What do you think?
Rate this book
Purity #3
Lust: Special Edition Paperback
He's a holy man. She's his greatest temptation.
When I became a pastor, I made a solemn vow to I wouldn’t touch another woman until I met my destined wife.
For three years, I’ve had no trouble keeping that promise.
Until my best friend's youngest daughter became my intern.
Mariana is everything I shouldn’t crave—free-spirited, unapologetically atheist, and way too young for me. And yet I want her with a fevered obsession, even if it means betraying the trust of my best friend.
Giving in to lust would be a sin of the highest order. Is God testing me?
I know I need to resist her, but every time her eyes twinkle with mischief, every time that teasing smile tugs at her full lips, I forget my devotion to my church. I forget the promises I made to God. I forget everything but the woman who might be my undoing.
Father forgive me, I’m going to sin.
When I became a pastor, I made a solemn vow to I wouldn’t touch another woman until I met my destined wife.
For three years, I’ve had no trouble keeping that promise.
Until my best friend's youngest daughter became my intern.
Mariana is everything I shouldn’t crave—free-spirited, unapologetically atheist, and way too young for me. And yet I want her with a fevered obsession, even if it means betraying the trust of my best friend.
Giving in to lust would be a sin of the highest order. Is God testing me?
I know I need to resist her, but every time her eyes twinkle with mischief, every time that teasing smile tugs at her full lips, I forget my devotion to my church. I forget the promises I made to God. I forget everything but the woman who might be my undoing.
Father forgive me, I’m going to sin.
266 pages, Paperback
Published September 30, 2023
623 people are currently reading
3535 people want to read
About the author
Skyler Mason
14 books1,173 followersSkyler is a romance novel reader first and foremost. Her books feature strong heroines who sometimes make their heroes cry, but only because they deserve it. After all, if romance isn’t angsty, is it even worth it?
Subscribe to Skyler's newsletter here!
skylermason.com/subscribe
instagram.com/authorskymason
twitter.com/authorskymason
facebook.com/authorskymason
Join Skyler's reader group here:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/35380...
Subscribe to Skyler's newsletter here!
skylermason.com/subscribe
instagram.com/authorskymason
twitter.com/authorskymason
facebook.com/authorskymason
Join Skyler's reader group here:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/35380...
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 181 reviews
September 21, 2023
This is my favorite book I've written. Yep. I said it.
Lust is angsty, emotional, and SUPER sexy, which is the big three for me. Pastor Brandon is obsessed with Mariana from page one, like a good book boyfriend should be. His obsession with her grows into something sweet and sacred.
I really hope my readers love this book as much as I do, but even if you don't, I'm so happy I wrote it. This one was a labor of love.
Lust is angsty, emotional, and SUPER sexy, which is the big three for me. Pastor Brandon is obsessed with Mariana from page one, like a good book boyfriend should be. His obsession with her grows into something sweet and sacred.
I really hope my readers love this book as much as I do, but even if you don't, I'm so happy I wrote it. This one was a labor of love.
August 28, 2024
“I could worship you. I could give up the God I love. For you.”
3/5 ⭐ 2/5 🌶️
I had many mixed thoughts during this book, so this is going to be a chaotic review.
My feelings varied from shock to giddiness and then anger, the list goes on. One thing that’s certain as concrete, Mariana (fmc) should've flipped them all the bird and ran away. She was the best and most logical among the characters.
I liked the book “in general”, the story and the drama. And there was so much drama! The spice had me fanning myself and there was the forbidden aspect. He is a pastor, her father’s friend and older than her. For her family and Brandon (mmc), he was the least qualified to be her boyfriend… and yet it was her family that did the matchmaking. Fun times.
I stupidly didn’t expect the theme of christianity to be so pervasive. The characters in the story are a part of a tight community, devoted to their religion. The mmc is a pastor, a very pious and religious man and remains so. But our fmc is not. She is actually a closeted atheist but keeps going to church to please her family. She is also miserable. In my opinion the main focus was the acceptance of atheists by religious individuals and it was intense. I was sensitive to this topic to begin with, so it felt almost triggering. I liked it but I also hated many of the ideas the mmc and the family presented.
I couldn’t stand Mariana’s family, especially her sister. They pressured her and made her unhappy in the name of a God. Her sister was insufferable. I had such a hard time with her family, they were plainly stupid and extremely self-centered. The purity culture was so profound, thankfully the fmc had some sense. Her povs were a fresh breath.
Brandon wasn’t much better. He wasn’t as stuck up as her family and for a pastor he was kind of a feminist but he had this obsession with her youth. Meaning that he didn’t want her to waste it on him and acted cowardly, forcing decisions on her. There were times though, that he acted … unsuitable for a pastor *wink* and left me shocked.
In conclusion, Mariana was a gem, strong and cheerful. She deserves the world! I liked the writing but I hated most characters. The blind and extreme devotion and peer pressure had me struggling. But once again I am biased.
Did I like it? 50 / 50.
Would I reread it? No no no.
3/5 ⭐ 2/5 🌶️
I had many mixed thoughts during this book, so this is going to be a chaotic review.
My feelings varied from shock to giddiness and then anger, the list goes on. One thing that’s certain as concrete, Mariana (fmc) should've flipped them all the bird and ran away. She was the best and most logical among the characters.
I liked the book “in general”, the story and the drama. And there was so much drama! The spice had me fanning myself and there was the forbidden aspect. He is a pastor, her father’s friend and older than her. For her family and Brandon (mmc), he was the least qualified to be her boyfriend… and yet it was her family that did the matchmaking. Fun times.
I stupidly didn’t expect the theme of christianity to be so pervasive. The characters in the story are a part of a tight community, devoted to their religion. The mmc is a pastor, a very pious and religious man and remains so. But our fmc is not. She is actually a closeted atheist but keeps going to church to please her family. She is also miserable. In my opinion the main focus was the acceptance of atheists by religious individuals and it was intense. I was sensitive to this topic to begin with, so it felt almost triggering. I liked it but I also hated many of the ideas the mmc and the family presented.
I couldn’t stand Mariana’s family, especially her sister. They pressured her and made her unhappy in the name of a God. Her sister was insufferable. I had such a hard time with her family, they were plainly stupid and extremely self-centered. The purity culture was so profound, thankfully the fmc had some sense. Her povs were a fresh breath.
Brandon wasn’t much better. He wasn’t as stuck up as her family and for a pastor he was kind of a feminist but he had this obsession with her youth. Meaning that he didn’t want her to waste it on him and acted cowardly, forcing decisions on her. There were times though, that he acted … unsuitable for a pastor *wink* and left me shocked.
