What do you think?
Rate this book
Broken Shelves #1
Loving the Sinner
When Elli’s ex boyfriend announces his engagement two months after he breaks up with her, she does the only rational thing she can think of- she moves 1300 miles away from the only place she’s ever lived. She's in the midst of a faith crisis and needs space from the toxic culture she grew up in to figure out what she wants.
Wes Jones hasn't been interested in dating anyone in the two years since his terrible break up, and now he's lost his musical inspiration. When his "brother" asks him to go on a blind date with his girlfriend's older sister, Wes is reluctant but agrees.
Wes and Elli are virtual opposites, so what happens when they’re forced together on a blind date? Will Wes find inspiration for his music? Will Elli finally let go of the religion she was raised in?
Wes Jones hasn't been interested in dating anyone in the two years since his terrible break up, and now he's lost his musical inspiration. When his "brother" asks him to go on a blind date with his girlfriend's older sister, Wes is reluctant but agrees.
Wes and Elli are virtual opposites, so what happens when they’re forced together on a blind date? Will Wes find inspiration for his music? Will Elli finally let go of the religion she was raised in?
380 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 25, 2024
52 people are currently reading
204 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
September 29, 2024
DAISY! 🥹 This is such a lovely story.
First of all, look at the cover. I know you're not supposed to judge a book by its cover, but as a former PK from Texas with plenty of emotional and religious trauma from the evangelical church, when I saw the word "sinner" and the bluebonnets, this book instantly went onto the TBR! I am so happy I squeezed it into my reading schedule this month. It was seriously such a breath of fresh air.
So let's break it down:
-Our FMC is Elliana, and she is an absolute sweetheart. She is thoughtful, gracious, and incredibly patient. That's just who she is with or without faith, and I love that. In Christ-based religions and denominations, they preach that absolutely no goodness can come from you apart from God. I don't know if the author did this on purpose, but I loved seeing a character who literally loved her neighbor and loved her enemies for no other reason than it was the right thing to do.
-Oh, Westly... 😍 no joke, he is supreme book boyfriend! "Bad boy" looks with a cinnamon roll heart. Here's a guy who has been kicked down over and over in life, learned some hard lessons, and has now found the girl of his dreams--only to be kicked in the shins by her religion that friggin says to love one another! He's precious. Leave him and his tattoos alone.
-I loved this cast of characters! I wish they were real people because they sound like the kind of people you can relax and be yourself with. Dare I say, I think Jesus would've hung out with them, too!
-The spice? Damn. Just damn. 🥵🥴🥵
Now, I am selfish. I wanted to see more of a growth in Elli and Wes's relationship. It was fairly instalove--but that's a me problem. Some relationships are just that way. I'm the one pumping the brakes, going waaaaaaait! I want to see all the stops along the way. But this is THEIR story!
Also, as a proud lumberjack, I do have to hiss a little at San Marcos. Lol Friends don't let friends cross into that college town UNLESS you're going to the outlets.
Fabulous work! I cannot wait for the next book! 🥰🥰🥰
⭐️- 4.5
🌶- 2.5/3.0
First of all, look at the cover. I know you're not supposed to judge a book by its cover, but as a former PK from Texas with plenty of emotional and religious trauma from the evangelical church, when I saw the word "sinner" and the bluebonnets, this book instantly went onto the TBR! I am so happy I squeezed it into my reading schedule this month. It was seriously such a breath of fresh air.
So let's break it down:
-Our FMC is Elliana, and she is an absolute sweetheart. She is thoughtful, gracious, and incredibly patient. That's just who she is with or without faith, and I love that. In Christ-based religions and denominations, they preach that absolutely no goodness can come from you apart from God. I don't know if the author did this on purpose, but I loved seeing a character who literally loved her neighbor and loved her enemies for no other reason than it was the right thing to do.
-Oh, Westly... 😍 no joke, he is supreme book boyfriend! "Bad boy" looks with a cinnamon roll heart. Here's a guy who has been kicked down over and over in life, learned some hard lessons, and has now found the girl of his dreams--only to be kicked in the shins by her religion that friggin says to love one another! He's precious. Leave him and his tattoos alone.
-I loved this cast of characters! I wish they were real people because they sound like the kind of people you can relax and be yourself with. Dare I say, I think Jesus would've hung out with them, too!
-The spice? Damn. Just damn. 🥵🥴🥵
Now, I am selfish. I wanted to see more of a growth in Elli and Wes's relationship. It was fairly instalove--but that's a me problem. Some relationships are just that way. I'm the one pumping the brakes, going waaaaaaait! I want to see all the stops along the way. But this is THEIR story!
Also, as a proud lumberjack, I do have to hiss a little at San Marcos. Lol Friends don't let friends cross into that college town UNLESS you're going to the outlets.
Fabulous work! I cannot wait for the next book! 🥰🥰🥰
⭐️- 4.5
🌶- 2.5/3.0
September 27, 2025
♡ Religious trauma
♡ Heavy toxic family dynamics
♡ Strangers to Lovers
♡ Tattooed, musician MMC
♡ Virgin, plus size rep FMC
♡ Found family
♡ Spicy and explorative
I’ve never devoured something so ridiculously sweet, yet slightly cringy, it made my heart ache just as much as I giggled and rolled my eyes. Wes had me in tears, weak at the knees, SQUEALING.
I enjoyed this but let me just say, the dialogue was honestly almost way too sweet to witness?! 😭 Wes handled them all so well, dealing with his own traumas and insecurities but going to therapy and having open discussions about their feelings so they can process things together made me swoooon. IRL men should take notes, istg
♡ Heavy toxic family dynamics
♡ Strangers to Lovers
♡ Tattooed, musician MMC
♡ Virgin, plus size rep FMC
♡ Found family
♡ Spicy and explorative
I’ve never devoured something so ridiculously sweet, yet slightly cringy, it made my heart ache just as much as I giggled and rolled my eyes. Wes had me in tears, weak at the knees, SQUEALING.
