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Carnal Sins #1
A Song of Sin and Salvation: A Rockin' 80s Romance
The devil has moved in next door. The devil has seen me naked. The devil has the most beautiful eyes I’ve ever seen.
God-fearing Rebecca Briar was raised to believe that her community, her parents, and her church know best. That if she follows the rules, one day she’ll be able to choose for herself. Yet after an irresistible stranger moves in next door, she begins to suspect that the rules she’s lived by weren’t there to keep her safe. They were there to control her.
Hardened and lonely James Walton has five rules for a reason—he has promises to keep and ambitions to move to San Francisco to become a rockstar. But when he notices prim and proper Rebecca Briar’s quiet anguish through his window, he is tempted to break every one of his rules to help her, consequences be damned.
Their connection is undeniable, but with God watching her every move and secrets belonging to a past James never got to learn, all they can hope for are a few months of fun before it’s all over.
Except nothing is ever that simple.
A Song of Sin and Salvation is a steamy, slow burn romance that will mercilessly pull on your heartstrings. It’s a story about freedom, choice and first love, all set to a raucous 80s soundtrack. It features two lonely teens who despite their differences, represent each other’s chance at salvation.
God-fearing Rebecca Briar was raised to believe that her community, her parents, and her church know best. That if she follows the rules, one day she’ll be able to choose for herself. Yet after an irresistible stranger moves in next door, she begins to suspect that the rules she’s lived by weren’t there to keep her safe. They were there to control her.
Hardened and lonely James Walton has five rules for a reason—he has promises to keep and ambitions to move to San Francisco to become a rockstar. But when he notices prim and proper Rebecca Briar’s quiet anguish through his window, he is tempted to break every one of his rules to help her, consequences be damned.
Their connection is undeniable, but with God watching her every move and secrets belonging to a past James never got to learn, all they can hope for are a few months of fun before it’s all over.
Except nothing is ever that simple.
A Song of Sin and Salvation is a steamy, slow burn romance that will mercilessly pull on your heartstrings. It’s a story about freedom, choice and first love, all set to a raucous 80s soundtrack. It features two lonely teens who despite their differences, represent each other’s chance at salvation.
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Published August 23, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 392 reviews
June 8, 2023
If I could give this a million stars, I would. It was flawless, beautiful, angsty, passionate, amazing, wonderful, emotional. I’ll never recover.
Full review when I’ve calmed the eff down.
Edit:
📖 A Song of Sin and Salvation by L.H. Blake
Summary:
💭 Dual POV
👾 80s setting
☯️ Opposites attract
🏘️ Neighbours with facing windows
😡 Enemies to lovers
🔥 Slow burn
🩰 Ballet dancer
🎸 Aspiring rock star
⛪️ Religious trauma
🫵 Controlling parents
Review:
This has become one of my favourite books, not just of the year, but ever! James and Rebecca are complete opposites, who have an awkward meet cute through their bedroom windows. They’re neighbours and couldn’t be more different. Their relationship starts off hostile and as James learns more about her family and living situation, he starts to see Rebecca for who she really is. Rebecca makes some huge judgements about James based on his appearance (long curly hair, punky clothes, love!), but she soon sees beyond that, to the caring and loving person that he is. James was such a wonderful character - so compassionate and strong, especially in those times when Rebecca needed him to be.
I loved reading Rebecca’s growth, and how she begins to question the abuse she suffers and the religion that dictates her life and her future. She begins to realise what happiness looks like for her and I loved her determination towards the end to go after it. Her sexual awakening, and the way that she grew to view intimacy and sex and her place as a woman, was also so refreshing and touching to read.
Be aware that this story also delves into eating disorders, parental abuse, homophobia, religious radicalism and trauma, sexual assault and the death of a parent. These are important parts of the story and are handled with care.
I could go on and on about this book! James and Rebecca are wonderful. The writing is some of the best that I have ever read. This story is angsty and full of tension and love. I HIGHLY recommend this - if I could give it a million stars, I absolutely would.
Full review when I’ve calmed the eff down.
Edit:
📖 A Song of Sin and Salvation by L.H. Blake
Summary:
💭 Dual POV
👾 80s setting
☯️ Opposites attract
🏘️ Neighbours with facing windows
😡 Enemies to lovers
🔥 Slow burn
🩰 Ballet dancer
🎸 Aspiring rock star
⛪️ Religious trauma
🫵 Controlling parents
Review:
This has become one of my favourite books, not just of the year, but ever! James and Rebecca are complete opposites, who have an awkward meet cute through their bedroom windows. They’re neighbours and couldn’t be more different. Their relationship starts off hostile and as James learns more about her family and living situation, he starts to see Rebecca for who she really is. Rebecca makes some huge judgements about James based on his appearance (long curly hair, punky clothes, love!), but she soon sees beyond that, to the caring and loving person that he is. James was such a wonderful character - so compassionate and strong, especially in those times when Rebecca needed him to be.
I loved reading Rebecca’s growth, and how she begins to question the abuse she suffers and the religion that dictates her life and her future. She begins to realise what happiness looks like for her and I loved her determination towards the end to go after it. Her sexual awakening, and the way that she grew to view intimacy and sex and her place as a woman, was also so refreshing and touching to read.
Be aware that this story also delves into eating disorders, parental abuse, homophobia, religious radicalism and trauma, sexual assault and the death of a parent. These are important parts of the story and are handled with care.
I could go on and on about this book! James and Rebecca are wonderful. The writing is some of the best that I have ever read. This story is angsty and full of tension and love. I HIGHLY recommend this - if I could give it a million stars, I absolutely would.
May 27, 2023
Thank you so much to the author who kindly gifted me an early e-arc of this book!
Where do I even begin? I LOVED this. I absolutely ADORED every second, and I will forever wish I could experience it for the first time, all over again.
If you loved the Chrissy/Eddie vibes in stranger things GET THIS BOOK!
good girl X bad boy is one of my favourite tropes ever and woo did this deliver!! I am absolutely obsessed with this and I genuinely need everyone I know to read it!! 💕
Where do I even begin? I LOVED this. I absolutely ADORED every second, and I will forever wish I could experience it for the first time, all over again.
If you loved the Chrissy/Eddie vibes in stranger things GET THIS BOOK!
good girl X bad boy is one of my favourite tropes ever and woo did this deliver!! I am absolutely obsessed with this and I genuinely need everyone I know to read it!! 💕
February 4, 2024
i want james’s name tattooed on my ass
April 11, 2023
A Song of Sin and Salvation is one of those books that remains with you long after you've read the last word. I've been lucky enough to be LH Blake's alpha reader and I cannot recommend ASOSAS enough.
Read if you like:
🎸 Rockstar romance
🎸 Highschool romance
🎸 Bad boy x good girl
🎸 Enemies to lovers
🎸 Slow burn
🎸 Forced proximity
🎸 Forbidden love
This book had me HOOKED. Since the first window scene all the way to the big, dramatic finale, it kept me on the edge of my seat and had me fully immersed in the storyline. The characters are lovable (shoutout to James, my new age-inappropriate crush), the emotions run high and the important, heavy topics are laced with plenty of banter and enough chemistry between the main characters to balance everything out.
I cannot, CANNOT recommend this book enough. It's deep, emotional, and a whirlwind of love with references from 80s rock and the vibrant 80s atmosphere. It'll have you weeping, squirming (knee scene, IYKYK) and cheering really hard for the beautifully written main characters.
I love James far too much, and I can't wait for all of you to fall in love with him too.
Thank you LH Blake for allowing me to be a small part of the creation of your beautiful masterpiece!
Read if you like:
🎸 Rockstar romance
🎸 Highschool romance
🎸 Bad boy x good girl
🎸 Enemies to lovers
🎸 Slow burn
🎸 Forced proximity
🎸 Forbidden love
This book had me HOOKED. Since the first window scene all the way to the big, dramatic finale, it kept me on the edge of my seat and had me fully immersed in the storyline. The characters are lovable (shoutout to James, my new age-inappropriate crush), the emotions run high and the important, heavy topics are laced with plenty of banter and enough chemistry between the main characters to balance everything out.
I cannot, CANNOT recommend this book enough. It's deep, emotional, and a whirlwind of love with references from 80s rock and the vibrant 80s atmosphere. It'll have you weeping, squirming (knee scene, IYKYK) and cheering really hard for the beautifully written main characters.
I love James far too much, and I can't wait for all of you to fall in love with him too.
Thank you LH Blake for allowing me to be a small part of the creation of your beautiful masterpiece!
August 3, 2023
Absolute Perfection - Favorite of the Year
This book had me wrapped around its finger from page one. The author's prose was captivating. The seamless transition of Rebecca's POV was shockingly powerful and well done. To have a character go from completely brainwashed to having her own mind takes a lot of skill, and Blake succeeds tenfold. This wasn't just a romance novel, although I am sure you will fall hard for James and Rebecca. If anyone are soulmates, it's them. This book tackles heavy topics that have you screaming about injustice from the rooftops. The subplot to the romance of this book was intriguing. It had you constantly wondering when something dreadful was going to happen. It's that insidious feeling you get when you know something is going to go down, but you aren't sure what or when. It was almost like Rebecca and James were walking on thin ice the entire novel, and you just knew they were going to fall through. I was truly terrified for them the entire book. I'm obsessed. Forever going to be one of my favorite books.
This book had me wrapped around its finger from page one. The author's prose was captivating. The seamless transition of Rebecca's POV was shockingly powerful and well done. To have a character go from completely brainwashed to having her own mind takes a lot of skill, and Blake succeeds tenfold. This wasn't just a romance novel, although I am sure you will fall hard for James and Rebecca. If anyone are soulmates, it's them. This book tackles heavy topics that have you screaming about injustice from the rooftops. The subplot to the romance of this book was intriguing. It had you constantly wondering when something dreadful was going to happen. It's that insidious feeling you get when you know something is going to go down, but you aren't sure what or when. It was almost like Rebecca and James were walking on thin ice the entire novel, and you just knew they were going to fall through. I was truly terrified for them the entire book. I'm obsessed. Forever going to be one of my favorite books.
July 4, 2023
“A Song of Sin and Salvation” by L.H. Blake
5⭐️/5⭐️
2.5🌶/5🌶
“I look over, and she’s smiling. Genuinely smiling, and it’s because of me. And as the sun peeks through the clouds to shine on her face, I realize she’s completely stolen my heart. A heart I wasn’t even sure I had to lose.”
Rebecca Briar is the quintessential good girl. She goes to church, volunteers at every opportunity, eats whatever food is put in front of her, dates the boy her parents selected, and has a 4.0 GPA. But she’s miserable, and questioning why she feels this way when she’s doing exactly what’s expected of her. Shouldn’t she feel fulfilled if she’s living a life God intended? Her spiraling accelerates when James Walton moves next door. James is everything her parents tell her to avoid: he has long hair, listens to heavy metal music, smokes, and wears clothing with devils and pentagrams. Everyone in her life is telling Rebecca to stay away, but she quickly finds James irresistible. Is it possible for Rebecca to stay a ‘good girl’ while being in love with a bad boy?
-This book was CUTE. And angsty as hell. I didn’t expect it to be quite so angsty, so I advise readers to check the content warnings on the author’s website. Some of the topics discussed in the book are pretty intense, and in some ways it was like I was reading a horror book; I couldn’t believe the abuse Rebeca suffered. My heart broke for her whenever I read her POV chapters. She’s such a compelling character, and I would absolutely read a book that focuses just on her as a person and her personal growth.
-Let me address the elephant in the room: yeah, this is totally inspired by Eddie and Chrissy from “Stranger Things”. I’m not mad about it! I haven’t watched that season of the show, so all I know about them is from online discussions and fan art, but they looked very cute as a fanon couple. I’m in my fanfic era, and I’m all about authors being inspired by various forms of media and turning it into an original story. I really appreciate the depth of Rebecca’s character. She’s completely fleshed out, and you can tell the author put a lot of consideration into the character when writing.
-I saw some people refer to this as ‘young adult’, but I disagree. I personally never got YA vibes from the book. Yes, the characters are in high school, the FMC is eighteen and the MMC is nineteen. But when you compare the way this book was written, and how YA is predominantly written, there’s a clear difference in tone. The antagonists are not cheesy or over the top, they feel painfully realistic. This book is also quite sexually explicit. I put it at two and a half chili peppers more so because of the quantity of smut, but rest assured there IS smut in this book.
-I love James, he’s a wonderful character and book boyfriend goals! I love the boy next door trope, I haven’t read very many romances containing this dynamic. The close proximity, coupled with their obvious differences, created some wonderful tension immediately between James and Rebecca. This is a true slow burn romance, but the tension grabbed my interest and made it easy to keep reading.
-There are some plot twists that are easily identifiable for readers, but some that will catch you off guard. I thought I had some mysteries figured out, but was totally wrong by the end of the book. There are several different plot points running through this book, but the author did an excellent job weaving them all through the story without getting any of them tangled.
-I would recommend this book if you are interested in reading a Hellcheer inspired romance book, want to read about true opposites attract, love a boy next door romance, or want to read about a FMC rejecting purity culture and accepting her sexuality.
5⭐️/5⭐️
2.5🌶/5🌶
“I look over, and she’s smiling. Genuinely smiling, and it’s because of me. And as the sun peeks through the clouds to shine on her face, I realize she’s completely stolen my heart. A heart I wasn’t even sure I had to lose.”
Rebecca Briar is the quintessential good girl. She goes to church, volunteers at every opportunity, eats whatever food is put in front of her, dates the boy her parents selected, and has a 4.0 GPA. But she’s miserable, and questioning why she feels this way when she’s doing exactly what’s expected of her. Shouldn’t she feel fulfilled if she’s living a life God intended? Her spiraling accelerates when James Walton moves next door. James is everything her parents tell her to avoid: he has long hair, listens to heavy metal music, smokes, and wears clothing with devils and pentagrams. Everyone in her life is telling Rebecca to stay away, but she quickly finds James irresistible. Is it possible for Rebecca to stay a ‘good girl’ while being in love with a bad boy?
-This book was CUTE. And angsty as hell. I didn’t expect it to be quite so angsty, so I advise readers to check the content warnings on the author’s website. Some of the topics discussed in the book are pretty intense, and in some ways it was like I was reading a horror book; I couldn’t believe the abuse Rebeca suffered. My heart broke for her whenever I read her POV chapters. She’s such a compelling character, and I would absolutely read a book that focuses just on her as a person and her personal growth.
-Let me address the elephant in the room: yeah, this is totally inspired by Eddie and Chrissy from “Stranger Things”. I’m not mad about it! I haven’t watched that season of the show, so all I know about them is from online discussions and fan art, but they looked very cute as a fanon couple. I’m in my fanfic era, and I’m all about authors being inspired by various forms of media and turning it into an original story. I really appreciate the depth of Rebecca’s character. She’s completely fleshed out, and you can tell the author put a lot of consideration into the character when writing.
-I saw some people refer to this as ‘young adult’, but I disagree. I personally never got YA vibes from the book. Yes, the characters are in high school, the FMC is eighteen and the MMC is nineteen. But when you compare the way this book was written, and how YA is predominantly written, there’s a clear difference in tone. The antagonists are not cheesy or over the top, they feel painfully realistic. This book is also quite sexually explicit. I put it at two and a half chili peppers more so because of the quantity of smut, but rest assured there IS smut in this book.
-I love James, he’s a wonderful character and book boyfriend goals! I love the boy next door trope, I haven’t read very many romances containing this dynamic. The close proximity, coupled with their obvious differences, created some wonderful tension immediately between James and Rebecca. This is a true slow burn romance, but the tension grabbed my interest and made it easy to keep reading.
-There are some plot twists that are easily identifiable for readers, but some that will catch you off guard. I thought I had some mysteries figured out, but was totally wrong by the end of the book. There are several different plot points running through this book, but the author did an excellent job weaving them all through the story without getting any of them tangled.
-I would recommend this book if you are interested in reading a Hellcheer inspired romance book, want to read about true opposites attract, love a boy next door romance, or want to read about a FMC rejecting purity culture and accepting her sexuality.
August 3, 2024
This book, let me tell you, had me in a state of complete awe. It didn't just touch my heart, it reached right in and melted it into a puddle of emotions. The way it delves into these heavy themes, it's like the author held each one delicately in her hands and wove them into the story with the utmost thoughtfulness.
James and Becks, the main characters, they're something else. They're not just your typical protagonists; they're real, flawed, and beautifully human. And let me tell you, their journey together is nothing short of remarkable. They save each other in ways that are both unexpected and profound. But it's not all sunshine and rainbows, oh no. They challenge each other too, forcing one another to confront their own demons and face their deepest fears head-on.
It's a story that reminds us of the incredible power of human connection, of how it can shape us, transform us, and ultimately make us whole.
🩷😭🥹🫶🏼
James and Becks, the main characters, they're something else. They're not just your typical protagonists; they're real, flawed, and beautifully human. And let me tell you, their journey together is nothing short of remarkable. They save each other in ways that are both unexpected and profound. But it's not all sunshine and rainbows, oh no. They challenge each other too, forcing one another to confront their own demons and face their deepest fears head-on.
It's a story that reminds us of the incredible power of human connection, of how it can shape us, transform us, and ultimately make us whole.
🩷😭🥹🫶🏼
May 6, 2023
4.5 stars ⭐️
this book was absolutely amazing. I was sold the moment I read the names of the chapters (no spoilers, you have to check for yourself 🤭). but the story? I was completely hooked from the very beginning.
the two main characters, James and Rebecca, are so incredibly written that if you told me this was a memoir I would believe it. they are so lovable and you are really rooting for them and their relationship.
everything about this book was beautifully done. I loved the characters, the plot, the funny moments, and the banter between the characters. with all of that, there are also some heavy topics that make this book feel more real and raw.
cannot recommend this book enough.
read this book if you love:
✨ high school romance
✨ bad boy x good girl
✨ forbidden love
thank you L.H. Blake for the ARC for this book 🫶🏻
this book was absolutely amazing. I was sold the moment I read the names of the chapters (no spoilers, you have to check for yourself 🤭). but the story? I was completely hooked from the very beginning.
the two main characters, James and Rebecca, are so incredibly written that if you told me this was a memoir I would believe it. they are so lovable and you are really rooting for them and their relationship.
everything about this book was beautifully done. I loved the characters, the plot, the funny moments, and the banter between the characters. with all of that, there are also some heavy topics that make this book feel more real and raw.
cannot recommend this book enough.
read this book if you love:
✨ high school romance
✨ bad boy x good girl
✨ forbidden love
thank you L.H. Blake for the ARC for this book 🫶🏻
December 15, 2023
this was…. wow this was beautiful.
first and foremost, it is very important to check your triggers with this one. there are mentions of r*pe and instances of ab*se and dr*gs, but i think the heaviest trigger here is the religious trauma and ab*se. i know a lot of us tend to ignore triggers and say it won’t be that bad, but i think religious triggers are often overlooked as a major trigger and this is a LARGE part of this book. a very “doomsday” approach to religion.
rebecca has grown up believing that she is living her entire life for God. and all of her life has been decided for her, her future husband, her job, and how she’ll be the perfect housewife.
next door, a metal music loving boy moves in to fulfill a promise he’s made to his late mother, and sheltered rebecca isn’t used to anyone outside her bubble. so james is quite the shocker for her.
rebecca deals with her urges that the church would consider sinful, a mother who stuffs her into too small dresses, and a boyfriend who shows very little concern for her. and james is there to help her realize how much more there really is to the world.
it is written incredibly beautifully and with extreme care to the dark subject matter. you feel rebecca’s inner turmoil and james’ frustration with his inability to help rebecca. each one of them has their own hopes and dreams that feel impossible, and rebecca is learning about who she is and who she wants to be.
noreen is an incredible side character, and while you’re not a fan of mary or amy, they come through when they’re needed most.
as an indie author with only 2 releases, blake is definitely going to be one to watch out for.
i have 1 complaint that i’ll share that is absolutely a personal thing. the smoking weed then driving. that part made me very uncomfortable for safety, and weed still is a substance you shouldn’t drive under the influence of. do it as much as yall want. but don’t get into a car afterwards. while i did consider docking .25 from this book because of that one scene alone, as it is a work of fiction im going to give it the smallest bit of leeway and let it sit at 5 stars. (4.99, if im honest). not a good message to send, but the age range for this book should be smart enough to know to not drive under the influence.
first and foremost, it is very important to check your triggers with this one. there are mentions of r*pe and instances of ab*se and dr*gs, but i think the heaviest trigger here is the religious trauma and ab*se. i know a lot of us tend to ignore triggers and say it won’t be that bad, but i think religious triggers are often overlooked as a major trigger and this is a LARGE part of this book. a very “doomsday” approach to religion.
rebecca has grown up believing that she is living her entire life for God. and all of her life has been decided for her, her future husband, her job, and how she’ll be the perfect housewife.
next door, a metal music loving boy moves in to fulfill a promise he’s made to his late mother, and sheltered rebecca isn’t used to anyone outside her bubble. so james is quite the shocker for her.
rebecca deals with her urges that the church would consider sinful, a mother who stuffs her into too small dresses, and a boyfriend who shows very little concern for her. and james is there to help her realize how much more there really is to the world.
it is written incredibly beautifully and with extreme care to the dark subject matter. you feel rebecca’s inner turmoil and james’ frustration with his inability to help rebecca. each one of them has their own hopes and dreams that feel impossible, and rebecca is learning about who she is and who she wants to be.
noreen is an incredible side character, and while you’re not a fan of mary or amy, they come through when they’re needed most.
as an indie author with only 2 releases, blake is definitely going to be one to watch out for.
i have 1 complaint that i’ll share that is absolutely a personal thing. the smoking weed then driving. that part made me very uncomfortable for safety, and weed still is a substance you shouldn’t drive under the influence of. do it as much as yall want. but don’t get into a car afterwards. while i did consider docking .25 from this book because of that one scene alone, as it is a work of fiction im going to give it the smallest bit of leeway and let it sit at 5 stars. (4.99, if im honest). not a good message to send, but the age range for this book should be smart enough to know to not drive under the influence.
May 24, 2025
If you feel you’ve outgrown New Adult romance—I love that for you—but keep scrollin', Sally.
Me? I ate this up with a spoon 🥣! Maybe because I spent my formative years watching (and rewatching) movies like 10 Things I Hate About You, Say Anything, and Dirty Dancing. This book brings alllll the good-girl-falls-for-the-‘bad’-boy melodrama❤️🔥—with bonus 80's hair and guitar riffs.
I knew this was loosely inspired by Hellcheer (Eddie+Chrissy from Stranger Things), but I wasn’t ready for so many damn feels. Sweeter and also spicier than I expected. Also, unlike the show, there are no monsters unless you count the metaphorical kind.
Big CWs for:
● Religious trauma (seriously, it's a central part of the plot)
● Parental abuse (including bodyshaming and food+clothing restriction)
(as always, see my tags for more info.)
Me? I ate this up with a spoon 🥣! Maybe because I spent my formative years watching (and rewatching) movies like 10 Things I Hate About You, Say Anything, and Dirty Dancing. This book brings alllll the good-girl-falls-for-the-‘bad’-boy melodrama❤️🔥—with bonus 80's hair and guitar riffs.
I knew this was loosely inspired by Hellcheer (Eddie+Chrissy from Stranger Things), but I wasn’t ready for so many damn feels. Sweeter and also spicier than I expected. Also, unlike the show, there are no monsters unless you count the metaphorical kind.
Big CWs for:
● Religious trauma (seriously, it's a central part of the plot)
● Parental abuse (including bodyshaming and food+clothing restriction)
(as always, see my tags for more info.)
May 13, 2023
Rebecca Briar is the idea of a picture-perfect, good girl who was raised to follow the strict rules of her church, community, and parents. But when a handsome stranger moves in next door, she begins to question the rules that she has been living her life by and realizes that maybe everything isn’t the way she believed them to be and that those closest to her might not want what’s best for her.
James Walton, a “bad boy” with dreams of becoming a rockstar, moves in next door to the Briar’s after following his mom’s final wish for him. He is immediately drawn to Rebecca and despite the rules he’s laid out for himself, he can’t help but want to get close to her.
As their relationship grows, they must navigate through the things that stand between them and their happiness and overcome some major obstacles that stand in their way.
This book really blew me away. I was initially drawn in by the cover, can you blame me? It’s so freaking cute and such a vibe. Then I read the synopsis and was drawn in even more but I don’t think either of these things really drive home how amazing and wonderful this book was.
I loved how the author handled the subject matter (keeping it vague to avoid any spoilers) and I really appreciated the deep, first-hand look we got into Becks' growth as a character. And then James? My boy. I love him so much and his heart-of-gold.
This book was seriously so sweet and I am so thankful that I was given an ARC copy of the book to read and review. I definitely recommend it! But be mindful of potential triggers which I’ve included below!
- Good Girl / Bad Boy
- Neighbors
- Forced Proximity
- Slowburn
- Enemies to Lovers(ish)
- 80s Setting
Trigger Warning/Content Warning: Eating Disorders, Religious Trauma, Religious Extremism, Gaslighting, Cheating, Explicit Sexual Scenarios, Crude Language, Death of a Parent (Not on Page but mentioned), Incarceration (Brief), Suicidal Thoughts (Brief and not descriptive), Physical & Emotional Abuse, Spanking A Child (Not by or to a main character), Rape of a Minor Character (Off page and not descriptive), Trauma Related to the Foster Care System, Mentions of Drug Use, HIV/AIDS.
James Walton, a “bad boy” with dreams of becoming a rockstar, moves in next door to the Briar’s after following his mom’s final wish for him. He is immediately drawn to Rebecca and despite the rules he’s laid out for himself, he can’t help but want to get close to her.
As their relationship grows, they must navigate through the things that stand between them and their happiness and overcome some major obstacles that stand in their way.
This book really blew me away. I was initially drawn in by the cover, can you blame me? It’s so freaking cute and such a vibe. Then I read the synopsis and was drawn in even more but I don’t think either of these things really drive home how amazing and wonderful this book was.
I loved how the author handled the subject matter (keeping it vague to avoid any spoilers) and I really appreciated the deep, first-hand look we got into Becks' growth as a character. And then James? My boy. I love him so much and his heart-of-gold.
This book was seriously so sweet and I am so thankful that I was given an ARC copy of the book to read and review. I definitely recommend it! But be mindful of potential triggers which I’ve included below!
- Good Girl / Bad Boy
- Neighbors
- Forced Proximity
- Slowburn
- Enemies to Lovers(ish)
- 80s Setting
Trigger Warning/Content Warning: Eating Disorders, Religious Trauma, Religious Extremism, Gaslighting, Cheating, Explicit Sexual Scenarios, Crude Language, Death of a Parent (Not on Page but mentioned), Incarceration (Brief), Suicidal Thoughts (Brief and not descriptive), Physical & Emotional Abuse, Spanking A Child (Not by or to a main character), Rape of a Minor Character (Off page and not descriptive), Trauma Related to the Foster Care System, Mentions of Drug Use, HIV/AIDS.
June 9, 2023
wow I was not expecting to enjoy this as much as I did but I could not put it down. becks and james have my heart!
June 7, 2025
“Why waste your time on someone who doesn’t set your soul on fire?”
Rebecca Briar is 18, comes from a very religious family, and is expected to stay in line, get good grades, and follow the rules. She is a very innocent, pure soul who is doing everything to make her parents and church happy. But what happens when the wannabe rockstar moves in next door and challenges all her beliefs and feelings?
This was a beautiful story to listen to in duet form. These two deserve the world. I loved how Rebecca was so innocent, being the perfect daughter with a planned future formed by her parents, but meeting James really opened her up to more freedom. James may be rough around the edges as he dreams of making it as a rockstar, and his presence isn’t too welcoming in the town, but he doesn’t really care. This man is so patient, caring, and notices something is wrong with Rebecca. Rebecca appreciates how attentive he is, as she has never felt someone put her first. What Rebecca is going through with her family, religious trauma, and boyfriend is just gross. She is the sweetest human. This was different from what I have read before and was set in the 80s. What a brilliant book—I cannot explain why it didn’t hit that five-star mark, but I do recommend picking it up!
If you love:
🔹Opposites Attract
🔹Enemies To Lovers
🔹Good Girl / Bad Boy
🔹Neighbours
🔹Ballet Dancer & Wannabe Rockstar
🔹Beautiful Slow Burn Spice
Genre/Type: Adult Romance 18+
APK: Audiobook
Audiobook Length: 14hrs 48mins
Narrators: L.H. Blake and Kyler Tonkin - Duet
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟.5
Spice: 🌶️
Series or Stand Alone: Book One In The Carnal Sins Series
Tropes or Themes: Enemies To Lovers, Neighbours, Good Girl/Bad Boy, Meet Cute, Opposites Attract, Slow Burn, High School, Chemistry, FMC Ballet Dancer, MMC Rockstar, Blackmail, Agreement, Religious / Religious Trauma, Eating Disorder Rep, Fainting, Sheltered FMC, Grand Gesture, Violence, Long Chapters, Sexual Content, Virgin and Praise.
Mentions: Death Of Parent and Drugs
Discusses: Past Rape.
Check Triggers ⚠️ 💫
All Round Romance Reader
Sienasummerrreads 💕📚
TikTok | Instagram | Goodreads | StoryGraph | Everand | Amazon | Audible Reviews 💫
Rebecca Briar is 18, comes from a very religious family, and is expected to stay in line, get good grades, and follow the rules. She is a very innocent, pure soul who is doing everything to make her parents and church happy. But what happens when the wannabe rockstar moves in next door and challenges all her beliefs and feelings?
This was a beautiful story to listen to in duet form. These two deserve the world. I loved how Rebecca was so innocent, being the perfect daughter with a planned future formed by her parents, but meeting James really opened her up to more freedom. James may be rough around the edges as he dreams of making it as a rockstar, and his presence isn’t too welcoming in the town, but he doesn’t really care. This man is so patient, caring, and notices something is wrong with Rebecca. Rebecca appreciates how attentive he is, as she has never felt someone put her first. What Rebecca is going through with her family, religious trauma, and boyfriend is just gross. She is the sweetest human. This was different from what I have read before and was set in the 80s. What a brilliant book—I cannot explain why it didn’t hit that five-star mark, but I do recommend picking it up!
If you love:
🔹Opposites Attract
🔹Enemies To Lovers
🔹Good Girl / Bad Boy
🔹Neighbours
🔹Ballet Dancer & Wannabe Rockstar
🔹Beautiful Slow Burn Spice
Genre/Type: Adult Romance 18+
APK: Audiobook
Audiobook Length: 14hrs 48mins
Narrators: L.H. Blake and Kyler Tonkin - Duet
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟.5
Spice: 🌶️
Series or Stand Alone: Book One In The Carnal Sins Series
Tropes or Themes: Enemies To Lovers, Neighbours, Good Girl/Bad Boy, Meet Cute, Opposites Attract, Slow Burn, High School, Chemistry, FMC Ballet Dancer, MMC Rockstar, Blackmail, Agreement, Religious / Religious Trauma, Eating Disorder Rep, Fainting, Sheltered FMC, Grand Gesture, Violence, Long Chapters, Sexual Content, Virgin and Praise.
Mentions: Death Of Parent and Drugs
Discusses: Past Rape.
Check Triggers ⚠️ 💫
All Round Romance Reader
Sienasummerrreads 💕📚
TikTok | Instagram | Goodreads | StoryGraph | Everand | Amazon | Audible Reviews 💫
June 5, 2023
4.5/5 ⭐️’s
A Song of Sin and Salvation was such a good read. It’s a rockstar contemporary romance taking place in the 80’s. It has opposites attract, forbidden romance, misunderstood MMC, slow burn, sort of enemies to lovers, multiple POV’s, and a cute HEA.
I loved the nostalgic feel of this book as it does take place in the 80’s. I adored James and he truly did make me think of Eddie from Stranger Things. I loved how he helped Rebecca find the freedom to be herself and do the things she wants to do. I loved the ways in which he showed he cared for her when he helped her. I love his nicknames for Rebecca - Becks and Princess. I loved the ways he teased her and tried to get Rebecca to laugh and smile. I loved his passion for music. And I loved the journey he took to understand his mom better. Then there’s Rebecca. She was so frustrating in the beginning, but she’s such a strong character and she grows so much over the span of the book. And those are the kinds of characters I love. I will say, just fair warning that there are some difficult topics in this book such as eating disorders, religious trauma, and physical/emotional abuse.
The plot was beautifully written. I always longed for the scenes where James and Rebecca were with one another even if it was from the windows of their own rooms. Those window scenes were so powerful in creating that emotional connection between the two and were some of my favorite. There are so many memorable moments too - them going to the lake, the diner, when they helped in the library, and many more. So much happens in the end and it’s very intense but the HEA is so worth it!
I’m so glad I got to read the ARC for this book. Highly recommend if you’re looking for an 80’s nostalgia rockstar romance!
A Song of Sin and Salvation was such a good read. It’s a rockstar contemporary romance taking place in the 80’s. It has opposites attract, forbidden romance, misunderstood MMC, slow burn, sort of enemies to lovers, multiple POV’s, and a cute HEA.
I loved the nostalgic feel of this book as it does take place in the 80’s. I adored James and he truly did make me think of Eddie from Stranger Things. I loved how he helped Rebecca find the freedom to be herself and do the things she wants to do. I loved the ways in which he showed he cared for her when he helped her. I love his nicknames for Rebecca - Becks and Princess. I loved the ways he teased her and tried to get Rebecca to laugh and smile. I loved his passion for music. And I loved the journey he took to understand his mom better. Then there’s Rebecca. She was so frustrating in the beginning, but she’s such a strong character and she grows so much over the span of the book. And those are the kinds of characters I love. I will say, just fair warning that there are some difficult topics in this book such as eating disorders, religious trauma, and physical/emotional abuse.
The plot was beautifully written. I always longed for the scenes where James and Rebecca were with one another even if it was from the windows of their own rooms. Those window scenes were so powerful in creating that emotional connection between the two and were some of my favorite. There are so many memorable moments too - them going to the lake, the diner, when they helped in the library, and many more. So much happens in the end and it’s very intense but the HEA is so worth it!
I’m so glad I got to read the ARC for this book. Highly recommend if you’re looking for an 80’s nostalgia rockstar romance!
August 18, 2023
5 stars
I am obsessed with HELLCHEER fanfics. They are some of the best written works I've discovered and the dedication of the writers on AO3 is unmatched. Eddie Munson and Chrissy Cunningham is my favorite type of fanfic and it just scratches all my happiness itchiness. One of my favorite Hellcheer fics is called Keep Sweet, Pray, and Obey. It's a deconstruction and rejecting purity culture fanfic and it's beautiful. I've read it 2x since it's been finished and 3x before it was fully finished. This has some of the similar vibes. Honestly, this book is just published Hellcheer fic and I'm living for that. I loved the characterization and just found this to be so much fun. I read this on KU, but I am planning to buy my own copy because Hellcheer, obviously. A Song of Sin and Salvation is exactly the type of romance I eat up. It's dramatic. It questions and deconstructs the toxic portions of the Christian religion while going full frontal into having the most insane Fundie cult that Becks (Chrissy) has to escape. I also do have a soft spot for Corroded Coffin/rocker career Eddie (I just recently read My hand was the one you reached for and it had Eddie coming back to find he had a child with Chrissy OMG the sweetest). This definitely has rocker Eddie with James Walton's character. There is sadly no D&D and no hardcore Eddie, so that is not present in this story, but I did enjoy both the characterization of Becks and James. They stand on their own, but I can also see their inspiration.
Also, any author who thanks Ethel Cain's "The Preacher's Daughter" automatically is a 10/10 for me. That album changed my life!
I am obsessed with HELLCHEER fanfics. They are some of the best written works I've discovered and the dedication of the writers on AO3 is unmatched. Eddie Munson and Chrissy Cunningham is my favorite type of fanfic and it just scratches all my happiness itchiness. One of my favorite Hellcheer fics is called Keep Sweet, Pray, and Obey. It's a deconstruction and rejecting purity culture fanfic and it's beautiful. I've read it 2x since it's been finished and 3x before it was fully finished. This has some of the similar vibes. Honestly, this book is just published Hellcheer fic and I'm living for that. I loved the characterization and just found this to be so much fun. I read this on KU, but I am planning to buy my own copy because Hellcheer, obviously. A Song of Sin and Salvation is exactly the type of romance I eat up. It's dramatic. It questions and deconstructs the toxic portions of the Christian religion while going full frontal into having the most insane Fundie cult that Becks (Chrissy) has to escape. I also do have a soft spot for Corroded Coffin/rocker career Eddie (I just recently read My hand was the one you reached for and it had Eddie coming back to find he had a child with Chrissy OMG the sweetest). This definitely has rocker Eddie with James Walton's character. There is sadly no D&D and no hardcore Eddie, so that is not present in this story, but I did enjoy both the characterization of Becks and James. They stand on their own, but I can also see their inspiration.
Also, any author who thanks Ethel Cain's "The Preacher's Daughter" automatically is a 10/10 for me. That album changed my life!
June 1, 2023
I received my ARC and I immediately read the story.
I was totally hooked by how the MC's are totally opposite to each other but were able to stand by one another at the end 💖. James is really something! The words, his expression, how he describes Rebecca, and as well as how attentive he is. The story not onvly evolve to Rebecca and James love story but also it shows and discuss the difference between the life of james and rebecca.
I am highly recommending this book!
I was totally hooked by how the MC's are totally opposite to each other but were able to stand by one another at the end 💖. James is really something! The words, his expression, how he describes Rebecca, and as well as how attentive he is. The story not onvly evolve to Rebecca and James love story but also it shows and discuss the difference between the life of james and rebecca.
I am highly recommending this book!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 25, 2023
Holy smokes! This book was phenomenal. It covered some tough topics in such a tasteful way. This book had tear jerking moments, laugh out loud moments, and heart swelling moments. I think my favorite part in the book is when Becks looks at her mom and thinks about shoving a whole roll in her mouth. (I won’t spoil as to why). I literally laughed so hard I cried at picturing her process of wanting to do that. I am so thankful that the ending was as such. I hope for a book two!
August 10, 2024
It made me feel all the feels. Auch wenn ich den Epilog bisschen arg kitschig fand. Aber größtenteils war es einfach sehr süß.
Want to read
October 20, 2024Wait a minute…is this an Eddie Munson/Chrissy Cunningham published fanfiction??? 😭
May 14, 2023
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this book and boy I am so glad!
This book was just beautiful. It broke my heart and put it back together more than one. The character development was done so masterfully. I fell in love with these characters hard, and quickly. This is definitely one that will stick with me for a while.
James is everything <3 so supportive while still chasing his own dreams (and achieving them!!!)
Becks!!! She’s so strong and I’m so proud of her for getting out and getting better.
I need so much more of these two.
Also!! The album cover??? I can’t
This book was just beautiful. It broke my heart and put it back together more than one. The character development was done so masterfully. I fell in love with these characters hard, and quickly. This is definitely one that will stick with me for a while.
James is everything <3 so supportive while still chasing his own dreams (and achieving them!!!)
Becks!!! She’s so strong and I’m so proud of her for getting out and getting better.
I need so much more of these two.
Also!! The album cover??? I can’t
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 14, 2023
ARC Review
I am not exaggerating when I say this book just made me believe in love again😩 It is so good, I can't even begin to say. I cried, squealed, and giggled my way through it. I haven't read a good girl-bad boy romance in a hot minute and let me say this, I just realized how much I missed it😭 Add this book to your TBR surely because it's worth a read and I am sure you will like James and Rebecca's adventures so much!!!!🤍
I am not exaggerating when I say this book just made me believe in love again😩 It is so good, I can't even begin to say. I cried, squealed, and giggled my way through it. I haven't read a good girl-bad boy romance in a hot minute and let me say this, I just realized how much I missed it😭 Add this book to your TBR surely because it's worth a read and I am sure you will like James and Rebecca's adventures so much!!!!🤍
April 6, 2024
Phenomenal
June 1, 2023
Thank you to the author for sending me an E-ARC of this book!
I just really loved Becca and James’ story.
Had me sneaking in reading sessions wherever I could (even at work) and I just had to know what was going to happen to them.
There’s moments where you giggle
Moments where you want to throw things at certain characters
L.H Blake had me enthralled with James and Becca and had me rooting for them right from the start.
After the experience I had with this book I think I’m starting to fall for the romance genre
I really recommend this, and hope you fall in love with James and Becca too
I just really loved Becca and James’ story.
Had me sneaking in reading sessions wherever I could (even at work) and I just had to know what was going to happen to them.
There’s moments where you giggle
Moments where you want to throw things at certain characters
L.H Blake had me enthralled with James and Becca and had me rooting for them right from the start.
After the experience I had with this book I think I’m starting to fall for the romance genre
I really recommend this, and hope you fall in love with James and Becca too
August 15, 2024
**AUDIOBOOK AVAILABLE AUGUST 23, 2024**
This story is just as swoon-worthy in audio as it is in text. I was so blessed to return to my favorite rockstar and ballerina. 🖤💗 the voice talents of both L.H. Blake and Kyler Tonkin immerse you in this fantastic narrative. Do yourselves a favor and listen to the story as the author herself intended!! 🩰🎸
**I WAS HONORED BY THIS WONDERFUL AUTHOR BY BEING GRANTED A CHANCE FOR AN ALC. IN RESPONSE, I AM REVIEWING THIS AUDIOBOOK WITH UTMOST HONESTY. THANK YOU TO L.H. BLAKE FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO LISTEN AND REVIEW YOUR WORK.**
😽
**TLDR: CHRISSY WOKE UP (IN THE BEST WAY POSSIBLE)**
Note: Trigger Warning Lists exist for a reason, please familiarize yourself with it!
This book is for the girls who were raised in strict/religious/conservative homes who eventually learned how to think for themselves. As a catholic school survivor, this book was painfully relatable in many ways.
This book alternates POVs between Rebecca, a girl raised in the most fundamentalist Christian ways, and James, a free-spirited musician with dreams of becoming the rock star he was meant to be. They could not be on more different paths of life. When the two become neighbors and meet in a most unexpected REVEALING way, their lives are forever affected by one another.
Rebecca’s home life (or truly lack there of) is austere and downright abusive. Yet, when it’s all you’ve ever known, it’s incredibly difficult to ever realize there’s more than service to men and to God. So she suffers in silence as she was told from birth to do. She sees her future as a bleak, hopeless promise.
Enter James, who’s just here to fulfill a promise to his late mother. He sees anything other than music as an unnecessary distraction. Can’t lose what’s left of your fragile heart if you don’t let anything else in, right?
Their reluctant acquaintanceship turns to borderline friendship as the two confront the crossroads of their lives and inner turmoil in most unsettling and adorable ways. Seriously, they even get started with unexpected “shows” and secret notes a la the “You Belong with Me” music video. As Rebecca learns what it means to be free, James learns that having ties to others is nothing to be ashamed of.
The playlist for this book is so good, it truly is an 80s hair-metal dream. The highs and lows, the banter, the flirting, everything is just ✨IMMACULATE✨. This book also threw in a few unexpected twists and revelations that made me scream.
Watching Rebecca learn to stand up for herself, and her autonomy, was so incredibly fulfilling and satisfying. And JAMES WALTON. AUGH. WE GOT ANOTHER AMAZING GREEN FLAG BOY THROUGH AND THROUGH. 💚💚💚
I cannot stress how the ending had me cheering. This book will live rent-free in my head. DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND READ THIS BOOK.
(Also, the bonus chapter? TEARS OF JOY😭)
This story is just as swoon-worthy in audio as it is in text. I was so blessed to return to my favorite rockstar and ballerina. 🖤💗 the voice talents of both L.H. Blake and Kyler Tonkin immerse you in this fantastic narrative. Do yourselves a favor and listen to the story as the author herself intended!! 🩰🎸
**I WAS HONORED BY THIS WONDERFUL AUTHOR BY BEING GRANTED A CHANCE FOR AN ALC. IN RESPONSE, I AM REVIEWING THIS AUDIOBOOK WITH UTMOST HONESTY. THANK YOU TO L.H. BLAKE FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO LISTEN AND REVIEW YOUR WORK.**
😽
**TLDR: CHRISSY WOKE UP (IN THE BEST WAY POSSIBLE)**
Note: Trigger Warning Lists exist for a reason, please familiarize yourself with it!
This book is for the girls who were raised in strict/religious/conservative homes who eventually learned how to think for themselves. As a catholic school survivor, this book was painfully relatable in many ways.
This book alternates POVs between Rebecca, a girl raised in the most fundamentalist Christian ways, and James, a free-spirited musician with dreams of becoming the rock star he was meant to be. They could not be on more different paths of life. When the two become neighbors and meet in a most unexpected REVEALING way, their lives are forever affected by one another.
Rebecca’s home life (or truly lack there of) is austere and downright abusive. Yet, when it’s all you’ve ever known, it’s incredibly difficult to ever realize there’s more than service to men and to God. So she suffers in silence as she was told from birth to do. She sees her future as a bleak, hopeless promise.
Enter James, who’s just here to fulfill a promise to his late mother. He sees anything other than music as an unnecessary distraction. Can’t lose what’s left of your fragile heart if you don’t let anything else in, right?
Their reluctant acquaintanceship turns to borderline friendship as the two confront the crossroads of their lives and inner turmoil in most unsettling and adorable ways. Seriously, they even get started with unexpected “shows” and secret notes a la the “You Belong with Me” music video. As Rebecca learns what it means to be free, James learns that having ties to others is nothing to be ashamed of.
The playlist for this book is so good, it truly is an 80s hair-metal dream. The highs and lows, the banter, the flirting, everything is just ✨IMMACULATE✨. This book also threw in a few unexpected twists and revelations that made me scream.
Watching Rebecca learn to stand up for herself, and her autonomy, was so incredibly fulfilling and satisfying. And JAMES WALTON. AUGH. WE GOT ANOTHER AMAZING GREEN FLAG BOY THROUGH AND THROUGH. 💚💚💚
I cannot stress how the ending had me cheering. This book will live rent-free in my head. DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND READ THIS BOOK.
(Also, the bonus chapter? TEARS OF JOY😭)
January 25, 2024
read for shits and gigs… publishing eddie munson fanfics in 2023 is wild as hell😭 some things are just better off on wattpad and shouldn’t see the light of day, but hope that author gets her coin <3
December 22, 2024
!!! THIS! Book! Set in the 1980’s. Rebecca is a senior at a high school in Iowa and a very active participant in her church congregation. Raised by hyper religious parents, Rebecca doesn’t share the same freedoms as her peers in school. Her parents dictate what and how much she eats, what she wears, and even who she associates with at church and school. The path of her life is paved for her until one day, a black van appears in the driveway of her next door neighbors home. Certain it’s the van sent to abduct her to take her to a Christian girls behavior home due to her impure thoughts, her anxiety is quelled when she realizes the car belongs to the new neighborhood bad boy, James Walton. He is rock and roll, cigarettes, metal, and seemingly rough around the edges. James moves in with his aunt after the tragic death of his drug addicted mother, whose dying wish was for her son to complete high school. At his aunts house, he finds a diary that belonged to his mom in high school. FULL of secrets, this journal exposes community scandals. A friendship between Rebecca and James blossoms as they make eye contact from their bedroom windows one night. A romance blooms, but what is Rebecca to do as she is betrothed to a boy from her church congregation? This story was EVERYTHING. After being raised in a high demand religion and deconstructing my old beliefs, this book really resonated with me. Rebecca’s journey toward self discovery despite all of her religious scrupulosity was an absolute treasure. She felt and experienced many of the same things that I’ve experienced, and I felt so connected to her character. AND James’ character! What an absolute angel of a boy despite his peers seeing him as the devil. Loved loved loved this love story! All of the drama and dots that are connected in this book are SO good. Will definitely reread!!
August 8, 2024
Oof, this book was a fucking journey. It was heavy on the religious trauma along with some other heavy themes.
As rough as this was, I loved watching Rebecca break the chains that her religion had shackled her with. Even more so, all of the ways that James helped her to do it. It was no easy feat and I honestly wasn't sure it could be done, but it is worth all of the heartbreak and the frustrations.
It's funny that James gave Rebecca the nickname "angel" because James was the real angel here. He may look like a "bad boy" but he was the best man. His heart was pure and he was simply good. He got one look at Rebecca and that was it. I mean, the way he just saw her. How she was being starved and tortured and all the ways he came through for her. Truly beautiful. His backstory was also heartbreaking and I was rooting so hard for him throughout this entire book. He deserved the world.
Aside from the bleakness of the whole religious trauma aspect of this book, I was enthralled reading about Rebecca's sexual awakening. It was done at the most perfect pace and was just so hot??? I loved it all so much for her. James knew exactly how to take care of her.
While I mostly loved this, it did feel a little long. There was kind of a lot going on plot-wise, but it did make for an exciting end. Will definitely not be my last read by this author.
As rough as this was, I loved watching Rebecca break the chains that her religion had shackled her with. Even more so, all of the ways that James helped her to do it. It was no easy feat and I honestly wasn't sure it could be done, but it is worth all of the heartbreak and the frustrations.
It's funny that James gave Rebecca the nickname "angel" because James was the real angel here. He may look like a "bad boy" but he was the best man. His heart was pure and he was simply good. He got one look at Rebecca and that was it. I mean, the way he just saw her. How she was being starved and tortured and all the ways he came through for her. Truly beautiful. His backstory was also heartbreaking and I was rooting so hard for him throughout this entire book. He deserved the world.
Aside from the bleakness of the whole religious trauma aspect of this book, I was enthralled reading about Rebecca's sexual awakening. It was done at the most perfect pace and was just so hot??? I loved it all so much for her. James knew exactly how to take care of her.
While I mostly loved this, it did feel a little long. There was kind of a lot going on plot-wise, but it did make for an exciting end. Will definitely not be my last read by this author.
May 6, 2025
♬⋆.˚ 𝐀 𝐒𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐢𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐚𝐥𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧
𝐛𝐲 𝐋. 𝐇. 𝐁𝐥𝐚𝐤𝐞 🎧ྀི♪⋆.✮
𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭
🎸 80's Setting
✮⋆Bad Boy x Good Girl
🎸 Slowburn
✮⋆Forbidden Love
🎸 Religious Trauma
✮⋆Window Meet Cute
𝐌𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬
5 ⭐️
April's @thegirliesbookclub.xo pick ♡
This book absolutely blew me away!
It’s not often you find a story that hits this hard emotionally, this one will stay with me for a lifetime.
Everything about it was perfection: the characters, the 80s setting, the slowburn romance. I adored every page of this beautifully written novel. L. H. Blake made me fall in love with James and Rebecca’s story and it truly warmed my heart.
James is one of the most compassionate and caring MMCs I’ve ever read. I couldn’t stop highlighting quotes because he was just that sweet. He’s so lovable, and the window scenes with Rebecca? Some of my absolute favourites.
Rebecca’s POV was heartbreaking at times, but her journey and growth were incredible to follow. I thought the themes of religious trauma and abuse were handled with real care and sensitivity.
This book is full of self-discovery, and I was rooting for Rebecca and James from page one. It does cover some heavy topics, so make sure to check the content warnings before diving in (TW: religious trauma, parental abuse, eating disorders, sexual assault, etc.).
This story truly touched my heart and I highly recommend it. Thank you, @lhblake.author
𝐛𝐲 𝐋. 𝐇. 𝐁𝐥𝐚𝐤𝐞 🎧ྀི♪⋆.✮
𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭
🎸 80's Setting
✮⋆Bad Boy x Good Girl
🎸 Slowburn
✮⋆Forbidden Love
🎸 Religious Trauma
✮⋆Window Meet Cute
𝐌𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬
5 ⭐️
April's @thegirliesbookclub.xo pick ♡
This book absolutely blew me away!
It’s not often you find a story that hits this hard emotionally, this one will stay with me for a lifetime.
Everything about it was perfection: the characters, the 80s setting, the slowburn romance. I adored every page of this beautifully written novel. L. H. Blake made me fall in love with James and Rebecca’s story and it truly warmed my heart.
James is one of the most compassionate and caring MMCs I’ve ever read. I couldn’t stop highlighting quotes because he was just that sweet. He’s so lovable, and the window scenes with Rebecca? Some of my absolute favourites.
Rebecca’s POV was heartbreaking at times, but her journey and growth were incredible to follow. I thought the themes of religious trauma and abuse were handled with real care and sensitivity.
This book is full of self-discovery, and I was rooting for Rebecca and James from page one. It does cover some heavy topics, so make sure to check the content warnings before diving in (TW: religious trauma, parental abuse, eating disorders, sexual assault, etc.).
This story truly touched my heart and I highly recommend it. Thank you, @lhblake.author
May 17, 2023
I was lucky enough to be one of many who received an advanced copy of this book, and boy am I glad I did. While the beginning threw me off a bit, didn't really get me interested, I had hope it would get better. I was praying it would get better. I had such high hopes for this book the moment I read the description for it. And man did it hit those expectations and more. Eventually, I got to a point where I couldn't STOP reading. I'm currently in my taylor swift era, and with her Eras tour ongoing, I've had her songs on loop, and The Way I Loved You and Don't Blame Me are two of her songs that perfectly fit Becks and James.
I also really loved Eric, as a kind of side character. Yes, he made some really bad decisions under really bad circumstances. But I would love to read a sequel about his own love story past graduation. He and Jeremiah deserve their own happiness, just like Becks told him.
Anyways, I highly recommend this book, whether you're christian, atheist, agnostic, non-religious, whatever. It was enticing and captivating and eye-opening to things that still happen to this day. I am obsessed with this book, and this author and am definitely going to be reading her other books :)
I also really loved Eric, as a kind of side character. Yes, he made some really bad decisions under really bad circumstances. But I would love to read a sequel about his own love story past graduation. He and Jeremiah deserve their own happiness, just like Becks told him.
Anyways, I highly recommend this book, whether you're christian, atheist, agnostic, non-religious, whatever. It was enticing and captivating and eye-opening to things that still happen to this day. I am obsessed with this book, and this author and am definitely going to be reading her other books :)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 9, 2023
I received an ARC of this book, but all opinions are my own.
My heart was healed, broken and healed again reading this. The struggles and guilt that Rebecca dealt with was something I could relate to so intimately. The way everything was handled was so beautiful. There’s something so stunning about two broken people coming together and becoming whole again that L.H captures so perfectly in this.
I absolutely adored Rebecca and James. There relationship was everything to me. It was so hard to get to the end because I wanted more. I need more.
This made me feel seen and understood in a way I never have. My struggles weren’t identical to Rebecca’s but, I could feel her pain with the religious trauma, pressure and ED they caused. It was so beautiful to watch her journey throughout the book. I absolutely loved every single minute of this.
Definitely look up trigger warnings, but read this! It’s so good!
My heart was healed, broken and healed again reading this. The struggles and guilt that Rebecca dealt with was something I could relate to so intimately. The way everything was handled was so beautiful. There’s something so stunning about two broken people coming together and becoming whole again that L.H captures so perfectly in this.
I absolutely adored Rebecca and James. There relationship was everything to me. It was so hard to get to the end because I wanted more. I need more.
This made me feel seen and understood in a way I never have. My struggles weren’t identical to Rebecca’s but, I could feel her pain with the religious trauma, pressure and ED they caused. It was so beautiful to watch her journey throughout the book. I absolutely loved every single minute of this.
Definitely look up trigger warnings, but read this! It’s so good!
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