This preacher man is giving her something to believe in.
When country singer Dixie Pearl’s van breaks down in the middle of nowhere, Tennessee, it feels like rock bottom. Sharp-tongued Dixie prides herself on her independence, but after recent health struggles, her dream of making it big has never felt more out of reach.
It’s pure luck that the burly bearded man who hauls her out of the ditch is a beloved local minister. Dixie’s used to dive bars, truck stops and 2:00 a.m. brawls, not kindhearted preachers—especially one this hot.
For Jack Carter, being hospitable comes with the territory, but there’s something extra-special about Dixie. He’s dealt with his fair share of, um, quirky parishioners. But nobody’s ever challenged him like firecracker Dixie, stirring an attraction Jack’s not sure how to reconcile with his life of devotion.
Dixie wants nothing more than to get out of town and back to Nashville, but the white-hot sparks between her and Jack are almost enough to make her want to stay…but only if she can fit their worlds together without letting go of the dreams she refuses to leave behind.
Hot for Preacher is a spicy, fast-paced romance you can read in one sitting.
Anne Marsh is a sucker for a grumpy hero who falls hard, a sunshine heroine who won't back down, and small towns where everyone knows your business (but shows up with casseroles anyway).
A New York Times and USA Today bestselling author with 30+ romance novels, Anne writes contemporary and paranormal stories full of banter, steam, heroines navigating real challenges (chronic illness, anxiety, all the messy parts of being human), and happily-ever-afters you can believe in.
Perfect for fans of Ali Hazelwood, Talia Hibbert, and Olivia Dade.
Anne lives in rural North Carolina with rescue cats who barely tolerate her and neighbors who are real-life heroes—fixing cars, hauling mulch, pulling you out of ditches without even being asked. Her books are love letters to small-town kindness and big-hearted romance.
COMING SOON: Hot for Preacher (Harlequin Afterglow) - February 24, 2026 Grumpy preacher. Sunshine country singer living with rheumatoid arthritis. Second chances. Small-town meddling. So. Much. Heat.
Details? Dixie Pearl is the FMC, she is 28 years old. Jack Carter is the MMC, and I believe he is in his thirties. No OW. No OM. Neither are virgins, Dixie prefers casual hook ups and Jack has been celibate for a bit. Condoms are used.
My thoughts? I really like Dixie Pearl’s attitude, she was spunky and her references to astrology were fun to read about. Jack is the calm to her storm, he is the do-gooder in the community and is there for everyone. What I found lacklustre was their ending, I enjoyed how much time was dedicated to the slow build into a domesticated life for Dixie. She definitely had no interest in it at the beginning of the book, and held out her reservations until it dawned on her that all she wanted was Jack. I would have loved to have an epilogue that showed what their HEA looks like, the lack of closure
Quick Thoughts: DNF at 25% I think this could be a very fun story with a point of view and tense change. As it exists, the first-person present tense dual narration means we are stuck in the heads of two characters who would benefit from at least a bit of narrative distance. Frustrating, ditzy, immature, kind of self-absorbed, cranky, arrogant, or overly cutesy in third person past tense can be great - I'm all for complex characters. However, in this one I wanted to physically shake the characters instead of just shake my head in amusement.
This reads like a straight-to-streaming rom com that ends up on the lesser known networks like Tubi or Fubo. Ones that pretty much start out, "I bet you're asking yourself how I got here in this van in a small town! I am a singer and I'm going to tell you my life story right here as I sit in my van that's not vanning and break the fourth wall...Aren't I adorbs!?"
I know this kind of voice is trendy right now, but it takes an incredible writer to make that style work for long time romance readers who have ears tuned to a different kind of story telling. I felt like I was reading YA instead of adult romance. ——— Harlequin Afterglow (Feb 2026) Genre/Subgenre: contemporary romance
Standalone/Series: standalone
Themes/Tropes: country music hopeful, social media star or influencer, broke girl running on fumes, forbidden (sort of) fun times with the minister, small town charm, quirky FMC, grumpy MMC
Steam/Spice Level: open door, in the bed, detailed description, spicy
Religion: yes, plenty, the MMC is a minister at a small town church but he's very progressive
POV: first person, present tense, dual narration __________ Thank you Harlequin Publishing for the Advanced Reader Copy. Expected publication date: Feb 1, 2026
3 1/2 stars rounded up! Hot for Preacher is one of those romances that absolutely knows its trope—and leans into it with charm, heat, and a surprisingly tender message. A country singer and a small-town preacher might sound gimmicky on paper, but Anne Marsh makes it work by anchoring the story in character chemistry and emotional push-and-pull that felt genuine.
