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The Auction
The queen of dark mafia romance, Sadie Kincaid, begins her new explosively sexy Wages of Sin series with The Auction. Order your deluxe hardcover limited edition with stunning cover effects, stamped foil case, lush matching endpapers, and decked-out floral edges today. Beauty and the Beast meets organized crime in this tense slow-burn romance with scorching spice, thrilling suspense, and life-altering secrets.
I was trained to be a pawn, but I will rise as a queen.
My life has never been my own. After the death of my parents, I was saved by my grandfather, with the promise that he would turn me over to the Brotherhood on my twenty-first birthday.
I was kept away from the outside world so I could one day be sold to the highest bidder—pure and unsullied. Penance for my parents’ alleged crimes.
That’s how I come to be sold at an auction.
And who buys me but the reclusive billionaire, Lincoln Knight?
Some say that he’s a monster, more dangerous than any of the evil men from the Brotherhood. That he wears a mask to cover his scars. But I believe he’s hiding more than just his face behind his mask.
My fate is sealed when he takes me to his crumbling mansion deep in the woods. I’m trapped. Entirely at his mercy.
I have to escape.
But something here isn’t what it seems.
Lincoln isn’t what he seems. Maybe he’s not a monster at all. I’m drawn to him in a way that I can’t explain. Until I discover that his secrets go far beyond his mask.
He’s everything I’ve been taught to fear, but what if everything I’ve ever known has been a lie?
Perfect for readers who
• Masked men
• Morally grey alpha heroes
• Determined heroines
• Gothic vibes
• Fiery slow burns
• Beauty and the Beast, Jane Eyre, and Wuthering Heights inspo
• God of Malice, Ruthless Creatures, and The Kiss Thief
I was trained to be a pawn, but I will rise as a queen.
My life has never been my own. After the death of my parents, I was saved by my grandfather, with the promise that he would turn me over to the Brotherhood on my twenty-first birthday.
I was kept away from the outside world so I could one day be sold to the highest bidder—pure and unsullied. Penance for my parents’ alleged crimes.
That’s how I come to be sold at an auction.
And who buys me but the reclusive billionaire, Lincoln Knight?
Some say that he’s a monster, more dangerous than any of the evil men from the Brotherhood. That he wears a mask to cover his scars. But I believe he’s hiding more than just his face behind his mask.
My fate is sealed when he takes me to his crumbling mansion deep in the woods. I’m trapped. Entirely at his mercy.
I have to escape.
But something here isn’t what it seems.
Lincoln isn’t what he seems. Maybe he’s not a monster at all. I’m drawn to him in a way that I can’t explain. Until I discover that his secrets go far beyond his mask.
He’s everything I’ve been taught to fear, but what if everything I’ve ever known has been a lie?
Perfect for readers who
• Masked men
• Morally grey alpha heroes
• Determined heroines
• Gothic vibes
• Fiery slow burns
• Beauty and the Beast, Jane Eyre, and Wuthering Heights inspo
• God of Malice, Ruthless Creatures, and The Kiss Thief
384 pages, Hardcover
First published April 14, 2026
About the author
Sadie Kincaid
64 books16.9k followersI'm a bestselling author of dark mafia, billionaire, and paranormal romance. I love to read and write about hot, filthy talking alphas that would burn the world down for the women they love.
I love chatting to readers about my books, or books in general, so please get in touch! You can follow me on Facebook and instagram as well as on here as Sadie Kincaid Author.
Amazon: author.to/SadieKincaid
Facebook Reader group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/16et...
I love chatting to readers about my books, or books in general, so please get in touch! You can follow me on Facebook and instagram as well as on here as Sadie Kincaid Author.
Amazon: author.to/SadieKincaid
Facebook Reader group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/16et...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,455 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Okay girlies, I have to give this 4 stars for me personally, BUT I think this is going to be a 5-star read for a lot of you.
I’m veeery picky about my dark romances, so I wasn’t 100% sure going into this one. I also thought this was a Why-Choose/Reverse Harem, because it says “masked men” as one of the tropes. FYI, this is an MF romance.
On the note of darkness, I also want to add that although there are very dark topics (human trafficking being the main one), I never felt like the topics were there just for shock value. I actually felt like the dark scenes were handled in a very sensitive way.
I also really want to express how much I love Sadie Kincaid’s writing style. I’m always able to completely immerse myself in her books, which I love.
My main critique is that the relationship was a lil icky for me for a good portion of the book. Our MMC buys the FMC from an auction. It’s to save her and he has good intentions, but it obviously still sets a power imbalance at the beginning of the relationship. In addition, he’s 42 and the FMC is 21. For a while, I was thinking that I wouldn’t be able to get on board with their relationship because of these two factors. Luckily, Sadie spends a good portion of the book addressing this imbalance and showing that the FMC really wanted this relationship, so I was able to get on board by the end.
So I don’t know why, but I assumed this was a stand-alone. Man oh man, was I wrong… that cliffhanger??? Might actually kill me. I just know I’m going to be thinking about this book for a long time and NOT patiently waiting for the next book to come out. I *NEED* it right. now.
—Thank you to NetGalley, Sadie Kincaid, and HarperCollins for the free ARC copy of The Auction in return for my honest review.—
I’m veeery picky about my dark romances, so I wasn’t 100% sure going into this one. I also thought this was a Why-Choose/Reverse Harem, because it says “masked men” as one of the tropes. FYI, this is an MF romance.
On the note of darkness, I also want to add that although there are very dark topics (human trafficking being the main one), I never felt like the topics were there just for shock value. I actually felt like the dark scenes were handled in a very sensitive way.
I also really want to express how much I love Sadie Kincaid’s writing style. I’m always able to completely immerse myself in her books, which I love.
My main critique is that the relationship was a lil icky for me for a good portion of the book. Our MMC buys the FMC from an auction. It’s to save her and he has good intentions, but it obviously still sets a power imbalance at the beginning of the relationship. In addition, he’s 42 and the FMC is 21. For a while, I was thinking that I wouldn’t be able to get on board with their relationship because of these two factors. Luckily, Sadie spends a good portion of the book addressing this imbalance and showing that the FMC really wanted this relationship, so I was able to get on board by the end.
So I don’t know why, but I assumed this was a stand-alone. Man oh man, was I wrong… that cliffhanger??? Might actually kill me. I just know I’m going to be thinking about this book for a long time and NOT patiently waiting for the next book to come out. I *NEED* it right. now.
—Thank you to NetGalley, Sadie Kincaid, and HarperCollins for the free ARC copy of The Auction in return for my honest review.—
April 14, 2026
Release Day!!🥳
I absolutely loved this 😭🔥 This is my first Sadie Kincaid book and it will officially be my mission in 2026 to work through her entire catalog. As a lifelong Belle girlie, the second I realized this had Beauty and the Beast vibes mixed with dark mafia romance, an angsty slow burn romance, thriller elements, damning secrets, and morally gray characters, I was SOLD 🖤🐺.
The tension builds so well, and by the end you can feel the story hitting its climax. I already know the reveals in book two are going to go absolutely insane 😮💨🔥 Everything is perfectly set up for chaos, and I cannot wait for the resolution.
What really got me though is how rare it is for me to genuinely like every character and fully believe the connections. Everyone has a past, everyone has a dark backstory, and everyone is actively healing while dealing with brutal circumstances 🖤🩸 Nothing felt forced. It all felt earned, messy, and real, which made me root for them even harder and hope they can navigate everything coming their way in book two..
That ending has me stressed, anxious, and feral because the cliffhanger is actually painful 😭📖 This drops April 14, 2026, and if you’re a dark romance mafia girlie like me, add this to your TBR immediately. New fave for sure 🖤🔥
Pre read:
Just got this arc and it’s been awhile since I’ve read a mafia romance, so I’m excited about this one.🖤😈
I absolutely loved this 😭🔥 This is my first Sadie Kincaid book and it will officially be my mission in 2026 to work through her entire catalog. As a lifelong Belle girlie, the second I realized this had Beauty and the Beast vibes mixed with dark mafia romance, an angsty slow burn romance, thriller elements, damning secrets, and morally gray characters, I was SOLD 🖤🐺.
The tension builds so well, and by the end you can feel the story hitting its climax. I already know the reveals in book two are going to go absolutely insane 😮💨🔥 Everything is perfectly set up for chaos, and I cannot wait for the resolution.
What really got me though is how rare it is for me to genuinely like every character and fully believe the connections. Everyone has a past, everyone has a dark backstory, and everyone is actively healing while dealing with brutal circumstances 🖤🩸 Nothing felt forced. It all felt earned, messy, and real, which made me root for them even harder and hope they can navigate everything coming their way in book two..
That ending has me stressed, anxious, and feral because the cliffhanger is actually painful 😭📖 This drops April 14, 2026, and if you’re a dark romance mafia girlie like me, add this to your TBR immediately. New fave for sure 🖤🔥
Pre read:
Just got this arc and it’s been awhile since I’ve read a mafia romance, so I’m excited about this one.🖤😈
April 14, 2026
My first Sadie Kincaid book, and I really wish it had gone better. I truly believe there is going to be a huge audience for this book, but there were just a few things that hampered my enjoyment.
Let me start off by saying that the first 50% was very enjoyable! I thought Imogen was so strong, despite her sheltered upbringing. There were some inconsistencies with how naive she was (she didn’t know what grape jelly or streaming was, but seems educated otherwise), but it was genuinely interesting to see her explore herself outside of the expectations that were forced upon her. Pierre was also a lovely, complex character that I deeply enjoyed reading about!
When we first meet Lincoln, I was SO EXCITED! It seemed like he was a green flag version of Zade (rich, scarred, vigilante) so I really wanted to love him. But as the story progressed, his relationship with Imogen seemed more and more predatory. The circumstances around their relationship (which are revealed towards the end) gave me the heebie-jeebies. I’ve read similar tropes that I enjoyed, but the way this was written just didn’t work for me. Also there are some very ✨niche✨ kinks that were NOT for me 😂 I’ll put them at the bottom for anyone who wants to know.
Overall I think there is going to be a lot of people that love this book! It’s a mafia beauty and the beast retelling, with a great atmosphere and world building. The narrators were excellent as well! Grayson Owens and June deBorahae narrated in duet, and it really made all the difference!
Not to yuck anyone’s yum, but these were definitely a ✨yuck✨for me:
* Licked period blood off of fingers after ‘helping’ insert a tampon
* Used BUTTER as lube, but only because the salad dressing had lemon in it 😐
Thank you to Harlequin Audio for the advanced listening copy! 🖤
Let me start off by saying that the first 50% was very enjoyable! I thought Imogen was so strong, despite her sheltered upbringing. There were some inconsistencies with how naive she was (she didn’t know what grape jelly or streaming was, but seems educated otherwise), but it was genuinely interesting to see her explore herself outside of the expectations that were forced upon her. Pierre was also a lovely, complex character that I deeply enjoyed reading about!
When we first meet Lincoln, I was SO EXCITED! It seemed like he was a green flag version of Zade (rich, scarred, vigilante) so I really wanted to love him. But as the story progressed, his relationship with Imogen seemed more and more predatory. The circumstances around their relationship (which are revealed towards the end) gave me the heebie-jeebies. I’ve read similar tropes that I enjoyed, but the way this was written just didn’t work for me. Also there are some very ✨niche✨ kinks that were NOT for me 😂 I’ll put them at the bottom for anyone who wants to know.
Overall I think there is going to be a lot of people that love this book! It’s a mafia beauty and the beast retelling, with a great atmosphere and world building. The narrators were excellent as well! Grayson Owens and June deBorahae narrated in duet, and it really made all the difference!
Not to yuck anyone’s yum, but these were definitely a ✨yuck✨for me:
* Licked period blood off of fingers after ‘helping’ insert a tampon
* Used BUTTER as lube, but only because the salad dressing had lemon in it 😐
Thank you to Harlequin Audio for the advanced listening copy! 🖤
February 21, 2026
3.75? I think 😬
I have very conflicted feelings about this book. While I enjoyed it, I definitely think this is one of those series where you need the full picture before you can truly fall in love with it.
Book one is very much the initial setup for the storyline, so the plot doesn’t move as quickly as I would have liked. It lays the groundwork, builds the characters, and establishes the world, but because of that, it feels slower. And the ending? A cliffhanger that had me wanting to shake both the FMC and MMC because it absolutely felt avoidable. 😅
That being said, I have no doubt that once the next book releases, I’ll be more invested. This feels like the calm before the storm, and I’m hoping book two is where everything really takes off.
The audio narration was beautifully done by Grayson Owens and June DeBorahe. They both brought depth and emotion to the characters, and I truly enjoyed the listening experience. If you’re an audiobook girly, this book is well narrated.
For now, I’m on the fence , but I’m definitely curious enough to continue. I hope you all immediately feel connected to the storyline and love it more than I did this round.
I have very conflicted feelings about this book. While I enjoyed it, I definitely think this is one of those series where you need the full picture before you can truly fall in love with it.
Book one is very much the initial setup for the storyline, so the plot doesn’t move as quickly as I would have liked. It lays the groundwork, builds the characters, and establishes the world, but because of that, it feels slower. And the ending? A cliffhanger that had me wanting to shake both the FMC and MMC because it absolutely felt avoidable. 😅
That being said, I have no doubt that once the next book releases, I’ll be more invested. This feels like the calm before the storm, and I’m hoping book two is where everything really takes off.
The audio narration was beautifully done by Grayson Owens and June DeBorahe. They both brought depth and emotion to the characters, and I truly enjoyed the listening experience. If you’re an audiobook girly, this book is well narrated.
For now, I’m on the fence , but I’m definitely curious enough to continue. I hope you all immediately feel connected to the storyline and love it more than I did this round.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.5⭐
I really enjoyed the first 50% of the book. Watching Cora slowly begin to find herself was honestly the best part. Even the small moments like discovering what she actually likes for breakfast instead of being told what to eat (oatmeal with water) felt meaningful.
I also really loved Alfred. He became a sort of father figure and helped her adjust, which I found really touching. Learning about the brutal way he lost his wife and daughter made his character even more heartbreaking and added more impact for the line of work Lincoln was in.
Lincoln, on the other hand, completely pissed me off. He kept way too many secrets, and honestly the book probably didn’t need to end the way it did if he had just been honest with her from the beginning. That said, those secrets were also what kept me reading because I wanted to figure out what he was hiding. It was heartbreaking to see how nearly every person in Cora’s life manipulated her for their own advantage she’s basically a pawn for everyone.
The ending turned into one of those frustrating miscommunication/betrayal situations that always has me pulling my hair out! And yes, you are warned that there is a cliffhanger.
There were also quite a few repetitive scenes (if you know, you know). I definitely skimmed through pages of the same thing in some chapters. Eye roll.
Did I feel a deep emotional connection to the story? Not really.
Did I still have fun reading it? Yeah… I guess I did.
Will I continue the series? Also yes. This definitely felt more like an introduction, and I have a feeling the real chaos is just getting started.
**The audiobook was done very well—highly recommend it.**
~Pre-read~ So happy to have received an ARC copy!! Review to come....
I really enjoyed the first 50% of the book. Watching Cora slowly begin to find herself was honestly the best part. Even the small moments like discovering what she actually likes for breakfast instead of being told what to eat (oatmeal with water) felt meaningful.
I also really loved Alfred. He became a sort of father figure and helped her adjust, which I found really touching. Learning about the brutal way he lost his wife and daughter made his character even more heartbreaking and added more impact for the line of work Lincoln was in.
Lincoln, on the other hand, completely pissed me off. He kept way too many secrets, and honestly the book probably didn’t need to end the way it did if he had just been honest with her from the beginning. That said, those secrets were also what kept me reading because I wanted to figure out what he was hiding. It was heartbreaking to see how nearly every person in Cora’s life manipulated her for their own advantage she’s basically a pawn for everyone.
The ending turned into one of those frustrating miscommunication/betrayal situations that always has me pulling my hair out! And yes, you are warned that there is a cliffhanger.
There were also quite a few repetitive scenes (if you know, you know). I definitely skimmed through pages of the same thing in some chapters. Eye roll.
Did I feel a deep emotional connection to the story? Not really.
Did I still have fun reading it? Yeah… I guess I did.
Will I continue the series? Also yes. This definitely felt more like an introduction, and I have a feeling the real chaos is just getting started.
**The audiobook was done very well—highly recommend it.**
~Pre-read~ So happy to have received an ARC copy!! Review to come....
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Okay, this was fun and oh so spicy 🌶
Sadie sure knows how to make spice fun.
I knew this would be a fun read based on the title and the author.
This book was so easy to get into and it kept my attention. I wanted to keep reading to find out how it would all play out.
Dark themes ✔️
Forbidden love ✔️
Age gap ✔️
Mystery elements ✔️
Spice ✔️
The title sums it up. Yep, human auction!! When you put rich, powerful, vile men in a room, they prove they are disgusting pigs.
Except Lincoln, I like him. A recluse billionaire, scarred, badass with trauma. It's one of my favorite types of MMCs.
We're just going to call him our hero because let's face it, he saved Imogen (well.... he did purchase her, but for good reasons).
Feelings start to develop and let's just say the spice is spicing between Imogen and Lincoln. Like hooooot 🔥
She had a shitty upbringing and was actually finding herself comfortable and happy until she started discovering secrets.
Imogen unknowingly shares a lot of past trauma with Lincoln but doesn't know the extent of it.
I feel like they both were unsure how to handle it all, and therefore, the conversation never came up. I was dying for Lincoln to spill the truth.
When Imgoen found the spare key, I was begging her not to do it.
Don't get me started on her grandfather and Larissa. I had my suspicions about them from the very beginning.
THAT ENDING! A cliffhanger 😭 The threat from him. I hate how things ended and I'm going to need the second book.
Sadie sure knows how to make spice fun.
I knew this would be a fun read based on the title and the author.
This book was so easy to get into and it kept my attention. I wanted to keep reading to find out how it would all play out.
Dark themes ✔️
Forbidden love ✔️
Age gap ✔️
Mystery elements ✔️
Spice ✔️
The title sums it up. Yep, human auction!! When you put rich, powerful, vile men in a room, they prove they are disgusting pigs.
Except Lincoln, I like him. A recluse billionaire, scarred, badass with trauma. It's one of my favorite types of MMCs.
We're just going to call him our hero because let's face it, he saved Imogen (well.... he did purchase her, but for good reasons).
Feelings start to develop and let's just say the spice is spicing between Imogen and Lincoln. Like hooooot 🔥
She had a shitty upbringing and was actually finding herself comfortable and happy until she started discovering secrets.
Imogen unknowingly shares a lot of past trauma with Lincoln but doesn't know the extent of it.
I feel like they both were unsure how to handle it all, and therefore, the conversation never came up. I was dying for Lincoln to spill the truth.
When Imgoen found the spare key, I was begging her not to do it.
Don't get me started on her grandfather and Larissa. I had my suspicions about them from the very beginning.
THAT ENDING! A cliffhanger 😭 The threat from him. I hate how things ended and I'm going to need the second book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Big thanks to HarperCollins and Netgalley for an advanced listening copy of "The Auction" for review purposes.
I love Sadie Kincaid! I've been binge reading tons of her books recently. This one started and progressed a little slowly, but with that ending, I realize it was all building up to an epic crescendo. I can't wait to read the next book in this series. I know the yearning is going to double, and the hatred is going to triple. From forbidden lovers to even MORE forbidden lovers. The angst and unwanted lust... Yes!
The narration was done flawlessly. I haven't listened to any books read by these performers, but I definitely plan to in the future!
One more thing, this cover is stunning. 😍😍
I love Sadie Kincaid! I've been binge reading tons of her books recently. This one started and progressed a little slowly, but with that ending, I realize it was all building up to an epic crescendo. I can't wait to read the next book in this series. I know the yearning is going to double, and the hatred is going to triple. From forbidden lovers to even MORE forbidden lovers. The angst and unwanted lust... Yes!
The narration was done flawlessly. I haven't listened to any books read by these performers, but I definitely plan to in the future!
One more thing, this cover is stunning. 😍😍
Want to Read
March 28, 2026I don't care what this is about. It's so gorgeous I must have it.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to Sadie Kincaid, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Overall Rating: 4.25 / 5 ⭐️
Spice Rating: 3 / 5 🌶️
Please check TWs before reading this!
My poor baby Imogen 😭 Girl has been through so much.
The Auction delivers us a surprisingly dark, smutty, slow burn Beauty and the Beast retelling.
I'm definitely no stranger to the many Beauty and the Beast retellings out there, but this one in particular seemed to stand out to me!
Imogen, our FMC, was purchased in auction by a dark, reclusive billionaire. She was trained, molded into being a perfect doll, a submissive for whoever happened to purchase her. Poor thing was so naive to everything that went on in the outside world. I felt so heartbroken for her.
The man who purchased her? Our morally grey MMC, Lincoln.
A man who wears a mask, and feels intense guilt for his feelings towards Imogen. I felt that his character was so complex.
The both of them obviously had secrets to keep from eachother, which created a lot of suspense and struggle between them. I loved reading about Imogen finally starting to open up, find her identity, and bloom, especially in Lincoln's presence.
This book did start off a lot darker than I was expecting! But by the end of the book I was basically on my knees, begging for the next one. And the cliffhanger? EVIL. Sadie, please give us the next one 😭😭
Towards the middle of the book, I did feel the pacing started to slow down. But aside from that I found this one to be a hit!
♡ pre-read ♡
Dark Romance? Masked Men? Mafia? Can't wait to get into this ARC omg.
Overall Rating: 4.25 / 5 ⭐️
Spice Rating: 3 / 5 🌶️
Please check TWs before reading this!
My poor baby Imogen 😭 Girl has been through so much.
The Auction delivers us a surprisingly dark, smutty, slow burn Beauty and the Beast retelling.
I'm definitely no stranger to the many Beauty and the Beast retellings out there, but this one in particular seemed to stand out to me!
Imogen, our FMC, was purchased in auction by a dark, reclusive billionaire. She was trained, molded into being a perfect doll, a submissive for whoever happened to purchase her. Poor thing was so naive to everything that went on in the outside world. I felt so heartbroken for her.
The man who purchased her? Our morally grey MMC, Lincoln.
A man who wears a mask, and feels intense guilt for his feelings towards Imogen. I felt that his character was so complex.
The both of them obviously had secrets to keep from eachother, which created a lot of suspense and struggle between them. I loved reading about Imogen finally starting to open up, find her identity, and bloom, especially in Lincoln's presence.
This book did start off a lot darker than I was expecting! But by the end of the book I was basically on my knees, begging for the next one. And the cliffhanger? EVIL. Sadie, please give us the next one 😭😭
Towards the middle of the book, I did feel the pacing started to slow down. But aside from that I found this one to be a hit!
