Divided We Rise

Sins and Secrets Club #7

by H.N. DeFore

The life that I choose is you.

Back on their home turf, Jo and Vinny try to slide back into the roles they left behind at Sins & Secrets in Colorado. With a new live-in lover and history weighing heavy on their minds, it’s difficult to shed the memories of the past months and look to the future without a sense of dread. Things in Florida are over, but does that mean everything is done?

Stuck between a rock and a hard place when things start to go awry at the club, they have to learn how to integrate Al into their lifestyle without sacrificing parts of him to the cause. It’s hard to bring a death row inmate into intimate quarters and not expect some backlash, but things keep turning worse and worse.

When unjust complaints bring issues to the club, and Sterling’s arrival is under scrutiny, can our foursome find happiness, or is their future forever divided? For a club that brought so many people happiness, it seems only fair that it should bring the owners a happy ending too, but at what cost?

An MFMM romance with kink exploration, hidden and lurking pasts, accusations, betrayal, pain, hurt and comfort, revenge, touch her and die, and a heavy dose of spice.

367 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 8, 2026

Reviews

[Keneisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 5/5
🌶️ Spice: 4/5

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This was my first time reading a book by H.N. DeFore, and when I say this book was GOOD… man, this book was GOOD.

This is part of a series that can be read as a standalone, but after finishing this one? Yeah… I’m definitely going back to read the other books in the series *smirks 👀*

Now let’s get into it…

This is a why-choose romance featuring not one, not two, but three morally grey men. Even though one of them may not believe he’s morally grey… he absolutely is (yes, Sterling, I’m talking about you lol).

We’ve got:

* an ex-mafia heir
* his wife
* a “dead” serial killer
* and an FBI agent

Which honestly sounds like the most chaotic group of people possible… and somehow it works.

There are definitely some trigger warnings in this book, so I highly recommend checking those before going in.

What I loved most was the growth from each character. You really get to see how love, loyalty, and trust influence them and slowly shift their priorities. There were multiple moments where things just clicked, and you could finally understand why these characters made the choices they did.

And while I would LOVE to sit here and spill every detail about how this story unfolds… absolutely not. You need to experience this chaos for yourself like I did 😭

I will be patiently and anxiously waiting for the next book in the series.

[Yazzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨✨✨
‼️‼️‼️Before I get into my honest review. I regret not reading the first books in this series. Yes it can be read as a standalone but I feel like I’ve missed a lot in different parts of the story. This is no way the authors fault! And once I’ve finished I’m gonna add the rest to my tbr and get round to re-reading them because I feel I can appreciate it a lot more!!!!!‼️‼️‼️
A mafia heir, an “ex” serial killer, an FBI agent (YES, you read that right) and a scarred bada** FMC that’s been through hell and back sitting in a tree!
K I S S I N G😂
The dynamic between these 4 are electric! And everything points towards failure due to their previous lives, but they just work!!!!! Despite their past, they still love and would go to the ends of the earth to protect each other. Even if it leads to murder👀 (I’m not telling!!) There should also be a trigger warning to wear a helmet and full body armour because the amount of things thrown at you and the directions. The ending is perfect because it literally transitions you into the next coming one!
Thank you to the author but also Luna Literary for allowing me this arc!
✨✨✨

[Cal D · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨Gifted ARC✨

Spicy romance meets crime drama? Yes, please!

THOUGHTS 💭
💚 We were back in the Sins & Secrets world one more time with all of the characters we know and love, which I really enjoyed!
💚 The spice and the complexities of these characters and their relationship made this such a good read!
💚 Poor Alistair - he’s dealt with so much trauma in his life and you can’t help but want him to get better for himself… and their group.
💚 I didn’t know I needed more of these characters after their trilogy, but I’m so glad we got more!
💚 As our MCs attempted to get back to “normal” life after their time in Florida, there was a new bad guy in town. This book kept me on my toes as I tried to work out the mystery that was “the Gnawer.”