Dixie Pearl is the standout character, at least for me. She’s sharp-tongued, stubbornly independent, a little chaotic, and deeply human. Her refusal to soften herself for anyone felt authentic and fun, and her internal struggle—between chasing a dream that keeps slipping further away and wanting something steady for the first time ever— gave the story real emotional weight. Jack Carter, meanwhile, is the perfect counterbalance: calm, grounded, quietly devoted to his community, and wrestling with an attraction that doesn’t neatly fit into the life he’s chosen. Their dynamic is classic opposites-attract done well, and I loved the tension and banter.
Where the book really shines is in the middle. Watching Dixie slowly acclimate to the idea of roots, domesticity, and vulnerability—things she initially resists with her whole being—felt earned and thoughtfully paced. The romance unfolds in small, meaningful moments, and the emotional intimacy often hits harder than the physical chemistry (though there’s plenty of that too).
That said, the ending is where the story loses a bit of momentum. After such a careful build, the resolution feels rushed and slightly underdeveloped. I wanted more time to sit in their happily-ever-after—an epilogue, a glimpse of what their blended worlds actually look like once the dust settles. Without that, the conclusion feels more implied than fully realized, which was a little disappointing.
Overall, though, Hot for Preacher is a fun, heartfelt romance with strong characters, great banter, and believable chemistry, even if the ending isn’t necessarily what I wanted. I enjoyed the ride—I just wish I’d gotten a clearer view of where it ultimately took them!
A big thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin | Afterglow for this aARC!
I like lighter, fun romance reads like Anne Marsh’s Hot for Preacher. Even the title and illustration put a smile on my face. And this is not a slow burn. I loved Dixie’s confidence, and the way she and Jack met was perfect. The pages were steamy on the front, and I like that for this type of story. Their fun quips were a delight to read just as much as discovering that, under the Preacher persona, Jack
That aside, Dixie’s musical aspirations and her issues with her father interfering in her life were a big part of the story, creating a lot of friction between Dixie and Jack. I liked how the author created enough conflict among the characters without making the story feel heavy or serious.
Thank you to Shameless Romantics and Author Anne Marsh for the gifted e-copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! It was entertaining, lighthearted, and quick to read. I love how Dixie is portrayed as confident and determined. She openly communicates her desires to Jack but struggles a bit with expressing her feelings. Jack, the preacher, seems to be Dixie’s opposite, yet they complement each other wonderfully. The banter between the two was fun and so entertaining. Jack consistently supports and cares for Dixie, something she seemed to be lacking in other relationships (her dad & friends). Highly recommend giving this one a try!
Book Review: Anne Marsh’s Hot for Preacher is the book that made me say, out loud, “well this shouldn’t work” and then immediately cancel my plans because I could not stop reading. Harlequin – Romance / Afterglow Books by Harlequin, thank you so much to the publisher and NetGalley for my gifted ARC.
This story walks a very fine line between cozy small-town romance and unapologetic spice, and somehow does it with a wink and a grin instead of tripping over itself. Dixie Pearl is a broke, stubborn, sharp-tongued country singer whose van is held together by hope and bad decisions. When it dies on the side of the road in a tiny Tennessee town, she is not looking for salvation, spiritual or otherwise. What she gets instead is Jack Carter, a bearded preacher with a hero complex, a kind heart, and absolutely no business being this attractive.
Dixie is the kind of heroine I instantly latch onto. She’s messy, defensive, funny, and exhausted in a way that feels painfully real. She wants independence so badly she’s willing to suffer for it, even when her health is actively telling her to sit down and accept help. Her internal monologue had me laughing one minute and nodding quietly the next. She’s not written to be palatable. She’s written to be honest, and I loved that.
Jack, meanwhile, is not your judgmental, finger-wagging romance preacher. He’s gentle, progressive, community-minded, and very aware of his responsibilities. Which makes the slow, simmering pull between him and Dixie so much better. He doesn’t want to want her. She doesn’t want to stay. The tension builds not just from attraction, but from the very real question of whether love can fit into lives that are already pointed in opposite directions.
The small-town setting is doing a lot of heavy lifting here, in the best way. Wickham Hollow feels lived-in and nosy and warm. The gossip is relentless, the casseroles are aggressive, and everyone has an opinion about everyone else’s business. It’s cozy without being cloying, funny without turning cartoonish. I especially loved the sense of found family and the way the town quietly becomes a safety net for Dixie when she didn’t even realize she needed one.
