Love may not have any boundaries, but there is always a price.
Amiyah Keller has always been a good girl. Abiding by the rules without question.
As college comes to an end and she’s thrust into the real world, she finds her freedom ripped from her grasp. Thrown back into the happy little family she doesn’t belong to, she’s forced to face the hard truth.
Madden Donavan. The golden boy. Her number one enemy. The stepbrother she can’t seem to shake.
Lust burns deep. Hate even deeper. Until the lines are blurred between right and wrong.
Forced in opposite directions, someone is out to get her and the looming reality of the society she is a part of. They cling to hope, but hope is fickle.
With her heart broken and nowhere to run, Amiyah finds herself questioning everything.
Is love worth the pain?
Is it enough?
It's recommended to read the entire series in order
M.T. Morgan lives in Texas with her husband and two children. She enjoys reading a good fantasy/PNR romance as well as a good cup of coffee. She has old lady tendencies even though she's in her mid-twenties. And writing her own bio is very cringe worthy to her.
M.T. Morgan tends to bounce around the romance genre. She may make you laugh, cry and cringe. It just depends on her mood.
I really enjoyed this! I love a good dark forbidden romance, especially its taboo. To me, a stepsiblings taboo romance is even better if they grew up together (I know it’s weird) because most step sibling romances, they meet at like 17 or 18, but Amiyah and Madden met when they were little, she was only 6. And to me that makes their bond even more special. Two kids who both lost one of their parents and had to watch the other get remarried, it’s painful even for a kid who may not understand the whole story. So the connection they have, from getting through everything together is truly beautiful. This book is dark, there’s some secret society elements that tie back to the previous books, I didn’t fully understand it because I didn’t read them, so I will later. Some daddy issues here and there but also lots of other triggers, one being “eating disorder”, so do check please. But this book is heartbreaking, it’s so sad because their father tore them apart after seeing them kiss as teens and their relationship never truly repaired after. It’s heartbreaking to watch them pine after each other, despite knowing that they can’t be together (at least not as long as their father is alive, but shh you didn’t hear that from me). One of the worst things though is that the second he tries to make it work with her, she pulls away, but also when she tries to make it work with him, he pulls away. Which honestly just made me cry over and over. There were some pretty good plot twists that led up to a climax, although the falling action was pretty action. I hated, detested, the arranged marriages in this book though, I was already freakin broken from half of this book! You didn’t have to make it worse!??! Anyways I did enjoy this and give it a 4/5
My girl never disappoints me.. just makes me curse her name..... ughh the running joke is see you in a few hours because I devour her books in no less than 2 hours ... and Madden and Amiyah's story was absolutely different than Beckett and Brixley or Vance and Primrose....the fact that you get everyone in one book really made this a 10 star read for me because I freaking loved this world!!! Did I get a book hangover yes am I sad this saga is over also yes.. am I excited to see whats next absolutely.
The third book starts with the marriage of Amiyah’s father and Madden’s mother, which lays the groundwork for the messy family situation to come. Over the years, Amiyah and Madden develop feelings for each other, but when they finally kiss, her father catches them and threatens Madden into staying away. Amiyah is sent off to boarding school, and this is where the story really started losing me.
When she returns, it’s revealed that she’s slept with her teachers to spite her father, and she doesn’t seem to have any real standards about who she sleeps with. Personally, this was a huge red flag. I prefer romance where the characters’ devotion is clear, and here it felt cheap and inconsistent. Madden’s POV doesn’t help much—he’s portrayed as miserable, misunderstood, and stuck keeping his distance, which only adds to the bleak tone.
Then we get the sex club storyline, where Amiyah hooks up with a masked man (later revealed to be Madden). Yet even after this reveal, their relationship doesn’t grow in any meaningful way. In fact, when Anders proposes marriage, she finds him attractive and even admits she’s captivated by him—again undermining the supposed main romance.
The drama piles on: Vivian (Madden’s fiancée), assassination attempts, mafia threats, blackmail, kidnappings—you name it, it’s here. But instead of adding tension, it felt like too much noise, with the romance constantly overshadowed by chaotic plot twists. Worse, Madden marries Vivian, and Amiyah starts warming up to the idea of Anders. Their “love” never feels exclusive or worth rooting for.
By the end, Anders conveniently strips Amiyah’s father of power, Madden finally divorces, there’s a dramatic rescue, and we’re handed a HEA. But honestly, it didn’t feel earned. What little redemption the book offers comes in the extended epilogue, which gives more satisfying glimpses into the future of the couples.
Overall, this installment was a letdown. The romance lacked focus, the characters’ choices felt forced, and the endless drama only highlighted how weak their relationship actually was.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
We Lay in Sin: A Taboo Dark Romance M.T. Morgan's We Lay in Sin is a gritty, forbidden, and utterly captivating dark romance that will completely consume you. As a first-time reader of this author, I can confidently say I'm now a fan for life and will be immediately picking up the first two books in the Misfits series. This one is simply brilliant.
The story follows stepsiblings Amiyah and Madden. A powerful connection was always there, even from a young age, but Madden was forced to keep his distance to protect Amiyah from his dangerous world and her controlling father. When they finally reunite after she returns from boarding school, the feelings are as strong as ever, and their story ignites.
This book is a rollercoaster of emotion that kept me on the edge of my seat. You'll be hooked from the first chapter and won't be able to put it down. The forbidden step-sibling element adds an intoxicating layer of tension, and the way the author weaves their love story with secrets and a dark society is masterful. Madden’s fierce protectiveness and Amiyah’s journey to embrace their bond create a raw and powerful connection that will have you rooting for them every step of the way.
M.T. Morgan is a master of dark romance. She writes down-and-dirty stories that are so deliciously good they make you question your morals. The twists and turns in this book were so unexpected, and the spice is off the charts. This spellbinding story sank its way into my soul and will be on my top reads list for 2025.
If you enjoy forbidden dark romance with an unputdownable plot, you absolutely must read this. Just be sure to check the trigger warnings first.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher/author to review for Stephanie's Book Reports.
This is the story of Amiyah and Madden. These two are step-siblings. They were in each other's lives from a very young age. However, as they got older, they began to have feelings for each other. But Madden knew this would be a problem and he did everything in his power to push her away and not le the feelings that he has for her get in the way. She has a father that is not the nicest man and he is very controlling. Amiyah has always been a good girl. Followed all the rules and stood by her family, never questioning anything. Now that she is finished with college she will get her first taste of true freedom. However, things get crazy and she finds herself in a place she never thought she would be. But still the feelings for Madden are so strong. She is not about to put up with her crap though. But, on the other hand she has this way of bringing out a side of him that is super protective and possessive.. I found myself rooting as hard as I could for these two. However, there is a twist in this book that you won't see coming and you really find yourself fon their side and only wanting all that they want. This was a great book and I loved every single second of it. You do not want to miss this series. I loved that we had all the character's from the previous books in this one too. The gang is all here and I was living for it. You also need to read these books in order. I have loved them all and it is a series that you do not want to miss.
“You can’t fix your demons, but you can dance with them.”
I received this book as an arc. I was interested in it because, who doesn’t love a good forbidden romance? The story between Madden and Amiyah was full of ups and downs. I really enjoyed both characters overall, but just did not vibe with their relationship as much as I had with other characters in the book.
I felt as if there were several characters that’s were introduced where the relationships seemed a little rushed. Some of the dialogue felt a little cliche, but not to a point where I felt I couldn’t read through it.
The story line again was great. I love the twists and the suspense that was included. I will say again, M.T. Morgan has a way of capturing all these different types of emotions and portraying them so realistically. It has been one of my favorite things about her writing!
I feel like in this book, the sexual scenes definitely picked up more and were discussed more often. There were definitely some scenes that were spicy and had me wanting to read more. I personally also love the back and forth banter between Madden and Amiyah.
Overall, I feel it was a good read. I love being able to expand my TBR list to include new to me authors. I really enjoyed this series overall and would recommend them to others looking for a good emotional/suspensful read!
Tropes: Step-Siblings Friends to Enemies to Lovers Found Family Second Chance Secret Society Revenge Suspense
This is the third and final book in the series. I didn’t read the previous books beforehand, but I wish I had—it would’ve helped me better understand the story.
Amiyah and Madden are step-siblings who were best friends before eventually developing feelings for each other. After Amiyah’s father caught them kissing, he sent her away to boarding school and threatened Madden, which caused a rift between them that lasted for years. Now, Madden is stronger and ready to take down his stepfather—and finally be with Amiyah.
I think Amiyah and Madden had amazing potential if they had just communicated more and had a bit more development. While there was wonderful spice throughout the whole book, I didn’t feel real chemistry between them until the second half of the book. The beginning felt more like childish, petty arguments without any actual conversation.
I completely understood Amiyah’s frustration and hurt with Madden, but I wish she had given him more grace. Madden has a broken and lonely soul, so I could understand his hesitation in asking for help. He was just a teenager when he was threatened—there wasn’t much he could do.
My biggest issue with the book was how everyone treated Madden. Their whole "friend" group instantly took Amiyah’s side without asking any questions or trying to understand Madden’s perspective. They kept belittling and pushing him away, even after Amiyah told them to stop. I truly believe that if they had actually been supportive, Madden and Amiyah could’ve found their way back to each other much sooner.
That said, I really enjoyed the suspense and revenge plot—it was engaging and kept me interested, honestly more so than the romance. I loved that Madden was able to overcome his obstacles with little to no help and finally take down his stepfather. Amiyah was incredibly resilient, and I appreciated that she took matters into her own hands and chose herself time and time again.
This is a secret society dark romance, which is the main reason I wish I had read the previous books first. We got glimpses of the society, but it wasn’t fully explained in this book. That’s definitely on me, and I only took off 0.5 stars from my rating because of that.
I'm excited to go back and read the earlier books now!
We Lay in Sin is a breathtaking and gut-wrenching finale to the Sinners’ Playground series—raw, dark, and unforgettable. Amiyah and Madden’s love may be forbidden, but it’s the most real and consuming kind of love—the kind many only dream of. Both scarred by trauma, abandonment, and emotional abuse, their journey is painful to witness, and the heartbreak runs so deep you’ll feel it in your chest.
What makes this story even more powerful is the reminder that sometimes it’s not blood, but our chosen family that matters most. The loyalty, love, and respect between this group of friends shines through the darkness, proving that even in the most twisted circumstances, true bonds can be a lifeline.
⚠️ Trigger warnings: emotional and physical abuse, trauma, abandonment, forbidden romance, light BDSM, dub-con, and violence. Please read carefully before diving in.
This series must be read in order to fully appreciate the depth of the characters and their connections. As the final book, it ties everything together in a way that’s devastating, beautiful, and unforgettable.
I received a free ARC of this book, and this review is only my opinion.
Such a great read! I devoured Madden and Amiyah's story! Stepsiblings is always one of my favorite book tropes to read and M.T Does this book so well! Talk about being obsessed with characters. Madden and Amiyah are brought into each other's lives at a young age and although they shouldn't have feelings towards one another they still do and as much as Madden tires so hard to push her away and not act on his feeling's somethings are just so undeniable and you can't ignore them forever. Amiyah is also very strong willed, and she won't put up with Madden's crap she always has away of bringing out a protective side as well as a possessive side to him. This book has a twist to it that will have you rooting so much harder for them to be together even with all the stuff trying to keep them apart. Now I also love all the glimpses of previous characters as well as intro to new ones This was a great ending to a series, and I will truly miss them. If MT writes it you will always find me reading it!
Everyone loves a good taboo romance, especially when it’s dark and forbidden and one you’ll be glad to have picked up.
Amiyah and Madden are step-siblings, having grown up together when they were little, their relationship special. Together they understand trauma, having each lost a parent, not understanding when their remaining parents remarry each other, the pain they experience, trying to understand the changes in their lives, a story unwritten.