Thanks so much to H.N. DeFore and Luna Literary Management for the ARC of this book!

[ThatsSomeGoodSmut · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Luna Literary Management and the author for a copy of this book.

Jo, Vinny, and Al are trying to establish some semblance of a normal life at their club back in Colorado after the events in the What’s Left Trilogy that ties into this, as well as figure out how to fit Sterling into their lives more consistently while he works halfway across the country.

This felt like a really nice mashup of the sins and secrets and what’s left trilogy, I enjoyed the continuation of Jo, Vinny, Al, and Sterling’s stories, both individual and all intertwined! A great way to wrap up the series but keep the door open to seeing these characters in the next series set in the same world.

[Kirsty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t even know how to put this into words without sounding slightly unhinged, but here we go… this book didn’t just pull me in, it grabbed me by the throat and refused to let go.

Divided We Rise by H.N. DeFore is intense in that “your heart is racing and your emotions are all over the place and you don’t even WANT a break” kind of way. It’s messy, complicated, raw, and I was absolutely living for every second of it.

Jo and Vinny going back to Sins & Secrets?? I thought I was ready. I was NOT ready. The weight of everything they’ve been through is still there, hanging over them like a storm that hasn’t quite decided if it’s going to break yet. You can feel that tension in every interaction, every choice they make. Nothing is simple anymore, and I loved that the story didn’t pretend it was.

And then there’s Al and Sterling… this dynamic??? I’m obsessed. Bringing Al into their world was never going to be smooth sailing, and the book does NOT shy away from that. It’s complicated, emotional, sometimes painful, but also deeply intimate in a way that goes beyond just romance. It’s about trust, about finding space for each other without losing yourself, and wow… it hit.

The relationship development here is layered. Not neat, not easy, but real. There’s jealousy, loyalty, protectiveness, and that fierce “touch them and you’re done” energy that had me internally screaming. These characters don’t love halfway. They go all in, even when it hurts.

And the PLOT?? The club drama, the accusations, the tension building from all sides… I felt like everything was constantly on the edge of exploding. Every time I thought maybe they’d get a moment to breathe, something else would hit. It kept me glued to the pages because I needed to know how they were going to survive it.

What really got me though was the emotional core. Under all the chaos, the spice, the power struggles… this is a story about people trying to hold onto each other when everything around them is trying to tear them apart. And it hurts. In the best way.

Also yes, it’s spicy, but it’s the kind of spice that actually means something because it’s tied to the characters and their connections, not just thrown in for shock value.

By the end I was exhausted, emotional, and completely invested in this foursome’s happiness. Like PLEASE just let them have peace… they’ve earned it.

Five stars, no hesitation. This book is not for the faint of heart, but if you love high-stakes relationships, complicated dynamics, and stories that aren’t afraid to get a little dark and a lot emotional… you’re going to devour this 🔥📚

[Mandy Britt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Divided We Rise by H.N. DeFore is a visceral, high-stakes experience that grabs hold from the opening chapter and refuses to let go.

Returning to the world of Sins & Secrets with Jo and Vinny feels heavy with the weight of everything they’ve endured, creating a restless undercurrent that makes every interaction feel like stepping into a beautiful disaster.

The addition of Al and Sterling into this established dynamic is handled with a raw honesty that doesn't shy away from the pain of blending lives, offering a messy and deeply intimate look at trust and loyalty.

It is an unapologetically intense "why choose" romance where the relationship development is layered and real, trading easy tropes for a complicated connection that thrives on fierce, protective energy.

​The atmosphere is thick with a restless energy that makes every glance and unspoken word feel like a step toward a beautiful disaster. This is the world of Sins & Secrets, where the history is heavy and the nicknames—Trauma, Nightmare, Killer, and Agent—carry a weight that lingers long after you’ve turned the page.

The narrative is fueled by the gritty politics of the club and the sharp sting of building accusations. This tension ensures the plot remains at an addictive, relentless boil from start to finish, never allowing a moment of true safety.
Every time the characters seem to find a moment to breathe, the external chaos of their world closes back in, ensuring the story stays on the edge of an explosion.

