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junkyardqueen's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
fast-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
5.0
Amazing start to this sexy series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Sexual assault and Suicide
tibbarasden's review
challenging
dark
medium-paced
3.0
I don't think I have ever actively not wanted the characters of a romance to get together. At least not until now. Even when I dislike characters, I still root for them. In this case, I was praying (pun intended) that maybe the author didn't plan on these characters actually having their romance book happy ending. These characters are so toxic and immature. It wasn't the taboo nature of the book. It wasn't the smut scenes or the kinks the characters had, even though a lot of them really weren't my kind of thing. It was Poppy not only lacking in the communication department but then making toxic choices around the struggles that come with having an affair with a priest. On top of that, I don't think the author writing her that way really honored the character she created in the first place, who was open and honest about her past and the things she wanted. Then we have Tyler. His darker urges and his recognition of his toxicity within those urges didn't make those things less toxic or not okay. It was like in his mind since he recognized those things he could just apologize and move on. Also, some of the smut just didn't feel believable. I get the duplicity of him having this darker side along with his love for God. But giving in to his carnal desires does not mean he needs to have such a lack of control. He is almost 30 for crying out loud. Then we have the back story of his sister and what happened with the priest before him. I wish that aspect had been done better. It was almost like it was added just to make him seem like he had this big life calling and to add to his conflicting emotions, but nothing is actually happening, and it doesn't really matter in the end. It had moments where the struggle of being a priest and a man, along with wanting to make an impact in the vocation, was really engaging. There were characters I really liked. Overall, the writing was easy to read and get into. The way the characters were handled just wasn't it for me. I could almost root for them if this had been the back story for a second chance romance as Tyler at least had some growth at the very end. I also think it would have worked better if it was dual pov, so we got some insight into Poppy's choices, though even if we had had that, I doubt I could have gotten behind this character.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Sexual assault, Suicide, and Alcohol
emmydoil's review against another edition
Slow, weird plot holes, weird vibes. Great sez scenes though!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Rape, Sexual assault, and Suicide
taleofabibliophile's review against another edition
fast-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Infidelity, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Grief, Stalking, and Alcohol
Moderate: Pedophilia
crimson27's review against another edition
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
- Female lead that knows what she wants and is not ashamed
- Very interesting takes on religion
- Instan love/attraction
third act breakup
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Death and Grief
Minor: Sexual assault
beaniebookcorner's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault and Suicide
Minor: Sexual assault
graceiereads's review
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Suicide
Moderate: Cursing and Alcohol
twistedmaze's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
This church needs a deep clean ASAP it’s got to be a biohazard
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Suicide
spicycronereads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Wow this was 🔥🔥🔥. A former Dom who is now a priest and a former stripper who enters his confessional. I am sure you can imagine where this is going…
Obviously the taboo romance elements and spice are 👩🏻🍳💋. I give it 4 1/2 🌶️. Though I almost DNF’d because the self recrimination at the beginning was…a lot.
But that is not the most interesting thing about this book.
I was baptized Catholic though never practiced, and later baptized again in a non-denominational Christian church. I do not currently identify as Christian and though I recognize certain spiritual elements to my life, they are more tied to nature and community.
And we all know there are plenty of bad things about the Catholic Church, many of which figure into the plot of this novel. But I have to say that the way that the author writes about Catholicism, reconciliation, ritual, and the presence of capital G God, is really quite beautiful.
Obviously the taboo romance elements and spice are 👩🏻🍳💋. I give it 4 1/2 🌶️. Though I almost DNF’d because the self recrimination at the beginning was…a lot.
But that is not the most interesting thing about this book.
I was baptized Catholic though never practiced, and later baptized again in a non-denominational Christian church. I do not currently identify as Christian and though I recognize certain spiritual elements to my life, they are more tied to nature and community.
And we all know there are plenty of bad things about the Catholic Church, many of which figure into the plot of this novel. But I have to say that the way that the author writes about Catholicism, reconciliation, ritual, and the presence of capital G God, is really quite beautiful.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide and Alcohol
Moderate: Child abuse, Pedophilia, and Sexual assault
Minor: Toxic relationship and Stalking
mkdc's review against another edition
emotional
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I found this book through a random TikTok and given the previous books I've read from similar findings, I didn't hold out much hope. There is a lot of smut, and well written smut too. The writing style of the author is actually really good and it surprised me given the usual writing styles being stunted and quite childish. This book was written in a very mature way and the writing style displayed this in well structured sentences and flowing conversations that didn't feel as if was a jumble of words falling from a teenagers mouth.
This story held heavy under-tones of sexual abuse within the church so I definitely think that warrants a trigger warning for those who may find reading such things difficult as it is obviously tied into a story of hot and heavy lust coupled with filthy smut.
The overall concept was good and I enjoyed reading a religious based book with other themes I also enjoy. There wasn't an overbearing amount of religion in the sense it didn't feel preachy and it also didn't slander those of religious belief.
Over all it was an interesting read and one I was pleasantly surprised with. I am keen to read some of the authors other books as a comparison and see how their writing style continues.
This story held heavy under-tones of sexual abuse within the church so I definitely think that warrants a trigger warning for those who may find reading such things difficult as it is obviously tied into a story of hot and heavy lust coupled with filthy smut.
The overall concept was good and I enjoyed reading a religious based book with other themes I also enjoy. There wasn't an overbearing amount of religion in the sense it didn't feel preachy and it also didn't slander those of religious belief.
Over all it was an interesting read and one I was pleasantly surprised with. I am keen to read some of the authors other books as a comparison and see how their writing style continues.
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual assault