Scan barcode
readingwithleslie's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Infidelity, Mental illness, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Death, Grief, and Death of parent
sdupont's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Saint is a solid read in the Priest series. Sinner was my favorite of the trilogy but I did enjoy Saint. I feel like this book would’ve benefitted from more of Elijah’s POV, I felt like we didn’t get enough from his side out of the article/journal excerpts. The romance fell flat by only getting one characters true perspective, especially one that spends much time alone, in silence, or in prayer.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Death
Minor: Rape and Death of parent
miaisabelle7's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Suicide
Minor: Sexual assault
honey_pie's review against another edition
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
As a stand-alone book, this is rly good, but compared to the rest of the series it fees like a lot more of the same… but gay this time
Like for all I love aiden and elijah it was honestly pretty predictable and didn’t get good until after halfway through
Like for all I love aiden and elijah it was honestly pretty predictable and didn’t get good until after halfway through
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Sexual content, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
browningwithabook's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide
criticalgayze's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I know I normally say that strict "romance" is not for me, but I really dug this book. I think a big part of that is that the characters' own struggles with sexuality and faith are very relatable to me.
Oh, and this one was hot. 9.5/10 on the level and content of the steam. (Slight point deduction for referring too much mouth licking and referring to genitalia as "my/his sex" and to closed mouths as having "seams.")
After a novel built on the back of will they/won't they angst, I do think the revelation/resolution comes too fast without any kind of real interior or assisted awakening or growth; however, I think this is a strong novel overall with great steam, characters, and writing.
Quotes:
There’s only the aching knowledge that you yourself are a kind of momentary prayer, uttered with reverence, spoken softly into the air, and then finished with a gentle and loving selah. (Page 10)
The thing about falling in love is that by the time you realize it’s happened, it’s already too late. Your boyfriend already has sprinkles for you in the pocket of his Tom Ford suit. You’ve already had bubble gum kisses on a warm city night. (Page 59)
My reflexive dislike vanishes in the face of a reality I shared with him before monkhood— which is that safety is contingent on space, on who is in that space, and even though I am wearing the robes of the god- man who chose people from the margins to share his heart, I know that his spaces and believers have often been the least safe of all. (Page 121)
“You bring me closer to God, Elijah,” I tell him softly. “Simply by existing.” (Page 403)
Oh, and this one was hot. 9.5/10 on the level and content of the steam. (Slight point deduction for referring too much mouth licking and referring to genitalia as "my/his sex" and to closed mouths as having "seams.")
After a novel built on the back of will they/won't they angst, I do think the revelation/resolution comes too fast without any kind of real interior or assisted awakening or growth; however, I think this is a strong novel overall with great steam, characters, and writing.
Quotes:
There’s only the aching knowledge that you yourself are a kind of momentary prayer, uttered with reverence, spoken softly into the air, and then finished with a gentle and loving selah. (Page 10)
The thing about falling in love is that by the time you realize it’s happened, it’s already too late. Your boyfriend already has sprinkles for you in the pocket of his Tom Ford suit. You’ve already had bubble gum kisses on a warm city night. (Page 59)
My reflexive dislike vanishes in the face of a reality I shared with him before monkhood— which is that safety is contingent on space, on who is in that space, and even though I am wearing the robes of the god- man who chose people from the margins to share his heart, I know that his spaces and believers have often been the least safe of all. (Page 121)
“You bring me closer to God, Elijah,” I tell him softly. “Simply by existing.” (Page 403)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Sexual content, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Death, Drug use, Infidelity, Suicide, and Death of parent
bbygirl21's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
So I think this book may have be my favorite book out of the three in this series. And it’s definitely the heaviest and most emotional book for me out of the three.
The way that mental illness was tackled and discussed in this book is so truly beautiful and raw that I felt like I was in Aiden’s mind myself. Within just the first 20 percent of the book I was already in near tears from how well Aiden’s feelings are portrayed. Especially after seeing Elijah for the first time after so long.
I also loved the glimpses of Elijah’s thoughts as well. Seeing a little bit of his struggles too as he tries to find closure so he can truly move on with his life only to get more and more questions.
This book made me think more about the power of faith and the impact it can have on someone in the darkest times of their life. And the monks in this book were some of the most amazing characters. I absolutely adored them.
The way that mental illness was tackled and discussed in this book is so truly beautiful and raw that I felt like I was in Aiden’s mind myself. Within just the first 20 percent of the book I was already in near tears from how well Aiden’s feelings are portrayed. Especially after seeing Elijah for the first time after so long.
I also loved the glimpses of Elijah’s thoughts as well. Seeing a little bit of his struggles too as he tries to find closure so he can truly move on with his life only to get more and more questions.
This book made me think more about the power of faith and the impact it can have on someone in the darkest times of their life. And the monks in this book were some of the most amazing characters. I absolutely adored them.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Sexual content, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Death, Rape, Sexual assault, and Suicide
Depression, suicidal ideation
More...