The Sinner In Me

by Stacy Rush

(NOVELLA)

It’s not love. It’s something far more dangerous—It’s a ruinous obsession.

Ayla Kennedy has always known she’s different. Beneath her poised exterior, there is a hunger that’s untamed and unfulfilled. That is, until she meets him.

The Beast.

He’s no ordinary man. Feared for his brutal touch and unapologetic dominance, The Beast has left a trail of broken hearts and trembling bodies in his wake. No woman has ever been able to match his intensity...until Ayla. She doesn’t flinch., She doesn’t run. She wants more.

This isn’t a fairytale. There is no prince, or damsel—and there is no saving grace. It’s raw. It’s savage. It’s the kind of lust that scorches everything in its path.

One woman. One man. One sinful connection.

Can Ayla tame the Beast—or will she unleash the monster within herself?

138 pages, Paperback

Published September 30, 2025

About the author

Stacy Rush resides in Central Iowa with her husband. She started writing in 2017 and self-published her first book in 2018. Since then, Stacy has self-published over 20 titles on Amazon and has written two series and one standalone, with another in progress on the iReader app. She is currently in the middle of writing a 5-book Dark Urban Romance series. Stacy’s title, Twisted Hunger, has recently won an award in Contemporary Fiction, General Fiction, and New Adult Fiction, with it being a Finalist in the Romance and Book Cover categories at the Literary Global Awards. Stacy has also recently put out her first audiobook with Saints and Sinners, a dark and very spicy academia romance. Follow Stacy Rush on her media pages to find out what’s next on the writing block and what upcoming signing events she will be attending.

Reviews

[kimiwheelielovesbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS IS A DARK ÉRÓTÍC ROMANCE You've been warned before you enter The Lair with the Beast.

I have never been speechless from one of Stacy Rush's books... That all changed after reading This Sinner in Me. please read the TWs before reading this novella, This is not the typical Stacy Rush book!! You had me hooked from the very beginning and devouring it, I have no words other than job well done Stacy and readers be ready.

Tropes:
Sëxûäl Awakening
Sédüction as Power
Age Gap
Póssèssívè MMC
Stälkíñg
Ôbséssívé MCs
Révënge
Hidden Identity
Dominant Alpha
Förçéd Proximity
Trågïc Love

SEE BOOK FOR TW's

[Natalie Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW what a wild ride ( pun definitely intended) this is a dark erotic horror and let me tell you it definitely lives up to its name!

Even though we have a lot of smut in this book we also have a good story and I devoured it within a few hours.

The Beast and his little Imp are definitely made for each other and Inloved every dark and delicious moment.

The ending absolutely shook me.... I did not see that coming... WOW

[Cal D · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
#gifted #ARC

This novella is spicy, violent, manipulative, and dark. And did I mention spicy? 🥵

THOUGHTS 💭
🔪 Within the first few pages, I knew this was going to be good, as it featured a k!nky, masked, dominant, muscular MMC.
🖤 She’s a cam girl turned voyeur in a spice club… until she becomes the main event with the club owner (the Beast).
🔪 I love that both of our MCs are obsessed with each other - her crazy matches his and it’s like they are made for each other.
🖤 I love self-aware FMCs - ones who KNOW that being held captive by their masked stalker and f*cked daily is NOT normal, and yet she can’t help but love it/him.
🔪 This was a dark, messed up tale with a shocking ending.

Thanks so much to Stacy Rush for the ARC of this book!

[Erin Saulpaugh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this! This had a slight mystery to it. Beast's identity is the mystery. He wears a mask and hides his identity. He owns his own club at night, and no guest in his club knows his identity. Ayla meets Beast on her website, which is similar to only fans. Except she doesn't know she has already captured his attention.
Beast always gets what he wants. I wouldn't laugh at what is his, or you will be killed for it! Now that is love. The end left me speechless. It was not what I expected. I love books that are unpredictable, and they are hard to find.
Please read the trigger warnings! This book is no different than the other books Stacy has written. This book is not for everyone.

