I picked this book up mid-series because I was drawn in by the cover art and synopsis. The artwork is utterly fetching and Dragonblade has the prettiest covers to boot. Sinfully Yours had a unique premise: masquerading as your dearest friend to confront her nefarious suitor and scare him off. Alyss gets abducted by a beefcake with nary a peep until her cover is blown. She didn't hold her disguise very long because she spends the rest of the book stuck with her dreamy faux kidnapper trying to get back to London. I was intrigued by the plot, but Alyss was a nasty little heroine with a parasol that could put someone's eye out.

While I found Alyss to be cold and abrasive, thankfully the hero compensated for her prickly temperament. Malcolm knew immediately he had the wrong victim and played along until he received some much needed coin. He was very likable and I wouldn't have behaved as poorly as Alyss did in his company. It's difficult as a reader to root for a potential couple when the heroine is kicking and screaming her way through an attempted romance. If she's not into it, why should I? With an obstinate shrew and a reluctant kidnapper as objects of affection, it's a rocky path at every turn. They did have great chemistry together but Alyss was determined to kill their blossoming love.

I know I didn't read this series from the beginning, but I don't believe I'll explore the previous collection. I enjoyed some aspects, but it's not a pleasant reading experience when heroines dig their heels in at the chance of love. Dragonblade Publishing is one of my favorite indie houses, but they can't all be winners. I'm grateful for this opportunity even if it didn't meet my expectations. If I were consensually abducted by a dreamboat like Malcolm, it wouldn't take more than a few batted eyelashes for me to say I'm Sinfully Yours.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an eARC of this book via NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Rating: 5/5 Stars
Publishing: February 22, 2024
Series: The Five Deadly Sins #4
Pages: 211

I have never read anything by author, Kathleen Ayers so starting at book number 4 in “The Five Deadly Sins” series leaves me to ponder why I have never tapped into her novels. This was a fast-paced romance and a quick read for this reader. The main characters were a bit abrasive and grumpy but alas they meshed well together. There is banter and whitism between them in their conversations that at time having you smile. What to say about the heroine, Alyss Brooks…she can be hot-tempered with sass of wanting to be right all the time but ends up becoming troublesome due that fact. She’s not one who wants to get married and dead set against falling in love. Malcolm Sinclair on the other hand is so financially strapped, that he is trying just about anything to set his family to right. Two opposites in a trope of forced proximity, find themselves isolated in a cottage for days/nights due to a storm. Open door intimacy that is oh so steamy in the romance department…what I like included in my historical romances, that it is hot off the pages. I too, enjoyed the sub-characters in the story…guessing they are mentioned in the three books before this one fourth. I enjoyed the characters, plot, twists, whit, passion, and a page-turner. Well-developed, well-written, and well-said on the pages. Going to have to venture on reading the other three sins that I’ve missed out on in this series. My recommendation…consider reading.

I am so happy to be back with the Five Deadly Sins! Here we get Malcolm's story - the brother who has been previously present only in reference as he has been away on the continent doing who knows what (though the family suspects something mildly nefarious). Malcolm is desperately trying to get back to England, where be believes his family is still broke in terms of both money and reputation. (Read the first 3 books in the series to know how wrong that is!) So he agrees to kidnap an heiress for a dissipated lord, believing - but not really believing - that the heiress is desirous of her own abduction. But Malcolm ends up kidnapping not the heiress, but her older, rather abrasive cousin Alyss. Alyss is intelligent, stubborn, sharp-tongued, and excellent with a parasol, but Malcolm quickly determines that that works for him. The botched kidnapping results in the duo spending the night alone together in a secluded cabin and end up doing what lovers do.

Alyss is unbelievably prickly, but it is clearly her defense mechanism. She is both secure in her self and yet convinced that no man would truly want her or love her. It is frustrating to watch her jump to the exact wrong conclusions but it is also understandable. Malcolm is both accommodating yet unwilling to push too hard and the miscommunication leads to a separation neither really wants. But it all makes the reunion that much better.

