The Ecstasy of Sin

Brutal Brotherhood #1

by Kay Alastor

I’m invisible.
I’m a girl with no family, no friends, and no future.
Chronically ill. Homeless. Cast aside.
Death is beginning to look like mercy.
Then, he sees me.
An enigmatic stranger who holds me together like I’m not ripping at the seams.
And when he kills someone to save my life, I finally see the monster hidden behind his beautiful eyes.
He’s dangerous, and I should run...
But his obsession becomes my addiction.
His darkness becomes my sanctuary.
By the time the truth of what he is comes to light, it’s already too late.
Dominic Kael will burn the world to ash before he ever lets me go.


___________


The Ecstasy of Sin is a full-length dark romance standalone in an interconnected series. This book contains extremely disturbing content. Please read the trigger warning list before proceeding.

Genres: Dark Romance, Dark, Contemporary Romance, M F Romance, Contemporary, Romantic Suspense, Found Family

468 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 29, 2025

About the author

My name is Kay, and I’m an indie author devoted to writing unapologetically dark stories of romance, tragedy, and scorching spice... always with a happily ever after.

You can find the full list of trigger warnings for all my books on my website! PLEASE read them before reading any of my books.

I humbly ask readers consider this when reading my stories: My books are never meant to reflect healthy relationships or reality. They are intended for those who enjoy dark romance, morally grey to black characters, and blurred lines between consent and non-consent.

Happy reading, and always protect your mental health!


🖤 Connect with me 🖤

My Website
↬ http://www.kayalastor.com/

Instagram:
↬ https://www.instagram.com/kay.alastor/

Facebook Readers Group:
↬ https://www.facebook.com/groups/kayal...

Facebook Author Page:
↬ https://www.facebook.com/kayalastor

Reviews

[Jenn (The Book Refuge) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a dark, twisty, and sexy romance that had some moments of dry humor to keep you guessing.

I was immediately connected with Wren and her pain was palpable. Both her physical pain, due to her chronic migraine condition, her financial insecurity and unstable housing situations. She was a hot mess that life just keeps kicking around. She even believes it might be better just to stop trying altogether. Her despair was hard to watch but I was rooting for her so hard!

Then we meet Dominic, and he was instantly compelling. From his homicidal vigilantism, to his band of brothers, to his canine companion. He was a package I couldn't help but lust after. He was powerful, foreboding, and a little unhinged. But because of his brotherhood, he felt more grounded than some killers like him often seem.

When Dom gets his first look at Wren he sees a fragile, beautiful girl that he wants to possess. He follows and stalks her as his prey and starts making plans to acquire her, right from the start. But there are some very sweet, caring things he does along the way. He was this odd mix of caretaker and master all in one. I understood why Wren was fearful and yet drawn to him at the same time.

This book has a lot of sexy, twisted scenes for us to love. There's some primal play, hand necklaces, stalking, dubious consent and CNC. Wren likes to make him take her AND she likes to submit. Dominic awakens parts of her she never had a chance to explore before. It gets INTENSE quick.

I think the best way I have been describing this is that it has the dark MC like a Rina Kent or S. Massery novel might, but with the caring and tenderness of Neva Altaj. Just to give you a taste of what to expect.

There was a few things that kept it from a 5 star for me. I feel like it lost momentum once Dominic kidnapped Wren, and I wasn't sure of what the full thrust of the book was. But I still ripped right thought this and I can't wait for Ghost's book next.

4.5 Stars
4.5 on the spice scale

CW: Severe Migraines/Chronic conditions, Parental Death, Suicidal Ideations, Kidnapping, CNC/Dub Con, Slight Non-con, Murder, Violence, financial insecurity, and more

*Thank you to the author for an ARC of this title.*

[Melissa Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

** ARC in exchange for honest review **

Did I read this in one day? YES
Did I neglect my household chores to finish it? Also yes.

I will say it now I'm inlove with all 4 brothers, but if I don't get Torin's book ASAP I will spontaneously combust!!

The banter between the brothers???? EXQUISITE. The spice? INSANELY HOT. Dominic taking care of Wren like the most perfect unhinged psychopath with a heart??? YES YES YES!

I'm still melting over the chapter between Dom and Torin... I may never recover.

Thank you so much Kay Alastor for this opportunity!!

[Amy Yetman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first time doing an ARC so thank you to the author for letting me read!!

I read and loved her other two books so Im not surprised I loved this one sm! It's been a few years but her writing has gotten better and I love that. Plus she's the sweetest person to chat to.

Dominic is so unique and I love his big brother/daddy energy sm. I love ALL THE BROTHERS. The smut scenes were amazing too, the perfect amount to compliment the plot. But the motorcycle/forest chase scene will live rent free in my head FOREVER!

It's dark so make sure you read trigger warnings and if you have a weak stomach this one is probably not for you.

Thanks again for this ARC Kay!!

[Kay Alastor]

𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝔼𝕔𝕤𝕥𝕒𝕤𝕪 𝕠𝕗 𝕊𝕚𝕟
Releases August 29th 2025!

ᴘʀᴇ-ᴏʀᴅᴇʀ ʟɪɴᴋ ⬎
⤳ https://books2read.com/u/4jjj5o

⤳ HEA.
⤳ Standalone in an interconnected series.
⤳ No cheating/other woman drama.

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

THANK YOU FOR MY ARC KAY!!!!!! I LOVEEEED THE CHEMISTRY BETWEEN DOM AND WREN OMG!!!!!!!! AND THE LOVE SCENES WERE 🤭🤤👏🏽 SO EXCITEDFOR GHOSTSSSSS STORY!!!!!!!!!!

[Lisa S · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC for honest review

I felt so much for Wren. This book starts with a look into her teenage life and how sick she is, and then to end with tragedy... yeah, it make my heart hurt for her so much. Wren went through so much I don't think I would survive what she did. There was so much loss and sickness.

But she still tried so hard to make something of her life. Dominic's entrance into her life just made me sigh happily. Finally someone to care.

The book made me emotional because like... I can relate? I know lots of us feel invisible and like we don't matter to anyone. So when Dominic sees her and then you know he will never let her feel invisible again, and it just healed something in me.

And I'm literally feral for Dominic. He is the perfect mmc. I think he's more morally black than gray but not pitch black if that makes sense??

This was my fave read this year so far and I can't wait to read the other three brothers books!

Also the banter between the brothers was one of my favorite things. Their relationship felt so unique because they are like.. almost close like lovers but also not?? Its platonic love but super super close if that makes sense.

Thank you Kay for letting me ARC read your new book!

[Bea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read as arc
5-⭐️
3.5-🌶️

Kay really knows how to suck you into a story, this starts off following Wren, a cronically ill girl living at home with her dad who’s an alcoholic.
Eventually years later Wren is on the streets of dt Toronto (got that Canadian rep going)
Fast forward to Dom and Wren meeting in an unusual place, where she becomes his biggest obsession.

The burn is slow but let me tell you, it’s 100% worth the wait!
There is a lot to unfold in these 400 pages, and it’s captivated and put together so beautifully, you really feel so much for these characters.

There’s also lots to make you laugh, because who doesn’t love a good giggle while you’re knee deep in dark romance?!

Bonus, WE HAVE A DOG GUYS AND HES SUCH A GOOD BOY ❤️❤️

Thank you Kay for letting me read this baby, I am so greatful 🖤🖤

[Cindy Wyllia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED LOVED this story it was a10 star read!!!

I need the next brothers book asap!!!!

[Kennedy Readsalot · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Oh. My. GOD.

This book absolutely kept me hooked the whole way through and I loved every second of it. Dominic is the most terrifying, obsessive, possessive man I’ve read lately and I'm DROOLING OVER THAT MAN!!!

And Wren… my heart hurts for her. She’s broken, fragile, just trying to survive, and yet the strength she shows gutted me. Once Dominic met Wren I could hardly put the book down because I was desperate to see him come into his obsession and how they would get to their HEA.

+ No cheating or OWD
+ TRIGGERS!! Read them, this is DARK!
+ Smokin' hot spice!
+ Touch her and die to THE EXTREME!
+ Caretaker vibes... even tho hes an irredeemable psycho!

Also.... the epilogue. 🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Our FMC, Wren, is homeless. She's 25 and has been living on the streets of Toronto for years, bouncing between shelters and alleys to sleep in. She has a chronic illness- debilitating migraines, which causes her to often make the choice between medication or food her priority. Our girl is living out of a backpack.

She's down on her luck one night (of course), and she has no medication, dragging herself to a clinic. Where she meets our MMC, Dominic. He's one of four foster brothers (none blood related, but they grew up together and forged a brotherhood from it).

Dom is like an angry cinnamon roll- it's hilarious. A bit insta-love when he saw her, but dude is not letting go. However, I liked that he didn't immediately kidnap her or something. He watches her for the first... 40% of the book? Leaving supplies in her backpack and killing people who bother her. His mouth is decently filthy, too. He eventually decides she's coming home with him, whether she likes it or not.

Add in some Bratva drama and there you go. Some of the drama is unresolved, but I'm guessing that sets up for the next brother's book. I'll definitely read it; the group chats were enjoyable and their antics in general were amusing. Dom has a dog and the other three brother fight over who gets to walk him.

HEA, Dual POV
Stalking, Noncon Tracker installation, Primal scenes (I think I counted 2 or 3?), Pet name: "Little Lamb", Insta-love-ish.

Quote: “I will fuck you on the hood of this car until the only words you’re capable of saying are, ‘I deserve everything,’” he whispers, his voice low in warning.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

So I read this book in a day. It was so good. I loved loved loved the banter between the brothers!!. It felt very realistic and like I was in it with them if that makes sense lol this is also a fast paced dark romance that leaves you wanting more in the best way possible!

The spiciness was perfect! The characters had great chemistry and I will always be happy about a touch her and 💀 MMC 🥵

I also cannot tell you how much I appreciate reading a book that showcases an FMC that has not only a chronic illness, but severe severe migraines as someone who also struggles with migraines, it is debilitating at the best of times and to read a character that struggles with very similar Challenges was very special and so relatable!

I really enjoyed the fact that Dom had such a cute and special relationship with his dog Hunter. I loved the fact that that was part of the authors story as well and incorporated into this book.

Being a fellow Canadian, it is always so nice to read a book that captures pieces of cities and towns in Canada the story takes place in Toronto Ontario, which is close to my hometown and just made me smile reading about familiar areas/etc.

I cannot wait for the rest of this series to come out. I am invested in the brothers and cannot wait to see what each of their individual stories holds.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC! Thank you Kay Alastor! 🙏

The story begins with Wren's tragic tale, and only gets worse from there. By the time Dominic showed up, I was internally screaming for him to help her. And I wasn't sure at first because his introduction is a bloody and scary one.

I thought... morally black MMC is going to run across this poor girl going through it, please don't ruin her life, sir. 🙏

He didn't. He made it so much better.

I loved that Wren wanted to hold her independence and stay self sufficient even in her hardships but Dominic was like NO MA'AM I'M HERE NOW. NO INDEPENDENCE FOR YOU. Okay sexy stalker man.

And can I just say... these brothers??? Part of me wants Ghost and Ryker to get it on, but then I feel like it ruins the whole family vibe so maybe not.

I will read every brother's book but Im especially holding out for TORIN!! The scars, the PTSD... he needs to be held.

Ahhh! Loved this book so much!

Also the writing is phenomenal. I read Kays other books and I feel like she's improved a lot

And the cover is gorgeous I definitely need a copy for my shelf!!

[Megan McClendon · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first time reviewing an ARC, so thank you Kay Alastor for the opportunity!


Overall rating: 5/5

Spice level: 4/5


Wren is a young woman whose life has been marked by pain, suffering, and neglect. Not only must she face the grim reality of surviving homelessness, but she must also endure the neverending effects of chronic, debilitating migraines. During a particularly brutal migraine attack, Wren stumbles, quite literally, into the arms of Dominic, a serial unaliver and member of The Brotherhood, a group of four former foster brothers who have developed an unshakable bond through their trauma. Dominic isn't used to people looking at him as though he is there to be their savior, and he decides in that moment that Wren belongs to him and that she is never going to know pain or neglect ever again, whether she comes willingly or not.


There were so many aspects of this book that I loved. I appreciated the representation of the devastating effects migraines can cause and the importance of access to medication. The book also does not shy away from the reality of what it means to be homeless in a big city and the dangers that one faces. We love a good morally dark grey/black (depending on your personal definition) MMC, and Dominic is a perfect example who takes touch-her-and-unalive VERY literally. (He also has a dog!) The world-building was great, and I loved how everything was set up for the future books since this is going to be a series. The relationship between Dominic and his brothers was simultaneously heartfelt and hilarious, and I cannot wait to see more of it.


Overall, easily a 5-star read. I ate this up, and I cannot wait for the other installments in this series. 


(Did I mention that Dominic has a dog?)

[Rayne Mullen · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC READER review:
INCLUDES SOME QUOTES

I wholeheartedly LOVED this book from start to finish! The spice was spicing & the plot plotted! Not only did I love the FMC & MMC but those 4 brothers, their relationship, their banter, ugh 🥵 Torin holds a special place in my heart & I cannot wait for his book!
The MMC (Dom) is past morally grey but the way he cares so deeply about wren (FMC) is exactly what she needs, he is the definition of touch her & die - but we're all for that, right!

"the only thing I do better than killing is fucking and I'll take my time with both"
"and if she sees the monster inside of me and tries to run? I'll hunt her down and drag her back to me"
DOMNIC KAEL 👏🏼 👏🏼 🥵

"he said he wanted to earn it and I intend to make him do exactly that"
"domnic Kael has no intention of ever letting me leave" - no he does not so buckle up girl 🥵

[Allyson · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Fragile little lamb. You need a man like me to take you and keep you forever, don’t you, baby? Only I can love you the way you need to be loved.”

Wren is homeless and struggling to pay for her migraine and pain medications due to a chronic illness. When she stumbles into a tall, broody man at a clinic, her life is flipped upside down. Dominic makes Wren the center of his world and wants to take care of her.

This book was so good! The writing was phenomenal. From Kay’s character development to every emotion you could feel throughout.

• ᴍꜰ ʀᴏᴍᴀɴᴄᴇ
• ʜᴏᴍᴇʟᴇꜱꜱ, ᴅᴀᴍᴀɢᴇᴅ ꜰᴍᴄ
• ᴏʙꜱᴇꜱꜱᴇᴅ, ꜱᴛᴀʟᴋᴇʀ, ᴘꜱʏᴄʜᴏᴘᴀᴛʜ
• ᴛʀᴀᴜᴍᴀ ʙᴏɴᴅɪɴɢ
• ᴠɪʀɢɪɴ ꜰᴍᴄ
• ʜᴜʀᴛ + ᴄᴏᴍꜰᴏʀᴛ
• ꜰᴏᴜɴᴅ ꜰᴀᴍɪʟʏ/ʙʀᴏᴛʜᴇʀʜᴏᴏᴅ
• ᴍᴀꜰɪᴀ ᴍᴍᴄ
• ᴄʜʀᴏɴɪᴄ ɪʟʟɴᴇꜱꜱ ʀᴇᴘ
• ꜰᴏꜱᴛᴇʀ ꜱʏꜱᴛᴇᴍ ᴀʙᴜꜱᴇ

[JustOneMoreTBR · Rating 4 out of 5]

The predator to protector vibe always makes me weak at the knees.

This book hooks you in almost immediately with a complex back story for the FMC and keeps you around with intense chemistry, and a need to know more about the loyal brotherhood that you are introduced to.

To make it short and sweet, it's obsessive, morally grey, deliciously dark and twisted.

You should read it.

[andrea holliway · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

I loved this story about the dark and messed up Dominic and his true love Wren! He saved Wren from a life of despair and she saved him from a life of torment. I’m excited for the next book in the series.

[Dil Naidoo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh

[Charlotte Johnston]

Dnf @ 68%

It just lost the momentum and this type of fmc really does nothing for me. I can’t imagine the rest of the story will contain any compelling tension.