Code of Conduct: A Forbidden, God x Mortal Romance

by Joanna Kimber

On paper, Essence has the perfect life. She has the beauty, accolades, and career to match, and since creating the Soulmate Code, she’s become the youngest billionaire in her city. She’s reached the top of the ladder she’s been climbing all her life, run out of problems to solve, and now she’s facing the bitter truth. She doesn’t believe in any of it, including the futility of falling in love.

After centuries of watching humanity ruin everything they claim to cherish, the God of Desire is cynical, yet vaguely curious about the powerful force at the core of mortal zeal. In an unexpected confrontation that leaves him infected with the forbidden attraction he invokes in others, he is struck by the mortal woman who has captured his attention.

Tethered by a collision of desire and skepticism, the two of them discover what it means to love and be loved as they decipher between its cosmic energy and the divine burn of lust.

Code of Conduct is a God x mortal, forbidden romance exploring the intersection between desire and love.

330 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 24, 2026

Reviews

[Kokola Foote · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review: I received a copy of Code of Conduct by Joanna Kimber in exchange for an honest review.

Having read and enjoyed other books by Joanna Kimber, I went into Code of Conduct with the understanding that it would offer a different tone and style. I found that shift to be a welcome change, and I appreciated seeing Joanna’s versatility as a writer.

That said, the book opens at a slower pace, and I initially had difficulty staying engaged, finding myself picking it up and putting it back down. While this may not be an issue for all readers, it did impact my early reading experience.

Overall, I gave Code of Conduct by a 4 out of 5 stars. I’m excited to continue exploring more of her work and see where her writing goes next.

[⋆⭒˚.⋆ Katelynn ⋆⭒˚.⋆ · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC Review 💚🤍: Joanna’s writing has always been strong, but this book truly felt like a step up from the rest.

The beginning was a bit slow, but it definitely feels like that was intentional once the story really finds its rhythm. Around the middle, the plot really starts to pick up, and I especially enjoyed a lot of the conversations that took place around wealth and identity, along with Essence’s journey of trying to figure herself out, and figuring out what she wants her life to look like now that she truly feels alive.

That said, there were definitely some moments that felt a bit off, especially some of the transitions, like the sudden shift to the Greece trip with Essence and London, which felt like it probably should’ve been its own chapter, which also could’ve helped flesh out the conversation Essence and Q had when he was there, really helping strengthen the beginning of their relationship (if that makes sense lol). Their relationship had a ton of cute moments, even with the instalust trope, but it sometimes felt a bit juvenile in places since they were both grumps and were quick to catch an attitude with each other. Also, as a lover of spice, I will say a few of the steamy scenes felt oddly placed. I found Essence’s decision-making and attitude a bit inconsistent at times, though I did love her dynamic with her twin and friends, and also enjoyed the conversation that took place with her mom toward the end of the book.

Overall, I really enjoyed the the writing, and how unique the plot was, and I can’t wait to continue reading more stories from this author!

[SMV · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is truely unique and unexpected. Code of Conduct doesn't read like a typical romance. It takes its time building the plot and alows you to get to know the FMC (Essence) before introducing the romance and spice. You see her ambitions, her struggles with her success, her mortality and truly feel the vast empty expanse in her life and in her soul.

"I consider all the years I’ve been alive and mourn that I haven’t lived. I learned from a very young age how to tuck every aspect of myself into the corners of my personhood, to perform the version of myself that would be accepted, praised… left alone."

This is where I resonated the most with Joannas writing of this character. The way the emptiness can feel irrational when you've worked so hard for everything, and seemingly have so much. And its not the feeling of needing someone to fill the void, its the need to be seen. Truly seen. Understood. Witnessed in this endless universe.

" It’s not me they want. They want the fantasy. They only know the excitement from seeing me once a month and not once more than that; the rush of a perpetual one- night stand. I’m the girl they don’t need to buy flowers for, the one they don’t need to know.
It just so happens that I don’t want to be known by them, either. At least, not in any way that matters. "

I don't want to give away any plot twists, but if you want a book that is complex, thought provoking, futuristic yet mythical, tender and fiery, then this is something you will enjoy.

[Stacy L. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I went into Code of Conduct: A Forbidden… by Joanna Kimber excited, especially as I’ve enjoyed all of her previous work and have consistently loved her books. This felt like a bit of a departure from her usual style, which made me even more curious about it.

Unfortunately, this one didn’t fully work for me.

The pacing was slow early on, and while the romance does begin to develop later, I had already lost connection by that point. I kept reading in hopes things would pick up, but I never really felt fully engaged.

Essence was a relatable FMC in some ways, particularly around identity and expectations, but I struggled to connect with the God aspect, and the chemistry between them didn’t fully come through for me. The emotional and romantic tension didn’t land as strongly as I expected given the premise.

Overall, the story felt consistent but lacked standout moments for me, and I decided to DNF at 65%.

That said, I remain a big fan of Joanna Kimber and will absolutely continue reading and supporting her work. This one just didn’t hit for me personally, but readers who enjoy slower-paced, concept-driven romance may still find it works better for them.

[Kiara Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a complimentary Advanced Reader Copy of this book from Joanna Kimber and am voluntarily leaving an honest review 🫶🏽



Forbidden, Fiery, and spicy !
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Code of Conduct is a masterclass in tension. This isn't your typical paranormal romance; the mortal-versus-immortal stakes felt incredibly high, and the 'grumpy-on-grumpy' dynamic between the leads was electric.

The standout for me was the female lead Essence. She is strong, capable, and stands her ground against an immortal force, which made their power struggle so much more satisfying. Seeing a powerful Black woman at the center of such a complex, forbidden world was refreshing and deeply engaging.

The romance is definitely spicy, but it’s anchored by a genuine exploration of where desire ends and real love begins. If you love a slow-burn that actually pays off, high-stakes paranormal world-building, and characters who refuse to back down, you need this on your TBR.

The Vibe: Forbidden Paranormal + "I hate everyone but you" energy.

The Trope: Grumpy x Grumpy / Mortal vs. Immortal.

The Lead: A powerhouse Black FMC who doesn't take anyone's nonsense.

The Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

The Conflict: Can love survive when your very existence breaks the rules?

[Whitney · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW

I’m giving this book 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4.

I really enjoyed the creativity and uniqueness of this premise. The story centers around Essence, who is a self-made billionaire who also hates the rich lol (not just a regular billionaire but the youngest billionaire) She created a dating app known for its 100% accuracy. When issues arise surrounding her work, she’s pulled into a situation that takes her far outside of her usual world.

Without giving too much away, the book blends tech, power, and a subtle mythical/paranormal element in a way that felt fresh and interesting. Essence is a strong, decisive main character, and I appreciated how she takes control of her circumstances.

The story was engaging overall, though it did feel a bit drawn out in certain parts. Even so, the concept and execution kept me interested the entire time.

Overall, this was a creative and enjoyable read, and I’d recommend it to readers looking for something a little different.

[readandtellwithshantel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Code of Conduct
Joanna Kimber

Essence has a brilliant mind. Her brilliance has created an amazingly vast void of nothingness. Now that she has it all, she can’t figure out what could be next for her. She’s not unrealistic about her impact. Her issue is trying to see where it would be most impactful.

Little does she know that Kendi Powell never forgot her. Oh to be admired by the God of Desire. Essence isn’t convinced that this could be true love. Can love be proven through a mere mathematical equation? Or, is it proven with actual action and intention?

I enjoyed that Kimber explored the assumption that most people have towards both billionaires and the otherworldly. There is no way of knowing how you would behave given the opportunity of something you could never perceive.

#readandtellwithshantel #joannakimber #codeofconduct

[LaTosha Webber · Rating 2 out of 5]

This story went round and round in circles that didn’t feel like they had an end. Essence felt like the embodiment of self-sabotage and existential crisis. I’m still trying to figure out the reason for dropping Cupid into a women’s fiction story as a love interest. Was it just because of the Soulmate code? While there was some amazing lines, spice, and things that really made you think. No part of this was satisfying for me. It didn’t feel like there was any real conclusions. Around the 65% mark I slid this into a soft DNF - I think the slow pace and the lack of connection to the characters contributed to that and certainly to how long it took me to finish. Since the was an ARC I felt compelled to push through, but I noticing that while Kimber has a solid narrative voice a lot of her choice and character arcs don’t mesh well with my taste.

[Ciara J · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review of advanced copy received from Author.
ARC review: From the author describing the book, I was unsure what to think. Code of Conduct was a little different for me. It was slow paced and involved paranormal/ fantasy. But, it was a really good read. It wasn't just your normal romance book, but you see where the FMC, Essence, questions life. She is a young billionaire, but still she doesn’t feel fulfilled. You see that she can have anything, but she still feels empty inside. Essence finds desire in an immortal god, Kendi "Cupid" or "Q". They find comfort in each other and realize there is more to life.
What is time? What is love? What is desire? What is life?
I loved this book. And I would definitely recommend!

[lia ♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 ⭐️ | arc review

firstly, i wanted to thank the author for the arc 💌

i honestly didn't know what to expect going into this, and i won't lie, it wasn't my absolute favorite. was this bad? no. do i prefer the other works in the catalog? yes. i think the biggest thing for me is that i felt as though there was no true chemistry or relationship between the characters. being the god of desire (the mmc), essence (the fmc) is naturally going to have a reaction to him... buuuut i feel like that is all it was—just her natural reaction to the god of desire. while yes, he could be truly infatuated by essence, i just don't personally believe that it was reciprocated.

this wasn't a bad read, but it wasn't my favorite out of previous reads.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I received an ARC from Kimberland in exchange for an honest review. *

Code of Conduct is different from the other books Kimber has written. The story of Essence finding herself, dealing with the meaning of life, expectations of her career, and falling in love makes the story unique, quirky, and makes you think. The relationship between Essence and Q is heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time. It's a slow start but you enjoy the journey as the story progresses. I enjoyed this and you should definitely check it out. Thank you to the author and Kimberland Books for this ARC.

[Btwnthepages · Rating 4 out of 5]

Early reader review:

I was not sure what to expect when I started this book but I was pleasantly surprised! This honestly could have been a multiple book series. Reading the main characters journey through self discovery and evolution was everything and more. This is a different type of story from this author and I would highly recommend that you read it. Joanna has a way with words and that is true in this story as well

[Dai · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book showed me a whole new world of books. Going in j wasn’t expecting this book to pull me in the way it did. This one definitely helped me like dystopian and moral immortal books. Joanna Kimber wrote a phenomenal book. The journey of learning yourself, emotions and life itself all while being considered the person who knows all the things is hard .

Read this book with an open mind. It truly is a good read

[Brenda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I do enjoy reading books by this author, however, this one was just ok for me.
This story takes you on a journey of forbidden love with an immortal being. A brilliant, powerful FMC' s desire to figure out the meaning of life and by extension of love itself leads her to create the soul mate code.
The themes being portrayed are the intersection between desire and love based on the human condition.

[Ash Reads Romance · Rating 3 out of 5]

Advance Reader Copy Review -- This book was okay.. I did eventually really get into it, but that took a while. The female main character is a black girl tech genius who became a billionaire at a very young age from a dating app she created. The code she wrote for the app was stolen and it was when she was getting it back that she met a man who would turn out not to be a man at all, but a God. The FMC is very emotionally complex, there is also some childhood trauma there and she seems to be suffering from some form of depression. The only time she seemed a little happy was when she was brought to 'His' world. There is eventually a happy ending for her but that happy ending came with a price. A price I think most of us would probably pay, but you'll have to read it to find out what that was.

[Edwina · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s a solid, well written book with a cool concept, but it lacked the spark I was looking for. If you like slow burn romances that focus more on the internal thoughts of the characters and the difference between lust and love, you might enjoy this more than I did. For me, it was just okay.

[Mrsz_reads13 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the message of identity, wealth, fulfillment, and acceptance of self and others. Essence and Q had a passionate and exciting relationship... This book feels different from the Author's previous books however still enjoyable.