Sunshine: Book 1 of 4

by Kaila Spencer

HE WEAVED HER INTO HIS WEB
BUT SOMEONE ELSE MIGHT SET HER FREE...

KAYCEE KENNEDY USED TO LIVE A NORMAL LIFE. THE NORMALCY FADED AWAY ONCE SHE BECAME AN ORPHAN SENT TO LIVE IN A HELL DISGUISED AS A FOSTER HOME. A HELL HOUSE WHERE SHE MET DOMINIC ROSSI, THE SEXY SYNONYM FOR DANGER. THE PAIR TOOK MATTERS INTO THEIR OWN HANDS TO FREE THEM AND THEIR TWO FOSTER SIBLINGS.

THEY TEAMED UP TO BECOME LETHAL VIGILANTE ASSASSINS.

KAYCEE AND DOMINIC NAVIGATE THROUGH THE HISTORY OF THEIR TOXIC RELATIONSHIP AND WHATEVER IT IS THEY ARE TO EACH OTHER.
EVERYTHING IN THEIR WORLD IS TURNED UPSIDE DOWN WHEN KAYCEE RESCUES A YOUNG WOMAN NAMED ABIGAIL ANDREWS AND RUNS INTO ABIGAIL'S BROTHER.
JAYMES ANDREWS A MYSTERIOUS, BEAUTIFUL MAN WHO HAS HIS OWN SHARE OF FAMILY SECRETS. HE IS RELENTLESS ON SEEKING VENGEANCE FOR HIS SISTER.
BUT IT’S NOT THE ONLY THING HE'S SEEKING.

Genres: Dark Romance, Found Family, Audiobook, Dark

527 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 7, 2025

Reviews

[Paige (wingsandsmut) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely ate this audio up and did not want to stop! Kaycee is so strong and seeing her go after what she wants was everything I hoped for. The suspense in this as her story developed had me hooked and I’d definitely recommend this, especially if you’re an audiobook fan! The audio for this is performed in duet by Roxy Crown & James Cassidy - they both were amazing at bringing this book to life and it was so fun to listen to! I can't wait to continue this series to see what happens next!

Read if you enjoy:
-dark romance
-assassin/crime family
-found family
-stalker
-toxic relationship
-vigilante justice

Thank you to Kaila Spencer and Pinup Audio for letting me listen to an ALC of this book!

[Eliza · Rating 4 out of 5]

Story 4 ⭐️
Spice 2🌶️
Audiobook 6 ⭐️

Sunshine by Kaila Spencer is the first book in the Assassin saga. This is what I call grey romance, not too dark not too light, the perfect medium. This book lays the foundation for all the series. It is the perfect beginning for us to get to know not only the world, but as well as the characters and what kind of hassles we can see in the future books. Perfect for people who want the cinnamon roll MMC, with an unhinged side for her. I will have to advise you to read your TW and keep in mind this is a love triangle that makes sense. The only thing I wish was done different was the insta-love, it didn’t really give us time to fall in love and get to know the characters before that happened.
This audiobook is performed in duet style.
James Cassidy as James and Dom. We have 2 opposites with James Cassidy as the voice, god he nailed them and gave them each a very distinct and unique voice. He captivated me, once again, with the amount of passion he pours into his characters and the way he can showcase their personalities with little tells. Now James has a talent with those little sound effects, you will thank me later! James that men can melt your panties off! Dom on the other hand, hear me out! I loved him so much I hope he gets a book because this whole time I was hoping for a RH and a redemption arc.
Roxy Crown is a new narrator for me, she did a great job portraying the FMC, Kaycee. She beautifully brought out her unhinged side, but even better her vulnerabilities. She took on all the female roles with grace and embodied each of the characters personalities.
Pin Up Audio created a masterpiece with the script, editing, and engineering of this audiobook! Well done to your team!
Thank you Kaila Spencer, Pin Up Audio, and your teams for this ALC opportunity, I absolutely loved this book and hope many others will!

[Dani E. Browder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sunshine by Kaila Spencer is a thrilling, emotionally rich novel that masterfully blends romance, action, and self-discovery. From the very first page, Spencer’s storytelling captivates with its depth, intensity, and authenticity, making this book an unforgettable experience.

The novel follows a protagonist who isn’t just fighting for love and happiness—she’s also a badass assassin leaving behind a toxic relationship to reclaim her power. Spencer crafts an incredible balance between high-stakes action and raw emotional depth, making the protagonist’s journey of healing and rediscovery feel both exhilarating and deeply personal. Watching her navigate a world of danger while learning to trust and love again is nothing short of mesmerizing.

The characters are complex and compelling, with each relationship—whether romantic, platonic, or adversarial—adding layers of intrigue and emotion to the story. The romance is slow-burning and deeply felt, never overshadowing the protagonist’s personal growth but instead enhancing it. And while the love story is beautiful, Sunshine is just as much about resilience, self-worth, and taking back control.

