Burned by Sin

The War at Waversea #2

by Maddison Cole

Rhys Waversea is holding a lit match to a can of gasoline, and Clayton Michaels is no longer standing in his way.

The plan was simple. Infiltrate my father’s empire and watch it crumble from the inside. Waversea Academy was never meant to last, it was just another playground to poison with my hatred. And for a while, it worked. I made sure everyone who thought they belonged here tasted the same misery I was born into.

But Harper wasn’t a part of that plan. She wasn’t supposed to matter. Somehow, she peeled back every layer I built to survive, carved her name into the ruins of who I used to be, and left me exposed. I got what I wanted, I should be celebrating. Instead, I’m spiraling, locked in a war with my own mind. The thrill is gone, the high’s worn off, and now I’m left hollow and alone.

Still, she haunts me. My dreams are plagued by her voice, one sentence on repeat which cuts deeper than any blade. “Rhys Waversea is nothing, and he knows it.”

Genres: Dark Romance, Sports, Why Choose, Contemporary Romance, College Romance, Dark, Enemies To Lovers

364 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 2, 2021

About the author

Maddison Cole is a Why Choose Dark Romance Author hailing from the south east of the UK. She is a creative through and through, whether the medium is pencil, paint, wool or words.

In her books, you'll find a heavy dose of dark humour, men with filthy mouths, shocking twists, an abundance of spice and always a feisty female lead. When not writing, you can find Maddison hiding from her two children, two cats and husband with a dirty book and a naughty dessert.

Want to know where to start? To dip your toe in the water, try Beautiful Delusions, a spicy standalone with three brothers and a happily ever after. For a completed trilogy that will take your heart and run away with it, The Shadowed Souls series is sitting pretty and waiting. Stepbro, stalkers, twists and a basketball team of pure filth and fun. The ideal binge for a reverse harem lover!

Reviews

[Riya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Abigail for a complimentary ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

Wow. I've been in love with this series ever since I read the first book! I'm not the type of person that sticks around for a series, but the cliffhangers have forced me to stand my ground. Filled with drama, mystery and thriller, I can't get enough.

Though, I found a few scenes jump around a lot, especially when new names were pulled out of no where enough to get my brows to crease. It was a good read nonetheless.

Yes, you'd have to read the first part, Perfectly Powerless to dive further into this romantic drama.

Can we take a moment to appreciate the cover though? I'm excited to see how Harper's story cover would look like! She's such a hardass and I love her every one bit. There were moments when I wanted to scream at her for being so indecisive though. "Who are you rooting for? Who would you eventually pick?" I don't know! I am hoping to find out in book three after the epic turn of events in this book's cliffhanger!

3.8/5 🌠

[ashlee ❤ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Harper, Clayton, + Rhys

-dark academia bully romance
-forced proximity
-bad boy + golden retriever jocks
-hate to want > lust to love > whychoose
-rivals & jealous/possessive mmcs
-deaf girl representation

wellll we sure are getting somewhere haha the guys dynamic is still fun & entertaining mostly haha but offf courseee....they had to go & ruin it!! lets hope they can get their shit together quickly!! stupid boys!!

[Renee (BookLoveWithRenee) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Handsomely Heartless ● Book 2 in the War at Waversea
*ARC Review*
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
@abigail_cole_author

I've been very impatiently waiting for this book! Book 1 left us with with cliffhanger & this one picks up right where it left off. Harper continues to struggle with her feelings for her two completely different guys- Rhys is reckless, impulsive, & makes her feel alive; Clayton is her gentle giant, protector, and makes her feel safe. She battles her feelings while trying to stay safe & find out who is out to get her.

These boys! I love them both. I totally understand Harper's dilemma- there is no way I could choose. We see Rhys grow so much in this book & it just makes him that much hotter. The steam level between Harper & both of her guys is 🔥🔥🔥

Abigail leaves us with another cliffhanger & it's killing me. I need more!! As a side note, I make a guess appearance in this book as a secondary character 😉 Check it out!

[Lemon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Plot: 5/5 • Spice: 4/5 ➡️➡️➡️ So much is packed into book 2. Rhys and Harper find some ground after their fall out in book 1. They band together to get Clayton back. Rhys will do anyyyyything to make Harper happy. That includes getting Clayton back to her and back to campus.


Both men still pining after her. Her falling deeper and deeper in with them. One pushes, and one pulls. She really is caught in a storm. They’re aware someone is out for them. They’re trying to figure out who is the actual target and who is just collateral damage.


Rhys’ father gives Harper and ultimatum close to the end. Choose. She has to choose which one of the guys she wants. This all comes after a video of the three of them comes to light. She has two weeks to decide. By Rhys’ birthday.


She won’t do it. She can’t. One is her light. And one is her dark. She asks them to stand by her side, but Clayton won’t budge. Rhys is broken. He’s upset that if she can’t have both she won’t have either.


We do find out who the stalker is. AND IT WAS AN ABSOLUTE “I KNEW IT” moment. Kind of predictable, but still very much enjoyable.


Can’t wait for book three. and I really am supportive of an actual group scene with the three of them. 😉 give the girl what she really wants lol. guys can be so dense. Read the damn room. 😂

[Danielle Frost · Rating 5 out of 5]

I honestly can’t get enough of this series!! I am hooked on the storyline it is full of suspense & angst and I am fully invested in all of the characters especially my man Rhys!!

Handsomely heartless picks up where perfectly Powerless left off and is action packed from start to finish. There is a lot of character development throughout, the steamy scenes are H.O.T 🔥 and the three way plot thickens.

Abigail leaves you wanting more and ends this book on a cliffhanger.... I neeeed the next book NOW

[Bailey (Myveinsbleedink) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 2 of the War at Waversea where we are in a whirlwind of chaos with Rhys, Clayton & Harper. There is a lot of back and forth in this instalment but I can confidently say that this book is for Rhys and him to prove who he truly is for Harper. I absolutely love the dynamic between the 3, how each one has a special relationship with Harper and they complete her when together. Clay & Rhys are constantly at odds but you see glimmers of hope for the 3 of them. As every Maddison book this one is no different in the emotions it evokes, emphasizing each MCs personal traumas and the growth they are all experiencing separately as well as together. Also as only Maddison can do so well....leaving us on a damn cliffhanger. It's like being left on read, sooooo frustrating and I just need book 3 NOW! lol! I'm really looking forward to the final instalment I have so many predictions and thoughts about what is happening at Waversea and can't wait to see where my feelings lie.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

‘Twas not my favourite compared to the first. Felt quite disjointed and still very unsure for themselves. I like Clay, Rhys is a little confusing. It was extremely obviously going to be Kenneth as well so was not surprised at all! Wanted it to be more clearly why choose rather than love triangle as well.

[Mona Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Burned by Sin

This book picked up without missing a beat, and wow.....I have no words for all that i just read. So much emotions, and yeah wondering who is doing the stalking...it's a book that's hard to put down

[Kristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exhilarating

Absolutely in love with the War at Waversea series and in LOVE with Rhys!!

Maddison Cole is a genius.

Burned by Sin had me hooked. The story flows great and it had me up to like 1am reading.

[Becca Snow · Rating 5 out of 5]

can’t wait for book 3

This book took me a little longer to read, due to going back to work. But I never thought I’d have my heart broken and put back together by some team work! Clay and Rhys are some of my favorite MMC’s and I love Harper as the FMC. Just a few more weeks and book three will be out!!!

[Ann Mihailovic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh Abigail, how could you do this to me again, another cliffhanger? I guess I should have expected it knowing there was another book coming. But still...
Anyhoo, Handsomely Heartless is book two in The War at Waversea series, and before reading this story, I highly encourage reading book one as this story is a continuation from that story. In this book, we continue reading with all POV's from Harper, Clayton and Rhys. I was highly anticipating this book after the cliffhanger in book one, and this story was certainly well worth the wait. I won't go into detail by giving a story summary as it's a bit complex, but I will say that this story was fantastic. Drama, mystery, suspense, dilema and some pretty steamy scenes.
Harper is a strong heroine. She may have a disability but that doesn't stop her from what she wants. She's brave and sunshine and is the only one who is able to see past the gruff exterior of these two heroes. But she's torn and conflicted when it comes to choosing one of them as they both have their strengths and weaknesses that she's drawn to. So what will happen, will Harper choose one over the other or choose neither of them.
Rhys. He may be cocky, arrogant and selfish, but Harper is beginning to bring out a part of him that has never existed, and he finds that he wants to be better for her. Yes he has everything money could buy, but he’s finding out that the thing he wants most can't be bought. He wants Harper at any cost. What will he do to ensure she is his?
Clayton, is kind, patient and understanding. He's grown up poor, having to always work hard in life. He's always put others before himself, including Harper. He's realized that he still wants her but at what cost? Is he willing to share her with Rhys or will he walk away from her if he can't have all of her heart?
This series has been awesome so far. So much drama and dilema. I've loved hearing from the POV of all three characters and the plot twist caught me off guard. I really can't wait for the next installment but I'm certain it will be just as engaging and captivating as these first two books in the series.

[Steiner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am in love with this serie, the plot has enough drama for the characters to face but it's well balanced with the characters development and relationship building.

The characters : Rhys is the one who has evolved the most (at least in my opinion), in the first book we saw his cruel side now we still get his cruel and mean side but in addition we have the sweet and caring parts he had deep inside him only waiting to be put in light with the help of the right person.

The drama : There is a big issue they have to face together and if you have read book 1 you know exactly what I am talking about and if you haven't what are you waiting for.
And as I said before, the drama is thick and our three protagonists need to face them but even though the main issue is thick we still have interesting internal drama between Rhys, Harper and Clay

The ménage side is finally getting in our sight and all I can say is I loved how it was presented.

The book has twist that like a roller-coaster make your stomach turn and the adrenaline pumping in your veins.

I can't wait to read the third and last book of Harper story

[Nicole Henderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

We follow Harper, our amazing, fierce, and beautifully raw character, along with her two men who couldn’t be more different. Rhys, the rich alpha bully, is still his beautifully awful self—unhinged, possessive, and maddeningly stubborn. He’ll have you dying laughing at one moment, then melting at how for Harper, he’ll burn the world down. His need for her love is unmatched. And Clay, our beautiful, sweet golden retriever. It’s such a push and pull for him—still dealing with the thought of having her love AND the possibility of having to share her with Rhys. Rhys and Clay together, watching them become reluctant allies, is so good. I love how Harper is done apologising for wanting both men. She’s trapped between a love that feels like safety and a love that burns her alive. When they get together, these scenes burn—they’re so hot, the chemistry and passion are unreal.

In the midst of it all, they’re trying to figure out who’s targeting all three of them, and oh my gosh, I didn’t see it coming! The ending and that brutal cliffhanger sent my jaw straight to the floor. Maddison just has this way of writing such beautifully raw lines that you find yourself highlighting them all. She draws you in with these three, and you can’t let go. You feel their passion, their pain, their connection, and their love. I absolutely cannot wait for book 3!

Burned by Sin throws you straight back into the fire the moment book one ends and trust me, it does not give you a second to breathe. The fallout is intense, the stakes soar, and every chapter tightens the emotional noose in the best, most addictive way.

Harper, Rhys, and Clayton are trapped in this delicious, dangerous push-pull where nothing is simple and everything is charged. They’re trying to figure out who they are together, and it’s messy, raw, and wildly compelling.

But the character glow-up of the century? Rhys.
Our beautifully unhinged psycho steps into himself in a way that absolutely wrecked me. Every moment with him drips with vulnerability and obsession – he wants to be the man Harper deserves, and watching him try (sometimes failing, sometimes soaring) is unforgettable.

Harper is done apologising for wanting both men, and honestly, she shouldn’t have to. She’s caught between adoration and pure, scorching passion, and the way Clayton keeps trying (and failing) to stay away gives this book a magnetic tension you can practically feel.

And the mystery? Yeah, I had my suspicions about the stalker, but the execution, the reveals, the emotional fallout – it was phenomenal.

Then there’s the ending. Oh. My. GOD. It’s brutal, brilliant, and guaranteed to leave you screaming into the void for book three.

If you crave morally grey love interests, obsession with teeth, heroine-centred power, and a story that scorches and shatters in equal measure, you need this book.

[Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book from the publisher/author to review for Stephanie's Book Reports.

This is the second book in the War at Waversea. You have to read the first book in the series Deafened by Silence or you will not know what is really going on. We know that we all got left hanging off a cliff in the first book and I could not wait to get this second book in my hands. Burned by Sin picks up right were we left off and things are such a mess. Rhys is spiraling, Harper is basically hiding in her room or the library and Clayton, his life has imploded and if not for the kindness of a stranger he would be living on the street. But when Rhys and Harper come to an understanding that didn't happen without Clayton right in the mix. That girl has is so bad for both these boys and I for one could not wait for things to explode between her and Clayton because they never really did in the first book. Total opposites is what these guys are. Rhys is all fire and chaos, determined to blow up his fathers empire from the inside out and watch it burn. Clayton is the sweet protector who is holding on to the past and really living his life for someone else and I couldn't wait for him to sort of shed that and live for himself. Harper is a girl who knows what she wants and the time has come for her to be able to have that. But boys will be boys and one is falling and not sure how to deal with it and one has fallen and tries to keep putting a wedge between them. I really thought that while all these characters are amazing and steal your heart, in this book you really get to see Rhys make some huge I don't know what is happening to me kind of experiences progress. This poor guy doesn't know love. He doesn't know what it is like to have it and he doesn't know what to do to give it back. But he is opening up and trying. I loved that he wasn't afraid to try and either fail or be successful and feel that small victory. But boys will be boys and they keep this book very interesting. Harper for her part is tired of apologizing to anyone for the way she feels. She is going for what she wants and I love a girl who knows exactly what she wants and goes for it. Then we still have the stalker!! That darn stalker. That stalker was driving me crazy because I think I know who it is and then the next second I am second guessing myself. Then the end. Bam in your face, throw your Kindle against a wall ending!!! Buckle up and please please for the love of everything can I have that final book in my hands already!!! This is a great series!!!! If you haven't started it then you really need to because I am having the best time reading this series.

