Reviews

A Consecrated Heart by Lyra Evans

randelina's review

5.0

I thoroughly enjoyed this story because it was different. The relationship twisted up with the religious aspect was fantastic. I will be reading this book again in the future.

lezreadalot's review

5.0

I wanted to know his sin. Maybe I wanted to be his sin.

4.5 stars. I honestly didn't expect this novella to make me feel so much and get such a reaction from me, but I'm so happy that it did? It's about Lyle, a demon whose job is to corrupt souls, which he usually does by staking out churches, and finding all too willing victims. He ends up staying at his current church for longer than expected, and then a new priest arrives, one who is sunnily, blindingly good, but with one small spot of darkness in his heart. His fellow demons goad Lyle into attempting to corrupt Father Aaron, and that begins a friendship and relationship that was so emotional, really thoughtfully written, and just super lovely.

There was just something about this book, in the easy, flowing writing and super-well constructed atmosphere, that kept me compelled to keep reading. It's hopeful, even when it's dark. It's slow burn, perfectly paced, takes its time letting us know the characters, and it spends time on little moments which are my favourite parts of romances. That alone made this novella more satisfying than a lot of full length novels I've read. And the culmination, the reveals, and payoff: all so good!! Without getting into spoilers, the book avoids treading in a place that it would have been really easy to go, and I'm so grateful for that. Also, for such a short book, there is some grade-A yearning that I lived for. I ADORE romances like this, where people who are so diametrically opposed end up falling for each other helplessly. While super sexy, there was so much focus on what drew them together as people, and the brand of tenderness that emerged was my jam.

This was such an unassuming book, and the way I loved it just crept up on me. But it's just the kind of romance I've been craving. Huge kudos.

Content warnings:

Spoiler

BDSM, painplay, blood, whipping, (off-page) suicide and suicide ideation, discussion of addiction, and a lot of blasphemy, obviously lol

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fantasyliving's review

3.0

**Freebie from Prolific Works**

This was definitely worth my time and I was totally into it up to Chapter 9.
I was all in for this Demon and his Priest. ALL. IN.
However...
I was not expecting what I got and it dulled a little of the shine for me.

Don’t worry, you get a HFN. It’s just not how I thought it would happen.

I’ll leave it there.

Definitely going to check out the author’s other work because I am totally on board with the writing style, character building, world building and tight plot.

I would recommend this to others