Their connection is undeniable, what they have no one will understand what they mean to each other, everything they have gone through has only made them stronger, and together they are truly a unique and beautiful couple.
However, their story isn’t without heartbreak, their father tearing them apart, what they feel for each other they can’t deny, knowing they couldn’t be together, but as they both try to make it work, they both pull away. How will they get back what they lost?
The plot twists and that climax will have you on the edge of your seat, well worth the read.
Madden and Amiyah have had a mutual crush on each other for years but they can’t act on it because they’re step siblings. But something keeps pulling them back together. They keep telling each other it can’t happen again. They keep being forced apart. Whatever they do, they can’t stay away. Then someone starts targeting Amiyah. And threats to her life are made to Madden by someone else, someone close to home. Will they be parted forever or can they find a way to be together?
Oh now I love Madden. Adore him. But I don’t know if he takes Vance’s top spot! This book was so good! I do love a good step-sibling, forbidden, we can’t do this romance and this DELIVERED!! I’m glad I read the other two books first or I would have been so confused about a few things! I love Madden and Amiyah together, it’s like they were meant to be. Actually all three couples in this series seem like they were fated to be together from the moment they met, however old they happened to be.
My heart was broken since I started reading because right off the bat, these kids/turned adults were miserable because they couldn't be together. It was and is frowned upon to the town they lived in. They were a forbidden love and for as much as he wanted to break the rules and be with her, he couldn't. He had to protect her even though it kills him. Her father didn't allow them to be together since they were step-siblings.
But it's impossible who you choose to love and it might have been bad in their situation because they grew up together since the age of 5.
Someone was out to get her and she was determined to find out who.
I was surprised to see how this all unfolded at the end, it really through me for a loop, but it was such a great book.
Even though the MMC made me angry sometimes, I can understand why he would push her away and it was for her safety, but to see her crushed every time was saddening.
M.T. Morgan did an amazing job with this book. Totally hooked til the end!
We Lay in Sin is the third and final book in the Sinners’ Playground Series from author M.T. Morgan.
Amazing characters & a plot that just pulls you in. An emotional roller coaster from the beginning to the end. Though the love bw our MMC & FMC is forbidden and a big ‘toxic’, you can’t help but root for them. This was a beautifully written story.
I didn’t read the previous two books in the series… I am now going back to do so! You can’t help but love the 2 other couples so I now need to know Vance/Primrose’s & Beckett/Brixley ‘s stories!
𝙃𝙚𝙧𝙤/𝙃𝙚𝙧𝙤𝙞𝙣𝙚 = Madden Donovan & Amiyah Keller 𝘾𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙛𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙧 = No 𝙎𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙖𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙚 = Yes… in an interconnected world. 𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙢𝙚(𝙨) = Dark Romance • Forbidden/Taboo (Step Siblings)• Forced Proximity • Secret Society • He falls first & It’s Always been You • Touch her & d!e • Obsessive /Possessive MMC • found family • Masked Men • Multiple POVs 𝙏𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙜𝙚𝙧𝙨 = Language • Sexual Content • Body Shaming • BDSM elements • “Good Girl” / Praise • Murder & Violence 𝙃𝙚𝙖𝙩 𝙇𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙡 = 🔥🔥🔥1/2 𝙎𝙩𝙖𝙧 𝙍𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 = ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
THANK YOU to Literally Yours PR and MT Morgan for such an amazing opportunity to read this amazing series.
I concluded the Misfit series in a matter of days and I feel as thought dark romances will always have a special place in my heart. Amiyah and Madden come together at a young age and they both had a rough start in life and continue to have a rough life.
The tension that builds and builds makes you grip the edge of your seat.
Trigger warnings. READ THEM. if you aren’t sure if you should read the book, start there. MT Morgan, you sure know how to make a book girl fall in love with your writing and sure enough, I loved this series.
A step-sibling relationship is always such a taboo but always so freaking fantastic. Read this book if you have a chance but not before diving into the first two books of the Misfit series.
