I love the concept of the Jafar being the good guy, and Aladin being the villain! It was a fun, sexy read!

"Out there, I’ll be your right hand.”
“Yes.”
“In here?”
"In here, I am your baby girl.”

“Spread your thighs, and let Daddy give you a kiss.”

This book was so spicy!!! I am finally diving into the world of fairytale retellings where the villains are the heroes! This is the first book in Katee Roberts’s Wicked Retelling series and I can’t wait to read more books in this series! We read in the beginning about Yelena getting taken prisoner by Jafar, her father‘s right hand man. I loved that while Jafar wanted Yelena, he still made sure that he got consent from her. These steamy scenes were the best part in this book! I wouldn’t expect so many deep conversations between the characters since this book focuses more on the open door scenes. I found the scenes where Elena and Jafar shared with Meg super hot! I’m looking forward to reading her story as I want to know more about her as a character.

Read if you like:
Fairytale retelling
Villain hero
Prisoner heroine
Sex club
Virgin heroine
Daddy kink
MFF scenes
Open door romance
Hero falls first

If y'all were attracted to Jafar in Aladdin especially during THAT scene (iykyk and if you're like me, YOU KNOW!), then this one is for you.

This book is great at the quick and dirty. It gets you there fast and the spice was scandalous in all the right places. Katee as usual knows what she is writing and does it dang well.

The storyline was good and the pacing was quick and kept my attention. This book was incredibly fun and perfect for Disney adults who want to get a little bit dirty.

I absolutely loved Desperate Measures when it originally released and was so excited to see that it was getting a deluxe edition! Yasmina (Jasmine) has always lived in a golden cage. When her father’s man Jafar stages a coup, the owner of her cage changes hands. But Jafar wants Yasmina and the games they play are incredibly satisfying to them both. When a dark threat tries to steal Yasmina away, will their bond be strong enough?

I love how Katee Robert poses the questions of what if Jasmine was interested in Jafar instead and what if Ali (Aladdin) is not the hero that we think we know. I also love how queer this entire series is and it starts here with Yasmina and Jafar. Queerness and villains have been intertwined before, but Katee takes it to an incredible level of steamy romance. Katee masterfully writes about the power exchange between them, the importance of consent, and how Jafar stops everything at Yasmina’s safe word. The romance between Yasmina and Jafar is explosive, spicy, and satisfying. The politics and world-building of Carver City are fascinating and readers meet characters who will feature in later books in the Wicked Villains series.

The deluxe edition includes beautiful new artwork, annotations from Katee, and several bonus short stories. Katee’s annotations are excellent and provide additional insight into the story and their writing process. I loved this return to the story that started it all and can’t wait to see future deluxe editions (because who doesn't love a villain written by Katee Robert!).

Thank you to Katee Robert, Sourcebooks Casablanca, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

For publisher: My review will be posted on Goodreads, Amazon, Storygraph, and Barnes & Noble etc.

Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebook for the free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Katee Robert’s smutty books are the perfect palate cleanser books/pull you out of a book slump. However, be sure to check content warnings: ⚠️

This AU Jasmine (Yasmina) and Jafar with mafia vibes. Jafar is a baddie but Aladdin (Ali) is worse. There are other Disney villains involved and a Hades who has a sex club while running the Underworld. However, it’s not our Hades from Neon Gods!

I enjoyed the art work and footnotes on the recent release, but I hope the physical book has the footnotes at the end of page bc the e-book had them at the end of the chapters so I had to jog my memory.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

I would recommend if you're looking for (SPOILERS)

-m/f contemporary dark romance
-consensual nonconsent
-daddykink
-forced proximity
-hate that I want you
-one hates the other pines
-disney retelling with a twist

This series was my gateway into becoming Katee Robert obsessed and that it is not only getting special editions but the annotations that are a peak into Katee's head. I love this book just as much on reread, if not more and to see all the little easter eggs of Katee's of not just this book but others and really the beginning of all things kinky and queer. The hints at Sabine Valley (My fingers are still crossed at its revival). Whether this is the first time picking up this delicious twist on a Disney favorite or a reread, it's a must have. I love this book and series with my whole heart.

