This f*cked up world left me numb. Incapable of love. Seduction. Submission. Possession. That's all I wanted from her.
My billions can buy anything. Except Veronica. She walked into my classroom, And I knew she was mine. I don't ask. I take. One kiss sealed her submission. My touch claimed her innocence. I marked her. Possessed her. Taught her. She wants more, But I can't give more. The horrors of my past won't allow it.
But now she is carrying my baby...
***Forbidden is an 80,000 words full-length standalone novel with a HEA, no cliffhanger, no cheating, and plenty of steam. For a limited time, I have included an exclusive novel, Baby 4 the Brothers, you won't find anywhere else! - R.R. Banks (USA Today Bestselling Author)***
As a man who is a hopeless romantic, your support is my inspiration. I'm excited to have you read my books so we can go on the hottest romance adventure together! ;)
About 72 pages or so into reading Forbidden I knew by the way the sexual scene of Jude Ford taking the virginity of his TA and Student Veronica that R R Banks was a male. It was quick harsh and unromantic!! I checked to be sure that he was in fact a Male Romance Writer. I have never read any of his books before and for me this one comes up a bit short. Too take a young ladies virginity on a desk is NOT ROMANTIC!! They had a lot of sex before they even made it to a bed. Jude treated Veronica/Ronnie like she was noting, dirt under his feet. I like Veronica and her best friend Javi. I also, like Michael the long lost son of Jude and the relationship they forged together and I liked the end when Jude finally tells Ronnie he loved her. But this is No Romance story. Its a story of a horny old man who is suppose to be a billionaire who happens to be a professor. Other then have a big house and servants he doesn't seem to be a billionaire and he certainty does treat Ronnie like he is one. They Have No Private Plane rides or Exotic Vacations. Not even a expensive dinner at a top restaurant. Nothing to show off him being a billionaire. Not even one piece of jewelry!! Mr. Banks needs to study more about females and how real billionaires act!! Veronica was young and naïve but she acted more mature then Jude who is twice her age. I just wished she had more confidence and had dumped this jerk!!
I received an ARC from Booksprout in exchange for an honest review. This book is FULL of twists and shocking turns, scenes that run the full emotional spectrum, and characters that you wont soon forget. As usual, R.R. Banks handles a few sensitive themes that I wont divulge (it would ruin the story if I did) with special care and grace. His signature humour is infused throughout and there were parts where I was actually giggling out loud. That being said, its not a comedic story, but rather a pretty serious one.
Spoilers ahead!
I found Jude's character to be a little too cold to fully connect with. He had reason to be shut off, definitely, but, to me, he just seemed unfair and unfeeling.
Veronica's character was young but mature. She handled most situations well, but she did make some questionable choices.
It was a well written book, as always, but the scene that led to Veronica's pregnancy felt, to me, like an illustration of an unforeseen sense of entitlement in Jude. That scene, and much of Judes cold, perhaps, aloofness, is the reason for my four star review. Overall, I DID enjoy the book, and I would recommend it.
Be ready for "Forbidden" to tear at every emotional string you have. Jude and Veronica have both experienced immense pain in their pasts. Each has built their own cocoon of protection to "hide within" from their suffering, from the world, from themselves? Their strength of character draws you in and compels you along to experience this journey. Each struggles in their own way toward an awakening or to remain status quo. At least Veronica has her best friend, Javi, for support and as a sounding board. (Everyone should have a "Javi" in their life!). Jude has no one. He is alone in the world, in his misery, in his head, in his misery. This only engulfs the reader more in his character - wanting to be his sounding board, his friend to slap some sense into him or lend an ear. Are these two merely tearing each other more apart or can they help each other heal? Truly a powerful, heart-rending story. I couldn't put it down! Amazing.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Talk about ripping your heart out. I found this hard to continue reading, not because I was bored or that the ability of the author was in question, but I felt utterly bereft for the characters. You realise early on something heart wrenching happened to both Jude and Veronica. How either of them were able to function, is beyond me. You will understand and empathise with them as Jude and Veronica torturously open their shattered hearts to speak of the horrors that shape who they are. I felt that for me personally, too much of the story kept us in this miserable state. I never considered leaving the book unread, but their unhappiness deeply affected me. I couldn’t wait to see some light “at the end of the tunnel”. Fortunately they get their HEA.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
R.R. Banks is one of my go-to authors whenever I want a really good deep story. Forbidden is no different. This story brought tears to my eyes and hurt my heart.
Forbidden is about Jude and Veronica a professor and student that takes you through their story now and then with their past.