Spencer’s writing is both cinematic and poetic, immersing readers in heart-pounding action scenes as well as breathtaking moments of vulnerability. The protagonist is the perfect mix of strength and sensitivity—dangerous yet deeply human, making her one of the most memorable heroines in recent fiction.

If you love stories about fierce, complex women who fight for their freedom—both in battle and in their hearts—Sunshine is a must-read. Kaila Spencer has crafted a masterpiece that shines with action, emotion, and empowerment.

[Lauren Head · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg! I loved this book! Another one that had me hooked from the beginning! I can’t wait for book 2!

[Ruth Bookish Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sunshine: Assassins Series: Book 1
By Kalla Spencer

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧

Always remember to check your trigger warnings!
This book has some dark themes…listener discretion is advised!

Tropes:
🖤Dark Romance
🖤Assassin/ Crime Family
🖤Multiple POV
🖤Toxic Relationship
🖤Stalker
🖤Found Family
🖤Vigilante Justice
🖤Spice
🖤Instant Attraction

Audiobook Review: 🎧
Produced by PinUp Audio
Performed in duet by…
✨Roxy Crown
✨James Cassidy

Sunshine is the first instalment in the Assassins Series by Kalla Spencer. And damn… I was absolutely blown away! This book gripped me from the get go. And, tbh, I’m still reeling.

And the voice actors are freaking amazing… A beautiful and inspiring collaboration between these two amazingly talented artists! This is absolutely fantastic!

The storyline is complex and well crafted with great twists and turns that I was not expecting. I was completely enthralled throughout my entire audio experience. And the spice is spicingly hot!!

Kaycee aka, Kasey and Dominic have a disturbing and somewhat toxic relationship that had me squirming at times, and not in a good way! But once Kaycee meets Jaymes things inevitably change!

The narrative is brilliantly balanced and will keep the listener on their toes for the entire experience! You will not be able to put this down…

James Cassidy is an absolute master of his craft and with each audio experience I am even more impressed with his ability to craft such likeable, complex and even the unsavoury characters are performed with such precision and depth. Giving each individual character a beautifully unique voice and overall personality.

Roxy Crown performs the main role of Kaycee as well as all the supporting characters. Has given us an outstanding performance within this narrative. Her ability to diversify her characters and crafted them with a delicate balance of strength and vulnerability! A truly spectacular combination of vocal and emotional dynamics. She brought these complex characters to life perfectly!

This is why I am so excited with audiobooks in general! They give the listener an incredible opportunity to experience the books, narratives and character development in such a unique a beautiful way.

This new and exciting series it is an absolute masterpiece. I am so excited for what’s to come with this series. The plot unfolds and we are introduced to new characters and a whole prospect of new and intriguing possibilities… pure brilliance.
I am obsessed with this series already!!

Sign me up for anything Kalla Spencer writes! She has produced something uniquely special with this storyline…and, I’m here for it!

A special thanks to PinUp Audio for this incredible opportunity.

*

Quotes:

"You gave the angel of death a purpose."

"It's up to me to choose which hell I go through, and I will always choose whatever hell leads me to you, Sunshine. We can conquer any hell, as long as we're together."

[Bette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome Story & Narration🎧A Thrilling & Gripping Romantic Suspense!

Sunshine
Assassins Series, Book 1
By: Kaila Spencer
Narrated by: Roxy Crown, James Cassidy

This is my first Kaila Spencer book, and consider me impressed with her detailed and descriptive writing style and the terrific story she created. A thrilling romantic suspense that grabs your attention right from the start and holds it captive straight to the end. As the first book in the Assassins series, it lays down the foundation for the rest of the series, starting with an introduction to the characters, how they met, formed a bond and how they became assassins and why. It is a great start to the series, a strong start, with an introduction to the key players, the assassins, Dominic Rossi, Kaycee Kennedy, Danika Thomas and Harper Bradford. A band of brothers and sisters that met and bonded while in foster care, though Dominic and Kaycee’s relationship is nothing like a brother/sister relationship, it is something so much more, until it is not. Kaycee rescues a girl who had been roofied, Abigail Andrews, getting her to safety, meeting her brother Jaymes, who wants in on getting those responsible for drugging his sister. Jaymes and Kaycee hit it off, but an unraveling and possessive Dominic won’t let anything happen between them, because he thinks she is his and only his. Wow, Spencer takes you on a wild ride, and there is never a dull moment in this book. It was great getting to know these characters, and watching Kaycee and Jaymes’ relationship grow into something so much more. I enjoyed all the layers of the story and how it all played out, with plenty of drama, angst, action, twists and turns, thrilling suspense, heartfelt emotions and steamy romance. The world building, character growth and development are fantastic. Kaila Spencer, thank you for this amazing story and wild ride, and I am looking forward to what comes next in the series.

