The safest kind of love for Camille Devereaux has always been none at all. No attachments. No friends. No family. Nothing more than a one night stand whenever the itch got too strong to scratch by herself – and it always worked for her. She was one of the best free agents in the business. If you wanted intel on someone, she could get it. If you wanted a sticky situation resolved, she could fix … it. And if you wanted someone to quietly disappear? Well, for the right price she could do that too.
It all worked perfectly until one of the biggest crime lords in the city decided he wanted her on the payroll full-time. Exclusively on his payroll. At first she had refused, but then he found a weak spot that even Camille hadn’t known about, and once she knew? There was no saying ‘no’ to Patrick Callahan.
That was how she found herself on the wrong side of the gun, in a sticky situation of her own, on her knees before the head badass from a rival criminal organization – Mateo Salvai. All he wants when he first meets Camille is to get the answers his boss wants from her, using his own devious methods, but once he meets this feisty, strong woman, all his plans go out the window. He’s fascinated by her, he craves her, and once he realizes she’s his perfect match he knows he can’t let her go.
Yet, the world they run in is dangerous and there are no easy options when they both report to powerful men bent on the other’s destruction. Will Mateo break his loyalties to protect Camille, and will Camille let go of her long-held rules to let him help her?
Jump in to the criminal underworld of these two assassins and get ready for a no holds barred, sexy, intense rush to the explosive conclusion of ‘Lethal Sin’, book one of the Dangerous Games series!
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“I really love a girl who can kick my ass…”
That’s a line from Cowboy Bebop, but it works equally as well as a description for Camille from Lethal Sin. There is *nothing* weak about our main heroine in this sexy thriller, and in all respects, it is made abundantly clear that she can pretty much kick anyone’s ass.
Lethal Sin is probably best categorized as a ‘capture’ romance, though it teeters on the edge of that description. Early in the story it becomes quite apparent that Camille can hold her own in pretty much any situation, and only needs an opportunity to arise before she’ll easily turn the tables on her captor.
Mateo, our requisite bad boy here, has orders to get info out of our badass heroine. She’s got other ideas. Circumstances dictate that she’s not going to give the information up Mateo wants, and she’s well aware of all the tricks he’s going to use. The knowledge that she’s onto him—something Mateo soon discovers because she’s got the cojones to just outright tell him so—provides him with even more of a challenge than he’s expected. However, as he continues his little games, he uncovers a few details about our heroine which alter the course of both of their lives in equally dramatic ways.
So many capture romances revolve around the woman discovering her ‘feelings’ for her captor over the course of story, and finding she loves his ‘raw, aggressive dominant nature’ or something along those lines. What I loved about this book is that the author flipped the trope. Camille comes into this right from the get-go knowing what Mateo is all about (it’s clear he’s an Alphahole, albeit one with his own code of ethics), and pretty much everything he’s going to do to try and break her for the information he needs. She’s got all his moves pegged. And, true to form, Mateo goes about proving her right. Until *he* becomes the one to realize it’s he who is starting to fall for her. She’s every bit the match for him in terms professionally, but also in bed too. Just as he does, she knows what she wants, what gets her off, and she doesn’t shy away from it. She takes ownership of her sexuality, even in the midst of circumstances that are definitely non-con at first. It’s her sheer self-assuredness and downright ballsy-ness that brings him around, and what starts as him being at odds with her ends with the two joining together to resolve the issues confronting them.
The meat of this story really is Mateo’s slow realization of what is burgeoning between he and Camille, and—as one would expect—the incredibly hot sex they end up engaging in doesn’t hurt in that regard. What is nice in this book is that, unlike other stories using this trope, their chemistry in the bedroom solidifies the story rather than seem shoe-horned in for the sake of having it there. That, coupled with Camille just being a total badass who doesn’t submit to Mateo (in the sense that one sees in all too often in these types of stories), really helps make this book stand out.
There is a prequel to this book (Early Sins) that I did not read before I began this one, but I can assure you I will. Once you’ve met Camille, you are really going to want to know more about her.
Oh, and Mateo too, I suppose.
Great novel, plenty of steamy smexy-times that aren’t just wedged in for effect, and a heroine who exemplifies bad-assery… If *any* of those sound appealing, you are going to love Lethal Sin.
C or Camille is lethal until she momentarily let her guard down and she was taken and now she was being tortured by a man who knew what to do kill her, or not. Fantastic conclusion for this duet it has had me gripped the whole way through, dramatic yes, suspense yes, romance oh my a big yes, perfect for me. I voluntarily reviewed this book.
amille and Mateo, two peas of the same pods, both assassins , but working for different bosses. She is caught in the Irish Mafia and he is working for the Italian Mafia and Mateo is looking for the whereabouts of her boss and he will use any means possible to gain the information from her. Their battle of wills and resourcefulness makes this an amazing story from Jennifer Bene. You can be guaranteed that there is a surprise lurking around the corner in all her books! I volunteered to review this story.
INTENSE. SEXY. EDGY. SUSPENSEFUL. Lethal Sin is all of this and so… much… more. There is nothing typical about Camille and Mateo. They don’t have regular 9 to 5 jobs. And there is absolutely nothing normal about the way they meet. It’s not sweet or consensual. But their meeting is EXPLOSIVE! I love the chemistry, the tension… During the story, I cringed at times. I worried what would happen. I peeked between my fingers. But most of all, I LOVED THIS BOOK.
First, let me thank Jennifer Bene for not ending this book with one of her killer cliffhangers. There is no cliffhanger folks! This was a great story with a strong female character. Camille is smart, strong, and can take out anyone she desires. Enter Mateo. He is equally as smart and strong, and also can take out anyone. But what happens when these two cross paths? Hot, hot, and more hot. These two are explosive, both in and out of the bedroom. Jennifer leaves nothing to the imagination in the detailed, panty soaking scenes. The situation these two characters find themselves in will have you reading through the night to find out who gets their butt kicked next and in what positions Camille and Mateo can get themselves into. It’s not your typical love story.
Oh how I enjoy Ms. Bene’s unapologetic, non-PC stories.
This book starts fast and furious and does not slow down until the end. Her characters are well developed and have the feeling of a deep personal understanding of all their “actions and reactions” 😉 by the author.
I enjoy the darker kind of romance but Ms. Bene has a special place among my favourite authors.
This book was so good. Jennifer Bene writes characters and story lines that make the reader want more and more. This story was hard to put down. Camille and Mateo were made for each other and Jennifer describes and paints their story perfectly!
I was in awe of the strength of C. Her ability to still have a heart after all the things she has done and had to do. I loved her courage and her sassy mouth when dealing with Mateo. He definitely met his match with her. This story brings a whole new meaning to, how was your day, dear?
This is brutal, intense, kinky and funny read. I couldn’t put it down. Camille and Mateo are such superb characters that they drag you into their story before you know what’s happening!
Thrilling read!
Loved it!
This is an action packed, bloody, steamy story, where two badass assassins meet and are both determined to have the upper hand.
Camille or C as she is known makes an uncharacteristic mistake and finds herself prisoner of Mateo. He wants information and isnt afraid to do exactly what it takes to get it. C is very tough, but whilst he’s breaking her, she’s sneaking under his normally unpenetratible skin. Can they work together or are their loyalties just too far apart?
These two are both lethal but brimming with chemistry despite their violent introduction. The book isn’t that long, but it’s well written, full, fast and if you dont mind a bit of insta and mafia style violence, then I’m sure this will be a good read for you too!
The unlikeliest of couples but oh how they mesh. They defy their bosses to save a teenager and is so doing fall in love. This is a sexy, violent and very satisfying book that traces the path of Camille and Mateo as they morph from trying to kill each other to falling in love all without changing what they do or who they are. A different perspective on the underworld but very sexy.
Lethal Sin is a refreshing change in dark romances because in this story, the main female character is just as deadly as the main alpha character, and I LOVED IT!! I love reading about a strong woman who’s not afraid to stand her ground, even when it means standing up to a very sexy intimidating man who wants to do forbidden things with her body! I loved watching the power struggle between them as they went from enemies to lovers in the most delicious way possible!
Dark and Twisted!
What an awesome roller coaster ride from beginning to end. Camille and Mateo are so dark and twisted. They are fantastic characters who come to life on the page. Both of them are so strong and messed up. Camille is one badass female assassin who knows how to play the long game! Mateo is dark and growly and has a way with making you fall in love with the bad guy (or is he a bad guy?). The fight and emotional struggles between the two of them is amazing. Every moment was hot and steamy.
I could not put this book down. It was utterly fantastic from beginning to end.
I can’t wait to read more from this author. Highly recommend
So hard to not give spoilers!
Camille met her equal, her match, but of course, there is a problem, he works for the enemy, so he is the enemy, and she doesn’t give bananas for that, because love is for the weak right?
Mateo needs something from Camille, but she can’t give to him, til Mateo finds her weakness and everything changes.
I love the foreplay between Camille and Mateo, all the darkness with a pinch of sweet.
A real book by Jennifer Bene, full of dark flavours, steamy foreplay, fantastic characters, and maybe an HEA.
For a better experience read both books.
5 Steamy Stars
I first “met” Camille, the heroine of Jennifer Bene’s Lethal Sin (Dangerous Games Book 1) in the series prequel Early Sins. In that she went from damaged gal to scary, tough as nails kick-a** dangerous assassin. It was great learning her backstory (which I highly recommend, by the way) as it humanized her and really explains how she reacts to everything in this book. As good as it was, however, this book 1 is even better. Now Camille is at her peak and seeing her (woah, hot) interaction with Matteo, and how she handles life head on in general, is a total pleasure. Read the publisher’s blurb. If you find it even remotely appealing I’ve no doubt you’ll love this book. It’s hot, exciting (in more ways than one), well written and with a great cast of lead and supporting characters. What more could you want? But for the fact that I’m literally dictating this review to my husband from my hospital bed I could go on and on with praises – the book definitely deserves it. Since I can’t do that I will simply note that the book is most definitely one to read, it is easy to highly recommend. I’m definitely looking forward to the next book in this series.
Can a dangerous lifestyle bring these two together?
This is my 12th book by Jennifer Bene, so clearly one of my favorite authors! The book starts in an intense scene with Camille captured to reveal the location of her boss, which will never happen with whatever torture they throw at her. When she doesn’t offer up the info to the 1st guy, Mateo brings her to his place with his own style of games. But what happens is more than either Camille or Mateo could have imagined. When the next guy in the chain comes to Mateo’s place to torture Camille, Mateo can’t let that happen. Will Mateo and Camille get out from under this nightmare? You have to read to find out and won’t want to stop reading to find out.
Camille, a beautiful, lethal killer has a chance encounter with Mateo, a gorgeous, hitman. What could possibly go wrong or in this case, right? I was hooked from the first paragraph and never turned back. Dark and oh so good in true Jennifer style.
Wow what a amazing book full of action packed energy that will keep you on the edge of your set. This book was a amazing read and can’t wait to read the next story. This was hard to put down, and keep me wanting more of the assigns that will keep fighting and have found each other’s match.
Thus is one of those series that just hold you hostage from the first scene to the last
Full review to follow
Lethal Sin was a fantastic read for me for many reasons.
I absolutely loved Camille,”C”,she’s one kickass lady.
So sassy and feisty. But always on alert for trouble.
The one time where her guard is down she finds herself in a bad situation.
Mateo is an assassin working for a man who wants answers from C.
I adorned Mateo. He’s a big tough bad boy.
When he’s sent to question C he’s intrigued by her.
The lust for her is now driving his course of actions.
The chemistry between them is off the charts.
Whether it’s their conversations or their sexual encounters it’s intense.
When the big bad assassin,Mateo,starts to fall hard and fast for Camille and his protective side of him comes out for only her and yet he still reminds the tough guy with everyone else was hot!
Their story is filled with action and suspense and a whole lot of sexy hotness!
Great writing,great story and awesome characters!