I loved the role played by Alyss's cousin, and the scene in which Malcolm learns just what has been going on with the Deadly Sins since their arrival in London is truly amusing (I LOVE Tamsin - if you haven't read her and Dare's story, you need to do so ASAP). The steam is steamy and while it is a bit more instalove than I prefer, it somehow doesn't annoy me as it does in other books. I highly recommend. 5 stars.

Thanks to NetGalley and Dragonblade for a complimentary ARC of this book. These opinions are my own.

An enemies to lovers trope filled book. Mistaken identity sends Malcolm and Alyss into each others' arms literally. Malcolm kidnaps Alyss thinking she is her cousin in order to stop someone blackmailing him. Chaos ensues and both find themselves in a cottage during a storm and sparks immediately fly. Malcolm is quite the cinnamon roll hero and is a fantastic match to Alyss's fire. Looking forward to the next one in this series.

4.6
The heroine was so abrasive like she had to be right always no matter what!
She was exhausting and way too old for that at her age! She was no simpering debutant like for real! But I digress!
Malcolm is a mercenary and is stranded in France under difficult circumstances but has promised Aurora is little sister he will be there for her come out!
This conniving little snot Buckmore who has hired Malcolm for a little kidnapping job! If Malcolm had known about his family he would never had to accept! Enter Alyss the older cousin and spinster to her beautiful younger cousin who guards her zealously because she is an heiress!
These two are oil and vinegar until they are not! Malcolm gives as good as he gets but Alyss has way too much pride! Thank goodness for her cousin because things quickly go left!
Alyss had all the answers until she doesn’t! No humility at all! But Malcolm finds a way around her stubbornness before it’s too late! My guy he’s handsome a soldier and bold enough to take on this woman!
Now to be fair Alyss does not think highly of herself or men but with that tart tongue and attitude! Yes it’s a two way street!
I received an ARC copy for my honest opinion! Bravo I love this series! Get ready to laugh out loud as the two are definitely on the most unlikely to succeed list!

Kidnapping, oh yeah, I am so there for that. Mistaken identity during kidnapping, yep. Oh yeah, I also love a military man/mercenary. This book checked all kinds of boxes for me. Malcolm and Alyss are so great together. Snarky banter, enemies to lovers, one bed and road trip are all in this story. This series is so good. Families and great stories. Run out and give it a try.

Grumpy/Clueless

* standalone: no
* Book 4 of a five-book series
* very early Victorian setting, early 1840s
* MMC is younger than FMC; he’s 28 she’s 30
* is there sex before 50%? No, but there is steamy open-door sex
* tropes
* Only one bed
* oops, I kidnapped the wrong person


The novel is shorter than previous books at just over 200 pages

The MMC has been mentioned in previous books, but he’s always been the most mysterious character. It’s great to get his story finally.

He’s a former soldier who is tired of working as a mercenary. He saves up a lot of money that gets stolen from him as he is on the eve of returning to England, unaware that his family’s fortunes have changed, so he believes he has no choice but to accept one last job from a shady character.

The FMC is, for all intents and purposes, sour and unlikable. She’s incredibly stubborn to the point of martyrdom. This isn’t really a grumpy/sunshine story because Malcolm isn’t particularly sunny, and Alyss is beyond grumpy, almost unlikable.

Malcolm is a wounded warrior, even though his wounds are primarily invisible to the naked eye. Alyss also has her wounds as an orphan living in the care of her uncle with a whole lot of unresolved resentment towards her deceased parents.

Just because she’s so sour and stubborn doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy the story.

I enjoy Kathleen Ayers' writing so much. She knows how to write a compelling story with tension and romance, as well as a heavy dose of spice. Her heroes and heroines are never one-dimensional, and her villains are always so vile and dastardly that they make me squirm a bit. In all of her novels, Whenever the villain is defeated, it’s always such a cringy ride but such a satisfying one at the end.

