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sari_kov's review against another edition
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Sexual content, and Alcohol
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
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
cadinth's review
emotional
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Preemptively writing my review at 50% as I know I will finish this book today for the sake of finishing it.
There really is no plot progression or maybe I'm just less of a contemporary fan as I thought. I love smut or erotica but I prefer it with a more developed story. It's funny to say that the story was secondary to the spice but the spice was also few and far between. Even if you can consider this a smut book, there aren’t enough spicy scenes to give proper consideration for the lack of intrigue in the story or character development. As much as I love the premise (forbidden romance, potentially blasphemous), there was so much lacking. The story did not make up for the smut and the smut did not make up for the story.
Update after finishing:I still stand by what I said, but I am overall glad there is a happy ending. There are misunderstandings and unnecessary angsty moments that were an irritating development towards the end which is why I kept my rating at 2 stars. But otherwise content with the happy ending.
There really is no plot progression or maybe I'm just less of a contemporary fan as I thought. I love smut or erotica but I prefer it with a more developed story. It's funny to say that the story was secondary to the spice but the spice was also few and far between. Even if you can consider this a smut book, there aren’t enough spicy scenes to give proper consideration for the lack of intrigue in the story or character development. As much as I love the premise (forbidden romance, potentially blasphemous), there was so much lacking. The story did not make up for the smut and the smut did not make up for the story.
Update after finishing:
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide and Alcohol
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
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
meg53's review
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Sexual content, and Grief
Moderate: Suicide and Alcohol
Minor: Child abuse and Rape
edietz22's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
tense
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? It's complicated
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Child death, Cursing, Infidelity, Pedophilia, Suicide, Grief, Stalking, Outing, and Alcohol
rchulin1's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
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
3.75
A very taboo relationship but a good read I feel like the background characters needed more appearances tbh
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child death, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Grief, Suicide attempt, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
meganpbennett's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Better than I was expecting, but I didn't love it. I thought the backstory of why Tyler became a priest were better than his current issues with his vows.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Infidelity, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicide, Grief, Stalking, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment