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"I can explain." That's what everyone says when they're caught breaking the law.

City Council Commissioner Sloane Bishop is a murderer.
I don't think she meant to kill her abusive ex.
But when I walk through the door, he's breathing his last.
I was on my way to do the job myself; too bad she beat me to it .
Now the cops want to know what happened.
They're sniffing around and asking questions.
Sloane has a choice: marry me or go to prison.
After all, they can't make your husband testify against you...
We just have to find someone to take the fall.

Filthy Sinner is the third book in The Valenti Crime Family series, featuring a morally grey anti-hero that knows the only way to get what he wants is to break the law. Each book is a standalone and the series can be read in any order.

This is a dark mafia romance containing themes some readers may find unsettling. Caution is advised; unless you're throwing it to the wind. ;)

156 pages, Paperback

Published April 6, 2023

156 people are currently reading
554 people want to read

About the author

Kelsie Calloway

548 books150 followers

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5 stars
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166 (35%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
Profile Image for kymagirl.
6,283 reviews89 followers
April 23, 2023
Sloane (h) murders her abusive, blackmailing ex, just as Luca (H) enters the crime scene planning on doing the same. He finds himself helping protect her as the police investigate and propose they should marry one another so they can invoke spousal privilege. The pair have both faced challenges in their lives, and as they get to know one another feelings for one another begin to grow. Hot and steamy revenge quickie with a bit of drama as another of the Valenti brothers finds love.
Profile Image for Sammy.
198 reviews5 followers
August 6, 2024
I absolutely hated this book. I kept skimming parts of it because I couldn't stand it. There's absolutely no romance and basically no love to this. It was as cold as both of their hearts.
Profile Image for Cheryl.
2,105 reviews63 followers
September 27, 2023
Different

Luca comes from a crime family or at least that is what their known for. He with Sloane, they both want Daniel dead however one gets to him faster. The other uses that to get what they want in the end.
Profile Image for Shannon Godwin.
3,033 reviews32 followers
May 30, 2023
This is a great short book. I really liked Luca and Sloane and would’ve liked to have more of their story. I feel like their could’ve been a lot more to this story, but what is there is really great.
Profile Image for Kashish.
216 reviews48 followers
October 1, 2023
Like the reason she had to marry him was because he screwed her over and then had her come to him for help. KILL ME
Profile Image for Amie.
1,050 reviews17 followers
May 4, 2023
A wonderfully steamy romantic story about to council people that are put together by the death of an architect who was an evil, abusive man. The woman use to date the architect while she was in school but he was abusive to her and they broke up but recently he started to blackmail her and forcing he to do unthinkable things to herself. The councilman was part of a big mafia family with five brothers. He was his lawyer when the councilwoman charged the architect with abuse which he got him off on all charges. The architect was working for the council man’s brother but once the architect was giving secrets to another mafia man the brother terminated the architects contract.
The two was brought together by the murder of the architect. The police tried to get her for the murder until the councilman who has been eyeing her for a while became her alibi, that’s how he figured to make her as his bride that way the police and the courts couldn’t force them to talk about what they know or what what they talk about with one another.
He has his bachelor party, his brother takes them to Las Vegas and the bachelorette party is just around the area going to different bars and eating establishments for drinks and food. While he’s on the plane he calls her and leaves a voicemail when she finds the voicemail and hears it she’s scared that he found someone else so she calls getting his voicemail she tells him that she thinks that she’s falling for him but then tells him that if he decided that he didn’t want to marry her or if he wanted to see someone will they were married that her could but after she hands up she walls back to leave another voicemail.
Each one of them think about the other while they’re suppose to be having fun at their parties but they think about each other now and again. He calls her when he gets back to town wanting to come over to talk to her. After they talk they have sex. She will be moving in with him and in two weeks they will be married. She’s still worried that he doesn’t really want her but he tries to get it in her mind that he really does want her.
The wedding was wonderful even though his brother added more people to the guest list, he told him that they had to so that everything will be good in the future. He parents didn’t come, her mother wanted to but he talked her father into having them stay away. She was going to run but when she found the note that he left for her she decided to go through with the wedding.
The police had to drop their case with the woman because they couldn’t find any real evidence so the charges were dropped. An ex girlfriend of the architect was finally convicted with it do to evidence that she was poisoning him while they were together.
They were getting flack because they’re married from the city council because they could start siding with each other on their views so they shouldn’t be allowed to work together. Even though they argue about their beliefs and how to help the town grow but now they’re attached at the hip. They’re discussing about one of them leaving.
They both work late together. He still spends time with his brothers as well as their growing families but she is with her often. He showers before he goes to bed and climbs into bed with the woman that he loves. She’s the love of his life. There is a lot of life to live and he knows that one of them will do something that will change their relationship but every day they stay together will help them prepare for those moments. They’re learning to growing, that’s all a man can ask for.
The character’s are wonderful it was easy to read as well as a great page turner a perfectly steamy romantic story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Emily.
371 reviews16 followers
April 29, 2023
Can you really fall in love with the one person who is going to keep you out of prison by offering to be your husband?