I just have come to really love the Sinclairs so much. The fact that they were exiled for so long and survived makes for a depth of character not usually seen. The fact that they are so devoted to one another and hold such a reverence for their deceased mother is endearing

Many thanks to NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing for this ARC. This is my honest review.

A planned kidnapping gone wrong. A robbery, a storm and even more! Such is the work of this authors story of Malcolm and Alyssa. Such an adventure that you will be so engaged, the story will fly by. Well written, detailed and filled with everything you can think of, including a a worthless lord. This is the fourth book in the series. As such, we get to be reunited with some of the previous characters which is always fun. This can be a stand alone story, yet I encourage you to read them all so you don't miss any of the joy in this series.

Malcolm Sinclair, former soldier, and mercenary has once more landed in trouble & he needs to leave Calais like yesterday!. So he’s only too happy to perform a small task for Lord Buckmore. Kidnap the young lady Buckmore wishes to wed from her overzealous, overprotective cousin. Miss Alyss Brooks is known for her scathing tongue, her ability to wield a parasol most proficiently, and her absolute dislike of her cousin’s suitor, Lord Buckmore. When Alyss is mistaken for her cousin, she sees an opportunity to confront the vile young lord once and for all. Instead of vengeance, Alyss finds herself stranded far from London with no way home. A thunderstorm makes matters worse. She’s robbed. Worst of all, the only man willing to offer any assistance is her kidnapper, Sinclair.
The fourth book in the series & it’s easily read on its own. I loved Malcolm who desperate to get home agrees to Buckmore’s plan only for things to go wrong when he kidnaps the wrong woman! I struggled to love Alyss who was so blinkered about being right that she acted without thought. I thoroughly enjoyed the book & loved how Malcom & Alyss’s relationship changed & deepened. Whilst I was pleased Buckmore got a comeuppance of sorts I would have liked him to have suffered more. A well written, entertaining romance with plenty of fireworks.
My review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

This is the first book of Kathleen Ayers that I have read and after I finished it I kicked myself very hard for not reading her books sooner. She has a beautiful writing style. The plot is well thought out and well written. It flows beautifully with lots of detail and depth which I love to read in a story.

Her main characters in this book, Alyss and Malcolm Sinclair have an unconventional first meeting. The witty but snippy conversations between them are fun to read and even though they vex each other, the chemistry for each other is there from the beginning.
Alyss has such a sassy attitude and a wicked temper. She is not one to be messed with but her sass and temper gets her into trouble sometimes. Both Sinclair and Alyss have had difficult pasts, Sinclair has family financial problems that he is trying to rectify and Alyss’ childhood has left her dead set against love and marriage. She is happy to be the spinster chaperone to her younger, naïve cousin Elizabeth. She is always armed with a parasol and she’s not afraid to use it on anyone who crosses her! They are forced to spend days and nights together in an isolated cottage because of the weather conditions preventing them from travelling home. There are steamy, open door scenes of intimacy that are so hot to read (ensure you have a cold drink handy when reading this to cool you down).

I love that Alyss is older than Sinclair, something I haven’t read in a historical romance before. The secondary characters in this book, Sinclair’s brothers and sisters and their spouses; Alyss’ cousin Elizabeth and her uncle Richard, who took her in when she was a child are delightful to read about and they really enhance the story.
My first dip into the world of Kathleen Ayers romances has been a wonderful experience and I’m looking forward to reading many more of her books.
I would recommend this book and this author to anyone who enjoys historical romance with steam and a great storyline.
I received a special copy of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily. All views and opinions are my own.

One Fantastic Story! Sinfully Yours the fourth in The Five Deadly Sins series does not disappoint. All Malcolm Sinclair Malcolm Sinclair had to do was kidnap one Miss Brooks, how hard could that be? Well apparently accidents do happen, so finding out he kidnapped one Miss Alyss Brooks (the wrong Miss Brooks) can cause a whirlwind in one's life. series. Kathleen Ayers has written a story that will hold you spellbound, the book flowed well from one thing to another without being forced, plot brims with enjoyable twists with humourous situations, sizzling passion and family unity. With returning characters from the other books in the series..