Thank you so much to Sourcebooks Casablanca for this eARC! I have read this book twice before in its previous iteration and it still hits every single time. This time even HARDER! Yasmina and Jafar's chemistry is so remarkably insane from the JUMP and it never ever lets up for even a second. This was the first Katee Robert book I ever read so getting to pick it back up and get these special footnote and updates and epilogues was so overwhelmingly fun. Yasmina is such a strong character who goes through such a beautiful transformation and Jafar is the perfect villian who is just GONE on his woman. I can't wait to hold the physical pretty copy in my hands this is such a special book in such a special series.

Review for Deluxe edition

Desperate Measures by Katee Robert is for all the romance lovers who still love fairytale but in the dark and spicy version! A twisted take on Aladdin in the package of dark organised crime romance, Desperate Measures delivers sin and passion and love and suspense in a beautiful way.


I will be honest here..if I didn't get the deluxe edition as eARC from Netgalley that contained all the bonus material and artwork and author Notes..The rating would be 3.5. This edition stands out due to the unique look into the author's mind and the seductive art and the bonus materials those just enhanced the story.

So we are in a modern day city and we are watching different organized crime players fighting for power.Yasmina has been kept in a metaphorical cage by her father and she wanted freedom. But now her father's associate Jafar has killed her father and claimed the kingdom and the princess before she could be sold to Ali, another evil man. The thing is Yasmina always wanted him even when it is forbidden. Like Jafar.But can she stay in another golden cage?

This book is high on kink and smut. No wonder it became booktok sensation because it can be really shocking and enticing at the same time. The queer part with FF. The sharing. Pure BDSM dynamics. It's one of the dirtiest books I have read. And that's something because I have read some real filthy ones. Yasmina managed to win over her fears and I love how she rescued herself at the end to claim the kingdom. Jafar had a plan but his obsession and possessiveness for Yasmina derailed everything. Now it's an interesting chemistry. Yasmina feels shame and regret for wanting the man who is keeping her under his control. But she is also insanely attracted to him and his darkness because Jafar also pushes her and gives her space in a weird way. The dichotomy is sexy and angsty.

I just feel while sex is the power of this book, it also became the weakness as it shadowed the emotional parts.

Thanks to Netgalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for the copy

4 ⭐ 3 🌶️ 5 🎧

I forgot how much I loved Jasmine before this re-read! She is such a baddie and I loved how she came alive in the end.

The spice was really good. This is a MF romance but we do get a FFM scene with Meg and it's pretty fantastic. The primal play is also on point.

The audio was fantastic. I just love Lessa Lamb and Jack Calihan was great too.

Thank you to NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca for the ARC

A sexy and delicious retelling of Aladdin with Jasmin and Jafar as the main couple. This is for all the girlies who wanted the villain.

This book is everything you’d want in a dark, steamy romance. The dynamic between Jafar and Yasmina is intense from start to finish. The tension and power struggle are written so well, and the chemistry between them is through the roof. It’s definitely a book that pulls you in and doesn’t let go.

What makes this edition even better is the bonus content—author annotations, extra scenes, and even a kink inventory. It adds depth to the reading experience and makes it feel like you’re getting something really special.

If you enjoy dark romance with high stakes and plenty of heat, this is a must-have. It’s bold, captivating, and absolutely worth adding to your collection.

This series by Katee Robert is addicting and familiar and just a good steamy read. Based on popular Disney stories, this is a twist on the tales we know and love. I read this several years ago but enjoyed the reread so much. This edition has art and has footnotes with Robert's thoughts about the story and her thoughts when writing. It added some depth to this fun retelling.

3,5 ⭐️

Desperate Measures is the story of Jasmine and Jafar and it is inspired by the story of Aladdin.
But if you read any Katee Robert book before, you know that this will be spicy. Please check the trigger and content warnings before reading.

I did not like Jafar in the beginning and the story starts pretty abruptly. It would have been nice to have some more background story and see them interact before he “takes” her.
What I liked is that Jasmin’s character develops a lot during the book, from a sheltered captive to a strong woman, a queen.

This is a quick read, it keeps you entertained and has hints about the next books in the series.

The notes from the author helped me understand the reason behind some scenes. I also like the illustrations from this edition. There are also some bonus chapters at the end.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Desperate Measures: A Dark and Twisted Aladdin Twist
Katee Robert's Desperate Measures is a wild ride of a book that takes the classic Aladdin tale and turns it on its head. Jasmine is no longer a damsel in distress; she's a fierce princess fighting for her kingdom. And Jafar... well, he's a whole different beast.
The chemistry between Jasmine and Jafar is off the charts. It's a toxic, addictive kind of attraction that keeps you on the edge of your seat. The story is full of twists and turns, and you'll never be quite sure who's playing who.
If you're looking for a dark, intense romance with a healthy dose of intrigue, Desperate Measures is definitely worth checking out. Just be warned: it's not for the faint of heart.

This was one super hot read! I got to read the deluxe version that has notes from the author and it really gave great insight.

I am very intrigued by this book, the world and characters. I more than likely will go and read some more books from this world because hot dang the scenes are spicy.

Yasmin’s and Jafar do not feel like a good mix but now I can not picture either with anyone else. The book starts hot and heavy and a cold shower is a must as you read because the steam doesn’t let up.

The queen of smut has done it once again!
Desperate Measures (DELUXE EDITION) was a lot of fun! I really enjoyed the footnotes and getting into Katee's thought-process with these "behind the scenes" type of commentary.

This is a dark & spicy Aladdin retelling where Jafar is the love-interest... it's super kinky and taboo! Yasmina is our FMC who is being forced into an arranged marriage and needs to grow apart from what her father has always expected from her.

Absolutely would love to continue reading this series and highly recommend this book for smut lovers who have dabbled in Katee Robert and need an escape from reality. She never disappoints.

Thank you to Sourcebooks Casablanca and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

"Desperate Measures" was my first dive into Katee Robert's work, and it did not disappoint. This book delivers a scorching-hot retelling of Disney's Aladdin, but with a kinky, dark twist that sets it apart. If you enjoy dark romance and don’t mind non-con themes, then you're in for a wild ride.

The story centers on Jafar, Yasmin's father's second-in-command, who seizes control of his boss’s business, money, and daughter. Yasmin feels trapped, but her longstanding desire for Jafar adds a layered dynamic to their power struggle. From the moment they meet, Jafar’s obsession with Yasmin fuels the intensity, and their attraction simmers throughout.

This deluxe edition includes insightful author commentary, which I really enjoyed. It added depth to the story and helped frame the darker aspects of the plot in a new way. The non-con elements may not be for everyone, so keep that in mind before diving in. For those who enjoy a darker, spicier take on familiar characters, this book is definitely worth the read.

Overall, "Desperate Measures" is a daring, hot, and unrelenting romance. I'd give it 4 stars!

Thank you to Sourcebooks Casablanca for the advance reader copy. These opinions are my own.

I have been wanting to read Katee Robert's Wicked Villains series for a while, as I have read and enjoyed all of her other series. And I am so glad that I ended up waiting for this new deluxe edition release.

Desperate Measures is a retelling in which Yasamin ends up with Jafar. While Ali might think he is the hero of the story, he is the true villain. This is a dark romance, but not too dark. Everything is consensual, and that's emphasized and reinforced throughout the book.

I loved the story for itself. It's steamy and well written and kept me interested throughout. But this new edition added a whole additional level. I greatly enjoyed reading Robert's footnotes highlighting her purpose for different scenes and reflecting on how her writing evolved into her more recent series. The beginnings of the Dark Olympus series were referenced multiple times.

And then there are the pictures. I read in black and white on my Kindle and was still in awe of how beautiful they are. Not only do I recommend this book, I especially recommend this new edition of it.

Desperate Measures by Katee Robert was the book I didn’t know I needed!
The tension, the sex, the dirty- left me desperate for more!
This book literally had me melting!

Thank You NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

firstly, I love the illustrations and author's annotations in this version, it was really cool and aesthetic, bring back book illustrations, pretty please!!!

as for the plot - there wasn't a lot of it, this book gave exactly what it was supposed to give. It's great palette cleanser between heavy reads, but had to block out that daddy kink to enjoy it. But it's quick and fun and didn't have to think much reading it. And the twist on Aladdin story was nice.

Thank you Netgalley for providing digital advanced copy in exchange for honest review.