In conclusion, Mariana was a gem, strong and cheerful. She deserves the world! I liked the writing but I hated most characters. The blind and extreme devotion and peer pressure had me struggling. But once again I am biased.
Did I like it? 50 / 50.
Would I reread it? No no no.
October 6, 2023
ehehehehehehehehehehherhhEHEHEHEHEHEHE
February 19, 2024
Meh, not enough for me.
Hero is a pastor, he became a Christian some years before, so he has a past and tattoos. But now he’s good and has made a vow of celibacy until he meets the woman he will marry.
The heroine is 14 years younger and the daughter of his bf. Heroine father is a stern believer who wants all his family to be like him but the heroine is an atheist. I didn’t like how these words are used as labels. I think she simply didn’t want to believe their god and their religion, which doesn’t mean she could believe in something else, but her family doesn’t accept this. She also has a sister, an older sister, who has been dumped by her ex who impregnated another woman, and her father proposes the hero to court, yes, court, his older daughter that is a sweet, meek, good, Christian woman. Which turned out to be false. Because the sister is a mean, judgemental, bigot who also eventually has sex with her ex even if he’s married and with a child. The good Christian woman.
The book is all about the hero having the hots for the heroine, having wet dreams about her and beating his c**k while moaning her name, and the heroine trying to seduce him. Of course they have sex, during a meeting of pastors which made me laugh a lot. What bothered me most was the judgemental attitude of the hero to the heroine and the repeated comparisons with the older hypocrite sister, and his inner thoughts that let us know he doesn’t think the heroine is enough for him, since she’s atheist, and how he could never marry her. I don’t understand how being a good Christian means that he and heroines sister pretended to be a couple because she didn’t want her ex to know she was alone. They were pretending, lying, deceiving people. Is this a good Christian behavior?
In the end he only goes back with the heroine because her father tells him she loves him and basically gives him permission to be with her, otherwise he wasn’t going to pursue her and he was letting her go. His excuses were just that, excuses, he thought she was too young and he thought it was only lust and that she would get tired of him. She was 24 not 14, and when you’re that age the gap is not so important. She was an adult, and so was he. And the sister was selfish, small minded and had hypocrite. I know the book is about the hero’s having scruples and his inner fight to let the heroine go for her sake but I only perceived a man who didn’t love her enough to put her first and only pursued her when everyone around him gave him permission.
Hero is a pastor, he became a Christian some years before, so he has a past and tattoos. But now he’s good and has made a vow of celibacy until he meets the woman he will marry.
The heroine is 14 years younger and the daughter of his bf. Heroine father is a stern believer who wants all his family to be like him but the heroine is an atheist. I didn’t like how these words are used as labels. I think she simply didn’t want to believe their god and their religion, which doesn’t mean she could believe in something else, but her family doesn’t accept this. She also has a sister, an older sister, who has been dumped by her ex who impregnated another woman, and her father proposes the hero to court, yes, court, his older daughter that is a sweet, meek, good, Christian woman. Which turned out to be false. Because the sister is a mean, judgemental, bigot who also eventually has sex with her ex even if he’s married and with a child. The good Christian woman.
The book is all about the hero having the hots for the heroine, having wet dreams about her and beating his c**k while moaning her name, and the heroine trying to seduce him. Of course they have sex, during a meeting of pastors which made me laugh a lot. What bothered me most was the judgemental attitude of the hero to the heroine and the repeated comparisons with the older hypocrite sister, and his inner thoughts that let us know he doesn’t think the heroine is enough for him, since she’s atheist, and how he could never marry her. I don’t understand how being a good Christian means that he and heroines sister pretended to be a couple because she didn’t want her ex to know she was alone. They were pretending, lying, deceiving people. Is this a good Christian behavior?
In the end he only goes back with the heroine because her father tells him she loves him and basically gives him permission to be with her, otherwise he wasn’t going to pursue her and he was letting her go. His excuses were just that, excuses, he thought she was too young and he thought it was only lust and that she would get tired of him. She was 24 not 14, and when you’re that age the gap is not so important. She was an adult, and so was he. And the sister was selfish, small minded and had hypocrite. I know the book is about the hero’s having scruples and his inner fight to let the heroine go for her sake but I only perceived a man who didn’t love her enough to put her first and only pursued her when everyone around him gave him permission.
June 23, 2025
⟢ 𝟏.𝟓 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐬
why do authors continuously write 38 year olds as if they're teenagers???
— 𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐭/𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 ♡
Brandon is the 38 year old in question & is Mariana's family pastor. I went into this thinking a possible forbidden older man trope with a slower (NOT SLOW) burn ... yeah i was mistaken. right off the bat it starts with Brandon sexualising Mariana and following up saying how he shouldn't be thinking this because she's the baby of the family?? 😐 honestly made me feel uncomfortable, i cannot STANDDD when they emphasise the fmc's youth. Brandon was constantly pissing me off, he's a grown man who is scared to tell Mariana's father about his feelings for his daughter. GET A GRIP!!!
Mariana was also questionable for me because she kept going on about her strained relationship with her sister yet she never bothered to go talk to her about it. Does no one have a backbone in this book?
UGHH and the sister. She's so judgy about the relationship yet she HOMEWRECKS A MARRIAGE AT THE END???? girl shut up. i have zero sympathy for her at all.
⤿ all in all i just could not connect at all with any of the characters which made it quite difficult to enjoy reading. omg and at the end, they literally get sexual in front of the whole family ??????????? IM CONCERNED. NO ONE NEEDED TO KNOW THAT!!!!
➳ it gets an extra .𝟓 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐬 cause it brought me back from the slump (+first book back after exams)
ꕀ
Purity ⟢ ݁₊ .
#1 Purity ﹕✮✮
#2 Shame ﹕
#3 Lust ﹕✮✮
#4 Sin ﹕
why do authors continuously write 38 year olds as if they're teenagers???
— 𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐭/𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 ♡
Brandon is the 38 year old in question & is Mariana's family pastor. I went into this thinking a possible forbidden older man trope with a slower (NOT SLOW) burn ... yeah i was mistaken. right off the bat it starts with Brandon sexualising Mariana and following up saying how he shouldn't be thinking this because she's the baby of the family?? 😐 honestly made me feel uncomfortable, i cannot STANDDD when they emphasise the fmc's youth. Brandon was constantly pissing me off, he's a grown man who is scared to tell Mariana's father about his feelings for his daughter. GET A GRIP!!!