There was one thing that gave me the ick. I won't say what it is because I don't want to give the book away. I overlooked this ick because I was curious what this ick did to deserve this type of revenge from Beast. That is all I'm saying. It is why I am giving four stars instead of 5.

For me, 5 stars mean I loved the book and can't think of anything I disliked about it. I will still recommend this book. It is a personal ick. Nothing the author did or said.

I have to give this author props. I got the ick of something I didn't expect, and I still couldn't put this book down. That takes skill.

Stacy Rush is becoming a fast favorite. I can't wait to read more from this author!

[Kayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ugh, okay... I am having so many conflicting thoughts on this one. In no way did I hate it, I am just in an incredibly discombobulated situation in my head and heart on this one. I want to sit and cry and just cradle this book, while also wanting to throw it across the room.

The Sinner in Me was a wonderful, surprising, brutal read and I think I will always have this part of me that is just unsure or unwilling to fully process this story. *sigh* I loved it though, is the 100% truth and I will stick by that.

A huge thank you to the author and her assistant for allowing me the opportunity to read this story and see how wide the range is for this author. I am looking forward to diving into more of her work and being absolutely thrilled, surprised, crushed and breathless at her future and past work.

[Kristie Mineo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, where do I even start with The Sinner In Me, this was my first dive into dark erotic romance, and let me tell you, it was a total treat—like a chef’s kiss! Honestly, I was captivated from the first page. It’s definitely a five star, five pepper read for me.!

The mix of revenge and the age gap between the characters added such a thrilling element to the story. And the way the male main character is so possessive over the female lead, hits just right. It created this intense dynamic that had me hooked.

But let me tell you, the ending really threw me for a loop. I was left saying, “Why would you do that?” It’s like the author grabbed the last slice of pizza just when I was about to go for it! Overall, I highly recommend this book if you’re looking to get lost in some dark, spicy, thrilling romance. Just be prepared for the twist at the end!

[Brandy McCoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mind blown! This novella! This dark taboo €roticà romance will take you on a wild ride that you won’t want to get off of! My jaw was on the floor many many times while reading this book! In a good way! I don’t want to give anything away but just know to read those trigger warnings before diving in! The Sinner in Me is unlike anything I’ve read by Stacy thus far and I’m here for it! Read it if you dare, no seriously read it!

[crystal huff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg this book was amazing. The beast and his imp. The one he chose and why. I love how he made him fall for him in one way or another. He implanted himself in her life without her knowing who he was. This novella was spicy and so good. I binged it in two days. Anything by Stacy I will read.

[JoJo_LoLo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩
Spicy: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️


Stacy Rush never disappoints her in her writing. This is novella was packed with tons of spice. The Beast and Imp are the made for each other. It’s starts off as a revenge plot and turns into LOVE. It was very dark and twisted. You should definitely check all the trigger warnings before reading. Oh yeah, just because I said LOVE doesn’t mean that it ends up in a happily ever after. I was hooked from beginning to end. Such a great read.

[Just Virginie · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐,5
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Read at your own risk — this book is unhinged, dark, and scorching hot. Stacy Rush proves once again she knows exactly how to deliver spice, and I can’t even pretend to be shocked anymore 😅.

This story has it all: stalker obsession, dom/sub dynamics, an age gap, and a MMC who more than lives up to his nickname… Mr. Beast. Let’s just say, I completely understand why he’s called that now 🥵🔥.

The intensity never lets up, and just when I thought I had a handle on where things were headed, that ending blindsided me. Dark, twisted, and addictive — this book pulls no punches.