While the spice is top-tier, it remains anchored to the emotional core of the narrative, serving as a powerful conduit for characters who are desperately trying to survive a world designed to tear them apart.

​Ultimately, this is a story about the fight for connection in an unforgiving environment, delivering heavy emotional hits that leave you feeling completely undone.

The transition from Jo and Vinny’s past into this new, four-way dynamic is handled with a deliberate, addictive friction that keeps the stakes high until the very last page.

By the end, the journey is as exhausting as it is beautiful, leaving you breathless and entirely invested in the hope that these characters can finally find the peace they have so fiercely earned.

It is a powerful, unforgettable continuation of the series that perfectly balances gritty power struggles with the raw vulnerability of flawed people who love without reservation.

[Natasna · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars... Thank you for the opportunity to read this in advance.
This book doesn’t just flirt with chaos… it *embraces* it, wraps it in shadows, and whispers secrets you’re not sure you’re ready to hear.

From the very first page, there’s this undercurrent—something restless, something lurking just beneath the surface. The kind of tension that coils tight in your chest and refuses to let go. It’s emotional. It’s messy. It’s deliberate. And somehow, it all feels exactly like it’s supposed to.

This why choose romance? Oh, it *hurts so good*. Every dynamic is layered, every connection a little dangerous, a little fragile. And those nicknames—Trauma. Nightmare. Killer. Agent… say them slow, let them linger, and suddenly you’re not okay. Completely undone. No coming back from that.

Because here’s the thing—this is *Sins & Secrets*.
The secrets? Buried so deep they feel untouchable… until they’re not.
And the sins? Bold. Loud. Unapologetic. They don’t hide—they *demand* to be seen.

There’s history here, woven into every glance and every unspoken word. Even with a new cast, you can feel the weight of what came before—the kind of world where relationships are already tangled, already complicated… and you’re just stepping into the aftermath.

It’s tension. It’s heat. It’s that dizzying, out-of-control spiral that somehow keeps you exactly where it wants you—hooked, breathless, and a little obsessed.

A whirlwind you probably shouldn’t enjoy as much as you do… but absolutely will.

[The Booktrovert Records · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC Review
💚 Divided We Rise 🖤
Book 7 in the Sins & Secrets Club Series
Written By: H.N. DeFore

Overall: 3.5/5
Overall plot: 3.5/5
Character development: 3.5/5
Pace: 3/5
World building: 4/5
Spice 🌶️: 3.5/5

First—thank you H.N. DeFore and @lunaliterary.management for the ARC ahead of release 💚

I really enjoyed the last book I read from DeFore, and while this one didn’t hit quite as strongly for me personally, I still appreciated the emotional complexity and ambition behind this story.

At its core, this is about love in unconventional forms and the struggle to make something work even when the odds—and the baggage—are stacked against you.

Jo and Vinny opening their relationship to Sterling and Al was genuinely beautiful to watch unfold. Despite how different their lives and experiences are, there’s real care and desire between all four of them to build something lasting together.

I especially enjoyed seeing Sterling’s priorities shift as he starts figuring out what truly makes him happy, while Al’s internal battle with his own demons added emotional weight to the story.

That said, there were a lot of moving parts happening at once—club drama, hiding secrets, relationship dynamics, personal trauma, kink exploration, and outside pressures—and at times it felt difficult for all of those threads to fully breathe and develop cohesively.

Still, readers who enjoy emotionally messy relationships, morally gray characters, poly romance dynamics, and high spice will likely have a great time with this installment.

Tropes:
💚 Why Choose
🖤 MFMM
💚 Emotionally Distressed MMCs
🖤 Touch Her and Die Vibes
💚 FBI Agents
🖤 Mafia Heirs
💚 Poly/Kink Exploration
🖤 Hurt & Comfort

[Bella · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went into Divided We Rise by H.N. DeFore expecting angst and spice, and wow did this book deliver on every level.

This story pulls you right back into Jo and Vinny’s world and does not let go. You can feel the weight they are carrying from everything that happened before, and that tension sits in every scene. It is not just about moving forward, it is about figuring out if moving forward together is even possible after everything they have been through.

Adding Al into the mix brings a whole new layer of emotion and complexity. I loved how the author did not shy away from showing how hard it is to blend lives, especially when there is so much history, trauma, and outside pressure working against them. The dynamic between all of them feels intense, messy, and real in a way that keeps you completely invested.

The club setting adds that gritty edge, and the drama surrounding it had me hooked. Between the accusations, the tension building around Sterling, and everything starting to unravel, I was constantly on edge wondering how they were going to hold it all together. There is betrayal, loyalty, pain, and those moments of comfort that hit even harder because of everything else going on.

And the emotional depth in this book really stood out to me. Yes, there is heat and kink exploration, but what stayed with me was the connection between these characters. The way they fight for each other, even when things feel impossible, made this story feel powerful and unforgettable.

If you love complex relationships, high stakes drama, and characters who are flawed but fiercely loyal, this book is going to pull you in and not let go. I was completely invested in their journey and rooting for them the entire time.

Five stars easily. I need more of this world and these characters because I am not ready to say goodbye

[Jess Pierce · Rating 4 out of 5]

What happens when you’re trying to move on with those you love, but your past keeps haunting you?

Divided We Rise is the seventh book in the Sins & Secrets world and the wrap up of the What’s Left Spin Off Series.

If you’ve been following Jo and Vinny, you know life hasn’t always been kind, but they manage to come out on the other side stronger together. Now that they have a chance to finally feel whole with Alistair and Sterling, it seems like things may settle into their new normal or does it?

Divided We Rise is a fast paced, suspense filled story that will keep you guessing as you follow your four favorite lovers. Jo desperately wants her men together and for them to be safe. Her men want to love her and keep their group together at all costs. The cost may be higher than they realize.

If you read the What’s Left spinoff, you are already familiar with Defore’s ability to spin a story filled with suspense, twists, and heat, but I think she took that to another level with Divided We Rise.

Settle in at the Sins and Secrets Club and read along as Jo and her men must fight for their love.

[Nicole Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one definitely leans into the chaos, but in a way that feels intentional for the story and characters. There is a lot going on, both emotionally and with the plot, and it keeps you pretty invested the whole time.
I really liked seeing how Jo, Vinny, and Al try to figure things out together. Their dynamic is messy and complicated, but that is what makes it feel real. Adding someone new into an already established relationship while everything else is falling apart around them creates a lot of tension, and you can feel that throughout.
The club drama and outside pressures add even more to it, so it never really slows down. At times it can feel a bit overwhelming, but it fits the tone of the series and what the characters are dealing with.
Overall, if you are already into this world, this is a strong continuation. It is emotional, intense, and full of that push and pull that keeps you hooked.

[aj · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series so much! I’m so sad to say goodbye to it but I’m glad we’ll still see the characters. I’m so invested in all of them LOL.
This story had me on the edge of my seat! I love the multiple POVs because it really adds to the tension, the desperation, the longing, and all the other emotions.
There were a couple times I thought the pacing felt a bit off but that might’ve just been because I was super eager to find out what was gonna happen next!
I love that each character is so distinctly their own person and has their own personality. You can tell just by the dialogue even when it’s not their POV chapter.
I love the bond that each character has with each other. Both individually and together. You can tell that they care and love each other even if they’re not vocal about it. Mainly between the men.
The ending has me ready for more!

[Julie Cunningham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review of advance copy received from Author

Divided We Rise H.N. DeFore
Book 7 in the Sins and Secrets Club

Tropes
Why Choose
MFMM
Emotionally Distressed MMCs
Touch Her and Die
FBI Agents
Mafia Heirs
Poly / Kink Exploration
Hurt and Comfort

This book is about Jo and Vinny. They have had a very difficult time dealing with everything in the past. Can they move forward together or do they have to walk away? If that wasn’t enough to deal with then you throw in Al and Sterling into the open relationship and you add so much more tension, drama and at the end love. There are so many things going on in the book that there is no way to really tell much without giving away anything to spoilers. I will say this way a up hill battle to get to the end intact with a chance at a HEA. This was a really quick read because you don’t want to put it down and it flows perfectly.

[Kristin Keele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Divided We Rise by H.N. DeFore, the seventh installment in the Sins and Secrets series, completely pulled me in from start to finish. By this point, the characters feel so familiar that I’m deeply invested in their journeys, and the strong found-family dynamic adds an emotional depth that really shines especially alongside the well balanced spice between the four main characters. The story delivers plenty of action to keep things moving, with just enough mystery woven in to add intrigue without slowing the pace. It’s a satisfying and engaging continuation of the series, and while I thoroughly enjoyed every moment, it’s bittersweet to reach the end of a story and characters I’ve grown so attached to.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ooh, this book. It is bittersweet. Just ask my aching heart. I have grown so attached to everyone that ending this book is like saying goodbye to family. Yet, I am glad that I got to take this journey with Jo, Vinny, and the rest of the guys.

Jo is even feistier, if that is even possible. When she called Sterling at work knowing he could not communicate by phone and only listen to what she was doing by teasing him is total Jo behavior. It was nice to see Sterling breaking out of his shell and realize just how important he is in the group dynamics.

I am here for all the emotions. Yes, the spice is very nice but for me and knowing this was the end, I savored every moment. This book ends on a high note.

[Bells · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a satisfying send off for both What’s Left and S&S. Haley really said “peace” and then immediately threw the MCs into another round of chaos 🤣 Relationships tested again, new villains stirring the pot, a little thriller energy in the background, and yes… the spice did what it needed to do.

I was genuinely sad about Al’s 𝘀𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘀. That hurt 😭And I’m still lowkey nosy about Porscha and Marco’s endings. I need my full tea, please 🫴🏻

If you’re into why choose, tatted MMCs, bi men, pierced MMC, disability rep, touch her and die and a light murder mystery threaded through your romance, this one should absolutely be on your radar.

This is my honest review for the ARC I received. Thank you, Haley, for the opportunity!

[Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Al, Sterling, Vinny, and Jo

I feel like I missed so much because I didn’t read the earlier stories. I needed their back story so badly so I could truly understand their dynamics,

So, this seems like the start of a joke…
You know, the FBI agent, the serial killer, the Mafia heir, and the scarred MFC walk into a club…

But, oh my lord… this is spicy. But it seems that everything is falling apart for them, and it’s impossible to get a happy ending… Jo’s protectiveness of Al, Sterling’s worry about his job, his investigations, and the issues with the club, and the creeps… it just seems insurmountable, and you have absolutely no idea what is going to happen.

The ending… well, it was certainly interesting…

Thanks, H. N. Defore, for providing a copy for me to read.

[Inge Mosch · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the perfect ending to Vinny, Jo, Al, and Sterling’s story. It was so satisfying to see how they navigate their complicated relationship in the real world. Spoiler: it’s incredibly difficult, but a love like theirs manages to overcome it all.

Hailey’s writing is outstanding once again. The way she captures emotions is incredible, it feels so raw and real, as if you’re experiencing everything yourself. I loved this book. The pacing is excellent, never rushed and never dragging, just right. And the spice definitely delivers.

The second epilogue made me really curious about what I assume is the next series. I can’t wait to read it.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

[Jamie Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm thankful that this series is interconnected standalones, as I haven't read any of the others. That being said, the author does a great job of explaining all the characters from the other books and any events that are pertinent.

This story had my attention right away when you find out the dynamic between Al and Sterling's lives. I enjoyed how they were enveloped into Jo and Vinny's world, especially considering the precarious situation it was for all of them. I would be interested to further expand on Al's... issues in the future.

