AVERY Las Vegas was my way out—a golden ticket to a new life. Moving away meant leaving the past behind, a chance to reinvent myself. What I believed would be a fresh start in a glamorous city quickly unraveled into something darker and unexpected. My nights belonged to a job I never wanted, one that slowly taught me how little choice I really had. With no other way to pay for my mistakes, entertaining rich men became the price I had to pay. And just when I convinced myself I could survive this job without letting my heart get involved, he came along.
SPENCER My life used to be simple—or at least that’s what I told myself. As a wealthy sports agent, I had freedom, status, and a lifestyle that made commitment feel unnecessary. I was more than content living the rich bachelor life. Then the son I never knew existed showed up in the city, and a few years later, everything I thought I knew changed the moment I laid eyes on her. At forty, I found myself navigating a life I no longer recognized: distracted by a younger woman I couldn’t stop thinking about, while struggling to connect with a son who seemed to want only one thing from me—money.
Nicole Kennedy has spent most of her life living in Phoenix Arizona but always dreamed of trading the hot desert for the fresh, cold mountain air. Now residing in Northern Colorado with her husband and three dachshunds she’s fully dove into her dream of being an author. You can find her writing heartwarming stories with a touch of sadness and a whole lot of spice at her favorite coffee shop. When she isn’t writing or reading her favorite romance novels she’s probably eating wings, tacos or pizza while watching hockey.
If you enjoy the daddy k*nk you’re going to want to save this one👌🏼
Guilty in Sin City is book 1 in Nicole’s newest series. I had the best time with this book. It’s packed with some of my favorite tropes and Nicole seriously delivered.
Spencer is a millionaire “Italian stallion” who’s 16 years older than Avery and happens to be her ex’s father. Daddy Spence was so good to her and was everything she needed in her life.
Avery had been through some sh*t and the poor girl was still paying for it. She’s down on her luck until Spencer walks into her life and changes everything by showing her that she’s worth so much more than she gives herself credit for.
This was hot, a little bit taboo and surprisingly emotional and I ate it up👏🏼
Thank you Nicole for the advanced copy! I loved Avery & Spencer so much♥️
♦️ escort x millionaire 🎰 age gap ♦️ex’s dad 🎰 Daddy k*nk ♦️set in Vegas
Thank you for the opportunity to read this ARC. If you enjoy the ex’s dad, daddy kink and age gap then you’re gonna wanna read this!! Avery and Spencer had me hooked from the start and the chemistry and tension 🥵. Where can I find me a Daddy Spencer??
I want to start by thanking the author for the ARC of this book. 🩷 I’ve been looking forward to it since it was announced and had very high expectations.
I absolutely adore this author, and her Alpine Peaks series was a solid 5-star read for me! I can’t recommend it enough.
Unfortunately, this one didn’t quite work for me. I had a hard time connecting with the characters and found them a bit superficial, especially Avery. With the whole ex-boyfriend’s dad premise being advertised so much, I was expecting more of a bold, independent “you did me wrong, so I f*cked your dad” kind of energy, but instead it leaned more into a damsel-in-distress dynamic that just didn’t match those expectations and didn’t fully resonate with me.
I also struggled with the ending. While I understand the author likely had a specific intention, some of the themes and resolutions were difficult for me to process and impacted my overall enjoyment. It felt like certain sensitive topics were resolved very quickly, with some unforgivable acts almost brushed under the carpet. I think this could be particularly difficult or even hurtful for readers who have experienced similar situations. I would recommend reading the trigger warnings and proceeding with caution if you've experienced anything similar.
That said, I’m still a big fan of this author and would recommend you read her other books even though I don't think I would recommend this one specifically. 🩷
I want to start by thanking the author for providing me with an ARC.
I had very high expectations for this book. It was my first time reading this author, and I had heard so many great things about her previous work. I won’t lie—I was quite disappointed.
First, I felt there was a lack of depth in Avery and Spencer’s relationship. The characters came across as fairly bland, and I didn’t really understand why they loved each other. Their connection seemed to be based more on money and physical appearance than anything meaningful.
I was also disappointed in how the book was advertised. I was expecting more of a revenge-style relationship, especially with Avery’s toxic past involving Spencer’s son. I thought Avery would be aware of her connection to Spencer from the beginning, which could have made the story more intense and compelling. Unfortunately, the fact that they didn’t know felt more like a miscommunication trope, which didn’t work for me.
