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The Forbidden: A Dark Billionaire Romance
If Twisted Love met Corrupt, and Haunting Adeline was rewritten as a billionaire romance carved from vengeance and devotion…
Evelyn Hart has spent her life surviving the scars of a childhood she can’t outrun. Quiet, guarded, and determined to rebuild herself, she never expected her new job to place her in the orbit of Alexander Hunt—the enigmatic billionaire with shadows in his eyes and an empire built on secrets.
What begins as a cautious connection quickly becomes something deeper… and far more dangerous. Alexander is protective, relentless, and willing to wage war on anyone who threatens her. But when Evelyn uncovers the truth about his hidden world—one built on power, retribution, and the ghosts of her own past—she must decide whether to walk away or stand beside the only man who has ever fought for her.
As enemies resurface and long-buried truths claw their way into the light, Evelyn discovers a strength she never knew she possessed… and a love powerful enough to change everything.
The Forbidden is a dark romantic journey of survival, redemption, and the fierce, unbreakable bond between two souls who refuse to surrender—even when the world demands they do.
For fans of billionaire romance, forbidden romance, dark romance, workplace attraction, protector romance, morally grey hero, trauma healing, secret past, slow burn intensity, found family elements, obsessive love, redemption arc, one night stand pregnancy, scarred heroine, dominant hero, danger, and desire.
Evelyn Hart has spent her life surviving the scars of a childhood she can’t outrun. Quiet, guarded, and determined to rebuild herself, she never expected her new job to place her in the orbit of Alexander Hunt—the enigmatic billionaire with shadows in his eyes and an empire built on secrets.
What begins as a cautious connection quickly becomes something deeper… and far more dangerous. Alexander is protective, relentless, and willing to wage war on anyone who threatens her. But when Evelyn uncovers the truth about his hidden world—one built on power, retribution, and the ghosts of her own past—she must decide whether to walk away or stand beside the only man who has ever fought for her.
As enemies resurface and long-buried truths claw their way into the light, Evelyn discovers a strength she never knew she possessed… and a love powerful enough to change everything.
The Forbidden is a dark romantic journey of survival, redemption, and the fierce, unbreakable bond between two souls who refuse to surrender—even when the world demands they do.
For fans of billionaire romance, forbidden romance, dark romance, workplace attraction, protector romance, morally grey hero, trauma healing, secret past, slow burn intensity, found family elements, obsessive love, redemption arc, one night stand pregnancy, scarred heroine, dominant hero, danger, and desire.
- GenresAmazonDark Romance
206 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 18, 2025
11 people are currently reading
41 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
January 11, 2026
The Forbidden, is the debut of L.T. Autumn, a dark obsessive romance.
It’s the story of Evelyn and Alexander. He is a billionaire and Evelyn’s grumpy boss. He seems totally out of her league. But what she doesn’t know is that his eye fell on her for quite some time now and it’s not surprisingly that he reaches out for her at a working party. They leave there together …
After that a lot of things are happening but his possessive, controlling side is always there.
Two souls, once broken by things in the past, are scattering together. Will they be the strength and anchor for each other, they have both been craving for?
Evelyn is a fragile woman, fractured by things from her past but as the story progresses, there is growth in her personality. Alexander is always composed and appears unbreakable on the outside, but inside him, there is a storm at times.
I don’t want to spoil things so I’ll just say that there are some surprising twists towards the end.
I highly recommend this book for people who love dark romance with complex and intriguing characters.
It’s the story of Evelyn and Alexander. He is a billionaire and Evelyn’s grumpy boss. He seems totally out of her league. But what she doesn’t know is that his eye fell on her for quite some time now and it’s not surprisingly that he reaches out for her at a working party. They leave there together …
After that a lot of things are happening but his possessive, controlling side is always there.
Two souls, once broken by things in the past, are scattering together. Will they be the strength and anchor for each other, they have both been craving for?
Evelyn is a fragile woman, fractured by things from her past but as the story progresses, there is growth in her personality. Alexander is always composed and appears unbreakable on the outside, but inside him, there is a storm at times.
I don’t want to spoil things so I’ll just say that there are some surprising twists towards the end.
I highly recommend this book for people who love dark romance with complex and intriguing characters.
January 9, 2026
What to say, what to say?! I am typing this literally directly after finishing. I will and shall endeavor to avoid spoilers. The style of the short chapters with the back-and-forth PoV of our main characters was exquisitely done. It added to the tension, to the emotion, it gave us this pace that drive into the emotion of the plot. If I had to pick three words for "The Forbidden": intoxicating, passionate, and twisty. The range of emotions that happen in this will leave never a dull or lull. The very first page and use of language, I knew I was hooked. This was a great example of 1st person point of view and the feelings it can drive in the reader...ESPECIALLY when the writer has a way of words. Would I recommend? Absolutely! Would I read again? For sure! This was a quick read for me because I devoured it...devoured it like Alexander devours Evelyn lol. Should you decide to read, enjoy!!!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
My note from the end of the book,
Stories like The Forbidden are not born quietly. They arrive the way storms do—charged, unruly, aching to be understood. LT Autumn stepped into my inbox with a manuscript that didn’t whisper for attention… it demanded it. It carried wound and fire, tenderness and fury, danger and devotion. It carried a heroine who refuses to stay broken and a hero who loves like a weapon and a prayer.
From the very first pages, I knew this book belonged in my imprint. What LT Autumn has created is more than a dark romance. It is a reclamation. A pulse. A vow to every reader who has been cracked open by life and still believes in love sharp enough to cut and gentle enough to heal.
As the founder of House of Llianne Olivo Books and Friends, I am honored to champion her voice, her vision, and the growing community already gathering around her. This is only her beginning, but she arrived with the power of someone who has been writing in the shadows for years, waiting for the world to catch up.
To LT Autumn: Thank you for trusting me with your debut. Thank you for daring to write a love story that bleeds and bites and still rises. And thank you for reminding us that even the darkest characters can lead us into the brightest truths.
To the readers holding this book: Welcome. You are witnessing the first spark of an author who will burn through the genre in all the best ways.
With admiration, pride, and fire,
Llianne Olivo
House of Llianne Olivo Books and Friends
houseofllianne.com
Stories like The Forbidden are not born quietly. They arrive the way storms do—charged, unruly, aching to be understood. LT Autumn stepped into my inbox with a manuscript that didn’t whisper for attention… it demanded it. It carried wound and fire, tenderness and fury, danger and devotion. It carried a heroine who refuses to stay broken and a hero who loves like a weapon and a prayer.
From the very first pages, I knew this book belonged in my imprint. What LT Autumn has created is more than a dark romance. It is a reclamation. A pulse. A vow to every reader who has been cracked open by life and still believes in love sharp enough to cut and gentle enough to heal.
