In Priest by Sierra Simone: After a family tragedy changed his life and his views of religion forever, 
Tyler Bell became a priest in the Catholic church with the hopes of being the type of man to always do what’s right. And three years later, since taking the job at St. Margaret’s in Weston, Missouri, he likes to think he’s accomplished just that. But it all comes to a grinding halt when Poppy Danforth steps into the confession booth. A lamb in need of guidance and solace, she calls to Father Bell like no one else ever has before. And for the first time in years, he’s faced with a temptation that he’s not sure he’ll be able to overcome.
‘I stopped seeing a penitent. I stopped seeing a child of God. I stopped seeing a lost lamb in need of a shepherd. I saw only a woman in need–ripe, delicious need.’
Tyler soon finds himself at war with the two parts of his nature: being a priest who cares for his flock, who tries to right the wrongs of his predecessor at the church; and the twenty-nine-year-old man who craves love and all things carnal with beautiful Poppy. Things move quickly between them. And all Father Bell can think of is how to combine the halves of his life so he can continue doing God’s work while having a future with the woman of his dreams. But when their sins in the eyes of the church come to light, will a decision be made for them? Or will Tyler and Poppy be free to choose their own way?
‘Then she ground out one word, and that was it–I was lost. Lost to my control, to my vows, to anything other than the need to mark this woman in the most primitive and the basest way possible. One word.
Yours.’
While you might not expect a book titled Priest to be fully in the erotic romance category, Sierra Simone created a provocative story that explored love, lust, grief, and how muddied everything became when religion was added to the mix.
‘Could a vow be not all the way broken? Could a sin be not all the way committed?’
Content warning: View Spoiler »
A sexy priest and a high-class stripper. It sounds like either the beginning of a dirty joke or the makings of a story filled with life lessons and warnings against sin. Both of these are kind of correct. A reissue from 2015, what Sierra Simone gave us with Priest was in some ways as (supposedly) blasphemous and depraved as some would see Tiffany Reisz’s Original Sinners series–I happen to *love* that series–but on a different scale. This was certainly erotic, kinky, and even had some BDSM. However, there was an instalove aspect that took me a while to get tuned into and actually begin to feel like Father Bell and Poppy had a genuine connection between them–not just lust and a longing for the forbidden.
Simone’s writing style was smart, wonderfully descriptive, and evoked emotion in all the right ways. As I mentioned before, it was the quickness of Poppy and Father Bell’s attraction, as well as me waffling over Father Bell not truly encompassing what I envision a Catholic priest to be, that gave me pause. I did still enjoy the book overall. Particularly the sweet HEA that was so very fitting for the couple. And if you’re looking for steamy, super sexy love scenes that are also taboo, Priest will definitely fit the bill! *fans face* So I think for readers with an open mind who like to read books that are a tad controversial but that do have depth in emotion, this might be a winner for you.
QOTD: Do you prefer reading books that tackle serious subjects like religion, grief, and loss or do you prefer something more lighthearted? Or a mix of both?
Book Info:
Publication: Published October 11th 2022 | First Published: June 18th 2015) | Bloom Books | Priest #1
There are many rules a priest can’t break.
A priest cannot marry. A priest cannot abandon his flock. A priest cannot forsake his God.
I’ve always been good at following rules.
Until she came. Then I learned new rules.
My name is Tyler Anselm Bell. I’m twenty-nine years old. Six months ago, I broke my vow of celibacy on the altar of my own church, and God help me, I would do it again.
I am a priest and this is my confession.
Amy R
Thanks for the review, this is on my TBR.
Michele H
Nice! I hope you enjoy this one when you get the chance to read it, Amy! 🙂
Silver
Great review.
Michele H
Thank you, Silver! Happy reading to you!
Amy Donahue
I don’t mind serious subjects, but based on the trigger warnings for this one I probably wouldn’t read it.
Michele H
I definitely understand, Amy! There were some subjects in this book that won’t work for every reader, that’s for sure. But hopefully something else of Sierra Simone’s will be a better fit for you! 🙂
Latesha B.
Sounds like an interesting read. I like a little bit of both, especially if the subjects are tackled tactfully.
Michele H
That’s great, Latesha! It can be interesting to mix it up and read books that have different tones to them. Even though this was pretty up front about the more controversial subjects, Sierra Simone did still handle it all in a gracious way. Enjoy!!
bn100
different
Michele H
Definitely a different type of story! But one that did certainly work well. 🙂
Dianne Casey
Sounds like a book I would enjoy reading. Adding to my TBR list.
Michele H
Nice!! I hope you do get the chance to read and enjoy this one, Dianne! 🙂
Ellen C.
I prefer lighthearted most of the time, but will read both.
Michele H
Same here, Ellen. It’s almost like a palate cleanser when we switch to a different themed book or one with a new tone to it, right? Happy reading to you! 🙂
Loverofromance
I LOVE this book, although I prefer the original covers. I enjoyed this one, although the series gets better with each book. She definitely writes some interesting dynamics.
Michele H
Yay! So happy you loved this book–and the series! I thought the same with the covers: I like the pop of color on the new one but the original just seems to fit the tone of the book better. I’m really looking forward to reading Sinner, Sean’s story. Especially knowing you loved it! 🙂 I was impressed with Sierra Simone’s ability to weave together taboo subjects and still have substance to the story…not just make it sensationalized for the sake of it.
Melanie B
I like a mix of both lighthearted and serious subjects; this was easily one of the hottest books I ever read, Sierra Simone’s writing is so good and her characters are memorable!
Michele H
That’s wonderful, Melanie! Even knowing this was in the erotic romance genre, I’ll admit I wasn’t truly expecting the level of heat. And that’s not a bad thing! 😉 She *definitely* knows how to write steamy scenes without it overpowering the story itself. It will be tough to forget Tyler & Poppy, that’s for sure!
Sharlene Wegner
I read this the first time around and really liked it. These days, I am more into more lighthearted romances, but this one stuck with me, so I will probably reread it at some point.
Michele H
That’s the true measure of a book, right? If it sticks with you long after reading it. Hopefully if you pick it up again, you’ll enjoy it just as much as the first time! Happy reading, Sharlene!