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Church Girl
She’s a preacher’s daughter, a runaway bride and now the (not quite) qualified nanny for a sexy tattoo artist with a beautiful daughter—and a dirty mouth.
What’s a bad boy to do with a woman like her?
Everything…
Aaliyah Montgomery isn’t just ditching her wedding. She’s also fleeing her suffocating small town and her family’s expectations. She’s got plans—for college, for finding herself. But landing a job in Chicago that fits her schedule isn’t easy. Good thing Von Howard is desperate to find a live-in nanny. Bad thing that he’s a gritty, grumpy, gorgeous tattoo artist carrying as much baggage as he has ink.
Von’s new hire is inexperienced and a fire hazard in the kitchen. She’s also all thick curls, thicker curves, and a distracting mix of innocence and sensuality. After the upheaval of a divorce, he just needs a nanny, not a sneaky link. Meanwhile, Aaliyah is bonding with his seven-year-old and showing an unexpected flair for tattoo art. Who could resist?
Yet deep down, Aaliyah’s still running—from her feelings and her fear of losing herself to someone else’s expectations again. Even as their pasts return to haunt them, their undeniable heat says maybe it’s time to stand and fight for a love they didn’t see coming.
What’s a bad boy to do with a woman like her?
Everything…
Aaliyah Montgomery isn’t just ditching her wedding. She’s also fleeing her suffocating small town and her family’s expectations. She’s got plans—for college, for finding herself. But landing a job in Chicago that fits her schedule isn’t easy. Good thing Von Howard is desperate to find a live-in nanny. Bad thing that he’s a gritty, grumpy, gorgeous tattoo artist carrying as much baggage as he has ink.
Von’s new hire is inexperienced and a fire hazard in the kitchen. She’s also all thick curls, thicker curves, and a distracting mix of innocence and sensuality. After the upheaval of a divorce, he just needs a nanny, not a sneaky link. Meanwhile, Aaliyah is bonding with his seven-year-old and showing an unexpected flair for tattoo art. Who could resist?
Yet deep down, Aaliyah’s still running—from her feelings and her fear of losing herself to someone else’s expectations again. Even as their pasts return to haunt them, their undeniable heat says maybe it’s time to stand and fight for a love they didn’t see coming.
288 pages, Paperback
First published November 26, 2024
383 people are currently reading
7520 people want to read
About the author
Naima Simone
169 books2,145 followersPublished since 2009, USA Today Bestselling author Naima Simone loves writing sizzling romances with heart, a touch of humor and snark. Her books have been featured in The Washington Post and Entertainment Weekly, and described as balancing “crackling, electric love scenes with exquisitely rendered characters caught in emotional turmoil.”
She is wife to Superman, or his non-Kryptonian, less bullet proof equivalent, and mother to the most awesome kids ever. They all live in perfect, sometimes domestically-challenged bliss in the southern United States.
She is wife to Superman, or his non-Kryptonian, less bullet proof equivalent, and mother to the most awesome kids ever. They all live in perfect, sometimes domestically-challenged bliss in the southern United States.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 406 reviews
June 1, 2025
4/5
- Finished this book in 24 hours because it was just so good! The author did a great job of keeping the reader invested with all the plot changes in the story.
- If you love an alpha male character, you should definitely pick up this book! This story is also an age gap nanny trope romance and I really enjoyed that too.
- Love that this book has a second book coming out in 2026 and the story doesn’t end here. Definitely going to pick that up asap!
- Finished this book in 24 hours because it was just so good! The author did a great job of keeping the reader invested with all the plot changes in the story.
- If you love an alpha male character, you should definitely pick up this book! This story is also an age gap nanny trope romance and I really enjoyed that too.
- Love that this book has a second book coming out in 2026 and the story doesn’t end here. Definitely going to pick that up asap!
Read
July 14, 2025Great start with the heroine running away from her wedding and her overbearing religious family, then becoming a nanny to the single dad hero's kid.
A terrific example of how to do obnoxious male characters right. Von teeters on the brink of intolerably bossy, rude and domineering, but Aaliyah gives as good as she gets and he acknowledges when he's overstepping and when he needs help. Basically he doesn't just mean well; he does well by Aaliyah and his daughter, and along with great vibes and chemistry this makes him a tolerable alpha male to me (this is a Rare Thing). Highly enjoyable on its own terms. Lots of bonking.
I liked the partial resolution with her family situation, which read as very much the most emotionally plausible outcome. I was less taken with the resolution of the plotline with Von's ex which honestly felt like a deus ex machina (ex deus ex machina??) and needed more grounding, but that's a relatively small quibble.
