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To save her father’s life, she will wear my ring.
Scarlett Hanlon is the epitome of temptation, beautiful chaos wrapped in obsession...and my enemy's daughter.

Fate offers me a chance to destroy her father and the beautiful and feisty Scarlett is my only way into his inner circle.
 So when she comes to me for help, I give her an ultimatum.

Marry me…or else.

It’s the perfect plan.

I’ll use my fake fiancé as a pawn, a bright and shiny toy that will sweeten my quest for revenge. I will flaunt her, use her, and then break her when the job is done.

But Scarlett isn’t one to be possessed and discarded. She’s got an appetite for my kind of filthy, depraved, and twisted games, making my blood burn hot and setting off all kinds of fires.



When my plans for revenge implode and dark truths are revealed, I realize Scarlett's the real chaos I crave above all else. But once all sins are revealed, it may be too late for me to save her.

Fans of dark billionaire, secret society, fake fiancé, age gap, and enemies to lovers tropes will devour book three in the OBSIDIAN KNIGHTS SECRET SOCIETY series by USA Today bestselling author Kristen Luciani!

Ready for a dark billionaire romance with no cheating and an HEA? Then scroll up and one-click to get your copy of THE SINS THAT RUIN today!



Publisher's Note: Please be aware that THE SINS THAT RUIN contains explicit and mature content and graphic violence that some readers might find unsettling or triggering. A full list of triggers can be found in the book.

322 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 27, 2024

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About the author

Kristen Luciani

97 books1,655 followers



Kristen Luciani is a USA Today bestselling romance author, momtrepreneur, and a beauty product junkie with a penchant for stilettos, Silicon Valley, plunging necklines and grapefruit martinis. As a deep-rooted romantic who prefers juicy drama to fill the lives of anyone other than her, she tried her hand at creating a world of enchantment, sensuality, and intrigue, finally uncovering her true passion. No pun intended…

