Reviews tagging 'Sexual violence'

Priest, by Sierra Simone

9 reviews

mhairi_reads's review against another edition

dark emotional 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

”I was supposed to be a shepherd of the flock, not the wolf.”

Forgive me Father for I have sinned. 

I will definitely be picking up more of Sierra Simone’s work after this. This was my first Sierra Simone read, but not the first book of hers I’ve seen highly recommended. Her writing was fantastic. She connected you to the characters and the story effortlessly. The pacing was great. Overall this was just a super quick, easy read. Full of smut and substance.

In Priest we follow Father Tyler Anselm Bell. A 29 year old Priest running a parish in Weston. The Priest before him was arrested and he has since taken over and grew his parish into what it is today. He is keenly aware of how hard he has worked to gain the trust of his parishioners after his predecessors discretions.

However Tyler Bell was not always destined to be a man of the cloth. He spent his younger years recklessly until a family tragedy steers him toward Priesthood, which he has since then become truly devoted to. He spends near every moment of his life dedicated to those in need of spiritual guidance. That is until he meets Poppy.

Poppy walks into the confessional booth one day and Father Bell’s world is flipped on its head. When she starts confessing her sexual sins and shows that she is not only comfortable with her carnal wants but she is also smart and well educated Father Bell is more than intrigued. The attraction between these two is undeniable and it grows rapidly. They begin an intimate relationship soon after and Tyler starts to question everything. 

What will he choose? His Faith or Poppy?

This is more than just a smutty read. It tells a tale of a man searching for his calling in life, trying to find his true purpose. He is a true man of faith but he is a man with needs too. 

As someone who was raised Protestant and not overly religious, the only issue I had was having to look up certain things that were mentioned because I had no idea what is was. Whilst that is of no fault of the authors it did keep taking me out of the story hence the 4 star rating but I am genuinely surprised at how much I loved this book. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship, Death, Suicide, Grief, Sexual content, Alcohol, Emotional abuse, Sexual violence, and Religious bigotry

Moderate: Child abuse, Stalking, and Bullying

Minor: Misogyny, Infidelity, and Panic attacks/disorders

thelassinlinen's review against another edition

dark emotional tense fast-paced

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Physical abuse, Suicide, Violence, Rape, Toxic relationship, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Self harm, Sexual violence, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Grief, Pedophilia, Infidelity, Child abuse, Sexual assault, and Sexual content

hannibanani29's review against another edition

emotional reflective fast-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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content and Suicide

Moderate: Sexual violence, Cursing, Alcohol, Toxic relationship, Death, Infidelity, and Grief

Minor: Sexual harassment

lauralouise93's review against another edition

dark emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Suicide

rosage's review against another edition

first off, the main piece of personality we get from the mmc is that he is a priest and that he likes the walking dead. the fmc has NO personality whatsoever. the writing also isn’t great in general. the 130 year old woman was the only character i liked and she had about 10 sentences total. i was so looking forward to this book and it was so popular on booktok but it does not live up to the hype at all and i was incredibly disappointed. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Child abuse, Child death, and Suicide

catholic priest abused mmc sister sexually and she commits suicide. it is listed in the trigger warnings at the start of the book as well

gazela's review against another edition

dark emotional 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? Yes

4.25

Two words: holy fuck.

To say something more: surprising mix of some seriously hot smut with deeply religious reflections. Don't read if you can't stand biblical quotes. Do read if you are still thinking about THAT confession scene from Fleabag.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content and Suicide

Moderate: Infidelity, Misogyny, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence

Minor: Alcohol

changreads's review against another edition

dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content

Minor: Sexual violence and Child abuse

Religious Abuse

bbygirl21's review against another edition

challenging hopeful reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.0

I absolutely loved this. I understand now all the hype surrounding this book. I understand how a lot of people would be shocked by some of the scenes. The sex scenes were absolutely amazing and definitely taboo for sure. But then again that's what I love about this book.

I also like the romance and love that's mixed all up in there and seeing Tyler fighting and  coming to terms with his feelings for Poppy knowing the consequences of them and all the rules he's breaking being a priest, but not being able to stop himself from falling for her no matter how hard he tries. 

The consent in this book is one of my favorite parts of this story. I'm always looking for that clear consent in a book and this author delivered. 

I can't recommend this book enough. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content

Moderate: Stalking, Sexism, Suicide, Alcohol, Cursing, Toxic relationship, and Grief

Minor: Rape, Sexual assault, Pedophilia, Child abuse, Sexual violence, and Sexual harassment

stacy_figueiredo's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional informative mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

I am not going to lie this book was different. I have never read a book like this before and idk it was kind of weird having to read about a priest having sex, but then again it is a story about him falling in love and sex is also a part of being loved. I just think that poppy was a bit shallow, as Father Bell said him self: 

I feel like God made her just for me.."

I really felt like Poppy was just created for Tyler and she wasn't much outside of him.

Overall I did like the book I enjoyed reading it and I also wouldn't be opposed to reading it again.
So the ending i dont really know what to think of the ending

Spoiler

ofc they where getting married

  but still i expected a bit more but it wasn't as cliché as i thougt it would be

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual content and Sexual violence