🎧📚🎧  Roxy Crown and James Cassidy did a fantastic job bringing these characters to life and did so with a complete understanding of who they were portraying, giving each a voice that was fitting and believable. They gave each character their own distinct voice, making it easy to follow along and tell who was who. Crown’s take on the female roles was perfection, embodying each of their personalities completely, and Cassidy did the same with the male roles and was just as amazing showcasing their personalities. Their storytelling is entertaining, and their duet performance takes the it to another level, holding your attention the entire time.

[Annie Soto · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kaycee is an assassin and in her found family of other assassins, they are ridding the world of the despicable humans who do horrific things and justice is not served. Being a foster kid, she's seen her fair share of horrors and when Dominic, Harper and Danika meet, they take drastic measures to escape an abusive foster home. Bonding them all together, they start their "business", but after 10 years of nothing but horror and death, Kaycee is lost to the proverbial chains that tie her to this life.
Dominic is the leader of their group and has always had a sweet spot for Kaycee, but Kaycee feels bound to Dominic. She feels indebted to him and after only ever knowing affection from Dominic, she's conflated what love and control are.
When she finds a young woman unconscious in a club bathroom, she immediately tries to help her and when she hears a man calling out from her phone, she tries to calm him and let him know that the woman is okay, but something about hearing his voice peaks her interest, and she volunteers to get the woman home safely. After being on the run from their mafia family ties and a former fighter, Jaymes got him and his sister away from the chaos to make a normal life. When Abby passes out at a nightclub and a woman is there to help her, he is instantly invested in the stranger that saved his sister. The moment Kaycee and Jaymes interact with each other, its a tether that is tied to them and they can't seem to navigate through the haze of attraction and intrigue. Jaymes falls for Kaycee instantly but doesn't make his move right away, while Kaycee feels the same way but doesn't see a way out of the clutches of Dominic.
The rest of the story is Jaymes and Kaycee falling into their pull toward each other and getting Kaycee out of the clutches of Dominic and their profession while keeping them all safe. Dominic has no intentions of letting Kaycee go, so the tug of war for Kaycee is on as Dominic conspires against them to keep her for himself. The spice is white hot in this one! When Kaycee and Jaymes finally get together they can't stop. The quite literally have to come up for water and food! Definitely a wild ride and an instalove story was a different change of pace for me but I fully embraced it!
James and Ruby were phenomenal on this title. James had amazing range embracing the intensity of Jaymes but also the unhinged energy of Dominic. This is my first time listening to Ruby and she was so fun on this title. I cant wait for the next book!

[Mel DG · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kaycee is an unaliver, but of bad people. So then it's OK. It started when her foster brother, Dominic took it upon himself to kill their foster father. She stepped up and killed the foster mother. From what I can gather, nothing bad had actually happened. But the foster parents may have been escalating. Dominic was aging out while Kaycee was only 17. The story is that Dominic "freed" her and now they, along with their 2 other foster siblings go around unaliving bad people. And Dominic has some sort of ownership over Kaycee because he freed her.
After 10 years, I would not say Kaycee & Dominic are living HEA. Kaycee wants to move on, but Dom keeps pulling her back in.
Then Kaycee meets James. And her frozen heart suddenly comes to life and she now has an excuse to break away from James.
So, that sets the scene.
The sexy times are good and plentiful.
I had a few problems with some of the other elements...
Dominic is legit the bad guy in most of this book. Even when we get his POV, I couldn't develop any sympathy for him because he is completely obsessing over Kaycee. I can imagine their whole relationship would be incredibly triggering.
Kaycee's foster sister completely enables Dominic. Her behaviour is so messed up, zero sympathy for her.
So for most of the book we - very rightly - hate Dominic. But then suddenly James' family is on the scene and things happen. Talk about whiplash of a storyline. I was gunning for Dominic but it was like there was a bait and switch.
And at the end, I have zero clue what James & Kaycee are going to be doing with their lives. Apparently they talk between sexy times, but we don't get to know them. We only know their drama, not what is driving them. What do they want to do now that things have resolved?
The audio production from PinUp Audio was great. I loved the narrators, they went beyond reading and actually put spirit into the story.
I enjoyed the addition of musical references in each chapter. It was different, but I liked how music was incorporated into the story. Felt a little like real life.