As the founder of House of Llianne Olivo Books and Friends, I am honored to champion her voice, her vision, and the growing community already gathering around her. This is only her beginning, but she arrived with the power of someone who has been writing in the shadows for years, waiting for the world to catch up.
To LT Autumn: Thank you for trusting me with your debut. Thank you for daring to write a love story that bleeds and bites and still rises. And thank you for reminding us that even the darkest characters can lead us into the brightest truths.
To the readers holding this book: Welcome. You are witnessing the first spark of an author who will burn through the genre in all the best ways.
With admiration, pride, and fire,
Llianne Olivo
House of Llianne Olivo Books and Friends
houseofllianne.com
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was a fast paced Dark Romance. Started with a bang and just kept going. I loved the way the main characters got together and healed each other. There is intrigue and spice. The dark side was especially intriguing and I enjoyed the FMC strength and ability to exact justice. The MMC is dominating and possessive. This is a she falls first and he falls harder. There are of course villians and revenge.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
fell straight into Alexander and Evelyn's world for chaos, twist and turns...and I was all for it!
I loved every moment of it🖤 The spice, the heartache, thier stories and rising above it all!
Get ready to dive head first in...
If you love your men possesive, who fall first...hard, with simmering rage but mask it under calm control...then you will L♡VE Alexander! Evelyn is fierce, and overcomes EVERYTHING thrown at her, she isn't a survivor she is a QUEEN👑
I loved every moment of it🖤 The spice, the heartache, thier stories and rising above it all!
Get ready to dive head first in...
If you love your men possesive, who fall first...hard, with simmering rage but mask it under calm control...then you will L♡VE Alexander! Evelyn is fierce, and overcomes EVERYTHING thrown at her, she isn't a survivor she is a QUEEN👑
January 2, 2026
ARC Review for The Forbidden by @l.t_autumn
🌹🌹🌹
The Forbidden is a dark billionaire romance.
The povs confused me a little at the start
FMC - everything is I
MMC - everything is you , as though hes telling her the story
But after abit you get the hang of it 😝🤣 Do read the trigger list before reading whole book.
It wasted no time in main character hook ups! So for sure a fast paced read, shes in denial, hes obsessed.
Their pasts are tragic! And its like two damaged souls coming together, and sharing it seems to have actually achieved something???
Took an instant dislike to Grace. And omg. The twist. Dangg.
I really liked Sammy & Aiden!
I enjoyed this read and the ending was great! I cannot wait to read the next one I just know things are about to go downnnnn and be spicyy
#theforbidden #ltautumnauthor #billionaireromance #darkromance #forbiddenfeelings #tragicpasts #smalltriggers #love #indieauthor #arcreader #arcread
🌹🌹🌹
The Forbidden is a dark billionaire romance.
The povs confused me a little at the start
FMC - everything is I
MMC - everything is you , as though hes telling her the story
But after abit you get the hang of it 😝🤣 Do read the trigger list before reading whole book.
It wasted no time in main character hook ups! So for sure a fast paced read, shes in denial, hes obsessed.
Their pasts are tragic! And its like two damaged souls coming together, and sharing it seems to have actually achieved something???
Took an instant dislike to Grace. And omg. The twist. Dangg.
I really liked Sammy & Aiden!
I enjoyed this read and the ending was great! I cannot wait to read the next one I just know things are about to go downnnnn and be spicyy
#theforbidden #ltautumnauthor #billionaireromance #darkromance #forbiddenfeelings #tragicpasts #smalltriggers #love #indieauthor #arcreader #arcread
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 12, 2026
I really really really enjoyed this book. I loved how they went from strangers to lovers, how protective and possessive he is over her. I love how she found herself while she was with him, how she forged herself from fire! This is definitely an amazing book!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 2, 2026
Arc Reader.
I absolutely loved this book! It is a hallmark movies but make it spicy! I can’t wait for the next book. All the twists and turns in this book and not what you would expect. It will leave you wanted to keep reading and wish there was more!
Alexander (mmc) was burned but love in his past and his past comes back to destroy him and it involved Evelyn(FmC). He will do anything to save her from harm!
Evelyn has an abusive past from childhood, but she is stronger then she was back then and she comes out as a Queen at the end! The character build up is great. And I am ready to see what book two has in store
It’s Ceo Billionaire love story
Touch her and die
Kidnapping
Dark romance (so check your triggers)
Boss/employee
She falls first he falls harder
I absolutely loved this book! It is a hallmark movies but make it spicy! I can’t wait for the next book. All the twists and turns in this book and not what you would expect. It will leave you wanted to keep reading and wish there was more!
Alexander (mmc) was burned but love in his past and his past comes back to destroy him and it involved Evelyn(FmC). He will do anything to save her from harm!
Evelyn has an abusive past from childhood, but she is stronger then she was back then and she comes out as a Queen at the end! The character build up is great. And I am ready to see what book two has in store
It’s Ceo Billionaire love story
Touch her and die
Kidnapping
Dark romance (so check your triggers)
Boss/employee
She falls first he falls harder
January 3, 2026
If you’re looking for a romance that’s as dangerous as it is emotional, The Forbidden delivers. It gives off “us against the world" vibes, Evelyn Hart, a survivor with a heavy past, and Alexander Hunt, the enigmatic billionaire who will burn the world down to protect her. The "slow burn intensity" mixed with the high-stakes danger kept me turning pages. It’s dark, protective, and deeply romantic. A must-read for fans of the "morally grey hero" trope!
The way Alexander fights for Evelyn—even when she’s ready to walk away—is everything. It’s a beautiful story of redemption and unbreakable bonds. 10/10 recommend for the dark romance girlies!
The way Alexander fights for Evelyn—even when she’s ready to walk away—is everything. It’s a beautiful story of redemption and unbreakable bonds. 10/10 recommend for the dark romance girlies!
January 8, 2026
This one really gets you in your feels! Wow! I really connected with the characters and you felt their emotions throughout the book! Kept me wanting to know more! Loved it!
January 2, 2026
This was such an enjoyable read! I loved Alexander but who wouldn’t ! If you love possessive alpha men who fall first who hold there self with calm exterior well dressed CEO but would do anything for her this is for you it has a great story line and twists,The MFC will have you screaming at your kindle to see what’s in front of her face then worrying for her and wanting to give her a cuddle all in all it’s a must read !
January 3, 2026
Twists, Trauma, and a Love That Transforms
⭐ 5 Stars — A Dark, Addictive Start to the Forbidden Clause Series
The Forbidden by LT Autumn is book one in the Forbidden Clause series, and what an introduction it is.