A single-minded feisty fairy, the deadliest sin and a whole lot of rumors, scandal and ruined reputations - excellent!

At thirty, sharp-tongued umbrella wielding Alyss is a confirmed spinster who made it her mission to protect her cousin from fortune hunting fools. One sleazy and wasteful fool in particular. So when she’s accidentally kidnapped instead of her cousin, she grabs her chance to set said fool straight.
Turns out pummeling your cousin’s wannabe-fiance might leave you stranded, robbed, soaked to the bone and at the mercy of your kidnapper…

Like his siblings, Malcolm did his part to help his disgraced family survive. Having a knack for fighting, the army turned him into the deadliest of the five sins. Preferring to be his own master, he sold his commission and became a mercenary. And now one last simple job will take him home after many years on the continent.
Only, he kidnapped the wrong lady… but, this one is so much more entertaining. A vicious kitten with curves in all the right places. If only he could make her purr…

There stranded in together alone in a cottage in the middle of nowhere in a thunderstorm, and that’s when lightning strikes!

📚 She’s so stubbornly set on being right all the time, she rarely thinks of the consequences and least of all how it might ruin everything. He’s tired of his old life and just wants to get home to his family. Both of them cheated and left behind by a vile gossiping sleazebag, he can’t help but feel protective of her. Attraction is mutual and instant - so much chemistry - but she won’t go down without a fight. And oh, what a glorious fight it is!
This story is intimate, passionate, devious, witty, wicked and wonderful!
I love everything about this book - the characters, the plot, the simple setting, the writing, the sarcasm and clever banter - everything! This whole series is marvelous, and I cannot recommend it enough!

A scorching hot romance with lots of banter and a great plot and sensual characters that kept me turning the pages. A mercenary with heart and a wallflower with hidden passions. Of course, they're going to fall in love... No surprises here but such a wonderful and passionate way to get there. Malcolm and Alyss are everything and more. Love turns out to be the deadliest sin of all.

Sinfully Yours is the 4th in Kathleen Ayers series, The Five Deadly Sins. Malcolm, the focus of the story, has been absent from the family but he was referred repeatedly in the previous books. The Sinclair family consists of three brothers and two sisters who, after the death of their father were banished to a crumbling estate, to live abject poverty that led to death of their precious mother. This is important background knowledge and leads to a better comprehension as to why Malcolm is absent from his family without an updated knowledge of the state of their affairs in London. The story can be read as a standalone but there are references to the previous situation and comments made by the brothers and sisters that I feel are better understood if one has read the previous stories.
Malcolm Sinclair is a retired soldier turned mercenary who needs to fulfill a promise to his younger sister. He loves his family, and that love has driven his choices since he left the estate. He is a handsome man with a quick wit covering a gentle, loyal heart. His outer demeanor is terrifying with a presence that few would challenge. To return to England, he needs money, so he accepts a job from a distasteful Duke. He is sure that no one will recognize him behind his heavy beard, long hair and rough clothes! The consequences of his decision and the discoveries he makes in England will change his life in ways he couldn’t have imagined.
I enjoy the unexpected characteristics of Kathleen Ayers hero and heroines like Alyss Brooks. Alyss is a feisty, orphaned, spinster, living in her uncle’s home. She is hardheaded, opinionated woman who always must have the last word. She sees herself as in unspoken protector of her cousin who is younger, beautiful and an heiress! Alyss is so unyielding in her determination that she refuses to listen to council or think actions through. Her behavior and reactions made her an unsympathetic main character but as the book progresses, we can see through her eyes the world she has experienced and the reasonings of her mind. I thought this to be a striking twist to the usual Historical Romance heroine creating a more engaging read.
Sinfully Yours is a well written story of two “set in their ways” people who meet under the most stressful of circumstances. Malcolm and Alyss’ chemistry sizzles from their first meeting until it ignites into a fire of feelings and passions resulting in mistrust and mixed-up emotions. As readers know, nothing has been easy for the Five Deadly Sins and Malcolm’s story is no exception. I can’t wait to see what happens in the younger sister, Aurora book!

Sinfully Yours by Kathleen Ayers is book four in The Five Deadly Sins series. While you could probably dive into this one without missing a step, I highly recommend reading all the books in this series, not just because they are all good either. There is a crossover from book to book with the characters as the collection follows the Sinclair family.

In this book, we finally get to meet Malcolm Sinclair—a former soldier and mercenary. Looking for a quick escape out of France to get back to his family, Malcolm agrees to "help" Lord Buckmore with a situation. Specifically, Buckmore convinces Malcolm to kidnap the lady he loves (and who loves him) to get her away from her overbearing cousin who is keeping them apart.

Miss Alyss Brooks isn't a fool and she isn't afraid to use her parasol to keep rakes and false suitors away from her cousin. She trusts Lord Buckmore as far as she can throw him and is determined to do whatever it takes to keep him away from Elizabeth. When they are both out for a walk one morning, a strange man grabs Alyss, throws her in a carriage, and informs her he is taking her to her love, Lord Buckmore, and Alyss sees this as an opportunity to confront Buckmore once and for all.

On the road, Malcolm quickly realizes he has grabbed the wrong lady but at this point he's willing to take the chance that he can collect his money and go before Buckmore realizes but when he quickly learns Buckmore had no intention of paying him upon delivery, Malcom determines that Buckmore can handle the problem. Unfortunately for Alyss, that means she is stranded in a small and unfamiliar town with no way back to London. Add to that, a thunderstorm makes things even worse and now the person she has to rely on is the same one who started this all...her kidnapper Sinclair.

Alyss is a person who likes to be right and this has now gotten her into a very bad position. I loved the whole "be wise or be right" statement and it truly resonates with her as she tries to figure out how to save herself. I do love how protective Alyss is and her background / history helps to define who she has become in her other relationships. Malcom truly challenges her but also understands what she gone through. I also loved how their relationship developed. It's an enemy to lovers approach and Malcolm has the heavy lift here...mostly because he did kidnap Alyss which was truly his own fault.

I truly enjoyed this installment of the series. All of the characters are interesting and have their own perspectives around what they have been through and how that has framed up who they are now. If you're looking for a historical romance that has well developed characters, plenty of banter, and an interesting story, consider picking this one up. I'm looking forward to the finding out what happens for the last Sinclair!

Exciting addition to the Sinclairs saga.
Malcolm is trying to return to his family in London when he gets caught up in the schemes of a devious Lord.
Alyss is a disillusioned self righteous spinster trapped in her own baggage.
They strike sexy sparks with an immediate attraction to each other but circumstances occur with twists and ton reality.
Love the dialogue and characters as they conflict and circle each other for the upper hand.

The Little Fairy and the Mercenary:
A terrible crime of mistaken identity sets the stage for Malcolm and Alyss as we follow them through this coming together love story.
A good story with interesting characters that kept a good pace to the end.
Lots of doubts and misconceptions on Alyss's part which did get a bit annoying before she finally realized the truth about Malcomb.
Several funny moments that gave me several chuckles, a topsy turvy romance with just the right amount on heated passion that had
my heart beating at a good tempo.
All in all, a charming love story with an exciting finish plus a swoon worthy heartfelt declaration they could melt anyone's heart.
✔Special Mention: The scene with the fireplace tongs got my undivided attention and kept me engrossed to the very end.

Malcom & Alyss. I really love the Sinclairs and have been waiting for Malcom's story to come along. He didn't disappoint in this novella. Given the length of the book there wasn't room for backstory but KA did a good job of giving us enough backstory for both MCs to understand them.

We start off with Malcom getting robbed in an inn and being accused of murdering some guy at inn (the dead guy's wife poisoned him). So he was on the run and went looking for Buckmore. He had previously met him when he was offered a job but declined. Now that he was on the run and robbed of his $$$ he decides to take Buckmore up on his job offer to kidnap the lady that had caught his eye.

As for Alyss...she is the 30 y/o spinster cousin to Elizabeth. Buckmore had wanted to court/marry Elizabeth but Alyss knew his actual character and he wasn't allowed to court her. Cliff's notes, the guy was going broke and wanted to marry Alyss for her dowry and use it to keep up his life of gambling and keeping mistresses. Not being able to get around Alyss and Elizabeth's dad (who also didn't like Buckmore) he decided to force it by having Malcom kidnap her so he could ruin her and force the marriage.

Malcom finds Alyss and Elizabeth in the park and kidnaps Alyss on accident instead of Elizabeth. Alyss didn't put up a fight because she wanted to confront Buckmore for his scheme. She got to confront him but then he left her stranded in the country and paid the people around to not help her get back to London. The ride she procured ended up robbing her and leaving her stranded. Then it starts storming and she's forced to return to Buckmore's cottage where she sees that Malcom had broken in. He had also been stranded because Buckmore had no intention of actually paying Malcom his fee for kidnapping Elizabeth.

They chat and she's still very prickly but they end up hooking up. The next day he returns her to London and he returns to the country to get back the necklace that was stolen from her in the robbery. She returns to rumors set by Buckmore that Alyss had planned the entire kidnapping and to get his attention but also planned it so she could meet a random lover she had. Alyss had been ruined and was treated as a pariah and being forced to wed this random man that she couldn't stand (looks like a toad with a huge nasty mustache).

Malcom finds Alyss in the park and returns her necklace. Alyss ruins everything because she thinks he intentionally ruined her. She has major trust issues and a huge lack of self esteem. Oh...she also finds out she's pregnant. Malcom forces Buckmore to recant which should let Alyss off the hook to marry the "toad". She still planning on going through with it because she's pregnant. Elizabeth goes to Malcom to tell him about the wedding and how Alyss feels about him (oh and the baby). He shows up to stop the wedding by kidnapping her again and marrying her himself.

For being a novella, KA knows how to write a spicy couple with great chemistry. She's definitely on my must read every book she writes list of authors.

I received an ARC copy of this book but the above review is my own.

This was a short and sweet romance with a feisty heroine and rascally hero. There are several other books in this series, but this is perfectly readable as a standalone as well. The pacing of the story is quite fast, but the characters and their relationships were handled well and the heroine was particularly fun to get to know. The side characters were also interesting, and I may go back and read the previous books to learn more about them.

Perhaps because of the book’s short length, I did think that the conflict and resolution thereof felt a little forced, and the villain characters a bit one-note, but it didn’t really hurt my reading experience either. The romance between the two main characters was good as the main focus of the book. If you’re looking for a short, sexy, and witty afternoon read, this is the book for you.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing for this ARC. This is my honest review.

4/5 Kidnapping the wrong woman leads to unexpected, steamy results.

I was given an ARC by the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Sinfully Yours by Kathleen Ayers is a higher spice Regency romance where Malcolm Sinclair is commissioned by Lord Buckmore to kidnap a young woman and accidently takes the wrong one. Alyss Brooks is thirty and has been beating men away from her cousin for a while when she is taken by Malcolm and pretends to be her cousin so she can finally get Buckmore to stay away.

What I really liked was that Malcolm and Alyss are in a younger man-older woman romance but there isn’t any real conversation about it beyond a mere mention. While I sometimes want to read about how society views those relationships, it’s also nice to read a work where the couple just has a slightly older woman and it doesn’t really matter.

There is a decent amount of sexual tension that starts early, especially in Malcolm’s POV regarding Alyss’ lips, and it continues until the end. Alyss is quite proud but her heart is in the right place while Malcolm is intelligent and kind but is more quiet and will do what he needs to do to get the results he wants.

I would recommend this to fans of Regency romance looking for more sexual tension and spice and for fans of romance with older women-younger men