“I want everything.”She’s taking control. And it’s driving him wild Lucy Baudin’s ex did a number on her self-esteem, but it’s time for her to regain control. In her job as a lawyer she’s bold, confident. But in the bedroom she needs inspiration to reawaken her inner seductress. Asking her friend Gideon Novak for help seems wrong…yet so deliciously right “Dare is Harlequin’s hottest line yet. … Harlequin’s hottest line yet. Every book should come with a free fan. I dare you to try them ” –Tiffany Reisz, international bestselling author
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Two years ago Lucy found out her fiancé was cheating on her. She is a defense attorney and has spent them years working and trying to build her self esteem back up after her ex destroyed it. Gideon is a headhunter and very good at his job. He feels guilty for not telling Lucy sooner about her ex. He has been in love with her for six years. Lucy comes to him for help. She wants him to help her find a husband. In order get a promotion at work they want her married. Then she throws in that she wants Gideon to help her with sex. He agrees and he hates that he’s setting her up with other men. He finally asks her to pick him and then dumps her. He knows he’s made a big mistake but can he get Lucy to forgive him? I love Ms. Robert’s books. Very sexy. Excellent story. Wonderful characters.
This is an absolutely STELLAR piece of writing if ever there was some. From start to finish this book had me by the throat. I mean, it is so goooooooood!
The heat, the chaos, the drama, the sensuality, it was all everythiiiiing. Whew! Don’t sleep on this book, you’d be cheating yourself out of a goodness that can’t be replicated.
Super sexy book, with fantastic characters. A must read.
I loved Gideon and Lucy. A story that doesn’t exactly fall under one specific trope was pretty crafty for to do.
Gideon and Lucy danced around with their chemistry. Guilt and loyalty kept him from pursuing anything with Lucy in the past. Pain kept her guarded and at arms length. But when a professional goal has her calling Gideon, lines are blurred and some things of the past just can’t be kept in the dark anymore.
Ms. Robert can deliver a hot, sexy scene like a champ. You can feel the emotions running through the characters are you read them. In all honesty, the story was an excellent read.
So why a four star read and not five if I loved it? No. Epilogue. Personally, I need an epilogue to truly feel that the story ended. While this story does have a HEA, the lack of en epilogue made it feel like things are “ok” for now.
Make Me Want (Make Me, #1) by Katee Robert was such an enjoyable read.
It tells the story of Lucy Baudin and Gideon Novak (love the name, Gideon BTW).
When Lucy needs a husband to progress in her job at her law firm she calls in a favour from former friend Gideon.
Gideon once the best friend of Lucy’s former fiancee and also the individual that had broken the news of Lucy’s fiancee’s infidelities is wallowing in guilt.
Not only did it take him a month to come clean to Lucy about her cheating fiancee and break her heart in the progress he has also been madly in love with Lucy for years.
So when she calls in a favour how can he say no.
Gideon is a very successful headhunter by profession but he can honestly say that this is the first time he has been asked to procure a husband for a client, not that this would stop him from completing this unusual task, he would do anything in his power to make Lucy happy.
On top of this said ex-fiancee has done a massive number on Lucy making her doubt her whole appeal and worth as a woman in all the ways that actually matter and as a result of this Lucy asks Gideon to be her coach in all things sensual.
Gideon agrees on one condition he gets Lucy exclusively for the duration of these lessons.
But It’s not long before all the rules are being thrown out the window as the two former friends begin to connect in ways that Gideon has been dreaming of for years.
So “Make Me Want” was a fantastic read, it has such flow and ease about it that I had no trouble getting lost here.
I loved both the main characters and was rooting For Lucy to see Gideon as the only contender for her love and affections.
And Gideon himself I just wanted him to spill the beans and reveal all in regard to his heart’s desire.
They were both such easy characters to like and feel a connection with.
Which I’m happy to say I did, feeling so invested in the outcome of there overall relationship practically from the beginning here.
It also helped massively that Gideon’s and Lucy’s chemistry was extremely explosive setting the pages alight with its intensity.
It was also so refreshing to simply read a book where the characters laid themselves bare, exposing their vulnerabilities without apology.
There were few secondary characters here but what did appear were great and added an additional flavour to the overall story.
