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Guilty as Sin
Rob was found not guilty.
The world moved on.
Rose never really did.
After a nationally televised trial ties their names to scandal and violence, Rose and Rob try to build something resembling a life again. From the outside, it almost works. Marriage. Parenthood. A quiet home far removed from courtrooms and headlines.
Almost.
When Rose discovers she’s pregnant, hope feels real for the first time in years. But nothing that once lived in the dark ever really stays buried.
As Rob’s toxic patterns begin to resurface, Rose starts to question everything, including the man she loves and the loyalty she has spent years defending. What truly happened to Rob’s first wife, Amelia, becomes impossible to ignore.
In a relationship built on obsession and control, what happens when Rose threatens the perfect illusion Rob has created of her? Could Rose become the next Amelia?
Guilty as Sin is a dark continuation of Rose and Rob’s story, exploring parenthood, manipulation, and what happens when loving the wrong person finally demands a reckoning.
The world moved on.
Rose never really did.
After a nationally televised trial ties their names to scandal and violence, Rose and Rob try to build something resembling a life again. From the outside, it almost works. Marriage. Parenthood. A quiet home far removed from courtrooms and headlines.
Almost.
When Rose discovers she’s pregnant, hope feels real for the first time in years. But nothing that once lived in the dark ever really stays buried.
As Rob’s toxic patterns begin to resurface, Rose starts to question everything, including the man she loves and the loyalty she has spent years defending. What truly happened to Rob’s first wife, Amelia, becomes impossible to ignore.
In a relationship built on obsession and control, what happens when Rose threatens the perfect illusion Rob has created of her? Could Rose become the next Amelia?
Guilty as Sin is a dark continuation of Rose and Rob’s story, exploring parenthood, manipulation, and what happens when loving the wrong person finally demands a reckoning.
Unknown Binding
Published May 8, 2026
About the author
Sabrina Black
4 books44 followersSabrina Black is an Austin-based author of dark romance and psychological thrillers. She is the creator of the gripping series that begins with Free Me From the Girl I Used to Be, followed by A Beautiful Lie and Guilty as Sin.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
May 17, 2026
I started reading Sabrina Black’s work back in March, and at the time, psychological thrillers were not a genre I had really explored. Then I read the first two books in the Frey series, and somewhere along the way, I fell completely into her stories, her characters, and the twisted emotional worlds she creates. Her imagination pulled me into a genre I didn’t even know I needed, and now I’ve gone down the psychological thriller rabbit hole with no intention of crawling back out.
And Guilty as Sin is exactly the kind of book that reminds me why.
Just when I thought I understood who the villain was, this book twisted the knife and made me question everything, including my own reactions. This story is dark, unsettling, and emotionally consuming in a way that creeps up on you. It’s not just tense, it’s psychologically invasive. The writing leans into discomfort, layering trauma, manipulation, fear, guilt, and fragile moments of humanity so seamlessly that you don’t realize you’re sympathizing with the wrong person until you’re already there.
It’s addictive. It’s heavy. It’s quietly devastating. And from start to finish, it carries this claustrophobic tension that makes you feel trapped inside the characters’ choices, memories, and damage.
At its core, this is a brutal exploration of trauma, control, and the dangerous gray space between victim and villain. Rose is fractured, shaped by fear, survival, and years of emotional damage. Her choices are messy, frustrating, and painfully human, and there were moments where I was so angry with her while also understanding that nothing about her reality was simple.
And Rob… Rob is where this story gets dangerous.
Because he isn’t written as a one-dimensional monster. You see the cracks. You see the trauma. You see the moments where he wants to be better, where he is trying to understand the damage inside him, and that is exactly what makes him so unsettling. I hated what he did. I hated the harm he caused. But I also hated how often I found myself hoping he could change.
That is the emotional trap of this book.
It forces you to sit in the discomfort of impossible questions. How do you reconcile empathy for someone who has done unforgivable things? How do you judge someone like Rose when her entire sense of reality has been warped by fear, manipulation, and survival? How do you hold anger and sympathy in the same breath?
This book never lets you fully land on one side. It keeps you suspended between rage, heartbreak, disbelief, and understanding, and that push and pull is what made the reading experience so intense.
I genuinely felt like I was spiraling alongside this story. Every time I thought I had a grip on where it was going, something shifted. I questioned my judgments. I questioned the characters. I questioned what I wanted to happen next. And I hated how easily the narrative made me waver.
There’s a slow, suffocating tension that builds rather than explodes, and when everything starts unraveling, it doesn’t feel shocking in a clean way. It feels inevitable. Like watching something break in real time and knowing there is no way to stop it.
And the emotional whiplash? Brutal.
What Sabrina Black does so well is create characters who don’t just exist on the page. They get under your skin. They frustrate you, disturb you, break your heart, and make you sit with emotions you don’t always want to admit you’re feeling. I have fallen hard into these characters and this world, not because they are easy to love, but because they are complicated, damaged, and written with enough depth to make every reaction feel personal.
This isn’t just a thriller. It’s a deeply unsettling character study wrapped in manipulation, trauma, obsession, and moral ambiguity. It doesn’t ask you to pick a side. It forces you to confront why you even want to.
It’s messy. It’s uncomfortable. It’s psychologically sharp.
And it will absolutely leave you sitting there, questioning everything you just read and everything you felt while reading it.
And Guilty as Sin is exactly the kind of book that reminds me why.
Just when I thought I understood who the villain was, this book twisted the knife and made me question everything, including my own reactions. This story is dark, unsettling, and emotionally consuming in a way that creeps up on you. It’s not just tense, it’s psychologically invasive. The writing leans into discomfort, layering trauma, manipulation, fear, guilt, and fragile moments of humanity so seamlessly that you don’t realize you’re sympathizing with the wrong person until you’re already there.
It’s addictive. It’s heavy. It’s quietly devastating. And from start to finish, it carries this claustrophobic tension that makes you feel trapped inside the characters’ choices, memories, and damage.
At its core, this is a brutal exploration of trauma, control, and the dangerous gray space between victim and villain. Rose is fractured, shaped by fear, survival, and years of emotional damage. Her choices are messy, frustrating, and painfully human, and there were moments where I was so angry with her while also understanding that nothing about her reality was simple.
And Rob… Rob is where this story gets dangerous.
Because he isn’t written as a one-dimensional monster. You see the cracks. You see the trauma. You see the moments where he wants to be better, where he is trying to understand the damage inside him, and that is exactly what makes him so unsettling. I hated what he did. I hated the harm he caused. But I also hated how often I found myself hoping he could change.
That is the emotional trap of this book.
It forces you to sit in the discomfort of impossible questions. How do you reconcile empathy for someone who has done unforgivable things? How do you judge someone like Rose when her entire sense of reality has been warped by fear, manipulation, and survival? How do you hold anger and sympathy in the same breath?
This book never lets you fully land on one side. It keeps you suspended between rage, heartbreak, disbelief, and understanding, and that push and pull is what made the reading experience so intense.
I genuinely felt like I was spiraling alongside this story. Every time I thought I had a grip on where it was going, something shifted. I questioned my judgments. I questioned the characters. I questioned what I wanted to happen next. And I hated how easily the narrative made me waver.
There’s a slow, suffocating tension that builds rather than explodes, and when everything starts unraveling, it doesn’t feel shocking in a clean way. It feels inevitable. Like watching something break in real time and knowing there is no way to stop it.
And the emotional whiplash? Brutal.
What Sabrina Black does so well is create characters who don’t just exist on the page. They get under your skin. They frustrate you, disturb you, break your heart, and make you sit with emotions you don’t always want to admit you’re feeling. I have fallen hard into these characters and this world, not because they are easy to love, but because they are complicated, damaged, and written with enough depth to make every reaction feel personal.
This isn’t just a thriller. It’s a deeply unsettling character study wrapped in manipulation, trauma, obsession, and moral ambiguity. It doesn’t ask you to pick a side. It forces you to confront why you even want to.
It’s messy. It’s uncomfortable. It’s psychologically sharp.
And it will absolutely leave you sitting there, questioning everything you just read and everything you felt while reading it.
June 3, 2026
This is book 3 of a series and you need to read the others to understand what’s happening. This book really destroyed me. This series has been a psychological, thriller, romance of epic proportions. I am so sad at what transpired. I was crying my eyes out. I just can never really hate an mmc no matter what he does. This was really well written and I couldn’t put it down. I read this in basically 24 hours. I’ll definitely be in a book coma for a few days. This series has been so good and written so well. I am really anticipating book 4.
May 27, 2026
This was a very disturbing read. The trigger list underplays exactly how graphic, violent, and even distressing parts of this book are. I like reading messed up stuff, but I was not prepared. Graphic DV, non-consensual drugging, paying to see therapist notes, severe bruises, a lot of blood, gun violence. Be prepared for that.
If you love seeing the inner workings of how people think their way through tense, potentially explosive situations, this is definitely a read for you, as there’s a lot of inner thoughts dispersed within the action. Well written, well paced. The jump from interaction to inner monologue takes the story in directions unexpected.
I haven’t read the others in the series, so this is all I’ve seen of the tale. Rose is absolutely relatable: insecure, twisted view of her body, and has said yes when it should have been no. if we, the reader, haven’t been that at some time, then we all have someone close who has. And she’s desperately trying to keep her marriage and her sanity together as she and her husband rebuild their lives after he was accused of murder. That brings us to Rob. Tech mogul of some sort. Very dark, isn’t very warm or emotional, control freak. His last wife died under very unclear circumstances. It was finally ruled a suicide, but someone that big, everyone loves a sordid question mark, and the question of how much wealth can buy the ability to murder at will?
Most of the story plays out over the lives of their twins, from Rose, the desperate need for normal, keeping up the appearance of happy, but from Rob, the refusal to see anything but a perfect life, and swooping in to fix anything slightly off. And thus, when Rose can’t get one of the newborn twins to feed properly, he locks her and the newborn in a closet, until she gets it right. That should have been her final warning to leave. Never mind the countless warnings that come from Amelia, the ghost of Rob’s late wife, who may just be a post-partum hallucination.
Rose’s eating disorder comes into the fore, showing us an absolutely brutal, dangerous, and sobering side of Rob. Despite Rose’s want to do anything Rob wants to keep him happy, she is keeping secrets, ones that she eventually realises can’t be shared, as last time Rob’s wife fell from the pedestal she fell straight into the grave.
Rose wants to keep playing happy families. But is the cost to her kids, her reputation, or even maybe her life, worth it? We see her and Rob engage in a battle of the wills through her therapist (handpicked by Rob) as Rob wants to find out what’s really wrong with her so she can be fixed and everything can go back to perfect, and Rose who just wants to be loved, and have her kids be safe and raised under one roof, the four of them together.
It all comes to a rushing climax on all fronts as Rose’s one act against Rob crushes the pedestal he’s holding her on, and we see Rob fight for control, Rose try to rise above the restraints he’s tied on her life, and the truth of whether Amelia’s ghost is real or figment. The end was certainly not one I saw coming.
If you love seeing the inner workings of how people think their way through tense, potentially explosive situations, this is definitely a read for you, as there’s a lot of inner thoughts dispersed within the action. Well written, well paced. The jump from interaction to inner monologue takes the story in directions unexpected.
I haven’t read the others in the series, so this is all I’ve seen of the tale. Rose is absolutely relatable: insecure, twisted view of her body, and has said yes when it should have been no. if we, the reader, haven’t been that at some time, then we all have someone close who has. And she’s desperately trying to keep her marriage and her sanity together as she and her husband rebuild their lives after he was accused of murder. That brings us to Rob. Tech mogul of some sort. Very dark, isn’t very warm or emotional, control freak. His last wife died under very unclear circumstances. It was finally ruled a suicide, but someone that big, everyone loves a sordid question mark, and the question of how much wealth can buy the ability to murder at will?
Most of the story plays out over the lives of their twins, from Rose, the desperate need for normal, keeping up the appearance of happy, but from Rob, the refusal to see anything but a perfect life, and swooping in to fix anything slightly off. And thus, when Rose can’t get one of the newborn twins to feed properly, he locks her and the newborn in a closet, until she gets it right. That should have been her final warning to leave. Never mind the countless warnings that come from Amelia, the ghost of Rob’s late wife, who may just be a post-partum hallucination.
Rose’s eating disorder comes into the fore, showing us an absolutely brutal, dangerous, and sobering side of Rob. Despite Rose’s want to do anything Rob wants to keep him happy, she is keeping secrets, ones that she eventually realises can’t be shared, as last time Rob’s wife fell from the pedestal she fell straight into the grave.
Rose wants to keep playing happy families. But is the cost to her kids, her reputation, or even maybe her life, worth it? We see her and Rob engage in a battle of the wills through her therapist (handpicked by Rob) as Rob wants to find out what’s really wrong with her so she can be fixed and everything can go back to perfect, and Rose who just wants to be loved, and have her kids be safe and raised under one roof, the four of them together.
It all comes to a rushing climax on all fronts as Rose’s one act against Rob crushes the pedestal he’s holding her on, and we see Rob fight for control, Rose try to rise above the restraints he’s tied on her life, and the truth of whether Amelia’s ghost is real or figment. The end was certainly not one I saw coming.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Sabrina, I’m so sorry this is my very first ever book review and WHEWWWWW. I’ll apologize ahead of time for any incoherence.
I received an ARC copy of Guilty As Sin from the lovely Sabrina Black (thanks queen!) but this review is my 10000% honest and unfiltered opinions.
This installment if the Free Me series picks up after the verdict is delivered at the end of A Beautiful Life, with Rob and Rose doing what they can to settle back in to their old ways. But, alas, change has already gripped the Alexanders.
For a long time, Rose could never see her marriage to Rob as anything but perfect. To her, it is intense. Devoted. Passionate in a way that balances on the line between love and control, just the way that works for her and Rob. Right? Rob is her true love. He is protective, attentive, and deeply possessive, framing his behavior as part of a consensual DD/LG dynamic, something that Rose has been thus far able to accept as normal and desirable. Because, well….that’s how she is comfortable with being loved. That was how she and Rob always worked. Until things start to tumble too far out of control.
That’s what makes this book difficult to shake. The manipulation isn’t loud; it’s insidious ad it creeps up on you and swells under your skin. Rose has discovered more than she should’ve, and the whole world has an opinion on her marriage. Over the course of years, she struggles with the classic issues of someone dealing with loving someone both in spite of and because of their flaws. And the one truth she can’t escape is that ghosts of the past will always find their voices.
Sabrina carefully constructs a psychological cage where the protagonist has been taught to reinterpret harm as affection. Every boundary crossed is reframed as trust. Every moment of fear is rebranded as intimacy. The language of control is disguised as the language of desire, and time after time, Rose internalizes it so completely that even her own discomfort feels like betrayal.
I want to say it has been a while since I have read anything as hauntingly captivating as the Free Me series. There is just something so jarring about being able to see yourself in a character as polar opposite from yourself, as Rose (and Amelia) are for me. The bare bones of what made me see myself in them lie within the books’ trigger warnings, and if you’ve been lucky enough to read even just the first installment, then you already get what I’m talking about.
Guilty As Sin kept me in a firm grip as I read, pulling at my heart as well as my anxiety. The quality I most admire about Sabrina’s writing is that it was not only easy to see me in Rose and Amelia, but also to reflect on the things I’ve done, gone through, and seen in the name of a twisted romance. Every chapter had my pulse racing as well as eye widening “is this play about us” reactions that kept coming back and kept me turning page after page. Absolute masterpiece Madame Black!
I received an ARC copy of Guilty As Sin from the lovely Sabrina Black (thanks queen!) but this review is my 10000% honest and unfiltered opinions.
This installment if the Free Me series picks up after the verdict is delivered at the end of A Beautiful Life, with Rob and Rose doing what they can to settle back in to their old ways. But, alas, change has already gripped the Alexanders.
For a long time, Rose could never see her marriage to Rob as anything but perfect. To her, it is intense. Devoted. Passionate in a way that balances on the line between love and control, just the way that works for her and Rob. Right? Rob is her true love. He is protective, attentive, and deeply possessive, framing his behavior as part of a consensual DD/LG dynamic, something that Rose has been thus far able to accept as normal and desirable. Because, well….that’s how she is comfortable with being loved. That was how she and Rob always worked. Until things start to tumble too far out of control.
That’s what makes this book difficult to shake. The manipulation isn’t loud; it’s insidious ad it creeps up on you and swells under your skin. Rose has discovered more than she should’ve, and the whole world has an opinion on her marriage. Over the course of years, she struggles with the classic issues of someone dealing with loving someone both in spite of and because of their flaws. And the one truth she can’t escape is that ghosts of the past will always find their voices.
