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Contested Possession
This Is My Church
“Church boys don’t come out of the closet to marry cocaine snorting dudes who like to take it up the—”
Mates with everyone and beholden to none, Lacy is a twenty-seven-year-old football superstar who parties as hard as he plays. It makes no sense for him to become best mates with their new ruckman, the bible reading, softly spoken celibate, Thaddeus Clay.
But from the moment the freshly traded twenty-three-year-old walks into the locker room, they do everything together.
Well, almost everything.
When Thad stumbles upon Lacy’s extracurriculars—a drug-fuelled gangbang where Lacy loses consciousness to the number of men who take him—he knows they can’t do that together.
But what Thad does next will change the course of their relationship in irreversible ways. Except Lacy doesn’t remember. And Thad is left with a secret that threatens his friendship and his faith.
Lacy knows he never stood a chance with a church boy, but when Thad avoids eye contact he’s left with one question—what the hell happened on the weekend?
This Is My Church carves a path through gangbangs, benders and a whole lot of praying to find out what it means to be truly loved.
Mates with everyone and beholden to none, Lacy is a twenty-seven-year-old football superstar who parties as hard as he plays. It makes no sense for him to become best mates with their new ruckman, the bible reading, softly spoken celibate, Thaddeus Clay.
But from the moment the freshly traded twenty-three-year-old walks into the locker room, they do everything together.
Well, almost everything.
When Thad stumbles upon Lacy’s extracurriculars—a drug-fuelled gangbang where Lacy loses consciousness to the number of men who take him—he knows they can’t do that together.
But what Thad does next will change the course of their relationship in irreversible ways. Except Lacy doesn’t remember. And Thad is left with a secret that threatens his friendship and his faith.
Lacy knows he never stood a chance with a church boy, but when Thad avoids eye contact he’s left with one question—what the hell happened on the weekend?
This Is My Church carves a path through gangbangs, benders and a whole lot of praying to find out what it means to be truly loved.
418 pages, Paperback
Published November 20, 2024
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December 21, 2024
The title being a direct quote from something said after a gangbang in a bath house was not on my bingo card.
Neither was this a book I expected to be more sweetness than horn. And there was plenty of sexual stuff going on, believe me.
Somehow, Gangbang Lacy and we’re-all-God’s-creatures-Thaddeus were a match made in heaven. Who'd have thunk?
Obviously there was a LOT of religious fueled wringing of hands(and delusion).
Thad did some unintentionally hurtful stuff but the one thing he had going was that he never once judged Lacy. For any of it. Not the drugs. Not the gangbangs. As far as he was concerned, Lacy was the Second Cumming lol.
Could never quite believe someone like Lacy would deign to be with lil' old him. No. All the judgement was reserved for himself.
Having grown up in the church, he couldn't align his 'special friendship' with Lacy to what he believed at the core of his being to be wrong in the eyes of God.
But they made a good go at accepting each other. Atheist Lacy setting aside a room in his house for a Jesus figurine, Bible and desk for Thad to pray from when he'd spend the night at Lacy's.
Until the night he found Thad praying out loud for the sin he kept committing with Lacy and asking God for the strength to stop.
Everything pretty much went to shit after that. Thad's commitment to honesty was NOT doing him any favors in that conversation.
The truth did set him free, though. Because Lacy dumped THE FUCK out of him💀
And honestly he deserved it. Because....
"What was your plan? To keep repenting every day for the rest of our lives?"
"No. Just until—"
"Just until what?"
"Just until nothing. It was nothing."
"Finish that sentence."
"Just until I get married."
💀💀💀💀💀
To be fair, he did make up for that ridiculousness. Took him almost a year to get through but hey. Figured he needed time to really marinate in the consequences so I ain't mad at it.
That said. Trigger warnings.
While this was exceptionally well written in a way that didn't overwhelm me, it still features very vivid descriptions of these two in gangbang scenarios.
And their first time involves Lacy high as a kite and unaware of what's going on or who is fucking him. And, no. Not in a rape way. Lacy's very clear that he goes to those gangbangs so whoever wants can use him. Probably just didn't figure his kumbayah bestie would be in the lineup as part of a misguided attempt to 'save him from worse'.
Neither was this a book I expected to be more sweetness than horn. And there was plenty of sexual stuff going on, believe me.
Somehow, Gangbang Lacy and we’re-all-God’s-creatures-Thaddeus were a match made in heaven. Who'd have thunk?
Obviously there was a LOT of religious fueled wringing of hands(and delusion).
Thad did some unintentionally hurtful stuff but the one thing he had going was that he never once judged Lacy. For any of it. Not the drugs. Not the gangbangs. As far as he was concerned, Lacy was the Second Cumming lol.
Could never quite believe someone like Lacy would deign to be with lil' old him. No. All the judgement was reserved for himself.
Having grown up in the church, he couldn't align his 'special friendship' with Lacy to what he believed at the core of his being to be wrong in the eyes of God.
But they made a good go at accepting each other. Atheist Lacy setting aside a room in his house for a Jesus figurine, Bible and desk for Thad to pray from when he'd spend the night at Lacy's.
Until the night he found Thad praying out loud for the sin he kept committing with Lacy and asking God for the strength to stop.
Everything pretty much went to shit after that. Thad's commitment to honesty was NOT doing him any favors in that conversation.
The truth did set him free, though. Because Lacy dumped THE FUCK out of him💀
And honestly he deserved it. Because....
"What was your plan? To keep repenting every day for the rest of our lives?"
"No. Just until—"
"Just until what?"
"Just until nothing. It was nothing."
"Finish that sentence."
"Just until I get married."
💀💀💀💀💀
To be fair, he did make up for that ridiculousness. Took him almost a year to get through but hey. Figured he needed time to really marinate in the consequences so I ain't mad at it.
That said. Trigger warnings.
While this was exceptionally well written in a way that didn't overwhelm me, it still features very vivid descriptions of these two in gangbang scenarios.
And their first time involves Lacy high as a kite and unaware of what's going on or who is fucking him. And, no. Not in a rape way. Lacy's very clear that he goes to those gangbangs so whoever wants can use him. Probably just didn't figure his kumbayah bestie would be in the lineup as part of a misguided attempt to 'save him from worse'.
March 28, 2026
No. Noooo. Nooooooooo‼️
We have Lacy (27) who uses alcohol and drugs and sex as a coping mechanism. He goes to exclusive sex parties, gets intoxitated and high to the point of blackout and like to get gangbanged by train of men.
Then we have Thad (23) who is very religious, so sex before marriage and with men is wrong for him.
At 3%, I got my first ick from Lacy.
“got what he needed when he met a Swedish couple. The Swedes were happy to share him, taking turns on his ass and mouth until the sun rose over the ocean…… his body well-used by those two big dicks.”
At 18%, my second ick when Lacy wakes up next to a man.
“His mouth was like a desert full of dry assholes. He remembered drinks. He remembered doing lines of coke. He remembered taking ecstasy. The last concrete thing he remembered was a dick up his ass and one in his mouth in the dark rooms at the bath house. The red lights in the hall. The sound of skin slapping on skin. Groaning. Soft swear words. Then, it all just blinked out.”
At 25%, Thad follows Lacy to a party and sees him getting gangbanged while Lacy’s out. Then he proceeds to f*ck Lacy, while he’s still unconscious, without a condom, and stay there while other men still use Lacy’s mouth and ass.
So Thad lost his virginity to an unconscious man in a exlusive sex party. Did not even think about STIs, even after witnissing what Lacy is into.
One might argue that Lacy goes willingly and fills out a questionnaire beforehand, but he is still UNCONSCIOUS while men are doing whatever to him, treating him like disposable sex toy. That’s RAPE ‼️
Even Thad says “Those other guys, they didn’t listen to you! You wanted some privacy, a room and they ignored you. It’s not safe.”
At 35%, Lacy goes to another party. Thad insists on being there and tells Lacy what happened at the last party, cus Lacy is never aware of what happens to him during. Anyhow Lacy gets drunk and high, Thad f*cks him, then give him a bj while another man is f*cking Lacy’s mouth. Then other men take their turn on lacy, while Thad f*cks him again in between other men. And Thad would kiss Lacy after men have come in Lacy’s mouth.
Oh Thad is getting turned on by all this🤢
At 69%, they go to a bath house and Thad’s POV is “It had been intense, beautiful, making love to Lacy on the benches beside ancient columns, the water lapping nearby, the neon lights adding a modern club vibe to the medieval space. He’d shared Lacy with men that night, watched him writhe in ecstasy, his eyes never leaving Thad’s as slick bodies took him roughly from behind before Thad drew him away and into the water, held him as he went lax, came down and babbled, “This is my church,” with a slurred laugh.”
No, Thad that’s not beautiful. Sorry🤢
At 70%, Thad POV is:
“But the desire to be near Lacy, to be with him in the bath houses and clubs and bedrooms of other men, to watch him as those men penetrated him, his hand always reaching for Thad’s, his eyes searching for Thad’s as those men used his body, he wanted that more.”
He wants to see men use Lacy’s body. Very romamtic🤢
88%, we find out that Lacy fucked other guys since he broke up with Thad and they left marks. Cus God forbid Lacy keeps it in his pants for a bit🙄
Then 98% which is the end, after we already said the I love you’s and everything, they still wanna go to exclusive parties because according to them that it doesnt matter as long as Lacy comes home with Thad, let Thad cook for him, kiss him, sleep next to him.
ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME?!!!🤬🤬
I could not sympathize with Lacy at all. Call me a cold-hearted bitch but I couldn’t stomach what was happening, sorry😏
I don’t understand why Thad was not enough for Lacy. When they were together, they were f*cking all the time. So why does he still need to be gangbanged at parties and bathhouses when he has Thad to support him emotionally and physically. Is it addiction? Grief from loss of his brother 10 years ago? So why not get help? Therapy? SOMETHING. ANYTHING.
I also wasn’t convinced of their love. Because you cannot love someone and be with them while also enjoy getting gangbanged by thousands of men; and you cannot love someone and be okay with them getting gangbanged. Like my brain doesn’t comprehend this as love or romance😏
This book was not for me. NOT AT ALL. I detailed my issues. So, if you are okay with everything I listed, then give the book a chance.
We have Lacy (27) who uses alcohol and drugs and sex as a coping mechanism. He goes to exclusive sex parties, gets intoxitated and high to the point of blackout and like to get gangbanged by train of men.
Then we have Thad (23) who is very religious, so sex before marriage and with men is wrong for him.
At 3%, I got my first ick from Lacy.
“got what he needed when he met a Swedish couple. The Swedes were happy to share him, taking turns on his ass and mouth until the sun rose over the ocean…… his body well-used by those two big dicks.”
At 18%, my second ick when Lacy wakes up next to a man.
“His mouth was like a desert full of dry assholes. He remembered drinks. He remembered doing lines of coke. He remembered taking ecstasy. The last concrete thing he remembered was a dick up his ass and one in his mouth in the dark rooms at the bath house. The red lights in the hall. The sound of skin slapping on skin. Groaning. Soft swear words. Then, it all just blinked out.”
At 25%, Thad follows Lacy to a party and sees him getting gangbanged while Lacy’s out. Then he proceeds to f*ck Lacy, while he’s still unconscious, without a condom, and stay there while other men still use Lacy’s mouth and ass.
So Thad lost his virginity to an unconscious man in a exlusive sex party. Did not even think about STIs, even after witnissing what Lacy is into.
One might argue that Lacy goes willingly and fills out a questionnaire beforehand, but he is still UNCONSCIOUS while men are doing whatever to him, treating him like disposable sex toy. That’s RAPE ‼️
Even Thad says “Those other guys, they didn’t listen to you! You wanted some privacy, a room and they ignored you. It’s not safe.”
At 35%, Lacy goes to another party. Thad insists on being there and tells Lacy what happened at the last party, cus Lacy is never aware of what happens to him during. Anyhow Lacy gets drunk and high, Thad f*cks him, then give him a bj while another man is f*cking Lacy’s mouth. Then other men take their turn on lacy, while Thad f*cks him again in between other men. And Thad would kiss Lacy after men have come in Lacy’s mouth.
Oh Thad is getting turned on by all this🤢
At 69%, they go to a bath house and Thad’s POV is “It had been intense, beautiful, making love to Lacy on the benches beside ancient columns, the water lapping nearby, the neon lights adding a modern club vibe to the medieval space. He’d shared Lacy with men that night, watched him writhe in ecstasy, his eyes never leaving Thad’s as slick bodies took him roughly from behind before Thad drew him away and into the water, held him as he went lax, came down and babbled, “This is my church,” with a slurred laugh.”
No, Thad that’s not beautiful. Sorry🤢
At 70%, Thad POV is:
“But the desire to be near Lacy, to be with him in the bath houses and clubs and bedrooms of other men, to watch him as those men penetrated him, his hand always reaching for Thad’s, his eyes searching for Thad’s as those men used his body, he wanted that more.”
He wants to see men use Lacy’s body. Very romamtic🤢
88%, we find out that Lacy fucked other guys since he broke up with Thad and they left marks. Cus God forbid Lacy keeps it in his pants for a bit🙄
Then 98% which is the end, after we already said the I love you’s and everything, they still wanna go to exclusive parties because according to them that it doesnt matter as long as Lacy comes home with Thad, let Thad cook for him, kiss him, sleep next to him.
ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME?!!!🤬🤬
I could not sympathize with Lacy at all. Call me a cold-hearted bitch but I couldn’t stomach what was happening, sorry😏
I don’t understand why Thad was not enough for Lacy. When they were together, they were f*cking all the time. So why does he still need to be gangbanged at parties and bathhouses when he has Thad to support him emotionally and physically. Is it addiction? Grief from loss of his brother 10 years ago? So why not get help? Therapy? SOMETHING. ANYTHING.
I also wasn’t convinced of their love. Because you cannot love someone and be with them while also enjoy getting gangbanged by thousands of men; and you cannot love someone and be okay with them getting gangbanged. Like my brain doesn’t comprehend this as love or romance😏
This book was not for me. NOT AT ALL. I detailed my issues. So, if you are okay with everything I listed, then give the book a chance.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 22, 2024
You might hope that a romance between a Total Slut (TM) and a Religious Nut would be angsty and smoking hot. You would be wrong.
won-t-read-bc-nopes
January 4, 2025Only entering this so it isn't on my to-read shelf. I cannot read this book. But, for those without my "no sex with non-MCs" hangup, I HIGHLY recommend it, and absolutely everything this author writes. She is a cut above most and brilliant with human instinct and insights, and I am confident this book is just as unusual and beautiful as all the ones I've loved from her. Not rating it bc I haven't read it and would never rate her down. Sasha's remarkable.
But also...OH this COVER!!! Love it so much. 😍
But also...OH this COVER!!! Love it so much. 😍
May 7, 2024
Tropes/Things to know:
🏳🌈 Church boy/Party boy
🏳🌈 Australian football
🏳🌈 Strict top/bottom roles
🏳🌈 Religious themes throughout
🏳🌈 Friends to Lovers
🏳🌈 Medium angst but worth the struggle
🏳🌈 Slow burn
🏳🌈 Third quarter break up that huuuuurts
I'm not sure I can organize my thoughts about this book so be prepared for this "review" to be all over the place.
First thanks to GRR for a copy of this book to read and review. I don't know that I would have stumbled across this book or author otherwise. And I'm so thankful because I can't wait to read more of her amazing work. These two and their story, their connection, Thad's purity and acceptance of Lacy no matter what? Chefs kiss. If only everyone had a Thad.
But Lacy laughed. "Believe me, that is for the best. You don't wanna see me in that state."
"There is no state you could be in, in which I wouldn't accept you," Thad replied.
So... I don't think I've ever read a story of a "church boy" with a normal guy. I'm hesitant to call Lacy a party boy even though my trope did. He really isn't. He's a guy who likes to party but he's not so enmeshed with the scene he can't pull back from it. Once he had Thad in his life he partied when he needed to blow off steam but it wasn't his life. His life was spending time with Thad and the occasional sex party.
Sidebar: really wish the opening line listed in the advertising was something else. This quote is a bit extreme and not reflective of the vibe of the book in my opinion. It's probably one of the more extreme lines in the book and almost made me not read it... “Church boys don’t come out of the closet to marry cocaine snorting dudes who like to take it up the—” First it was a bit confusing (as well as off putting because I wasn't used to Lacy's distinctive voice yet). Before reading the book I wondered if "Church" was like a last name or something. Is this a story about the Church family boys? But no, it's a story about a religious boy who falls in love with another guy.
Lacy's not a typical bad boy either. He's a pretty open minded queer guy who prefers guys over women. He's sexual active and knows what he wants. He slowly falls in love with his best friend who he's afraid is going to find out about the sex parties he attends. This does happen and leads to revelation of Thad realizing he wants Lacy. Bad. This scene to me was explosive and amazing but led to so much angst. 😭
Thad though? Thad would have a heart attack and probably have to quit football so he could spend all his time repenting for Lacy's soul. Oh ye of little faith 🤣
The writing isn't American English (Australia) so there were some slang and words that I wasn't familiar with. And for an ARC and ebook and a kind of long book I was really shocked there weren't any typos. I only found one: "Marshall Arts" over "martial arts" when talking about Parks. The quality of the writing and story were great. Really.
Thad was the sweetest guy. He's the type of guy who just needs one person. Period. He seems to imprint on Lacy. Thad does seem a bit ...slow... at times. Maybe that's a mean interpretation. Maybe he's more single minded in his focus. Maybe his emotional intelligence is lacking. Someone else in a review called him "naïve" but I don't see it like that. I think he was written as simple, pure hearted, earnest to a fault. His religious enthusiasm
Why? You wanna reform me?"
"No, never," Thad replied.
I especially appreciated how the sex parties brought out a side of Thad he otherwise wouldn't have known about. They truly fit together. Two halves of a whole. These two belong together. Thad allows Lacy to pursue his release, while also meeting needs Lacy didn't really allow himself to acknowledge he had. Needs to be safe, protected, loved by one person, allowed to have a boyfriend and his other fun on the side.
"I can handle my shit. What I can't handle is anyone fuckin' with my boyfriend," he said.
I love how protective Lacy becomes of Thad. He gives him space to grieve his family but he also doesn't take shit off anyone. I also applaud the author for not having some huge coming out. They were out where the needed to be. Not every queer person has to have some huge coming out to the world. We tell one person, then another. Just like in casual conversation a straight person might mention their boyfriend or girlfriend or that they are married or have a kid. I welcome the day when none of us have to come out because everyone allows people the safe space to just be and share what they want. No assumptions necessary.
Lacy carded his hand through his hair. "For what it's worth? I reckon this is my church."
"What is?" Thad said against his skin.
"You and me," Lacy murmured.
Overall this book shook me way more than I thought it could. I started off as a solid three, then it inched to four then right about here:
where it was suddenly 5 IT'S GOING TO RIP YOUR HEART OUT ⭐s. The characters felt so real. It played out like a movie in my mind. I was truly gripped by the book. The longer it sits in my subconscious the more it takes hold. The more I wish I could get everyone I know to read it cover to cover.
🏳🌈 Church boy/Party boy
🏳🌈 Australian football
🏳🌈 Strict top/bottom roles
🏳🌈 Religious themes throughout
🏳🌈 Friends to Lovers
🏳🌈 Medium angst but worth the struggle
🏳🌈 Slow burn
🏳🌈 Third quarter break up that huuuuurts
I'm not sure I can organize my thoughts about this book so be prepared for this "review" to be all over the place.
First thanks to GRR for a copy of this book to read and review. I don't know that I would have stumbled across this book or author otherwise. And I'm so thankful because I can't wait to read more of her amazing work. These two and their story, their connection, Thad's purity and acceptance of Lacy no matter what? Chefs kiss. If only everyone had a Thad.
But Lacy laughed. "Believe me, that is for the best. You don't wanna see me in that state."
"There is no state you could be in, in which I wouldn't accept you," Thad replied.
So... I don't think I've ever read a story of a "church boy" with a normal guy. I'm hesitant to call Lacy a party boy even though my trope did. He really isn't. He's a guy who likes to party but he's not so enmeshed with the scene he can't pull back from it. Once he had Thad in his life he partied when he needed to blow off steam but it wasn't his life. His life was spending time with Thad and the occasional sex party.
Sidebar: really wish the opening line listed in the advertising was something else. This quote is a bit extreme and not reflective of the vibe of the book in my opinion. It's probably one of the more extreme lines in the book and almost made me not read it... “Church boys don’t come out of the closet to marry cocaine snorting dudes who like to take it up the—” First it was a bit confusing (as well as off putting because I wasn't used to Lacy's distinctive voice yet). Before reading the book I wondered if "Church" was like a last name or something. Is this a story about the Church family boys? But no, it's a story about a religious boy who falls in love with another guy.
Lacy's not a typical bad boy either. He's a pretty open minded queer guy who prefers guys over women. He's sexual active and knows what he wants. He slowly falls in love with his best friend who he's afraid is going to find out about the sex parties he attends. This does happen and leads to revelation of Thad realizing he wants Lacy. Bad. This scene to me was explosive and amazing but led to so much angst. 😭
Thad though? Thad would have a heart attack and probably have to quit football so he could spend all his time repenting for Lacy's soul. Oh ye of little faith 🤣
The writing isn't American English (Australia) so there were some slang and words that I wasn't familiar with. And for an ARC and ebook and a kind of long book I was really shocked there weren't any typos. I only found one: "Marshall Arts" over "martial arts" when talking about Parks. The quality of the writing and story were great. Really.
He grabbed Thad's hand. "I don't think you're mentally weak for being religious, alright? I was mad. I thought we were something and you were praying that way every fucking night," he squeezed Thad's hand. Thad squeezed him back.
Thad was the sweetest guy. He's the type of guy who just needs one person. Period. He seems to imprint on Lacy. Thad does seem a bit ...slow... at times. Maybe that's a mean interpretation. Maybe he's more single minded in his focus. Maybe his emotional intelligence is lacking. Someone else in a review called him "naïve" but I don't see it like that. I think he was written as simple, pure hearted, earnest to a fault. His religious enthusiasm
Why? You wanna reform me?"
"No, never," Thad replied.
I especially appreciated how the sex parties brought out a side of Thad he otherwise wouldn't have known about. They truly fit together. Two halves of a whole. These two belong together. Thad allows Lacy to pursue his release, while also meeting needs Lacy didn't really allow himself to acknowledge he had. Needs to be safe, protected, loved by one person, allowed to have a boyfriend and his other fun on the side.
"I can handle my shit. What I can't handle is anyone fuckin' with my boyfriend," he said.
I love how protective Lacy becomes of Thad. He gives him space to grieve his family but he also doesn't take shit off anyone. I also applaud the author for not having some huge coming out. They were out where the needed to be. Not every queer person has to have some huge coming out to the world. We tell one person, then another. Just like in casual conversation a straight person might mention their boyfriend or girlfriend or that they are married or have a kid. I welcome the day when none of us have to come out because everyone allows people the safe space to just be and share what they want. No assumptions necessary.
Lacy carded his hand through his hair. "For what it's worth? I reckon this is my church."
"What is?" Thad said against his skin.
"You and me," Lacy murmured.
Overall this book shook me way more than I thought it could. I started off as a solid three, then it inched to four then right about here:
"What was the plan? Say sorry every day for the rest of our lives?"
"No," Thad replied, "just until-" he stopped abruptly. Lacy looked up at him again, what Thad was about to say dawning on him with a horrible feeling.
"Just until what?"
"Nothing, just until nothing," Thad said quickly.
where it was suddenly 5 IT'S GOING TO RIP YOUR HEART OUT ⭐s. The characters felt so real. It played out like a movie in my mind. I was truly gripped by the book. The longer it sits in my subconscious the more it takes hold. The more I wish I could get everyone I know to read it cover to cover.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 17, 2024
I was waiting for Lacy’s book for so long, I could not wait to see what Sasha was going to do with this character. I adore this series, Sasha does not shy away from subject most other authors would never attempt. This is one of the reasons I anticipate each new book, I admire the way she handles each tough topic and enjoy reading. This book in particular for me truly shows what she does. I am not going to get into the whole story you can find that the synopsis. For me it’s really focused on the characters and watching them build a relationship together. This one was a bit different for me and wonderful. Another fantastic story in this series and can’t wait for Jack’s book 🤞
April 25, 2024
Wow...I was really blown out of the water by this book! I was expecting it to be fairly high on heat and low on plot but I was really pleasantly surprised. There was plenty of spice, but it wasn't the focus of this slow(ish) burn story. This was my first Sasha Avice book but it won't be the last!
This is My Church is a slow burn, hurt/comfort story about falling in love with your best friend. Thad and Lacy play together on the same footy team and hit it off right away as best friends. Before they know it they're spending all their time together- except when Thad goes to church and Lacy goes to private spicy parties. Will two complete opposites find common ground? Or will their differences tear them apart?
I read the book as a standalone and didn't feel like I was missing anything. I liked the way Thad and Lacy learned to compromise and grow together, finding their way as a team. Their character development was beautifully done. I also really appreciated the way Sasha wrote about Thad's faith in a sensitive, nuanced way. Not all religious people or religious beliefs are bad and it was really a pleasure to read a book that acknowledges that we're all just flawed human beings- and to see the author specifically did research on the subject! Thank you Sasha!
Rating: 4
Angst: 4/5
Steam: 3.5/5
I received an advance copy of this book and this is my honest review.
This is My Church is a slow burn, hurt/comfort story about falling in love with your best friend. Thad and Lacy play together on the same footy team and hit it off right away as best friends. Before they know it they're spending all their time together- except when Thad goes to church and Lacy goes to private spicy parties. Will two complete opposites find common ground? Or will their differences tear them apart?
I read the book as a standalone and didn't feel like I was missing anything. I liked the way Thad and Lacy learned to compromise and grow together, finding their way as a team. Their character development was beautifully done. I also really appreciated the way Sasha wrote about Thad's faith in a sensitive, nuanced way. Not all religious people or religious beliefs are bad and it was really a pleasure to read a book that acknowledges that we're all just flawed human beings- and to see the author specifically did research on the subject! Thank you Sasha!
Rating: 4
Angst: 4/5
Steam: 3.5/5
I received an advance copy of this book and this is my honest review.
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February 23, 2025A positive: it’s extremely funny how this is… dun dun dun…. A sports romance! I never would have guessed from the synopsis or the reviews I read lol. Truly the Aussie twist you couldn’t predict. (Bc yes they’re Aussie and the sport is rugby… I’m like 40% sure.)
A negative: It’s iiiiiiinteresting how Thad gets so much more attention and empathy from the narrative than Lacy does. Because Thad is the poor sad victim of his misled beliefs. Thad is also fully down to rape his friend who is to too high to consent, but are we addressing that? Clearly not. The irony here is that horrifying choice actually felt authentic for a character who has been brainwashed into evangelical christianity his entire like but is now struggling with realizing he’s gay…. But is this author willing or able to unpack that? Clearly not. So we’re just handwaving rape instead. And yes the book tries to tell you Lacy co-signed afterward so it’s a-okay, but Thad’s intentions and choices are what’s at issue here, and it doesn’t seem like the book understands or is willing to address that at all. (And the fact that Lacy downplayed what happened when he found out in order to save the relationship is totally consistent with how someone would react if they don’t want to acknowledge the full reality of what their friend did to them. But exploring that would require Lacy to be more than a sad chill sex doll so!)
And by 43% in it’s just become boring sex scene after boring sex scene and this book is over 400 Kindle pages so I’ve decided to call it. I read the last few chapters just to make sure I wasn’t overreacting and they end with Thad coming out to his parents and being a lil sad but mostly chill that they’ve cut him off…. But then being psyched when they start hinting they’ll be open to keeping in touch, and meanwhile he wishes he could keep going to his church and is still totally “christian.” So no actual reckoning with what this character has gone through or done? And religious bigots always get the benefit of the doubt? That’s nice for them!
I’m being harsh I guess because I found this very readable, it goes down easy in that m/m romance way, and I do think there’s something there in what this story is trying to address… but the author’s choices imo ultimately really miss the mark. (Probably got distracted honing those gangbang scenes lol, I get it.)
I don’t know, maybe there’s some stuff buried in the latter half of this book that improves on any/all of the above but…..
I read this, obviously, via KU.
A negative: It’s iiiiiiinteresting how Thad gets so much more attention and empathy from the narrative than Lacy does. Because Thad is the poor sad victim of his misled beliefs. Thad is also fully down to rape his friend who is to too high to consent, but are we addressing that? Clearly not. The irony here is that horrifying choice actually felt authentic for a character who has been brainwashed into evangelical christianity his entire like but is now struggling with realizing he’s gay…. But is this author willing or able to unpack that? Clearly not. So we’re just handwaving rape instead. And yes the book tries to tell you Lacy co-signed afterward so it’s a-okay, but Thad’s intentions and choices are what’s at issue here, and it doesn’t seem like the book understands or is willing to address that at all. (And the fact that Lacy downplayed what happened when he found out in order to save the relationship is totally consistent with how someone would react if they don’t want to acknowledge the full reality of what their friend did to them. But exploring that would require Lacy to be more than a sad chill sex doll so!)
And by 43% in it’s just become boring sex scene after boring sex scene and this book is over 400 Kindle pages so I’ve decided to call it. I read the last few chapters just to make sure I wasn’t overreacting and they end with Thad coming out to his parents and being a lil sad but mostly chill that they’ve cut him off…. But then being psyched when they start hinting they’ll be open to keeping in touch, and meanwhile he wishes he could keep going to his church and is still totally “christian.” So no actual reckoning with what this character has gone through or done? And religious bigots always get the benefit of the doubt? That’s nice for them!
I’m being harsh I guess because I found this very readable, it goes down easy in that m/m romance way, and I do think there’s something there in what this story is trying to address… but the author’s choices imo ultimately really miss the mark. (Probably got distracted honing those gangbang scenes lol, I get it.)
I don’t know, maybe there’s some stuff buried in the latter half of this book that improves on any/all of the above but…..
I read this, obviously, via KU.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 12, 2024
This is one emotionally gripping read about two guys, Thaddeus and Lacy, who are players on an Australian Football team in Melbourne. Lacy is the star player and Thaddeus is hanging in there, just, might even get traded.
Apart from football connection, these two guys would never meet otherwise, Lacy is one, wild, very wild guy, especially off the playing field when he goes to his ‘parties’.
Thaddeus is a Church going, daily prayers, helping at Church Events, guy. But they do become the best of friends, with Thaddeus, such a caring, generous, kind man, taking care of Lacy when he’s been on one of his alcohol, drugs and other men, lots of men, together, benders.
After one such intervention by Thaddeus everything in their friendship changes, Lacy doesn’t know why, and Thaddeus is too ashamed to bring it up. However, he has his daily conversations with his god and it is tearing him apart.
Both Thad and Lacy characters are so well developed here that I was just so attached to them, it became painful to read of their individual struggles to remain friends, an€ I cried several times throughout. Some because of the sadness and emotional turmoil of the MC’s, and mostly in frustration due to my own feelings in regard to religious interference, whether by the indoctrination, the pressures to conform and then family interference.
I was so rooting for these two, especially Lacy, because I wished he didn’t need to frequent those parties.
The author has done a terrific job binding two such diverse characters together in their own ‘place of worship’. Yep, recommend this highly as your next read from Sasha Avice.
Apart from football connection, these two guys would never meet otherwise, Lacy is one, wild, very wild guy, especially off the playing field when he goes to his ‘parties’.
Thaddeus is a Church going, daily prayers, helping at Church Events, guy. But they do become the best of friends, with Thaddeus, such a caring, generous, kind man, taking care of Lacy when he’s been on one of his alcohol, drugs and other men, lots of men, together, benders.
After one such intervention by Thaddeus everything in their friendship changes, Lacy doesn’t know why, and Thaddeus is too ashamed to bring it up. However, he has his daily conversations with his god and it is tearing him apart.
Both Thad and Lacy characters are so well developed here that I was just so attached to them, it became painful to read of their individual struggles to remain friends, an€ I cried several times throughout. Some because of the sadness and emotional turmoil of the MC’s, and mostly in frustration due to my own feelings in regard to religious interference, whether by the indoctrination, the pressures to conform and then family interference.
I was so rooting for these two, especially Lacy, because I wished he didn’t need to frequent those parties.
The author has done a terrific job binding two such diverse characters together in their own ‘place of worship’. Yep, recommend this highly as your next read from Sasha Avice.
April 29, 2026
5🌟 3🌶️
Friends to lovers with angst yet swoon worthy moments where they leave their holidays early to be with their best friend and surprise each other 😭.
Sport teammate
Opposites attract
Bad boy with tattoos and start player
Church virgin boy who’s is innocent but is a magnet to the bad boy.
He follows his friend to a sex party and doesn’t know it’s a sex party 😛
Humor
Friends to lovers
Angst
Group spice
They’re exclusive but like to so group stuff together. Ahhh it was so hottttt!!!!!!
They look out for each other
Honestly I wanted the bath house group scene so badly. That’s the only thing I didn’t like was I didn’t get that spice scene lol
Friends to lovers with angst yet swoon worthy moments where they leave their holidays early to be with their best friend and surprise each other 😭.
Sport teammate
Opposites attract
Bad boy with tattoos and start player
Church virgin boy who’s is innocent but is a magnet to the bad boy.
He follows his friend to a sex party and doesn’t know it’s a sex party 😛
Humor
Friends to lovers
Angst
Group spice
They’re exclusive but like to so group stuff together. Ahhh it was so hottttt!!!!!!
They look out for each other
Honestly I wanted the bath house group scene so badly. That’s the only thing I didn’t like was I didn’t get that spice scene lol
August 16, 2026
“Loving you? Any place that says that’s not okay is not my church.”
What can I say.. I thought I’d be harder to surprise at this point.
I was wrong 🙃
But I am really conflicted about this book.
I completely understand that this one will not be for everyone. Hell, maybe not even for most people. I consider myself pretty open-minded, and I still had a hard time coming into terms with it.
That said, this turned out to be a MUCH more complicated story than I expected.
“Path through benders and gangbangs” doesn’t exactly scream “deep emotions.”
Wrong again.
First things first.
Lacy and Thad meet as friends, and the connection between them is immediate, gentle, undeniable, and so very beautiful.
“Thad felt he could stare at him for hours and not lose interest, the way a painter fell in love with a subject.”
I really loved watching that relationship develop.
Up until that fateful first party night.
I don’t want to spoil anything, and I know there is definitely an audience for this particular kink, but I had a really hard time wrapping my head around it.
And yet, putting my own preferences aside, I have to admit that it was beautifully written.
The story itself is much deeper than I expected. We get to see every inner conflict, every insecurity, every doubt and heartache, and those tender moments tugged at my heartstrings more than once.
“Lacy’s sleepy eyes met his.
Thad kissed his forehead gently.
Lacy burrowed back against his chest and Thad held him.
He’d repent tomorrow.”
And then Sasha planted one of the gentlest smacks in the face I’ve read.
You read it like a completely normal paragraph among all the others, while a cold dread slowly creeps up your spine because you understand that something is going very, very wrong.
And oh my God, did it break my heart 💔
The funny thing is that most of the drama could easily have gone into my classic YOU COULD HAVE TALKED ABOUT IT category.
But here?
I didn’t have it in me.
Somehow, it actually made sense.
The insecurity of a deeply hurt addict meeting the genuine fear and internal conflict of someone deeply religious.. Yeah. I could believe it.
So no, I actually don’t have complaints about the story itself. About the characters. About how Lacy lived his life before, during, and after everything that happened. Lacy was over the top maybe, but somehow it showed a more real things than we see in our books - when they are never with another people after the moment their eyes met 🙄
This book hurt me. A lot.
But here's where I got stuck.
My struggle wasn't really with Lacy's choices. It was with what someone who was supposed to be deeply religious was encouraging, even when Lacy didn't actually need that from him.
And I couldn't make myself be okay with it.
Maybe that's completely my problem, but that discomfort stayed with me until the end, and ultimately, that's the star I couldn't give.
Because despite everything else, I was deeply invested in these two. I felt their tenderness, their pain, their fear, their love.
And apparently I wasn't as open-minded as I thought I was because I wanted a PERFECT (right, classic, whatever) ending for them.. 😔
What can I say.. I thought I’d be harder to surprise at this point.
I was wrong 🙃
But I am really conflicted about this book.
I completely understand that this one will not be for everyone. Hell, maybe not even for most people. I consider myself pretty open-minded, and I still had a hard time coming into terms with it.
That said, this turned out to be a MUCH more complicated story than I expected.
“Path through benders and gangbangs” doesn’t exactly scream “deep emotions.”
Wrong again.
First things first.
Lacy and Thad meet as friends, and the connection between them is immediate, gentle, undeniable, and so very beautiful.
“Thad felt he could stare at him for hours and not lose interest, the way a painter fell in love with a subject.”
I really loved watching that relationship develop.
Up until that fateful first party night.
I don’t want to spoil anything, and I know there is definitely an audience for this particular kink, but I had a really hard time wrapping my head around it.
And yet, putting my own preferences aside, I have to admit that it was beautifully written.
The story itself is much deeper than I expected. We get to see every inner conflict, every insecurity, every doubt and heartache, and those tender moments tugged at my heartstrings more than once.
“Lacy’s sleepy eyes met his.
Thad kissed his forehead gently.
Lacy burrowed back against his chest and Thad held him.
He’d repent tomorrow.”
And then Sasha planted one of the gentlest smacks in the face I’ve read.
You read it like a completely normal paragraph among all the others, while a cold dread slowly creeps up your spine because you understand that something is going very, very wrong.
And oh my God, did it break my heart 💔
The funny thing is that most of the drama could easily have gone into my classic YOU COULD HAVE TALKED ABOUT IT category.
But here?
I didn’t have it in me.
Somehow, it actually made sense.
The insecurity of a deeply hurt addict meeting the genuine fear and internal conflict of someone deeply religious.. Yeah. I could believe it.
So no, I actually don’t have complaints about the story itself. About the characters. About how Lacy lived his life before, during, and after everything that happened. Lacy was over the top maybe, but somehow it showed a more real things than we see in our books - when they are never with another people after the moment their eyes met 🙄
This book hurt me. A lot.
But here's where I got stuck.
My struggle wasn't really with Lacy's choices. It was with what someone who was supposed to be deeply religious was encouraging, even when Lacy didn't actually need that from him.
And I couldn't make myself be okay with it.
Maybe that's completely my problem, but that discomfort stayed with me until the end, and ultimately, that's the star I couldn't give.
Because despite everything else, I was deeply invested in these two. I felt their tenderness, their pain, their fear, their love.
And apparently I wasn't as open-minded as I thought I was because I wanted a PERFECT (right, classic, whatever) ending for them.. 😔
March 9, 2024
4 stars
Different and unique, like all Sasha Avice's stories. It was also very emotional and raw.
I'm completely honest here, it was a hard reading for me because some parts, the ones that enthralled the majority of the readers, actually made me cry a lot. I couldn't understand, at first, why on earth Lacy would get himself into those sex parties, why he let those men using him that way. His character was a slow discovery for me, he has so many layers and there's so much more about him than what he let other people (including me) see.
Thad was way less shocked and judgemental than me and he found a way to support and love Lacy like he deserved.
There were a lot of emotions involved, good and bad, both Lacy and Thad have a lot on their minds and they hearts. But the writing was so fluid that I didn't feel overwhelmed by them.
What prevented me from giving five full stars
Lacy's coping mechanism, using drugs and going to sex parties was too much for me: despite having done his consent before, to me him being gang-banged while almost unconscious gave me the very horrible impression that he was actually being raped.
Moreover, Thad's hypocrisy of praying the gay away while having a lot of sex with Lacy didn't sit well with me at all.
It was so good to see Finn and Scotty again, I love those characters.
I'm already craving the next story of this series, I hope we won't have to wait too long.
Very recommended
I recently reread this book and I updated my review.
Different and unique, like all Sasha Avice's stories. It was also very emotional and raw.
I'm completely honest here, it was a hard reading for me because some parts, the ones that enthralled the majority of the readers, actually made me cry a lot. I couldn't understand, at first, why on earth Lacy would get himself into those sex parties, why he let those men using him that way. His character was a slow discovery for me, he has so many layers and there's so much more about him than what he let other people (including me) see.
Thad was way less shocked and judgemental than me and he found a way to support and love Lacy like he deserved.
There were a lot of emotions involved, good and bad, both Lacy and Thad have a lot on their minds and they hearts. But the writing was so fluid that I didn't feel overwhelmed by them.
What prevented me from giving five full stars
Lacy's coping mechanism, using drugs and going to sex parties was too much for me: despite having done his consent before, to me him being gang-banged while almost unconscious gave me the very horrible impression that he was actually being raped.
Moreover, Thad's hypocrisy of praying the gay away while having a lot of sex with Lacy didn't sit well with me at all.
It was so good to see Finn and Scotty again, I love those characters.
I'm already craving the next story of this series, I hope we won't have to wait too long.
Very recommended
I recently reread this book and I updated my review.
April 28, 2024
Rating: 4
Steam: 3
PoV: dual, 3rd person
Genre: contemporary romance, MM
Main tropes: teammates, first time, sexual discovery
So, I couldn't resist a story with this in its description: "This Is My Church carves a path through gangbangs, benders and a whole lot of praying to find out what it means to be truly loved." And ohhhh my, did it deliver!
Lacy and Thad's story was raw and emotional, and I loved seeing their relationship development as they went from teammates, to friends, to more. They were opposites attract to the extreme - Lacy being wild and pretty carefree, partying and using substances, while Thad was heavily religious, living by the expectations placed on him by his family and faith. They were two characters that shouldn't work, and there were moments when anything lasting between them felt pretty impossible, but they got their HEA in the end.
Both characters were flawed, and it was what gave their story a lot of rawness and feels - they both made mistakes and paid for them. There was a lot of character growth and development for both of them, and it made for an angsty read. I struggled with some of the things Thad did and how he handled some of the situations, but it was also easy to see how lost and confused he was feeling.
This Is My Church was an interesting read, and while I thought it would be a bit more low angst and spicier than it was, I found myself pleasantly surprised with what I got instead. Sasha Avice had me emotionally invested in the story from early on, and it was difficult not to root for Lacy and Thad despite their ups and downs. It was a story that tugged at the corners of my comfort zone, but it was definitely worth the read - the relationship and character developments were fantastic and I loved the tension, emotions and angst!
-
Thanks to Gay Romance Reviews for the opportunity to read and review this book. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.
Steam: 3
PoV: dual, 3rd person
Genre: contemporary romance, MM
Main tropes: teammates, first time, sexual discovery
So, I couldn't resist a story with this in its description: "This Is My Church carves a path through gangbangs, benders and a whole lot of praying to find out what it means to be truly loved." And ohhhh my, did it deliver!
Lacy and Thad's story was raw and emotional, and I loved seeing their relationship development as they went from teammates, to friends, to more. They were opposites attract to the extreme - Lacy being wild and pretty carefree, partying and using substances, while Thad was heavily religious, living by the expectations placed on him by his family and faith. They were two characters that shouldn't work, and there were moments when anything lasting between them felt pretty impossible, but they got their HEA in the end.
Both characters were flawed, and it was what gave their story a lot of rawness and feels - they both made mistakes and paid for them. There was a lot of character growth and development for both of them, and it made for an angsty read. I struggled with some of the things Thad did and how he handled some of the situations, but it was also easy to see how lost and confused he was feeling.
This Is My Church was an interesting read, and while I thought it would be a bit more low angst and spicier than it was, I found myself pleasantly surprised with what I got instead. Sasha Avice had me emotionally invested in the story from early on, and it was difficult not to root for Lacy and Thad despite their ups and downs. It was a story that tugged at the corners of my comfort zone, but it was definitely worth the read - the relationship and character developments were fantastic and I loved the tension, emotions and angst!
-
Thanks to Gay Romance Reviews for the opportunity to read and review this book. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.
April 13, 2024
All Sasha Avice´s books are unique.
Thad and Lacy are teammates in a australian football team. They are friends,despite their different personalities.
Thad is a very religious person, he always goes to church on Sunday, participates in church activities and his moral compass is religion. He expected to marry a woman, have kids, because is the right thing to do, according to his beliefs.
Lacy lives his life to the fullest.
The relationship between mc´s is sweet, Thad always care for Lacy.
The religion topic in this book is hefty.
Thad and Lacy are teammates in a australian football team. They are friends,despite their different personalities.
Thad is a very religious person, he always goes to church on Sunday, participates in church activities and his moral compass is religion. He expected to marry a woman, have kids, because is the right thing to do, according to his beliefs.
Lacy lives his life to the fullest.
The relationship between mc´s is sweet, Thad always care for Lacy.
The religion topic in this book is hefty.
May 1, 2026
Yeah… I never really write reviews but I was quite disappointed by this.
Lacy is basically on drugs the entire time.
Thad is just a nervous religious boy.
There was also a line that bothered the heck out of me “he spotted three empty seats next to some women in full black hijabs, their eyes flicking up to him with disgust and apprehension as he collapsed next to them. They shuffled down and he wanted to assure them they were one hundred percent safe, not even a trace of interest even if they took off those black sheets”
Not sure if this author had arc readers or an editor but it just felt very icky and racist to me.
There was another instance that felt off but I can’t remember where in the book- I DNFed at this point.
Lacy is basically on drugs the entire time.
Thad is just a nervous religious boy.
There was also a line that bothered the heck out of me “he spotted three empty seats next to some women in full black hijabs, their eyes flicking up to him with disgust and apprehension as he collapsed next to them. They shuffled down and he wanted to assure them they were one hundred percent safe, not even a trace of interest even if they took off those black sheets”
Not sure if this author had arc readers or an editor but it just felt very icky and racist to me.
There was another instance that felt off but I can’t remember where in the book- I DNFed at this point.
March 26, 2026
Unbelievable story - just wow. When you read the blurb, you know there are probably going to be some scenes in this book that are difficult to get through. I simply cannot put into words how impactful this story was, and how in awe I am of Sasha's ability to bring the story full circle through the title by the end. There was a scene in this book that left me deeply and profoundly uncomfortable, yet it was absolutely necessary to the plot, character development, and overall tone. I will say that I have very few triggers, yet while reading this particular scene, I had tears streaming down my face. For reference, (partial SPOILERS!!) the scene happens around 25-30% of the book, after we (as readers) have already fallen in love with Thad and Lacy, and are rooting for them (despite them only being friends at this point). So, as a reader, you're confused, hurt, angry, and upset with, well, BOTH characters, really. Because when this scene happens, you're still in the dark about so many things that completely alter how you will look back on the scene later on in the book. I was so close to DNFing after this scene because I just couldn't fathom how their relationship would play out afterwards. Yet, Sasha had me hook, line, and sinker - I couldn't NOT find out what was going to happen between them. I think it might be challenging to find a book that will beat this one in 2026. I just know that I will never forget this story, the characters, and how powerful the message was behind it all. Sasha Avice is a mastermind, and I cannot wait to read more of her incredible work.
CHECK YOUR TRIGGER & CONTENT WARNINGS!!!
Tropes:
- teammates (Australian football)
- friends to lovers
- 5 year age gap
- COMPLETE OPPOSITES attract
- hurt x comfort
- high angst
- high heat
CHECK YOUR TRIGGER & CONTENT WARNINGS!!!
Tropes:
- teammates (Australian football)
- friends to lovers
- 5 year age gap
- COMPLETE OPPOSITES attract
- hurt x comfort
- high angst
- high heat
December 30, 2024
The blurb was delicious. Out and proud jock x religious zealot in the closet? I mean... should be so angsty and hot and deep.
Well this isn't.
It's probably the most ridiculous book I've read in my life, and I don't say that lightly.
Avoid at all costs 🙄🙄🙄
Well this isn't.
It's probably the most ridiculous book I've read in my life, and I don't say that lightly.
Avoid at all costs 🙄🙄🙄
February 17, 2026
4.5-imperfect-but-still-enjoyable-⭐️ I admit this is a long story, especially compared with its plot. The third‑person POV didn’t bother me, but at first I felt a little bored by the relatively plain prose. However, the extreme contrast between the MCs — a “slutty,” drug‑addicted older bottom and an “innocent,” churchy younger top — kept me hooked until the end.
What I mean is the prose clearly can’t be compared to my favorite top‑tier works, yet when the angst hit I still found myself shedding quiet tears in that calm sadness.
The way their sexual relationship begins felt borderline and morally challenging to me, but I was ultimately won over by Thad’s nonjudgmental attitude and came to accept their adaption of Lacy’s particular kink. To me, neither of them sacrificed their sense of self; instead they integrated into each other’s lives harmoniously.
When the line in the title finally dropped, I knew—this is love, and love is their church.
What I mean is the prose clearly can’t be compared to my favorite top‑tier works, yet when the angst hit I still found myself shedding quiet tears in that calm sadness.
The way their sexual relationship begins felt borderline and morally challenging to me, but I was ultimately won over by Thad’s nonjudgmental attitude and came to accept their adaption of Lacy’s particular kink. To me, neither of them sacrificed their sense of self; instead they integrated into each other’s lives harmoniously.
When the line in the title finally dropped, I knew—this is love, and love is their church.
January 17, 2025
4.75⭐
I grinned, laughed, and enjoyed every minute spent reading this book.
This is a second chance, comfort and hurt, friends-to-lovers with a touch of codependency book.
Please take note of your triggers, as it contains the use of drugs, unconventional consent, and group sexual activities.
I grinned, laughed, and enjoyed every minute spent reading this book.
This is a second chance, comfort and hurt, friends-to-lovers with a touch of codependency book.
Please take note of your triggers, as it contains the use of drugs, unconventional consent, and group sexual activities.
May 10, 2026
DNF 56%. Some kinks are too unhealthy, dangerous, and disordered for a romance novel. Lacy’s need for drugs, alcohol and thousands of strangers running trains on him while he’s blacked out is not only incompatible with being a professional athlete, it’s dangerous and gross. And there’s no way all those rapey strangers aren’t going to let slip what a famous athlete is up to.
And don’t even get me started on Thad. Watching his bf get railed by dozens of men in a row is disturbing when religious piety is his main personality trait. I don’t know what this relationship is for either of them but it’s definitely not romantic.
And don’t even get me started on Thad. Watching his bf get railed by dozens of men in a row is disturbing when religious piety is his main personality trait. I don’t know what this relationship is for either of them but it’s definitely not romantic.
May 14, 2026
OMFG y'all, I was up SO LATE (for me) reading this two nights in a row, I COULD NOT put it down. Lacy and Thad are Australian football teammates and they are polar opposites. Lacy is short, loud, covered in tattoos, and spends his spare time partying HARD and having copious amounts of anonymous sex. Thad on the other hand, is tall, quiet, and a member of an ultra conservative church that condemns homosexuality. You wouldn't think they'd work, but they become best friends almost immediately and spend all their time NOT doing their own extracurricular activities together. Until Thad figures out what Lacy has been up to... and they both can't deny their attraction any longer.
Y'all this book is equal parts sweet, absolutely FILTHY, and INCREDIBLY sad. The religious trauma aspect HURTS - definitely check TWs if this is something you are sensitive to. The spice is SO wild - I was NOT expecting some of the stuff these guys get up to, but it's (another TW for sharing). And I was just SO invested in these guys finally realizing they were meant to be together, despite their differences they had total soulmates vibes and I just loved how HAPPY they made each other. Here's to more awesome Aussie books (and I think I really need to watch some clips of footy so I understand what these guys are talking about). DO NOT MISS OUT ON @sashaavice!
Y'all this book is equal parts sweet, absolutely FILTHY, and INCREDIBLY sad. The religious trauma aspect HURTS - definitely check TWs if this is something you are sensitive to. The spice is SO wild - I was NOT expecting some of the stuff these guys get up to, but it's (another TW for sharing). And I was just SO invested in these guys finally realizing they were meant to be together, despite their differences they had total soulmates vibes and I just loved how HAPPY they made each other. Here's to more awesome Aussie books (and I think I really need to watch some clips of footy so I understand what these guys are talking about). DO NOT MISS OUT ON @sashaavice!
December 23, 2024
I enjoy this author’s intense, immersive style. I wasn’t sure what to expect with this one with one very religious mc and the other, well, check trigger warnings on this one because he parties hard and is into a lot of things in the bedroom that cross some lines. Nevertheless, decided to give it a try and it really worked for me. The author succeeded in drawing two believable and three dimensional characters who muddle through and find themselves in a relationship.
May 31, 2026
alright this one hurt my feelings
June 13, 2026
₊˚⊹ | 4 ★ read .ᐟ
I didn't expect to like it this much??? I'm always drawn to this church boy x sinner boy trope, but this was actually so good, it started off truly intense and then exploded into hotness and confusing feelings and obsessive touches. YES!!!
I didn't expect to like it this much??? I'm always drawn to this church boy x sinner boy trope, but this was actually so good, it started off truly intense and then exploded into hotness and confusing feelings and obsessive touches. YES!!!
April 22, 2024
This book was interesting. We’ve met Lacy in previous books but I didn’t realize his extracurriculars were so….extreme. Then we have Thad who is super religious. There’s a pretty heavy religious aspect to this book, so just know that going in.
The story as a whole wasn’t bad at all. I did enjoy their friendship build up during practice, and hanging out and then the inevitable relationship. Both characters had a lot of issues, Lacy with his drug usage and sex parties and Thad with his religious hang ups to the point where he wasn’t really living life in my opinion.
One thing I didn’t realize was that even once Lacy and Thad were together, Lacy still wanted to participate in these “parties” even though Thad would be there…..watching. I didn’t quite understand his NEED for these parties, it was a lot. I don’t want to yuck anyone’s yum, I can handle reading about sex parties and multiple partners at once, however I expected that to stop once the main MCs were together but Thad just went along and let other men use Lacy and that was that, he felt like Lacy was safer as long as he was there and could tell them to stop.
There is a breakup in the book so there’s a bit of time jumping. That was kinda difficult for me because Lacy claimed to love Thad but still slept with others soon after their breakup. They do, however, eventually get their HEA.
*arc review*
The story as a whole wasn’t bad at all. I did enjoy their friendship build up during practice, and hanging out and then the inevitable relationship. Both characters had a lot of issues, Lacy with his drug usage and sex parties and Thad with his religious hang ups to the point where he wasn’t really living life in my opinion.
One thing I didn’t realize was that even once Lacy and Thad were together, Lacy still wanted to participate in these “parties” even though Thad would be there…..watching. I didn’t quite understand his NEED for these parties, it was a lot. I don’t want to yuck anyone’s yum, I can handle reading about sex parties and multiple partners at once, however I expected that to stop once the main MCs were together but Thad just went along and let other men use Lacy and that was that, he felt like Lacy was safer as long as he was there and could tell them to stop.
There is a breakup in the book so there’s a bit of time jumping. That was kinda difficult for me because Lacy claimed to love Thad but still slept with others soon after their breakup. They do, however, eventually get their HEA.
*arc review*
April 25, 2024
Like it, some of the tension towards the end was a little excruciating but generally enjoyed. Loving this authors writing.
August 9, 2026
This is a best friends/teammates to more sports romance, featuring Lacy and Thad, and is book three in the Contested Possession series.
Lacy becomes best friends with his new teammate Thad, a quiet and religious man who is very different from him. When Thad discovers Lacy’s secret, it changes their friendship and leaves Lacy wondering what happened between them.
I thoroughly enjoyed this one. Lacy is such a free spirit and open to anything, but he has the biggest heart and befriends Thad and I loved how touchy feely they were and spend loads of time together. Thad is such a gentle soul, and these two together were beautiful.
Lacy’s extracurricular activities were an eye opener but I loved how Thad didn’t judge him in the slightest. I was so happy they got their HEA.
Things to expect in this book are:
Book 3 in series
MM sports romance
Set in Australia
Opposites attract
AFL teammates
Best friends to more
Fuck boy x celibate/religious
Virgin MC
bi awakening
Spicy times
S*x club
First times
Gang bang
Voyeurism
Degradation
Dubcon / CNC
Dr*g use & unconscious
Caretaking
Cooks him soup
Carries him
Secret relationship
3rd act break up
So much pining
Admit feelings
Coming out to family
HEA
Lacy becomes best friends with his new teammate Thad, a quiet and religious man who is very different from him. When Thad discovers Lacy’s secret, it changes their friendship and leaves Lacy wondering what happened between them.
I thoroughly enjoyed this one. Lacy is such a free spirit and open to anything, but he has the biggest heart and befriends Thad and I loved how touchy feely they were and spend loads of time together. Thad is such a gentle soul, and these two together were beautiful.
Lacy’s extracurricular activities were an eye opener but I loved how Thad didn’t judge him in the slightest. I was so happy they got their HEA.
Things to expect in this book are:
Book 3 in series
MM sports romance
Set in Australia
Opposites attract
AFL teammates
Best friends to more
Fuck boy x celibate/religious
Virgin MC
bi awakening
Spicy times
S*x club
First times
Gang bang
Voyeurism
Degradation
Dubcon / CNC
Dr*g use & unconscious
Caretaking
Cooks him soup
Carries him
Secret relationship
3rd act break up
So much pining
Admit feelings
Coming out to family
HEA
January 12, 2025
4⭐️
This was a solid 4-star read! This slow-burn, hurt/comfort romance follows Thaddeus and Lacy, two Australian Football players in Melbourne. Lacy’s the star, while Thad is barely hanging on, but they quickly become inseparable—except when Thad’s at church and Lacy’s at his private spicy parties.
I loved how they accepted each other despite their differences—Lacy didn’t judge Thad’s religious devotion, and Thad supported Lacy’s wilder habits, even if it felt unexpected at first. Their dynamic was raw, caring, and deeply genuine.
There’s the usual third-act breakup, tied to Thad’s struggles with faith and identity. It was emotional but resolved beautifully when Thad finds peace with loving Lacy.
This isn’t a light read—it tackles heavy topics like unhealthy coping and reconciling faith and identity. But that depth made it gripping and powerful. Highly recommend for fans of emotional, character-driven stories!
This was a solid 4-star read! This slow-burn, hurt/comfort romance follows Thaddeus and Lacy, two Australian Football players in Melbourne. Lacy’s the star, while Thad is barely hanging on, but they quickly become inseparable—except when Thad’s at church and Lacy’s at his private spicy parties.
I loved how they accepted each other despite their differences—Lacy didn’t judge Thad’s religious devotion, and Thad supported Lacy’s wilder habits, even if it felt unexpected at first. Their dynamic was raw, caring, and deeply genuine.
There’s the usual third-act breakup, tied to Thad’s struggles with faith and identity. It was emotional but resolved beautifully when Thad finds peace with loving Lacy.
This isn’t a light read—it tackles heavy topics like unhealthy coping and reconciling faith and identity. But that depth made it gripping and powerful. Highly recommend for fans of emotional, character-driven stories!
April 16, 2024
I completely loved this story. I love the steady, inevitable way Sasha Avice builds relationships in her stories, how real her characters feel, how she shares perspectives you wouldn’t normally see so there is a whole lot of the unexpected and a whole lot to ponder as I read the story.
I specifically enjoyed how in this series the sport is character in and of itself and how insanely white hot the chemistry is between Thad and Lacy is, as they face down everything that challenges their HEA.
The book is phenomenally emotional and rich and I was so impacted as I read it. The winding up to them working through things and that ending was absolutely heart wrenching and quite beautiful.
Would 100% re-read this book and this couple is a serious contender as my favourite of the series .. or is it George and Finn… I don’t think I can pick.
Expect:
* Friends to Lovers
* Slow burn
* Football romance
* Team mates
* Kink exploration
* Sexual awakening
* Pining
* Virgin MC
* Gangbangs
* Religious themes
* Drug usage
I specifically enjoyed how in this series the sport is character in and of itself and how insanely white hot the chemistry is between Thad and Lacy is, as they face down everything that challenges their HEA.
The book is phenomenally emotional and rich and I was so impacted as I read it. The winding up to them working through things and that ending was absolutely heart wrenching and quite beautiful.
Would 100% re-read this book and this couple is a serious contender as my favourite of the series .. or is it George and Finn… I don’t think I can pick.
Expect:
* Friends to Lovers
* Slow burn
* Football romance
* Team mates
* Kink exploration
* Sexual awakening
* Pining
* Virgin MC
* Gangbangs
* Religious themes
* Drug usage
October 19, 2025
This felt a little like kismet because someone posted a recommendation for This Is My Church that got it added to my TBR literally days before I met the author themselves. In person. With the book sitting right there in all its signed glory, Lacy's imploring eyes boring into mine.
Kinda had to.
But I would 100% buy it all over again.
Because come on...a gorgeous book cover. Excellent writing. Local flavour (it's based in Aus). A blurb that sucks you right in, with a perfectly imperfect pairing between a highly-religious do-gooder and a carefree player who doesn't care what goes into his body, be it alcohol, drugs, or dick (preferably all three at once, Lacy informs me smugly).
I honestly did not see how the pair of them would or could fit together, but it was done so well! Lacy and his quiet supportiveness for the religion he doesn't understand. Thad's lack of judgment or attempts to enforce his own beliefs onto Lacy. They love each other as they are, and that's so beautiful that it made me cry, just a little.
Congratulations, Avice, for making me expect non-stop filth and not even be disappointed when I found the book to be full of heartfelt declarations, unquestioning support, and quiet solitude with each other instead. I'll just be over here, sobbing quietly.
Kinda had to.
But I would 100% buy it all over again.
Because come on...a gorgeous book cover. Excellent writing. Local flavour (it's based in Aus). A blurb that sucks you right in, with a perfectly imperfect pairing between a highly-religious do-gooder and a carefree player who doesn't care what goes into his body, be it alcohol, drugs, or dick (preferably all three at once, Lacy informs me smugly).
I honestly did not see how the pair of them would or could fit together, but it was done so well! Lacy and his quiet supportiveness for the religion he doesn't understand. Thad's lack of judgment or attempts to enforce his own beliefs onto Lacy. They love each other as they are, and that's so beautiful that it made me cry, just a little.
Congratulations, Avice, for making me expect non-stop filth and not even be disappointed when I found the book to be full of heartfelt declarations, unquestioning support, and quiet solitude with each other instead. I'll just be over here, sobbing quietly.
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