So good, but so frustrating

This was every bit as good as the first book, the mystery and suspense were terrific. This book centered around Belle, Sin and Xander trying to solve the murders, while more crimes are going on. Also they all are still being secretive with each other so while Belle might be in the know about certain things, Xander and Sin may know other details and that keeps things interesting.

The intimacy between the three main characters was taken up a notch or three. The heat level of this book hit somewhere between sweltering and scorching. I'm not sure if it was just me, but for some reason I just don’t like Xander very much. It could be that I really think that Belle is sometimes an ignorant witch and she purposely hangs all over Xander because she has seen him as her hero since she was seventeen.

However, every time Belle does this she is basically showing Sin that she prefers Xander and loves Xander and not Sin. I think Sin is much hotter and I don’t know what she is thinking but it pissed me off. And though Xander has promoted the idea of the threesome and he even tells Sin that Belle loves him as well, he certainly doesn’t turn her down when she does this. He loves that she sometimes prefers him and he is shameless about it.

After giving it some space though, I do see that Belle seems to prefer Xander when she wants comfort and safety and Sin when she is feeling stronger and wants his dominance, which she seems to crave. I hope things go differently in the next book. I can’t wait to see what happens.

These first two books have been very much driven by the crimes and like I said in my first review, seemed to read more like True Detective than a romance novel about a threesome. Which is awesome, you don’t often get such a good storyline with a steamy book like this. However, now that they have basically solved the murder, I wonder if the next book will revolve only around their relationship or if some other crime or mystery will come into play. I guess I can only read on to find out.

Of course, there was another big cliffhanger, and this one I think will not be resolved immediately. I sort of hate it when there is a huge cliffhanger in a book and then it turns out to be nothing when you start reading the next book. You have all sorts of scenarios in your head as to what will happen and then the first page says something like she wakes up and it was a bad dream. That absolutely can’t happen here.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Super fun quick read. It starts out really dark but doesn’t stay that way. I highly suggest reading these books in order. They are not stand alones.

Sensuous is definitely the right title for this book. I received this via NetGalley, as well as books 3 and 4. I purchased book one so I would have the full story before reading. Sinful, book one, left a major cliff hanger and I moved right on to Sensuous. This book series is equally suspenseful and steamy. Belle is always getting into trouble but she's got her two fierce protectors, and she can be pretty fierce herself....inside and outside the bedroom.

Each book is non-stop action. I couldn’t wait to read this book and can’t wait for the next. Great characters, great writing.

A devastating betrayal shattered our relationship before it ever began, my attempt to escape going horribly wrong. But telling Xander it’s over proves to be a dangerous mistake, revealing a ruthless side of him I was only beginning to suspect. When I started reading I couldn't put it down.Katherine Hawthorne is magnifysent and amazing writer.I cannot wait to read more of there books.Keep up the great work.You should definitely read this books.Can't wait for the next book.

Whoooooooo man. Can I get more than 5 🔥 because this one was H O T.
our story features Isabella, Sin (Alex) and Xander. The first is on assignment and the last two are a major distraction.

This book packed a lot of punch and a LOT of heat on just a few short pages. I’m definitely a fan!


*Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me this free ebook in exchange for an honest review*

Steamy and scorching, this is an enjoyable read, full of twists and turns, on tenterhooks from the first book I was so happy to find out what would happen next. It’s a great sequel but now I need the next yesterday !

Anxiety is at its highest level while also being suspenseful & exciting! I was at the edge of my seat & couldn’t put this book down! Lots of action going on in this book but you can’t forget the heat!!!! Must read!!!

A great conclusion to the next book in the series. Two men want her and their need to possess her will threaten to consume them all.

Oh la la. This book is so steamy you need a cold compress. Katherine Hawthorne has done it again with another wonderful story. Can't wait to see what she comes up with next.

This book is a whole lot of NOOOOOOOOOOOOPE.

For most of the book, I was enjoying it a lot more than the first one, because there was an overall better balance of romance and drama (whereas in the first book I felt the drama far outshined the romance parts). There was a pretty good threesome scene as well as a sex scene between Xander and Belle that I thought was well done.

Then comes Belle's sex scene with Sin. I had some issues with Sin in regards to him getting full consent from Belle in the first book, but this book took it way too far in my opinion. In this particular sex scene, everything is going well until Sin tries to get Belle to do something she doesn't want to do (I don't want to get too vulgar, but it does involve butt stuff for lack of a better term). She explicitly tells him to STOP, but his response is "it's too late for that" and something along the lines of "it'll feel good in a second" ARE YOU F*UCKING KIDDING ME??? THAT IS ASSAULT PLAIN AND SIMPLE.

I had to stop reading after that. Idgaf what happens with the plot, because I'm just so pissed at the author and this book in general. BYE FELICIA.

4.5 Stars
Review by Allyson
Late Night Reviewer
Up All Night w/ Books Blog

What a continuation of a novel! Xander, Belle and Sin are back with a BANG in Sensuous by Katherine Hawthorne, the second book in her Sinful Surrender Quartet series. This criminal intense romance picks up right where Sinful left off so it's imperative you read the prequel before diving in headfirst to this fierce novel.

I couldn't quite connect with Sinful (prequel), but let me inform you, I absorbed 100% with every ounce of my being into Sensuous. The three characters within this series are off the charts riveting, emotional and powerfully dynamic. Both Xander and Sin are alpha, possessive and are the most authoritative men that I have read in a long time. They come together to protect the woman they love but in doing so, are they pushing her away, smothering her in their controlling temperaments?

"Xander, a blonde god, heartbreakingly beautiful.
Sin, the devil incarnate, wickedly sexy.
Heaven and Hell. And together... they made a formidable pair."

Hawthorne does leave you with a cliffhanger so be prepared to throw the book, yell, scream but make no mistake I am on the edge of my seat waiting to see what will happen next in Scandalous.

*ARC provided by Netgalley & the author in exchange for an honest review.

Read the first book Sinful before this one as it is not a standalone. This story picks up where the other left off. Belle no longer trusts Sin or Xander. Both men attempt to keep Belle safe but it puts her in a dangerous position while trying to find answers to what happened to her parents. A heartbreaking answer comes to Belle after she is kidnapped and then brought back to the men. Will the trio be able to move forward from the painful past? A fast, paced mfm story with lots of action in and out of the bedroom. Cliffhanger warning for those who like to know beforehand.

I received a copy of this book via Netgalley and am leaving a review.

A steamy smoking hot romance book. The title says it all. Smoking hot characters. I loved this book and look forward to reading more from this author.

Overall Sensuous was a good story but there were a few minor things that took away from the story. Good characters.

5 out of 5 stars
Enthralling ending to a great story
November 25, 2018
Format: Kindle Edition

The second and final book takes off where the first book, Sinful, left off. Xander, Sin, and Belle's chemistry reaches explosive levels. The author's ability to give you insight into each of the main's characters thoughts makes them relatable and human. The who-did-it plot is suspenseful and full of twists and turns, and the love scenes are steamy, hot fun. My only complaint is that I wish the series wasn't ending!

Love this series!
Sensuous is the second book in the Sinful Surrender series and is just as good, if not better than the first book. It starts where Sinful leaves off. Belle is feeling totally alone. After a betrayal from someone she thought she could rely on no matter what, she is left not knowing who she can trust.
So many twists and turns, so much sexual tension. I was hooked from the start of the book and couldn’t put it down.
A really good series and I cannot wait for the next book, and to read more from this author!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of Sensuous (from NetGalley). All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This book was way better than the first one, and I am now anxiously awaiting the third!!! Delivering more drama than the first and with more back-stories emerging, I definitely enjoyed this novel. I was also pleasantly surprised that Belle seemingly did not really need quite as much rescuing in this one. What a very lucky girl she is! I must also say that I LOVE these male characters--Sin especially. Ending in another cliffhanger, which I also appreciate, is killing me for the sake of one of the main characters. (I refuse to provide spoilers, but I will say that this ending was much tougher to accept without the next book in the series already in my hands!) A big thank you to NetGalley and Katherine Hawthorne for the ARC!

Sensuous is the second book in the Sinful Surrender series by Katherine Hawthorne and is just as good, if not better than the first book. It starts where Sinful leaves off. Belle is feeling totally alone. After a betrayal from someone she thought she could rely on no matter what, she is left not knowing who she can trust. The fact that she is surrounded by bodyguards only adds to this. Are they there for her protection or to keep her a prisoner? She thinks she knows who killed her parents but in proving it she could hurt someone she is coming to love. But at the same time can she really walk away from clearing her father’s name? After all her search for justice has made her the woman she is today.

This story has it all. Murder, mayhem, kidnapping, secret identities, long buried secrets, a love triangle. Two alpha men who love the same woman. I can’t wait to read what’s next in store for Belle.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher and author for the ARC for an honest review.

4 stars.
As good as the first book. Well written, captivating, easy to read. I will read the next one if there is another one in this series!

Review shared online.