A terrific example of how to do obnoxious male characters right. Von teeters on the brink of intolerably bossy, rude and domineering, but Aaliyah gives as good as she gets and he acknowledges when he's overstepping and when he needs help. Basically he doesn't just mean well; he does well by Aaliyah and his daughter, and along with great vibes and chemistry this makes him a tolerable alpha male to me (this is a Rare Thing). Highly enjoyable on its own terms. Lots of bonking.
I liked the partial resolution with her family situation, which read as very much the most emotionally plausible outcome. I was less taken with the resolution of the plotline with Von's ex which honestly felt like a deus ex machina (ex deus ex machina??) and needed more grounding, but that's a relatively small quibble.
November 27, 2024
I absolutely loved this book. This is one of those times I want to do a book justice in my review so much, I can't really think of what to say. I'll begin with Aaliyah. I love Aaliyah so much. I haven't related so closely to a character in a long time. Mainly because of how she was raised. She was scared and brave and vulnerable and fierce all at the same time. It is so hard to break from expectations and what you have been told your whole life. Maybe I just wish to be like her... Her cousin Tamara is my shero. There is nothing like knowing someone is in your corner. Von! He is such an ass! He is also a great father, a tattooed foul mouth hottie and secretly a complete teddy bear simp for Aaliyah. He is everything Aaliyah needs to fly high and free. Yes, yes, and yes! Add in the sweetest little girl, and I am a goner for this book. I didn't want it to end and I know I will read this again soon. A top read of the year for me. Happy reading!
August 14, 2024
Church Girl by Naima Simone had an intriguing premise that piqued my curiosity, but the execution didn’t quite live up to my expectations. The story of Aaliyah, a preacher’s daughter turned runaway bride, promised a lot of tension and growth, especially with her stepping into a world so different from her own. However, the plot felt too predictable and the characters, particularly Von, came across as a bit one-dimensional.
The dynamic between Aaliyah and Von had potential, but it often leaned too heavily on clichés. Aaliyah’s journey of self-discovery was fascinating, but how it unfolded felt rushed and lacked the depth needed to make it truly compelling. While steamy, the romance between her and Von overshadowed the more exciting aspects of her character development.
Overall, the story felt like it could have been more than it was. The idea was solid, but the execution left me wanting something with more substance and less reliance on familiar tropes.
The dynamic between Aaliyah and Von had potential, but it often leaned too heavily on clichés. Aaliyah’s journey of self-discovery was fascinating, but how it unfolded felt rushed and lacked the depth needed to make it truly compelling. While steamy, the romance between her and Von overshadowed the more exciting aspects of her character development.
Overall, the story felt like it could have been more than it was. The idea was solid, but the execution left me wanting something with more substance and less reliance on familiar tropes.
February 25, 2025
Church Girl is an opposites attract, age gap romance (she’s 24, he’s 34), where she’s a runaway bride, a preacher’s daughter, and the (not so qualified) nanny for a tattoo artist, single dad! While not my favorite from this author, I still had fun with it and it was a quick read!
The story starts with Aaliyah running away from her own wedding. She’s a preacher’s daughter who is tired of doing what her family wants for her instead of what she wants. She moves from Atlanta to Chicago for art school and becomes a nanny at the same time! Von is the single dad she starts nannying for, and while he wasn’t so sure about Aaliyah at first (thinking she was too prim and proper), he was also desperate enough to give her a try as a nanny. Von owns a tattoo shop and is dealing with drama with his ex-wife.
This was a pretty straight forward story, spicy, opposites attract, her family drama, his ex wife drama, single dad x nanny, and on the shorter side. Nothing that super set it apart but fun enough.
The story starts with Aaliyah running away from her own wedding. She’s a preacher’s daughter who is tired of doing what her family wants for her instead of what she wants. She moves from Atlanta to Chicago for art school and becomes a nanny at the same time! Von is the single dad she starts nannying for, and while he wasn’t so sure about Aaliyah at first (thinking she was too prim and proper), he was also desperate enough to give her a try as a nanny. Von owns a tattoo shop and is dealing with drama with his ex-wife.
This was a pretty straight forward story, spicy, opposites attract, her family drama, his ex wife drama, single dad x nanny, and on the shorter side. Nothing that super set it apart but fun enough.
December 22, 2025
3.5 rounded up?
Entertaining, fast-paced. Grateful for the entertainment, but not so much the themes.
My view on romance has shifted drastically. A year ago, I think I would have been all over this story, this relationship. But 2025 Joya, let's go ahead and say 2026 Joya, has opinions...
I'm not for age gap relationships. Ten years is a lot--just enough room for manipulation, control and abuse. And the way Von spoke to Aaliyah, the way he expected obedience from her, already indicates that he sees himself as an authority figure over her. She went from one controlling relationship with her father to what I can only predict will be another controlling relationship with Von.
The romance was spicy, but they'd only been together for a few weeks, no more than a few months, and we're already "in love." Uh-huh.
Oh! And yet another third act breakup misunderstanding. It's just a cop out for me guys, I don't know. I hate 'em.
Entertaining, fast-paced. Grateful for the entertainment, but not so much the themes.
My view on romance has shifted drastically. A year ago, I think I would have been all over this story, this relationship. But 2025 Joya, let's go ahead and say 2026 Joya, has opinions...
I'm not for age gap relationships. Ten years is a lot--just enough room for manipulation, control and abuse. And the way Von spoke to Aaliyah, the way he expected obedience from her, already indicates that he sees himself as an authority figure over her. She went from one controlling relationship with her father to what I can only predict will be another controlling relationship with Von.
The romance was spicy, but they'd only been together for a few weeks, no more than a few months, and we're already "in love." Uh-huh.
Oh! And yet another third act breakup misunderstanding. It's just a cop out for me guys, I don't know. I hate 'em.
March 14, 2025
“𝙒𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙄 𝙜𝙤 𝙩𝙤 𝙝𝙚𝙡𝙡 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙙𝙞𝙧𝙩𝙮𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙪𝙥, 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙜𝙤𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙤 𝙥𝙧𝙖𝙮 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙢𝙮 𝙨𝙤𝙪𝙡, 𝙇𝙞𝙮𝙖𝙝?”
After ditching her fiancé at the alter, Aaliyah heads to Chicago to get away from her small town and her parents heavy expectations.
In need of a job to support her through college, Aaliyah meets single dad Von, a gorgeous tattoo artist who pushes all her buttons, but Aaliyah gives as good as she gets.
The chemistry between them sizzles from the start, and while I enjoyed this overall, it didn’t blow me away. I really loved Aaliyah’s character, but never really connected or liked Von.
- church girl x tattoo artist
- single dad
- boss/employee (she’s the nanny)
- age gap
- opposites attract
- slow burn
After ditching her fiancé at the alter, Aaliyah heads to Chicago to get away from her small town and her parents heavy expectations.
In need of a job to support her through college, Aaliyah meets single dad Von, a gorgeous tattoo artist who pushes all her buttons, but Aaliyah gives as good as she gets.
The chemistry between them sizzles from the start, and while I enjoyed this overall, it didn’t blow me away. I really loved Aaliyah’s character, but never really connected or liked Von.
- church girl x tattoo artist
- single dad
- boss/employee (she’s the nanny)
- age gap
- opposites attract
- slow burn
May 6, 2025
Aaliyah x Von
This was almost great.
We started strong. Aaliyah ran out on her wedding day, leaving behind a fiancé she didn’t love and a cult-like church led by her overbearing parents in a small town in Alabama.
Now in Chicago, she becomes the nanny for Von. Foul-mouthed, crass, tattoo artist Von. She’s prim and proper; he drops F-bombs and says things like puśṣÿ which makes her blush. He’s also a bit of a grump. It’s the perfect setup for a cute story right?
But the story was so underdeveloped.
Spoiler alert:
There was so much hurt and trauma, especially surrounding Aaliyah’s family. When her parents came to town, there was no resolution, no reconciliation, no closure. Any one of those arcs would’ve been great to explore, but instead...alas!
The reconciliation between Aaliyah and Von also felt abrupt and lackluster, like it happened because it had to.
Epilogue! There were no epilogue. The book just… ended.
An epilogue would’ve given this story the sense of completion it needed, but again, alas!
Like, not love!
3.0⭐️
This was almost great.
We started strong. Aaliyah ran out on her wedding day, leaving behind a fiancé she didn’t love and a cult-like church led by her overbearing parents in a small town in Alabama.
Now in Chicago, she becomes the nanny for Von. Foul-mouthed, crass, tattoo artist Von. She’s prim and proper; he drops F-bombs and says things like puśṣÿ which makes her blush. He’s also a bit of a grump. It’s the perfect setup for a cute story right?
But the story was so underdeveloped.
Spoiler alert:
There was so much hurt and trauma, especially surrounding Aaliyah’s family. When her parents came to town, there was no resolution, no reconciliation, no closure. Any one of those arcs would’ve been great to explore, but instead...alas!
The reconciliation between Aaliyah and Von also felt abrupt and lackluster, like it happened because it had to.
Epilogue! There were no epilogue. The book just… ended.
An epilogue would’ve given this story the sense of completion it needed, but again, alas!
Like, not love!
3.0⭐️
March 22, 2025
Absolutely loved it!
May 29, 2025
"Don't let anyone have your peace, Liyah. They can try to take it, but only you can hand it over to them. Protect it at all costs."
I picked this up a few months ago for the cover and finally got around to reading it. Sadly, I found it to just be okay.
The MMC really rubbed me the wrong way majority of the time. Like dude, calm down. The way he spoke and handled situations with Aaliyah was rough.
I liked Aaliyah more but she had moments that made me want to tell her to shake it off. Her actions and thought process were a bit like whiplash. She would be okay and moving forward just for one small thing to pull her back. Finally seeing her stand up to her parents was a long time coming since she kept running from that situation. If they never came to find her, there’s no telling long she would have been ignoring their calls.
One thing that can’t be denied is their chemistry. They did have amazing chemistry
and the author knows how to write a steamy scene.
There is drama here from Von’s ex wife and also Aaliyah’s family. The resolution with the ex wife was uneventful. After the hell she caused I expected more.
Overall, not a new favorite but it wasn’t terrible.
I picked this up a few months ago for the cover and finally got around to reading it. Sadly, I found it to just be okay.
The MMC really rubbed me the wrong way majority of the time. Like dude, calm down. The way he spoke and handled situations with Aaliyah was rough.
I liked Aaliyah more but she had moments that made me want to tell her to shake it off. Her actions and thought process were a bit like whiplash. She would be okay and moving forward just for one small thing to pull her back. Finally seeing her stand up to her parents was a long time coming since she kept running from that situation. If they never came to find her, there’s no telling long she would have been ignoring their calls.
One thing that can’t be denied is their chemistry. They did have amazing chemistry
and the author knows how to write a steamy scene.
There is drama here from Von’s ex wife and also Aaliyah’s family. The resolution with the ex wife was uneventful. After the hell she caused I expected more.
Overall, not a new favorite but it wasn’t terrible.
January 6, 2025
Thank you so much to Afterglow Books for the free copy of this book! All thoughts and opinions are still my own.
A 2024 favorite of the year!
I absolutely devourered this romance.
Is Von intense as hell? Yes. But watching men like that be wholly undone by someone while trying to deny it is my *catnip* 🤌
And I loved their romance against the backdrop of the heroine paving her own life. Naima Simone balanced both so well, and I loved following the heroine learning not only what she wants, but how to stand up for it as well.
A 2024 favorite of the year!
I absolutely devourered this romance.
Is Von intense as hell? Yes. But watching men like that be wholly undone by someone while trying to deny it is my *catnip* 🤌
And I loved their romance against the backdrop of the heroine paving her own life. Naima Simone balanced both so well, and I loved following the heroine learning not only what she wants, but how to stand up for it as well.
May 31, 2025
I like the characters, especially the little girl, but way to much lust forward the chemistry between the two main characters
August 3, 2024
Church Girl
Harlequin - Romance | Afterglow Books by Harlequin and NetGalley provided an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed here are solely my own.
I saw the cute cover,bread the blurb, and thought that I’d probably like this book since I’m a Black romance super fan and I enjoy single parent stories. I was wrong; I LOVED it! Church Girl delivered heart, humor, heat, and a perfectly paced plot. I cannot wait to reread this with my bookish besties when it gets released.
Some of my favorite things:
✅ Grumpy MMC with a hidden heart of gold
✅ Sunshiny MMC with backbone
✅ An age gap that *doesn’t* make me cringe
✅ Spicy scenes that don’t disappoint
My not so favorite things?
➖ I would have loved an epilogue so I could spend a tiny bit more time with this story.
Overall, this was a fantastic read.
#ChurchGirl
#NetGalley
Harlequin - Romance | Afterglow Books by Harlequin and NetGalley provided an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed here are solely my own.
I saw the cute cover,bread the blurb, and thought that I’d probably like this book since I’m a Black romance super fan and I enjoy single parent stories. I was wrong; I LOVED it! Church Girl delivered heart, humor, heat, and a perfectly paced plot. I cannot wait to reread this with my bookish besties when it gets released.
Some of my favorite things:
✅ Grumpy MMC with a hidden heart of gold
✅ Sunshiny MMC with backbone
✅ An age gap that *doesn’t* make me cringe
✅ Spicy scenes that don’t disappoint
My not so favorite things?
➖ I would have loved an epilogue so I could spend a tiny bit more time with this story.
Overall, this was a fantastic read.
#ChurchGirl
#NetGalley
September 15, 2025
After growing up in under the rule of her father’s church, Aaliyah leaves home to find herself and follow her dreams. A mix of personal growth, love and spice, this was a quick and easy read. I enjoyed the dual POV and the single dad narrative.
December 21, 2024
I really enjoyed this book. The plot was cute and i loved the contrast between the sweet church girl and the rough around the edges tattoo shop owner. I love the growth from Aaliyah and Von as well as the relationship between Aaliyah and her cousin Tamara (I’m excited for her story).
I wanted Chelle to fight Sheree because she absolutely would have deserved the butt whopping 😂. And of course little Gia was so adorable and i loved her relationship with her dad as well as with Aaliyah.
Overall i really enjoyed this story and would 100% recommend it.
🌶️🌶️🌶️
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I wanted Chelle to fight Sheree because she absolutely would have deserved the butt whopping 😂. And of course little Gia was so adorable and i loved her relationship with her dad as well as with Aaliyah.
Overall i really enjoyed this story and would 100% recommend it.
🌶️🌶️🌶️
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
November 25, 2024
ARC REVIEW
"She ain't tryna hurt nobody, she's just tryna do the best she can!" - Beyoncé from the song Church Girl
Coming from a newly freed Church Girl, this book brought up so many emotions! Aaliyah's journey to finding herself was familiar (well....not the runaway bride, shacking up with a stripper relative, falling for a fine asl tattoo artist part). The learning to trust yourself, following your own passions and deciding not to gaf about what others have to say part was great to me. I enjoyed reading about Aaliyah's journey to freedom.
"She ain't tryna hurt nobody, she's just tryna do the best she can!" - Beyoncé from the song Church Girl
Coming from a newly freed Church Girl, this book brought up so many emotions! Aaliyah's journey to finding herself was familiar (well....not the runaway bride, shacking up with a stripper relative, falling for a fine asl tattoo artist part). The learning to trust yourself, following your own passions and deciding not to gaf about what others have to say part was great to me. I enjoyed reading about Aaliyah's journey to freedom.
February 5, 2025
(3.75 stars) I really wanted to love this and while I do love Aaliyah as the main female character, Von was a lot. He’s rude, for apparently no reason, dominant (and not in a good way), arrogant to a fault and broken. There was no “soft” side to him. Even in his vulnerable moments, he was harsh. How he talked to Aaliyah was absolutely crazy smh. PLUS that’s not how black men from Chicago talk. Like there wasn’t a “g” or “you cool” or anything. The author must have confused Brooklyn for Chicago because NAW! & it felt rushed & too short. I’m hoping Tamara’s story is better. I liked her a lot.
July 19, 2024
3.5 stars
This was a fun read and I can definitely see it being a success once published. Von was… a lot. And sometimes that lot felt like too much but he was surely smitten for Aaliyah. It was kind of cute to watch Aaliyah do his head in like she did. I’m glad she found her voice and herself. It was long overdue.
Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin for the arc.
This was a fun read and I can definitely see it being a success once published. Von was… a lot. And sometimes that lot felt like too much but he was surely smitten for Aaliyah. It was kind of cute to watch Aaliyah do his head in like she did. I’m glad she found her voice and herself. It was long overdue.
Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin for the arc.
December 26, 2024
“Church girls, don’t hurt nobody” 4.5
I devoured this book. I was locked in from page and couldn’t put it down until the end. I love a nanny romance but it’s even better when the father is trying to fight his attraction. Von really tried but Aaliyah had him gone at first sight. I loved that we really got to see Aaliyah come into herself, I enjoyed seeing her work through those moments of doubt. Wondering if she was really doing the best thing for herself and finally realizing that she was. Her connection with Gia was so sweet and it felt genuine. The inner monologues were a highlight and it made Von and Aaliyah finally giving in feel better. I wasn’t wondering how anyone felt because I knew, I just had to wait for them to act on it. I will say it ended abruptly, idk I was expecting an epilogue or something so a little disappointed there but that’s really my only complaint. Looking forward to Tamara’s story in 2026!!!
I devoured this book. I was locked in from page and couldn’t put it down until the end. I love a nanny romance but it’s even better when the father is trying to fight his attraction. Von really tried but Aaliyah had him gone at first sight. I loved that we really got to see Aaliyah come into herself, I enjoyed seeing her work through those moments of doubt. Wondering if she was really doing the best thing for herself and finally realizing that she was. Her connection with Gia was so sweet and it felt genuine. The inner monologues were a highlight and it made Von and Aaliyah finally giving in feel better. I wasn’t wondering how anyone felt because I knew, I just had to wait for them to act on it. I will say it ended abruptly, idk I was expecting an epilogue or something so a little disappointed there but that’s really my only complaint. Looking forward to Tamara’s story in 2026!!!
November 27, 2024
Naima, once again raised her own bar. My favorite to date. This one pulled at my past church experiences like roots coming out the ground. Naima hit some very important topics and I love her for it!! Von is my favorite hero of hers at the moment. His mouth, his dominance and the gooey center that only Aaliyah got to experience was chefs kiss with hot sauce!! He could get it - periodt! The way I could relate to Aaliyah in just about every way made me feel seen. So many similarities it’s uncanny. I’m so grateful for amazing storytellers. Naima is a Queen.
April 16, 2025
Good story!
March 13, 2025
dnf at 60%. it was all fun and games until
I'm a bit torn because I understand this is a trope of the genre (bending consent, the alpha male being control and innately knowing the female's wants/needs without having them clearly communicated) but it really doesn't play when the woman is in such a vulnerable position. Aaliyah is ten years younger than Von, she is his employee, and she is repeatedly shown to have problems standing up for herself. I understand that Aaliyah finding her voice--releasing the inner bad bitch that has always been there--is her arc in the story, but I really dislike how it was done. I feel like this whole thing could have been solved by Aaliyah taking more initiative in their sexual encounters. It would have strengthened her character arc and mitigated this ick factor. If she was the one to break the boss/employee boundary first, or if she was really flirty with him, actively pursuing and seducing him, it might feel different. But she doesn't. She's mostly passive while Von pursues her, even verbally pushing against him. She is into him and wants everything he does, but Von has no real way of knowing that. All her desires are between herself and the reader, and Von just picks up on her body language to intuit consent. He never checks in with her to see if she's okay with what's happening, never puts her in control of the situation, never asks before he acts. Which is all fine and good and sexy in theory, I suppose, but when paired with an assault survivor as an MC it just starts to read as very gross to me. Maybe this dynamic changes later in the book, but I'll never know.
I'm a bit torn because I understand this is a trope of the genre (bending consent, the alpha male being control and innately knowing the female's wants/needs without having them clearly communicated) but it really doesn't play when the woman is in such a vulnerable position. Aaliyah is ten years younger than Von, she is his employee, and she is repeatedly shown to have problems standing up for herself. I understand that Aaliyah finding her voice--releasing the inner bad bitch that has always been there--is her arc in the story, but I really dislike how it was done. I feel like this whole thing could have been solved by Aaliyah taking more initiative in their sexual encounters. It would have strengthened her character arc and mitigated this ick factor. If she was the one to break the boss/employee boundary first, or if she was really flirty with him, actively pursuing and seducing him, it might feel different. But she doesn't. She's mostly passive while Von pursues her, even verbally pushing against him. She is into him and wants everything he does, but Von has no real way of knowing that. All her desires are between herself and the reader, and Von just picks up on her body language to intuit consent. He never checks in with her to see if she's okay with what's happening, never puts her in control of the situation, never asks before he acts. Which is all fine and good and sexy in theory, I suppose, but when paired with an assault survivor as an MC it just starts to read as very gross to me. Maybe this dynamic changes later in the book, but I'll never know.
August 13, 2024
I LOVED this book. Naima is a one click author for me so I was thrilled to get this ARC from Harlequin Afterglow. It’s so good, I’m mad it’s over lol
First and foremost, this is everything I love most: runaway bride, single dad, cute kid that acts her age, small town girl in a big city, combatting purity culture brainwashing that makes you feel like you’re not “pure enough”. Naima took all these beloved tropes and topics and made such a heartfelt (and hot!) story between two total opposites. I was delighted.
Von is gruff and a straight shooter but he goes out of his way to lift Aaliyah up and encourage her, even when he’s trying to stay far far away from her “Disney princess attitude” lol it doesn’t last long because he’s entranced by her. And he’s such a sweetheart with Gia, his baby girl. Their relationship was so precious. I adored Von, even in his more butthead moments. The stubborn ones fall the hardest I swear.
But Aaliyah is the star of the show for me. A preacher’s kid running away from the expectations and man they expected her to just go along with. Combatting years of purity culture down her throat and parents that cared more about the image than protecting their daughter. I cried because Naima perfectly encapsulated that fear and self loathing that’s instilled in us who grew up in purity culture so young. And Von is so FIERCE on her behalf. I mean, the man is just like “nah, you’re not the responsible party here. Your parents should have put YOU first”. So as much as this is a love story, it’s also Aaliyah coming into her own and finding out what she wants and who she wants to be. And I loved it. Every second.
Do I wish there had been an epilogue of some kind? Sure! But I don’t have any doubts that Von, Aaliyah, and Gia are living their best lives with each other and hanging out at Auntie Tamara’s condo. And that makes my heart happy.
CW: mentions of attempted childhood SA by a family member (historic, briefly discussed, non-graphic), purity culture, sex work shaming by side character
First and foremost, this is everything I love most: runaway bride, single dad, cute kid that acts her age, small town girl in a big city, combatting purity culture brainwashing that makes you feel like you’re not “pure enough”. Naima took all these beloved tropes and topics and made such a heartfelt (and hot!) story between two total opposites. I was delighted.
Von is gruff and a straight shooter but he goes out of his way to lift Aaliyah up and encourage her, even when he’s trying to stay far far away from her “Disney princess attitude” lol it doesn’t last long because he’s entranced by her. And he’s such a sweetheart with Gia, his baby girl. Their relationship was so precious. I adored Von, even in his more butthead moments. The stubborn ones fall the hardest I swear.
But Aaliyah is the star of the show for me. A preacher’s kid running away from the expectations and man they expected her to just go along with. Combatting years of purity culture down her throat and parents that cared more about the image than protecting their daughter. I cried because Naima perfectly encapsulated that fear and self loathing that’s instilled in us who grew up in purity culture so young. And Von is so FIERCE on her behalf. I mean, the man is just like “nah, you’re not the responsible party here. Your parents should have put YOU first”. So as much as this is a love story, it’s also Aaliyah coming into her own and finding out what she wants and who she wants to be. And I loved it. Every second.
Do I wish there had been an epilogue of some kind? Sure! But I don’t have any doubts that Von, Aaliyah, and Gia are living their best lives with each other and hanging out at Auntie Tamara’s condo. And that makes my heart happy.
CW: mentions of attempted childhood SA by a family member (historic, briefly discussed, non-graphic), purity culture, sex work shaming by side character
November 18, 2024
I've been reading Naima Simone books ever since I would sneak to read them in middle school and high school—I fell in love with her storylines, characters, and the passion shared between them. In recent years, Simone has branched out and written different stories that keep romance at its core but either had characters or scenarios I didn't enjoy. Church Girl was both something new and something typical for Simone—and it WORKED!
While it's certainly more urban romance-coded than I remember reading from Simone, something about the way the characters interacted felt so similar. Simone does a fantastic job with push and pull, wanting something or someone and knowing you shouldn't have it, and Church Girl was more in that vein. Aaliyah and Von were hot af, even when Aaliyah's religious roadblocks kept her from enjoying herself at first. I thought Von was very understanding and patient, and Aaliyah grew a lot throughout the story! I wish that Von's ex had been adequately dealt with, but her ending was fine with me just the same.
Aside from some of my least favorite words being used in reference to sex and sex parts, the spice was what I remember from Simone: steamy and plentiful. I had fun!
4.5 ⭐️s
2.5 🌶️
🚨 Pub Date: 11/26/24
Thank you to Harlequin Romance, Afterglow Books by Harlequin, and NetGalley for providing an ARC!
While it's certainly more urban romance-coded than I remember reading from Simone, something about the way the characters interacted felt so similar. Simone does a fantastic job with push and pull, wanting something or someone and knowing you shouldn't have it, and Church Girl was more in that vein. Aaliyah and Von were hot af, even when Aaliyah's religious roadblocks kept her from enjoying herself at first. I thought Von was very understanding and patient, and Aaliyah grew a lot throughout the story! I wish that Von's ex had been adequately dealt with, but her ending was fine with me just the same.
Aside from some of my least favorite words being used in reference to sex and sex parts, the spice was what I remember from Simone: steamy and plentiful. I had fun!
4.5 ⭐️s
2.5 🌶️
🚨 Pub Date: 11/26/24
Thank you to Harlequin Romance, Afterglow Books by Harlequin, and NetGalley for providing an ARC!
October 8, 2025
Instead of a review of this book, which is well written and compelling but ultimately didn’t work for me, I’d like to present you with some excerpts from my DMs.
Me: I have a romance novel-related question. Well, related to the book I am currently reading, which, I think this is relevant, is an age gap romance where she’s 24 and running away from a strict religious upbringing [and his daughter’s nanny] and he’s 34 and owns his own famous tattoo shop.
Me: She walks in and he’s immediately uncomfortable because of how innocent and naive she seems, and also in that same mental breath, is thinking about how her lips would be great for dick sucking.
Me: And I DON’T like it
My brilliant friend: Especially introducing the romantic lead
Me: Idk, something about thinking about how young and innocent she is in the same thought as mentally face fucking her BEFORE YOU’VE EVEN HAD A FULL CONVERSATION WITH HER doesn’t feel romantic or even hot to me, just predatory
…
Me: He’s also like a single dad and a business owner who treats his employees well and is close with his mom
Me: Like he’s not in the mob or whatever
Me: What do you mean, “corrupt her”?
My brilliant friend: Well, with the dick sucking
Me: Because having sex soils you
Me: I have a romance novel-related question. Well, related to the book I am currently reading, which, I think this is relevant, is an age gap romance where she’s 24 and running away from a strict religious upbringing [and his daughter’s nanny] and he’s 34 and owns his own famous tattoo shop.
Me: She walks in and he’s immediately uncomfortable because of how innocent and naive she seems, and also in that same mental breath, is thinking about how her lips would be great for dick sucking.
Me: And I DON’T like it
My brilliant friend: Especially introducing the romantic lead
Me: Idk, something about thinking about how young and innocent she is in the same thought as mentally face fucking her BEFORE YOU’VE EVEN HAD A FULL CONVERSATION WITH HER doesn’t feel romantic or even hot to me, just predatory
…
Me: He’s also like a single dad and a business owner who treats his employees well and is close with his mom
Me: Like he’s not in the mob or whatever
Me: What do you mean, “corrupt her”?
My brilliant friend: Well, with the dick sucking
Me: Because having sex soils you
February 3, 2025
4.5 stars!
Honestly this was so freaking cute 🥰 I just love a good single dad nanny romance, it just does something to my heart♥️
I love how Aaliyah got out from under her parents and start living her life the way she wants to live it. I was so glad when she finally stop being spineless and stood up to her parents because it was well overdo.
I also love how Von opened himself up at Aaliyah despite his earlier reservations. I just didn’t like how he treated her when he first met her, it was uncalled for.
This was so cute and the spicy scenes had me shook forreal 😂 Von is a freak.
I just wish we had an epilogue, I wanted to see their life after they’re officially together 😩 is that too much to ask?!?
Honestly this was so freaking cute 🥰 I just love a good single dad nanny romance, it just does something to my heart♥️
I love how Aaliyah got out from under her parents and start living her life the way she wants to live it. I was so glad when she finally stop being spineless and stood up to her parents because it was well overdo.
I also love how Von opened himself up at Aaliyah despite his earlier reservations. I just didn’t like how he treated her when he first met her, it was uncalled for.
This was so cute and the spicy scenes had me shook forreal 😂 Von is a freak.
I just wish we had an epilogue, I wanted to see their life after they’re officially together 😩 is that too much to ask?!?
November 4, 2024
I knew that third act break-up was coming and I'm very satisfied with how it went (I'm a picky person).
Content Warnings: religious fanaticism/bigotry, purity culture, shaming of sex work and body autonomy, brief discussion of attempted childhood SA, bad divorce and parties involved in constant fights, emotional abuse, cheating.
Content Warnings: religious fanaticism/bigotry, purity culture, shaming of sex work and body autonomy, brief discussion of attempted childhood SA, bad divorce and parties involved in constant fights, emotional abuse, cheating.
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May 27, 2025you know what? yeah! hell yea! just solid, top to bottom. she had to really turn me brain off re: this workplace dynamic but she succeeded. i had a great time. it was very 😳🤭 i can see many girls liking this.
May 5, 2025
Gorgeous cover.
Von is such a macho caricature, i lost interest very quickly. The bleak moment was the laziest third act breakup I've read recently. Really phoning it in.
Von is such a macho caricature, i lost interest very quickly. The bleak moment was the laziest third act breakup I've read recently. Really phoning it in.
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