Sloane Bishop has had a rough go at it- her parents were not always the example of a loving home and when she finally realized that she didn't need to suffer the same fate her mother did, he found a way to get off from the charges Sloane brought against him. It probably helped that he had a really good lawyer- Luca Valenti.

Luca may not remember that he was the one that kept Sloane's ex Daniel from being charged with DV. Heck, he really only knows Sloane from his job, so it certainly doesn't help his shock when he sees Sloane in Daniel's bedroom when goes to pay Daniel a visit to get his revenge for the damage done to his family. Knowing he has the power and money to clean up her mess, he does so without a second thought after hearing her story. What he doesn't factor into all of this is that this may be on the opening he needs to finally make Sloane his.

I really enjoyed this story. For one, despite the fact that I love spice and reading all things that contain the dark and unconventional spicy moments, this book really didn't have any of those moments until the end- there was one instance in Luca's office but that was is. This book really built on the fears about the arranged marriage and their feelings towards one another and I think that gave a really unique story from the previous two in this series. You really got the sense that while both Luca and Sloane may not believe that this could be anything other than convenient for each other and that one day there may be a mutual understanding and respect they develop, they still fall for each other but the fears of what the other may feel keep them from initially admitting those feelings- even to themselves. It really helped push the story forward and I think made the story much more believable rather than just they spend a few moments together and fall in love that way.

Quick, easy read that is a great addition to this family of brothers. I can't wait to see what is in store for all of them in the next story.
Profile Image for Sandy S.
8,284 reviews207 followers
April 15, 2023
FILTHY SINNER is the third instalment and novella in Kelsie Calloway’s contemporary, adult VALENTI CRIME FAMILY erotic, criminal underworld romance series. This is businessman and member of city council Luca Valenti, and city council commissioner Sloane Bishop’s story line.

NOTE: Due to the nature of the storyline premise there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Sloane and Luca) FILTHY SINNER follows in the aftermath of the murder of architect Daniel Prewitt. Daniel had been hired by the Valenti family to design a new home but Daniel sold the plans to the Valenti family rival, plans that would reveal secrets and more. Determined to take down Daniel Prewitt, Luca comes face to face with city councillor Sloane Bishop, who has just killed the man in question. To protect one another, Luca offers up his hand in marriage, a marriage Sloane is all too quick to agree to the terms. As the police investigation begins to target our story line couple, Sloane reconsiders her options going forward when a phone call from Luca has the potential to break our heroine’s heart. What ensues is the quick building relationship between Luca and Sloane, and the potential fall-out as a their marriage of convenience is not necessarily a marriage of love.

The relationship between Sloane and Luca is a marriage of convenience in the wake of the murder of architect Daniel Prewitt. Sloane was being blackmailed by the recently deceased, and her political career was about to take the hit. The Valenti family had been betrayed by Daniel Prewitt, and Luca was desperate to protect the woman that would steal his heart. The $ex scenes are limited but passionate.

The secondary and supporting characters included Luca’s brothers Raneiro and Mateo, as well as Sloane’s parents, and local law enforcement.

FILTHY SINNER is a quick read; a story of family, relationships, blackmail and desperation. The fast paced premise is entertaining; the romance is limited; the characters are determined and desperate.
Profile Image for Arin Baur.
587 reviews11 followers
June 30, 2023
It was a little hard for me personally to get into this book at the beginning I’m not sure why exactly but as I continue reading I fallen in love with book and it’s wonderful characters! There is a so much to explore and enjoy in this fast pace books. It’s really easy/ quick to read the chapters aren’t to much. It’s a crime based book with suspenseful undercover behavior to get what you want a page turner for sure. Also reminds me of enemies to lovers theme that secretly like each other with that said that’s some of my favorites to read and watch! I love how the main girl is not afraid to stand up for herself among getting her hands dirty for what she believes and so much more! Her character I personally feel is someone to look up too she definitely doesn’t let what some people believe is a man job get in her way! I also love how all the brothers interact with each other it’s awesome to see and can be very entertaining but overall very supportive when it needs to be! Also how the main guy character helps the women see past her insecurities/ disabilities and tells her profoundly how it’s okay he doesn’t care that there are other ways to have a family if they want one in the future. I feel very connected during that part of the story cause her and I have some things in common I hope to met someone in real life who is that understanding and support one day! It’s a wonderful story I’m loving this series especially the happy endings can’t wait to start the next book:).

