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Forbidden Touch

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Brooke Even in those days Blaze Reeds was a magnet for beautiful girls.He crushed their young hearts under his shoes as if they were flowers.We were best friends. Soul mates. But always platonic. And there was nothing we would not have done for each other. He was fiercely protective, always around, and always there for me. Any fantasies that entered my head were shut out with one word. Forbidden.Now Blaze's younger brother is getting hitched and the wedding is in Hawaii,Guess what? He wants me to tag along.He says it'll be fun. Warm nights, white sandy beaches, and a chance to forget everything for a week. An exotic vacation in a romantic hotel spent watching an outrageously sexy hunk chat up all the pretty girls while I sit and twiddle my thumbs is not exactly my idea of fun.But I agree to and lose a stupid bet... and well, Hawaii it is. How bad can it be? I've seen it all before. One more week won't kill me.Then it happens. The thing I wished for and feared most. That one kiss and we're both unravelled.I want to keep Blaze forever.But will crossing the line bring eternal joy or terrible heartbreak?A Full Length Standalone Romance With HEA.

318 pages, Paperback

Published January 30, 2021

383 people are currently reading
154 people want to read

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Iona Rose

48 books174 followers

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5 stars
256 (46%)
4 stars
141 (25%)
3 stars
110 (20%)
2 stars
28 (5%)
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13 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
Profile Image for Shelley C.
2,951 reviews63 followers
January 23, 2021
3.5 Stars 🌟 A little iffy about this one! (Potential spoilers)

Forbidden Touch is the story of two best friends, Blaze and Brooke, and their feelings for each other. Both are reserved about crossing the line into something more as each is worried about losing the other’s friendship😳 Okay, I’m totally on board for the storyline and the characters have great chemistry and steamy scenes👍

The part I’m iffy about is Brooke....firstly, she keeps dangling herself like a carrot in front of Blaze, sleeps with him and then pulls away - frustrated me, so I can only imagine how poor Blaze felt and secondly, her non-action with regards her boss Mason. This is clearly where her inaction caused him to be bolder because he knew she wouldn’t do anything or speak up which also annoyed me as closer to the end she says she can see things clearly, but when he invites her to his house (outside of work for work) - should have been throwing out major read flags🤦‍♀️ I’m happy Brooke was all about being independent but her character just annoyed me and her judgmental attitude toward Blaze when he wanted to be with her...I personally think he was too good for her🤷‍♀️ Anywho, the storyline otherwise was good and chemistry between Brooke and Blaze was steamy and hot❣️

I received an advanced copy via Booksprout and I voluntarily leave my honest review😁
Profile Image for Jill Haworth.
1,030 reviews24 followers
January 31, 2021
Brooke and Blaze have been friends forever and even work for the same company albeit in different departments, recruitment and accounting, oh and she has a very creepy boss.
They buy a house together with the intention of renovating into two apartments.
When Blaze convinces her to accompany him to Hawaii for his brother Jack’s wedding, Brooke knows that she’s got to be careful.
She’s been in love with Blaze for years, but considers him a player that’s afraid of relationships and commitment.
After they end up spending a passionate week together, Brooke says it can’t continue when they get home. ‘What happens in Hawaii stays in Hawaii’.
She’s determined to protect her heart and Blaze has the potential to break it.
Blaze on the other hand is determined to make her his protecting his heart in the process. He’s not the player Brooke thinks he is. But the road to true love never does run smooth....
This was a fantastic read that keeps you entertained from the start. The chemistry between Brooke and Blaze comes so naturally through their bonds of friendship. Thoroughly enjoyable.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
1,533 reviews
January 26, 2021
Iona Rose writes wonderful books, but this isn't one of them. It was hard to get into this story because the h was so unlikeable and the H was too patient with someone who kept pushing him away. Brooke and Blaze are long-time best friends and there are times when she wonders what it would be like to date him, but she thinks she knows him too well and is certain that he can't commit to one woman. Blaze looks at her and sees something special but hasn't taken it any farther, until his brother's wedding in Hawaii, where all things changed. His younger brother, Jack, is marrying his fiancee, Amelia, and Blaze wants a love like theirs someday. Brooke has a hard time seeing a loving future for herself, but it's because she was raised without much love in her home, to older parents who were all wrapped up in themselves. In Hawaii, with Blaze, she begins to have entirely different feelings for Blaze and they finally become lovers. She throws cold water on their future when she tells Blaze that this is the end of their affair. I couldn't believe that she wouldn't want to take a chance to make a go of it. It may have been inexperience or lack of trust that kept making her tell him that they just wouldn't work as lovers, but it was hard to accept. Even after they made love once again, she couldn't trust him not to hurt her. Could she have been any more clueless with her boss, Mason, and his constant efforts to seduce her? I shook my head when she even considered going over to her boss's house for a "meeting!"  For every time that Blaze was pushed away or told that they couldn't be more than best friends, he still had the patience to let her back in and it was too much for me. By the end, I wanted Blaze to find someone who he deserved. 2 1/2*
Profile Image for Emily Pennington.
20.7k reviews360 followers
January 24, 2021
Brooke has always had a crush on her best friend, Blaze Reeds. He had no problem getting all the girls he could ever want. But Brooke and he were the best of friends always, the kind you can count on to have your back and put you first always.