Thank you to mt Morgan and literally yours pr for an arc copy of this book that is releasing on 1 September go grab it 💕💕
-Taboo romance -Secret Society -It’s always been you -Darker themes
this is my first book by this author and I definitely won’t be my last. I will be reading the first two books in the series as this is book 3 of the misfits series.
The story follows Amiyah on and Madden and they are steps siblings. They have known each other since they were young due to their parents getting married. There was always a connection between these two that were very young but feeling really started growing when they turned 13.
Amiyah father had always threatened to Madden if anything happened between these two that he would hurt her so he always kept his distance so he could protect her
when they finally reunite after she gets back from boarding school, the feelings never really went away and the story just ramps up from there and you sort of just see the lengths that they would go to be with each other. There were a few twists and turns that I did not see coming but overall really really solid book really loved it .
MT Morgan just knows how to write the down and dirty, gritty dark romances that questions your morals but are oh so delicious. This book is everything I’ve been waiting for from these characters.
We Lay In Sin is a taboo, secret society dark romance that make you love these characters so much. Madden and Amiyah brought the spice with them. Ever since the beginning of this series, they were so intriguing and getting all of them for this book really made it an amazing read. I could not put this down. I love everything about it.
I definitely recommend looking at the triggers for this one. It can possibly be not for everyone, but I think those that like dark romance would enjoy this. I can’t wait to see what MT Morgan has to come next!
I have to say , I really did not think there was anyway this series could possibly get any better than it already was and is !! But oh man was I so so wrong. We Lay In Sin is the third book in ( The Misfits Series and let me just say if you are a lover of Step Brother , Dark and forbidden romances ( Run , Run as fast as you can and read what was one of the best books of 2025 !! I just loved every single second of Madden and Amiyah’s journey. The pace at which their relationship grew , all the complexities, the steam , the twists and turns, the secrets , the love , the passion and pain , even the moments that were filled with so much angst , humor and witty banter. I genuinely could not stop smiling, even yelling and cheering so so hard for these two .
As the final book in this series I was expecting a little more but I was still so good. I couldn’t wait to read Amiyah and Madden’s story. They had so much back and forth and tension that it just builds. The secrecy and drama just works well together.
Amiyah’s story to me starts a little boring, but once you continue to read more you understand her better and start to care more. Madden seems weak but you get why he does what he does. The chemistry between the two is seen by everyone. Amiyah’s dad is horrible man and he gets what he deserves in the end.
There are a few triggers that should be kept in mind while reading. The writing was great as always and the story flowed.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
We Lay In Sin is book three of The Misfits Series.
I love a step sibling romance, and if there were two people I was rooting for it was Amiyah and Madden. The love they have for each other has blossomed over the years, but there is someone who doesn't want them together. These two have to fight for every scrap of happiness they could have.
Not only do they have to fight to be together, but there seems to be someone targeting Amiyah for some unknown reason. Now she is fighting on all sides and doesn't know how she is going to get a happy future with everything going on around her.
This did have some edge of your seat moments which kept you riveted from start to finish.
We Lay in Sin by MT Morgan is book three in The Misfits series. It’s a forbidden, step-siblings romance.
Amiyah has loved Madden since she was a child but he pushed her away and she grew to hate him. When they are pushed back together in college Amiyah realises that the lines between love and hate are easily blurred.
This book has everything, secret society, forbidden lovers, obsessive/possessive mmc, praise kink, bit of BDSM. It’s fast paced and lots happens. You also really need to read the other two books in the series so you can really know all the characters.
Madden and Amiyah’s love was intense, almost toxic but I loved it!
This book had me completely hooked from the first chapter and I just couldn’t let it go. Madden and Amiyah gave me so many emotions, and their bond felt raw and powerful. I loved the forbidden step sibling element, it added this edge that kept the intensity high all the way. The book left me with a perfect book hangover, sad it was finished but also happy because it gave me everything I needed. For me it was an easy 5 stars, no doubt at all. Thank you so much to the author and Literarlly Yours PR for giving me the opportunity to read the book in advance, I received this for free and I'm leaving an honest review.
This was a really good book! However, I would encourage other readers to check the trigger warnings first.
I liked how protective Madden was when it came to Amiyah. He tried his hardest to shield her from his world and all the evil that lurked within it. He would go to the ends of the earth to take care of her without second thought.
Amiyah fought her feelings for Madden at first because of the world that he came from and their familial relationship but as soon as she realized how much he cared about her, those feelings began to shift. When she opened up to Madden and got closer with him, the sparks began to fly.
I received this as an arc, but to truly understand their story I needed to read the first two books. Which I did and they did not disappoint. I fell in love with every single character regardless of how morally grey they were or were not. That being said let us dive into the world that is the Misfits!
Madden and Amiyah are step siblings in a world where they should not be. It is all consuming and all lust for these two. He is the type that says "touch her and die". She is the type to love and love hard
The real world has bigger plans for the two of them. As we watch these two characters grow to love and hate one another the tension sexual or not is so thick. I have enjoyed M.t. Morgan's books so far. She brings you all the things you want to read when it comes to dark romance, the spice was on point.
Please be kind to yourself and read the triggers. There are some dark themes in this book as with the first two.
This is the third book in this series, and this is Amiyah and Madden’s story. Amiyah is a good girl, who follows the rules, but after she graduates from college, her freedom is ripped away form her, while Madden is the golden boy, her no 1 enemy, and they are stepsiblings. This is a well written emotional roller coaster, with family dynamics, friendships, intrigue, secret society, drama, forced proximity, revelations, undeniable chemistry, and love, which leads to an entertaining, tragic, twisted, haunting, and unpredictable, raw, gritty, and dark romance. I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work I highly recommend.
Absolute perfection for a step-sibling trope! This was 1000% done the right way and o gobbled it up in one sitting! The forbidden lust and love of Madden and Amiyah is amazing! It is so present from the very beginning of the story and really grips you because M.T. Morgan sucks you in just perfectly with that amazingly sentimental childhood love grip! I was head over heels for this story! The plot was fun, absolutely taboo, spice filled, suspenseful and the little twist of “who-done-it” and secret society-ish vibe was intoxicating! This was an absolute fun five star read that I would recommend to readers of all different favorite tropes!!!! Delicious!!!!!!!
Amiyah and Madden’s story is such a wild ride, intense, emotional, and full of tension that keeps you hooked from page one. Their connection is fiery, complicated, and totally addictive, and the forbidden step sibling angle just adds this extra layer of “oh wow, I cannot look away.”
It has high stakes, dark secrets, sizzling chemistry, and moments that make your heart race. Amiyah’s journey to find her place in a world that feels stacked against her and Madden’s fierce protectiveness over her make their story both swoony and heart-wrenching. The twists, the drama, and the raw emotion all just pull you in, and honestly, you’ll be rooting for them the whole way through.
I knew that Amiyah and Madden would be explosive together and so angsty!
What a great wrap up to this book trio! Amiyah has deeper issues and is such a deep character that we didn’t get to see in the first two books so, it makes me glad her story was the last to go. I also really liked that we finally got to meet the real Madden. He was very much shadowed by the other guys in the first two books and I feel like if he was given his time to shine during those it would have taken from Beckett and Vance’s stories.
So great job on this book! Several twists I wasn’t counting on - for sure!
Another book by M.T. that I absolutely devoured. The way she writes these books feels like they are personally for me. I love everything about them.
It's bittersweet to me that the Misfits Series is complete but I was so overjoyed to finally have Madden and Amiyah's book. I love that Amiyah took the time she needed to heal/grow, but once they finally reconnected it was everything!!
I will recommend this book and series until I'm blue in the face. I can't wait to see what M.T. will deliver next!
This is a dark forbidden stepbrother romance with masked men and a secret society. Everything on a checklist you want in a good dark romance. This is Madden and Amiyah's story. When Amiyah returns from being away at school, and she sees Madden again, they both know they're in trouble. Because that bond they've always had feels stronger than ever. They are definitely still attracted to each other as much as they tried to hide it in the past. Throw in a secret society, secrets and mind blowing plot twists and things get so good! This is a book you can't put down.