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Liv.
765 reviews11 followers
October 8, 2023
Short, dark and surprisingly pleasant to read! Finished this within half an hour, so it’s fresh in my mind. Fresh enough to avoid spoilers.

The plot - this has some dark shit in it so CHECK YA FUCKIN TRIGGERS PEOPLE. Mainly sexual blackmail and domestic violence, but still worth checking. It’s a short mafia romance (just over 100 pages), with a marriage of convenience. You’ve got your forced proximity, workplace romance, all the good vibes surprisingly. The smut was like a 1.5/5 on the spice scale. Only one scene in the whole book, but it’s fairly detailed hence the extra .5 on the rating. It is a HEA in a series of interconnected standalones, and if the other books are similar, they’re all short easy reads! Honestly what I needed to read today. There were quite a few side characters, which I assume we’re introduced to during the series, but it’s easy enough to move past it.

The MC - Sloane was a complex one for me. She seemed like a badass at times, and then like a naive little girl at others. Her resistance towards the end made no sense, but I suppose we were never meant to understand that resistance fully given the short book length? Loved her courage, disliked her stubborn side.

The male counterpart - you know it’s gonna be a banging mafia book when the MMC is named Luca. He’s broody, and a bit off, but he’s a mafia man trying to do better for his family. Plus he knows how to make it better with a woman which most real men can’t so… he gets brownie points for that.
Profile Image for Katy.
1,205 reviews109 followers
January 20, 2024
Trigger Warnings include:
discussions of (in full detail) sexual manipulation and blackmail, murder, domestic violence

As a big mafia romance fan, this was a fun spin on the trope! He didn’t just have the government in his pocket, Luca Valenti IS the government. Made his red flags a little more green. Luca went to clean up a mess he created years ago, where he is greeted by a different mess, and a familiar face. Luca’s hands may be on the straight and narrow, but his family isn’t, and they’ve got the connections that Sloane needs to stay out of jail. Not to mention, he’s the perfect get out of jail free card…or, at least the ring he gives her is. They don’t fall into the traditional style of love. But it’s theirs. And while I enjoyed them as characters and as a couple, things felt little bumpy. This novella has plenty of good stuff and there was a good flow. The beginning was so drawn out, the middle and end were squished together.

My Favorite Quotes:
• “Consider that your payment for services rendered.”
• “It’s ours and that’s what matters.”
• “I suspect it’ll happen as you walk down the aisle toward me and I get my first glimpse of you in your dress.”
• “I want to f!ck you. But I’m not f!cking with you.”
• “I want to know you, Sloane, in every way you’ll let me.”
• “We’re equals in this.”
• “You’re going to be mine forever.”

7/10 Dirty Birdy
3/10 Dark Romance
5/10 Forced Proximity
3/10 Mafia Romance
6/10 Marriage of Convenience
5/10 Slow Burn
6/10 Workplace Romance
Profile Image for Dee.
5,061 reviews56 followers
April 23, 2023
Part of The Valenti Crime Family series each can be read as a stand alone in under an hour or so with a controlling sexy and the women who captures his attention for one reason or another. Luca sexy as all get out Valenti on his way to take out a man who has caused so many problems for them so he is sent to take out Daniel only thing is someone got there before him never thought it would be his ex. Sloane city council commissioner arrives after her abusive ex is murdered not that she isn’t happy but when one of the Valenti shows up with her standing over his body and he comes up with a plan to protect them both by her becoming his wife this way neither of them can testify against the other sounded good when facing a murder charge which is how it all started a plan to protect one another. Marriage was just for protection until their initial attraction turned into some so much more and the magnetic pull between them can’t be ignored and the more they fought it the stronger the pull until giving it becomes their only choice but with so many questions being asked will she be strong enough to stay off the radar, will he be man enough to admit how he feels his actions speak louder than words, when they discover the betrayal will it draw them closer or further apart, will he balance her out getting her through what happened, and can they find happiness somewhere along the way of deception?.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Sherri Leisure.
852 reviews5 followers
April 28, 2023
The Valenti Crime Family is my favorite series that Kelsie Calloway writes. Each book can be read as a standalone or in any order. However, I would recommend reading them in order for an overall better reading experience. I love the Valenti Brothers - strong alpha males, sexy as sin, protective of those they love and a little on the crazy side.....what's not love? Each Valenti brother is intriguing in their own way and surprisingly, I do not have a favorite. When it comes to the damsel in distress that is a different story. While I do like them all my favorite is Sloane. The dynamic between Luca and Sloane was very interesting. Whether it is the different ideas they have while working together at the City Commissions Office or the shared loathing/vendetta they have for murder victim Daniel Prewitt. One thing is for sure these two have chemistry in spades.

