One Taste of Sin by Amanda Siegrist

ROMANTIC SUSPENSE

Publication date: 04/06/2018
Kindle Unlimited: Yes
Cliffhanger: No
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OK, y’all know I have somewhat of an attitude problem about romantic suspense. Even when I suspend my disbelief that anyone would stop and have sex (or even think about stopping and having sex) when a serial killer is after them, I still struggle with pretty much this entire category of books. But I like this author, and I read and enjoyed the last book in the series, so I checked my attitude at the door and gave this one a read. Just like the last book, overall, I’m glad I did.

First, the good:

1. Susan is a great heroine. She’s smart, and good at her job (there’s some serious competence porn going on here), and doesn’t let romance and angst derail her life in any way. I get the distinct feeling that if things don’t work out with Stitch (even though I know they will, because romance), Susan will be just fine. I LOVED that about her.
2. Even though this is a series, all the books can be read nicely as stand alones. That’s not easy to do, folks, and I give the author props for pulling it off so seamlessly. Seriously, kudos.
3. The pacing is good. There’s no lagging middle to the book. The action and romance blend nicely and keep you thoroughly engaged while reading.    

Now, for my nitpicks (which y’all knew I was going to have, because romantic suspense):

1. There’s a fine line between a rugged, protective, alpha male book boyfriend and a jealous, possessive, alphahole, Neanderthal, and Stitch tramples right across that line a time or two (or ten).  
2. This is an incredibly minor thing, but the heroine’s name...when Stitch was first thinking about this gorgeous creature he was infatuated with and then said her name was Susan, I laughed out loud. My apologies to all the gorgeous creatures out there named Susan, but there was a big build up to the reveal of her name and I was weirdly let down when it turned out to be something so...beige and bland.
3. The term of endearment Stitch uses (“Suzey baby”) grosses me out for some reason. No idea why. Maybe it’s just me?

But, all in all, as far as romantic suspense goes, this one is highly readable. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to lovers of the genre.

Full disclosure: I received an ARC from the author at no charge.  

Does this book contribute to or help crush the romance stigma?
It’s clean and sober. No rehab needed.

Other reading suggestions
Check out the author’s backlist. When you run out of reading there, check out some Scarlett Cole and Melinda Leigh.

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