I received an ARC of this book and have given my review honestly.

[Whitney Cruthird · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a whole whirlwind. This why choose romance had me deep in my feelings from start to finish. Like… the nicknames alone?? Trauma. Nightmare. Killer. Agent. Say those in the right tone and I’m DONE, melted into the floor, no recovery in sight 🫠

And listen… there’s a reason it’s called the Sins & Secrets series. The secrets? Buried deep where you think you’ll never find them. But the sins? Oh they’re front and center, loud, messy, and impossible to ignore.

This one had tension, heat, and just enough chaos to keep me hooked the entire time. Definitely a ride I didn’t want to get off of.

Thank you Lunaliterary for the arc opportunity.

[Paige Edmonson · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story line was very good throughout the book. However, I never felt like I could get into the story (this may have just been the mood I was in). But at nearly 400 pages I don’t feel like the story moved forward enough, we got a lot of plot pieces but very little tied up in the end. I feel like it could have used a bit more of the antagonist plots and more closure to the whole story. Overall it was a good book and I enjoyed it but I expect more development in a full length novel.
Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️

[Cindy Palmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am just speechless. I thought that I'd be ready to go back to Sins and Secrets but I was not.

This book grabbed me and would not let go. To say that its intense is a vast understatement. Jo and Vinny going back was so heavy you could feel it. Then adding Al and Sterling along with the dynamic between the two of them... The unapologetic why choose was raw and powerful. wow. I was transfixed. It's so amazing that they made it out of there. I can't say any more because I refuse to drop anything I shouldn't.

Thank you HN DeFore for the advanced copy - the review is mine.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a good book and I think I would have enjoyed it even more if I knew the context of this universe. Even though this book is about new people,it has a context from previous books since they are all in a relationship already.
The spice was good, the characters were very nice and interesting and the story was good.
I want to thank the author for sending me this ARC copy in exchange for my honest review

[Becky Mansur · Rating 4 out of 5]

enjoyed the returning characters

While I enjoyed the return of Jo and her men, I definitely felt like I didn’t know who some of the players were. I didn’t recognize a few and felt a little lost. I wish they had wrapped up the cannibal case a little more instead of leaving it open in the end. I would like to know more about Jude and Silas, so I will check out the new book series.

[Jordan Fiest · Rating 4 out of 5]

Divided We Rise is book seven of the Sins and Secrets Club Series. 

Vinny, Jo, and Al have an established relationship, which they constantly try to navigate with how unconventional things are. Now we add another person, Sterling, to the mix and we get even more chaos within this group. There was a lot to this story, but it flowed well. 

[Melissa Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow what a ride that was! If you are looking for spice you have come to the right place, because this book oozes spice!! Even though it is an interconnected standalone, I highly suggest starting from the beginning to get the ultimate experience. Sad to say goodbye but it looks like there will be more to come!!

[Robyn Tetreault · Rating 4 out of 5]

My girl Jo!! Will she ever catch a break?!
She’s been through so much and it just keeps coming.
Sterling having to deal with quite the new case, and Al trying to stay inconspicuous but of course, why would that fully work out?
BUT
Things all work out in the end, and Jo, Vinny, Al and Sterling are all together and that’s what matters

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am sad to see this series come to an end, but so excited to read the other connected book that will have cameos of the foursome.

After book 3, I had questions about how the unique group would be able to get the happy ending that they deserve.

I love the sacrafices and character development that all four MCs have.

I love the way that H.N. DeFore mind works!!

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

All of HN Defore's books are full of amazing plotlines and spice. Vinny, Jo, Al, and Sterling's story had all the chemistry and banter. I loved how they had to navigate this new relationship between all of them and grew together.

[Ellyana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hi everyone, so I was recently able to finish this book and it was a 5/5 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ I would like to say that this book is about love in unconventional forms as well as the struggle to make something work even when the odds and the baggage are stacked against you.