So I found “Make Me Want” to be a fabulous new contemporary that in my opinion delivered on all fronts.
I found it a fresh sexy addition to its genre and am happy to recommend this enjoyable tale.
I was provided with an ARC of “Make Me Want” By Netgalley of which I have reviewed voluntary.
All opinions expressed are entirely my own.
Lucy is just eager at times, “she reached for her shirt. “Holy eff, slow down.” He made an effort to lower his voice and held out a hand. “You want lessons? We start with the basics. Come here.” Gideon is at loss for wprds at times, “eff me, but you can’t expect a man to be faced with the sight of you naked and still be able to hold down a conversation.” I liked this book, I fell in love with Gideon.
Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team
Rachael –
I absolutely loved the premise of this story. It was interesting even if you could see the way it was headed way ahead of time. Following along the internal debates and struggles both characters have was great. They both wanted the other, but thought they were all wrong for each other for different reasons. However, as Gideon gives Lucy lessons in the bedroom while trying to find a good match for a loveless marriage, we find they aren’t so far apart as they initially think.
There is some past pain that will always be in the back of both their minds and it causes both of them hesitation to break past the ‘friends’ line and put themselves in a place where they can become the one that gets hurt.
While I enjoyed the story, having a fairly predictable plotline was a letdown as I love surprise twists. I would not hesitate to pick up another book by this author though.
Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Make Me Want (Make Me #1) by Katee Robert to read and review.
This story was so hot there were times I thought my kindle would melt. I always enjoy a good friends to lovers romance but this one has a different spin on it, you see Gideon and Lucy were friends during a period of time where Lucy was dating Gideon’s close friend and they were even engaged to be married but Gideon always wanted Lucy but did the right thing and step aside. Well lets just say a LOT has happened in the two years they hadn’t seen on another, Lucy still considered Gideon a friend even though they hadn’t spoken in a while so when she need help with a senitive matter he was the one she called.
I liked that there was some agnst but it wasn’t over the top, and not only do we get a HEA for Lucy and Gideon but we are also set up for the next book in the series Make Me Crave which I cannot wait to read. I am really loving this new addition to the Harlequin lineup, DARE is made for people whom enjoy a lot of spice (sexy times) in their romance novels.
**I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Readers Copy of this book**
3.5 Stars
A fun read in the new Harlequin Dare line – lots of heat with a happy ever after – and Katee Robert always knows how to deliver the heat!
I really enjoyed the whole set-up of the story – from Lucy looking for a marriage to convenience to all the friends with benefits action she shared with Gideon. It was immediately clear that there was some off the charts chemistry between these two, but I what I really loved seeing just how much Gideon cared for Lucy. I’ve come to expect some awesome sexy times and scorching heat from Katee Robert, but what stood out for me was depth of emotion you could feel from Gideon.
There wasn’t a whole lot to the plot, but it was done well. This book was on the short side like most Harlequin books, but there was room for both characters to develop and grow. It was a little bit angsty at times – I’m not a big fan of the “I’m not good enough for her” so let me sabotage this relationship stuff – but there wasn’t too much to slow things down. I loved Lucy’s sister Becka and their friend Roman and will definitely be checking out the next installment in this series.
Definitely worth checking this one out!
Gideon Novak has a real challenge ahead of him. And it may be the toughest one to date. Our author has created a very strong alpha male character in Gideon. I could almost picture him storming castles or if he were in a play he’d make a good Pertruchio (from Taming of the Shrew – was thinking of the Richard Burton/Elizabeth Taylor version).
Lucy Baudin is feeling a little awkward with what lays ahead. What may have seemed simple in her head may just be harder than she thought. I found Lucy to be not so bright. She craves something but doesn’t seem to realize what she has right in front of her. I found myself waiting for her light bulb moment. There were times I felt as if she walked around with a question mark over her head. She just needs a boost to her self esteem.
The author creates a world outside of her main characters. It’s a world that could overtake our couple’s scenes but she’s very good at keeping it all under control. Expect a lot of steam heat with this story so keep an eye on your e-readers. Ms. Robert created a character that started out with me wanting to know more but then a scene came along that blew that feeling out of the water. He is that person that sits on your shoulder and whispers in your ear. I didn’t know who to stick my finger up at by the time that scene was done but then I at least forgave the author because this was my hold your breath moment. And it did its job. I had to be somewhere but I wasn’t leaving until I finished the story. At which point I did a happy dance because the author isn’t done with us yet.
I was not compensated nor was I required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
How do you go about meeting the needs of a client who is looking to find a marriage of convenience, when you love said client? That is the question that arises in Make Me Want by Katee Robert.
Lucy Baudin has spent the past two years single. She had a very bad relationship that scarred her in ways that she never thought were possible. She spent four years with her ex who was not a nice guy, constantly berating her and putting her down. She hasn’t been able to feel comfortable in a relationship since. However, she is attempting to become a partner at her firm, and she feels as though being married is the only way that she will be able to accomplish that goal.
Gideon Novak has been in love with Lucy for the past six years, and regrets that he is the one to have informed her about her cheating ex. However, he feels that he owes Lucy and will do everything in his power to meet her needs. So he agree to a convenient marriage with Lucy. But when she offers to include sexual assistance as well, will this be too much for Gideon to take on?
This was a good book. I enjoyed this short read. I found myself wishing that there was more. I wouldn’t mind reading through the rest of the series to be able to come back and see how things go for these two. Four stars.
Nikki, Late Night reviewer for Up All Night w/ Books
Ah yes, the joys of dealing with guilt. Friends to not to client? It sounds odd but this is anything but…
Make Me Want is a friends to client with benefits book. Or maybe it’s a fairytale? He’s wanted her forever. She wants his help. Guilt compelled him to do as she asks. Her desire keeps her going back for more.
This steamy, lusty affair is going to keep you busy and engaged. Straying from these pages while reading is not likely, no, because Make Me Want does just that.
Book received in exchange for an honest review. Reviewed on behalf of Once Upon An Alpha
3.5 stars–MAKE ME WANT is the first instalment in Katee Robert’s contemporary, adult MAKE ME erotic, romance series, part of DARE, Harlequin’s new imprint focusing on strong women and the men they love. This is corporate head hunter Gideon Novak, and attorney Lucy Baudin’s story line.
Told from dual third person perspectives (Lucy and Gideon) MAKE ME WANT follows attorney Lucy Baudin as she becomes desperate in her climb to the top. Up for partnership at the legal firm where she works, Lucy suspects that as a strong, independent single woman she may be overlooked for promotion therefore finding a husband is on the top of her list. Enter her former friend and corporate head hunter Gideon Novak, and the man with whom Lucy will fall in love. While Gideon goes in search of prospective husbands, Lucy has a more personal request of her own-lessons in the art of sexual seduction-from the man himself. What ensues is the building friends to lovers relationship, and the potential fall-out when Gideon realizes he is in too deep.
MAKE ME WANT is an erotic, sexy and edgy story about one woman’s desperate attempts to make partner in the firm, and one man’s need to beg forgiveness for sins of the past. Lucy’s last relationship ended when she discovered the man that she loved was having an affair-a man who was best friend’s with our story line hero. Gideon has always loved Lucy Baudin from afar but lost his chance when his best friend Jeff went in for the kill. Hoping to right a wrong from the past Gideon agrees to help Lucy knowing that in the end, he could lose the woman that he loves.
The relationship between Lucy and Gideon is a friends to lovers romance; second chances of a sort for two people lost in a world of betrayal and hurt. As their lessons in sexual seduction grow more spontaneous and romantic, the predictable is about to happen as Gideon forces himself to walk away believing he is not worthy of our heroine’s love. The $ex scenes are intimate and intense.
We are introduced to Gideon’s partner and friend Roman Bassani, and Lucy’s sister Becka Baudin. Roman’s story line is next in Make Me Crave.
MAKE ME WANT is a predictable story line with a foreseeable fall-out for all concerned. The premise is entertaining; the characters engaging; the romance sexy and hot but I have to question why a powerful attorney would stoop to such an arrangement without considering the possibility of falling in love- the believability is problematic.
The fantasy comes to life. Katee Robert has a knack for allowing readers to live vicariously through her imagination. Whether naughty, dangerous or heartbreaking, her characters call to the little voice inside yearning to escape. Make Me Want is a passionate tango of lust, love and liberation. One woman’s quest to unlock her inner vixen, brings her heart’s desire. HOT!