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The First Sin
Not a meet-cute. A matchstrike.
Lucifer Morningstar thought he was hunting a find the woman, plant the seed, jumpstart the apocalypse, and earn his way out of exile. Banished in mortal skin, he hides as the shadow-owner of The Revel, Las Vegas’s most decadent sin palace… until her.
Evie Grace is pink hair, combat boots, and eyeliner sharp enough to cut a lie in half. She came to Vegas to forget. The last thing she needs is the man in the black suit who watches her like he’s trying to remember.
He shouldn’t touch her. She shouldn’t want him. But their attraction ignites, reckless and consuming, and every kiss feels like a song Lucifer has sung a thousand times… and can’t remember now.
Angels are circling. Hell is whispering. Lilith is counting the minutes. And memories are surfacing, humming with a truth sharp enough to split the universe.
What if everything was a lie? What if Lucifer wasn’t cast out for ambition or vanity… but for loving her? He’ll burn Heaven to the ground before he lets it take her again.
The First Sin is a sin-drenched, myth-laced romantasy of forbidden heat and celestial war, where the greatest blasphemy isn’t pride.
It’s love.
Lucifer Morningstar thought he was hunting a find the woman, plant the seed, jumpstart the apocalypse, and earn his way out of exile. Banished in mortal skin, he hides as the shadow-owner of The Revel, Las Vegas’s most decadent sin palace… until her.
Evie Grace is pink hair, combat boots, and eyeliner sharp enough to cut a lie in half. She came to Vegas to forget. The last thing she needs is the man in the black suit who watches her like he’s trying to remember.
He shouldn’t touch her. She shouldn’t want him. But their attraction ignites, reckless and consuming, and every kiss feels like a song Lucifer has sung a thousand times… and can’t remember now.
Angels are circling. Hell is whispering. Lilith is counting the minutes. And memories are surfacing, humming with a truth sharp enough to split the universe.
What if everything was a lie? What if Lucifer wasn’t cast out for ambition or vanity… but for loving her? He’ll burn Heaven to the ground before he lets it take her again.
The First Sin is a sin-drenched, myth-laced romantasy of forbidden heat and celestial war, where the greatest blasphemy isn’t pride.
It’s love.
- GenresFantasy
476 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 4, 2026
About the author
Stephanie Pass
14 books36 followersStephanie Pass hails from a tiny Texas town where she lives with her husband, three of her four feral children, and a Boxer dog who talks more than she does. She writes contemporary romance with some magical realism and sci-fi romance, but one day she will write that romantasy she’s dreaming about. She loves books about love, magic, and high fae. She had her own real live romance story come true when a chance encounter led her to meet her now husband. When she’s not writing romance stories, Stephanie is a mom blogger dancing to Taylor Swift at https://thetiptoefairy.com. But you can usually find her at the roller skating rink or dancing and singing in the front row of a pop-punk concert.
Find Stephanie around the web:
Https://authorstephaniepass.com
Https://instagram.com/authorstephanie...
Find Stephanie around the web:
Https://authorstephaniepass.com
Https://instagram.com/authorstephanie...
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
February 5, 2026
I need the next one. Thank you very much.
There were a few parts I was meh about but other than that, I’m looking forward to more. I need to knowwwww.
I enjoyed their connection
There were a few parts I was meh about but other than that, I’m looking forward to more. I need to knowwwww.
I enjoyed their connection
Review of advance copy received from Author
I signed up to receive an advanced copy of this book from Stephanie, as I love a good Lucifer story. I must say this FAR exceeded my expectations and left me wanting more! I'm thrilled for the story to continue in Book 2, The Second Coming. If you like a good a strong FMC - female main character - that is on a journey to become even stronger, you'll love this book. If you like a solid, ride-or-die best friend, you'll love Destiny! One of my favorite quotes from her "you've got me. I'll burn it all down with you if it turns out he's the wrong kind of monster." YEEEEESSSS GIRL Oh but wait she goes on "You also deserve pleasure. And softness. And someone who says your name like it's a prayer. Just... make sure you're giving your heart to someone who's willing to earn it. Not just claim it." PREACH! Wise, wise words! All that said, I fell hard for the love story, the plot, and the twists along the way. Great read for a book club, beach read, or getaway and escape from real life.
February 9, 2026
What a story! This story hooks you right away and does not let up! I felt invested in all of the characters from the beginning. Evie, Lucifer, Destiny, and Topher became some of my all time favorites. Can't wait for the story to continue!
I was given an advanced copy for my honest review, and I loved it!
I was given an advanced copy for my honest review, and I loved it!
