Just as when I reviewed the supposed second volume of this series, I’m going to start this review off with some housekeeping. This book is listed as Volume I of the Make Me series. I felt I was missing something when I started reading the first story in this compilation of two short stories. I’m sure it would have been okay to continue without digging any further, but I’m a completionist all the way. I found that the four stories in these two volumes were released as individual stories under the Mills & Boon’s Dare imprint in 2018 and 2019. Make Me Yours, the first story in this compilation, was actually book #3 in the series. So I did what any sane person would do and read my ARC of Forbidden Games first. While, strictly speaking, these stories can all stand alone, I felt I got more depth by reading them in the original order.

Make Me Yours

Becka and Aaron start off with a bang, literally. They are fire together, until a problem with their condom. Becka immediately puts a fortress around her mind and heart and takes off as though Aaron is just another one-night stand. Aaron, being a playboy most of his adult life, knows there is something different about his connection to Becka yet also understands her reasons for getting out of there so quickly. He just cannot get her out of his mind.

Good thing, because Becka shows up a few months later pregnant with his baby. Aaron is very overbearing. He has good thoughts and ideas when but terrible execution. Becka is not used to answering to anyone so they are going to both learn to compromise.

Aaron quickly learns what does and doesn’t work when trying to get closer to Becka. He’s always mindful to not spook her, he wants her around for the long haul. Not just because she’s pregnant with his kid but because he’s falling in love. Becka’s falling in love, too. She has a lot of walls to climb over to learn to trust that emotion and trust the love of anyone other than her sister.

Once again the author has both the main characters realizing how stupid they are being at the same time after things go south. I love that about this series. And I love the way Aaron can be so dominating yet so soft. It’s a great combo in a man.

Make Me Need

The pairing of Trish and Cameron was pretty obvious from the previous story. Not knowing either character well, I was pleasantly surprised by how much chemistry they have. This is a grumpy/sunshine story with Cameron being the grump and Trish being the sunshine. Of course, there is much more to be found under their external presentation.

Cameron instantly sees through Trish’s fake smiles and chipper nature, which throws her off since even those closest to her rarely notice when she is covering up her true feelings. It comes out that, although her mom is a wonderful person, there is a dynamic to their relationship that has caused Trish to always want/need to smooth things over.

Although it’s never put on the page, Cameron seems to be neurodivergent. He’s uncomfortable with most people and doesn’t understand when subterfuge is used, even if there is no ill intent. Cameron is easily frustrated with dishonesty, even when done in the “normal” course of business and interpersonal relationships with those around you. Trish seems to understand this and doesn’t let his harsh tongue and frowny face discourage or scare her.

I love the micro-trope of “I’ve never seen him like this with anyone else”. I especially loved it here, as it seemed Cameron needed that special someone in his life. And Trish needed someone who would put her happiness above all else.

**I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely**