The Recommended Reading Order
Melody Anne's original Forbidden series is a contemporary erotic romance saga that follows the lives of the wealthy, traumatized Knight brothers as they navigate love, trust, and healing. To get the full emotional arc of the family and understand the background plot, readers should follow the publication order. The first two books are a duology following the same couple, while the subsequent novels follow Blake's brothers.
- Bound (2014) – Focuses on Blake Knight and Jewell Weston.
- Broken (2014) – Continues and concludes Blake and Jewell's story.
- Betrayed (2015) – Focuses on Byron Knight and McKenzie Beaumont.
- Burned (2015) – Focuses on Tyler Knight and his path to redemption.
Understanding the Versions: Knight Brothers vs. Astor Brothers
When searching for the Forbidden series, readers often run into confusion due to a major revision and re-release program started by Melody Anne in 2023. Depending on which edition you purchase or borrow, you will encounter two distinct versions of this universe:
The Original Knight Saga (2014–2015)
The original four books center on the Knight family. The overarching plot is kicked off by the exclusive, high-class escort service Relinquish Control. Because of the escort agency premise, these original versions feature prominent BDSM-lite elements, power dynamics, and a darker, high-stakes erotic tone. The family name of the brothers is Knight.
The Revised Astor Series (2023–2024)
Starting in 2023, Melody Anne re-released these books under new titles as the Forbidden: Annotated Version series. In these updated editions, the family name of the brothers has been changed to Astor, and they run the Astor Corporation. The BDSM-lite escort service element is significantly altered or toned down, shifting the premise more toward workplace romance. The titles correspond as follows:
- A Kiss at Midnight (2023) – The revised, annotated version of Bound (following Blake Astor and Jewel Weston).
- Kiss Me at Dawn (2023) – The revised, annotated version of Betrayed (following Byron Astor and McKenzie Beaumont).
- Kiss Me Forever (2024) – This third book in the annotated lineup departs from Tyler's story and follows a new couple, Magnus Carter and Piper Covington, offering a lighter, beach-read romance.
If you want the complete, original arc of the three Knight brothers (including Tyler's story in Burned and the full resolution of Blake's story in Broken), you should stick to the original 2014–2015 publications.
The Core Books and Character Arcs
Bound & Broken: Blake's Story
The series begins with Bound, introducing Jewell Weston, a twenty-four-year-old woman desperate to secure custody of her ten-year-old brother after their mother's passing. To gain financial stability, she joins the high-end escort agency Relinquish Control. There, she matches with Blake Knight, a cold, controlling billionaire who is haunted by witnessing his parents' murder as a child. Broken picks up immediately after the cliffhanger ending of Bound, resolving their trust issues, confronting Blake's past trauma, and securing their happily-ever-after.
Betrayed: Byron's Story
The third book, Betrayed, shifts the spotlight to Blake's older brother, Byron Knight. Byron is highly protective of his siblings and suspicious of anyone entering their lives. He clashes immediately with McKenzie Beaumont, a fiercely independent businesswoman who has developed a cold exterior due to past betrayals. Their story is a classic battle of wills with high chemistry and fast-paced relationship development.
Burned: Tyler's Story
The original saga concludes with Burned, featuring Tyler Knight. Tyler is the youngest and generally considered the least hardened of the brothers, often acting as the peacekeeper. However, he harbors his own secrets and emotional scars. His book ties up the family's healing process and provides a final resolution to the overarching Knight family drama.
What to Know Before You Start
Before diving into the Forbidden series, it helps to understand its genre and thematic elements. The original releases are firmly positioned within erotic contemporary romance, featuring power exchange dynamics, dominant alpha heroes, and highly explicit scenes. If you prefer a toned-down, workplace-centric billionaire romance, the 2023 revised Astor editions (beginning with A Kiss at Midnight) are tailored to that preference.
Additionally, while Byron's book (Betrayed) and Tyler's book (Burned) can technically be read as standalones, it is highly recommended to read Bound and Broken first. The emotional background of the brothers' childhood trauma and their family dynamic is established early on, making the later books much more satisfying if read in order.