Silent Retreat

by Sally Quinn

When prize-winning reporter Sybilla Sumner checks into a monastery for a silent retreat, romance is the last thing on her mind. She plans to spend five meditative days surrounded by the beauty of the Shenandoah Valley—and apart from her famous husband and their crumbling marriage.

James Fitzmaurice-Kelly isn’t looking for romance either. He’s the Archbishop of Dublin, and has maintained a vow of celibacy for decades—even as he’s publicly questioned the church’s teachings. But as Sybilla and Fitz continue silently crossing paths, an undeniable charge builds between them, one that could see them abandoning their vows.

In this sophisticated, sexy, and soulful love story, novelist Sally Quinn explores the boundary between flesh and spirit, restraint and ecstasy, and asks what we’re willing to sacrifice in the name of passion.

224 pages, Hardcover

Published June 3, 2025

About the author

Sally Quinn is a longtime Washington Post journalist, columnist, television commentator, Washington insider, one of the capital’s legendary social hostesses, and founder of the religious website On Faith from The Washington Post. She writes for various publications and is the author of The Party: A Guide to Adventurous Entertaining, Regrets Only, Happy Endings, and We’re Going to Make You a Star, a memoir based on her experience as the first female network anchor in the United States. She lives in Washington, DC.

Reviews

[Katie Moran · Rating 3 out of 5]

this book is a very odd mix of smut and profound conversations about faith and the church

[Thais Bazan · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book had a strong premise and the concept initially drew me in, but overall it didn’t live up to its potential. The execution fell flat for me, and I found it hard to stay engaged. It just didn’t deliver the experience I was hoping for.

[Chris · Rating 2 out of 5]

I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway
I will be the first to admit that I'm a lousy Catholic, but I think some leftover guilt or belief came back to me reading this book, because it really gave me the ick. The idea of an Archbishop and the self absorbed Sybilla having lots of graphic sex at the monastery. Yuck. And the rest of the book that wasn't sex scenes was lots of navel gazing and religious philosophy and dithering around. Meh.

[°•౨Gracieৎ•° · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book started out good but overall started loosin me towards the end
The synopsis sounded great and don't get me wrong the book was good
But just didn't fully live up to what I was looking for or hoping for in this
Book.
Thanks netgally and the publisher for this free copy in exchange for an
Honest review💜

[stephanie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Enjoyed earlier Sally Quinn work but this one is a real stinker. Bodice ripping sex, puerile characters and endless lectures on religion and spirituality.

Her acknowledgements last a numbing 13 pages with nearly every literary star east of the Mississippi name dropped. Glad I only spent $10. for the Kindle edition.

[Damien Edwards · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book took huge swings about religion and I loved them. Based on title and cover alone I had assumed a horror novel, but was pleasantly surprised by the romance! The theological discussions were riveting - most novels discussing crises of faith or characters wrestling with doubt do not treat their faith so well. It is refreshing to read something where the struggling characters are allowed to have questions without losing their faith.

As much as I enjoyed the discussions on the Church and its relationship to faith, the other sections felt very repetitive at times. I would've appreciated some variety in the descriptions of the sex or the daily routine. I know the point of a routine is that it's unchanging but the descriptions would've benefitted from more variety.

This isn't a negative critique, but I noticed that Sybilla's sections are in first person while Fitz's sections are in third person. I don't think I've ever read a book where the two main characters were written in a different person.

I liked it, mainly the theological discussons, but the rest of the book wasn't quite for me.

[Chillwithsccarlett · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the forbidden romance trope!!
Since the book focuses on on religion,itight not appear to be right for everyone since everyone has different religions.
The plot was original and I love the dynamics between the two characters.
Also Father Joseph was such an amazing character! I love how Sally used him to add the element of Christianity's confessions and sessions with our Sisters and Fathers.This really brought the plot together.
Since the book focuses on on religion,itight not appear to be right for everyone since everyone has different religions.
The book also has an open-ended ending so the characters' relationship isn't announced.This leaves their relationship to our imagination.

Silent retreat summary from Amazon :,When prize-winning reporter Sybilla Sumner checks into a monastery for a silent retreat, romance is the last thing on her mind. She plans to spend five meditative days surrounded by the beauty of the Shenandoah Valley--and apart from her famous husband and their crumbling marriage. James Fitzmaurice-Kelly isn’t looking for romance either. He’s the Archbishop of Dublin, and has maintained a vow of celibacy for decades—even as he’s publicly questioned the church’s teachings. But as Sybilla and Fitz continue silently crossing paths, an undeniable charge builds between them, one that could see them abandoning their vows.
In this sophisticated, sexy, and soulful love story, novelist Sally Quinn explores the boundary between flesh and spirit, restraint and ecstasy, and asks what we’re willing to sacrifice in the name of passion.
So what are you waiting for? I’m sure everyone is intrigued by the blurb .Silent Retreat is available now in hardcover, ebook, and digital audio, at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other retailers. It is truly amazing and I recommend it to all!

[Mystica · Rating 4 out of 5]

A love story which started from very different beginnings. Sybilla enters into a silent retreat in a monastery to rethink where her life is going. To get away from a very controlled environment and seek a freer way of life. Romance was not in her sights.

We have James Kelly, Archbishop of Dublin, handsome and charismatic. Outspoken on child abuse in the church and the cover up, celibacy of the priests and though he himself remains celibate has spoken against it. He faces opposition within the church as he exposes faults within the structure and now is being summoned to Rome, for what he feels is a dressing down.

The slow build up of an attraction between Sybilla and James is intense and something they both fight against. I liked the theological discussions throughout the story very much.

An unusual read, but not for everyone.

[Dee Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I loved the romance and the internal theological discoveries the characters have, this book just wasn’t for me. I struggled with the sexual relationship between Sybilla and Fritz at the silent retreat. I feel that this would be frowned upon instead of the almost given approval by Father Joseph.

[Vanessa Donovan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed the Irish Catholic premise very much! The literary references gave me so many things to add to my TBR. (Maud Muller was a special highlight). If you harken back to the Thorn Birds, you’ll devour this.

[Joanna S. · Rating 2 out of 5]

I did not like this book. I wanted to put it down before I had read half. I don't believe in not finishing a book, so I trudged through it. When I first saw the book, I knew nothing about except the title. Shame on me.

[Adrianne Osborn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to like it and I gave it a chance since I won it in a giveaway. Just wasn't my taste and I don't really like such graphic live scenes. I didn't find the writing the best but the subject had a good premise.

[Barbara Bryant · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel arrived at exactly the moment I needed it. Spiritual, deeply sensual, bravely questioning, honest, and hopeful. A beautifully written novel that is the natural followup to Sally Quinn's previous blog "On Faith" as a Washington Post columnist.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book started out so strong that my expectations soared. It was interesting to read about the conflicted feelings of a priest on love and spirituality.
However, the plot went in an expected direction. I still enjoyed it but felt a little let down.

[Alli Dahl · Rating 2 out of 5]

Woman attends a silent retreat and falls for a Catholic priest also attending said retreat.

[Amanda Rios · Rating 5 out of 5]

I initially picked up this book solely based on the whole forbidden romance trope. Upon reading it I was pleasantly surprised to find out it was so much more than that. This was an easy to follow story that kept you interested throughout the entire novel whilst gaining some insight.