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The Original Sin trilogy continues – step into the sadistic world of America’s most depraved cult to reveal their sinister secrets, wicked games, ruthless desires, and the darkest deception of all…

MASON
Jolie Chastain should’ve known better than to betray a man like me.
She thought she was safe. She thought no one else knew her darkest secret. But I’ve been here all along, lurking in the shadows, and I know exactly what she did.
She’ll pay for her sins when I take her and make her confess. I’ll be her nightmare. I’ll control her every move. Her every word. I’ll own her pleasure and her pain, and by the time I’m done with her, she won’t even be safe in her own mind.
I’m going to ruin her, and she’s never going to escape.
Not now that she’s my pretty little toy…

JOLIE
I promised myself I’d never be a captive again. I told myself it wouldn’t happen.
I was wrong.
Mason Ashwood will never be done with me. He’s cruel and sadistic, and he wants to destroy me. Break me apart, shatter me into pieces.
I should be terrified of him, but my traitorous body won’t allow it. Every blow he inflicts upon me brings me pleasure instead of pain, and every time he steps into my cage, my knees go weak and my heart quickens.
It’s wrong to want him this badly, but I can’t deny it. I don’t want to escape anymore. I don’t want to go home.
I want to be his captive forever.

Note: This novel contains disturbing content that may be offensive to some readers.

Torment is the second book in the Original Sin trilogy. The story continues in Toy.

240 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 24, 2019

272 people are currently reading
187 people want to read

About the author

Stella Hart

33 books302 followers
Stella Hart is the dark romance pen name of Alessandra Hart. She loves animals, red wine, and rainy days where she can curl up inside and plot new books instead of having to go out.

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5 stars
211 (55%)
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111 (29%)
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42 (11%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
Profile Image for Melanie (mells_view).
1,929 reviews395 followers
May 25, 2019
What happens after the cult.

This is essentially what happens for Jolie and Mason after the cult is broken up. It’s where the whole captive romance really takes off. Mason has gone from good guy to the bad guy we met at the end of the prologue. Jolie has answers that he needs and he knows exactly how to get them from her. This book isn’t pretty, but we do find some things out and we learn that everything isn’t as it seems.

All in all a good addition to this series and one I enjoyed more than the prologue and the first book. We’re getting more into the present nitty gritty and it’s about to be good!
2,090 reviews31 followers
May 21, 2019
We are back with Mason and Jolie and she has done the unspeakable and has betrayed him. He will never forgive her, he will inflict his pain on her and she will take it. Jolie will never be free of Mason, he wants to rule every aspect of her life, she should be very afraid but the pain he gives her ignites a fire in her belly and her body betrays her every time. Mason will stop at nothing until he’s broken Jolie and shattered her life. Will these two survive the feelings that are bubbling to the surface? Another great addition to this series. Loved it!
Profile Image for Tammy.
9,118 reviews50 followers
May 24, 2019
This is the second book in the series and I do recommend reading them in order. Mason and Jolie’s story continues. This is a dark and intense read with loads of drama and suspense. A roller coaster ride of emotions as you are drawn into the characters pain. I was hooked from beginning to end. I loved it!
Profile Image for EroticaAfterDark (Lilith).
2,780 reviews957 followers
Want to read
May 24, 2019
Profile Image for Ruba.
118 reviews3 followers
April 14, 2020
This is NOT a captive romance!
This part of the story follows life after the escape and is really heartbreaking BUT could have been so much better if not for the repetition and prolonged denial between the characters and really stretched miscommunication story about how they've spent eight years apart (didn't buy it). Mason is in clear pain and is cruel and calculating and Jolie is still a lost girl which was sad and so you move onto book 3 hoping for the best for both of them. Again, I was skim reading paragraphs that continuously repeated the same thoughts.