June 11, 2026
This was such an amazing story about Lucifer. It felt so unique and I loved this for that reason. It weaved together a beautifully written world that has so much description tied into it, the vividness played out perfectly in my mind. I love a story that is capable of pulling you in, keeping you captivated, and feeling like you’re a part of the entire thing. This story did that. Lucifer is trying to get it off being exiled. But the only way to make this happen is to find a woman named Evie, plant the seed and this will push the dominos down and make the apocalypse start. You’d think this was simple. But he’s made to look like a human, and it tossed into Las Vegas to get this job done. I was holed at him having to get the apocalypse started if he wanted out of exile.
So enter Evie. Pink hair, combat boots, and doesn’t take any crap. She’s a fierce woman. And if Lucifer wants her, he’s going to have to work for it. But it doesn’t help that a fire is slowly burning between them. An attraction that can’t be denied. And soon it’s going to grow into an inferno. These two had so much chemistry. And now Lucifer has to think about doing what he was told, or forgetting about it to be with her.
This was intense, and chaotic. The push and pull, the dilemma about wanting her and wanting out of exile. There’s so much on the table right now. This consumed me. I felt that fire between them. The decision weighing heavily on Lucifer. This story was filled with so much. The Angel and Demon, a decision that never should’ve been one, a passion that was ignited all for wanting to be free. If I could’ve devoured this in one day, I would have. This was an absolutely amazing read. Toss this on your TBR.
So enter Evie. Pink hair, combat boots, and doesn’t take any crap. She’s a fierce woman. And if Lucifer wants her, he’s going to have to work for it. But it doesn’t help that a fire is slowly burning between them. An attraction that can’t be denied. And soon it’s going to grow into an inferno. These two had so much chemistry. And now Lucifer has to think about doing what he was told, or forgetting about it to be with her.
This was intense, and chaotic. The push and pull, the dilemma about wanting her and wanting out of exile. There’s so much on the table right now. This consumed me. I felt that fire between them. The decision weighing heavily on Lucifer. This story was filled with so much. The Angel and Demon, a decision that never should’ve been one, a passion that was ignited all for wanting to be free. If I could’ve devoured this in one day, I would have. This was an absolutely amazing read. Toss this on your TBR.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The First Sin is an intoxicating mix of slow-burn tension, irresistible chemistry, and just the right amount of heat. From the first scene, I was hooked by the raw emotional stakes and the simmering desire between the characters — every interaction crackled with intensity, making the story impossible to put down.
Stephanie Pass does a fantastic job of balancing passionate romance with compelling fantasy, creating a world that’s immersive, dangerous, and full of intrigue. The characters are layered and complex, with motivations and desires that make every twist, tease, and tender moment feel authentic and addictive.
The romance is hot, slow-burning, and utterly satisfying, with moments of tension that build to steamy, swoon-worthy payoffs. At the same time, the story maintains emotional depth and character growth, making the spice feel earned and meaningful.
Overall, The First Sin is a spicy, gripping fantasy romance that delivers both heart and heat. Definitely a four-star read that left me craving the next book in the series.
✨ Magical, intense, and undeniably steamy — a fantasy romance you won’t want to miss. ✨
Stephanie Pass does a fantastic job of balancing passionate romance with compelling fantasy, creating a world that’s immersive, dangerous, and full of intrigue. The characters are layered and complex, with motivations and desires that make every twist, tease, and tender moment feel authentic and addictive.
The romance is hot, slow-burning, and utterly satisfying, with moments of tension that build to steamy, swoon-worthy payoffs. At the same time, the story maintains emotional depth and character growth, making the spice feel earned and meaningful.
Overall, The First Sin is a spicy, gripping fantasy romance that delivers both heart and heat. Definitely a four-star read that left me craving the next book in the series.
✨ Magical, intense, and undeniably steamy — a fantasy romance you won’t want to miss. ✨
February 10, 2026
Despite ending on a cliffhanger this book is astounding. This is the most interesting take I have ever read on God (The First Light) and Lucifer. Our FMC is a strong independent woman. With some wonderful snark.. no matter who or what you are. Her best friend Destiny is more than she appears and supplies the humor you don't even realize you wanted, the flow of this book makes you not want to put it down and will have you reading late into the night just so you can keep the story going. Character development is fantastic (for all characters involved). Some things truly have you thinking about God and not in a faith way, more about his personality and motives. Fear if I write more like I want to I would accidentally give something away. I would hate that, Mrs. Pass thank you. I am anxiously awaiting book 2.
I pleasantly receive this book in ARC and I'm so happy to leave my thoughts on it.
I pleasantly receive this book in ARC and I'm so happy to leave my thoughts on it.
April 2, 2026
The First Sin is book one of the Hell of a Time series, and also Stephanie Pass’s first step into romantasy after three romance novels. Consider the landing STUCK.