Evelyn Hart has survived by making herself small. Years of abuse and emotional trauma have shaped her into the office “mouse,” unnoticed by most—except by the one man who matters. Powerful billionaire Alexander Hunt, her boss, has been watching her far longer than she realises.
Their connection sparks almost immediately. Alexander steps in to protect her from the office playboy, and one night of passion changes everything. From the first chapter, it’s clear where their chemistry is heading… until Alexander’s past crashes into the present. Enter Grace—his unhinged ex—determined to reclaim what she believes is hers.
The drama with Grace hits around the midpoint, and I genuinely thought the rest of the book would coast smoothly from there. I was very wrong.
What truly elevates this story is the character development. Evelyn’s transformation is powerful—her strength and courage blossom under Alexander’s love, right up until the moment he bows to his queen. Their dynamic is intense, dark, and deeply emotional.
This is a dark romance with plenty of twists, turns, and tension. Do check the trigger warnings, because there are several and they’re not mild.
I loved this story. I loved these characters. And I loved watching them evolve through every challenge thrown their way. I can’t wait to dive into the rest of the series.
⭐ 5 Stars — A Dark, Addictive Start to the Forbidden Clause Series
The Forbidden by LT Autumn is book one in the Forbidden Clause series, and what an introduction it is.
Evelyn Hart has survived by making herself small. Years of abuse and emotional trauma have shaped her into the office “mouse,” unnoticed by most—except by the one man who matters. Powerful billionaire Alexander Hunt, her boss, has been watching her far longer than she realises.
Their connection sparks almost immediately. Alexander steps in to protect her from the office playboy, and one night of passion changes everything. From the first chapter, it’s clear where their chemistry is heading… until Alexander’s past crashes into the present. Enter Grace—his unhinged ex—determined to reclaim what she believes is hers.
The drama with Grace hits around the midpoint, and I genuinely thought the rest of the book would coast smoothly from there. I was very wrong.
What truly elevates this story is the character development. Evelyn’s transformation is powerful—her strength and courage blossom under Alexander’s love, right up until the moment he bows to his queen. Their dynamic is intense, dark, and deeply emotional.
This is a dark romance with plenty of twists, turns, and tension. Do check the trigger warnings, because there are several and they’re not mild.
I loved this story. I loved these characters. And I loved watching them evolve through every challenge thrown their way. I can’t wait to dive into the rest of the series.
December 25, 2025
Thank you to the author for allowing me to chance to read this book early. I was really enjoying the book at first. But as it continued it started turning a little flat.
Things I enjoyed:
Sammy!! I love a ride or die side character. When she told Alexander she would do something far worse than what his enemies could imagine, I knew right then I love her!
The font of the first sentence in each chapter. It may seem minimal but I love simple things
Things I didn’t enjoy:
The timeline started slow then went really fast. I was so confused with her getting pregnant and then telling her she was 3-4 weeks along but she flashed back to 2 weeks before impossible. Another thing is when she was thrown a baby shower by her friend Sammy but she just found out she was pregnant which normally wouldn’t happen. Also her pregnancy kept changing weeks one minute she was freshly pregnant/showing the next she was fully round.
Things I enjoyed:
Sammy!! I love a ride or die side character. When she told Alexander she would do something far worse than what his enemies could imagine, I knew right then I love her!
The font of the first sentence in each chapter. It may seem minimal but I love simple things
Things I didn’t enjoy:
The timeline started slow then went really fast. I was so confused with her getting pregnant and then telling her she was 3-4 weeks along but she flashed back to 2 weeks before impossible. Another thing is when she was thrown a baby shower by her friend Sammy but she just found out she was pregnant which normally wouldn’t happen. Also her pregnancy kept changing weeks one minute she was freshly pregnant/showing the next she was fully round.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 25, 2025
Sooo good!!
I promise you will love this book I am obsessed with Llianne Olivio and her writing it quickly becoming a favorite! This Tory is different it's not your typical predictable billionaire dark romance highly recommended!!
I promise you will love this book I am obsessed with Llianne Olivio and her writing it quickly becoming a favorite! This Tory is different it's not your typical predictable billionaire dark romance highly recommended!!
December 18, 2025
✨️ARC Review✨️
Evelyn Hart lived her life in the shadows. Trying to make herself as small as possible to not be noticed. That is, until she gained the attention of Billionaire, company owner, her boss, Alexander Hunt. What came next was never something Evelyn imagined!
This book started out with a bang! Once I started reading, I could not put it down. The way the author describes the feelings and thoughts of the characters, you could adopt their feelings as you navigate the book.
There are twists and turns that you are not expecting, but definitely leaves you wanting to know what happens next! I cannot wait to find out what the future holds!
Evelyn Hart lived her life in the shadows. Trying to make herself as small as possible to not be noticed. That is, until she gained the attention of Billionaire, company owner, her boss, Alexander Hunt. What came next was never something Evelyn imagined!
This book started out with a bang! Once I started reading, I could not put it down. The way the author describes the feelings and thoughts of the characters, you could adopt their feelings as you navigate the book.
There are twists and turns that you are not expecting, but definitely leaves you wanting to know what happens next! I cannot wait to find out what the future holds!
December 18, 2025
ARC Review
Overall, I loved the darkness of the storyline and the cat/mouse game Evelyn and Alexander play. The depth of their attraction to one another is evident in the way LT Autumn writes. Highly recommend the triggers if you’ve never read darker romance!!
I do wish there had been a little more build before the work function to set the scene a little more. I also wish Alexander’s dark past was brought in a little sooner, just so it wasn’t such an abrupt road bump in the story.
For a debut novel, I loved the emotional connection created and the way Evelyn and Alexander work through the changes in their relationship. It’s raw, possessive but also passionate and emotional.
Overall, I loved the darkness of the storyline and the cat/mouse game Evelyn and Alexander play. The depth of their attraction to one another is evident in the way LT Autumn writes. Highly recommend the triggers if you’ve never read darker romance!!
I do wish there had been a little more build before the work function to set the scene a little more. I also wish Alexander’s dark past was brought in a little sooner, just so it wasn’t such an abrupt road bump in the story.
For a debut novel, I loved the emotional connection created and the way Evelyn and Alexander work through the changes in their relationship. It’s raw, possessive but also passionate and emotional.
December 17, 2025
ARC review
Alexander CEO, billionaire and stoic as they can get has been burned by love and don’t know how to trust anymore. Evelyn hurt as a child and does everything she can to be invisible since that was the only way to survive when she was a child. But that doesn’t matter when she is catched by Alexanders eyes.
I liked the storyline of this book and the short chapters makes the pacing fast. However, I think there could have been a bit more depth to the characters but that’s me! It’s still a well written book and L.T Autumn is definitely an author worth remembering!
