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My childhood stolen.

My future robbed.

My life had been hijacked since before I was born.

Every day I woke with air in my lungs was a reminder of what I'd lost. But I didn't escape the most violent cult in the country, and survive four tours in the Army to go down like this.

I was Candle Scott and this was war.

*HARD SIN is not a standalone story. It is the third book in the Alpha Antihero Series.

The Alpha Antihero Series:

HARD LIMIT

HARD JUSTICE

HARD SIN

HARD TRUTH

ebook

First published March 16, 2020

99 people are currently reading
335 people want to read

About the author

Sybil Bartel

50 books1,238 followers
Sybil Bartel is a USA Today Bestselling author of unapologetic Alpha heroes. Whether you're reading her dominant Alpha Elite mercenaries, her protective Alpha Bodyguards, or her page-turning romantic suspense, all of her heroes are sexy-as-sin and unwaveringly Alpha!

Sybil lives in South Florida, and she is forever Oliver's mom.

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5 stars
204 (58%)
4 stars
88 (25%)
3 stars
43 (12%)
2 stars
9 (2%)
1 star
5 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
Profile Image for Serial Romance Librarian.
1,193 reviews297 followers
August 26, 2020
See my review for the last book for my thoughts on this whole fabulous series but I just want to say that Kendall is obnoxious and highly annoying. She is so insensitive and entitled. She is not a “friend” to Candle or Shaila at all! This book sets us up for the MC’s HEA and boy have they earned it after all of their suffering!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Mia Searles (The Muses Circle).
320 reviews52 followers
March 16, 2020
"Tarquin Scott was a digger.
And my digger would've buried me."

Those. words. broke. me. I don't expect you all to understand if you haven't started this series, but good Lord, this third book in the Alpha Antihero quadrilogy had my emotions and anxiety all over the place. The first half of the book my heart hurt so much for Tarquin aka Candle. The love, memories, and guilt he carried around for his Shaila was beautiful in a heartbreaking way. The fact that he was so committed to his bond to her and so committed to carrying out his revenge most definitely had me cheering him on. Then comes the shift. When the big "revelation" happens, Candle's reaction was something that took me completely by surprise. I didn't like it one bit. Nope, I had a hard time getting through some parts towards the end because of his callous behavior. But then I had to take a minute and realize this is why Candle is the alpha antihero. I didn't really think so in the first 2 books. But I most definitely see why he is considered this in HARD SIN. And of course I hung in there and things started to make more sense as more confessions and truths were revealed. By the time I reached that cliffhanger ending, my heart hurt all over again for him. If there is ever a couple that deserves a happily ever after...

Along with this heartwrenching read, we get some really awesome backstory from previous books / characters and meet up with some of our favorite alphas, like Andre Luna and Talon. I know this review was completely vague, but I felt it was necessary since we are getting further and further into Candle's story and don't want to give anything away. Just know this is an absolutely amazing series and with Hard Truth, the final book releasing in May, there is no excuse to not dive in right now and catch up. You won't be disappointed!
Profile Image for Rain.
2,592 reviews21 followers
June 13, 2021
I'm giving this one 4 stars, but my poor heart wants it to only have 1. This one was HARD to read and will crush all your emotions into tiny pieces. I hated it, but like any fine misery, we have to go though the tough parts to get to the good.
Four years out of that hellhole compound in the Florida Everglades and everything in my life was different.
Besides all the heartache, I didn't like the additional drama. Again, I get it, but I didn't like reading it. We don't even get This book is filled with so much guilt and pain from Candle.
She deserved to have her memory on the tallest fucking pedestal there was, because she was the purest person I'd ever know.
There are too many side characters in this one. I just wanted Tarquin and Shaila back.

Profile Image for Kari Hansen.
12.3k reviews92 followers
March 17, 2020
Candle is a man on a mission who is determined to avenge for the wrongs of the past and anyone who stands in his way will become collateral damage. He has no regard for the personal cost and how it has shaped the man he is today. The one thing about Candle of which there is no doubt is that when he loves he loves deeply, unconditionally and truly despite everything that threatens to destroy it.

