I was the girl who ran from nightmares until Fordhurst promised me a dream.
All my life, I’ve been a pawn.
A bargaining chip for my family, a trophy for my fiancé.
I’m not a person to them, just an asset to own and control.
So when I gather the courage to flee on my wedding day, I run hard and fast, hiding in a string of small towns, hoping each one will be my last.
Always running, always hiding, never seen, until Fordhurst.
Until Dante.
He’s a priest with a past shrouded in shadows, an enigma inked with secrets.
He watches me with a gaze so raw, it’s unholy.
In this quaint town, amidst its peace, he’s an anomaly.
A man of God with a devil’s temptation.
A priest whose eyes harbor sins too dark for the confessional.
Being near him feels like dancing on the edge of a cliff - thrilling, illicit, terrifying.
But there’s no denying the pull or the connection that tugs at my soul.
I fear my past is a storm ready to roll in, threatening to uproot the sanctuary I’ve found in Dante.
I’m not just a risk to him; I’m a ticking time bomb that could explode his world.
We’re entangled in a forbidden dance of love and sin.
One thing is for there will be no mercy when the past knocks on our door.
Salvation is a dark, stand-alone short novel of 43,000 words involving a priest with a dark past and a girl on the run. It ends in an HEA and there's no cheating.
This is the second book by this author that I tried, and I can finally say that I'm done 🥹🥹 we are not compatible 😅. With both of them, I sensed that there was a lot of telling, not in-depth understanding of the characters and what makes them tick, a lot of things thrown into the mix, just for the sake of it.
The read was entertaining since I finished it. But it took me too much time to finish it, for a 200-page read, because it was just predictable. I had to put it aside a few times because it just couldn't hold my interest. Well, actually, not always. Some of the kinks just came out of the nowhere, and those scenes were interesting.
Repetitive here and there. He has darkness, she's his little doe, his baby girl etc etc etc.
It sounded good, in theory, but the delivery was not for me 😀. It's like everything was fake and thrown together just for the shock of it. It didn't flow. Some of her reactions didn't fit, and there wasn't any build-up. I'm fine with insta lust / love, but I couldn't feel it completely here. 🙃🤷♀️
But it might be for other readers.
What to expect - quick read, fast paced (200 pages) - age gap (39 H, 23 h) - V h, celibate H (he became a priest 4 years prior to the action of this book) - she's on the run from her husband - he's a priest, former mafia (duh), it's easy to spot that - insta everything between them - spicy, with a variety of kinks (primal, cnc, bondage, masked, 🔪 play, wax play, @nal, etc etc etc) - HEA
. . .
"I know without a doubt that I would die protecting her from any man who tried to hurt her. That I’d kill any man who tried. Any man who even thought about touching her because she’s mine." --- 🫢🥵
“You’re not like other girls. You’re a storm, Madison. And I’m a ship lost at sea.” She scoffs, rolling her eyes. “That’s a rather dramatic metaphor, don’t you think?” “Maybe,” I admit. “But it’s the truth. You came into my life like a whirlwind, turning everything upside down. And now, I can’t... I won’t go back to how things were.” -- 🤷♀️ ok.. I still don't get why she's so special
“Dante, I’m... I’m...” I gasp out, but he silences me with a growl. “I’m going to breed you,” he snarls, his voice dark and gritty. “I’m going to fill your ass with my cum.” --- sir, that's not how it works!!!!!! 💀🤣🤣
“And what’s one more life on my hands?” he questions, moving closer to Eric. “If you don’t give her an annulment, I’ll just annul your life.” -- hahaha, that was funny when it wasn't supposed to be 🤭
"I close my eyes, contented and safe in his arms, ready to face whatever the future brings. Because no matter what, I am certain of one thing. I’m his, and he’s mine. Forever." --- ok, I liked this one 😊🥰
3.5 ⭐️ this is an age gap, forbidden romance as Dante is a priest who when meets Madison just can’t keep his dark urges at bay. And Madison is running from an abusive husband who also can’t keep those urges from wanting Dante.
Lead us not into temptation 🤔 Yeah, Dante didn’t get that memo as he takes our FMC Madison and escorts her down a path of the less righteous. Upon hearing her melodic voice in the confessional, he falls for her angelic tones, little does he know that Madison is barely virtuous herself but the fun is in learning that along the way.
Both are running from a past that each knows nothing about, though Madison fears for her life after escaping a forced marriage. His past is far worse but he found his peace when he became a priest that is until he met her and everything changes for them both.
It was a quick, satisfying read. I didn’t feel as though it was as dark as Selena’s other books that I’ve read 🖤
⭐️4/5 🌶️3/5 I love to read a smutty little novella after a fantasy book or a heavy plot novel and this one was the perfect little palate cleanser. This is the second book I've read by Selena and I've loved both of them. Salvation follows Dante, a former bad boy turned priest, and his obsession with the new girl who stumbles into his confessional while running from her dark past. Dante is possessive and a little unhinged while Madison is sweet, ray of light with a few dark fantasies of her own. I loved the forbidden romance aspects of this novella, as well as the thrill of the plot.
I loved this story!!!! 🥵🥵🥵🥵🤬 “You know, little doe, a year ago, I chased you through these woods, and I caught you. I thought I was the predator, and you were my prey. But I was wrong. I’ve been yours since we met. You caught me, my beautiful, wild, spirited doe. You’ve ensnared my heart, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
𝗦𝗮𝗹𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 is a dark forbidden romance novella by Selena Winters. She’s a relatively new author, and this ARC is my first venture into her world. As soon as I found out the MMC is a reformed priest, I was in.
Dante has been a priest for four years, having chosen a different path after a lifetime spent in darkness. He becomes obsessed with Madison as soon as he hears her voice in the confessional. Those vows he took? Ha! He’s essentially primal and unhinged when it comes to her: possessive and a thousand percent over the top.
Madison finds solace in a small town after nine months on the run from her abusive husband. She grew up in a gilded cage, sheltered by her parents with very little freedom.
The attraction between Madison and Dante is immediate; it was damn near all consuming. I’m pretty sure they spent most of their time fantasizing about each other sans clothing. But he’s 6ft tall, sexy AF, and tattoos peek out from his priest collar. I can’t say I blame her.
𝗦𝗮𝗹𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 is a novella, so the fast pace and fast burn was to be expected. I wished there was a little more character development in the beginning, especially regarding their pasts. It’s woven in throughout the story in pieces, but I would have felt more connected if I knew more about them going in. Dante has very little hesitation about forsaking his vows for Madison, but it’s done so quickly that it felt like a nonissue. There was no angst about it.
This novella needs some editing. There are typos and punctuation errors (commas instead of periods, periods instead of commas, etc.). Some of the dialogue felt stilted and forced, but that didn’t take away any of my enjoyment.
This was my first read from Selena, and it was exactly what I was looking for.
Forbidden, dark(ish), age gap, spicy and a quick read that you can really just lose yourself in. Dante being a priest definitely made the spicy scenes extra interesting! Madison definitely surprised me, I loved that she never shyed away from Dantes darkness.
If you're looking for a quick, easy, spicy read - then definitely check this one out.
1 ⭐️ my expectations for this short ‘banger’ were not high and they weren’t even met. The story is beyond forced, rushed, and too many things were added/thrown in so haphazardly it was like watching an awful movie with crap actors and an even worse plot. It may have only taken me 2.5 hours to finish this one, I highly recommend not wasting your time.
This one wasn't for me, TBH. The writing wasn't bad or anything, but the female lead was TSTL. Literally. She had no personality aside from being innocent, attractive and submissive. She runs from her abusive fiance at the altar (/ shortly after?) and is on the run, bouncing from small town to small town. The male lead has been a small town priest for like 4 years. He's tatted, rough and has "demons". My man literally heard her talk ONE TIME in the confession booth and went all creepy stalker / jizzes in her closet right after.
I get it, it's supposed to be a dark romance or something but aside from the ML being hot and dark there wasn't anything else to grip me. Also, he's a small town priest who drinks, owns a bunch of businesses and rides a motorcycle? I really had to suspend my disbelief for this one. Not for me.
I can’t speak, can’t think, can’t breathe. All I can do is feel. Feel Dante owning me, destroying me, rebuilding me.
A man devoted to a life serving God would find himself breaking everything in his path just to get his hands on Madison Doyle. Fleeing from an arranged marriage to the abusive Eric Mancini, she was constantly looking over her shoulder knowing him capturing her would mean certain death. Stealing money from him before turning her backs on the entire Crime World, she finds herself in a small town where she hoped to simply go unnoticed. Unfortunately, attending a sermon her first Sunday would draw the eyes of the Priest Dante, and quickly force the submissive side from her. Drawn like moths to flames, the two could barely keep their hands from one another even though it broke every sanction of the church. Falling harder, he knew he has to keep her his forever even if it costed him his salvation.
As a priest, I should guide, protect, and pray for her. Instead, I’m stalking her, lusting after her, violating her privacy in the most intimate way possible. But I can’t stop myself.
As Madison begins finding friendships, Dante is harboring deep jealousy towards any man who dared try to speak or touch her. Interrupting parties and nights out at the bar, he began stalking her and breaking into her home to spy on her. Unaware he was this darkened monster behind the mask, she's shocked and delighted by the man underneath. As he's preparing to give up his title as a Priest, she's fearful of the hatred and backlash the community will greet her with. Unfortunately, she would also face Eric one last time before Dante would find the two and mill him. Revealing the truth of the past he ran from, he was the Enforcer, the hired killer of the Mafia family Eric belonged to. With Eric successfully out of their loves, he purchased a secluded cabin home for the two of them to enjoy one another in telative privacy. Excited to finally find the one for her, Madison embraces even the darkest oastts of Dante with no hesitation.
I know without a doubt that I would die protecting her from any man who tried to hurt her. That I’d kill any man who tried. Any man who even thought about touching her because she’s mine.
Oh, gosh. First of all, let me start by saying...dang, that cover model. *fans face* Excellent choice. Hot damn. Okay. Now, that I'm dong with that...
This was probably my lease favorite from this author, and that's not to say that I didn't like the book. It just wasn't as compelling and ended up going in an odd direction. The story sounded so good from the blurb, and I have never read one of those priest romance tropes before, so I was like, "Fine. I'll finally give in." But it just wasn't my jam, and mostly because I don't think the priest stuff was written quite right. Forget the guy suddenly turned into a priest four years ago without any training and now had incredibly knowledge of the Bible and the innerworkings of the Catholic Church and all that. Because I'm pretty sure you can't be like, "Hey, YOLO, I want to be a priest," and you just become a priest overnight, which was what the book made it sound like. Let's forget that for a moment.
Dude had multiple businesses throughout the small town. It was so many that I ended looking up if priests were allowed to do that sort of thing, and the short answer is...no. It sometimes can happen with approval. But, again...no. Bro like owned the whole town. lol It felt more like he came into town and swindled a bunch of people into thinking he was a priest by saying, "Hey, I'm the new priest," and pretended to be one. And no one could figure it out because the town was so small that no one else came there to say otherwise. Oh, gosh. That would make an excellent book. Someone write that book. Haha.
I love dark stalker romances... and this just wasn't it. Like tf did I just read? This belongs on Wattpad for free, not on KU/Amazon... sorrynotsorry.
The amount of times the FMC said "we cant do this" "you cant do this" I wanted to scream.
Oh! Let's also not forget about the fact that even though he was celibate for 4 years he still had a vibe and flogger right in his bedroom? I know I know you must be thinking "Well he could have purchased it recently" and you are right since that is what I thought at first too, even though it is never mentioned... but then they did a watered-down version of IICYIFY and she just so happens to hide under an old tarp with a bunch of old bdsm things... so basically he used old dusty previously used toys on the FMC... new ick unlocked! That scene was also pointless btw since he didn't even take her back to use the stuff in the garage... he just caught her in the forest (Sorry ladies no hot forest smex, go read HA for that if you haven't already), bound her hands with tape, dragged her to his room...some how got her blouse off without ripping it.... and took her on the bed... lame!
There is spice but nothing spectacular... the author does tease a bit with BDSM play but nothing too in-depth. The story had potential but then fell flat. The altercation was a 2-second scuffle and then was over.... it was very anti-climactic.
Review: Twenty-three-year-old Madison is a girl from a very rough background. Her family literally "got rid of" her and left her to her new husband Erik. But he was abuser, so Madison ran away immediately after the wedding, before the marriage could be consummated. The nine-month escape took her to the small town of Fordhust, where she met the local priest Dante after a confession. But the sexy tattooed priest himself has a very dark past and they have more in common than it seems.