Alexander CEO, billionaire and stoic as they can get has been burned by love and don’t know how to trust anymore. Evelyn hurt as a child and does everything she can to be invisible since that was the only way to survive when she was a child. But that doesn’t matter when she is catched by Alexanders eyes.
I liked the storyline of this book and the short chapters makes the pacing fast. However, I think there could have been a bit more depth to the characters but that’s me! It’s still a well written book and L.T Autumn is definitely an author worth remembering!
Review of advance copy received from Author
⭐️⭐️⭐️ ARC Review
The Forbidden by L.T. Autumn
Let me start by confessing a small, slightly uncomfortable truth:
I have never read anything like this before. Ever.
Different voice. Different rhythm. Different rules. I walked in blind and immediately started questioning my own emotional stability. Always a good sign.
From page one I didn’t know what I was supposed to feel. Or who those feelings even belonged to.
Quick internal panic check: Are these mine? His? Hers? Should I be worried?
Autumn doesn’t gently invite you into this story. She pulls you in. Quietly. Patiently. Like she knows resistance is pointless. She makes you want it. Whatever it is.
At some point I even caught myself thinking I might want all of this more than Alexander and Evelyn do. Which was… unsettling. And impressive.
Then my brain went:
Nah. Too soft. Too much love. This won’t hurt enough.
Wrong.
Completely, beautifully wrong.
Bam. Emotional whiplash.
The rollercoaster smiled, buckled me in, and took me hostage.
Wait—what just happened? When did this turn on me?
The chapters are short. Blink-and-you-miss-it short. The pacing is fast, relentless, and addictive. That said, some of the heated moments (you know which ones—pick your poison) could have used just a little more depth. A few extra seconds to breathe. Or suffer. Preferably suffer.
And here’s the thing:
You have to read between the lines. Autumn sneaks in these aching, throbbing, quietly devastating quotes that burn just enough to leave a mark—and then she moves on like nothing happened.
No, I’m not sharing them.
Earn your own scars.
This is a whirlwind of a love story that taps into something uncomfortable and honest—something many people would deny wanting but absolutely do.
So why three stars?
Because I loved the darkness.
The emotions.
The rawness.
Desire, pain, past, present, denial, hope, strength, survival—I had them all, laid out like an emotional crime scene.
But I was so invested in this unfamiliar playing field that I wanted just a bit more.
More depth.
More weight.
One extra layer of flavor to really let it sink its teeth in.
That’s me, though.
For others this will be more than enough—or maybe even too much. And that’s fine. To each their own.
What I do know is this:
This is a very well-written gem, wrapped in one of the most beautiful covers I’ve ever seen. And those first pages of every chapter?
My. Oh. My.
L.T. Autumn, to me, is a gem worth remembering.
And this book?
It lingered. Even when I didn’t expect it to.
The Forbidden by L.T. Autumn
Let me start by confessing a small, slightly uncomfortable truth:
I have never read anything like this before. Ever.
Different voice. Different rhythm. Different rules. I walked in blind and immediately started questioning my own emotional stability. Always a good sign.
From page one I didn’t know what I was supposed to feel. Or who those feelings even belonged to.
Quick internal panic check: Are these mine? His? Hers? Should I be worried?
Autumn doesn’t gently invite you into this story. She pulls you in. Quietly. Patiently. Like she knows resistance is pointless. She makes you want it. Whatever it is.
At some point I even caught myself thinking I might want all of this more than Alexander and Evelyn do. Which was… unsettling. And impressive.
Then my brain went:
Nah. Too soft. Too much love. This won’t hurt enough.
Wrong.
Completely, beautifully wrong.
Bam. Emotional whiplash.
The rollercoaster smiled, buckled me in, and took me hostage.
Wait—what just happened? When did this turn on me?
The chapters are short. Blink-and-you-miss-it short. The pacing is fast, relentless, and addictive. That said, some of the heated moments (you know which ones—pick your poison) could have used just a little more depth. A few extra seconds to breathe. Or suffer. Preferably suffer.
And here’s the thing:
You have to read between the lines. Autumn sneaks in these aching, throbbing, quietly devastating quotes that burn just enough to leave a mark—and then she moves on like nothing happened.
No, I’m not sharing them.
Earn your own scars.
This is a whirlwind of a love story that taps into something uncomfortable and honest—something many people would deny wanting but absolutely do.
So why three stars?
Because I loved the darkness.
The emotions.
The rawness.
Desire, pain, past, present, denial, hope, strength, survival—I had them all, laid out like an emotional crime scene.
But I was so invested in this unfamiliar playing field that I wanted just a bit more.
More depth.
More weight.
One extra layer of flavor to really let it sink its teeth in.
That’s me, though.
For others this will be more than enough—or maybe even too much. And that’s fine. To each their own.
What I do know is this:
This is a very well-written gem, wrapped in one of the most beautiful covers I’ve ever seen. And those first pages of every chapter?
My. Oh. My.
L.T. Autumn, to me, is a gem worth remembering.
And this book?
It lingered. Even when I didn’t expect it to.
February 10, 2026
I went in expecting dark billionaire romance. I came out emotionally wrecked, feral, and absolutely obsessed.
The Forbidden is what happens when obsession puts on a tailored suit, vengeance sharpens its teeth, and devotion decides it will burn the world down quietly if needed. This book does not flirt. It claims.
Evelyn Hart broke my heart in the softest, most painful way. She is quiet strength, survival stitched into her bones, carrying trauma like a shadow she never asked for. Watching her slowly reclaim herself felt raw and intimate, like being trusted with something fragile. Her growth was earned, not rushed, not glossed over, and that made every moment hit harder.
And Alexander Hunt. Good lord. This man is danger wrapped in control. A morally grey billionaire who does not hesitate, does not apologize, and does not half love. Protective to the point of terrifying, ruthless with anyone who threatens Evelyn, and utterly undone by her. The way he wages war in silence for her? The way his devotion is carved from vengeance and loyalty? I was gone. Mentally. Spiritually. Permanently.
The romance is a slow burn that smolders. Every glance, every touch, every unspoken moment is loaded. When it finally ignites, it’s consuming. This is not a sweet love story. It’s intense, obsessive, and deeply emotional. The kind of connection that feels inevitable, like their souls recognized each other long before they did.
The secrets. The past. The way Evelyn’s history and Alexander’s hidden world collide felt dark and gripping and honestly addictive. Nothing felt thrown in for shock value. It all mattered. Every reveal tightened the story instead of unraveling it.
Found family, trauma healing, forbidden workplace tension, and a protector hero who would destroy anyone standing between her and safety? Yes. Yes. YES.
Alexander and Evelyn didn’t just wow me. They owned me.
This book left me staring at the wall when I finished, heart racing, emotions scrambled, already wanting to reread. If you love dark romance with depth, obsession with purpose, and devotion that refuses to kneel, this is it. Read it. Then immediately tell someone else to read it.
The Forbidden is what happens when obsession puts on a tailored suit, vengeance sharpens its teeth, and devotion decides it will burn the world down quietly if needed. This book does not flirt. It claims.
Evelyn Hart broke my heart in the softest, most painful way. She is quiet strength, survival stitched into her bones, carrying trauma like a shadow she never asked for. Watching her slowly reclaim herself felt raw and intimate, like being trusted with something fragile. Her growth was earned, not rushed, not glossed over, and that made every moment hit harder.
And Alexander Hunt. Good lord. This man is danger wrapped in control. A morally grey billionaire who does not hesitate, does not apologize, and does not half love. Protective to the point of terrifying, ruthless with anyone who threatens Evelyn, and utterly undone by her. The way he wages war in silence for her? The way his devotion is carved from vengeance and loyalty? I was gone. Mentally. Spiritually. Permanently.
The romance is a slow burn that smolders. Every glance, every touch, every unspoken moment is loaded. When it finally ignites, it’s consuming. This is not a sweet love story. It’s intense, obsessive, and deeply emotional. The kind of connection that feels inevitable, like their souls recognized each other long before they did.
The secrets. The past. The way Evelyn’s history and Alexander’s hidden world collide felt dark and gripping and honestly addictive. Nothing felt thrown in for shock value. It all mattered. Every reveal tightened the story instead of unraveling it.
Found family, trauma healing, forbidden workplace tension, and a protector hero who would destroy anyone standing between her and safety? Yes. Yes. YES.
Alexander and Evelyn didn’t just wow me. They owned me.
This book left me staring at the wall when I finished, heart racing, emotions scrambled, already wanting to reread. If you love dark romance with depth, obsession with purpose, and devotion that refuses to kneel, this is it. Read it. Then immediately tell someone else to read it.
February 2, 2026
The dedication of this book immediately sets the stage: “For those who survived what should have destroyed them. For the quiet souls who learned that love can still be dangerous and still worth it.” Alexander and Evelyn’s story begins with an incredibly spicy encounter, but it’s more than just heat; it’s the catalyst for the entire narrative. That moment serves as a raw introduction to their past traumas and the fundamental ways they both feel broken.
Watching Evelyn battle her demons was heartbreaking. There were moments I wanted to reach into the pages and give her a hug, and others where I wanted to shake some sense into her. Trauma has a way of rewiring a person’s brain—it shifts your entire perspective until the world feels inherently unsafe. Evelyn embodies this struggle perfectly. She spends her life trying to remain invisible, sinking into the shadows to protect herself, but that self-preservation has led to a very lonely existence. Alexander upends her carefully constructed solitude, leaving her terrified to let go and trust.
Alexander, the billionaire CEO, uses his title as a clinical mask. He operates under the assumption that if he remains detached, he can never be let down. Alexander even ruined his own happiness to avoid experiencing emotions he believed would break him. Evelyn is the disruption he never saw coming, and she threatens his control, “She’s rewriting me. And I’m letting her.”
The author uses these two characters to beautifully illustrate the evolution of healing. The push and pull between them is agonizing; Evelyn feels unworthy and fears everything Alexander represents, while Alexander struggles to abandon the safety of his isolation. Watching Evelyn evolve from a "scared fawn" into the Queen she was always meant to be was a highlight. Ultimately, Alexander realizes that while being alone keeps the pain away, it also locks out love and connection.
Despite many nerve-wracking moments, they find a way to work—and more importantly, to heal—together.
Watching Evelyn battle her demons was heartbreaking. There were moments I wanted to reach into the pages and give her a hug, and others where I wanted to shake some sense into her. Trauma has a way of rewiring a person’s brain—it shifts your entire perspective until the world feels inherently unsafe. Evelyn embodies this struggle perfectly. She spends her life trying to remain invisible, sinking into the shadows to protect herself, but that self-preservation has led to a very lonely existence. Alexander upends her carefully constructed solitude, leaving her terrified to let go and trust.
Alexander, the billionaire CEO, uses his title as a clinical mask. He operates under the assumption that if he remains detached, he can never be let down. Alexander even ruined his own happiness to avoid experiencing emotions he believed would break him. Evelyn is the disruption he never saw coming, and she threatens his control, “She’s rewriting me. And I’m letting her.”
The author uses these two characters to beautifully illustrate the evolution of healing. The push and pull between them is agonizing; Evelyn feels unworthy and fears everything Alexander represents, while Alexander struggles to abandon the safety of his isolation. Watching Evelyn evolve from a "scared fawn" into the Queen she was always meant to be was a highlight. Ultimately, Alexander realizes that while being alone keeps the pain away, it also locks out love and connection.
Despite many nerve-wracking moments, they find a way to work—and more importantly, to heal—together.
January 22, 2026
I came for a dark billionaire romance and somehow left emotionally rearranged.
I went in thinking, okay, billionaire CEO, boss employee situation, touch her and die vibes. I know this trope. I have read this trope. I was prepared.
I was not prepared.
The Forbidden moves fast. Blink and suddenly you are attached. The chapters are short, sharp, and slightly dangerous. The kind where you promise yourself one more chapter and then look up to realize it is way too late and you are deeply invested in fictional people.
Evelyn Hart is quiet, guarded, and trying her hardest to stay invisible, which of course makes her impossible for Alexander Hunt to ignore. Alexander is controlled, obsessive, emotionally scarred, and absolutely the kind of man who would burn the world down calmly and with purpose if someone looked at her wrong. He falls hard. Quietly. Completely.
What really caught me off guard was the depth. This is not dark romance just for shock value. The darkness has intention. The trauma matters. Every twist pushes the characters forward instead of just piling on drama. It is about healing, reclaiming power, and learning that strength does not always have to be loud to be lethal. Also, vulnerable men are elite. Just saying.
Did I want some moments to linger longer? Yes.
Did the story immediately compensate by emotionally wrecking me right after? Also yes.
By the end, I was invested, emotional, slightly unhinged, and already annoyed that book two was not in my hands.
Final verdict
Possessive billionaire MMC who falls harder
Quiet but powerful FMC who rises
Twists that flip everything upside down
Emotional damage in the best way
Read the trigger warnings. Clear your schedule. Drink some water.
This story does not just stay with you. It settles in and makes itself comfortable.
Highly recommend 🖤
I went in thinking, okay, billionaire CEO, boss employee situation, touch her and die vibes. I know this trope. I have read this trope. I was prepared.
I was not prepared.
The Forbidden moves fast. Blink and suddenly you are attached. The chapters are short, sharp, and slightly dangerous. The kind where you promise yourself one more chapter and then look up to realize it is way too late and you are deeply invested in fictional people.
Evelyn Hart is quiet, guarded, and trying her hardest to stay invisible, which of course makes her impossible for Alexander Hunt to ignore. Alexander is controlled, obsessive, emotionally scarred, and absolutely the kind of man who would burn the world down calmly and with purpose if someone looked at her wrong. He falls hard. Quietly. Completely.
What really caught me off guard was the depth. This is not dark romance just for shock value. The darkness has intention. The trauma matters. Every twist pushes the characters forward instead of just piling on drama. It is about healing, reclaiming power, and learning that strength does not always have to be loud to be lethal. Also, vulnerable men are elite. Just saying.
Did I want some moments to linger longer? Yes.
Did the story immediately compensate by emotionally wrecking me right after? Also yes.
By the end, I was invested, emotional, slightly unhinged, and already annoyed that book two was not in my hands.
Final verdict
Possessive billionaire MMC who falls harder
Quiet but powerful FMC who rises
Twists that flip everything upside down
Emotional damage in the best way
Read the trigger warnings. Clear your schedule. Drink some water.
This story does not just stay with you. It settles in and makes itself comfortable.
Highly recommend 🖤
December 26, 2025
What really impressed me about The Forbidden was the depth of the story and L.T. Autumn’s writing style. I’m picky with dark romance. If it’s just sex for shock value with nothing underneath, I lose interest fast. This wasn’t that. Not even close. The story is layered, intentional, and emotionally grounded. Every dark element serves a purpose, it pushes the characters, reveals them, and forces growth.
Alexander Hunt comes off obsessive almost immediately, but not in a hollow way. His POV carries that dangerous, controlled fixation that lets you know he’s already gone… he just doesn’t realize it yet.
Evelyn’s perspective is the perfect counterbalance: soft, quiet, seemingly innocent, but threaded with something deeper.
The dual POVs are written in a way you don’t see often. They don’t blur into each other. They clash. They pull. They tell two very different emotional stories that slowly, painfully intertwine… and that’s what gives the romance its intensity. The scenes are vivid without being overdone. I could picture them clearly, feel the tension in the room, sense the weight of what’s unspoken. When the darkness shows up, it isn’t random, it’s earned… satisfyingly so. And when the story twists, it forces you to question who’s really holding the power.
At its core, this book is about reclaiming yourself. Turning trauma into strength. Showing that vulnerability in men isn’t weakness… and that a woman doesn’t need to be loud or cruel to be powerful. Sometimes strength is quiet. Sometimes it’s choosing to stay.
The Forbidden is dark, emotional, and immersive. But what makes it stand out is that it has something to say beyond desire. It’s a story that lingers because it’s built on character, plot, and L.T. Autumn’s heart.
Alexander Hunt comes off obsessive almost immediately, but not in a hollow way. His POV carries that dangerous, controlled fixation that lets you know he’s already gone… he just doesn’t realize it yet.
Evelyn’s perspective is the perfect counterbalance: soft, quiet, seemingly innocent, but threaded with something deeper.
The dual POVs are written in a way you don’t see often. They don’t blur into each other. They clash. They pull. They tell two very different emotional stories that slowly, painfully intertwine… and that’s what gives the romance its intensity. The scenes are vivid without being overdone. I could picture them clearly, feel the tension in the room, sense the weight of what’s unspoken. When the darkness shows up, it isn’t random, it’s earned… satisfyingly so. And when the story twists, it forces you to question who’s really holding the power.
At its core, this book is about reclaiming yourself. Turning trauma into strength. Showing that vulnerability in men isn’t weakness… and that a woman doesn’t need to be loud or cruel to be powerful. Sometimes strength is quiet. Sometimes it’s choosing to stay.
The Forbidden is dark, emotional, and immersive. But what makes it stand out is that it has something to say beyond desire. It’s a story that lingers because it’s built on character, plot, and L.T. Autumn’s heart.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I’m on the fence with this book. While I thought it was good overall, I feel like it missed too much to make it a story that addressed everything that had taken place. This book deserved, needed more pages. This should’ve been a full length novel. This story has so much going on that it felt a little shallow. The characters didn’t get the development they deserved. More back story on them was needed. I felt like Alex was all over the place. He was determined, then he came across weak, and then ruthless. It didn’t make sense to me.
Evelyn was annoying to me. She seemed weak and lacked confidence. With given the little bit of her past that we were given, I could see why. But I was also confused as to why she lived so poorly, run down car, second hand shoes, when she worked dip far seemed to be a very well to do company…that didn’t make sense to me either.
The story went too quickly, I was left with what felt like holes.
But with that being said. I think this story had a great idea for a story behind it. I did like the characters overall, I just wanted to see and know more about them. I loved to hate Grace. And I loved the little bit we saw of Aiden. I’m intrigued enough that I want Ty see what comes after this book. It did leave me wanting to know more. And I hope that there’s more to come. I’d love to see more stories told and watch the characters emerge and grow.
The writing itself was wonderful because it does draw you in, and that’s so important. This book delivered in that regard. Can’t wait to see what comes next.
❤️
Evelyn was annoying to me. She seemed weak and lacked confidence. With given the little bit of her past that we were given, I could see why. But I was also confused as to why she lived so poorly, run down car, second hand shoes, when she worked dip far seemed to be a very well to do company…that didn’t make sense to me either.
The story went too quickly, I was left with what felt like holes.
But with that being said. I think this story had a great idea for a story behind it. I did like the characters overall, I just wanted to see and know more about them. I loved to hate Grace. And I loved the little bit we saw of Aiden. I’m intrigued enough that I want Ty see what comes after this book. It did leave me wanting to know more. And I hope that there’s more to come. I’d love to see more stories told and watch the characters emerge and grow.
The writing itself was wonderful because it does draw you in, and that’s so important. This book delivered in that regard. Can’t wait to see what comes next.
❤️
February 19, 2026
The Forbidden is a captivating debut romance by L.T. Autumn that I thoroughly enjoyed.
I loved Every. Single. Word.
It tells the story of Evelyn and Alexander—a charming and charismatic billionaire who is also Evelyn’s boss. She feels he’s way out of her league, but what she doesn’t realize is that he’s been watching her for quite some time.
Evelyn is portrayed as a gentle and delicate person, shaped by some tough experiences from her past. Yet, as the story unfolds, she grows, showing meaningful and remarkable personal development. Alexander always appears calm and resilient, but inwardly, he struggles with his own inner conflicts. I can’t share too much more to keep the surprises for new readers.
The author’s clever choice of using short chapters alternating between Evelyn’s and Alexander’s points of view was spot-on—expertly done and really enhanced the story’s tension. It unequivocally set an exciting tone for this dark, passionate, and exhilarating romance. From the very start, Autumn’s writing style was crisp, beautifully crafted, and incredibly engaging.
All in all, The Forbidden is as steamy and enticing as a Finnish sauna, with a sizzling heat that travels through every chapter. The chemistry between Evelyn and Alexander sparks from their very first meeting, keeping the tension alive and making it impossible to put down. Autumn clearly has a great sense of timing—knowing when to speed things up and when to slow down the action. While the book is quite spicy, it never crosses into unnecessary or overly salacious territory.
I loved Every. Single. Word.
It tells the story of Evelyn and Alexander—a charming and charismatic billionaire who is also Evelyn’s boss. She feels he’s way out of her league, but what she doesn’t realize is that he’s been watching her for quite some time.
Evelyn is portrayed as a gentle and delicate person, shaped by some tough experiences from her past. Yet, as the story unfolds, she grows, showing meaningful and remarkable personal development. Alexander always appears calm and resilient, but inwardly, he struggles with his own inner conflicts. I can’t share too much more to keep the surprises for new readers.
The author’s clever choice of using short chapters alternating between Evelyn’s and Alexander’s points of view was spot-on—expertly done and really enhanced the story’s tension. It unequivocally set an exciting tone for this dark, passionate, and exhilarating romance. From the very start, Autumn’s writing style was crisp, beautifully crafted, and incredibly engaging.
All in all, The Forbidden is as steamy and enticing as a Finnish sauna, with a sizzling heat that travels through every chapter. The chemistry between Evelyn and Alexander sparks from their very first meeting, keeping the tension alive and making it impossible to put down. Autumn clearly has a great sense of timing—knowing when to speed things up and when to slow down the action. While the book is quite spicy, it never crosses into unnecessary or overly salacious territory.
December 18, 2025
This is a dark romance, check your triggers - I did originally rate this as 4.5 stars
I was drawn in immediately, the author has a way with words that had me devouring this book in one sitting.
Look if I’m being honest it’s probably really a 5 star rating because I did truly love the story, the characters and the world that is being built. The only thing for me is I felt it could have been a little longer to be able to delve a little more into the characters, that being said this is the first book with at least a second coming so that will obviously help develop the characters we meet here and of course give us more story to sink our teeth into.
Evelyn, this girl has trauma and that trauma has given her armour, even if that almost destroys the love story unfolding before her. She has a strength that most people would never see but he see’s it, he see’s everything - even the darkness.
Alexander, oh I could have slapped him and mentally I did at least three times. What’s with obsessive billionaires cutting you out to protect you, only to fail?! But while we are talking about obsessive billionaires… hello Daddy.
This is a fast paced obsessive love story, it’s got trauma from both main characters, it’s got redemption, revenge, reverence and sweet fragile hope.
I am so grateful for @l.t_autumn for writing this story and can not wait for book two and the two names I’m missing ifykyk ❤️❤️
I was drawn in immediately, the author has a way with words that had me devouring this book in one sitting.
Look if I’m being honest it’s probably really a 5 star rating because I did truly love the story, the characters and the world that is being built. The only thing for me is I felt it could have been a little longer to be able to delve a little more into the characters, that being said this is the first book with at least a second coming so that will obviously help develop the characters we meet here and of course give us more story to sink our teeth into.
Evelyn, this girl has trauma and that trauma has given her armour, even if that almost destroys the love story unfolding before her. She has a strength that most people would never see but he see’s it, he see’s everything - even the darkness.
Alexander, oh I could have slapped him and mentally I did at least three times. What’s with obsessive billionaires cutting you out to protect you, only to fail?! But while we are talking about obsessive billionaires… hello Daddy.
This is a fast paced obsessive love story, it’s got trauma from both main characters, it’s got redemption, revenge, reverence and sweet fragile hope.
I am so grateful for @l.t_autumn for writing this story and can not wait for book two and the two names I’m missing ifykyk ❤️❤️
Review of advance copy received from Author
L.T. Autumn’s The Forbidden. A Dark Romance with a different spin. Billionaire CEO Alexander Hunt was once burned by love and swore it off. Enter Evelyn Hart, a shy woman who does her best not to be seen by anyone, catches Alex’s eye. There was just something about her. He couldn’t figure out. They end up tangled in a relationship neither of them could explain. Something from Alex’s past comes back and forces the two apart. Things conspire and it tests their relationship.
This story takes so many twists and turns you would never figure out where the darkness comes out and who plays darker. This story is about taking weaknesses and trauma and turning it into strength and power. It’s about taking back what was taken from you. It shows you that men who show vulnerability are not weak and woman can be stronger then men and it will give the woman power by the support she is given even if it’s silent!
“I was never meant for love, love is weakness. Risk. A weapon used against men like me. But then you walked in with your quiet fire and your stubborn will. And I realized the truth. You are not my weakness. You are the only thing that has ever made me strong.”-Alexander Hunt
Thank you for letting me apart of this and choosing me to be on your ARC team! 💕
This story takes so many twists and turns you would never figure out where the darkness comes out and who plays darker. This story is about taking weaknesses and trauma and turning it into strength and power. It’s about taking back what was taken from you. It shows you that men who show vulnerability are not weak and woman can be stronger then men and it will give the woman power by the support she is given even if it’s silent!
“I was never meant for love, love is weakness. Risk. A weapon used against men like me. But then you walked in with your quiet fire and your stubborn will. And I realized the truth. You are not my weakness. You are the only thing that has ever made me strong.”-Alexander Hunt
Thank you for letting me apart of this and choosing me to be on your ARC team! 💕
December 23, 2025
⭐️x3
🌶x2
I really wanted to love this book, but there was just a lot missing for me. It jumps right in head first in to it, without any back story with you having to figure out what is going on and from then it is very fast paced, extremely short chapters. The timeline didn't always make much sense to me. Not enough back story to really build the world and these characters. This book will pull you in on an emotional level, but it lacked depth in other areas. It almost seemed rushed. The smut was lacking and needed more to it. The story was decent, but a bit predictable. I feel like everything that was expected to happen within this book, it should have been a 400-600pg book to really develop the characters, this world and add suspense. For a debut book it was ok, it just needed more. I know it's to be continued, but this book could have been split up and developed better before extending the storyline. The writing itself was good, a little repetitive at times, I would like to read this author again a couple books down the road and I think she will be great.
I received an advance review copy free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The Forbidden by L.T. Autumn
Release
Pgs ~206
🌶x2
I really wanted to love this book, but there was just a lot missing for me. It jumps right in head first in to it, without any back story with you having to figure out what is going on and from then it is very fast paced, extremely short chapters. The timeline didn't always make much sense to me. Not enough back story to really build the world and these characters. This book will pull you in on an emotional level, but it lacked depth in other areas. It almost seemed rushed. The smut was lacking and needed more to it. The story was decent, but a bit predictable. I feel like everything that was expected to happen within this book, it should have been a 400-600pg book to really develop the characters, this world and add suspense. For a debut book it was ok, it just needed more. I know it's to be continued, but this book could have been split up and developed better before extending the storyline. The writing itself was good, a little repetitive at times, I would like to read this author again a couple books down the road and I think she will be great.
I received an advance review copy free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The Forbidden by L.T. Autumn
Release
Pgs ~206
January 6, 2026
ARC Review 🌟
Plot: 3 1/2 ⭐️ Spice: 🌶️ 🌶️
The Forbidden by L.T. Autumn was an engaging read with a compelling premise that definitely pulled me in, but it didn’t quite hit as hard as I hoped. The forbidden element adds tension and intrigue, and the emotional conflict is there, but at times it felt like it skimmed the surface instead of fully diving in. The pacing was decent, though a few moments dragged while others could’ve used more depth and development.
The romance started out hot and heavy from page 1 but then was more slow-burn than steamy, with the spice level staying fairly mild more closed-door to lightly suggestive at best. Enough to support the story, but not enough to satisfy readers looking for THE HEATTT 🥵.
It is a dark romance with some spice but just not up to the level that I normally prefer to read. For the right person who enjoys a dark romance with an emotional roller coast storyline and a bit of spice, this would definitely be the book to choose.
Overall, a solid read with potential, just missing that extra emotional punch to push it higher for me personally. I do look forward to seeing where the story goes in the next book because for a debut novel, LT Autumn can only continue rising higher in the ratings with her writings.
Plot: 3 1/2 ⭐️ Spice: 🌶️ 🌶️
The Forbidden by L.T. Autumn was an engaging read with a compelling premise that definitely pulled me in, but it didn’t quite hit as hard as I hoped. The forbidden element adds tension and intrigue, and the emotional conflict is there, but at times it felt like it skimmed the surface instead of fully diving in. The pacing was decent, though a few moments dragged while others could’ve used more depth and development.
The romance started out hot and heavy from page 1 but then was more slow-burn than steamy, with the spice level staying fairly mild more closed-door to lightly suggestive at best. Enough to support the story, but not enough to satisfy readers looking for THE HEATTT 🥵.
It is a dark romance with some spice but just not up to the level that I normally prefer to read. For the right person who enjoys a dark romance with an emotional roller coast storyline and a bit of spice, this would definitely be the book to choose.
Overall, a solid read with potential, just missing that extra emotional punch to push it higher for me personally. I do look forward to seeing where the story goes in the next book because for a debut novel, LT Autumn can only continue rising higher in the ratings with her writings.
January 26, 2026
This book had me pretty much from the start. The opening ballroom scene, that intense look from the obsessive billionaire CEO — yeah, I was in and not going anywhere.
Evelyn Hart is a great FMC. She’s been through it, she’s guarded, and she’s actively trying to rebuild her life on her own terms. She’s not naïve or helpless, which I really liked, and she felt genuinely easy to root for. The MMC is very much dark romance territory — powerful, dangerous, and extremely possessive — but he has enough layers and damage that he didn’t feel flat or boring.
The chemistry is strong and the spice is high, but it doesn’t feel unnecessary. It builds nicely and actually earns the heat instead of just throwing it in. The “forbidden clause” angle adds a fun twist to the boss/employee dynamic and kept things interesting, with a good mix of obsession, power, and redemption. It’s fast-paced, has a few twists I didn’t see coming, and definitely kept me reading later than I planned.
Overall, though, this was a solid, addictive read and a strong start to the series. If you like dark, obsessive love interests, strong female leads who push back, and steamy forbidden romance, this one’s worth picking up. I’m keen for book two — bring on the next clause.
Evelyn Hart is a great FMC. She’s been through it, she’s guarded, and she’s actively trying to rebuild her life on her own terms. She’s not naïve or helpless, which I really liked, and she felt genuinely easy to root for. The MMC is very much dark romance territory — powerful, dangerous, and extremely possessive — but he has enough layers and damage that he didn’t feel flat or boring.
The chemistry is strong and the spice is high, but it doesn’t feel unnecessary. It builds nicely and actually earns the heat instead of just throwing it in. The “forbidden clause” angle adds a fun twist to the boss/employee dynamic and kept things interesting, with a good mix of obsession, power, and redemption. It’s fast-paced, has a few twists I didn’t see coming, and definitely kept me reading later than I planned.
Overall, though, this was a solid, addictive read and a strong start to the series. If you like dark, obsessive love interests, strong female leads who push back, and steamy forbidden romance, this one’s worth picking up. I’m keen for book two — bring on the next clause.
February 10, 2026
Book Review – The Forbidden by L.T. Autumn
Okay… wow. Just wow. This story went from 0 to 100 real fast, and I loved every single second of it.
The character development was so well done. You really get to see them grow throughout the entire story, and by the end, they feel completely different from where they started—in the best way.
And the “touch her and die” energy? EXCUSE ME. Absolutely unhinged. I wanted to be the female main character. The obsession, the protectiveness, the intensity—it was everything.
What I loved most is how the story starts off feeling like a cliché office romance… and then quickly says nope. That phase doesn’t last long before it turns into a full-blown dark romance, with the kind of “I will destroy everything in my path because you looked at her wrong” devotion that makes your brain short-circuit.
This book was impossible to put down. I finished it in one sitting, and now all I want is to forget it just so I can experience it again for the first time.
If you love dark romance, possessive characters, and stories that spiral fast and hard, this one is absolutely worth the read. Check the triggers—but if this trope is your thing, you’re going to devour it.
Okay… wow. Just wow. This story went from 0 to 100 real fast, and I loved every single second of it.
The character development was so well done. You really get to see them grow throughout the entire story, and by the end, they feel completely different from where they started—in the best way.
And the “touch her and die” energy? EXCUSE ME. Absolutely unhinged. I wanted to be the female main character. The obsession, the protectiveness, the intensity—it was everything.
What I loved most is how the story starts off feeling like a cliché office romance… and then quickly says nope. That phase doesn’t last long before it turns into a full-blown dark romance, with the kind of “I will destroy everything in my path because you looked at her wrong” devotion that makes your brain short-circuit.
This book was impossible to put down. I finished it in one sitting, and now all I want is to forget it just so I can experience it again for the first time.
If you love dark romance, possessive characters, and stories that spiral fast and hard, this one is absolutely worth the read. Check the triggers—but if this trope is your thing, you’re going to devour it.
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