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Illicit Desires

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First published December 18, 2014

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About the author

Rose B. Mashal

13 books406 followers
Rose B. Mashal is an Amazon and Smashwords Hotlist bestselling author of contemporary romance novels. She enjoys writing suspenseful plots about strong female protagonists and the men who love them. Her Colorblind series is a multicultural love story between an American CEO and an Arab prince, and her latest trilogy is a dystopian science fiction thriller, featuring a female scientist and her human-like android creation.
Rose taught herself English, chose writing over her career as a lawyer, and lives in Egypt with her family.

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5 stars
104 (25%)
4 stars
134 (32%)
3 stars
96 (23%)
2 stars
43 (10%)
1 star
38 (9%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
Profile Image for Maheen Khan.
14 reviews5 followers
January 25, 2016
THIS STORY IS RAW, HEARTBREAKING AND DIRTY AS HELL!!! Be warned kids, not for those who can't stomach a package of emotions, lust, sex, grittiness, ol' plain nasty with a punch full of love between two people who should never have fallen for each other in the first place.

I want to start by emphasizing that I almost always read books that are about a tragic love gone wrong. I came across this story when it was only a baby, a fanfiction and only a few chapters were written. But I knew from the very first chapter that I was in for a treat because this book is the definition of tragic love gone very wrong.

"I win, Dear Brother, "she whispered and then touched her soft lips to my cheek.
I gripped her forearm and whispered back. "Over my dead body, little sister."

Want rainbows and butterflies? You are not going to find it here. Because this book is going to leave you a crying mess so many times that you'll be questioning yourself that "WHY AM I STILL READING THIS???"

But the reply to that question is simple. Rose.B.Mashal's stories are addictive. So addictive they should have a class of their own under the official addiction causing drugs.

From the very first chapter I was reeling from all the feels. Lily's confusion, Adrian's love, her need for a brother, his need for her body.

Adrian and Lillian (Lily) are twins. They have a bond, an undeniable natural bond which is sealed with their love. As any other siblings' in the world. But what happens when Adrian fall for her, her beauty, her body. Everything about her calls to him. How can he deny the siren's call? How can you deprive yourself from that one thing that is the sole reason of your survival?

He can't. He won't. And he doesn't.

This story is about the illicit desires that turns Lily and Adrian's world upside-down. And ours. It'll consume you my friends. Heart, mind, body and soul.

Love,
Maheen

Profile Image for Simplistic.
258 reviews1 follower
January 24, 2016
4.6 rating... This book had me all over the place. I hated Adrian then I felt sorry for him then I hated him some more. The author does a good job putting their feelings out there. Lilly holds to her guns through most of the story because she knows its wrong. Adrian isn't so nice he does everything and I mean everything to try and make her cross that line, he doesn't care that it's wrong all he wants is what he wants and that is Lilly. He's selfish in how he goes about it. A first I think it was because he was so young and didn't know what to do about his own feelings but as he got older he got more conniving using things against Lilly to make her see him the way he saw her. He knew it was wrong he just didn't care about Lilly's feelings, it was all about him and what he wanted no matter if it was wrong. Lilly still sees him as this sweet person she grew up with but he is well past that. But, at the same time we can see how this is driving him crazy and at times we want to feel sorry for him. Even though we look down on this in life, it still opens your eyes to what they go through when someone has the feelings for that person who is taboo. The things that happen and the responses that go with it, I have to say the author done a good job getting that across to the reader. She done a good job with the story it is very well written. And the fact it is taboo won't stop me from seeing were the story goes, as she done that good a job with it.
Profile Image for Ciera.
5 reviews1 follower
January 24, 2016
Okay, so this story is actually how I first discovered Rose's stories, believe it or not...at the time I was reading the fan-fiction version, and to this day I still read that on occasion. The subject matter never bothered me...actually, I was rather intrigued, since I'd never read anything pertaining to this kind of situation. Once I got into the story, I was hooked and couldn't get back out! And reading the soon-to-be published version is no different...I'm HOOKED!

