Ashes of Sin

by Juliette N. Banks

I was his toy to do with as he pleased. And he did, while my mother watched.

My saving grace was the day he sent me to boarding school. Years later, my mother died leaving me with family money my controlling father couldn’t touch.

It bought me my freedom.

I did the rest, becoming powerful in my own right, hungry for revenge.

Now he’s remarrying a woman half his age and I’m going to take her from him.

Just as he took my innocence.

It was a sound f*cking plan until I get her locked away and she refuses to obey me. The moment Kyra lifts her chin defiantly, and I stare down into her icy blue eyes, lust plows through me.

Sadly for her, no one can break down my walls.

But I will break her.

Then toss her back.

The Dark Alliance is a dark enemies to lovers, dark romance series by international bestselling author Juliette N. Banks. If you love broken heroes seeking revenge, dark tropes, kidnapping and spicy page-turning romances with a happy ever after, then you’ll love this group of powerful and wealthy men.

Genres: Enemies To Lovers, Dark, Contemporary, Dark Romance, Romance, Amazon, Revenge

299 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 18, 2025

About the author

Juliette N. Banks is a romance author who has taken the genre by storm with her steamy contemporary (mafia and billionaire) and paranormal romances.

If you're looking for sexy books with alpha heroes you'll fall in love with, then grab one of Juliette's free books and adopt a new book boyfriend today!

Juliette has a vast background in consumer marketing and was previously published with Random House. She lives in New Zealand with Tilly, her Maine Coon kitty, and travels frequently.

Reviews

[Mariaan Belinfante]

An all consuming book, the first of a new dark romance series. Maddox came from a damaged childhood with a demented pedophile father and Kyra grew up with restricted education to keep her compliant, are the main characters. Kidnapping Kyra was an act of vengeance against his father, but a sizzling attraction had searing passion firing up the pages. A combination of abuse, friendships cement in shared history of abuse, passion, crossover characters, etc that will keep you riveted as Juliette has pulled out a winner again.

[Dee]

I keep getting these books because I recognise the author's name. I usually go in blind-ish or you know... by the cover 😁

Unfortunately, after finishing this book and checking my reviews on the other books I read, I'm not sure I'll continue reading these. Please, absolutely no hate to the author at all!! I just don't connect with the stories.

The story of this one is, honestly, super traumatic with the MMC's childhood. Seriously‐ check the trigger warnings, it's disgusting. But then the "present" storyline is just forgettable 😔 Personally, I didn't connect with any character except the FMC.

The whole dominance and submissive vibe needs to have a good balance and be done artfully otherwise the MMCs just look like assholes from the manosphere.

There were many things that got under my skin...many... but these 2 in particular
- When the MMC is watching his "prisoner" on hidden cameras, he commented on how little pubic hair she has which is indicative of her age. SHE IS 22!! I can't believe a female author wrote this.
- And I quote, " She needs your dominance and to be owned. Even if she doesn't understand it yet.". Besides this being a real quote, it is the vibe I mentioned earlier

[Christine Biesheuvel]

First: Maddox And Kyra!
(Also published as Ashes of Sin) The first book in a new series about five billionaire men in their thirties, who were abused in their early childhood, sent off to boarding school where they formed their brotherhood. That part is abhorrent, their way of survival impressive and their present day life hot. Motivated by revenge, Maddox kidnapped his father’s fiancée, not knowing what she will become to him. The choice she has to make, takes a lot of courage, in view of the way she was raised. Fortunately, it gives us our HEA. Loved it!

[Ilana]

Insta lust just isn't for me.. dnf at 30%

[Brooke]

Ashes of Sin gives us Maddox and Kyra in a captor/captive scenario after Maddox learns of Kyra’s engagement to his evil father. The story wasn’t bad per se, but it really needed a trigger warning as it deals with severely dark material. I couldn’t really relate to either character and they both annoyed me at times but they weren’t completely awful either. Maddox was your run of the mill tortured H who keeps trying to claim he’s such an awful person but really isn’t, and Kyra was your typical naive h who just wanted to please her family no matter what it cost her. Together they were okay but it was kind of hard to buy their relationship at times. Everything happened really fast and the sentence structure was a little weird in parts so it made it difficult to connect with the story. There were also some grammar mistakes throughout and pop culture references which is one of my reading biggest pet peeves.

[Joanne Barton]

This the first book in the “The Dark Alliance Series.” This story is about Maddox and Kyra, both broke in different ways. If you love broken heroes seeking revenge, dark tropes, kidnapping and spicy page-turning romances with a happy ever after, you will love this book!
Maddox was sexually abused by his fathers and his colleagues from an early age and he wants to make him pay. Kyra is being forced into an arranged marriage to Maddox’s estranged father Pierce. Kyra is in for a shock after their nuptials. Maddox’s father is a cruel man. He will hurt her and enjoy every second of it. Maddox’s solution to get back at his father is to kidnap his fiancée and ruin his plans.