Mariana was also questionable for me because she kept going on about her strained relationship with her sister yet she never bothered to go talk to her about it. Does no one have a backbone in this book?
UGHH and the sister. She's so judgy about the relationship yet she HOMEWRECKS A MARRIAGE AT THE END???? girl shut up. i have zero sympathy for her at all.
⤿ all in all i just could not connect at all with any of the characters which made it quite difficult to enjoy reading. omg and at the end, they literally get sexual in front of the whole family ??????????? IM CONCERNED. NO ONE NEEDED TO KNOW THAT!!!!
➳ it gets an extra .𝟓 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐬 cause it brought me back from the slump (+first book back after exams)
ꕀ
Purity ⟢ ݁₊ .
#1 Purity ﹕✮✮
#2 Shame ﹕
#3 Lust ﹕✮✮
#4 Sin ﹕
November 19, 2023
3.5 stars. too many moments i laughed and cringed. anywayssss
October 8, 2023
1. If Mariana was so hurt and upset by the distance between her and Sofia, why didn’t she just talk to her about it?? Why was she constantly trying to earn forgiveness when she hadn’t done anything wrong?
2. Mariana told Brandon in confidence that she was an atheist. He promised not to say anything to anyone. In an appointment with a parishioner’s son, he blurted out what she had confided in him in order to use it to get the boy to talk to him. Both Brandon and Mariana seemed to think that breach of trust by her pastor was completely ok.
3. If Brandon was going to masturbate while fantasizing about Mariana, I’m pretty sure he wouldn’t do it in his office, in the church, with the door open, only moments after she left.
4. I’m at 60% and the whole book has just been so repetitive. He wants her. He touches her. He’s sorry. It was a mistake. It won’t happen again. He wants her. He goes a little further this time. He’s sorry. It was a mistake. It won’t happen again. Rinse and repeat.
5. When Brandon called Mariana a “harlot” and “my eager little whore” and claimed he was a sinner because of her, I was done.
DNF
2. Mariana told Brandon in confidence that she was an atheist. He promised not to say anything to anyone. In an appointment with a parishioner’s son, he blurted out what she had confided in him in order to use it to get the boy to talk to him. Both Brandon and Mariana seemed to think that breach of trust by her pastor was completely ok.
3. If Brandon was going to masturbate while fantasizing about Mariana, I’m pretty sure he wouldn’t do it in his office, in the church, with the door open, only moments after she left.
4. I’m at 60% and the whole book has just been so repetitive. He wants her. He touches her. He’s sorry. It was a mistake. It won’t happen again. He wants her. He goes a little further this time. He’s sorry. It was a mistake. It won’t happen again. Rinse and repeat.
5. When Brandon called Mariana a “harlot” and “my eager little whore” and claimed he was a sinner because of her, I was done.
DNF
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 30, 2023
I am conflicted about what to rate this. I did finish it in one sitting and enjoyed the story but couldn't help but feel something was missing.
So we have our herione Mari, which honestly I loved her. She was refreshingly honest and so comfortable in her own skin. Her family really got on my nerves, especially her sister Sofia. She threw so many underhanded insults Mari's way that I was ready to throw down with Livvy for her😅
Brandon was conflicted most of the book. I understood where he was coming from in a sense, but I also felt that he was kind of a doormat when it came to Mari's dad. Like dude your a grown man, just tell him no. I did like how obsessed he was with Mari but was not a fan of him waiting for the dad to give his blessing to actually go after her.
So, all in all, I'm going with 3.5 rounded up. I would have gone with a solid 4 if Brandon actually chased after Mari, and there was more on page time of them together. I did really like the epilouge, though. Oh, and her heart to heart with dad was really sweet.
I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
So we have our herione Mari, which honestly I loved her. She was refreshingly honest and so comfortable in her own skin. Her family really got on my nerves, especially her sister Sofia. She threw so many underhanded insults Mari's way that I was ready to throw down with Livvy for her😅
Brandon was conflicted most of the book. I understood where he was coming from in a sense, but I also felt that he was kind of a doormat when it came to Mari's dad. Like dude your a grown man, just tell him no. I did like how obsessed he was with Mari but was not a fan of him waiting for the dad to give his blessing to actually go after her.
So, all in all, I'm going with 3.5 rounded up. I would have gone with a solid 4 if Brandon actually chased after Mari, and there was more on page time of them together. I did really like the epilouge, though. Oh, and her heart to heart with dad was really sweet.
I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
October 17, 2023
This is so bad, I can’t even begin to explain what a train wreck of a book this is
April 7, 2024
After the second book I was afraid I wouldn’t enjoy this one! But this one was way better! It delivered and the spice in this one! I love the way the pastor is described and his character development! I was already in love with Mariana in book one ! This was soo good! I hope Sophia gets her happy ending too! She deserves it
September 24, 2023
He’s 38, a priest, and “courting” her sister (but reluctantly), and her father is his best friend. While it is age gap, they first met when she was 20 and she’s 24 now. Unlike the first 2 books’ MFC, Mari is an atheist. Dual POV. The pining and angst in this is phenomenal and lasts sooo long. Mari is so sassy and fun. And now I’m dying for Ethan’s story.
August 17, 2024
3.25
Insufferable characters, all them, except Marianna in the end because she actually learned to stand up for herself. But the whole family? I would've disowne them. Litetally.
Although I do wish the end was longer so the male character could suffer longer
Insufferable characters, all them, except Marianna in the end because she actually learned to stand up for herself. But the whole family? I would've disowne them. Litetally.
Although I do wish the end was longer so the male character could suffer longer
January 16, 2025
My personal favorite of the three, I love a strong woman fighting a man who can't handle her. The sass was great and I liked how she put him in his place.
Also I will always give Skyler one thing, that girl can write a great smutty scene
Also I will always give Skyler one thing, that girl can write a great smutty scene
February 21, 2025
I was gonna give this a 2 ⭐️ but when our main characters started their “activities” in front of their family i lost it. 1.5⭐️
Read
February 20, 2025This is what happens when you watch youtube shorts religiously. I love girlhood.
October 4, 2023
3 STARS
⭐️⭐️⭐️
this is my third skyler mason book so far and it’d say this book outta the series was my second favourite.
she’s a wonderful author but I just found I’m not really interested in purity culture/religious books as much as a normal romance or dark romance book.
i definitely wouldn’t say this was the worst book ever because I did enjoy it a bit!