AHH THE CLIFFIE AT THE END!! And now, once again, I'm waiting for more!!

Love you, Rose! You're awesome!! <3
Profile Image for Amanda Horn.
2 reviews1 follower
January 27, 2016
While I understand the subject nature of this book might not be for all, it is a really fantastically written story. The struggles behind the relationship between Adrian and Lily make you feel sympathy for these kids. The author does not write the illicit relationship in a gratuitous or flamboyant manner but instead, presents two endearing character who are stumbling through a very difficult relationship. Illicit Desires is wonderfully written and I cannot wait to read any further additions!
Profile Image for Maria.
237 reviews
January 25, 2016
Firstly, let me say I was aware of the nature of the story line before reading and this did not put me off in the slightest, and I did not read it when it was a fan fiction. It is very well written and tackles a taboo subject with sensitivity, and not gratuitously as could have been the case. You see the emotional struggles that both the main protagonists go through, although to be fair, it seems to me that Adrian makes his feelings quite plain from the off set, whilst Lilly is more conflicted by her feelings and tries to do her best to stop anything happening. I do feel that she is very naive, possibly due to her parent’s protective treatment of her, and this naivety plays into the hands of Adrian. Although both characters are torn by their feelings it is obvious the Adrian feels less guilty about it and encourages the relationship more.
That said the story is a powerful and very angsty one, and the emotional struggles the siblings go through are very well written. Unlike other reviewers on her I did not read this as Fan Fiction, although I had been aware of the story, and would love to see how Adrian and Lilly’s story / relationship progresses.

Thank you Rose for gifting me an arc copy of the first novel in what promises to be a great series.
Profile Image for Wendy.
57 reviews4 followers
January 24, 2016
I've always been a fan of this author as she's known for taking big risks and writing not only incredible angst but also the sweetest love stories around.
This story is obviously not for everyone with the subject matter. I first read this story as a Fanfiction as it had a huge following and everyone spoke about this amazingly well written forbidden story. From the first chapter I couldn't put it down, I then understood why Rose had such a big following. Quite simply her stories bring out emotions of empathy with the readers. You form emotional connections with her characters.
I was lucky enough to be given an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Lillian and Adrian have a normal twin bond and relationship at the very start of the story then on a family vacation things change on Adrian's end.
The story dynamic of the siblings struggle is a very brave and difficult subject to tackle. Seeing Adrian's denial then acceptance and Lillian's denial about them makes the story very realistic in the struggles they have coming to terms with feelings which are seen as unnatural and wrong in everyday society.
We see both sides date and go through normal teenage relationships of growing up and trying hard to ignore the feelings they're so desperately trying to hide, or at least one of them is hiding.
Lilly's desperate to be normal and it's heartbreaking seeing how much she goes through. Adrian pushes her to realise what she's feeling much to his disappointment it takes Lilly a very long time to understand what she's beginning to feel.
I won't say too much to spoil this story.
It's full of angst I read some of it through my tears. I would say to give this story a read. If you're reading this review the story must have caught your attention.
Why not see what you think?
Like the authors previous books she doesn't disappoint in the twists and character growth.
Beautifully written start to another promising series. I'm very intrigued as to how this story will end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
5 reviews
January 24, 2016
Firstly, the taboo content did not bother me at all. I couldn't stop reading. I loved the way Rose wrote how torn the characters are with their attraction/love. It's a difficult subject matter and she managed to weave in their their desires for one another, while they battled with the moral dilemma that they were living through. I cannot wait for the next installment. friggin awesome!!
Profile Image for April King.
7 reviews
January 24, 2016
I absolutely loved this! I was so happy to get to read this early. Some may think the subject matter taboo, but I see nothing wrong with it in a work of fiction. I really love the angsty characters. That ending though! Can't wait to read the next one! The author has done a great job again.
59 reviews
January 26, 2016
I first fell in love with Mrs. Mashal talented writing while reading one of her earliest fan fictions. And while that plot was unique and original in it's own right, she has expanded her playing field, daring to do what so few people would- tackling a taboo subject. This creative woman has a knack for surprising me in the best way, always coming up with intriguing ideas that get me hooked. While this book may not be for everyone, I urge you to give it a chance. I myself was hesitant to read this the first time around, but said what the hell, if I like- love everything else she writes, why would I hate this one? And boy did that risk pay off! A heart wrenching, gut twisting, angst filled book that simultaneously broke my heart and deeply intrigued me. It's impossible not to love these characters, flaws and all! Trying to guess what Adrian's next move was, or how Lillian would react to it kept me on the edge of my seat. Unfortunately, my nails suffered the consequences...

Without giving too much away, the struggle both Adrian and Lily go through just about killed me sometimes. The confusion, the anguish and eventually the acceptance and desperate desire that Adrian feels for his twin is an emotional roller coaster. The changes in their relationship is so realistic, so well portrayed, you feel as though you know them, as though they are real people living here and now.

Lillian's internal struggle is, on the other hand, something I could completely relate to. She's the voice of reason in this story, but at what cost? Her denial is so powerful, yet she struggles to deny her beloved brother and her own pleasure, with mixed results. Our lovely twin's conflicting desires- the desire to truly feel and the other to respect social and legal norms- is absolutely captivating!

So again, I urge you to try something out of your comfort zone. You just might be surprised by how much you enjoy it. I know I was!
Profile Image for Bwmurf.
233 reviews10 followers
April 5, 2017
I wish I would have known that there wasn't going to be a book 2 before I read this one. I would really like to know what happened, if they ended up staying together.
34 reviews6 followers
April 26, 2017
this book was simply amazing! i really liked adrian!!!!! he was bold and hot and bossy yet incredibly gentle. i really was into forbidden and while this book is so in a different lane it still held my attention. i also loved the realistic mental thoughts that happen between both adrian and lilly, they really struggled with there emotions and i never felt like it was over the top. i've recently really been into taboo/ incest stories ( don't dare judge me) and this story really intrigued me. i can't believe they banned the book and discouraged the author from writing part two!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ugh idiots!!!! there are literally books where men are peeing and beating women under the bdsm category and its acceptable!!!! writers should have the freedom to write about whatever they please. lolita is still freaking around after all these years and so is flowers in the attic. i just don't get it. rose b did incredibly well writing and developing this story i literally kept reading even when i was suppose to be spending time with my husband lol im so sad we'll never know the fate of adrian and lilly!!!!!!!!! grrrr! i definitely will re-read though.
Profile Image for Pamela Rodriguez.
25 reviews3 followers
March 11, 2016
This book is great, it is a very controversial story. Yet when I start reading it I began to think about this two characters as two people that are in love. The fact that they are brother and sister makes their relationship extremely difficult and full of emotions. I love every scene of the book and I didn't find it insulting at all. I really though about this book as a love story. I wish I could read more. I can't wait for the next book. I highly recommend this story to all readers, specially those romantic readers. Rose always writes great stories and this story was not the exception.
Profile Image for Farah.
383 reviews259 followers
February 6, 2021
Absolutely loved this book but so pissed that the author won't publish book 2. This book ended with a huge cliffhanger and I need to know what happens :(
Profile Image for Auj.
1,440 reviews112 followers
May 28, 2020
There was so much angst omg. Still liked "Hale" better lol. Lily resisting it for so long got annoying and obviously annoyed Adrian too.
WTF THE AUTHOR CANNOT END A BOOK LIKE THAT IF SHE'S NOT GOING TO FINISH THAT SCENE IN BOOK #2. That was such a ploy to buy book #2, and then she doesn't even write it!!! So unfair!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 17, 2022
Did I pick this up even when I know it's been axed by the author?

Yup.

Did I regret it?

Not a little bit.

This book leaned more into the emotional side of taboo romance, compared to that dark kinky vibe. Still, it was okay. It gave me a little headache initially (as incest books always do), especially the part where she really got traumatized (she can't even let her father touched her because she was afraid her father would molest her like her twin did).
So, that was not fun.

However, it was still an interesting story to be told.
Profile Image for Canan.
199 reviews
May 10, 2021
Well, the date is a weird coincidence I guess ;)

Alright, I remember reading Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma, with a similar theme. That book is a heavy one. Depressing even. I remember being unable to even look at the cover on the shelf for days! Even think about hero and heroine for days on end!

Compared to that this book is easier to read and follow. But this is not a critique. Just an observation, however I can recommend both. And both can work the same mass of people with similar interests.

In a way, if you’re not in to depressing plots, this might be a better choice for you. That’s though not to say that this book does not have sad and heavy scenes. Oh but it does.. but they’re lighter and easier to breathe through. It’s a matter of preference for both the author and readers.

So..

I love the book. I don’t have a problem with the theme. Taboo or otherwise. It’s just any other book for me. One I enjoyed reading. Reading taboo themes does not make anyone weird etc. I don’t believe that.

There is only thing I can touch-base about this book, characters mainly. As of this point, there may be minor spoilers but nothing critical. Still be warned.

I’m not sure how I feel about how Lily was portrayed in order to make Adrian seem a bit more likable and ‘relatable’.

By this, what I mean is, Lily does not really have any further argument nor any other ‘trick’ than saying in the simplest form ‘it’s wrong it’s wrong and it’s wrong’ and of course denial and of course ‘I’m really trying to understand why he is the way he is’. I mean you can’t help yourself, how on earth are you gonna help him!!??

I’m sorry to say this but, while I understand the reasoning behind the willingness to make Adrian more likable, I didn’t like that the author managed doing that by sacrificing the credibility of the other main character, namely Lily. With of those level headed inner musing and thinking and reactions and decisions, she still sounds childish, nagging and shallow and non-trustworthy and therefore not authentic. And I believe this was a sacrifice. At least looks like it. Cause I don’t know if this was a conscious effort.

With this, Adrian turns out to be a bit victimized, poor misunderstood guy... which in reality is not the case, we all know that he obviously need a reality check and is the enforcing and aggressing party here. Again this is no critique, merely an observation.

So I didn’t like this balance, cause denial is NEVER an answer. That’s not to say the answer is acting on the ‘it’ here. No. The answer would have been acknowledging the problem together and going forward from there. That’s what I would have expected from Lily after her numerous attempts for asking ‘what’s wrong, what’s wrong, you can tell me, please confide in me’s and after her such level headed approaches.

Not complete denial. I mean if you are expecting that much of bravery from your brother to talks about the problem, it’s not a lot to ask the same from you...

But, the book is very strong, very well told, the characters are very very depicted as well. Their growths throughout the book is also close to flawless.

Oh by the way, I though there was a second book to this, the end was kind of a cliffhanger? But obviously there is no such book, or what???!!!
8 reviews2 followers
February 4, 2016
Warning, if you don't like raw sex scenes and have a real problem with bro/sis romance, don't read this book. But if you do, you're in for a real treat !

Often, books with bro/sis romance are either pure porn or a sis/stepbrother romance, which, although it can still be amazing, lacks the forbidden thrill that make characters have real moral dilemmas. But with "Illicit Desires", Rose B. Mashall managed to write a bro/sis romance where you can feel the conflict in the characters, where you feel their soul breaking, where you feel the sexual attraction between two people who aren't supposed to love each other physically.

Illicit Desires is the story of Adrian and his twin sister Lily. As twins, they have always shared a symbiotic bond : they aren't just brother and sister, they are best friends. Lily confide and seek refuge in Adrian when she's scared and Adrian lives to laugh with her and support her. But everything changes one summer when Adrian realizes that he's physically attracted to Lily.

From this point on Adrian struggles with his growing feelings for his sister and tries everything to get himself rid of them, thus completely shutting Lily off. And while Adrian struggles, Lily is suffering because if the distance between her and her beloved twin. What was once a loving relationship between twins becomes a battle ground where Adrian is desperately trying to make his twin admit she loves him too and where Lily fights her feelings and pray for things to go back to normal. But sexual tension is high between Lily and Adrian and how can they possibly be expected to go on when the other half of their soul is hurting ? When their fight is cutting them both to the very bone ?

I really liked this book, because the characters don't just give in to their lust but really struggle with their feelings and we see them changing. And while the sex scenes tend to sometimes dominate the book, they are very well written and will leave you tingling and wanting more !
Profile Image for rhonda.
260 reviews10 followers
December 5, 2017
Ok first this book is raw and emotional. And taboo like really taboo. I loved it but I'm so pissed like really mad that I invested my time reading this book to be left on a cliffhanger with no second book coming out . Jordan silver gets banned all the time from amazon but she doesn't care she still writes the juicy reads ..... sell it on your website
Profile Image for daddy’s girl .
807 reviews3 followers
March 10, 2023
Illicit Desires is the story of Lily and Adrian.

Tropes:
Brother and sister (twins)
Psycho mfkr, violent, hot and possessive hero
Cute innocent pretty and sexy heroine
TENSION AND ANGST AND JEALOUSY
Cliffhanger

Let’s just say this incest story took a whole other level. Adrian is a violent but loveable motherfucker. He’s abusive and manipulative towards Lily because she doesn’t want to be with him. He fucked his girlfriend in the bathroom full well knowing Lily was there taking a bath. He nearly killed his own best friend, Ian because he took Lily out for a date if it wasn’t for Lily. Their first kiss was at the beach house and they were in the water and after it Lily was shook but forgave him. It happened again at home where he touched her in her sleep and she started moaning and he came and he felt disgusted with himself and Lily pushed him away and barely talked to her twin. She was scared of anyone touching her like even her dad and one day she talked to Adrian and a few gallons of tears were shed but their relationship was back to somewhat normal. They had rules like she wore modest clothing and whenever they talked their door was open. Slowly they were siblings again but their temptations were getting the best of them. Lily was having wet dreams and Adrian was jacking off to those dreams of her moaning. In the end Adrian gets a girlfriend per Lily’s request and her name is Emma. Lily is jealous as fuck and Adrian is smug as hell. Lily decides to go on a date with Ian because she really likes him and Adrian the motherfucker that he is nearly blowed his damn head off due to possessive and worry that she lost her virginity to Ian. In the end they have a few stolen kisses here and there but the sexual tension is at its high and she finally gives in to him giving her an orgasm and that were the story ends. I need the second book now but it isn’t out. There was no sex between the MC’s but a lot of sexual tension between them. A few orgasms here and there and OW drama for Adrian and only a little OM for Lily.

Solid 4/5
Profile Image for SheriDean Cullen.
5 reviews4 followers
July 12, 2016
This book is definitely not for everyone with that said absolutely loved it. It wasn't a cliché story at all it was about love. A slow growing, miserable, forbidden fight with everything you have love story. Defiantly a good read. ❤️❤️❤️
Profile Image for Kayla Brunson.
1,478 reviews264 followers
February 15, 2021
All I wanted some extremely taboo kink. While this does have it, it’s a hot mess. I didn’t like either character. The brother was an asshole and the sister made me so annoyed. It ends on a cliffhanger and then I found out that a second book was never made. So time was wasted here.
Profile Image for Pam.
801 reviews26 followers
March 15, 2016
This one is hard to comment on. Such a taboo subject, but I thought it was handled really well. I do want to read the next book!
Profile Image for Adranca.
46 reviews
March 20, 2017
When is the next book coming out ?! I'm so excited to know what will happen !!
31 reviews2 followers
May 28, 2022
Awesome book. Was looking for this exact type of taboo book forever. Get to a cliffhanger to find out there was never a 2nd book written 😞
Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews

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