“She has a little sass in her, and it just makes her more attractive. Which isn’t good. She will use it as a distraction if I let her. I won’t.”

As time goes on, Maddox begins to have feelings towards Kyra and wants to protect her, he decides he is not giving her up, his “little prisoner.” He will protect her at all costs from his father. He cannot let her go!

The book has so many twists and turns - from page to page, chapter to chapter, you will not be able to put it down! The story is intriguing from the start and I could not put it down. A thoroughly enjoyable read from page to page, one chapter to the next - at times you are metaphorical “on the edge of your chair” wondering what will happen next. Overall, I would highly recommend this book and you will not be disappointed 😊

[Serena]

Kyra grew up restricted from everything, school college friends, she knew one day she would have to have an arranged marriage that’s how it worked. Kyra didn’t know it would be with someone older than her much older but it’s what was expected and her father told her that they would be in danger if she didn’t.
Maddox wanted one thing, revenge on his father for what he endured in his childhood. He was waiting his time until he saw his father was going to marry, his bride was young too young, but Maddox saw what he could do and took his future bride. What Maddox didn’t think was how he would feel about her, that what he wanted for revenge at first, Kyra was now turning into something that he didn’t want to give back.
However, one mistake that Maddox thought wouldn’t happen, Kyra ends up back with her family, getting ready for the wedding that she doesn’t want. Kyra told Maddox that she didn’t trust him after what he did, but she realises that Maddox did more to protect her, he wouldn’t hurt her unlike the man she had to marry but was it too late.

[Michelle Alleyne]

This first book in the new series got off to a good start 👌🏽 I started this book on Friday night and finished on Saturday night after doing all my chores. What can I say 🤷🏽‍♀️ I loved it! Couldn’t put it down. This is a dark romance, but it was written beautifully. I felt so emotional reading it, anger, sadness, satisfaction and joy. Maddox went through things that no child should ever have to endure, but he came out stronger, especially with the help of his friends. Those guys! Love their cheeky banter and sarcasm with a straight face 😂 Kyra is naive and too trusting, but Maddox breaks her out of her shell and she evolves into a strong, confident woman. So happy they got their HEA. Can’t wait for Parker’s story next 🥰

[Tbascoebuzz]

Reading the sexual abuse of a child is gut wrenching and leaves one feeling the desperate need of a scalding hot shower. This story is about vengeance and the author conveyed her point beyond expectations. That is that Maddox Sterling’s parents failed him in incomprehensible ways. While his degenerate father viciously violated him and passed him around, his mother allowed it. Maddox Sterling is a broken man on a mission to utterly destroy his father and he uses Kyra Fox to achieve his goal. In the end, I enjoyed this story of a tragically broken man needing the healing compassion of a good woman. (A common trope in romance stories). Still it ends with a very nice HEA and includes a leading intro into book #2 and the next character’s story.

[Darkromancearabia Jin]

A fantastic read! I absolutely loved both characters—they were wonderful despite everything they endured. Kyra’s parents were truly awful, and as for Maddox's father, I can't even imagine a parent treating their child that way. His cruelty was infuriating, making Maddox's journey even more compelling.

The steam level is high, with plenty of possessive "You are mine" moments that made the tension even more addictive. The members of the club are intriguing, and I can't wait to read their stories next. Juliette N. Banks has officially become one of my favorite authors! Looking forward to the rest of the series.

[Linda Kelly]

This was……disturbing. Honestly I almost DNF it but kept reading. Trigger warning-sexual assault is rampant.
Kyra is being forced to marry a monster almost 3 times her age to save her family from being financially & publicly destroyed. Maddox is the son of the monster and he kidnaps her. But then he finds out that he actually cares for Kyra, but his father hideously abused him as a child & now he has to decide whether or not he keeps her or destroys his father, or both.
A really really dark story. I would definitely not read any others. It’s really just a disturbing story focusing on sexual assault.

[Maureen Foster]

Stopped at the altar

Kyra Fox was engaged to Pierce Sterling but his son, Maddox kidnappes Kyra to spite his father. Maddox was abused growing up and he wants revenge. He never planned to fall in love with her but they were lovers. Kyra was spotted at a sex club with Maddox and when the police came Pierce had his son arrested for kidnapping. The wedding was on. Maddox wanted his father dead. He would never let Kyra marry his father. Maddox shows up just before the vows are said and runs off with Kyra. What happens to Pierce is to be seen. Good book.

[Christine Biesheuvel]

First: Maddox And Kyra!
(Also published as Truth & Sin) The first book in a new series about five billionaire men in their thirties, who were abused in their early childhood, sent off to boarding school where they formed their brotherhood. That part is abhorrent, their way of survival impressive and their present day life hot. Motivated by revenge, Maddox kidnapped his father’s fiancée, not knowing what she will become to him. The choice she has to make, takes a lot of courage, in view of the way she was raised. Fortunately, it gives us our HEA. Loved it!

[Diana]

It's a no for me

I cannot recommend this book, primarily because it lacks necessary content warnings regarding child abuse. Had I known the extent of these themes beforehand, I wouldn’t have started it. Beyond that, the story felt flat. The main relationship had zero development, and the plot felt empty and rushed. Prospective readers should also know that the "278 pages" are misleading; the story actually ends at the 80% mark, with the rest of the book being filler chapters from the author’s other works.

[Jennifer]

This needed a trigger warning page. Holy $hit.

With regard to the current timeline in the book, there is only dubious consent. Like most powerful-men-as-the-mmc romance books, it’s in line with the standard.

But in regard to historical flashbacks there are fairly detailed sections of molestation and rape.

And for a book published in 2025 there sure as hell needs to be a content warning page.

[Megan Williams]

A group of formerly abused men meet in boarding school and form a strong bond to support each other and to help avenge the people that hurt them. Maddox finally has a chance to take down his father who has abusing children for decades by kidnapping his new young fiancee. He finds out that she is an innocent that was sold to the father by her father to repay a scheme and falls for her. She feels she has to support her father and escapes and goes home only to find out the evil that awaits her.

[April]

Juliette has hit a whole new level with this 1st book in her new series, The Dark Alliance . 
I devoured it and have not stopped thinking about the characters  since I finished  the book.  Maddox and Kyra's story is so intense, dark and  soooo spicy!
I was wrapped up in the drama to the point of feeling emotions .
This is Not just a love story.  Wow!!!

[William]

Knight in tattooed armor

If you like your hero’s tortured and dark, ripped with sexy tattoos, and possessive touch her and die vibes then Maddox is your man!!! Holy panty melting hero with a need for revenge. Entered our spitfire FMC and the sparks fly!!! Such an amazing, couldn’t put it down , give me the rest of the series NOW book!!!!!

[Rachel]

Hot and Twisted

Wow! What a range of emotions and twists and turns. Kyra is such a spitfire for such a young and sheltered daughter of a billionaire dad. Maddox is such a bad boy , but love the effect Kyra has on him .This one definitely hit me in feels. If you love spice and a dark romance , you will love this series!

[JessicaA Gonzales]

on kindle. once again i cant say enough how much i love Juliette’s books. this one is a little more on the darker side, but considering my reading genres lately, i loved it. i cant wait for book 2 to come out. trigger warning SA background on Maddox, but it makes him that more broken and sexy and ugh an OTT alpha which i know we all love. i want one, i want one lol

[KateZ]

I didn't love this as much as the other books - especially the Vampire ones.
Things happened way too fast and there seemed to be so much sex, even the back story had to do with sexual depravity.
The ending just didn't feel right how things were tidied up so neatly with no ramifications.
But I still love the author and will keep reading her books.

[Jenn Mecca]

Oh my GOD! When Juliette let her readers know she was stepping into some dark romance, she wasn’t kidding! Loved Kyra and Maddox’s story so much, I wanted to help plan the demise of Pierce 🤬 . Can’t wait for the next book in this series! 🥰

[Mel T]

Loved this but I did think it was a bit too short, I was at about 80% and it wrapped up the story quite quickly and the rest of the book was excerpts from other books. I will read others in this series though as I enjoyed it and liked the characters.

[Linda]

This book deals with some dark subjects, but handles them sensitively. Maddox and Kyra have both been abused in their own way and are able to help each other. I love the interaction between the other men and can't wait for the next book in the series.

[Mrs Cross]

Touching

This book is both touching and dark. I loved every moment as the story blossomed. This author is incredibly talented. I can’t wait to read more in the series.

[Michelle]

Great start to a series , look forward to reading more .

[Mia]

This book needs trigger warnings as it mentions and basically describes sexually assaulting children, honestly a little too often. DNF at 26%

[Lynn Mullan]

Good read.

[kissedby.ruin]

the plot of this book was interesting to say the least.
The bts of the characters was fascinating but when it came together with the overall bigger picture.... I felt like it was lacking

[Jasmine]

3.5⭐️