What do you think?
Rate this book
Win a free print copy of this book!
11 days and 19:02:29
5 copies available
U.S. and Canada only
The Auction
Not yet published
Expected 14 Apr 26Win a free print copy of this book!
11 days and 19:02:29
5 copies available
U.S. and Canada only
The queen of dark mafia romance, Sadie Kincaid, begins her new explosively sexy Wages of Sin series with The Auction. 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
Kindle Edition
Expected publication April 14, 2026
10565 people want to read
About the author
Sadie Kincaid
60 books15.6k 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...
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews
January 11, 2026
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, 2025, 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.🖤😈
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, 2025, 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.🖤😈
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 Harlequin Trade Publishing 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 Harlequin Trade Publishing for the free ARC copy of The Auction in return for my honest review.—
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.
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.
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!
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.
December 8, 2025
no one told me this wasn't going to be a standalone. the ending was so intense, i could not put it down. i was tapping through my kindle pages so quickly, needing to know what was going to happen next, until i got to—the announcement for the next book. which i now need immediately!
the auction was so excellent—both as a dark organized crime romance, but also as a beauty and the beast retelling. i will absolutely eat up any beauty and the beast story, and i felt like both roles fit imogen and lincoln so naturally. lincoln, who is scarred, inside and out, from a horrific past; and imogen, just as equally tortured and with her own past pains, but kept beautiful as a pawn in a plan that she is only just beginning to understand.
the book opens right at the scene of the eponymous auction; the one imogen has been prepared for all her life. the one where she will be sold to the highest bidder and expected to suffer through any manner of horrors after. but instead of being sold to some depraved, vile man, as she expects, she's sold to lincoln. this book is dark—in its descriptions, in its details of just what the organized crime group, the brotherhood, does, but also in what lincoln, the mmc does, to them in the name of retribution and revenge.
however, what quickly endeared lincoln to me was how gentle and thoughtful he was with imogen—always. i loved how this book was told in alternating povs, because in the chapters with his perspective, we get a better sense of his guilt—over their age gap, over their past, over the fact that he boughther—and his undeniable need to do right by her, even as he keeps his own secrets. while he is still a morally grey hero, in terms of the romance, he was always considerate, kind, and so, so good to her. i'm a sucker for the "he hates everyone but her" trope, and the auction gave me "he's a monster to everyone but her" in delicious, wonderful spades.
and imogen struck just the right balance between being, understandably, naive and sheltered and inexperienced, but also being courageous and curious as she comes into her own. her perspectives definitely grew more compelling the more she started to open up. yet even right from the start, she possessed an internal strength and dogged determination to never let anyone break her that was so admirable. although at times, i wish there had been more action from her, the final act of this book made up for all of it.
and what a final act it was. the plot moves slowly with only slight bursts of action in between imogen and lincoln's time hidden away in his mansion, but the tension and build-up is no less potent for the unhurried pace of it. throughout the book, there are hints that what is being told is not the full truth, and the sense that an ultimate reckoning is on the horizon.
i really enjoyed how imogen and lincoln's feelings and love played a role in heightening the story; how it became intertwined with the plot and how it made everything so messy, but also so desperate for them. their connection was magnetic—and not just the off-the-charts spice that we get plenty of, but their emotional bond as well. when it's just the two of them, away from the chaos of their pasts and the dangers of the present, they are just two lonely people seeking solace in one another.
i absolutely can't wait for the next book—which i still feel betrayed by the existence of!—and after the way everything left off at the end of the auction, the game cannot come soon enough. i will be waiting eagerly to see imogen and lincoln, hopefully, get the ending that they deserve!
— thank you so much to htp books and mira for the e-arc via netgalley to review!
﹙ three-point-five stars, rounded up! ﹚
the auction was so excellent—both as a dark organized crime romance, but also as a beauty and the beast retelling. i will absolutely eat up any beauty and the beast story, and i felt like both roles fit imogen and lincoln so naturally. lincoln, who is scarred, inside and out, from a horrific past; and imogen, just as equally tortured and with her own past pains, but kept beautiful as a pawn in a plan that she is only just beginning to understand.
the book opens right at the scene of the eponymous auction; the one imogen has been prepared for all her life. the one where she will be sold to the highest bidder and expected to suffer through any manner of horrors after. but instead of being sold to some depraved, vile man, as she expects, she's sold to lincoln. this book is dark—in its descriptions, in its details of just what the organized crime group, the brotherhood, does, but also in what lincoln, the mmc does, to them in the name of retribution and revenge.
however, what quickly endeared lincoln to me was how gentle and thoughtful he was with imogen—always. i loved how this book was told in alternating povs, because in the chapters with his perspective, we get a better sense of his guilt—over their age gap, over their past, over the fact that he boughther—and his undeniable need to do right by her, even as he keeps his own secrets. while he is still a morally grey hero, in terms of the romance, he was always considerate, kind, and so, so good to her. i'm a sucker for the "he hates everyone but her" trope, and the auction gave me "he's a monster to everyone but her" in delicious, wonderful spades.
and imogen struck just the right balance between being, understandably, naive and sheltered and inexperienced, but also being courageous and curious as she comes into her own. her perspectives definitely grew more compelling the more she started to open up. yet even right from the start, she possessed an internal strength and dogged determination to never let anyone break her that was so admirable. although at times, i wish there had been more action from her, the final act of this book made up for all of it.
and what a final act it was. the plot moves slowly with only slight bursts of action in between imogen and lincoln's time hidden away in his mansion, but the tension and build-up is no less potent for the unhurried pace of it. throughout the book, there are hints that what is being told is not the full truth, and the sense that an ultimate reckoning is on the horizon.
i really enjoyed how imogen and lincoln's feelings and love played a role in heightening the story; how it became intertwined with the plot and how it made everything so messy, but also so desperate for them. their connection was magnetic—and not just the off-the-charts spice that we get plenty of, but their emotional bond as well. when it's just the two of them, away from the chaos of their pasts and the dangers of the present, they are just two lonely people seeking solace in one another.
i absolutely can't wait for the next book—which i still feel betrayed by the existence of!—and after the way everything left off at the end of the auction, the game cannot come soon enough. i will be waiting eagerly to see imogen and lincoln, hopefully, get the ending that they deserve!
— thank you so much to htp books and mira for the e-arc via netgalley to review!
﹙ three-point-five stars, rounded up! ﹚
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in return for my honest review.
This was my first Sadie Kincaid book but it won't be my last.
There are huge trigger warnings, so please be aware before reading.
This was my first Sadie Kincaid book but it won't be my last.
There are huge trigger warnings, so please be aware before reading.
January 10, 2026
4 ⭐️
So, I’ve somehow unbeknownst to me when I picked this up, just read my first godfather x goddaughter romance, and I feel like this would be a great time to go and pray, for the person I was before reading this because I miss that version of myself lol.
All jokes asides, though, this was fucking insane. I do love a good beauty and the beast retelling and this was loosely inspired by the story, with Lincoln’s scars and wearing a mask and Imogen’s innocence and naivety, due to her sheltered upbringing. This is dark, too, and despite there were moments where I did feel unsettled, and unsure with where it was going, I still found it incredibly compelling and enjoyable.
This is my first book I’ve read by Sadie Kincaid and, well asides, from not really knowing where this was going until more than halfway, I know that I quite literally couldn’t put this down, holding my breath in anticipation and had to force myself to put this down at 1am last night, and that cliffhanger at the end was pure insanity. And the hidden identity reveal about Lincoln, too, like it was really sweet how he cared about Imogen, and then it all made sense why he did, despite the depravity and I couldn’t help but root for them.