Finally, although I’m sure it wasn’t the author’s intention, I strongly disliked the ending. The way the serious themes—particularly involving pornographic content and sexual assault, black mailing—were handled felt too light. Having the ex simply show remorse and go to therapy wasn’t enough for me. I do read dark romance and am comfortable with heavier topics, but this felt like a very serious issue that wasn’t treated with the weight it deserved. I wouldn’t want my daughter to read this one day and think this kind of resolution is acceptable.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I enjoyed reading this for the most part until they decided to forgive and forget that Jackson literally drugged and 🍇 'd Avery. Like, hello? Prison. And what about the other guys involved. With all of Spencer's fancy connections and he didn't even attempt to track them down? SMH
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I need to stop reading this trope because every time I think it’s gonna be good it’s NOT. It’s so mid. This was honestly not a bad book jusy kinda boring and predictable, and for some reason I just could not latch onto the development of the relationship: it always stayed in the “talking stage” area of my mind. Either way, not bad, not good, just mid.
Everybody who knows me knows I love a Nicole Kennedy book. She is my favorite author, and I connect to her characters in ways I don’t with other books. This book has been on my mind ever since she announced it.
Unfortunately, I don’t think this one was it for me. It took me a while to write this review, because it breaks my heart to rate lower.
Although it’s a good book, I feel like the characters were missing depth compared to the Alpine Peak Series (which is 6 stars-please go read it!). I found Avery to have no real personal goals, and I didn't think she would just be content with the millionaire life. The relationship was more superficial and as a reader, I didn't believe in their love story.
The stepfather trope… I think in this story it was a disservice to present it this way. It felt like the entire plot relied on miscommunication, and since no one knows Jackson is Avery’s ex-boyfriend, it wasn’t exciting. I thought it would be known while they were.. 🔥🔥🫦. It would have been 👌.
The ending is the main reason for my lower rating. I wouldn’t feel comfortable with young girls reading this book-I feel like the act was brushed off too easily. It’s okay to write a story like this, but I think the resolution should have been different.
Although this one felt flat for me, I will absolutely read the next book in her series-and the next, and the next-because Nicole is an amazing author. AND ALSO-I really want a story about the barman 👀🙏🔥🔥🔥
When Nicole said ex boyfriend’s dad, I said yes please, sign me up now. Mark this one down in my books I finished the same day I started! I was hooked from Avery and Spencer’s first interaction. The chemistry & tension between these two had you wanting more and more. Spencer was set on showing Avery how a woman should be treated and does he ever! The clothes, and that birthday surprise?! Where can I find me a Daddy Spencer? These two were something else entirely. The spice scenes, from a bathroom, to the patio to that dry humping scene?! God damn. Plus that shot scene at the club?! I’m gone!
Plus add in Colton, Peyton and Andi that were looking out for our girl from day one. I loved them all. Also, why am I cheering on Jax to find his HEA? Hated the dude 90% of the book.
Nicole you outdid yourself with this one and I can’t wait to see what else is coming for the Sin City series!
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁: •ex-boyfriends dad •age gap •opposites attract •millionaire mmc •he falls first and hard •secret identity
✨Book Review✨ Guilty in Sin City Rating: 4.5⭐️ Spice: 2.5-3🌶️
Take me back to Sin City! I’ve been following Nicole since her debut novel and seeing her dive into a whole new world? I love it. From the moment I opened this, I was hooked. I kept thinking, “mkkk HOW is this all going to work out?!” I was here for all the drama, the chase, and that hard earned happily ever after.
Avery has been dealt a traumatic life, from childhood to now, but I really admired her strength and the way she continues to hold her head high. No matter the hardship or cruelty she faced, she didn’t crumble and she didn’t back down.
Spencer is the DADDY Avery deserves. I adored the way he loved her: intentional, steady, and unapologetic. Being older, he didn’t waste time and made his intentions crystal clear.
Without spoilers, the background drama had me seeing red (in a good way bc Nicole knew just how to up the anty🙌🏼) but I was sooo satisfied with how everything played out in the end. I already have my guesses on who the next book will be about because I’m pretty sure those Easter eggs were intentional?!
Definitely check out Guilty in Sin City if you’re looking for your next daddy kink fix!
Tropes •escort/sports agent •ex’s dad •16 year age gap •daddy kink •secret identity •Alpha MMC
Thank you Nicole Kennedy for the privilage to be part of your ARC team and for this being my first ARC read / review!
Guilt in Sin City is my first ex’s dad/daddy kink, and it was addicting and so much fun! Avery’s backstory was truly heartbreaking. She lost her parents at a young age to drugs; dad first then mom some years later. Had to stay with her bf and his mom (so she wouldn’t be taken into the system) until Avery and her bf moved to Las Vegas in their early 20’s.
Avery is the pure example of keep pushing, work hard, and never give up. She had to work her ass off because of a sick and disturbing incident that happened because of her then boyfriend, Jackson. He had such a strong hold on Avery because of the past they shared and she had to pay him a crap ton of money in hopes of not being blackmailed! Meanwhile the video was already on the internet 😭 Jackson was such a disgusting POS.
Years after they break up, Avery mets Spencer, I mean “Daddy” Spencer 😍, one night at a dive bar and it’s history from here! Spencer was truly captivated with her from the beginning! I love when a man knows what he wants from the start! The tension/sexual attraction was piping hot between them! I also loved how Spencer was there for her at all times, didn’t judge her and gave her space when needed. He loved her the way she needed, treated her like his queen, he listened, consoled and protect her. Ugh love it 😩
Later on it came to light that Jackson was Spencer son AND manipulated them both out of money! Little sneaky shit he is!
Oh by the way I love Andi, Peyton and Colton! Such amazing and funny friends! Jayson, Spencer’s best friend, was also good!
Please read it!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Spencer is the epitome of 𝘥𝘢𝘥𝘥𝘺. He's rich, charming, sexy, and falls fast and hard for Avery. The man is so persistent and perfect. I loved that he supported and protected her without any judgment and treated her how every woman deserves to be treated. The two of them have an immediate connection, crazy chemistry, and the spice was spicin' 🥵
This book hooked me instantly and pulled me right out of my reading funk! It gave me all the 𝒫𝓇𝑒𝓉𝓉𝓎 𝒲𝑜𝓂𝒶𝓃 vibes and was so addicting and fun to read.
I’m such a sucker for an ex boyfriend’s dad romance. Omg! This one was so fun! I loved Avery and Spencer, and the side characters. Colton (bartender) calling Spencer “Daddy,” was hilarious. I also loved how supportive Avery’s friends were of her. I hope to see more of Andi, Peyton and Colton in this series.
This story was steamy! And I loved every minute of it. Also, the vulnerability that both Spencer and Avery had with each other, and when they were alone. I just love how Nicole writes her characters with their complex backgrounds.
Thank you so much for the opportunity to read this early! I can’t wait to see what is next.❤️❤️❤️
A sexy multimillionaire who likes to be called daddy… and happens to be her ex’s dad? My kryptoniteeee🥵
This was such a fun, quick read. Spencer is hot as hell and instantly down bad for Avery. I loved how their chemistry took off from the start. Avery’s past trauma leads her to becoming an escort in Vegas and she’s not at all prepared to fall in love with a millionaire who will literally do anything for her. To be loved by a man like Spencer Russo is truly every girls fantasy. I am obsessed with him😍
What happens when 2 people who weren't looking for love find each other at just the right time? A sweet and sexy story in Las Vegas about Avery who is 24 and trying to pay off a debt and single and ruggedly handsome Spencer who is 40, successful, single and lonely. Both have pasts that they are trying to overcome by themselves but becomes bearable when they unite and share their troubles. With a twist that you may or may not see coming you will be satisfied with how it gets resolved.
For this being my first book by Nicole Kennedy, I will definitely add her to my ever growing author list to read.
Guilty in Sin City follows Avery, a young woman who moved to Las Vegas with her now ex-boyfriend, Jax, seeking a fresh start. Avery didn’t have the best childhood and the loss of both of her parents led to her moving in with her boyfriend. They were both ready to start their lives over .. in Las Vegas but Sin City had other plans for them.
Avery thought this was the start of their new life together but Vegas only brought her more trouble. After a wild night with the guy she loved and thought would take care of her leaves her alone and owing a blackmail debt, Avery is struggling for cash. She meets 2 girls who would then become her best friends and she gets a second job as an escort for wealthy men.
Her path collides with Spencer, a 40-year old billionaire sports agent who is used to a carefree bachelor lifestyle until life throws him two major curveballs. The sudden appearance of a son he never knew existed and an undeniable attraction to Avery.
As their lives intertwine, they must navigate complex power dynamics, deep-rooted secrets, and the blurred lines between survival and desire in a city built on temptation.
High states and forbidden tension, Guilty in Sin City is exactly the kind of moody, high-heat escape I was looking for. It’s an age gap (16-year) romance that leans heavily into the “he falls first” and “opposites attract” tropes set against a party city backdrop. The tension revolves around Avery, a down on her luck but independent FMC, and the “Daddy of all daddies” who just so happens to be her ex-boyfriend’s father. The “secret identity” aspect added an extra layer of “oh no they didn’t” that kept me hooked.
I really felt for Avery, having to work 2 jobs to pay off her debts … one of which she rather not be doing. You really feel her struggle. Also.. Avery is NOT a pushover when it comes to Spencer.. she makes him work for it. Which I loved.
Spencer was an incredible MMC. Handsome, charming, wealthy, tattooed, and struggling to connect with his newfound son. He’s trying to find a balance between being a parent after missing out on so much of his life but also helping his son out of troubled situations. Seeing him go from powerful profession to falling hard for Avery was top-tier.
Why I rated it 3.75 stars? Well for started the buildup is a fantastic slow burn, but the resolution felt a bit rushed. I wanted just a little more of the fallout between Avery and the son once all the secrets were out in the open. Also, at times, the emotional should we/shouldn’t we felt a bit repetitive but the spice DEFINITELY made up for it.
If you live for the ex-boyfriend’s dad trope and want a story where the billionaire falls first, fast, and hard, pick this up!!! It’s fun, spicy, and when the pieces come together.. it’ll leave you mindblown.
Nicole Kennedy’s Guilty in Sin City is a contemporary romance that centers on Avery, a young woman who heads to Las Vegas in search of a fresh start, only to find herself navigating a life that quickly becomes more complicated than she expected.
From the opening chapters, there’s a clear sense of pressure surrounding her choices, and that tension carries through the story. Avery is trying to move forward while dealing with circumstances that limit her control, and that struggle shapes how she approaches both her work and her relationships. When she meets Spencer at Bluff City Bar, the connection feels unexpected but immediate. Spencer, a successful sports agent, is already adjusting to a major shift in his own life after learning three years earlier that he has a son, Jackson. As their paths continue to cross, the story gradually moves from a chance meeting into something more layered, with both characters forced to confront the realities they’ve been trying to manage on their own.
The pacing remains steady as the story develops, allowing both Avery and Spencer to grow in ways that feel consistent with their situations. Avery’s perspective keeps the narrative grounded, especially as she works to maintain a sense of independence in a life where her options often feel limited. Spencer’s role adds depth, particularly through his evolving relationship with Jackson, which reveals a more personal side of him beyond his career and lifestyle. Their connection builds through conversation and shared moments rather than dramatic turns, which helps the relationship feel natural.
As the story progresses, there are several points where emotions rise and decisions carry more weight, reinforcing the central tension between what the characters want and what they are able to pursue.
The writing stays clear and direct throughout, making the emotional shifts easy to follow. Readers who enjoy character-driven romance with real-life complications will likely connect with this story, especially those who appreciated It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover, where relationships are shaped by difficult circumstances and personal choices.
Looking for a Romance book with an age gap and a secret identity set in Vegas, where the party never stops, then this is the book for you. Guilty in Sin City is book 1 in the Sin City series by Nicole Kennedy. Firstly, I would like to thank the Author for giving me an ARC. Importantly, this book may contain trigger content, so please read the trigger/ content warnings.
I absolutely love the storyline and plot of this book; every character was written so amazingly, and their relationship with the main characters. Avery's friends were there for her when things were tough, and they helped and uplifted her in any way they could. I loved seeing how each character would not just support the main characters but would also add to the storyline; I do have to say, though, Colton was my favourite side character. Every time he appeared, without a doubt, I would start laughing. The tropes and the plot tied in really well together. I absolutely devoured this book; I was reading it anywhere I could. I highly recommend this book.
Avery and Spencer's relationship was written beautifully. I loved every bit of their relationship. You can see from the start that their relationship is very much a pull and push; Avery has had very bad past relationships that ended with her very hurt. Throughout their relationship, Spencer tries to help as much as he can by showing her how a woman should be treated and heals her in ways you would not expect. These two were perfect for each other. I love how down bad Spencer was for her and was willing to take it slow for her. Spencer is an amazing character. I love seeing that he was also going through struggles (you have to read to find out), but he still shows up for Avery. I could go on and on about these characters. Overall, I highly recommend and hope you pick up on release day, 7/04/2026. Happy reading.
I devoured this book like it was oxygen. The characters, the setting, the spice, and plot; it really has it all!!
From the moment I met Avery, I felt that familiar ache in my chest, you know the kind you get when a FMC has been through too much and still keeps going. She’s only twenty‑four, carrying trauma that shadows every choice she makes, and her ex has her trapped in this awful cycle of manipulation and blackmail. I wanted to reach into the pages and drag her out it myself.
And then Spencer Russo shows up, buys her a drink and everything they know changes.
Forty. Silver‑fox gorgeous. Controlled in that dangerously calm way. And so persistent it made my pulse jump. Every time he stepped in, I felt that shift, the air tightening, Avery’s walls wobbling, my own stomach flipping because you know this man isn’t walking away. He sees her, protects her, wants her with this steady, grown‑man certainty that made me melt.
“You deserve this and so much more just by simply existing.”
And the spice, wow. It’s that slow, magnetic kind that builds under your skin. Spencer’s confidence, Avery’s vulnerability, the forbidden tension between them, it all snaps together in a way that feels inevitable and hot enough to make you forget to breathe.
“Avery might have controlled this situation, but I was still going to dominate her.”
When the plot twist hits that her scumbag ex is Spencer’s son, everyone is already in too deep. It’s messy but Spencer’s feelings never waiver. It lands at the perfect moment, messy and dramatic and so perfectly timed that it made everything between them feel even more dangerous and addictive.
I closed the book feeling wrung out, swoony, and a little obsessed. If you love age gaps, silver foxes who pursue with intention, and FMC’s clawing their way toward something better, this one hits every single craving.
A huge thank you to Nicole Kennedy for the early copy!
4.9 ✨ HELLO DADDY SPENCER😍😍😍😍❤️❤️💋💋💋 Spencer he is everything a woman wants in a man! He is an everything that a real man represents. He is intelligent loving caring more importantly he loves to give the world to the people in his life . Did I mention he is a multimillionaire but he doesn’t brag about it he is humble and willing to go to the end of the world to ensure that his Bella is taken care of and anyone who stands in his way or her way will see a side of this Italian Stallion that they will not like . He is single dad but the name dad is fairly new to him. What do you do when you find out that the woman you love and want is doing a job that doesn’t bother you because it’s Vegas but the jealousy of another man being around her makes him do things that’s he’s never done for any woman.
Avery she grew up in Avery hard and tough environment she moved in with her ex boyfriend during high school and they thought moving to Las Vegas would be the next best thing for them little did she know that one night would change it all. She realizes her ex isn’t the person she thought he was and he begins to blackmail her. She realizes that she needs to make money and the best way to do it well she has to figure it out. She meets her new friends Peyton and Andi and let me say these girls are joined at the hip they bring Avery into a new world where she will be able to do what she needs to get her ex off her back but her lifestyle isn’t all glitz and glammer.
What do you do when you meet a stranger at bar and you instantly have a connection and realizes that it would be impossible to date him!!? Well he ask you for one night only and that one night changes it all for them both 😍😍😍💋💋
I loved this book on so many ways the way that Spence groveled and desired her in every sense and how he wanted to protect her not change her or judge her but to be the person she could run to and trust I loved Avery and how she overcame some difficult moments and was scared to be vulnerable but she let him in and I fell in love!
Go get this book and read it thank you Nicole for the gifted ARC it was everting 😍😍♥️♥️♥️
Tropes Single Dad Escort Ex boyfriend Blackmail Multi millionaire
Guilty in Sin City by Nicole Kennedy completely pulled me in and did not let go. This story is messy, emotional, and so real in a way that just hits you right in the chest.
Avery’s journey honestly broke my heart. She goes to Las Vegas hoping for a fresh start, something better, something hers, and instead she gets pulled into a life she never wanted. You can feel her desperation, her strength, and that constant internal battle of trying to survive without losing herself completely. I found myself so connected to her because she doesn’t pretend to be okay. She just keeps going, even when everything around her feels heavy.
And Spencer surprised me in the best way. At first he feels like the typical wealthy bachelor who has everything figured out, but underneath that there is so much more. Watching him navigate fatherhood, regret, and this unexpected pull toward Avery added so many layers to his character. He is flawed, complicated, and trying to figure things out in real time, which made him feel incredibly human.
The connection between them is intense and emotional without feeling forced. It builds in a way that feels natural but also charged with tension. There is this constant push between what they want and what they should do, and it kept me completely hooked. Their relationship is not easy or perfect, and that is what made it so addictive to read.
The Las Vegas setting adds such a strong atmosphere to the story. It feels glamorous on the surface but underneath there is this darker edge that really mirrors everything Avery is going through.
The contrast between illusion and reality was done so well and made the story even more immersive.
This book is emotional, a little gritty, and full of moments that will make your heart ache in the best way. It is about survival, second chances, and finding connection when you least expect it.
WOW WOW WOW… that’s honestly the only way to start this.
I went into Guilty in the City thinking I knew what I was getting… and I was SO wrong in the best possible way. This book completely surprised me and I could not put it down.
Spencer aka the ultimate Italian stallion is older, successful, and happens to be her ex’s father (yes… you read that right). But what really got me wasn’t just the trope it was how he loved her.
Avery has been through so much. Her life has been anything but easy, but she never lets it break her. She’s strong, resilient, and continues to hold her head high no matter what she faces and I admired her so much for that.
And Spencer?? He’s the kind of man who knows exactly what he wants and doesn’t waste time. The way he shows up for Avery intentional, steady, and unapologetic was everything. He falls first, he falls hard, and I was HERE for it.
Their connection is steamy, emotional, and addictive, but it’s also layered with vulnerability. When they’re together, you really see their walls come down, and that’s what made this story hit even harder.
Also… the side characters?? So good. Colton calling him “Daddy” had me laughing, and I loved how supportive Avery’s friends were. I need more of them ASAP.
And when he calls her “Bella”… yeah, I was done. 💖
This book is unexpected, spicy, emotional, and so much fun — with characters that feel real and a story that keeps you hooked the entire time.
If you love: ✨ Ex-boyfriend’s dad ✨ Age gap romance ✨ He falls first ✨ Protective, confident MMC ✨ Strong FMC
Vegas, an age gap, secret identity chaos and a MMC who falls immediately? Say less ♣️♥️✨
Guilty in Sin City had me hooked from the first Avery x Spencer interaction. The chemistry kicks in straight away and the whole book has that fast, addictive “just one more chapter” energy. The Vegas setting added such a fun, chaotic backdrop too - glitz, secrets and the kind of atmosphere where you just know things are about to spiral.
Spencer was very much giving protective, obsessed, down bad daddy energy and honestly…i ate it up. He falls hard but what I really liked was that even with the instant connection, Avery’s hesitation and past baggage kept the relationship from feeling too easy. There’s still that push pull tension that keeps you locked in.
I also loved the side characters and Avery’s friendships. Her people really showed up when it mattered, and the banter from the supporting cast added so much fun to the story. Colton absolutely stole every scene he was in for me.
The plot itself is definitely more about the ride than trying to hide where it’s going but there were still a couple of twists that genuinely had me pausing like okay wait WHAT just happened 👀
Overall this was such a fun, bingeable start to the series. Fast chemistry, Vegas drama, protective MMC energy and enough twists to keep it interesting. I’m already so curious where the rest of this Sin City world is headed.
tropes I loved: ♥️ age gap ♣️ secret identity ♥️ vegas setting ♣️ protective obsessed MMC ♥️ found family vibes
ARC review: I will never ever turn down an ex-boyfriend's dad book. Ever. 😂 And in this case, I'm SO glad I got to ARC review Guilty in Sin City, because it was everything I hoped it would be!
Avery moves to Vegas with her long-time boyfriend Jax for a fresh start. Almost immediately, he does a 180 and turns into a nightmare - like, trigger warning nightmare. 👀 Avery manages to end the relationship, but she's struggling on her own. She ends up being a poolside cocktail waitress and going into escort work to make ends (barely) meet.
Spencer is a 40 year old millionaire sports agent, happy living the bachelor life, and trying to connect with his 24-year-old son, Jackson, that he just recently found out about. He spots Avery at a bar with some of her girlfriends, and he's immediately drawn to her and seeks her out for a conversation.
From there, things move pretty quickly - Spencer is incredibly possessive over Avery and wants to spoil her + show her how a woman should be treated. You could tell he just wanted to take care of her and make all of her problems go away. 🥺 Absolute daddy energy.
Outside of their sweet (+hot!) story, there was SO much extra going on: the Jackson/Jax drama, amazing support from Avery's girl gang, really funny banter between Spencer and his best friend Jayson, plus the amazing bartender Colton... this was honestly such a great start to the series with tons of Vegas drama, great banter, super hot chemistry + spice, and plenty of emotional moments. 🖤
Guilty in Sin City by Nicole Kennedy, Book 1 in the Sin City Series. This is an Age Gap, Forbidden Romance following Avery Anderson and Spencer Russo. 🚩This is for readers 18 years and/or older as it has mature content and not suitable for underage readers. There are dark themes that can be triggering so please check out the content warning before you dive in 🚩
My thoughts 💭 Nicole Kennedy writes so carefully when she writes about heavy topics such an addiction & mental health issues, it’s something I appreciated in her debut series and something I continue to appreciate with the start of her new series. This book is so good, it doesn’t just touch on topics most romance books have but also touches on how choices parents make may not make sense to children but in the grand scheme of things they are trying keeping their children safe. The character development in this book is perfection, although Avery is younger than Spencer, she has lived a very tragic story that makes her more mature than most her age. The way that Spencer instantly just wants to show her that the world isn’t horrible made my heart so happy. Not to mention the instant draw to each other from the moment they first make eye contact…hottttt!!! If you love reading forbidden romances (this one is ex-boyfriend’s dad) with an age gap and spice that is definitely spicing 🫣 this book is for you. I cannot wait for the next book in the series, I hope the rest of the series includes the besties!!!
✨I would like to thank Author Nicole Kennedy for the opportunity to read and review Guilty in Sin City.
Guilty in Sin City doesn’t ease you in… it throws you straight into the fire. From the first moment Avery and Spencer cross paths, the tension is immediate and undeniable. There’s no slow build here, just instant attraction that refuses to be ignored.
Spencer is all in almost immediately, and watching him spiral into full-on obsession while Avery tries to keep her walls up? That’s where the real push and pull lives. She knows better. She tries to do better. But this situation was never going to stay simple.
And Spencer… yeah, he’s a problem. The good kind. The kind that’s protective, attentive, a little controlling, and completely locked in once he decides what he wants. The man doesn’t hesitate, doesn’t question it, just goes for her like there was never another option. And we love that.
What keeps this from feeling too easy is everything working against them. Avery’s circumstances, the secrets, the reality of what their connection actually means… it all adds weight to a relationship that could’ve easily felt surface-level.
The storyline itself doesn’t try to trick you, you can see the direction it’s heading, but it still manages to land a few moments that catch you off guard. Just enough to make you stop and rethink what you thought you had figured out.
Overall, I really enjoyed this one and I’m already curious to see who takes center stage next in the series. I’m quietly hoping it’s Jayson because a hockey romance? That’s my weakness.
Nicole had me hooked from page one 📖 I literally devoured this 😍
Avery’s life is messy. A sleazy ex blackmailing her and two jobs just to survive, it’s a situation she never wanted to be in. My heart hurt for her, but her strength = unreal . She keeps pushing, keeps fighting, and refuses to give up 💪 When Spencer enters Bluff bar, his & Avery’s love story starts with his glass of whiskey that looks good on her. And let me tell you the chemistry was immediate, intense and undeniable 💥🔥
This man falls first and falls hard .. and I was all here for it, especially when the Italian stallion calls her his ‘Bella’ 💖 Spencer is everything her ex wasn’t: protective, attentive, and knows exactly how to treat a woman. For someone who’s never really celebrated her birthday, he goes above and beyond to make it unforgettable for her 🎁
But it’s not all romance, no siree. Because Nicole likes to bring the emotion and the intensity. Avery’s secret escort identity, the blackmail, and the Jax is Jackson of it all add a darker edge to all the Vegas glam 🖤✨
🎰 Vegas 🎰 age gap 🎰 ex-boyfriend dad 🎰 millionaire MMC 🎰 secret identity 🎰 opposites attract 🎰 he falls first & hard
Oh, and can we talk about the girl gang?? Peyton & Andi are the kind of friends everyone needs. Always showing up, no questions asked. Plus Colton behind the bar bringing the smiles & sass with his “daddy” banter 🤭
Thank you Nicole Kennedy for the chance to read your newest book early (ARC).
I've come to love ex boyfriends dad and this one was HOT on another level.
Man I felt for Avery. She did not have the easiest start to life by any means, but despite every thing she has been through, she still had so much strength, kindness and grace and she shows us it's okay to not be okay but to always keep fighting no matter what. AND DADDY SPENCER. Give me 14 of em right now. Holy crap this man is everything. Tall, handsome and tattooed and just downright yummy. Behind his "weathy bachelor" status there is a genuine man who is incredibly loving and caring and carrying so much regret from not knowing he had a son and feeling he was not there.
Yet from the night Avery and Spencer met they knew there was soemthing there, and while it took Avery a while to allow herself to have what she wanted, daddy Spence knew what he wanted from night one and he was determined to show her how she deserved to be treated. And his mouth???? HAHAHAAAAAA I WAS A PUDDLE. But then she goes and calls him Daddy and I am a mess on the floor omg they are so hot. This book had me on the edge of my seat waiting for the twist to come, and ughh it was done so well and honestly Spencer and Avery handled it all so well and they fought so hard for there happy and they deserved every bit of it. And I m v ery much excited for the rest of the series because I can just feel its going to be SOOOO good.
Rating: ★★★★★ Nicole Kennedy is a certified autobuy author for me, and she has absolutely done it again. As the first book in the brand-new Sin City series, this story sets an incredibly high bar for everything to come. I was lucky enough to receive an ARC, and I can tell you right now: clear your schedule for release day on April 8th.
The atmosphere in this book is electric. Kennedy has a gift for crafting a setting that feels like a character itself; you can practically hear the rattle of the dice and see the neon glow of the Vegas strip. The emotional depth she brings to her protagonists makes every high-stakes moment feel earned and incredibly intense.
Why You Need to Pre-Order: • World Building: This is a masterful series opener. It establishes a world of glamour and grit that I didn't want to leave. • Irresistible Chemistry: The tension is high-voltage. Kennedy handles the "slow burn" and the "payoff" with her signature sophistication. • Non-Stop Momentum: I tore through this in one sitting. The narrative twists kept me guessing, and the pacing never faltered.
Whether you are a long-time fan or new to her work, this is the perfect place to jump in. Nicole Kennedy remains a powerhouse in the genre, and Guilty in Sin City is a glittering, gritty masterpiece.
This was such a good read. I loved how we got both POVs in what could’ve been a stereotypical “Vegas opposites” situation — except it isn’t. What makes this story stand out is that Avery and Spencer are already drawn to each other before either of them realises the full extent of the other’s background. It gives their connection a sincerity that makes the whole book feel fresh.
Avery was such a standout for me. Watching her navigate her struggles with real independence — refusing to take advantage of the wealth around her — made her so easy to root for.And Spencer? One in a million. The way he consistently shows up, reassures her, and makes it clear he’s interested in her, not the version of her people expect… absolutely melted me.
Without spoiling anything, the ins and outs of their journey were so satisfying to follow. The progression felt natural, the tension was delicious, and the spice… well, let’s just say this is not a book to read in public unless you’re prepared to blush.
My only tiny hiccup — and I mean tiny — is that there’s a certain twist the characters take a while to piece together, even though readers will likely catch on much earlier. But honestly, it didn’t take away from my enjoyment; it just made me eager to see how they’d finally connect the dots.
Overall, it was a really enjoyable, addictive read, and I’d happily pick up more from Nicole Kennedy.