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Knights of Sin and Secrets
The Knights Pantheon are sworn to virtue. So why do they look at her like they want to sin?
Katyr grew up hearing stories of the lustbound curse, a fae hex that corrupted humanity generations ago. She’s dismissed it as a fairy tale. An excuse for men’s weaknesses and the Vrinian Empire’s endless failures to reclaim the sacred city of Ninthalus.
Katyr never believed a word of it. She’s never trusted the gods, and she’s never needed to.
Until the day a knight arrives at her door with a revelation that shatters her world.
Forced to leave her quiet homestead for Vulwen Bastion, Katyr finds herself among the empire’s most divine warriors, whose restraint seems to fray whenever she’s near.
Vrace, the stoic sentinel who found and rescued her from a mundane life.
Lethander, the wicked shifter who can’t decide whether to hate her or claim her.
Keradin, the mysterious warrior-priest whose fate becomes entwined with her own.
Bound by secrets and rivalries, haunted by desires they cannot control, the Knights Pantheon awaken something dangerous within Katyr. As the growing pull toward men she should never want becomes impossible to resist, she begins uncovering the truth behind the lustbound curse… and the terrifying possibility the fae are not the real enemy.
Some curses aren’t meant to weaken kingdoms. They’re meant to destroy them from within.
Knights of Sin and Secrets is a loose and very spicy retelling of Knights Templar legends, but with fae and smutty curses. One-click today if you enjoy forbidden attraction, dark and culty academia, unbelievably raunchy spice, wicked mysteries, enemies to lovers, and so many men to choose from it’s enough to make any girl’s head spin!
Katyr grew up hearing stories of the lustbound curse, a fae hex that corrupted humanity generations ago. She’s dismissed it as a fairy tale. An excuse for men’s weaknesses and the Vrinian Empire’s endless failures to reclaim the sacred city of Ninthalus.
Katyr never believed a word of it. She’s never trusted the gods, and she’s never needed to.
Until the day a knight arrives at her door with a revelation that shatters her world.
Forced to leave her quiet homestead for Vulwen Bastion, Katyr finds herself among the empire’s most divine warriors, whose restraint seems to fray whenever she’s near.
Vrace, the stoic sentinel who found and rescued her from a mundane life.
Lethander, the wicked shifter who can’t decide whether to hate her or claim her.
Keradin, the mysterious warrior-priest whose fate becomes entwined with her own.
Bound by secrets and rivalries, haunted by desires they cannot control, the Knights Pantheon awaken something dangerous within Katyr. As the growing pull toward men she should never want becomes impossible to resist, she begins uncovering the truth behind the lustbound curse… and the terrifying possibility the fae are not the real enemy.
Some curses aren’t meant to weaken kingdoms. They’re meant to destroy them from within.
Knights of Sin and Secrets is a loose and very spicy retelling of Knights Templar legends, but with fae and smutty curses. One-click today if you enjoy forbidden attraction, dark and culty academia, unbelievably raunchy spice, wicked mysteries, enemies to lovers, and so many men to choose from it’s enough to make any girl’s head spin!
411 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 17, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
August 20, 2026
The time has finally come to review Knights of Sin and Secrets. I'm so late guys, I know, book two is already out (I need to get on that ASAP), but better late than never right?
I've been thinking about this book ever since I finished it. It's uniquely imaginative, like all of KC's works, and possibly the smuttiest? I know Camelot Untold is hard to beat, but The Lustbound Curse is really high up there. I'm gonna have to reread both and then decide which one takes the cake.
SPEAKING OF STEAM, which one of you KC veterans remembers the iconic lute scene? Because we have another contender for "smutty scene that permanently gets burned into your brain" in this one.
I'm calling it the table scene. Lemme tell you, my gasts were flabbered, I was clutching my proverbial pearls and blinking rapidly. If that doesn't make you wanna read the book then I don't know what to tell you.
What I like though, is that there's a reason for all the smut (not that we need one, mind you, but it ties in nicely). If you just look at the name of the series, it becomes clear. Now I'm invested in seeing the curse be broken, but everyone just continuing on as they were, because...why not? Exactly.
The world is inspired by The Knights Templar, but there's also fae and goblins. I may or may not be rooting for the fae, by the way, just putting that out there. There's more to them than meets the eye, and I can't wait to see where that plotline goes from here.
The MC, Katyr, is great to follow, but, more importantly, SHE'S TALL. You give me a tall girly as the main character, and I'm happy. Period.
She's unapologetically herself, which makes me think she'll end up with a wacky number of mates, like, say, nine?
We're already (kinda, technically, if a certain someone makes a reappearance) at five, so what's four more for the road? We haven't even gotten to the fae lands yet, just imagine the possibilities.
Which reminds me, I thought Maccus was going to be my fav, but then Vrace appeared. So Vrace stayed my fav until Keradin appeared. If we get introduced to someone else in the next book, I can't promise my allegiance won't switch over to them, ahem ahem. But for now!! Keradin is my man.
If one of them was a fae in disguise, my money would be on him. Which doesn't mean that he is, but I'm covering all my bases. In case he isn't though, Katyr needs a fae mate, or two (or three, you know, to balance out the humans).
Oh yes yes, the ending involved fae too, it was brilliant!! One of my fav KC cliffhangers to date. I only wish the book was longer, and that we got even more worldbuilding, but that's what the next ones are for!! I'm super exited to continue.
*Thank you to the amazing author for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review*
I've been thinking about this book ever since I finished it. It's uniquely imaginative, like all of KC's works, and possibly the smuttiest? I know Camelot Untold is hard to beat, but The Lustbound Curse is really high up there. I'm gonna have to reread both and then decide which one takes the cake.
SPEAKING OF STEAM, which one of you KC veterans remembers the iconic lute scene? Because we have another contender for "smutty scene that permanently gets burned into your brain" in this one.
I'm calling it the table scene. Lemme tell you, my gasts were flabbered, I was clutching my proverbial pearls and blinking rapidly. If that doesn't make you wanna read the book then I don't know what to tell you.
What I like though, is that there's a reason for all the smut (not that we need one, mind you, but it ties in nicely). If you just look at the name of the series, it becomes clear. Now I'm invested in seeing the curse be broken, but everyone just continuing on as they were, because...why not? Exactly.
The world is inspired by The Knights Templar, but there's also fae and goblins. I may or may not be rooting for the fae, by the way, just putting that out there. There's more to them than meets the eye, and I can't wait to see where that plotline goes from here.
The MC, Katyr, is great to follow, but, more importantly, SHE'S TALL. You give me a tall girly as the main character, and I'm happy. Period.
She's unapologetically herself, which makes me think she'll end up with a wacky number of mates, like, say, nine?
We're already (kinda, technically, if a certain someone makes a reappearance) at five, so what's four more for the road? We haven't even gotten to the fae lands yet, just imagine the possibilities.
Which reminds me, I thought Maccus was going to be my fav, but then Vrace appeared. So Vrace stayed my fav until Keradin appeared. If we get introduced to someone else in the next book, I can't promise my allegiance won't switch over to them, ahem ahem. But for now!! Keradin is my man.
If one of them was a fae in disguise, my money would be on him. Which doesn't mean that he is, but I'm covering all my bases. In case he isn't though, Katyr needs a fae mate, or two (or three, you know, to balance out the humans).
Oh yes yes, the ending involved fae too, it was brilliant!! One of my fav KC cliffhangers to date. I only wish the book was longer, and that we got even more worldbuilding, but that's what the next ones are for!! I'm super exited to continue.
*Thank you to the amazing author for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review*
July 17, 2026
I just finished Knights of Sin and Secrets, the first book in KC Kingmaker’s Lustbound Curse series, and I’m still a little breathless.
This was exactly the kind of dark, indulgent fantasy romance I didn’t know I needed, it’s steamy, mysterious, and packed with tension that had me flipping pages late into the night.
From the very beginning, Katyr’s ordinary life is upended when a knight shows up at her door, dragging her into the world of the Vulwen Bastion and the elite Knights Pantheon.
What follows is a delicious collision of forbidden desire and ancient secrets. The lustbound curse isn’t just for background, pulses through every interaction, turning even the smallest glance or brush of skin into something charged and dangerous.
I loved how the knights……Vrace, Lethander, and Keradin, feel like they’re constantly one breath away from losing control, even as they cling to their vows of virtue. Their individual personalities shine through, we have Vrace’s quiet intensity, Lethander’s sharp edged antagonism that flips so satisfyingly into heat, and Keradin’s layered mystery. The way each man reacts differently to Katyr kept the dynamic fresh and addictive.
The world building is atmospheric and immersive without ever slowing the pace. The Vrinian Empire, the looming threat of the fae, and the sacred (but cursed) city of Ninthalus create a rich backdrop that feels both medieval and otherworldly. There’s a cult like, dark academia vibe to the Bastion that pairs perfectly with the spice, (think sacred halls, whispered rituals, and simmering rivalries.) And speaking of spice… KC Kingmaker does not hold back. This book is unapologetically raunchy in the best way, with scenes that are creative, intense, and emotionally layered rather than just over the top. The slowburn tension before things ignite makes the payoff incredibly satisfying.
Katyr herself is a great character, she’s strong, skeptical, resilient, and refreshingly unafraid to question the world she’s been thrown into. Her growing awareness of the curse and her own role in it adds a compelling layer of intrigue that kept me guessing.
The enemies to lovers threads, the secrets, and the larger conspiracy unfolding around the knights all weave together into a story that feels bigger than just the romance, even as the romance remains front and center.
If you love reverse harem (or why choose) stories with high heat, morally gray warriors, fae touched curses, and that perfect blend of mystery and lust, this one delivers in spades.
It’s a spicy reimagining of knightly legends that leans hard into the “sacred but sinful” vibe, and I was absolutely here for it.
I’m already eager for book two, those final revelations have me hooked.
Highly recommended for anyone who wants their fantasy romance dark, delicious, and more than a little wicked. 😜
🦋
This was exactly the kind of dark, indulgent fantasy romance I didn’t know I needed, it’s steamy, mysterious, and packed with tension that had me flipping pages late into the night.
From the very beginning, Katyr’s ordinary life is upended when a knight shows up at her door, dragging her into the world of the Vulwen Bastion and the elite Knights Pantheon.
What follows is a delicious collision of forbidden desire and ancient secrets. The lustbound curse isn’t just for background, pulses through every interaction, turning even the smallest glance or brush of skin into something charged and dangerous.
I loved how the knights……Vrace, Lethander, and Keradin, feel like they’re constantly one breath away from losing control, even as they cling to their vows of virtue. Their individual personalities shine through, we have Vrace’s quiet intensity, Lethander’s sharp edged antagonism that flips so satisfyingly into heat, and Keradin’s layered mystery. The way each man reacts differently to Katyr kept the dynamic fresh and addictive.
The world building is atmospheric and immersive without ever slowing the pace. The Vrinian Empire, the looming threat of the fae, and the sacred (but cursed) city of Ninthalus create a rich backdrop that feels both medieval and otherworldly. There’s a cult like, dark academia vibe to the Bastion that pairs perfectly with the spice, (think sacred halls, whispered rituals, and simmering rivalries.) And speaking of spice… KC Kingmaker does not hold back. This book is unapologetically raunchy in the best way, with scenes that are creative, intense, and emotionally layered rather than just over the top. The slowburn tension before things ignite makes the payoff incredibly satisfying.
Katyr herself is a great character, she’s strong, skeptical, resilient, and refreshingly unafraid to question the world she’s been thrown into. Her growing awareness of the curse and her own role in it adds a compelling layer of intrigue that kept me guessing.
The enemies to lovers threads, the secrets, and the larger conspiracy unfolding around the knights all weave together into a story that feels bigger than just the romance, even as the romance remains front and center.
If you love reverse harem (or why choose) stories with high heat, morally gray warriors, fae touched curses, and that perfect blend of mystery and lust, this one delivers in spades.
It’s a spicy reimagining of knightly legends that leans hard into the “sacred but sinful” vibe, and I was absolutely here for it.
I’m already eager for book two, those final revelations have me hooked.
Highly recommended for anyone who wants their fantasy romance dark, delicious, and more than a little wicked. 😜
🦋
July 19, 2026
Thank you to KC Kingmaker for the opportunity to ARC this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
4.75 ⭐ (deducted .25 of a star due to some 'icks' in the book)
4.5-5/5 🌶
**CHECK THE TW'S!!**
*Triggers are as follows (straight from the book): abuse, blood, breeding, captivity, choking, crude language, crude sex toys, cult behavior, death, debasement, degradation, depravity, depression, discussions of rape, domination, execution, forced childbirth (not MC), gore, graphic sex, graphic violence, group sex, imprisonment, kidnapping, maiming (losing body parts), misogyny, objectification of women, public sex, rape (off page, not MC), religious overtones, sexual assault, submission, torture, violence against women, & war. Not a TW but there is some detailed MM sex scenes.
*Tropes are as follows (straight from the book): academia, bullies, close proximity, curses, enemies to lovers, fae, group sex, he falls first, knights, LGBT, magic, MM, one bed, religious cults, rituals, secret societies, sex magic, swords crossing, touch her and 💀, why choose (RH).
This book checked all my boxes (and then some) for the type of book that I typically read. I loved the whole thing, if I could've sat down uninterrupted, I would've finished this in one sitting. This is the first book I have read by this author and I AM HOOKED!! I will be reading more!
The world where this story takes place is actually peculiar. There's the Knights Pantheon (essentially the Knights Templar), supposed to be the embodiment of the 'virtues'. Katyr, lives on a farm, dad and brother are KIA and MIA in the war against the Fae. Katyr joins Vrace (knight), on his journey back to Vulwen Bastion (one of the strongholds of the knights) where she trains to become a knight herself to avenge her family. All lustful weaknesses and the inability to 'reclaim' the sacred city of Ninthalus is blamed on a supposed 'lustbound curse' from the Fae.
Katyr: Curvy and taller FMC who knows herself and doesn't hide any part of it. She doesn't deny herself. Emotional intelligence is pretty good, seems to make good decisions, strategic, logical, and realistic.
Vrace: Knight MMC, has a crow as a familiar that he can communicate with and connect with to see through the animal's eyes. Emotional intelligence is good (a little territorial when it comes to Katyr), warrior, strategic, logical, realistic, also doesn't realize that he's in love with Katyr (men.......am I right??).
Lethander: Knight MMC, wolf shifter, good friend of Vrace, very moody and broody, wants Katyr but can't seem to make a decision on whether to hate her or claim her. He is also a warrior, strategic, logical, realistic, pack mentality, good emotional intelligence (except when he's brooding over Katyr).
Keradin: Knigh-priest MMC with healing abilities, he is rescued by Vrace and Lethander's group of knights on a mission. Logical, strategic, realistic. He's mysterious and keeps secrets. He is also falling for Katyr.
There are secrets within the Knights Pantheon that no one is supposed to know. Katyr is confronted with some of these revelations toward the end of the book, which just makes you impatient for the next one!! Uugghh!!!!! This book is riddled, I mean riddled, with smut. I mean it's not a bad thing, but I honestly wasn't expecting it until I read the TW's, which was fine because I have no triggers. The way the explicit scenes are written into the story line is good, they mesh fairly well. My 'icks' from this book is the fact that the characters are all up in each others' giblets without bathing......😭🤢; they are also going from backdoor to front door without any washing (not even a wipe off).......🤢. Every time these instances happened, all I could think was 'Ooooo that's gonna be a nasty UTI' or 'Ooooooo she gonna need some penicillin'. Pulled me out of the story a little bit and took me a couple seconds to get back into my rhythm of reading. The character development was good, I didn't really have any issues with any of the ways the characters evolved. The world building is very well written and planned out, the author did an amazing job. There were a few typos and grammatical errors but nothing so ridiculous that it made me stop. This is definitely a page turner; very well thought out plot line, characters, and setting up the second book in the series.
4.75 ⭐ (deducted .25 of a star due to some 'icks' in the book)
4.5-5/5 🌶
**CHECK THE TW'S!!**
*Triggers are as follows (straight from the book): abuse, blood, breeding, captivity, choking, crude language, crude sex toys, cult behavior, death, debasement, degradation, depravity, depression, discussions of rape, domination, execution, forced childbirth (not MC), gore, graphic sex, graphic violence, group sex, imprisonment, kidnapping, maiming (losing body parts), misogyny, objectification of women, public sex, rape (off page, not MC), religious overtones, sexual assault, submission, torture, violence against women, & war. Not a TW but there is some detailed MM sex scenes.
*Tropes are as follows (straight from the book): academia, bullies, close proximity, curses, enemies to lovers, fae, group sex, he falls first, knights, LGBT, magic, MM, one bed, religious cults, rituals, secret societies, sex magic, swords crossing, touch her and 💀, why choose (RH).
This book checked all my boxes (and then some) for the type of book that I typically read. I loved the whole thing, if I could've sat down uninterrupted, I would've finished this in one sitting. This is the first book I have read by this author and I AM HOOKED!! I will be reading more!
The world where this story takes place is actually peculiar. There's the Knights Pantheon (essentially the Knights Templar), supposed to be the embodiment of the 'virtues'. Katyr, lives on a farm, dad and brother are KIA and MIA in the war against the Fae. Katyr joins Vrace (knight), on his journey back to Vulwen Bastion (one of the strongholds of the knights) where she trains to become a knight herself to avenge her family. All lustful weaknesses and the inability to 'reclaim' the sacred city of Ninthalus is blamed on a supposed 'lustbound curse' from the Fae.
Katyr: Curvy and taller FMC who knows herself and doesn't hide any part of it. She doesn't deny herself. Emotional intelligence is pretty good, seems to make good decisions, strategic, logical, and realistic.
Vrace: Knight MMC, has a crow as a familiar that he can communicate with and connect with to see through the animal's eyes. Emotional intelligence is good (a little territorial when it comes to Katyr), warrior, strategic, logical, realistic, also doesn't realize that he's in love with Katyr (men.......am I right??).
Lethander: Knight MMC, wolf shifter, good friend of Vrace, very moody and broody, wants Katyr but can't seem to make a decision on whether to hate her or claim her. He is also a warrior, strategic, logical, realistic, pack mentality, good emotional intelligence (except when he's brooding over Katyr).
Keradin: Knigh-priest MMC with healing abilities, he is rescued by Vrace and Lethander's group of knights on a mission. Logical, strategic, realistic. He's mysterious and keeps secrets. He is also falling for Katyr.
There are secrets within the Knights Pantheon that no one is supposed to know. Katyr is confronted with some of these revelations toward the end of the book, which just makes you impatient for the next one!! Uugghh!!!!! This book is riddled, I mean riddled, with smut. I mean it's not a bad thing, but I honestly wasn't expecting it until I read the TW's, which was fine because I have no triggers. The way the explicit scenes are written into the story line is good, they mesh fairly well. My 'icks' from this book is the fact that the characters are all up in each others' giblets without bathing......😭🤢; they are also going from backdoor to front door without any washing (not even a wipe off).......🤢. Every time these instances happened, all I could think was 'Ooooo that's gonna be a nasty UTI' or 'Ooooooo she gonna need some penicillin'. Pulled me out of the story a little bit and took me a couple seconds to get back into my rhythm of reading. The character development was good, I didn't really have any issues with any of the ways the characters evolved. The world building is very well written and planned out, the author did an amazing job. There were a few typos and grammatical errors but nothing so ridiculous that it made me stop. This is definitely a page turner; very well thought out plot line, characters, and setting up the second book in the series.
Review of advance copy
Thank you to Booksprout, KC Kingmaker, and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I am completely unashamed to admit I finished this in a single day. It was a total page-turner. The spice was easily a 5/5, but what I appreciated most was that it actually had a plot to back it up.
The immediate spice caught me off guard at first—I definitely had a moment of, “Oh… so this is how we’re starting.” But once we met Katyr’s two mates, I was hooked. Every character was charming in their own way, and the relationships felt genuine from the beginning.
The worldbuilding around the knights was detailed and clearly well thought out. I especially appreciated the glossary at the beginning because there were quite a few titles, terms, and side characters to keep track of. Once Vrace gave Katyr a tour of the Bastion, the world started clicking into place and became much easier to follow.
The spice was incredibly well written, and there were a few wonderfully unhinged scenes that were right up my alley. At first it seemed like everyone was simply very enthusiastic, but once the curse was revealed, everything made much more sense. It was a fun twist that I haven’t come across very often in this genre.
That said, there were a few places where the story felt rushed, especially in the beginning. Even though the FMC acknowledges that the curse caused her to gloss over important information about her family, I still would have liked a little more buildup before she left. I also found myself feeling bad for Mac. He deserved better, and I’m curious to see whether his absence becomes more significant in future books.
There were also moments where the worldbuilding felt like an information dump. I wanted a little more context about the surrounding world before diving so deeply into the knights, the different titles, and especially the magic system. I was particularly interested in the Houndsmen since they play such a large role in the story.
Overall, I enjoyed the pacing, but there were times when I wished the book had slowed down just a bit. I would have happily read another hundred pages if it meant spending more time with these characters, learning about the world, and getting a deeper look into each of the MMCs. I liked them all, but I finished the book wanting to know so much more about their backgrounds.
Overall, I loved the direction of the story, the worldbuilding, the characters, the relationships, and, of course, the spice. The ending left me eager to see what happens next, and I’ll definitely be picking up the sequel.
I am completely unashamed to admit I finished this in a single day. It was a total page-turner. The spice was easily a 5/5, but what I appreciated most was that it actually had a plot to back it up.
The immediate spice caught me off guard at first—I definitely had a moment of, “Oh… so this is how we’re starting.” But once we met Katyr’s two mates, I was hooked. Every character was charming in their own way, and the relationships felt genuine from the beginning.
The worldbuilding around the knights was detailed and clearly well thought out. I especially appreciated the glossary at the beginning because there were quite a few titles, terms, and side characters to keep track of. Once Vrace gave Katyr a tour of the Bastion, the world started clicking into place and became much easier to follow.
The spice was incredibly well written, and there were a few wonderfully unhinged scenes that were right up my alley. At first it seemed like everyone was simply very enthusiastic, but once the curse was revealed, everything made much more sense. It was a fun twist that I haven’t come across very often in this genre.
That said, there were a few places where the story felt rushed, especially in the beginning. Even though the FMC acknowledges that the curse caused her to gloss over important information about her family, I still would have liked a little more buildup before she left. I also found myself feeling bad for Mac. He deserved better, and I’m curious to see whether his absence becomes more significant in future books.
There were also moments where the worldbuilding felt like an information dump. I wanted a little more context about the surrounding world before diving so deeply into the knights, the different titles, and especially the magic system. I was particularly interested in the Houndsmen since they play such a large role in the story.
Overall, I enjoyed the pacing, but there were times when I wished the book had slowed down just a bit. I would have happily read another hundred pages if it meant spending more time with these characters, learning about the world, and getting a deeper look into each of the MMCs. I liked them all, but I finished the book wanting to know so much more about their backgrounds.
Overall, I loved the direction of the story, the worldbuilding, the characters, the relationships, and, of course, the spice. The ending left me eager to see what happens next, and I’ll definitely be picking up the sequel.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you to the author for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This was my first time reading one of this author's books, and after finishing Knights of Sins and Secrets, I can honestly say it won't be my last. I'm officially hooked and already want to dive into the rest of her catalog.
If you love spicy, why choose romances with plenty of steam, this book is absolutely for you. The chemistry between the characters is incredible, and the tension had me completely invested from beginning to end. The plot had me on the edge of my seat.. I was actually irritated every time work interrupted my reading because all I wanted to do was find out what happened next!
One thing I especially appreciated was the FMC. She was voluptuous, confident, and represented a type of body positivity that I don't see nearly enough in romance books. It was refreshing to read about a heroine who wasn't written to fit the same mold as everyone else.
The knights? Let's just say they're dangerously handsome, fiercely protective, and definitely leave very little to the imagination... if you know what I mean. 😉
My only small criticism is that a few scenes felt a little rushed, and I would have loved to spend more time with certain moments. Even so, it didn't take away from how much I enjoyed the overall story.
Now I'm counting down the days until the next book because I **need** answers. There are so many questions left about certain characters, and I have to know what happens next. This series has officially earned a spot on my must-read list, and I can't wait to see where the story goes from here.
This was my first time reading one of this author's books, and after finishing Knights of Sins and Secrets, I can honestly say it won't be my last. I'm officially hooked and already want to dive into the rest of her catalog.
If you love spicy, why choose romances with plenty of steam, this book is absolutely for you. The chemistry between the characters is incredible, and the tension had me completely invested from beginning to end. The plot had me on the edge of my seat.. I was actually irritated every time work interrupted my reading because all I wanted to do was find out what happened next!
One thing I especially appreciated was the FMC. She was voluptuous, confident, and represented a type of body positivity that I don't see nearly enough in romance books. It was refreshing to read about a heroine who wasn't written to fit the same mold as everyone else.
The knights? Let's just say they're dangerously handsome, fiercely protective, and definitely leave very little to the imagination... if you know what I mean. 😉
My only small criticism is that a few scenes felt a little rushed, and I would have loved to spend more time with certain moments. Even so, it didn't take away from how much I enjoyed the overall story.
Now I'm counting down the days until the next book because I **need** answers. There are so many questions left about certain characters, and I have to know what happens next. This series has officially earned a spot on my must-read list, and I can't wait to see where the story goes from here.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This Five 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ Chili, XXX-tra 🥵 Spicy, Swords ⚔️ Crossing, (definitely) Sex Positive, Body Positive, curse laden. blood-guts-gore fest, whore-fest (couldn’t resist), secret filled, battle zoned, fantastic story kept me greedily gobbling up the text and flipping pages anxious to reach the next page. I have been a big fan of K. C. Kingmaker since BRIARWITCH ACADEMY—loveLoveLOVE her writing style, definitely an automatic-read. KNIGHTS OF SIN AND SECRETS is fast paced, full of bloody battles, banter, and debauchery. Good Stuff.
*** Recommended ***
📌 Just a little note here on the only ‘cringe’ I have on this lusty book:
* there are several occurrences where one of the main males goes straight from someone’s ‘A’ to Katyr’s ‘V’, without washing . . . I am assuming in this fantasy land bacterial vaginosis doesn’t exist. So just a heads up 🖤
MMC:
✨Vrace
✨Lethander
✨Keradin
FMC:
✨Katyr
HEA/Cliffhanger:
✨cliffhanger
Series:
✨Book 1: The Lustbound Curse
Tropes:
👉spicy fae romance
👉dark fantasy romance
👉touch her and ☠️
👉enemies to lovers
👉why choose
👉swords cross ⚔️ shamelessly
Triggers:🛑see content warning page/author’s website for full list🛑
💥18+
💥 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️, mf, mm, mmf, mfm, open🚪sex
💥profanity
💥violence - lots and LOTS
💥death - big time.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
*** Recommended ***
📌 Just a little note here on the only ‘cringe’ I have on this lusty book:
* there are several occurrences where one of the main males goes straight from someone’s ‘A’ to Katyr’s ‘V’, without washing . . . I am assuming in this fantasy land bacterial vaginosis doesn’t exist. So just a heads up 🖤
MMC:
✨Vrace
✨Lethander
✨Keradin
FMC:
✨Katyr
HEA/Cliffhanger:
✨cliffhanger
Series:
✨Book 1: The Lustbound Curse
Tropes:
👉spicy fae romance
👉dark fantasy romance
👉touch her and ☠️
👉enemies to lovers
👉why choose
👉swords cross ⚔️ shamelessly
Triggers:🛑see content warning page/author’s website for full list🛑
💥18+
💥 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️, mf, mm, mmf, mfm, open🚪sex
💥profanity
💥violence - lots and LOTS
💥death - big time.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 9, 2026
Thank you so so much to this author for sharing with me an ARC copy of this book !!!
“The first time I saw a man get maimed, the shock to my system made me vomit”
“You belong to the War Chapter, my lioness. You belong to me”
As always when it comes to the why choose series of this author … I am obsessed. First Camelot, then vampires and now Knights of Templar??? This first book in the Lustbound Curse series was a guilty pleasure I cannot deny to myself I obsessed over from the very first pages !! This book was spice. It was smut. I can’t yet say - cause I’m not sure exaclty - how many people are involved (lucky girl) but I know that if this time around she did have a lot of fun … it’s only about ro grow!!! Our FMC Katyr is wild. Supposedly taken by a lust curse. And the MMCs are knights … who are supposed to find a cure … and somehow she is the key. Only they may or may not overwhelmed by her. And then chaos ensues !! The plot thickens very soon and the action slowly starts taking first place in this but twisted but hot and intense fantasy romance series that promised good times and definitely some hard earned HEAs !!!
“Eventually, desensitisation to violence could swing the other way, until you found yourself craving it. Needing it. Seeking it.”
“You have freed a trapped man without even knowing it, little lix”
“The first time I saw a man get maimed, the shock to my system made me vomit”
“You belong to the War Chapter, my lioness. You belong to me”
As always when it comes to the why choose series of this author … I am obsessed. First Camelot, then vampires and now Knights of Templar??? This first book in the Lustbound Curse series was a guilty pleasure I cannot deny to myself I obsessed over from the very first pages !! This book was spice. It was smut. I can’t yet say - cause I’m not sure exaclty - how many people are involved (lucky girl) but I know that if this time around she did have a lot of fun … it’s only about ro grow!!! Our FMC Katyr is wild. Supposedly taken by a lust curse. And the MMCs are knights … who are supposed to find a cure … and somehow she is the key. Only they may or may not overwhelmed by her. And then chaos ensues !! The plot thickens very soon and the action slowly starts taking first place in this but twisted but hot and intense fantasy romance series that promised good times and definitely some hard earned HEAs !!!
“Eventually, desensitisation to violence could swing the other way, until you found yourself craving it. Needing it. Seeking it.”