Candle is one of the most compelling characters I have ever met which combined with the suspense and emotion of this story leads to a heart wrenching cliff hanger that has you wondering how it will all end.

Profile Image for Flo₂₂.
1,611 reviews130 followers
March 17, 2020
unfortunately was like i predicted in the last book, her not being dead,
unfortunately i hated the author choice for her...i felt disgusted , i hated it, i hated all the years they wasted . I don't want even to give more details , i feel disappointed.
Also i don't even think i will read the last book in the series...
I can't believe he didn't try to kill her father,also i can't believe she stayed 7 years doing that,i don't care why she had to, i can't fathom the fact she didn't try something, i can believe at first she couldn't but this many years??? Naaaaah not for the type of characters this author present to us in the last books.
At this point i swear i rather her being dead and him with somebody else, i still like and adore him but not with her ,especially not now . Also i'm tired of all this cliffhangers, so many short books about them, i rather have 2 longer ones, but 4? Come on now. 🙄🙈🙅‍♀️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for KittyLuvr.
598 reviews49 followers
March 16, 2020
Words.
In the right hands, with the right imagination, with the right craftsmanship, words are:
MAGIC
WONDEROUS
POWERFUL
I have loved & enjoyed ALL of Ms. Bartel's books. All of her Alphas. I've rooted for them & their women to achieve happiness, their peace, their love. And I always wanted the good guy to win against the bad guys: including against Candle whenever he occasionally popped up in her other series.
But, no more. No. More.
Because Ms. Bartel's wizardry, her craftsmanship, her stellar writing has FIRMLY & PERMANENTLY placed me in Candle's camp.
In this 3rd book about the making of Tarquin 'Candle' Scott, Ms. Bartel has created a damaged, flawed, tortured anti-H whose lethal, frigid, controlled exterior hides a heart of unimaginable fidelity, love & depth that is in its own way frighteningly fragile.
Everything Candle shows, speaks, does, reeks of danger, lethality & a dispassionate agenda. He allows no one to get close, to know him, to know or understand his past, his goals, his unflagging, unfailing, unrelenting PAIN & LOSS since the death of his woman, Shaila, & their unborn child. And this agony is kept rabidly chained because if it ever slips the shackles Candle's imposed, the world will burn to ashes.
And THIS is the magic & wonder & power of Ms. Bartel's writing for me: I ACHE for this hard, hard man. For his PAIN. For his AGONY. For his unwavering fidelity. Her words on a page that carve DEEP into my emotions, my heart, my reality. Because the entire time I read this (straight through in ONE sitting) all I was aware of was Candle, his focus & goals, his pain, his tormented memories.
This book will pull you deep into this man's loss, his pain, his loyalty & fidelity. His unrelenting path of vengeance against the 2 heinous men who caused the destruction of Tarquin & the birth of Candle.
Do you want to truly FEEL? To ACHE? To CARE about a character? To understand HOW a villain becomes an anti-Hero & yet in his own unique way a Hero? To yearn & long heartbreakingly for him to win? To achieve his peace? His happiness? Read this series. READ IT.
Ms. Bartel has eclipsed herself (IMO) with this series. She's taken a damaged, enraged, tortured & dark man & allowed her readers to understand him.
To admire him.
To empathize & sympathize with him.
To have their hearts bleed for him.

