As a rapper who hasn’t been lost to the gimmick of autotunes, and meaningless lyrics, Sinful K stays true to himself. With just sixteen bars, he can grab the attention of millions all across the world. While everyone hears what they consider dope music, Sinful is simply trying to escape past traumas by getting lost in his music. However, there is no amount of money or fame that could extinguish the pain and torture he’s endured. The music only brings him peace for moments in time… what he desires is for his mind, body, and spirit to be on one accord, permanently.
Mary Lamb has been sheltered and controlled by her overbearing grandmother who believes the only way to live is without sin. At thirty, she doesn’t have a voice and has never lived life on her own terms. After connecting with Sinful, she discovers the peace and freedom she had longed for her entire life.
Coming from two different worlds, they have two different outlooks on life… and the same opinion of each other. Needless to say, there are no immediate sparks. But after letting their guards down, the judgment is let go too, and they find solace in their budding friendship. Soon things turn romantic… but will it last? Or will they find that what they had was just a moment in time?
Another new to me author, I found on IG and figured I would give it a read.
Overall, it was good. But the FMC was ridiculous to me. First impression of her, was I don’t like her and it never changed. If anything my dislike for her grew as the story continued.
I kept waiting for the author to come up with something else other than her reaching for “the oil” and prayer cloth. Like when was she going to finally matured/ evolved? Each time she called someone a “heathen” I wanted to scream.
Seriously! I could not with the FMC. The whole “they’re so opposite” aspect of the storyline became annoying. She was verbally abusive to him at times, completely judgmental. And it wasn’t addressed, which kept me from connecting these two together.
The scene when SHE decided she was taking Rose to church. Ugh!! Like sis, that is not your child- shouldn’t you at least ask?! And not dismiss him, when he says she can’t go! Talking about he knows how I am about God.
Ma’am sit down! It just more evidence to me of how self centered and judgmental she was. Basically she was, some of what she hated about her Granny. Who was also TRASH!
Again, overall this was okay for me. Didn’t hate it, didn’t love it. But definitely despised Mary Lamb.
This was an enemies-to-lovers and arranged marriage trope. I would've never guessed the second trope with the way these two were at each other's necks! Mary was a super Christian who was still trying to find herself outside of her grandmother's direction. Sincere was a troubled soul running from A LOT! Together they balanced each other and made a great couple. Mary gave Sincere peace in his time of need and Sincere gave Mary the courage and strength in her time of insecurity about her life decisions. There were a lot of funny moments because I think we all know a church lady with prayer oil and a cloth lol. Character development was nice as these two grew from their past and found happiness and security in one another. And I love reading stories like that. This book does cover a lot of trauma, SA of a minor, and the death of a family as well. So definitely check content warnings before reading. This is my first book by this author and I'm interested to read more!
A Sinful Mind was different but I found myself intrigued and wanting to know how things would turn out for these two. They were complete opposites, but they shared a similar background and I think that helped them to bond. Sincere, is an award winning rapper with many skeletons and hardships that he had to overcome. He’s also a new father and dealing with an addiction. When Sin was first introduced, I didn’t think I would like his character but as his background was explained, I started to sympathize with him. Mary was a lot to handle. I truly felt she was judgmental but eventually she grew on me. While I enjoyed the book, I felt it took a while to get to the climax of the story. I think about halfway through, things started to come together for me. I listened to the audiobook and read along with the ebook and I think the narrators were fantastic.
I haven’t made it far, but Mary is a turn off character. She doesn’t flow with the story. Not because she’s into her faith, but I can’t imagine someone being 30 still talking about what her grandmother says as if she’s a child. At 30 you’ve lived life a little and can determine things on your own, unless mentally there is something wrong with you. At 30 you know you can’t run around throwing water/oil on people without consequences. Steadily judging someone. It got irritating super quick. As I said I didn’t make it far but I can tell this is about to be childish, Mary is a grown woman who already doesn’t think on her own. I won’t finish the story and I haven’t even made it to the DNA test results.