The world-building is SHARP, the demons are delicious, and the romance? Slow burn done exactly right. The tension between the leads had me reading way past any reasonable bedtime, and every payoff felt earned.
What really set this one apart for me was the VOICE. Pass has a wit to her writing that keeps even the heavier moments from feeling too dark. There’s genuine warmth underneath all the hellfire, and I was completely charmed by it.
If you have been reading Stephanie Pass in romance and wondering whether to follow her into romantasy, the answer is YES.
And if this is your first introduction to her, you have a backlist waiting for you.
Thank you to the author for the ARC, all opinions are my own.
The world-building is SHARP, the demons are delicious, and the romance? Slow burn done exactly right. The tension between the leads had me reading way past any reasonable bedtime, and every payoff felt earned.
What really set this one apart for me was the VOICE. Pass has a wit to her writing that keeps even the heavier moments from feeling too dark. There’s genuine warmth underneath all the hellfire, and I was completely charmed by it.
If you have been reading Stephanie Pass in romance and wondering whether to follow her into romantasy, the answer is YES.
And if this is your first introduction to her, you have a backlist waiting for you.
Thank you to the author for the ARC, all opinions are my own.
May 13, 2026
I bought this at an adult book fair and was lucky enough to meet Stephanie and have her sign my copy. I love romance fantasy, and what better fantasy than to have the most beautiful angel himself, Lucifer Morningstar, be your soul mate, in this case, Evie. Their bond goes back eons and Evie can't believe this new world that's opened up to her. I enjoyed their romance, but wish we could've had a little more background on some of their past. We just know they're bonded in a special way, but this is supposed to be a series so I'm sure we'll get more answers.
The spicy level is medium, and the spicy scenes were enjoyable but they seemed to be a little rushed.
I did enjoy this book - it was a page turner. I can't wait for the second book of the series as we're left with a cliffhanger.
The spicy level is medium, and the spicy scenes were enjoyable but they seemed to be a little rushed.
I did enjoy this book - it was a page turner. I can't wait for the second book of the series as we're left with a cliffhanger.
February 4, 2026
When Heaven, Hell, and Desire Collide
Flirty, moody, and full of attitude. The First Sin skips the meet cute and dives straight into tension, heat, and forbidden chaos. Lucifer and Evie crackle on the page, with Vegas as the perfect backdrop for celestial drama. The mythology adds depth, the stakes stay high, and even when the pace slows a bit, the vibe never drops. A fun pick for romantasy readers who like their love stories dark, bold, and a little reckless.
shoutout to Stephanie for the advanced copy this is my honest review.
Flirty, moody, and full of attitude. The First Sin skips the meet cute and dives straight into tension, heat, and forbidden chaos. Lucifer and Evie crackle on the page, with Vegas as the perfect backdrop for celestial drama. The mythology adds depth, the stakes stay high, and even when the pace slows a bit, the vibe never drops. A fun pick for romantasy readers who like their love stories dark, bold, and a little reckless.
shoutout to Stephanie for the advanced copy this is my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The First Sin is officially my favorite book by Stephanie Pass.
I absolutely loved this fresh, dark take on Lucifer’s story — it felt unique, intriguing, and impossible to put down. The world-building and character work pulled me in fast, and by the end I was already desperate for the next installment.
If this is just the beginning of the series, I cannot wait to see where Stephanie Pass takes us next. This one completely hooked me.
I absolutely loved this fresh, dark take on Lucifer’s story — it felt unique, intriguing, and impossible to put down. The world-building and character work pulled me in fast, and by the end I was already desperate for the next installment.
If this is just the beginning of the series, I cannot wait to see where Stephanie Pass takes us next. This one completely hooked me.
May 7, 2026
Wish we could give halves as this is more of a 2.5. But to be fair im hard on the first of any series. I wanted to get away from my typical romantasy & enjoyed this. Big fan of the show Supernatural so angels & demons was up my alley. Some pacing challenges but the last 1/4th really hooked me to want to read book 2 when it comes out to know what happens. Also why do I always love the side characters more than the FMC/MMC? 😂 what does that say about me??? 😂
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC review
The premise of love being the reason behind Lucifers fall was very interesting. The relationship between Evie and Lucifer was nice. The worldbuilding was amazing. I look forword to reading more books in this world 😍
The premise of love being the reason behind Lucifers fall was very interesting. The relationship between Evie and Lucifer was nice. The worldbuilding was amazing. I look forword to reading more books in this world 😍
Review of advance copy
Rtc
February 4, 2026
He wanted freedom but she changed all the rules, pull the rug from under him and he regrets nothing.
February 5, 2026
This was an excellent book with slow burn tension.
May 29, 2026
Oh my gods. Absolutely loved this book. Literally, get book 2 out now!!!
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews