Tasting Sin

by Meg Becker

I lost everything once. I wasn't going to do it again.

NELLIE
I recognized him immediately. My brother's best friend. He left seventeen years ago when I needed him the most, but now he was standing in my bakery. And he wanted to help me. I didn’t care that I was about to lose the only thing I had left. I wasn't going to let him know that. I was sure I could handle it on my own. Until I couldn't. When things started to spiral out of control, I was left with no choice. I had to forgive Ronan Moretti, or I would lose everything.

RONAN
She hadn't crossed my mind in seventeen years. Not since her brother died. Now she was standing in front of me, and the For Lease sign in her window was no longer a business opportunity. She refused to let me help her, but I was never good at taking "no" for an answer. I was determined to take care of Nellie Giordano, no matter how many cupcakes had to buy.

Once I got a taste of her, it was a craving I couldn't resist.

Genres: Enemies To Lovers, Dark Romance, Contemporary, Dark, Brothers Best Friend, Ebooks, Romance

284 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 19, 2024

About the author

Meg Becker received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Creative Writing from the University of Kansas, but she has known she'd be a writer since she wrote her first story in the first grade. Today, she finds herself at home in a field of sunflowers, by a lake in the mountain, or anywhere with a good view, but she resides in Kansas City with her amazing husband that is nothing like the broody men she writes about in her books. She's a sucker for a happy ending, and she can often be found reading with an iced coffee or glass of red wine, quite possibly both.

When she's not reading or writing spicy romance, Meg is likely learning a new hobby, cuddling with her two dogs and cat, or performing the soundtrack to RENT from behind the steering wheel of her car. During football season, she puts down her pen every Sunday to cheer for the Kansas City Chiefs. Visit her online at www.authormegbecker.com.

Reviews

[Shifty Bugger]

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

This was an absolute amazing book to read it sucked me in until the very end, the story was well written and the characters were really captivating. This story was about Ronan Moretti, and Nellie Giordano, they haven't seen each other since the death of her brother and now seventeen years later, Ronan walks into a bakery and that's when he was stund by how beautiful she is now. Nellie couldn't believe who walked into her bakery, even though she thought he was gorgeous she hated him for not being there when she needed him. Ronan wants the lease for the shop and she told him no. The bantering between them, twist and turns, danger, hate to lovers, trials, trauma, protection, Mafia, Police, heat, passion, lust and maybe even love.

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

[Michelle Frater]

I wasn’t expecting a mafia connection in this story—especially since it wasn’t hinted at in the book's description—but that twist added an edge that helped distract from the lack of chemistry between Nellie and Ronan. While Nellie faces the potential loss of her bakery, she stubbornly refuses help from Ronan Moretti, her late brother's best friend. The tension between them stems from her long-held resentment, as she blames Ronan for disappearing from her life after her brother’s suicide. But honestly, it’s hard to imagine how a 21-year-old guy could have comforted an 11-year-old girl in such a situation, especially when he was grappling with the loss of his best friend too. Unfortunately, Nellie comes off as immature at times. She dishes out attitude like a spoiled brat, pushing Ronan away even though he shows up again and again, trying to break down her walls. Ronan, on the other hand, is the saving grace of the story. I really liked him—his heart seemed to be in the right place, even though he kept Nellie in the dark about his dangerous connections. His growing obsession with her pulls her deeper into his risky world, making their relationship even more complicated. One thing that left me scratching my head was the involvement of Nikki. Her role felt underdeveloped, and the situation with Nellie seemed to fizzle out without resolution. Given what happened, I found it hard to believe Ronan would have just let things slide so easily. It felt like a loose end that was never fully tied up. But perhaps that was the intention with the promise of more to come for the Saints of Boston.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Natalie Yanez]

This read gave me the feels. I felt so bad for the MFC. Nellie lost her older brother 17 yrs ago and then at 21 she lost her parents. Since then she's been doing everything on her own. She's a bakery owner who's in trouble and about to lose it. But she knows she can take of it herself. Then in walks someone she hasn't seen or heard in 17 yrs. Her brother's best friend, Ronan. She thought she could count him but she couldn't. She hasn't seen him since her brother's death. Not even at his funeral. She doesn't know he's a billionaire and wants to help her save her bakery. She tells him no. But OMG has her grown into hot man! He won't take no for an answer. While helping her things start to turn romantic. But what does she really know about him? I loved this book and can't wait for the next one.

[Rachel]

Tasting Sin was filled with emotional heartbreak, a little bit of hope, and a hint of danger tossed in. I felt so bad for Nellie and everything that she had been through and that made me keep cheering for her the whole way because I just wanted her to get the happy ending she deserved. When Ronan enters the scene he has this bad boy allure, but when it comes to Nellie he's actually a softie. Of course, that doesn't change the touch her and die vibes he puts out, but I loved how sweet he was to her and how he does everything he can to protect her.

TROPES:
🖤Dark Secrets
🖤Age Gap
🖤Brother’s Best Friend
🖤All the Cupcakes
🖤Public Play

[Catie Busen]

It’s an amazing book. Honestly had such great bones. But there was no chemistry. He gave off big brother vibes and it felt the kiss came out of no where. The build up to the kiss was amazing I just wish that there was more chemistry.

Also I understand being stubborn, but when you comment saying Nellie stomped her foot and put her hands on her hips, it gave tantrum vibes.

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

[Debbie]

Ronan and Nellie. Hes her brother's best friend. He left years ago when she needed him and now that hes back he wants to help her, but she says she doesn't need him now. Until she does and has no choice. Let me tell you their chemistry is off the charts. Couldn't put it down. But had to sleep for a couple hours...WOW what a story.

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

[celeste.]

meh

🌶️
plot: mid

these book was written in such a weird way, like scenes j meshed tg. made it a bit confusing. the fmc was dramatic asf and i feel like the plot was more focused on what shouldve been the subplot. like there wasnt enough time w the mcs tg to rlly understand how they even fell in love at the end. not a good book tbh. it was cute at times tho. and ava, the best friend, was just overlooked in the end like what? idk. j weird read w weird gaps.

[Alex]

Nellie & Ronan: Book 1 of The Saints of Boston: Brother’s best friend/ age gap/ second chance/ bakery-mafia romance: This was a captivating and spicy read. Loved the characters and their banter. Meg Becker’s writing style sucked me in right away, and it kept me hooked on the story through to the end.

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

[Erin C. Smith]

Such a fun story to read! Literally was craving cupcakes 1/3 of the way in.

Nellie feels relatable and Ronan feels like our dream “knight in shining armor” except Soprano’s style. 🤪

The spice was spicing for me. 🥵🌶️

One take away, the amount of times everyone was “throwing their heads back laughing” made me lol

Over all ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ for me!

Can’t wait for the next book!!

[Patrick Babin]

This was a really quick, easy and fun read. I love the detail and breathe of description Meg Becker (Author) used to not only describe the lovely sex scenes, but also the underlying story, the sibling bickering, and the fear of losing what you love.

P.S. If you don't get turned on while reading this book, something is wrong with you.

[Amanda Grange]

I am in love with Ronan and Nellie. Nellie has had it rough. This is spicy and seductive but also so sensitive and sweet. It's really good. I like the character development. "Brother's best friend" is one of my favorite tropes and this is perfect.

[Narelle]

The start of a new series, with Ronan and Nellie. Ten years older and her older brother's best friend, they haven't seen each other for 17 years since her brother died. A delightfully steamy mafia romance.

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

[Kristy]

Sweet Mafia read

I don't think I'm the main audience for this book as I don't love mafia stories, however, it was subplot and the sweetness of the characters were entertaining enough to hook me, quick sweet read.

[Mette]

This is definitely not my new favorite book and I won't read more from this series. It was long and boring. I had a hard time getting to the end of the book and it didn't catch my attention or made me wanna come back for more.
So I'm giving it 2,5 stars

[Brittany D.]

The author did a great job! The book was well-written. I loved the characters in this story. The plot of the story was portrayed very well.

[Tracy H]

Tasting Sin
Book 1 of The Saints of Boston
Meg Becker

Well written. Great characters, brilliant journey and easy to read.

[Christina]

I wanted to like this book more than I did. Unfortunately I found myself regularly annoyed and struggling to like both main characters, which made it hard for me to connect with the story.