I enjoyed this but let me just say, the dialogue was honestly almost way too sweet to witness?! 😭 Wes handled them all so well, dealing with his own traumas and insecurities but going to therapy and having open discussions about their feelings so they can process things together made me swoooon. IRL men should take notes, istg
June 27, 2024
Thanks for letting me ARC review!
🪻This book is the epitome of “do not judge a book by its cover 😏😏
🪻Elli is a sweet plus size young woman trying to breakaway from her harsh Mormon family. I absolutely adore her as a character. The amount of strength it takes to stand up to a strict family is admirable. Her self discovery in all aspects was so heartwarming to watch. I think people from many walks of life can relate to her.
🪻Wes is just yummy. He is the sweetest cinnamon roll and he has a lot of self doubt in the beginning but watching him grow and take control of his life and write his own narrative is also really inspiring. When he finally takes the lead you see him really grow as a character. #swoon
🪻All of the side characters were also really great in their rolls. I love how supportive our found family was. I definitely need a spin off just about Robin 🤭
🪻The amount of times I squealed over things in this book is embarrassing, but I truly loved it so much! If you are looking for a new spicy contemporary romance (that has a super discreet cover) then this may be for you.
🪻This book is the epitome of “do not judge a book by its cover 😏😏
🪻Elli is a sweet plus size young woman trying to breakaway from her harsh Mormon family. I absolutely adore her as a character. The amount of strength it takes to stand up to a strict family is admirable. Her self discovery in all aspects was so heartwarming to watch. I think people from many walks of life can relate to her.
🪻Wes is just yummy. He is the sweetest cinnamon roll and he has a lot of self doubt in the beginning but watching him grow and take control of his life and write his own narrative is also really inspiring. When he finally takes the lead you see him really grow as a character. #swoon
🪻All of the side characters were also really great in their rolls. I love how supportive our found family was. I definitely need a spin off just about Robin 🤭
🪻The amount of times I squealed over things in this book is embarrassing, but I truly loved it so much! If you are looking for a new spicy contemporary romance (that has a super discreet cover) then this may be for you.
June 12, 2024
This was so cute and wonderful!
I love how open they are, how curious both their minds are. Love a MMC with a broken backstory, and the FMC paves her own way and doesn't let anyone manipulate her.
At one point I was like; WHERE is this story going?! WHAT are you doing?!
But then It all made sense and loved every second of it.
These people are truly made for each other. I could get this out of my mind and couldn't put it down. Also made me cry a little. I thought it wasn't gonna be a HEA but it was. The epilouge made me bawl my eyes out.
I love how open they are, how curious both their minds are. Love a MMC with a broken backstory, and the FMC paves her own way and doesn't let anyone manipulate her.
At one point I was like; WHERE is this story going?! WHAT are you doing?!
But then It all made sense and loved every second of it.
These people are truly made for each other. I could get this out of my mind and couldn't put it down. Also made me cry a little. I thought it wasn't gonna be a HEA but it was. The epilouge made me bawl my eyes out.
August 1, 2024
I knew I needed to ask to ARC this when I saw ’”religious trauma” as a trope. I don’t have any per se, but that caught my attention instantly! And I do not regret it one bit!
Elli has been questioning her religious upbringing, and after her ex-boyfriend announces a fast engagement post-breakup, she feels the need to run away and start fresh, to really figure out what she wants and who she is.
The characters were all so sweet and relatable, and the thoughts and questions they all have are so real. It felt like reading a friend’s story more than a fiction book. All things that could 100% happen, and I love that in my books.
Opposites attract has to be a favourite of mine, especially when a bad-boy looking MMC end ups being a total marshmallow!
I cannot wait to see where this story takes us, and who Daisy will introduces us to next.
Elli has been questioning her religious upbringing, and after her ex-boyfriend announces a fast engagement post-breakup, she feels the need to run away and start fresh, to really figure out what she wants and who she is.
The characters were all so sweet and relatable, and the thoughts and questions they all have are so real. It felt like reading a friend’s story more than a fiction book. All things that could 100% happen, and I love that in my books.
Opposites attract has to be a favourite of mine, especially when a bad-boy looking MMC end ups being a total marshmallow!
I cannot wait to see where this story takes us, and who Daisy will introduces us to next.
June 28, 2024
i LOVED this book!! i am not mormon, but lived in utah for years. The book represents the struggles so many friends have gone through with leaving their faith, as well as telling the CUTEST love story between two unlikely lovers. Its a love at first sight book, and i enjoyed every page!
June 14, 2024
I want to start off by saying thank you again to @daiseywren for this opportunity. My review is completely my own, I just want to show my support to her amazing work ! 🫶🏻
I didn’t know Daisy and her work until I came across her Threads account where she was promoting Loving the Sinner. When I saw that she was looking for ARC readers I jumped on the occasion to read a new kind of contemporary romance i haven’t read before. I was lucky to get picked to be an ARC reader and immediately got into reading when it got sent to me. 💌
I was a little afraid to read a book about a religion that I know nothing about and how it would be written and also how I would feel about it since I’m not a religious person. But I was pleasantly surprised at how well it was written and how beautiful the story was. I fell in love with the characters immediately and the story was so heartwarming. 🩵🩵
Loving the Sinner is the story of Ellie, a young plus size woman who’s struggling with leaving the life she always knew inside of a demanding religion. After her ex-boyfriends gets engaged two months after breaking up with her, she decides to leave the state to try finding what life outside of the religion would be like.