Sabrina carefully constructs a psychological cage where the protagonist has been taught to reinterpret harm as affection. Every boundary crossed is reframed as trust. Every moment of fear is rebranded as intimacy. The language of control is disguised as the language of desire, and time after time, Rose internalizes it so completely that even her own discomfort feels like betrayal.
I want to say it has been a while since I have read anything as hauntingly captivating as the Free Me series. There is just something so jarring about being able to see yourself in a character as polar opposite from yourself, as Rose (and Amelia) are for me. The bare bones of what made me see myself in them lie within the books’ trigger warnings, and if you’ve been lucky enough to read even just the first installment, then you already get what I’m talking about.
Guilty As Sin kept me in a firm grip as I read, pulling at my heart as well as my anxiety. The quality I most admire about Sabrina’s writing is that it was not only easy to see me in Rose and Amelia, but also to reflect on the things I’ve done, gone through, and seen in the name of a twisted romance. Every chapter had my pulse racing as well as eye widening “is this play about us” reactions that kept coming back and kept me turning page after page. Absolute masterpiece Madame Black!
May 9, 2026
First, I’d like to thank the author for letting me have an ARC read of this book. It's a true honor. I LOVE dark romance as a whole and I love that I got to experience reading the book before everyone else.
I will say however, unfortunately, this series just wasn’t for me.
I want to preface this before I say anything about this book, that I absolutely love dark romance. I've been reading all kinds for over 5 years now. I enjoy morally gray men (even pitch black), obsessive love interest, and all the lovely things that comes with DR’s. For me personally, DR’s work when there is still a sense of emotional grounding and meaningful progression underneath all the toxicity. This relationship unfortunately crossed the line from compellingly toxic into emotionally exhausting for me.
One of my biggest issues was the emotional repetition throughout the story. Rose constantly asking herself whether Rob is good for her even though. They are married and there are kids involved. The way she kept circling back to whether or not she was replacing Amelia was something that felt TOO repetitive. I understand why the elements were there so it's not too big of an issue but it did affect how I rated this book.
This whole series, the writing for me was just…not it, there is a LOT of telling instead of showing. Everything just felt so repetitive. Over time the story just started to feel overextended instead of impactful.
I really struggled heavily with Rob as a love interest. Off rip from the first book, he was just overly unrealistic, and friendly to a woman he didn’t even know to the point it felt icky to me. Now that I know how their relationship progressed, it just makes me not like him even more. The cheating is a big no for me, it heavily affected how I saw him, as well as their age gap being too big and their relationship dynamic isn’t making it any better because it seems Rose is losing herself in the relationship with how overbearing he is. Especially thoughts of wanting to hurt her for keeping secrets, all though it was an impulsive thought, this dynamic, overall, left a very disgusting taste in my mouth.
This was honestly a difficult series for me to get through. I kept pushing myself to continue because I wanted to properly finish and review the ARC, but if I had picked this on my own outside of reviewing obligation, I would’ve dropped this series at the 2nd chapter of book one.
That being said, I can see why this may work with other readers who enjoy the things I said I didn’t like. The author clearly has great ambitions for this series and as a writer myself I can understand this was probably years into the making. This is probably her baby, her pride and joy. So I would like to say that while I didn’t like this series, I am grateful I got the opportunity to be here reviewing.
I will say however, unfortunately, this series just wasn’t for me.
I want to preface this before I say anything about this book, that I absolutely love dark romance. I've been reading all kinds for over 5 years now. I enjoy morally gray men (even pitch black), obsessive love interest, and all the lovely things that comes with DR’s. For me personally, DR’s work when there is still a sense of emotional grounding and meaningful progression underneath all the toxicity. This relationship unfortunately crossed the line from compellingly toxic into emotionally exhausting for me.
One of my biggest issues was the emotional repetition throughout the story. Rose constantly asking herself whether Rob is good for her even though. They are married and there are kids involved. The way she kept circling back to whether or not she was replacing Amelia was something that felt TOO repetitive. I understand why the elements were there so it's not too big of an issue but it did affect how I rated this book.
This whole series, the writing for me was just…not it, there is a LOT of telling instead of showing. Everything just felt so repetitive. Over time the story just started to feel overextended instead of impactful.
I really struggled heavily with Rob as a love interest. Off rip from the first book, he was just overly unrealistic, and friendly to a woman he didn’t even know to the point it felt icky to me. Now that I know how their relationship progressed, it just makes me not like him even more. The cheating is a big no for me, it heavily affected how I saw him, as well as their age gap being too big and their relationship dynamic isn’t making it any better because it seems Rose is losing herself in the relationship with how overbearing he is. Especially thoughts of wanting to hurt her for keeping secrets, all though it was an impulsive thought, this dynamic, overall, left a very disgusting taste in my mouth.
This was honestly a difficult series for me to get through. I kept pushing myself to continue because I wanted to properly finish and review the ARC, but if I had picked this on my own outside of reviewing obligation, I would’ve dropped this series at the 2nd chapter of book one.
That being said, I can see why this may work with other readers who enjoy the things I said I didn’t like. The author clearly has great ambitions for this series and as a writer myself I can understand this was probably years into the making. This is probably her baby, her pride and joy. So I would like to say that while I didn’t like this series, I am grateful I got the opportunity to be here reviewing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 13, 2026
Firstly, I want to thank the author for providing an advance copy for review!
Secondly, please pay close attention to the trigger warnings of this book, there are many emotionally heavy topics discussed, which led to me needing to take breaks and read it in parts.
As someone who is in the helping profession I felt that this series, and this book in particular, portrayed a starkly realistic view of the dependent, abusive relationships women often find themselves in. It was written in a way that really gives a reader that visceral feeling of what it would be like to be stuck in that sort of dynamic, at times unable to leave and at others, unwilling.
The author did a very good job of reflecting the roles that people fill in abusive relationships, and how, when the victim responds to violence or aggression in a violent or aggressive way, this can then be used to further manipulate them, framing them as the abuser, locking them them into the dynamic and the cycle of abuse.
I did find that there was some repetitiveness with Rose's feeling of dependence on Rob, and whether she was just a fill in for Amelia, I think it was well established early on and didn't need to be returned to as often from a story telling perspective and this lead to the book feeling a lot longer than it needed to be. I almost DNF'ed a few times due to this.
Including the storyline of Amelia's ghost felt like it did not fit in with the rest of the storyline, it left me confused rather than feeling like it added anything to the story or my understanding of the characters. By the end of the book I was still not sure whether this was 'real' or just Rose's experience.
The ending to guilty felt jarring, like the build up had been so long, and then the resolution was rushed. I wish the ending had been more fleshed out. Maybe the next book will help connect some of the dots for me!
I enjoyed the fact that, especially in the first two books, whoever's chapter it was, was always an unreliable narrator. I could never be sure if what they were experiencing/describing was an accurate portrayal or just the way they were experiencing it and I felt that this mostly added depth to the story and characters.
I struggled with what to rate this book, as overall it was well written and was able to effectively portray the dynamics of one type of toxic and abusive relationship. However, i also felt like the issues raised above meant that I unfortunately, could not give this 5 stars.
Secondly, please pay close attention to the trigger warnings of this book, there are many emotionally heavy topics discussed, which led to me needing to take breaks and read it in parts.
As someone who is in the helping profession I felt that this series, and this book in particular, portrayed a starkly realistic view of the dependent, abusive relationships women often find themselves in. It was written in a way that really gives a reader that visceral feeling of what it would be like to be stuck in that sort of dynamic, at times unable to leave and at others, unwilling.
The author did a very good job of reflecting the roles that people fill in abusive relationships, and how, when the victim responds to violence or aggression in a violent or aggressive way, this can then be used to further manipulate them, framing them as the abuser, locking them them into the dynamic and the cycle of abuse.
I did find that there was some repetitiveness with Rose's feeling of dependence on Rob, and whether she was just a fill in for Amelia, I think it was well established early on and didn't need to be returned to as often from a story telling perspective and this lead to the book feeling a lot longer than it needed to be. I almost DNF'ed a few times due to this.
Including the storyline of Amelia's ghost felt like it did not fit in with the rest of the storyline, it left me confused rather than feeling like it added anything to the story or my understanding of the characters. By the end of the book I was still not sure whether this was 'real' or just Rose's experience.
