King of Envy Audiobook – Kings of Sin, Book 5

There’s something undeniably decadent about listening to a slow-burn romance on a rainy afternoon—especially when the main characters are tangled in silk sheets, secrets, and longing looks across marble ballrooms. With “King of Envy,” I found myself curled up with my favorite mug (coffee spiked with just enough caramel for comfort), absolutely swept away by Ana Huang’s latest billionaire saga.

As someone who adores emotionally charged love stories but needs substance beneath all that steam, this book checked every box. Vuk Markovic isn’t your typical billionaire heartthrob. He’s bruised, reserved, haunted by more than just his fortune—and Jason Clarke gives his voice an edge that had me rewinding scenes just to soak it in again. There’s such gravitas in the way he delivers even simple lines; you can hear restraint shiver around the edges of desire whenever Ayana is near.

Ayana Kidane—oh, how I admired her resilience and honesty! Her story hit home for me as a woman who has sometimes felt out of place among flashier crowds or forced into roles by circumstance. Nia Serge brings Ayana to life with warmth and quiet strength; there were moments during Ayana’s monologues where her emotional vulnerability mirrored things I’ve struggled with—trying to remain grounded while everything around feels precarious and false.

What struck me most about “King of Envy” is its commitment to genuine angst without tipping into melodrama. The forbidden aspect—the aching knowledge that these two shouldn’t even look at each other—is masterfully handled: full-body tension builds slowly through workplace-adjacent run-ins and late-night confessions high above city lights. Huang doesn’t rush their connection; instead, she lets us stew alongside Vuk as he fights (and loses) against feelings he never wanted.

The supporting cast adds depth rather than distraction—a rare treat in books like these! The business engagement subplot felt modern and plausible rather than soapy or cheap. It made every stolen glance between Vuk and Ayana electric because you genuinely root for them but respect the messiness standing between them.

If there was anything that left me wanting just a touch more, it might be those final chapters—I longed for another scene or two where we saw Vuk fully step out from behind his walls after years spent hiding emotions behind power suits and distance. Still, what we do get is satisfying; Ana Huang knows exactly how much pain (the kind you’ll secretly enjoy) readers want before delivering relief.

And can we talk about narration chemistry? Clarke + Serge are pure magic together—it really does feel like eavesdropping on an intimate series destined for Netflix adaptation status. Their duet makes sultry moments sizzle but also renders the quieter exchanges heartbreakingly real.

Ultimately, “King of Envy” gave me everything I crave: yearning set in penthouses rather than castles; sharp banter layered over deep wounds; hope cut through by hard-won growth instead of easy fixes. If you’re drawn to forbidden romances bursting with rich people problems—but crave true emotional payoff—you won’t regret diving headfirst into this one…though fair warning: you may end up rooting for billionaires (just this once).