Ana Huang’s King of Greed, the third installment in her Kings of Sin series, is a masterstroke in the “marriage in trouble” trope—both dark and dazzling, raw and redeeming. It strips the sheen off fairytale marriages and exposes what happens when love is no longer enough, and yet somehow, still everything. Dominic and Alessandra Davenport’s story is as much about rediscovery as it is about regret, and Huang lets it unfold with a blend of elegance, heat, and emotional realism that has become her signature.
Kings of Sin Series: The Anatomy of Power and Passion
Before delving deep into King of Greed, it’s worth noting where this story stands in the seven-book Kings of Sin series:
- King of Wrath (2022) – Dante Russo & Vivian Lau
- King of Pride (2023) – Kai Young & Isabella Valencia
- King of Greed (2023) – Dominic & Alessandra Davenport
- King of Sloth (2024) – Xavier Castillo & Sloane
- King of Envy (2025)
- King of Gluttony (2026)
- King of Lust (TBA)
Each book is a standalone featuring a powerful man battling one of the seven deadly sins. In King of Greed, that sin is—naturally—ambition that edges into obsession.
The Plot: A Marriage Cracks and Crumbles… Then Rebuilds
Dominic Davenport is the archetype of ruthless success. A billionaire CEO raised in foster care, he’s shaped by trauma and obsession with security, control, and status. His empire is spotless, except for the crumbling wreckage of his marriage.
Alessandra, once the ideal wife who supported his every move, decides to walk away—not out of anger, but out of necessity. Years of emotional neglect, unspoken grief, and being reduced to a decorative extension of Dominic’s success have left her empty. Her quiet strength in leaving becomes the catalyst for change.
The story chronicles their separation and painful attempts at reconnection, set against a backdrop of financial scandals, family tension, and poignant intimacy. From business deals in Manhattan to personal reckonings in Brazil, the novel balances a high-stakes emotional arc with Huang’s signature sexy tension.
Thematic Core: What Does It Mean to Be Enough?
Ana Huang doesn’t just write romance—she writes questions.
- What happens when love isn’t loud enough to drown out ambition?
- Can trust be rebuilt after years of neglect?
- Is change truly possible—or just a temporary illusion of growth?
These questions simmer beneath the surface of every chapter. Dominic’s greed isn’t just for money—it’s for control, for security, for permanence in a world that never gave him any. Alessandra’s departure isn’t a declaration of war; it’s a cry for life. She wants to be seen, not just kept.
These aren’t dramatic flourishes—they’re the words of a woman who’s learned the cost of self-betrayal.
Character Study
Dominic Davenport: The King Who Almost Lost It All
Dominic is not a villain, but he’s no hero either. He’s cold, calculating, and frustratingly blinkered by his career. Yet Ana Huang doesn’t ask us to pity him—she asks us to understand him.
Over the course of the novel, Dominic’s arc feels earned. He makes real sacrifices. He begins to see that love isn’t an asset to manage—it’s a connection to nurture. From stepping back from a major acquisition to choosing family over finance, his transformation isn’t just emotional—it’s behavioral.
His marriage proposal the second time around is everything, It’s cheesy. It’s genuine. It works.
Alessandra Davenport: A Quiet Revolution
Alessandra steals the book. She redefines what strength looks like in a romance novel. She’s not out for revenge. She’s not looking to punish Dominic. She just wants to breathe again.
Starting her flower business, asserting her boundaries, learning how to say no—these aren’t plot devices. They’re the very heartbeat of the book. Her resistance to Dominic’s advances isn’t to create drama—it’s her survival mechanism.
And when she says, “I found myself,” we believe her.
Emotional Tension: Love in the Time of Loneliness
This isn’t a book of will-they-won’t-they. It’s will-they-survive-themselves.
- Scenes that linger:
- Alessandra’s trembling voice as she signs divorce papers.
- Dominic crying in the dark after reading her goodbye letter.
- Their first kiss post-separation—tentative, desperate, full of ghosts.
Ana Huang crafts emotional tension like a symphony—slow builds, sharp crescendos, and silence that speaks volumes.
Prose and Style: Smooth, Soulful, Smart
Huang’s writing in King of Greed is arguably tighter and more resonant than her earlier works. The dual POV is balanced with precision. Dominic’s narration is clipped, introspective, often haunted. Alessandra’s voice is more lyrical, rich with yearning and clarity.
The novel’s pacing holds well, though the midsection in Brazil feels a touch languid. Still, this interlude provides necessary emotional reflection and sets up the resolution with poetic symmetry.
The sex scenes are steamy, but never gratuitous. They’re always tethered to the story’s emotional beats. Each act of intimacy is an unfolding conversation—of apology, of need, of tentative hope.
Critique: What Didn’t Quite Hit the Mark
Despite its strengths, King of Greed is not without flaws.
- A Predictable Arc: Second-chance romances walk a fine line, and a few scenes echo tropes too closely (e.g., the meddling friend, the grand gesture).
- Roman’s Subplot: The high-stakes financial scandal involving Dominic’s brother Roman is intriguing but underdeveloped. It feels like setup for future books rather than a cohesive part of this one.
- Pacing Dip Midway: While the Brazil chapters offer a needed break, some moments lack urgency and drift too far from the emotional core.
These are minor stumbles in an otherwise impactful narrative.
Series Context: Why King of Greed Matters
While King of Wrath showcased arranged marriages and King of Pride leaned into class and cultural friction, King of Greed digs into what comes after the vows. It’s a natural evolution in the Kings of Sin arc. This book makes future installments (King of Sloth, King of Envy, King of Gluttony, King of Lust) feel more urgent—because now we know these kings are not just powerful; they’re painfully human.
For fans of Huang’s Twisted and If Love series, this is her most mature and emotionally grounded work yet.
Similar Reads
If King of Greed left you aching in the best way, try:
- The Idea of You by Robinne Lee – Second chances and deep longing
- After I Do by Taylor Jenkins Reid – A marriage put to the ultimate test
- The Takeover by T.L. Swan – Hot billionaire meets unexpected domestic upheaval
- Before We Were Strangers by Renée Carlino – Lost love, found again
Conclusion: Imperfect, Honest, and Completely Worth It
King of Greed is not a fantasy—it’s a reckoning. It doesn’t just entertain; it reflects. It’s about rebuilding love not from memory, but from raw, open truth. Ana Huang shows us that true strength doesn’t lie in never breaking—but in choosing to heal anyway.
A poignant, passionate ride through the wreckage of a high-profile marriage—and the quiet courage it takes to make it whole again.