Jude has a really ruff history with his past and not being able to get over it. He is a colder character when it comes to his woman so that was different.
Veronica is innocent that is the best way to describe her. And I mean that in the best and worse way. She is innocent in everything she does. But while this story progresses she does grow (thank god) and gets stronger, but she has to, to be able to deal with someone like Jude.
Altogether this is another pretty good book by R.R. that I enjoyed. I voluntarily read an advance reader copy for my honest review.
In R.R. Banks newest novel a mixture of the older man ( Jude ) obsessing over the younger women ( Veronica ), professor and student, and tragedy-filled souls lost in the midst of everyday life. When Veronica becomes Jude's TA, their lives will intertwine on on more than a professional level! Sexual tensions on high, hearts opening yet plagued by anger produced by fear, these two broken souls have a lot in common yet are worlds apart. Can Jude and Veronica take their rollercoaster, whirlwind relationship to the next level by breaking down their walls?
A whirlwind, emotional tug of war this one is! Not going to lie, I did not like either of these characters much through most of the book. << Whistles while looking away, waiting for the lynch mob>> But I loved the storyline with its twists and heartfelt monumental moments, it kept me reading the book, and along the way, I found myself understanding the characters plights more and why they had the personalities that they did. Which in turn made me feel differently about them. So while I may have had an issue with the back and forth and maturity levels of the characters the story as a whole was a heart-tugging, sexy beast of emotional romance madness, I ended up enjoying and even changing my mind about some fictional beings! That is winning in my world! Another thoughtful, well written unique read from Mr. Banks! I suggest picking up this one for yourself and giving it a try!
This book was quite a surprise and refreshing .Emotional,sexy. The plot was well thought out,another hit for a very good read. The characters had their emotional ordeal .Jude a very hot and attractive older gentleman, who has his cross to hear due to his past. Veronica,a student with her sets of trouble. Once they meet the attraction is on fire. Those two will have to leave their past trauma behind in order to move forward in what will be a rollercoaster of emotions,drama and suspense.
This book although a bit sad will make you ponder. The bonding,the excitement and how love and hard work can concur all of one is willing to work it out thought past ordeals. Banks book will affect you in all sorts of ways, and let's not forget his well known humor. This read is quite different and unique with everything one can ask for. Again and again R.R never sees to amaze me in how adept he manipulates his characters to perform precisely how he wants them to be. Extraordinary is the word! This was read in small sips, the emotions,sadness and love! This review is my opinion, I stand by it !Although it was given freely I still wanted KU,this is how much I love this book. Well done R. You got this!
Once you read his books, you won't be able to stop.
This was so damn good! That's the only way I wish to express it. This author has the ability to write deep character profiles and plots some very different scenarios. I love his determination not only to write about passion but more about the journey that love will take you on. The male characters are fearless and devoted, which as a woman I sincerely appreciate. Mr. Banks, you have gained a fan. ☺😊
First Cut🔪 is the Deepest💔. The Predator🐺 and His Prey🐇
A real book📑 with believable characters and a story you can get lost in, from Adult Romance 💕author, R. R Banks!
College student Veronica💃💋 aka Ronnie, has a large ,visible scar on her thigh, and an invisible scar deep inside. She is scared of life now. She doesn't know how to have fun. Her professor from one class, wealthy Alumni Professor Jude Ford🐺, is a scarred man too, surrounded and crisscrossed by invisible scars. His wife committed suicide after his baby son was abducted at birth, and it hammered his mind and ripped his heart💔 to shreds. He will never 💘love again.
He instantly is attracted💕 to Ronnie, though, even though he's twice her age. It's like there is an electrical wire⚡ connecting them together. It's the first feeling he's had since his wife's death, years ago.
Ronnie💃💋🐇 is unattainable, Jude🐺 will ruin her if he touches her, he knows that. Ronnie💃💋🐇 feels the pull, too, and takes a different class from another professor after the one semester. Jude Ford🐺🍆🌋 is a huge distraction to her. She has one year to go to her degree.
When she is accosted during a rally, professor Ford🐺 helps her to his office, and the attraction becomes a gasoline 🔥fire, ready to explode💥. The match is lit🔥 when Ronnie💃💋 applies for a TA position for extra 💰money, and Jude🐺 takes her on.
Jude🐺🍆🌋 has it all planned out how he is going to seduce her, how she will become his. How he will possess her. Jude🐺🍆🌋 is a predator, Ronnie💃💋🐇 is his prey. What's 💘love got to do with it?
Wtf was this? I don’t think I’ve quit a story so fast or started skimming the never ending bleh. Two chapters. Actually I don’t even think they were chapters rather povs, but each one was like monotonous monologue. Maybe the story actually starts eventually, maybe the formatting which was also fucked fixes itself or isn’t so annoying. I guess I will never know.
What an intense, detailed read from R. R. Banks! He continues to surprise his readers/fans with new, fresh views. Forbidden is an emotional twist on the older man/virgin trope. Veronica is a dance major who needs a job to cover expenses her senior year. Jude is a literature professor who has historically lacked a teaching assistant, but wants Veronica. Not because he loves her, but because of an intense physical attraction. Ronnie feels it too and has stayed away from Jude since she was his student. But, the road to perdition is paved with good intentions... This is the story of two deeply wounded people who are afraid to feel. Jude takes it to the extreme by preserving portions of his home as a literal shrine to his dead family. Ronnie is emotionally stunted also and refuses to step inside her own home, preferring to live in an apartment with her best friend, Javi, who is the realist and voice of reason. Although Jude and Veronica embark on a torrid affair, it is secret and hidden, just like their emotions are secret and hidden, even from one another. Both are stubborn and willful, to the point of missing out on life. Ultimately, secrets are uncovered and eyes as well as hearts are finally opened. Although R. R. does not disappoint and there is a HEA (of sorts), I felt intense sadness reading this story. You certainly will rethink your definition of family after reading this book.
What can I say about this book? It's emotionally charged, at times it's heartbreaking, and yet there is still a thread of humour....
The characters are all strongly described, Jude and Veronica, the main characters, especially so. Both have darkness in their past, both blame themselves for events they could never have anticipated, let alone have prevented.
The attraction between them lights up the story, but past events weigh heavily and begin to sour things.
Veronica wants more, Jude can't promise more, and so they part.
Is it really the end for them? Or will they against all odds reach a HEA?
The story ARC is believable and well paced, and there are lighter moments....mainly courtesy of Javi, Veronica's best friend and room mate. He is a wonderful character...and every girl deserves a best friend of this calibre.
This is a tender love story about two damaged souls. Veronica is a dance student at the University and Jude is a professor/millionaire who hires Veronica as a teaching assistant. Both of them have tremendous tragedies in their lives that had shaped them into the people we meet. They share intense sexual attraction and the author is incredible at describing it and drawing us into the raw emotion. There were times I hated Jude and times I wanted to slap Veronica into standing up for herself. Each of them has to tear open the barriers that keep them from love. There are so many twists and unexpected turns in the story. I can't give away any more, just read it. You will cry tears of happiness at the end. Author Banks delivers another romance book to die for. I received an ARC copy for my honest review and was happy to give my review. Discover the magic of this wonderful romance author.
There were so many challenges that should have kept Jude and Veronica from getting their HEA. Haunted by their pasts as well as the present with a risky relationship that started between a professor and his teaching assistant, their sometimes painful and heart wrenching journey to find themselves was emotionally charged. Each of them had tried to bury their pasts but as they grew closer, it was imperative to acknowledge the past and forgive what had happened in order for them to move forward together. There is humor, sadness, hope and steamy encounters in this book.
R.R. Banks has the right formula for taking characters traumatized by their past , peeling away their layers to make them vulnerable yet able to eventually trust each other. They essentially heal each other as they develop a bond of passion, love and trust together. Great book!
My first R.R. Banks book and after reading it, I'm thrilled to see that there are a few bonus books included so I can read more of him right now! I've been reading a lot of male authors in this genre lately and I noticed some things about Banks that set him apart, at least in "Forbidden:" The man actually has an excellent command of the English language, it's grammar, usage, and even the quirky nuances. He can tell a good story, knowing when to elaborate, when to leave bread crumbs, and how to take the narrative off an expected path. He also knows when NOT to do these things. Plus he's able to keep the novel on course without sacrificing the development of any important character or sub-plot. I am impressed, Mr. Banks. You are very good. Either that or you have a kick-a$$ editor! ;) (Maybe it's both.)
Two broken people find each other at different stages of their lives.
I enjoyed most of this book. It was heartbreaking in parts and brought two broken souls together to find healing. My biggest issue was near the end when Jude forcefully took Veronica. I found this scene to be a bit unethical on his part given her past trauma revelation to him. I also felt there were loose ends where Veronica's best friend Javi were concerned for me. You never knew what this most important career was he had been working toward nor what happened to him after he left to the year. If he was this dear and special friend, shouldn't there have been something in the epilogue as to where he still stood in Veronica's life?
Jude and Veronica are two lost soul and both have tragedy and heartbreak in their past. Veronica has trust and self esteem issues. Jude has had love in the past and doesn't want to love again. This story develops slowly and shows the characters feels and issues from their past and how they both are working through their issues. This story has been my favorite that R. R. Banks has written. I love the pace of the story not just man seen woman, decided he wanted her, , they start relationship, and then HEA. No the author developed the story and showed their pain and what they went through to get their HEA. Awesome jib.
Veronica and Javi cracked me up right from the beginning! At first Jude just seemed like a rude, crass man who just wanted to get in Veronica's pants. The plot twists were huge in this latest from R.R. Banks. The tragedy both of the characters had to live through were tremendous and definitely shaped who they have become. I loved how the story was able to build, it gave so much more depth. By the end I was able to see so much more in all the characters.
This was the best told story ever. A story of a two people who suffered great loss and were able to find the light at the end of the darkest tunnel. The characters and the storyline stood out so prominently that you couldn't help but shed a few tears towards the end of the story. A story where love was thought to be forbidden but turned out to be the greatest savior. A truly inspiring story. A true 5 STAR STORY
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Things I liked: There wasn't this overwhelming alpa-male dominance that a lot of books is the genre have. For the most part the main characters were sensible. There was some angst.
Things I didn't like: I can handle a rude outburst from an H if they properly apologize for it. Not only does the H hardly make amends but he is repeatedly a jerk to the h. Also I would have like so more tender treatment from him.
Great story. Their past and how it shapes and intertwined with their present makes this story different from a lot of the other taboo Teacher/student books I read. It adds a lot of depth to the story, and can we talk about the feels my heart was experiencing. Great characters, I was particularly fond of Javi. He brings a fun lightness to the story and some comic relief. He’s pretty much the perfect best friend. Would definitely recommend who doesn’t love a good teacher/student romance? :)
Sometimes it takes a while to find the light at the end of the tunnel
Veronica has had a tragic childhood encounter that has left scars physically and mentally. Jude had a wife and son, only to loose both in a short amount of time, due to a senseless act. Years later, they meet and have an attraction and pull to one another, but don't act on it until semesters later. A wonderfully written alpha male HEA romance.
This book was quite refreshing. Emotional, sexy. The plot was well thought out. Another hit for a very good read. The characters had their own ordeals. These two will have to leave their past trauma in order to move forward in what will a rollercoaster of emotions, drama and suspense. Although this book was given freely . My opinions are my own. Again and again R. R never fails to amaze me in how much he has grown towards honing his craft from one Best Seller to the next.
I really enjoyed Veronica and Jude’s story! What starts out as strictly a sexual relationship turns into much more.
Veronica works as Jude’s teaching assistant but then they quickly develop a friendship/relationship. Jude is unable to commit to more because of a past that continues to haunt him.
They both have pasts they would rather forget but together they are able to heal.
Wow! I could not put this book down and didn't want it to end. At first glance Jude and Veronica's may have been taboo, hot but taboo. However, they needed the other in order to begin living again. What each went through was heartbreaking, and they deserve every bit of happiness! This book was incredible and R.R Banks is a master story teller!
Awesome ! I loved Jude and Veronica’s story. It held a lot of emotions that kept me turning pages , to discover where the characters relationship was headed. I found the story to be an amazing journey between two lost souls where age held no factor in the outcome. Absolutely amazingly written. I definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a great read
Jude and Veronica have the loss of their family in common, but Jude is unable to move past his loss. Veronica waits for him to admit to himself or even her, but he seems incapable of any deeper feelings. I would have liked something more for her dance partner (charges even) and more from Javi (a call, letter, or visit?!). He is her family.
This is a really good Professor/Student romance and I really enjoyed it.It was a really well-written story with plenty of twists and turns.I liked Jude and Veronica's characters but at times I did find her to be a little childish and he could be a little standoffish and cold.But overall it was a really good read
I kept waiting for that moment when the book clicked. It felt like I was reading a synopsis of what could have been a great book. All the characters were one dimensional and the flow of the book never found a pace that could set the tone of the book. I do not recommend this book at all.
The story of professor and the student tha he wants but he should not have.
This book was a surprise to me and I love every moment of it. There's a taboo in their relationship which quickly became so much more. There was passion, lust, love and healing. This book was amazing and unexpectedly touching.