So when Blaze’s younger brother decided to have his wedding in Hawaii, Blaze wants Brooke to come along as his plus-one buddy. They can enjoy the beaches and the beautiful sights for a relaxing week. But Brooke doesn’t want to go. Why risk their perfect friendship if she slips and lets him know how she feels? But he gets her to go in the hope that maybe something just may happen between them this time. And when she walks out of the shower in a towel, all bets are off and they decide to have a fling while here in Hawaii. For Blaze, it confirms that she is the woman he wants in his life. But Brooke wants to put things back the way they were! She doesn’t want a broken heart, and she’s afraid to move forward. Can Blaze help her to see that this wasn’t just a fling, and that she is his soulmate? Or will her unfounded fears force her to walk away from the best thing that ever happened to her?
972 reviews11 followers
January 27, 2021
Engaging, charming story. This is a friends-to-lovers novel, which I found entertaining, enjoyable, charming and feel-good, not to mention steamy. Brook and Blaze have been best friends from childhood and they are practically family. They have common friends and a history with each other and their respective families that cemented their friendship through the years. During his brother's week-long wedding in Hawaii, Brook decides to have fun and makes Blaze really jealous. That moment seemed to have provided the impetus for both of them to realise that they both have a repressed but undeniable attraction to each other. So platonic friendship becomes friends with benefits scenario, which progresses to deep feelings. They make it to their HEA since they were over the hardest bit, they were already best friends. The book was well written with witty dialogue, likeable characters and as much steam as any reader can handle. I am happy to recommend this novel to others.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Raecharmed.
9,295 reviews70 followers
January 31, 2021
Blaze and Brooke are best friends from growing up. Blaze asks her if she would go with him to Hawaii to his brother;s wedding because he didn;t want to go alone she she agrees. When they get there things start to heat up between them. At first they think things will only happen while they're there but once they return home they can't stay away from each other. Brooke worries the physical side will hurt their friendship and tries to push Blaze away. Will Blaze let her end things between them without a fight? Can they have their happy ending?

This is a great story that will hook you in the beginning and leave you wanting more at the end. This is a well written and very entertaining story. I would recommend this book to any book lover.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
1,167 reviews6 followers
January 21, 2021
What a hot and steamy couple. They sizzled on almost every page. Brooke and Blaze have been friends forever and they also work for the same company. They both travel to Hawaii together where Blaze’s brother Jack is getting married. Being in such an idyllic setting their relationship develops into something more than just friends. Brooke is very wary though as Blaze is not known for staying with any woman for more than a few months. So when they return to New York Brooke tells Blaze that their fling is over. However, Blaze can’t go back to just being friends so he sets out to convince her they should be together. Read an ARC for an honest review.
Profile Image for Evy.
747 reviews1 follower
January 21, 2021
This story left me with mixed feeling. It started out fantastic, I loved the playfulness and chemistry between Brooke and Blaze. They’ve been best friends since they were kids and during the trip to Hawaii their relationship changed. It was sweet and romantic but the downpart was the way Brooke behaved, she wants to be friends with benefits or lovers or just friends.... I felt sorry for Blaze several times. What really annoyed me was how meek and obedient she was towards Mason, her boss, who’s such a horrible person. She didn’t learn her lesson the first time.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Carol ann hughes.
272 reviews1 follower
July 20, 2021
Forbidden touch

I really liked this story watching Brooke and Blaze try to deny their feelings for each other to protect their friendship....Well that was never going to work.

One drunken night leads to days of endless sex but Brooke puts a time limit on their arrangement to protect her heart.

Poor Brooke doesn't know what she wants afraid to loose Blaze but afraid to commit.

The chemistry between these 2 is off the charts and it takes for Brooke to have it out with her mother before she realises that Blaze is her forever.

I wish their had been an epilogue but that's me just being greedy.

Definitely recommend this book and author.
Profile Image for Angela.
951 reviews37 followers
February 21, 2022
Blaze and Brooke

Okay so the underlying story itself is decent enough but for me personally it was TOO MUCH sex scenes and not enough actual story line. Also I honestly feel if this was real I would totally tell Blaze to find someone else he is too good for Brooke. I’m glad she finally figured it out at the end of the book but do it was pretty cringe worthy most of the book to see how badly she treated her best friend turned lover. He treated her like a Goddess and you would think since he was her best friend she would know he would never hurt her. But she continued to break his heart when all he tried to do was win her for good.
Profile Image for M Hurford .
1,244 reviews9 followers
January 21, 2021
Saucy!
Longtime friends, Blaze and Brooke have always kept it on the friendship side of life although they sneak longingly at each other from time to time without the other knowing until...Hawaii. Everything changes. The question is...Is it a permanent change or a fling? Hmmmm.
The book was a good read and the storyline flowed nicely from chapter to chapter. Just know there are a lot of bedroom scenes.
PEACE.
I am voluntarily posting an honest review after reading an Advance Reader Copy of this story given to me by Bad Boy Update.
Profile Image for Gladys.
13.9k reviews162 followers
January 21, 2021
This was a very enjoyable read. I don't think there is a more emotionally laden story than a friends-to-lovers romance. Long simmering and repressed feelings and desires rage war with the fear of putting yourself out there and losing a person that already is so important to you always manages to pack a solid one-two punch to your head and heart. I really liked Blaze and Brooke as a couple and on is own I thought Blaze was very swoon worthy. Unfortunately, I had some issues with Brooke. In the end I felt she was an OK character. This is my candid, volitional review.
2,286 reviews13 followers
January 28, 2021
I volunteered to read this ARC for an honest review. I enjoyed this story about Brooke and Blaze. They became best friends when they were little and have grown up together. Neither considered a romantic relationship because they didn't want to ruin what they had. But when a trip to Hawaii changes things, brings them to a new level, it scares Brooke. They work together, bought a house together and now they are dating. Great HEA with lots of heat.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
12k reviews75 followers
January 22, 2021
Blaze and Brooke have been best friends since kindergarten and have now purchased a townhouse together. Each of them have feelings for the other, but are too afraid that they could ruin their friendship if they act upon their attraction. We are pulled into their lives and that is exactly where we want to be.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Patricia Charlton.
960 reviews9 followers
July 4, 2021
Good Book