♡ pre-read ♡
Dark Romance? Masked Men? Mafia? Can't wait to get into this ARC omg.
April 15, 2026
4.5⭐️
3🌶️
🔥Dark Romance
🔥Beauty & the Beast Vibes
🔥Secret Organization
🔥Morally Gray Hero
🔥Age Gap
🔥Slow Burn
🔥Touch Her & ☠️
🔥Multi First Person POV
This story begins in darkness with Imogen being sold at an auction to an unknown man & ends on a cliffhanger with Imogen in the unknown. Imogen was raised knowing she would be sold at an auction because her father betrayed The Brotherhood. She’s lived a sheltered life being groomed to submit & be subservient to whomever purchased her. Imogen is intelligent, witty, & has a child like naievte about the world. It was interesting seeing her learn about food, music, & tv. Lincoln Knight is the reclusive scarred billionaire who paid 10 million for Imogen to keep her safe. He’s the mysterious & tortured antihero who has been ruled by revenge, until her. He grapples with guilt & his growing attraction towards Imogen. Lincoln & Imogen are struggling with their mutual attraction & coming to terms with their situation. Once Imogen is able to show Lincoln he’s what she wants, their sizzling chemistry ignites a spicy inferno. This is a suspenseful angst filled slow burn that is giving all the gothic Beauty and the Beast vibes. While the pace is on the slower side it’s really just building up to a whopper of a cliffhanger & even more heartbreak.
Plot: 4.5
Engaging: 5
Character: 4.5
Thank you Sadie Kincaid, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and Netgalley for the gifted advanced copy.
📚All thoughts and opinions are my own📚
🐦🔥Follow me on socials @myrisingphoenixera.reads🐦🔥
A Few Favorite Quotes:
“What part of ‘deliver her to my car’ do you think gave you permission to touch her? Who gave you permission to touch what is mine?”
“I think she’d like me to be her hero. But I’m not the hero here—I’m the villain.”
“If Lincoln were to touch me the way I’d like him to, well then I think I’d walk straight into hell of my own free will.”
“I know you’re soaked, angel, but I need you dripping down your f_ €k !ng thighs for me. I’m not going to stop until you’re drenched in your own c_m.”
“I suppose she’s not my ruin at all. She is the salvation I don’t deserve.”
“Forever and always, she is my queen. My heart. My entire soul.”
“This must be love. And if it’s not, then it must be something deeper and more profound. Because it is everything. He is everything. My safe space. My home. My heart.”
“There’s no redemption for a man like me, but I’ll take whatever salvation I can find, and that’s only in her.”
3🌶️
🔥Dark Romance
🔥Beauty & the Beast Vibes
🔥Secret Organization
🔥Morally Gray Hero
🔥Age Gap
🔥Slow Burn
🔥Touch Her & ☠️
🔥Multi First Person POV
This story begins in darkness with Imogen being sold at an auction to an unknown man & ends on a cliffhanger with Imogen in the unknown. Imogen was raised knowing she would be sold at an auction because her father betrayed The Brotherhood. She’s lived a sheltered life being groomed to submit & be subservient to whomever purchased her. Imogen is intelligent, witty, & has a child like naievte about the world. It was interesting seeing her learn about food, music, & tv. Lincoln Knight is the reclusive scarred billionaire who paid 10 million for Imogen to keep her safe. He’s the mysterious & tortured antihero who has been ruled by revenge, until her. He grapples with guilt & his growing attraction towards Imogen. Lincoln & Imogen are struggling with their mutual attraction & coming to terms with their situation. Once Imogen is able to show Lincoln he’s what she wants, their sizzling chemistry ignites a spicy inferno. This is a suspenseful angst filled slow burn that is giving all the gothic Beauty and the Beast vibes. While the pace is on the slower side it’s really just building up to a whopper of a cliffhanger & even more heartbreak.
Plot: 4.5
Engaging: 5
Character: 4.5
Thank you Sadie Kincaid, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and Netgalley for the gifted advanced copy.
📚All thoughts and opinions are my own📚
🐦🔥Follow me on socials @myrisingphoenixera.reads🐦🔥
A Few Favorite Quotes:
“What part of ‘deliver her to my car’ do you think gave you permission to touch her? Who gave you permission to touch what is mine?”
“I think she’d like me to be her hero. But I’m not the hero here—I’m the villain.”
“If Lincoln were to touch me the way I’d like him to, well then I think I’d walk straight into hell of my own free will.”
“I know you’re soaked, angel, but I need you dripping down your f_ €k !ng thighs for me. I’m not going to stop until you’re drenched in your own c_m.”
“I suppose she’s not my ruin at all. She is the salvation I don’t deserve.”
“Forever and always, she is my queen. My heart. My entire soul.”
“This must be love. And if it’s not, then it must be something deeper and more profound. Because it is everything. He is everything. My safe space. My home. My heart.”
“There’s no redemption for a man like me, but I’ll take whatever salvation I can find, and that’s only in her.”
March 18, 2026
4.5/5 ⭐️
3/5 🌶️
This book absolutely had me in a chokehold from start to finish.
The premise throws you straight into a dark, unsettling world with very little explanation. There’s this mysterious “Brotherhood” auctioning off women, and our FMC, Imogen, is essentially being punished for her father’s sins… except we don’t fully know what those sins are. That lack of clarity somehow works, because it keeps you constantly questioning everything.
Enter Lincoln Knight: reclusive billionaire, masked, rumored monster. He buys her, takes her to his eerie, crumbling estate deep in the woods, and you’re fully bracing for the worst… except he completely subverts expectations. Instead of treating her like a possession, he gives her space. And that slow unraveling? That tension? SO good.
The vibes are very much Beauty and the Beast meets Phantom of the Opera. Gothic, moody, mysterious, and dripping with slow-burn tension.
Watching Imogen slowly warm up—to the house, the staff, and eventually Lincoln—was one of my favorite parts. And when Lincoln finally removes the mask? Ugh. The emotional payoff hits.
Yes, there’s definitely a touch of Stockholm Syndrome here, but honestly, it fits the tone of the story. The romance leans heavily into that morally grey, obsessive, possessive dynamic—and if that’s your thing, this delivers.
The bigger twist? Lincoln isn’t just some tortured recluse… he’s actively hunting the Brotherhood. And then the real gut punch: he’s the one who killed her father. That reveal adds such a layered tension right before the ending absolutely drops the floor out from under you.
And that CLIFFHANGER?? I was genuinely shocked when it ended. Like… excuse me?? You’re just going to leave me there??
Also, the audiobook deserves its own shoutout. Greyson Owens as Lincoln was chef’s kiss—one of my favorites for a reason. June deBorahae brought a lot of emotion and depth to Imogen, and together they really elevated the whole experience.
Overall: Dark, addictive, atmospheric, and impossible to put down. If you love masked men, morally grey heroes, gothic romance, and a slow burn that turns into obsession—this is 100% your book.
Thanks to Sadie, her publisher, and NetGalley for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.
3/5 🌶️
This book absolutely had me in a chokehold from start to finish.
The premise throws you straight into a dark, unsettling world with very little explanation. There’s this mysterious “Brotherhood” auctioning off women, and our FMC, Imogen, is essentially being punished for her father’s sins… except we don’t fully know what those sins are. That lack of clarity somehow works, because it keeps you constantly questioning everything.
Enter Lincoln Knight: reclusive billionaire, masked, rumored monster. He buys her, takes her to his eerie, crumbling estate deep in the woods, and you’re fully bracing for the worst… except he completely subverts expectations. Instead of treating her like a possession, he gives her space. And that slow unraveling? That tension? SO good.
The vibes are very much Beauty and the Beast meets Phantom of the Opera. Gothic, moody, mysterious, and dripping with slow-burn tension.
Watching Imogen slowly warm up—to the house, the staff, and eventually Lincoln—was one of my favorite parts. And when Lincoln finally removes the mask? Ugh. The emotional payoff hits.
Yes, there’s definitely a touch of Stockholm Syndrome here, but honestly, it fits the tone of the story. The romance leans heavily into that morally grey, obsessive, possessive dynamic—and if that’s your thing, this delivers.
The bigger twist? Lincoln isn’t just some tortured recluse… he’s actively hunting the Brotherhood. And then the real gut punch: he’s the one who killed her father. That reveal adds such a layered tension right before the ending absolutely drops the floor out from under you.
And that CLIFFHANGER?? I was genuinely shocked when it ended. Like… excuse me?? You’re just going to leave me there??
Also, the audiobook deserves its own shoutout. Greyson Owens as Lincoln was chef’s kiss—one of my favorites for a reason. June deBorahae brought a lot of emotion and depth to Imogen, and together they really elevated the whole experience.
Overall: Dark, addictive, atmospheric, and impossible to put down. If you love masked men, morally grey heroes, gothic romance, and a slow burn that turns into obsession—this is 100% your book.
Thanks to Sadie, her publisher, and NetGalley for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 3, 2026
Was fully locked and loaded for the dark mafia Beauty and the Beast experience. A masked reclusive billionaire drops $10 million like he’s tipping at brunch to buy this girl Imogen from his past at a shady underground auction, then hauls her off to his crumbling gothic mansion in the woods to brood at her extensively.
The bones are good. Slow burn tension that eventually does catch fire, a revenge plot involving something called “the Brotherhood” (automatically threatening, no notes).
Of course there’s a massive gothic library. Of course. It’s Beauty and the Beast but someone replaced the enchanted candlesticks with organized crime and unresolved childhood trauma.
Ofc you know with me there’s a BUT…
Imogen has been groomed her whole sheltered life to expect the absolute worst from whoever ends up buying her, so she’s supposed to be this cocktail of terrified and quietly defiant. And she IS… intermittently. The girl’s emotional whiplash gave me actual motion sickness. One minute she’s sus about grape jelly (which she didn’t know what it is because she’s oh so sheltered but understands what peanut butter is?), the next she’s melting into a puddle because Lincoln showed her basic human decency.
Lincoln himself is intriguing on paper… scarred recluse, tragic backstory, secret soft spot, morally gray vigilante, but his behavior flip-flops so aggressively I started wondering if he had a secret twin. Protective daddy energy to cold calculated revenge machine in the span of a chapter.
It made connecting to either of them frustrating, which is rough when the entire book is riding on the “two tortured souls reluctantly finding each other” energy.
The twists, to their credit, actually land. The family secrets and Brotherhood lore are solid, the spice delivers), and that $10 million opening bid scene is so unhinged I was entertained despite myself. I was frequently into it.
- Age gap (he’s literally twice her age, which the book is very casual about)
- Masked/scarred MMC
- Forced proximity in a genuinely creepy mansion
- Beauty and the Beast retelling (gothic estate ✓ library ✓ beastly exterior ✓ emotionally unavailable ✓)
- Morally gray billionaire vigilante (a very specific niche and yet here we are)
- Human auction/captivity: dark themes including trafficking, revenge, past trauma
- Secret society Brotherhood drama
If you want dark, spicy mafia romance with gothic vibes and you can vibe with characters who occasionally forget their own personalities mid-chapter, this will absolutely scratch the itch. If you need emotional consistency to fully invest, you might end up mildly bewildered like me.
The bones are good. Slow burn tension that eventually does catch fire, a revenge plot involving something called “the Brotherhood” (automatically threatening, no notes).
Of course there’s a massive gothic library. Of course. It’s Beauty and the Beast but someone replaced the enchanted candlesticks with organized crime and unresolved childhood trauma.
Ofc you know with me there’s a BUT…
Imogen has been groomed her whole sheltered life to expect the absolute worst from whoever ends up buying her, so she’s supposed to be this cocktail of terrified and quietly defiant. And she IS… intermittently. The girl’s emotional whiplash gave me actual motion sickness. One minute she’s sus about grape jelly (which she didn’t know what it is because she’s oh so sheltered but understands what peanut butter is?), the next she’s melting into a puddle because Lincoln showed her basic human decency.
Lincoln himself is intriguing on paper… scarred recluse, tragic backstory, secret soft spot, morally gray vigilante, but his behavior flip-flops so aggressively I started wondering if he had a secret twin. Protective daddy energy to cold calculated revenge machine in the span of a chapter.
It made connecting to either of them frustrating, which is rough when the entire book is riding on the “two tortured souls reluctantly finding each other” energy.
The twists, to their credit, actually land. The family secrets and Brotherhood lore are solid, the spice delivers), and that $10 million opening bid scene is so unhinged I was entertained despite myself. I was frequently into it.
- Age gap (he’s literally twice her age, which the book is very casual about)
- Masked/scarred MMC
- Forced proximity in a genuinely creepy mansion
- Beauty and the Beast retelling (gothic estate ✓ library ✓ beastly exterior ✓ emotionally unavailable ✓)
- Morally gray billionaire vigilante (a very specific niche and yet here we are)
- Human auction/captivity: dark themes including trafficking, revenge, past trauma
- Secret society Brotherhood drama
If you want dark, spicy mafia romance with gothic vibes and you can vibe with characters who occasionally forget their own personalities mid-chapter, this will absolutely scratch the itch. If you need emotional consistency to fully invest, you might end up mildly bewildered like me.
February 27, 2026
ARC Read
Read this if you love: Readers who want a dark mafia romances and “Beauty and the Beast" retelling.
Does the plot flow? Yes. It is a tense, fiery slow-burn that balances the mystery of a secret society with the suspense of a captive situation. The transition from the auction stage to Lincoln’s reclusive mansion really builds the tension.
Relatable characters? Compellingly & flawed & additive. I loved hearing their stories and seeing their growth together.
Did it leave you with a book hangover? Absolutely. Between the intense chemistry, the secrets behind Lincoln's mask, and that ending!!
Read this if you love: Readers who want a dark mafia romances and “Beauty and the Beast" retelling.
Does the plot flow? Yes. It is a tense, fiery slow-burn that balances the mystery of a secret society with the suspense of a captive situation. The transition from the auction stage to Lincoln’s reclusive mansion really builds the tension.
Relatable characters? Compellingly & flawed & additive. I loved hearing their stories and seeing their growth together.
Did it leave you with a book hangover? Absolutely. Between the intense chemistry, the secrets behind Lincoln's mask, and that ending!!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I have no words for how powerful and emotional this story is. It tugs at some deep parts of your brain.
I think my favorite part was the play on right and wrong when dealing with such an emotional situation. I felt so many emotions and grappling with my own thoughts about her situation. But when you feel safe with someone it changes everything.
I loved getting both characters POV and how they were dealing with such huge emotions when it came down to everything between them.
This isn't a light read at all. And I loved every page.
This was my first Sadie Kincaid and while dark, her characters were extremely likable. The connection between them entirely believable. I also liked that the female character was a little older. I think it would have came across differently if she had been younger. I can understand this wouldn't be for everyone. I am not a huge spice reader and this has plenty of spice, but I still enjoyed it to the max. I went in prepared, knowing it would be heavy on the spice. I still loved it because the plot was the main focus and incredible.
The healing on page was incredible too. I am super excited about book 2 and can't wait to see what happens next after that cliffhanger.
I think my favorite part was the play on right and wrong when dealing with such an emotional situation. I felt so many emotions and grappling with my own thoughts about her situation. But when you feel safe with someone it changes everything.
I loved getting both characters POV and how they were dealing with such huge emotions when it came down to everything between them.
This isn't a light read at all. And I loved every page.
This was my first Sadie Kincaid and while dark, her characters were extremely likable. The connection between them entirely believable. I also liked that the female character was a little older. I think it would have came across differently if she had been younger. I can understand this wouldn't be for everyone. I am not a huge spice reader and this has plenty of spice, but I still enjoyed it to the max. I went in prepared, knowing it would be heavy on the spice. I still loved it because the plot was the main focus and incredible.
The healing on page was incredible too. I am super excited about book 2 and can't wait to see what happens next after that cliffhanger.
Did Not Finish
April 7, 2026dnf at 26%
this book gave me this ick, and not in a “i’m triggered so i can’t read this” kind of way, but a “oof, you really went and did that, that’s a choice” kind of way. i’m all for an age gap, and have read my fair share of dark romances but as soon as the idea was introduced that our mmc was friends with her dad and knew her as a baby, i was immediately like 🙅♀️🙅♀️🙅♀️🙅♀️. especially when you take into consideration the insta-lust that overtakes him, it was a bit yucky for me. content aside, this book is nothing new. in fact, if you took the main concepts from the female, rose in chains, and haunting/hunting adeline and smashed them all together, this is what you would get, which is boring and contrived at this point. our fmc has been groomed her whole life to make her the perfect sex slave, but her characterization is inconsistent with that narrative, which was frustrating to read. the things she does and doesn’t know about the modern world didn’t make sense, and you would think someone so sheltered would have quite innocent thoughts, and she definitely does not. this author also does a lot of telling not showing, which is a big turn off for me. there are a lot more clever ways to set up the story and world build that don’t involve an info dump, and we got pages upon pages of internal monologue info dumping that felt pretty spoon fed. ultimately, i was rolling my eyes up and down this book and could not possibly imagine reading 380 pages of this so i had to dnf.
this is also being marketed as a mafia romance, which it surely is not. it is a secret society romance, which seems like a crucial marketing mishap on the publishers account.
this book gave me this ick, and not in a “i’m triggered so i can’t read this” kind of way, but a “oof, you really went and did that, that’s a choice” kind of way. i’m all for an age gap, and have read my fair share of dark romances but as soon as the idea was introduced that our mmc was friends with her dad and knew her as a baby, i was immediately like 🙅♀️🙅♀️🙅♀️🙅♀️. especially when you take into consideration the insta-lust that overtakes him, it was a bit yucky for me. content aside, this book is nothing new. in fact, if you took the main concepts from the female, rose in chains, and haunting/hunting adeline and smashed them all together, this is what you would get, which is boring and contrived at this point. our fmc has been groomed her whole life to make her the perfect sex slave, but her characterization is inconsistent with that narrative, which was frustrating to read. the things she does and doesn’t know about the modern world didn’t make sense, and you would think someone so sheltered would have quite innocent thoughts, and she definitely does not. this author also does a lot of telling not showing, which is a big turn off for me. there are a lot more clever ways to set up the story and world build that don’t involve an info dump, and we got pages upon pages of internal monologue info dumping that felt pretty spoon fed. ultimately, i was rolling my eyes up and down this book and could not possibly imagine reading 380 pages of this so i had to dnf.
this is also being marketed as a mafia romance, which it surely is not. it is a secret society romance, which seems like a crucial marketing mishap on the publishers account.
March 7, 2026
Star rating: 3.25 🌟
Spice rating: 4 🥵🔥
🖤Dark Romance
🗝️He Buys Her
🖤Hidden Identity
🗝️Age Gap
This upcoming release is an absolute TIME… let me tell you!! Right from the start I was sucked into this story with us immediately starting at the auction with females being bought. I knew from the first second this book would have me hooked til the end. This book is dark, it’s gritty, but FUCK it’s a good time🖤
Imogen has been sheltered and groomed her whole life for this, as her father was a traitor of the brotherhood and this was the consequence of her staying alive. Lincoln is a reclusive, scarred man whose whole purpose in life is to take down the brotherhood secretly and methodically… well, that is until he buys Imogen at an action for 10 million dollars… now he may have a new purpose in life… keeping her safe.
When finishing up this book, I had no idea Imogen and Lincoln’s story would continue in another book (shook) 😩🖤 the fact I have to wait to find out what happens next is criminal!! I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys god of malice or the ritual… very dark, very spicy and please check triggers before diving into this one 🖤
Thank you to Sadie and the hive for sending me the physical ARC 🥰🫶🏼 was such an amazing surprise last week!! Releasing April 14th
For more bookish content and reviews, please consider giving my bookstagram a follow💕
https://www.instagram.com/lovinmyshelf
Spice rating: 4 🥵🔥
🖤Dark Romance
🗝️He Buys Her
🖤Hidden Identity
🗝️Age Gap
This upcoming release is an absolute TIME… let me tell you!! Right from the start I was sucked into this story with us immediately starting at the auction with females being bought. I knew from the first second this book would have me hooked til the end. This book is dark, it’s gritty, but FUCK it’s a good time🖤
Imogen has been sheltered and groomed her whole life for this, as her father was a traitor of the brotherhood and this was the consequence of her staying alive. Lincoln is a reclusive, scarred man whose whole purpose in life is to take down the brotherhood secretly and methodically… well, that is until he buys Imogen at an action for 10 million dollars… now he may have a new purpose in life… keeping her safe.
When finishing up this book, I had no idea Imogen and Lincoln’s story would continue in another book (shook) 😩🖤 the fact I have to wait to find out what happens next is criminal!! I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys god of malice or the ritual… very dark, very spicy and please check triggers before diving into this one 🖤
Thank you to Sadie and the hive for sending me the physical ARC 🥰🫶🏼 was such an amazing surprise last week!! Releasing April 14th
For more bookish content and reviews, please consider giving my bookstagram a follow💕
https://www.instagram.com/lovinmyshelf
April 13, 2026
oop that cliffhanger at the end had my heart going pitter patter!! I need book two neeoww
Please check TWs before reading this book, a theme that I will be discussing is human trafficking as you can kinda guess from the title that is essentially a major plot point.
This is a slightly taboo (godfather x goddaughter), dark romance that is packed with suspense and action. There are many secrets to be uncovered so you’ll be on the edge of your seat while reading. I’m not sure how many books there will be in total but it does end on a cliffhanger.
When Lincoln Knight bids for Imogen Demotta at an auction it is his way of fulfilling a promise to her deceased parents. The Brotherhood, is an organisation that he is trying to take down and the very same one that Imogen is auctioned through. Lincoln hides his real identity from Imogen because she has been fed a lie about him from a young age by her grandfather.
She’s been sheltered her whole life, her upbringing consisted of preparing her for the auction that would take place once she reached the age of twenty one. Lincoln’s plan is to save her and many others who have essentially been trafficked by the brotherhood.
The book is a Beauty and the Beast retelling meets Robin Hood. But rather than stealing from the rich to give to the poor he saves women who have been bought by powerful and disgusting men.
Most of this book gives us some backstory about Lincoln Knight and Imogen Demotta. Lincoln has a tragic past but remains cool, calm and collected. Biding his time to seek out revenge. Imogen comes across as being naive due to her upbringing but overtime she comes out of her shell.
There is some miscommunication at times, when Imogen gets to close to Lincoln his mood switches and she thinks she’s done something wrong which would annoy me at times. But he also has valid reasons for keeping her away. Eventually things do get spicy between them and that is where the taboo aspects come in. He tries to teach her how to use her own agency rather than bossing her around and making her do things she thinks he wants. I liked seeing Imogen grow and unlearn some of the behaviours that were drilled into her as a child.
The ending had my heart going pitter patter as it seems like both characters have betrayed one another but I get the feeling that Lincoln was trying to convey that he’ll be coming to save Imogen soon 👀
Absolutely loved the narration from Grayson Owens and June DeBorahe. They did various accents and brought the characters to life very well. This was also in duet style so it made the experience even more enjoyable!
Please check TWs before reading this book, a theme that I will be discussing is human trafficking as you can kinda guess from the title that is essentially a major plot point.
This is a slightly taboo (godfather x goddaughter), dark romance that is packed with suspense and action. There are many secrets to be uncovered so you’ll be on the edge of your seat while reading. I’m not sure how many books there will be in total but it does end on a cliffhanger.
When Lincoln Knight bids for Imogen Demotta at an auction it is his way of fulfilling a promise to her deceased parents. The Brotherhood, is an organisation that he is trying to take down and the very same one that Imogen is auctioned through. Lincoln hides his real identity from Imogen because she has been fed a lie about him from a young age by her grandfather.
She’s been sheltered her whole life, her upbringing consisted of preparing her for the auction that would take place once she reached the age of twenty one. Lincoln’s plan is to save her and many others who have essentially been trafficked by the brotherhood.
The book is a Beauty and the Beast retelling meets Robin Hood. But rather than stealing from the rich to give to the poor he saves women who have been bought by powerful and disgusting men.
Most of this book gives us some backstory about Lincoln Knight and Imogen Demotta. Lincoln has a tragic past but remains cool, calm and collected. Biding his time to seek out revenge. Imogen comes across as being naive due to her upbringing but overtime she comes out of her shell.
There is some miscommunication at times, when Imogen gets to close to Lincoln his mood switches and she thinks she’s done something wrong which would annoy me at times. But he also has valid reasons for keeping her away. Eventually things do get spicy between them and that is where the taboo aspects come in. He tries to teach her how to use her own agency rather than bossing her around and making her do things she thinks he wants. I liked seeing Imogen grow and unlearn some of the behaviours that were drilled into her as a child.
The ending had my heart going pitter patter as it seems like both characters have betrayed one another but I get the feeling that Lincoln was trying to convey that he’ll be coming to save Imogen soon 👀
Absolutely loved the narration from Grayson Owens and June DeBorahe. They did various accents and brought the characters to life very well. This was also in duet style so it made the experience even more enjoyable!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This book gives Beauty and Beast, mafia and Phantom of the Opera vibes. It starts with an auction selling women to deviant men. The Brotherhood are known for their auctions and other illegal activity.
Imogen is the last to be sold. The winning bid is by Lincoln Knight, a reclusive, mask wearing billionaire.
Lincoln takes Imogen to his fortress like home where they end up falling into their routine. It is obvious both have secrets and things they want to keep secret. But as we all know, that never happens.
This book as a lot of angst and longing in the beginning. The spice is aplenty halfway in and throughout the remainder of the book. Please read the triggers. While I think I have figured out who Lincoln is looking for, I love how the story unfolds. The ending was crazy and I will definitely be reading the next story as well!
I received this ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Imogen is the last to be sold. The winning bid is by Lincoln Knight, a reclusive, mask wearing billionaire.
Lincoln takes Imogen to his fortress like home where they end up falling into their routine. It is obvious both have secrets and things they want to keep secret. But as we all know, that never happens.
This book as a lot of angst and longing in the beginning. The spice is aplenty halfway in and throughout the remainder of the book. Please read the triggers. While I think I have figured out who Lincoln is looking for, I love how the story unfolds. The ending was crazy and I will definitely be reading the next story as well!
I received this ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Did Not Finish
March 27, 2026DNF
I made it to 30% and then my soul simply clocked out, left the building, and refused to be associated with me anymore. I kept going longer than I should have out of pure stubbornness because I was CONVINCED there had to be an actual plot hiding somewhere in here. You’re telling me we have a Brotherhood, dead parents, betrayal, a whole “I promised your father I’d protect you” setup, and THIS is what we’re doing with it??? Where was the depth. Where was the intrigue. Where was literally anything other than vibes and questionable decisions.
Because I went in expecting mafia, slow burn, touch her and die, Beauty and the Beast energy. What I got was… secret society cosplay, zero slow burn, and a romance that hit 100 before I even had time to process who these people were. When I say there is no slow burn, I mean there is not even a flicker. Not even a spark. This thing combusts immediately and then just… stays there, aggressively.
Let’s talk about Lincoln. A 42 year old man. A grown man. A MAN man. Who knew the FMC when she was a literal child, was best friends with her father, promised to take care of her, and then buys her at an auction to “save her.” Okay. Fine. That premise? Dark, messy, could be interesting if handled with even a shred of nuance. But no. Because his internal moral crisis about being attracted to her lasts approximately two chapters. TWO. After that it’s just “mine” this, “my girl” that, possessiveness dialed up to 1000 like sir do you hear yourself???
And listen, I am not anti age gap. I am not even strictly anti “knew her as a child” trope if it’s done carefully. This was not careful. This was the literary equivalent of sprinting into traffic blindfolded. The problem isn’t just the history, it’s the way it’s written. His thoughts go from “this is wrong” to full on obsessive, territorial, sexual ownership energy in what feels like 48 hours. There is no real internal battle, no complexity, just vibes and hormones and a man who apparently forgot his own moral compass existed.
And Imogen… I don’t even know where to start. This girl is written as so sheltered that it stops being “innocent” and starts being deeply uncomfortable. She feels emotionally, socially, mentally YEARS younger than 21. Like I’m sorry but this is not giving naïve adult woman, this is giving “has the life experience of a 5 year old who was handed a very confusing crash course in the worst possible way.” The infantilization is STRONG with this one and not in a way that adds depth, just in a way that makes everything feel off.
Her characterization also changes depending on what the scene needs, which gave me whiplash. She can’t ask for a slice of pie. A SLICE OF PIE. Sure, okay, but then she has zero problem initiating sex or engaging in situations that require way more confidence and awareness??? Pick a lane. Either she’s sheltered to the point of barely functioning or she’s not. You cannot have both and expect it to make sense.
And personality? What personality. She had the presence of a decorative pillow. A doormat with a tragic backstory. I get that she was raised in a controlling environment, I do, but there’s a difference between showing the effects of that and just… not giving her any real agency or consistency. It made her frustrating to read instead of compelling.
Meanwhile Lincoln is out here being Walmart Batman. Mask? Check. Armored car? Check. Secret tech lair? Of course. A mysterious, ever-present “I’m a monster” monologue that repeats every five seconds? You bet. Half of his POV is just him spiraling about how dark and dangerous he is and how she could never love him if she knew the truth. We get it. You’re tortured. You’re broody. You’re also deeply annoying.
And can we PLEASE talk about the blind French butler friend. Because I’m sorry??? This man is blind, which should logically impact how he navigates the world, but apparently not because he just… does everything flawlessly. At one point he’s like “I’ll get the blood out of your clothes, I’ve always been better at it” and I had to stop and stare at the page. Better at WHAT exactly. How are you checking your work. What is happening. Why is no one questioning this. I felt like I was losing my mind.
The writing itself did not help. I genuinely don’t think this was properly edited. There are moments where the SAME SENTENCE is repeated multiple times in the SAME PARAGRAPH. Not rephrased. Not slightly altered. Copy-paste energy. It pulled me out of the story every single time, which is impressive considering how checked out I already was.
And the plot. Oh my god, the plot. Or lack thereof. Because I kept waiting. And waiting. And waiting. For the Brotherhood storyline to kick in. For the betrayal of her parents to matter. For his promise to her father to carry any emotional weight. For something, anything, to happen beyond the relationship and spice. But no. It just circles the same dynamics over and over again like it’s stuck in a loop.
Also, the tone??? It takes itself so seriously while being this absurd that it somehow becomes unintentionally hilarious. I was not laughing with the book, I was laughing AT it. Frequently.
And then, just to really seal the deal, I find out this is part of a duet. A DUET. With a cliffhanger. Which I did not know going in. So not only am I suffering, but I’m suffering knowing there’s more of this waiting on the other side??? Absolutely not. Could not be me.
Also apparently there’s a tampon scene later on that I thankfully did not reach, and honestly that feels like divine intervention at this point.
By the time I hit 30%, I had to accept that continuing would be an act of self-sabotage. Nothing made sense. The character dynamics were uncomfortable in a way that wasn’t intentional or compelling, just… off. The writing needed serious work, the plot was basically on vacation, and the romance felt rushed, repetitive, and borderline unhinged in all the wrong ways.
If this worked for you, I genuinely need to study your brain chemistry because mine rejected it on a molecular level.
Do not recommend unless you enjoy chaos, confusion, secondhand embarrassment, and questioning your reading choices in real time.
I made it to 30% and then my soul simply clocked out, left the building, and refused to be associated with me anymore. I kept going longer than I should have out of pure stubbornness because I was CONVINCED there had to be an actual plot hiding somewhere in here. You’re telling me we have a Brotherhood, dead parents, betrayal, a whole “I promised your father I’d protect you” setup, and THIS is what we’re doing with it??? Where was the depth. Where was the intrigue. Where was literally anything other than vibes and questionable decisions.
Because I went in expecting mafia, slow burn, touch her and die, Beauty and the Beast energy. What I got was… secret society cosplay, zero slow burn, and a romance that hit 100 before I even had time to process who these people were. When I say there is no slow burn, I mean there is not even a flicker. Not even a spark. This thing combusts immediately and then just… stays there, aggressively.
Let’s talk about Lincoln. A 42 year old man. A grown man. A MAN man. Who knew the FMC when she was a literal child, was best friends with her father, promised to take care of her, and then buys her at an auction to “save her.” Okay. Fine. That premise? Dark, messy, could be interesting if handled with even a shred of nuance. But no. Because his internal moral crisis about being attracted to her lasts approximately two chapters. TWO. After that it’s just “mine” this, “my girl” that, possessiveness dialed up to 1000 like sir do you hear yourself???
And listen, I am not anti age gap. I am not even strictly anti “knew her as a child” trope if it’s done carefully. This was not careful. This was the literary equivalent of sprinting into traffic blindfolded. The problem isn’t just the history, it’s the way it’s written. His thoughts go from “this is wrong” to full on obsessive, territorial, sexual ownership energy in what feels like 48 hours. There is no real internal battle, no complexity, just vibes and hormones and a man who apparently forgot his own moral compass existed.
And Imogen… I don’t even know where to start. This girl is written as so sheltered that it stops being “innocent” and starts being deeply uncomfortable. She feels emotionally, socially, mentally YEARS younger than 21. Like I’m sorry but this is not giving naïve adult woman, this is giving “has the life experience of a 5 year old who was handed a very confusing crash course in the worst possible way.” The infantilization is STRONG with this one and not in a way that adds depth, just in a way that makes everything feel off.
Her characterization also changes depending on what the scene needs, which gave me whiplash. She can’t ask for a slice of pie. A SLICE OF PIE. Sure, okay, but then she has zero problem initiating sex or engaging in situations that require way more confidence and awareness??? Pick a lane. Either she’s sheltered to the point of barely functioning or she’s not. You cannot have both and expect it to make sense.
And personality? What personality. She had the presence of a decorative pillow. A doormat with a tragic backstory. I get that she was raised in a controlling environment, I do, but there’s a difference between showing the effects of that and just… not giving her any real agency or consistency. It made her frustrating to read instead of compelling.
Meanwhile Lincoln is out here being Walmart Batman. Mask? Check. Armored car? Check. Secret tech lair? Of course. A mysterious, ever-present “I’m a monster” monologue that repeats every five seconds? You bet. Half of his POV is just him spiraling about how dark and dangerous he is and how she could never love him if she knew the truth. We get it. You’re tortured. You’re broody. You’re also deeply annoying.
And can we PLEASE talk about the blind French butler friend. Because I’m sorry??? This man is blind, which should logically impact how he navigates the world, but apparently not because he just… does everything flawlessly. At one point he’s like “I’ll get the blood out of your clothes, I’ve always been better at it” and I had to stop and stare at the page. Better at WHAT exactly. How are you checking your work. What is happening. Why is no one questioning this. I felt like I was losing my mind.
The writing itself did not help. I genuinely don’t think this was properly edited. There are moments where the SAME SENTENCE is repeated multiple times in the SAME PARAGRAPH. Not rephrased. Not slightly altered. Copy-paste energy. It pulled me out of the story every single time, which is impressive considering how checked out I already was.
And the plot. Oh my god, the plot. Or lack thereof. Because I kept waiting. And waiting. And waiting. For the Brotherhood storyline to kick in. For the betrayal of her parents to matter. For his promise to her father to carry any emotional weight. For something, anything, to happen beyond the relationship and spice. But no. It just circles the same dynamics over and over again like it’s stuck in a loop.
Also, the tone??? It takes itself so seriously while being this absurd that it somehow becomes unintentionally hilarious. I was not laughing with the book, I was laughing AT it. Frequently.
And then, just to really seal the deal, I find out this is part of a duet. A DUET. With a cliffhanger. Which I did not know going in. So not only am I suffering, but I’m suffering knowing there’s more of this waiting on the other side??? Absolutely not. Could not be me.
Also apparently there’s a tampon scene later on that I thankfully did not reach, and honestly that feels like divine intervention at this point.
By the time I hit 30%, I had to accept that continuing would be an act of self-sabotage. Nothing made sense. The character dynamics were uncomfortable in a way that wasn’t intentional or compelling, just… off. The writing needed serious work, the plot was basically on vacation, and the romance felt rushed, repetitive, and borderline unhinged in all the wrong ways.
If this worked for you, I genuinely need to study your brain chemistry because mine rejected it on a molecular level.
Do not recommend unless you enjoy chaos, confusion, secondhand embarrassment, and questioning your reading choices in real time.
April 20, 2026
Lincoln Knight is giving billionaire, mercenary, Phantom of the Opera vibes. Imogen is a survivor trying to find what she wants in life, and what she wants is Lincoln. However, he has his own secrets that make the relationship feel taboo.
I thought the plot was interesting and the ending/cliffhanger got me hooked. I did guess the plot twist, but it was still very satisfying. I will definitely read the second book!
I thought the plot was interesting and the ending/cliffhanger got me hooked. I did guess the plot twist, but it was still very satisfying. I will definitely read the second book!
March 1, 2026
4.5⭐️ rounded up. The audiobook narrators were superb!!
Dark mafia but also beauty and the beast?? Pierre was SUCH A FUN SIDE CHARACTER!
Fuck that cliffhanger though. This book doesn’t release for another seven weeks which means I’m probably not gonna be able to read book 2 for a year and I don’t like that 😂😂😂
ALC received via netgalley 📚
Dark mafia but also beauty and the beast?? Pierre was SUCH A FUN SIDE CHARACTER!
Fuck that cliffhanger though. This book doesn’t release for another seven weeks which means I’m probably not gonna be able to read book 2 for a year and I don’t like that 😂😂😂
ALC received via netgalley 📚
March 7, 2026
ARC Review
⭐️⭐️.75
🌶️🌶️
This actually pains me to write because I love Sadie's books so much, but this fell completely flat for me. There were so many gaps in this story I couldn't help but be so confused by it all.
Firstly, Imogen. Imogen is a 21 year old girl who was raised by her grandfather and 'partner' since she was was 3. When she turned 21 she was put into an auction to be purchased by the most sickest and twisted of men. *PAUSE! - FIRST GAP*. We basically know nothing of Imogen prior to her turning 21 other than the fact she was so isolated from the world to the point she didn't know what bluetooth was and had never listened to music, and she basically wasn't allowed sugar or to use tampons. Her grandfather was very wealthy, and there was no mention of Imogen growing up in an abusive household so I didn't understand why she couldn't go out and enjoy her years before knowing she was to be sold at 21? Imogen felt like she had a great upbringing, particularly from her grandfathers 'partner' who apparently taught her all she knows (which I can't say is a lot), it grated on me how much of a child she acted like when she's supposed to be a grown woman.
Secondly, Lincoln. Lincoln used to be apart of a group called The Brotherhood which is an organisation of sex trafficking women and selling them in auctions. He ended up leaving and set out to protect Imogen after her father (his best friend) died, so he purchases her from an auction. Oh did I forget to mention he's her godfather? Yeah we'll get to that. Until the last 85%, Imogen has 0 clue on who Lincoln is to her, only that he is a monster in The Brotherhood world. Granted he is, considering he spent 70% of the book telling himself that he is even after defiling Imogen and falling in love with her, but what I don't understand is he wasn't even there to fall in love!!!
For a whole 95% of the book, Imogen was confined to Lincoln's house where all she did was go to the library, the kitchen, and the garden. At one point I was getting SO SICK of how many of the same scenes happened in that bloody kitchen - stop asking her what the damn girl wants for breakfast!!! The guy also owns acres of land and never thought to take her for a walk on it? Crazy. Lincoln, on the other hand, spent practically all of his time outside the house rescuing other girls from men of The Brotherhood so when it came to them suddenly realising that they loved each other and felt so strongly where they were at it like rabbits for the last 40%, left me confused to all hell!! Imogen had more of a bond and a relationship with the freakin' butler in the house for christ sake - I just didn't buy Lincoln and Imogen's connection at all, there were no grounds for it to even develop so that's gap number two.
Listen, I don't mind a non-related, age-gap, family dynamic you know, but when it constantly involves the reminder of him being her godfather, knowing her when she was a baby, and watching her grow up, KILLS the mood. I don't agree with him keeping that secret from her for the entire story, it was giving predator and it didn't sit well with me. If they loved each other as much as they say they did, then she would've stuck around and forgiven him, but it got weirder and weirder her not knowing.
I feel like this had SO MUCH POTENTIAL, but it just didn't go anywhere at all and I'm so disappointed given how much Sadie's books are some of my all time favourites, but unfortunately not this one.
Thanks to HarperCollins, NetGalley, and Sadie for the ARC ❤️
⭐️⭐️.75
🌶️🌶️
This actually pains me to write because I love Sadie's books so much, but this fell completely flat for me. There were so many gaps in this story I couldn't help but be so confused by it all.
Firstly, Imogen. Imogen is a 21 year old girl who was raised by her grandfather and 'partner' since she was was 3. When she turned 21 she was put into an auction to be purchased by the most sickest and twisted of men. *PAUSE! - FIRST GAP*. We basically know nothing of Imogen prior to her turning 21 other than the fact she was so isolated from the world to the point she didn't know what bluetooth was and had never listened to music, and she basically wasn't allowed sugar or to use tampons. Her grandfather was very wealthy, and there was no mention of Imogen growing up in an abusive household so I didn't understand why she couldn't go out and enjoy her years before knowing she was to be sold at 21? Imogen felt like she had a great upbringing, particularly from her grandfathers 'partner' who apparently taught her all she knows (which I can't say is a lot), it grated on me how much of a child she acted like when she's supposed to be a grown woman.
Secondly, Lincoln. Lincoln used to be apart of a group called The Brotherhood which is an organisation of sex trafficking women and selling them in auctions. He ended up leaving and set out to protect Imogen after her father (his best friend) died, so he purchases her from an auction. Oh did I forget to mention he's her godfather? Yeah we'll get to that. Until the last 85%, Imogen has 0 clue on who Lincoln is to her, only that he is a monster in The Brotherhood world. Granted he is, considering he spent 70% of the book telling himself that he is even after defiling Imogen and falling in love with her, but what I don't understand is he wasn't even there to fall in love!!!
For a whole 95% of the book, Imogen was confined to Lincoln's house where all she did was go to the library, the kitchen, and the garden. At one point I was getting SO SICK of how many of the same scenes happened in that bloody kitchen - stop asking her what the damn girl wants for breakfast!!! The guy also owns acres of land and never thought to take her for a walk on it? Crazy. Lincoln, on the other hand, spent practically all of his time outside the house rescuing other girls from men of The Brotherhood so when it came to them suddenly realising that they loved each other and felt so strongly where they were at it like rabbits for the last 40%, left me confused to all hell!! Imogen had more of a bond and a relationship with the freakin' butler in the house for christ sake - I just didn't buy Lincoln and Imogen's connection at all, there were no grounds for it to even develop so that's gap number two.
Listen, I don't mind a non-related, age-gap, family dynamic you know, but when it constantly involves the reminder of him being her godfather, knowing her when she was a baby, and watching her grow up, KILLS the mood. I don't agree with him keeping that secret from her for the entire story, it was giving predator and it didn't sit well with me. If they loved each other as much as they say they did, then she would've stuck around and forgiven him, but it got weirder and weirder her not knowing.
I feel like this had SO MUCH POTENTIAL, but it just didn't go anywhere at all and I'm so disappointed given how much Sadie's books are some of my all time favourites, but unfortunately not this one.
Thanks to HarperCollins, NetGalley, and Sadie for the ARC ❤️
January 10, 2026
♟️*ੈ💲‧₊˚♕ First, thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for providing me with an ARC of The Auction in exchange for an honest review! 💖
That said… let’s talk about this book, because it got me — just not all the way. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5)
𓆙.𖥔 ݁ ˖ The Premise & Atmosphere
The Auction opens with a premise that is dark, disturbing, and immediately gripping. Imogen has never had agency over her life — trained from childhood to be “pure,” isolated from the world, and groomed to be sold as penance for her parents’ alleged treacherous crimes. When she’s auctioned off at twenty-one to the highest bidder, the buyer is none other than the masked, reclusive billionaire Lincoln Knight, who drops $10 million to claim her.
From the start, the book leans hard into gothic vibes:
powerful criminal secret society, isolated mansion in the woods, secrets layered on secrets, a masked man with a scarred past, and a heroine who doesn’t know what’s real — or who to trust.
While the setup initially gave me very familiar vibes (borderline Wattpad déjà vu), around the 20% mark the story finds its footing and starts to feel like its own thing rather than a remix of tropes I’ve seen before.
⋆˚✿˖° Imogen
Imogen is a complicated FMC to read — intentionally so. She’s naïve, conditioned, traumatized, and deeply submissive in ways that aren’t just personality traits, but survival mechanisms. Her worldview is warped by the teachings of her Grandfather and Larissa (who is basically the woman who raised her), and that informs every interaction she has.
What I appreciated most is that the book doesn’t pretend she’s suddenly empowered the moment she leaves captivity. Her confusion, fear, and longing for approval feel authentic. At the same time, I wanted more from her emotional journey — more internal reckoning, more questioning, more unlearning. The foundation is there, but it doesn’t fully get explored yet.
🏰₊˚⊹♡ Lincoln Knight
Lincoln Knight is marketed as a monster — a dangerous, morally grey recluse hiding behind a mask. And while he is mysterious, traumatized, and undeniably intense, I struggled a bit with his execution.
His reason for buying Imogen is rooted in protection rather than possession, which I appreciated. He feeds her real food, gives her choices, shows her kindness — and yes, the man has a deliciously sinful mouth and the spice absolutely hits.
