A Degree of Salvation

Academic Sin #5

by Verika Sloane

When it comes to trust, there's no safety net. Only the fall. And who catches you.
One girl. Two men. Three lives. All on the line.
Gage and Alex insist the distance will keep me safe.

But I've never felt more fear, even with two undercover bodyguards watching, and two unsuspecting parents who have no idea the real reason their daughter has come home.

The threat is real. It's close. Focused. Waiting. Just when I think I can finally breathe, the professors take my breath away.

I'm Gage's star. I'm Alex's light.

I'm who I used to be, and who I want to become, caught between the life I knew, and the one I'm fighting for.

The past won't just haunt you. It'll hunt you. It won't let go.

But neither will they.

And neither will I...

1275 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 16, 2025

About the author

Ms. Sloane is the author of hot, paranormal romance for those of us who yearn for the escape to the dark side. She adores a hero with a fierce sense of honor, but who will break all the rules for his woman. Her favorite kind of heroine can do bad all by herself, and will do even more for true love. In addition to writing romance, Verika loves smell of burning leaves, haunted hotels, big lady hats, period piece movies with angst, and martinis that taste like dessert.

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Reviews

[Dani Kass · Rating 2 out of 5]

this series just keeps getting worse and it took me more than six months to get through this one book. i sat there screaming THIS IS NOT A ROMANCE ANYMORE AND I DID NOT SIGN UP FOR MAFIA STUFF!! for hundreds of pages, and it was 1,200+ pages long! that was not needed! i ended up skimming so much of the mafia stuff because it was exhausting and boring. but right around the end of part one there's a pov switch that got me hooked again, followed by a new type of criminal act that had me absolutely DONE with this author, and then a return to the academia romance i actually enjoyed reading. it was a trip, that's for sure. the upcoming series finale sounds like it will at least be the correct series again, rather than whatever this decided to become halfway through, so it'll be a better read.

what kills me more than anything is leighton remains so, so, so immature, while gage and alex are amazed at her maturity. everything from how she talks (omigod!) to being mad that her family didn't fully approve of her relationship immediately (this is in the first 100 pages, not a spoiler).

and here's a random mini review i wrote months ago when i really couldn't take it:

this👏is👏not👏a👏romance👏anymore
and when it is, i’m BORED and she’s so painfully immature and naive how do you not know this is mafia? the discussion of politics was so cringe in how it thought it was deep. i miss the academia setting. and all alex and gage talk about is money! it’s pathetic!

[Cathy Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well being a fan of Verika and the Academic Sin Series being one of my favorite series. I am here to say I can't wait for the next book in this series. I have read this book on several platforms and so I am glad that I will be able to get the final book on this site. I will always be looking for a Verika Sloane book that interests me. I am not into the paranormal but maybe I should read one just to see if they get my interests as much as her other books I have purchased and read. Loved this book and can't wait for the next book. I would highly recommend this series. I don't mind Kink, BDSM and throuples, MFM relationships.

[Krystle Leann Triplett · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good!

This book...while it is large...it never got to a point where I lost interest. Every page was exciting and packed with drama and romance! I wish all books hooked me like this series does. The plot is superb and the spice top tier! I love how it ended, but I want, no I need more! Is book 6 out yet??

[Sabrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing. When I first picked up the series I was unsure about it cause I usually don’t love agegap romance but this series? So good. I devoured every singe one of these books and I don’t want the series to end :(

[Molly Binfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a MONSTER, over 1200 pages and took me a good few days of near constant reading to get through but for me it was the best one. I felt like the FMC really matured in this book compared the the previous releases, and there was so many twists and turns. Looking forward to book 6!!

[Lisa Deffenbaugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alex, Leighton & Gage

I absolutely love this series. I was so happy to see we get to continue the senior with these three. Thank you Verika Sloan for adding another book or maybe even two and it follow the her to get her degree and bring a baby in the mix

[Sarah Konieczny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Story alone is 4 stars, but I detracted one for editing issues and because I don’t personally think the word “molested” belongs in anything related to a wanted encounter

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm torn on how to rate this one. I loved the story but this book needs another round of editing. There are so many typos and grammatical errors.

[Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

MFM
Why Choose
Student/Professor(s)
College Setting
Virgin FMC
Secret Relationship
SPICE, SPICE AND MORE SPICE

I love this series and hope more books come out because the story is good, and the spice is hot 🔥🔥🔥

Spice - 4/5
Story - 5/5