Human trafficking is a particularly difficult topic to read about, and this book does not shy away from how dark and disturbing it is. The organisation that Lincoln is trying to dismantle is absolutely depraved, and you know, I can’t ignore him also lusting after his goddaughter, too, I’m gonna need to take some time to get my head around that one haha. The spice was spicy, until I realised who he was!
The Brotherhood have pinned him for the murders of Imogen’s parents, and so rightly so, he’s spent the last eighteen years exacting his revenge. While also trying and failing to fight his attraction to Imogen who has lived a sheltered life up until the day of her auction. Her grandfather and the woman who cared for her are just as depraved, as I’m sure they had something to do with Imogen’s parents death, and with how this ended, I believe we’re set to see just how awful they are towards Imogen.
Anywhoo, Harper Collins, what does a girl have to do to kindly get an ARC of The Game, pretty please when it becomes available because I absolutely need to see how this ends, and I’d be a liar if I said that I wasn’t rooting for Imogen and Lincoln!
Tropes
Forbidden love
Age gap
Beauty and the Beast Vibes
Masked vigilante
He's soft only for her
Secret organisation
Morally grey hero
Virgin heroine
So, I’ve somehow unbeknownst to me when I picked this up, just read my first godfather x goddaughter romance, and I feel like this would be a great time to go and pray, for the person I was before reading this because I miss that version of myself lol.
All jokes asides, though, this was fucking insane. I do love a good beauty and the beast retelling and this was loosely inspired by the story, with Lincoln’s scars and wearing a mask and Imogen’s innocence and naivety, due to her sheltered upbringing. This is dark, too, and despite there were moments where I did feel unsettled, and unsure with where it was going, I still found it incredibly compelling and enjoyable.
This is my first book I’ve read by Sadie Kincaid and, well asides, from not really knowing where this was going until more than halfway, I know that I quite literally couldn’t put this down, holding my breath in anticipation and had to force myself to put this down at 1am last night, and that cliffhanger at the end was pure insanity. And the hidden identity reveal about Lincoln, too, like it was really sweet how he cared about Imogen, and then it all made sense why he did, despite the depravity and I couldn’t help but root for them.
Human trafficking is a particularly difficult topic to read about, and this book does not shy away from how dark and disturbing it is. The organisation that Lincoln is trying to dismantle is absolutely depraved, and you know, I can’t ignore him also lusting after his goddaughter, too, I’m gonna need to take some time to get my head around that one haha. The spice was spicy, until I realised who he was!
The Brotherhood have pinned him for the murders of Imogen’s parents, and so rightly so, he’s spent the last eighteen years exacting his revenge. While also trying and failing to fight his attraction to Imogen who has lived a sheltered life up until the day of her auction. Her grandfather and the woman who cared for her are just as depraved, as I’m sure they had something to do with Imogen’s parents death, and with how this ended, I believe we’re set to see just how awful they are towards Imogen.
Anywhoo, Harper Collins, what does a girl have to do to kindly get an ARC of The Game, pretty please when it becomes available because I absolutely need to see how this ends, and I’d be a liar if I said that I wasn’t rooting for Imogen and Lincoln!
Tropes
Forbidden love
Age gap
Beauty and the Beast Vibes
Masked vigilante
He's soft only for her
Secret organisation
Morally grey hero
Virgin heroine
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 5, 2026
Oh. My. Heart. The Auction is exactly the kind of book that devours you from page one and doesn’t let go — I was absolutely hooked. Sadie Kincaid blends dark romance, gothic vibes, and a Beauty & the Beast–style slow burn into something that feels both classic and utterly fresh.
From the very first chapter, you’re thrown into the heart-stopping world of Imogen — a heroine raised to fear the auction that will decide her fate — and Lincoln Knight, the masked, mysterious man who changes everything. Their chemistry is electric and rooted in genuine emotion, not just spice (though there’s plenty of that too!)
What I loved most was how layered this story feels. Imogen grows from someone shaped by fear into someone discovering her own strength, and Lincoln — scarred, secretive, morally grey — becomes so much more than he first appears. Their connection is messy, tense, deeply emotional, and so believable.
The world-building is rich and atmospheric, the pacing keeps you turning pages, and the ending? Let’s just say the cliffhanger hit hard — I am absolutely desperate for the next book.
From the very first chapter, you’re thrown into the heart-stopping world of Imogen — a heroine raised to fear the auction that will decide her fate — and Lincoln Knight, the masked, mysterious man who changes everything. Their chemistry is electric and rooted in genuine emotion, not just spice (though there’s plenty of that too!)
What I loved most was how layered this story feels. Imogen grows from someone shaped by fear into someone discovering her own strength, and Lincoln — scarred, secretive, morally grey — becomes so much more than he first appears. Their connection is messy, tense, deeply emotional, and so believable.
The world-building is rich and atmospheric, the pacing keeps you turning pages, and the ending? Let’s just say the cliffhanger hit hard — I am absolutely desperate for the next book.
January 10, 2026
Thank you HarperCollins UK and NetGalley for providing me an e-arc in exchange for an honest review. My review is my own and not influenced by others.
3,5*
First of all, for me it was obvious who the King was from the beginning of this book. I did however liked Lincoln a lot, his mission to destroy the Brotherhood and everyone in it was the reason why I kept on reading.
The cliffhanger at the end of the book was really predictable and not of my liking but I will read the second book when it comes out.
3,5*
First of all, for me it was obvious who the King was from the beginning of this book. I did however liked Lincoln a lot, his mission to destroy the Brotherhood and everyone in it was the reason why I kept on reading.
The cliffhanger at the end of the book was really predictable and not of my liking but I will read the second book when it comes out.
January 3, 2026
Beauty and the beast meets organized crime… I was hooked in the beginning and was eager to see where it was going but it lost me a bit around 50-75% when it went from tension to back to back spice and not much in between. I also felt like the main characters kept contradicting themselves too much and it felt too repetitive. Then the ending brought me back a little with the cliffhanger but I‘m not sure if it was enough for me to pick up book 2.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley. Opinions and this review are my own.
Sadie Kincaid's The Auction is centered around 21 year old Imogen, our FMC, and Lincoln Knight, a recluse billionaire. Imogen is human trafficked at 21, having been sold off by her grandfather in order to save her life. The women sold are referred to as Lots and auctioned off to sick individuals who use and abuse women in horrific ways. Running the show, in the shadows, is a secret society named The Brotherhood. And Imogen is now facing punishment for her father's betrayal against them. Imogen, Lot 51, is advertised as one of the most sought after commodities, as she is the daughter of a man they refer to as a "traitor" to the organization.
The MMC is Lincoln Knight, a mysterious billionaire, who wears a mask and hides himself from the world. He, however, shows up to The Auction with only one mission in mind - to buy Lot 51.
Upon taking her to his home, Imogen has no idea what to expect. She doesn't trust him, she was raised to trust no one, and anxiously and fearfully waits for him to do his worst. But as the days go by and none of the cruelty she expects occurs, she begins to let some of her walls down. And Lincoln, quiet, dark, and brooding, finds himself attracted to Imogen. Eventually, their relationship grows. But there are things they both hide. Where does Lincoln go weeks at a time? What does he do for a living? Why did he buy her? Can they actually fall in love with the power imbalance between them, with Lincoln having bought her, owning her? Can Lincoln trust Imogen's feelings? Can Imogen? And when truths emerge, will they be able to survive it?
The Auction is a duet and ends with a cliffhanger. The second book is slated to be published in November 2026. It is an age-gap, secret society, spicy romance chock-full of heart racing moments and suspense.