***FREE BOOK OFFER!*** Click here to get a free copy of my MAYHEM!
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5 stars
177 (37%)
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163 (34%)
3 stars
91 (19%)
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31 (6%)
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12 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
Profile Image for Melissa.
357 reviews17 followers
June 23, 2024
ℍ𝕠𝕨 𝕀 ℝ𝕖𝕒𝕕 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝔹𝕠𝕠𝕜: ARC E-Book
𝔻𝕒𝕪𝕤 𝕋𝕠 ℝ𝕖𝕒𝕕: 05 Days
ℝ𝕠𝕞𝕒𝕟𝕔𝕖: High
ℙ𝕣𝕖𝕕𝕚𝕔𝕥𝕒𝕓𝕚𝕝𝕚𝕥𝕪: High
𝔼𝕟𝕕𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕋𝕪𝕡𝕖: Resolved/Happily Ever After
•
𝕋𝕙𝕠𝕦𝕘𝕙𝕥𝕤 𝕠𝕟 𝕎𝕣𝕚𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕊𝕥𝕪𝕝𝕖: I really enjoy Kristen’s story telling and writing style! I feel like she does a really good job at mixing story and spice and really can just keep my attention throughout the whole book wanting more. Even though I find her books kind of predictable. I still think they’re really well told.
𝔽𝕒𝕧𝕠𝕣𝕚𝕥𝕖 ℚ𝕦𝕠𝕥𝕖𝕤: “She tastes like that heaven I crave and the hell I’m in.”
&
“She doesn’t want to want me but fuck, does she want me.”
&
“I hate him and this almost as much as I want him and this. The pain, the bite, the burn, the pleasure.”
&
“It’s both nightmarish and fucking Christmas all at once.”
𝔽𝕒𝕧𝕠𝕣𝕚𝕥𝕖 ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕡𝕥𝕖𝕣: Chapter 10 & 15
𝔽𝕧𝕠𝕣𝕚𝕥𝕖 ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕣𝕒𝕔𝕥𝕖𝕣: Scarlett: I relate that she bakes to cope with stress 😂
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
ℝ𝕖𝕧𝕚𝕖𝕨: This story was sooo good! It was such a great story along with some amazing spice scenes. 🔥 I was hooked to this book and am really enjoying the Obsidian Knights Secret Society Series! 🖤 I loved the fake engagement trope mixed with the dark romance & BDSM. This series just keeps getting better & better with each book!
Profile Image for Teresa Lara.
3,573 reviews53 followers
May 25, 2024
Love this series
Love the Knights
Malone and Scarletts intense emotional broken heartstopping twisted dark insta love story
So many twists
Gripping
That ending
Profile Image for Serialbookstarter:Marla.
1,351 reviews103 followers
September 13, 2025
Secret society is not my jam. The writing was good so I will try another of the authors books. There were times I liked it but the. I got bored.
Profile Image for Nicole.
1,505 reviews30 followers
July 23, 2024
The Sins That Ruin is third book in the Obsidian Knights Secret Society Series. A full-length standalone novel with no cheating and a guaranteed happily-ever-after. A brilliantly crafted story driven by revenge that grabs you by the throat and never let up until that satisfying happily-ever-after. A fast paced, dark, twisted and depraved read. An addicting and unputdownable read. Hang on to your kindle and brace yourself for this tantalizing rollercoaster ride of a story. I devoured every single morsel of this book. It demands to be read and screamed escape from the everyday life and gave that something extra that I was looking for. The Sins That Ruin contains explicit and mature content and graphic violence that some readers might find unsettling or triggering. This is Malone and Scarlett story is told from a dual point of view.
A multicultural & interracial romance, gothic romance, dark billionaire romance, enemies-to-lovers romance, hate-to-love vibes story, secret society story, secret identity story, age gap trope story, forbidden relationship, off-limits romance, predator-prey romance, taboo romance, contemporary romance, organize crime story, fake fiancée romance, morally-grey antihero story, enemies-daughter romance filled with hatred, betrayal, enemies, anger, angst, tension, hurt, emotions, lies, deception, passion, deep dark hidden secrets, attacks, threats, danger, kink, drama, fear, revenge, retaliation, chaos, pain, revelations, dominance, submission, intense consensual rough sex, treachery, BDSM, Dub-Con, love, resilience, family issues, distrust, power and control, violence and gore, pawn, graphic murder, spanking, edge play, rope play, BDSM, resentment, graphic language, public acts of sex, anal sex, mystery, surprises, darkness, madness, cruelty, loyalty, possessiveness, throat play, debauchery, debasement, stalker, mention of rape, power and control, jealousy, sex and pleasure, power play, spanking, dirty talking and obsession.
Malone West is thirty-three years old and also one of the members of Obsidian Knights Secret Society. A group who hunts down rich sexual predators with dark sexual proclivities who does harm to children and women through sex trafficking. This group will stop at nothing to gain their mark and will hurt anyone on the way. Malone is on a quest to bring down and kill the who destroyed his mother, ripped apart his family and sent them tumbling into the cutter and the grueling system. That man is Dale Hanlon and for years he has been waiting for the right time to struck. Dale Hanlon of Hanlon Shipping has been getting threats and attacks which is orchestrated by Malone. The thing is Dale shipping company is mainly on the up and up but he also has that illegal side that Malone is after. He was hired by a competitor of Hanlon UR Fantasies to get information on them. But Malone is more interested in the list and client doesn't interest him, apart from giving him the opportunity to play out his fantasies of revenge on someone else's dime.
The main reason why Malone is so revenge driven is because when he was young Dale was so obsessed with his mother and when he couldn't have her he raped her. He set it up to make it look like she hit on him, he wanted his father to find out about their affair. And when he did, he did he kicked them to the curb causing their lives to completely fall apart. And not long afterward his my abandoned him and his sister, and when the family who wanted to adopt could only take one, he made sure that it was sister. And that is where his life of destitute started where he went from luxury to being poor and then finding his way into money once more when he caught the eyes of the Knights. Malone is talented, he stole, scammed, and grifted his way to the top, invested and used his talents to make money which is something that draws him to them. His company is engaged in drugs and guns and other contraband hidden amongst their legit shipments. Dale has this client list that the Knights are looking for that would bring down all the groups involved in the sex trafficking ring. He's with with dangerous clients who wants to remain anonymous. The Hanlon are wealthy and Dale and his brother runs the business and they're very loyal to their customers.
When Scarlett Hanlon, Dale's daughter who works in the office overheard her dad and uncle talking about a person named JM who can help them with the threat against her, her little cousin, father and uncle; she took it upon herself to seek him out. The two brothers were constantly arguing about the accidents and attempted kidnapping that were taking place so she knew that she had to do something. Malone created a fake identity of a powerful crime lord known as James Malone. He's a non-affiliated man and owner of a sex club called Orchid Lane who can provide protection from the dangerous players. When Scarlett reached out invited her the Orchid Lane a filthy sex club that is he knew would make her uncomfortable because of her innocence around the depravity and open sex on the floor. He thought that it was her dad who sent her there and had his plans on using her against Dale his nemesis. Malone thrives and work in chaos and part of his approach his to sit back from a far and watch his opponents for a tell. He plans on infiltrating Dale's business by going undercover to take him down from the inside then kill him but after he gets the client list that he's hiding.
Chaos works with with it's patterns beneath the noise. Because it's pure chaos that when the job came up for Hanlon Shipping that he was just so happened to see the photo of him and recognized him. Destroying him is his endgame goal when the jobs is done. He's planning on fucking with Scarlett's mind leaving it in jagged pieces and makes her wish that he had kill her once he's done. He's manipulating and making her jump through hoops to get his help sending her to his den then a dive bar. But since it's for her family she'll stick it out and play his game. When the threats escalated Scarlett would do anything to protect her family. She went back to Orchid Lane just like Malone was anticipating and tells him that she would do anything for his help, and when she asked him what would it take to get him to help he told her that he wanted her. They started a relationship of filth, humiliation, fake relationship and obsession. He knows that she's the key to get closer to the endgame. Malone tells her that although he's powerful he can't get exposure to her high society people so he needs her help to get in with them. Malone was attracted to her from the start first he laid eyes on her at Orchid Lane. He doesn’t have to engage in a sexual activity in order to get what he wants against Hanlon but it was icing on top.
Malone got one taste and he was hooked, in fact she was the best he's ever had. Even though he has Scarlett as his fake fiancee and suppose to be neutralizing the threat against her family he's still continued attacking them in the background. He wants to keep them paranoid but not too paranoid as he ramp up the threats. Their engagement party is a good introduction into the family without setting up a formal meeting with Dale and uncle Grant. Their chemistry is electrifying, hot, sexually raw, raunchy and filthy. It started out as a game for him but at some point it turned real, his feelings started growing. Malone treats her like a hooker but at the same time he loves her sass, defiance and her responsiveness to him. She hates him but likes the darkness that he brings out in her. He had her move into his house and continues to let her work but even after he gets what he wants he doesn't plan and releasing her from their arrangement. He loves her submissiveness, she's a natural and brings out a side of him that surprises him. Scarlett hates him but craves him because of the sex. He ice and she's heat, he never knew that he needed her until he kissed her. Scarlett dad and her uncle is relying on Malone to fix their problems but if they really know who he was he would fucking scare them into silence.

I received an advanced copy of this book via Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving a review
Profile Image for ~lil maso~.
2,006 reviews48 followers
June 25, 2024
Reviewed by Robyn for Saucy Reviews on Kinky Korner

The Obsidian Knights Secret Society book three is all about ‘James Malone’ and Scarlett Hanlon. Their relationship is extremely up and down, with Malone manipulating Scarlett in every way possible.

Malone, I disliked pretty much straight away, but then again. I don’t believe readers were expected to think highly of him. He and his background intrigued me, though, and that reeled me in like bait on a hook. I will admit, as the story progressed, he did win me over.

Scarlett is so down to earth for a wealthy, upper-crust young woman, and I immediately liked her. At first glance, you think she is easily swayed and a tad clueless about things in her life; however, she has plenty of intelligence and is quick to use it to unravel the mystery of her father and uncle’s making.

The BDSM involved in the story is detailed but not as hardcore as many other stories. There is always a sense of completeness and mutual togetherness. There definitely could be some triggers, so take notice of the ones listed.

The mystery of who is threatening the Hanlon family and causing them to suffer some nasty incidents is intriguing and exciting. Some interesting twists change things completely for both lead characters.

Another sit-on-the-edge-of-your-seat story in this fascinating series.

*ARC received in exchange for an honest review*

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Profile Image for Intel Chicky Reads Romance (Kara Merideth).
2,362 reviews1,599 followers
June 30, 2024
Holy smokes!

Story: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Trope: deception
Angst: 😱😱1\2
Smexy: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

Woah! Super hot and steamy read that started at 900 degrees and only got hotter. Fast paced with tons of action and some great twists. This was definitely not a case of love at first sight, lol, and it will likely take as long for the hero to grow on you , as it did the heroine 😂😂. Absolutely loving this newest series and can't wait for the next one!
Profile Image for Daniela Tavares.
960 reviews48 followers
June 25, 2024
⭐⭐⭐⭐/6.
🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶.

Malone is on a mission/ revenge and we knew of it from the previous book but not the revenge part. He wants revenge against Scarlett's father so what does he do when he puts his plans into motion? He inserts himself in Scarlett's life, makes a deal with her and makes her his fake fiancé in exchange for protection to her family except not everything goes according to plan.
He didn't plan on having chemistry with her and he certainly didn't plan on liking her and like some people say, you can run but you can't hide which seems accurate when talking about Malone.

I must say I struggled at times with him because he was such an a-- to Scarlett, said not very nice things to her just to be an a-- but then in his pov he would feel a certain way or say it was just to keep up the ruse where it comes to a point where I couldn't trust him at all so I was a bit skeptical of him and what would happen to him and Scarlett.

Scarlett was a nice surprise. She was easily distracted by Malone's seduction but she wasn't gullible and she knew that he wasn't who he wanted her to believe he was. She didn't coward easily either but the most important thing was that when it mattered, she was smart when i thought she wouldn't, and what a nice surprise that was. Scarlett had a spine and somewhat of an attitude and I liked that.

The finale was illuminating to say the least. The truth was revealed, people survived, emotions were at an all time high and The knights were there watching it unfold. In this instance I wished Scarlett wasn't so soft because imo someone needed to not be present anymore (if you know what I mean👀) however Malone got closure as best as he could so I can't complain.
He lied from the beginning so I don't get why he just took off. I mean, i do. He got scared and like a coward, he just gave up the thing his fellow Knights have. Love.
Not too happy about his decision but it didn't take long to come back and fix the error of his ways.
Scarlett put things into motion to get him there and she made him admit his feelings but I wish it was the other way around because he was the one who lied all along yet she was the one to take the first step and she even asked him to marry him which let me just say, I love a fmc who is the one to pop the question and not the mmc so I'm not bad about that. 😌
Their relationship is based on a bdsm dynamic so take that as you will. Imo i wished we could've had a bit more of them just coexisting and not going at it for what felt like every chapter. Now I liked those spicyy times but it felt like too much at a certain point but I guess that's just my preference.

Either way it's a solid 4 star read and I hope you enjoy Scarlett & Malone!
Smith is next! Like what?! It didn't even cross my mind he would have his book because he feels too mysterious and dare I say old? 😂 Don't worry, I think of him as a hot silver fox and I'm all over that but I wonder if I'm even right about that. I feel like we don't even know his age except that he has a daughter but this man is like a dark mysterious mist and I don't know what to make of him except that I'm excited for his story and to finally know what elusive Smith is all about.

* I read an arc of this book. *
Profile Image for Nicole.
1,505 reviews30 followers
July 23, 2024
The Sins That Ruin is third book in the Obsidian Knights Secret Society Series. A full-length standalone novel with no cheating and a guaranteed happily-ever-after. A brilliantly crafted story driven by revenge that grabs you by the throat and never let up until that satisfying happily-ever-after. A fast paced, dark, twisted and depraved read. An addicting and unputdownable read. Hang on to your kindle and brace yourself for this tantalizing rollercoaster ride of a story. I devoured every single morsel of this book. It demands to be read and screamed escape from the everyday life and gave that something extra that I was looking for. The Sins That Ruin contains explicit and mature content and graphic violence that some readers might find unsettling or triggering. This is Malone and Scarlett story is told from a dual point of view.
A multicultural & interracial romance, gothic romance, dark billionaire romance, enemies-to-lovers romance, hate-to-love vibes story, secret society story, secret identity story, age gap trope story, forbidden relationship, off-limits romance, predator-prey romance, taboo romance, contemporary romance, organize crime story, fake fiancée romance, morally-grey antihero story, enemies-daughter romance filled with hatred, betrayal, enemies, anger, angst, tension, hurt, emotions, lies, deception, passion, deep dark hidden secrets, attacks, threats, danger, kink, drama, fear, revenge, retaliation, chaos, pain, revelations, dominance, submission, intense consensual rough sex, treachery, BDSM, Dub-Con, love, resilience, family issues, distrust, power and control, violence and gore, pawn, graphic murder, spanking, edge play, rope play, BDSM, resentment, graphic language, public acts of sex, anal sex, mystery, surprises, darkness, madness, cruelty, loyalty, possessiveness, throat play, debauchery, debasement, stalker, mention of rape, power and control, jealousy, sex and pleasure, power play, spanking, dirty talking and obsession.
Malone West is thirty-three years old and also one of the members of Obsidian Knights Secret Society. A group who hunts down rich sexual predators with dark sexual proclivities who does harm to children and women through sex trafficking. This group will stop at nothing to gain their mark and will hurt anyone on the way. Malone is on a quest to bring down and kill the who destroyed his mother, ripped apart his family and sent them tumbling into the cutter and the grueling system. That man is Dale Hanlon and for years he has been waiting for the right time to struck. Dale Hanlon of Hanlon Shipping has been getting threats and attacks which is orchestrated by Malone. The thing is Dale shipping company is mainly on the up and up but he also has that illegal side that Malone is after. He was hired by a competitor of Hanlon UR Fantasies to get information on them. But Malone is more interested in the list and client doesn't interest him, apart from giving him the opportunity to play out his fantasies of revenge on someone else's dime.
The main reason why Malone is so revenge driven is because when he was young Dale was so obsessed with his mother and when he couldn't have her he raped her. He set it up to make it look like she hit on him, he wanted his father to find out about their affair. And when he did, he did he kicked them to the curb causing their lives to completely fall apart. And not long afterward his my abandoned him and his sister, and when the family who wanted to adopt could only take one, he made sure that it was sister. And that is where his life of destitute started where he went from luxury to being poor and then finding his way into money once more when he caught the eyes of the Knights. Malone is talented, he stole, scammed, and grifted his way to the top, invested and used his talents to make money which is something that draws him to them. His company is engaged in drugs and guns and other contraband hidden amongst their legit shipments. Dale has this client list that the Knights are looking for that would bring down all the groups involved in the sex trafficking ring. He's with with dangerous clients who wants to remain anonymous. The Hanlon are wealthy and Dale and his brother runs the business and they're very loyal to their customers.
When Scarlett Hanlon, Dale's daughter who works in the office overheard her dad and uncle talking about a person named JM who can help them with the threat against her, her little cousin, father and uncle; she took it upon herself to seek him out. The two brothers were constantly arguing about the accidents and attempted kidnapping that were taking place so she knew that she had to do something. Malone created a fake identity of a powerful crime lord known as James Malone. He's a non-affiliated man and owner of a sex club called Orchid Lane who can provide protection from the dangerous players. When Scarlett reached out invited her the Orchid Lane a filthy sex club that is he knew would make her uncomfortable because of her innocence around the depravity and open sex on the floor. He thought that it was her dad who sent her there and had his plans on using her against Dale his nemesis. Malone thrives and work in chaos and part of his approach his to sit back from a far and watch his opponents for a tell. He plans on infiltrating Dale's business by going undercover to take him down from the inside then kill him but after he gets the client list that he's hiding.
Chaos works with with it's patterns beneath the noise. Because it's pure chaos that when the job came up for Hanlon Shipping that he was just so happened to see the photo of him and recognized him. Destroying him is his endgame goal when the jobs is done. He's planning on fucking with Scarlett's mind leaving it in jagged pieces and makes her wish that he had kill her once he's done. He's manipulating and making her jump through hoops to get his help sending her to his den then a dive bar. But since it's for her family she'll stick it out and play his game. When the threats escalated Scarlett would do anything to protect her family. She went back to Orchid Lane just like Malone was anticipating and tells him that she would do anything for his help, and when she asked him what would it take to get him to help he told her that he wanted her. They started a relationship of filth, humiliation, fake relationship and obsession. He knows that she's the key to get closer to the endgame. Malone tells her that although he's powerful he can't get exposure to her high society people so he needs her help to get in with them. Malone was attracted to her from the start first he laid eyes on her at Orchid Lane. He doesn’t have to engage in a sexual activity in order to get what he wants against Hanlon but it was icing on top.
Malone got one taste and he was hooked, in fact she was the best he's ever had. Even though he has Scarlett as his fake fiancee and suppose to be neutralizing the threat against her family he's still continued attacking them in the background. He wants to keep them paranoid but not too paranoid as he ramp up the threats. Their engagement party is a good introduction into the family without setting up a formal meeting with Dale and uncle Grant. Their chemistry is electrifying, hot, sexually raw, raunchy and filthy. It started out as a game for him but at some point it turned real, his feelings started growing. Malone treats her like a hooker but at the same time he loves her sass, defiance and her responsiveness to him. She hates him but likes the darkness that he brings out in her. He had her move into his house and continues to let her work but even after he gets what he wants he doesn't plan and releasing her from their arrangement. He loves her submissiveness, she's a natural and brings out a side of him that surprises him. Scarlett hates him but craves him because of the sex. He ice and she's heat, he never knew that he needed her until he kissed her. Scarlett dad and her uncle is relying on Malone to fix their problems but if they really know who he was he would fucking scare them into silence.

I received an advanced copy of this book via Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving a review

Profile Image for Tedra.
592 reviews6 followers
June 17, 2025
Writing is good

Nearly DNF'D after the first meet between the H/H. Because Malone was disgusting & even though the FMC maybe strong & independent in other aspects of her life- for the MMC she's a yes girl doormat...she legit gives him a BJ & let's him f**k her backdoor during that "meeting" in his office again no lube!
Why authors? Why? I was irrationally angry at the FMC for not saying heck no.
Worse the MMC admits in his mind that the FMC could've argued & enforced some boundaries with the agreement but never did- which shocked him.

The MMC is a guy that takes everything from the FMC & she just lays down & takes it.
Every
Single
Time

No matter what he says, she does, there are even times he's just "testing her boundaries " (jokes on him, she has NONE).
Sure there's the whole he's supposed to be helping her family out so they fake a relationship (which is pointless & dumb & actually does NOTHING to help her family)
so he can get revenge.

So all these little scenarios are just created to make up humiliating, ott unrealistic sexual scenes for the FMC. To cause her embarrassment & I guess to add spice? Except it's cringe because I'm reading with second hand embarrassment at how gullible & stupid the FMC.

But he goes as far as he wants & she just takes it..

I HATE the trope where vanilla FMCs all of a sudden turn into BDSM hardcore loving doormats over night. Seriously no safe words & she's totally fine with hard core backdoor & whipping. Being swung around in her underwrar blindfolded & whipped! I front of an audience gets her off . Riiighhhtt.

AUTHORS why must every MMC own a smexy club? Is this really the only way you can add spice?

The only thing that kinda made up with how big of a jerk the MMC really is, is that he really is kinda obsessed with the FMC & at every chance he's kissing her, pulling her close to kiss her, pulling her on his lap etc

But he's doing all kinds of things to her in short dresses in front of others, making her dress up & go to his sex club. Then the night he gets her in a poker game with no warnjng- meaning if he loses - she has to allow others to f**k her. She's p*ssed & upset & afterwards she's kicking & hitting him even though he had no I mention to allow it. So she goes home with him & allows her to tie her up, whipp her & more backdoor.
I am seriously like, ma'am! Wtf
Her inner monologue the next am.
"The humiliation of Malone's threat to use me like a party favor and I...I believe that he wasn't going to. I mean I do now. Still wrecked me"...

Later on she admits that she can't tell him no, he could ask her to suck him off in a room full of people & shed do it. Even HE knows she would.

Sorry that's my hard line right there. I cannot stand mindless FMC's and the men that DO NOT cherish their FMCs.
I HATE when the FMC says I love you to the manwhore & actually proposes marriage.

I guess you could call this a HFN but no way do I believe that he loves her like a MMC should.

P.s. trigger warnings do not mention exhibitionism.



Profile Image for Sandy S.
8,773 reviews216 followers
June 20, 2024
THE SINS THAT RUIN is the third instalment in Kristen Luciani’s contemporary, adult OBSIDIAN KNIGHTS SECRET SOCIETY dark, erotic romance series focusing on a secret society of billionaires and assassins. This is thirty-three year old businessman Malone West aka JM Malone, and twenty-three year old Scarlett Hanlon’s story line. THE SINS THAT RUIN can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary .

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise including Dom / sub, bondage and discipline, child trafficking, and graphic violence, there WILL BE triggers for more sensitive readers. The author includes a list of TW in the book.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Malone and Scarlett) THE SINS THAT RUIN follows in the wake of threats against the Hanlon dynasty. In an effort to secure help in ferreting out the threats against the Hanlon family, Scarlett Hanlon is ‘sold’ to Malone West, a man whose dealings are dark and illegal. Posing as Malone’s fake fiancé, Scarlett is paraded through countless illegal dealings and questionable sexual encounters by a man who is using Scarlett to get what he wants but all is not going according to plan when secrets reveal a past connection, a connection that threatens our story line couple. What ensues is the building but tempestuous and questionable relationship between Scarlett and Malone, and the potential fall-out as the truth reveals a deeper betrayal than they could have ever imagined.

The world building follows several paths as Malone and several members of the Obsidian Knights struggle to uncover the truth but the deeper they dig, the darker the results, and Scarlett’s cousin Amelia is about to fall victim to the ultimate betrayal.

The combative relationship between Scarlett and Malone begins as an arranged and forced fake engagement in which Malone is often cruel and demanding of our story line heroine. Malone refuses to reveal the truth about his work, his life, and his need for Scarlett, and in this, Scarlett is unable to truth the man with whom she is falling in love. The $ex scenes are intense, and provocative, and not without some questionable consent.

There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters, most of whom are problematic, controversial and bordering on sociopathic. We are introduced to Scarlett’s father Dale Hanlon, her uncle Grant, her cousin Amelia as well as the return of fellow Knights Mercer, Orion, Jones and Smith. The requisite evil has many faces.

THE SINS THAT RUIN is another dark, intense, dramatic and heart breaking story of power and control, violence and invasion, secrets and lies, dysfunctional family values, acceptance, forgiveness and love. The premise is raw and tragic; the romance is erotic and provoking; the characters are determined, aggressive and quarrelsome.

copy supplied for review

www.thereadingcafe.com
588 reviews5 followers
June 30, 2024


Malone West's turn!

The Sins That Ruin is the third installment in the Obsidian Knights Secret Society Series of interconnected standalones featuring Malone West and Scarlett Hanlon.

By now, we understand a bit more of the Society's missions and its kind of vigilante vibe, ultra resourceful, under the scope existence, do-gooders by unothodox methods.

Malone West is expected to retrieve a very important list, but what he didn't know was this job presented itself as a valuable opportunity for him to finally go through with a revenge plan that started to form when he was only a kid in dire circumstances struck by tragedy. And the thing got even sweeter because he was about to use the most perfect pawn, the man's daughter herself.

Ingeniously plotting like the well trained knight he was, Malone worked out a new other personna, a fake life and real machinations to force his targets hands and as soon as he saw Scarlett, he went a bit more far to get her in his carefully crafted game of cat and mouse.

Scarlett Hanlon was a protector at heart and as soon as the threats started, she knew she would do anything for her family, inclusively get in bed with JM, Jake Malone, pun intended, a man deep enough in the criminal underbelly with the right connections to uncover the origin of such intimidation.

I absolutely loved our protagonists!
Although most of Malone's demeanor showed a peculiar coldness and the course he decided to take his agenda further was definitively morally reproaching, the way they became entangled with each other intimately, for the sake of his two-face plan as a kinky couple, at first, for their own self discovery and edgy 🥵🥵enjoyment🥵🥵, in the process, it felt to me Malone's continuous abrasiveness had more to do with his attempt to not deviate from the revenge he had been seeking for a long time than the fact he really didn't care whom might be collateral.
He did care, way more than he was ready to admit. In fact, Scarlett Hanlon turned out to be more than he bargained for, intelligent, beautiful, responsive, initially reticent, up to his proclivities as time progressed, sometimes scared but strong willed, if it weren't for the fact of her father being the main target of the Obsidian Knights and Malone himself.....

Very intriguing and energetic, in sync with the aknowledgement of third intentions behind the scenes, the narrative develops with a very strained synergy between Malone's job, his goal, his actions, feelings and the ultimate denoument.
Scarlett started coerced but intrigued by a man so out of her social spectrum, the only to warrant the safety her family needed. So she became the sacrifice first and the only one to see beyond the man's facade.

It wasn't meant to be, but it happenned anyway.....
Would Malone allow himself to put the trauma aside for the woman that inconsequently became his whole world?
He would, he did and it was cathartic....he knew he wasn't a good man and Scarlett deserved so much more, but they wanted each other, she just wouldn't settle for less than equal.
In the end it wasn't quitely as it seemed.....
Profile Image for Claudia, Cmarie927.
2,335 reviews48 followers
June 18, 2024
The author’s expertise in this genre is indisputable in this third work, set in a dark and dangerous world. It would be a serious error to underestimate any member of the Obsidian Knights group, as they will stop at nothing to achieve their personal goals and will use morally ambiguous methods to complete their assigned tasks. These operatives are both highly skilled and unrelenting, showing no mercy or remorse for their actions. The story had me completely addicted, just like the other books, starting from the very first steamy chapter! Soooo goood!!!

Dale Hanlon, Scarlett’s father, is unaware of the true level of danger posed by Malone West to his business and his world; otherwise, he would have never allowed her to meet him at his BDSM Club, Orchid Lane, hoping to secure protection for their family. Scarlett realizes she was not adequately prepared to meet with Malone - or for the high cost he demands in exchange for his help, when the demand for “payment” is made.

However, she does “pay”, and this sets off his mission to uncover the identity of the person endangering her family. Even with the "dub con" situations, these two share a connection filled with intense chemistry and an undeniable attraction. The steamy scenes sizzle right off the pages!! My heart was pounding, and I was on the edge of my seat during the final third of the book. I couldn’t put it down. Uncovering the truth, Malone grasps the severity of Scarlett’s predicament and identifies the person accountable for it, while incorporating his own agenda into the Hanlon’s “solution”.

Obviously, at this point, he’s never going to release Scarlett from their initial agreement, and I absolutely loved the twisted and dark storyline that brings this couple to their happily ever after. While not suitable for sensitive readers, this story (and this series) is undeniably addictive and captivating, and I applaud the author for their creativity. My free ARC was provided by Booksprout and I happily leave this review. I recommend this series and this author, and encourage you to visit her catalog of addictive works.
2,365 reviews92 followers
June 24, 2024

I wrote this review for Saucy Reviews on Kinky Korner.
The Obsidian Knights Secret Society book three is all about ‘James Malone’ and
Scarlett Hanlon. Their relationship is extremely up and down, with Malone manipulating Scarlett in every way possible.

Malone, I disliked pretty much straight away, but then again. I don’t believe readers were expected to think highly of him. He and his background intrigued me, though, and that reeled me in like bait on a hook. I will admit, as the story progressed, he did win me over.

Scarlett is so down to earth for a wealthy, upper-crust young woman, and I immediately liked her. At first glance, you think she is easily swayed and a tad clueless about things in her life; however, she has plenty of intelligence and is quick to use it to unravel the mystery of her father and uncle’s making.

The BDSM involved in the story is detailed but not as hardcore as many other stories. There is always a sense of completeness and mutual togetherness. There definitely could be some triggers, so take notice of the ones listed.

The mystery of who is threatening the Hanlon family and causing them to suffer some nasty incidents is intriguing and exciting. Some interesting twists change things completely for both lead characters.

Another sit-on-the-edge-of-your-seat story in this fascinating series.
Profile Image for Fatma.
470 reviews19 followers
June 26, 2024
⭐⭐⭐⭐

Check TWs

Tropes:
Revenge
She asks for help
Enemie's Daughter
Fake Engagement
Hate to love
She falls First
He falls Harder
D/s
Kink Discovering

Another amazing story by Kristen! I love how dark and mysterious her books are! Especially those plot twists! Literally top notch. This is a D/s story, so if it's not your thing beware. The MMC is an ahole and is cruel at times, but not abusive.

Molane is out for revenge from everyone that ruined his family. When a client comes to him with a job, it's the perfect opportunity to get his revenge from the last person left on his list and to get the list he needs for his client. The perfect way in is through Scarlett.

Scarlett Hanlon cares for her family, her friend and baking. When her family gets threatened she's convinced by her uncle to ask help from JM. She just didn't realize just how much it'll cost her.

Kristen has a wonderful writing style that makes you feel the characters as if you were in their place. Scarlett's inner struggle of wanting to fight Malone, but also give into the pleasure was top notch!

Malone instantly, but also subtly falling and denying his feelings even to himself was funny, yet infuriating. He was so cruel at times.

That plot twist & resolution in the end was amazing! I was guessing that would be the case, but reading it was still such a shock!

I'm so happy everything worked out in the end! Scarlett & Malone deserve to be happy and they got their HEA!

Can't wait to read Smith's story next!!
1,101 reviews3 followers
September 2, 2025
Lies by MeemsAngel82

his was another intense read! This was entertaining and not without triggers so be warned. This is a full read with fleshed out characters and a couple with a ton of chemistry. The problem lies with our H.

Morally gray and with a past he wants revenge for. And he will take it out, but unfortunately took it out in a way that hurt our h. His objective, but in the end, he couldn't fully embrace revenge because yes, he wanted his h for real.

I feel so terrible for this h. They make a great pair, they are it for one another and have high heat together. I knew going in that he was going to be interested in keeping eyes and hands on her out in the open, though not my preference. That was enough but the issue with him for me was his trust. He lies to her and himself for so long. Literally till the end, and sometimes that works but it was too much for this couple. She deserved better and I wish he got his act together and went to her and truly groveled. I would have loved a few chapters of him groveling and her and her family sorting things out because that definitely needed to happen as well. Great writing and defined characters, always high heat and non stop entertainment. This is another sexy read that you probably shouldn't be reading at work, lol.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Coastie  Mom.
1,450 reviews7 followers
July 4, 2024
Scarlett – the daughter of my enemy is right where Malone wants her. Her family is being threatened and Malone is “suggested” as a person who can help. Malone makes Scarlett jump through hoops for him to offer his services, but of course, it comes at a price – her! Malone is part of a secret group who needs a list from her family, but Malone is also out for revenge on the man who ruined his and his sister’s lives.

Scarlett will do anything to protect her family and is somewhat innocent of what is really going on. The chemistry between Malone and Scarlett is intense. Malone marries Scarlett and intends to find out all her family’s secrets and then be done with her and move on with his life. He treats Scarlett like crap most of the time but is starting to feel bad about it – he has real feelings for her and she for him. When the truth comes out, will it be too late for Scarlett and her family? Will her cousin Amelia be saved? And will they ever find this list of clients that is so important to Malones group?

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Judy.
1,815 reviews
June 29, 2024
I love a story that comes with warnings!! This one did not disappoint!

Malone is undercover as "JM", he has a mission for the Obsidian Knights, however, he also has his own agenda to carry out. He wants to kill the man that he's supposed to be going after, and he knows just how to accomplish that. He will be using the man's daughter, Scarlett. But first, he's got to get an "in" with the family to carry out his plan, which is JM's job once Scarlett hires him to keep her and her family safe from threats.

Scarlett works in the office at her dad's shipping company. Her Uncle reveals threats the family has been receiving and offers her up as a sacrificial lamb. Scarlett hates JM, but then he stirs something inside her.

I loved this story! It kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time! I hated JM at first, he was such a tool! However, like he got under Scarlett's skin, he got under mine! So many twists and turns! This was one smoking hot story in addition to the mysteries!
5,988 reviews30 followers
June 30, 2024
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Wow, this book definitely had OMG!! Moments, the story was well developed and the characters were sensational. Knights Secret Society series. Malone West is a Knight of Obsidian Knights Secret Society, where he plans of spending alot of time in extreme pleasures, debauchery, voyeur and Malone owned a few Club. The triggers were throughout this book and "O boy" it really added to it, when your enemy has a daughter and all you can do is think of all the ways you can get revenge in a . Malone was hired by one of the men he wants revenge with and to have the daughter as payment. Scarlett was pleaded by her uncle to work with a person she knows nothing about him. There was so many twist and turns, betrayal, lies, secrets, anger, pain, action, danger, violence, and so much more on the heat side of fiery, Fahrenheit; and plenty more. I just couldn't put this book down.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
414 reviews2 followers
July 9, 2024
Wow

Wow amazing series loved Scarlett and Malone's love story. The chemistry was off the charts. Trust was a very big factor throughout the storyline . Neither trusted themselves or each other.

Malone was hired to find a list. Bonus it also involved a man he wants to destroy. Falling in love was not an option. Used his sexy daughter. Introduced her to BDSM and she loves it of course a sexy man an added bonus

Very detailed you could envision the words. It had so many twists and turns not knowing what's next!!! Lots of adventure and excitement as well lots of great sex!!
The emotions OMG. It was felt. Love pain joy passion trust betrayal etc. The secondary characters where a great addition making it so real. The Knight men still feel the strong bond within.

Scarlett's personality was great she had a mixture of everything plus she could bake. Malone totally fell for her. They were good for each other in so many ways.
Kristen thank you for a great series. Look forward to Smith!
Profile Image for Cassandra.
1,080 reviews2 followers
January 21, 2025
This book was... OK. I really didn't like how he was treating her initially, demanding sex to help her out. The whole thing just felt sordid to me. I get that he slowly fell for her, but given the fact that he was using her the whole time and manipulated their deal, it felt off. The fact that she just went along with it, ultimately, after finding out his part in everything just astounds me.

There really wasn't much of a surprise to this one, as all the signs were there. I pretty much figured out everything early on, so there wasn't much of an impact to it.

Then at the end when she is leaving as she promised, he seemed shocked that she was actually doing it. What was he expecting? Again, I'm glad that she stood up for herself at the end.
That seems to be a recurring thing in each of these books in the series (not sure of other books by this author). I do appreciate it, though, that they are willing to stand for themselves and walk away if the MMC doesn't make some kind of effort.

I will be continuing on to the last book in the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Brandi-Lynn Weiser.
2,458 reviews79 followers
June 24, 2024
I don’t know if it’s that I’m use to Kristen’s mafia books, but I’m struggling to fully love this series. Book 1 I really liked, but books 2 & 3 I had a harder time getting into.
The sex in this book is down right hot! Malone is sexy as f***. I liked Scarlett, but there were times I wanted her to be a little stronger when it came to how Malone treated her. But there’s absolutely no denying these 2 had intense chemistry, oh my god it was hot.
Overall, it was a good read. Kristen is a fantastic writer & it shows in her writing. The plot & storyline is so well detailed & crafted, & the action/suspense & twists keep you hooked.
My favorite moment was the very end when Scarlett was ready to walk, & she made Malone say the words she needed to hear in order to stay. That was the best for me, it was what she deserved.
347 reviews
June 30, 2024
This is the third of the Obsidian Knights series and centres around Malone, whose mission is to find a client list from the Hanlon Shipping Company. Malone has his own agenda with Dale Hanlon, one we find out about as the book progresses. By chance (or is it?) the Hanlon family has been threatened and in order to find out by who, Dale Hanlon has sent his daughter, Scarlett, to meet with JM, who her father says can help them.
JM is, of course, Malone and this is where it begins.

A story of enemies to lovers, unwanted attraction and feelings, double dealings, lots of heat and revenge; but, sometimes, things aren't always as they appear and some secrets that should remain hidden are revealed.

A well written page turner of a story!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
72 reviews1 follower
June 22, 2024
Sinfully Dark and Dirty
Kristen has done it again. This 3rd book is raunchy, dirty, sinful, dark, mysterious...you name it.
The main characters of Malone, aka JM,and Scarlett are explosive. She may be innocent but has dark tendencies of wanting to be claimed, owned and branded by her mysterious JM. He is hard, sensuous, wild, cruel but can also be sweet and loving. He loves to dominate and plays dirty.
Kristen writes in a way that keeps us guessing as she teases us with intrigue and suspense so that we keep turning the pages.
Just be aware if you have any triggers that this may not be for you. But so worth the read if you can.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
1,074 reviews5 followers
June 25, 2024
I absolutely loved book 3 in the 'Obsidian Knights Secret Society' series. From the very first page I was completely hooked and devoured it in one day. It was uncomfortable, dark and dangerous with twists and turns, intense passion and unexpected emotion. I loved Scarlett's bravery and sass and the erotic journey she is taken on by Malone. Malone feeds on chaos and is a complex and intriguing character who drew me in and held me hostage. Their story was evocative, very sexy and ultimately sweet within a backdrop of deviant characters, intrigue and betrayal. This series is definitely my favourite of Kristen's to date, and I look forward to the next installment.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Kamila Mykhailiuk.
1,449 reviews12 followers
June 27, 2024
Wow! I absolutely loved this book. Amazing characters and wonderful plot. Very beautifully written and easy to read.

Scarlett Hanlon is the daughter of Malone West’s enemy. She comes to him for help and he forms a perfecta plan for him to destroy her father. In order to do that he will marry her. So Scarlett agrees, because she needs his help. Malone is determined to use, break and then discard Scarlett. But soon he finds out that she likes his deprived games and desires. Now he’s plans for revenge are sh*t to the wind. I loved their chemistry and passion. They were made for each other.

Overall I loved this book very much and can’t wait for more. If you’re looking for a fake engagement, secret society, age gap, enemies to lovers, dark billionaire romance then you’re going to love it.
Profile Image for Kari Hansen.
13k reviews102 followers
June 29, 2024
Scarlett is a woman who would do anything for her family even if that includes a fake relationship with Malone. She thought she knew what she is getting into but she is about to find out she couldn’t have been more wrong both when it comes to his intentions and the man.

Vengeance is Malone’s goal, and he isn’t concerned if Scarlett becomes collateral damage along the way. The one thing he hadn’t expected was the chemistry between them or the unwelcome feelings and that is when a difficult situation only escalates.

They may have started out on opposite sides but between the intense heat, the surprises that keep coming and the increasing intrigue they might just find out they make better partners than adversaries.
Profile Image for Judy.
533 reviews1 follower
July 1, 2024
Just when I thought the stories couldn’t get better, Kristen said “hold my beer”.
This story started with a bang and never stopped for one minute. It was fueled by so much passion, anger, protections and revenge, it went to a whole new level.
I love how gritty and unhinged the characters of the Obsidian Knights are.
There is a connection there that you can’t help but cheer for the morally grey anti-hero and the women who is going to save him.
I love everything Kristen writes, but this one blew it out of the park.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
3,732 reviews21 followers
July 5, 2024
The Sins That Ruin is a well written and explicit romance which is the third book in Kristen Luciani's the Obsidian Knights Secret Society Series. It is the dark story between Malone, who is seeking revenge over the past, and Scarlett, a daughter seeking assistance for her family and their business. Scarlett does not realize Malone's revenge is aimed at her family when she agrees to marry him for protection. This intriguing book has well developed characters, betrayal, lies, suspense and danger, plot twists and explicit sexuality.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
298 reviews2 followers
June 24, 2024
The Sins that Ruin - The series hasn't been flowers and rainbows. It's been dark, dangerous, and sexy... I've loved every bit of it. The combative relationship between Scarlett and Malone begins as an arranged and forced fake engagement in which Malone is often cruel and demanding. Scarlett is doing this for her family to find out who is threatening them. Oh, the secrets and lies that come out in this book have you glued to the pages. Looking forward to the next book -The Truths that Deceive.

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