I loved mari! she sorta reminds me of myself how she has a mind of her own and thinks only what’s best for her and let’s nobody else decide that. also really loved brandon and that age gap!
⭐️⭐️⭐️
this is my third skyler mason book so far and it’d say this book outta the series was my second favourite.
she’s a wonderful author but I just found I’m not really interested in purity culture/religious books as much as a normal romance or dark romance book.
i definitely wouldn’t say this was the worst book ever because I did enjoy it a bit!
I loved mari! she sorta reminds me of myself how she has a mind of her own and thinks only what’s best for her and let’s nobody else decide that. also really loved brandon and that age gap!
October 12, 2023
Thank you Skyler Mason for an advance copy of Lust!!!
Book three in the Purity Series follows Mariana and Brandon's story. Mariana, now 24, is an atheist who has grown up in a very religious household. Although she loves her family tremendously she has not told them that she is an atheist, though I think they suspect it. She feels quite alone until four years ago when she came back home from college she meets Brandon, now 38, the new pastor in town who makes her feel seen and heard. Brandon is the pastor of New Morning church and is currently courting Sofia, Mari's eldest sister. When Sofia mentions to Mari that Brandon needs a temporary PA, she suggests Mari takes the position for the time being. Brandon is not overly thrilled by the prospect because he has a secret, he secretly wants Mari. He eventually relents and lets Mariana take the position. But Brandon is Mariana's father's best friend and is asked to bring Mari back to God. Brandon tells Hector, Mari's father, specifically that he can't do that that Mari has to do that on her own but he can talk with her and counsel her. Will Mariana get what she wants, which is Brandon? Will Brandon be able to keep his word to God or will she make a sinner out of him? Or will their tasks approve to great alienating everyone they love?
Mari, our FMC, goodness gracious I have loved her character since book one. I love how fierce she is. How loving and loyal. How she questions everything and is unapologetically her. Although she has one big secret she keeps from her family... because she loves them and doesn't want to lose them. I just love that Brandon is gives her the confidence to be able to speak her full truth. She was everything in this book and what hooked me from the beginning. I needed to know her story.
Brandon, our MMC, ohhhhh Brandon. Sir you are hoooootttttttt!!!! Like very spicy!!! Also, my husband's name is Brandon sooo now you know what I'll be daydreaming of hahaha... I digress... Anyways I love how possessive and jealous he is over Mari even though he pretends not to be. It's so cute that he thinks he could withstand Mari's charms. I love that he accepts Mari...every single part of her and does not want to change her. He is so progressive and a feminist in some ways but in other ways not so much... So onto what I did not like... I did not like that he kept bringing their age difference into play. Like sir this is the twenty first century you are both consenting adults. I also didn't like that he waited so long and how he makes amends with Mari. (Again I won't state because it is a spoiler). He is a newly reformed male and learning and human. In a word messy. Thankfully he has Mari to whip him into shape!
The side characters.... I wasn't a fan of most of them in this book. Because most of them were Mari's family and I'm irritated with them and think Mari should have said "f" you all and left. Lets just say that. I won't say more because I don't want to spoil it.
What To Expect:
*Contemporary Romance
*Book Three in the Purity Series (standalone interconnected)
*Dual POV
*Forbidden Romance
*Age Gap
*Angst
*Betrayal
*"Mine"
*"Good Girl"
*Unapologetic free spirited atheist FMC with a heart of gold
*A pastor warring with himself MMC
Trigger Warnings (May Contain Spoilers):
-Purity Culture
-Deconstruction of religion
-Mentions of cheating (not done on page or between the MCs)
-Sexually Explicit Scenes
*and more
I love Skyler Mason's writing style. It is full of angst and real and raw stories. The messiness of life and what comes with it. Not everything is black and white with her writing and I will forever be obsessed with that. Because in the end we are all humans and no one is perfect and we mess up our choices from time to time and we grow and learn. So, yes the way she writes her stories will forever be a favorite of mine.
Book three in the Purity Series follows Mariana and Brandon's story. Mariana, now 24, is an atheist who has grown up in a very religious household. Although she loves her family tremendously she has not told them that she is an atheist, though I think they suspect it. She feels quite alone until four years ago when she came back home from college she meets Brandon, now 38, the new pastor in town who makes her feel seen and heard. Brandon is the pastor of New Morning church and is currently courting Sofia, Mari's eldest sister. When Sofia mentions to Mari that Brandon needs a temporary PA, she suggests Mari takes the position for the time being. Brandon is not overly thrilled by the prospect because he has a secret, he secretly wants Mari. He eventually relents and lets Mariana take the position. But Brandon is Mariana's father's best friend and is asked to bring Mari back to God. Brandon tells Hector, Mari's father, specifically that he can't do that that Mari has to do that on her own but he can talk with her and counsel her. Will Mariana get what she wants, which is Brandon? Will Brandon be able to keep his word to God or will she make a sinner out of him? Or will their tasks approve to great alienating everyone they love?
Mari, our FMC, goodness gracious I have loved her character since book one. I love how fierce she is. How loving and loyal. How she questions everything and is unapologetically her. Although she has one big secret she keeps from her family... because she loves them and doesn't want to lose them. I just love that Brandon is gives her the confidence to be able to speak her full truth. She was everything in this book and what hooked me from the beginning. I needed to know her story.
Brandon, our MMC, ohhhhh Brandon. Sir you are hoooootttttttt!!!! Like very spicy!!! Also, my husband's name is Brandon sooo now you know what I'll be daydreaming of hahaha... I digress... Anyways I love how possessive and jealous he is over Mari even though he pretends not to be. It's so cute that he thinks he could withstand Mari's charms. I love that he accepts Mari...every single part of her and does not want to change her. He is so progressive and a feminist in some ways but in other ways not so much... So onto what I did not like... I did not like that he kept bringing their age difference into play. Like sir this is the twenty first century you are both consenting adults. I also didn't like that he waited so long and how he makes amends with Mari. (Again I won't state because it is a spoiler). He is a newly reformed male and learning and human. In a word messy. Thankfully he has Mari to whip him into shape!
The side characters.... I wasn't a fan of most of them in this book. Because most of them were Mari's family and I'm irritated with them and think Mari should have said "f" you all and left. Lets just say that. I won't say more because I don't want to spoil it.
What To Expect:
*Contemporary Romance
*Book Three in the Purity Series (standalone interconnected)
*Dual POV
*Forbidden Romance
*Age Gap
*Angst
*Betrayal
*"Mine"
*"Good Girl"
*Unapologetic free spirited atheist FMC with a heart of gold
*A pastor warring with himself MMC
Trigger Warnings (May Contain Spoilers):
-Purity Culture
-Deconstruction of religion
-Mentions of cheating (not done on page or between the MCs)
-Sexually Explicit Scenes
*and more
I love Skyler Mason's writing style. It is full of angst and real and raw stories. The messiness of life and what comes with it. Not everything is black and white with her writing and I will forever be obsessed with that. Because in the end we are all humans and no one is perfect and we mess up our choices from time to time and we grow and learn. So, yes the way she writes her stories will forever be a favorite of mine.
September 27, 2023
Part of the Purity series, which are interconnected standalones. I have not read any of the previous books in the series (although I now want too) and I didn't feel that anything was missing and this can absolutely be read as a true standalone.
This book follows Mari and Brandon's love story. Mari (24) has been lusting after Pastor Brandon since her return from collage 4 years ago. She is an atheist, but growing up in a very religious family, keeps up the pretense and ends up feeling alone alot of the time. Except with Brandon (38) he sees her and accepts her for who she truely is and she wants more.
To bad her family have forced Brandon and Mari's older sister Sofia together. Neither are invested in the relationship but it helps keep family off their back and helps in Sofia's quest to win back her ex fiance. I normally hate when a character dates someone else even though they know they don't want a relationship with this person. But in the context of this plot and the fact they don't kiss or act like a couple I can accept it. This isn't a love triangle situation and there isn't unnecessary sister drama because of it.
Brandon is a born again Christian and now a preacher, he owes Hector, Mari's father and his best friend for saving him and bringing him back to god, so his feelings for Mari upset, confuse and anger him as he doesn't want to betray his friend, but cannot stay away.
This story is beautifully written, clear and well paced plot progression, characters you can't help but fall in love with. Lots of dirty talk, sexual tension and steamy scenes and an overall sense that these two love each other and just need to be 100% honest with everyone but especially themselves.
Am i a little upset Brandon waits for Hector's blessing before resolving everything with Mari...yes, but you could tell Brandon was on his way to clarity and back to Mari before the conversation with Hector, so I can let it slide.
Overall, I loved it. I devoured it in one sitting after saying I would only read a chapter or two. It captivated me, and I enjoyed the sweet and sexy HEA.
This book follows Mari and Brandon's love story. Mari (24) has been lusting after Pastor Brandon since her return from collage 4 years ago. She is an atheist, but growing up in a very religious family, keeps up the pretense and ends up feeling alone alot of the time. Except with Brandon (38) he sees her and accepts her for who she truely is and she wants more.
To bad her family have forced Brandon and Mari's older sister Sofia together. Neither are invested in the relationship but it helps keep family off their back and helps in Sofia's quest to win back her ex fiance. I normally hate when a character dates someone else even though they know they don't want a relationship with this person. But in the context of this plot and the fact they don't kiss or act like a couple I can accept it. This isn't a love triangle situation and there isn't unnecessary sister drama because of it.
Brandon is a born again Christian and now a preacher, he owes Hector, Mari's father and his best friend for saving him and bringing him back to god, so his feelings for Mari upset, confuse and anger him as he doesn't want to betray his friend, but cannot stay away.
This story is beautifully written, clear and well paced plot progression, characters you can't help but fall in love with. Lots of dirty talk, sexual tension and steamy scenes and an overall sense that these two love each other and just need to be 100% honest with everyone but especially themselves.
Am i a little upset Brandon waits for Hector's blessing before resolving everything with Mari...yes, but you could tell Brandon was on his way to clarity and back to Mari before the conversation with Hector, so I can let it slide.
Overall, I loved it. I devoured it in one sitting after saying I would only read a chapter or two. It captivated me, and I enjoyed the sweet and sexy HEA.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 8, 2023
This is a hard review to write because I don't want to give away spoilers, but seriously, I really don't like the FMC's family. Really any of them; but particularly not her sister, Sofia--what a frikkin' hypocrite. And the fact that Brandon, the MMC continued to "court" her despite developing ever-evolving and pretty intense feelings for her sister, Marianna felt really ick to me; and unnecessary. But the father... why couldn't Brandon just tell this man "no"? Is he not a grown man with the unalienable right to make his own choice in a spouse without the pressure of his "friend"? Also, asking his "permission" to tell the woman he loves how he feels? That doesn't really feel respectful because that's only taking into consideration the father's needs and wants, and not Marianna's. She's CLEARLY a different sort of person, and if he actually loves her, then THAT should matter the most in this situation. So I'm torn, because this writer has talent, and she's written a book which was moved me emotionally on a lot of topics. I loved the angst and I enjoyed the perspectives on faith and feelings of uncertainty Brandon faced, but the connection between the main characters feels a little flat when you consider how he behaved, and how he considered really everyone else before her when it comes down to all the decisions being made. I'm giving it 4 stars because when a writer can make me angry, but really hasn't written a bad story, or created unnecessary plot holes or forced plot issues to make their point, I appreciate the ability it takes to bring me, as a reader, to that point, and I admire what Skyler Mason has done here, even as I rail against some of her choices for these character's potential future happiness.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 22, 2024
I don't know why I keep doing this to myself. This was a mess. The people in this book were shitty and toxic. I did not know when I started this that it involved a pastor and religion. I went in blindly and thats my fault.
Lets start with Mariana who just would not take no, from her pastor. Now am never one to 'blame the woman' in these situations, but she just kept pushing and pushing. She chased this man constantly and at some point it just became embarrasing for me.
I get her father is still paying her bills, but tell me why she just couldn't speak up for herself. She is 24 years old goddamit!!!! And her sister was shitty to her and yet she kept walkong on eggshells around her, and for what?? To get crumbs of affection from her own sister??? Absolutely the fuck NOT!!!!
AND BRANDON??? This man sucked! He was attracted to his best friend's daughter, but had zero balls to be a man and do what's right. He is 38 years old and behaved like an idiot! Ended up sneaking around with the girl, calling her a 'harlot' and yet continued to minister on sunday to the congregation. Harlot. Who the fuck uses that word during sex??? "HARLOT". That man said harlot while having sex. God!!!!
To make things worse, he kept saying Mariana tempted her. Kept saying it was her fault instead of taking responsibility for his actions.
Dont get me started on the second hand embarrasment i got while reafing this. When Mariana walked in on him while he was masturbating in his office, when sofia caught them having sex, I had to put my kindle down n collect myself, so to speak.My general disposition through out this book was anger and embarrasment. Needless to say, I DNF'd at 78%.