[MissVix3n · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book—so if you haven’t read the first one, what are you doing here? Go catch up.
Sure, this could technically be read as a standalone, but let’s be honest… why would you want to miss the background, the foundation, the meaning behind everything?

This one starts slowly, but chapter by chapter it gains momentum like a train leaving the station—until, suddenly, there are no brakes.

We pick up exactly where part one left off. Throughout the book, we witness both men transform, each enduring their own version of torment they must face and overcome. Even their original motivations feel long forgotten.

Clay is more collected now, his anger simmering beneath the surface—quiet, controlled, only revealing itself in the most serious moments.

Rhys is… a wild animal half-forced into domestication. And although this change isn’t necessarily bad for him, it feels like he’s losing the very thing that made him unique. He tries to be good, but the effort feels like a noose tightening around his neck, pushing him slowly toward his downfall.

Harper remains strong and fierce as always… yet there’s an undercurrent of naivety to her. A sense that she’s oblivious to the full weight of everything around her. And I can’t shake the fear of what happens when her strength finally cracks. What if she hits her breaking point?

The lurking threat keeps the three of them bound—solidified. At least partially. Even with their so-called truce, the guys can’t stop fighting and arguing, leaving Harper stuck in the middle, barely holding herself together. She’s the force trying to unite them, but that also places her directly in the eye of the storm.

You can feel something—someone—moving in the shadows, keeping you on edge. And that someone becomes more aggressive. There’s no doubt now: this isn’t a joke. Through book one and now part two, the main target still hasn’t been revealed.
Who are they?
Someone from Clay’s past?
Someone with influence and power tied to Rhys?
Or someone envious of Harper, craving her downfall in epic proportions?
And what is the end game?

But make no mistake—the true perpetrator(s) and the motives behind everything will come to light. The circle of intrigue tightens with every chapter.

I was curious after book one, but now—after book two—this trilogy has my full attention. I can’t wait to see how it all unfolds. I loved the tension of the mystery, the rivalry between Clay and Rhys, and the crushing weight of an impossible choice on Harper’s shoulders.

And those last chapters…
Chapter 36 is heartbreaking.
And the ending?
OMG.

[Sasha📚❤️‍🔥☠️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

- Dark romance
- Academy
- Why choose
- Enemies to lovers
- Possession and obsession
- Betrayal and revenge

“You don’t know what love is. It’s not owning someone, it’s setting them free with the knowledge they will always come back to you.”

Okay so if you thought Deafened by Silence was a world wind of beautiful chaos then look out for Burned by Sin, it’s certainly gotten more intense, so I hope you’re ready. Now if you haven’t already, this is a second in a series, so you will need to read the first book. This is a rapid release series, so we haven’t had to wait long and won’t have to wait long for the next book!

I devoured this book and I didn’t think it was possible to love these characters any more, but Maddison has exceeded! There is so much going on, and the story is the gift that keeps on giving. The plot is plotting and the spice is spicing. Maddison and her creative ways will have you hooked, the story that continues you can’t say just one more chapter, you have to keep reading to find out what happens next and that’s exactly when I know I’m reading a masterpiece!

The story continues where Rhys is struggling since what went down in Deafened by Silence and is hurting from the words Harper had used to expose his insecurities. Through this book, the character development you see in Rhys is eye opening and gets you thinking which side you’re on and definitely makes it hard to choose as I now love Rhys even more🥹 Clayton was my guy but now I can’t choose🙊 He’s got a lot more banter and cheeky ways rather than mean, although he still has his dark edge😈 He’s now more attentive and when he realises he needs Harper back in his life, he’s willing to go to any extreme to make that happen!

Clayton is soon found where he’s been trying to make a start of a new life for himself and Harper wants nothing more than to have him back in her life. She wants him to see she’s not the person at fault for all the pranks/taunts that’s targeted to him. He’s her loyal protector, and couldn’t stay away for too long when it comes to all things Harper.

With someone out there targeting pranks/taunts to get to Clayton, both him and Rhys know they have to try and put their hatred for each other and differences aside to ensure Harpers safe, and the rivalry between Clay and Rhys for Harpers attention and affection is stronger than ever🥵

Clayton is the golden retriever but Rhys is now the mastiff “loyal, but tugs the leash when he’s bored”😜

With Clay as Harpers protector and Rhys as her challenger, are they going to make it through their twisted all consuming love triangle and work together to find out who the enemy is or will it all be too much? Will Harper finally make a decision on where her heart lies? Get your copy to find out🏀

[BooksBooksandmoreBooks69 · Rating 5 out of 5]

If the first book in the War at Waversea series, Deafened by Silence, hooked you with its brooding enemies-to-lovers tension and shadowy academy intrigue, Burned by Sin cranks the heat to inferno levels.

Rhys, the heir to a crumbling empire, is no longer just the villainous instigator, he’s a man unraveling, torching his own world in pursuit of revenge, only to find his carefully laid plans upended by the one person he never saw coming….Harper.
What starts as a calculated infiltration of Waversea Academy devolves into a personal apocalypse, blending high-stakes sports drama, forbidden “why choose” romance, and the kind of emotional gut punches that leave you breathless.

Maddison Cole, continues her signature style here….filthy mouthed anti-heroes, feisty heroines who bite back, and twists that hit like a sucker punch.
Clocking in at around 350 pages, delivers fast-burn spice amid the slow simmering angst, making it a binge worthy follow up for fans of bully romance with heart.

With Clayton Michaels out of the picture, the path to destruction seems clear… poison the elite halls of Waversea Academy, make the privileged pay, and walk away unscathed. Right? But Harper? She’s the wildcard no one, least of all Rhys, could anticipate. She strips him bare, exposes the ruins beneath his armor, and leaves him haunted by a single, soul shredding line: “Rhys Waversea is nothing, and he knows it.” (That had an OMG moment I won’t forget in a hurry!)

The story spirals from triumphant sabotage to devastating isolation, as Rhys grapples with the hollow victory of his schemes. It has clandestine hookups that blur hate and hunger, and a campus war that escalates from whispers to full blown chaos!

The author weaves in threads from book one….Harper’s resilience, the jock feuds, the undercurrent of family secrets, while propelling the series toward an explosive cliffhanger that demands book three.

This isn’t a slow burn, it’s a wildfire! The plot hurtles forward with short, punchy chapters that mirror Rhys’s chaotic mindset, building to revelations that add to book one’s events.

It’s the kind of rollercoaster that leaves you with “sooooo many questions,”

If revenge tastes this bittersweet, sign me up for the fallout. Grab it …. your TBR (and your heart) won’t thank you. 😂

🦋

[Chasity7474❤️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book two came in like a wrecking ball! My heart is broken and my mind is reeling.

This one picks up right after the ending of book one (deafened by silence) and you must read that one first.

We are left with the boys wreaking absolute havoc on Harper. I was so excited for the story to continue because I expected epic level groveling for the crap they pulled. Rhys groveled some in his own way. Seeing him broken broke me. I just want to hug him. The change in his from the start of book one to the ending of this one is enormous. His character growth was fantastic to read. The way he made sure Harper could still study without being in the library was freaking awesome. I’m here for the guy that does something like that.

Let’s talk about out Clayton. I loved him in book one. The silent sentry helping to keep Harper safe. The good guy to Rhys’s bad guy. I was so upset with his actions at the end of book one but I was looking forward to the groveling he owed Harper. What I got instead was her groveling and asking for forgiveness for things she didn’t even do. It actually made me dislike him somewhat which is sad. This is the reason for the 4 stars instead of 5. She treated him with kid gloves basically begging him to be with her after what he did? He still never apologized for accusing her of things she didn’t do. He finally gets his crap together and is back to being the guy we all liked in book one but it was too little too late. I still want him in the throuple though so I’m glad he got it together.

Now comes Rhys’s awful father to ruin it all. I still don’t think they should have given him that power. The hell with his threats. Anyway I suspected who the stalker was in book one and was not at all surprised when it was revealed at the end of this book but didn’t know why until this book. I am still thinking that the one Rhys suspected is in some way guilty of something. They are just a little too perfect to not be involved. I cannot wait for the next book!

[Booksbystarlightandshadows · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was definitely Rhys's time to shine and I am here for his redemption tour. Rhys is still his morally grey self but seeing him open up to Harper whilst coming to realise how she was truly effecting him was such a satisfying arc. The vulnerability, the hitting rock bottom to coming back ready to fight for this girl, I am all in on Team Mastiff. When he said he had a spreadsheet, I was a goner!

FFS Clay; that's all I'm saying about him in this book. I could see where he was coming from, but the scales never quite tipped back the way for me and I couldn't quite connect with him the same way I did with Rhys this time round. However, I did like seeing some of Clay's past being revealed and how he is overcoming his trauma. Its always good to see Garrett again too.

Harper continues to be the strong FMC from book one even with her heart in a million pieces. I love her relationship with Addy too and how she took Addy to task about Rhys. I don't normally like a love triangle, but I like how the relationship between Harper, Rhys and Clay, is showing that the characters from book one haven't changed overnight. Rhys understands Harper is it for him, whilst Clay is waiting for him to get bored and Harper just wants them to realise they both give her different things and they're better together. Chapter 36 broke my heart, on top of that we have Chekov's birthday party ultimatum to content with and the reveal of the mystery stalker. I wasn't surprised but I think this is wrapped up a little too neatly and would put money on there being a player no 2 in the game. I have read those last few chapters a couple of times now looking for extra clues but I'm just going to have to wait it out until book three!

My interpretation of the star system;
3 stars - I enjoyed it; would read the author again
4 stars - I really liked it; I am invested and definitely want more from this author/series
5 stars - I loved it; I engaged with this book completely until I finished it and it is one I will re-read

[BookishMarineMama03 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I HAVE NO WORDS!! THIS SERIES IS EVERYTHING!! This book broke me so beautifully. Burned By Sin by Maddison Cole is book 2 in the War At Waversea and it begins where we left off. If you love dark, why choose college romance with so much obsession, possession, betrayal and every other possible emotion, you MUST read this series!

We continue to follow Harper, our amazing, fierce and beautifully raw character along with her two men who couldn't be more different. Rhys, the rich alpha bully is still his beautifully awful self—unhinged, possessive, and maddeningly stubborn. He will have you dying laughing at one second, then melting at how for Harper, he will burn the world down. His need for her love is unmatched. And Clay, our beautiful, sweet golden retriever. It’s such a push and pull, him still dealing with the thought of having her love AND the possibility of having to share her with Rhys. Rhys and Clay together, watching them become reluctant allies is so good. And I LOVE how Harper is done apologizing for wanting both men. She’s trapped between a love that feels like safety and a love that burns her alive. When they get together, these scenes burn they are so hot, the chemistry and passion is unreal.

In the midst of it all they are trying to figure out who is targeting all three of them and omg I didnt see it coming! The ending and that brutal cliffhanger sent my jaw straight to the floor. Maddison just has this way of writing such beautifully raw lines that you find yourself highlighting them all. She draws you in with these three and you can't let go. You feel their passion, their pain, their connection and their love. I absolutely cannot wait for book 3!

Rate: 10/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 3/5🌶️🌶️🌶️

Download Now: https://www.books2read.com/burnedbysin
💣 Dark Romance
🎓 Academy Setting
🏀 Sports + Secrets
🖤 Why Choose
🧨 Enemies to Lovers
🥀 Possession • Betrayal • Obsession

[Samantha Silensky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay. I was not prepared for that emotional rollercoaster, but here we are.
Seeing Rhys do a strange, but painfully real character development/growth, that also feels like an unhinged kid life crisis is powerful, raw, and heartbreaking all at once. Like, you know he’s a jerk, and a bully, but seeing his spiral and how badly he’s handling his feelings, while also getting some of his backstory on why he is this way, makes you feel for him. Especially if you’re emotionally mature enough to see the layers of his acting out and make educated guesses on why he acts certain ways. He’s essentially turned himself into a big self destruct button.
Clay? I loved seeing him come out of his shell more. Being less self conscious and more confident in his place with Harper. Only after his complete spiral of feeling betrayed, while also being a bleeding heart. His backstory was also tragic. Still a bit cloudy, but heartbreaking and tragic nonetheless. All of the things he’s going through aren’t made better by finding out someone else has been visiting his mom, even more than he has.
Now with a stalker on Harper and Rhys’ tail, and a mysterious intruder in Clays life, the circle is getting tighter, and bringing people back together, whether they like it or not. For better or for worse. With no way of knowing when their enemies will strike again, paranoia and fear run rampant through their lives. And with good reason. But heartbreak and devastation follow an unexpected threat from an unexpected source. And despite this one having a face to go with the threat, it’s just as foreboding.
Side note, I was super excited to see I was right on who I guessed was the stalker since the beginning. They always heebied my jeebies. But I’m even more excited for the next book.

[Lory · Rating 5 out of 5]

Burned by Sin throws you straight back into the fire the moment book one ends and trust me, it does not give you a second to breathe. The fallout is intense, the stakes soar, and every chapter tightens the emotional noose in the best, most addictive way.

Harper, Rhys, and Clayton are trapped in this delicious, dangerous push pull where nothing is simple and everything is charged. They’re trying to figure out who they are together, and it’s messy, raw, and wildly compelling.

But the character glow up of the century?
Rhys.
Our beautifully unhinged psycho steps into himself in a way that absolutely wrecked me. Every moment with him drips with vulnerability and obsession he wants to be the man Harper deserves, and watching him try (sometimes failing, sometimes soaring) is unforgettable.

Harper is done apologizing for wanting both men and honestly, she shouldn’t have to. She’s caught between adoration and pure, scorching passion, and the way Clayton keeps trying (and failing) to stay away gives this book a magnetic tension you can practically feel under your skin.

And the mystery?
Yeah, I had my suspicions about the stalker… but the execution? The reveals? The emotional fallout? Phenomenal.

Then there’s the ending.
Oh. My. GOD.
It’s brutal, brilliant, and guaranteed to leave you screaming into the void for book three.

If you crave morally gray love interests, obsession with teeth, heroine centered power, and a story that scorches and shatters in equal measure
you need this book.

📌 Voluntary review. No compensation, just one reader who is delightfully destroyed and begging for more.

[Anne Darcy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do I really care for Harper? The question echoes around my head, but I don’t have the tools to fully understand the answer. I have no comparison to what this feeling actually is, but it’s something. It’s real and alive, pulsating in my chest everything I think about her. Yet, admitting it out loud sets me up for everything I try to avoid. Rejection. Humiliation. It opens up a void in which others can witness my demise, should Harper eventually tire of me. She bends my steadfast morals, she’s the voice of reason in my head. I feel her burying herself into my soul, the weight of her burdens causing my own to seem irrelevant. She’s my weakness and my strength, my power and my flaw. It’s not so much do I care for her but that I need her. I need her to bring the light to my darkness. A dull, bitter laugh trickles from between my lips as I realize, I am completely and utterly f**ked

Once again we are drawn back into waversea academy and back with our deaf fmc and her two boys. After the ending of the last one clay is gone Harper is heartbroken and Rhys is self destructing.

But when the stalker makes himself known again what is a person supposed to do but go find clay and Rhys is helping cause he wants to prove he is can do what Harper needs.

But who is the stalker trust me you will think you know who it is then your certain your wrong but then you realise hey you were actually right. So many twists and turns and redemption well kinda that you also can't choose which guy you want more but why should I.

Thankfully this series is a rapid release cause I need the last book now but will only have to wait a short time.

[Kilee Goode · Rating 5 out of 5]

Burned by Sin is everything I crave in a why-choose academy romance—dark, angsty, emotional, and scorching—but Maddison Cole takes it to another level with Rhys Waversea’s raw, unraveling descent.

Rhys is a lit fuse in human form, and this book lets us watch the explosion up close. What starts as a calculated mission of revenge becomes a gut-wrenching journey of identity, trauma, and the terrifying vulnerability that comes with letting someone matter. His voice is brutal and honest, the kind of narration that grabs you by the throat and doesn’t let go.

Harper is the unexpected variable that changes everything—she slips past every wall he’s built, challenges him, exposes him, and forces him to confront who he really is beneath the poison he’s been raised on. Their dynamic is electric, messy, tender, and absolutely addictive.

The emotional spiral, the internal war, the tension between destruction and redemption—it’s all written with such intensity that I had to stop more than once just to breathe. And that line—“Rhys Waversea is nothing, and he knows it.”—is going to stay lodged in my chest forever.

The stakes are higher, the heat is hotter, the secrets are heavier, and the character growth is phenomenal. This series keeps getting better, darker, and more irresistible.

If you love academy settings, morally gray love interests, why-choose tension, and stories where the emotional payoff hits just as hard as the action—Burned by Sin is a must-read. I’m obsessed and already counting down the seconds until the next book.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

'If she wants to cut me open, burn me to ash, and crush out the rest of my pathetic presence, she’ll have to do it herself.'

🏀 Burned by Sin by Maddison Cole 🏀

Burned by Sin is the second book in the War at Waversea series by Maddison Cole. This is a dark why choose academy sports romance that will wreck you in the best way.

'I may be cruel, but Harper Addams is a savage. And yet I want her more than ever.'

I had the absolute pleasure to beta read this, luckily straight after the first one because I was desperate to know what happened next! From the very start I was hooked and so ready to see where this one would take me. I loved having more POVs from the guys, it made me love them even more. 

'Harper is pure sin wrapped in a silent strength others don’t have the right to see.'

Harper really gets put through the wringer in this one, yet still she is a badass who knows what she wants. I really admire her character and how determined she is but also the way she overcomes the hurdles thrown at her. I also still love Addy, she is the ultimate BFF though she needs to stop hating on Rhys 😭 

'I want to make it clear I’m just as invested in winning you. He may be fire, but I’m ice. I’ll soothe away the burns he creates and pull you back from the flames when they grow too wild.'

Rhys, oh my sweet bad boy Rhys, my heart bleeds for that guy. I really loved getting to see more of his background as well as the way his character develops through the book. I equally love my boy Clayton. Though he is a broody frustratingly stubborn man I absolutely love his relationship with Harper and the way he ribs on Rhys. I also loved getting to see him with his mum! 

This was full of twists and turns that I did not expect and some things I knew I had guessed right but still was shocked! 1000% recommend this series though be prepared because that ending was insane!! 

🏀 Enemies to Lovers 

🖤 Sports + Secrets 

🏀 Possession • Betrayal • Obsession 

🖤 Why Choose 


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
🌶️🌶️.75/5

[Diana Martins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy...everything.

I knew it. I knew it! Let’s play Cluedo—I’m ready! LOL.
What saved my nerves (and my nails!) was knowing that the third book isn’t far behind, because that cliffhanger? Damn!

There were moments when I thought I had figured out everything, but then I’d start doubting myself, getting confused, and getting annoyed with the characters when, in my opinion, they missed things that were right in front of their noses—important things they're not seeing!

Maddison makes me suffer from beginning to end, but it’s so good I couldn’t stop reading. I just want more and more…

If you’re looking for a dark book with suspense, action, drama, steamy scenes, YA, and:
- an academy setting
- an MFM story, where the FMC doesn’t want to choose between the two MMCs
- an FMC with an incredibly strong and unique personality, who embraces both her dark and light sides (even if she occasionally forgets—thankfully she has the best BFF to remind her)
- two MMCs so different yet absolutely perfect for the FMC, even when they don’t want to (or can’t?) see it
…then you definitely need to give this book a try. It’s an amazing read—I’m addicted.

This is the second book, and the plot just keeps getting better and better, leaving me anxious to uncover all the “whys” and “whos.”

[sycokittykat - Stefanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

More chaos, more emotion, more to lose

So this book picks up immediately where the last one ended. None of our characters are doing okay. Rhys has to make the first move but when we have him back to being kind of like himself the attacks escalate. We have Harper our deaf female character who is being targeted but we don't know why or by who. This person is also targeting Rhys and Clayton though we do not know who the sole focus is on.

With Clayton losing his scholarship he is no longer on campus. Without her protector the attacks are becoming more focused on Harper. They are easily getting where they shouldn't be able to and even Rhys agrees to help get Clayton back to the school. The series of events that happened before even getting back to campus will have you feeling all kinds of ways.

Once we return to the college the two men are dealing with the outsider who has them in their cross hairs as well as trying to prove to Harper they are the only one she needs. Unfortunately for them she knows they both offer her something different and they both own part if her.

The amount of sh¡t Harper has to deal with on top of school and being the deaf kid is crazy. While I had my suspicions about part of what was happening I definitely did not see that ending coming. I absolutely can't wait for the next book because I need to know what happens next.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Burned by sin is the second book in the war at waversea. It picks up exactly where book one ended and wow was that ending a wild one.

In this book we got a lot more character development, it was written in a way that it didn’t feel forced but a natural growth. Enemies are still everywhere and Rhys’s father decided to be a pain.

Clayton and Rhys are now in a position where they need to work together (finally) to help harper. Harder had made it clear she’s not choosing and the boys don’t want to leave her.

The writing was phenomenal and made it feel as though you were apart of all the decisions. The end of the book was once again a cliffhanger that leaves you questioning everything and wanting the next book immediately. Can’t wait for book 3 and hopefully we’ll get some solid relationships

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

Triggers:

* Orphaned FMC
* Stuck in the middle of a physical rivalry
* Bullying
* Stalking
* Blackmail
* Gaslighting
* Invasion of Privacy
* Ableism / Discrimination
* Privilege Dynamics
* Eyes Open/Eyes on Me sex
* Open Door Sex
* Possessive behaviour
* Substance Use
* Party Culture
* Mentions of childhood trauma
* Battles with Depression
* Flashbacks/Nightmares from one of the MMC’s

[Torie Raven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book two came in like a wrecking ball my heart is shattered, my mind is reeling, and I am absolutely not okay in the best way possible.

Burned by Sin picks up immediately after the brutal ending of Deafened by Silence, and let me be clear: you must read book one first to fully feel the impact of this continuation. The moment you turn the first page, you’re thrown straight back into the fire with no time to breathe. The fallout hits hard, the tension skyrockets, and the emotional stakes explode off the page.

After everything that went down in book one, I was ready for some epic-level groveling. And while they each handle the aftermath differently, Rhys absolutely stood out. His version of groveling isn’t dramatic or poetic, but it’s real, raw, and devastatingly honest. Seeing him broken broke me. His character growth from the beginning of book one to the end of this book is massive and beautifully written.

This book is relentless, emotional, and addictive in all the right ways. Every chapter tightens the tension, deepens the wounds, and pulls you further into a story you can’t look away from.

And now? I’m counting down the days until book three. I need more. Immediately.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book two did not let up for a single second. We pick up right where everything shattered, and Harper is still fighting like hell to stay afloat. She’s hurting, furious, and done pretending she doesn’t want both of the men who keep crashing into her life. I loved her even more in this book. She’s sharper, braver, and finally stops apologizing for taking up space. Her deafness continues to be written with the same care as book one, and it adds so much weight to every scene she’s in.

Rhys is still the beautifully unhinged menace who’d blow up the world just to keep her breathing. Clayton is still sunshine with teeth, desperate to be the safe choice even though nothing about their life is safe anymore. Watching them circle each other, fall apart, and somehow work together made this book feel even more chaotic in the best way. Their tension with Harper is unreal, and when all three of them collide? It’s fire.

The mystery behind who’s targeting them gets darker, and the twist hit way harder than I expected. And that ending? Somehow even more brutal than book one. I closed the book and just stared at the ceiling like… are you kidding me.

Five stars. This series owns me.