Forgive me Father, for she is my sin. Willow Ashley pays her bills through sin. She’s made her peace with that. Her best friend, on the other hand, cannot. She relentlessly begs Willow to go to church to confess all of her wrong-doings. When Willow finally gives in, she stumbles across the new pastor, Rowan Elsher. He’s the kind of gorgeous she wants to thank the heavens for, and makes her think all sorts of filthy things that would make even God blush. Rowan Elsher came to New Orleans hoping to make a real difference in helping those in his congregation. When a woman approaches him about her best friend needing guidance, yet refusing to tell him why, he becomes curious. Then he sees Willow, with her ample curves and seductive pout. In a glance, his infatuation with her begins. He was told to stay away from dating within the congregation. He shouldn’t want her. He can’t want her. But he just can’t help himself but to break all the rules he vowed to keep. USA Today Best Seller, DV Fischer, delivers a sizzling dark romance sure to leave readers gasping for more. For warnings, head to her website.
Muddy Waters is a fast-paced read that moves quickly from start to finish. While the writing flows well, the story itself lacks depth. The characters feel two-dimensional, without much development or complexity to make them truly engaging. The plot follows a singular, predictable trajectory with few surprises, making it easy to guess how things will unfold.
For those who enjoy straightforward, easy-to-follow narratives with a happy ending, Muddy Waters delivers exactly that. However, readers looking for layered storytelling, rich character arcs, or unexpected twists may find this one a bit lacking.
DV Fischer does it again with this knock out book, the characters grab you and don’t let go in the best possible way, I pretty much read this book in one sitting because I couldn’t put it down. I absolutely love the relationship between Willow and Rowan, but I also loved Willows relationship with her best friend. Can’t wait to read anything else DV Fischer puts out <3
OMG, @dvfischerauthor you've done it again! Finished another book today within 24 hours!
MUDDY WATERS - its not a new book, it's on her backlog but YALL 🔥🥵 This amazing lady author knows how to throw down! She is totally the #spicequeen
If you haven't read it, head straight to @Amazon! <--- You need to purchase it right now, along with HER. Hell, while you're at it purchase all of her books! 📚
I don't think I could love this book any more than I already do!
The characters are exact opposites, and you know what they say about that. In this story, that statement reads true as the two of them are drawn to each other like moths to a flame. It's a forbidden one, one that has dire consequences if anyone found out. But try as they might, Willow and Rowan just can't stay away from one another.
The spice level of this book is off the charts and the emotional roller coaster the author takes you on is intense!
This was a fantastic dark romance and I highly recommend it!
I really enjoyed this read. A lot if the self-proclaimed curvy girl books I pick up aren't actually about curvy girls at all and end up being completely disappointing in that aspect. This one didn't do that. It didn't feel as taboo as I expected because of how things played out and idk how to explain that, but that could be my religious trauma lol. I am always a hit skeptical. Altogether enjoyable read. 🤌🤌🤌
Willow Ashley, she does what she has to to pay her bills, even if that means paying her bills through sin. It's taken time, but she's made peace with what she has to do to make sure she's taken care of. It's her best friend, her best friend is the one who just can't handle what Willow is doing. She's constantly begging Willow to get her butt to church and confess all her sins.
Eventually, Willow gives in and heads to the church. It's there that she meets the new pastor, Rowan Elsher. Rowan is the kind of man that makes Willow want to sink to her knees and thank God for granting her this kind, gorgeous man. He makes her think of all the filthy things that she could do to him and with him, and she knows that even God would blush several shades of red.
Then we have Rowan Elsher himself. He moved to New Orleans wanting a fresh start, looking to help those in need. Most of all, though, he just wanted to make a difference in the life of his congregation and his community. When Willows best friend, a women Rowan has never met before, comes to him begging him to help her best friend who needs his help, even though she refuses to tell him why and what she is messed up in. Everything she does tells him peeks his natural curiosity and makes him want to help this woman all the more.
When Willow walks through his church doors finally, her curves make him catch his breath and she has a pout that would stop any mad dead in his track and he knows without a doubt that he is in serious trouble with her.
He knows that he shouldn't be dating members of his congregation. He has been warned about that several times. And he knows that the reality of life is he really should not want her as much as he does. No, he can't want her. That's breaking all the rules. But, as the saying goes, the heart wants what the heart wants, and Rowan can't help himself and break all the rules that he's vowed to keep.
I first fell in love with D.V. Fischer's writing with her book “Claimed by the Damned”. But, this book felt like so much more than just your typical smut book. It felt like so much more than the typical D.V. Fischer novel.
For me, this book wasn't only about the spice, although I never complain about the spice in a book. Muddy Waters, it was a roller-coaster of emotions that had a very real to me story. One of the things that I love about D.V. Fischer is that a lot of her FMC's are curvy girls, and as a curvy girl myself, I can't help but appreciate the stories that D.V. Fischer weaves.
Like all books, I go into them with zero expectations. I don't pre-judge a book, not by its cover or it's blurb. I let the cover draw me in, and I really don't read the blurbs. I let the cover do all the talking for me. When I don't have a cover, I skim the blurb for keywords to tell me if there are any tropes that I will enjoy or not. Muddy Waters, though, caught me off guard, and this story touched my heart.
The way the characters interacted was perfect. The dialogue was moving and touching, it was so moving, and the weaving back and forth between the two MCs brought me to tears at times.
And D.V. doesn't ignore her supporting characters either. She makes sure they have their moments to shine. The supporting characters just add more to the story, make the MCs shine, and give depth to the storyline.
What will really get to you the most is the love that comes from the people you least expect. We see through Muddy Waters that no matter who you are, what you've done, what you've seen, what you've been through there is still going to be the right person for you. That one person who is perfect for you, who will see you for you, accept you no matter what, love you as you are. It's such a powerful reminder that everyone, and I mean everyone, deserves to feel that kind of connection at least once in their life.
Muddy Waters is a story that shows us all just how complex and tricky friendships can be at times. D.V. Fischer shows us that it can be hard for us to truly trust another person after we have been betrayed and how powerful forgiving and being forgiven can be. And this was when it truly hit me, and I was truly brought to tears. To know just how powerful this grace can be.
Who knew I'd be crying over a smut book? It wasn't just about the spice. It had a real story too! I have so much to say about this book! D.V. Fischer really knows how to take her readers on an emotional rollercoaster.
Relationship: Priest x Prostitute Theme: Forbidden Contemporary Romance HEA: Yes
I went into this book with no expectations. And it completely surprised me. This story really touched my heart. The interactions between the characters were so genuine and moving, they brought me to tears. It wasn't just the main characters either. Even the supporting roles (the people who came in and out of their lives) made the story more emotional.
I was really touched by how it showed love coming from people you'd never expect. Like, no matter what you've been through, no matter who you are, there are still the RIGHT PEOPLE who will see you, accept you, and love you for exactly who you are. That's a powerful reminder that everyone deserves to experience that kind of connection.
This story portrays the complexities of friendship as well. D.V. Fischer also showed how tricky friendships can be. She showed how hard it is to trust someone, how much it hurts to be betrayed, and how powerful forgiveness can be. Again, that part really hit me hard because it resonated with me so well in real life. That's one of the reasons why this book made me cry, despite having spice in it. 💔
If you're into forbidden romance and a bit of spice, but want a good story too, a story that makes sense... then this is for you!
NOTE: This is my personal opinion about the book. My goal is to share my experience, not to change anyone's perspective.
I enjoyed Muddy Waters by D.V. Fischer. While the story itself didn’t feel particularly original, it was still engaging and well-executed. The writing was easy to follow, with a smooth flow that kept me hooked from the first page.
The story follows Willow, a woman who makes peace with her choices despite her best friend's constant urging to confess her sins. When she finally gives in and attends church, she meets Rowan, a pastor struggling with his own desires. Their undeniable chemistry leads to temptation, pushing the boundaries of faith, duty, and love.
The pacing leans toward the faster side, but it works well because a lot happens, and nothing feels rushed. The characters were interesting, though I would have liked a bit more introspection—more emotions woven into the plot to deepen the connection. The setting was well-portrayed, and the secondary characters added depth. However, one aspect that felt slightly unrealistic was the MMC’s lack of close friendships. He is described as well-liked, yet he has no one to reach out to, not even via phone, which made certain elements of his character feel somewhat disconnected from reality.
Overall, I’d recommend this book to readers who enjoy contemporary romance with darker themes, particularly those who don’t mind a strong religious background. If you liked Priest by Sierra Simone, you might enjoy this one, as it explores similar themes of forbidden attraction and internal conflict. And if you like a bit of spice, that certainly won’t hurt either!
ARC Review: Muddy Waters by DV Fischer ⭐ 4.5/5 Stars | 🌶 4/5 Spice
Some books make you blush. Some make you sweat. Muddy Waters does both—and I couldn’t put it down!
Willow Ashley has made peace with her choices, even if her best friend hasn’t. When she finally gives in to attending church, she meets Pastor Rowan Elsher—a man who is just as bound by his convictions as he is by his undeniable attraction to her. Their chemistry? Scorching. Their connection? Forbidden. And their love? Utterly impossible… or is it?
DV Fischer masterfully weaves an intense, tension-filled romance that is equal parts angsty, emotional, and sizzling hot. The push and pull between Willow and Rowan had me hooked, and their slow descent into breaking all the rules was deliciously sinful. Rowan’s internal struggle, paired with Willow’s confidence and vulnerability, made their dynamic all the more compelling.
The spice level is solid—it’s steamy, forbidden, and downright sinful at times (in the best way possible). My only minor critique is that I would have loved a little more emotional depth in certain moments to fully round out their journey. That said, this book absolutely delivers on its promise of a forbidden romance filled with passion and turmoil.
If you love off-limits romance, sizzling tension, and characters who risk it all for love, Muddy Waters is a must-read.
⚠️ For content warnings, check out DV Fischer’s website.
ARC REVIEW! This was deliciously, good and spicy. There were some parts that grossed me out a little bit and then there were some of that stressed me out a little bit, but that aside this is good. Went pastor Rowan pull that Glock. I was like yes man of God you do what you were put here to do and protect your woman from evil, sir. I wasn’t mad at it at all. In fact, one of those stars in my rating is simply for the fact that he stood on business for his Hoochie, mama. He was like you either gonna let my girl go or I’m going to send you to meet my boss and he meant that. I really enjoyed this from start to finish. There were some questionable moments because I would probably pass out if I was a guy and I kissed this girl not knowing that literally a hour or so ago she was slobbing on another man knob, but he was so in love. I don’t think he really minded. I would’ve died, but you know to each their own. I was so happy when she finally got out of that lifestyle and dedicated herself to him. They were so cute and happy together. It was the perfect ending. The epilogue was really good. I loved it. That spice!!! This man turned her every way, but loose every time he grab her and I’m not mad at it. At his place of work, at his house it didn’t matter where he said it was on site. If you want something that is dirty Sweet, weird a little bit but still really good. Read this.
Often when I read a new book I love to figure out why Authors give it the title they do and I guess I'm not the only one to be pulled in by a title knowing the story is going to be something gripping. Well I can honestly say "Muddy Waters" did not disappoint me in any way. Besides when you read the synopsis to see the roles of the two main characters you know you will not be disappointed (unless you are a stout religious person maybe). Loved the two leading characters and certainly the LFC was truly fantastic, in actual fact someone who knew what she liked and was happy to fight for it. Its a flavoured romance, meaning not 'vanilla' but something a little risque, taboo and enticing but not over the top dark. But still one that will draw readers into it and allow you to feel the emotions that come along with an good romance story. A little good verses bad but with a huge dose of true love and connection. Its one of those stories where you realise that in real life how easy it can be to over- judge and simply make assumptions based on little knowledge but have no idea to the true background goings on that pull our lives along. A well devised plot filled nicely with great characters, incredible scenarios and that whole sense of emotional fulfillment.
Wow!! What can I say about this book? You are so gonna want to put this on your TBR list! It ticked all the boxes for me. Forbidden romance: Yes! Opposites attract: Yes! Insta attraction: Yes! And I think he falls first! YES!! but that maybe up for debate! A Dark romance, with all the feels and hotness that grabs at you and does not let go till the very end. The insta attraction between Pastor Rowan and Willow is off the charts hot! How does one who lives in sin everyday and a Priest meet? In a church of course! What is she doing in church you ask? Finding redemption? Maybe! Or just there to appease her best friend, Whitney, who is forever trying to get Willow to give up her lifestyle and return to the churches fold! The best decision of her life is to go to church and meet the new Pastor! And so begins the story of Willow and Pastor Rowan meeting for the first time and feeling that inevitable pull towards each other. Their story is not without drama as they try to manage their lives and feelings without causing a ripple effect throughout the parish community. Another brilliant read by DV Fischer and one that I could not put down. Read in one sitting, this is a book I definitely recommend! A Stunning worthy 5 stars from me!
This is a brilliantly written dark romance, with a lovely story, great plot, characters you'll love, drama, forbidden romance, love and spice. Plus the FML is an unashamed book lover, who's happy to share her books with the pastor.
Willow knows what she does is frowned upon by many, but it's how she pays her bills. Her best friend Whitney however is determined to help her and keeps trying to pull her back to church. When Whitney succeeds in getting Willow to go she's pleased she did and finds reason to keep going back. Her problem; she knows she can't have a relationship as they always seem to have an issue with her work, and Captain doesn't allow it, so she's trying to convince herself that he's just a friend.
Pastor Rowan has moved to the church in New Orleans to make a difference and help others. The old pastor gives one bit of advice when he goes on holiday "avoid dating the congregation" but on seeing Willow he's smitten. When he's asked to help someone's friend, he's curious and pleased to find it's Willow. He know's he shouldn't be drawn to her but can't help himself and he'll do everything he can to help her.
"Forgive me Father, for she is my sin."
I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I really enjoyed this intriguing read that explores the darker aspects of society and how those can make us "fall" and "lose ourselves". I particularly enjoyed how that exploration translates into an impossible romance with believable if crazily high stakes. I also appreciate that the author manages to examine these examples of our flawed human nature without judging the characters and instead offering grace, acceptance, and understanding. That is so rare in a book with such a strong religious undercurrent - this last not really a surprise considering one of the characters is a priest.
My only gripe with the story is that this author consistently gets the Middle English conjugation relevant to thou and thine wrong, which was just irritating by the end of it because it's so jarring to me, especially since it was pretty much a situation at the start of every chapter.
Otherwise, it's an excellent contemporary romance read that provides great food for thought and offers a wonderful reminder that it isn't our place to judge, and - far more importantly - how much good could we do if we stopped judging and instead offered a helping hand?
Willow Ashley does questionable things to pay her bills, but she doesn't know another way to pay her bills. She's got her own place out in the sticks, and she's content with her life. Her best friend would like nothing better than to get her to go to church with her. When she finally does, it changes Willow's life but not in the way she expected.
Rowan Elsher is the handsome new pastor who moved to New Orleans in hopes to be able to do something good for the people in the congregation. When a young woman approaches him to speak with him about her friend, he agrees to help, but one look at Willow has him thinking about all the rules he wants to break with her, beginning with the one about not getting involved with anyone in his congregation.
This story was just the right amount of dark mixed with humor and sexy. Rowan is the hot pastor, and Willow is the one who brings out all his deepest desires. It's a perfect combination to make a great dark romance. I loved it and look forward to the next dark romance she writes.
D.V. Fischer can write some hot af scenes, and her writing style is easy to get sucked into.
I'm so glad Willow listened to Whitney and went to church!! The chemistry between her and Rowan is awesome. I love that they are eachothers salvation and the way Rowan calls Willow his dove is so cute! I really like reading how Willow grows once she realizes that she can move past her past. I'm not going to lie. Pink pissed me off, but I'm so glad things ended with her how they did.
As for the Captain situation... I felt like that was handled almost too smoothly/quickly. Especially after the scene, he caused saying how she could never leave. The ending of the book felt a bit rushed to me. I would have loved getting to experience more of how they work out Willows relationship with her parents and would have loved more interactions with Pink. If there was just a little bit more storyline at the end of the book, this would have been a 4 star read.
Who knew we needed a Pastor and a Prostitute to fall in love and have 🌶🌶 s*x!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌶🌶
Spicey, romantic, saucy, just the right amount of forbidden too... Plus the FML is a curvy gal 💁🏻♀️
I LOVE how the FML is just like us, she's a total bookwh*re and not ashamed of it either! However, I think it is beaten by the fact the pastor is turned on by the smut too... Come on men, we know you'd love listening to lady p*rn if you gave it a chance too.
The characters are brilliantly thought out and executed with precision 😚👌🏼 the forbidden places they have s*x and using the forbidden items is just 🥵
100% recommend anyone to read this... don't get discouraged by the pastor/church vibe... it's wrote tactfully and I didn't even realise I had a Kink for this kind of thing until I read this book 🫶🏽🖤
As a plus sized woman, I love reading a romance story that involves one and she gets the sexy man. DV Fischer nails it every single time and she brings the heat.
Willow does some very questionable things to make a living and take care of herself. Her friend continues to beg her to go to church with her and one Sunday she gives in. Little does she know, that one service is going to change everything for her.
Rowan had a questionable past, but is now a priest. He is starting at a new church and his first Sunday he meets the beautiful Willow. He doesn’t know much about her except he is drawn to her.
The character growth with Willow was so amazing. I am so glad she went to church and everything started to change for her. She deserves a happily ever after, even if she was a sinner. Rowan turned into a very protective man and didn’t want anyone hurting the woman he cares for.
D.V. Fischer writes steamy scenes and suck you into her story each and every time!
Do you like taboo situations? How about a sexy priest? The bayou? This is the book for you! Willow listened to Whitney and went to church!! You see Whitney wishes that Willow did something different to pay her bills. But after she is convinced to go back to church, the chemistry between her and Rowan is awesome. I love the way Rowan calls Willow his dove! I really love the fact that they can save each other from their pasts. Willows character growth really made the book!
Secondary characters Pink and Captain infuriated me but I feel they were integral to the story. At the end, I wanted more story but loved the ended as a whole!
This was pretty good. I'm not a religious person but I enjoyed this story. This follows Willow, who has chosen a life of prostitution to make money. She's kept it a secret from everyone but her best friend, who thoroughly despises Willow's choice; and tells her every chance she gets. Pastor Rowan is the new pastor at church and both him and Willow have an immediate attraction. The only problem... Pastor George has requested Pastor Rowan to not become involved with anyone in the congregation. But Rowan and Willow can't stay away from each other, especially after Rowan finds out what exactly Willow does for a living. They save each other. It's a sweet story, with a little added spice.
This does contain some violence, so please proceed with caution.
I have seen the popularity of the priest-type books out there and I haven't gotten around to reading them. Then I was allowed to read this and give my thoughts on it... For my first naughty religious man, it was not half bad.
Obviously this is a very spicy book with multiple scenes. I jumped in blind so I did not know Willow was a lady of the night until I was reading and I thought it was interesting and a nod to the Bibical to have that as the FMC.
I don't have much to say without going into more detail and possibly giving spoilers, which I don't want to do. I will say that I liked how it played out with the older pastor once the relationship is known and that I would have liked Captain to be handled differently, like possibly having an alligator do the dirty work.
WOW is all I have to say about this book. Was not expecting to be this enthralled but DV did it again. By bringing the taboo story of a priest questioning his vows to a prostitute that is just trying to get by but has the heart of gold. The spice level is off the charts between these two.
When Rowen met Willow he was enamored by her beauty and was having forbidden thoughts towards her. Willow knows her line of work is not for the weak but it pays the bills. When Willows best friend begged her to come to church, Willow wasn't ready for what was about to happen in her life. The feelings between Rowen and Willow get stronger with each day but when Rowen finds out what Willow does for work he doesn't run away but rather runs towards her.
This was such a great read from DV Fischer. A taboo romance with two main characters that so polar opposite to each other, it is no wonder they were heavily attracted. Both broken from their pasts and own behaviours, the healing vibes rivals the steam these two create. While both are strong, determined and wanting to accept their growing love, the fear of rejection and loss is a determining factor on their lives together. This contemporary romance is a must read purely for the wonderful characters and the fantastic and engaging writing that brings emotion from the very beginning to the very last word. Muddy Waters is a baptism of desire you will not be able to or want to put down, I certainly didn't!
This needs to be added to your tbr. Willow works the streets to make money to be her bills. It's what she does. But when her friend Whitney takes her to church to seek help for her friend, that's where Willow meets Rowan. Rowan is a pastor who offers Willow to seek him out and spend some time with him in hopes of getting her to open up and talk to him about her problems. But the attraction between them is too strong. That's right. The Pastor and the Prostitute. Who would have ever that this would make such an amazing read! Rowan is the complete opposite of Willow and she has him breaking all the rules for her. This story was so well done. It was well written and the characters were awesome. The story is sweet and spicy!
3.5 stars I don’t know if I would consider this a dark romance. At least not in regards to other dark romances I have read. I would say it’s a “at dusk” romance. Not fully light, or dark.
It was a quick read and had a decent plot. There were points where it felt rushed, where it could of used a little meat and potatoes. The conflict with Captain felt too easy. Like “poof” all gone. I didn’t really buy it. I felt like the relationship was also missing something, but I couldn’t tell you exactly what.
Overall an enjoyable read. I really like the cover of the book, and the title name is perfect with how the new Willow came to be.
Holy smokes! Pun intended. This was a steamy forbidden romance that had me hooked from the first sentence. It was full of more than just steam. It was full of emotion and the reality of how our actions affect our lives. We got the glimpse into the dangerous side of life and also a glimpse into redemption. The chemistry of this couple off the chains. And how he fought for her, hello, swoon! There were moments that surprised me and some people's actions who had me yelling at them. This is a must read. Especially if you are a dark romance fan. And you want steam? Oh this book has it! This narrator did a great job. I really felt pulled into the story.
I do not normally read a pastor/romantic books but this one drew me in. The story felt real with Willow and Rowan. Willow has ways that she earns a living that most would not agree with. Rowan is a pastor that just wants to help people. The way the story is written is full of action, but yet you see the growth of both of our beautiful characters. I loved how Willow is coming into herself with Rowan’s help. There are some darker moments that could possibly be a trigger for a few, but the way they are written it was tastefully executed. The was a quick read but definitely keeps you glued to it. I loved how it ends. It is definitely a fantastic story that doesn’t disappoint
Muddy Waters by D.V. Fischer had me addicted from start to finish! I went in expecting something taboo, and while it wasn’t in the way I thought, it was so worth it. This fast-paced read moves quickly, pulling you through an intense whirlwind of emotions and scorching spice.
Even though this book isn’t new, I’m beyond thrilled that Fischer brought it to life—because wow! When I say she is the queen of spice, I felt it in my toes!🔥 The tension, the heat, the raw emotion—everything about this story had me on edge in the best way possible.
If you love a book that takes you on a wild, steamy ride with all the feels, Muddy Waters is an absolute must-read!
If you liked Priest this book is for you! I personally DNF Priest, but I liked the concept so I tried this book ok. I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN! It was so relatable and the plot was amazing. There is some good smut in there as well, but I love the story of the 2 characters and what they had to work through to be together. It was a pretty quick read if you are looking for your first book outside of your comfort zone as well. 100% recommend!!