The ending to guilty felt jarring, like the build up had been so long, and then the resolution was rushed. I wish the ending had been more fleshed out. Maybe the next book will help connect some of the dots for me!
I enjoyed the fact that, especially in the first two books, whoever's chapter it was, was always an unreliable narrator. I could never be sure if what they were experiencing/describing was an accurate portrayal or just the way they were experiencing it and I felt that this mostly added depth to the story and characters.
I struggled with what to rate this book, as overall it was well written and was able to effectively portray the dynamics of one type of toxic and abusive relationship. However, i also felt like the issues raised above meant that I unfortunately, could not give this 5 stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 12, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to Sabrina Black for the ebook.
📝 Short Summary
After Rob is found not guilty, Rose tries to finally build a peaceful life with him. But as old patterns begin resurfacing and buried truths refuse to stay buried, Rose starts questioning the man she loves and the reality she has defended for years.
Review
This review is a little different for me because I really want to separate personal taste from recognizing an author’s talent.
This was not fully “my kind” of story, but I can absolutely see the gift Sabrina Black has as a writer. Even though certain parts were hard for me personally, I could still appreciate the emotional intensity, the darkness, and the way she writes toxic relationships and manipulation so realistically.
This book feels emotionally exhausting in a very intentional way. There’s betrayal everywhere, unhealthy attachment, control, obsession, and this constant feeling that nobody is truly safe emotionally. It honestly shows how cruel and damaging people can be to each other while still calling it love.
I also was genuinely surprised by the ghost element with Amelia visiting Rose. Since I love horror, that caught my attention immediately because I was not expecting that direction at all. It added this eerie emotional layer over the entire story that made everything feel even more unsettling.
Rose and Rob’s relationship continues to feel toxic, sad, frustrating, and emotionally complicated. Watching Rose constantly question reality, loyalty, and love was honestly hard at times because the emotional manipulation runs so deep throughout the story.
For me personally, this was one of those books where I can stand firmly on my four star rating while also admitting it was not necessarily written for me specifically. But I still fully understand why readers who enjoy dark relationship dramas, emotional toxicity, obsession, and psychologically heavy stories would really connect with it.
✅ Would I Recommend It?
Yes, especially for readers who enjoy dark relationship driven thrillers, emotionally toxic dynamics, manipulation, obsession, and stories that explore the uglier side of human behavior.
Thank you to Sabrina Black for the ebook.
📝 Short Summary
After Rob is found not guilty, Rose tries to finally build a peaceful life with him. But as old patterns begin resurfacing and buried truths refuse to stay buried, Rose starts questioning the man she loves and the reality she has defended for years.
Review
This review is a little different for me because I really want to separate personal taste from recognizing an author’s talent.
This was not fully “my kind” of story, but I can absolutely see the gift Sabrina Black has as a writer. Even though certain parts were hard for me personally, I could still appreciate the emotional intensity, the darkness, and the way she writes toxic relationships and manipulation so realistically.
This book feels emotionally exhausting in a very intentional way. There’s betrayal everywhere, unhealthy attachment, control, obsession, and this constant feeling that nobody is truly safe emotionally. It honestly shows how cruel and damaging people can be to each other while still calling it love.
I also was genuinely surprised by the ghost element with Amelia visiting Rose. Since I love horror, that caught my attention immediately because I was not expecting that direction at all. It added this eerie emotional layer over the entire story that made everything feel even more unsettling.
Rose and Rob’s relationship continues to feel toxic, sad, frustrating, and emotionally complicated. Watching Rose constantly question reality, loyalty, and love was honestly hard at times because the emotional manipulation runs so deep throughout the story.
For me personally, this was one of those books where I can stand firmly on my four star rating while also admitting it was not necessarily written for me specifically. But I still fully understand why readers who enjoy dark relationship dramas, emotional toxicity, obsession, and psychologically heavy stories would really connect with it.
✅ Would I Recommend It?
Yes, especially for readers who enjoy dark relationship driven thrillers, emotionally toxic dynamics, manipulation, obsession, and stories that explore the uglier side of human behavior.
May 12, 2026
I just wanna say Sabrina you did so good with this one! This has become definitely one of my favorite psychological thrillers.
This was by far my favorite of the three books, in the Free Me Series. This book was a lot easier for me to get into from the beginning, it pulled me in and did not let go. I went into this book ready to see how Rose would take back her life following the verdict in book two. We were looking further into the manipulation and control that occurs in so many relationships that people will deem as love and someone that cares for them. My favorite line out of the book comes from Amelia. (I loved the fact that Amelia Ghost contacts rose when she needed it.) Post Rob shutting Rose in the closet, Amelia appeared and rose asked if Rob can see her too. My favorite line was “Of course not. I would never give him the privilege…” Because yes girl, me too. Even in death pettiness is a must. I love that Rose eventually gets rid of Rob and is able to begin to heal. I love that the book wasn’t one of those. He’s gone I’m all magically healed types. Even after he was gone, she feels remorse for the children & she mentions she still loved him. Him being gone didn’t change that she knew he was “sick” was but didn’t say she stopped loving him. She tells the kids that loved each other though his ways were unconventional, Rose felt he did what he was shown and taught that love was. She made sure that the kids knew that their daddy loved them. “We were going to be so good. Someday” was the best line to finish this book. I feel like it shows that she is wanting to get through it but is still planning on processing and working through the trauma and it made my brain happy for her.
This was by far my favorite of the three books, in the Free Me Series. This book was a lot easier for me to get into from the beginning, it pulled me in and did not let go. I went into this book ready to see how Rose would take back her life following the verdict in book two. We were looking further into the manipulation and control that occurs in so many relationships that people will deem as love and someone that cares for them. My favorite line out of the book comes from Amelia. (I loved the fact that Amelia Ghost contacts rose when she needed it.) Post Rob shutting Rose in the closet, Amelia appeared and rose asked if Rob can see her too. My favorite line was “Of course not. I would never give him the privilege…” Because yes girl, me too. Even in death pettiness is a must. I love that Rose eventually gets rid of Rob and is able to begin to heal. I love that the book wasn’t one of those. He’s gone I’m all magically healed types. Even after he was gone, she feels remorse for the children & she mentions she still loved him. Him being gone didn’t change that she knew he was “sick” was but didn’t say she stopped loving him. She tells the kids that loved each other though his ways were unconventional, Rose felt he did what he was shown and taught that love was. She made sure that the kids knew that their daddy loved them. “We were going to be so good. Someday” was the best line to finish this book. I feel like it shows that she is wanting to get through it but is still planning on processing and working through the trauma and it made my brain happy for her.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I am so glad I had the opportunity to read this book and the whole series. I had the opportunity to be an ARC reader for this book and read the whole series in order to be able to do a more thorough review.
This book left me with a lot of emotions. It has a lot of psychological repercussions and gives you a lot to think about.
So it all starts with a not guilty verdict for Robert.
Rose finds Amelia's diary and knows the truth about what happened. She decides not to tell Robert about what she knows and burns the diary.
She finds out that she is pregnant with Robert's child.
Rose has a lot of doubts throughout the book :
She doubts Robert because of what she read in Amelia's diary
She doubts who Robert is with her, thinking he doesn't love her as much as he loved Amelia
She doubts her abilities to be a good mother and thinks that Rob feels the same
Robert feels guilt :
Guilt about what happened to Amelia
Guilt about not being honest with Rose
Guilt about the childhood he had. He wants to make up for it and make sure to always set the good example.
Both of their personalities kind of escalate throughout the book. Rose starts seeing Amelia's ghost and talks to her. Robert is set on showing the example, he is willing to beat them into Rose.
And then, he decides to change and stop being violent towards her.
But will he really change?
I am giving this book 5 stars and will absolutely recommend it. I recommend the whole series.
It was hard for me to get into the story right away in the first book but i am glad I continued.
This book left me with a lot of emotions. It has a lot of psychological repercussions and gives you a lot to think about.
So it all starts with a not guilty verdict for Robert.
Rose finds Amelia's diary and knows the truth about what happened. She decides not to tell Robert about what she knows and burns the diary.
She finds out that she is pregnant with Robert's child.
Rose has a lot of doubts throughout the book :
She doubts Robert because of what she read in Amelia's diary
She doubts who Robert is with her, thinking he doesn't love her as much as he loved Amelia
She doubts her abilities to be a good mother and thinks that Rob feels the same
Robert feels guilt :
Guilt about what happened to Amelia
Guilt about not being honest with Rose
Guilt about the childhood he had. He wants to make up for it and make sure to always set the good example.
Both of their personalities kind of escalate throughout the book. Rose starts seeing Amelia's ghost and talks to her. Robert is set on showing the example, he is willing to beat them into Rose.
And then, he decides to change and stop being violent towards her.
But will he really change?
I am giving this book 5 stars and will absolutely recommend it. I recommend the whole series.
It was hard for me to get into the story right away in the first book but i am glad I continued.
May 10, 2026
I received this book as an ARC in exchange for my honest review. Thank you Sabrina for this opportunity. Having read the rest of the series and absolutely loved it, this book was no exception. Sabrina crushed it once again. The writing is beautiful and evoked so many emotions!
Rose thought she had found her soulmate—the perfect man for her. No matter what anyone said or how much evidence there was, she stood by him. But everyone has secrets. Now that Rose knows Robert’s, is it forgivable? Or is Rose the one with the bigger secret?
This book kept me on my toes! I was so excited to see what would happen next and how everyone would react. It pulled at my heartstrings, thrilled me, and filled me with anxiety (in a good way) about what was coming. I am incredibly proud of Rose for what she accomplished and survived.
Also, I have no idea how Sabrina managed to make me like—and maybe even root for—Theo!
I would love a short book set in the future: when the kids graduate, where they are now, how they’ve grown, how much they know and understand, and where Rose is—has she moved on? Perhaps with someone we know?
This is an absolutely amazing psychological thriller that will have you flipping pages to find out what happens next. I have been and will continue recommending this series to everyone!
Check your trigger warnings before reading!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (Infinity stars)
Note: Sabrina, I would read your grocery lists! Please keep writing so I can keep reading everything. Thank you so much for the opportunity to read this book and series!
Rose thought she had found her soulmate—the perfect man for her. No matter what anyone said or how much evidence there was, she stood by him. But everyone has secrets. Now that Rose knows Robert’s, is it forgivable? Or is Rose the one with the bigger secret?
This book kept me on my toes! I was so excited to see what would happen next and how everyone would react. It pulled at my heartstrings, thrilled me, and filled me with anxiety (in a good way) about what was coming. I am incredibly proud of Rose for what she accomplished and survived.
Also, I have no idea how Sabrina managed to make me like—and maybe even root for—Theo!
I would love a short book set in the future: when the kids graduate, where they are now, how they’ve grown, how much they know and understand, and where Rose is—has she moved on? Perhaps with someone we know?
This is an absolutely amazing psychological thriller that will have you flipping pages to find out what happens next. I have been and will continue recommending this series to everyone!
Check your trigger warnings before reading!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (Infinity stars)
Note: Sabrina, I would read your grocery lists! Please keep writing so I can keep reading everything. Thank you so much for the opportunity to read this book and series!
May 18, 2026
Holy plot twists! This psychological thriller kept me in a constant state of suspense as I knew danger and doom would be coming any minute. And boy, did it ever!
After the trial ends with Rob being found not guilty and Rose pregnant, the two strive to have a quiet life and loving relationship. As Roses’s ED threatens to impact the babies, Rob takes matters into his own hands to ‘correct’ her. His attempts at controlling her begin to further take a toll on Rose’s mental health, and the ghost of Amelia is always nearby telling Rose she needs to protect herself and her babies from Rob before it’s too late.
The appearance of Amelia’s ghost put such a different twist on the story especially because you keep wondering is she a ‘good’ ghost or a ‘bad’ ghost. That question kept me suspicious every time she appeared. Being privy to Rose and Rob’s POVs, let me better understand the depth of their codependent relationship and mental illnesses. Rob’s unhinged behavior becomes almost unbearable to read as he issues insane punishments for Rose’s ‘mind sickness’. When Rob sends her to a psychiatrist, who violates his oath and tells him everything she says, I felt like I was reading on a tightrope and was going to fall off with each page turned.
Without spoiling anything, let me say that when things come to a head for the two, I did not see that twist coming! If you enjoy complex psychological thrillers, with mentally ill and flawed characters who can’t stop their love from also being their destruction, I recommend the Free Me series by Sabrina Black.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
After the trial ends with Rob being found not guilty and Rose pregnant, the two strive to have a quiet life and loving relationship. As Roses’s ED threatens to impact the babies, Rob takes matters into his own hands to ‘correct’ her. His attempts at controlling her begin to further take a toll on Rose’s mental health, and the ghost of Amelia is always nearby telling Rose she needs to protect herself and her babies from Rob before it’s too late.
The appearance of Amelia’s ghost put such a different twist on the story especially because you keep wondering is she a ‘good’ ghost or a ‘bad’ ghost. That question kept me suspicious every time she appeared. Being privy to Rose and Rob’s POVs, let me better understand the depth of their codependent relationship and mental illnesses. Rob’s unhinged behavior becomes almost unbearable to read as he issues insane punishments for Rose’s ‘mind sickness’. When Rob sends her to a psychiatrist, who violates his oath and tells him everything she says, I felt like I was reading on a tightrope and was going to fall off with each page turned.
Without spoiling anything, let me say that when things come to a head for the two, I did not see that twist coming! If you enjoy complex psychological thrillers, with mentally ill and flawed characters who can’t stop their love from also being their destruction, I recommend the Free Me series by Sabrina Black.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
May 31, 2026
*I READ THIS BOOK AS AN ARC READER*
This kind of writing is something new to me. I have never read a book where you get to see so many inner thoughts and conflicts as the book progresses. I really like it, as it makes me feel closer to Rose. The inner thoughts offers a lot of explanation and It's easy to follow the story (not talking about the twists and turns it might take, I could not see those coming) and you don't have to go back several pages to re-read it all to understand it.
This series is dark. It touches a lot of sensitive subjects, that some people might find hard. For me, this book (and the two others in the series), brings a feeling that is familiar. The psychological aspect of it is written in a way people who have experienced it themselves might relate to. Is that good or bad? That's up to the reader to decide. The writing of these part are very well and I feel like it might help people to find some peace in some sort of way.
It's been a while since I've read any thrillers/crime, but this makes me want more. As it is one of my favorite genres to read, I was not disappointed! The feeling of creeping theories, chilling situations and things getting out of control.. That's my kind of book.
I would really recommend this book if you can handle darker stuff, twist and turns, and the feeling of "what?" when it's all over. I read the two books that comes before this one in the series (Free me from the girl I used to be and A beatiful lie) and I would really recommend those before reading this one.
This kind of writing is something new to me. I have never read a book where you get to see so many inner thoughts and conflicts as the book progresses. I really like it, as it makes me feel closer to Rose. The inner thoughts offers a lot of explanation and It's easy to follow the story (not talking about the twists and turns it might take, I could not see those coming) and you don't have to go back several pages to re-read it all to understand it.
This series is dark. It touches a lot of sensitive subjects, that some people might find hard. For me, this book (and the two others in the series), brings a feeling that is familiar. The psychological aspect of it is written in a way people who have experienced it themselves might relate to. Is that good or bad? That's up to the reader to decide. The writing of these part are very well and I feel like it might help people to find some peace in some sort of way.
It's been a while since I've read any thrillers/crime, but this makes me want more. As it is one of my favorite genres to read, I was not disappointed! The feeling of creeping theories, chilling situations and things getting out of control.. That's my kind of book.
I would really recommend this book if you can handle darker stuff, twist and turns, and the feeling of "what?" when it's all over. I read the two books that comes before this one in the series (Free me from the girl I used to be and A beatiful lie) and I would really recommend those before reading this one.
May 8, 2026
Guilty as Sin is incredibly well written, but also one of the most emotionally intense and deeply unsettling reading experiences I’ve had in a long time.
Going in, I think it’s important to understand that this reads much more like a psychological thriller with romantic and toxic relationship elements than a traditional romance. The atmosphere is heavy, emotionally claustrophobic, and intentionally disturbing throughout.
Sabrina Black does an excellent job creating tension and psychological unease. The characters are deeply flawed, manipulative, obsessive, and morally complicated in ways that felt painfully believable at times. There’s a constant sense of emotional instability and impending disaster hanging over the entire story.
While this wasn’t personally an enjoyable read for me emotionally, I can absolutely appreciate how effective the writing was. The discomfort, anxiety, and emotional exhaustion I felt while reading were very clearly intentional.
This is absolutely not a light read, and I would strongly encourage readers to check content warnings beforehand. However, readers who enjoy very dark psychological thrillers, morally gray characters, toxic relationship dynamics, and emotionally challenging stories will likely find this incredibly compelling.
Overall, while it was not for me personally, I can absolutely recognize the strength of the writing and why this book will strongly resonate with the right audience.
Going in, I think it’s important to understand that this reads much more like a psychological thriller with romantic and toxic relationship elements than a traditional romance. The atmosphere is heavy, emotionally claustrophobic, and intentionally disturbing throughout.
Sabrina Black does an excellent job creating tension and psychological unease. The characters are deeply flawed, manipulative, obsessive, and morally complicated in ways that felt painfully believable at times. There’s a constant sense of emotional instability and impending disaster hanging over the entire story.
While this wasn’t personally an enjoyable read for me emotionally, I can absolutely appreciate how effective the writing was. The discomfort, anxiety, and emotional exhaustion I felt while reading were very clearly intentional.
This is absolutely not a light read, and I would strongly encourage readers to check content warnings beforehand. However, readers who enjoy very dark psychological thrillers, morally gray characters, toxic relationship dynamics, and emotionally challenging stories will likely find this incredibly compelling.
Overall, while it was not for me personally, I can absolutely recognize the strength of the writing and why this book will strongly resonate with the right audience.
May 16, 2026
Guilty as Sin by Sabrina Black is a gripping and unsettling continuation of this dark romance psychological thriller series, and by the third installment, it’s clear the author has no intention of pulling punches. This book leans heavily into the psychological tension that’s been building since the first installment, delivering a story that feels both emotionally raw and deeply disturbing n the best way for fans of the genre. The relationship dynamics are intense, morally complex, and at times uncomfortable! Which is exactly what makes the story so compelling. If you’re expecting a clean or traditionally romantic arc, this isn’t it this book thrives in the gray areas of obsession, power, and consequence. One of the strongest aspects of this book is how it escalates stakes without losing the emotional thread. The characters feel more fractured than ever, and their internal struggles are just as gripping as the external conflicts. There’s a sense of inevitability throughout the story, like everything is spiraling toward something explosive and when it hits, it doesn’t disappoint. That said, this is not a light read. The themes are dark, the content can be triggering, and the pacing occasionally lingers in heavy emotional territory longer than some readers might prefer. But for readers who enjoy psychological depth paired with twisted romance, that intensity is part of the appeal.
Overall, Guilty is a bold, tension-filled installment that deepens the series’ exploration of toxic love, guilt, and control. It’s messy, dark, and addictiveperfect for readers who like their romance with a sharp psychological edge.
Overall, Guilty is a bold, tension-filled installment that deepens the series’ exploration of toxic love, guilt, and control. It’s messy, dark, and addictiveperfect for readers who like their romance with a sharp psychological edge.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received this book as an ARC. All opinions are my own.
This is the third installment of Sabrina Black's story involving Rob and Rose. As always, I encourage you to check your triggers because these books deal with dark topics.
After the dramatic ending to book 2, A Beautiful Lie, we see Rob and Rose settling into life post trial. We learn that Rose knows the truth about Rob's involvement in Amelia's final days and watch how she attempts to reconcile Amelia's version of Rob with her husband. We also see Rob and Rose's relationship reach a new level as we are introduced to their twins, Ava and Asher.
Amelia, in her ghost form, visits Rose, encouraging her to escape Rob with the twins before something happens to them. Rob, upon hearing this, becomes fearful that Rose will harm Asher & Ava, manipulating her into going to see a therapist. A therapist who definitely has an ulterior motive.
We see a story of betrayal, pain, and lies swing back & forth between Rose and Rob. As Rose fights for her not only her life, but her twins life, a shocking twist leaves us reeling.
I found myself devouring the third installment of Rob & Roses story. A story filled, yet again, with the worst parts of humanity dressed up as love.
This is the third installment of Sabrina Black's story involving Rob and Rose. As always, I encourage you to check your triggers because these books deal with dark topics.
After the dramatic ending to book 2, A Beautiful Lie, we see Rob and Rose settling into life post trial. We learn that Rose knows the truth about Rob's involvement in Amelia's final days and watch how she attempts to reconcile Amelia's version of Rob with her husband. We also see Rob and Rose's relationship reach a new level as we are introduced to their twins, Ava and Asher.
Amelia, in her ghost form, visits Rose, encouraging her to escape Rob with the twins before something happens to them. Rob, upon hearing this, becomes fearful that Rose will harm Asher & Ava, manipulating her into going to see a therapist. A therapist who definitely has an ulterior motive.
We see a story of betrayal, pain, and lies swing back & forth between Rose and Rob. As Rose fights for her not only her life, but her twins life, a shocking twist leaves us reeling.
I found myself devouring the third installment of Rob & Roses story. A story filled, yet again, with the worst parts of humanity dressed up as love.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 14, 2026
Where do I even begin? When I started a beautiful lie I felt this deep connection with Amelia, because I too tend to fall for f*ked up men. There was once a time I didn’t think I would be able to get away either. That one was deep for me. Then I started free me from the girl I used to be. (Yes I read them backwards because I had no idea but nothing was spoiled) and when rose came into the picture I was so scared for her. Because when I was finally able to leave my monster, he stopped chasing me and found somebody younger (freshly 18) we were in our 20s at the time. And then he hurt her next. It felt so close to home the story had me falling into pieces in my bed. And then I got to read guilty as sin. Sabrina girl… you’re an outstanding writer. I won’t say too much because I might spoil it but babe… thank you for laying that monster to rest. We’ve all had to unfortunately deal with a monster we were manipulated into thinking we loved but turned out it was trauma bonding not love. These stories hit very deeply for me and they had me crying my eyes out praying roses fate wouldn’t be the same as Amelia’s. I am so in love with this storyline I can’t wait for more from you Sabrina black. There might be a slight spoiler.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 2, 2026
I want to thank for recieving a copy from the author of this book.
This books goes through the relationship of Rob and Rose after he was found not guilty on the murder of his former wife.
This is the perfect depiction of DV and the psychological tol it takes on victims.
The promise of change, the charming husband who is nothing but sweet when it suits him, but don't you dare cross him.
But at the same time, you see Rob as a loving father, someone who cares deeply, someone who's trying to change and be different but falls into old habits and considers women as less of because of trauma and child abuse.
Then comes back the idea that the victim needs to be punished, brutally and without pity when they cross them or when they go against their rule and their idea of what a life should be.
Rose is the perfect example of someone so deep into the abuse that she finds hard to get out of it and trully believes he's the perfect husband and the perfect father and she's the one with a messed up mind and body.
I was Rose and this hit me so close to home.
I got out, I got free, many women don't have the same fate and the book shows exactly that with Amelia.
Well written, great story.
Highly recommend 5 ⭐
This books goes through the relationship of Rob and Rose after he was found not guilty on the murder of his former wife.
This is the perfect depiction of DV and the psychological tol it takes on victims.
The promise of change, the charming husband who is nothing but sweet when it suits him, but don't you dare cross him.
But at the same time, you see Rob as a loving father, someone who cares deeply, someone who's trying to change and be different but falls into old habits and considers women as less of because of trauma and child abuse.
Then comes back the idea that the victim needs to be punished, brutally and without pity when they cross them or when they go against their rule and their idea of what a life should be.
Rose is the perfect example of someone so deep into the abuse that she finds hard to get out of it and trully believes he's the perfect husband and the perfect father and she's the one with a messed up mind and body.
I was Rose and this hit me so close to home.
I got out, I got free, many women don't have the same fate and the book shows exactly that with Amelia.
Well written, great story.
Highly recommend 5 ⭐
May 8, 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is my honest review of Guilty as Sin
This book honestly had me questioning so many things from the onset. I love when you feel like you’re missing something and then it just hits from nowhere.
It’s certainly a tale of caution regarding toxic relationships. Obsession is mistaken for love and control for compassion or trust. I felt like up was down and vice versa for a while. This honestly has me on my toes to see what would happen next! My anxiety levels were through the roof!
Rob certainly is a master manipulator and the absolute gaslighting and brain washing that happened in this book was skilfully written and portrayed. One minute you believe him and the next you’re questioning your own sanity.
This book certainly shows how easy it is to become a victim in a relationship like this, because men like these are masters at masking control as trust. Rose certainly trusted him through his murder trial and enough to have his children.
If you love dark romance/psychological thrillers then head the trigger warnings and dip your toe in! This will have you staying up late to see how this all ends!
Thank you Sabrina Black for this ARC
This is my honest review of Guilty as Sin
This book honestly had me questioning so many things from the onset. I love when you feel like you’re missing something and then it just hits from nowhere.
It’s certainly a tale of caution regarding toxic relationships. Obsession is mistaken for love and control for compassion or trust. I felt like up was down and vice versa for a while. This honestly has me on my toes to see what would happen next! My anxiety levels were through the roof!
Rob certainly is a master manipulator and the absolute gaslighting and brain washing that happened in this book was skilfully written and portrayed. One minute you believe him and the next you’re questioning your own sanity.
This book certainly shows how easy it is to become a victim in a relationship like this, because men like these are masters at masking control as trust. Rose certainly trusted him through his murder trial and enough to have his children.
If you love dark romance/psychological thrillers then head the trigger warnings and dip your toe in! This will have you staying up late to see how this all ends!
Thank you Sabrina Black for this ARC
May 19, 2026
I just finished Guilty as Sin, I read it in about two and a half days because I could not put it down. Just when I thought I had everything figured out, Sabrina completely changed things up on me in the best possible way. One of my favorite parts of this book was Theo’s character growth. After following him through the past three books, I honestly think he became my favorite character in this one. Seeing how much he has grown. The different sides of everyone throughout the series made all the difference to me. Sabrina writes in such a powerful way that you don’t just read what the characters are feeling you take that roller coaster ride with them. That’s what makes this series so hard to stop reading.when I got to the end of the book I was like um… I think there should be more and I was so excited to find out there will be a fourth book. August honestly cannot come fast enough! I highly recommend this series to anyone. I have the girls at work put this on there TBR. Amazing job as always!!
May 20, 2026
Thank you to Sabrina Black for the ARC copy of Guilty As Sin.
This was an enjoyable read overall and definitely kept me curious enough to keep turning the pages. The mystery side of the story was interesting, and I liked trying to figure out who could actually be trusted. Rob especially kept me suspicious the whole time because he always seemed like he was hiding something, while Rose was easier to connect with emotionally.
I did enjoy the tension and suspense throughout the book, but there were a few moments where the pacing felt a bit slow for me, especially in the middle. I also would’ve liked a little more depth from some of the side characters because they had potential to add even more to the story.
Even with that, it was still a solid read that kept my attention and made me want to know how everything would end. If you enjoy suspenseful stories with secrets, mystery, and complicated characters, this one is worth checking out.
And keep the good writing ......
This was an enjoyable read overall and definitely kept me curious enough to keep turning the pages. The mystery side of the story was interesting, and I liked trying to figure out who could actually be trusted. Rob especially kept me suspicious the whole time because he always seemed like he was hiding something, while Rose was easier to connect with emotionally.
I did enjoy the tension and suspense throughout the book, but there were a few moments where the pacing felt a bit slow for me, especially in the middle. I also would’ve liked a little more depth from some of the side characters because they had potential to add even more to the story.
Even with that, it was still a solid read that kept my attention and made me want to know how everything would end. If you enjoy suspenseful stories with secrets, mystery, and complicated characters, this one is worth checking out.
And keep the good writing ......
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book had me literally hooked! I couldn't wait until the kids went to bed and was quite annoyed when I had to work. I just couldn't wait to see what happened next with secrets still not revealed. People second guessing themselves and trying to convince themselves of whatever they thought they should believe.
I must say I am getting very irritated with Rob "I can do no wrong," but I guess that is what he has concocted in his mind as a result of his trauma. I find myself wanting him gone on numerous occasions. Even with that I still find myself intrigued with the inner workings of his mind.
I feel so bad for Rose because she is in such an impossible situation. It is only a matter of time before she cracks and I hope it isnt too devastating for her and those she loves the most.
This book is just so nicely written it doesn't seem like it's made up it seems like you are sitting right there while everything is going on. Sabrina still makes you continue to question, when something is so deeply ingrained in you, can you really ever truly change? What do you do when your back is against the wall?
After being on this rollercoaster, I am glad things ended with healing after so much devastating trauma.
I must say I am getting very irritated with Rob "I can do no wrong," but I guess that is what he has concocted in his mind as a result of his trauma. I find myself wanting him gone on numerous occasions. Even with that I still find myself intrigued with the inner workings of his mind.
I feel so bad for Rose because she is in such an impossible situation. It is only a matter of time before she cracks and I hope it isnt too devastating for her and those she loves the most.
This book is just so nicely written it doesn't seem like it's made up it seems like you are sitting right there while everything is going on. Sabrina still makes you continue to question, when something is so deeply ingrained in you, can you really ever truly change? What do you do when your back is against the wall?
After being on this rollercoaster, I am glad things ended with healing after so much devastating trauma.
May 13, 2026
A deeply disturbed love that will live rent free in your head
This is book three of four in the Free Me series. I loved the first two books, but this one completely blew me away.
Continuing the tumultuous relationship between Rob and Rose, the story picks up exactly where book two left off — at the end of Rob’s murder trial. What follows is an intensely drama-filled narrative, with a relationship marked by extreme highs and devastating lows.
This is not a cosy, sweet love story with an easy HEA. It is bleak, painful, and raw, offering an unflinching look at a deeply toxic relationship.
Rob craves control and perfection, and has his own ways of ensuring Rose conforms.
I have never hated a character the way I hate Rob — yet even so, there are moments where you despair of Rose’s choices and, disturbingly, catch glimpses of goodness in Rob. That emotional conflict is what makes this book so powerful.
A complete rollercoaster, the final chapters delivered exactly what I wanted for the couple. It was written so beautifully that I’m not ashamed to admit I was sobbing.
This is a series that stays with you. Five stars is simply not enough.
Be warned: there are many triggers, and this book is extremely dark. If you’re looking for happy, sweet, and fluffy romance, this is not for you. This is dominance, abuse, and toxic love.
Roll on August — bring on book four.
This is book three of four in the Free Me series. I loved the first two books, but this one completely blew me away.
Continuing the tumultuous relationship between Rob and Rose, the story picks up exactly where book two left off — at the end of Rob’s murder trial. What follows is an intensely drama-filled narrative, with a relationship marked by extreme highs and devastating lows.
This is not a cosy, sweet love story with an easy HEA. It is bleak, painful, and raw, offering an unflinching look at a deeply toxic relationship.
Rob craves control and perfection, and has his own ways of ensuring Rose conforms.
I have never hated a character the way I hate Rob — yet even so, there are moments where you despair of Rose’s choices and, disturbingly, catch glimpses of goodness in Rob. That emotional conflict is what makes this book so powerful.
A complete rollercoaster, the final chapters delivered exactly what I wanted for the couple. It was written so beautifully that I’m not ashamed to admit I was sobbing.
This is a series that stays with you. Five stars is simply not enough.
Be warned: there are many triggers, and this book is extremely dark. If you’re looking for happy, sweet, and fluffy romance, this is not for you. This is dominance, abuse, and toxic love.
Roll on August — bring on book four.
May 13, 2026
This book completely pulled me in, and every time I told myself “just one more chapter,” I kept going. The tension between Rose and Rob was honestly the thing that kept me hooked the most.
Rob is the type of character that constantly makes you question his intentions. One moment I was like “okay maybe he does care,” and the next I wanted to throw the book across the room because of the manipulation and mind games. And Rose? I honestly felt frustrated for her at times, but also understood why she kept getting pulled back in. Their dynamic was toxic, intense, addictive, and emotionally exhausting in the exact way a dark romance should be.
The writing style was really easy to get into and kept me engaged the whole time. I do wish some emotional moments had been explored a little deeper, which is why it’s a 4 star instead of a full 5 for me.
Rob is the type of character that constantly makes you question his intentions. One moment I was like “okay maybe he does care,” and the next I wanted to throw the book across the room because of the manipulation and mind games. And Rose? I honestly felt frustrated for her at times, but also understood why she kept getting pulled back in. Their dynamic was toxic, intense, addictive, and emotionally exhausting in the exact way a dark romance should be.
The writing style was really easy to get into and kept me engaged the whole time. I do wish some emotional moments had been explored a little deeper, which is why it’s a 4 star instead of a full 5 for me.
June 1, 2026
This book was quite different from what I usually read. It makes the reader go through a lot of difficult and complex emotions and doesn't let you recover in between. On the other hand it is a page-turner as I just had to find out what would happen next.
The book feels realistic and could very well be what happens when mental issues and trauma aren't taken care of. The atmosphere of the book is many times agonizing, as it feels there isn't a way out for the characters.
The maincharacters both are relatable in a way, which makes the journey harder. It's like sexual preferences are being used as an excuse to abuse.
This book is closed doors, even though it deals with sexual topics.
I would recommend this book to readers who like psychological thrillers and dilemmas, perhaps enjoy pondering moral questions, it is recommended to read the previous books in the series before.
The book feels realistic and could very well be what happens when mental issues and trauma aren't taken care of. The atmosphere of the book is many times agonizing, as it feels there isn't a way out for the characters.
The maincharacters both are relatable in a way, which makes the journey harder. It's like sexual preferences are being used as an excuse to abuse.
This book is closed doors, even though it deals with sexual topics.
I would recommend this book to readers who like psychological thrillers and dilemmas, perhaps enjoy pondering moral questions, it is recommended to read the previous books in the series before.
June 3, 2026
this series is so so good! check tw
This series is wild! The amount of trauma and abuse that’s depicted in this series is absolutely crazy.
So after going thru Amelia’s journal ride is still determined to protect Rob at all costs, still thinking that there’s no way he’s that way with her, that they can have the perfect love and family.
For a while it does seem that way, they get thru the trial, they have the perfect family, but Amelia isn’t done, Amelia is now on a mission protecting rose and her family, but does rose listen in time, is she trusting the right people? Someone ends up dead and it’s not the end of the story like you’d think.
I am literally screaming at the end wanting book 4 like 4 chapters ago! What else is left? A whole book of more secrets, lies and traumas?! I cannot wait to get my hands on the next book! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This series is wild! The amount of trauma and abuse that’s depicted in this series is absolutely crazy.
So after going thru Amelia’s journal ride is still determined to protect Rob at all costs, still thinking that there’s no way he’s that way with her, that they can have the perfect love and family.
For a while it does seem that way, they get thru the trial, they have the perfect family, but Amelia isn’t done, Amelia is now on a mission protecting rose and her family, but does rose listen in time, is she trusting the right people? Someone ends up dead and it’s not the end of the story like you’d think.
I am literally screaming at the end wanting book 4 like 4 chapters ago! What else is left? A whole book of more secrets, lies and traumas?! I cannot wait to get my hands on the next book! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
June 7, 2026
4.5⭐️
I can’t believe this journey is over..for now. I absolutely loved this series. It turned out to be nothing like I expected and I’m not even sure how to review this without speaking the words aloud.
Sabrina has done such an amazing job at demonstrating how effed up some people can be/ turn out to be especially in domestic situations. It felt like every time there was some hope dangled in the readers faces about certain characters, it was pulled right back away. I loved the different POV’s and especially Rob’s, where he almost convinced you what he was doing was okay, and how he truly believed that he wasn’t in the wrong.
I’m honestly struggling for words here..i think i need a few days to let this book..this series simmer and settle in.
But an amazing job well done! I highly recommend this series to anyone but please read the TW’s.
I can’t believe this journey is over..for now. I absolutely loved this series. It turned out to be nothing like I expected and I’m not even sure how to review this without speaking the words aloud.
Sabrina has done such an amazing job at demonstrating how effed up some people can be/ turn out to be especially in domestic situations. It felt like every time there was some hope dangled in the readers faces about certain characters, it was pulled right back away. I loved the different POV’s and especially Rob’s, where he almost convinced you what he was doing was okay, and how he truly believed that he wasn’t in the wrong.
I’m honestly struggling for words here..i think i need a few days to let this book..this series simmer and settle in.
But an amazing job well done! I highly recommend this series to anyone but please read the TW’s.
May 13, 2026
3.75-4⭐️
I received this book as an ARC from the author. I read book 1 and 2 just before, to get an understanding of book 3.
***Before you read, check your triggers, and do it go into this lightly***
If you are looking for a dark, disturbed, domestic thriller that explores many taboo subjects such as domestic abuse (physical/emotional/psychological), trauma in so many forms, BDSM, drug/alcohol abuse, this is a great book.
While there are a lot of aspects that may disturb the vanilla reader, I appreciate the new perspective this book gives in regards to effects of trauma and in relation to future relationships and DV. It made me see a new viewpoint. I loved the internal dialogue and multi POV. Being able to really get in the characters head elevated the experience.
While I didn’t agree with the many of the main characters choices and actions and I was internally screaming at them at times, I don’t read every book to feel warm and fuzzy. I love a controversial book with opposing view points and emotional damage. This book WILL make you feel so many different emotions. This relationship has got to be one of the most toxic I have read in a while, but if you are looking for an emotionally damaging ride, this is it!!
I received this book as an ARC from the author. I read book 1 and 2 just before, to get an understanding of book 3.
***Before you read, check your triggers, and do it go into this lightly***
If you are looking for a dark, disturbed, domestic thriller that explores many taboo subjects such as domestic abuse (physical/emotional/psychological), trauma in so many forms, BDSM, drug/alcohol abuse, this is a great book.
While there are a lot of aspects that may disturb the vanilla reader, I appreciate the new perspective this book gives in regards to effects of trauma and in relation to future relationships and DV. It made me see a new viewpoint. I loved the internal dialogue and multi POV. Being able to really get in the characters head elevated the experience.
While I didn’t agree with the many of the main characters choices and actions and I was internally screaming at them at times, I don’t read every book to feel warm and fuzzy. I love a controversial book with opposing view points and emotional damage. This book WILL make you feel so many different emotions. This relationship has got to be one of the most toxic I have read in a while, but if you are looking for an emotionally damaging ride, this is it!!
May 16, 2026
I’m not sure I have the words to describe how dark this story was. The story with Rob and Rose was so twistedly captivating. Once I started, I didn’t want to put it down. Everything that Rose was experiencing from Rob. Having his deceased ex telling her to get the twins and run from Rob had me shook. The gaslighting that Rob did to her. Telling her she needed to see a therapist because she was having mental problems? Even that was orchestrated. This story had twists and turns that keep you needing and wanting to read. What really got me the most, is the fact of hot true this exact situation is so true for so many women. An intense and wildly intriguing story. Beautiful depth and amazing character building.
May 25, 2026
ARC Reader Review
If you’re looking for a true toxic series read, this is it. Guilty as Sin, from start to finish, had me on the edge of dread, and fear of the unknown.
Every character in this series I had a love/hate relationship with. Rob, Rose, Amelia, Theo, Holly, Liza…everyone was perfectly flawed.
The miscommunication that goes on this book is very well done. The back-and-forth inner workings of Rob and Rose, gives a true representation of how everyone views and responds differently to the same situations.
The twists and turns kept me up late. I never knew what to expect, and had zero clue on how this was going to end.
If you enjoy thriller/suspense, toxic relationships, and twists and turns, this one is for you!
If you’re looking for a true toxic series read, this is it. Guilty as Sin, from start to finish, had me on the edge of dread, and fear of the unknown.
Every character in this series I had a love/hate relationship with. Rob, Rose, Amelia, Theo, Holly, Liza…everyone was perfectly flawed.
The miscommunication that goes on this book is very well done. The back-and-forth inner workings of Rob and Rose, gives a true representation of how everyone views and responds differently to the same situations.
The twists and turns kept me up late. I never knew what to expect, and had zero clue on how this was going to end.
If you enjoy thriller/suspense, toxic relationships, and twists and turns, this one is for you!
May 31, 2026
I was offered to read Book 1 in the Free me series by Sabrina. I had no idea how invested I would become. Every single book in this series has been 5 star in my opinion. I have been captivated, traumatised, angry, sad and haunted by feelings resonating with my own real life. The trigger warnings do not do the books justice, but especially Guilty as Sin (Book 3). The scenes were heartbreaking, disturbing and left me feeling conflicted at the end of this book. To love someone who hurt you so deeply is such a realistic human reaction. We tend to love even those that hurt us immensely and this is where the danger comes in. Sabrina, wow is all I can say. Your books are fantastic and I can't wait for the day that I see you get the recognition you deserve! Masterpiece.
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