the same time I just wanted to remind her that she is that girl. Watching her slowly bring out an entirely different side of Calvin was one of my favorite parts of the story. The way he looks at her, protects her, and slowly lets himself unravel for her? I was melting.

The chemistry and spice in this book were PERFECT. Every scene had me blushing, screaming, and kicking my feet because the tension and passion were written so well. It was the perfect balance of emotional depth and steam.

What made this story truly unforgettable, though, was the love between them. Beneath all the chaos, betrayal, secrets, and heartbreak was something so raw and beautiful that it honestly became emotional at times. Their connection felt real, messy, consuming, and deeply moving.

I also loved getting more glimpses of King and Inès — that made the experience even better for me. Overall, this book was an emotional rollercoaster in the best possible way, and I loved every second of it. Huge thank you to Saffron for the opportunity to read this ARC — it was absolutely everything.

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story surprised me in all the best ways. I do not usually read books that have cheating tropes; however, the ‘sister’s fiancé’ trope is NOT what you think it is. I could not put this book down; I found myself fully invested in these characters the more I read about them. There were so many twists in this story that I did not see coming. This story took me through every single emotion possible.

Calvin, I fell for this man and do not blame Blair for falling too. From his seriousness and dominance to his sweet gestures, my goodness what a man. Did I agree with everything he did and the decisions he made? No, but I understand why he acted the way he did. When it was time to put his heart on the line he went all out.
Blair left everything ever knew in Boston to follow her dream of studying fashion in Paris and she is living her best life. She is confident and passionate and loves all things pink. When she flies back home to design her sister’s wedding dress, the last thing she expects is the instant chemistry that she has with her sister’s fiancé, Calvin. Of course, both Blair and Calvin know that they should not cross that line with each other.

As days go by, it becomes more difficult for Blair and Calvin to deny what is happening between them. Not only is their sexual chemistry beyond what either of them have ever experienced, they find themselves opening up to one another about their lives and growing closer. Their outings lead to unexpected experiences that surprise both of them.

There were many parts of this story that I absolutely loved, but my favorite would have to be when Calvin says, “Worry me”. The meaning behind why he says that is beautiful.

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys an imperfect love story between two imperfect people. These characters will stay with you forever.

Thank you to Saffron Brooks and Good Girls PR for the chance to read this advanced readers copy.

[Payton R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg!!!!!!!!!!!! I will come back with a full review after I have finished processing my emotions cause

WYDM SAFF!!!!!!! (All in a good way)

Edit:

Okay my honest review is finally processed….. GOD TIER. Like what do you mean girly that this book made me feel spicy, happy, laugh, and cry… a lot but only at the end cause WDYM SAF!?! Truly this book was written so well that I knew I was going to be in love with both characters at the very first introduction! Truly felt like a better written fifty shades of grey … I know I know but hear me out. You have a billionaire true dominant with a young bratty submissive who is so new to the bdsm world but she’s no virgin. She knows what she wants and what she likes, she knows her limits, they make a contract (which is shown with care and detail) and the aftercare elements are perfection. This is how a good healthy relationship and kinky relationship should be.

Now I will state, this is a cheating trope between the MMC and the FMC but but buuuuuuuuuttt HEAR ME OUT AGAIN he’s in a contract marriage with her sister but they have an airtight NDA so they both cannot talk about it which I will say Peaches gets payback on them both for their secrets and making her feel guilty about doing what she did with Calvin. Oh also our girly pop is a fashion and beauty social media influencer baddie she does the TikToks and YouTube’s! Implied lol

The spice was perfect, multi and or full chapter sex scenes. Even though this is imo a 60/40 spicy to plot it had a great flow, it didn’t feel too much in certain moments and or too slow in certain moments. Truly this book made me feel all the emotions which took me back, I knew I would love it because I loved the first one Loving Queen but imo this one tops it, but I do love them both a lot!

Thank you goodgirl pr for the opportunity to read and give my honest review!

[Laurie · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ Forbidden Fruit – Saffron Brooks ✨
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5)

🍎🖤🔥💍😮‍💨

If you love:
• forbidden romance
• fiancé’s sister trope 👀
• age gap tension
• billionaire MMC
• slow burn temptation
• “we KNOW this is wrong” energy

THIS BOOK WAS PURE ANGST AND TEMPTATION 😮‍💨🔥

The second Blair and Calvin meet, the chemistry is IMMEDIATE—and honestly?? It only gets more intense from there 🍎🖤

Because this isn’t just complicated…
This is HER SISTER’S FIANCÉ 😭💍

And Calvin???
Cold, controlled, intimidating perfection.

This man has built his entire life around discipline and control, but Blair completely wrecks that within seconds 😮‍💨🔥

And Blair herself was such a strong FMC. She’s confident, bold, independent, and refuses to shrink herself around him—which only makes their tension even more addictive.

The lingering glances.
The accidental touches.
The constant fight between doing the right thing and giving into what they want???
ABSOLUTE TORTURE 😭🖤

What I loved most is that this book fully leans into the emotional messiness of the situation. Every choice feels dangerous because there are REAL consequences attached to crossing that line.

And once secrets start unraveling and loyalties get tested???
Yeah… the drama DELIVERS 🔥

The romance feels intense, forbidden, and impossible to resist, while still making you question how far these characters are willing to go for something they were never supposed to have.

If you love forbidden romances packed with tension, angst, emotional chaos, and chemistry that practically burns through the pages… this one is ADDICTIVE 🍎🔥🖤

[Evie · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW | Forbidden Fruit by Saffron Brooks
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

When I saw that this arc had reached my email, I was instantly excited. I started the book thinking I’d read a few chapters before bed. The book said: “Absolutely not.” Next thing I knew, it was 3 AM, and I was emotionally invested in everyone’s bad decisions. 😭

✨ Tropes:
🍑 Forbidden romance
💍 Sister’s fiancé
💞 Instant attraction
🏠 Forced proximity
🔥 Tension for DAYS (is this even a trope?🤭)
💗 Age gap

The way the chemistry between these two was expressed by the author was FANTASTIQUE!! Every interaction had me kicking my feet, giggling, gasping, and whispering “this is a terrible idea” while turning the page faster.

Blair is quite literally the FMC she thinks she is💅🏽. And don’t get me started on the MMC. Gosh I need me a Calvin asap. New book boyfriend 🔓.

Blair and Calvin had me STRESSED. One minute I’m rooting for them, the next minute I’m questioning every life choice that got us here… then immediately rooting for them again.

Saffron Brooks really said, “Here’s some tension,” and then proceeded to play with my emotions during every plot twist and revelation. The turns in this book, I did not see them comingggg.

If you love romance packed with drama, longing looks, emotional chaos, and characters who absolutely should stay away from each other but somehow can’t, go read Forbidden Fruit by Saffron Brooks- OUT NOW!! 🖤

Final verdict:
🍑 Forbidden? Yes.
🍑 Messy? Absolutely.
🍑 Did I eat it up? Without hesitation.

5⭐️ and a one-way ticket to therapy for my emotions.

[JoAnne Cochran · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you, Saffron Brooks and Good Girls PR for an ARC of Forbidden Fruit. In this novel, we follow Blaire and Calvin. Blaire is a fashion student, attending school in Paris. Her sister, Abigail, is suddenly engaged to a man, Calvin, whom Blaire has never met, and she is asked to design the wedding gown. Blaire is then flown to Boston for months (how this works with her being in school, idk). She stays in Calvin and Abigail’s penthouse, where temptation grows between Calvin and Blaire, upon their first meeting. I wanted to love this book, but so much just didn’t sit right with me. I am no stranger to age gaps, but Blaire, is only 20, while Calvin is in his thirties. Had she been just a few years older, I’d be okay, but 20 just seemed too young and impressionable. I also hated the fact that he let her believe she was a terrible person. I also feel like with every serious issue that came up between them, he pulled the Dom card and forced her to think she was in the wrong for asking. Calvin also had zero personality. Like, who is he? I still don’t know. This book was also very long for how underdeveloped most characters are. I wish it had ended at the 70% mark, but it just kept going. The last 30% revealed more secrets that could have not existed, or been revealed way earlier in the book. That being said, the spicy scenes earn 4🌶️, the writing kept my attention, and I was curious where it was going every time I thought it would be ending.

[RollTide.Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Saffron wrote a great book with an interesting take on the forbidden trope
Heat: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
📅Pub Day was May 31st + this book is out now! On KU as well!
📄Pages: 474
📚Format: gifted eARC
Book 2 / The Heart Lies series

Huge thank you to Saffron Brooks and Good Girls PR for this gifted eARC. This is my honest, voluntary review.

SAFFRON WHAT DID YOU WRITE?!?!?!?!

It's CR@CK. This book, she be thicc, and she is mighty. I didn't know this book would be as twisty as it ended up being. I was here for all of it. It was brilliant.

If you like a little (a lot) more spice, this is the book for you. It was so deceiving from the cover and it worked out great for me because I adore some (a lot) of spice. It was phenoenally written re: the spicy scenes.

The forbidden / fake fiance / forced prox tropes Saffron played with here were so refreshing. I am such a huge advocate for reading all tropes and I loved how well this was done. IYKYK.

Grab this book. You will not forget it. If you want spice, you got it. If you want yearning, you have that in spades. If you want some romantic suspense (nothing violent) you get that here too.

Beautifully done Saffron. This was one of my favorite May reads, locked in and on my socials.

Blair + Calvin were stunning together. This beautiful cover is everything as well!

-------------------------

Reena's Booksta

[A Rush Of Emotions · Rating 4 out of 5]

There were so many little things about this book that I love and made me absolutely devour it. The forbidden romance trope has always been one of my favorites because you just know that the story inside the pages is going to be juicy and messy. In this book we see a young woman fall for her sister's fiance. Boom mic drop let's go. 


The heroine presents as an independent young adult on the precipice of doing something pretty amazing with her life. She lives, works, and goes to school in France as a clothing designer and is summoned back home to the States when her much older sister invites her to take part in her pre-wedding planning. She stays in the same home that the sister and her new fiance share, and before you know it she and the fiance are sharing looks & touches...you get the picture. 

He is a rich businessman and we find out from his point of view that the marriage is one of convenience. He's trying to seal a deal with a traditional-minded person and feels like a fake marriage is the best way for him to be given the edge over any other competitor. I really love the voice that this author gave to the hero because she helps him be relatable in a way that wasn't too shaded by his actions. 

There is a fun twist to this book that I didn't see coming and made it even more enjoyable. If you'd like to dive into something juicy, forbidden, yet full of true love then you should give this book a chance.

 

[Jasmine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me hooked from the very beginning 😭

The forbidden tension between Blair and Calvin was SO good and honestly impossible to ignore.

Blair is bold, chaotic, stubborn, and absolutely a brat at times… but I loved her for it 😂 She constantly pushed Calvin to see how far she could test him and his reactions to her made the tension between them even better.

And Calvin???
That man had me speechless.

Quiet, controlled, jealous, protective, and constantly trying to fight the attraction he has toward Blair even when it becomes impossible to ignore.

The chemistry between them was honestly one of my favorite parts of the book because every interaction felt charged with tension.

This is definitely one of those romances where you can FEEL the attraction building with every scene.

The forbidden romance aspect mixed with the age gap and forced proximity made this so addictive to read because you knew things were eventually going to explode 👀

And even though this wasn’t an extremely spicy romance, the tension and emotional chemistry carried the story so well that I genuinely could not put it down.

⭐️ Overall Rating: 4.5/5
🔥 Burn Level: 4.5/5
🌶️ Spice Level: 3.75/5
💧 Emotional Impact: 4/5

Thank you to @goodgirlpr for the opportunity to read and review this book 🤍

[ljamison · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book in the Heart Lies series and my first book by this author. I love a messy story and boy did I enjoy this one. Blair is a student in Paris learning about designing clothes. Her sister Abigail has sent her money and requested that she come home to design her dress and help her plan her wedding. Well Blair is dumbstruck when she finds out her sister is engaged to the CEO of the company she was working for and is living in a penthouse. Upon meeting Calvin the fiancé she is immediately attracted to him as he is to her. Now I don’t have a sister but I know it’s forbidden to want your sister’s fiance. There is cheating in this book for those who don’t like it, you may want to avoid this book. I didn’t mind the cheating, but I wish they had the relationship grow a little first. There are lots of twists and turns and lots of lies and deception occurring. All is not revealed early but many things happen that make you question “what the heck is going on?” There are also BDSM elements occurring in this book and kudos to the way it is handled and discussed, one of my favorite parts in the book and not something I have read or seen before. I love angsty, emotional, drama filled, tumultuous books and this is definitely one. I will definitely be reading more books by this author.

[Emi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this book after finishing school since I felt it was like a little reward. I am so glad I waited because this book had me hooked from the very beginning. I wasn’t able to put it down for a second until I finished it entirely.

When I signed up for this book I knew I was going to like it but I didn’t expect to love it as much as I did.
The tension, the secrecy, the romantic moments were all so perfect it had be gripping my kindle wanting to submerge myself into it.

This story follows Colin and Blair. They embark in a forbidden romance as they try and challenge the pull they feel for each other but ultimately fail.
The way the author Saffron Brooks wrote their hidden glances, and interactions was perfection 10/10. I couldn’t stop giggling and just smiling at the book the whole time.

There was also conflicting moments that were also well developed and written that you can’t help but feel for the characters in a much deeper level. Especially the angsty moments that had to do with groveling and hard decisions. It was the best!

I honestly felt like I was watching a movie as I was reading.

I would definitely recommend this book for its one of the best I’ve read!

PSA
After reading this book I fell into a reading slump because of how good it was!!

⭐️: 4.5/5

[Jocelyn Holland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forbidden fruit was a 5 star read let me tell you I ate this book up i have no clue what she puts in her books but Saffron kills it this is my new favorite book Calvin and Blair omgggg to dare I say I love them both . The tension between these two was so thick . This man was do bad for her but like as he should. One thing about saffron is she going to thrown you into things you never expected. I loveee Blair I get why she felt the way she did but girl your that girl . I really loved how she brought out a whole different side out of him and girl the way he looks at you omggg . Calvin helped her in so many ways . The spicy in this book had me looking makings sure nobody saw that to cuz lord was it the right amount of spice I was screaming and kicking my feet . They are truly amazing for each other the love that have for one another is beautiful and honestly a tear jerker . The dream the lies and betrayal got to all of them . Plus I got to see a little more into King and Inès which I love soooo much this book is a masterpiece i really loved it. Thank you so much saffron for letting me get this arc it was everything

[Karina Dunn · Rating 5 out of 5]

OK WAITT!?! Hear me out …… I get it Blair I do 🥵 this book is chef’s kiss, honestly. Saffron did her big one with that one. I couldn’t wait to read it and it took me like a day and I ATE IT UP! The tension? The plot? The twists!?!? My jaw dropped, I was not expecting half of what came up, literally I was shook!!! Blair and Calvin omg, the tension from the star. I know how hard it was for her but man they were meant to be together. The way they bring out the best in each other, he gets her to be open, wild and free and she gets him to see more than just work. She was testing that mans patience !! I was giddy, kicking my feet up in the air in all the spicy parts hoping no one could see the smile on face 😂🥵 the DOM/Brat was everything, loved it. The lies & betrayal though?!? Omg didn’t see it coming, I was like 70% through thinking something ain’t right and I was not even imagining half the shit that happened , CRAZY!! Truly they have my heart and the poet Calvin became was just beautiful. I loved the family and friendships that were created along the way it was just wonderful and I just loved the book overall!!!

[Ariel Loper · Rating 5 out of 5]

I rate Forbidden Fruit a 4.5. This book was absolutely amazing, and I enjoyed every second of it. From the moment they met, Blair and Calvin had so much tension between them. It was like something just clicked into place, and they were right for each other. I mean Blair is an aspiring fashion designer, and Calvin is an architect. They both draw and build pieces of art that fulfills them, so it was always meant to be in my eyes. I loved that both Blair and Calvin brought out the best in each other. Even when Blair was exploring a new world, Calvin was right there helping her and slowly falling in love with her at the same time and vice versa. When Calvin started bringing Blair around his family and friends, I knew a future was bright for them. The spice this book is out of this world.The BDSM was done perfectly in my eyes. Honey, I was GAGGED! I just know they had a ball. There are some lies and betrayal in this book, and I was stunned! However, I am happy that everyone in the book was able to overcome it and thrive. The love between Blair and Calvin is something special, and I'm glad both were able to gain family and friends who support and love them throughout the whole process.

[Marie Rivers · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Makes me want to say the filthiest things I can think of just to see how deep I can make you blush.”😏😍🤭

Words can’t explain how much I love this author’s writing. This book was SPICY, messy, and had me swooning like there was no tomorrow. I love Calvin and Blair together. I’m not usually a fan of insta love, but it really worked with these two. The chemistry just clicked! He’s a dom and she’s a brat, and when I tell you she did everything in her power to disobey him, she really did. He put her back in her place every single time though🤪

I knew this story was going to be messy when I saw it described as sister’s fiancé. I was scared but highly curious to see how it was going to play out, but boy, did Miss Saffron deliver. There’s a plot twist in this that had my jaw in hell. I genuinely wasn’t expecting that!

I was also happy to see my babies King and Inés in this! I almost teared up because they’ll forever have my heart. This book was so much fun and scandalous in the best way possible. There was a time or two when I wanted to slap both of these characters upside the head, but in the end, it made me happy to see everything work out.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

5★

I genuinely did not think this book was going to wreck me the way it did.

Blair and Calvin have no business being this good together. She's chaotic and bold and doesn't apologize for it, and he is so clearly undone by her from the jump, even when he's doing everything in his power to pretend otherwise. The tension in the early chapters? Unbearable in the best way. I kept having to put my phone down just to collect myself.

The BDSM dynamic was written so well. It never felt gratuitous; it actually said so much about both of them. Blair pushes every boundary she can find, and Calvin meets her every single time. And then the betrayal hit, and I had to put the phone down for ten minutes because.... EXCUSE ME?? I had a feeling something was off, but I was not fully prepared. What really got me was how much they grew because of each other. He softens in ways you don't expect. She finds her footing in ways she never had before.

Saffron Brooks is not playing around with this series. Go read it.

[Raaaiss · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of all, I’d like to thank Goodgirls PR and Saffron Brooks for giving me the opportunity to read this book as one of the first readers.

I absolutely loved this book! I could barely put it down. Every time I told myself “just one more page,” the story kept getting better and better. From their very first meeting, the chemistry between the main characters was undeniable, and it kept me hooked from start to finish.

While there were moments when I felt the relationship progressed a little faster than I would have liked, it didn’t take away from my enjoyment of the story at all. Saffron added just the right amount of spice to make the romance feel complete, and I can’t thank her enough for that. 😏🌶️🌶️🌶️

The side characters were just as intriguing and left me wanting to know more about their stories. Because of that, I’ll definitely be picking up Inès and Kingsley’s book next! 😳📚

Overall, this was such an enjoyable read, and I’d highly recommend it to anyone who loves romance with great chemistry, engaging characters, and the perfect touch of spice.

[GetLitWithRae · Rating 4 out of 5]

The chemistry between Blair and Calvin is intense from the very beginning. From their first meeting, there's an undeniable pull between them that neither of them can fully explain. The problem? Calvin is engaged to Blair's sister, Abigail. No matter how hard they try to ignore the attraction, it's clear that some feelings refuse to stay buried.

This story is messy, emotional, and packed with angst. The characters make complicated choices, emotions run high, and the drama never lets up.

The tension between Blair and Calvin kept me turning the pages, eager to see how everything would unfold. Their connection is complicated, forbidden, and impossible to ignore, making for a very emotional ride.

If you're a fan of messy relationships, family drama, forbidden attraction, and plenty of angst, this one may be right up your alley.

Dramatic, emotional, and full of tension, Forbidden Fruit delivers a reading experience that will keep you invested from start to finish.

Thank you to Good Girls PR & Saffron Brooks for the advanced reader copy. This is my honest review!

[Ana Decosta · Rating 2 out of 5]

So no, this wasn't a book for me. It's like Cinderella met Christian Grey. Although the author warned readers about BDSM content, this one made me cringe, it was awkward and slightly boring. It's really hard for me to understand the allure of a 20 year old aside from the great, flexible body, but when we talk about adult, successful male in his 30's losing his mind for an average thinking girl who tends to like his kinks it's just meh. Been there, read that, thought it was unrealistic and moved on. For me Calvin wasn't sexy, neither was Bair, they were portrayed as such, but I could not picture them outside of words, they fell flat to me. Also, in the second half of the book Blair was so confused I could not get what she really wanted. When she realised her relationship with Calvin was toxic, she jumped the ship but realised she loved him with everything she had.
The whole fake engagement and realising who Blair's parents actually were - just too much. The Bold and the Beautiful you are not, book.
2 stars.

[Tomi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just finished reading this book!!! And it is exactly what i expected, messy, addictive, intense and impossible to put down.

Blair flies home from Paris to help plan her older sister’s wedding. Calvin is the fiancé except the engagement is entirely fake, a business arrangement engineered to protect a career-defining deal. What neither of them planned for is Blair walking through the door and upending everything.

The forbidden element is properly layered the age gap, fake relationship, family loyalty, and real consequences all stacked on top of each other.

Brooks handles the competing pressures well, and the chemistry between Blair and Calvin was so intense and intriguing. The spice was top notch, I enjoyed that Calvin was Soo down for Blair!! It had me gushing. The chapter titles alone will have you cackling.

The epilogue delivers, and the book keeps every promise it makes. A fun, steamy forbidden romance with more depth than you might expect. I highly recommend