I have enjoyed this book and Blaze was honest from the start but I have to admit once they got together it was Brooke who annoyed me.
Yes Blaze had a past but she never once stopped to think it’s because he loved her he couldn’t settle with another woman.
He internal dialogue was annoying and she was the one with the commitment issues. Otherwise it was a good book and I always enjoy a HEA.
648 reviews6 followers
January 22, 2021
Brooke and Blaze had been friends for all of their lives. But lately they had felt that special something that it could be more. A really cute, funny, entertaining story. Brooke and Blaze has the chemistry that is smokin hot. I voluntarily reviewed a free advance reader copy of this book and gave my honest opinion.
4,276 reviews20 followers
January 23, 2021
This is a great read. The main characters have been friends since childhood, but have crushed on one another for many years without revealing their feelings to the other. Finally, they take a chance to become a couple, attaining and their family is happy that they have come to their senses. I liked this entertaining and engaging read. I voluntarily read an ARC and this is my honest review.
3,200 reviews26 followers
January 25, 2021
This was an amazing friends to lovers romance story between Blaze and Brooke. They have been best friends for a long time but have crushed on each other but didn't want to lose the friendship. That all changes when Blaze's brother decides to get married in Hawaii. Of course Blaze wants Brooke to go with him. Will this be the beginning of something real or the end? Definitely recommend!
Profile Image for Rose Belle.
851 reviews13 followers
July 29, 2023
This book started off so strong and then just fizzled out. It almost ended up as a DNF, but I did push through. I enjoy a good best friends to lovers story, but the execution was off on this one. It was too fast and then too slow. Way, way too slow. I like this author a lot, but this was not one of her better stories.
2,604 reviews10 followers
January 23, 2021
I’m on the fence about this book. The storyline was good but I personally didn’t enjoy the characters within the story. I’m giving this book a total of 3.5 stars. I received this book via Bad Boy Update and this is my honest opinion.
Profile Image for Stacey Woods.
1,088 reviews30 followers
January 24, 2021
Romances like these are always sweet and the cover is smoking. However, Brooke is scared of losing Blaze which is understandable. They definitely have chemistry together. I felt as though Brooke had feelings for her boss too. Which probably caused Blaze to hurt. I felt bad for him.
Profile Image for Shannon.
4,104 reviews31 followers
January 26, 2021
I voluntarily reviewed an arc of this book.

This is a well-written friends to lovers romance, sweet and steamy storyline, I really liked Blaze, a sweet bad boy who loves his best friend, Brooke, however Brooke was much harder characters to like, an entertaining story.
Profile Image for Jennifer.
1,570 reviews
February 8, 2021
I love a best friends to lovers romance!! Blaze and Brook's story is funny, sweet and super sexy! His family has always been all in on them as a couple, now they just have to catch up!! I received this ARC from Bad Boy Updates.
Profile Image for Shontaye Harkness.
1,260 reviews5 followers
March 6, 2021
Absolutely stunning writing!!!!!!! Characters are just fabulous and make you want to enjoy their journey forever. Crazy good story worth reading for a second time.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Christina Moody.
641 reviews2 followers
March 14, 2021
Not my favorite

This book was not one of my top favorites. There’s too much hot and cold constantly and that got in my nerves. I love the best friends to lovers trope though and glad for the way it ended.
1 review
April 10, 2021
Absolutely loved this book

I loved this book it kept me interested the whole time and was extremely detailed I finished the book in twenty four hours I would definitely recommend it
504 reviews2 followers
June 4, 2021
Good

I'll be honest at times I skimmed read through the pages. I thought there would be just something more.... I can't pin point it , but I felt something was missing.

Was a good read, with a HEA
1 review
July 1, 2021
Basically porn without plot

Glaring grammatical errors, main characters were flat, sex was gratuitous. I think the story had potential but I literally didn’t care about any of the characters or feel any of the chemistry they supposedly had.
221 reviews1 follower
January 16, 2022
Awww

Such a sweet book with a lovely HEA. I actually felt sorry more for Blaze than Brooke, he gave a lot more for little return but in the end it all worked out. High sexual chemistry between two friends which was actually a whole lot of love. A sweet must read.
Profile Image for Tiffany.
2,514 reviews3 followers
January 23, 2021
I loved this book. Blaze and Brooke have been best friends forever and they have a growing attraction between them. Can Blaze convince her that he wants her forever not just a fling? A must read
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews

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