Luca and Sloane have a history...one he has not recognized yet, but she has held onto for years. The two of them end up at Daniel's house the evening he is murdered. Both with the same intent to murder Daniel - only Sloane gets there first. They will have to work together if they want to stay out of jail. The problem is can they trust one another. Luca proposes marriage which allows them to invoke "Spousal Privilege." Will this be enough to save them from prison time or is sporting an orange jumpsuit in their near future?

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
2,142 reviews7 followers
May 10, 2023
Luca Valenti is the face of the family. He’s a member of the City Commission and wants to be the Mayor someday.

Sloan Bishop is also on the City Council. She kills a man named Daniel Prewitt. Daniel was her first boyfriend and he got her high and drunk as a teenager and made a sex video of her. He was cheating on her and she ended up with an STD from him. She was young and stupid and didn’t get treated right away so her chances of having a baby now are very slim. Since she is on the City Council, Daniel started blackmailing her to get what he wants pushed through City Hall. She had enough and went to his house on a Wednesday night when she knew he’d be alone and killed him.

Luca catches Sloane in Daniel’s bedroom right after she kills him because Luca was there with a gun to kill Daniel himself. Luca arranges a clean up crew and has Daniel’s body moved. The police find out about Sloane’s past with Daniel and know that he was blackmailing her. She tells the police that she was with Luca the night of the murder which of course isn’t a total lie. Luca wants Sloane so he asks her to marry him. He tells her that gives them spousal protection but he wants a real marriage with her.

Does Sloane have feelings for Luca? Will they end up with a real marriage? Will Sloane be arrested for Daniel’s murder?.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Emma.
2,864 reviews39 followers
April 20, 2023
This was an interesting read. It's a very light mafia romance with murder on the side. I thought it was strange that Luca was enamored with Sloane when he caught her at the murder scene of her abusive ex-boyfriend. It seems Sloane was really angry at Daniel to have slaughtered him the way she did. I felt that was very realistic. But Luca was really turned on and felt she was a match for him. Sloane was sassy and sarcastic. I feel it was because she was insecure. I also enjoyed the way their cooperation with each other to cover her murder. Luca was cool as a cucumber under stress and pressure. Sloane internally was a mess. A good story. I look forward to reading more about the Valenti brothers in the future.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Entertaining
Happily Ever After
Romantic
Realistic
Scary.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
11.6k reviews49 followers
June 8, 2023
What's a little blackmail when you find the woman you know is meant to be yours

Filthy Sinner is the third book in the From Manhattan, With Love series. The story is about Sloane Bishop and Luca Valenti. Luca meets Sloane by mistake and he is about to take full advantage of the situation he finds her in. What is a little blackmail when you fall instantly for the woman who has beat you to the your next target. At least that is what Luca thinks when he finds Sloane taking care of her abusive and stalking ex-boyfriend, the man who Luca had been sent to deal with for the family. This story has a few circles that make you think and it is very entertaining. I enjoyed it a lot and am loving the series overall.
Profile Image for María Ignacia.
465 reviews2 followers
March 13, 2024
Badass protagonista, matando hombres. Me encanta. La historia de “amor” de esta pareja estuvo muy buena en un inicio, pero a medida que avanzaba se puso un poco más lento todo. Luca se enamoró instantáneamente de ella en cuanto la ve matando a un hombre que le había hecho daño y comenzaron a crear un lazo después de ello. Luca, tu, mastermind. Hizo pequeñas cositas que hicieron que Sloane cayera derechito en sus brazos, muy mente maestra de su parte.

