As my introduction to Sarah J.D., Sinning for Santa is everything I want in a dark mafia Christmas romance, although it has more mafia than Christmas themes. It also has lots of angst, danger, drama, humor, steam, suspense, and violence, not to mention difficult and serious themes concerning various forms of abuse, which were all well written.
This story features dynamic, interesting, and relatable characters, including FMC Jaxcen and MMC Devon, whose immediate incendiary chemistry and evolving genuine feelings for each other under less-than-ideal circumstances make it a fun and tantalizing read. I loved "watching" Jax become stronger without losing her compassion or sense of humor and Dev become softer without losing his edge or willingness to do whatever it takes to protect the innocents in his life, not to mention his loved ones. While the entertaining plot isn't relatable per se, it seems believable and realistic, and it kept me invested in the overall outcome of the book, as well as that of its MCs, who deserved their beautiful and heartwarming HEA.
I'm excited to read Subbing for Santa next, and I will definitely read more of Sarah's dark romance books in the future.