I won't go into too much detail here. I had quite high expectations, which unfortunately were not fulfilled. At times it was great, but there were a lot of passages where it was simply too weird. The FMC was not interesting at all for me. Dante himself was incredibly hot, but as I mentioned above. At times it was really hard and he looked more like a belly-buttoned Joža who jumps out of the bushes at you with his coat open.
Everyone has to see the plottwist itself from far away, when we finally got there at about 90% of the story, it was too fast and it had quite solid potential. And the ending was terribly rushed and overall I didn't like it.
Dark priest trope did that for me, but unfortunately it didn't really work here for me...
Synopsis MMC Dante became a priest four years ago to escape his mysterious and sordid past. He has made a life for himself in a small town and is well respected by the community.
FMC Madison is on the run from her abusive husband. Her parents forced her to marry him to settle their debt. She has just arrived in a small town and goes to church to confess her sins, where she meets Dante.
Dante and Madison are instantly drawn to each other. Dante struggles to keep his priestly vows intact and his dark desires at bay but he cannot help becoming obsessed with his innocent doe.
Review Another short novella with delicious spice. I love the idea of a tattooed, bad boy priest who cannot help himself. It adds another layer to the darkness and forbidden.
Despite the length, the plot was good and there was even a twist. I can’t wait to finally read a full length book from this author. I prefer reading all books in order, even if they are standalones. Thankfully they have been enjoyable.
I loved this book. It was short and spicy🔥 It's dark stalker romance. Dante is possessive and so fucking hot. The forest and the church scenes in this book are so hot. Don't get started about the last chapter 🤌🏻😩🔥 Father Dante 🧎🏻♀️🧎🏻♀️🧎🏻♀️ I'm gonna be on my knees for this man.
Tropes: • Priest • Primàl play • Stalker • Forbidden • Age gap • Past Secrets • Voyeurism • Còñseñual Ñon çòn
Madison is running from her abusive husband and is hiding in a small town, Fordhurst. Until she meets the priest in the confessional at the church. Dante. He is a priest with a dark past and secrets. He said his vows four years ago. And now he is willing to throw away his vows. He stalks her and is obsessed with her.
• “Don’t test me, little doe.” • “Remember who you belong to, Madison,” “Remember who owns you, or you won’t like what happens to the man who dares approach you,”. • “Stop acting like a brat.” His voice is a growl. “Or I’ll take you over my knee.” • “Once I’ve claimed you, there’s no going back. You’ll belong to me. Only me. Forever.” • “That’s right, scream for me. Let the whole fucking world know that the priest of Fordhurst owns this pussy
I loved this book. It was short and spicy🔥 It's dark stalker romance. Dante is possessive and so fucking hot. The forest scenes in this book are so hot 🥵If you loved the priest this one is definitely for you 😍
Tropes: • Priest • Stalker • Forbidden • Age gap • Past Secrets • Voyeurism • Consensual non-con
Madison is running from her abusive husband and is hiding in a small town, Fordhurst. Until she meets the priest in the confessional at the church. Dante. He is a priest with a dark past and secrets. He said his vows four years ago. And now he is willing to throw away his vows. He stalks her and is obsessed with her.
• “Don’t test me, little doe.” • “Remember who you belong to, Madison,” “Remember who owns you, or you won’t like what happens to the man who dares approach you,”. • “Stop acting like a brat.” His voice is a growl. “Or I’ll take you over my knee.” • “Once I’ve claimed you, there’s no going back. You’ll belong to me. Only me. Forever.” • “That’s right, scream for me. Let the whole fucking world know that the priest of Fordhurst owns this pussy.”
Madison is on the run from an abusive ex. Dante is the small town priest trying to save himself from his dark past. They meet at confession and instantly need more.
This was a short, dark, spicy read. I enjoyed reading about Madison and Dante. Dante was a complete contradiction to the typical priest image - dark, deprived, and twisted. It did feel like Dante only became a priest to escape his past which I think made the story more believable considering how quickly he forsakes his vows. Madison was innocent in physical sense but not in her past life. They realize very quickly that they have so much in common. The spice is 🔥, definitely read TW if you need a heads up. I wish we had seen a little more build up between Madison and Dante. They meet and the next day he is ready to end his celibacy. I did love the plot twist and the ending. Again, check for TW’s and happy reading!
Salvation is the kind of dark romance that grabs you by the throat and refuses to let go. Selena Winters crafts a story heavy with angst, danger, and raw emotion—where every page feels like a battle between ruin and redemption.
The FMC is a survivor in every sense. She’s been through hell, yet there’s a quiet strength in the way she refuses to break. Reading her journey is equal parts heartbreaking and inspiring. The MMC is the perfect storm—intense, protective, and a little terrifying in the best way. He’s not polished or perfect, but that’s exactly what makes his love story so believable.
What struck me most is the push and pull between darkness and light. This isn’t a neat, easy romance—it’s gritty, messy, and painful at times. But woven into the chaos is a powerful message: love can heal even the most jagged edges.
Selena Winters doesn’t shy away from heavy themes, and that’s what makes Salvation unforgettable. It’s more than a romance—it’s a reckoning, a story of clawing your way out of the dark and daring to believe you’re worthy of love.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Absolutely Captivating and Emotionally Charged! Salvation by Selena Winters is nothing short of breathtaking. From the very first page, I was completely drawn into this world of passion, pain, and redemption. Selena Winters has such a gift for writing characters that feel raw, real, and unforgettable. The emotional depth in this story hit me right in the heart—every twist, every confession, every stolen moment left me holding my breath. The chemistry between the main characters is explosive, yet beautifully tender. You can feel their connection grow stronger with every challenge they face, and by the end, you’re not just reading their story—you’re living it. Winters weaves heartbreak and hope together so perfectly that I found myself both crying and smiling through the final chapters. If you’re looking for a romance that will break you open and then heal you all over again, Salvation is exactly that. A stunning, powerful, and utterly unforgettable read. Selena Winters has once again proven she’s one of the best in the genre!
Salvation is a steamy, instalove, OTT, forbidden, kinky, girl gets the priest, dark romance. Madison is a young lady on the run from her abusive husband. She ran after they married but before the wedding was consummated. Dante is a burly, hunky, inked priest with a dark side. When Madison arrives in the small town of Fordhurst, she goes to confession and meets Dante. Dante took his holy vows 4 years ago, running from his dark past. But one look at Madison, and he's ready to throw the vows out the window. The chemistry between these two was pure fire and got down and dirty. But what will the town say? And when their dangerous past comes back, can they keep each other safe? This one had some dark stuff, so be sure to read triggers, but it was so good, and after all the drama, we do get a happy ending. I never saw the twist at the end coming...
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
★ “I’ve got you, little doe. There’s no escape now. You’re in the jaws of the wolf.” ★
I’m not sure how Dante could shed the skin from his old life to become a priest for the last five years, but he was at the right place at the right time to help a woman who came to his church for confession one night. Madison and her story awakens the “tamed beast” who had been leashed behind the guise of his vestment, and he comes to realize she is the woman of his fantasies come true.
“She’s f%*king divine. She unravels everything I’ve tried to run from in one second flat. The darkness that still lives dormant within me. The darkness I tried to bury.”
“You’re a storm, Madison. And I’m a ship lost at sea.”
Luckily for her, he was just the man fierce enough to take care of her and the trouble she had been running from.
These two definitely fired up the gossip and envy in the sleepy town of Fordhurst, certainly! Loved this dark taboo read! More!!!
This book was a dark forbidden romance. Triggers for this book include: primal play, knife play, bondage, consensual non consent.
This story is about a priest named Dante who has a dark past of being involved in the mafia. He is now a priest in a place called Fordhurst. He meets a woman named Madison in the confessional booth. Madison has run away from her abusive husband. All of her life Madison has been a pawn, a bargaining chip for her father. She leaves town and ends up in Fordhurst. She meet Dante who is a priest. Ford had a past with the mafia. Then he meets Madison and she changed him a lot. Madison and Dante who is a priest begin to have an affair. Nobody in the town knows about their budding relationship. Dante does eventually step down and admitted that he loved Madison. This was a good book but I wanted to know more about Dante and what he used to do for the mafia. This book was very spicy I🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️.