Only the Wicked: The Sinful State Series, Book 1

by Isabel Jolie, Marie Hawkins (Narrator), Scott Rose (Narrator)

Control built my empire. She might destroy it all.

To some, my creation, ARGUS, is a weapon. To others, it's a safeguard.

The system sees all, finds every connection, leaves no secret buried.

Yet she found my blind spot.

I gave her everything—my bed, my secrets, my trust. The heart I'd buried under years of ambition and isolation.

Only to discover she didn't find me by accident. Former CIA. Investigating a deadly leak. Hired by shadows to hunt rumors that could destroy everything I've built.

Every kiss was a lie. Every vulnerable moment, a calculated move. She played me like a mark, and I let her.

But the fire between us? That was real. And now that same fire might burn us both.

I've always been willing to pay any price to protect my creation. Now I'll pay any price to keep her. Even if it means becoming the monster they already think I am.

Only the Wicked is the first book in the sizzling Sinful State series, where elite operatives and ruthless billionaires discover that the deadliest game is the one played with the heart—and the only rule is that only the wicked win.

Audible Audio

Published October 16, 2025

About the author

Apple Books Contemporary Romance Bestselling Author of spicy thrillers where love always wins. Get free books + early access: https://isabeljoliebooks.com/#newsletter

Heart-pounding romance. Unforgettable heroes. Sizzling happily-ever-afters—with a side of suspense that'll keep you up way past bedtime.

I dreamed of being a writer as a kid but took the "safe" route: journalism degree, advertising career, MBA, corporate gigs at Chase and Universal. Then in 2020, I said screw it and published my first book. Twenty-five books later, I'm living the dream.

I'm also a mom to two teenage daughters who are perpetually mortified by my career choices. My husband's an entrepreneur whose latest product is Nampons (yes, it rhymes with tampons and yes, it's for nosebleeds). Between my spicy romance and his biz... we've cornered the market on parental embarrassment.

My books feature tough characters facing tougher choices, compelling suspense, and storylines that'll make you think. But no matter how dark things get, my people always choose love.

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Reviews

[Dee | myliteraryera · Rating 3 out of 5]

‘𝐈𝐧 𝐛𝐞𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐦𝐲, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐦𝐲?’

From just the prologue, I knew these narrators were the perfect fit for this story.
Marie Hawkins and Scott Rose were the perfect match for Sydney and Rhodes!

This was a good read with a lot of espionage and the too real factors of AI. Espionage and fast lusting.
I enjoyed the reveals and quick tit-for-tats the MC’s played out.

If you like suspense, billionaire romance, tech, action and adventure, definitely for you.
I do enjoy a little bit more of a build up for the romance and lusting, but nonetheless a good read.

Thank you for the alc BNA + to the author 🖤

[ ✩ 3.5 ]

[Adrianna Amaya · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted to thank BNA for this alc!

I enjoyed this book a lot!! It was my first book by this author and definitely won’t be the last! This also was a first for me in this genre and loved it!!

It was such. Good suspenseful book that has me on the edge of my seat. The fmc is a ex cia agent send to investigate tto investigate the MMC and between them hold secrets and a whole list of chemistry!! I can’t wait to read more about this story!!

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧
🌶️🌶️

Thank you Blue Nose Audio for this ALC

Only the Wicked by Isabel Jolie
Book 1 in The Sinful State Series
Performed in duet by Marie Hawkins & Scott Rose 

Isabel Jolie is a new author for me. This troupe is also a something I haven’t read a lot of. I loved it.

Billionaire Romance
He Falls First
Disguise
Protective Hero
Strong Heroine
Vigilante

Rhodes and Sydney

I enjoyed this suspense audiobook. Former CIA recruited to find out a leak that put her and others in danger.

I liked the chemistry between these two. Sydney turmoil whether she could trust him.

Both Marie Hawkins and Scott Rose were fantastic. Scott is a new narrator for me and look forward to listening to more of his narrations

I am looking forward to more in this series.

[Stacy Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

ALC Audiobook Review
5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
5🎙️🎙️🎙️🎙️🎙️
3🌶️🌶️🌶️

Only the Wicked is the first book in The Sinful State series. Rhodes is a wealthy man that has created an AI system called ARGUS. This system could become a weapon if it ends up in the wrong hands. Sydney is an ex-CIA agent. She now works for a private company. She is hired to investigate Rhodes and ARGUS. She has been researching Rhodes and his hobbies. She plans to casually meet him on a hiking trail and try to spark his interest. As she starts spending time with Rhodes she can’t stop falling for him. They decide to team up together and try to find out who might be working against them. This book was very intriguing.

Marie Hawkins and Scott Rose did an excellent job narrating this book.

[MHT Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh my god, Only The Wicked was better than I expected. Marie Hawkins and Scott Rose were the perfect pair of narrators to bring this amazing book to life. And the story was amazing! A handsome Rhodes( tech guy) was forced on vacation (working too much) and Sydney was sent there to get intel on him. And I absolutely loved that Sydney is undercover agent (but no longer in the CIA), and that in itself is just amazing. I love to read about a badass woman. The chemistry and banter between Rhodes and Sydney was amazing. The plot is so good, I was on the edge on my seat. What’s going on? Who following them? What is Rhodes hiding? Is he hiding anything? Who’s working against them?

[Tali · Rating 4 out of 5]

Former CIA hired by a vigilante group to investigate a billionaire that might have done some shady business, especially with using AI. Can they trust each other and are they really falling for each other? There’s a thin line between the truth and justice. The story kept me engaged throughout as I tried to figure out who was the bad guy. So many things in this book felt like our current reality.

Marie Hawkins and Scott Rose did a phenomenal job as Sydney and Rhodes. Scott Rose is new to me and I really enjoyed his voice. Marie Hawkins is awesome and love it when I get to listen to her narrate. They both had great chemistry.

[Giota Tzavela · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is brilliant as the author's mind!!!! Wicked😉
Couldn't put it down!
Can't wait for the rest

[Lady _Soulmate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Edge-of-Seat Intrigue

A tightly woven romantic suspense, Only The Wicked blends intrigue with emotion in a way that feels deliberate and assured. Isabel Jolie layers secrets, betrayals, and slow-revealed motives into a plot that stays active without losing sight of character dynamics.

Sidney and Rhodes are drawn with clear arcs and complementary tensions; their chemistry builds alongside the mystery, supported by confident world-building and steady pacing. The puzzle pieces come together cleanly, with twists that feel earned rather than flashy. Themes of trust, agency, and consequence underpin the action, giving the story weight beyond the thrills.

The dual narration adds dimension. Marie Hawkins and Scott Rose differentiate the cast effectively, matching tone to scene and giving secondary characters distinct voices. Their performances track the shifts from urgency to vulnerability, keeping the emotional throughline intact.