Lets start with Mariana who just would not take no, from her pastor. Now am never one to 'blame the woman' in these situations, but she just kept pushing and pushing. She chased this man constantly and at some point it just became embarrasing for me.
I get her father is still paying her bills, but tell me why she just couldn't speak up for herself. She is 24 years old goddamit!!!! And her sister was shitty to her and yet she kept walkong on eggshells around her, and for what?? To get crumbs of affection from her own sister??? Absolutely the fuck NOT!!!!
AND BRANDON??? This man sucked! He was attracted to his best friend's daughter, but had zero balls to be a man and do what's right. He is 38 years old and behaved like an idiot! Ended up sneaking around with the girl, calling her a 'harlot' and yet continued to minister on sunday to the congregation. Harlot. Who the fuck uses that word during sex??? "HARLOT". That man said harlot while having sex. God!!!!
To make things worse, he kept saying Mariana tempted her. Kept saying it was her fault instead of taking responsibility for his actions.
Dont get me started on the second hand embarrasment i got while reafing this. When Mariana walked in on him while he was masturbating in his office, when sofia caught them having sex, I had to put my kindle down n collect myself, so to speak.My general disposition through out this book was anger and embarrasment. Needless to say, I DNF'd at 78%.
September 26, 2023
The best book in the series so far!
This book follows Mari. Mari has been an atheist still keeping up her religious facade for her family while being true to who she is on the inside. And Brandon, the born-again Preacher of her church.
The story shows Mari trying to traverse between her desires, family, and love of her sister. All while being true to her self. She’s bold, she’s direct, and she’s free. I loved her character in past books but being able to read her story made me love her even more.
Brandon was shown God’s path by Hector, Mari’s father. And Hector and Brandon are best friends. He’s 12 years her senior and feels a lot of shame about his desires for her from grivences with his father. He’s struggling to meet the ideal of who he thinks he should be.
The plot was wonderfully done. Every single scene had purpose and thought. The side characters were beautifully developed even.
The writing itself was consistent all the way through the book. Nothing was abrupt or seemed random.
And the spice, was there. The beautiful execution of book 1 and the amount of spice from book 2 if not a little more.
Honestly, I would highly recommend this book to almost anyone.
I just can’t say more good things about this story.
Overall: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Characters: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Plot:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spicy Quality:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Writing:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spicy Amount:🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This book follows Mari. Mari has been an atheist still keeping up her religious facade for her family while being true to who she is on the inside. And Brandon, the born-again Preacher of her church.
The story shows Mari trying to traverse between her desires, family, and love of her sister. All while being true to her self. She’s bold, she’s direct, and she’s free. I loved her character in past books but being able to read her story made me love her even more.
Brandon was shown God’s path by Hector, Mari’s father. And Hector and Brandon are best friends. He’s 12 years her senior and feels a lot of shame about his desires for her from grivences with his father. He’s struggling to meet the ideal of who he thinks he should be.
The plot was wonderfully done. Every single scene had purpose and thought. The side characters were beautifully developed even.
The writing itself was consistent all the way through the book. Nothing was abrupt or seemed random.
And the spice, was there. The beautiful execution of book 1 and the amount of spice from book 2 if not a little more.
Honestly, I would highly recommend this book to almost anyone.
I just can’t say more good things about this story.
Overall: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Characters: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Plot:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spicy Quality:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Writing:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spicy Amount:🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 13, 2023
I always love a Skyler Mason book. Each heroine has her own brand of brashness and bravery, softness and kindness. Each hero has their own brand of internalized patriarchy, self-hatred, or hang-ups to work through to be the man the heroine deserves.
While I had pretty hotly anticipated the next book in this series, I don’t think this one totally lived up to the premise for me. Hot priest? Fiery atheist who is the priest’s best friend’s daughter? It would normally be catnip for me.
And it still was in many ways! The sexy times are top notch. Any time a man tells me “forgive me god” before banging the absolute shit out of their partner, I’m in. I also loved the family dynamics at play in both Brandon’s psyche and in Mariana’s world, and Mariana’s journey to be her full self around her family. And god help me if I didn’t GASP OUT LOUD at THAT MOMENT where Sofia shows up (you’ll see).
But ultimately I felt the dating her sister bit didn’t feel necessary to me, and I grew tired of Brandon’s constant self-flagellating, martyrdom brand of Christianity, and the way he robbed Mariana of any agency in the dynamic between them by saying she’s too young to understand the stakes. I also sometimes struggled with the pacing - sometimes I felt pulled along too fast and then too slow through the text.
However this was still a net yes for all the heart in this book and the truly great hot forbidden-ness of it all!
While I had pretty hotly anticipated the next book in this series, I don’t think this one totally lived up to the premise for me. Hot priest? Fiery atheist who is the priest’s best friend’s daughter? It would normally be catnip for me.
And it still was in many ways! The sexy times are top notch. Any time a man tells me “forgive me god” before banging the absolute shit out of their partner, I’m in. I also loved the family dynamics at play in both Brandon’s psyche and in Mariana’s world, and Mariana’s journey to be her full self around her family. And god help me if I didn’t GASP OUT LOUD at THAT MOMENT where Sofia shows up (you’ll see).
But ultimately I felt the dating her sister bit didn’t feel necessary to me, and I grew tired of Brandon’s constant self-flagellating, martyrdom brand of Christianity, and the way he robbed Mariana of any agency in the dynamic between them by saying she’s too young to understand the stakes. I also sometimes struggled with the pacing - sometimes I felt pulled along too fast and then too slow through the text.
However this was still a net yes for all the heart in this book and the truly great hot forbidden-ness of it all!
July 25, 2025
2.5/5
Ok genuinely not as bad as i thought it was gonna be and i actually rlly liked how it explored different religious POVs and how introspective the characters got sometimes
I think this book has a lot of wasted potential by virtue of it being so horny
The male lead is an ex atheist who turned back to religion because he was dealing w a lot of grief and struggles and turned to religion for relief (i will say i think the author couldve written the character way more interesting w this character setting because why is he acting like teenager as a middle aged man 💀)
While the female lead is a ex christian to atheist who has to deal w her parents who think she’ll go to hell as a Christian
And honestly i rlly liked their mentor mentee relationship and wish it stayed platonic because it was rlly sweet to see how accepting the ml was towards the fl being atheist and helping her come to terms w herself as a former atheist and the book also touched on the nuances of religion and why people turn to it in desperation and also how even innocuous religious ideology being constantly pushed just brings pain onto the same ppl its supposed to help
I wish these topics were delved into more and i rlly enjoyed their dynamic when i was ignoring the horniness
Even the fls sister, who i thought was gonna be super one dimensional, showed how harmful Christian ideology is and i rlly liked her character arc
Ok genuinely not as bad as i thought it was gonna be and i actually rlly liked how it explored different religious POVs and how introspective the characters got sometimes
I think this book has a lot of wasted potential by virtue of it being so horny
The male lead is an ex atheist who turned back to religion because he was dealing w a lot of grief and struggles and turned to religion for relief (i will say i think the author couldve written the character way more interesting w this character setting because why is he acting like teenager as a middle aged man 💀)
While the female lead is a ex christian to atheist who has to deal w her parents who think she’ll go to hell as a Christian
And honestly i rlly liked their mentor mentee relationship and wish it stayed platonic because it was rlly sweet to see how accepting the ml was towards the fl being atheist and helping her come to terms w herself as a former atheist and the book also touched on the nuances of religion and why people turn to it in desperation and also how even innocuous religious ideology being constantly pushed just brings pain onto the same ppl its supposed to help
I wish these topics were delved into more and i rlly enjoyed their dynamic when i was ignoring the horniness
Even the fls sister, who i thought was gonna be super one dimensional, showed how harmful Christian ideology is and i rlly liked her character arc
October 6, 2023
It took me a little longer to finished this book then the ones before this one, this is still a great book
The main characters are Mariana & Brandon. Brandon is a pastor of a church that Mari and her family attend her dad asks Branden to court his older daughter sofia but Branden ends up realizing he doesn’t want side and wants her younger sister Mari (they are both over the age of 21) I do feel it lacks something’s though this book definitely has some spice! so you get a lot of the in the moment of them the struggles that pastor Brandon is feeling and how Mari feels too you get both sides of the story which I absolutely love! but it wasn’t till the end that they get together so you don’t really get an insight on how that are after everyone is ok with it. The build up to it I felt was most of the book to where I was getting dangerous close to the end of the book and still questioning if they were ever gonna get together?!! where I felt the last 2 chapters or so could have been dedicated to them getting together officially and becoming a real couple the family okaying it but it was only the last 3 pages of the book. the epilogue at the end gave more details but I was still missing a lot of details I wish I would of got to read. Over all a great book and I can’t wait for the next one !!
The main characters are Mariana & Brandon. Brandon is a pastor of a church that Mari and her family attend her dad asks Branden to court his older daughter sofia but Branden ends up realizing he doesn’t want side and wants her younger sister Mari (they are both over the age of 21) I do feel it lacks something’s though this book definitely has some spice! so you get a lot of the in the moment of them the struggles that pastor Brandon is feeling and how Mari feels too you get both sides of the story which I absolutely love! but it wasn’t till the end that they get together so you don’t really get an insight on how that are after everyone is ok with it. The build up to it I felt was most of the book to where I was getting dangerous close to the end of the book and still questioning if they were ever gonna get together?!! where I felt the last 2 chapters or so could have been dedicated to them getting together officially and becoming a real couple the family okaying it but it was only the last 3 pages of the book. the epilogue at the end gave more details but I was still missing a lot of details I wish I would of got to read. Over all a great book and I can’t wait for the next one !!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 7, 2023
Recipe
Rating: 4.5/5
Look-a-here, look-a-here now. We have a little Daddy Sch-m¡nk and pra!s3, A dash of br33-ding. A smidgen of d3gr-d-t¡on, a former player turned pastor who is 38, 14 years older than she is. We have the makings of a delicious story. A recipe for “Lü-st,” if you will. Ok. I’ll stop. “Lü-st” is my first Skyler Mason book, and I am giddy about it.
Author Skyler Mason writes a story of a young woman, Mari, who doesn’t believe that G•d exists for her and does not have her heavily religious-driven family’s support. They have traditional antiqued beliefs and follow the p•rity culture that Mari doesn’t fit into.
Mari has always liked Brandon and found her way as his volunteer church PA, working closely with him. Brandon is the only one who understands her and hears her. As they grow closer, he struggles with his attraction to her. She’s young, she’s his friend’s daughter, she’s his PA, and he has unique sch-m3xual desires that haven’t been practiced in a while.
“Lü-st” certainly wasn’t an in-your-face taboo story that I usually read — it isn’t too heavy on the sch-m¡nks, but it is spicy, and I loved Brandon’s ability to be strong and gentle. He was the perfect fit for Mari.
I received a copy of this book for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.
Rating: 4.5/5
Look-a-here, look-a-here now. We have a little Daddy Sch-m¡nk and pra!s3, A dash of br33-ding. A smidgen of d3gr-d-t¡on, a former player turned pastor who is 38, 14 years older than she is. We have the makings of a delicious story. A recipe for “Lü-st,” if you will. Ok. I’ll stop. “Lü-st” is my first Skyler Mason book, and I am giddy about it.
Author Skyler Mason writes a story of a young woman, Mari, who doesn’t believe that G•d exists for her and does not have her heavily religious-driven family’s support. They have traditional antiqued beliefs and follow the p•rity culture that Mari doesn’t fit into.
Mari has always liked Brandon and found her way as his volunteer church PA, working closely with him. Brandon is the only one who understands her and hears her. As they grow closer, he struggles with his attraction to her. She’s young, she’s his friend’s daughter, she’s his PA, and he has unique sch-m3xual desires that haven’t been practiced in a while.
“Lü-st” certainly wasn’t an in-your-face taboo story that I usually read — it isn’t too heavy on the sch-m¡nks, but it is spicy, and I loved Brandon’s ability to be strong and gentle. He was the perfect fit for Mari.
I received a copy of this book for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 14, 2024
Ill be totally honest here in that I wasn’t sure about this book, particularly with the religion themes as i’ve never delved into books like that before however i am SO glad that i took the risk. I loved this book and devoured it in a day! Brandon is a play-boy-turned-priest and the book centers on his dilemma of “shit i need her to be mine, my dicks on fire” and “im a holy child of the lord and cant be feeling this way”. I was worried it would seem forced but it actually worked really well! On the other hand my girl Mari is an atheist with a strictly Christian family - the character development oh my gosh!!! Marianas personal dilemma is “i love my family and they think im going to hell so i should play along with it” and being true to herself and the personal development is beautiful. The yearning and the spice was delicious too - i also loved the fact that while there was clear love between the two and watching them realise it warmed my heart. Mari and Brandon are not going to leave my brain any time soon and honestly im perfectly fine with that. My only issue with this book is my personal rule that i cant buy physical copies of books under 350 pages because oh my fucking god i need this masterpiece on my shelf (although maybe not front and center considering its name…) ❤️❤️❤️
September 26, 2023
4.5/5 stars
I read this book in one sitting. It honestly checks every single one of my boxes: age gap, crisis of faith, angst, and spice. I loved it!
Mariana feels like the black sheep of her incredibly religious family. Although she doesn’t actively believe, her family’s life revolves heavily around their Evangelical church. Her dad’s best friend is their pastor, Brandon. At a low point in his life, Mari’s dad helped Brandon find his way through the church. Mariana has always had a crush on Brandon, who viewed her as a kid until she returned home from college. Brandon is also publicly courting her sister.
I really loved both of these characters. Brandon is a man obsessed. He can not help himself when it comes to Mariana. He is deliciously reckless when it comes to her, and his mouth is filthy! His desire for her outweighs his relationship with her sister, his friendship with her dad, and his celibacy vow. But, he still struggles heavily with guilt. Mariana is confident and knows exactly what she wants. She calls Brandon out on everything, and is very mature and empowered. Honestly, Brandon didn’t stand a chance.
I can’t wait to see where the author goes in this series.
I read this book in one sitting. It honestly checks every single one of my boxes: age gap, crisis of faith, angst, and spice. I loved it!
Mariana feels like the black sheep of her incredibly religious family. Although she doesn’t actively believe, her family’s life revolves heavily around their Evangelical church. Her dad’s best friend is their pastor, Brandon. At a low point in his life, Mari’s dad helped Brandon find his way through the church. Mariana has always had a crush on Brandon, who viewed her as a kid until she returned home from college. Brandon is also publicly courting her sister.
I really loved both of these characters. Brandon is a man obsessed. He can not help himself when it comes to Mariana. He is deliciously reckless when it comes to her, and his mouth is filthy! His desire for her outweighs his relationship with her sister, his friendship with her dad, and his celibacy vow. But, he still struggles heavily with guilt. Mariana is confident and knows exactly what she wants. She calls Brandon out on everything, and is very mature and empowered. Honestly, Brandon didn’t stand a chance.
I can’t wait to see where the author goes in this series.
October 3, 2023
Blurb: When I became a pastor, I made a solemn vow to I wouldn’t touch another woman until I met my destined wife.
For three years, I’ve had no trouble keeping that promise.
Until my best friend's youngest daughter became my intern.
Mariana is everything I shouldn’t crave—free-spirited, unapologetically atheist, and way too young for me. And yet I want her with a fevered obsession, even if it means betraying the trust of my best friend.
Giving in to lust would be a sin of the highest order. Is God testing me?
I know I need to resist her, but every time her eyes twinkle with mischief, every time that teasing smile tugs at her full lips, I forget my devotion to my church. I forget the promises I made to God. I forget everything but the woman who might be my undoing.
Father forgive me, I’m going to sin.
Bless me father for I sinned more than once while reading this book lmao. I loved this book, I literally devoured this book in one sitting. I enjoyed the plot I enjoyed the characters I loved it all. And I can’t wait to read the next book it’s going to be equally amazing I just know it.
For three years, I’ve had no trouble keeping that promise.
Until my best friend's youngest daughter became my intern.
Mariana is everything I shouldn’t crave—free-spirited, unapologetically atheist, and way too young for me. And yet I want her with a fevered obsession, even if it means betraying the trust of my best friend.
Giving in to lust would be a sin of the highest order. Is God testing me?
I know I need to resist her, but every time her eyes twinkle with mischief, every time that teasing smile tugs at her full lips, I forget my devotion to my church. I forget the promises I made to God. I forget everything but the woman who might be my undoing.
Father forgive me, I’m going to sin.
Bless me father for I sinned more than once while reading this book lmao. I loved this book, I literally devoured this book in one sitting. I enjoyed the plot I enjoyed the characters I loved it all. And I can’t wait to read the next book it’s going to be equally amazing I just know it.
October 24, 2023
This wasn't as bad as the first in the series (which I dnf'ed) but it wasn't great either. I picked this up since I'm a sucker for age-gap and priest/pastor romances. Unfortunately the Hero, Brandon, falls flat for me. I did like the heroine, Mariana, she has her own subplot going on about her family and being an atheist. I especially related to her because her relationship with her sister was falling apart, but the sisters never had a heart to heart on how their relationship got to that point.
It always feels like Brandon chooses everyone else besides Mariana. If it wasn't God it was her father. Mari tells him to stop courting her sister and instead he makes an agreement with the sister to continue "courting" until a wedding so she can make her ex jealous. Even when it comes out that they were messing around he still doesn't want to have a relationship with her because he thinks she deserves better or whatever. It's not until her father talks to him and tells Brandon that Mari loves him and her sister talks about her being an old spirit, does he decide to confess his love to Mari.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 30, 2023
Mariana and Pastor Brandon have known each other for years. But he's older than her and a close friend of her fathers, so he's been more like a family member.
When Mari's father asks Brandon to court her sister Sofia, and then Sofia asks Mari to be Brandon's assistant for a while, they're put into closer contact. Maris has been keeping a secret from her religious family. One she knows will break their hearts and could make them grow apart.
Another secret is the way she feels about Brandon. While their beliefs don't align, they are still very attracted to each other. But there are so many road blocks between them. Hes seeing her older sister, there's their age, and the fact that he's her father's close friend. And the little fact that he's a pastor and she...
They really care for each other. And it wasn't just about the two of them, it was about their relationships with her family. Especially the sisters. I really, really feel for Sofi. It's so, so hard being unmarried in our world but 10% times harder to be unmarried as a Christian woman.
Can't wait for book 4!
When Mari's father asks Brandon to court her sister Sofia, and then Sofia asks Mari to be Brandon's assistant for a while, they're put into closer contact. Maris has been keeping a secret from her religious family. One she knows will break their hearts and could make them grow apart.
Another secret is the way she feels about Brandon. While their beliefs don't align, they are still very attracted to each other. But there are so many road blocks between them. Hes seeing her older sister, there's their age, and the fact that he's her father's close friend. And the little fact that he's a pastor and she...
They really care for each other. And it wasn't just about the two of them, it was about their relationships with her family. Especially the sisters. I really, really feel for Sofi. It's so, so hard being unmarried in our world but 10% times harder to be unmarried as a Christian woman.
Can't wait for book 4!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 181 reviews