“You have freed a trapped man without even knowing it, little lix”
July 18, 2026
Knights of Sin and Secrets; Lust Bound Curse book 1
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🔥
This is the first time I've read this author and I enjoyed this book. It has a fun premise that Romantasy and Historical Romance readers should enjoy. It's deliciously dark and sinful
There's a lot of spice but with good plot so it works. Strong body positive FMC , reverse harem, morally gray everything I mean warriors..
The book is quick paced with great character development that have amazing chemistry, it also has interesting subplots that could definitely lead to spin-offs.
It's got 3 hot Templar Knight, Vrance, Lethander and Keradin who are wickedly handsome and suffering a lust curse. Katyr the strong FMC who isn't afraid to live outside the norm who was "taken" on the premise she's the cure of the lust curse. So fun!!
I think Kingmaker does an amazing job with world building .. and she certainly doesn't hold back with smut
I really appreciate the fast pace of this book though there were a couple areas I thought could have used a bit more detail but all in all it's a good spicy read.
I'm looking forward to the next installment
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🔥
This is the first time I've read this author and I enjoyed this book. It has a fun premise that Romantasy and Historical Romance readers should enjoy. It's deliciously dark and sinful
There's a lot of spice but with good plot so it works. Strong body positive FMC , reverse harem, morally gray everything I mean warriors..
The book is quick paced with great character development that have amazing chemistry, it also has interesting subplots that could definitely lead to spin-offs.
It's got 3 hot Templar Knight, Vrance, Lethander and Keradin who are wickedly handsome and suffering a lust curse. Katyr the strong FMC who isn't afraid to live outside the norm who was "taken" on the premise she's the cure of the lust curse. So fun!!
I think Kingmaker does an amazing job with world building .. and she certainly doesn't hold back with smut
I really appreciate the fast pace of this book though there were a couple areas I thought could have used a bit more detail but all in all it's a good spicy read.
I'm looking forward to the next installment
Review of advance copy
I love the storyline (human knights and power fighting the fae over land) and the main characters so far but do hate how repetitive the titles are to each person (Knight, Var, Vel, etc.). Just have their names mentioned as they already been introduced before. No need to constantly give their titles then name. Plenty of spice scenes (with MM here and there) but it’s still mainly the FMC, her men, and another side character man. Who doesn’t like a Vrace, even though he doesn’t know if he loves Katyr yet but is protective and cares for her very much. Lethander is still 50/50 because I felt his relationship with Katyr wasn’t built up in this book as much compared to Vrace. There were multiple viewpoints from each main character but Vrace’s chapters, showed more of his feelings/buildup towards Katyr compared to Lethander and Keradin. Katyr isn’t a simpering woman, looking for her brother. She actually wants to fight the “enemies.” The plot is just getting started but it ends on a somewhat big cliffhanger.
Review of advance copy received from Author
✨𝒜𝑅𝒞 𝑅𝑒𝓋𝒾𝑒𝓌✨
📖: Knights of Sin and Secrets (The Lustbound Curse Book 1)
After receiving devastating news, Katyr is determined to find answers and accompanies Vrace to the stronghold of the Knights Pantheon. As she resolves to earn her place, she clashes with the brooding leader of the Houndsmen Lethander and meets Keradin, a minstrel priest harboring dangerous secrets. But there’s more to the Knights Pantheon than meets the eye.
Tropes:
🧑🧑🧒🧒Multi POV
⚔️Enemies to lovers
💞Why Choose
🏫Dark academia
🧝Fae vs humans
💫Magic
🌶️Open door
This dark tale explores religion, secret societies, and lore. Katyr is spirited and determined and the Knights all battle their unbidden desires for her. With its gradual reveals and evolving relationships, I cannot wait to see what happens next!
Bristling with mystery, captivating characters, and lusty curses, Knights of Sin and Secrets is a sinfully delightful Knights Templar inspired why choose romantasy.
Huge thanks to the author for the review copy opportunity. This is my honest and voluntary review.
📖: Knights of Sin and Secrets (The Lustbound Curse Book 1)
After receiving devastating news, Katyr is determined to find answers and accompanies Vrace to the stronghold of the Knights Pantheon. As she resolves to earn her place, she clashes with the brooding leader of the Houndsmen Lethander and meets Keradin, a minstrel priest harboring dangerous secrets. But there’s more to the Knights Pantheon than meets the eye.
Tropes:
🧑🧑🧒🧒Multi POV
⚔️Enemies to lovers
💞Why Choose
🏫Dark academia
🧝Fae vs humans
💫Magic
🌶️Open door
This dark tale explores religion, secret societies, and lore. Katyr is spirited and determined and the Knights all battle their unbidden desires for her. With its gradual reveals and evolving relationships, I cannot wait to see what happens next!
Bristling with mystery, captivating characters, and lusty curses, Knights of Sin and Secrets is a sinfully delightful Knights Templar inspired why choose romantasy.
Huge thanks to the author for the review copy opportunity. This is my honest and voluntary review.
July 18, 2026
Book 1 of The Lustbound Curse. And a FANtastic start it is! Look forward to more from this world.
'Knights of Sin and Secrets is a loose and very spicy retelling of Knights Templar legends, but with fae and smutty curses. One-click today if you enjoy forbidden attraction, dark and culty academia, unbelievably raunchy spice, wicked mysteries, enemies to lovers, and so many men to choose from it’s enough to make any girl’s head spin!'
The characters were very appealing and likeable and complicated and compelling and absolutely perfect together. Plot was intriguing and exciting and well paced. World building was excellent and expertly drawn. Thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend.
Grab a copy, kick back and enjoy!.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
'Knights of Sin and Secrets is a loose and very spicy retelling of Knights Templar legends, but with fae and smutty curses. One-click today if you enjoy forbidden attraction, dark and culty academia, unbelievably raunchy spice, wicked mysteries, enemies to lovers, and so many men to choose from it’s enough to make any girl’s head spin!'
The characters were very appealing and likeable and complicated and compelling and absolutely perfect together. Plot was intriguing and exciting and well paced. World building was excellent and expertly drawn. Thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend.
Grab a copy, kick back and enjoy!.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
4 ⭐ 5 🌶️
Hooo boy. This one starts spicy and just gets spicier and spicier. But I suppose that's to be expected when there's a spicy curse on the kingdom lol I really enjoyed following Katyr and her men on this journey, it was fun, spicy and at times pretty suspenseful (especially that third act/cliffhanger) and had a couple unexpected twists that kept me on my toes.
The world building was intense at times which is hard for me, but eventually it started to click as we learned more. I'm not sure if that was just a me problem as I generally have a hard time with fantasy for this reason though....
Overall I loved this one and I'm excited to keep going and see where Katyr, Vrace, Lethander and Keradin end up. Thank you so much to KC for the advanced copy!
Hooo boy. This one starts spicy and just gets spicier and spicier. But I suppose that's to be expected when there's a spicy curse on the kingdom lol I really enjoyed following Katyr and her men on this journey, it was fun, spicy and at times pretty suspenseful (especially that third act/cliffhanger) and had a couple unexpected twists that kept me on my toes.
The world building was intense at times which is hard for me, but eventually it started to click as we learned more. I'm not sure if that was just a me problem as I generally have a hard time with fantasy for this reason though....
Overall I loved this one and I'm excited to keep going and see where Katyr, Vrace, Lethander and Keradin end up. Thank you so much to KC for the advanced copy!
Review of advance copy received from Author
If you want smut and I mean smut with some light Knights Templar reimagining look no further! I love KC Kingmakers book without fail I know I’m going to get some chaotic, red flag men I’ll fall in love with and steamy steamy scenes plus our FMC never has to choose between them so why choose for the win!
I love how KC Kingmaker gives us smut but also good world building and a story that makes you want to keep going and find out what happens next!
I totally judged the book by the cover then I got the ARC and I’m hooked, though I still haven’t fully recovered from KC’s cliffhangers in her earlier series and this one has a cliffy too so KC what do I need to do for you to drop book 2 in my inbox?!
I love KC Kingmakers books and this one is no different!!
I love how KC Kingmaker gives us smut but also good world building and a story that makes you want to keep going and find out what happens next!
I totally judged the book by the cover then I got the ARC and I’m hooked, though I still haven’t fully recovered from KC’s cliffhangers in her earlier series and this one has a cliffy too so KC what do I need to do for you to drop book 2 in my inbox?!
I love KC Kingmakers books and this one is no different!!
Review of advance copy
A great start to a new series!
In this, the first story of a new series by author KC Kingmaker, the worldbuilding is awesome! This world has shifters and fae and familiars and a curse of lust. The curse of lust was a different twist. Our heroine, the daughter of the Selen Homestead, can’t stop wondering what happened to her father and her older brother. They went to war, to fight the fae and nothing has been heard of them since. So, of course, when a Knight of the Pantheon comes through her home, our heroine leaves with him. This is her story, and that of her lovers. Honestly, I cannot recommend anything by KC Kingmaker highly enough.
I received a free advanced reader’s copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
In this, the first story of a new series by author KC Kingmaker, the worldbuilding is awesome! This world has shifters and fae and familiars and a curse of lust. The curse of lust was a different twist. Our heroine, the daughter of the Selen Homestead, can’t stop wondering what happened to her father and her older brother. They went to war, to fight the fae and nothing has been heard of them since. So, of course, when a Knight of the Pantheon comes through her home, our heroine leaves with him. This is her story, and that of her lovers. Honestly, I cannot recommend anything by KC Kingmaker highly enough.
I received a free advanced reader’s copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 18, 2026
Title is very spot on.
Knights, you'll find
Secrets, they keep plenty more than can fit in one book
Sins, well I guess it depen on what is considered a sin :D
and Lustbound cursed ? They all defenitely are !
The spice is off the charts, creative & ever present.
The military (= our knights) have a cult-like vibe, witth a bunch of secrets. (no really ? :D) Combined with the omnipresent lust, it turns what could have been a straightforward "joing the military - train - go to war" story into something better.
Vrace, Ander & Keradin each add another layer of intrigue to the mix.
Simply put, if spice bothers you, this book is likely not for you.
Otherwise, the book has a way of dragging you in that is hard to resist.
Will be keeping an eye out for the next one.
Knights, you'll find
Secrets, they keep plenty more than can fit in one book
Sins, well I guess it depen on what is considered a sin :D
and Lustbound cursed ? They all defenitely are !
The spice is off the charts, creative & ever present.
The military (= our knights) have a cult-like vibe, witth a bunch of secrets. (no really ? :D) Combined with the omnipresent lust, it turns what could have been a straightforward "joing the military - train - go to war" story into something better.
Vrace, Ander & Keradin each add another layer of intrigue to the mix.
Simply put, if spice bothers you, this book is likely not for you.
Otherwise, the book has a way of dragging you in that is hard to resist.
Will be keeping an eye out for the next one.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Wonderful 1st book in another excellent Kingmaker Series. The characters are very likeable, genuine, and well-constructed. The plot (and various subplots), although familiar, has new twists and turns, opens lots of possibilities for the series, and is well-developed. The 'steam' is there and fits both the characters and the plot-lines. The 'magical-mystery' world that Kingmaker develops in the book has great potential for the rest of the series ... and the development is book 1 is excellent. The ending to book 1 leaves you yearning for book 2.
I always enjoy reading a Kingmaker's Series and this one looks to be another Winner. I highly recommend this book and the Series!
I always enjoy reading a Kingmaker's Series and this one looks to be another Winner. I highly recommend this book and the Series!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Guys, you must like a lot of spice in a why choose book, if you are going to read this. Kat is the FMC who longs for a better life than farm life. This is a loose Knights Templar retelling. This book took me a second to get into, but I did like Kat's character development. The guys, I feel need some more fleshing out but that may come later. You really don't know s lot of their back story and I'd like to know more about them. There is a curse on the humans, put upon them by the Fae by making the humans want to get it on all the time. There are some upsetting scenes so check your triggers.
I will definitely be continuing with the series because I need to know more.
I will definitely be continuing with the series because I need to know more.
July 17, 2026
The characters had very good depth at the beginning but I feel as though they lost it after arriving on the hill. Everyone seemed to blend together, no real difference in personality or way of speaking. The story read well and kept me entertained, I did think the cliffhanger was a little obvious but I always try to figure books out before I get to the end. For most people I believe this would be a very nice read especially with the spice content. It most definitely had its spicy qualities and some crude descriptions of scenes that were actually quite refreshing. I would give the second book a chance if the characters felt more individualized.
August 5, 2026
Oh my Virtues! I may have stayed up until 5:30 am to finish this book. Once I got to part four, I just couldn’t put it down, sleep be damned. I freaking love a good quest, and I feel like this whole book was a build up to one of the best quests I’ll ever read. 😂 (with some side quests! Who doesn’t love a good side quest?)
Kat is fierce, and I love her. Vrace is hot, but ANDER?! 🥵 And, I’m sorry, they did *what* with a table leg? I am in awe and shock, and the two cannot be reconciled.
I love that everybody’s getting it on in this book! I can’t wait to get to know Keradin more; he’s so intriguing. Ah, who am I kidding? I can’t wait for more of all of them. And I mean alllll.
Kat is fierce, and I love her. Vrace is hot, but ANDER?! 🥵 And, I’m sorry, they did *what* with a table leg? I am in awe and shock, and the two cannot be reconciled.
I love that everybody’s getting it on in this book! I can’t wait to get to know Keradin more; he’s so intriguing. Ah, who am I kidding? I can’t wait for more of all of them. And I mean alllll.
July 25, 2026
HOW am I to put this story into words without catching a violation?
I was in SUCH a slump. Buuuut.. knightly 'baby legs' and table legs changed that for me. As a lover of the things that make you say wtf in the best way- this hit that and made me giggle while doing it.
When I tell yall I ATE this up.... you guys whew this was HOT. A total page turner for me.
Did I get confused on the virtues and what they stood for and the use of var and vel? Yes. Did I care? No.
I'm literally already slumping on my next read because I just want more Katyr, Lethander, Vrace and poor little Arlo too.
I was in SUCH a slump. Buuuut.. knightly 'baby legs' and table legs changed that for me. As a lover of the things that make you say wtf in the best way- this hit that and made me giggle while doing it.
When I tell yall I ATE this up.... you guys whew this was HOT. A total page turner for me.
Did I get confused on the virtues and what they stood for and the use of var and vel? Yes. Did I care? No.
I'm literally already slumping on my next read because I just want more Katyr, Lethander, Vrace and poor little Arlo too.
July 18, 2026
This book has an interesting premise and a fun historical‑fantasy vibe that I think many readers will enjoy. There's a lot of open door free‑lovin’ throughout. Even with all that, I found myself having a hard time getting fully absorbed in the story. The elements were there, but something about the execution kept me from feeling truly invested.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 20, 2026
Good heavens this was extremely SPICY! 🥵
Katyr,Vrace, Lethander, and Keradin are going to be living rent free in my head for some time to come. This has some very unique world building and an interesting plot, but it's the characters who really move things forward in this particular book. Found family, Forced Proximity and a lot of heat. I would like to leave more Stars but five is still the limit.
Katyr,Vrace, Lethander, and Keradin are going to be living rent free in my head for some time to come. This has some very unique world building and an interesting plot, but it's the characters who really move things forward in this particular book. Found family, Forced Proximity and a lot of heat. I would like to leave more Stars but five is still the limit.
August 15, 2026
Review of advanced copy received from author.
Well I can say this was certainly an…interesting read… I wasn’t quite sure what I was reading for the majority of the time, but it was just something I couldn’t stop reading because of it. Wouldn’t necessarily call that a good thing, but it kept my attention until the end so I’m giving it 3.5 stars. Super weird story though with lots of super raunchy sex that didn’t make sense most of the time.
Well I can say this was certainly an…interesting read… I wasn’t quite sure what I was reading for the majority of the time, but it was just something I couldn’t stop reading because of it. Wouldn’t necessarily call that a good thing, but it kept my attention until the end so I’m giving it 3.5 stars. Super weird story though with lots of super raunchy sex that didn’t make sense most of the time.
Review of advance copy
Umm I don't even know where to begin. I'll put it like this; if you like your Why Choose with more Spice than Plot this is the book for you. This loose retelling of Knights Templar legends involving Fae and a lustful curse is highly entertaining, and the spice level is easily 10 out of 5 chili peppers. LOL!!!
I mean the spice is really SPICING!!! LOL
I mean the spice is really SPICING!!! LOL
July 24, 2026
Knights of Sin and Secrets by K. C. Kingmaker is a great enemies to lovers dark romance. The story is entertaining, interesting, spicy, enjoyable, engaging, dark romance, and more. Knights of Sin and Secrets is the first book in The Lustbound Curse series.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 26, 2026
From the very first chapter, this book captured my attention and didn’t let go!!!
Reading this book was a very pleasurable and dreamy experience.
This first book has aroused my curiosity for what follows in this series….
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Reading this book was a very pleasurable and dreamy experience.
This first book has aroused my curiosity for what follows in this series….
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 18, 2026
Very fast moving pace. Was a little hard for me to understand at first, with all the different ranks in the Order, but the author explains it all throughout the book.
It ends with a cliffhanger that leaves so many questions!!
I have to read the next book!
It ends with a cliffhanger that leaves so many questions!!
I have to read the next book!
July 18, 2026
Review of Advanced Copy:
Right from the first paragraph, this new series pulled me in and did not let me go. The characters and story are fresh and original. The amount of spice was amazing and was an integral part of the story. I’m excited to see this series develop!
Right from the first paragraph, this new series pulled me in and did not let me go. The characters and story are fresh and original. The amount of spice was amazing and was an integral part of the story. I’m excited to see this series develop!
July 24, 2026
The beginning of another great series from KC Kingmaker! Plot and character development is a bit complex but once I was in, I was all in. Not sure how many additional books will be in this series, but it seems like it would support several books as Katyr and her knights begin their adventures!!
July 25, 2026
Ahhh what’s going to happen next?? Book 1 in this spicy, dark academia fantasy was a whirlwind! Curses, fae vs humans, and a strong FMC who fights for what she wants in and outside of the bedroom 😆 If you love a dark Romantasy with lots of inclusive spice then this is the series for you!!
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