To love him.
578 reviews5 followers
March 13, 2020
🕯Candle🕯& ❤Shaila❤!
Hard Sin by Sibil Bartel is the 3rd book in the Alpha Antihero series and can not be read as a standalone (must be read after Hard Limit #1 and Hard Justice #2).
Like the two previous books, Hard Sin continues with the story of Candle Scott, in a first moment and then with him and Shaila until the end.
I felt profoundly for Candle and Shaila. It broke my heart the way Candle was conducting his life, surviving, only to fulfill his desire to revenge against the ones who made his life miserable. He had lost the only thing he cared the most in his life and and it didn't matter if he ended dead or alive. Then, I broke again for Shaila, for the life she was forced to endure, for the degradation she was put through by the hand of the person who was supposed to protect her in the first place. But I was happy too because, even though they were manipulated and didn't know about each other, Shaila didnt loose her light and fire completly and Candle stayed true! And I liked even more the fact that, this time, Candle didn't hesitate. This is a very emotional, raw and gritty story: seven years later things turned around 360°, both MCs are dealing with internal guilt, helplessness, having a hard time with communication and forgiving themselves and the other, but never, in any part of the book, the reader doubts about their deep love for each other.
I liked that the 'Team' once again comes to rescue (full of 'spirit', as always), that we get to see the River Ranch's taking down from Candle's perspective as well as Kendall's journey after the compound. I also loved that Candle and Shaila maintained their jealousy towards one another and mostly the fact that, even though they are not together in the sense of what they once were, Candle always refers to her as 'my woman'.
Again and for the last time, Sybil give us another killer cliffy to let us feel what we just read and organize our emotions for the Grand Finale!
This is one of the best series I have read and my advice and recommendation is for people to read it and to feel it, it is the greatest way to experience it.
Now give me Hard Truth so I can break again and put myself together once again, because Candle and Shaila are worth it!
Profile Image for Peggy.
2,269 reviews2 followers
March 17, 2020
EXCELLENT - EXCEPTIONAL - AMAZING 😘🥳 Anyone who know’s me, know I adore Sybil Bartel’s books. She is absolutely my favourite author and I’m a voracious reader. I’ve been with her since she started and I’ve never been disappointed. Now, let’s get to this new series. Prepare for it because the emotions that this series brings out was like giving birth _ I thought I was going to stop breathing but then I fell in love. This is a tough, emotionally charged read but so worth it. Hard Sin is the 3rd book in this series and all are about Candle. I have never read such a complicated yet amazing character which was meticulously loved and created by this author. If you’ve read Sybil’s books, you know all about Candle if not, start at the beginning and read the Uncompromising Series. This series starts with a novella, Hard Limit which lays the foundation of this story., then Hard Justice and this, Hard Sin. I have to tell you, I couldn’t have wished louder for another book and just found out that Sybil is adding a 4th to this series and Candle’s story. You don’t want to miss. This series, is much like Sybil’s other series, it is 200% addictive. This series is much more emotional and I later couldn’t decide if I was happy, sad, scared, or anxious at any given time. This girl can write her pants off. This is not to be missed, trust me. Simply AMAZING! 😊🥰
Profile Image for Kristin.
318 reviews16 followers
March 17, 2020
An Emotional & Heartfelt Story That Will Captivate You.

Hard Sin is the 3rd book in The Alpha Antihero Series. Hard Limit & Hard Justice need to be read first.

Hard Sin is an emotional and heartfelt story. Once more my heart breaks for Tarquin 'Candle' and all he has been through with growing up in a violent cult, barely escaping and learning to adapt in society. His anger, rage, pain, and sadness is so palpable that you can almost taste it. Sybil's story and words are written with skill and heart that you can't help but feel as if you are right there with Candle. Be ready as Candle makes his way towards his future. This story is going to take you on a rollercoaster full of emotions. So strap in and get ready for one heck of a bumpy read. Don't forget your tissues.

I love all of Sybil’s Alphas and Antiheroes. I am hooked on The Alpha Antihero Serie. I absolutely love this series and Candle. I look forward to reading more about Candle and his story in Hard Truth. Candle's story will captivate you from beginning to end. 5 Stars
Profile Image for LianaReads blog.
2,801 reviews246 followers
March 14, 2020
When you discover a new to me author and start reading everything she writes because you get so hooked up on her characters, I always found it so interesting the way she does the secondary characters and more so when that character is the villain.
Hard Sin is the third book in the series and it’s not a stand-alone.
Tarquin “Candle” Scott is everything that you can expect from a great villain but you just can’t fall in love with him and his story. His heart was broken in the cruellest way and even after so many years of longing and despair, the heartbreaking story is not over. Just like in real life, this story has two beautiful souls that are meant to be together through all the hell that life is throwing in their path.
I need the next and final book to finally have my heart back and see that light at the end of the tunnel for him and his heroine.
Dark and haunting but so addictive, Candle’s story will steal your breath away.
Profile Image for Mack Black.
Author 7 books32 followers
May 15, 2020
My heart broke and broke and broke again and again. Man, Sybil Bartel can really make your emotions go on a roller coaster ride of infinite loops and turns. Every moment in this book I waited and waited and waited for the revenge I knew Candle would take. Then something shocked me to my very core. I did not see that coming, though I guess other readers did. I love that we get one more book in this series to really finish it out and I cannot wait to see what happens next. Candle is the ultimate antihero. His story is epic. It spans years and lots of bloodshed. It delivers love and pain and bonds that cannot be broken no matter how much time passes. I think this series is my favorite of Bartels so far.
54 reviews
March 13, 2020
OMG my heart is bleeding and yet another cliffe hanger, bring on book 4 but pleeeaaaase say its a HEA for this troubled alpha! You can feel the pain and the heartache throughout the whole book. I love how all the other characters have a role to play and that you can see how all the stories fit together especially the one about Andre Luna and Kendal. Another must read from this author, go to love her dominant alpha males and sassy take no nonsense females to keep them in line! Loved it cant wait for book 4!
Profile Image for Jericho McKraven.
Author 1 book14 followers
November 25, 2020
So this is the book that really hooked me. It actually had a twist to it I wasn't expecting! 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽

Don't judge me too harshly for the three star rating. I never read anything with motorcycles in it 🤨 and while I love alpha males with dark tendencies I'm really not into the glorification of abuse. This book bordered on realistic and fantastical both inside and outside of the bedroom. I found it good but not amazing.

If you're looking for some triggering smut with an engaging, dark storyline, this series is soooooo for you!
Profile Image for Reyne Clark.
406 reviews46 followers
March 13, 2020
Sybil Bartel is the Queen of Hot Alpha Heroes and Hard Sin did not disappoint! And Candle Scott is such a fantastic, multi faceted character with such a layered story! I have enjoyed everything about this Series and can not wait for the final book, Hard Truth. If you enjoy reading stories about Ex-Military Alpha Heroes, Sassy Strong Heroines, and a plotline that is explosive and entertaining, this is a read you will thoroughly enjoy! 5 Entertaining Stars!
182 reviews
March 17, 2020
When I first started reading this series, I had NO idea the emotion that would come pouring from those pages. Book 2 had be sobbing uncontrollably, and book 3 hit me in the feels at only six pages in! That just may be a record! Hard Sin is book three in the Alpha Antihero series and packs just as much punch as its predecessors. Sybil has quickly developed the jaw dropping art of the cliffhanger because I am literally jonesing for the conclusion of Candle’s story!
Profile Image for Cindy. .
27 reviews
March 18, 2020
WTF!.. that’s my reaction to the ending .. please give me the next book I need it so bad don’t leave me hanging like that😩 this book was so good I am in love with this series but again I really need the next book 😆 I didn’t want to stop reading I’m really hoping in the next book that they finally get the happy ever after .. and Dam I’m loving this cheeky talon ☺️ does he have a story of his own I’d love to read that one ..
Profile Image for ToniAnn.
654 reviews12 followers
March 18, 2020
Oh god. I've been gutted, put back together, to be gutted again. This book has many trigger warnings, but, you will fall in love. The twist and turns while reading Hard Sin leave you speechless. I didn't realize how emotional this book would have left me. It is not a standalone book. You will need to read the others in this series for Hard Sin to make sense to you. Be warned, they are all shocking!
Profile Image for Shelly Shaw.
302 reviews6 followers
March 13, 2020
Omigosh. I would give this book 500 stars if I could. Sybil Bartel knows how to write a real and emotional story. I feel as if the characters are my family. I cried, I laughed, (cause Talon just does it for me) and boy, some parts scared the bejesus outta me. The characters are strong, smart and street savvy. I wait patiently for the next book! Fantastic work, Sybil Bartel! Keep it up!
585 reviews
March 16, 2020
Sybil has outdone herself!! Once again, I fell in love with Candle while still wanting to shake some sense into him. Don’t get me wrong, I wanted to do the same to Shaila at times. But wow, the chemistry is so true between them. I couldn’t put this down and once again can’t wait for the next book in the series.
Profile Image for Kaye Gacho.
19 reviews
March 17, 2020
OMG