Fue un libro cortito que en algún momento deseé que tuviera más páginas ya que habían demasiado datos que me hubiera gustado profundizar más. Luca y Sloane se parecían muchisimo y hacían sentido juntos, fue una historia de amor distinta a todo y me ha gustado.
Profile Image for GKP2460 .
4,320 reviews73 followers
April 17, 2023
Filthy Sinner is book 3 in the Valenti Crime Family series and is Luca and Sloanes story. Luca has a devious, devious mind and when he wants something he gets it. Just so happens that he has his mind set on Sloane. Sloane has put herself in a position to make that easy for him.

"Did I just sell my soul to the devil?"

Filthy Sinner is just that, filthy. It's also fantastic! The chemistry between these characters is unbelievably hot and intense.

“This isn’t conventional, but it doesn’t have to be. It’s ours and that’s what matters.”

I can't wait for the next book in this series!
"Happily ever afters are for Disney movies and romantic comedies."
Profile Image for Jenifer.
2,769 reviews6 followers
April 26, 2023
This book redeemed itself over the last one. This one had a lot of growth, personally, of Luca's character and even a bit of Sloane's character too. There wasn't a lot of sex involved in one. It was more about the build up of their relationship and avoiding a trial for murder. I enjoyed seeing where the first two brothers were in this one as they were most certainly a part of this story just from a side character perspective. I truly believed that Luca and Sloane will have a long and happy marriage and will be together through all the rough times holding hands and holding each other up.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
662 reviews6 followers
April 30, 2023
I enjoyed this book, was a mafia read but without all the in depth violence surrounding it. I loved Sloane and Luca, work colleagues by day, brought together by one common factor. Only Luca uses it to get what he wants, which happens to be Sloane. Only she has been to busy working to see the man right in front of her face. It happens to be the best thing for both of them in the end. Only they never realise it at the time. Recommend.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Nate.
24.1k reviews19 followers
May 6, 2023
City Council Commissioner Sloane Bishop is a murderer. He doesn’t think she meant to kill her abusive ex. But when he gets there, he's breathing his last. He was on his way to do the job himself; too bad she beat him to it. Now the cops want to know what happened. They're sniffing around and asking questions. Sloane has a choice: marry him or go to prison. They can't make your husband testify against you... It's a spousal privilege marriage of convenience. A suspenseful series. And am voluntarily leaving my review.
Profile Image for Yose Moreno.
220 reviews1 follower
September 4, 2023
Si la año me dejara no le colocara ni 1/10 he leído cortos que básicamente quieren hablarte solo de sexo que por lo menos se quedan en un tema pero este no tiene sentido por ningún lado, el papá no se explica que es lo que hace tan malo, la protagonista es detestable y el protagonista no tiene sentido. Juntos hacen un libro sin sentido que nisiquiera la mención del sexo lo hizo salvable porque hasta el sexo no tiene sentido. Voy a terminar los libros por masoquismo pero ajá. Si creen que está saga los va a entreter les recomiendo pasársela
8,829 reviews63 followers
April 15, 2023
Luca is on his way to take out Daniel, who'd caused enough problems for his family over the years, only Sloane beats him to it. Sloane had enough of being Daniles victim, but when Luca walks in and finds her with his body, he comes up with a plan to protect them both, become his wife and neither can testify, but could this arrangement become something real? Well written, steamy, desires, fake to real, romance
1,162 reviews5 followers
April 22, 2023
Sloane and Luca share a dream. Both want to be mayor of Manhattan. Luca sees this as a stepping stone to being governor. Currently they both work on city council together but share a past. After Sloane commits a crime, Luca steps in.
This was a quick read. The characters were well developed so nothing is lacking there. This book is part of a series but can be read as a standalone.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Debbie Bolay.
894 reviews2 followers
May 11, 2023
💥♥️💥Luca and Sloane 💥♥️💥 Wow! What a book! Luca comes from a bad family, Sloane had problems. They work together but what sets off their story is the meeting they have at her ex boyfriends place. This book and all the books in this series sizzles! Kelsie Calloway is a great author that writes books you can't put down!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
30 reviews1 follower
May 12, 2023
Great Series

I have been enjoying this series and like that each relationship is so different with their wants needs and desires. The subject of infertility and the emotions and insecurities related to it was addressed well in this book. The ending wasn’t what I was expecting, given the previous books, but it was true to the two main characters and their relationship and aspirations.
325 reviews2 followers
April 24, 2024
Unique, but imperfect

What a surprise this was! It is an enjoyable read with 2 characters to like. Unfortunately the author is busy with other things than her writing. There are several incorrect word choices that are left uncorrected.

Nice story, but check your work before you turn it in
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