The relationship between the two main characters is a bit of a slow burn. Sadie Kincaid does take her time developing these characters' back story for the reader and developing their relationship. Which for someone like me, who is not a fan of slow burns, was a little frustrating. But I understood why it was necessary, and it truly was necessary for their story. When they finally happen, it's a combustion of lust, sex, tenderness, and love.
The book is filled with suspense, mystery, a solid love story and spice, and if you're a Sadie Kincaid reader, you know she does not disappoint! I have been reading Sadie Kincaid's books for a couple of years now, and her writing has continually gotten better and better with every book. The Auction is no exception. Suffice to say, I am desperate for book 2 and cannot wait for the conclusion of Imogen and Lincoln's love story.
Sadie Kincaid's The Auction is centered around 21 year old Imogen, our FMC, and Lincoln Knight, a recluse billionaire. Imogen is human trafficked at 21, having been sold off by her grandfather in order to save her life. The women sold are referred to as Lots and auctioned off to sick individuals who use and abuse women in horrific ways. Running the show, in the shadows, is a secret society named The Brotherhood. And Imogen is now facing punishment for her father's betrayal against them. Imogen, Lot 51, is advertised as one of the most sought after commodities, as she is the daughter of a man they refer to as a "traitor" to the organization.
The MMC is Lincoln Knight, a mysterious billionaire, who wears a mask and hides himself from the world. He, however, shows up to The Auction with only one mission in mind - to buy Lot 51.
Upon taking her to his home, Imogen has no idea what to expect. She doesn't trust him, she was raised to trust no one, and anxiously and fearfully waits for him to do his worst. But as the days go by and none of the cruelty she expects occurs, she begins to let some of her walls down. And Lincoln, quiet, dark, and brooding, finds himself attracted to Imogen. Eventually, their relationship grows. But there are things they both hide. Where does Lincoln go weeks at a time? What does he do for a living? Why did he buy her? Can they actually fall in love with the power imbalance between them, with Lincoln having bought her, owning her? Can Lincoln trust Imogen's feelings? Can Imogen? And when truths emerge, will they be able to survive it?
The Auction is a duet and ends with a cliffhanger. The second book is slated to be published in November 2026. It is an age-gap, secret society, spicy romance chock-full of heart racing moments and suspense.
The relationship between the two main characters is a bit of a slow burn. Sadie Kincaid does take her time developing these characters' back story for the reader and developing their relationship. Which for someone like me, who is not a fan of slow burns, was a little frustrating. But I understood why it was necessary, and it truly was necessary for their story. When they finally happen, it's a combustion of lust, sex, tenderness, and love.
The book is filled with suspense, mystery, a solid love story and spice, and if you're a Sadie Kincaid reader, you know she does not disappoint! I have been reading Sadie Kincaid's books for a couple of years now, and her writing has continually gotten better and better with every book. The Auction is no exception. Suffice to say, I am desperate for book 2 and cannot wait for the conclusion of Imogen and Lincoln's love story.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Honestly, I could not bring myself to enjoy this book.
The premise intrigued me, I was in the mood for something on the darker side and to try out a new author. I made it about 50% through before I had to DNF.
The FMC felt inconsistent - she was raised by her grandfather and governess from the age of 3 to 21, which is fine. It fit the plot. But what doesn't quite make sense to me is why they insisted on her being so insanely sheltered? Not knowing what a bluetooth speaker was, not ever attending any kind of school, not having any interaction with peers, not even having sugar? I know it's attempted to be explained as them "preparing" her for The Auction since they assume she will be purchased and treated poorly but that means she has to be isolated and miserable for 18 years before that? It just didn't make sense to me. Especially since the deal was they would wait until she was 21 - so why not send her to a boarding school with security? Money doesn't seem to be an issue. I don't know. It just wasn't it for me.
Going along with the FMC's shelteredness, she was basically mentally/socially/emotionally a child at this point but that seemed to fluctuate depending on the scene. She can't bring herself to ask to eat a slice of pie but has no problem asking the MMC to have sex with her?
The MMC, who is basically Bruce Wayne with facial scarring, spent the entire first half of the book talking about what a "monster" he is despite trying to single handedly take down an evil empire? It got repetitive and annoying.
The MMC's attraction to the FMC sort of bothered me in some ways. This is where I think some will agree or disagree with me. He seems to be ~20 years older than her (probably a bit less). Which is not my cup of tea, but I get it. Fine. But he knew her as a baby/toddler and that part sort of icks me out a little. He even has a conversation with another character about how she's "no longer the child he once knew, she's a woman now" and that just rubbed me the wrong way honestly. She is emotionally/socially basically a small child and that just should bother a grown man in my opinion.
There may be an audience for this, and maybe my issues would get resolved if I kept going, but I just couldn't bring myself to.
The premise intrigued me, I was in the mood for something on the darker side and to try out a new author. I made it about 50% through before I had to DNF.
The FMC felt inconsistent - she was raised by her grandfather and governess from the age of 3 to 21, which is fine. It fit the plot. But what doesn't quite make sense to me is why they insisted on her being so insanely sheltered? Not knowing what a bluetooth speaker was, not ever attending any kind of school, not having any interaction with peers, not even having sugar? I know it's attempted to be explained as them "preparing" her for The Auction since they assume she will be purchased and treated poorly but that means she has to be isolated and miserable for 18 years before that? It just didn't make sense to me. Especially since the deal was they would wait until she was 21 - so why not send her to a boarding school with security? Money doesn't seem to be an issue. I don't know. It just wasn't it for me.
Going along with the FMC's shelteredness, she was basically mentally/socially/emotionally a child at this point but that seemed to fluctuate depending on the scene. She can't bring herself to ask to eat a slice of pie but has no problem asking the MMC to have sex with her?
The MMC, who is basically Bruce Wayne with facial scarring, spent the entire first half of the book talking about what a "monster" he is despite trying to single handedly take down an evil empire? It got repetitive and annoying.
The MMC's attraction to the FMC sort of bothered me in some ways. This is where I think some will agree or disagree with me. He seems to be ~20 years older than her (probably a bit less). Which is not my cup of tea, but I get it. Fine. But he knew her as a baby/toddler and that part sort of icks me out a little. He even has a conversation with another character about how she's "no longer the child he once knew, she's a woman now" and that just rubbed me the wrong way honestly. She is emotionally/socially basically a small child and that just should bother a grown man in my opinion.
There may be an audience for this, and maybe my issues would get resolved if I kept going, but I just couldn't bring myself to.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
after preparing her entire life to be exchanged as collateral to the Brotherhood for her father's betrayal, Imogen is sold to Lincoln Knight, a reclusive billionaire with a notorious reputation. when Imogen returns home with Lincoln, she quickly realizes that Lincoln's reputation is not as it seems, causing her to question everything in the past twenty one years of her life.
please check your triggers before reading this book as this deals with extremely heavy topics. you may enjoy this book if you also like:
✨ morally grey "hero" taking down a corrupt organization from the inside
✨ slow burn romance that turns spicy
✨ masked men
✨ lovable side characters
✨ juicy cliffhanger
thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing | MIRA for this eARC in exchange for an honest review!
please check your triggers before reading this book as this deals with extremely heavy topics. you may enjoy this book if you also like:
✨ morally grey "hero" taking down a corrupt organization from the inside
✨ slow burn romance that turns spicy
✨ masked men
✨ lovable side characters
✨ juicy cliffhanger
thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing | MIRA for this eARC in exchange for an honest review!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
*I was given this book as an eArc from NetGalley but my review is based solely on my own thoughts and opinions*
It’s like a twisted messed up Batman meets Beauty and the beast story. Millionaire with messed up face and background who uses his billions to get back at the people who wronged him and others. This book as you can guess is dark! It also has hints of like Frankenstein where he is supposed to be seen as a monster and does monstrous things but isn’t a monster. It’s what people perceive it is not who he is.
There are a lot of books out there where the mfc is naive and is “innocent,” and lacks any sort of intelligence about anything other than being a damsel. Sometimes those books are so far off course but this one is beautifully written. Her innocence, she is aware of because of her past, she doesn’t act like that, it is simply who she is and was brought up but is slowly finding herself. I did not think I could read something so light and warming in such a dark romance. This book is slow and I would typically find myself having trouble getting through books like that however, I found myself for the first time liking those moments.
I do think the word “sir” is used way too much. And angel, that term of endearment just felt not right to me, that’s something a grandma would say to me, idk it gave me the icks. Speaking of icks. I do not like the age gap. I do not like big age gaps (20 years), that’s too taboo for me. Especially that he knew her as a kid. Usually I stop reading right then and there cause NO, but I just kept telling and tricking myself that he’s not that much older than her to get through it lol. I’m also grossed out about the period play. There are icks in here that just aren’t my cup of tea.
The writing isn’t as poetic and beautiful towards the end because now that they’ve established a relationship, it’s mainly just naughty scenes and teaching her. The ending, I was a bit confused haha not gonna lie.
Overall, if you’re a fan of these type of taboo books (no judgement here), I’d probably rate it a 5 but for me personally, I’d give it a 3.
It’s like a twisted messed up Batman meets Beauty and the beast story. Millionaire with messed up face and background who uses his billions to get back at the people who wronged him and others. This book as you can guess is dark! It also has hints of like Frankenstein where he is supposed to be seen as a monster and does monstrous things but isn’t a monster. It’s what people perceive it is not who he is.
There are a lot of books out there where the mfc is naive and is “innocent,” and lacks any sort of intelligence about anything other than being a damsel. Sometimes those books are so far off course but this one is beautifully written. Her innocence, she is aware of because of her past, she doesn’t act like that, it is simply who she is and was brought up but is slowly finding herself. I did not think I could read something so light and warming in such a dark romance. This book is slow and I would typically find myself having trouble getting through books like that however, I found myself for the first time liking those moments.
I do think the word “sir” is used way too much. And angel, that term of endearment just felt not right to me, that’s something a grandma would say to me, idk it gave me the icks. Speaking of icks. I do not like the age gap. I do not like big age gaps (20 years), that’s too taboo for me. Especially that he knew her as a kid. Usually I stop reading right then and there cause NO, but I just kept telling and tricking myself that he’s not that much older than her to get through it lol. I’m also grossed out about the period play. There are icks in here that just aren’t my cup of tea.
The writing isn’t as poetic and beautiful towards the end because now that they’ve established a relationship, it’s mainly just naughty scenes and teaching her. The ending, I was a bit confused haha not gonna lie.
Overall, if you’re a fan of these type of taboo books (no judgement here), I’d probably rate it a 5 but for me personally, I’d give it a 3.
December 27, 2025
One of the main problems with ARC reading is coming across a gem early and knowing you have to wait what feels like an interminable about of time before you can get closure and the next instalment being available. Fate seems to have dangled a few dark retellings/ fairy tale inspired stories my way lately, and honestly, I haven’t been massively impressed or engaged with any of them too positively. When I requested this one to read, I didn’t realise that it had a Beauty and The Beast vibe to it. But this was the one. The one that I had been waiting for to change my experience of dark fairytales! I loved the mafia element, the way that the FMC was helped by the MMC to become her own person again and obviously the massive library that she was able to spend her time in!
The storyline for this also gave me some vibes from Haunting Adeline, but only because of the MMC’s line of work and how he spends his time. Lincoln is a brilliant MMC, perfectly morally grey, soft only for her, filthy mouth, as well as touch her and die. All of the red flags that we shouldn’t want but secretly crave. But at the same time, he is super thoughtful and kind when it comes to Imogen. The spice was spicin’, but it didn’t take away from the storyline for me, as we got to read about the angst from each character beforehand. Pierre is a great secondary character and I look forward to seeing more of him in the following books because, yes, I did not realise that this was the first in a series!! That ENDING! The plot twist! Just when I thought that I had it all figured out. Wow. Nicely done Sadie Kincaid.
This is the first time I have ever read a novel by Sadie Kincaid but can say with utmost certainty that it won’t be my last and (as long as the next instalment is everything that I need) she will be an auto-buy author for me.
Now I shall spend my days checking impatiently for the second book in the series.
Thank you to Sadie Kincaid, Harper Collins and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.
The storyline for this also gave me some vibes from Haunting Adeline, but only because of the MMC’s line of work and how he spends his time. Lincoln is a brilliant MMC, perfectly morally grey, soft only for her, filthy mouth, as well as touch her and die. All of the red flags that we shouldn’t want but secretly crave. But at the same time, he is super thoughtful and kind when it comes to Imogen. The spice was spicin’, but it didn’t take away from the storyline for me, as we got to read about the angst from each character beforehand. Pierre is a great secondary character and I look forward to seeing more of him in the following books because, yes, I did not realise that this was the first in a series!! That ENDING! The plot twist! Just when I thought that I had it all figured out. Wow. Nicely done Sadie Kincaid.
This is the first time I have ever read a novel by Sadie Kincaid but can say with utmost certainty that it won’t be my last and (as long as the next instalment is everything that I need) she will be an auto-buy author for me.
Now I shall spend my days checking impatiently for the second book in the series.
Thank you to Sadie Kincaid, Harper Collins and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.
January 7, 2026
I am still fairly new to the dark romance genre, and I still don’t know if it’s for me, but I did enjoy this! The Auction is a dark mafia romance that feels dangerous, full of tension, and had a lot more depth than I was expecting. Kincaid leans hard into the Beauty and the Beast vibes and wraps everything in a mafia underworld that feels both indulgent and ominous. The premise, along with the beautiful cover, immediately pulled me in.
We meet Imogen, a woman who is raised and used as a bargaining chip due to her father’s betrayal of a secret society known as the Brotherhood. On her 21st birthday, she’s to be sold to the highest bidder. Her buyer? Lincoln Knight, a reclusive billionaire rumored to be a total monster. He wears a mask to hide his scars, but Imogen quickly realizes that he isn’t what he’s made out to be, and she knows he’s hiding a lot more behind his mask than just scars.
While I did enjoy this, I think when it comes to the dark romance genre, I am better suited to ones that are equally seductive and full of humor (The Ruinous Love trilogy, the Into Darkness books, etc.), but that is not this book’s fault! That’s a Me issue. Readers that are huge fans of dark/mafia romances will absolutely love this. I have just realized that for me, I have to be able to laugh in between the darker moments.
The push-and-pull between fear and fascination, captivity and choice, is where this book really shines. Their chemistry simmers rather than explodes right away, which makes every charged glance and quiet reveal feel earned. The gothic mansion in the woods only amplifies the atmosphere, giving the story a secluded darkness that really works. The pacing lags slightly in the middle, but the emotional payoff and layered secrets make it worth the ride, and the cliffhanger at the end sets up the next book perfectly. If you love dark mafia romance with high stakes, slow-burn tension, and a heroine determined to reclaim her power, this one is absolutely worth reading.
A huge thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin | MIRA for this eARC!
We meet Imogen, a woman who is raised and used as a bargaining chip due to her father’s betrayal of a secret society known as the Brotherhood. On her 21st birthday, she’s to be sold to the highest bidder. Her buyer? Lincoln Knight, a reclusive billionaire rumored to be a total monster. He wears a mask to hide his scars, but Imogen quickly realizes that he isn’t what he’s made out to be, and she knows he’s hiding a lot more behind his mask than just scars.
While I did enjoy this, I think when it comes to the dark romance genre, I am better suited to ones that are equally seductive and full of humor (The Ruinous Love trilogy, the Into Darkness books, etc.), but that is not this book’s fault! That’s a Me issue. Readers that are huge fans of dark/mafia romances will absolutely love this. I have just realized that for me, I have to be able to laugh in between the darker moments.
The push-and-pull between fear and fascination, captivity and choice, is where this book really shines. Their chemistry simmers rather than explodes right away, which makes every charged glance and quiet reveal feel earned. The gothic mansion in the woods only amplifies the atmosphere, giving the story a secluded darkness that really works. The pacing lags slightly in the middle, but the emotional payoff and layered secrets make it worth the ride, and the cliffhanger at the end sets up the next book perfectly. If you love dark mafia romance with high stakes, slow-burn tension, and a heroine determined to reclaim her power, this one is absolutely worth reading.
A huge thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin | MIRA for this eARC!
January 10, 2026
( 2.5 )
Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for a copy of this ARC. Here is my honest review!
This was a change for me because it was kinda like a mystery type of novel for me - I requested this book solely based on the cover and nothing else.
I would never on my own pick up a dark romance, but it was an interesting change. There were elements of this that made me realize why I don’t often gravitate towards this genre. Namely using butter for anal lube in the middle of the woods or him licking her period blood off his fingers.
I don’t want to pick up a book that I wouldn’t enjoy normally and say it’s bad. If people were to like this genre normally I would say it’s probably a good one. It has a tortured hero and a tortured heroine, and their love for each other means something. What more could you want in this genre? There was a plot twist that actually surprised me, which I feel like is not something that happens when I read.
I think the major part of the book that I have a grievance with that is based on plot alone is the split point of views. While it is essential to the story later in the book, I wish that the first 25% had a lack of the hero’s point of view. The first chapter was her perspective of the auction, and then the second chapter was his perspective of the same events. It was in his chapter that you are already told that he is not actually a bad guy, but misunderstood. It takes all of the wondering away, and instead is immediately given to us. Like Beauty and the Beast, I think this story would benefit from the reader’s experiencing all of this dark and confusing time WITH the heroine. It makes when his reveal that he’s actually just a good(ish) guy mean all the more.
Maybe I missed it in the beginning also, but I feel like 80% in the book the age gap was brought up that he’s 20 years older than her and then it was mentioned a lot. Maybe it was concealed so that the reveal would be crazier but it came out of nowhere I felt??
Unsure if I would continue the series. Might if it’s a duology just to see where it goes.
Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for a copy of this ARC. Here is my honest review!
This was a change for me because it was kinda like a mystery type of novel for me - I requested this book solely based on the cover and nothing else.
I would never on my own pick up a dark romance, but it was an interesting change. There were elements of this that made me realize why I don’t often gravitate towards this genre. Namely using butter for anal lube in the middle of the woods or him licking her period blood off his fingers.
I don’t want to pick up a book that I wouldn’t enjoy normally and say it’s bad. If people were to like this genre normally I would say it’s probably a good one. It has a tortured hero and a tortured heroine, and their love for each other means something. What more could you want in this genre? There was a plot twist that actually surprised me, which I feel like is not something that happens when I read.
I think the major part of the book that I have a grievance with that is based on plot alone is the split point of views. While it is essential to the story later in the book, I wish that the first 25% had a lack of the hero’s point of view. The first chapter was her perspective of the auction, and then the second chapter was his perspective of the same events. It was in his chapter that you are already told that he is not actually a bad guy, but misunderstood. It takes all of the wondering away, and instead is immediately given to us. Like Beauty and the Beast, I think this story would benefit from the reader’s experiencing all of this dark and confusing time WITH the heroine. It makes when his reveal that he’s actually just a good(ish) guy mean all the more.
Maybe I missed it in the beginning also, but I feel like 80% in the book the age gap was brought up that he’s 20 years older than her and then it was mentioned a lot. Maybe it was concealed so that the reveal would be crazier but it came out of nowhere I felt??
Unsure if I would continue the series. Might if it’s a duology just to see where it goes.
January 3, 2026
🖤 ARC Review
The Auction
By Sadie Kincaid
⭐️ 4.6/5
(Wages of Sin Duology - Book 1)
Once again, when Queen Sadie drops a new book, I’m already standing in line. No questions. No hesitation. Just yes, ma’am. 👑🔥
The Auction gives us a brand-new story, a brand-new set of rules, fresh characters… and a whole lot of what did I just walk into and why can’t I stop reading?
We meet Imogene-a young woman bred for one purpose: obedience, submission, survival in a world where choice was never hers.
Then there’s Lincoln Knight-a billionaire with a secret life, a dark hunger, and a presence that commands attention. At the Auction, he finds Lot 51… and nothing unfolds the way you think it will.
This story gave me Beauty and the Beast vibes, tangled up with Sadie’s signature world of corruption, power, secrets, and morally gray everything. And yes-there’s a butler.
Pierre.
You will adore him. Period. 🖤
I went in thinking I knew the direction. I did not.
What felt like one path twisted into something entirely different, leaving me on my knees questioning everything-my assumptions, the clues, the breadcrumbs I clearly missed. And no, I didn’t misunderstand. Queen Sadie knew exactly what she was doing. She took me for a ride and left me staring at the final pages like… excuse me?
Dark. Twisted. Addictive.
I fall for it every single time-and I regret nothing.
Tropes & Vibes:
🖤 Morally gray
🔥 Slow burn
🎭 Masked hero
🔒 Secret society
🏰 Reclusive billionaire
💣 Mafia-adjacent vibes
Now excuse me while I impatiently wait for Book 2: The Game coming 11/2026… because that cliffhanger? Criminal. 😩📖💀
Plot_Twist_Momma approved. ✔️🖤
The Auction
By Sadie Kincaid
⭐️ 4.6/5
(Wages of Sin Duology - Book 1)
Once again, when Queen Sadie drops a new book, I’m already standing in line. No questions. No hesitation. Just yes, ma’am. 👑🔥
The Auction gives us a brand-new story, a brand-new set of rules, fresh characters… and a whole lot of what did I just walk into and why can’t I stop reading?
We meet Imogene-a young woman bred for one purpose: obedience, submission, survival in a world where choice was never hers.
Then there’s Lincoln Knight-a billionaire with a secret life, a dark hunger, and a presence that commands attention. At the Auction, he finds Lot 51… and nothing unfolds the way you think it will.
This story gave me Beauty and the Beast vibes, tangled up with Sadie’s signature world of corruption, power, secrets, and morally gray everything. And yes-there’s a butler.
Pierre.
You will adore him. Period. 🖤
I went in thinking I knew the direction. I did not.
What felt like one path twisted into something entirely different, leaving me on my knees questioning everything-my assumptions, the clues, the breadcrumbs I clearly missed. And no, I didn’t misunderstand. Queen Sadie knew exactly what she was doing. She took me for a ride and left me staring at the final pages like… excuse me?
Dark. Twisted. Addictive.
I fall for it every single time-and I regret nothing.
Tropes & Vibes:
🖤 Morally gray
🔥 Slow burn
🎭 Masked hero
🔒 Secret society
🏰 Reclusive billionaire
💣 Mafia-adjacent vibes
Now excuse me while I impatiently wait for Book 2: The Game coming 11/2026… because that cliffhanger? Criminal. 😩📖💀
Plot_Twist_Momma approved. ✔️🖤
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Shhhh My Show's About to Start...
The mysterious Lincoln Knight is forced out of hiding to make the once-in-a-lifetime purchase of the coveted FMC, Immogen, at an auction run by the mysterious Brotherhood. The board is set, the pieces in play, and the opening is about to commence...
☠️ Masked Vigilante
🖤 Secret Organisations
☠️ Dark Secrets
🖤 Age Gap
☠️ Forced Proximity
🖤 Forbidden
☠️ Somno (f*ck yeah)
From the bat, I got Beauty and the Beast crossed with V for Vendetta vibes from this book...(ok Queen, we doing this), and I was enraptured! But let's be clear, there are no dancing tea cups in this version of the tale, so check those TWs!
In my opinion, this one starts at a slightly slower pace than what I'm used to, BUT as the story unfolds and you get to know the characters more, you realise it's for good reason, the depth of these characters is going to be phenomenal. And the tension in this book is something else, oh, I was having heart palpitations at one point and panic ate a selection box of chocolates! Sadie really, really took the time to edge us good and proper for this one, and I think it might be some of her finest spice of late *bites fist and fans self*.
In true Sadie fashion there's also an Easter Egg or two from books gone by, and I freaking cried! I really hope we get more of THAT Easter Egg in her next instalment "The Game".
I honestly can't wait for what comes next in the duet, I get the feeling we're all playing checkers while Sadie's playing chess. 👑
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶.5
"They may touch you. Defile you. They may take your body, my sweet child, but they can never take your spirit. Never have what’s inside of you. That is yours and yours alone."
The mysterious Lincoln Knight is forced out of hiding to make the once-in-a-lifetime purchase of the coveted FMC, Immogen, at an auction run by the mysterious Brotherhood. The board is set, the pieces in play, and the opening is about to commence...
☠️ Masked Vigilante
🖤 Secret Organisations
☠️ Dark Secrets
🖤 Age Gap
☠️ Forced Proximity
🖤 Forbidden
☠️ Somno (f*ck yeah)
From the bat, I got Beauty and the Beast crossed with V for Vendetta vibes from this book...(ok Queen, we doing this), and I was enraptured! But let's be clear, there are no dancing tea cups in this version of the tale, so check those TWs!
In my opinion, this one starts at a slightly slower pace than what I'm used to, BUT as the story unfolds and you get to know the characters more, you realise it's for good reason, the depth of these characters is going to be phenomenal. And the tension in this book is something else, oh, I was having heart palpitations at one point and panic ate a selection box of chocolates! Sadie really, really took the time to edge us good and proper for this one, and I think it might be some of her finest spice of late *bites fist and fans self*.
In true Sadie fashion there's also an Easter Egg or two from books gone by, and I freaking cried! I really hope we get more of THAT Easter Egg in her next instalment "The Game".
I honestly can't wait for what comes next in the duet, I get the feeling we're all playing checkers while Sadie's playing chess. 👑
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶.5
"They may touch you. Defile you. They may take your body, my sweet child, but they can never take your spirit. Never have what’s inside of you. That is yours and yours alone."
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
*This book was received as an Advanced Reviewer's Copy from NetGalley.
Notes: This book contains explicit adult themes and there are several trigger warnings given at the beginning, read at your own caution.
Well, I certainly didn't know there was a genre of 'mafia adult romance' before this book. And let's be even more honest, I haven't read a 'spicy' book for decades, and this one was way different than the ones I used to steal from my grandma's pile.
Trained for an illicit underground auction from the time she was a small child, Imogen has known her only duty in life is to survive. And not show emotion. So when she's bought by one of the most mysterious figures in the underground, she's scared but determined. But Lincoln Knight is not quite what she imagined.
I had a hard time rating this one because of the characters. While I ultimately ended up at four stars, a lot of that was because I recognize that this is not my normal genre and so I want to be fair based on my personal tastes. I just found Imogen inconsistent. She's supposed to be buttoned up, not easily falling for the man who bought her at an auction, because that's objectively a terrible thin to do. But as a plot device to get to what the book is truly about, the spicy stuff, she serves its purpose in that way. Lincoln of course is dark and broody enough to be an apt fit to what I'm guessing is the genre's main type of protagonist.
Will I read the next book? Likely, gotta know how it finishes of course. In the end, it had excitement, passion, and all the other things that contribute to a good romance novel.
Review by M. Reynard 2026
Notes: This book contains explicit adult themes and there are several trigger warnings given at the beginning, read at your own caution.
Well, I certainly didn't know there was a genre of 'mafia adult romance' before this book. And let's be even more honest, I haven't read a 'spicy' book for decades, and this one was way different than the ones I used to steal from my grandma's pile.
Trained for an illicit underground auction from the time she was a small child, Imogen has known her only duty in life is to survive. And not show emotion. So when she's bought by one of the most mysterious figures in the underground, she's scared but determined. But Lincoln Knight is not quite what she imagined.
I had a hard time rating this one because of the characters. While I ultimately ended up at four stars, a lot of that was because I recognize that this is not my normal genre and so I want to be fair based on my personal tastes. I just found Imogen inconsistent. She's supposed to be buttoned up, not easily falling for the man who bought her at an auction, because that's objectively a terrible thin to do. But as a plot device to get to what the book is truly about, the spicy stuff, she serves its purpose in that way. Lincoln of course is dark and broody enough to be an apt fit to what I'm guessing is the genre's main type of protagonist.
Will I read the next book? Likely, gotta know how it finishes of course. In the end, it had excitement, passion, and all the other things that contribute to a good romance novel.
Review by M. Reynard 2026
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
THE AUCTION
Sadie Kincaid
Wages of Sin, book one
⭐⭐⭐💫
Thank you to the author, Harlequin Trade Publishing | MIRA, and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for my honest review
"I think she'd like me to be her hero. But I'm not the hero here - I'm the villian"
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. That’s how I come to be sold at an auction. And who buys me but the reclusive billionaire, Lincoln Knight? My fate is sealed when he takes me to his crumbling mansion deep in the woods. I have to escape. But something here isn’t what it seems. He’s everything I’ve been taught to fear, but what if everything I’ve ever known has been a lie?
This book started off strong, then we kind of got lost somewhere in the deep, dark woods for what felt like a long time, then found our way back out again at the end. I struggled to connect to Imogen's character. I wish there was more action/plot; however, I also didn't realize this wasn't a standalone until closer to the end. Hoping the plot ramps up even more in book 2. A good choice if you are looking for a smutty dark romance with mafia vibes.
"I suppose she's not my ruin at all. She is the salvation I don't deserve"
What to expect:
💀 Dark, mafia romance
🥀 Beauty and the beast inspo
💀 Age gap
🥀 Morally gray antihero
💀 Masked men
🥀 Taboo/forbidden romance
Sadie Kincaid
Wages of Sin, book one
⭐⭐⭐💫
Thank you to the author, Harlequin Trade Publishing | MIRA, and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for my honest review
"I think she'd like me to be her hero. But I'm not the hero here - I'm the villian"
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. That’s how I come to be sold at an auction. And who buys me but the reclusive billionaire, Lincoln Knight? My fate is sealed when he takes me to his crumbling mansion deep in the woods. I have to escape. But something here isn’t what it seems. He’s everything I’ve been taught to fear, but what if everything I’ve ever known has been a lie?
This book started off strong, then we kind of got lost somewhere in the deep, dark woods for what felt like a long time, then found our way back out again at the end. I struggled to connect to Imogen's character. I wish there was more action/plot; however, I also didn't realize this wasn't a standalone until closer to the end. Hoping the plot ramps up even more in book 2. A good choice if you are looking for a smutty dark romance with mafia vibes.
"I suppose she's not my ruin at all. She is the salvation I don't deserve"
What to expect:
💀 Dark, mafia romance
🥀 Beauty and the beast inspo
💀 Age gap
🥀 Morally gray antihero
💀 Masked men
🥀 Taboo/forbidden romance
December 20, 2025
This is a dark, emotional start to a new series, and it grabbed my attention right away. It begins with Imogen being sold at an auction, a moment she has been trained for and feared her whole life. Instead of ending up with the kind of man she expects, she is bought by Lincoln Knight, a wealthy, masked man with a frightening reputation.
What really worked for me was the connection between Imogen and Lincoln. The dual points of view helped a lot. Seeing inside Lincoln’s head made him more than just a scary, rich man. He is full of guilt, and he quietly cares for Imogen. He may be cruel to everyone else, but with her, he is patient and protective.. Imogen grows throughout the story. She starts off sheltered and unsure, but she has an inner strength that becomes clearer as the book goes on.
The middle of the book felt slow at times. A large part of the story stays focused on the two of them hidden away in the mansion, and I found myself wanting more movement in the plot sooner. Also, I didn’t realize this wasn’t a standalone novel, so the intense cliffhanger at the end caught me off guard. While it was exciting, it also felt a little frustrating to stop right when everything ramps up.
The Auction is a dark, spicy, and emotional read with strong characters and a gripping premise. It’s not a light story, and it won’t be for everyone, but the romance and mystery kept me invested. I’m definitely curious enough to continue the series when the next book comes out.
I received this ARC through NetGally. This is my honest review.
What really worked for me was the connection between Imogen and Lincoln. The dual points of view helped a lot. Seeing inside Lincoln’s head made him more than just a scary, rich man. He is full of guilt, and he quietly cares for Imogen. He may be cruel to everyone else, but with her, he is patient and protective.. Imogen grows throughout the story. She starts off sheltered and unsure, but she has an inner strength that becomes clearer as the book goes on.
The middle of the book felt slow at times. A large part of the story stays focused on the two of them hidden away in the mansion, and I found myself wanting more movement in the plot sooner. Also, I didn’t realize this wasn’t a standalone novel, so the intense cliffhanger at the end caught me off guard. While it was exciting, it also felt a little frustrating to stop right when everything ramps up.
The Auction is a dark, spicy, and emotional read with strong characters and a gripping premise. It’s not a light story, and it won’t be for everyone, but the romance and mystery kept me invested. I’m definitely curious enough to continue the series when the next book comes out.
I received this ARC through NetGally. This is my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
Wow. The fact that this book was about 90% sex scenes really caught me off guard, but I digress. FMC Imogen has been prepped her entire life for The Auction. It's a gross event where The Brotherhood takes 50 young women and auctions them off to the highest bidder. Every girl there knows nothing good can come from being forced into The Auction, and there is no way out for them. When Imogen is purchased by a reclusive billionaire, she is prepared for the worst, but what ends up happening is far different than she could have ever dreamed.
I'm not sure if Imogen develops a sort of Stockholm Syndrome attachment to Lincoln or what. If they were together under different circumstances perhaps it wouldn't seem so creepy, even though there's around a 20 year age gap, and "that other thing I won't say". I wasn't really surprised by the ending, although I can say that the cliffhanger irked me big time!! I can't really imagine the follow-up novel will be nearly as spicy as this one after seeing how this ended. (I'm all for the spice, but this had a bit much. It was seriously in every other chapter it seemed, and the chapters were super short.) The storyline itself was really good, and kind of reminded me of bits of Haunting Adeline, minus the stalking. (There were some similar themes.) All in all, if you're into super spicy, dark romances, then this will more than likely be for you.
4⭐️
4.5🌶️
Wow. The fact that this book was about 90% sex scenes really caught me off guard, but I digress. FMC Imogen has been prepped her entire life for The Auction. It's a gross event where The Brotherhood takes 50 young women and auctions them off to the highest bidder. Every girl there knows nothing good can come from being forced into The Auction, and there is no way out for them. When Imogen is purchased by a reclusive billionaire, she is prepared for the worst, but what ends up happening is far different than she could have ever dreamed.
I'm not sure if Imogen develops a sort of Stockholm Syndrome attachment to Lincoln or what. If they were together under different circumstances perhaps it wouldn't seem so creepy, even though there's around a 20 year age gap, and "that other thing I won't say". I wasn't really surprised by the ending, although I can say that the cliffhanger irked me big time!! I can't really imagine the follow-up novel will be nearly as spicy as this one after seeing how this ended. (I'm all for the spice, but this had a bit much. It was seriously in every other chapter it seemed, and the chapters were super short.) The storyline itself was really good, and kind of reminded me of bits of Haunting Adeline, minus the stalking. (There were some similar themes.) All in all, if you're into super spicy, dark romances, then this will more than likely be for you.
4⭐️
4.5🌶️
January 10, 2026
I went back and forth between enjoying this book and wanting to put it down. In the end, I’m glad I pushed through the moments where I was unsure, because overall, it was a very solid lead. It feels like a combination of Batman, the MindF Series, and Beauty and the Beast. Especially Beauty and the Beast. There’s even a French butler/housekeeper/whatever you want to call him.
I really enjoyed watching Imogen grow and embrace her newfound freedom. After spending her whole life being prepared for one thing, when she finally starts to get to make choices, it’s so refreshing and emotional at times to watch her choose things for herself. This also felt very real, as she didn’t just immediately start doing whatever she wanted, but rather she kept with her ways for a while, then thought about deviating, and then finally did.
The grief and emotional elements of this book are by far the most powerful. Watching Imogen break the cycle, Lincoln exact revenge, and the two of them finding bright spots in each other made this book much more hopeful than I was expecting.
Lincoln’s pov chapters were refreshing. It was so nice to see what was happening in the other side of things, especially because of how much he revealed. At the same time though, I almost wish less was revealed with him to keep the mystery more alive.
Thank you very much to Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed watching Imogen grow and embrace her newfound freedom. After spending her whole life being prepared for one thing, when she finally starts to get to make choices, it’s so refreshing and emotional at times to watch her choose things for herself. This also felt very real, as she didn’t just immediately start doing whatever she wanted, but rather she kept with her ways for a while, then thought about deviating, and then finally did.
The grief and emotional elements of this book are by far the most powerful. Watching Imogen break the cycle, Lincoln exact revenge, and the two of them finding bright spots in each other made this book much more hopeful than I was expecting.
Lincoln’s pov chapters were refreshing. It was so nice to see what was happening in the other side of things, especially because of how much he revealed. At the same time though, I almost wish less was revealed with him to keep the mystery more alive.
Thank you very much to Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3⭐/ 4 🌶️
Dark Mafia Romance
Age Gap
Stockholm situation
There were parts of this that were decent. There were parts that were not so much.
I liked the over all idea story. Him buying her to protect her and then being a type of vigilante savior to the other girls who were a part of the auction. Trying to weed out the top of this Brotherhood to eradicate them - all cool.
The age gap (which we don't find out until halfway through the book is 21 years - she's 21 and he's 42), he knew of her as a child of 3 y/o, and was a part of the past that she was traumatized by, also he's her godfather?! You can tell he's conflicted of his feelings (obviously) , but it's so weird because it seems like when he "bought" her he already had adult feelings about her in more so than just he had promised her dad to protect her.
And she calls him "Sir" the majority of the time which is not a kink situation - she was literally trained to be obedient and submissive and this is her default response and not ONCE does he tell her to cut out the sir thing or explain that she is basically free - so is she free or is he just giving her the illusion of freedom to be her own person?
Then the ending with the testing and good gods the last three chapters could have been done away with if they had just talked.
3 star for potential, but not sure if I would pick up the second one.
Dark Mafia Romance
Age Gap
Stockholm situation
There were parts of this that were decent. There were parts that were not so much.
I liked the over all idea story. Him buying her to protect her and then being a type of vigilante savior to the other girls who were a part of the auction. Trying to weed out the top of this Brotherhood to eradicate them - all cool.
The age gap (which we don't find out until halfway through the book is 21 years - she's 21 and he's 42), he knew of her as a child of 3 y/o, and was a part of the past that she was traumatized by, also he's her godfather?! You can tell he's conflicted of his feelings (obviously) , but it's so weird because it seems like when he "bought" her he already had adult feelings about her in more so than just he had promised her dad to protect her.
And she calls him "Sir" the majority of the time which is not a kink situation - she was literally trained to be obedient and submissive and this is her default response and not ONCE does he tell her to cut out the sir thing or explain that she is basically free - so is she free or is he just giving her the illusion of freedom to be her own person?
Then the ending with the testing and good gods the last three chapters could have been done away with if they had just talked.
3 star for potential, but not sure if I would pick up the second one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Beauty and The Beast meets organized crime in this jaw-dropping dark romance! A retelling hates to see me coming, I eat them up every single time and Sadie did not disappoint (which ofc she never does)! I went into this book with very little info, like the fact that it’s only book one?! I about threw my kindle when I read the last page and realized that was the end of the book…and I’m SAT for book two, I have a feeling I’ll love it even more than I loved this one (which may be hard to do).
Lincoln is our brooding, morally-grey, not-vigilante vigilante. He’s got a dark and twisted past but he’s committed to taking down The Brotherhood no matter what. Imogen is property of The Brotherhood, which is where we start this book - The Auction scene. From here we’ve got all kinds of twists and turns as we figure out just how connected these two really are, in ways I don’t think either of them fully understands. Imogen’s lack of understanding about the world around her makes for some interesting conversations as she figures out that not everything is what she was made to believe. I really loved the way she came into herself, I think we’ll get even more of that in the next book and I can’t wait to see her figure out just how deep this all goes.
A masterpiece, 10/10, no notes!
Thank you Sadie Kincaid, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and NetGalley for the advanced copy!
Lincoln is our brooding, morally-grey, not-vigilante vigilante. He’s got a dark and twisted past but he’s committed to taking down The Brotherhood no matter what. Imogen is property of The Brotherhood, which is where we start this book - The Auction scene. From here we’ve got all kinds of twists and turns as we figure out just how connected these two really are, in ways I don’t think either of them fully understands. Imogen’s lack of understanding about the world around her makes for some interesting conversations as she figures out that not everything is what she was made to believe. I really loved the way she came into herself, I think we’ll get even more of that in the next book and I can’t wait to see her figure out just how deep this all goes.
A masterpiece, 10/10, no notes!
Thank you Sadie Kincaid, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and NetGalley for the advanced copy!
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Thank you to Edelweiss and Harper Collins for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!
This one was not for me unfortunately. It had ok moments, but personally the premise was too icky for me. The most intriguing part of it was the mystery at the very end. I’d started to piece some things together, but looks like book 2 will have the final reveals.
I think what threw me so badly was that the fmc starts off sounding like a BAMF trained for this harrowing future, and the way it’s written made me think her training was to like take down this evil empire. Instead, she was trained to be a sub sex doll. To the mmc’s credit, he doesn’t like this. What was too ick for me was the twice her age thing. I’m not into the getting with your dad’s best friend storyline personally. I never wanted Sirius Black and Harry Potter to fall in love lol, which is what this kind of gives. I also felt like there was too much smut, to the point where you could skip some scenes and miss nothing and still have read a ton of it.
The parts I did like were the emotionality and her growth in finding out how the world works. She’s clearly brainwashed, and both MCs struggle to navigate this. I might be tempted to read book two just to find out the final reveals and see if that cliff hanger leads her into a less submissive personality.
🌶️: 4.5/5
This one was not for me unfortunately. It had ok moments, but personally the premise was too icky for me. The most intriguing part of it was the mystery at the very end. I’d started to piece some things together, but looks like book 2 will have the final reveals.
I think what threw me so badly was that the fmc starts off sounding like a BAMF trained for this harrowing future, and the way it’s written made me think her training was to like take down this evil empire. Instead, she was trained to be a sub sex doll. To the mmc’s credit, he doesn’t like this. What was too ick for me was the twice her age thing. I’m not into the getting with your dad’s best friend storyline personally. I never wanted Sirius Black and Harry Potter to fall in love lol, which is what this kind of gives. I also felt like there was too much smut, to the point where you could skip some scenes and miss nothing and still have read a ton of it.
The parts I did like were the emotionality and her growth in finding out how the world works. She’s clearly brainwashed, and both MCs struggle to navigate this. I might be tempted to read book two just to find out the final reveals and see if that cliff hanger leads her into a less submissive personality.
🌶️: 4.5/5
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you HarperCollins and Netgalley for the e-ARC copy of this book!
This was my first Sadie Kincade read, and now I’m officially paying attention. I’ve had another one of her books sitting on my TBR for a while, but this one pulled me in immediately, starting with the stunning cover alone.
I went in completely blind (I rarely read blurbs), and I’ll be honest: when the Beauty and the Beast references popped up, I cringed a little. Fairytale retellings usually aren’t my thing. But this story quickly proved it was so much more than that.
What really hooked me was Imogen’s journey. Watching her grow, gain confidence, and truly find herself was incredibly satisfying. Mr. Knight was exactly the catalyst she needed. He is protective, intense, and layered in a way that made their dynamic feel earned rather than rushed.
And yes… the spice was absolutely spicing 🔥 but what I loved most is that it wasn’t the whole point of the book. Beneath the heat, there’s a darker, intriguing storyline that pulls you into the world of the Brotherhood; full of secrets, power, and unanswered questions that kept me flipping pages.
That ending? RUDE in the best way. The cliffhanger has me more than ready for the next book because I need to know where this goes.
If this is my introduction to Sadie Kincade’s writing, I’m officially intrigued and my TBR just got rearranged.
This was my first Sadie Kincade read, and now I’m officially paying attention. I’ve had another one of her books sitting on my TBR for a while, but this one pulled me in immediately, starting with the stunning cover alone.
I went in completely blind (I rarely read blurbs), and I’ll be honest: when the Beauty and the Beast references popped up, I cringed a little. Fairytale retellings usually aren’t my thing. But this story quickly proved it was so much more than that.
What really hooked me was Imogen’s journey. Watching her grow, gain confidence, and truly find herself was incredibly satisfying. Mr. Knight was exactly the catalyst she needed. He is protective, intense, and layered in a way that made their dynamic feel earned rather than rushed.
And yes… the spice was absolutely spicing 🔥 but what I loved most is that it wasn’t the whole point of the book. Beneath the heat, there’s a darker, intriguing storyline that pulls you into the world of the Brotherhood; full of secrets, power, and unanswered questions that kept me flipping pages.
That ending? RUDE in the best way. The cliffhanger has me more than ready for the next book because I need to know where this goes.
If this is my introduction to Sadie Kincade’s writing, I’m officially intrigued and my TBR just got rearranged.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews