Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Love Habit

Rate this book
Two monks in love…

1485: Paul timidly enters Darenth Priory to avoid marriage. In good faith, he expects to live out his days in chaste devotion to God. But there is temptation lurking within the monastery walls.

For there is also another novice, Luke, who both resembles and sings like an angel. Is he a test? A gift? Paul must decide.

Can these two young men venerate love alongside liturgy? Or will they be cast out?

A religious yet irreverent story awaits.


NB This is a work of fiction about what may have been, told in first person POV; a positive, realistic LGBTQ+ story which probably happened many times over and deserves now to be shared in the light with love.
As England moves from the Medieval to the Tudor era, attitudes may be different than expected, even for Benedictine monks in the Catholic Church.
There are scenes of a mature nature, which require patience to discover.
Includes improper use of candles.

354 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 1, 2025

4 people are currently reading
102 people want to read

About the author

T.L. Clark

20 books194 followers
TL Clark is an award-winning, best-selling, British, romance author who stumbles through life as if it were a gauntlet of catastrophes.

Rather than playing the victim, she uses these unfortunate events to fuel her passion for writing, for reaching out to help others.

She writes about different kinds of love in the hope that she‘ll uncover its mysteries.

Her loving husband (and very spoiled cat - RIP) have proven to her that true love really does exist.
Writing has shown her that coffee may well be the source of life.

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
13 (20%)
4 stars
39 (62%)
3 stars
7 (11%)
2 stars
2 (3%)
1 star
1 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
Profile Image for Mx. T *Chaotic Reader*.
622 reviews115 followers
March 4, 2025
ARC REVIEW

Cosy monastic romance. New genre unlocked.
This book was thoroughly researched and it shows. The life at a monastery in Tudor England is depicted with care, monks lives ruled by saints festivities, the seasons and their daily chores. There's prayer but there's also fun, games and some indulgence.
I liked that it's a 'happy gays' story instead of the sad gays we could have gotten, given the setting. Brother Giles is the final enabler and support and I loved him.
Paul and Luke are just two lil' horndogs in love. They are novices and struggle to find alone time, but they manage to be together and love each other, all the while praying and believing in God and their purpose as future monks. There are some cute moments, like their time in the garden, or by the river, the game-playing or the snowball fight. Paul matures as a human and as an apothecarist. I liked the referenfe to wise women and herbal remedies.
It was quite a cosy and slow read, there isn't much tension and it's kind of a slice of life retelling of Gay Monastic Life.
Profile Image for Jenni.
6,381 reviews78 followers
March 5, 2025
3 – 3.5 stars
Forbidden love is a theme that the Catholic Church frowns upon, and in the year 1485, at the turn of an era, this story unfolds among Benedictine monks. This MM romance is unlike any other, filled with temptation, passion, drama, and the struggle between faith and emotion.
Can one truly love without forsaking God, or must they sacrifice their devotion to experience forbidden love?
Paul has devoted his life to the Monastery to overcome his sinful ways, but he discovers that far more is happening within those walls than he ever anticipated. What he struggles to reconcile is his deep feelings for a man, even as he maintains his faith. He is not alone in this turmoil—Luke is facing the same conflict.
The story is narrated from Paul’s perspective in the first person, although it would have been enriching to hear Luke’s viewpoint as well. Initially, I found the language reflective of the time challenging, but I soon settled into it, even if the pacing felt a bit slow at times. There are numerous religious references and biblical passages, which some readers may find overwhelming, as I did at points.
Overall, Love Habit is a historical Tudor/Medieval MM slow-burn romance. The author, TL, has skilfully captured the longing, desire, and heart-wrenching emotions between the two characters, as they struggle to keep their love a secret.
Profile Image for Winnie Quick.
205 reviews3 followers
February 28, 2025
When I described the basics of this book (queer monks in early Tudor England) to my bestie, she said it sounded like someone asked AI to write a book just for me. She wasn’t wrong! I don’t presume to view Love Habit as particularly realistic or unrealistic because I don’t have a lot of Catholic monastic knowledge, but I will say I raised a few eyebrows.

That said, I really enjoyed this book. Maybe it’s sacrilegious of me (which I’m good with because I’m agnostic), but I enjoy the idea of monks still finding joy, so to speak, within their vows. The queer aspects aside, there were some really sweet messages about brotherhood, friendship, and finding enjoyment in a quiet and pious life.

The snowball fight had me outright cooing over how cute it was. The ending felt like it jumped to the epilogue rather quickly, but I suppose the main part of the story had already been told by that point. This isn’t the book for someone who is by the (Bible) book, but it is definitely for people like me who don’t find potential stretches of the pious expectations problematic.

I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews and this is my honest review. 4.5 unapologetic stars from a lover of queer romances and the Tudor dynasty as it overtook the Plantagenet dynasty with all their respective dramatics.
Profile Image for Angel.
60 reviews
February 20, 2025
I am going to scream.

The way any arising issue or obstacle quickly turned into a non-issue without much friction was so gd tedious. I know the author wanted a story that wasn’t about gay people suffering, which I can appreciate when it’s at least GOOD. I’m not fussy about historical accuracy when it comes to historical romances being inclusive and I think this can be done in a brilliant and fun way, but this was not it.
The author goes out of their way to say we need to be patient and that this is a slow burn which is just not true!! The book might as well have just finished at 40% because I promise that every unwashed monk nook and cranny had been explored by that point and they’re oh-so-in-love.

One of my all-time favourite books is Saint by Sierra Simone, so unfortunately my standard for this kind of book was way higher than it apparently should’ve been.
Profile Image for DJ McCready.
492 reviews7 followers
February 2, 2025
I found this book an exceptional read. It combined a fairly realistic midieval period writing, with religion and same-gender love.

Having done some of my post-secondary studies in a Roman Catholic run University where there seminarians, the idea of close friends who become lovers seems realistic. I have known individuals who have lived a cloistered life and left it, and so through conversations, I would imagine Clark has managed to depict it very well.

The passages of biblical text, often in Latin (translated) seemed particularly appropriate and shows a good knowledge of the bible.

Finally, some of the old english words I picked up cannot be reproduced here but one I would like to see reintroduced in common conversation was "fopdoodle" meaning someone without any intelligence for I could use it easily.

I found the writing superb, smooth, and carefully crafted.
Profile Image for Stephanie Runyon.
414 reviews11 followers
March 4, 2025
Love Habit is a Tudor romance about Christian Monks by T. L Clark. The narrative is through the eyes of Paul Uphey as he describes his life in Darenth Priory. Paul agreed to become a part of the priory and was a new novice. Prior Ambrose told Paul he hoped that his quiet and thoughtful nature might help another novice, Luke, to become ready to take his vows.

Novice Master Brother Barnabas was the one teaching Paul and Luke. Paul viewed his teacher as more strict than he thought was necessary. He also found this true through Brother Hector. Brother Faramand and Brother Giles were his favorites since they seemed friendlier and easier to approach with questions. Brother Giles was the infirmary attendant and became Paul's confidant Paul was attracted to Luke but held this feeling secret. He knew that his attraction was frowned upon in public and was uncertain if he could even pursue a relationship. He kept his feelings secret. However, Luke was able to console him over the separation from his family.
.
Paul wished to see more of Luke. One afternoon, while working in the garden, Brom- a lay person, kissed Paul. Despite pushing away from Brom, Paul was shocked when Luke seemed to be upset about the encounter. Later, Luke confided in Paul that he was also attracted to him.

Giles learned of Paul’s issue and gave Paul a "First aid" wallet with linen and oil in it. He told him to use the linens to pleasure himself and to wash them to prevent being caught. He told Paul that he had been in love with someone named Hugh. Paul kept his confidence. However, time with Luke was difficult to obtain. Paul confided in Brother Giles, and the monk told Paul he might be able to help and to practice patience.. One afternoon, Giles sent Luke and Paul to gather an herb that grew alongside the river. They spent the afternoon together and were able to share their mutual attraction. Despite weeks passing before they could be alone together, the two began to engage in more affection in secret.

Approaching this novel with an open mind, I found that Clark treated the characters with sensitivity and respect the LGBTQ+ community would appreciate. The love between Luke and Paul developed at a slow pace but when they led to the sexual scenes, the emotions were the focus rather than specific acts. Is it possible that monks who vowed a life of chastity may have considered this as acceptable? As a Christian, I do not believe so because I remember the Biblical story of Sodom and Gomorrah. Both were destroyed for the same sex act of homosexuality. However, I cannot fault the book on my own beliefs as it was written to show love as something everyone should be blessed to receive. The maturity Paul exhibited as the days passed was easy to see. I could picture the joy that each of the characters had to keep within themselves during festival celebrations. The unpredictable possibility of being caught increased as more people noticed the closeness of the two novices. I felt the ending of the story was perfect and left no question about Paul’s future. I rate this book four out of five stars because it could alienate some readers. Themes of Christianity combined with accepting homosexuality may hinder potential readers.

Profile Image for Saffron Amatti.
Author 37 books24 followers
January 23, 2025
I had the very great pleasure of beta reading this book, and it immediately became one of my top reads of 2024. It may even have been my favourite read of the entire year!

Love Habit is full of sweet moments and poignant introspection as narrator Paul, a young novice monk in Tudor England, attempts to reconcile the teachings of his faith with his growing feelings for fellow novice, Luke.

The author has perfectly captured the young man's experience of adjusting from his privileged upbringing to his new life of humble religious devotion, giving the reader a genuine sense of stepping back in time. However, it's not overdone; there are enough details to provide atmosphere and context, vividly bringing the monastery to life for the modern reader, but not so much it feels like a history textbook. This is not an easy trick to pull off, but TL Clarke has not only achieved this, but has made it look effortless.

As the book is set in a Benedictine monastery, naturally there are Christian references throughout. This includes Biblical quotes, some of which are provided in the Latin the monks would have used, as well as English translation from the King James Bible. I found the occasional use of Latin to be a lovely touch that really helped me connect with the lives of these wonderful, well-developed characters. All the religious references combine to provide thoughtful context for the character's lives, as well as a mirror for Paul's contemplations.

The romance is sensitively written, and as previously mentioned, conducted with a great deal of soul searching from both Paul and Luke, who both want to do right by their faith but find their attraction irresistible. The question of whether their love is right or wrong - a test or a God-given gift - is thoughtfully examined and, I feel, realistically portrayed and believably concluded.

Because of the necessary secrecy surrounding their relationship, there is a lot of longing in this book which, though heart-wrenching, was not overplayed and gives a real sense of how the real monks in Paul and Luke's situation would have felt. However, when the two young men get a moment alone, the outpouring of love is beautiful.

Overall, I cannot praise this book highly enough, and encourage you to pick up a copy so you, too, can fall in love with Paul, Luke, and their world.
Profile Image for Tissie.
345 reviews20 followers
February 16, 2025
If you’re in the mood for a cute and spicy historical romance, then look no further. Love Habit, a book written by T.L. Clark, is just what you want to read.

Paul joins the Priory and, as the blurb suggests, he doesn’t harbor any expectations from his new life. Luke? He proceeds to enter stage right and punches through Paul’s soul (and body) like a freight train. It’s so sweet, a queer love story that, despite needing to be kept a secret—chastity is included in the monastic wows, after all—thrives.

I also like the fact that Clark keeps a humorous, upbeat take in her author’s notes. It’s refreshing, something that stands out in a sea of too serious notes. While I understand the time and place concept, I also think it’s important to distinct oneself. That’s what Clark seems to grasp.

From a technical point of view, Love Habit is written in first person and written well. The extensive research Clark must have undertaken before writing this book shines through each term and dialogues, not to mention the glossary at the end. The grammar is correct and polished, the pacing quick. What can I say, I really like a quick-paced book, haha.

Flaws, mmmm. I would prefer it if the translations of latin quotes were at the end of each chapter rather than in-text, as I think it distracting—it disrupts the immersion a little. Anything that’s not about the story does, at least in my opinion.

A little more angst would be good as well, too. I know romance books tend to emphasize good feelings over bad ones, as it’s what a reader would expect from this genre, and I also acknowledge the author’s notes; maybe just another sprinkle of dangerous moments? Nothing too serious or dire, mind. In this case, angst is like adding pepper to a dish. It makes it feel like it’s completed to perfection.

4 stars on GR
Profile Image for Angela Shirley.
935 reviews6 followers
March 27, 2025
Paul is a novice monk in the Darenth Priory and when he is assigned to help a also new novice monk Luke, Paul starts to discover things regarding himself that he does not know how to reconcile.

Once they become close Paul starts to have feels for Luke and he is finding it hard to reconcile between his faith which frowns upon such feelings and his attraction to the opposite sex. So, when he discovers a confident in Brother Giles he starts trying to understand his feelings, until one day he is approached and kissed by Brom he notices Luke becomes funny with him.

Paul then learns Luke has been having the same urges and attractions toward Paul and they set about discovering what this means and can they love each other in a relationship. Over the time they find ways of finding time to be with each other, but will their secret be outed as people start noticing they are becoming closer in every way.

This story is set in the Tudor times in England and with this the language can be a bit hard to understand but this does not deflect from the book in anyway. The book is written from Paul’s perspective and although it is a sweet, gentle tale of forbidden love and attraction it would have been nice to get a fresh perspective from Luke as well at times.

Although set in the Tudor times the relevant of the subject matter was still relevant today, although some people who may have a strong faith may question some of the choices made in this story. This is not a genre which would normally read but the synopsis looked interesting so thought I would give it a try and I am glad I did.
Profile Image for Pontiki.
2,515 reviews9 followers
January 20, 2025
As young Paul arrives at the monastery he’s unsure, but hoping to be a good student and be kept from his sinful ways.

He meets Luke, a novice who’s struggling to be ready to take his vows, and they remain in training together. But, Paul also has an interest in the apothecary arts, and his mentor is kindly Brother Giles.

Paul and Luke are attracted to each other, and their understanding leads to longing and desire. Brother Giles is similarly inclined and had a love of his own, so he aids Paul in how to find ways to be together with Luke.

He even helps him reconcile this part of himself while also being a servant of God, and shares that other brothers bring in women, all unspoken ways to manage their needs.

Paul learns more about herbs, makes notes that can aid knowledge in the infirmary, and helps Luke with his penmanship. He even goes to heal his brother when he’s sick, implementing treatments others don’t use.

When it’s time, he’s able to let go of his family and take his vows, with Luke, and they make a happy life together amongst the brethren.

This was an interesting view into the life of monks, the bending of rules, and the simplicity of a life of devotion. The schedule of the day in winter and summer was a helpful reference so that prayers and meals made more sense.

However, there was too much quoting of the bible throughout, and the story could have been about 1/3 shorter. I loved Brother Giles as an ally, and Maynard and Brom as well.

I received this ARC for free and am glad to provide my honest review with thanks.
Profile Image for October O'Neil.
Author 2 books23 followers
March 3, 2025
ARC Review

Mixed feelings. I LOVE this time period. This is primarily why I signed up to do an ARC review. It was clear author took time to research the book and wanted to portray a realistic monastic world, which I appreciate. However, and I HATE that I'm saying this, but it felt, at times, as if the author was so committed to telling a story about the time period that they forgot to tell a story about the MCs.

The reason I say I hate saying that is because it is clear that the author spent an extraordinary amount of time researching this book, and I don't want to undermine or invalidate the incredible amount of work that went into that. The world was rich and lush, and I really enjoyed reading about it. Kudos!

But, I do wish the MCs came alive a bit more at times. For a work of fiction, I think, and this is purely personal, so please don't judge your own willingness to read the book on this, that it's possible to find a balance between historical accuracy and modern sensibility. I don't mean introducing modern language or anything, but pacing or humor or something to carry it forward a little more. In some ways it felt like I was reading a novel from the time period, not about the time period.

All that said, it is sweet, well-written, all-around well-done, and I would recommend it to anyone who loves time-period pieces.
Profile Image for Jennifer .
1,635 reviews33 followers
March 8, 2025
This is an intriguing MM romance set during the Tudor era and depicting a relationship between two male Christian monks. Paul enters Darenth Priory in 1485 in order to avoid a marriage. He enters in good faith and expects to live out his days in chaste devotion to God. However, Paul soon discovers that there are temptations even within the monasteries walls.
That temptation comes in the form of fellow novice Luke who Paul thinks sings like an angel. Paul wonders if Luke is a gift or a test from God. Both Paul and Luke are Benedictine months in the Catholic Church so, there is a very real risk of them being cast out if they act upon their mutual attraction and feelings.
Told from Paul’s POV this is a heartwarming romance with some steamy scenes. I would have liked to have had Luke’s POV as well at times so I could feel more engaged with both of them. The descriptive narrative and added historical details transported me back to the Tudor era, and day to day life in a monastery was brought vividly to life.
I liked that this is a positive LGBTQ+ love story, and that the author looks at attitudes surrounding a relationship between two male monks in Catholic Tudor England. I loved both Paul and Luke as they are relatable and likeable and their chemistry came across in the narrative.
508 reviews7 followers
March 26, 2025
Love Habit is a historical m/m romance focusing on the life of a novice monk at the start of the Tudor era. As I’ve come to expect from this author, it is well-researched and brimming with historical details.

I particularly enjoyed Paul’s work as an infirmarer. It was fascinating to read about some of the treatments and cures that were used at that time, and his mentor Brother Giles is a great character. There were lots of fun moments where the other monks (and even Brother Giles) were reluctant to admit they needed treatment and had to be persuaded to accept help.

During the story we get to see a full year pass in the life of the monastery, which gives a fascinating insight into the patterns of feasting and fasting throughout the year as well as the regularity of day-to-day life.

At times I felt that the informative aspects of the book intruded on the flow of the story. For example, Latin biblical texts were given with in-text translations and references to the chapter/verse where they can be found. Where there were several of these in a scene, it felt like what they added to the immersive world of the story was undermined somewhat by the awkwardness of how they were presented.

This book gets four stars from me! I would recommend it to fans of historical romance who are open to reading about gay monks.
Profile Image for David Wickham.
639 reviews10 followers
March 4, 2025
This was a historical fiction piece about the secret romance between two novices at a monastery in medieval Great Britain. It's set in the time of Henry VII. Great Britain was still Catholic then.

The two novices, Paul and Luke, recognized kindred souls, for lack of a better term, when Paul entered the monastery. They weren't the only gay monks. Paul worked under the monastery's healer, Brother Giles. Brother Giles was also able to recognize Paul as a kindred spirit. Great examples of fifteenth century gaydar.

Luke and Paul have spicy times. The other monks have to know what's going on with these two, but choose to ignore it. The monastery brings in women every so often for some of the other brothers. It would be hypocritical if someone complained about the two gay novices while using the services of a prostitute.

Not a lot happens in the book. There's very little angst. A monastery seems like an odd setting for a gay romance novel. I skimmed some of the book because it mostly was spicy times or Paul working with Brother Giles helping the other brothers. I wish more had happened.

I did find the historical aspects interesting, but I doubt that's what the author wanted people to focus on. It was an okay read. I'm sure it will find its audience.
Profile Image for Precociousp .
282 reviews
March 5, 2025
Two of my favorite genres come together in TL Clark’s Love Habit, a historical MM novel set in a Tudor-era monastery. As a Tudor enthusiast, I appreciate the depth of research Clark put into depicting monastic life during this period. Her vivid portrayal of daily routines adds authenticity and gives the characters depth.

The story is told in the first person from Paul Uphey’s perspective as he navigates life at Darenth Priory. Through Paul, we meet Luke, another novice, and as they study together, their bond develops into something deeper than mere friendship. The slow-burn romance allows readers to savor the narrative, but that pacing also presents some challenges.

One aspect I didn’t anticipate was the heavy integration of Bible verses, which at times felt distracting. The juxtaposition of religious text with an MM storyline created a bit of dissonance, pulling me out of the story. Additionally, the ending felt rushed, impacting the overall flow and resolution.

That said, Clark does a fantastic job capturing the essence of monastic life in Tudor England. While the religious elements contribute to historical accuracy, they may also have contributed to pacing issues and the abrupt conclusion.
Profile Image for Naomi Valkyrie.
Author 24 books153 followers
March 16, 2025
I don’t read a lot of historical romance, but occasionally, I pick one up. This one intrigued me, and I’m glad I gave it a chance. If you’re a mood reader like me, you should know this is a slower burn, low-angst story.

The attention to detail the author gave this book is awesome. I loved the maps, addition of the glossary, and the context notes. One thing to mention: if you’re a person who needs the solid HEA and things to end there, don’t read the Final Word section. It has a more real-life type ending. Although, I personally felt that it was still a continued HEA, just not traditionally how you would think of one.

One thing I really enjoyed about this story was Paul finding support with his mentor. That felt like a good family-type bond. I’m also glad things turned out how they did for Brom. I was a little sad for him initially.

Something I was surprised by is that normally I don’t enjoy most pet names characters give each other because a lot of times they feel forced or out of alignment with the character’s personality, but the use of “honey sweet,” and “my lief,” in this story worked well to convey the emotions they feel for each other.

Overall, it was a great read!
996 reviews14 followers
April 2, 2025
It is the year 1485 and Paul is about to leave his known world behind and travel to Darenth Monastery to begin his life as a monk, he is young, but he has always known that this was the path he would live as a third son, and also one who doesn't want to enter into marriage, so when he arrives, he is immediately enveloped with a feeling of love and hope.

He is welcomed into the Monastery and made aware of the rules and the framework which will become his new life and he is more than ready to embrace it, especially when he is paired with another postulant called Luke, a blond haired and blue eyed angel with a voice to match, but he also sits emotions and urges which are highly inappropriate for monastic life.

As time passes and the two begin to lead a secret life together, while also embracing the monastery and life there with Paul aiding a Brother in the infirmary and embracing his love of healing, will this double life be possible, or will they be denied the profession they want because of it? This is a LGBTQIA+ love story set in a peaceful and unusual backdrop which will hook you into this beautiful story and keep you there to the end.
141 reviews7 followers
March 18, 2025
Love Habit by T.L. Clark is a historical MM romance set in a Tudor England monastery. The story is told from the first-person perspective of Paul as he enters the monastery. The story is surprisingly detailed in its descriptions of everything from the clothes they wore to the meals they ate and the apothecary herbal medicines they concocted. The book acknowledges the holidays that the monks celebrated and contains bible verses both in English and in Latin.

The story portrays the angst of young, forbidden love between Paul and Luke. I really enjoyed that this story was so heartfelt. You got to follow along this journey with Paul as he first laid eyes on Luke and fell in love. His fears of rejection, then of getting caught in what he knew was forbidden. The best part of this story is that it’s a positive story. The monks who knew what was going on between Paul and Luke turned a blind eye and some even assisted by orchestrating private time together for them. It was refreshing to experience the frivolity as well as the monastic way of life through Paul’s eyes.
Profile Image for Yvonne Derrig.
164 reviews4 followers
March 29, 2025
A Forbidden Love Story Making for a Great Read

TL Clark has caused me to have a change of heart with this book. I typically do not sway towards reading the historical narrative in books, but “Love Habit” is very different, and that is thanks to its author’s ability to write such a narrative that it pulls you into the story. While this a m/m story, I feel that this story is very relatable to most anyone who is looking for their place in the world and searching for their person. There is heartache, love, acceptance, sadness, and humor hidden within this gem of a story and I lost track of time while giving myself to this story. Paul has been destined to become a monk, known and trained for it, his whole life. His story begins on his first day at the priory and we follow him throughout his process. Along the journey, he meets and befriends Luke, who has stalled in his own progress. We follow these two, as well as some of the other brothers, throughout the book. They have hardships, trials, and triumphs throughout, which all makes for a very satisfying experience to read.
Profile Image for fortheloveofmmromancebooks.
307 reviews29 followers
January 28, 2025
Arc review

Paul wants to devote his life to God as he is accepted into Darenth Priory. What he does not except is another novice, who has him questioning what he knows about himself.

Luke is also a novice at the Priory and has the voice of an angel. He meets Paul and the two of them start to learn together.

Paul experiments with herbs, make makes concoctions, that could help with medicine.

This novel by T L Clark is written in the first person from Paul’s point of view. The writing flows well, even though I did struggle a little with the language. I did however, like the touches of Latin that were in the book.
The author has researched the topic very well. The book takes place in the 15th century in medieval England, and the writing reflects that.
I was pushed out of my comfort zone reading this, and I am so glad I was. This was my first historic novel.
There is a lot of pining and longing between the characters as they have to keep their relationship secret.
1,928 reviews24 followers
March 14, 2025
Love Habit: A Historical Tudor Romance About Christian Monks by T. L. Clark. This is a historical, M/M romance set in 1485. Its the story of Paul who enters the Darenth Priory in order to avoid marriage. Paul has every intention of living his life devoted to God and live out his life celibate as his oath requires. What Paul doesn't realize is that temptations are not only out in the Earthly world but also inside the Monastery. Luke is also a Bendectine Monk newly entered into the Monastery and Paul thinks he sings like an angel. As the two men study together to try to become great Monks they spend more and more time together and their attraction to one another grows. Sneaking around and spending more and more time together, their love grows and grows. Even thought they know they could both be kicked out if their relationship is found out, they can't not spend time together. Such a different slow burn romance.
394 reviews9 followers
March 21, 2025
I am usually hesitant to pick up religious books, as they can seem preachy. However, I do enjoy learning about religions and different religious ways of life, so I decided to give this a try.
The story here about two monks in historical times falling in love really intrigued me. Being a part of the LGBTQ+ community is not anything new. There were gays, lesbians, trans people, etc for as long as there has been people. If you dive into history, you will see many stories of real people representing this community. I am glad this story touched on one such instance.
This is a slow burn romance. There isn't a whole lot that happens. The author is great at the details of how the monks lived. From the clothes they wore, to the holidays they celebrated, to what they ate and the medicinal practices. I think the balance the author tried to have between the religious aspects and the gay love was done pretty well.
Profile Image for Debbie .
127 reviews5 followers
March 27, 2025
This book is a real divergence from Clark’s previous writings. Set in medieval England, through the Tudor reign, the story follows two young men who enter the novitiate of the Benedictine Order of Darenth Priory. Clark does an exemplary job explaining the process for becoming a monk, as well as the daily life of the cloistered. Her attention to detail can be seen in the attached maps, glossary, and use of the vernacular of the times. The author posits that homosexuality was one of the driving reasons young men of the time chose to enter holy orders (she includes other reasons as well), and this serves as the novel’s theme. Was it God’s will that these young men met? Is it possible to live a life without sin? Sexual content is frequent and graphic, sometimes to the detriment of Clark’s text, however, it remains that this is perhaps a good literary example of the awakening sexuality of two naive young men of this time period.
Profile Image for Maisie Camille.
213 reviews
March 29, 2025
Love Habit follows Paul as he embarks on his journey of becoming a monk, alongside Luke, a moody blond with a soft spot for him. The story deals with sexuality, religion, class, social pressures and inequalities, and health. It was an interesting, loving story, but I felt like for the majority of the book, nothing really happened. Things happened, but they were more like subplots, and the overarching plot didn’t seem to go anywhere between the beginning and the end. I think a lot could’ve happened in regard to sexuality and religion, but at the same time I acknowledge that the LGBTQ+ community deserves happy stories, too. I recommend this book because I think it’s important to think about, write about, and read about, queer history, as it exists, but has often been erased or ignored. It had a beautiful, happy ending. ‘But change happens whether we are prepared for or even aware of it or not.’
Profile Image for Tara Johnson.
744 reviews13 followers
March 31, 2025
Love Habit is Book five in the Love Through the Ages series. It is a MM Historical romance set in 1485 in Tudor, England. The story is told from the POV of Paul as he describes his life in Daranth Priory. Paul has devoted his life to the monastery but struggles for the feelings that he has for another man. As he struggles thru maintaining his faith, he finds that Luke is also facing a similar inner turmoil. Paul and Luke fall in love with one another and through praying and their belief in God, they manage to find time to be together. They also find friendship, brotherhood, and their purpose as future monks. The author has clearly thoroughly researched the life that monks would have had at a monastery including the rules that they lived by, festivities, and the chores that they would have had to do daily. This story is filled with faith, emotion, drama, passion and temptation with the overall theme being devotion to God while finding forbidden love.
Profile Image for Kerry  carr.
1,948 reviews25 followers
April 1, 2025
This is the fifth book in the Love through the Ages Series. Each book is unique so they can be read as standalones.
This is a slow burn MM historical romance set in around monks which was a very unique element. This is the story about 2 men, finding and embracing love at a time when it would be frowned upon as well as being in a setting where religion plays a big part in their lives and the religious views of a same sex relationship adds more obstacles for them both.
In my opinion the author has done an amazing job with this story as well as the research it must have taken to get a real feel for what it would have been like being a monk during that time period and all the obstacles that were placed before them. This attention to detail is what really brought the character and their story to life for me. The characters seemed more than just fiction, you could imagine them actually existing.
I really enjoyed this story and I look forward to reading more from this author
719 reviews9 followers
April 2, 2025
I'm not too sure what exactly I expected when I picked this book up. The story follow two monks named Paul and Luke. They have both joined the Monestary to overcome their sinful ways. We see a constant struggle from both men as they try to reconcile what they feel for one another and maintaining their faith and the reason they joined the Monestary. I enjoyed the historical aspect of this story and applaud the research the author did to stay true to how things were during that period. Although it wasn't necessarily a crime to be gay in those days I don't imagine it was something that was widely accepted either. The story had a good flow but some of the outdated words used tripped me up a bit as I had no clue what they meant. That took me away from the story to look them up, but I did come away with some new words that I wish would come back into fashion. Overall this was an enjoyable story and I hope to read more work by this author in the future.
Profile Image for Bobbi Wagner.
4,999 reviews63 followers
March 4, 2025
This book is by an author that I never hesitate to pick up. I enjoy their writing style as well as their attention to details that make their story come to life. This story is no different. This is a well written story about Luke and Paul. They are devoting their lives to God but what they do not expect is to find love in each other. So the only question remains is where their love will take them. I enjoyed their characters and how connectable they are. I enjoyed watching their growth as well as their chemistry with each other. I felt for them in certain parts because of choices that they are faced to make. Their story is a fast paced, engaging story that is easy to read. It is a historical romance story and untraditional of sorts. I really enjoyed reading this story and what the characters added to it. I highly recommend this book.
Profile Image for Sheri.
884 reviews4 followers
March 8, 2025
Love Habit: A Historical Tudor Romance About Christian Monks is a part of the Love Through The Ages series. Each book in the series is a standalone historical romance. I enjoy books by this author due to their story telling and historical details. I wasn't sure if this book would be my type of thing, but I found the storytelling drew me in. Set during the 15th century in England we are put into a Benediction Monastery to learn of Brothers Paul and Luke. The story focuses on the difficulties encountered by those who have sworn to celibacy, but later finding their person. It is an interesting look at what might have happened during those times and how two men found romance. I appreciate the author sets the reader's expectations with a few pages of explanation at the beginning of the book. There were some areas I skimmed, but overall I enjoyed the story.
2,076 reviews20 followers
March 10, 2025
4 Stars
Love Habit: A Historical Tudor Romance About Christian Monks (Love Through The Ages; stand-alone historical books by TL Clark) By Tl Clark

Love Habit : A Historical Tudor Romance About Christian Monks. This is a Historical Romance that is unlike any other books. I’ve read several books by this author and their attention to detail along with fully developed, relatable, creative and complex characters make the story come to life. Luke and Paul both are devoting their lives to God. Neither one of them expected to find love and not with each other. These two had heart throughout the story and at times it broke for them especially with certain choices they had to make. I highly recommend reading this book to find out what happens next. I’m looking forward to reading more from this Autho
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.