But emotionally? He often felt underdeveloped outside of sexual tension.
Once their relationship turns physical, it starts to feel like that’s where most of his effort goes. Given Imogen’s upbringing — where affection and worth were tied to obedience and sex — I really wanted to see Lincoln put more intention into teaching her how to exist outside of that. How to want, how to choose, how to love herself.
He almost gets there. Almost.
𓍢ִ໋☕️✧˚ ༘ ⋆ Pierre (my MVP)
Pierre was hands down my favorite character.
A former surgeon blinded by the Brotherhood after saving someone deemed “unworthy,” Pierre lives with Lincoln in his remote home and serves as a grounding presence in the story. His grief, loyalty, and quiet moral clarity added so much emotional depth.
He stole the show for me — which is wild, considering there are really only 3-5 main characters. Every scene with Pierre felt so loving, and I cared deeply about him.
♡‧₊˚🔥 The Romance & Spice
Let’s be clear: the spice is spicing. 🌶🌶🌶.5/5
Lincoln is dominant, attentive, and filthy in the best way. Their chemistry is intense, and the sexual tension is undeniably well-written. I appreciated how Lincoln teaches Imogen certain acts and sensations — though that ties back into my main critique: I wanted more balance between sexual awakening and emotional growth.
At times, it felt less like a slow-burn gothic romance and more like two extremely horny people circling each other while massive emotional landmines went unaddressed.
Still, I was locked in.
🏰🕰️🕯️☕️🥀 Marketing vs. Reality (My One Big Tangent)
I need to talk about the “Beauty and the Beast” comparison — because… no.
I do agree with the Jane Eyre inspiration. That fits.
But Beauty and the Beast? Not really.
BatB is about moral reckoning, transformation through empathy, a monster cursed because of his cruelty, etc.
Lincoln isn’t cursed for being cruel. He’s traumatized by the Brotherhood and their human trafficking, secretive, and hiding — not morally bankrupt. His isolation is protection and control, not punishment. This story is about uncovering truths and reframing actions, not about a man learning how to be human.
Scarred man + mansion ≠ Beauty and the Beast.
This is a marketing gripe more than a story flaw, but it stood out to me.
👀…💔 That Ending
I will not spoil it — but I will say this:
It does end on an unexpected cliffhanger that had me crying, screaming, throwing up. I didn't even realize how emotionally invested I was in the book until it ended and I was ready to riot.
I hate a really good cliffhanger because now I need book two immediately, and I am emotionally unwell about it.
⋆｡°·☁︎ Final Thoughts
So why not five stars?
Because while The Auction is gripping, atmospheric, spicy, and emotionally charged, it doesn’t fully deliver on the emotional depth it promises. The groundwork is excellent, but some arcs — especially Lincoln’s — feel like they stop just short of transformation.
That said, I am absolutely invested and will be foaming at the mouth for book two.
Tropes / What to Expect
🩸 Dark Romance
🧎🏻♀️ Human Trafficking / Captivity Themes
🎭 Masked MMC
🖤 Morally Grey Dom
🏚 Isolated Mansion
🔥 High Spice, Slow Burn Tension
🕯️ Gothic Atmosphere
🧠 Trauma & Conditioning
🌑 Massive Cliffhanger
If you like dark romance with gothic vibes, morally complex characters, and high-stakes emotional tension, The Auction is worth picking up — just be prepared to want more by the end.
That said… let’s talk about this book, because it got me — just not all the way. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5)
𓆙.𖥔 ݁ ˖ The Premise & Atmosphere
The Auction opens with a premise that is dark, disturbing, and immediately gripping. Imogen has never had agency over her life — trained from childhood to be “pure,” isolated from the world, and groomed to be sold as penance for her parents’ alleged treacherous crimes. When she’s auctioned off at twenty-one to the highest bidder, the buyer is none other than the masked, reclusive billionaire Lincoln Knight, who drops $10 million to claim her.
From the start, the book leans hard into gothic vibes:
powerful criminal secret society, isolated mansion in the woods, secrets layered on secrets, a masked man with a scarred past, and a heroine who doesn’t know what’s real — or who to trust.
While the setup initially gave me very familiar vibes (borderline Wattpad déjà vu), around the 20% mark the story finds its footing and starts to feel like its own thing rather than a remix of tropes I’ve seen before.
⋆˚✿˖° Imogen
Imogen is a complicated FMC to read — intentionally so. She’s naïve, conditioned, traumatized, and deeply submissive in ways that aren’t just personality traits, but survival mechanisms. Her worldview is warped by the teachings of her Grandfather and Larissa (who is basically the woman who raised her), and that informs every interaction she has.
What I appreciated most is that the book doesn’t pretend she’s suddenly empowered the moment she leaves captivity. Her confusion, fear, and longing for approval feel authentic. At the same time, I wanted more from her emotional journey — more internal reckoning, more questioning, more unlearning. The foundation is there, but it doesn’t fully get explored yet.
🏰₊˚⊹♡ Lincoln Knight
Lincoln Knight is marketed as a monster — a dangerous, morally grey recluse hiding behind a mask. And while he is mysterious, traumatized, and undeniably intense, I struggled a bit with his execution.
His reason for buying Imogen is rooted in protection rather than possession, which I appreciated. He feeds her real food, gives her choices, shows her kindness — and yes, the man has a deliciously sinful mouth and the spice absolutely hits.
But emotionally? He often felt underdeveloped outside of sexual tension.
Once their relationship turns physical, it starts to feel like that’s where most of his effort goes. Given Imogen’s upbringing — where affection and worth were tied to obedience and sex — I really wanted to see Lincoln put more intention into teaching her how to exist outside of that. How to want, how to choose, how to love herself.
He almost gets there. Almost.
𓍢ִ໋☕️✧˚ ༘ ⋆ Pierre (my MVP)
Pierre was hands down my favorite character.
A former surgeon blinded by the Brotherhood after saving someone deemed “unworthy,” Pierre lives with Lincoln in his remote home and serves as a grounding presence in the story. His grief, loyalty, and quiet moral clarity added so much emotional depth.
He stole the show for me — which is wild, considering there are really only 3-5 main characters. Every scene with Pierre felt so loving, and I cared deeply about him.
♡‧₊˚🔥 The Romance & Spice
Let’s be clear: the spice is spicing. 🌶🌶🌶.5/5
Lincoln is dominant, attentive, and filthy in the best way. Their chemistry is intense, and the sexual tension is undeniably well-written. I appreciated how Lincoln teaches Imogen certain acts and sensations — though that ties back into my main critique: I wanted more balance between sexual awakening and emotional growth.
At times, it felt less like a slow-burn gothic romance and more like two extremely horny people circling each other while massive emotional landmines went unaddressed.
Still, I was locked in.
🏰🕰️🕯️☕️🥀 Marketing vs. Reality (My One Big Tangent)
I need to talk about the “Beauty and the Beast” comparison — because… no.
I do agree with the Jane Eyre inspiration. That fits.
But Beauty and the Beast? Not really.
BatB is about moral reckoning, transformation through empathy, a monster cursed because of his cruelty, etc.
Lincoln isn’t cursed for being cruel. He’s traumatized by the Brotherhood and their human trafficking, secretive, and hiding — not morally bankrupt. His isolation is protection and control, not punishment. This story is about uncovering truths and reframing actions, not about a man learning how to be human.
Scarred man + mansion ≠ Beauty and the Beast.
This is a marketing gripe more than a story flaw, but it stood out to me.
👀…💔 That Ending
I will not spoil it — but I will say this:
It does end on an unexpected cliffhanger that had me crying, screaming, throwing up. I didn't even realize how emotionally invested I was in the book until it ended and I was ready to riot.
I hate a really good cliffhanger because now I need book two immediately, and I am emotionally unwell about it.
⋆｡°·☁︎ Final Thoughts
So why not five stars?
Because while The Auction is gripping, atmospheric, spicy, and emotionally charged, it doesn’t fully deliver on the emotional depth it promises. The groundwork is excellent, but some arcs — especially Lincoln’s — feel like they stop just short of transformation.
That said, I am absolutely invested and will be foaming at the mouth for book two.
Tropes / What to Expect
🩸 Dark Romance
🧎🏻♀️ Human Trafficking / Captivity Themes
🎭 Masked MMC
🖤 Morally Grey Dom
🏚 Isolated Mansion
🔥 High Spice, Slow Burn Tension
🕯️ Gothic Atmosphere
🧠 Trauma & Conditioning
🌑 Massive Cliffhanger
If you like dark romance with gothic vibes, morally complex characters, and high-stakes emotional tension, The Auction is worth picking up — just be prepared to want more by the end.
January 26, 2026
Imogen and Lincoln’s slow burning relationship was absolutely beautiful and utterly raw and emotional.
Not going to lie I was unsure this book was going to hit the right spot and it 💯 did.
The close knit relationship Imogen and Pierre formed was life changing in my eyes. He was literally the best friend/father figure a girl could ask for. Pure perfection.
I loved all of the small gestures Lincoln made for Imogen were amazing. I can’t stop gushing over Lincoln. So extra points for that.
The ending was actually mind blowing and I’m still unsure how to wrap my head around that one.
🤯🫣
Thank you NetGalley, Sadie Kincaid and publishers for the chance to read and review The Auction.
Absolutely one of my favorite reads of 2026!!
5/5⭐️
Definitely a dark romance with heavy topics so read trigger warnings!
Not going to lie I was unsure this book was going to hit the right spot and it 💯 did.
The close knit relationship Imogen and Pierre formed was life changing in my eyes. He was literally the best friend/father figure a girl could ask for. Pure perfection.
I loved all of the small gestures Lincoln made for Imogen were amazing. I can’t stop gushing over Lincoln. So extra points for that.
The ending was actually mind blowing and I’m still unsure how to wrap my head around that one.
🤯🫣
Thank you NetGalley, Sadie Kincaid and publishers for the chance to read and review The Auction.
Absolutely one of my favorite reads of 2026!!
5/5⭐️
Definitely a dark romance with heavy topics so read trigger warnings!
April 17, 2026
I really wanted to love this one, but it just wasn’t for me.
I’ve heard so many great things about Sadie Kincaid, so I was beyond excited to read this ARC (plus look at that stunning cover!)
But honestly, throughout most of the book I considered DNFing it, and by the middle it completely lost me.
✨These are all my own opinions, I’m NOT yucking anyone’s yum. You do you, bb 💖✨
I felt bad for the FMC at times, she was very sheltered and naive. I also wasn’t a big fan of the MMC, and some of the dynamics just weren’t for me.
Like:
• When he helped her put in a tampon (and she liked it)
• The godfather aspect
And after reading “yes sir” over and over, I was ready to throw my Kindle into a fire pit 🙈
I also never really felt an emotional connection or the love between them….
Overall, this one missed the mark for me. But I’d consider trying more from Sadie Kincaid in the future.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the e-ARC.
I’ve heard so many great things about Sadie Kincaid, so I was beyond excited to read this ARC (plus look at that stunning cover!)
But honestly, throughout most of the book I considered DNFing it, and by the middle it completely lost me.
✨These are all my own opinions, I’m NOT yucking anyone’s yum. You do you, bb 💖✨
I felt bad for the FMC at times, she was very sheltered and naive. I also wasn’t a big fan of the MMC, and some of the dynamics just weren’t for me.
Like:
• When he helped her put in a tampon (and she liked it)
• The godfather aspect
And after reading “yes sir” over and over, I was ready to throw my Kindle into a fire pit 🙈
I also never really felt an emotional connection or the love between them….
