The Cartier Cartel 3: Saint's Sweetest Sin

by Jessica N. Watkins

From the moment Zahra crossed my path, I knew she’d become my sweetest sin. Her vibe ran through me like Henny on ice, and she quickly became my new craving. I wasn’t looking for love, but I wasn’t running from it either. And one look at her had me ready to start forever with her. Zahra wasn’t just beautiful; she was captivating, intoxicating, and soon became the addiction I couldn’t shake.

But falling for her came with a price. Zahra belonged to someone else, who was ruthless. He thought he owned and controlled her, and he wouldn't let her go without bloodshed. Protecting her meant snatching her right out from under his grip and igniting a war I couldn't avoid. But as always, I was ready to go to any length, spill any blood, and burn down this city for anybody I loved.



From the moment Saint stepped into my world, everything changed. His gaze alone felt like a promise. He was danger wrapped in desire. My broken pieces didn’t scare him. Sex with him was its own kind of addiction. And though I knew leaving home wouldn’t be easy, resisting him wasn’t an option. Saint claimed me instantly. He pulled me deep into a love so intense it was impossible to walk away from, despite me knowing that I was putting our lives at risk.

And I was right. Loving Saint came with consequences darker than I'd ever imagined. Our passion ignited a war, forcing him to fight battles just to keep me alive. Now, I'm trapped between heartbeats, praying our love doesn't end in bloodshed…or worse, death.

414 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 28, 2025

About the author

Author of Urban Chick Lit, Erotica, and Contemporary Urban Fiction... Jessica N. Watkins was born April 1st in Chicago, Illinois. She obtained a Bachelors of Arts with Focus in Psychology from DePaul University and Masters of Applied Professional Studies with focus in Business Administration from the like institution. Working in Hospital Administration for the majority of her career, Watkins has also been an author of fiction literature since the young age of nine. Eventually she used writing as an outlet during her freshmen year of high school as a single parent: “In the third grade I entered a short story contest with a fiction tale of an apple tree that refused to grow despite the efforts of the darling main character. My writing evolved from apple trees to my seventh and eighth grade classmates paying me to read novels I had written about kids our age living the lives our parents wouldn’t dare let us”. At the age of twenty-eight, Watkins’ chronicles have matured into steamy, humorous, and realistic tales of women's literature. She hopes that The Epitome of Femistry series will successfully emulate ideal femininity while tackling stereotypes, familiar heartache, and relatable distress in a humorous, sophisticated, and erotic fashion.

Jessica N. Watkins is available for talks, workshops or book signings. Email her for more information at Jessica@femistrypress.net.

Additional information can be found at www.jessica-n-watkins.com.

Follow Jessica on Twitter - @authorjwatkins.

Follow Jessica on Facebook- http://www.facebook.com/authorjwatkins

Reviews

[Tanya Branham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Soooo goood!!

This book had me feeling all the emotions. I was crying all through out the book. When Legend inducted Saint I lost it. Great job Jessica Watkins

[Chareese H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was fabulous. This story had me in my feelings. I enjoyed this audiobook to the fullest. Author Jessica Watkins you did an awesome job with the series. I can’t wait until September so I will do speak content and listen to book #4 and #5 because I need to know what happens next to this family before September and I am definitely recommending the full series. The Cartier Cartel is a wonderful series. 10/10⭐️⭐️⭐️

[La Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't get enough!

This book was so damn good I real!y don't know she to start. If you haven't read the series I suggest you do because this series is explosive. Excellent read.

[Lizzy Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG!!! THANK YOU FOR GIVING US SAINTS STORY!!!

**ARC REVIEW **
Legend pissed me off so bad🤬. Like sir, you're too Motherfudgesicklestix old to be acting so dang childish. Like why did it take your wife telling you how petty and childish you were for you to get your ish together🤔😔. His therapist was the GOAT cause Bay-be, I choked on my drink the forest time he was nice to Saint🤣🤣🤣. Aria's reaction to being pregnant again was priceless.
Mercer was a sick demented Motherfudgesicklestix and I honestly felt like he didn't suffer enough🤷🏾‍♀️
That ninja Deacon got his and Mercer karma for the ish they did to Zahra.
I need Big A to grow a pair and have that man to man talk with his boys. I love him and Tempo🥰
My heart broke for Icon and Livia💔. Icons love for his wife was beautiful to witness. Even through his own pain he stayed strong and kept reassuring her of his love and devotion to their marriage🫶🏽.
Finally heading from Dana put everything into perspective. God rest their momma soul, but she basically gave her husband away. It all made since why Sterling hid Saint, but at the same time i was still pressed that he did it.
Saint will forever be my favorite Cartier😍😜. That man was gone over Zahra and was ready to kill everybody behind her. Through all the drama, attempts on Saints life, the hell they went through, their loved shined through. Zahra was beyond strong and loved and protected her sister with get life. Baby girl needed Saint as much as he needed her. She deserved all the love, and protection. I was beyond happy for her♥️. Saint was a different kind of killer. He made #1 psycho on my list of Book Baes😁. Saints book was everything I didn't know I needed in my book world❤️‍🔥🔥

[Ms. Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Evolution of Saint!

This book was amazing. It was a page turn as is all of Jessica’s books. We left off with Saint wanting/ needing to feel accepted. In this book we see his growth over time, he found love, his purpose, and finally being accepted by Legend. Saint is a killer and loves punishing ppl in his own way. Saints mom gets to share her story in this book and it was beautifully complicated.
Aria and Legend: Aria is a queen she told Legend what he needed to do to get himself together and he followed suit. I loved seeing Legends character development. Kudos to him! We also learned that Legends pullout game is trash, lol.
Livid and Icon: Icon loves Livia unconditionally and carries the weight of the world on his shoulders. I’ve always loved their relationship since book 1. I hope that they get their blessing.
Tempo: She deserves love and she deserves to get the love that she wants with Big A. She a boss in her own right and does what she needs to do. Saint isn’t that a hater and a cock blocker, lol.
Honorable mention, Big A: Stop playing with my girl Tempo. Trying to hide your feelings by playing in Tempo face. Be a boss and tell her brothers that you want her.

All in all this book is great. Go read it now. If I could give it 10 stars I would.

[Jon'Tair Curry-Brown Jr · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cried like a baby back bitch

Listen everything about this was a beautiful ending I cried when I finically read Dana’s story with Stirling it was saddening like she never got to get her moment TEMPO AND BIG A NEED THEIR STORY IDGAF HE AINT NO BITCH so make him step up and say something so he can have his “Rib” as well he is deserving and so is she. Chile got me talking like these characters are real ppl im a fan I’ve read damn near all you work and have left reviews your inspiring me to get back to my first love writing so please give me something for Tempo and Big A

[Angela Ridle · Rating 5 out of 5]

SAINTS STORY IS THEEE ONE!!

I loved every piece of this story! I don’t wanna give away any spoilers, but whatever answers you were looking for in the previous books has been answered and THEN SOME! There was love, pain, heartbreak and GROWTH!!!!! Jessica never misses a shot with that trigger finger! I can’t wait for the next book! 😮‍💨

[jericka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Saint!!!!!!

I am honestly speechless. This entire series is pure gold. My heart is so full & I am hooked on the Cartiers. The character development is amazing. The spice, the plot, the back stories. Jessica managed to capture so many perspectives in this series. This series gets better & better. I’m still speechless. You have to read this for yourself.

[vanessa t brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good

It took me a minute to get into this book, I didn't like the fact that Zahra was with Deacon. I wasn't feeling that so I put this book on ice. Saint and Zahra's story was all of that. Of course getting updates on Icon/Livia, Legend/Aria, and Tempo/Big A was sweet. Legend grew by leaps and bounds. I am so glad that this author allowed his character to evolve. I felt bad for the situation that Icon and Livia, just heartbreaking. That unrequited love between Tempo and Big A was silly, the way those two are descibed as moving like a boss, they should've ripped the bandage off! Tell them (Legend and Icon) how you feel. For a minute there I thought that Ava was gonna get with a real soldier.....either Major or Reek. But oh well! Deacon and Mercer got what they deserved. I am conflicted about Dana.

Even with the history explained I still wasn't feeling it, I am a mother and a wife. That was a good story to for clarity but he was married....they both knew that! I get the break down in communication and feeling inadequate in the marriage, cause hey I'm married but still. They were married.

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

💥💥💥amazing read

Another hit. I understood how the Cartier siblings felt about Saint but it wasn't his fault he was created with love during a time when there mother was unsure of herself and wanted the separation. It took a lot for Legend to finally take the steps in order to heal and fully accepting his brother. I felt sorry for Dana because she fell in love with someone who she would never be able to have completely. Zahra step father was a sick bastard who didn't know how to accept rejection and karma gave him exactly what he deserved.
The brothers need to lay off Tempo she's a very classy intelligent BOSS and they know that Big A is a good man so why not allow them to have their happily ever after. I think if she opens up to Saint he would be able to soften the blow for Legend since he's the oldest and head, everyone is teaming up for a.strong powerful future and those two need to be given some.grace instead of misleading others into a fake relationships which may only cause havoc later done the line.

[Mia L Boone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Saint

The Cartier Brothers are my favorite. I'm still trying to figure out who I love more, so bare with me.

Let's talk about Saint. Saint is as unhinged as they come. He has no f@#$& to give when it comes to unaliving someone. He gets pure joy out of torturing people. It's loyalty and family over everything.

Stealing Zahra from Deacon was his best move. He was already feeling her, but getting to know her, and seeing how she operated seal the deal. Backing Saints play and not flinching locked her in.

They made sure that Mercer and Deacon got exactly what they deserved. It wasn't pretty by any means, and now they can live and love out loud.

Lastly, how beautiful was Legend's growth? Aria laid the foundation and he did the work. Now let's see what Ms. Tempo and Big A have in store for us.

[Cre8tive Dreamz · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Family's Love, Forgiveness and Protection

This book way more than I expected, but I was soooo happy for Saint and Zahria and can't wait to see what is next for them!!!...
My heart broke for Livia and Icon, but I was glad to be smiling as the story continued to unfold!!!...
I was also happy that Aria had that conversation with Legend and his heart was so forgiving for Dana, with a ton of understanding!!!...
Although surrounded by so many women, I can't imagine the pressure that Tempo feels from her brothers and trying to hide the love ahe truly has for Big A!!!...I can't wait to see their relationship come together because I know it's going to be a sweet and very powerful one!!!...
I was so happy Mercy and Deacon were finally dealt with!!!.

[Tenika Glover · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally Accepted!!

All Saint wanted to do is belong. He knew that he was a Cartier and the name carried a lot weight.Tempo and Icon accepted but Legend is a different story he blamed Saint for his mama not being there. First he went to school and was balling then him and Tempo tried their hands at dealing that was a no go. Icon figured that Saint was book smart and street smart he would be good as an enforcer. He used that as his advantage. Then he saw Zahra. Saint rescued Zahra from evil Mercer who she thought was her father and deranged Deacon who was her fiance. If it wasn't for Saint, Zahra wouldn't have met her real fathe.Saint promised Zahra no harm was going to come to, but when she got shot he felt like he failed her. That's when his love for her intensified. Saint let Deacon have it. He finally got accepted and loved by Legend.

[Charlotte Bembry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome read!

I actually loved this book the most out of the three. It was well written, flowed well and kept my attention. The character development of all of the characters were quite noticeable. I loved how Intentional that Saint loved Zahra. And the way that the ladies loved their men was awesome. The biggest character improvement for me was Legend and he wasn’t afraid to admit his faults after counseling. Dana finally told Tempo the truth about her and Sterling’s love affair which led to some clarity about her parents’ marriage. I can’t wait to read about Tempo and Big A’s relationship.

[A Joseph · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love, Betrayal, Therapy and a Miracle

The Cartier’s are really a fav of mine. Saint has grown up tremendously from Book 1. With power comes great enemies and all I can say is, they’ll always get what’s coming when it comes to the Cartier Cartel.

Big Zahra not the little one!

I also loved seeing Legend’s growth and getting a sneak peak on Tempo’s mindset because she just wanted what her brothers had found.

Can’t wait for Tempo’s story and the update on Icon and his family.

[Deborah Booker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love ed the story and happy that Jessica decided to give Saint a story
Saint was strong in a lot of ways, but he was still seeking reassurance from his brothers, especially Legend. He also desired to have a loving relationship, and that's when he saw Zhara!
Zhara was broken in so many ways, a controlling father who had her do things that no daughter should be asked to do.
Zhara and Saint being together was perfect. They were so right for one another.Saintwas.Zhara protector in every way!

They received their happily ever after !

[S. Reid]

I READ & LISTENED TO THIS ONE MORE THAN ONCE, YOU KNOW, JUST TRYNA GET SOMETHING OUT OF IT THAT I MIGHT'VE MISSED OUT ON BEFORE I DID A REVIEW ON IT &... I CAME AWAY WITH FINDING SAINT AGED SIGNIFICANTLY THAN WHERE HE'D BEEN IN BOOKS 1 & 2 THAT HE MAY NOT BE READY FOR WHAT HE'S GOTTEN HIMSELF INTO (THE MARRIAGE MAINLY).

BOTTOM LINE FOR ME IS I LIKED BOOK 2 BETTER THAN BOTH BOOKS 1& 3 & I STILL DON'T LIKE SAINT'S CHARACTER.

SAVIN' UP TO COP THE $40 "SINCERELY..." BOOK 5! LOL. I MIGHT BE ABLE TO AFFORD IT BY SUMMERTIME (LMAO)! THESE FRIGGIN' BOOKS ARE GETTIN' EXPENSIVE!

[Carrie Campbell-jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a Great Book! I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Not only was the storyline engaging but I LOVED 🥰 the way the author included issues that are currently affecting our communities within the characters lives and demonstrates their individual strengths while navigating these very real issues, while still maintaining the integrity, quality, and humanity of that character (i.e.: mental health, reproductive issues, anger management, etc.). BEAUTIFULLY DONE!! I am celebrating and rooting for these characters! 💕 Now on to the next book in the series…

[Shahtia Gay-hairston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Saint

So good! I wasn’t the biggest Saint fan. I know I know it’s nit his fault he was a side baby but I didn’t like the way he was thrust into their lives. I am happy that all these years later he feels fully accepted and established his own lane. This was a full circle ⭕️ moment for the family! Can’t wait to read Tempo’s story. Everybody getting their forever loves accept for her her and Big A😩

[Valondra Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cartier brothers and Tempo

This book was beyond great. I loved how Saint came in and demanded his respect and his last name in spite of everything that happened. Legend having a grudge with him, I love how he went to therapy and kind of got over it or came to terms with what happened between his mom and dadand how Saint was created. I love how Timpo stepped to his mom and got the whole story versus imagining what had happened great book. Great read love me some legend.

[Thujuana · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the Feels!

This series is everything! It’s full of drama, action, suspense, laughter, heartbreak and love! I continue to seek out Jessica N Watkins books. She is an excellent storyteller/ writer. I would highly recommend her books. The character development was excellent and the bond that the siblings shared so special. On to the last book; Im getting sad already that the Cartier family saga is coming to an end.

[Kathy Jamerson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mr. LaCross is in the building!

Man! Saint is unhinged! But I like it! Definitely a man with the ability to knock you through the mattress and send you to Hell all in the same hour. Deacon had no chance. Why would he have ever tried. The Carrier's ran into the Most delusional men seeking power, but there endings were already written if dealing with Saint. I could see Saint and Zahra being Bonnie & Clyde!

[Alicia S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unfinished business

I feel like Tempo and Big A nerd their own book,they have some unresolved issues and her brothers need to mind their own business,she deserves happiness and I honestly believe Big A is that man for her. Saint and Z,I absolutely love how their relationship bloomed so fast and quickly but it was right on time...overall good book

[Monica Smiley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Legend is a new fav.

This book was awesome. I'm enjoying this series. I want Tempo to be able to have who her heart desires as opposed to who her brothers think she needs. I love how Dana was able to tell her story to who needed it the most. Saint has grown, and I love this for him.c

[Readingizmytherapy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally!!!!!

This was a love story and a healing journey all wrapped up into one beautifully crafted story. Not only did Saint get the love of his life but he also got the brother he always wanted in Legend. So happy it ended the way that it did. Now all we need is the wedding, the birth of Icon and Livia’s baby and Tempo and Big A happily ever after!

[Pamela Barnett · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Cartier Cartel 3 : Saint's Sweetest Sin

I happen to run upon this particular book by accident. I was half sleep and just finished a book with the character name was Saint and I thought it was the same character, but low and behold it was not different character and a great story. Now I will read books 1&2. I enjoyed reading this book.

[Miranda Watkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was good but I also feel like, for me, it didn’t live up to the hype that was expected from it due to the previous books (which is definitely a reader problem & not an author problem). One major hole or something that I noticed is what tf happened to Ava? Where did she go? I think she should’ve been integrated more into the story.

[T G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Family coming together. 🥰

This series is seriously amazing! The Cartiers are a force. Saint really wants Legend to accept him, and I'm rooting for that too. He busts his butt for his family; he's totally proven himself. Now that he's in love, he'll do anything for Zahra. Next, it's his baby sis and bestie Tempo's turn to find her happy ending. I enjoyed Saint's book.

[Robin Perryman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Sweet Read

This was a good story. I liked all the main characters and the villains played their parts too. Some parts were repetitious but it was still good. Saint was ruthless but he loved hard and didn't play about his family. I was sad for Tempo not being able to get her man but maybe in a spinoff.

[Didi · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

It was good to see Saint all grown up and thriving (in a demented way lol) in his role in the cartel after choosing to leave the basketball dreams behind. Loved Zahra for him. My poor girl been through too much. Livia…my heart, poor thing. It was nice also getting the full backstory on Saint’s mom and their dad. Can’t wait for Tempo’s story next