The romance itself is steamy, but not gratuitous. This is open-door spice with purpose. Every intimate moment pushes the emotional stakes higher instead of just existing for shock value. There’s longing, restraint, and that delicious ache of two people trying very hard to do the right thing and failing anyway. The banter sparkles, the chemistry is immediate, and the internal conflict feels earned rather than manufactured.
“I wanna sin, I wanna pray, I wanna have the devil’s way with my preacher man…”
That line lives rent-free in my head, frankly.
What really surprised me was the emotional depth layered into what could have been a fluffy rom-com premise. Dixie’s chronic illness, her complicated relationship with her father, and her fear of becoming small or stuck all add weight to the story. Jack’s devotion to his calling and his community isn’t treated as something that needs to be discarded for romance, which I appreciated. The book asks whether love can expand a life rather than replace it, and that question lingers long after the final page.
Is the ending a little tidy? Sure. Did I wish for an epilogue just to bask a bit longer? Absolutely. But the journey there was so charming, funny, and heartfelt that I closed the book feeling satisfied instead of cheated.
This is the kind of romance that knows exactly what it is. It’s cozy, spicy, a little irreverent, and surprisingly tender. If you enjoy opposites-attract romances, small-town chaos, and characters who feel like real people instead of tropes in costume, this one is worth your time.
❤️ Blurb - This preacher man is giving her something to believe in. When country singer Dixie Pearl’s van breaks down in the middle of nowhere, Tennessee, it feels like rock bottom. Sharp-tongued Dixie prides herself on her independence, but after recent health struggles, her dream of making it big has never felt more out of reach. It’s pure luck that the burly bearded man who hauls her out of the ditch is a beloved local minister. Dixie’s used to dive bars, truck stops and 2:00 a.m. brawls, not kindhearted preachers—especially one this hot. For Jack Carter, being hospitable comes with the territory, but there’s something extra-special about Dixie. He’s dealt with his fair share of, um, quirky parishioners. But nobody’s ever challenged him like firecracker Dixie, stirring an attraction Jack’s not sure how to reconcile with his life of devotion. Dixie wants nothing more than to get out of town and back to Nashville, but the white-hot sparks between her and Jack are almost enough to make her want to stay…but only if she can fit their worlds together without letting go of the dreams she refuses to leave behind. Hot for Preacher is a spicy, fast-paced romance you can read in one sitting. 💜 Review - This was such a cute and fun read. I couldn't put it down and I read it in one sitting. The story was cute and easy to follow and had good pacing. It's the perfect book to curl up with when you just want to switch off. I loved the small town place setting in the story. I also loved Dixie and Jack's slow burn spicy chemistry and I wanted them to have their happy ending. I highly recommend it and I look forward to reading more by the author. 💝 Thank you to Netgalley, Harlequin after glow books and the author Anne Marsh for my arc ebook copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
What an absolute delight of a book! From the first page, I was hooked. The premise immediately grabbed me: a small town preacher and a down on her luck country singer? Say less. Plus I loved that it is sold as similar to the show Nobody Wants This, because I love that show. This was a super cute and fun and really adorable romance, and it delivered.
I adored both main characters. Dixie Pearl was fiery, funny, and so relatable! Her grit and vulnerability made her feel like a friend and someone I rooted for immediately. Jack was the perfect mix of kindhearted and conflicted, and their chemistry was so evident right off the bat. You could feel the tension in every scene they shared, and I loved watching their worlds collide.
Anne Marsh’s writing is so smooth and engaging. I flew through this book in one sitting! The dialogue was really a highlight for me, and the small town vibes were cozy and authentic. Even the secondary characters stood out. I especially appreciated the honest portrayal of Dixie’s rheumatoid arthritis; it added depth and realism to her story in such a respectful way. I love chronic illness representation because as someone who suffers from several, it makes me feel that much more connected to the characters and the story and I love that.
This was my first read by Anne Marsh, and it definitely won’t be my last!
P.S. The preacher really is hot. 🔥
Thank you to NetGalley, Anne Marsh, and Afterglow Books/Harlequin for the eARC of this book.
This is why I love Anne Marsh! This is a delightfully witty, deliciously blasphemous, intensely romantic love story with hilariously descriptive prose, a side order of country music, and a congregation that encompasses the entire small town where our manic Dixie dream Pearl breaks down and rebuilds her life.
Preacher Jack is the quiet kind of leader, always there for his neighbors, never judging anyone's choices, just going about his day helping whoever crosses his path. Even Dixie, whether she wants it or not. Oh, she wants it alright, she just doesn't want to want it. She wants her independence, fights hard to maintain it, all while slowly realizing that she might want to trade a little of that independent streak for the comfort of community and a sense of belonging.