Did not finish at 23%. The book is written like it was written by a high schooler. Both characters were immature and annoying. Especially Mary Lamb. What kind of character name is that? She was so judgemental and the "holy oil" being pulled out in every situation was annoying as hell. She was 31 but acting like a child. I was starting to think she was mentally challenged like her mom. I couldn't continue with the book. I wasn't feeling any connection to any of the characters. Sincere's personality wasn't any better than Mary's. His outbursts were just as childish🙄 always talking about sex and grabbing on his dick was a turnoff!
First, let me just say i freaking love this book! Mary Lamb was the highlight for me. I love how she was unapologetic about her faith, and she never wavered. Mary kept me laughing for most of the book. Sincere really pulled at your heartstrings. I found myself the most emotional reading his chapters. We he testified in court I broke down.
a bible thumping virgin and a coke head rapper. Baby this was a wild ride. You would have thought Mary was a 60 year old lady the way she said heathen about 400x in this book and Sin talking about his parts every time he opens his damn mouth.
They both went through some shit and overcome it beautifully. Overall the book was good but I feel like it was a bit dragged out.
This was such a breathe of fresh air. Sinful and Mary were hilarious 😂 in the beginning. They were polar opposites but needed each other for growth and freedom. This is a must read if you like a good plot and book flow! Congratulations Kendra this was a winner!
On pg 44/12% into the book and the concept is great but the execution is not the best. The verbiage, the fast pace, details not flushed out, && it’s slightly corny. If this is going to be a slow burn the chemistry isn’t building. I know Mary is supposed to be naive buts it’s coming off childish. She may not know about sex but she is an adult. Childish name calling and throwing holly water on someone as a 30 year old woman is giving toddler! This grocery store incident is something a child would do. An old lady buy cucumbers hasn’t had a home cooked meal? That doesn’t even make sense!
I truly loved this book, it has to be one of my top five for the year…. I went through every emotion while reading this book! What was undeniably beautiful was the way Sinful Man loved his Lamb! That man didn’t bat an eye at another woman and once he received the help he needed to become a better him! That man was the truth. I don’t like telling spoiling it for the next reader, but you won’t be left hanging or irritated after reading this book. I would start with Caught Up In A Rhythm, For The Love Of Christmas, Winter Crest Christmas Avery and Cupid, A Sinful Mind, and A Sinful Christmas…. you won’t be disappointed and will be highly entertained!
This was my first read by this author and I really enjoyed this read. Mary was crazy with that oil and praying cloth. Sinful had me laughing throughout the book with how he joke around with Mary. I was happy when Mary stood up for herself with her grandmother because needed to be independent. I felt so bad for Sincere when he spoke about what happens to his sister and mother due to the abuse from his father.
I loved this book. I loved the back and forth between Sincere and Mary. The way she says “heathen” has me laughing so hard. The way the author expresses the intricacies of navigating your personal walk with God and the way that some use those beliefs to manipulate others. The transgressions of those places in “spiritual leadership” roles. They both had trauma to deal with and Kendra did an amazing job at showing to different paths taken as a result of trauma.
This was so good I would love more from sincere and Mary even the kids when they grow up sin went through a lot and it was sad but I love the way Mary loved on him and never stopped praying for him
A Sinful Mind is a Masterpiece of a story! The banter between the two characters was hilarious but the story had so many serious parts! Kendra Necole balanced everything out!
Finished it in less than and day and don’t feel bad about it. This book was everything. I loved Mary’s crazy self with her holy oil. This book was just tooooo good ❤️
It's been a long time since a book made me laugh this hard. I absolutely loved the dialog between Sinful and Mary. The story was well written, and I truly fell for these characters and what they were going through.
I just typed out this entire review but Goodreads glitched and it’s gone so now I have to remember what I typed! 😆
This is the first book I read by this author. I want to be intentional about reading more BIPOC authors this year and decided to start my year with a book that’s mainly Black characters and written by a black woman.
I haven’t read this particular genre in a minute. In like years actually. I got tired of the stereotypes and the way my people are portrayed in these what some people call “Urban Romance” or “African American Romance” but then I realized that made me a hypocrite because I LOVE mafia/mob/motor cycle club/gang romances and is that not full of violence and guns and stereotypes? So this is my official apology to this genre in particular. I will read more of these because the AAVE is our culture, the food, the community, that should be celebrated. Will there be stereotypes in some? Sure because it sells, but not all of them are like that and they deserve a chance.
I’m not gonna lie, that first chapter sucked me right into this story! Sincere was really going through it! Then his behavior had me hating him for a while. He was such an asshole! Mary wasn’t likable at all either. They were a fucking mess! I kept reading just to see them fuck up and argue with each other but after a while I realized that I was invested in the story and not just reading to be nosey and go through the motions.
This book is so real! The things it addresses is real and it wasn’t afraid to tackle them. The Social Worker that I am loved the healing journey these two went on and how authentically it was portrayed because it’s not a linear journey at all.
I love when the title of a book is revealed and it makes sense. The title of this book is absolutely fucking perfect!
I’m glad I gave this book a chance! The characters showed so much growth and the spice and steam was hittin and the author’s voice and writing style pulled me in!
This book had me on a rollercoaster ride from the first chapter. His pain and suffering was so palpable. Mary was funny and protective, loving and strong. Two broken hearts become one. I enjoyed this book so much. You showed the beauty in their relationship and love also in unwavering Faith.
From the very beginning, I knew Rose was going to save his life, and sure enough, Mary ended up saving it too. I laughed out loud at Mary and Sincere’s first encounter, especially when she threw the holy oil on him. All I could think was, these two are absolutely going to fall in love later, even though they can’t stand each other right now.
Mary was a blunt-mouthed, overly sheltered Christian who really did not know when to stop talking, especially when she was in danger of being beat up. The holy oil moments were funny at first, then started to feel a little over the top, and yes, Mary could be frustrating at times. But the concept of the story and her character arc kept me reading. By the end, she grew on me and yes Mary was taking the d*ck by the end.
My heart broke for Sincere. Once his backstory unfolded, his actions at the beginning made so much sense. All he wanted was to be with his family, and that made me root hard for him and Mary to build something real together. They truly needed each other. He became her backbone, and she became his salvation.
Mary showed up for Sincere without being asked. She pushed him to stay present in Rose’s life and to get sober for her. She stepped in naturally, helping with Rose like she was already her own, and nobody could tell Mary that Rose wasn’t her baby. I think that’s exactly what softened Sincere toward her. Despite how extra she could be, her heart was pure where it mattered.
I also loved how Lamb being placed in Brook’s life added depth, and seeing Mary slowly come out of her shell was rewarding. She never fully let go of the cloth and oil, but she wasn’t the same overly sanctified person she was at the start. She still had a reckless mouth and was ready to curse someone out over Sincere, and I enjoyed that growth.
Phoebe, Mary’s mother. She was special needs, but you could see how badly she needed protection and love. Granny Mable, on the other hand, was suffocating. Her need to control Mary did real damage, not just to Mary but to Mary and Phoebe’s relationship. Watching Mary finally snap on her was satisfying and yes, Mary was cussin her out real good. That guilt-tripping, manipulative behavior had been building for a long time.
Sincere deserved the family he finally got. His father was a piece of work, and good riddance to him. By the end, this story gave me exactly what I wanted: growth, healing, and a family that felt real. I honestly want more of Mary and Sincere, especially seeing Sincere fully settled into family life. He earned that peace.
Kendra Canty, Oh my lord! I feel this book deep in my soul. It's such a sad thing to know how our lives are sometimes almost destroyed by someone else's decisions. When I tell you how I laughed, cried, and had so much joy, man oh man. It's A true statement what God has for you it's for you. For me this journey between Sinful K, Sincere and Mary is one of the best love stories I've read. Watching all the pain Sincere had inside of him turn him into someone he never knew how to express himself in a healthy, way. Being Sinful K was his way of blocking out the reality of the world. Mary Lamb, oh my how I love Mary, she is all about her God and nobody better try her! I love how both of them had to find their own direction in life because they were cheated out of their childhood. To see growth between the two is unmistakable love that neither knew how much they needed each other to blossom into their true destinations in life. I wish everyone could find their Mary Lamb or Sincere at least one time in life. God has his way of getting your attention, he will take only the strong through the hardest test because he knows what's inside of you that will be able to come out the fire!!!!! 🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗 Great Read!!!!
Sinful and Mary were something hilarious at the beginning. They couldn't stand each other. When Sinful was being petty and sent Mary to jail, it was so funny. Mary and that oil. I love how even though their friendship started off rocky, Sinful still encouraged Mary to speak up for herself against her granny. That grandmother was something else. Mary was exactly what Sinful needed in his life. She spoke life into him. Sinful found his peace in Mary. I love how even from the beginning, Mary treated Rose like her own child. I love how Mary took care of her mother. Ms. Phoebe didn't play about her watermelon. I am glad that Sinful took the necessary steps to get his life in order. This book it brought out a very good point Even though we want to force or want better for someone that they have to want it for themselves until they do nothing, you do for them will work. Sinful had the most traumatic childhood that could actually break someone ,but God had a calling on his life. So, nothing he did was going to get in the way of that. I truly love that Sinful and Mary had a great friendship first. I truly enjoyed this book from beginning to end. Mary stayed true to herself and did let anyone or anything take her away from her God. Kendra Necole, you definitely came out swinging with this book, and I can't wait to see what is next ❤️
I understand that there are a lot of people who gets off on religious bs, but for me...I just can't.
We constantly read our h berate, judge and talk shit about our H as if she's better than him. She's a Christian, but not just any Christian...no, she's a religious freak! She literally assaults him in the first damn chapter, and we're supposed to just forget that happened? Smh
Will not be continuing to read this crap. Terrible first impression.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This story follows Sincere “Sinful K” Kennedy. He is a rapper and addicted to drugs. He starts to spiral in life until one day one of his old jump offs, drop a baby off at his doorstep and pulls off. Sincere doesn’t know the first thing about a baby and definitely dont think that a baby fits into his lifestyle. He calls on the one person that can help him, his ex-manager Avery that fired him because of his shenanigans. She agreed to take him on as a client as long as he stays with her until the DNA results are back so that the scandal isn’t leaked out to the public. The only issue with that is that her cousin Mary Lamb who is in town helping Avery as her assistant can’t seem to get along with Sinful, initially. Her righteous ways clashes with his sinful ones. This story touched many deep topics on how both Mary and Sin’s childhood painted their adult life. They both were being controlled by something of their past. I love how God was the center of it all. No matter what they went through, God was right beside them!
Kendra you know you did your thing with this one. When I started reading I couldn't put it down. No matter what Sinful K and Mary said to one another they couldn't deny the feelings they had and were building for one another. The way Mary felt for Rose from the beginning was so sweet and what she was willing to do to make sure that Sincere got her back really touched me. The way Mary prayed for her man and stood by him during his hardest time was all he needed to overcome his demons. When Mary got a taste of that sinful man as she called him she couldn't get enough lol. That grandma Mable was too much for me when she wasn't living right herself but wanted to judge Mary I was so glad when she put her in her Place. There is so much more I would like to say but I don't want to spoil it for others. I hope we get an update from this couple because I know them kids gonna be a hand full.
I’m not too far into the book admittedly, but so far it’s been pretty difficult to find the motivation to continue reading this book. The premise sounded interesting and a lot of the reviews were good but the characters are lacking for me. Both H and h characters don’t have a lot to make me feel attached to them, and the heroine especially works my nerves with how childish she acts and thinks. I get she’s supposed to be sheltered, but her actions would be a bit more believable if she was younger and not in her 30s. The male character had me intrigued at first with the struggles he was dealing with, but some his actions sorta left me put off by him. I’m sure they both get some character development later on, but I don’t want to force myself to continue just for the chance I’ll like one of the characters a bit better later on (I highly doubt the h will grow on me). I think this book is gonna be a dnf cause the story & characters isn’t something I’m connecting with.
This book was ok. I grew to like Sincere and Mary Lamb as a couple even though they both had problematic personalities. Sincere was immature AF. His "swag" was 🤮. Mary Lamb's character felt like a caricature of a believer. Seriously? The oil and the cloth? Calling everyone heathens? Extremely judgmental? The entitlement? I couldn't take her. Not even sure what made these two attracted to each other. They were definitely enemies to lovers but the fake marriage trope was unexpected and did not make sense. Sincere was battling a severe drug problem. Couldn't figure out how marrying Mary Lamb would help that situation. They were focused on getting custody of his daughter but seemed to gloss over the fact that the best interest of the daughter is a father that's not addicted to drugs. Priorities seemed misplaced. Nonetheless, I did enjoy watching them support and strengthen each other.