It's not a captive romance
Profile Image for  Thea™.
3,777 reviews11 followers
March 25, 2021
Amazing continuation of the story!! 😍
Book #2 Torment begins just before the prologue of book #1, Taken. The year is 2018 and Jolie is free and lives her life, but obviously she is still traumatized by what happened in New Eden. We read what she has been up to since the FBI raid on the compound (2010)... and what happens when Mason finally finds her again (2018).
⚠️➡️➡️ ⬅️⬅️⚠️
I suspected/predicted from the beginning (prologue book #1) that Mason was gonna blame Jolie for things that happened to him... and I'm actually kinda surprised that I was right this time. 😁 Obviously I didn’t know exactly what would happen or how and why. Turns out, that why Mason hates Jolie, and why Jolie thinks Mason hates her…. well, those are two completely different things. And that causes quite a few 'miscommunications'. 😏
Very well done by Stella Hart!! Absolutely love this series! 😍 {Wát een goed verzonnen verhaal!!!}
No need to say I'm gonna continue with the conclusion (book #3, Toy) right away!!

Books must be read in order!
Torn (Original Sin #0.5) by Stella Hart Taken (Original Sin #1) by Stella Hart Torment (Original Sin #2) by Stella Hart Toy (Original Sin #3) by Stella Hart
Profile Image for Renee.
5,193 reviews73 followers
June 2, 2019
I received a copy of this book from Booksprout to review.

Mason: Jolie Chastain should've known better than to betray a man like me. She thought she was safe. She thought no one else knew her darkest secret. But I've been here all along, lurking in the sadows, and I know exactly what she did. She'll pay for her sins when I take her and make her confess. I'll be her night mare. I'll control her every move. Her every word. I'll own her pleasure and her pain, and by the time i'm done with her, she won't even be safe in her own mind. I'm going to ruin her, and she is never going to escape. Not now tht she's my pretty little toy.

Jolie: I pormised myself I'd never be a captive again. I told myself it wouldn't happen. I was wrong. Mason Ashwood will never be done with me. Break me apart, shatter me into pieces. I should be terrified of him, but my traitorous body won't allow it. every blow he inflicts upon me brings my pleasue insead of pain, and every time he steps into my cage, my knees go weak and my heart quickens. It's wrong to want him this badly, but I can't deny it. I don't want to escape anymore. I don't want to go home. I want to be his captive forever.

This is the second book in Stella Harts Original SIn Trilogy. You must read the first book first or your gong to be lost. Torment begins with Jolie doing the worst thing she could ever do and betryaing Mason. Mason is never ever gonig to forgive her. This man is going to inflict some serious pain on her and she is going to take it like the woman she is. He is going to rule every aspect of her life and will never be free again. You would think that Stella would be terrified but she isn't. There is no denying that the man lights a fire deep within her that she is helpless to. Are these two going to be able to make it though the feelings that are coming to the surface. This book is dark and absolutley amaing. I can not wait to the next book to get more of Mason and Stella!!
Profile Image for R.K. Tejaswi.
Author 2 books7 followers
May 25, 2019
More Pain and Torment

The story starts in present after 8 years from where Taken has ended with Jolie leading a free life with PTSD from the New Eden and Mason stalking her after surviving the bomb plant by Jacob (Jolie's Dad). First two chapters go by what happened in the lives of Jolie, Mason and New Eden Sadistic, after the exposure of New Eden.

In Taken's prologue there was glimpse of Jolie being Mason's captive and how he claiming her killed his family and she was shocked to know what she did. But after reading the Taken, I personally felt like how a person who loves Jolie can take her as his captive. Towards the ending the author had given a clue that this might be the reason for him to captivates her and take revenge on her.

Torment has the ability to blow up the readers mind with lot of twists and turns. What really happened, what had been misunderstood, what decision that had been made changed their lives entirely and they both react knowing the truth. Though Mason torments Jolie in the worst brutal way, he loves her to the core. Whether it was Taken or Torment, during the ending if there is anyone I felt sorry, that was for Mason more than Jolie. Now have to wait for another one month to know where the story takes Mason and Jolie next.

Warning: Kind heartened people, please don't read this book. Even for a person like me who have read fair amount BDSM/dark romances, this book had shook me in few scenes.
4,143 reviews25 followers
May 24, 2019
Fantastic, but very, very hard to read
Attention spoiler of the book 1
Once again Stella Hart has managed to make me read his story as we watch a horror movie: we hide our eyes, but we want to know more.
It is extremely hard, violent 3/4 of the book, but also surprising, unpredictable by the turn of events that make it remains a very dark romance, with hints of sectarian conditioning, while still remaining a romance.
8 years after being released by the FBI from the sect of her father who ran away, Jolie, is still trying to rebuild her life, but she is an alcoholic, unemployed because she has panic attacks or abnormal reactions facing people when her conditioning past paralyzes her. She has the impression of being watched, she receives strange notes of threats, without ever seeing anyone until Mason, the one whom she betrayed, abductes her, tortures her to punish her for what she did, but also to know where her father is. For Jolie, her father died in a plane crash with the other men of the cult and devoured by the alligators, but Mason is convinced that she is lying and that they are hidden somewhere. He wants his revenge, and in front of the one she once loved, Jolie, discovers a monster.
There's a good end, but at the same time, this part ended on an intolerable cliffhanger before the last book.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book
Profile Image for Misty Schott.
4,225 reviews34 followers
May 26, 2019
This book is more intense and twisted than the first one!!!!

Just a note: This book is book two in the Original Sin series. Please be sure to read the prequel, Torn and book one, Taken before reading this book or you will be lost. Also this book does end on a heart stopping cliffhanger and I can't wait for book three, Toy.

Eight years ago Jolie Chastain and all the other innocent members of the Path of the Covenant cult were rescued by the FBI. All thanks to the effort of Jolie and Mason, but Jolie never heard from Mason again and just assumed he no longer wanted her in his life. Mason has been trying to find Jolie for years and by a stroke of luck he has located her, too bad for her his intentions are not pure. He believes that she is to blame for what happened to him and his family the day the cult was raided by the FBI and he plans to make her pay. Grab this intensely exciting second book to this dark twisted romance series and hang on for the emotional roller coaster ride that will follow. This is a great read and I highly recommend this series to all dark romance lovers out there!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for MaLoBe.
484 reviews2 followers
May 25, 2019
Cruel, ferocious and utterly heartbreaking - fantastic read!

He thought getting revenge by inflicting pain was all he wanted. That getting his hands on Jolie will give him peace of mind and allow him to reconcile his past and get rid of pain and relief heartbreak. He couldn't be more wrong.
In the second part of trilogy Jolie and Mason are dealing with aftermath of exposing the cult to the public. They are trying to work through trauma they suffered. And now it is even darker, crueller more painful. Will Jolie sustain all the vicious, savage, brutish, atrocious things Mason throws her way? Will they move past everything they inflicted on each other?
I really enjoyed reading this dark story, full of mystery, suspense, and conflicted emotions. I read it in one sitting. All the twists just made this story even more intense and more interesting. I was so immersed and captivated by how the plot flowed that I didn't even noticed when I reached the end and cliffhanger. Can't wait to see what is going to happen in the third part.
Profile Image for Lisa Hill.
530 reviews13 followers
May 27, 2019
This series just gets better and better. Torment starts in the present day, some eight years after the cliffhanger ending of Taken, the first book in the series.

Jolie is trying to make her way through life, some times more successfully than others. She’s been receiving strange notes, which she assumes are from her cranky neighbour.

When Mason Attwood reappears in her life, she’s shocked. She thought he’d died years ago. She realises all the weird things happening to her are because of him. He thinks she betrayed him and he’s out for retribution.

As usual with a story from this author, there’s more than one twist in the tale. There’s dark brutality and passionate love. There’s heart wrenching feelings and colossal misunderstandings. All of these combine to make a great book which sets up the series for an epic conclusion. I can’t wait.
Profile Image for Soscha.
401 reviews9 followers
May 23, 2019
I was on the fence with the first book in the "Original Sin" series, because the darkness level was a bit past my personal comfort level but I'm glad I took a chance on the next entry.

It's still plenty dark, but the actual things that would personally be a no-go for me are mostly handled "off page"---you know they've happened, but you're not personally witness to them in the narrative.

There is very little of actual sex here---this is more deeply emotion erotica, and in that it offers quite the ride. It's like a pay cable soap opera that you'd binge-watch as you turned to your fellow fanatics--"Sweet Marie--did you SEE that? Did he really---NO, Mason, no! Baby, what is you doin'???"

Anyway, while I couldn't count exactly count this as "fun"read, it sure is entertaining. And I can't look away.

Bring on the next volume!
Profile Image for Zelda.
1,456 reviews
May 24, 2019
This is book two in the Original Sins trilogy & they must be read in order. Torment starts eight years after the dramatic final events of Taken. I can't say much about Jolie & Mason because there is no way I want to spoil this dark goodness for anyone. Trigger warnings-some parts of this story are brutal. There is some major change in the characters, and the story reveals what they have gone through in the past, both in terms of events and emotions. I was so ambivalent about sections of this book, wondering how on earth these two could possibly move forward from their pasts. It was a late night getting through this one, and there is more to come. If you are into taboo cults, and twisted, sadistic characters, this dark series is a must.

I received a copy of this book. My honest review is voluntarily provided.
1,634 reviews1 follower
May 24, 2019
Holy Crap! SPEECHLESS...not!👍👍👍👍👍
My husband thought for sure I had finally lost it. I was screaming profanities and throwing my kindle and slamming my fists into the mattress while he was sleeping. Too damnn bad. I was ticked off in shock and needed to vent from the brutality this fantastic well written read kept putting me through. Dark and dripping in non-stop brutal twisted revenge plagued the entirety of the storyline. A vacation infused with cruel torture taking you straight into the hands of helll wanting it to stop but your pleas refused to be heard. A Wicked pain filled read that is impossible not to feel the pain and hurt oozing through the storyline. Unexpected demanding twists that are hard to read and at times hard to digest. The chemistry is touch and go but riddled with impacting emotions. An incredibly dark cruel read that I desperately have got to read more of.
396 reviews9 followers
June 22, 2019
Mason's payback isn't going exactly as planned

Mason’s been waiting for years to get his hands on Jolie again. He’s put A LOT of time, money and thought into abducting her and holding her captive. He wants to make her pay for her role in the worst day of his life. He wants to hurt her. Ruin her. Make her do all the dirty, dirty things he’s been fantasizing about, whether she wants to or not.

But it’s not going exactly as planned. She’s not reacting the way he expected. Something is off, but he isn’t sure if she’s playing him or if there’s something he doesn’t know. Worse yet, she’s making him feel all kinds of emotions and desires he thought he’d locked away. That's when things tend to get messy.
Profile Image for Andrea.
178 reviews20 followers
May 25, 2019
Oh my, this series keeps getting better with each book! Torment picks up several years after the fall of New Eden cult and the cliffhanger ending of the first book. Again, we get insight into where life has taken both Mason and Jolie from dual points of view. Be warned that the darkness of this story is as dark, if not darker, than what occurred while they were living underground as members of New Eden. This book is intense and fast-paced and truly nothing is quite what it seems, further adding to the mystery and suspense of the story as a whole. In this book we really get to see the strength (and weakness) of the love and bond Mason and Jolie have shared. As with the first book of this series, I read it non-stop from cover to cover and cannot wait to see how things end for Mason and Jolie in the upcoming final book of the Original Sin trilogy.
2,157 reviews14 followers
May 25, 2019
Mason Ashwood survives a revenge hit for taking down a cult but his family weren't so lucky. Mason will never forgive those responsible for hurting his family and doesn't believe the story about the cult leaders dying in a plane crash. Mason has no idea where the cult leaders are but he's going to get them back if it's the last thing he does and he starts the ball rolling by kidnapping the prophet's beautiful daughter Jolie Chastain, the woman who betrayed him. Note: this story ends in a cliffhanger.

Tormentor is a dark, brutal and suspenseful story that's unputdownable. I can't wait to read Toy, Book 3 of the Original Sin series.
Profile Image for Rhonda Hicks.
4,644 reviews84 followers
May 25, 2019
Once again, Stella Hart has left me with a pile of tissues in the trash can next to me, my heart pounding and my hands shaking by the time I finished this book. I'm not sure I can convey the amount of emotion this book will wring from it's reader. It's dark, powerful, gritty, sad, heartbreaking, and awe inspiring all at the same time. And once more it ends on a HUGE cliffhanger that I can't wait to see what she does with, because it broke my heart, truthfully.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
1,708 reviews5 followers
May 27, 2019
I thought this book was even better and more intense than the prequel or book one. It had me on the edge of my seat. I didn't want to put it down, even when I had to. Beware, the storyline is dark and definitely won't be for everyone. However, if you like dark and twisted stories, i would recommend this series. Just make sure you read them in order. I can't wait to see where Jolie and Mason end up in book three.
*I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. This is my honest review.*
Profile Image for Sharon.
4,152 reviews31 followers
June 1, 2019
This is a brilliant story with wonderful characters. I advise readers to read Taken before reading this book, so you understand the history of what is happening. It does end on a cliffhanger and there are possible triggers in this as it’s a dark romance. I can’t wait for the next book to find out what happens to these characters. This is a book that you shall want to start reading when you are sitting comfortably as you won’t want to get up and move till you have finished reading the book! I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Cheryl Frias.
246 reviews1 follower
June 15, 2019
Omg he’s so pissed off at Jolie he thinks she is responsible for the killing of his complete family. What a sick twisted story very tragic. The cult is really evoke and sick and demented. He will get his revenge on all the men of the cult whom was suppose to be milked in a plan crash. Wow what a surprise there not dead 💀. Mason is going to punish Jolie for her part in there deaths a very cruel punishment. Only to find out later she had nothing to do with it. It all was a set up. Very good read keep writing just love ❤️ a foot HART book 📖
Profile Image for Mawgan Dipple.
1,694 reviews
May 22, 2019

This was the next instalment of this series bringing everything up to present date, filling in all the details I craved from the previous two books. Mason was dark and sadistic in his revenge, as Jolie believed he was just in his torment. This was a great read where you hoped things would turn around but they just cant. Each was missing the other all those years apart but just not knowing the truths blinded them in to guilt and hatred. Can't wait for book 3 now.
Profile Image for Michele Evans.
1,213 reviews9 followers
November 20, 2019
Another crazy dark story!

Mason is back from the dead, almost literally. After surviving the car bomb and discovering his family was brutally murdered, Mason is back years later with a vengeance. He has all his vengeance directed at Jolie as he believes she betrayed him to her father and his cult of men. This story keeps you glued, and ends on a cliffhanger, gotta go read the rest!!!!
1,054 reviews10 followers
October 11, 2025
I thought the book started of well - mysterious and exciting. However, once the book started going, it just started to lose me when I got a chance to see how dysfunctional Mason and Jolie were. I understand Stockholm syndrome and like reading dark romance, but this one was just so out there. Mason's out for revenge after what happened to his family, and even reading reading book 1, I knew there was a misunderstanding coming up, but the aftermath of them finding this out was too out there.
Profile Image for Gladys.
13.9k reviews163 followers
May 24, 2019
This is book two in Mason and Jolie's story and things are getting hotter and even more intense. This book is one that just pulls you in, keeps you on edge and has you desperate to keep reading. The emotional turmoil is thick as Mason and Jolie continue their complex dance of anger, desire, pain and pleasure. This book will not be for everyone, but if you enjoy dark romances, I highly recommend you check out this incredible series. Of my own choice I am posting a sincere review.
Profile Image for Kim Wijnja.
1,354 reviews5 followers
May 24, 2019
wow .. the first part was already intense .. but this part is certainly also known. I really enjoyed this story again.
the second part is more emotional than the first. the main characters are again well described and a good continuation of the first part of the series. from me therefore 4 stars

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for T.
2,056 reviews
May 25, 2019
Holy...just holy...at a loss for words. That was evil, dark, nasty, and horrible! I can't wait for the next one!!
There are a TON of triggers in this book...don't read it if you are sensitive to very dark reads.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Michelle.
10.6k reviews28 followers
May 26, 2019
Torment is book two of the Original Sin trilogy and Mason and Jolie's dark, twisted romance continues captivating me. This book starts eight years after the collapse of the cult and took me on a dark and sometimes disturbing ride but I loved every crazy twist along the way. I can't wait to read the rest of this deliciously gritty story. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.
2,365 reviews4 followers
June 24, 2019
First of all I can’t believe I missed the release of this book, I loved part one and then when book 3 arrived in the arc files, I realised I had missed book 2! Of course I HAD to read it straight away 😉 great storyline, got to admit to being a bit not sure how I feel about all the abuse but of course moving straight onto book 3 😁
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