I loved every single character in this book, even good ol' Hank. He means well, even if he's absolutely no help at all. All the denizens of Wickham Hollow are beautifully written realistic characters and I hope to read more about them in future books.
Jack and Dixie's love story cut so deep you could feel the pain they each wrestled with as they figured out how to make their entirely disparate lives fit together. The HEA was a bit abrupt, yet still satisfying. It's a wonderful love story that I highly recommend for anyone who enjoys contemporary romance.
Dixie Pearl es una cantante country en busca de cumplir su sueño, aunque por ahora lo único que tiene es una van destartalada, unos cuantos bares de mala muerte como escenario y diecisiete dólares en la bolsa. Su vida da un giro inesperado cuando se queda varada en Wickham Hollow, un diminuto pueblo de Tennessee donde no hay ni motel ni oportunidades… salvo un predicador demasiado atractivo y con una sonrisa que derrite voluntades.
Jack Carter es un ministro que carga con la responsabilidad de su iglesia, sus feligreses y su fiel perro Huck. Lo último que espera es que la chica pelirroja y descarada que canta en bares irrupta en su vida con tanta fuerza. Ella es caos y pasión; él es estructura y fe. Entre noches de karaoke, confesiones íntimas y un deseo imposible de contener, ambos descubrirán que quizá la atracción entre una estrella en ascenso y un predicador de pueblo no es tan improbable como parece.
___
Dixie es todo lo que un predicador serio no debería querer: imprudente, directa, con una lengua afilada y una vida marcada por malas decisiones. Y, sin embargo, la química con Jack es explosiva desde el primer momento.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.
Okay listen… I did not expect to fall for a preacher today, yet here we are.
Hot for Preacher gave me small town chaos, spicy forbidden tension, and a preacher who is one “bless your heart” away from losing all control. And yes I was absolutely rooting for it.
Dixie Pearl is a hot mess with a van that dies more often than my motivation on a Monday. She’s sharp, chaotic, vulnerable, and determined....basically my favourite kind of FMC. When she crash lands into Jack Carter’s quiet little town, sparks ignite faster than a match on moonshine.
And Jack… oh Jack.
Tall, bearded, broad shouldered preacher man who will drag a broken down singer out of a ditch and then fight his own halo because he’s suddenly having Very Improper Thoughts.
The internal struggle? Delicious. The chemistry? Immediate. The spice? Unexpectedly… reverent?
This book is the perfect one sitting, small town opposites attract story with heart, heat, and a whole lot of tension between devotion and desire.
My only complaint? I wanted MORE. More pages, more pining, more “preacher tries not to sin but absolutely does.”
A fun, feel good, spicy read that had me grinning the entire time.
Would let this preacher guide me straight into temptation. Amen.
I think this book confused me for a little while, but I really got into the flow of it in the second half.
Dixie is a broken down and washed up country star living out of the back of her van, which breaks down in a small town in Tennessee. She is rescued, fed and offered housing by a handsome stranger, who she discovers when they go to the local bar, is in fact the town preacher, who desperately needs a new roof for his church.
I am not going to lie, the dynamics really threw me for a bit. The author obviously had experience and knowledge of the church - specifically small town church USA, and if this is something you aren't comfortable with, then this is most definitly not the book for you. However, the vibes are excellent. Jack is caring, kind, deeply invested in his community and cares for Dixie so much - especially when we find out that she has rheumatoid arthritis, and it flares up.
It's not an especially groundbreaking novel, but it is one that, if it is your vibe, you can keep coming back to again and again. However, if organised religion isn't your thing, I would steer clear. I did enjoy it though!
Many thanks to NetGalley and the author for this ARC, it comes out on 24th February!
If you enjoy small town romance, quirky animal companions, and MCs that don’t quite fit the mold, then this book is for you!
Okay, this one was fun. Dixie is a bit of a wild child and Jack, well…he’s pretty by the book (ya know, being a preacher and all). But these two have a sizzling first night together that flips both their lives upside down. Jack makes Dixie question the things she wants for her future, while Dixie makes Jack live a bit more freely.
Oftentimes in books where there’s a “will they, won’t they” factor, it can get repetitive and go on for too long, but this was exactly the right amount of time.
This also had a great cast of background characters. This is one thing I love in small town romances - the neighbors and the community that act as support (and thorns) for our MCs. Going in, I thought this would be just a fun little romp through the small town of Wickham Hollow. I wasn’t expecting as much heart and heat as I got. I ended up really enjoying my stay in town and really rooting for Dixie and Jack.
Thank you so much to NetGalley, Harlequin and Anne for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!
I really enjoyed this romance book. The plot gets going early and keeps you engaged thw whole time. The writinf is good and i liked the characters. The FMC Dixie is a hoot, shes original and funny and i loved the side characters, especially Dee and Slate.
Dixie Pearl is a rambling musician, except she's been rambling for awhile now and nothing seems to pan out. Her dad had a one hit wonder Christmas songs years and years ago and he wants her to sing with him on that song but doing that feels like giving up. When Dixie breaks down outside of a tiny town and a good Samaritan takes pity on her the story really gets good. Turns out the good ole-boy is a minister and the sparks fly. Dixie ends up writing a song about #PreacherMan and her views start to skyrocket. When he van isn't going to be ready for a month or so Dixie has no choice but to stay in town. Will she continue to ramble or will this country gal find a forever home?
All opinions are mine. I receieved this ARC from Netgally.
Well, goodness! This book had me fanning myself and clutching my imaginary pearls. A country singer stranded in small-town Tennessee and a preacher built like a country song? Lord, help us all.
Dixie Pearl is fiery, stubborn, and funny as sin. Jack Carter is the kind of man who makes you want to start showing up to Sunday service again—strictly for the fellowship, of course. Their chemistry sizzles, their banter sparkles, and every page feels like temptation wrapped in denim and Southern charm.
Anne Marsh mixes heart, heat, and a little holiness into one spicy opposites-attract romance. It’s sweet in spots, steamy in others, and full of that small-town mischief I love.
If you’re a fan of Nobody Wants This, country music, or just a man who can preach and smolder in equal measure, you’ll have a blast with this one.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read this delightful, down-home romance.
I picked this book up mostly because I thought it would be funny. The premise just seemed so fantastical to me, and I can say that I still do picture a down on her luck country singer and a preacher to be a conventional match. But I really loved Dixie and Jack together. I loved the inclusion of RA and the way it can affect your every day life.
I think my only complaint about this book is that it just ended so abruptly. While I don’t always need a however later epilogue, I was a little sad that we didn’t get to see any of how they balanced Dixie’s dream with Jack’s responsibility. I just wanted some confirmation I guess that they got to have their love and their callings, even though they are vastly different.
I would definitely recommend this romance if you are looking for a funny, spicy read that won’t take up too much time.
Overall I liked this one--the heroine wasn't always the most likable (truly, she's Jack's antisocial, judgmental chinchilla in human form at least half of the time) and I swear I missed some details along the way (or maybe the narrative really is that choppy in parts?) but the romance is sweet and the small town vibe is cute and fun without being claustrophobic. Also, even if some of his parishioners are a bit on the judgy side, Jack and his bishop are pretty awesome for southerners who are in the religion business.
Hopefully that's not just because they're fictional? (Yes, I might have some latent bias against mainstream religion these days...)
Rating: 4 stars / B+
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
Firstly I just want to thank the publisher for my early ebook copy. Appreciate it!
BUT… I wanted to love this one SO bad. A sassy country star and a hot-as-sin preacher? So much potential! Unfortunately, the characters and plot were not believable and just felt rather predictable and bland. The dialogue was rather clunky and unnatural.
Brownie points for RA rep, though - but it also made me wonder how likely it is that you’re a country star whilst suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. It’s a really tough life and just doesn’t seem plausible, even with a tough-as-nails FMC like Dixie.
I devoured this story!! A romance blooming in the midst of leaking church roofs and lyrics about a preacher. Their chemistry was undeniable as the stars witnessed it. I love the representation of rheumatoid arthritis that the main female character has. It shone a light to her pain. It was an absolute delight of a love story in a small town with big hearts.
This is Nobody Wants This with a Southern twist. A small town preacher lends a hand when a country singer’s van breaks down on the way to Nashville and ends up giving her his guest room until her car is ready. The gossip train is going before they even walk in the rectory door, and the old bitties from church don’t even know how steamy it actually got. This book was sexy and fun and full of small town shenanigans and angst and worry and so much love.
I’m a sucker for a cute small town opposites attract romance. Dixie rolls into town when her van breaks down and who comes to her rescue? Why it’s the hunky pastor, Jack. The two have chemistry from the start and it was a sweet story, but I felt like there could’ve been more to it.
I enjoyed Hot for Preacher. Charming and quirky characters. Small town vibes. Sign me up! However, I was disappointed in the ending. It was abrupt and considering Dixie had basically ghosted Jack while recording her album. I don’t know. I was just disappointed. The ending felt flat after such a cute story.
Thank you to Harlequin and NetGalley for this ARC!
You know I love a good priest/monk/preacher MMC and this did not disappoint. It was so sweet and just GAH. Jack Carter is so dreamy and the spice was perfect. Not too much, not too little.