[Chelsea Thirion · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well dang… what a wild ride! Stacy Rush knows how to write a whole dang story in less than 160 pages! Don’t read this if you only want happy endings, if you want a dark romance this is absolutely for you! This little novella has everything us smut lovers want to devour!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

[Claire Purkis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh wow this may only be a novella but it sure packs a punch! Thrown straight into the story there is no time to take a breath. Our fmc, Ayla, knows she is different and has different sexual needs than most. Thrown in the deep end at a club with The Beast she explores how far she willing to go. The Beast hids behind his identity unwilling to let people know who he is until he meets Ayla. With a strange attraction to her he sets out on a mission to see how much he can do.

So first and foremost make sure you read your triggers. This is dark romance at its worst. There are hard core moments and our fmc is requested to do some deranged acts. This novella is high on the spice rador and there are some questioable things. If you are a Stacy Rush fan you know what to expect. If new to her world welcome to the dark side!

I loved this new direction but damn that ending came out of nowhere. I guessed The Beasts identity but no way would I have seconded that ending. Thanks for blowing me away and keep up the amazing stories! 

[Glennyss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh Stacy, you’ve done it again! This book blew my mind absolutely five stars, and honestly, I wish I could give it more! It was so mouth wateringly good, I was on the edge of my seat the entire time, craving more. Stacy always writes the best books, and I can't even pick a favorite because they’re all amazing. But this one? Definitely one of my top favorites now! If you know Stacy, you know she always adds that special touch that makes you feel connected to the characters and oh, am I ever attached!

[Mikayela Kelleher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even going out of her comfort zone Stacy Rush had me hooked with this new novella. With this story, you follow Ayla, the FMC, who is attempting to discover herself and why the darkness seems to call to her, and Beast, the MMC, who is dark, depraved, and calls to every part of Ayla. From the very beginning to the last word, this novella will have you trapped inside its story. And that ending?!? I’m telling you, if you like dark and depraved, fast paced, and easy to read with all the right spice, this is the next read for you! And if you haven’t read Stacy before here’s a few tips: always read and understand your trigger warnings. If it’s listed, it’s in there. Be safe in your reading, Ayla and Beast make it hard to put down.

[Samantha Cross · Rating 5 out of 5]

MA’AMMMMMMM!!! I love your writing! You always have my attention! This book threw me for a loop 🤯🤯🤯

This follows Ayla and Gunner. Ayla is a v*rgin who likes things on the d@rker side. The beast at the club captures her attention and wants to be with him and everything he can do to her.

The beast has d@rk tastes in the bedroom. When he finally sees a woman who can possibly match him and everything he craves. He has to have her at any cost.

There is an underlying plot that was 🤌🏼🤌🏼 the twists and turns in this book keep you on the edge of your seats. The ending well it 🤯🤯😱😱

[Jessie Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just want to start by saying how proud I am of Stacy for stepping into something new and writing her first novella. The Sinner in Me was such a great book — short, but packed with intensity. This one is definitely spice-heavy (and I loved every bit of it), with just enough storyline woven in to keep me hooked.

The ending absolutely shattered me. My one trigger — the one that’s nearly impossible to hit — was hit in this book, and it was the first time I’ve ever experienced that in a story. And honestly, I’m glad it was Stacy who did it. I trust her writing, and even when it hurt, it was handled in a way that made me feel deeply instead of shutting me out. I felt heard.

This novella proves just how talented Stacy is. She can turn up the heat, twist your emotions, and leave you wrecked in the best possible way. I’m already impatient for whatever she gives us next.

[Jessica Barnett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg I was hooked from start to finish and than the Kindle when flying with the ending. The way she wrote that ending is a work of art.This dark Erotic Romance is hot and will take you on a adventure. Beast and Ayla story is dark and twisted and I was loving the whole ride. Beast know how to push Ayla limits. He also is a touch her and end and we all know that we love those type of men. This is not for the faint of heart what so ever so please read the triggers. I can't wait to get a physical copy of this bookshelves.

[Kindra · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Warning this doesn’t have an HEA.*

First off respectfully wtf. The fact that we got all that tension and angst in so little pages I’m just mind blown. Highly recommend reading the triggers as this is dark dark for Stacy.