[Talesa Hardaway · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first experience with Kaila Spencer’s work, and I’m thoroughly impressed. The Assassins Series has officially earned a spot at the top of my TBR and TBL lists. I’m eager to explore the stories of Harper, Abbie, Danika, Elijah, and yes—even Dominic.
I listened to the audiobook and...James Cassidy? Flawless. As always. His ability to switch between Jaymes and Dominic was chef’s kiss—distinct, intense, and emotionally loaded. Roxy Crown? A new-to-me narrator who delivered. Her performance gave Kaycee so much depth. I’ll be keeping an ear out for her in future listens.
Kaycee Kennedy is a vigilante assassin shaped by trauma and resilience. Her escape from one form of captivity leads her into another—this time masked as family. Her inner circle includes Harper, Danika, and Dominic, who is both her foster brother and her toxic, manipulative lover. Their relationship is intense, unsettling, and emotionally charged. (No, I don’t like him. Yes, I’m still intrigued. It’s complicated.)
Jaymes Andrews enters the narrative as a man fleeing his own legacy (the Andrews Crime Family) and runs straight into Kaycee’s orbit. These two? Chaos and chemistry from the jump. It’s insta-love, it’s messy, it’s magnetic… and I devoured every second.
Dominic is the definition of unhinged obsession—possessive, intense, and convinced Kaycee is his because he rescued her. And Kaycee? She’s complicated, resilient, and caught in the storm. Jaymes brings the kind of chaos that makes you question everything, and I lived for it.
This isn’t your soft-and-sweet kind of romance—this is messy, magnetic, and morally gray in the best way. A group of former foster kids turned vigilantes? Say less. I was hooked from chapter one. But when Jaymes swaggered onto the page? Game. Over. That’s when the tension snapped, the triangle twisted, and I officially lost sleep.
If you love your romance with grit, chaos, and characters who are one bad decision away from disaster (but make it hot), this one’s for you.

[Booksbystarlightandshadows · Rating 3 out of 5]

The narration is amazing but this is more of a three star for me as I struggled to connect with the characters. I'm in the minority but out of the leads, I found Dominic the most engaging and although he is the villain of the piece, I was much more interested in what he was up to rather than Jaymes and Kaycee. Despite not agreeing with Dominic's tactics more often than not, I genuinely felt a pang of sympathy for him knowing that he had been set up (I am not excusing his choices - I just felt if he had been sober and actively making the choice rather than being drunk it would have hit differently).

The relationship between Kaycee and Dominic is definitely toxic but Kaycee going along with it after she met Jaymes just didn't make sense to me. I couldn't really grasp why they weren't having proper conversations in amongst all the backstabbing and miscommunication when this found family have known each for over ten years. Jaymes was possessive within minutes but seemed to get a pass compared to Dominic and they seemed quite similar overall. The door is left open so I'm hoping Dominic gets his redemption arc; he is definitely not a nice guy and has questionable tendencies but he left the biggest impression.

A big part of the reason I am a low key Dominic sympathiser is down to James Cassidy's performance which is stellar. I loved the amount of POV chapters Dominic had and had this story been told from just Kaycee and Jaymes POV's I would probably have felt differently. Similarly with Roxy Crown; I found her so engaging to listen to. I'll definitely be looking up both narrators again.

My interpretation of the star system;
3 stars - I enjoyed it; would read the author again
4 stars - I really liked it; I am invested and definitely want more from this author/series
5 stars - I loved it; I engaged with this book completely until I finished it and it is one I will re-read

[Lacey AudiobookSpotlight · Rating 5 out of 5]

𝔹𝕠𝕠𝕜 ℝ𝕖𝕧𝕚𝕖𝕨:⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

What a stellar start to the new Assassins Series! Kaila came out strong with book one and gave us readers some complex characters to get to know. I fell in love with the FMC, Kaycee and was rooting for her the whole way through. Her journey wasn't an easy one as she fought to sever toxic relationships, truly value her self-worth and let someone love her even with all her flaws. Of course, she does this all while being an absolute badass. The two main male characters in this book couldn't be more opposite. Dominic is overbearing and controlling while Jaymes is firm yet sensitive to Kaycee's needs. One has a history with her while the other is trying to be her future. The task of letting go of what no longer serves her proves to be more challenging than she thought. She has to decide if the discomfort of change outweighs the pain of continuing on with life like she has been.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
𝔸𝕦𝕕𝕚𝕠 ℝ𝕖𝕧𝕚𝕖𝕨: ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🎙️Roxy Crown: This was my first Roxy Crown experience and I think she did a lovely job as Kaycee. The FMC has a lot of depth and trauma which required her to be voiced in various states of emotional turmoil. Roxy was able to perform moments of distress as well as the fierce moments required for an assassin. I look forward to hearing more work from her in the future. ⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🎙️James Cassidy: I will always be a fan of James Cassidy's work. In this story, he voices both main male characters (along with side characters) and he did not disappoint. One of the things I appreciated most in this performance is the way he made both males sound completely different. Dominic sounded absolutely manic at times while Jaymes was much more grounded. I even knew which male he would be narrating just by the different tones he used when stating the chapter number before it was followed by the character's name. Now that my friends, is pure talent. ⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

[Patty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sunshine
Assassins Book 1
By Kaila Spencer
Narrated by James Cassidy, Roxy Crown

OK, how is this my first Kaila Spencer book? Romantic suspense is my jam, and this book is packed with it all! After troubled childhoods, Dominick, Harper, Danika and Kaycee find themselves together both as their own family and in business. Except Dom and Kaycee are more. In a toxic relationship, Dom has made his claim, but Kaycee never reciprocates, wanting a normal life. And when she intervenes in a situation for Abby, her life finds that change. Her brother James is there, and from first gaze, these two are connected. Dom has other plans for Kaycee though, and when he does some digging, he finds the way to get rid of James. But does he? Every scene has something that builds up the suspense and the passion. I could not stop listening to this gem, getting to know each assassin, finding their weaknesses and strengths and rooting for Kaycee and James! I loved this first book of the series and cannot wait to continue to see what happens next!

James Cassidy and Roxy Crown pull of a phenomenal performance with all the characters in this story. Each voice created has the perfect tone and nuance to match the personality of the character. Cassidy shines as all the men, but as Dom and James he excels. Crazy and crazy in love are featured and I couldn't have loved it more. This is my first Crown listen and she is fantastic. As Kaycee, she brings out the good, the bad and the ugly and then in the next breath she is sweet Abby or a bit crazy Danika! I loved these two and it could not have been a better listen.

[Letty Garza · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sunshine is an absolute whirlwind dark, emotional, chaotic, and addictive in the best way. From the very first chapter, I was pulled straight into this assassin world and never once felt ready to crawl back out.

Kaycee’s dynamic with Dom is one of the most toxic, tangled relationships I’ve read in a while. The way he clings to this idea of a “family” he built in his head… it’s heartbreaking and infuriating at the same time. He treats her terribly, but you can still see the cracks in him the trauma, the delusion, the desperation. I almost felt sorry for him… almost. Spencer wrote him with such a haunting intensity that you want to hate him, but you can’t look away.

Then there’s Jaymes… sweet, steady Jaymes who steps in and flips everything upside down. I loved his connection with Kaycee, even if at times I wished their relationship went deeper. But with how fast-paced, dramatic, and twist-heavy this book is, the surface tension still worked and kept me completely hooked. Every scene felt like it was building toward something explosive.

And the audiobook? Phenomenal.
James Cassidy is unreal in this. Playing both Dominic and Jaymes, two men who share similarities but carry wildly different energies he manages to give each a clear, distinct voice. Dom’s chaotic madness versus Jaymes’s softer steadiness… he nailed it.
Roxy Crown was new to me, but she delivered Kaycee’s strength, fire, and vulnerability so naturally. She embodied every emotional hit and made Kaycee feel real.

This is dark romance meets vigilante chaos meets found family heartbreak, and it never once lets you breathe. Fast-paced, dramatic, spicy, and impossible to pause.

[shanelle maree · Rating 4 out of 5]

🌟:4.5 🌶️:3 🎙️:5

See, now THIS is why you should always pick up a book by indie authors. You will always find a diamond in the rough, and I’m SO happy I stumbled upon this series and Kaila Spencer. 😍

This book was a wild asf ride, from start to finish. I never knew what to expect and Kaila’s writing felt so fresh, I was on the edge of my seat and chewing my nails down to the nub!

I loved getting to meet all of the characters and get a feel for them as a chosen family. I loved the dynamics and the differences between all of them. I especially loved Jaymes and Kaycee. This is a couple who fight tooth and nail to be together. I was honestly hooked on their codependency of one another, and their love shown through in every action they did for one another other. The spicy scenes between them were also super fkn hot. They just had such raw, unfiltered need and desire that I could feel radiating from the energy they gave off. 🥵🥵

The storyline was unique, the characters were so well plotted out, and honestly I’m so excited to see where the rest of the series goes!!

James Cassidy and Roxy Crown had the incredible task of navigating through an array of characters, and they both did it so effortlessly and so beautifully. This was performed in duet, which thank god, cause I might’ve gotten lost in all of the different characters. 😂 I really enjoyed this audio and I loved how James and Roxy were able to play all of those different parts and I’m amazed at how none of them blended together. This was just phenomenal and such a good time, and I highly recommend picking it up! ❤️🖤

[Kymberly Lamb · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️ 3.5🌶️ 5🎧

If I am going to listen to a love triangle it is going to be one like this; two unhinged obsessed MMCs and 1 strong BA FMC that is trying to get away from one possessive man so she can be with the other. I love that we got three 1st person POVs; Jaymes, Kaycee, and Dominick. We get several leads on who the other 3 books in this series will be about and I can't wait to dive in to those books next! So many twists I didn't see coming, and the cliffhanger leading into book 2 was delicous!

Dominick thinks Kaycee belongs to him because he freed her from their foster home 10 years ago. Turns out he saved her from one sentance and brought her to another. Jaymes is the perfect man to truley free her so she can live the life she wants. Jaymes and Kaycee have instant chemistry and attraction and they both fell hard and fast. However their connection brings many complications to Kaycee's life as an assain and where her loyalty lies. Thankfully Jaymes has a dark history of his own, and he isn't afraid to fight for the ones he loves.

This book is narrated by Roxy Crown and James Cassidy and they did a fantastic job bring this story to life,. James did so good bringing the different characteristics out in Jaymes and Dominicks characters, I didn't have any issues telling the characters apart.

Thank you Kaila Spence and Pin Up Audio for this advanced copy, I can't wait for audio to be available for the rest of this series!

[Janelle Sequin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a vicious, addictive ride from start to finish. Kaycee’s journey from abandoned orphan to razor-sharp vigilante assassin is as heartbreaking as it is empowering. Her toxic, magnetic bond with Dominic Rossi crackles with danger—two broken souls forged in the same fire, clinging to each other even as they burn.

But when Kaycee saves Abigail Andrews and crosses paths with Jaymes, the entire story shifts. Jaymes is mysterious, gorgeous, and fueled by vengeance—and his collision with Kaycee ignites a new kind of tension neither of them is prepared for. What follows is a twisted blend of obsession, trauma, found family, and the desperate search for something resembling redemption.

Dark, gripping, and drenched in emotional chaos, this is the kind of story that sinks its claws in and refuses to let go. A brutal, breathtaking ride for fans of morally gray characters and messy, unforgettable chemistry.

Roxy Crown and James Cassidy deliver this dark, pulse-pounding story with absolute ferocity. Their performances pull you straight into Kaycee’s brutal past, her toxic, magnetic bond with Dominic, and the dangerous spark she finds with Jaymes. Every emotion hits harder, every twist cuts deeper, and every character feels alive in the best—and worst—ways.

Raw, intense, and relentlessly gripping, this audiobook becomes a full-body experience in the hands of these two powerhouse narrators.

[Summer · Rating 5 out of 5]

~Alc Review~
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶🌶

~Sunshine~Assassin Series Book 1~Kaila Spencer~

~Duet Narration~Roxy Crown & James Cassidy~

~Production~PinUp Audio~

"It’s up to me to choose which hell I go through, and I will always choose whatever hell leads me to you, Sunshine."

♡This was my first read by Kaila Spencer & I devoured it like it was my last meal! This love at first site story with a twist had me engaged from the first chapter & I finished it on one sitting because I couldn't put it down! I connected with our FMC Kaycee on an extremely deep & personal level. On her journey to find herself she stopped living for toxic people whom she felt she owed her life too & instead choose her own happiness. This story helped heal a deep part of me that I try my hardest to avoid. I'm not going to go into anymore detail because I refuse to spoil anything for those that haven't experienced this story!

The duet narration for this audiobook was freaking phenomenal! Roxy is a new to me narrator & did an amazing job bringing our female cast to life! James never fails to amaze me & has easily become one of my favorite male narrators. He did an impeccable job bringing our male cast to life as well! This book was packed full of tension & emotion & the way it was brought to life by these two gave me goosebumps!♡

~As Always Happy Reading~

[FavoriteSaintReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

☀️ ALC Review ☀️

“We can conquer any hell, as long as we’re together.”
— Jaymes

📖 Sunshine by Kaila Spencer
🎙️ Narrated by Roxy Crown and James Cassidy
🗓️ Release Date: November 11, 2025

Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ / 5
Narration: 🎙️🎙️🎙️🎙️🎙️/ 5

☀️ Assassins Series: Book One
☀️ Dark Romance
☀️ Assassin / Crime Family
☀️ Multiple POV
☀️ Toxic Relationship
☀️ Stalker
☀️ Found Family
☀️ Vigilante Justice
☀️ E-Book on Kindle Unlimited

I went into this book completely blind and if you don’t have triggers, I’d recommend that you do the same. I had no idea where this story was going but the main characters DID get a HEA. (I’m trying to do this review spoiler free because I loved the windy road my brain took while reading this book and don’t want to ruin it for anyone else.)

I will say that it’s a spicy, murdery, good time. I’m loving the found family vibes that we’re getting from this group and am looking forward to seeing everyone get their own HEAs.

My semi-spoiler take away is that I learned that James Cassidy can play a REALLY convincing bad guy. I fucking despised Dom, but I wonder if he’s gonna get an epic redemption ARC a la Damon Torrence. This was my first time listening to Roxy Crown, but she was a great Kaycee.

TLDR: Spicy, murdery, dark romance with a found family of assassins. Fantastic narration 😆

[Felecia Rodney · Rating 5 out of 5]

ALC Review:

Duet Narration by Roxy Crown and James Cassidy

Tropes:
Dark Romance
Assassin/ Crime Family
Toxic Relationship
Stalker
Found Family
Vigilante Justice

I honestly don’t even know where to start—Sunshine completely scrambled my brain in the best way possible. I’m still in full WTF mode trying to process everything I just listened to!

