Forbidden Heat: A Steamy Sapphic/Lesbian Romance Series

by Lauren Hart

Genres: Adventure, Contemporary

188 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 14, 2026

Reviews

[emily]

Unfortunately I wanted to like this one more than I did. It’s much more of a personal preference thing than anything else. I love Survivor (though not the recent seasons) and I tend to find reality tv elements in romance books mostly fun but this one felt a bit too quick and surface level for my tastes. I zipped through it, and i did have fun, and I think others will too but the whiplash to the MCs being in love after two weeks of mostly sneaking around to have sex just felt too fast for me. I’m not an instalove fan. Sabine also felt… idk her character just never quite gelled for me. She was this huge Survivor fan and yet didn’t make any effort to get to know other contestants or make alliances in the beginning? Her sudden obsession with Talia didn’t seem romantic just frankly sudden. And a public declaration of love is ALWAYS going to get me groaning, unfortunately. I liked Talia a little more but I just never fully got on board with the romance or the reality tv show part which is a bummer because this could have been right up my alley. All in all, it was a low angst, quick read that I think others will enjoy more than I did.

[Ari]

61% through and its just bad.....the characters have NO chemistry and are sleeping together for NO REASON.

[Looby Lou]

Never having watched any type of Survivor show I was coming in blind to this series but it didn’t matter. Outlast her is unique in its own Lauren way and I wax hooked from the first chapter.
Sabine and Talia were like chalk and cheese and they both grew on me as I read like they grew on each other.
Fantastic setting, well described with a mix of good and bad fellow contestants who added extra depth to the book.
Really looking forward to book 2.

[Lorraine Rusnack]

Finding love is winning

True to its title it was steamy and not just because it was on the tropical island. They all played a great game of strategy. Sabine was all about winning until she let her heart open up to Talia. We are left hanging as to who won season one. I am so looking forward to the rest of the series. I love all of Lauren’s books.

[amy_the_bookworm_]

Fun, sizzling 🔥 romance story in my favorite theme show format..SURVIVOR! Die hard fan here!

It was like being on the island myself! If you like Survivor, I highly recommend!
Can’t wait to dive into book 2!

[Cathy R]

Stoic trauma surgeon Sabine Kallix faces impossible odds every day in a Seattle emergency department. Now, the odds will again be huge in “Forbidden Heat”, as she faces off against a group of fierce competitors on the reality TV series, “Outlast Her” a sapphic take on the old “Survivor” series. Sabine is a serious, no nonsense, logical, orderly woman - she’s not on a Phillippine island for R&R. No, Sabine is suffering the limitless heat, the endless rain, and the bubbly Talia, to win one million dollars. No compromise, no fear, no backing down from the challenges. Effervescent Talia Avery is cheerful, and a take-it-as-it comes participant, not nearly as prepared and organized as Sabine. Yes, Talia wants the million bucks, too - she has bills and rent to pay. She makes her living as a bartender, and she’ll depend on her charming nature to make friends and win alliances. Remember, Sabine is serious, no nonsense, but when Talia sets her eyes on the gorgeous doctor, uh oh! So, imagine when the two become the most unmatched, unlikely pair on the island! As the two struggle to overcome the challenges of the environment, and yes, all of the other determined competitors, how will this work? Can Sabine and Talia even work together? Can they strategize together, forge alliances with other pairs, can they avoid being voted off the island, either singly or as a pair? Because each vote only sends one person home, and for some strange reason, both Sabine and Talia are intent on protecting each other! How will this possibly play out? Sabine stays, Talia goes? Talia turns on Sabine and wins the million? Will they both go? If you ever liked “Survivor”, hang on - you’ll love “Forbidden Heat”, steamy book one in Lauren Hart’s new “Outlast Her” series. I received an advance copy of “Forbidden Heat” and submitted this review voluntarily.

[Siddie]

Sabine is a doctor in a very busy ER department in Seattle. In fact, she is medical director for the department, one of the best in the US, and she isn’t good about letting others forget it. Sabine is excited that she got a place on the new lesbian reality show, Outlast Her.
Talia is an incessant talker. As a bartender she is used to dealing with people, and as a previous contender for a junior swimming win at national level, she is used to working hard and being focused. Her promising swimming career was cut short by a major shoulder injury, hence the bartending.
I loved this story, the whole premise of the show, and the sudden twists in the plot lines. I also loved that (spoiler!) winning the whole season wasn’t the ultimate goal for the women once they had found one another.
I do have mixed feelings about the abrupt ending. I understand the reasoning, but had hoped a few more twists, possibly using their secret advantage, would have helped them to progress further.
This is based in the Philippines, a beautiful country, possibly from the description is somewhere near Palawan.
Another exceptional story from Lauren Hart, and I am really looking forward to the rest of the series, trying to work out where the series can go from here!

[ShellRS]

Forbidden Heat has all the feels. If you've ever watched Survivor you understand the strategies you need to employ to avoid elimination. Funnily enough, I do NOT watch the show. It didn't matter. I easily grasped the mental & physical exertion required of the contestants. The constant state of looking-over-your-shoulder to see if alliances have been formed against you. But here, Hart doubles down on Outlast Her, Forbidden Heat. All female contestants who are partnered up by predetermination. Add a little heat & spice and mix very well.

Imagine being forced to work together with someone who by all thoughts and appearances be your polar opposite? Then, imagine your beautiful polar opposite teammate slowly working her way into your heart. Imagine the chemistry that ignites every fiber of your being. Lastly, imagine how all those things change the game and the Sending. Yep, my heart was hit in the chest by a whole herd of charging elephants!

[Lori]

I think Lauren Hart has another hit series on her hands based on how much I enjoyed this first offering. I've only seen a few episodes of Survivor, but I didn't have to be a fan of the show to be a fan of this book set during the filming of a similar type of show. Sabine and Talia are each there to win and over the days overcome their initial animosity even though they're far from alike. The writing put me in the thick of the competition and I found myself on the edge of my seat during each vote. All the contestants are well drawn and I truly felt I got to know enough about each of them. I'm definitely looking forward to the next season of Outlast Her.

I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Maria Magdalena]

“Outlast Her” a sapphic take on the “Survivor” series. As a huge fan of the original Jeff Probst Survivor series since season 1 and the Australian version that started a few years ago I could not wait to dig into this book.
OK, so they play it a bit differently - there are 12 women competing but they are being matched up as random couples. Here we get the story of ER Dr. Sabine Kallix who gets teamed up with Talia Avery, former competitive swimmer with a bung shoulder. Also the twist of having a two part elimination. Fist all contestants vote for the couple they want to eliminate, then the couple decides to leave together or have another vote, so one only goes home.
Lots of pressure, building of alliances and for Sabine and Talia, a few secret midnight meetings.
Enjoyed it.

[MS J]

Never watched the survivor reality TV shows, but I don't think that matters. The story follows Talia and Sabine who find themselves paired together competing against the other pairs on the Island. Sabine is a serious ER doctor who has a burning ambition to win Survivor. However, she has been selected for the lesbian version. It's the first season of Outlast Her and Sabine has a plan to win. However, it doesn't include teaming up with Talia, the chatterbox who doesn't seem to be able to follow the rules. They have to work together, forge alliances, and try not to get voted off. Their story develops quickly and has a twist I wasn't expecting. Looking forward to book 2.

[Xiaoqing]

I have been a fan of Survivor since the first episode, and I love this book that has an unique version of Survivor with a sapphic twist! The unlikely couple, Sabine, the ice queen overachiever, is calculating and aloof, while her girlfriend, Talia is a carefree extravert, they meet and fall in love at the first reality show "Outlast Her". It takes me a while to warm up to this couple, but in the end I like them enough to really enjoy the story! The setting and the colorful contestants are my guilty pleasure!

[Robin Kenna]

What fun! Women only survivor, a hot sweaty jungle and God only knows what to face!

Lauren Hart has brought to life a much improved survivor story over the reality show I remember. The setting in the jungles of the Philippines is just perfect. The cast is just as cunning as can be, and a surprising match up for a win in love! The story builds with several characters from the last series Lauren wrote and just happily grows on the reader like moss in a wet environment! I am looking forward to the next book!

[Christine Reid]

Wow another phenomenal story , this story was hot under the collar with so much depth of each character making you feel like your in their world it's another swooning story really excited to read more of this series, Lauren Hart take a bow this was a gem of a book highly recommended a must-read congratulations

[Cameo Burton]

12 Women sign up to be on the new show “Outlast Her”. They show upon the beach ready to begin when they learn of the first twist to the game. Love the book, love the characters, and love the challenges. As a fan of Survivor loving the start of this “Outlast Her” series. While the first book ends I can’t wait for the next book to see how the first season ends.