This book took me on a roller coaster ride more than the first two did!!!
I Love it so damn much!!!!

At first, Tarquin “Candle” Scott is the guy you wouldn’t cheer for, but reading more of him made me love him just like I love all of Sybil’s guys.

I cannot freaking wait for the last book and I’m cheering for him to get his happy ever after!
54 reviews1 follower
March 18, 2020
I love this series. And Candle is my favorite book boyfriend. Hard Sin is the third book in the series and it certainly did not disappoint. I have cried and yelled at this book so many times. It is full of emotion. It is a truly beautiful story and I cannot wait until the final book to see how it will end!
Profile Image for Tameka.
467 reviews5 followers
March 27, 2020
Don't care how Candle acted I'm just glad he has the opportunity to act. After book 2 I thought I was done but thank you for not killing me. I LOATHE cliffhangers and usually wait until a series is complete before I read but I saw the warning to late. Can't wait to finish this my anxiety can't take my h more.
Profile Image for Booknook Reviews .
443 reviews8 followers
March 15, 2020
Trigger warning: sexual and physical assault

My review- 

What worked for me:
-the many twists and turns kept me on my toes
-the plot flowed well from the previous books
-it was filled with angst, suspense, action, turmoil and love 
-I am thrilled there will be a fourth book
Profile Image for Kimberly Brodsky.
12 reviews1 follower
March 16, 2020
Wow just wow, my heart is in my throat right now with this doozy of a cliff hanger. By far one of Sybil’s best books to date, the twists and turns in this 3rd book had me turning pages so fast. Hurry and get your copy, you will not be disappointed.
Profile Image for Angela Giles.
62 reviews1 follower
March 18, 2020
Omg

Omg...Candle is great. My heart bleeds for him! Military straighten him. The MC made him vicious. His past wants to kill him. I can't wait for the final story to get here. I need it badly!!!
Profile Image for Kathy Ball.
83 reviews3 followers
March 19, 2020
All the feelings

Again, you don’t disappoint! I laughed, cried, felt everything! I didn’t want the story to end! I love the twists and can’t wait for the next story! ❤️💪❤️💪 I love candle!
Profile Image for Marcie Sloan.
199 reviews
April 1, 2020
A-freaking-mazing!

Did I just blackout along with Tarquin? That just happened, right!? What an unbelievable third book! Sybil Bartel has done amazing with this group of men and I can't believe I have to wait till June to read the next one, but I will wait. Expect lots of begging!
Profile Image for Bonnie Jennings.
170 reviews16 followers
May 19, 2020
There was so much that happened in this book. Get the tissues people, you'll need them! I didn't like Tarquin at the beginning of this series, but after this book......
It ended in a major cliffhanger. And then I had to wait. Ugh.
This book is worth the 5 star rating.
Profile Image for Gayle.
83 reviews
March 19, 2020
Loved this book. Love this author. Can’t wait for Hard Truth
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews

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