Overall, this one missed the mark for me. But I’d consider trying more from Sadie Kincaid in the future.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the e-ARC.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Review of advanced copy received by NetGalley.
This book sucked me in! I was going through it quickly and it kept me intrigued. I hate that this ends in a cliffhanger!!
Make sure you read the trigger warnings for the type of content that's included. Personally I loved it all! There wasn't any part of the spice that I didn't like!
The MCs are well written and there's a twist in the 3rd act that changes things before the cliffhanger. I'm really sad that I can't keep reading the next book! I need to know what happens to Killian and Imogen!
This book sucked me in! I was going through it quickly and it kept me intrigued. I hate that this ends in a cliffhanger!!
Make sure you read the trigger warnings for the type of content that's included. Personally I loved it all! There wasn't any part of the spice that I didn't like!
The MCs are well written and there's a twist in the 3rd act that changes things before the cliffhanger. I'm really sad that I can't keep reading the next book! I need to know what happens to Killian and Imogen!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
ARC provided by Netgalley and HarperCollins for honest review.
WOW. Dark, mafia romance meets Beauty and the Beast in The Auction, a new book by Sadie Kincaid, set in the same universe as her Chicago Ruthless series. Imogen DeMotta has been raised all her life knowing she will be sold at auction to the highest bidder when she reaches twenty-one. What she doesn't expect is a mysterious masked bidder to come in with a huge offer, effectively blowing any competition out of the water - or for that man, Lincoln Knight, to take her home and not abuse her. She is Belle in mafia daughter form - naive and innocent, loves the library, loves gardening, forms a strong bond with Pierre, Lincoln's right hand man - and eventually falls for Lincoln himself. But he is keeping a big secret - and when she finds out, betrayals abound on all sides.
Lincoln Knight, the masked man who bids a fortune for Imogen, is far more than he lets on to her - be that his true identity, or his motives for disappearing every week. As readers, we are privy to the information that Imogen is not, and it makes us love him even more - but the frustration in the final chapters (leading to a doozy of a cliffhanger!) at him not being honest with her (or her with him for that matter) is so strong. The love he feels for Imogen is complicated by the truth of who he really is, but he absolutely adores her, even whilst his Spidey-senses are tingling about her motives. He is dark, set on vengeance, and determined to save as many women as possible, regardless of bodies that mount up in the process - but for her, he is light and softness personified. He may have "bought" her, but he doesn't feel like he owns her - encouraging her to be her own woman, even if she can't leave his home (for her own protection).
Imogen has spent twenty one years being brainwashed and moulded into the perfect slave. She is naive, with just enough knowledge not to be totally innocent - the way her Grandfather and Larissa intended. With Lincoln's encouragement, she learns to question and think for herself, becoming her own woman (in a sense) for the first time in her life, and falling deeply for him. Her courage is astounding. But when she finds the truth, her sense of betrayal leads her to make a choice that causes chaos and leaves everyone reeling. Will Lincoln - ******* - be able to rescue her again? Or, as she fears, will it be vengeance he wants on her?
I adored the character of Pierre - Imogen's first ally when she swaps the prison with her Grandfather to the prison with Lincoln. He is kind to her, despite the reveal of what he has been through, and shows her that not all men are cruel. His French origins are very reminiscent of Lumiere in the Disney film, and I absolutely loved that - the comparisons of fairytale romance set against a supremely dark backdrop of mafia, vengeance and slave auctions.
What I loved about the unfolding love story was that it was deliciously messy. It never felt forced or like it was fated - both characters had their hang ups and points where it looked like nothing could happen. It felt organic and chaotic, but perfectly right.
Honestly, the cliffhanger The Auction finishes on is BRUTAL. Sadie, you may have broken me this time! The thought of waiting for 9 months not knowing what happens next is shredding my insides! I am desperate for the Beast to rescue his Beauty - and terrified for Imogen and about what she may go through whilst she waits. But can they repair what has been fractured, even if he rescues her? It's going to be total torment waiting for The Game.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to review this book!
WOW. Dark, mafia romance meets Beauty and the Beast in The Auction, a new book by Sadie Kincaid, set in the same universe as her Chicago Ruthless series. Imogen DeMotta has been raised all her life knowing she will be sold at auction to the highest bidder when she reaches twenty-one. What she doesn't expect is a mysterious masked bidder to come in with a huge offer, effectively blowing any competition out of the water - or for that man, Lincoln Knight, to take her home and not abuse her. She is Belle in mafia daughter form - naive and innocent, loves the library, loves gardening, forms a strong bond with Pierre, Lincoln's right hand man - and eventually falls for Lincoln himself. But he is keeping a big secret - and when she finds out, betrayals abound on all sides.
Lincoln Knight, the masked man who bids a fortune for Imogen, is far more than he lets on to her - be that his true identity, or his motives for disappearing every week. As readers, we are privy to the information that Imogen is not, and it makes us love him even more - but the frustration in the final chapters (leading to a doozy of a cliffhanger!) at him not being honest with her (or her with him for that matter) is so strong. The love he feels for Imogen is complicated by the truth of who he really is, but he absolutely adores her, even whilst his Spidey-senses are tingling about her motives. He is dark, set on vengeance, and determined to save as many women as possible, regardless of bodies that mount up in the process - but for her, he is light and softness personified. He may have "bought" her, but he doesn't feel like he owns her - encouraging her to be her own woman, even if she can't leave his home (for her own protection).
Imogen has spent twenty one years being brainwashed and moulded into the perfect slave. She is naive, with just enough knowledge not to be totally innocent - the way her Grandfather and Larissa intended. With Lincoln's encouragement, she learns to question and think for herself, becoming her own woman (in a sense) for the first time in her life, and falling deeply for him. Her courage is astounding. But when she finds the truth, her sense of betrayal leads her to make a choice that causes chaos and leaves everyone reeling. Will Lincoln - ******* - be able to rescue her again? Or, as she fears, will it be vengeance he wants on her?
I adored the character of Pierre - Imogen's first ally when she swaps the prison with her Grandfather to the prison with Lincoln. He is kind to her, despite the reveal of what he has been through, and shows her that not all men are cruel. His French origins are very reminiscent of Lumiere in the Disney film, and I absolutely loved that - the comparisons of fairytale romance set against a supremely dark backdrop of mafia, vengeance and slave auctions.
What I loved about the unfolding love story was that it was deliciously messy. It never felt forced or like it was fated - both characters had their hang ups and points where it looked like nothing could happen. It felt organic and chaotic, but perfectly right.
Honestly, the cliffhanger The Auction finishes on is BRUTAL. Sadie, you may have broken me this time! The thought of waiting for 9 months not knowing what happens next is shredding my insides! I am desperate for the Beast to rescue his Beauty - and terrified for Imogen and about what she may go through whilst she waits. But can they repair what has been fractured, even if he rescues her? It's going to be total torment waiting for The Game.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to review this book!
March 3, 2026
Review of advanced copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing and Sadie Kincaid for the ARC!
This book was marketed as a mafia, slow burn, touch her and die, beauty and the beast retelling romance. I would say it was more secret society/club rather than mafia, and there was no slow burn. The romance in this was 0 to 100. You have a few chapters of our MMC (42) having an internal battle over the moral conflict of being attracted to the FMC (21), who is the daughter of his deceased friend that he promised to take care of when she was a child. The FMC doesn’t know this tidbit, and he buys her at an auction to “save” her from the vile members of this secret society. I knew this was erotica going into it, but it just felt icky for multiple reasons. The age-gap, he knew her as a child, she’s been completely sheltered from the world and was raised to “serve” her master (whoever bought her), and is beyond naive to the world. She truly has the mentality of a 5 year old who’s been shown p*rn to “prepare her”. The MMC gives into his impulses extremely fast, and I wouldn’t call what they have love. Beyond the quote unquote romance, I found it hard to be invested in the stakes of this book because we’re told “these people are disgusting and awful” from the first page, but I think this would have done better as a second book in the series, with the first book being about the society, the MMC’s past and FMC’s upbringing, leading us to be more emotionally invested/understanding of how the story unfolds in The Auction.
Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing and Sadie Kincaid for the ARC!
This book was marketed as a mafia, slow burn, touch her and die, beauty and the beast retelling romance. I would say it was more secret society/club rather than mafia, and there was no slow burn. The romance in this was 0 to 100. You have a few chapters of our MMC (42) having an internal battle over the moral conflict of being attracted to the FMC (21), who is the daughter of his deceased friend that he promised to take care of when she was a child. The FMC doesn’t know this tidbit, and he buys her at an auction to “save” her from the vile members of this secret society. I knew this was erotica going into it, but it just felt icky for multiple reasons. The age-gap, he knew her as a child, she’s been completely sheltered from the world and was raised to “serve” her master (whoever bought her), and is beyond naive to the world. She truly has the mentality of a 5 year old who’s been shown p*rn to “prepare her”. The MMC gives into his impulses extremely fast, and I wouldn’t call what they have love. Beyond the quote unquote romance, I found it hard to be invested in the stakes of this book because we’re told “these people are disgusting and awful” from the first page, but I think this would have done better as a second book in the series, with the first book being about the society, the MMC’s past and FMC’s upbringing, leading us to be more emotionally invested/understanding of how the story unfolds in The Auction.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 8, 2026
ARC and ALC immersive read
⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
I found the premise for this book so intriguing - she’s the isolated and naive woman sold at an auction, he’s the billionaire who buys her in order to save her and take down the people running the show. But the book didn’t entirely live up to my expectations.
The FMC is almost child-like in her naïveté and there’s this weird mix between her being completely controlled throughout her life but also… protected and pampered? Sure, she only eats oatmeal made with water for breakfast, but she also is completely unharmed? I expected something a bit more salacious in an upbringing where she was destined to be trafficked into slavery.
The MMC is just as confusing - he spends a good portion of the story bemoaning his own monstrosity while also going on missions to destroy the bad guys and staying away from the woman he bought. And then he demands that she not wear panties and start butt plug training.
Even when the spice happens, there’s not a ton of chemistry behind it. Standard issue spice?
The book ends with some reveals, betrayals and a cliffhanger. I’m not sure if I’ll continue with the series, but if I do, it’ll definitely be with the audio. The narration and production here were so well done, seamlessly switching between narrators and voices.
Thanks so much to Harlequin Audio and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the ALC and ARC.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
I found the premise for this book so intriguing - she’s the isolated and naive woman sold at an auction, he’s the billionaire who buys her in order to save her and take down the people running the show. But the book didn’t entirely live up to my expectations.
The FMC is almost child-like in her naïveté and there’s this weird mix between her being completely controlled throughout her life but also… protected and pampered? Sure, she only eats oatmeal made with water for breakfast, but she also is completely unharmed? I expected something a bit more salacious in an upbringing where she was destined to be trafficked into slavery.
The MMC is just as confusing - he spends a good portion of the story bemoaning his own monstrosity while also going on missions to destroy the bad guys and staying away from the woman he bought. And then he demands that she not wear panties and start butt plug training.
Even when the spice happens, there’s not a ton of chemistry behind it. Standard issue spice?
The book ends with some reveals, betrayals and a cliffhanger. I’m not sure if I’ll continue with the series, but if I do, it’ll definitely be with the audio. The narration and production here were so well done, seamlessly switching between narrators and voices.
Thanks so much to Harlequin Audio and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the ALC and ARC.
February 20, 2026
3.5/5 I liked this but didn’t love it. I will likely read the next one.
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