Priest: A steamy, forbidden romance of secrets and temptation (Priest, 1)

I loved that this book wove the feeling of religion and of love together so beautifully. Also it was hot so so hot!

I have mixed feelings about this book. First half: 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ Second half: 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ The good: - The s*x scenes are well written and definitely spicy. Lots of playing around with various taboos, as well as themes of domination/subjugation, and self-control. There were a couple really good scenes, which I felt were much better written then some other popular books in this genre. -S*x scenes are frequent, particularly in the first half. Lots of things happening inside the church itself, which I assume most people reading this genre want. - MMC is very likeable and relatively multi-faceted. He was well written, for this type of genre. I'd have him as a book boyfriend any day of the week. - There was an attempt at a plot (albeit, a predictable one) - Descriptions of religious items, themes, places, etc. were well-informed. You can tell the author did her research. - It's a shorter read so you don't have to take days and days to read through it (unless you would like to). The bad: - I hated the MFC. She initially comes across as a manipulative s*x addict, purposefully trying to tempt the priest away from the church. I got the sense she knew exactly what she was doing. Then half way through she becomes almost a completely different character. I assume this is the author's attempt at character development, but it falls flat imo. She gives so many mixed signals, makes completely selfish and/or irrational choices, does not communicate, is manipulative but in an "I'm a shitty person" kind of way, etc. She annoyed me, and I found myself less absorbed in the chapters with her POV because of how insufferable she is. - As a result of not liking the MFC, I didn't really like that they ended up together. I don't feel she was sufficiently redeemed. She remained annoying. - I recognize for the sake of plot, and probably as a result of this author's writing style, that a real, affectionate romance was going to blossom out of all the lust. It just seemed kind of forced and inauthentic. I didn't believe the MFC actually loved him, and I don't think the FMC had enough like... personality (? I don't really know) for him to completely F up his life for her. It felt weird that he was imploding his whole life's work/reputation/moral system for someone super mid tier. - The second half is less spicy, which I suppose is good if you like more plot driven stories. I felt it just started out BAM! and then fizzled out near the end (there are still spicy scenes, but imo they're less hot). Overall, worth a read if you're into the genre and this particular kink. I liked the audiobook. Most of my criticisms derive directly from me not liking the MFC, but maybe you'll find her less insufferable than I did.

Very good- I’m just not a hopeless romantic.

This book made me blush. It was wild. 3.5⭐️

amen

Forgive us father for we have sinned. This is so sweetly sinful that I might need to go to church. But I love how the author intertwined guilt with redemption, lust with love, doubt with prayers. But I give it a 3, I feel like it was rushed and dragged at the same time. Character could use a little development. The break up was unnecessary, personally I think. Other than that I enjoyed the read.