Definitely a good read packed with so much information you don’t feel like it’s a novella. Showcasing desires, obsession and more. Featuring a good girl gone bad and a dark depraved jealous possessive obsessive MMC who wants her.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stacy, how could you make a novella that I want more of?
This book packs so much into such a short amount of time! This isn’t one of those romcom fairytales, the raw, obsessive desires, power dynamics are 🤌🏻. This book was amazing that’s all I can say.
I’ve said this once and I’ll say it again, Stacy has reeled me in and won’t let go!

[Brittney W · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novella was NOT short in spice or plot! We get both POV’s from Ayla, the FMC who is trying to learn more about herself, and why the dark draws her so close. To the Beast who is the answer to unraveling those questions. The pace and heat of this book was constant, making it impossible to put down. The epilogue had me stuck in a space of speechlessness and a sense of that can’t be the end! Take the trigger warnings seriously. For those who venture in, it’s definitely worth it!

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an extremely dark and erotic novella! Ayla wants the Beast bad, and boy, does she get what she asks for and more. They both become obsessed with each other, and its crazy what lengths they go to. The ending had me speechless also. please read those trigger warnings before diving in!

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been reading Stacy’s writing from the beginning but that didn’t prepare me for this novella! I read it in one sitting and my jaw was on the floor for that ending! Very spicy and keeps you reading till the end!

[Jamie Schaefer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! This is definitely different than Stacy's other books but still amazing! Tons of spice between Ayla and Beast that doesn't disappoint. When it comes to morally gray...Beast is the darkest of gray imaginable. It's a quick read but make sure to check the warnings.

[CraftyKat's Book Log · Rating 5 out of 5]

wow. i completely loved this novella.WowYou didn't see see epilogue coming!!

[Saharah Vanvalkenburgh · Rating 4 out of 5]

the fmc is alya, and the mmc is the beast. this story has a plot and spice and a storyline, so stacy Rush did it again.

[Faith Frenthway · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just wow. Stacy had said ( at one point, I think, dont quote me) that her books have a happy ending, so to speak. Well I'm utterly speechless. I have so many mixed emotions with this book up, down, left, right, and why not give a little shake while you're at it.
From a young lady who doesn't know why she likes what she likes to a beast who has no shame in who he is. This is a short read as it is a novella but just as captivating.
Ayla holds strong and takes what is thrown her way without much fuss. The beast finds what he most desires and then BOOM.........
Honestly, I never saw that coming.
Very well done Stacy Rush.

[Nicole Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can I just say I did not want this one to end. This novella was dark and delicious. And believe me when I say you won’t expect the ending. Before you read check those triggers because this one is packed with them. This tells the story of the beast and his little imp and their darkest desires. This one brought so many emotions and I was here for the ride. If I ever recommend a dark and twisted novella this is the one. This will break you in all the right places. You’ve been warned. Enjoy the ride.

[Darian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stacy you did it again, you tried a whole new area and decided to write just by itself, not part of another series, novella. You nailed it! Mic Drop!
If you are wanting a short read that is fast paced and will hold your attention from the first page to the last, this…this book right here needs to be your next read! It’s dark, it’s depraved, it’s twisted, and has all those drool worthy tropes and triggers we all love.
I could not put this book down and fell asleep with my kindle in my hand because I did not want to stop reading it! The twists and turns that she will take you on in this book are unreal. I don't want to say too much more for fear of giving spoilers and that's not me. You will just have to read this one!

[Lauren Collier · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an erotic romance and man oh man is it dark! Please check your trigger warnings before entering The Lair of the Beast. Once again I’m speechless by Stacy Rush another great book she has made and I’m all for it. This novella is amazing and the ending was not what I was expecting. So buckle up buttercup and enjoy the ride you’re gonna love it.

[Izzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so amazing,Stacey did an amazing job. It is full of spice and thrill. Id definitely recommend this book for people who looking for a good read. There is a menu of triggers but if you can get past that then you will love the book for sure.