First off I will say thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in return for my honest review.

Secondly, what did I just read? This book premise had potential, I usually enjoy things with personifications of sins but I didn't like any aspect of this book. I found Charlotte painfully naive as an FMC like I get the whole religious trauma, cult escaping was meant to make her innocent but I just found her annoying. Like how long it takes her to put pieces together, how she never seems capable of having an adult conversation, how quickly she just lets everything blow over, how vapid she seems when it comes to her sudden fame, the amount of times she mentions her dad during sex. HARD PASS.

And Lucifer is no better. The man has zero communication abilities and wildly swings between moods that it gave me a headache.

The ending was also so unbelievably rushed, everything shoved in to about 5 chapters (although with none of it really explained). I think that's my issue with most of this book, everything was just vague descriptions or alluding to. For the first book in a series I would have expected a bit more of an explainer of the backstories.

0.5 ⭐ for concept.

Original Sinner by Kait Ballenger drew me in with the premise of the book being a romantasy and the seven deadly sins who run New York.

I loved Lucifer, who is the representation of Pride, one of the seven sins. He is a morally grey male character who women will go feral over. Charlotte, our FMC, I couldn't fully connect with her, but I am sure others would like her more! Some of the scenes didn't feel fully well written, but I overlooked those because the story was good.

✨ Publication date: March 25, 2025✨

Original Sinners is the first book in a spicy dark romance series by Kaur Ballenger. This series is based on the seven deadly sins and this book was focused on Lucifer.

Charlotte grew up on a religious compound with her father the head minister of their church. After her father married her off to a cruel man as part of a business deal, she runs away to New York City to escape her old world and gain some experience.

Charlotte ends up interning for a company owned by the original sinner Lucifer. While she is way more vanilla than his typical tastes, Lucifer finds himself drawn to Charlotte and her innocence.

They decide to have a one night affair so Charlotte can live her playroom fantasies out and Lucifer to get her out of his system. One night turns into a fake engagement contract meant to benefit them both.

Fake isn’t really working for either of them and when Charlotte get taken Lucifer will go to the literal depths of hell to get her back.

This was a decent book. Charlotte and her innocence didn’t fully work for me when she was just willingly thrust into a playroom and loved every minute. The writing was good and there was plenty of spice. This is a 3 star read for me!

Disclaimer: I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

#NetGalley #kaitballenger #originalsinner

Well, that was a nice discovery. I honestly had quite a fun time to read this book. I mean, I was in the mood for a spicy darker romance, and that hit the spot.
Original Sinners is set in a world where the seven deadly sins are pretty powerful people, and we get to enjoy the highest rank of them all, Pride also known as Lucifer. It was so fun to see him interact with Charlotte, who is definitely more on the innocent side of things. It was so addicting to see them discover each other, and see their dynamic develops.
Honestly, I had a nice time, and I'm definitely looking forward to the second book, which I believe is planned for September 2025. (And it is on Kindle Unlimited if you are unsure and want to give it a shot)

First of all, thank you so much Kait for sending me a copy 🥹🫶🏼 I appreciate it SO MUCH !!

What to expect in Original Sinner

Spice 😮‍💨
Playroom 😏
Touch her & get unalived 💀
Innocent/naïve Fmc with a religious background
Enemies to lovers
Insta lust

Okay so It took me a while to really get into the story.
I personally didn’t hate it but I didn’t love it either. The world building was easy to understand which I loved but the plot had me a little bit confused.

The spice was Amazing 🤭 I loved the dynamic between Charlotte & Lucifer. You could feel the tension in the room 🤭

Overall it was an enjoyable read ❤️

⭐️⭐️⭐️.25
🌶️🌶️.5

“I don’t need to tempt them. They come willingly.”

A deliciously, dark tale of the Original Sinner. It was fascinating to watch Lucifer fall to the graces of love for an ordinary woman. I loved how we see Charlotte really grow into her own, developing a headstrong strength that matches Lucifer’s darkness but yet still maintains true to herself. She doesn’t back down from his dominance, and it’s truly captivating to watch it all unravel.

“The road to hell is paved with good intentions, Miss Bellfleur.” I purr. “You’re about to learn that lesson, explicitly.”

I do want to see more of the family dynamics of the angels and their “history” and can’t wait for the rest of the series unfold. I did enjoy how some of them are the 7 sins incarnate! That was a fun twist!

The audio of this was perfectly done and I highly recommend it! It’s the best way to experience Lucifer’s devilish nature and his growls 😆.

“You want to burn, Charlotte? So be it. I’ve always liked to play with fire.”

This eARC was provided in exchange for an honest review.

This book was fun and thought out. So often we see greek gods and the mythology used there, but I cannot recall using the sins in the same vain with the seeing how those characteristics tied to a person.

There is spice in the book, but not in an unnecessary way. If anything, it forged the the FMC and MMC's relationship forward.

I'm looking forward to exploring the next installment of this series and the other characters.

*Please note this review will be updated when a podcast review link becomes available*

Original Sinner by Kat Ballenger hooked you into its grasp from the very beginning and doesn’t let up until it’s done.

Whoever would’ve thought that the prince of darkness would be the one who made you feel the best about yourself. In a world where sex and sin are way of life. Original Sinner will check off all the boxes of your dark spicy romance and needs. Please check your trigger warnings as some of the content may not be suitable for some. Now, if a little bit of darkness is the name of your game this is definitely a book. I’m going to recommend. Lucifer and Charlotte make an unlikely team that turns out to be something more than either one of them would have expected the one who is the definition of sin to be paired with one who is raised under the thumb of religion, and it’s just learning the real world. Let me just say the spice of this book is off the charts. We’re definitely dealing with some things that may be considered to ought to handle. lol. We get an interesting plot, a bit of mystery and some family drama, not to mention a considerable amount of laugh contained in the pages of the story. With one book Kat Ballenger has put herself on my radar.

Very unique and intriguing first installment. I look forward to more. Ultimate villian and spicy!! Some tropes thrown in and you've got a spicy dark romance worth the read!

Thank you NetGalley and Montlake for this eCopy to review

Original Sinner by Kait Ballenger is a sizzling romantasy that blends supernatural intrigue with a fiery romance, set against the backdrop of a modern-day New York ruled by the seven deadly sins.

The story introduces Charlotte Bellefleur, a young woman fleeing her oppressive, fundamentalist upbringing in Kansas. She lands an internship at Apollyon, a powerful conglomerate run by none other than Lucifer himself—Pride personified and the enigmatic leader of the seven fallen angels who embody the deadly sins. When a scandalous document she wrote about Lucifer is leaked to the press, Charlotte finds herself thrust into a fake engagement with her intimidating boss to quell the media frenzy.

As the plot unfolds, Charlotte and Lucifer’s relationship evolves from a reluctant partnership to a passionate and complex connection. Lucifer’s dark, brooding demeanour contrasts with Charlotte’s quiet strength and resilience, creating a dynamic that keeps the tension simmering. Meanwhile, Charlotte faces threats from her past, adding layers of suspense to the narrative.

Ballenger’s writing shines in its depiction of the opulent yet dangerous world of the Originals, where power struggles and secrets abound. The chemistry between Charlotte and Lucifer is electric, and their emotional journeys are compelling. The novel’s blend of romance, danger, and self-discovery makes it an engaging read.

Overall, it's a captivating start to the Original Sinners series, perfect for fans of steamy paranormal romance with a touch of dark fantasy. If you enjoy morally grey characters and high-stakes drama, this one’s worth picking up!

My first real dark romantasy and it was pretty good. The main character was a little annoying (though as one of the other characters point out, what human isn’t a little annoying when they’re 23) and I would have liked to see the main character's past and how it has affected her (I feel like the mini drunken rant she has doesn't really do her character justice).

But on the whole it was an enjoyable read and I'm looking forward to see where the main plot is going to go in book two.

Rated 2.5 Stars

I loved the premise of Original Sinner but unfortunately it didn't work for me. It was riddled with clichés and felt like it was trying too hard especially to be inclusive. For instance the heroine described someone as wearing gender non-conforming clothes so she knows they were non-binary (paraphrasing but that's the gist of it). There were other instances but I'll leave it at that. I'm not going to touch on the portrayal of religion and the Bible because it will turn into a super long rant just know I have many thoughts on that aspect of it. I did like that there were twists, turns and suspense but it was just an ok read for me.

We love a good Lucifer love story! This book intrigued me as soon as I read the blurb, and I was so excited when I got approved for an ARC. After reading, I can now confirm the book itself did not disappoint!

Charlotte, the daughter of an extremist Evangelical, escapes her previous life and winds up in NYC looking for a new beginning. She lands an internship at Apollyon, Inc. which is led by none other than the devil himself, Lucifer. Lucifer and his siblings, the seven deadly sins, run NYC and are all on a quest to win the redemption of their Father. Charlotte obviously gets mixed up in this, and her relationship with Lucifer is the center point of the story.

Lucifer was everything I’ve come to love in a morally grey MMC. He was cut throat, had all the “touch her and die” energy a girl can ask for, yet also had a soft spot for his girl. I thought Charlotte was a good FMC, tho I wish we got to see a bit deeper into some of her thoughts.

Overall, I enjoyed this book and am definitely going to read the next in the series!

Rating: 3.5 ⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️


Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for the digital ARC of this book. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review after reading.

Really enjoyed this book! FMC is Charlotte: she's young and inexperienced, coming from a strict and abusive religious upbringing. MMC is Lucifer. Yes, THAT Lucifer. The devil straight from hell. The book takes place in NYC with Lucifer and his siblings "The Originals" running the town. I loved that his siblings represented the 7 deadly sins. Famous angels and various other biblical references are dropped, which I think added a little extra intrigue to the story.

While the story at times feels like something you've read before, there are plenty of new and interesting elements to make this a worth-while read. I love the debauchery, the spice, the mystery, and the ending was unexpected!

Recommend, especially if you're recovering from a religious upbringing ;-)

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC! I appreciate the oppurtunity to read and review!

ORIGINAL SINNER is the first instalment in Kait Ballenger’s contemporary, adult ORIGINAL SINNERS dark, erotic, urban fantasy, romance series focusing on twenty-three year old, preacher’s daughter and PA Charlotte Bellefleur, and the prince of darkness Lucifer Apollyon.

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there WILL BE triggers for more sensitive readers, as well as some expected religious overtones.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Charlotte and Lucifer) ORIGINAL SINNER follows the building but tempestuous relationship between PA Charlotte Bellefleur, and the prince of darkness Lucifer Apollyon. Charlotte is wholly aware of the Lucifer’s reputation as a billionaire CEO in New York City. In an effort to get up close and personal with Lucifer, Charlotte finds herself applying for a job at Apollyon Inc, where she will become Lucifer’s personal assistant, a position that comes with certain perks of the job but someone is stalking our story line heroine, and an anonymous social media post finds Charlotte bowing to the man with whom she will fall in love. All is not well in the world of the fallen angels, someone else is taking aim at our story line couple.

The world building focuses on several intersecting pathways including the dysfunctional family dynamics of Lucifer’s unheavenly and heavenly family; the jealousy and fight for control, dividing the seven original sinners, and our heroine’s past who refuses to let go. Charlotte has many secrets, secrets that push her into the direct line of fire, and her own decaying family kinetics.

The relationship between Charlotte and Lucifer begins when our heroine integrates herself into the world of the fallen angels but Charlotte is out of her element, and finds herself answering to the prince of darkness. Lucifer doesn’t do relationships, and rarely goes out in public, and in this, Charlotte is determined to change Lucifer’s image but the results will backfire, and our couple must come to terms with what is happening and why. The $ex scenes are aggressive and provocative.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful, powerful and interested secondary and supporting characters including Lucifer’s assistant Imani, Charlotte’s best friend Jax, original sinners Astarath, Asmodeus, Mammon, Belphgor, Satan, Leviathan, Beelzebub: Gabriel and Michael. The requisite evil has many faces.

ORIGINAL SINNER is a story of secrets and lies, power and control, faith and trust, family and dysfunction, acceptance and love. The premise is dramatic, dark and edgy; the romance tense and sensational; the characters are determined, charismatic and controversial. ORIGINAL SINNER ends on a cliff hanger-you have been warned.


THE READING CAFÉ: https://www.thereadingcafe.com/original-sinner-original-sinners-1-by-kait-ballenger-review/


GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7038016221


BOOKBUB: https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/3991548900


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Couldn't even finish this. The FMC is just a fool. I don't understand the world that this is in. I could not find anything about this book that I could grab hold of and enjoy. Just no thank you.

This dark romantasy which tackles issues of morality and shedding societal expectations to really live (and maybe live a little bad) is an enjoyable and sexy read. The seven deadly sins personified and in a dark romantasy book? Sign me up!

What happens when a girl trying to escape her religious cult past comes into collision with the devil himself, Lucifer. Sin incarnate himself.
Tropes:
Grumpy vs Sunshine Personalities
Fake Marriage
Religious Trauma
Smutty
Honestly this book had me hooked from the gorgeous cover. It’s for sure a perfect representation of what this book entails. We meet Charlotte, a woman who has escaped her past from a cult like church to the Big Apple who works for the Devil, Lucifer himself. When her scathing rant she wrote in anger gets anonymously released she must pretend to be Lucifer’s new wife to help his image with the world.
But of course what’s the fun of the heat of having some sexy fun with the sin incarnate without the chance of falling in love?
I honestly loved the vibes this book gave me, the show Lucifer mixed with a little dash of Fifty Shades of Grey.
Lucifer was as hot as you can imagine. The narrator for Lucifer, Ethan Reid, was sex incarnate and had me blushing with his narration. The voice of Charlotte, Isabelle Turner, was just the perfect choice to voice a character who is trying to get over her past and is just fumbling around like all of us do.
I loved this book. For sure will recommend to anyone who likes shadow daddies( the OG Shadow Daddy) and just novel that flows so naturally.
For sure a 5 star read on both fronts being a physical read and honey for the ear.
I’d like to thank NetGalley Brilliance Publishing for an audio & Ebook copy of this book. I’m forever grateful.
This review is a honest reflection of my feelings towards this book.

While the FMC wasn’t my favorite, the plot and sibling dynamics more than made up for it. The concept of the Seven Deadly Sins ruling NYC was absolutely addictive, and the execution? Chef’s kiss. The power struggles, the high-stakes mind games, and the dark allure of Lucifer himself kept me hooked from start to finish.

The chemistry? Scorching. The familial tension? Perfectly cutthroat. And the world-building? Darkly glamorous with just the right amount of danger. Even with my issues with the FMC, this book had me obsessed, and I’ll definitely be diving into the rest of the series. If you love a sinful, scheming, high-stakes romantasy with a devilishly tempting antihero, Original Sinner is for you.

I absolutely loved this book! I couldn’t put it down and read it in one day.
The story captures your attention from the first chapter and I could not put it down.
If you’re craving a romantasy… pick this up!