This story is dark, emotional, and full of chaos that somehow feels beautifully orchestrated. Tropes you’ll find: foster care survival, found family, morally grey assassins, toxic love, revenge, and that slow-burn, dangerous tension that keeps you on edge.

Kaycee and Dominic’s past is tangled and painful, and just when I thought I had their connection figured out, Jaymes entered the picture and flipped everything upside down. Every scene had me second-guessing who to trust and what to feel.

Narration-wise, this duo was absolute perfection. Roxy Crown (new to me) brought Kaycee’s strength and vulnerability to life with so much emotion, while James Cassidy’s range as Dominic and Jaymes was downright addictive—his tone, delivery, and emotional pull were impeccable.

Thank you Pinup Audio and Kaila Spencer for the ALC! Sunshine was a wild, unforgettable ride, and I’m already bracing myself for whatever Book #2 has in store.

[XenyMarie · Rating 4 out of 5]

“You gave the angel of death a purpose.”

🎧 Audiobook Review 🎧

Ok, but why aren't more people talking about this book?

In this story, we have a group of vigilantes, if you will, who were together in the foster system and now bond over getting justice for those who can't get it for themselves. Now, this little band of bandits is dysfunctional af, especially Dominic, who is absolutely obsessed with Kaycee (love this spelling, btw). Dominic feels like Kaycee belongs to him because he freed her when they were younger, and Kaycee, for the most part, puts up with it. That is until she meets Jaymes.

This story had me hooked from the very first chapter, but the truth is that when Jaymes enters the picture is when the real fun begins. This was one hell of a toxic love triangle, but I truly enjoyed every minute of it. I really enjoyed how nothing in this story was linear. Every relationship, including the side characters, had ups and downs, and I feel like this made the story feel more real.

The narration of this book was simply spectacular. Roxy Crown is a ntm narrator, and I absolutely loved her performance. And James Cassidy just took the story to a whole new level with his unhinged self.

Quote: “It’s up to me to choose which hell I go through, and I will always choose whatever hell leads me to you, Sunshine. We can conquer any hell, as long as we’re together.”

[Read With Momma Shark · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Sunshine” drops you into a world that’s chaotic, emotional, and way more addictive than I expected. I went in blind and was hooked immediately. Kaycee is the kind of FMC who feels layered right away. She’s strong, reactive, vulnerable when she doesn’t want to be, and easy to root for through every twist.

Dominic is a whole storm all by himself. He’s unpredictable, unhinged in a way that fits the crime-family world, and the tension between him and Kaycee kept me on edge. Then Jaymes shows up with that calm, dangerous steadiness and suddenly the entire emotional tone shifts. The contrast between the three of them is really what sold the story for me. It feels messy in a human way, not messy in a badly-written way.

The world is fast, dramatic, violent, and full of emotion. Found family threads hit hard. The plot never slows down. I blinked and realized I’d listened straight through without pausing.

Now the audio… James Cassidy and Roxy Crown didn’t just narrate this, they performed it. Cassidy gives Dominic and Jaymes such distinct energy that I always knew exactly who I was hearing. Roxy Crown nails every emotional beat for Kaycee. Together, they lifted this entire story.

Thank you to PinUp Audio and Kaila Spencer for the ALC. I’m excited to see where the series goes next.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sunshine is an intensely chaotic dark romantic suspense with so many things happening that there's never a dull moment.

This story packs a serious punch with everything I love in a dark romance. Dark elements, broody characters overcoming trauma, and insanely hot sexy times. Add to that the female assassin aspect and I was hooked as everything unfolded and kept me trying to figure out what was going to happen next.

I loved Kaycee and Jaymes and every dark part of them that led them to each other and everything that they overcome throughout this story. This ride will keep you hanging on to the very end so they can finally get the HEA they go through hell for.

The ending is left open and I am anxious for the next installment!

The duet narration by Roxy Crown and James Cassidy was excellent. The depth that they were able to bring to these characters that live in the gray/black was incredible and I loved how well they brought them to life through the crazy madness while ensuring that they were still likable.

TROPES:
Dark Romantic Suspense
Assassin x Crime Family
Stalker
Found Family
Vigilante Justice

Thank you to Kaila Spencer & Pin Up Audio for the ALC.

[Jennifer Wycech · Rating 5 out of 5]

Multiple POV
Stalker
Found family
Vigilante justice
Toxic relationship
Assassin/Crime Family

Duet narration - James Cassidy & Roxy Crown
🫠🫠🫠 James Cassidy is phenomenal. My first time hearing Roxy Crown and she is fabulous.

Book 1 Assasins series

This book is an addictive and captivating listen. The narrators were fantastic in this. I couldn’t pick a better male narrator for this story.

Dom is the man who saved Kasey as a teenager, but now as adults he is keeping her captive in a way. Kasey wants more, she wants out of the world they are in.

When Kasey meets Jaymes she is lite up inside and can’t stay away from him. Getting a taste of the life she really wants.

Jaymes falls hard for Kasey wanting to save her from Dom and the life she is stuck in. He will do anything for her.

This book follows Dom , Kasey, and Jaymes. With hints of side character love stories giving glimpses into future parts of this series. I can’t wait for book 2. I need to know where this story will go.

[Yvette89 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dark romance
Found family
Assassins
Possessive MMC X2

audio narrated by by Roxy Crown & James Cassidy


This story was fast paced with some interesting characters. The are multiple points of views from Kaycee, Dominic and Jaymes.
While the story centers around the three of them. The other characters play a large part in the storyline. The relationships are very different in that they are not just about being friends/family. The characters actions are based on their feelings and push the boundaries of their relationships.

The plot is interesting and I like the way it was done. The emotions and internal struggles of each character was done well. The narrators nailed the angst and tension.

This is the first book and the other characters have a different story to tell.

[Lily Nocturne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sunshine on audio was absolutely phenomenal. Oh. My. God. James Cassidy… swoon. I am fully feral over this man. Roxy Crown was new to me and she was phenomenal!

This book was such a ride—an emotional, twisty, deliciously intense ride. You’re dealing with two possessive alphaholes, and I loved how you get both sides of that possessiveness: the good, protective kind… and the darker, more dangerous kind. It made the tension unreal.

The baggage, the trauma, the healing, the twists, the turns—chef’s kiss. I ate up every second of it. The performances brought everything to life in the best way, and the story had me hooked from start to finish.

I cannot WAIT for the next books in this series. I need more. Immediately.

[Michelle Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: Story 5 stars Narration 5 stars
Sunshine is a captivating romantic suspense. It is a dark romance so please read all content warnings before listening. This is the story of four foster siblings who become assassins. What happens when they meet two siblings who fled their mafia family? Will Jaymes and Kaycee last? How will Dominic cope? What about all the others? Sit back, relax and get ready for a wild ride.
The duet narration by Roxy Crown and James Cassidy was phenomenal. Roxy Crown was brilliant as Kaycee(sweet, kind, deadly assassin), Danika(wild, slightly unhinged pyromaniac) and Abby(sweet, naive). James Cassidy was delightful as Harper and Elijah. However, he was delectable as kind, understanding but fierce Jaymes and cold, toxic Dominic. The chemistry between Jaymes and Kaycee was palpable. They are truly meant for each other. I highly recommend listening to this fantastic audiobook.
Thanks to the author and PinUp Audio for this ALC.

[Lisa Haines · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read all your trigger warnings.

I always love a possessive obsessed MMC. And Jaymes is that in this story. He will do anything to have Kaycee as his.
Kaycee starts the story in a trauma bonded relationship. She feels trapped and dead inside until she meets Jaymes. I admired the growth in her to realize how unhealthy her relationship was and the decisions she made to free her herself.
She finds freedom and love in Jaymes. He will burn the world down to protect her and she'll do the same for him and her found family.
The love they share for each other is deep and passionate 🌶️🌶️🌶️

The audio is amazing. James Cassidy and Roxy Crown do a phenomenal job of bringing this story to life.

Looking forward to reading book 2 in this series!

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Audiobook review
5⭐️
Roxy Crown and James Cassidy did such a wonderful job! If I'm being completely honest, idk if I would've done the whole book if it wasn't for the narration. 😬

all that being said, the book was just okay, for me. I know I'm on the minority here, but idk. the book just didn't seem to flow so well with me. Dom thinks hes got ownership of Kaycee because he freed her. she meets James and they both instantly fall in love with each other and she tries to get away from dom and James swears to protect her and all that because "she's his"
eh, idk

[thebookishpumpkinpatch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jaymes you green flag man!

This was my first Roxy Crown narration and I liked her! Both James and Roxy managed to bring all the characters to life and showcase their different personalities so well.

This book had me on a rollercoaster of emotions and every time I thought we were safe something else happened and a new twist came. I just wanted to scream at the characters at times to make them understand. Jaymes though, this greenflag of a man!! The way he loved Kaycee was so good, absolutely perfect for her! And Kayce did deliver as well, I am weak for a strong fmc!

[justreads0 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kaila Spencer really delivered with Sunshine. Not only is it a book about an assassin family but you also get a stalker thrown in the mix who prefers to be called guardian angel. The men in this book are completely unhinged and take you on a wild ride. Kaycee is a strong female lead who just wants to find someone to awaken her heart again. The chemistry between the characters is unmatched. I couldn’t recommend this book more.