After moving to Texas where her 17 yo sister’s boyfriend lives, Ellie meets Wes when they have to chaperon Izzy and Luke’s date. Wes is a tattooed music teacher and musician and is protective of the people he care about because he lost so many people already in his life.
After Ellie accepts to go on a date with one of Wes’s best friend, Wes settles with only being her friend and try to help her navigate her identity/faith crisis. He helps her try everything she wasn’t allowed in her religion to discover what makes her happy even if that puts him in the friend zone while they shops for dresses for her date with Matt. 💙
When Wes realizes how he really feels about Ellie and learn that her and Matt are just being friends, he starts writing a song for her to hopefully get a chance to go go on a date with her. 🎤🎸
Loving the sinner is a beautiful story about finding yourself after leaving a high demand religion and starting over while finding love unexpectedly.🩵🩵
I didn’t know Daisy and her work until I came across her Threads account where she was promoting Loving the Sinner. When I saw that she was looking for ARC readers I jumped on the occasion to read a new kind of contemporary romance i haven’t read before. I was lucky to get picked to be an ARC reader and immediately got into reading when it got sent to me. 💌
I was a little afraid to read a book about a religion that I know nothing about and how it would be written and also how I would feel about it since I’m not a religious person. But I was pleasantly surprised at how well it was written and how beautiful the story was. I fell in love with the characters immediately and the story was so heartwarming. 🩵🩵
Loving the Sinner is the story of Ellie, a young plus size woman who’s struggling with leaving the life she always knew inside of a demanding religion. After her ex-boyfriends gets engaged two months after breaking up with her, she decides to leave the state to try finding what life outside of the religion would be like.
After moving to Texas where her 17 yo sister’s boyfriend lives, Ellie meets Wes when they have to chaperon Izzy and Luke’s date. Wes is a tattooed music teacher and musician and is protective of the people he care about because he lost so many people already in his life.
After Ellie accepts to go on a date with one of Wes’s best friend, Wes settles with only being her friend and try to help her navigate her identity/faith crisis. He helps her try everything she wasn’t allowed in her religion to discover what makes her happy even if that puts him in the friend zone while they shops for dresses for her date with Matt. 💙
When Wes realizes how he really feels about Ellie and learn that her and Matt are just being friends, he starts writing a song for her to hopefully get a chance to go go on a date with her. 🎤🎸
Loving the sinner is a beautiful story about finding yourself after leaving a high demand religion and starting over while finding love unexpectedly.🩵🩵
June 25, 2024
~ Thank you to Daisy Wren for an ARC in exchange for an honest review ~
Let me start by saying that Ellie and Wes are so cute! I loved seeing them as a couple, and the build up was nice too. Their banter was, like, perfect and they make such a cute couple. This book was interesting from the get go- a bit of a different genre than what I typically read nowadays, but I was once more of a contemporary girly than a fantasy girly. I am so glad that I read this book and didn’t pass it by just because it wasn’t fantasy, this book was SO GOOD. It’s hard to believe this is the first book Daisy Wren is publishing, the writing was very smooth for me and it felt very well thought out and well written.
The romance in this book was amazing. I loved seeing the evolution of Ellie and Wes’ relationship and how she trusted and learned some stuff from him. They were so incredibly cute together. I also really liked seeing how Ellie broke away from the beliefs she had grown up with and became her own person. I am not someone from a very religious background so I don’t have any experience with this, but I thought it was written pretty well. I also loved the info being given to Wes about the Mormon church because I also needed to know what some of those rules were and other information about the church. The ending for Wes was soooo good and I loved it so much- I don’t want to spoil anything but it was very satisfying. Of course Ellie was there, and she was rocking it too.
I read this book over the course of like one day, once I picked it up I just couldn’t put it down. This was such a cute book with a really good message behind it, and I think it is most definitely worth the read. ALSO, this book is released to the public in just a couple of hours, so go get it! June 25th is the official release date, and if you think it sounds interesting at all, go grab it! It’s so good!
Let me start by saying that Ellie and Wes are so cute! I loved seeing them as a couple, and the build up was nice too. Their banter was, like, perfect and they make such a cute couple. This book was interesting from the get go- a bit of a different genre than what I typically read nowadays, but I was once more of a contemporary girly than a fantasy girly. I am so glad that I read this book and didn’t pass it by just because it wasn’t fantasy, this book was SO GOOD. It’s hard to believe this is the first book Daisy Wren is publishing, the writing was very smooth for me and it felt very well thought out and well written.
The romance in this book was amazing. I loved seeing the evolution of Ellie and Wes’ relationship and how she trusted and learned some stuff from him. They were so incredibly cute together. I also really liked seeing how Ellie broke away from the beliefs she had grown up with and became her own person. I am not someone from a very religious background so I don’t have any experience with this, but I thought it was written pretty well. I also loved the info being given to Wes about the Mormon church because I also needed to know what some of those rules were and other information about the church. The ending for Wes was soooo good and I loved it so much- I don’t want to spoil anything but it was very satisfying. Of course Ellie was there, and she was rocking it too.
I read this book over the course of like one day, once I picked it up I just couldn’t put it down. This was such a cute book with a really good message behind it, and I think it is most definitely worth the read. ALSO, this book is released to the public in just a couple of hours, so go get it! June 25th is the official release date, and if you think it sounds interesting at all, go grab it! It’s so good!
July 3, 2025
rating — ★ ★ ★ ★/ 5 ⭐️
daisy wren, i was unfamiliar with your game.
the best way for me to describe my experience reading this book: devastatingly sweet.
i’ve never read a book centered around a religion, let alone religious trauma. i was definitely curious how this topic would be explored throughout the story, and i can safely say i was not disappointed! while my knowledge was limited, it was a great experience learning alongside 𝗪𝗘𝗦 about 𝗘𝗟𝗟𝗜’𝗦 personal struggles within her faith.
one thing i just could not stop gushing over was how COMMUNICATIVE these two were. there was so much reassurance, so much healthy conversations, patience, and palpable LOVE between these two, i never doubted the insta-love trope that got them started.
𝗪𝗘𝗦 was just so perfect 🥹 the sweetest, most gentle, and sensitive guy who i knew from the start would turn out that way. the rest of the world sees a guy in dark clothing and tattoos & suddenly he’s a “bad boy.”
that’s propaganda i would never fall for !
i love how patient and sensitive he was when it came down to helping 𝗘𝗟𝗟𝗜 process all her trauma and faith crisis. i adored just how supportive and kind 𝗘𝗟𝗟𝗜 was towards him when he was also open about his own childhood trauma and loss. they held each other’s hands the whole way through 🥹
i loved 𝗘𝗟𝗟𝗜 so much. she’s WAY better than me because the way i’d go home SWINGING. i’m not kidding, i was just MAD the entire time her family was brought up and i won’t apologize for the curse words i threw at them?@?&
OH MY KIDS ! i love them so much.
come to find this is a DEBUT book?1?2?
chef’s kiss 😽🤌🏻
daisy wren, i was unfamiliar with your game.
the best way for me to describe my experience reading this book: devastatingly sweet.
i’ve never read a book centered around a religion, let alone religious trauma. i was definitely curious how this topic would be explored throughout the story, and i can safely say i was not disappointed! while my knowledge was limited, it was a great experience learning alongside 𝗪𝗘𝗦 about 𝗘𝗟𝗟𝗜’𝗦 personal struggles within her faith.
one thing i just could not stop gushing over was how COMMUNICATIVE these two were. there was so much reassurance, so much healthy conversations, patience, and palpable LOVE between these two, i never doubted the insta-love trope that got them started.
𝗪𝗘𝗦 was just so perfect 🥹 the sweetest, most gentle, and sensitive guy who i knew from the start would turn out that way. the rest of the world sees a guy in dark clothing and tattoos & suddenly he’s a “bad boy.”
that’s propaganda i would never fall for !
i love how patient and sensitive he was when it came down to helping 𝗘𝗟𝗟𝗜 process all her trauma and faith crisis. i adored just how supportive and kind 𝗘𝗟𝗟𝗜 was towards him when he was also open about his own childhood trauma and loss. they held each other’s hands the whole way through 🥹
i loved 𝗘𝗟𝗟𝗜 so much. she’s WAY better than me because the way i’d go home SWINGING. i’m not kidding, i was just MAD the entire time her family was brought up and i won’t apologize for the curse words i threw at them?@?&
OH MY KIDS ! i love them so much.
come to find this is a DEBUT book?1?2?
chef’s kiss 😽🤌🏻
June 15, 2024
🍃 religious trauma/healing
🎶 plus size fmc
�� found family
🎶 opposites attract
🍃 mental health rep
Loving the Sinner was a such a cute feel-good story. At first I thought the title was a play about Elli loving Wes, but maybe it’s more about learning to love herself as well.
Wes is a total Doberman boyfriend, looks like a bad boy on the outside, but a total sweetheart on the inside. He and Elli are adorable together, and even though it was super insta lovey, which isn’t normally my cup of tea, even I couldn’t help but love them together. They were both so patient with one another!
I grew up in the Bible Belt, where certain views are pushed upon you at a young age, and while my experiences were never as drastic at Elli’s, I could definitely relate. It was so nice to see her leaving the confines that her high demand religion had put on her and navigate finding herself and who she was outside of what she had known her whole life. I wished things had been different with her family, but I’m so glad she was able to make her own with the friends she made.
And don’t worry, the spice is definitely spicing. Wes is a complete gentleman, but doesn’t hesitate to show Elli the ropes when given the go ahead, all while making sure she is comfortable every step of the way.
“𝚂𝚑𝚎’𝚜 𝚜𝚘 𝚏𝚌𝚔𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚋𝚎𝚊𝚞𝚝𝚒𝚏𝚞𝚕, 𝚖𝚊𝚢𝚋𝚎 𝙸 𝚍𝚘 𝚋𝚎𝚕𝚒𝚎𝚟𝚎 𝚒𝚗 𝚊 𝙶𝚘𝚍. 𝙾𝚗𝚕𝚢 𝚊𝚗 𝚊𝚕𝚕-𝚙𝚘𝚠𝚎𝚛𝚏𝚞𝚕 𝚋𝚎𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚌𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍 𝚌𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚝𝚎 𝚜𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚜𝚘 𝚑𝚎𝚊𝚟𝚎𝚗𝚕𝚢, 𝚜𝚘 𝚐𝚘𝚛𝚐𝚎𝚘𝚞𝚜, 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝙸 𝚠𝚊𝚗𝚝 𝚝𝚘 𝚏𝚊𝚕𝚕 𝚝𝚘 𝚖𝚢 𝚔𝚗𝚎𝚎𝚜 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚠𝚘𝚛𝚜𝚑𝚒𝚙 𝚑𝚎𝚛.”
🎶 plus size fmc
�� found family
🎶 opposites attract
🍃 mental health rep
Loving the Sinner was a such a cute feel-good story. At first I thought the title was a play about Elli loving Wes, but maybe it’s more about learning to love herself as well.
Wes is a total Doberman boyfriend, looks like a bad boy on the outside, but a total sweetheart on the inside. He and Elli are adorable together, and even though it was super insta lovey, which isn’t normally my cup of tea, even I couldn’t help but love them together. They were both so patient with one another!
I grew up in the Bible Belt, where certain views are pushed upon you at a young age, and while my experiences were never as drastic at Elli’s, I could definitely relate. It was so nice to see her leaving the confines that her high demand religion had put on her and navigate finding herself and who she was outside of what she had known her whole life. I wished things had been different with her family, but I’m so glad she was able to make her own with the friends she made.
And don’t worry, the spice is definitely spicing. Wes is a complete gentleman, but doesn’t hesitate to show Elli the ropes when given the go ahead, all while making sure she is comfortable every step of the way.
“𝚂𝚑𝚎’𝚜 𝚜𝚘 𝚏𝚌𝚔𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚋𝚎𝚊𝚞𝚝𝚒𝚏𝚞𝚕, 𝚖𝚊𝚢𝚋𝚎 𝙸 𝚍𝚘 𝚋𝚎𝚕𝚒𝚎𝚟𝚎 𝚒𝚗 𝚊 𝙶𝚘𝚍. 𝙾𝚗𝚕𝚢 𝚊𝚗 𝚊𝚕𝚕-𝚙𝚘𝚠𝚎𝚛𝚏𝚞𝚕 𝚋𝚎𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚌𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍 𝚌𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚝𝚎 𝚜𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚜𝚘 𝚑𝚎𝚊𝚟𝚎𝚗𝚕𝚢, 𝚜𝚘 𝚐𝚘𝚛𝚐𝚎𝚘𝚞𝚜, 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝙸 𝚠𝚊𝚗𝚝 𝚝𝚘 𝚏𝚊𝚕𝚕 𝚝𝚘 𝚖𝚢 𝚔𝚗𝚎𝚎𝚜 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚠𝚘𝚛𝚜𝚑𝚒𝚙 𝚑𝚎𝚛.”
July 11, 2024
Thank you so much to Daisy Wren for the ARC copy and allowing me to check out her work! When I saw her post about her book on threads I was immediately curious about it and how different it seemed from my usual reads! I am glad that I took the chance and I am honored that I was chosen to receive an ARC!
This book is the story about Elli and Wes and how they deal with their different life experiences and types of traumas. I was curious to know how I would feel reading this story as someone who is religious (but not a high demand religion like the one in the book) and I think Daisy was able to handle the topic really well and in a way that makes you really think about what Elli went through and had to face! Wes had to deal with a very different type of trauma and it was good to see the way he grew and healed from his as well! Both characters had a lot of traits and stories that I think many people could relate to!
The way she writes the trauma is very healing based and lovely. I truly enjoyed getting to know the characters, learn more about their backstories, their motivations, and see their journey to healing! Wes is truly the most adorable cinnamon roll dressed as a bad boy and you can’t help but fall in love with him! Elli is such a great FMC and I loved getting to read about her journey and her road to self acceptance!
This book is such a quick, sweet read and was an enjoyable time!
Thank you again, Daisy! I hope to be able to read more of your work! :)
This book is the story about Elli and Wes and how they deal with their different life experiences and types of traumas. I was curious to know how I would feel reading this story as someone who is religious (but not a high demand religion like the one in the book) and I think Daisy was able to handle the topic really well and in a way that makes you really think about what Elli went through and had to face! Wes had to deal with a very different type of trauma and it was good to see the way he grew and healed from his as well! Both characters had a lot of traits and stories that I think many people could relate to!
The way she writes the trauma is very healing based and lovely. I truly enjoyed getting to know the characters, learn more about their backstories, their motivations, and see their journey to healing! Wes is truly the most adorable cinnamon roll dressed as a bad boy and you can’t help but fall in love with him! Elli is such a great FMC and I loved getting to read about her journey and her road to self acceptance!
This book is such a quick, sweet read and was an enjoyable time!
Thank you again, Daisy! I hope to be able to read more of your work! :)
June 25, 2024
YOU GUYYYS! I have never fallen faster for a book than I have with this one. First the initial draw of this book for me right off the bat is the plus size FMC. Already major points for me cause I myself am plus sized. This story gives us Elianna “Elli” and Westley “Wes” - and they are so adorable, believable and relatable. Every character Daisy gives in this book you’re able to find something to relate to and I very much appreciated that.
Elli I related to the most, for beyond also being a plus size woman. Her journey with religious trauma (I wasn’t Mormon, but was raised Catholic) and love how vulnerable she was in her journey. Her and Izzy I ADORED. but also how Elli came to love her body and have a confidence with herself as she seemed to grow with her new life. I thought that was simply beautiful
I love the strangers to friends to lovers flow of the story and how we got to know the two MCs before they became a couple. This story is just warm and fluffy. I seriously was so mad life got in my way of reading. I could read 10 more books of just this little world and group. The way Wes treated, loved and adored Elli made me ache for that same kind of love. Also Wes…Eddie Munson coded…ILL SAY NO MORE.
Elli I related to the most, for beyond also being a plus size woman. Her journey with religious trauma (I wasn’t Mormon, but was raised Catholic) and love how vulnerable she was in her journey. Her and Izzy I ADORED. but also how Elli came to love her body and have a confidence with herself as she seemed to grow with her new life. I thought that was simply beautiful
I love the strangers to friends to lovers flow of the story and how we got to know the two MCs before they became a couple. This story is just warm and fluffy. I seriously was so mad life got in my way of reading. I could read 10 more books of just this little world and group. The way Wes treated, loved and adored Elli made me ache for that same kind of love. Also Wes…Eddie Munson coded…ILL SAY NO MORE.
June 14, 2024
If there’s one thing I love it’s a book about people finding their home. And that’s what this was! It was so heartwarming and sweet. There was such good communication throughout the whole book and between all of the characters. I loved how close Wes was with all of the people in his life and how easily Elli fit right in. I feel like it’s been a minute since I’ve read an indie authors debut book and honestly there something so sweet about it!!
Elli and Wes were truly meant for each other and I loved watching it unfold. They were both still changing and growing and now that they had each other they were really able to evolve together. They were just GOOD together. They were patient and kind and so loving with each other. It was a little easy, but it made absolutely perfect sense.
I also loved how open Wes was about his anxiety and the fact that he’d been to therapy and all the struggles his had in his childhood. And how that eventually led to Elli seeing someone for the trauma in her childhood as well.
Thank you so much to Daisy Wren for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!! I already cannot wait to see what’s next!!
Elli and Wes were truly meant for each other and I loved watching it unfold. They were both still changing and growing and now that they had each other they were really able to evolve together. They were just GOOD together. They were patient and kind and so loving with each other. It was a little easy, but it made absolutely perfect sense.
I also loved how open Wes was about his anxiety and the fact that he’d been to therapy and all the struggles his had in his childhood. And how that eventually led to Elli seeing someone for the trauma in her childhood as well.
Thank you so much to Daisy Wren for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!! I already cannot wait to see what’s next!!
July 21, 2024
Wow! The feels I felt reading this book!
Elli is in the midst of a faith crisis when she moves from Utah to Texas and meets Wes. Stuck chaperoning on a date for their younger siblings, these two connect quickly. The ensuing romance is a beautiful story of support and growth, setting boundaries, and ending toxic relationships.
The way that Wes loved Elli through her faith crisis and helped her to have new experiences was insanely romantic. On the other hand, the way that Elli supported Wes in his musical endeavors, and loved him exactly as he was, past and all, was beautiful.
During high school, my own mother was baptized LDS. She spent a lot of time pressuring me to do the same and while I never succumbed to the pressure, I was expected to comply with the same strict rules many teens in the faith did. The toxicity of purity culture is something I'm recovering from to this day and Daisy Wren wrote this experience beautifully. I also LOVED the way that Elli was unsure about motherhood after being a parentified child, this hit home in a big way!
I'm greatly looking forward to Hannah's story. This was a fantastic new author and read!
Elli is in the midst of a faith crisis when she moves from Utah to Texas and meets Wes. Stuck chaperoning on a date for their younger siblings, these two connect quickly. The ensuing romance is a beautiful story of support and growth, setting boundaries, and ending toxic relationships.
The way that Wes loved Elli through her faith crisis and helped her to have new experiences was insanely romantic. On the other hand, the way that Elli supported Wes in his musical endeavors, and loved him exactly as he was, past and all, was beautiful.
During high school, my own mother was baptized LDS. She spent a lot of time pressuring me to do the same and while I never succumbed to the pressure, I was expected to comply with the same strict rules many teens in the faith did. The toxicity of purity culture is something I'm recovering from to this day and Daisy Wren wrote this experience beautifully. I also LOVED the way that Elli was unsure about motherhood after being a parentified child, this hit home in a big way!
I'm greatly looking forward to Hannah's story. This was a fantastic new author and read!
June 21, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
Loving the Sinner is Daisy Wren’s debut novel and the first in the Broken Shelves series. This book brigs us Wes and Elli’s story.
I really enjoyed this book. Daisy’s handing of Elli’s religious trauma was handled with care and compassion. As someone who is also a religious trauma survivor, I related to Elli’s story. I like that she didn’t portray Elli so much as a victim and more a survivor. She didn’t wallow in it. She recognized it and worked through it.
Wes’ story of childhood trauma was also handled beautifully. He, too, refused to be a victim and sought out the help he needed. Both Wes and Elli are so supportive of each other and the traumas they have both survived. I loved that they worked through their issues. They actually communicate with each other. Even when it’s hard.
Daisy has crafted a wonderful story about found family, survival, and realizing your dreams. I appreciate that the side characters are just as lovable as the main characters. This is a wonderful debut novel and a great start to a series.
🌶️🌶️
Loving the Sinner is Daisy Wren’s debut novel and the first in the Broken Shelves series. This book brigs us Wes and Elli’s story.
I really enjoyed this book. Daisy’s handing of Elli’s religious trauma was handled with care and compassion. As someone who is also a religious trauma survivor, I related to Elli’s story. I like that she didn’t portray Elli so much as a victim and more a survivor. She didn’t wallow in it. She recognized it and worked through it.
Wes’ story of childhood trauma was also handled beautifully. He, too, refused to be a victim and sought out the help he needed. Both Wes and Elli are so supportive of each other and the traumas they have both survived. I loved that they worked through their issues. They actually communicate with each other. Even when it’s hard.
Daisy has crafted a wonderful story about found family, survival, and realizing your dreams. I appreciate that the side characters are just as lovable as the main characters. This is a wonderful debut novel and a great start to a series.
June 14, 2024
Fucking adorable! If you want a story about a plus size FMC breaking away from the religion she was raised in and falling in love with a man who is instantly crazy about her but struggles to believe himself worthy of her despite being an adonis with tats, piercings, and a budding career as a musician??? Like I said, fucking. Adorable.
Be aware of possible triggers such as religious trauma, addiction, controlling parents / disowning family, specifically the difficult relationship with FMC's Mother. I know I found that hitting a little too close to home, but it also made the story more compelling since I could relate to Elli so well (minus the religious component).
Wes (MMC) is the sweetest, and I love that it never even crosses his mind to think of Elli's softness as a negative. He treats her like a goddess and it's excellent.
Shout out to the supporting cast of characters 🙌 especially the LGBTQ ones, love seeing that in a story where religion is a central theme.
Brilliant work 👏
Be aware of possible triggers such as religious trauma, addiction, controlling parents / disowning family, specifically the difficult relationship with FMC's Mother. I know I found that hitting a little too close to home, but it also made the story more compelling since I could relate to Elli so well (minus the religious component).
Wes (MMC) is the sweetest, and I love that it never even crosses his mind to think of Elli's softness as a negative. He treats her like a goddess and it's excellent.
Shout out to the supporting cast of characters 🙌 especially the LGBTQ ones, love seeing that in a story where religion is a central theme.
Brilliant work 👏
November 25, 2024
I discovered Daisy Wren on Instagram when I was looking for new authors who write stories with plus-size characters. As soon as I had the chance, I decided to read her book Loving the Sinner.
I was raised by an atheist father and an agnostic mother, and I consider myself agnostic, so I have to admit that I have no experience of the impact that religious trauma can have on a person, but through this book I was able to see some aspects of it and become even more aware of the suffering it can cause.
I found Elli to be a very strong and brave character. I admire the fact that her past hasn’t affected her sparkling personality, because she’s a real ray of sunshine. As for Wes, he’s a real sweetheart. It’s immediately clear that he fell in love with Elli at first sight and that he’s willing to move heaven and earth to help her and make her happy. There’s no denying that these two people are made for each other.
I also really liked Izzie, Robbie and Luke in this book—in fact, I liked almost everyone in this book, except the toxic characters.
I look forward to reading the second book in the series.
I was raised by an atheist father and an agnostic mother, and I consider myself agnostic, so I have to admit that I have no experience of the impact that religious trauma can have on a person, but through this book I was able to see some aspects of it and become even more aware of the suffering it can cause.
I found Elli to be a very strong and brave character. I admire the fact that her past hasn’t affected her sparkling personality, because she’s a real ray of sunshine. As for Wes, he’s a real sweetheart. It’s immediately clear that he fell in love with Elli at first sight and that he’s willing to move heaven and earth to help her and make her happy. There’s no denying that these two people are made for each other.
I also really liked Izzie, Robbie and Luke in this book—in fact, I liked almost everyone in this book, except the toxic characters.
I look forward to reading the second book in the series.
June 20, 2024
I'd like to introduce you all to Daisy Wren!
Wren dives right in with this super cute tale of self discovery, working through your trauma, and love prevailing above all odds.
After hearing of her ex boyfriend's upcoming nuptials, Ellie decides to uproot her life within a toxic religious community and move 1300 miles away to the town her sisters long distance boyfriend lives in. It is through this connection that Ellie meets Wes Jones, "sin" personified (at least in the mind of her religious community back home). The two are instantly enamored with each other and thankfully for Ellie, Wes is actually a good boy disguised as a bad boy.
This was so sweet, with the perfect touch of spice and I loved how Wren captured the inner journey's of both MC's. This felt like a story from personal experience, which made it even easier to relate to the characters and the trials they felt. I cannot wait to see what is coming next in this series and I am so thankful that Wren was kind enough to allow me to ARC read this story.
Wren dives right in with this super cute tale of self discovery, working through your trauma, and love prevailing above all odds.
After hearing of her ex boyfriend's upcoming nuptials, Ellie decides to uproot her life within a toxic religious community and move 1300 miles away to the town her sisters long distance boyfriend lives in. It is through this connection that Ellie meets Wes Jones, "sin" personified (at least in the mind of her religious community back home). The two are instantly enamored with each other and thankfully for Ellie, Wes is actually a good boy disguised as a bad boy.
This was so sweet, with the perfect touch of spice and I loved how Wren captured the inner journey's of both MC's. This felt like a story from personal experience, which made it even easier to relate to the characters and the trials they felt. I cannot wait to see what is coming next in this series and I am so thankful that Wren was kind enough to allow me to ARC read this story.
June 23, 2024
This book was so fun to read! Often I had a warm fuzzy feeling and was kicking my feet and giggling!
I was worried getting into it knowing next to nothing about religion as I grew up in a family that was not religious. BUT I loved it. I think I learned a lot about it too and how difficult the decision to potentially leave your religion behind can be.
Our MMC has a broken backstory that he’s working through and Our FMC is a plus size young woman who is struggling with the idea of leaving her religion and the hardships surrounding that while also trying to find both romantic love and self love. Which I think is the sinner aspect that it could be her own thoughts of who she is.
This was beautifully written and I was hooked in the story. And the spice… was spicy 🥵
I was worried getting into it knowing next to nothing about religion as I grew up in a family that was not religious. BUT I loved it. I think I learned a lot about it too and how difficult the decision to potentially leave your religion behind can be.
Our MMC has a broken backstory that he’s working through and Our FMC is a plus size young woman who is struggling with the idea of leaving her religion and the hardships surrounding that while also trying to find both romantic love and self love. Which I think is the sinner aspect that it could be her own thoughts of who she is.
This was beautifully written and I was hooked in the story. And the spice… was spicy 🥵
January 4, 2025
I.wanted a sweet healing from religious trauma story and boy did it deliver. Elliot starts off already wanting to split from the church but is still very much the girl she was raised to be. While chaperoning her sisters date she mets Wes, the tattooed, long haired musician than gives her butterflies and is a far cry from the men from her church.
What is lovely is that she doesn't change for Wes, nor does he demand her change, he only gives her the safety to explore in order to figure out what she wants. It's a beautifully story about letting go and finding happiness your way. Ho and that amount of spice was not expected. The book was on fire, and that dirty talking consent king made me melt.
Great book and I can't wait to read hats next.
What is lovely is that she doesn't change for Wes, nor does he demand her change, he only gives her the safety to explore in order to figure out what she wants. It's a beautifully story about letting go and finding happiness your way. Ho and that amount of spice was not expected. The book was on fire, and that dirty talking consent king made me melt.
Great book and I can't wait to read hats next.
June 13, 2024
Let me just start off by saying thank you to Daisy for the arc!
This was such a cute, fun read and I loved every single minute of it. It showed how Elli & Wes evolved together but also as individuals as well. This book got me all in my feels, Wes was SOO attentive to Elli with how she was feeling, doing, and wanted everything to be perfect for her and wanted nothing more than for her to love herself and be happy!
It’s kind of insta-lovey so if that’s your jam, great! Read it! If it’s not your jam, read it anyways!
Everyone be on the looking because Loving the Sinner comes out on June 25th, 2024!
This was such a cute, fun read and I loved every single minute of it. It showed how Elli & Wes evolved together but also as individuals as well. This book got me all in my feels, Wes was SOO attentive to Elli with how she was feeling, doing, and wanted everything to be perfect for her and wanted nothing more than for her to love herself and be happy!
It’s kind of insta-lovey so if that’s your jam, great! Read it! If it’s not your jam, read it anyways!
Everyone be on the looking because Loving the Sinner comes out on June 25th, 2024!
June 25, 2024
All I had to do was read the summary, and I was immediately hooked. The attention to detail painted a clear picture in my mind. I love how Daisy Wren incorporates a plus-size woman as the main character trying to find love because not many romance books have a character like that. Wes is every girls dream boyfriend, a true gentleman, which is a rare find these days, and they way him and Elli interact with each other is relationship goals. I literally finished this book in four days, I couldn't put it down. Loving the Sinner is an amazing read, and I highly recommend it.
June 22, 2025
I was in a small reading slump and found daisy on TikTok and wanted to give her a try! Guys watch out this girl has got what it takes to be a best seller! This book at me laughing and smiling the whole thing. Very easy read, I was very easily able to picture the scene while I was reading. Some said it was too much about religion but I did not feel that way. I am a Christian and was able to understand more about the Mormons for what I felt was Daisy writing out her own feelings through her fictional characters! I about to start the second book!
September 28, 2025
The first book of the Broken Shelves series sure packs a punch. Give me a plus size FMC with some trauma and I’m listening. Make it religious trauma and I’m SOLD. Daisy Wren knows exactly how to portray what it is like to leave religion and potentially having to go no contact with family which is what the FMC Elli is going through. She’s moved to Texas to start over while also helping her little sister out. That being said….. WES omg the yearning and unwavering support and devotion!!!! The way he helps Elli take baby steps into reversing all of the religious conditioning she’s experienced while keeping his distance to not overwhelm her….i love them!!!!! I don’t want to give too much away but I will list below some of my favorite tropes, details, aspects of the book!
- plus size fmc
-religious trauma
-educates the reader on Mormon culture and the experience of leaving the church
-found family
- he brings her donuts and watches Mary Kate and Ashley movies with her 🥹😫
- plus size fmc
-religious trauma
-educates the reader on Mormon culture and the experience of leaving the church
-found family
- he brings her donuts and watches Mary Kate and Ashley movies with her 🥹😫
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 2, 2025
Errors galore
So many missing commas, lack of punctuation all around, grammatical errors, formatting errors. Just errors everywhere. Could have been a cute story but felt incredibly rushed with some near insta love and very little conflict or angst about the religious trauma. Just "ope, I'm leaving the church." But no discussions really on what brought this up, how it feels to go through that (beyond tears), no triggers, etc.
Writing was very adolescent feeling. I felt like they were teenagers, not 24 year old adults.
So many missing commas, lack of punctuation all around, grammatical errors, formatting errors. Just errors everywhere. Could have been a cute story but felt incredibly rushed with some near insta love and very little conflict or angst about the religious trauma. Just "ope, I'm leaving the church." But no discussions really on what brought this up, how it feels to go through that (beyond tears), no triggers, etc.
Writing was very adolescent feeling. I felt like they were teenagers, not 24 year old adults.
June 25, 2024
So this was one interesting book. I learned a lot about Mormons more than I care to learn, but overall it was a good book. The main character, Ellie is a Mormon, who is conflicted with her religion until she meets, what she thinks is bad boy Wes. Which turns out Wesley is not a bad boy. He’s very lovable. This is a love at first sight with a lot of ups and downs.
June 19, 2024
Some parts of the book were confusing but mostly was the religious parts.
However I really liked this book.
The love story was one most of us have always wanted.
The sister bond the main character had was so amazing too.
All around this was a good book and I enjoyed reading it.
However I really liked this book.
The love story was one most of us have always wanted.
The sister bond the main character had was so amazing too.
All around this was a good book and I enjoyed reading it.
August 27, 2024
Talk about a book you can’t put down!!!!!! This book had me giggling like a school girl. It’s such a cutesy romance novel. As an ex-Mormon myself the topics of this book were so raw for me, but I loved every word. So well written, I recommend this book 10000x!
January 17, 2025
Delightful
A palette cleanser after a bunch of a very different genre. The story is sweet and endearing but with a bit of zest. I really loved the communication between the main characters and the lack of TABU.
A palette cleanser after a bunch of a very different genre. The story is sweet and endearing but with a bit of zest. I really loved the communication between the main characters and the lack of TABU.
June 26, 2024
This book was incredible! I loved every minute of it, Daisy did such an amazing job with this book. This is honestly one of my new favorites and I cannot recommend this enough🩷
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews